Présence d'eaux anciennes dans les eaux du forage de N'Tarla,région de Koutiala (république du mali)

The N'Tarla bore-hole groundwaters show an ${}^{18}\text{O}{}^{16}\text{O}$ isotopic composition different from the mean weighted value of precipitations in this region. On the basis of ¹⁴C bicarbonate activity and tritium content, a mixing process of recent and ancient waters is assessed.     

87Rb87Sr chronology of H chondrites: Constraint and speculations on the early evolution of their parent body

A precise⁸⁷Rb-⁸⁷Sr whole-rock isochron for H chondrites and an internal isochron for Tieschitz (H3) have been determined. The age and⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratio of the whole rocks are4.52 ± 0.05 b.y. and0.69876 ± 0.00040(λ(⁸⁷Rb) = 1.42 × 10^?11yr^?1). For Tieschitz, whereas handpicked separates plot on a well-defined line, heavy liquid separates scatter in the⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁶Sr vs.⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr diagram. Leaching experiments by heavy liquids indicate that they might have a sizeable effect on Tieschitz minerals. The age and⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratio as determined by handpicked separates are4.53 ± 0.06 b.y. and0.69880 ± 0.00020, indistinguishable from the whole-rock isochron.These results are interpreted as “primitive isochrons” dating the condensation of chondrites from the solar nebula. The best value of this event is given by joining both isochrons together at4.518 ± 0.026 b.y. and⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr= 0.69881 ± 0.00016. The near identity of this initial ratio with the one of Allende white inclusions argues in favor of a sharp isochronism of condensation from a⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr homogeneous nebula. Data from Guaren?a [11] and Richardton [48] are interpreted as secondary internal isochrons, 100 m.y. after the condensation of the whole rocks.The data are then used to constrain a thermal evolution model of the H chondrite parent body. This body might have a 150–175 km radius, and might have been heated by²⁶Al. An²⁶Al/²⁷Al ratio of 4–6 × 10^?6 is enough for heating such a body. Further tests for this model are proposed.     

Solidus and liquidus temperatures and mineralogies for anhydrous garnet-lherzolite to 15 GPa

A review of experimental data for systems, pertaining to anhydrous fertile garnet-lherzolite shows strong convergence in the liquidus and solidus temperatures for the range 6.5–15 GPa. These can converge either to a common temperature or to temperatures which differ by only ～ 100°C. The major-element composition of magmas generated by even minor degrees of partial melting may be similar to the primordial bulk silicate Earth composition in an upper-mantle stratigraphic column extending over 160 km in depth.The convergence of the solidus and liquidus temperatures is a consequence of the highly variable $\text{d}\text{T}\text{d}\text{P}$ of the fusion curves for minerals which crystallize in peridotite systems. In particular, $\text{d}\text{T}\text{d}\text{P}$ for the forsterite fusion curve is much less than that for diopside and garnet. Whether or not the solidus and liquidus intersect, the liquidus mineralogy for undepleted garnet-lherzolite compositions changes from olivine at low pressures to pyroxene, garnet, or a complex pyroxene-garnet solid solution at pressures in excess of 10–15 GPa. Geochemical data for the earliest Archean komatiites are consistent with an upper-mantle phase diagram having garnet as a liquidus phase for garnet-lherzolite compositions at high pressures. All estimates of the anhydrous solidus and liquidus for the range 10–15 GPa are consistent with silicate liquid compressibility data, which indicate that olivine may be neutrally buoyant in ultramafic magmas at these pressures.     

North American Precambrian history recorded in a single sample: high-resolution UPb systematics of the Potsdam sandstone detrital zircons,New York State

Zircons separated from the Cambrian Potsdam sandstone of New York yield four distinct populations which can be defined by a number of analytical techniques. U-Pb isotopic analyses of small samples and monozircons of each population reveal a fine chronology not apparent in milligram-sized sample analysis, and define source area ages of 1180, 1320, 2100 and 2700 m.y. for the Cambrian detrital suite. These ages correspond to well-defined sources in the Superior and Grenville Provinces of the Canadian Shield (2700 and 2100 m.y.) and the well established Grenville age rocks of the Adirondack Mountains (1180 m.y.). The 1320-m.y. age appears to be derived from the Adirondacks, and suggests the existence of pre-Grenville basement in that massif. Our techniques allow the interpretation of the Precambrian history of a large portion of eastern North America from a single sample, and thus should be valuable in the definition of source areas in paleogeographic reconstruction, and in studies of continental crustal evolution.     

