A new Method for Determining the Interplanetary Current-Sheet Local Orientation

In this work we have developed a new method for determining the interplanetary current sheet local parameters. The method, called `HYTARO' (from Hyperbolic Tangent Rotation), is based on a modified Harris magnetic field. This method has been applied to a pool of 57 events, all of them recorded during solar minimum conditions. The model performance has been tested by comparing both, its outputs and noise response, with these of the `classic MVM' (from Minimum Variance Method). The results suggest that, despite the fact that in many cases they behave in a similar way, there are specific crossing conditions that produce an erroneous MVM response. Moreover, our method shows a lower noise level sensitivity than that of MVM.     

The temperature of interstellar porous grains

Free-space equilibrium temperatures for porous interstellar grains are computed for different dust sizes and are compared to those expected for homogeneous normal grains for two material candidates: graphite and a lunar silicate. Relevant differences are found with the former, but are essentially negligible with the latter. The results are discussed in terms of the different optical properties produced by the porosity of the grains. The possible astrophysical implications of these findings are also mentioned.     

Coordinated monitoring of the eccentric O-star binary Iota Orionis: optical spectroscopy and photometry

With the objective of investigating the windwind collision phenomenon and supporting contemporaneous X-ray observations, we have organized a large-scale, coordinated optical monitoring campaign of the massive, highly eccentric O9 III+B1 III binary Iota Orionis. Successfully separating the spectra of the components, we refine the orbital elements and confirm the rapid apsidal motion in the system. We also see strong interaction between the components during periastron passage and detect phase-locked variability in the spectrum of the secondary star. However, we find no unambiguous signs of the bow shock crashing on the surface of the secondary, despite the predictions of hydrodynamic simulations. Combining all available photometric data, we find rapid, phase-locked variations and model them numerically, thus restricting the orbital inclination to 50° i 70°.     

New Apatite Fission-Track Ages of the Western Kuqa Depression: Implications for the Mesozoic–Cenozoic Tectonic Evolution of South Tianshan, Xinjiang

The Mesozoic–Cenozoic uplift history of South Tianshan has been reconstructed in many ways using thermochronological analyses for the rocks from the eastern Kuqa Depression. The main difference in the reconstructions concerns the existence and importance of Early Cretaceous and Paleogene tectonic activities, but the existence of a Cenozoic differential uplift in the Kuqa Depression remains enigmatic. Here, we present new apatite fission-track ages obtained for 12 sandstone samples from the well-exposed Early Triassic to Quaternary sequence of the Kapushaliang section in the western Kuqa Depression. The results reveal that there were four pulses of tectonic exhumation, which occurred during the Early Cretaceous(peak ages of 112 and 105 Ma), Late Cretaceous(peak age of 67 Ma), Paleocene–Eocene(peak ages at 60, 53, and 36 Ma), and early Oligocene to late Miocene(central ages spanning 30–11 Ma and peak ages of 23 and 14 Ma), respectively. A review of geochronological and geological evidence from both the western and eastern Kuqa Depression is shown as follows.(1) The major exhumation of South Tians Shan during the Early Cretaceous was possibly associated with docking of the Lhasa block with the southern margin of the Eurasian plate.(2) The Late Cretaceous uplift of the range occurred diachronically due to the far-field effects of the Kohistan-Dras Arc and Lhasa block accretion.(3) The Paleogene uplift in South Tianshan initially corresponded to the far-field effects of the India–Eurasia collision.(4) The rapid exhumation in late Cenozoic was driven by the continuous far-field effects of the collision between India and Eurasia plates. The apatite fission-track ages of 14–11 Ma suggest that late Cenozoic exhumation in the western Kuqa Depression prevailed during the middle to late Miocene, markedly later than the late Oligocene to early Miocene activity in the eastern segment. It can be hypothesized that a possible differential uplift in time occurred in the Kuqa Depression during the late Cenozoic.     

