Coring experiments with cryogenic water and carbon dioxide ices—toward planetary surface operations

As a prelude to the design of sampling devices able to extract materials from the icy surfaces of comets, outer-planet satellites, and the martian poles, it is necessary to understand some of the physical properties of these ices. To this end we have investigated the mechanical resistance displayed by two ices subjected to coring operations at low temperatures and under vacuum. The ices used in this study were water ice, frozen from liquid water, and carbon dioxide ice grown from its vapour. The coring tool employed had dimensions and required power levels that were comparable to a sample extraction system designed for a present-day spacecraft lander. The specific cutting strength, a parameter that measures the toughness of the material, has been measured while coring these two ices. For water ice this property rose from at an ice temperature of , to at . At the lower temperature of , pore-free carbon dioxide ice has also been measured to have a specific cutting strength approximately half that of water ice at the same temperature. These laboratory-based measurements may be used as guides for the power levels needed to core solid water and CO₂ ices at certain rates.     

Space Plasma Exploration by Active Radar (SPEAR): an overview of a future radar facility

SPEAR is a new polar cap HF radar facility which is to be deployed on Svalbard. The principal capabilities of SPEAR will include the generation of artificial plasma irregularities, operation as an all-sky HF radar, the excitation of ULF waves, and remote sounding of the magnetosphere. Operation of SPEAR in conjunction with the multitude of other instruments on Svalbard, including the EISCAT Svalbard radar, and the overlap of its extensive field-of-view with that of several of the HF radars in the SuperDARN network, will enable in-depth diagnosis of many geophysical and plasma phenomena associated with the cusp region and the substorm expansion phase. Moreover, its ability to produce artificial radar aurora will provide a means for the other instruments to undertake polar cap plasma physics experiments in a controlled manner. Another potential use of the facility is in field-line tagging experiments, for coordinated ground-satellite experiments. Here the scientific objectives of SPEAR are detailed, along with the proposed technical specifications of the system.     

Metamorphism and aqueous alteration in low petrographic type ordinary chondrites

Abstract— In order to investigate the relative importance of dry metamorphism and aqueous alteration in the history of chondrules, chondrules were hand-picked from the Semarkona (petrographic type 3.0), Bishunpur (3.1), Chainpur (3.4), Dhajala (3.8) and Allegan (5) chondrites, and matrix samples were extracted from the first three ordinary chondrites. The thermoluminescence (TL) properties of all the samples were measured, and appropriate subsets of the samples were analyzed by electron-microprobe and radiochemical neutron activation and the water and H-isotopic composition determined. The TL data for chondrules from Semarkona and Bishunpur scatter widely showing no unambiguous trends, although group B1 chondrules tend to have lower sensitivities and lower peak temperatures compared with group A5 chondrules. It is argued that these data reflect the variety of processes accompanying chondrule formation. The chondrules show remarkably uniform contents of the highly labile elements, indicating mineralogical control on abundance and volatile loss from silicates and loss and recondensation of mobile chalcophiles and siderophiles in some cases. Very high D/H values (up to ～8000‰ SMOW) are observed in certain Semarkona chondrules, a confirmation of earlier work. With increasing petrographic type, mean TL sensitivities of the chondrules increase, the spread of values within an individual meteorite decreases, and peak temperatures and peak widths show trends indicating that the TL is mainly produced by feldspar and that dry, thermal metamorphism is the dominant secondary process experienced by the chondrules. The TL sensitivities of matrix samples also increase with petrographic type. Chainpur matrix samples show the same spread of peak temperatures and peak widths as Chainpur chondrules, indicating metamorphism-related changes in the feldspar are responsible for the TL of the matrix. The TL data for the Semarkona and Bishunpur matrix samples provide, at best, only weak evidence for aqueous alteration, but the matrix contains H with approximately terrestrial D/H values, even though it contains much water. Secondary processes (probably aqueous alteration) presumably lowered the D/H of the matrix and certain chondrules. While chondrule properties appear to be governed primarily by formation processes and subsequent metamorphism, the matrix of Semarkona has a more complex history involving aqueous alteration as a meteorite-wide process.     

