Shock-induced formation of kyanite (Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>5</Subscript>) from sillimanite within a dense metamorphic rock from the Ries crater (Germany)

A dense (~3.34 g cm^–3) garnet–sillimanite-rich metamorphic rock from the suevite breccia of the Ries impact crater was studied by scanning-electron microscopy and Raman microprobe spectroscopy. In the strongly shocked rock clast kyanite was formed from sillimanite under momentary high pressures of natural shock waves. Kyanite aggregates were found as thin (~0.3–2.0 m) seams along grain boundaries between, and fractures within, sillimanite grains. Within these seams kyanite c-axes are oriented perpendicular to original grain boundaries and fractures. In addition, larger (up to 10 m) isolated kyanite grains were rarely found within host sillimanite. Filamentary kyanite aggregates and isolated crystals typically show shrinkage cracks due to volume decrease (~10%). Locally, broad interstices between sillimanite crystals are filled with aluminosilicate glass containing a high volume fraction of sub-micrometer-sized euhedral crystals. The silica-rich glass suggests incongruent melting of sillimanite at local post-shock temperatures significantly higher than 1,300°C. The edges of adjacent sillimanite grains are thermally and chemically altered. The local generation of temperature spikes is attributed to strong shock wave interactions due to very high shock impedance contrasts.     

Evolution of a tourmaline-bearing lawsonite eclogite from the Elekdağ area (Central Pontides,N Turkey): evidence for infiltration of slab-derived B-rich fluids during exhumation

An undated high-pressure low-temperature tectonic mélange in the Elekda area (central Pontides, N Turkey) comprises blocks of MORB-derived lawsonite eclogite within a sheared serpentinite matrix. In their outer shells, some of the eclogite blocks contain large (up to 6 cm) tourmaline crystals. Prograde inclusions in poikiloblastic garnet from a well-preserved eclogite block are lawsonite, epidote/clinozoisite, omphacite, rutile, glaucophane, chlorite, Ba-bearing phengite, minor actinolite, winchite and quartz. In addition, glaucophane, lawsonite and rutile occur as inclusions in omphacite. These inclusion assemblages document the transition from a garnet-lawsonite-epidote-bearing blueschist to a lawsonite eclogite with the peak assemblage garnet + omphacite I + lawsonite + rutile. Peak metamorphic conditions are not well-constrained but are estimated approximately 400–430°C and >1.35 GPa, based on Fe–Mg exchange between garnet and omphacite and the coexistence of lawsonite + omphacite + rutile. During exhumation of the eclogite–serpentinite mélange in the hanging wall of a subduction system, infiltration of B-rich aqueous fluids into the rims of eclogite blocks caused retrogressive formation of abundant chlorite, titanite and albite, followed by growth of tourmaline at the expense of chlorite. At the same time, omphacite I (X_Jd=0.24–0.44) became unstable and partially replaced by omphacite II characterized by higher X_Jd (0.35–0.48), suggesting a relatively low silica activity in the infiltrating fluid. Apart from Fe-rich rims developed at the contact to chlorite, tourmaline crystals are nearly homogeneous. Their compositions correspond to Na-rich dravite, perhaps with a small amount of excess (tetrahedral) boron (~5.90 Si and 3.10 B cations per 31 anions). ¹¹ B values range from –2.2 to +1.7. The infiltrating fluids were most probably derived from subducting altered oceanic crust and sediments.     

What causes the adiabatic lapse rate?

The adiabatic lapse rate is commonly explained as being proportional to the work done on a fluid parcel as its volume changes in response to an increase in pressure. According to this explanation the adiabatic lapse rate would increase with both pressure and the fluid's compressibility, but this is not the case. Rather, the adiabatic lapse rate is proportional to the thermal expansion coefficient and is independent of the fluid's compressibility. Here we show that the adiabatic lapse rate is independent of the increase in the internal energy that a parcel experiences when it is compressed. We explain what is missing from the traditional explanation of the adiabatic lapse rate and we explore the thermodynamic cause of the adiabatic lapse rate. In particular, we seek to explain how the adiabatic lapse rate can be negative in cool fresh water.     

