Structure and viscosity of rhyolitic composition melts

The average local structure of a rhyolitic composition glass has been determined at 25°C using X-ray radial distribution analysis (RDA) and quasi-crystalline modelling and is best described as similar to that in a stuffed framework composed principally of six-membered rings of Si and Al tetrahedra (basically a stuffed tridymite-like model). Using this model it is possible to calculate a density (2.41 g/cm³) which compares well with the measured density (2.40 g/cm³); a structural model based on four-membered rings (an albite-like model) results in a substantially higher calculated density (2.60 g/cm³). We suggest that the rhyolite glass structural model is appropriate for rhyolitic melts, based on evidence from the recent literature. New viscosity data for an anhydrous rhyolite composition measured between 1200°C and 1500°C are presented and interpreted in terms of our proposed structural model and previous melt structure models for the major normative components of rhyolite. A mechanism for diffusion and viscous flow in framework silicate melts (including rhyolite composition) is proposed on the basis of recent molecular orbital calculations and molecular dynamics simulations of silicate and fluoride melts.     

Phase relations of biotite and stilpnomelane in the greenschist facies

Phase relations of biotite and stilpnomelane and associated silicate minerals have been studied in rocks of the greenschist facies, chiefly from Otago, New Zealand and western Vermont, but also from Scotland, Minnesota-Michigan iron range, and northwest Washington. That stilpnomelane in the greenschicht facies crystallizes initially with nearly all iron in the ferrous state is indicated by chemical analyses, high p-T experiments, and phase relationships. Alteration of stilpnomelane after metamorphism not only oxidizes iron but leaches potassium; corrections for both effects must be made in using analyses of brown stilpnomelane in studies of phase relations. Two discontinuous reactions which produce biotite at the biotite isograd have been identified:

1. muscovite+stilpnomelane+actinolite→ biotite+chlorite+epidote
2. chlorite+microcline→ biotite+muscovite. Biotite produced by the first of these reactions has a limited range of variation in Fe/Mg. As grade advances within the biotite zone more magnesian and ferruginous biotites become stable in consequence of the two continuous reactions:
3. muscovite+actinolite+chlorite→ biotite (Mg-rich)+epidote
4. muscovite+stilpnomelane→ biotite (Fe-rich)+chlorite.

Stilpnomelane is stable in muscovite-free rocks throughout the biotite zone, and even up to the grade at which hornblende becomes stable. Phengitic muscovite is stable throughout the biotite zone in New Zealand and thus apparently does not contribute to the formation of biotite until a higher grade is reached.     

Application of stress mapping in cross‐section to understanding ore geometry,predicting ore zones and development of drilling strategies

Stress mapping is a numerical modelling technique used to determine the distribution and relative magnitude of stress during deformation in a mineralised terrane. It is based on the general principle that fluid flow in the Earth's crust is primarily related to pressure gradients. It is best applied to epigenetic hydrothermal mineral deposits, where fluid flow and fluid flux are enhanced in dilational sections of structures and in sites of enhanced rock permeability due to high fracture density. These are defined by sites of low minimum principal stress (σ₃). Most stress mapping is carried out in two dimensions in plan view using geological maps. This is suitable for terranes with steeply dipping lithostratigraphy and structures in which the distribution of mineral deposits is largely controlled by fault structures portrayed on the maps. However, for terranes with gently dipping sequences and structures, and for situations where deposits are sited in and near the hinges of complex fold structures, stress mapping in cross‐section is preferable. The effectiveness of stress mapping is maximised if mineralisation was late in the evolutionary history of the host terrane, and hence the structural geometry of the terrane and contained deposits were essentially that expressed today. The orientation of syn‐mineralisation far‐field stresses must also be inferred. Two examples of orogenic gold deposits, which meet the above criteria, are used to illustrate the potential of stress mapping in cross‐section. Sunrise Dam, located in the Archaean Yilgarn Craton, is a lode‐gold deposit sited in a thrust‐fold belt. Stress mapping illustrates the heterogeneity of stress distribution in the complex structural geometry of the deposit, and predicts the preferential siting of ore zones around the intersections of more steeply dipping, linking thrusts and banded iron‐formation units, and below the controlling more gently dipping basal thrust, the Sunrise Shear. The Howley Anticline in the Pine Creek block hosts several Palaeoproterozoic gold deposits, sited in complex anticlinal structures in greywacke sequences. Stress mapping indicates that gold ores should develop in the hinge zones of symmetrical anticlines, in the hinge zones and more steeply dipping to overturned limbs of asymmetric anticlines, and in and around thrusts in both anticlines and parasitic synclines. The strong correlation between the predictions of the stress mapping, based on the distribution of low σ₃, and the location of gold ores emphasises the potential of stress mapping in cross‐section, not only as an exploration tool for the discovery of additional resources or deposits, but also as a test of geological models. Knowledge of the potential siting of gold ores and their probable orientations also provides a guide to drilling strategies in both mine‐ and regional‐scale exploration.     

