Northwest Africa 11024—A heated and dehydrated unique carbonaceous (CM) chondrite

Based on the high abundance of fine‐grained material and its dark appearance, NWA 11024 was recognized as a CM chondrite, which is also confirmed by oxygen isotope measurements. But contrary to known CM chondrites, the typical phases indicating aqueous alteration (e.g., phyllosilicates, carbonates) are missing. Using multiple analytical techniques, this study reveals the differences and similarities to known CM chondrites and will discuss the possibility that NWA 11024 is the first type 3 CM chondrite. During the investigation, two texturally apparent tochilinite–cronstedtite intergrowths were identified within two thin sections. However, the former phyllosilicates were recrystallized to Fe‐rich olivine during a heating event without changing the textural appearance. A peak temperature of 400–600 °C is estimated, which is not high enough to destroy or recrystallize calcite grains. Thus, calcites were never constituents of the mineral paragenesis. Another remarkable feature of NWA 11024 is the occurrence of unknown clot‐like inclusions (UCLIs) within fine‐grained rims, which are unique in this clarity. Their density and S concentration are significantly higher than of the surrounding fine‐grained rim and UCLIs can be seen as primary objects that were not formed by secondary alteration processes inside the rims. Similarities to chondritic and cometary interplanetary dust particles suggest an ice‐rich first‐generation planetesimal for their origin. In the earliest evolution, NWA 11024 experienced the lowest degree of aqueous alteration of all known CM chondrites and subsequently, a heating event dehydrated the sample. We suggest to classify the meteorite NWA 11024 as the first type 3 CM chondrite similar to the classification of CV3 chondrites (like Allende) that could also have lost their matrix phyllosilicates by thermal dehydration.     

阿尔金断裂带对青藏高原北部生长、隆升的制约

大量的同位素年代学证据表明(古)阿尔金断裂带可能形成于三叠纪,后又经历了侏罗纪、白垩纪的强烈左旋走滑活动,自印度板块与欧亚大陆碰撞后阿尔金断裂再次活动。主要的走滑活动发生在:(1)245~220Ma;(2)180~140Ma;(3)120~100Ma;(4)90~80Ma;(5)60~45Ma;(6)渐新世至中新世;(7)上新世至更新世以及(8)全新世。沿阿尔金断裂带,伴随左旋走滑活动形成一系列的逆冲断裂和正断裂,反映走滑过程中伴随隆升作用的存在,并且形成自北向南包括祁连山、大雪山、党河南山、柴北缘山、祁漫塔格山和昆仑山,表明阿尔金断裂带制约着青藏高原北部的生长和隆升。阿尔金断裂带东、西两端的白垩纪和新生代火山活动是断裂走滑活动的响应。     

The Meteoritical Bulletin,No. 107

Meteoritical Bulletin 107 contains 2714 meteorites including 16 falls (Aba Panu, Ablaketka, Andila, Gueltat Zemmour, Hamburg, Karimati, Mahbas Arraid, Mangui, Mazichuan, Mukundpura, Ozerki, Parauapebas, Renchen, San Pedro de Urabá, Sokoto, Tintigny), with 2226 ordinary chondrites, 168 HED achondrites, 132 carbonaceous chondrites (including 41 CM, 34 CV, 26 CO, 21 CK, 4 CR, 5 ungrouped), 43 ureilites, 30 iron meteorites (including 2 ungrouped), 29 lunar meteorites, 22 Martian meteorites, 16 primitive achondrites (including 3 brachinites), 12 Rumuruti chondrites, 9 enstatite chondrites, 7 ungrouped achondrites, 6 pallasites, 5 mesosiderites, 3 enstatite achondrites, 3 ungrouped chondrites, and 2 angrites. 1569 meteorites are from Antarctica, 835 from Africa, 206 from South America, 62 from Asia, 21 from North America, 11 from unknown locations, 8 from Europe (including one from Russia), and 1 from Oceania.     

