Extensive normal faulting during exhumation revealed by the spatial variation of phengite K–Ar ages in the Sambagawa metamorphic rocks,central Shikoku,SW Japan

Metamorphic rocks experience change in the mode of deformation from ductile flow to brittle failure during their exhumation. We investigated the spatial variation of phengite K–Ar ages of pelitic schist of the Sambagawa metamorphic rocks (sensu lato) from the Saruta River area, central Shikoku, to evaluate if those ages are disturbed by faults or not. As a result, we found that these ages change by ca 5 my across the two boundaries between the lower‐garnet and albite–biotite, and the albite–biotite and upper‐garnet zones. These spatial changes in phengite K–Ar ages were perhaps caused by truncation of the metamorphic layers by large‐scale normal faulting at D₂ phase under the brittle‐ductile transition conditions (ca 300°C) during exhumation, because an actinolite rock was formed along a fault near the former boundary. Assuming that the horizontal metamorphic layers and a previously estimated exhumation rate of 1 km/my before the D₂ phase, the change of 5 my in phengite K–Ar ages is converted to a displacement of about 10 km along the north‐dipping, low‐angle normal fault documented in the previous study. Phengite ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar ages (ca 85 to 78 Ma) in the actinolite rock could be reasonably comparable to the phengite K–Ar ages of the surrounding non‐faulted pelitic schist, because the K–Ar ages of pelitic schist could have been also reset at temperatures close to the brittle–ductile transition conditions far below the closure temperature for thermal retention of argon in phengite (about 500–600°C).     

Self-similar solutions for the dynamical condensation of a radiative gas layer

A new self-similar solution describing the dynamical condensation of a radiative gas is investigated under a plane-parallel geometry. The dynamical condensation is caused by thermal instability. The solution is applicable to generic flow with a net cooling rate per unit volume and time  ∝ρ² T ^α  , where  ρ,  T   and α are the density, temperature and a free parameter, respectively. Given α, a family of self-similar solutions with one parameter η is found in which the central density and pressure evolve as follows:  ρ( x = 0, t ) ∝ ( t _c− t )^{−η/(2−α)}  and   P ( x = 0, t ) ∝ ( t _c− t )^{(1−η)/(1−α)}  , where t _c is the epoch at which the central density becomes infinite. For  η∼ 0  the solution describes the isochoric mode, whereas for  η∼ 1  the solution describes the isobaric mode. The self-similar solutions exist in the range between the two limits; that is, for  0 < η < 1  . No self-similar solution is found for  α > 1  . We compare the obtained self-similar solutions with the results of one-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations. In a converging flow, the results of the numerical simulations agree well with the self-similar solutions in the high-density limit. Our self-similar solutions are applicable to the formation of interstellar clouds (H  i clouds and molecular clouds) by thermal instability.     

Out‐of‐plane stability assessment of buckling‐restrained braces including connections with chevron configuration

One of the key limit states of buckling‐restrained braces (BRBs) is global flexural buckling including the effects of the connections. The authors have previously proposed a unified explicit equation set for controlling the out‐of‐plane stability of BRBs based on bending‐moment transfer capacity at the restrainer ends. The proposed equation set is capable of estimating BRB stability for various connection stiffnesses, including initial out‐of‐plane drift effects. However, it is only valid for symmetrical end conditions, limiting application to the single diagonal configuration. In the chevron configuration, the out‐of‐plane stiffness in the two ends differs because of the rotation of the attached beam. In this study, the equation set is extended to BRBs with asymmetric end conditions, such as the chevron configuration. Cyclic loading tests of the chevron configuration with initial out‐of‐plane drifts are conducted, and the results are compared with the proposed equation set, which is formulated as a function of the normalized stiffness of the attached beam. © 2016 The Authors. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. © 2016 The Authors. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

High-pressure and high-temperature stability of chlorite and 23-Å phase in the natural chlorite and synthetic MASH system