Low-amplitude BSRs and gas hydrate concentration on the northern margin of the South China Sea

The passive northern continental margin of the South China Sea is rich in gas hydrates, as inferred from the occurrence of bottom-simulating reflectors (BSR) and from well logging data at Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) drill sites. Nonetheless, BSRs on new 2D multichannel seismic reflection data from the area around the Dongsha Islands (the Dongsha Rise) are not ubiquitous. They are confined to complex diapiric structures and active fault zones located between the Dongsha Rise and the surrounding depressions, implying that gas hydrate occurrence is likewise limited to these areas. Most of the BSRs have low amplitude and are therefore not clearly recognizable. Acoustic impedance provides information on rock properties and has been used to estimate gas hydrate concentration. Gas hydrate-bearing sediments have acoustic impedance that is higher than that of the surrounding sediments devoid of hydrates. Based on well logging data, the relationship between acoustic impedance and porosity can be obtained by a linear regression, and the degree of gas hydrate saturation can be determined using Archie’s equation. By applying these methods to multichannel seismic data and well logging data from the northern South China Sea, the gas hydrate concentration is found to be 3–25% of the pore space at ODP Site 1148 depending on sub-surface depth, and is estimated to be less than values of 5% estimated along seismic profile 0101. Our results suggest that saturation of gas hydrate in the northern South China Sea is higher than that estimated from well resistivity log data in the gas hydrate stability zone, but that free gas is scarce beneath this zone. It is probably the scarcity of free gas that is responsible for the low amplitudes of the BSRs.     

Numerical prediction experiment on Typhoon Maggie (9903)

I~IOXTyphoon is a severe and diSaStrous weather phenomenon that affeCts the southeaSt COaStsregion of China. It causes Serious lOSS for the social eCOnondc development as well as the life andproperties Of PeOPle. Therefore, the enhancement to study on the artifice of monitoring, Prediction and public services of typhoon is an i~nent requirement for gove~t and Public.The concern is also a taSk of great Urgency to advanCe meteorolQgical sciences.Starting from the 1980' s, as the deve…     

Nb–Ta–(Ti–Sn) oxide mineral chemistry as tracer of rare-element granitic pegmatite fractionation in the Borborema Province,Northeastern Brazil

The Borborema Pegmatitic Province (BPP), northeastern Brazil, is historically important for tantalum mining and also famous for top-quality specimens of exotic Nb–Ta oxides and, more recently, for the production of gem quality, turquoise blue, ‘Paraíba Elbaite.’ With more than 750 registered mineralized rare-element granitic pegmatites, the BPP extends over an area of about 75 by 150 km in the eastern part of the Neoproterozoic Seridó Belt. The Late Cambrian pegmatites are mostly hosted by a sequence of Neoproterozoic cordierite–sillimanite biotite schists of the Seridó Formation and quartzites and metaconglomerates of the Equador Formation. The trace-element ratios in feldspar and micas allow to classify most pegmatites as belonging to the beryl–columbite phosphate subtype. Electron microprobe analyses (EMPA) of columbite, tapiolite, niobian–tantalian rutile, ixiolite and wodginite group minerals from 28 pegmatites in the BPP are used to evaluate the effectiveness of Nb–Ta oxide chemistry as a possible exploration tool, to trace the degree of pegmatite fractionation and to classify the pegmatites. The columbite group mineral composition allows to establish a compositional trend from manganoan ferrocolumbite to manganocolumbite and on to manganotantalite. This trend is typical of complex spodumene- and/or lepidolite-subtype pegmatites. It clearly contrasts with another trend, from ferrocolumbite through ferrotantalite to ferrowodginite and ferrotapiolite compositions, typical of pegmatites of the beryl–columbite phosphate subtype. Large scatter and anomalous trends in zoned crystals partially overlap and conceal the two main evolution patterns. This indicates that a large representative data set of heavy mineral concentrate samples, collected systematically along cross-sections, would be necessary to predict the metallogenetic potential of individual pegmatites. Other mineral species, e.g. garnets and/or tourmaline, with a more regular distribution than Nb–Ta oxides, would be more appropriate and less expensive for routine exploration purposes. The currently available Nb–Ta oxide chemistry data suggest the potential for highly fractionated Ta–Li–Cs pegmatites in the BPP, so far undiscovered, and encourages further, more detailed research.