Mineralogy, Chemistry, and Genesis of the Boninite Series Volcanics, Chichijima, Bonin Islands, Japan

The Bonin archipelago represents an uplifted fore-arc terrainwhich exposes the products of Eocene supra-subduction zone magmatism.Chichijima, at the centre of the chain, represents the typelocality for the high-Mg andesitic lava termed boninite. Therange of extrusives which constitute the boninite series volcanicsare present on Chichijima, and are disposed in the sequenceboninite-andesite-dacite with increasing height in the volcano-stratigraphy.Progression to evolved compositions within the Chichijima boniniteseries is controlled by crystal fractionation from a boniniteparental magma containing 15% MgO. Olivine and clinoenstatiteare the initial liquidus phases, but extraction of enstatiticorthopyroxene, followed by clinopyroxene and plagioclase, isresponsible for the general evolution from boninite, throughandesite, to dacite. Some andesites within the overlying MikazukiyamaFormation are petrographically distinct from the main boniniteseries in containing magnetite phenocrysts and a high proportionof plagioclase. As such, these andesites have affinities withthe calc-alkaline series. Major and trace element data for 74 boninitic series rocks fromChichijima are presented. Although major element variation isdominantly controlled by high-level crystal fractionation, thelarge variations in incompatiable trace element concentrationsat high MgO compositions cannot be explained by this mechanism.Nd, Pb, and Sr isotopic data indicate the following: (1) a strongoverprint on ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr by seawater alteration; (2) Pb isotopeslie above the northern hemisphere reference line (NHRL) andare thus similar to the <30-Ma are and basin lavas of theIzu—Bonin system, and (3) _Nd(40 Ma) ranges between 2.8and 6.8 within the boninite series volcanics. Differences inrare-earth elements (REE), Zr, Ti, and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd at similardegrees of fractionation can be explained by the addition ofa component of fixed composition from the down-going oceaniccrustal slab to a variably depleted source region within theoverlying wedge. Data presented for Sm/Zr and Ti/Zr indicatethat boninite series volcanics are characterized by low valuesfor both of these ratios. In particular, boninites appear tohave uniquely low Sm/Zr ratios. These characteristics may bethe result of slab melting in the presence of residual amphibole;the resultant melt could combine with typical slab dehydrationfluids and infiltrate the overlying mantle wedge. Such a fluid—meltcomponent could mix either with shallow mantle or directly withprimitive melts from depleted mantle. Trace elements, REE, andisotope data thus point to a model for boninite genesis whichrequires tightly constrained pressure—temperature conditionsin the slab combined with melting of a variably depleted sourcein the overlying wedge. Such constraints are rarely met exceptduring the subduction of juvenile oceanic crust beneath a young,hot overriding plate.     

Chemical and isotopic characteristics of the Didwana‐Rajod (H5) chondrite

Abstract— The mineralogical and chemical characteristics of the Didwana‐Rajod chondrite are described. The mean mineral composition is found to be olivine (Fo_83.2) and pyroxene (En_83.5Wo_0.7Fs_15.8), and feldspar is mainly oligoclase. Oxygen isotopic analysis shows δ¹⁸O = +3.8%0 and δ¹⁷O = +2.59%0. The nitrogen content of Didwana‐Rajod is ～2 ppm with δ¹⁵N ? 3.4%0. Based on microscopic, chemical, isotopic and electron probe microanalysis, the meteorite is classified as an H5 chondrite. Cosmogenic tracks, radionuclides and the isotopic composition of rare gases were also measured in this meteorite. The track density in olivines varies in a narrow range with an average value of (6.5 ± 0.5) × 10⁵/cm² for four spot samples taken at the four corners of the stone. The cosmic‐ray exposure age based on neon and argon is 9.8 Ma. ²²Na/²⁶Al ? 0.94 is lower than the solar‐cycle average value of ～1.5 and is consistent with irradiation of the meteoroid to lower galactic cosmic‐ray fluxes as expected at the solar maximum. The track density, rare gas isotopic ratios, ⁶⁰Co activity and other radionuclide data are consistent with a preatmospheric radius of ～15 cm, corresponding to a mass of ～50 kg. The cosmogenic properties are consistent with a simple exposure history in interplanetary space.     

Importance of volcanic glass alteration to sediment stabilization: offshore Japan

A minor amount (ca 1 wt%) of amorphous silica cement sourced from volcanic glass inhibits consolidation of hemipelagic sediment approaching the Nankai Trough subduction zone throughout the Shikoku Basin. The distribution and nature of the cement were examined via secondary and backscattered electron imaging. The amorphous silica occurs as altered material in contact with volcanic glass, coating grains (including grain contacts) and filling pores. Based on chemical and petrographic evidence, the cement is probably sourced from volcanic glass; this is in contrast to a previous suggestion that this silica cement is sourced dominantly from biogenic silica. Amorphous silica sourced from disseminated volcanic glass shards has the ability to form a thin coating on clay‐dominated sediment throughout the Shikoku Basin. Measured amorphous silica content in hemipelagic sediments suggests that the cementing process is active throughout the Shikoku Basin (at sites separated by >500 km). The cementation process may occur in other locations where sediment containing hydrated disseminated volcanic glass is buried sufficiently for heat to facilitate alteration (i.e. Central America, Cascadia and the Gulf of Alaska).     