Assessing Decomposition Rates of Rhizophora mangle and Laguncularia racemosa Leaves in a Tropical Mangrove

Studies exploring leaf decomposition in mangroves in the Brazilian northeast are scarce. Therefore, in a mangrove of the Cachoeira River estuary at Ilhéus, Bahia, the decomposition of senescent leaves of Rhizophora mangle L. and Laguncularia racemosa Gaertn was studied. The litter-bag method and the Olson exponential model were applied to estimate the decomposition rates. The decay pattern of leaf material of both species was similar to those reported in the literature, with rapid initial weight loss, followed by a deceleration and period of slow weight loss. L. racemosa had the highest decay constants at all the study sites which suggest that their leaves are more easily degraded than those of R. mangle. The constantly submerged site presented the highest decay constants of 0.022 g g^?1 day^?1 for R. mangle and 0.031 g g^?1 day^?1 for L. racemosa. Most (95 %) of the leaf material of the two species was lost in 135 and 98 days, respectively. Benthic macrofauna organisms were recorded in the litter bags from the fifth day after the start of the experiment. Such organisms play a key role in the first phase of decomposition in this mangrove system. The decay constants of the leaf litter were generally higher than those reported in other tropical and subtropical regions. This suggests that differences in the process of decomposition are in response to environmental conditions at each location.     

Low temperature,low pressure deformation and metamorphism of the Vangorda massive sulphide orebody,Yukon, Canada

The Vangorda orebody is a small stratiform massive sulphide orebody located in Anvil District, Yukon, Canada. The orebody consists of fineto medium-grained semi-massive and massive sulphides with a common sulphide mineralogy of pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, galena, and minor chalcopyrite. The host rocks and the sulphide lithofacies have been complexly deformed during two phases of deformation (D₁ and D₂) and associated metamorphism (M₁ and M₂). The effects of d₁ and M₁ are penetratively overprinted by D₂ and M₂. D₂ and M₂ resulted in tight to isoclinal F₂ folding of the orebody, remobilisation of the sulphides, recrystallisation and development of shear zones along the limbs of the F₂ folds. Chlorite thermometry and sulphide thermobarometry have been carried out on the host phyllites and on the sulphides. Chlorite was analysed from the S₁ and S₂ foliations in the phyllites to determine M₁ and M₂ temperatures, respectively. However, no difference was found between chlorite compositions in these foliations and a mean temperature of 363 °C was calculated from the tetrahedral A1_IV occupancy. Arsenopyrite thermometry yielded a comparable mean temperature of 336 °C. Sphalerite inclusions in M₂ pyrite porphyroblasts from D₂ shear zones were analysed for pressure using the sphalerite + hexagonal pyrrhotite + pyrite barometer. Inclusions were analysed in an attempt to determine if relic m₁ sphalerite, and hence pressure signature, was preserved. Inclusion compositions appear to reflect only M₂ conditions and yielded a mean pressure of 4.0 kb. Sphalerite + hexagonal pyrrhotite assemblages were analysed from D₂ shear zones to determine the M₂ pressure using the sphalerite + hexagonal pyrrhotite barometer. These calculations yielded a mean pressure of 6.1 kb. The M₂ temperatures and pressures calculated using these calibrations are in good agreement with those estimated from petrogenetic relationships.     

