Cretaceous–Tertiary Rhenodanubian flysch wedge (Eastern Alps): clues to sediment supply and basin configuration from zircon fission-track data

The provenance of Cenomanian to Eocene flysch deposits accreted along the northern margin of the Eastern Alps has been investigated by means of zircon fission-track (FT) geochronology and zircon morphology. The Rhenodanubian flysch and Ybbsitz klippen zone comprise several nappes representing the Main flysch and Laab basins. The Laab basin received sediments of stable European provenance, indicated by pre-Variscan, Variscan, and Permian–Triassic zircon FT ages, and was thus located in the immediate south of the European margin. The Main flysch basin was supplied mainly from the evolving Eastern Alps and was therefore situated south of the Laab basin. Zircon populations with Permian to Jurassic cooling ages in the Main flysch basin are related to increased heat fluxes during the break-up of Pangaea and are probably derived from the northwestern part of the Eastern Alps. The dominant Cretaceous zircon FT cooling ages reflect Eoalpine metamorphism in the Austroalpine realm.     

A 16-ka δ18O record of lacustrine sugar biomarkers from the High Himalaya reflects Indian Summer Monsoon variability

We investigated a late glacial–Holocene lacustrine sediment archive located at 4,050 m a.s.l. in the small carbonate-free catchment of Lake Panch Pokhari, Helambu Himal, Nepal. A δ¹⁸O sugar biomarker record was established by applying novel compound-specific δ¹⁸O analysis of plant sugar biomarkers (Zech and Glaser in Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 23:3522–3532, 2009). This method overcomes analytical challenges such as extraction and purification faced by previous methods aimed at using δ¹⁸O of aquatic cellulose as a paleoclimate proxy. The δ¹⁸O results for sugar biomarkers arabinose, xylose and fucose agree well and reveal a pronounced trend towards lower δ¹⁸O values during the deglaciation and the onset of the Bølling/Allerød interstadial. By contrast, the period of the Younger Dryas is characterized by higher δ¹⁸O values. The early Holocene again reveals lower δ¹⁸O values. We suggest that our lacustrine δ¹⁸O record reflects coupled hydrological and thermal control. It is strongly related to changes in the oxygen isotopic composition of paleo-precipitation and resembles the δ¹⁸O records of Asian speleothems. With respect to the ‘amount effect,’ the record is interpreted as reflecting the Indian Summer Monsoon intensity. The precipitation signal is, however, amplified in our record by evaporative ¹⁸O enrichment that is controlled by the ratio of precipitation to evaporation. We suggest that our δ¹⁸O record reflects the variability of the Indian Summer Monsoon, which was strong during the Bølling/Allerød interstadial and early Holocene, but weak during the Younger Dryas stadial. This interpretation is corroborated by a pollen-based index for Lake Panch Pokhari that estimated the strength of the Indian Summer Monsoon versus the strength of the Westerlies. Millennial-scale synchronicity with the Greenland δ¹⁸O temperature records highlights the previously suggested strong teleconnections between the Asian Monsoon system and North Atlantic climate variability.     

Amateur decision-making in avalanche terrain with and without a decision aid: a stated choice survey

Avalanches pose a serious threat to recreational backcountry travelers in mountainous terrain. This study explores how the three main amateur user groups of avalanche terrain in western Canada (backcountry skiers, out-of-bound skiers, and snowmobile riders) balance recreational goals with safety concerns when choosing backcountry destinations under varying avalanche conditions. Using a discrete choice experiment (DCE), a stated preference technique, the study first examines the strengths and weaknesses in the decision process of the three amateur groups by comparing their responses with the choice patterns of professional mountain guides. The results show that the decision-making strategies employed by the respective amateur groups vary considerably in their level of complexity and the degree to which avalanche safety considerations are incorporated. Second, we examine the effects of a decision aid that preprocesses the most crucial pieces of avalanche hazard information on the decision preferences of the amateur groups in the DCE. The results show that a relatively simple decision aid can influence the decision-making process considerably and steer users towards more avalanche hazard sensitive behaviour.     

Physical properties of calcareous ooze: Control by dissolution at depth

Eighteen box cores of pelagic calcareous ooze from the Ontong Java Plateau in the western equatorial Pacific were subsampled and analyzed for the following physical properties: grain size, porosity, saturated density, mean grain density, compressional sound velocity and shear strength. In addition, weight percent CaCO₃ was determined, and micropaleontological analyses of the Foraminifera were performed to determine preservation and sedimentation rates. Mean grain size of the sediments decreases at deeper depositional sites, primarily because of dissolution and fragmentation of calcareous microfossils. This, in turn, results in the sediments in deeper water having lower sound velocities and less shear strength. The physical properties of calcareous ooze are not significantly affected by any reprecipitation or incipient cementation of calcite that may occur soon after deposition.     

