The bimodal composition of carbonatites: Reality or misconception?

The concept of compositional bimodality in carbonatites has become widely accepted and has been used to impose restrictions on the composition of carbonatite magmas. We agree that mineralogical bimodality exists in carbonatites (most are either calcitic or dolomitic/ankeritic), but we argue that there is no compositional bimodality. The idea of bimodality is based on the interpretation of a variety of element distribution diagrams which were compiled only from chemical analyses in which SiO₂ is < 10 wt.%. All others were rejected. Even with such a restricted data set the case for compositional bimodality is extremely weak, but the inclusion of analyses with higher SiO₂ content destroys it completely. Yet these more siliceous compositions must be included, for many carbonatites contain substantial amounts of Fe–Mg silicates which are an essential part of the magmatic mineralogy of the rocks. They account for much of the Mg in carbonatites that are otherwise calcitic. Many such carbonatites contain well in excess of 10 wt.% SiO₂. Supporters of the bimodality concept argue that liquids having compositions between calcite and dolomite can precipitate neither calcite nor dolomite because the minimum on the solid solution loops in the system calcite–dolomite permits only a carbonate of intermediate composition. Therefore, it is argued, liquids of such intermediate composition cannot be parental to calcitic and dolomitic carbonatites; their parent magmas must be calcitic and dolomitic. This deduction is incorrect. It is well established that dolomitic liquids have calcite as the liquidus phase over substantial temperature intervals, and that this is followed by dolomite precipitation. Mixed calcite–dolomite carbonatites are explicable in this way. Therefore, dolomitic liquids can be parental to calcitic carbonatites. However, dolomitic carbonatites cannot crystallize from a calcitic liquid. We suggest that intermediate composition carbonatite magmas are probably common. Bimodality in carbonatites is solely mineralogical, not compositional.     

Story-by-story estimation of the stiffness parameters of laterally-torsionally coupled buildings using forced or ambient vibration data: I. Formulation and verification

A new parameter estimation algorithm is described for identifying the stiffness properties of torsionally coupled shear buildings from their linear response due to ambient excitations or during low-amplitude forced-vibration tests. The algorithm is based on the time-domain equations of motion, and yields estimates of the stiffness properties using a measure of the equilibrium of forces acting on each floor over a time interval. The banded structure of the stiffness matrix — a property intrinsic to torsion-shear buildings — is exploited to decompose the initial inverse problem into several problems of reduced size. This decomposition allows the identification of lateral and torsional stiffnesses of individual stories, independent of the others. The algorithm utilizes vibration data where input excitation is known/measured, which is typical for forced-vibration tests and earthquakes. If the ambient vibrations of the structure are adequately uncorrelated to the (unknown) external forces that induce such vibrations, then the algorithm can also be modified for output-only system identification. The proposed algorithm is verified — and its various attributes are investigated — using simulation data from the ‘Analytical Phase I’ of the IASC (International Association for Structural Control)-ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) benchmark studies. The companion article is devoted to the algorithm's application to experimental data, using data from the ‘Experimental Phase’ of the same benchmark studies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inelastic spectra for displacement-based seismic design

In recognition of the emergence of displacement-based seismic design as a potentially more rational approach than force-based techniques, this paper addresses derivation of inelastic displacement spectra and associated topics. A well-constrained earthquake strong-motion dataset is used to derive inelastic displacement spectra, displacement reduction factors and ductility–damping relationships. These are in a format amenable for use in design and assessment of structures with a wide range of response characteristics.     