Rethinking communication in risk interpretation and action

We have studied the attenuation characteristics of eastern Himalaya and southern Tibet by using local earthquake data set that consists of 123 well-located events, recorded by the Himalayan Nepal Tibet Seismic Experiment operated during 2001–2003. We have used single backscattering model to calculate frequency-dependent values of coda Q (\(Q_\mathrm{c}\)). The estimation of \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) is made at central frequencies 2, 4, 8 and 12 Hz through five lapse time windows from 10 to 50 s starting at double the travel time of the S-wave. The observed \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) is found to be strongly frequency-dependent and follows a similar trend as observed in other tectonically active parts of the Himalaya. The trend of variation of \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) with lapse time and the corresponding apparent depths is also studied. Increase in \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) values with the lapse time suggests that the deeper part of the study region is less heterogeneous than the shallower part. The observed values of \(Q_0\) (\(Q_\mathrm{c}\) at 1 Hz) and frequency parameter n indicate that the medium beneath the study area is highly heterogeneous and tectonically very active. A regionalization of the estimated \(Q_0\) is carried out, and a contour map is prepared for the whole region. Some segments of Lesser Himalaya and Sub-Himalaya exhibit very low \(Q_0\) , while the whole Tethyan Himalaya and some parts of Greater Himalaya are characterized by low \(Q_0\) values. Our results are comparable with those obtained from tectonically active regions in the world.     

Continual long-term monitoring of methane in wells above the Utica Shale using total dissolved gas pressure probes

Hydrogeology Journal - Monitoring of dissolved methane concentrations in groundwater is required to identify impacts from oil and gas development and to understand temporal variability under...     

Rheology and geodynamic modelling: the next step forward

The application of continuum mechanics and microstructural analysis to geological studies over the past 30 years has spurred earth scientists to reassess fundamental tectonic processes such as subduction, collision and rifting in terms of dynamics. Armed with new analytical methods, geologists have returned to the field to look at rock structures with more mechanistic eyes. The advent of sophisticated computers, programs, and laboratory deformation equipment has facilitated the simulation of geodynamic processes that range in scale from the grain to the lithosphere. The result has been specialization, with the concomitant opening of communication gaps between geodynamicists, field geologists and rock mechanicists. Partly, these gaps reflect differences of perception and approach. In order to bridge these gaps, a workshop was organized after the DRM conference to debate how field and laboratory studies of deformed rocks can improve our understanding of lithospheric rheology, and in turn, how this understanding can be used to refine dynamic models of orogenesis. The workshop hosted participants with backgrounds in structural geology, experimental rock mechanics, metamorphic petrology and both numerical and analogue modelling. This paper summarizes the main controversies and conclusions reached during the workshop. For the sake of brevity, referencing in this summary is restricted to literature referred to during the oral presentations and to comments made by speakers themselves (names italicized).     

Partitioning of dioxins (PCDDs/Fs) in ambient air at urban residential locations

In this work, 17-polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/furan (PCDD/Fs) isomers were measured in ambient air at four urban sites in Seoul, Korea (from February to June 2009). The concentrations of their summed values (ΣPCDD/Fs) across all four sites ranged from 1,947 (271 WHO₀₅ TEQ) (Jong Ro) to 2,600 (349 WHO₀₅ TEQ) fg/m³ (Yang Jae) with a mean of 2,125 (± 317) fg/m³ (292 WHO₀₅ TEQ fg/m³). The sum values for the two isomer groups of ΣPCDD and ΣPCDF were 527 (30 WHO₀₅ TEQ) and 1,598 (263 WHO₀₅ TEQ) fg/m³, respectively. The concentration profile of individual species was dominated by the 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF isomer, which contributed approximately 36 % of the ΣPCDD/Fs value. The observed temporal trends in PCDD/F concentrations were characterized by relative enhancement in the winter and spring. The relative contribution of different sources, when assessed by principal component analysis, is explained by the dominance of vehicular emissions along with coal (or gas) burning as the key source of ambient PCDD/Fs in the residential areas studied.