Early Cretaceous rift-related volcanism in the Songliao Basin,NE China – A geochemical study

Following the amalgamation of the Siberian and North China Cratons, NE China, as part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), underwent Late Mesozoic lithospheric extension that was associated with volcanic activity. The Songliao Basin is the most important rift structure formed during these processes and contains voluminous volcanic rocks interlayered with sedimentary infill. Mafic-to-intermediate lavas are associated with felsic ones. This study focusses on the geochemical compositions of the less-widespread Early Cretaceous mafic-to-intermediate lavas in the Songliao Basin and compares them with the more abundant felsic rocks. Two mafic-to-intermediate magma series, one with alkaline and the other with sub-alkaline affinity, were identified. High MgO and Cr contents, low Th/Nb and La/Nb ratios, and variable but depleted Nd isotope compositions indicate that both magma suites were most likely formed by the melting of enriched upper mantle sources. Sub-alkaline mafic-to-intermediate rocks and I-type rhyolites define a co-genetic magma series. This rock suite was produced by the melting of subduction-modified lithospheric mantle and subsequent magma evolution as well as crustal melting during lithospheric extension. Alkaline mafic-to-intermediate rocks and A-type rhyolites form another co-genetic magma suite that was produced under within-plate conditions from an OIB-type mantle source, supposed to be the heterogeneous shallow asthenosphere and/or the lower lithosphere. Decompression partial melting of this mantle source requires a relatively thin lithosphere. The development of alkaline mafic rocks and A-type rhyolites as typical bimodal volcanic assemblage reflects that lithospheric thinning below the Songliao Basin reached its maximum, whereas basin rifting terminated afterwards.     

Spatial and temporal variability of urban tree canopy temperature during summer 2010 in Berlin, Germany

Trees form a significant part of the urban vegetation. Their meteorological and climatological effects at all scales in urban environments make them a flexible tool for creating a landscape oriented to the needs of an urban dweller. This study aims at quantifying the spatio-temporal patterns of canopy temperature (T _C) and canopy-to-air temperature difference (?T _C) in relation to meteorological conditions and tree-specific (physiological) and urban site-specific characteristics. We observed T _C and ?T _C of 67 urban trees (18 species) using a high-resolution thermal-infrared (TIR) camera and meteorological measurements in the city of Berlin, Germany. TIR images were recorded at 1-min intervals over a period of 2?months from 1st July to 31st August 2010. The results showed that ?T _C depends on tree species, leaf size and fraction of impervious surfaces. Average canopy temperature was nearly equal to air temperature. Species-specific maximum ?T _C varied between 1.9?±?0.3?K (Populus nigra), 2.9?±?0.3?K (Quercus robur), 3.2?±?0.5?K (Fagus sylvatica), 3.9?±?1.0?K (Platanus acerifolia), 4.6?±?0.2?K (Acer pseudoplatanus), 5.0?±?0.5?K (A. platanoides) and 5.6?±?1.1?K (A. campestre). We analysed ?T _C for a hot and dry period (A) and a warm and wet period (B). The range of species-specific ?T _C at noon was nearly equal, i.e. 4.4?K for period A and 4.2?K for period B. Trees surrounded by high fraction of impervious surfaces showed consistently higher ?T _C. Knowledge of species-specific canopy temperature and the impacts of urban structures are essential in order to optimise the benefits from trees in cities. However, comprehensive evaluation and optimisation should take the full range of climatological effects into account.     

The need for data: natural disasters and the challenges of database management

Hundreds of natural catastrophes occur worldwide every year—there were 780 loss events per year on average over the last 10 years. Since 1980, these disasters have claimed over two million lives and caused losses worth US$ 3,000 billion. The deadliest disasters were caused by earthquakes: the tsunami following the Sumatra quake (2004) and the Haiti earthquake (2010) claimed more than 220,000 lives each. The Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March 2011 was the costliest natural disaster of all times, with total losses of US$ 210 billion. Hurricane Katrina, in 2005, was the second costliest disaster, with total losses of US$ 140 billion (in 2010 values). To ensure that high-quality natural disaster analyses can be performed, the data have to be collected, checked and managed with a high degree of expertise and professionality. Scientists, governmental and non-governmental organisations and the finance industry make use of global databases that contain losses attributable to natural catastrophes. At present, there are three global and multi-peril loss databases: NatCatSERVICE (Munich Re), Sigma (Swiss Re) and EM-Dat (Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters). They are supplemented by numerous databases focusing on national or regional issues, certain hazards and specific sectors. This paper outlines the criteria and definitions relating to how global and multi-peril databases are operated, and the efforts being made to ensure consistent and internationally recognised standards of data management. In addition, it presents the concept and methodology underlying the NatCatSERVICE database, and points out the many challenges associated with data acquisition and data management.