Stability and phase relations of nonstoichiometric clinopyroxenes in the join diopside-Ca-Eskola component at high pressures

The stability of nonstoichiometric clinopyroxenes in the Di-CaEsk join was experimentally studied, and phase diagrams were constructed for this join at pressures of 2.0 and 3.0 GPa. It was found that melting in the diopside part of the join occurs at anomalously low temperatures, and nonstoichiometric clinopyroxene coexists with a phase approaching diopside in composition. Phase relations along the Di-CaEsk join can be described and consistently interpreted only assuming that the diopside phase (α-diopside) is thermodynamically stable. The following phase volumes were observed along the solidus of the join at a pressure of 3.0 GPa: Cpx, αDi+Cpx, αDi+Cpx+Qtz, αDi+Cpx+Grt+Qtz, Cpx+Grt+Qtz, Cpx+Grt+Ky+Qtz, Grt+Ky+Qtz. Melting occurs via the eutectic reaction αDi+Cpx+Grt+Qtz=L at a temperature of about 1200°C in the diopside part of the system and via the eutectic reaction Cpx+Grt+Ky+Qtz=L at a temperature of 1400°C in the calcium-rich part of the system. At a pressure of 2.0 GPa, melting occurs at temperatures of 1200–1300°C via the eutectic reaction αDi+Cpx+ An + Qtz=L. The invariant equilibrium (L, An, Cpx, Grt, αDi, Qtz) lies within the pressure range 2.0–3.0 GPa. Nonstoichiometric clinopyroxenes form complex solid solutions, the compositions of which are not strictly confined to the Di-CaEsk join and depend on temperature, pressure, and phase association. Grossular garnets coexist with nonstoichiometric clinopyroxenes and α-diopside.     

Geochemistry, K–Ar geochronology and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope compositions of pitchstone in Gohado, southwestern Okcheon Belt, South Korea

Abstract Geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope characteristics, as well as K–Ar geochronology of a massive pitchstone (volcanic glass) stock erupted into Late Cretaceous lapilli tuff and rhyolite in the Gohado area, southwestern Okcheon Belt, South Korea, are reported. The pitchstones are highly evolved with SiO₂ contents ranging from ～72 to 73 wt%, K₂O/Na₂O ratios of 1.04–1.23 and low MgO/FeO^t values (0.17–0.20). The pitchstones are weakly peraluminous and the ASI (molar Al₂O₃/Na₂O + K₂O + CaO) values are significantly lower than 1.1. The pitchstones also display a general calc‐alkaline nature with significant alkali contents. The rare earth elements (REE) compositions show moderately fractionated nature with (La/Yb)_N ranging from 11 to 16. Chondrite normalized REE patterns show relative enrichment of light REE over heavy REE and moderate Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* ratio varies from 0.53 to 0.57). A distinct negative Nb anomaly is observed for all pitchstones on a primitive mantle normalized trace element diagram, typical of subduction‐related magmatism and crustal‐derived granites. All these features are characteristic of I‐type granites derived from a continental arc. The pitchstones have Zr contents of 98.5–103.5 ppm with zircon thermometry yielding temperatures of 749–755°C (mean 752°C). The K–Ar analyses of representative pitchstone samples yielded ages of 58.7 ± 2.3 and 62.4 ± 2.1 Ma with a mean age of 61 Ma. The rocks show nearly uniform initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopic ratios of 0.7104–0.7106 and identical ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd initial ratio of 0.5120. The rocks display negative εNd (61 Ma) values of ?12. The depleted mantle model ages (T_DM) range from 1.54 Ga to 1.57 Ga. The Pb isotope ratios are ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.522–18.552, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.642–15.680 and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.794–38.923. These ratios suggest that the Gohado pitchstones were formed in a continental arc environment by partial melting of a 1.54 Ga to 1.57 Ga parental sources of lower crustal rocks probably of mafic or intermediate compositions.     