Potential for Southern Hemisphere climate surprises

Climate model results suggest that future climate change in Antarctica will be accompanied by continued strengthening and poleward contraction of the Southern Ocean westerly wind belt. Paleoclimate records suggest past changes in the westerly winds can be abrupt and that healing of the Antarctic ozone hole could lead to poleward contraction of the westerlies and increased meridional atmospheric transport of warm air regionally into Antarctica. An abrupt shift to more meridional circulation could lead to notable changes in moisture availability for extra‐Antarctic regions, increased Antarctic ice sheet disintegration and more rapid sea‐level rise.     

TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL DIMENSIONS OF NEWLY INCORPORATED MUNICIPALITIES IN THE UNITED STATES*

Scholarly literature on newly incorporated municipalities (nims ) often focuses on why nims form. Instead of asking why nims formed, however, we ask why nims stopped forming. We first establish a temporal context for nims from 1950 to 2010, revealing an 86.2 percent decline in nim formation. The decline, triggered by stricter laws, smaller annexations, declining suburbanization, and boundary ossification, has profound implications for metropolitan fragmentation and public choice. We then establish a state‐level spatial context, revealing distinct high‐nim , low‐nim , and flux states due to boundary ossification, growth, and state/regional policy stimuli such as consolidation efforts, grants, and growth management provisions.     

Origin of Lower Cretaceous (‘Nubian’) sandstones of North‐east Africa and Arabia from detrital zircon U‐Pb SHRIMP dating

Lower Cretaceous sandstones of the type exposed in Israel, deposited over much of North Africa and Arabia as widespread sandstone sheets, typically are mineralogically and texturally mature. Previous petrographic examinations suggested that the Lower Cretaceous sandstones are at least partly a product of recycling and the present study supports this notion. The results of U‐Pb Sensitive High Resolution Ion Micro‐Probe (SHRIMP) dating of detrital zircons from the Lower Cretaceous section exposed in Israel indicate that they are dominated by detrital zircons of Neoproterozoic age, mainly concentrated in the 0·55 to 0·65 Ga interval, with various amounts of older (pre‐Neoproterozoic) zircons (of 0·95 to 1·10, 1·7 to 2·0 and 2·6 to 2·65 Ga age groups). The overall age signal is similar to detrital zircon age spectra previously obtained from the Cambrian–Ordovician sections of Israel and Jordan. Remarkably, the detrital zircon spectra remained almost unchanged for nearly 400 Myr. Thus, the most probable provenance of the Lower Cretaceous sandstone is the recycling of relatively proximal Palaeozoic sandstone. Since first unroofed from above pan‐African terranes closer to the secession of orogeny, the ensuing siliciclastics were recycled repeatedly throughout the Phanerozoic with little additional basement denudation. The Lower Cretaceous sandstone comprises quartz sand that was first eroded from above pan‐African orogens ca 400 Myr prior to deposition.     

Early Weichselian peat at Brumunddal, southeastern Norway

Stratigraphical investigations of an inter-till peat in Brumunddal suggest a major interstadial of Early Weichselian age. The insect fauna and the pollen composition indicate a mean July temperature 2–3C lower than today during the climatic optimum. Larch and spruce immigrated at the end of the interstadial, which is tentatively correlated to the Jamtland Interstadial.     

The origin of chondritic macromolecular organic matter: A carbon and nitrogen isotope study

Abstract— The N and C abundances and isotopic compositions of acid-insoluble carbonaceous material in thirteen primitive chondrites (five unequilibrated ordinary chondrites, three CM chondrites, three enstatite chondrites, a CI chondrite and a CR chondrite) have been measured by stepped combustion. While the range of C isotopic compositions observed is only ～δ¹³C = 30%, the N isotopes range from δ¹⁵N ' -40 to 260%. After correction for metamorphism, presolar nanodiamonds appear to have made up a fairly constant 3–4 wt% of the insoluble C in all the chondrites studied. The apparently similar initial presolar nanodiamond to organic C ratios, and the correlations of elemental and isotopic compositions with metamorphic indicators in the ordinary and enstatite chondrites, suggest that the chondrites all accreted similar organic material. This original material probably most closely resembles that now found in Renazzo and Semarkona. These two meteorites have almost M-shaped N isotope release profiles that can be explained most simply by the superposition of two components, one with a composition between δ¹⁵N = -20 and -40% and a narrow combustion interval, the other having a broader release profile and a composition of δ¹⁵N ～ 260%. Although isotopically more subdued, the CI and the three CM chondrites all appear to show vestiges of this M-shaped profile. How and where the components in the acid-insoluble organics formed remains poorly constrained. The small variation in nanodiamond to organic C ratio between the chondrite groups limits the local synthesis of organic matter in the various chondrite formation regions to at most 30%. The most ¹⁵N-rich material probably formed in the interstellar medium, and the fraction of organic N in Renazzo in this material ranges from 40 to 70%. The isotopically light component may have formed in the solar system, but the limited range in nanodiamond to total organic C ratios in the chondrite groups is consistent with most of the organic material being presolar.