III. Tektonik Die saxonische Tektonik im Bilde Europas

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Calcite patchiness in Lake Constance as viewed by LANDSAT-TM

Calcite precipitation is a phenomenon occuring in most hardwater lakes world-wide. On May 5th, 1990, a whiting in Lake Constance was observed by LANDSAT for the first time. Physical, chemical and biological ground data sets prove that the observed structures are caused by calcite precipitation. This satellite observation provides information about the patchiness of calcite crystals suspended in the surface water of the lake western basin.     

Active Galaxies in the UV

In this article we present different aspects of AGN studies demonstrating the importance of the UV spectral range. Most important diagnostic lines for studying the general physical conditions as well as the metalicities in the central broad line region in AGN are emitted in the UV. The UV/FUV continuum in AGN excites not only the emission lines in the immediate surrounding but it is responsible for the ionization of the intergalactic medium in the early stages of the universe. Variability studies of the emission line profiles of AGN in the UV give us information on the structure and kinematics of the immediate surrounding of the central supermassive black hole as well as on its mass itself.     

Concepts for reference frames in geodesy and geodynamics: The reference directions

Modern high accuracy measurements of the non-rigid earth are to be referred to four-dimensional, i.e., time- and space-dependent reference frames. Geodynamic phenomena derived from these measurements are to be described in a terrestrial reference frame in which both space- and time-like variations can be monitored. Existing conventional terrestrial reference frames (e.g. CIO, BIH) are no longer suitable for such purposes. The ultimate goal of this study is the establishment of a reference frame, moving with the earth in some average sense, in which the geometric and dynamic behavior of the earth can be monitored, and whose motion with respect to inertial space can also be determined. The study is conducted in several parts. In the first part problems related to reference directions are investigated, while subsequent parts deal with positions, i.e., with reference origins and scale. Only the first part is treated in this paper. The approach is based on the fact that reference directions at an observation point on the earth surface are defined by fundamental vectors (gravity, earth rotation, etc.), both space and time variant. These reference directions are interrelated by angular parameters, also derived from the fundamental vectors. The interrelationships between these space- and time-variant angular parameters are illustrated in a commutative diagram, tower of triads, which makes the derivation of the various relationships convenient. In order to determine the above parameters from observations using least squares techniques, a model tower of triads is also presented to allow the formation of linear observation equations. Although the model tower is also space and time variant, its variations are described by adopted parameters representing our current knowledge of the earth.     

Transformation of amplitudes and frequencies of precession and nutation of the earth’s rotation vector to amplitudes and frequencies of diurnal polar motion

The temporal change of the rotation vector of a rotating body is, in the first order, identical in a space-fixed system and in a body-fixed system. Therefore, if the motion of the rotation axis of the earth relative to a space-fixed system is given as a function of time, it should be possible to compute its motion relative to an earth-fixed system, and vice versa. This paper presents such a transformation. Two models of motion of the rotation axis in the space-fixed system are considered: one consisting only of a regular (i.e., strictly conical) precession and one extended by circular nutation components, which are superimposed upon the regular precession. The Euler angles describing the orientation of the earth-fixed system with respect to the space-fixed system are derived by an analytical solution of the kinematical Eulerian differential equations. In the first case (precession only), this is directly possible, and in the second case (precession and nutation), a solution is achieved by a perturbation approach, where the result of the first case serves as an approximation and nutation is regarded as a small perturbation, which is treated in a linearized form. The transformation by means of these Euler angles shows that the rotation axis performs in the earth-fixed system retrograde conical revolutions with small amplitudes, namely one revolution with a period of one sidereal day corresponding to precession and one revolution with a period which is slightly smaller or larger than one sidereal day corresponding to each (prograde or retrograde) circular nutation component. The peculiar feature of the derivation presented here is the analytical solution of the Eulerian differential equations.     