Deep structure of the Racha earthquake source zone from seismic tomography data

The Racha earthquake of 1991 was the strongest of the earthquakes recorded in the Caucasus. It was studied by an international epicentral expedition. Unique data gathered by this expedition included records of aftershocks whose swarm was very intense. A 3-D velocity model is obtained from analysis of these data by the method of local earthquake tomography. The ancient crystalline basement and the sedimentary-volcanic Mesozoic-Cenozoic cover could be identified from cross sections of the P wave field. The eastern and western boundaries of an uplift in the basement of the Dzirulskii Massif are delineated. Linear low velocity heterogeneities correlating with the active Kakheti-Lechkhumi fault zone and two Trans-Caucasian linear fault zones are discovered in the basement. The cloud of aftershock hypocenters is shown to correlate with a reflector coinciding with the cover-basement interface.     

Mathematical modeling of nighttime enhanced electron density regions in the Earth’s ionospheric <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>2 layer and plasmasphere

A mathematical modeling method and the global numerical model of the Earth’s upper atmosphere were used to study nighttime enhanced electron density regions (EEDRs) in the ionospheric F2 layer and their possible manifestations at altitudes of the Earth’s plasmasphere. It has been established that EEDRs are formed owing to latitudinally nonuniform longitudinal (along the magnetic field) plasma flows from the plasmasphere into the nighttime ionosphere and the wind transport of ions along geomagnetic field lines. The specific features of the effect of ionospheric-plasmaspheric plasma transport processes, related to their three-dimensional character, on EEDRs have been revealed.     

Electrical resistivity structure of the eastern Moroccan Atlas System and its Tectonic implications

The electrical resistivity structure of the crust and upper mantle of the Atlas Mountain System was studied using magnetotelluric and geomagnetic deep soundings. Field experiments were done in eastern Morocco along a traverse from the Anti Atlas to the Rides Rifaines in two campaigns in 1983 and 1988.Zones of very low electrical resistivity could be identified in the various structural settings at different depth ranges, most likely connected directly to the tectonic evolution of the mountain belts. A mid-crustal low resistivity layer with total conductance (thickness-resistivity ratio) of about 2000 Siemens stretches from the southern border of the High Atlas towards the Middle Atlas. This layer seems to characterize the base of crustal detachment, e.g., the plane for large horizontal overthrusting, and supports the idea of thick- and thin-skinned tectonics involved in Atlasic mountain building. In the western Middle Atlas an upper-crustal low resistivity layer (at depth < 10 km) was found in the area where volcanic activity was present, pointing towards a direct relation between low electrical resistivity and volcanic or postvolcanic events. North of the Middle Atlas resistivity structures change totally: The Pre and parts of the Sub-Rif have a highly conductive cover, presumably connected to the molasse basin. Total conductance was calculated to reach 6000 Siemens. No further conductive structures, like, e.g., the ones found beneath the High and Middle Atlas, are seen within the resistive crust, but at much greater depth within the upper mantle.

