The Merzbacher & Eggler (1984) Geohygrometer: a Cautionary Note on its Suitability for High-K Suites

The use of the popular Merzbacher & Eggler (1984, Geology12, 587–590) experimental geohygrometer for calcalkalineandesites and dacites is critically evaluated and two pitfallsare found. First, calculation of the correct projection parametersis problematic because two endmember calculation schemes arefound in the literature; Baker & Eggler (1983, Journal ofVolcanology and Geothermal Research 18, 387–404) and Walkeret al. (1979, Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 70,111–125). Although related, these two schemes have crucialdifferences that can result in very different projection parametersfor the plagioclase component. This is most crucial for high-Kcompositions; H₂O contents estimated using the Walker et al.(1979) scheme can be as much as 100% higher than those estimatedusing the Baker & Eggler (1983) projection. Incorrect projectionparameter calculation has led to overestimation of water contentsin high-K andesites and dacites from the Central Andes. Second,for medium-K and high-K andesitic–dacitic compositionswater contents derived using the Merzbacher & Eggler (1984)geohygrometer deviate considerably from water contents estimatedusing other methods. Experimental data from the literature,and our studies of water contents inferred from melt inclusionsand plagioclase–melt equilibrium for dacites from theAltiplano–Puna Volcanic Complex of the Central Andes indicatethat the Merzbacher & Eggler (1984) geohygrometer shouldnot be applied to compositions with K₂O >1·9 wt %,as originally calibrated. KEY WORDS: magmatic volatiles; pre-eruptive water; experimental geohygrometer; high-K suites; melt inclusion     

The Role of the Solar Cycle in the Relationship Between the North Atlantic Oscillation and Northern Hemisphere Surface Temperatures

The North Atlantic Oscillation （NAO） is one of the leading modes of climate variability in the Northern Hemisphere. It has been shown that it clearly relates to changes in meteorological variables, such as surface temperature, at hemispherical scales. However, recent studies have revealed that the NAO spatial pattern also depends upon solar forcing. Therefore, its effects on meteorological variables must vary depending upon this factor. Moreover, it could be that the Sun affects climate through variability patterns, a hypothesis that is the focus of this study. We find that the relationship between the NAO/AO and hemispheric temperature varies depending upon solar activity. The results show a positive significant correlation only when solar activity is high. Also, the results support the idea that solar activity influences tropospheric climate fluctuations in the Northern Hemisphere via the fluctuations of the stratospheric polar vortex .     

Lithology and palynology of Weichselian alluvial fan deposits near Eerbeek, The Netherlands

In a sandpit in an alluvial fan in the central Netherlands, four interstadials could be recognized. The upper two are ¹⁴C-dated and assigned to Hengelo and Moershoofd, while the lower two belong to either Odderade or Brorup. Lithological evidence suggested the existence of two zones indicative of permafrost separated by a zone in which running water was more important. The lower permafrost zone was found to be situated between the Moershoofd and Odderade interstadials, the younger zone to belong to the Upper Pleniglacial.     

Holocene palaeoenvironments at the timberline in the French Alps—a multidisciplinary approach

An attempt is made to reconstruct the palaeoenvironmental Holocene history at the timberline on the basis of the analysis of various palaeoecological proxy indicators available on a marshy area and its surroundings in the Taillefer Massif (Isère. France). The multidisciplinary approach involves analyses of pollen assemblages. plant macrofossils, coleoptera remains. subfossil trunks extracted from lakes or peat-bogs. and charcoals derived from the surrounding soils. This enables definition of the respective roles of five forest taxa ( Pinus uncinata Mill., Pinus cembra L., Larix decidua Mill., Abies alba Mill, and Picea abies L. Karsten) in the evolution of high altitude forests during the Holocene. Pinus uncinata was present on the plateau throughout the Holocene. Larix and Pinus cembra were present only during two periods: 7500-5000 BP and 3500-2000 BP. All trees disappeared from the plateau at about 2000 BP, while, at lower altitude. Abies was replaced by Picea. The action of both climate and early human impact can explain these changes.     

PALAEONTOLOGICAL NOTES

During the winter of 1925, E. Licent and G. Barbour collected, along the Sangkan. ho, in the Qnadrula beds of the Sanmen series, a number     

NEW DISCOVERIES IN CHOUKOUTIEN 1933-1934~1

Since the publication, in June 1933, of "Fossil Man in China", up to the present date (September 1934), a series of new observations have been made in the course of the Chonkoutien excavations. Although these new     

中朝地台东北缘地区的地震层析成像

Based on 38?000 P wave arrival times recorded during the period of 1980 to 1997 in the northeast margin area of Sino Korean platform （117°00′\126°00′E, 36°00′\44°00′N） the 3D velocity structures of the crust and upper mantle have been reconstructed by using orthogonal projection. The tomography results have been proved to be reliable by analyzing and comparing in detail the results with the deep seismic prospecting profiles. It is shown that there exists obvious lateral inhomogeneity in the medium of the crust and upper mantle which is still distinct even at the 120km depth in the northeast margin area of Sino Korean platform. It is reflected clearly in the velocity image of the upper crust that the distribution of all kinds of rock elements corresponds to that of rocks with different nature in this area. Several lower velocity anomaly regions （i.e. regions with velocity reversed layer） have been discovered in the studied area from the velocity images of upper and middle crust, such as Haicheng, Chaoyang?Yixian, south of Dandong, Tangshan etc., among which the lower velocity layers in Haicheng, Tangshan, Chaoyang have also been proved by the deep seismic sounding data. In the area several strong continental earthquakes all happened in crispy medium with higher velocity above lower velocity layers in the crust, whereas in Bohai sea all strong earthquakes happened in positions where the medium velocity changes abruptly and clearly in horizontal. At different depth, Pulandian Shanhaiguan lower velocity anomaly zone across Bohai sea with strike NW has been found. Comparison of the velocity images obtained from 2D seismic tomography with that from deep seismic sounding data, we can consider to gain similar effect with deep seismic sounding by taking advantage of seismic tomography under certain condition in this area.