Is the Vourinos Complex an island arc ophiolite?

A geochemical study has been undertaken on the Vourinos ophiolites, northern Greece, a complex long known for its unusual characteristics such as an environment of acidic rocks and a calc-alkaline chemical affinity. The Nd-Sr isotopic ratios and the Hf/Th and Ta/Th ratios are indicative of an island arc origin for Vourinos as opposed to the mid-oceanic ridge origin inferred for other ophiolites such as Inzecca, Corsica. Other data on trace elements confirm that the cumulative suite and the lavas originated from the same magma through a simple fractional crystallization process and show that this magma would have formed through partial melting of an already highly-depleted material. It is thus possible to distinguish ophiolites with MORB characteristics from island arc ophiolites such as the Vourinos Complex, the existence of the latter type imposing new constraints on the possible tectonic processes for emplacement.     

Sedimentary inputs and oxygen uptake by the sediment in Lake Geneva (Switzerland)

Sediment cores and sediment traps were collected twice a month in two 35 m deep stations of Lake Geneva (Switzerland). The organic input sedimenting to the bottom is equal to 157 g C m⁻²y⁻¹ in station 1, to 214 g C in station 2. In spite of this difference, the oxygen uptake by the sediment (OUS) is similar in both locations (46–47 g C m⁻²y⁻¹). The oxygen uptake by the matter sedimenting to the bottom (OUSM) is respectively 45 g C m⁻²y⁻¹ and 41 g C in stations 1 and 2. The equivalence between OUS and OUSM implies that most of the sedimented matter arriving to the bottom is directly oxidized at the sediment surface. In station 1, OUS is positively correlated to OUSM, and OUSM is positively correlated to chlorophyll-a concentrations in the water column (0–20 m) one week before sediment sampling. In location 2, OUS is positively correlated to the percentage of organic carbon and nitrogen in the sedimented matter, negatively to its C:N ratio. Increasing allochthonous inputs have a negative influence on benthic respiration. At both sites, OUS is not directly related to macrobenthic biomass or to temperature of bottom water.     

Deep root of andesitic volcanoes: New evidence of magma generation at depth in the Benioff zone

The concept of a time-depth correlation between tectonic earthquakes at depth beneath some volcanoes, and their eruptions, developed by the author since 1962, has been confirmed by new observations and successful prediction of renewed volcanic activity in New Zealand.Regular earthquake migrations are observed along the Benioff zone, and volcanic eruptions are found to be related to these seismic migrations beneath the volcanoes, as follows:

Full-size image (2K)

Therefore, in island arcs and continental margins, volcanic activity is the result of two processes occurring beneath the volcanoes: (1) a “tectonic process”, a migration of strain release along the downgoing lithosphere, of which the earthquakes are the manifestation; (2) a “magmatic process”, a relatively fast vertical ascent of magmatic material from the deep root of the volcano, where the observed shocks may be the starting signal from this level.The rate of migration of tectonic earthquakes increases with depth in the upper mantle.An empirical time relationship between the earthquakes occurring at depth beneath a volcano and its eruptions, has been successfully tested for renewed activity at White Island in New Zealand, over the period 1977–1978.     

Géometrie des déformations dans une nappe complexe: La nappe de Gavarnie (pyrénées centrales,France)

Résumé La nappe de Gavarnie est constituée de terrains d'âge paléozoÏque, crétacé supérieur et éocène. Elle repose sur un ensemble autochtone constitué par des formations métamorphiques (migmatites, micaschistes) et leur couverture crétacée. La mise en place de la nappe s'est faite lors de l'orogenèse pyrénéenne. La géométrie des diverses déformations qui affectent cet ensemble complexe est envisagée. La chronologie de ces déformations est établie ainsi que la distinction entre les déformations pyrénéennes et varisques. On compare ensuite cette nappe avec d'autres structures chevauchantes particulièrement étudiées du point de vue mécanique.