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Zusammenfassung Im marokkanischen Atlas-System wurde der elektrische Widerstand der Kruste und des oberen Mantels mit magnetotellurischen und erdmagnetischen Tiefen-Sondierungen erkundet. Die Feldmessungen wurden in den Jahren 1983 und 1988 im östlichen Marokko entlang einer Traverse vom Anti Atlas bis in das Rif durchgeführt.In den einzelnen strukturellen Einheiten wurden in unterschiedlichen Krustentiefen Schichten sehr kleiner elektrischer Widerstände entdeckt, die direkt mit der tektonischen Entwicklung des Atlasgebirges verknüpft zu sein scheinen. Zwischen dem Südrand des Hohen Atlas und dem Mittleren Atlas im Norden erstreckt sich eine Zone sehr kleiner Widerstände (integrierte Leitfähigkeit etwa 2000 Siemens) in mittleren Krustentiefen. Diese Schicht scheint einen Bereich krustaler Ablösung zu kennzeichnen und kann als Basis einer weitspannigen Überschiebung angenommen werden. Diese Form der »thick- & thin-skinned« Tektonik scheint wesentlich am Prozess der Gebirgsbildung im Atlas beteiligt zu sein. Im westlichen Mittleren Atlas, im Bereich des jungen Vulkanismus, wurde eine gutleitende Zone in der oberen Kruste (Tiefe < 10 km) gefunden. Diese Beobachtung legt einen direkten Zusammenhang zwischen erhöhter elektrischer Leitfähigkeit und vulkanischen bzw. postvulkanischen Ereignissen nahe. Nördlich des Mittleren Atlas ändern sich die Widerstandsstrukturen sehr stark: Im Prä- und teilweise auch noch im Sub-Rif liegt eine sehr gut leitende Deckschicht (integrierte Leitfähigkeit etwa 6000 Siemens) über einem hochohmigen Basement. In der Kruste des Rif werden keine weiteren, tieferliegenden Schichten erhöhter Leitfähigkeit gefunden, wie sie z.B. unter dem Hohen Atlas vorliegen. Dagegen gibt es Hinweise auf Zonen hoher Leitfähigkeit im oberen Mantel.

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Résumé Dans l'Atlas marocain la résistivité électrique de la croûte et du manteau supérieur a été étudiée à l'aide des sondages magnétotelluriques et géomagnétiques. Ces travaux ont été effectués le long d'une traverse menant de l'Anti-Atlas jusqu'au Rif durant les années 1983 et 1988.Dans différentes profondeurs de la croûte terrestre des zones de résistances électriques très basses ont pu être découvertes ce qui peut être attribué à l'évolution tectonique de l'Atlas. Une couche de résistances très basses (conductance vers 2000 Siemens) s'étend entre le bord au sud du Haut Atlas et l'Atlas Moyen au nord. Cette couche peut être le signe d'un détachement de l'écorce et d'une poussée très vaste. Cette forme tectonique »thick- & thin-skinned« semble être essentiellement responsable du processus de la formation orogénique de l'Atlas. Une zone de bonne conductance se trouve dans la croûte terrestre supérieure (profondeur < 10 km) dans l'ouest de l'Atlas Moyen aux environs de l'activité volcanique caractérisant une relation directe entre une haute conductance électrique et des événements volcaniques et post-volcaniques. Vers le nord de l'Atlas Moyen les structures de résistance subissent un changement total: Au Pré- et partiellement aussi au Subrif se trouve une bonne couche guide (conductance vers 6000 Siemens). Aucune autre couche de conductance supérieure — comme au-dessous du Haut Atlas — n'a été découverte dans la croûte du Rif. On en décèle, par contre, dans le manteau supérieur.

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Polarization of individual pulses of radio pulsars at the low frequencies 40, 60, and 103 MHz

Measurements of the linear polarization of individual pulses at 40, 60, and 103 MHz are presented for ten pulsars. The degree and position angle of a linear polarization were measured with a temporal resolution of 1–7 ms, and the longitudinal distributions of these parameters were constructed for each pulsar at one or more of these frequencies. These are the first such measurements for pulsars B0031-07, B0320 + 39, B0628-28, and B2217 + 47. Apart from B0628-28, all the pulsars are characterized by the simultaneous presence of orthogonal polarization modes in at least one component of the integral profile. The secondary polarization mode increases at frequencies ≤100 MHz for pulsars whose integrated pulses contain pairs of conal components (B0031-07, B0329 + 54, B0834 + 06, B1133 + 16, B2020 + 28). This is manifested both as an expansion of the longitudinal range where the secondary polarization mode is observed and an increase in its contribution to the emission at a given longitude. New data confirming the dependence of the linear polarization of individual pulses on the intensity and mode of the pulsar emission have been obtained.     

