Magnetic properties of natural Mn-oxides

Summary The paper is devoted to the study of the magnetic properties, of the volume magnetic susceptibility in a weak magnetic field, of the specific magnetic susceptibility in a strong magnetic field, of natural remanent magnetization and its stability in A.C. fields, and of the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility of natural Mn-oxides. Samples of pyrolusite, polianite, manganite, hausmannite, psilomelan and wad from different localities all over the world were studied; the measured values are statistically treated so that the given values are valid in general. Hausmannite displayed typical values of the magnetic susceptibility, different from the values of the other Mn-oxides. In general, many natural Mn-oxides contain heterogeneous admixtures of Fe-oxides, which are responsible for their ferromagnetic properties. A high degree of magnetic hardness, predetermining the minerals for palaeomagnetic research, was proved with many of the natural Mn-oxides.     

Effect of the additional low-sensitivity channel on the amplitude response of the electromagnetic seismograph

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Extreme floods and their relationship with tropical cyclones in Puerto Rico

An extreme value analysis (EVA) point process approach has been implemented to examine the flood characteristics of Puerto Rico when tropical cyclones (TCs) are present in the discharge series and when they are removed from it. Mean daily discharge values that exceeded the 99th percentile thresholds were used in both the TC and non-TC data series. In nine of the 12 stations the maximum discharge was associated with a TC, with hurricanes Hortense (1996), Georges (1998) and Eloise (1975) responsible for most of the maximum peaks at each site. Percentage changes in the generalized extreme value parameters, which include location (central tendency), scale (variance) and shape (skewness), between the TC and non-TC data exhibited a decrease in the majority of stations. Stations in the eastern interior and central region of the island showed the largest decrease in all parameters, in flood occurrences and in return periods when TCs were removed from the series.     

Influence of the Load Wavelength on the Permeability of a Viscosity Interface in the Mantle

Assuming a radially stratified Newtonian mantle in a steady-state approximation, we demonstrate that the permeability of a viscosity interface at 660-km depth strongly depends on the wavelength of buoyancy forces driving the flow. The flow induced by long-wavelength loads penetrates through the boundary freely even if the viscosity increases by two orders. In contrast, the boundary is practically impermeable for short-wavelength loads located in the upper mantle. Thus, a stepwise increase of viscosity is a significant obstacle for small descending features in the upper mantle, but huge upper mantle downwellings, or upwellings formed in the-lower mantle can overcome it easily. This indicates that certain care is necessary in interpreting the seismic structure of the mantle by means of flow models. The global tomographic image includes only the first few degrees of the harmonic series and, consequently, its interpretation in terms of a present-day flow field results in a predominantly whole-mantle circulation even for extreme viscosity contrasts.     

A robust debris-flow and GLOF risk management strategy for a data-scarce catchment in Santa Teresa,Peru

The town of Santa Teresa (Cusco Region, Peru) has been affected by several large debris-flow events in the recent past, which destroyed parts of the town and resulted in a resettlement of the municipality. Here, we present a risk analysis and a risk management strategy for debris-flows and glacier lake outbursts in the Sacsara catchment. Data scarcity and limited understanding of both physical and social processes impede a full quantitative risk assessment. Therefore, a bottom-up approach is chosen in order to establish an integrated risk management strategy that is robust against uncertainties in the risk analysis. With the Rapid Mass Movement Simulation (RAMMS) model, a reconstruction of a major event from 1998 in the Sacsara catchment is calculated, including a sensitivity analysis for various model parameters. Based on the simulation results, potential future debris-flows scenarios of different magnitudes, including outbursts of two glacier lakes, are modeled for assessing the hazard. For the local communities in the catchment, the hazard assessment is complemented by the analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery and fieldwork. Physical, social, economic, and institutional vulnerability are considered for the vulnerability assessment, and risk is eventually evaluated by crossing the local hazard maps with the vulnerability. Based on this risk analysis, a risk management strategy is developed, consisting of three complementing elements: (i) standardized risk sheets for the communities; (ii) activities with the local population and authorities to increase social and institutional preparedness; and (iii) a simple Early Warning System. By combining scientific, technical, and social aspects, this work is an example of a framework for an integrated risk management strategy in a data scarce, remote mountain catchment in a developing country.     

Remanent magnetism of anorganic and organic substances and its exploitation in treating historical problems

Summary Properties of the thermoremanent magnetization of various archaeological materials (baked-clay objects, samples from old trees, bones and stones) were investigated with the purpose to assess the possibility of their use for the determination of the earth's magnetic field in the historical past and to apply the data for solving some practical problems. It turns out that most of those materials yield magnetic values that can be used for making the radiocarbon dating method more accurate, for determining the degree of burning and for direct archaeomagnetic dating. The new conclusions also contribute to the knowledge of changes in the earth's magnetic field in the past.     