Numerical classification applied to certain Jamaican eocene nummulitids

Eighty-eight specimens of Eocene nummulitids from the Yellow Limestone Formation of northwestern Jamaica are classified according to quantitative measurements of morphologic parameters that are generally considered to be taxonomically useful. The specimens are grouped into homogeneous classes by the computer screening of differently oriented data projections. By this method, the use of similarity coefficients and the question of a priori weighting of characters, for which numerical taxonomy has been heavily criticized, are both avoided. The stability of the classes thus obtained is validated by discriminant analysis. These techniques provide an objective view of phenetic differences among specimens and show how the measured characters produce those differences. Tightness of coiling and total number of whorls, prove to be the most useful features in discriminating between groups but seem to have taxonomic value only at the specific and not at the generic level. This suggests that the generaOperculinoides andNummulites are synonymous.     

Preliminary deep reflection studies in the Arunta Block, Central Australia

Summary. In 1985, near-vertical incidence reflection profiling was carried out across the Arunta Block in Central Australia. This region consists of exposed Proterozoic metasediments, granites and granulites. There is usually a limited sedimentary coverage generated by deep weathering. The seismic sections for the deep crust are markedly different from those previously recorded in Eastern Australia where there is extensive sedimentary cover. One of the striking features is the presence of energy with frequencies as high as 100 Hz at two-way times of 5-6 s. Reflections are found throughout the crust, and there is no zone that can be characterised as non-reflective. The strongest reflectors commonly lie in the intervals around 4-6 s and 8–11 s and display significant dip. Individual shot records show fairly rapid variations in amplitude and waveform within a reflection band and the correlation between records from adjacent shots can also be somewhat limited. Such features are not well suited to the application of standard processing techniques designed for subhorizontal structures, and call into question the utility of conventional stacking. The character of the reflections changes markedly with varying frequency which suggests that they arise by interference phenomena, probably associated with laterally varying lamellar structures.     

Observations of multiple core reflections of the PnKP and SnKP type and regional variations at the base of the mantle

Seismological results interpreted as evidence for large inhomogeneities near the base of the Earth's mantle below Hawaii have recently been published. It is possible to place constraints on the magnitude of such heterogeneities by identifying seismic phases multiply reflected within the Earth's core. The value of such a simple technique is illustrated by using array recordings of P and S5KP waves that have traversed the bottom of the mantle beneath Hawaii to show that there is no clear evidence for the unusual physical properties attributed to this region of the Earth. Identification of the phase S7KP is also reported.     

Magmas,mineralization and sea-floor spreading

Relationships between granite bodies and mineralization in Nigeria and southwest England are cited as examples to support the thesis that ore solutions associated with igneous bodies do not necessarily develop by magmatic crystallization processes, but may form as independent by-products of magma generation. Similar conclusions have been reached for the metal provinces of western North America (Noble, 1970). Some hydrothermal solutions develop by expulsion of connate brines, mobilized by the passage of hot magma through sediments. Others may develop at deeper levels.Long-lived geochemical culminations in the deep crust or upper mantle (Schuiling, 1967) provide a possible source of reactivated metalliferous emanations in both nonorogenic and orogenic environments. An additional source of metals for ore deposits associated with island arcs and continental margin tectonism and igneous activity, may be provided by the mechanism of sea-floor spreading.The bulk of ocean floor sediments is scraped off and acreted onto non-descending crustal plates at subduction zones²). However, if the lowermost layers of these sediments are sufficiently compacted, they may be carried down into the mantle on the descending oceanic plate.They contain considerable amounts of heavy metals, which could be remobilized to reappear as ore deposits in island arcs and mountain chains of Andean type.In this way, the major episode of late Mesozoic underflow of the northeastern Pacific floor beneath western North America may have been responsible for much of the contemporaneous mineralization of that region. If this view is correct, much of the rich mineralization in the Andes may have a similar origin.Differences in amount and composition of sea floor sediment consumed, could account for regional changes in metal provinces along the tectonic grain. Remobilization of metals at different depths along Benioff zones could explain regional changes across the tectonic grain.

