The magnitude of the paleomagnetic field during a polarity transition: A new technique and its application

Both the magnitude and direction of the paleomagnetic field have been determined during a polarity transition. The results indicate that the geomagnetic field was both strong and stable when the magnetic pole was close to the equator.     

Numerical simulation of particle trajectories in inhomogeneous turbulence,I: Systems with constant turbulent velocity scale

A means of numerical simulation of particle trajectories in inhomogeneous turbulence is described. The method employs a simple coordinate transformation which allows a trajectory in inhomogeneous turbulence to be converted to a corresponding trajectory in homogeneous turbulence. Concentration distributions predicted by the trajectory-simulation method agree precisely with analytical solutions in the special cases of homogeneous turbulence, turbulence with power-law wind and eddy diffusivity profiles, and the neutral atmospheric surface layer.     

The petrology, phase relations and tectonic setting of basalts from the taupo volcanic zone, New Zealand and the Kermadec Island arc - havre trough, SW Pacific

Volcanism in the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) and the Kermadec arc-Havre Trough (KAHT) is related to westward subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Indo-Australian Plate. The tectonic setting of the TVZ is continental whereas in KAHT it is oceanic and in these two settings the relative volumes of basalt differ markedly. In TVZ, basalts form a minor proportion (< 1%) of a dominant rhyolite (97%)-andesite association while in KAHT, basalts and basaltic andesites are the major rock types. Neither the convergence rate between the Pacific and Indo-Australian Plates nor the extension rates in the back-arc region or the dip of the Pacific Plate Wadati-Benioff zone differ appreciably between the oceanic and continental segments. The distance between the volcanic front and the axis of the back-arc basin decreases from the Kermadec arc to TVZ and the distance between trench and volcanic front increases from around 200 km in the Kermadec arc to 280 km in TVZ. These factors may prove significant in determining the extent to which arc and backarc volcanism in subduction settings are coupled.All basalts from the Kermadec arc are porphyritic (up to 60% phenocrysts) with assemblages generally dominated by plagioclase but with olivine, clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene. A single dredge sample from the Havre Trough back arc contains olivine and plagioclase microphenocrysts in glassy pillow rind and is mildly alkaline (< 1% normative nepheline) contrasting with the tholeiitic nature of the other basalts. Basalts from the TVZ contain phenocryst assemblages of olivine + plagioclase ± clinopyroxene; orthopyroxene phenocrysts occur only in the most evolved basalts and basaltic andesites from both TVZ and the Kermadec Arc.Sparsely porphyritic primitive compositions (Mg/(Mg+Fe²) > 70) are high in Al₂O₃ (>16.5%), and project in the olivine volume of the basalt tetrahedron. They contain olivine (Fo₈₇) phenocrysts and plagioclase (> An₆₀) microphenocrysts. These magmas have ratios of CaO/Al₂O₃, A1₂O₃/TiO₂ and CaO/TiO₂ in the range of MORB and MORB picrites and can evolve to the low-pressure MORB cotectic by crystallisation of olivine±plagiociase. Such rocks may be the parents of other magmas whose evolutionary pathways are complicated by interaction of crystal fractionation, crystal accumulation and mixing processes and the filtering action of crust of variable density and thickness. The interplay of these processes likely accounts for the scatter of data about the cotectic. More evolved rocks from both TVZ and KAHT contain clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene phenocrysts and their compositions merge with basaltic andesites and andesites. Stepwise least-squares modelling using phenocryst assemblages in proportions observed in the rocks suggest that crystal fractionation and accumulation processes can account for much of the diversity observed in the major-element compositions of all lavas.We conclude that the parental basaltic magmas for volcanism in the TVZ and KAHT segments are similar thereby implying grossly similar source mineralogy. We attribute the diversity to secondary processes influencing liquids as they ascended through complex plumbing systems in the sub arc mantle and cross.     

Ritz method for dynamic analysis of large discrete linear systems with non-proportional damping

Real and complex Ritz vector bases for dynamic analysis of large linear systems with non-proportional damping are presented and compared. Both vector bases are generated utilizing load dependent vector algorithms that employ recurrence equations analogous to the Lanczos algorithm. The choice of static response to fixed spatial loading distribution, as a starting vector in recurrence equations, is motivated by the static correction concept. Different phases of dynamic response analysis are compared with respect to computational efficiency and accuracy. It is concluded that the real vector basis approach is approximately eight times more efficient than the complex vector basis approach. The complex vector basis has some advantages with respect to accuracy, if the excitation is of piecewise linear form, since the exact solution can be utilized. In addition, it is demonstrated that both Ritz vector bases, real and complex, possess superior accuracy over the adequate eigenvector bases.     