Zur Morphologie von Westgriqualand (Südafrika)

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Die Hochflächen-Treppe der Nordeifel und ihre Beziehungen zum Tertiär und Quartär der Niederrheinischen Bucht

The tableland of the northern Eifel consists of a whole series of levelling planations which descend like steps to the plain of the Lower Rhine or form broad terraces along the river valleys. A similar staircase structure can be seen in the Cretaceous range of the Aachener Wald. The oldest obliquely situated plateau of the Hohe Venn is a resurrected fossil peneplain which was formed before the Maastricht formation as can be proved by scanty remains of the flinty chalk (Maastricht) which still overlays this peneplain at the present time. Therefore the great elevation of the northern Eifel to heights of 2280 feet above sea-level did not follow until later than Upper Cretaceous.The indentation of this old Cretaceous peneplain presumably resulted in the formation of an older system of plateaus in Oligocene and in a system of young plateaus in Miocene which had the appearance of a staircase. These tableland systems originated in times of slight elevation in which superficial denudation must have predominated under the influence of a damp climate and intensive chemical decomposition of the rocks. During the Lower Miocene and Pliocene epochs considerable elevatory movements occurred which led occasionally to the formation of steep obsequent slopes at the edges of both systems. During the Lower Pleistocene epoch glacial conditions existed and at this time the main period of terrace formation occurred. In the course of this period there was a great gravel accumulation which was linked with lateral erosion and which, whith the aid of its valley terraces and rubble remains, can be traced as far as the foreland. A later, very marked incision of the rivers can be traced back to great elevations of land which occurred after this period. The rhythmic alternation of periods of elevation and inactivity can be seen in the morphological development of the northern Eifel. The individual periods of tableland and terrace formation can be related to corresponding sediments belonging to the Upper Tertiary and the Quaternary periods.

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Résumé Le paysage en plateaux emboîtés du Nord de l'Eifel se compose de toute une série de surfaces de nivellement qui descendent en gradins vers la plaine basse du Rhin inférieur ou constituent de larges terrasses le long des vallées fluviales. Une pareille structure en plateaux étagés est décelable dans la petite montagne crétacée du Aachener Wald. Le plus ancien haut plateau incliné des Hautes Fagnes représente une ancienne pénépleine à nouveau exhumée qui s'est formée avant le Maastrichtien comme on peut le démontrer par des restes peu abondants d'éluvions à silex (pierre à feu) qui lui servait autrefois de couverture. Le fort soulèvement du Nord de l'Eifel jusqu'à des hauteurs de 760 au dessus du niveau de la mer ne s'est produit par conséquent qu'après le crétacé supérieure.Á l'oligocène, un système plus ancien de surfaces applanies étagées et au miocène, un système de surfaces plus jeunes ont été probablement entaillés en gradins dans cette ancienne pénéplaine crétacée. Ces systèmes de plateaux emboîtés ont pris naissance à des époques de faible soulèvement, où l'érosion en surface a dû prédominer sous l'influence d'un climat humide et d'une décomposition chimique intensive de la roche. Au miocène inférieur et au pliocène ils ont chaque fois produit des mouvements de soulèvement assez forts qui ont entraîné la formation de versants à profil plus abrupt au bord des deux systèmes. Dans les conditions glaciaires, du pleistocène ancien, de l'époque des principales terrasses, il se produisit un important remblaiement de cailloutis uni à une érosion latérale et que l'on peut suivre jusque dans les parties avancées du territoire à l'aide de ses terrasses de vallées et de ses restes de cailloutis. Une forte entaille ultérieure des fleuves remonte à de vastes soulèvements de terrain postérieurs à cette époque. C'est ainsi que dans l'évolution morphologique du Nord de l'Eifel s'exprime l'alternance rythmique de périodes de soulèvement et de repos. Les différentes époques de formations de hauts plateaux étagés et de terrasses peuvent être mises en relation avec des sédiments correspondants parallèles du tertiaire supérieur et du quaternaire de la baie du Rhin inférieur.

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