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Zusammenfassung Beziehungen zwischen Granitkörpern und Mineralisation in Nigeria und Südwest-England werden als Beispiele angeführt, um die These zu stützen, daß Erzlösungen in Verbindung mit Magmatit-Körpern sich nicht notwendigerweise von magmatischen Kristallisationsprozessen ableiten, sondern sich als unabhängige Nebenprodukte bei der Magmenerzeugung bilden können.Ähnliche Schlußfolgerungen sind für die Erzprovinzen des westlichen Nordamerika gezogen worden (Noble, 1970). Einige hydrothermale Lösungen entwickeln sich durch Ausstoß von connaten Laugen, mobilisiert durch das Durchströmen heißer Magma durch Sedimente. Andere mögen sich in tieferem Niveau entwickeln.Langandauernde geochemische Kulminationen in der tiefen Erdkruste oder im oberen Mantel (Schuiling, 1967) schaffen eine mögliche Quelle von reaktivierten, metallhaltigen Emanationen sowohl unter nichtorogenen als auch unter orogenen Bedingungen. Eine zusätzliche Quelle von Metallen für Erzlagerstätten, die an Inselbögen und Kontinentalrand-Tektonik sowie magmatische Aktivität gebunden sind, mag durch den Mechanismus des Sea Floor Spreading hervorgerufen werden.Die Masse der Ozeanboden-Sedimente wird abgetragen und auf nicht absteigenden Krusten-Plateaus tieferer Zonen angehäuft¹). Wenn jedoch die untersten Schichten ausreichend verdichtet sind, können sie in den Erdmantel auf dem sinkenden Ozean-Plateau hinabgelangen. Sie enthalten beträchtliche Mengen von Schwermetallen, die als Erzlagerstätten remobilisiert in Inselbögen und Gebirgsketten vom Anden-Typus wieder in Erscheinung treten können.Auf diese Weise mag die größere Episode der spät-mesozoischen Unterströmung des nordöstlichen Pazifikbodens unter das westliche Nordamerika für den Hauptanteil der gleichzeitigen Mineralisation dieser Region verantwortlich gewesen sein. Falls dieser Gesichtspunkt richtig ist, mögen viele der reichen Mineralisationen in den Anden einen ähnlichen Ursprung haben.Unterschiede in Menge und Zusammensetzung des aufgezehrten Maaresbodensediments könnten als regionale Veränderungen in Metallprovinzen entlang der tektonischen Struktur gedeutet werden. Remobilisierung von Metallen in verschiedenen Tiefen entlang der Benioff-Zonen könnten regionale Veränderungen quer zur tektonischen Richtung erklären.

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Résumé Les auteurs prennent comme exemple les rapports existant entre les corps granitiques et la minéralisation en Nigérie et dans le sud-ouest de l'Angleterre pour soutenir la thèse que les solutions minéralisantes associées avec les corps magmatiques, ne se développent pas nécessairement à partir de processus de cristallisation magmatiques, mais peuvent se former comme sous-produits indépendants de la génération du magma. Semblables conclusions ont été tirées pour les provinces métalliques de l'ouest de l'Amérique du Nord (Noble, 1970). Quelques solutions hydrothermales se développent par l'expulsion de saumures connées, mobilisées par le passage du magma chaud à travers des sédiments. D'autres peuvent se développer à des niveaux plus profonds.Des culminations géochimiques de longue durée dans la croûte terrestre ou dans le manteau supérieur (Schuiling, 1967) fournissent une source possible d'émanations métallifères réactivées, dans des conditions aussi bien non-orogéniques qu'orogéniques. Une source additionelle de métaux pour les gisements qui, comme l'activité magmatique, sont associés avec les guirlandes d'îles et avec la tectonique propre à la bordure continentale, peut être fournie par le mécanisme de l'expansion du fond des mers.La masse des sédiments du fond océanique est érodée et accumulée sur des plateaux crustaux, non en voie d'affaissements de zones plus profondes³).Quand cependant les couches plus inférieures de ces sédements sont suffisamment compactées, elles peuvent être entraînées dans le manteau sur le plateau océanique en voie d'affaissement.Elles contiennent des quantités considéreables de métaux lourds qui, remobilisés sous la forme de gisements de minerais, peuvent apparaître dans les guirlandes d'îles et les chaînes de montagnes de type andin.De cette façon, l'épisode majeur de la subduction, survenue au Mésozoïque supérieur, du fond du Pacifique NE sous l'ouest de l'Amérique du Nord peut avoir été responsable de la majeure partie de la minéralisation de cette région. Si cette opinion est juste, beaucoup de riches minéralisations rencontrées dans les Andes pourraient avoir une origine similaire.Des différences dans la quantité et la composition du sédiment océanique absorbé pourraient expliquer les changements régionaux dans les provinces métalliques tout le long de la structure tectonique. La remobilisation des métaux à des profondeurs différentes le long des zones Benioff pourrait expliquer les changements régionaux survenant transversalement à la direction tectonique.

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