Soil erosion in the Falkland Islands: an assessment

Observations and data concerning soil erosion on clay-rich, sand-rich and organic soil materials are reported for the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic, where soil erosion is both widespread and currently active, though rather uneven in its distribution. The most extensively eroded areas are located on coastal sand deposits and where sandy soils occur at inland sites. There is evidence that some erosion is natural and was initiated before the Islands were settled; other erosion is of more recent origin and can be associated with land management practices, principally grazing management, stocking rates, and the frequency and intensity of pasture burning. The impact of soil erosion on the agricultural economy of the Islands appears to be negligible and it is not perceived to be an important environmental issue. This lack of concern probably arises because the on-farm and off-farm costs of erosion have never been determined and there are no data relating to rates of erosion. It is suggested that a research programme be established aimed at monitoring erosion rates, assessing land use practices that initiate erosion, and assessing the costs of erosion. Furthermore, guidelines for soil conservation should be established. If pasture burning is to continue, a recommended code of practice should be drawn up. Given the importance of the sheep industry to the Falkland Islands, it is desirable that the grazing potential be maintained.     

Ambient vibration measurements on a cable-stayed bridge

An extensive programme of full-scale ambient vibration tests has been conducted to measure the dynamic response of a 542 m (centre span of 274 m) cable-stayed bridge—the Quincy Bayview Bridge in Illinois. A microcomputer-based system was used to collect and analyse the ambient vibration data. A total of 25 modal frequencies and associated mode shapes were identified for the deck structure within the frequency range of 0–2 Hz. Also, estimations were made for damping ratios. The experimental data clearly indicated the occurrence of many closely spaced modal frequencies and spatially complicated mode shapes. Most tower modes were found to be associated with the deck modes, implying a considerable interaction between the deck and tower structure. No detectable levels of motion were evident at the foundation support of the pier. The results of the ambient vibration survey were compared to modal frequencies and mode shapes computed using a three-dimensional finite element model of the bridge. For most modes, the analytic and experimental modal frequencies and mode shapes compare quite well, especially for the vertical modes. Based on the findings of this study, a linear elastic finite element model appears to be capable of capturing much of the complex dynamic behaviour of the bridge with very good accuracy, when compared to the low-level dynamic responses induced by ambient wind and traffic excitations.     

Crystallization processes in the Bjerkreim-Sokndal layered intrusion,south Norway: evidence from the boundary between two macrocyclic units

The Bjerkreim-Sokndal (BKSK) layered intrusion belongs to the Rogaland anorthosite province in southern Norway. The northwestern part of BKSK consists of a ca. 6 km-thick Layered Series, made up of macrocyclic units (MCU) arranged in a syncline. Each MCU, which resulted from the crystallization of a major-magma influx, can be subdivided into a series of cumulate zones. The MCU III/IV boundary has been studied in seven profiles across its strike length of 24 km. Massive piC¹ at the base of MCU IV overlies laminated and modally layered phimC in the central part of the chamber and phimacC towards the flanks; there is a discordance of between 2 and 6° between the base of MCU IV and phase layering in MCU III. The MCU IV piC is overlain by 75–100 m of massive poiC (the Svaalestad unit of Michot 1960; a similar olivine-bearing unit occurs near the base of MCU III) which has more primitive compositions than the underlying piC. This is followed by laminated and modally layered phiC, phimC and phimacC. The reversal to more primitive mineral assemblages across the MCU III/IV boundary is accompanied by a cryptic reversal; plagioclase and Ca-poor pyroxene have compositions of about An 44/Mg no. 71 at the top MCU III and about An 52/Mg no. 77 near the base of MCU IV. Olivines in the MCU IV poiC vary unsystematically from Fo 66 to 76. Macrocyclic units III and IV crystallized from monzonoritic parental magma. The BKSK magma chamber had a broad saucer-like shape with a small thickness to breadth ratio. The magma in the chamber during crystallization of MCU III was compositionally zoned and crystallized on an inward-sloping floor by down-dip accretion. Just before the major-magma influx at the base of MCU IV, phimC was crystallizing from the basal-magma layer at the centre of the chamber, while phimacC was crystallizing towards the flanks. The new, dense magma fountained into and mixed with the basal-magma layers already in the chamber. This hybrid magma crystallized during continued influx to produce massive piC at the base of MCU IV. This hybrid unit is thickest near the centre of the chamber and smoothed out the floor to an essentially horizontal surface. Continued influx resulted in the dense, primitive magma ponding on the floor; this crystallized fairly rapidly to produce the massive poiC unit. The return of normal fractional crystallization conditions is marked by the overlying sequence of modally and cryptically layered cumulates which duplicate the succession in MCU III. The variation in thickness of the upper part of MCU IV indicates that crystallization of the BKSK Layered Series was accompanied by sinking of the floor at a greater rate near the centre of the chamber than towards the flanks. This was accompanied by compaction of the underlying cumulates, promoting the development of lamination and the expulsion of intercumulus melt to encourage the development of adcumulates. ¹ p plagioclase - i ilmenite - h Ca-poor pyroxene - o olivine - m magnetite - a apatite - c Ca-rich pyroxene - C cumulate     

