Paläogeographie und Landschaftsentwicklung im Weißen (Oberen) Jura der Schwäbischen Alb (Baden-Württemberg)

Zusammenfassung Die Landschaftsformen auf der Hochfläche der Schwäbischen Alb sind zu einem wesentlichen Teil gesteinsbedingt. Bankkalke neigen zur Bildung von Verebnungen, in Riffkalken entwickelt sich bei subaerischer Verwitterung und Abtragung ein kuppiges Relief. Dabei wird in vielen Fällen die Topographie, wie sie zur Jurazeit am Meeresgrund bestand, heute in der Landschaft reproduziert.

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The paleographic pattern of the Upper (White) Jurassic of the Suebian Alb mountain area is characterized by intersecting of algal-sponge-reef and micritic limestone-marl facies. Under certain conditions the submarine topography of the reef complexes is reproduced in the landscape today, mainly because the different limestone types are yielding in different ways towards weathering, denudation and erosion.

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Résumé La morphologie sur le plateau de la « Schwäbische Alb » est donné surtout par des conditions pétrographiques. Les calcaires de banc et les marnes sont le plus favorisé de former des plaines, tandisque les calcaires de récif développent sous l'érosion subaérienne un relief montueux. A ce sujet le paysage d'aujourdhui montre souvent la même topographie comme le fond de la mer était pendant le temps jurassique.

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Thermobarometric data from a fossil zircon partial annealing zone in high pressure–low temperature rocks of eastern and central Crete, Greece

A fossil partial annealing zone of fission tracks in zircon is described from high pressure–low temperature (HP–LT) rocks of the Phyllite–Quartzite Unit (PQ) on the island of Crete, Greece. Correlation of regional trends in fission track age populations with independent thermobarometric and microstructural data, and with new experimental annealing results, allows a calibration of this low temperature thermochronological method to a degree hitherto not available from other field examples.The zircon fission track (FT) ages of samples from the PQ across Crete range from original detrital signature through reduced to completely reset. The annealing is the result of a single heating period related to the HP–LT metamorphism with near-peak temperatures lasting for only a few million years some time between 24±1 and 20±1 Ma. In eastern Crete, where rocks have experienced temperatures of 300±50 °C and pressures of 0.8±0.3 GPa, zircon FT ages range from 414±24 to 145±10 Ma. Ages above 300 Ma occur mostly near the east coast of the island in rocks which have not been heated to above ca. 280 °C and probably represent a pre-Variscan source. Track lengths are already indicative of a substantial annealing at this temperature. Most of the zircon FT ages from eastern Crete scatter within error around the stratigraphic age. Samples with apparent zircon FT ages significantly younger than the depositional age are only observed in areas where temperatures exceeded ca. 320 °C. Towards the west, a sudden decrease to very young ages ranging from 17±2 to 18±1 Ma reflects a complete resetting at ca. 350 °C. Short tracks, however, are still observed. Throughout the central and western part of the island, ages are consistently below 22 Ma. Thermobarometric data for this area indicate maximum temperatures of 400±50 °C and pressures of 1±0.3 GPa. Only samples from western Crete, which have been exposed to 400±50 °C, show exclusively long tracks. Consequently, the high temperature limit of the zircon partial annealing zone (ZPAZ) appears to be between 350 and 400 °C.A significant influence of elevated confining pressure on the stability of fission tracks in zircon is ruled out by the results of annealing experiments at 0.5 GPa and at different temperatures, which fit the curves previously obtained by other authors at ambient pressure.     

Survey and monitoring of landslide displacements by means of L-band satellite SAR interferometry

This paper illustrates the capabilities of L-band satellite SAR interferometry for the investigation of landslide displacements. SAR data acquired by the L-band JERS satellite over the Italian and Swiss Alps have been analyzed together with C-band ERS-1/2 SAR data and in situ information. The use of L-band SAR data with a wavelength larger than the usual C-band, generally considered for ground motion measurements, reduces some of the limitations of differential SAR interferometry, in particular, signal decorrelation induced by vegetation cover and rapid displacements. The sites of the Alta Val Badia region in South Tyrol (Italy), Ruinon in Lombardia (Italy), Saas Grund in Valais (Switzerland) and Campo Vallemaggia in Ticino (Switzerland), representing a comprehensive set of different mass wasting phenomena in various environments, are considered. The landslides in the Alta Val Badia region are good examples for presenting the improved performance of L-band in comparison to C-band for vegetated areas, in particular concerning open forest. The landslides of Ruinon, Saas Grund, and Campo Vallemaggia demonstrate the strength of L-band in observing moderately fast displacements in comparison to C-band. This work, performed with historical SAR data from a satellite which operated until 1998, demonstrates the capabilities of future planned L-band SAR missions, like ALOS and TerraSAR-L, for landslide studies.     

