The rotation of Italy: Preliminary palaeomagnetic data from the Umbrian sequence,Northern Apennines

A preliminary collection of 43 palaeomagnetic samples (10 sites) from the miogeosynclinal and supposedly autochthonous Umbrian sequence in the Northern Apennines, Italy, was analysed by means of alternating magnetic fields and thermal demagnetization studies. The older group of samples, taken from the upper part of the Calcari Diasprini (Malm), the Fucoid Marls (Albian/Cenomanian) and from the basal part of the Scaglia Bianca (Early Late Cretaceous), all showed normal polarity directions and resulted in a mean site direction:D = 290.5°,I = +51.5°,α₉₅ = 11°,k = 74,N = 4.The younger group of samples, taken throughout the Scaglia Rossa sequence (Latest Cretaceous/Middle Eocene) showed normal and reversed polarity directions. In contrast to the older group, the magnetic analysis of these samples resulted in a considerably less dense grouping of site mean directions. This presumably is due to inaccuracies introduced with the very large bedding tilt corrections that had to be applied to the samples of some sites. A tentative mean site direction for these Scaglia Rossa samples was computed as:D = 351°,I = +52.5°,α₉₅ = 23.5°,k = 11.5,N = 5.Despite the low precision of the Scaglia Rossa result, the significant deviation between this Latest Cretaceous/Early Tertiary direction and the Late Jurassic/Early Late Cretaceous direction indicates a counterclockwise rotation of more than forty degrees. This rotation can be dated as Late Cretaceous.How far these data from the Northern Apennines apply to other parts of the Italian Peninsula has yet to be established. The timing of this rotation is not at variance with the data from other parts of Mediterranean Europe (Southern Alps, Iberian Peninsula) and from Africa. However, taking into account the preliminary nature of the results, the amount of rotation of the Northern Apennines seems to surpass the rotation angle which is deduced from the palaeomagnetic data for Africa.     

Sr isotopes and the structural state of feldspars as indicators of post-magmatic hydrothermal activity in continental dolerites

Late-crystallised interstitial alkali feldspars and a single epidote from selected Proterozoic dolerites in Sweden have higher initital ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, (e.g., 0.709) than the early-crystallised minerals of the same rocks ( 0.704); anomalies in Rb and Sr concentrations are also noted. This radiogenically-enriched Sr must originate in the older host rocks of the intrusions. As the contaminated phases often occupy <1 % of the dolerite, only an aqueous fluid would have been capable of transporting the contamination through the 99% solid intrusions. Textural association of late feldspars with hydrous alteration products supports this interpretation. Feldspar structural data suggest that most dolerites have been affected by subsolidus aqueous fluids, causing extensive structural re-equilibration in interstitial K-feldspars, as well as occasional metasomatic effects. Anomalies in ⁸⁷Sr developed only where the fluids interacted with host rocks.     

Progressive development of quartz fabrics in a shear zone from Monte Mucrone,Sesia-Lanzo Zone,Italian Alps

Quartz c-axis fabrics are described from a shear zone in a jadeite — garnet bearing meta-granite from Monte Mucrone, in the Sesia-Lanzo Zone of the western Italian Alps. Quartz blebs in the meta-granitoid are progressively deformed into cigar shaped lenses, and are recrystallized. Fabrics measured from individual blebs show considerable variation resulting from an initial orientation effect, and are not very enlightening. A synoptic diagram, however, has a pole-free area which can be correlated with the extension direction, and an asymmetry which is consistent with the known sense of shear operating in the zone.Although the technique of preparing synoptic diagrams is rather painstaking, its use is advocated for complex fabric situations, as it may allow partial removal of problems associated with non-random initial orientation distributions.     

Computer-composite mapping for geologists

A computer program for overlaying maps has been tested and evaluated as a means for producing geologic derivative maps. Four maps of the Sugar House Quadrangle, Utah, were combined, using the Multi-Scale Data Analysis and Mapping Program, in a single composite map that shows the relative stability of the land surface during earthquakes. Computer-composite mapping can provide geologists with a powerful analytical tool and a flexible graphic display technique. Digitized map units can be shown singly, grouped with different units from the same map, or combined with units from other source maps to produce composite maps. The mapping program permits the user to assign various values to the map units and to specify symbology for the final map. Because of its flexible storage, easy manipulation, and capabilities of graphic output, the composite-mapping technique can readily be applied to mapping projects in sedimentary and crystalline terranes, as well as to maps showing mineral resource potential.     

Pyrolysis-high resolution gas chromatography and pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of kerogens and kerogen precursors

A series of kerogens and kerogen precursors isolated from DSDP samples, oil shales and Recent algal mats have been examined by Curie point pyrolysis-high resolution gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. This study has shown that the three main types of kerogens (marine, terrestrial and mixtures of both) can be characterized using these techniques. The marine (algal) kerogens yield principally aliphatic products and the terrestrial kerogens yield more aromatic and phenolic products with some n-alkanes and n-alkenes. The yields of n-alkanes and n-alkenes increase and phenols decrease with increasing geologic age, however, pyrolysis-GC cannot be used to characterize the influence of short term diagenesis on the kerogen structure.     