Geophysical signature of the Tunnunik impact structure,Northwest Territories,Canada

In 2011, the discovery of shatter cones confirmed the 28 km diameter Tunnunik complex impact structure, Northwest Territories, Canada. This study presents the first results of ground‐based electromagnetic, gravimetric, and magnetic surveys over this impact structure. Its central area is characterized by a ~10 km wide negative gravity anomaly of about 3 mGal amplitude, roughly corresponding to the area of shatter cones, and associated with a positive magnetic field anomaly of ~120 nT amplitude and 3 km wavelength. The latter correlates well with the location of the deepest uplifted strata, an impact‐tilted Proterozoic dolomite layer of the Shaler Supergroup exposed near the center of the structure and intruded by dolerite dykes. Locally, electromagnetic field data unveil a conductive superficial formation which corresponds to an 80–100 m thick sand layer covering the impact structure. Based on the measurements of magnetic properties of rock samples, we model the source of the magnetic anomaly as the magnetic sediments of the Shaler Supergroup combined with a core of uplifted crystalline basement with enhanced magnetization. More classically, the low gravity signature is attributed to a reduction in density measured on the brecciated target rocks and to the isolated sand formations. However, the present‐day fractured zone does not extend deeper than ~1 km in our model, indicating a possible 1.5 km of erosion since the time of impact, about 430 Ma ago.     

Defining geologic Hazards for natural resources management using tree-ring analysis

Landslides, avalanches, floods, and other geologic hazards impair natural resources management by jeopardizing public safety, damaging or restricting resource utilization, and necessitating expenditures for corrective measures The negative impact of geologic hazard events can be reduced by tailoring resources management to hazard potential of an area This requires assessment of where and how frequently the events occur National forests and other managed wildlands often lack monitoring or historical records to compute frequency of hazard occurrence Tree-ring analysis, based on internal growth response to external events such as tilting and abrasion, can provide frequency data Two examples of the use of tree-ring analysis to date landslide activity illustrate advantages and limitations of the technique An example from the Fishlake National Forest in central Utah illustrates assessment for planning purposes An example from the Sierra National Forest in east-central California shows assessment applied to project design Many geologic hazards in addition to landslides are suited to tree-ring analysis to establish frequency of occurrence Hazard reduction efforts in natural resources management could be enhanced by careful application of tree-ring analysis     

Lead orthophosphates—III. Stabilities of fluoropyromorphite and bromopyromorphite at 25°C

The reactions of secondary lead orthophosphate with approximately 10^?1 M sodium fluoride and sodium bromide solutions have been investigated at 25°C. Interpretation of the solubility data resulted in solubility product constants for fluoropyromorphite and bromopyromorphite of 10^?71.6 and 10^?78.1, respectively. According to these constants, the stability sequence for lead pyromorphites is Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl > Pb₅(PO₄)₃Br > Pb₅(PO₄)₃OH > Pb₅(PO₄)₃F. The derived free energy data have been used to evaluate the respective stabilities of fluoro-pyromorphite and bromopyromorphite within the systems PbF₂-PbO-P₂O₅-H₂O and PbBr₂-PbO-P₂O₅-H₂O and to predict the equilibrium behavior of the Pb₅(PO₄)₃F-Pb₅(PO₄)₃OH solid solution under aqueous conditions.     

Cloud height differences on Saturn

Spectrophotometry from 0.6–2.5 μm at 1.5% spectral resolution of Saturn's equator and visibly dark South Equatorial Belt near a 1980 ring-plane crossing shows substantially less absorption by methane over the equator than over the SEB. Model fits using Appleby's model atmosphere and a multiple scattering model lead to the conclusion that the pressure levels of the clouds in the two regions differ by 20%. The region of high clouds is coincident with the location of the equatorial fast jet observed by Voyager.     

西昆仑山前冲断带晚新生代构造地貌特征

在卫片解译、DEM数据处理、地形图分析与剖面制作的基础上,结合野外构造地貌考察与观测,对西昆仑山前冲断带的构造地貌特征进行了定量、半定量的研究。沿山前发育系统的水系变化、冲积扇变化、不对称背斜、大规模正断裂、不对称河流阶地等典型的构造地貌,表明这条由南向北逆冲的冲断带在扩展过程中存在着由西向东迁移的特征。冲断带的东西分段以桑株河为界,以西发育固满背斜,其构造样式为向北的逆冲伴随向南的反冲;以东发育一系列不对称的背斜,表现出明显的由南向北逆冲的特征,地表无明显的反冲构造出现。利用生长地层和河流阶地估算了西昆仑山的隆升速率:晚上新世—早更新世以来的最低隆升速率为0.21～0.25mm/a,100ka以来的隆升速率为1.5mm/a。