A series of experiments was conducted on the decomposition of natural and chemically mixed chlorites to examine the stable hydrous phases in the MgO–FeO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O (MFASH) system under 5–12 GPa and 700–1100 °C. The upper pressure and temperature limits of the stability region of chlorite are consistent with those observed in previous studies. The hydrous aluminum bearing pyroxene (phase HAPY) and Mg-sursassite (Sur) were observed just above the temperature stability region of chlorite (Chl); clinohumite (cHm) was observed coexisting with phase HAPY at 6 GPa and 800 °C and coexisting with the 23-Å phase at 7 GPa and 800 °C, which may suggest the transportation of water through Chl → (HAPY → cHm) → 23-Å phase along a relatively warm slab. The 23-Å phase has a wider stability region in the pure MASH system (up to 12 GPa and 1100 °C) than it does in the MFASH system (7–10 GPa, up to 1000 °C). The stability of the 23-Å phase beyond the chlorite breakdown pressure indicates that it may play an important role in transporting water into the deep Earth and even into the mantle transition zone.     

Comparison of carbon cycle between the western Pacific subarctic and subtropical time-series stations: highlights of the K2S1 project

A comparative study of ecosystems and biogeochemistry at time-series stations in the subarctic gyre (K2) and subtropical region (S1) of the western North Pacific Ocean (K2S1 project) was conducted between 2010 and 2013 to collect essential data about the ecosystem and biological pump in each area and to provide a baseline of information for predicting changes in biologically mediated material cycles in the future. From seasonal chemical and biological observations, general oceanographic settings were verified and annual carbon budgets at both stations were determined. Annual mean of phytoplankton biomass and primary productivity at the oligotrophic station S1 were comparable to that at the eutrophic station K2. Based on chemical/physical observations and numerical simulations, the likely “missing nutrient source” was suggested to include regeneration, meso-scale eddy driven upwelling, meteorological events, and eolian inputs in addition to winter vertical mixing. Time-series observation of carbonate chemistry revealed that ocean acidification (OA) was ongoing at both stations, and that the rate of OA was faster at S1 than at K2 although OA at K2 is more critical for calcifying organisms.     

The effect of the stellar wind velocity on the eccentric-orbit binary model

The previous eccentric-orbit binary model for the recurrent X-ray sources is modified by taking account of the velocity field of the stellar wind. The resultant formula of the light curves for the X-ray sources may have an useful application to the observed X-ray sources.     

Correlation of the Hakkoda–Kokumoto Tephra, a widespread Middle Pleistocene tephra erupted from the Hakkoda Caldera, northeast Japan

Abstract A Middle Pleistocene widespread tephra referred to here as Hakkoda–Kokumoto Tephra (Hkd–Ku) has been newly recognized. Hkd–Ku, derived from the Hakkoda Caldera located in northernmost Honshu Is. of northeast Japan, covers much of Honshu Is. At the type locality in the proximal area, Hkd–Ku comprises Plinian pumice deposits and an immediately overlying ignimbrite. The fine vitric ash nature of the distal ash‐fall deposits of Hkd–Ku suggests that they are coignimbrite ash‐fall deposits. Hkd–Ku was identified using a combination of refractive indices and chemical compositions of major, trace and rare earth elements of glass shards, heavy mineral content, refractive indices of orthopyroxene and paleomagnetic polarity. On the basis of these properties, Hkd–Ku was identified in Oga and Boso Peninsulas and Osaka Plain, 830 km southwest of the source. Stratigraphic positions in Boso Peninsula and Osaka Plain within marine sediments that have a reliable chronology based on oxygen‐isotope, and litho‐, bio‐, magneto‐ and tephrostratigraphy indicate that the age of Hkd–Ku is ca 760 ka, positioned in the transition between marine oxygen‐isotope stages 19.1 and 18.4. The widespread occurrence of Hkd–Ku providing a tie line between many different Pleistocene sections over a distance of 800 km is a key marker horizon in the early part of the Middle Pleistocene. This tephra gives a time control point of ca 760 ka to marine sediments in the Oga Peninsula – where no datum plane exists between the Brunhes–Matuyama chron boundary and oxygen‐isotope stage 12 – and to the volcanostratigraphy of the Hakkoda Caldera. The distribution of Hkd–Ku showing emplacement of coignimbrite ash‐fall deposits in the area 830 km southwest of the source emphasizes the upwind transport direction, relative to the prevailing westerly winds, typical of other coignimbrite ash‐fall deposits in the Japanese islands.     