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The Gavarnie nappe consists of Paleozoic, upper Creaceous and Eocone rocks. It covers an autochthonous block composed of migmatites and mica-schists and their cover. The movement of this nappe occurred during the Pyrenean Orogeny. The geometrical aspects of the many deformations in this complex has been studied, thus making it possible to determine the chronology of the various deformations, and also the difference between Pyrenean and Variscean deformation. This nappe is after compared to other mechanical well known overthrust structures.

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Zusammenfassung Die Gavarnie-Decke besteht aus paläozoischen, ober-kretazischen und eozänen Gesteinen. Sie liegt auf einem autochthonen, aus metamorphen Formationen (Migmatiten, Glimmerschiefern) und ihrer Hülle zusammengestellten Block. Die Einwanderung der Decke nahm während der pyrenäneischen Orogenese statt. Die Geometrie der verschiedenen Deformationen dieses Komplexes wird studiert. Die Chronologie dieser Deformationen, wie auch der Unterschied zwischen pyrenäischen und variszischen Deformation ist festgestellt. Diese Decke wird mit anderen mechanisch gut bekannten Aufschiebungsstrukturen verglichen.

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A gigantic Bezymianny-type event at the beginning of modern volcan Popocatepetl

The history of volcan Popocatepetl can be divided into two main periods: the formation of a large primitive volcano — approximatively 30 km wide — on which is superimposed a modern cone (6–8 km in diameter and 1700m high). A major event of Bezymianny type marks the transition between these two dissimilar periods.The activity of the primitive volcano was essentially effusive and lasted several hundred thousands of years. The total volume of products ejected by the volcano is of the order of 500–600 km³. Its last differentiated magmas are dacitic.A gigantic debris flow (D.F.) spread on the southern side is related to the Bezymianny-type event which destroyed the summit area of the ancient edifice. An elliptical caldera ( 6.5 × 11 km wide) was formed by the landslide. Its deposits, with a typical hummocky surface, cover 300 km² for a volume of 28–30 km³. Numerous outcrops belonging to this debris flow show “slabs” of more or less fractured and dislocated rocks that come from the primitive volcano. These deposits are compared to two studied debris flows of similar extent and volume: the Mount Shasta and Colima's D.F.This eruption takes a major place in the volcanologic and magmatic history of Popocatepetl: pyroclastic products of surge-type with “laminites” and crude layers, ashflows, and pumiceous airfall layers are directly related to this event and begin the history of the modern volcano probably less than 50,000 years ago. In addition, a second andesitic and dacitic phase rose both from the central vent — forming the basis of modern Popo — and from lateral vents.The terminal cone is characterized by long periods of construction by lava flows alternating with phases of destruction, the duration of these episodes being 1000 to 2000 years. The cone is composed of two edifices: the first, volcan El Fraile, began with effusive activity and was partly destroyed by three periods of intense explosive activity. The first period occurred prior to 10.000 years B.P., the second from 10.000 to 8000 years B.P. and the third from 5000 to 3800 years B.P. Each period of destruction shows cycles producing collapsing pyroclastic flows or nuées of the St Vincent-type related to the opening of large craters, plinian air-fall deposits and minor lava flows. The second edifice, the summit Popo, produced lava flows until 1200 years B.P. and since that time, entered into an explosive period. Two cataclysmic episodes, each including major pyroclastic eruptions, occurred 1200 and 900–1000 years ago. During the Pre-Hispanic and historic times effusive activity was restricted entirely to the summit area alternating with plinian eruptions. Nevertheless, despite the quiet appearance of the volcano, the last period of pyroclastic activity which started 1200 years ago may not have ended and can be very dangerous for the nearby populations.