Modeling of deep-seated high-alumina parageneses on the basis of the stability fields of corundum- and spinel-normative assemblages of the system CaO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2

To elaborate physicochemical models for the origin of crystalline rocks, experimental studies of the field of high-alumina assemblages of the system CaO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂ were carried out at 10–30 kbar and 1250–1535 °C. We have determined the phase relations between the melt (L) and An, Sp, Cpx, Cor, and Ga, the slope of the rays of the monovariant reactions An + Sp = Cpx + Cor + (Ga) and L = Cpx +Ga + Cor + Sp, the position of the nonvariant point (An, Sp, Cpx, Cor, Ga, L), and the compositions of phases participating in these reactions. Based on a topological analysis of the studied segment of the system CaO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂, we have substantiated that “eclogitization” must follow the reaction Opx + An + Sp = Cpx + Ga. A fundamental continuous series of eutectic monovariant equilibria was observed: L = Cpx + Opx + Fo + An, L = Cpx + Opx + An + Sp, L = Cpx (+ Ga) + An + Sp, and L = Cpx + Cor (+ Ga) + An. A change in the melt composition in this series of eutectic reactions depending on pressure must reflect the most likely magma genesis trend in nature. Comparision of the composition fields in which the above series of reactions is observed with the composition fields of the rocks of magmatic formations showed that this series is most similar to the alkali-earth series of rocks. The mineralogical compositions of cumulates and phenocrysts found in the effusive and dike varieties of these rocks correspond to unique sets of subsolidus phase associations and individual subsolidus phases crystallizing in this fundamental eutectic series.     

Specific features of early-middle carboniferous sedimentation in the southern part of the east european platform

The work discusses peculiarities of sedimentation during the onset and middle phase of the postrift subsidence in the southern part of the East European Platform corresponding to the Early and Middle Carboniferous epochs, which were marked by an accumulation of the most contrasting (in lithology and formation setting) sediments: coals and radiolaria-bearing domanikoid rocks. These are the early-middle Visean (Early Carboniferous) and late Bashkirian-early Moscovian (Middle Carboniferous) epochs. It should be noted that precisely these epochs were marked by a substantial renewal in faunal and floral communities, which also resulted from the new phase of the postrift subsidence. Radiolaria-bearing domanikoid facies were formed in the marine basin with normal salinity. The reconstruction of sedimentation settings indicates that shallow-water sediments (algal limestones) of the inner shelf were separated from deep-sea domanikoid facies of the outer shelf and, probably, continental slope by a chain of bioherms with an apron of organogenic-detrital limestones or spiculebearing facies.     

Ophiolitic association of Cape Fiolent area,southwestern Crimea

An ophiolitic association consisting of serpentinized ultramafic rocks and serpentinite, layered mafic–ultramafic complex, gabbro and gabbrodolerite, fragments of parallel dike complex, pillow lava, black bedded chert, and jasper has been identified for the first time by authors in the Cape Fiolent area. The chemistry of pillow lavas and dolerites, including REE patterns and a wide set of other microelements, indicates suprasubduction nature of the ophiolites and their belonging to a backarc basin that has reached the stage of spreading in its evolution.     

Mapping Soil Resources in Part of Northern India Using Spaceborne Multispectral Data

Abstract

Spaceborne multispectral measurements have been found very useful tool in delineating soilscape boundaries. The Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS 1B) Linear Imaging Self‐scanning Sensor (LISS‐II) data in the form of false colour composite (FCC) prints at 1:50,000 scale covering part of a complex terrain ‐ hard rock intermixed with the alluvium, were interpreted visually for mapping soil resources. The physiography and lithology of the terrain have been found to have a direct bearing on the occurrence of soils. The image elements which are the reflection of surface drainage, land use/land cover, wetness, etc have been helpful in segregating the broad physiographic units into their components. These sub‐divisions were ultimately found to be associated with the characteristic soils. The methodology and results are discussed in detail.