Magmatic Evolution of the La Pacana Caldera System, Central Andes, Chile: Compositional Variation of Two Cogenetic, Large-Volume Felsic Ignimbrites

La Pacana is one of the largest known calderas on Earth, andis the source of at least two major ignimbrite eruptions witha combined volume of some 2700 km³. These ignimbrites have stronglycontrasting compositions, raising the question of whether theyare genetically related. The Toconao ignimbrite is crystal poor,and contains rhyolitic (76–77 wt % SiO₂) tube pumices.The overlying Atana ignimbrite is a homogeneous tuff whose pumiceis dacitic (66–70 wt % SiO₂), dense (40–60% vesicularity)and crystal rich (30–40 % crystals). Phase equilibriaindicate that the Atana magma equilibrated at temperatures of770–790°C with melt water contents of 3·1–4·4wt %. The pre-eruptive Toconao magma was cooler (730–750°C)and its melt more water rich (6·3–6·8 wt% H₂O). A pressure of 200 MPa is inferred from mineral barometryfor the Atana magma chamber. Isotope compositions are variablebut overlapping for both units (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i 0·7094–0·7131;¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd 0·51222–0·51230) and are consistentwith a dominantly crustal origin. Glass analyses from Atanapumices are similar in composition to those in Toconao tubepumices, demonstrating that the Toconao magma could representa differentiated melt of the Atana magma. Fractional crystallizationmodelling suggests that the Toconao magma can be produced by30% crystallization of the observed Atana mineral phases. Toconaomelt characteristics and intensive parameters are consistentwith a volatile oversaturation-driven eruption. However, thelow H₂O content, high viscosity and high crystal content ofthe Atana magma imply an external eruption trigger. KEY WORDS: Central Andes; crystal-rich dacite; eruption trigger; high-silica rhyolite; zoned magma chamber     

Barrier-island genesis: evidence from the central atlantic shelf,eastern U.S.A.

Since most barrier systems appear to have retreated into their present positions from further out on the continental shelf, the continental shelf is a logical place in which to investigate barrier genesis. The Middle Atlantic Bight of North America, one of the best known shelf sectors, does not appear to contain any drowned barriers. Instead, a series of terraces bear on their surfaces a discontinuous carpet of lagoonal sediments beneath a discontinuous sand sheet formed by erosional barrier retreat. Scarps separating terraces are the lower shorefaces of stillstand barriers whose superstructures were destroyed when shoreface retreat resumed. Thus the “origin” of most barriers is that they have retreated in from the position of their immediate predecessors. Barrier genesis, in the classic sense of large-scale, coastwise spit progradation or mainland-beach detachment, could only have occurred at Late Wisconsin lowstand, when the sense of sea-level displacement was reversed. The relative roles of coastwise spit progradation and mainland-beach detachment depend on coastal relief and slope, with steep, rugged coasts favoring spit progradation at the expense of mainland-beach detachment. Since most major barrier systems form on flat coastal plains, it would appear that mainland-beach detachment is the more important mode of barrier formation.During stillstands or periods of reduction in the rate of sea-level rise, coasts can more nearly approach their climax configuration, in which the shoreline is relatively straight, and the shoreface is well developed and of maximum possible slope. Coastal adjustments during such periods may require localized mainland-beach detachment and coastwise spit progradation, in order to attain such a configuration.     

The Paasivaara PGE reef in the Penikat layered intrusion,northern Finland

Summary Three major PGE-bearing mineralized zones have been found in the layered series of the early Proterozoic Penikat layered intrusion. These are designated as the Sompujärvi (SJ), Ala-Penikka (AP) and Paasivaara (PV) Reefs according to the site of their initial discovery.The uppermost of these, the PV Reef, has the highest Pt/Pd ratio. It is located in the transition zone between the fourth and the fifth megacyclic units. The main host rock is the uppermost anorthosite, disseminated sulphides and associated PGM being concentrated in the interstices of this plagioclase orthocumulate. The Reef has also been encountered in other parts of the transition zone, however, and sometimes even in the lowermost parts of the fifth megacyclic unit. The dominant sulphide paragenesis is chalcopyrite-pyrrhotite-pentlandite, whereas the PGM identified are represented by sperrylite (PtAs₂), kotulskite (PdTe), merenskyite (PdTe₂), isomertieite (Pd₁₁Sb₂As₂), stibiopalladinite (Pd₅Sb₂), cooperite (PtS) and braggite ((Pt, Pd, Ni)S).It is suggested that the PV Reef was formed in the mixing process when the fifth magma pulse intruded into the magma chamber. Mixing of the new magma with the older residual magma in the chamber accounted for the sulphide precipitation. Mixing and convection were probably turbulent at first and the sulphides were thus able to "scavenge" PGE from a large amount of silicate melt. The metal ratios in the mineralization point to a close genetic relationship with the fifth magma pulse.