Evidence for mid- to late-Holocene palaeotsunami deposits,Kakawis Lake,Vancouver Island,British Columbia

Kakawis Lake situated four metres above sea level on western Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, was the target of a palaeotsunami investigation. Six percussion cores recovered from this lake contain six anomalous deposits interbedded within the unconsolidated lacustrine sediments. Detailed sedimentological, geophysical and macro-fraction analyses were performed. The methods new to palaeoseismic approaches proved to be successful tools to characterize the anomalously coarse layers enriched in terrestrial plant detritus and marine shells. Based on at least eight types of evidence, six tsunami inundations are suggested as mechanisms responsible for the anomalous deposition, spanning from 3,634 to 2,534 cal yrs BP. Each tsunami event consists of a combination of different lithological facies resulting from different stages of tsunami inundation and settling of the material in the lake basin (pulses and inter-pulses). Tsunami deposits in lakes are shown to be less vulnerable to erosional and bioturbation processes than those found in marshes or beaches as well as underwater marine environments. However, few palaeoseismic studies have been carried out in low-elevation lakes along the Cascadia Subduction Zone region. The three last tsunami events known to have inundated areas along the Pacific shores of southern British Columbia, Canada and northern USA are not present at Kakawis Lake, establishing a current <4 m above mean sea level vertical limit as possible maximum tsunami height for areas located away from fjord heads on Vancouver Island. The anomalous deposits found in Kakawis Lake may be the oldest geological evidence of inferred tsunami on Vancouver Island, providing a possible recurrence interval between 200 and 400 years.     

Jurassic-Cretaceous Basin-range Pattern in the Southwestern Tian Shan Foreland Basin: Evidence from Detrital U-Pb Zircon GeochronologyEI北大核心CSCD

The Mesozoic basin-range pattern in the Tian Shan area is actively debated, especially on the southern flank of the Tian Shan. This important and contrasting hypothesis involves an intracontinental foreland basin, and a passive subsiding basin characterized by a wide source area, a weak basin-range differentiation, as well as a positive physiographic feature. This study focuses on the critical stage of basin-range relationship and reports detrital zircon U-Pb ages from the sandstones of Middle Jurassic Yangye Formation and Lower Cretaceous Group collected from the Kangsu section, aiming to constrain the Mesozoic provenance of the southwestern Tian Shan foreland basin. The U-Pb isotopic ages of zircons from these two units of clastic rocks were obtained by using in situ LA-ICP-MS. The U-Pb ages of detrital zircons from the Middle Jurassic series range from 369 Ma to 2687 Ma and can be divided into three main groups: (1) 369-404 Ma (accounting for 4%), (2) 418-501 Ma (accounting for 19%), (3) 544-2687 Ma (accounting for 77%), and the zircon ages from the Lower Cretaceous series range from 243 Ma to 2820 Ma and can be divided into three groups: (1) 253-414 Ma (accounting for 35%), (2) 423-489 Ma (accounting for 27%), (3) 668-2820 Ma (accounting for 37%). All age groups are prominent in the Middle Jurassic sample, suggesting a large-scale drainage system and wide source area characterized by established connection between the basin and main sources. The distribution of U-Pb ages of detrital zircons from the Lower Cretaceous sample has more groups and reflects a shrink age in coeval source area. The southern flank of southwestern Tian Shan and the Kuqa rejuvenated foreland basin have difference sediment provenance during the Middle Jurassic, whereas in the Early Cretaceous they have similar sedimentary provenance. The southwestern Tian Shan foreland basin, as well as the other areas of the south margin of the Tian Shan underwent a minor tectonic inversion and adjustment throughout the Early Cretaceous, which led to an intension in basin-range differentiation and corresponding uplift-exhumation, and a deconstruction of the link between sedimentary piedmont and older basements distributed in interior of the mountain. © 2017, Science Press. All right reserved.     

Hydrography and frontogenesis in a glacial fjord off the Strait of Magellan

Current velocity and hydrographic profiles obtained for the first time in a Chilean glacial fjord were combined with under-way surface temperature and salinity measurements to describe the formation of tidal intrusion fronts and plume-like fronts. These fronts formed within several hundred meters from each other in the vicinity of a shallow sill, maximum depth of approximately 3 m, in a glacial fjord off the Strait of Magellan in the Chilean Patagonia. Measurements were obtained in mid-December of 2003 and 2004, during late austral spring, under active glacier melting and calving. The glacial fjord is approximately 18 km long from the face of the glacier to the connection with the Strait of Magellan and typically less than 1 km wide throughout the system. Between the glacier face and the 3-m sill, depths are typically less than 100 m, and seaward of the sill, depths increase to more than 200 m. Velocity and salinity data obtained during flood periods revealed that water with oceanic salinity was aspirated to near-surface levels from depths of approximately 30 m as flood flows accelerated from approximately 10 cm s⁻¹, seaward of the sill, to approximately 60 cm s⁻¹ at the sill crest. The upwelled water was then slightly diluted by mixing at the sill crest before plunging down to the basin between the glacier and the sill. The plunging of salty water over the sill created dramatic tidal intrusion fronts only a few tens of meters from the sill crest and pumping of salt with every flood period. During ebb periods, the low salinity waters derived from the glacier and a small river near the glacier converged at the sill crest. After some mixing, the buoyant waters were released within a thin layer (∼3 m deep) lead by a plume-like front that remained coherent for a few hundred meters seaward of the sill. The main findings of this study were that tidal intrusion and plume fronts were observed within 2 km from each other, and that tidal pumping was the predominant mechanism for salt fluxes into the system.     