The constant temperature-sum as a basis for forecasting flowering date

Summary Hertlein's thesis is discussed and criticized on points where apparently significance is attached to results which require stronger statistical proofs.     

Possible clay structures in frustules of living diatoms

Comparison of X-ray diffraction spectra of marine diatom frustules and suspended clay minerals suggests the presence of a distinctive smectite in diatoms. The frustules contained 1.5% Al₂O₃ and were partly covered with particles of 0.02 μm in diameter. The source of Al and the fate of diatoms in the sediment are briefly discussed.     

Sur un pendule horizontal equipe d’un capteur de deplacement A capacite variable

The VERBAANDERT-MELCHIOR HORIZONTAL PENDULUM, using a capacitive transducer for the tilt measurements, is described. The output sensitivity is about 100 microvolt for 0.001”. Damping is produced by the air-drag during the motion of the pendulum arm. Results of tidal analysis for two one month fifty-days recording in the Underground Laboratory of Geodynamics at Walferdange (Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg) are also given.     

Amethod of estimating leaf temperatures in a plant community

Summary A method was devised for using profiles of directional long-wave radiation to estimate plant radiating temperatures at any height in a crop. Limited testing of the method was carried out using tubular net radiometers which had one hemisphere covered by a radiation shield equipped with a temperature sensor.The results indicated that, in the absence of solar radiation, profiles of effective radiating temperature in a crop could be obtained to an accuracy of between 0.2 and 0.3°C at any level while day time values were of the order of 0.3 to 0.4°C.

---

Eine Methode zur Abschätzung der Blattemperatur in einer Pflanzengemeinschaft

Zusammenfassung Es wurde eine Methode entwickelt, die es erlaubt, die Strahlungstemperatur von Pflanzen in beliebiger Höhe innerhalb eines Bestandes aus Profilen der langwelligen Strahlungsbilanz abzuschätzen. Eine beschränkte Zahl von Versuchen wurde ausgeführt, bei denen zylinderförmige Strahlungsbilanzmesser verwendet wurden, deren eine Hemisphäre durch einen Strahlungsschirm verdeckt war, an dem ein Temperaturmeßgerät angebracht war. Die Resultate zeigen, daß bei fehlender Sonnenstrahlung Profile der effektiven Strahlungs-temperatur in beliebiger Höhe innerhalb eines Bestandes bis zu einer Genauigkeit von 0.2 bis 0.3°C gemessen werden können. Untertags wurden Genauigkeiten von 0.3 bis 0.4° erzielt.

---

---

With 2 Figures     

Morphotectonic investigations along the Western Rift in the Masindi area,Bunyoro District,Uganda

Morphological and geological investigations along the Western Rift in the Lake Mobutu area (formerly Lake Albert), Uganda, East Africa are reviewed.Morphotectonic analyses reveal a complex interplay between rift faulting, erosion processes and sedimentation; an inversion of laterite surfaces in zones of subsidence and sedimentation is suggested. At least three phases of rift faulting can be recorded. The initiation of rift faulting is regarded as younger than the upper latente surface but pre lower Miocene.

---

Zusammenfassung Morphologische und geologische Untersuchungen am westlichen Zweig des ostafrikanischen Grabens im Bereich des Mobutu-Sees (früher Albert-See) in Uganda werden zusammen mit den Ergebnissen der bisherigen Arbeiten in einer Gesamtschau dargestellt.Morphotektonische Analysen ergeben ein kompliziertes Wechselspiel zwischen Grabentektonik, Erosions- und Sedimentationsprozessen, Eine Inversion der latente surfaces im Absenkungs- und Sedimentationsbereich wird angenommen.Wenigstens drei Bewegungsphasen an der Grabenrandverwerfung sind zu erfassen. Das Einsetzen der aktiven Grabentektonik beginnt nach Bildung des upper latente surface und vor der Ablagerung unter-miozäner Sedimente.

---

Résumé Des recherches géologiques et morphologiques du rift occidental dans la région du lac Mobutu (préalablement de lac Albert) en Ouganda, coordonnées avec les résultats d'études antérieures, sont offertes en vue d'ensemble.Les analyses morpho-tectoniques font ressortir des relations complexes entre la tectonique du fossé, l'érosion et la sédimentation. La possibilité d'une « inversion » des horizons latéritiques dans la région de subsidence et sédimentation s'annonce.Au moins trois phases de mouvement ont été ofservées le long de la faille qui délimite le fossé. L'activité tectonique du fossé commence après la formation de la «surface latéritique supérieure » et avant la sédimentation des couches du Miocène Inférieur.

---

- — — . - . « » «laterite surfaces» . - . «upper laterite surface» - .