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Das Paasivaara PGE Reef in der Penikat-Intrusion, Nord-Finnland

Zusammenfassung In den geschichteten Serien der frühproterozoischen Intrusion von Penikat kommen drei grössere PGE-führende Zonen vor. Diese werden als die Sompujärvi (SJ), Ala-Penikka (AP) und Paasivaara (PV) Reefs bezeichnet, entsprechend den Lokalitäten der Entdeckung.Das am höchsten gelegene PV Reef hat die höchsten Pt/Pd Verhältnisse. Es liegt in der Übergangszone zwischen der vierten und der fünften megazyklischen Einheit. Das wichtigste Wirtsgestein ist der oberste Anorthosit, wo disseminierte Sulfide und assoziierte PGM in den Zwischenräumen dieses Plagioklas-Orthokumulates vorkommen. Das Reef wurde auch in anderen Teilen der Überganszone beobachtet und manchmal sogar in den untersten Partien der fünften megazyklischen Einheit. Die dominierende Sulfidparagenese ist Kupferkies-Magnetkies-Pentlandit; PGM sind Sperrylith (PtAs₂), Kotulskit (PdTe), Merenskyit (PdTe₂), Isomertieit (Pd₁₁Sb₂As₂), Stibiopalladinit (Pd₅Sb₂), Cooperite (PtS) und Braggit ((Pt, Pd, Ni)S).Es wird angeregt, dass das PV Reef während der Mischungsvorgänge bei der Intrusion des fünften Magma Pulses in die Magmenkammer entstanden ist. Mischung des neuen Magmas mit dem alten Residual-Magma in der Kammer war für die Ausfällung der Sulfide verantwortlich. Mischung und Konvektion dürften anfangs turbulent gewesen sein, und so konnten die Sulfide die PGE aus einem beträchtlichen Anteil der Silikatschmelze entfernen. Die Metallverhältnisse dieser Vererzung lassen eine enge genetische Verbindung mit dem fünften Magmapuls erkennen.

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Relationships between gold concentration and structure in quartz veins from the Hodgkinson Province, northeastern Australia

The Hodgkinson Province is a tract of␣multiply deformed Silurian-Devonian rocks in north␣Queensland, Australia. Gold-bearing quartz veins from the West Normanby Goldfield in the northern Hodgkinson Province were emplaced during the Permian D₄ event, broadly coeval with regional granite emplacement. Taylors Fault, a major structure that formed during D₂, hosts the veins which infill dilatational jogs opened during sinistral-normal reactivation of the fault in D₄. Veins contain graphitic laminations that formed when fault planes segmented wallrocks adjacent to the veins, producing tabular clasts that were tectonically sliced into the reefs. Laminations are the result of progressive shear strain, associated with continued movement on the faults, which caused strain-enhanced dissolution of silicate minerals and residual graphite enrichment in the clasts. This process produced graphite-coated shear planes that delimit zones of grain size reduction in the veins. Laminations commonly contain stylolites, which nucleated on pronounced sinuosities of the shear planes due to progressive shortening during D₄. Gold particles have preferentially nucleated in zones of relatively coarser-grained quartz adjacent to the shear planes, where shortening strain caused microfracturing and allowed fluid access. Gold may have been introduced with the quartz, but was redistributed within the reefs and localized along the laminations by the effects of synchronous, progressive deformation. Regionally, gold deposits show close spatial relationships with granite plutons of the Permian Whypalla Supersuite. Relationships in the West Normanby Gold Field support a regional model of reef emplacement and gold mineralization during the Permian D₄ event. Received: 24 August 1997 / Accepted: 14 October 1997     

Trace element geochemistry of paleozoic amphibolites from S. W. Spain

Summary Mid-grade low P/high T Paleozoic amphibolites from Acebuches (S. W. Spain) represent a mostly isochemically metamorphosed basaltic suite which is partly cumulative and partly differentiated. They have chemical compositions and element variations similar to ocean-floor tholeiites. The amphibolites may be related to the early stages of rapid rifting during the formation of the Variscan belt.

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Geochemie der Spurenelemente in Paläozoischen Amphiboliten aus Südwest-Spanien

Zusammenfassung Amphibolite mittleren Metamorphose-Grades (niedrige Drucke, hohe Temperaturen) von Acebuches, Südwest-Spanien, repräsentieren eine weithin isochemisch metamorphosierte Abfolge von Basalten, die teils differenzierte und teils Cumulus-Gesteine waren. Chemismus und Element-Variationen entsprechen den Tholeiiten von Ozeanböden. Diese Amphibolite können den Frühstadien intensiver Grabenbildung im Zuge der Entstehung des Varistischen Gürtels zugeordnet werden.