A two-dimensional trajectory-simulation model for non-Gaussian,inhomogeneous turbulence within plant canopies

We report a two-dimensional (alongwind u, vertical w) trajectory-simulation model, consistent with Thomson's (1987) well-mixed criteria, that allows for the non-Gaussian turbulence typical of flow within a plant canopy. The effect of non-Gaussian turbulence was examined by formulating a non-Gaussian u, w joint probability density function (PDF) as the sum of two Gaussian joint-PDFs. The resultant PDF reproduced the desired means, variances, skewnesses, and kurtoses, and the correct covariance. In prediction of the location of maximum concentration downwind of a line source in homogeneous, slightly non-Gaussian turbulence, it proved advantageous to incorporate skewness and kurtosis. However, in the case of inhomogeneous, highly non-Gaussian turbulence, the addition of skewness and kurtosis in the model resulted in substantially worse agreement with measurements than the results of the model using Gaussian PDFs. This may be due to inaccuracy in our PDF formulation. Dispersion predictions from the model with Gaussian PDFs were generally not statistically different from measurements. These results indicate that a two-dimensional Gaussian trajectory-simulation approach is adequate to predict mean concentrations and fluxes resulting from sources within plant canopies.     

Emplacement,crystallization and alteration of spinifex-textured komatiitic basalt flows in the Archaean Nondweni greenstone belt,southern Kaapvaal Craton,South Africa

A well exposed succession of spinifex-textured komatiite flows is reported from the Archaean Nondweni greenstone belt located near the southern margin of the Kaapvaal Craton. The flows are relatively thin (1–5 m) compared to similar occurrences in other greenstone belts. They are characterised by well developed cone structures of highly elongate amphibole crystals (after augite) which fan downwards from the tops of the flows. Extreme development of coned spinifex has not been reported from other greenstone belts and points to specific thermal conditions prevailing in the Nondweni environment. The zones of bladed spinifex are contained between layers of random spinifex and overlie a lower cumulus layer originally of augite, orthopyroxene and minor olivine. The observed major and trace element distributions through a 1.7 m thick spinifex-textured flow are consistent with a model involving concentration of phenocryst phases resulting in significant fractionation upwards in the flow. Approximately 40% of the spinifex-textured phenocrysts grew in situ after the lithological units were established. Collapse and displacement of the coned crystal networks, originally attached to the top of the flow, are shown to have influenced the distribution of liquid within the flow and accentuated the fractionation. Associated with the spinifex-textured units are massive aphyric and brecciated flows which show distinct chemical cycles through the succession. The brecciated zones have compositions with <18% MgO and are characterised by ovoid bodies that are not pillows and may represent magmatic reworking and movement of a partly congealed flow. Post-solidus alteration is considered to have caused early hydration of the original mineralogy and also introduced SiO₂ and Na₂O into the upper part of the flow by way of microfractures. The observed alteration is different to that of Mid-Ocean Ridge basalts, and a subaerial/shallow water environment is suggested.