Primary fractionation and secondary alteration within an Archean ultramafic lava flow

Fifteen samples across a 4 m thick komatiite flow from the Val d'Or region in the southeast portion of the Abitibi greenstone belt have been analysed for major oxides and trace elements including the rare earth elements (REE). The flow has been subjected to low grade regional metamorphism: virtually all primary mineralogy (olivine and clinopyroxene) has been obliterated although primary textures are well preserved. Compositional differences between the upper, spinifex textured portion and the underlying massive portion of the flow are largely consistent with the primary fractionation of approximately 30% olivine with a composition close to Fo92. Variations in incompatible element ratios across the flow and in enrichments between the spinifex and massive units suggest that Si, Ce and possibly Lu have been lost to, and Ca, Sr and possibly Y have been gained from, the surroundings. Remobilization of other elements (e.g. Zr, Hf, and alkali metals and most of the REE) appears to have been confined within the flow. AI, Ti, V and Sc appear to have been immobile during alteration of the flow. For the flow as a whole values for many element ratios (e.g. Al/Zr, Al/Sc, Sc/Yb, Zr/Hf, K/Rb) are very similar to chondritic values. If the flow represents a 40% melt approximately, and if the residue was essentially dunitic then the source abundance for most elements was close to chondritic; exceptions are the REE (1.5 to 2×chondrite), Ti (enriched relative to chondrites), and V (depleted relative to chondrites).     

Cross-strata and bedforms of probable transitional dune to upper-stage plane-bed origin from a Late Precambrian fluvial sandstone, northern Norway.

A Late Precambrian fluvial sandstone sequence in northern Norway is dominated by large-scale cross-sets that show either lenticular or tabular geometries in the streamwise sections. The lenticular sets interdigitate and in places show nearly symmetrical formsets. The tabular sets are in places solitary, but are mainly grouped in cosets. In both cross-set types, the cross-strata range from concave-up to sigmoidal in shape, with the latter variety comprising subhorizontal to gently inclined topset strata (with parting lineation) that merge uninterruptedly downflow into the steeper (10–2°) foresets. Within the cross-sets the geometry and dip azimuths of the foresets are conspicuously consistent, although the concave-up and sigmoidal strata commonly alternate downcurrent. The cross-strata characteristics suggest flood stage deposition from relatively high velocity steady currents heavily laden with suspended sand. Both cross-set types are interpreted as representing bedforms generated by flow in the dune to upper-stage plane-bed transition. The lenticular cross-sets probably represent periodic dunes, but it is far less clear whether the long bedforms represented by the tabular sets should be classified as dunes, or rather as solitary to quasi-periodic bars.     

P–Y Curves for Piles Under Seismic Lateral Loads

This paper describes an experimentally based procedure for building dynamic P–Y curves for clays from the Campeche sound in the Gulf of Mexico and for Mexico City clays. Cyclic triaxial and resonant column tests were used to derive hyperbolic stiffness–strain and damping–strain functions that depend on soil plasticity and on relative consistency. The dynamic P–Y curves incorporate these functions and also include hysteretical and geometrical damping characteristics of the pile–soil system; they can be used directly in dynamic interaction analyses of structure–pile–soil systems in the time or the frequency domains. Usual practice relies on pseudo static formulations and a simplified alternative to include P–Y curves in this kind of analysis is also proposed, which is essentially the same as the dynamic ones but does not include radiation or hysteretical damping.     

Early Cenomanian cephalopods from the Grayson Formation of north-central Texas

Twenty-seven species of cephalopods are identified from an exposure of the Grayson Formation, Washita Group at the Waco Dam Spillway, McLennan County, north-central Texas. Mariella (Mariella) camachoensis (Böse), (?)Stomohamites sp., Engonoceras serpentinum (Cragin), Puzosia cf. crebrisulcata Kossmat, Mantelliceras cf. cantianum Spath, Mantelliceras saxbii (Sharpe), Sharpeiceras mexicanum (Böse), (?)Paracalycoceras sp., and Neohibolites sp. are reported from the Grayson Formation for the first time. The occurrence of Mantelliceras cf. cantianum, Mantelliceras saxbii, Sharpeiceras mexicanum, and (?)Paracalycoceras sp. indicates an early Cenomanian age for the Grayson exposed at the Waco Spillway locality. Previously, these mantellicerid ammonites have been recorded from the Buda Limestone interval which overlies the Grayson in north-central Texas.