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A physical model for the transport and sorting of fine-grained sediment by turbidity currents

Turbidite muds in cores from the outer Scotian continental margin, off eastern Canada, contain abundant thin silt laminae. Graded laminated units are recognized in parts of this sequence. These represent single depositional events, and show a regular decrease in modal grain size and thickness of the silt laminae through the unit. A similar fining trend is shown by both silt and mud layers over hundreds of kilometres downslope. Textural analysis of individual laminae allows the construction of a dynamically consistent physical model for transport and sorting in muddy turbidity currents. Hydraulic sorting aggregates finer material to the top and tail regions of a large turbidity flow which then overspills its channel banks. Downslope lateral sorting occurs with preferential deposition of coarser silt grains and larger mud flocs. Depositional sorting by increased shear in the boundary layer separates clay flocs from silt grains and results in a regular mud/silt lamination. Estimates can be made of the physical parameters of the turbidity flows involved. They are a minimum of several hundreds of metres thick, have low concentrations (of the order of 10^?3 or 2500 mg 1^?1), and move downslope at velocities of 10-20 cm s^?1. A 5 mm thick, coarse silt lamina takes about 10 h to deposit, and the subsequent mud layer ‘blankets’ very rapidly over this. A complete unit is deposited in 2-6 days which is the time it takes for the turbidity flow to pass a particular point. These thick, dilute, low-velocity flows are significantly different from the ‘classical’ turbidity current. However, there is mounting evidence in support of the new concept from laboratory observations and direct field measurements.     

Dimensions of drought: South African case studies

The recent drought in southern Africa has underscored the need for detailed analysis of the phenomenon. While geographers have researched the causes and impacts of drought in many African contexts, South Africa and in particular its Bantustans have not received sufficient similar attention. This paper outlines firstly the dimensions of drought in South Africa, including the biophysical and socio-economic factors. Issues such as land-use management, drought planning and relief are interrogated in the South African context. The final section of the paper highlights these debates with specific reference to case studies of past and present drought initiatives in South Africa.     

The ionosphere: effects,GPS modeling and the benefits for space geodetic techniques

The main goal of this paper is to provide a summary of our current knowledge of the ionosphere as it relates to space geodetic techniques, especially the most informative technology, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), specifically the fully deployed and operational global positioning system (GPS). As such, the main relevant modeling points are discussed, and the corresponding results of ionospheric monitoring are related, which were mostly computed using GPS data and based on the direct experience of the authors. We address various phenomena such as horizontal and vertical ionospheric morphology in quiet conditions, traveling ionospheric disturbances, solar flares, ionospheric storms and scintillation. Finally, we also tackle the question of how improved knowledge of ionospheric conditions, especially in terms of an accurate understanding of the distribution of free electrons, can improve space geodetic techniques at different levels, such as higher-order ionospheric effects, precise GNSS navigation, single-antenna GNSS orientation and real-time GNSS meteorology.     

L'apport métallifère «direct» du volcanisme continental

Recent geochemical investigation of ash-flow revealed important quantity of base metals in form of soluble salts coating ash particles. Metallogenic speculation is made for the formation of several and different kinds of ore deposits in sediments and volcanics, marine or continental, by direct concentration of these metals transported in solution. Soil process is not always required to “filter‘ metalliferous continental volcanics and concentrate the ore.     

Anomalously high uplift rates along the Ventura—Santa Barbara Coast, California—tectonic implications

The NW—SE trending segments of the California coastline from Point Arena to Point Conception (500 km) and from Los Angeles to San Diego (200 km) generally parallel major right-lateral strike-slip fault systems. Minor vertical crustal movements associated with the dominant horizontal displacements along these fault systems are recorded in local sedimentary basins and slightly deformed marine terraces. Typical maximum uplift rates during Late Quaternary time are about 0.3 m/ka, based on U-series ages of corals and amino-acid age estimates of fossil mollusks from the lowest emergent terraces.In contrast, the E–W-trending segments of the California coastline between Point Conception and Los Angeles (200 km) parallel predominantly northward-dipping thrust and high-angle reverse faults of the western Transverse Ranges. Along this coast, marine terraces display significantly greater vertical deformation. Amino-acid age estimates of mollusks from elevated marine terraces along the Ventura—Santa Barbara coast imply anomalously high uplift rates of between 1 and 6 m/ka over the past 40 to 100 ka. The deduced rate of terrace uplift decreases from Ventura to Los Angeles, conforming with a similar trend observed by others in contemporary geodetic data.The more rapid rates of terrace uplift in the western Transverse Ranges reflect N—S crustal shortening that is probably a local accommodation of the dominant right-lateral shear strain along coastal California.