A stochastic estimation of sediment production in an urban catchment using the USLE model

The goals of this study were to map the spatial distribution of sediment production and to estimate the probability of this production at the waterline based on a high potential of silting. The RUSLE-GIS model and Monte Carlo simulation were used. A sensitivity analysis of stochastic factors was performed by calculating the simple correlation coefficient. This procedure was applied to the Estrada Nova catchment, located in the city of Belém, northern Brazil, which has been subject to channel improvements and the construction of a detention basin. The results indicate that, following the urbanization and drainage improvements, there was a reduction in the annual sediment production probability, which is consistent with the dynamics in land use. The erodibility was the most sensitive factor in the sedimentation estimates. The methodology was considered an alternative to estimate sediment production in an urban catchment.     

Wave propagation along freely propagating surface gravity current fronts

This work deals with the propagation and evolution of disturbances which move along freely propagating two-dimensional gravity current fronts. Examples of evolving perturbations on fronts are displayed in real-aperture radar images of gravity currents in the coastal zone. The theory of Cooper et al. (2001), which is based upon the ray tube formulation of Whitham (1974), is employed to simulate disturbances of the sort seen in this imagery and in the larger body of literature. Initial anomalies in both shape and velocity are introduced and allowed to evolve, and several types of new and interesting behaviors emerge. Shape perturbations of the form x=a sech δy evolve into two anomalies, which separate in time as they propagate in opposite directions along the front. When the value of a is increased, the disturbances, which propagate along the gravity current, can break, forming breaking frontal waves (BFWs). These manifest themselves as sharp angular features to either side of the main bulge. Two types of velocity disturbances are employed. The first has the form U=U₀(1+â sech δy), and evolves to preserve a single frontal bulge that increases in amplitude and width as it propagates. Here again, large values of â result in BFWs. In this case, they replicate the general behavior present in the imagery. The second type of velocity perturbation used is U=U₀(1+â cos δy). The smallest values of a generate no BFWs, but yield fronts which oscillate in space and time. Larger values produce a string of BFWs which are qualitatively similar to the cusp-and-trough morphology observed so frequently in nature. The largest values of a allow the gravity current to form a string of large, bulbous structures which intersect one another as they propagate forward and spread laterally. And finally, we make an effort to correlate the results of the simulations with the shapes seen in radar and visible imagery in the literature.     

Acritarchs of Las Ventanas Formation (Ediacaran, Uruguay): Implications for the timing of coeval rifting and glacial events in western Gondwana

Acritarchs and other organic-walled microfossils occurring in siltstones of the Las Ventanas Formation (Quebrada de Viera and El Perdido members) are systematically described and illustrated. The assemblage includes the following species: Leiosphaeridia tenuissima, Leiosphaeridia minutissima, Lophosphaeridium sp., Soldadophycus bossii, Soldadophycus major, Soldadophycus sp. and Vendotaenia antiqua. The microflora is characterized by low diversity (six species), dominance of L. tenuissima, absence of acanthomorphic acritarchs, and relatively large size of sphaeromorphs, reaching 400 μm in diameter. A number of species are shared with acritarch assemblages preserved in the overlying Arroyo del Soldado Group. Differences between assemblages include the occurrence of abundant Bavlinella faveolata and small size of spheroids in the Arroyo del Soldado Group. The assemblage occurring in Las Ventanas Formation is assigned to the Ediacaran Leiosphere Palynoflora, which spans the interval between the base of the Ediacaran (end of the Marinoan Glaciation, 635 Ma) and the termination of the Gaskiers Glaciation (582 Ma). An early Ediacaran age between 615 and 579 Ma is also supported by available radiometric ages. An extensional setting for Las Ventanas basin is suggested on the basis of the bimodal, synsedimentary volcanism, strong palaeorelief, great thickness of alluvial fan conglomerates and the evolution from continental to open marine environments. Diamictites occurring in the Quebrada de Viera Member are described for the first time, including associated dropstones which suggest a glacial origin. If confirmed, this would be one more example of the association between rifting and glaciation in the Neoproterozoic, coeval with a low-diversity, high-abundance acritarch microflora. A causal relationship between these tectonic, climatic and biologic events is discussed.