Tandem repeat arrays in the mitochondrial genome as a tool for detecting genetic differences among the ark shell Scapharca broughtonii

We found that tandem repeat (TR) arrays were present in the ark shell Scapharca broughtonii mitochondrial genome, and we demonstrated the efficiency of using this TR region as a tool for the detection of genetic differentiation. In samples collected from seven populations off the Japanese, Chinese, Russian and Korean coasts, five TR types with length ranging from 481 to 601 bp (base pairs) were found, as were 18 haplotypes (n = 155). All the Japanese samples from SD, IK, AM and KG, which represented four geographically distinct populations, had the same type of tandem repeat array, 481‐TR. All the samples from China and all but one sample from Russia had the same TR type, 511‐TR; these finding may be strong evidence that the ark shell populations in China and Russia are very similar. Based on a neighbor‐joining dendrogram of haplotypes, the Korean population was divided into two groups as follows: samples with haplotype H481‐3 and samples with haplotypes H601‐1, H601‐2, H601‐3 or H541‐1. Based on the haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity, the Chinese, Russian and Korean populations showed a higher diversity than Japanese populations (P < 0.05).     

A New Juvenile Specimen of Lufengosaurus Huenei Young, 1941 (Dinosauria: Prosauropoda) from the Lower Jurassic Lower Lufeng Formation of Yunnan, Southwest China

Abstract: A skull and a series of associated cervical vertebrae (ZLJ0112) discovered from the Lower Lufeng Formation (Lower Jurassic) are determined as a juvenile specimen of Lufengosaurus huenei Young 1941 based on amended autapomorphies. Differences between ZLJ0112 and the holotype (sub-adult specimen) are considered as ontogenetic characteristic changes of L. huenei. Since some of these differences are present in other prosauropod dinosaurs (i.e., forms of the maxillary vascular foramen are irregular; the frontal contribution to the dorsal margin of the orbit is substantial; the frontal contribution to the supratemporal fossa is absent; the supratemporal fenestra is visible in lateral view; the supraoccipital inclined at 75 degrees; the parasphenoid rostrum lies level with the occipital condyle; the retroarticular process is short; the axial postzygapophysis project caudally beyond the end of the centrum) they may be common ontogenetic changes in prosauropod dinosaurs.     

An overview of decadal climate predictability in a multi-model ensemble by climate model MIROC

Decadal climate predictability is examined in hindcast experiments by a multi-model ensemble using three versions of the coupled atmosphere-ocean model MIROC. In these hindcast experiments, initial conditions are obtained from an anomaly assimilation procedure using the observed oceanic temperature and salinity with prescribed natural and anthropogenic forcings on the basis of the historical data and future emission scenarios in the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change. Results of the multi-model ensemble in our hindcast experiments show that predictability of surface air temperature (SAT) anomalies on decadal timescales mostly originates from externally forced variability. Although the predictable component of internally generated variability has considerably smaller SAT variance than that of externally forced variability, ocean subsurface temperature variability has predictive skills over almost a decade, particularly in the North Pacific and the North Atlantic where dominant signals associated with Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) and the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) are observed. Initialization enhances the predictive skills of AMO and PDO indices and slightly improves those of global mean temperature anomalies. Improvement of these predictive skills in the multi-model ensemble is higher than that in a single-model ensemble.