Compositional variations in ferrotapiolite + tantalite pairs from the beryl-columbite pegmatite at Moravanynad Váhom, Slovakia

Summary ?Three texturally and compositionally distinct pairs of ferrotapiolite + tantalite, all spatially related to a cleavelandite unit, were distinguished in the zoned beryl-columbite pegmatite at Moravany nad Váhom, Považsky Inovec Mts., Slovakia. (1) Inclusions of ferrotapiolite I (∼200 μm) in zoned ferrotantalite I exhibit crosscutting tielines of coexisting compositions in the columbite-tantalite quadrilateral. (2) Large ferrotapiolite II grains and adjacent, compositionaly variable grains of ferro- to manganotantalite II (∼100 μm) display remarkably diverse tielines, not yet observed in a single sample or locality. (3) Sn-depleted and slightly Mn,Ta-enriched narrow rims (∼20 μm) of ferrotapiolite III with small inclusions of manganotantalite III (≤ 5 μm) are located along a late, hydrothermal, fracture-filling microlite vein cross-cutting ferrotapiolite II. Changes in fO₂ derived from calculated Fe₂O₃ as well as variations in Ti, Sn, W concentrations through the ferrotapiolite + tantalite pairs I to III are negligible. Consequently, it seems plausible to explain the broadening of the two-phase field and the enrichment of ferrotapiolite and tantalite in Mn and Ta particularly by decreasing temperature. A disequilibrium crystallization from highly evolved residual melt and/or fluids is suggested for all textural types.

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Zusammenfassung ?Zusammensetzung von Ferrotapiolit-Tantalit-Paaren im Beryll-Columbit Pegmatit von Moravany nad Váhom (Považsky Inovec Mts., Slowakei) Drei Ferrotapiolit-Tantalit-Paare k?nnen in dem zonierten Beryll-Columbit-Pagmatit von Moravany nad Váhom, Povazsky Inovec Mts., Slowakei, auf der Basis detaillierter textureller und chemischer Untersuchungen unterschieden werden. Sie wurden in verschiedenen Stadien der Pegmatit-Kristallisation gebildet und sind r?mlich in Beziehung zu der Cleavelandit-Einheit (1). Einschlüsse von Ferrotapiolit I (∼200 μm) in zoniertem Ferrotantalit I zeigen sich kreuzende Konoden im Columbit-Tantalit Quadrilateral, die koexistierende K?rner beider Minerale miteinander verbinden. Dies legt nahe, dass Ferrotapiolit ein Produkt prim?rer (magmatischer) Disequilibrium-Kristallisation ist, und gleichzeitig mit den assoziierten Mineralen der Columbit-Gruppe gebildet wurde (2). Gro?e Ferrotapiolit II K?rner und K?rner von angrenzenden Ferro- bis Manganotantalit II (∼100 μm) zeigen Konoden mit bemerkenswerter Verschiedenheit, die bisher nicht in einer einzigen Probe beobachtet wurden. Eine sehr betonte Disequilibrium-Kristallisation aus stark fraktionierter Restschmelze dürfte hierfür verantwortlich sein (3). An Zinn verarmte und etwas an Mn, Ta angereicherter Ferrotapiolit III bildet dünne R?nder (∼20 μm) mit schmalen Einschlüssen von Manganotantalit III (≤5 μm) l?ngs einer Mikrolit-Ader. Erhat sich w?hrend hydrothermaler Subsolidus Verdr?ngung von Ferrotapiolit II durch Sprünge füllenden Microlit gebildet. Schwankungen in fO₂, berechnet aus Fe₂O₃ und die Gehalten an Ti, Sn und W k?nnen in den Ferrotapiolit-Tantalit-Paaren (1) bis (3) vernachl?ssigt werden. Dementsprechend erscheint es naheliegend, die Erweiterung des Zweiphasenfeldes und die Anreicherung von Ferrotapiolit und Tantalit an Mn und Ta durch Temperaturabnahme zu erkl?ren.

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Received May 4, 1999;/revised version accepted January 5, 2000     

Groundwater geochemistry of the Chihuahua City region in the Rio Conchos Basin (northern Mexico) and implications for water resources management

The Chihuahua City region, located in the semiarid-arid northern highlands of Mexico, has experienced intensive groundwater abstraction during the last 40 years to meet water demands in the region. A geochemical survey was carried out to investigate the evolution from baseline to modern conditions of a 130-km flow path including the El Sauz–Chihuahua–Aldama–San Diego de Alcalá regions. The research approach included the use of major chemical elements, chlorofluorocarbons and environmental isotope (¹⁸O, ²H, ¹³C and ¹⁴C) tracers. Stable isotopes indicate that groundwater evolves from the evaporation of local rainfall and surface water. Groundwater located at the lower end of the flow section is up to 6000 years old and older groundwater in the order of 9000 years BP was found in a deep well located in the upper part of the flow system, implying contribution from a neighbour basin. The background groundwater chemistry upstream of Chihuahua City results from feldspar weathering. Beyond Chihuahua City the chemical conditions are strongly modified owing to disposal of sewage from public and industrial water supplies into the Rio Chuviscar, subsequent allocation of this water to agricultural irrigation areas and direct infiltration under the river bed. As a consequence, anions like chloride and sulphate are mainly related to surface sources. Nitrate is controlled in part by sewage from public supply and industry and in part by agricultural practices. Arsenic and fluoride are related to weathering of rock formations of local mineralized ranges and subsequent enrichment of the basin-fill by magmatic processes. The results of this study have implications for groundwater management in an arid region that depends entirely on groundwater for domestic, industrial and agricultural water consumption. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.