Vertical mixing in Überlingersee (Lake Constance) traced by SF6 and heat

Vertical mixing in Überlingersee is studied by releasing sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) as a tracer at a central hypolimnic depth of 60 m and measuring its subsequent vertical dispersion over a period of three months. The experiment started with a streaky tracer injection of 1 liter gaseous SF₆ (STP) in August 1990. At that time the lake showed a typical strong summer stratification which in a weakened form lasts until November. From the SF₆ profiles of fifteen surveys at three sampling sites vertical diffusivitiesK _z are calculated compensating internal seiche displacement and horizontal tracer loss. Except of the bottom region no sampling site or time period is marked by significant differences in the hypolimnicK _z profile. So vertical mixing in the whole Überlingersee is described by mean diffusivities decreasing from 1.7 cm²/s at 120 m depth to 0.4 cm²/s in 30 m. The minimal value of 0.3 cm²/s in the thermocline region at 20 m depth is only based on observations in autumn. For a strong summer stratification it is certainly lower. The gradient-flux-method for heat was applied to compute a meanK _z (T) profile from continuously measured temperature profiles. Significant differences resulting from the two tracers showed, that theK _z (T) values are underestimated by up to a factor of 5 if cooling by lateral exchange is neglected. Particularly, internal seiche pumping of colder water from the adjacent Lake Obersee over the separating sill of Mainau into the deep Überlingersee basin is observed in 1990 from August onward, obviously controlling the heat budget below the sill level.     

FeO and H2O and the homogeneous accretion of the earth

We present new shock devolatilization recovery data for brucite (Mg(OH)₂) shocked to 13 and 23 GPa. These data combined with previous data for serpentine (Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄) are used to constrain the minimum size terrestrial planet for which planetesimal infall will result in an impact-generated water atmosphere. Assuming a chondritic abundance of minerals including 3–6%, by mass water, in hydrous phyllosilicates, we carried out model calculations simulating the interaction of metallic iron with impact-released free water on the surface of the accreting Earth. We assume that the reaction of water with iron in the presence of enstatite is the prime source of the terrestrial FeO component of silicates and oxides. Lower and upper bounds on the terrestrial FeO budget are based on mantle FeO content and possible incorporation of FeO in the outer core. We demonstrate that the iron-water reaction would result in the absence of atmospheric/hydrospheric water, if homogeneous accretion is assumed. In order to obtain10²⁵g of atmospheric water by the end of accretion, slightly heterogeneous accretion with initially 36% by mass iron planetesimals, as compared to a homogeneous value of 34% is required. Such models yield final FeO budgets, which either require a higher FeO content of the mantle (17 wt.%) or oxygen as a light element in the outer core of the Earth.     

Die Petrographie des Knollenmergel,Mittlerer Keuper,Trias

In Württemberg, the upper part of the Middle Keuper is referred to as “Knollenmergel” (= “nodular marl”, a marly claystone containing carbonate nodules), 24 samples were studied from a test well located near Hechingen. X-ray diffraction was used for the determination of the mineral composition of whole rocks and of the clay fractions. The coarser fractions were studied under the petrographic microscope. The fractions < 2π Ø consist chiefly of an mixed-layer mineral with illite and expandable, montmorillonite-like layers as the components. There are about 30 % of expandable layers. A low-angle reflection near 31 Å is indicative of considerable order among component-layer species approaching that of rectorite. In the lower part of the section, moderate amounts of sudoite are present in addition. Illite as a discrete phase could not be determined with certainty. The microscopic fractions consist partly of monomineralic grains of quarz, dolomite, and calcite. In addition, they contain considerable amounts of polymineralic aggregates, which were not dispersed by the rather mild disintegration method used in the present study. Accordingly, the rocks are claystones characterized by the same degree of lithification as those occurring in other parts of the Keuper in Württemberg. The interstratified mineral is tentatively derived from the erosion of a uniform body of volcanogenic material of Paleozoic age. On the basis of grain-size distribution, the Knollenmergel is a water-laid sediment. Eolian transport as advocated by some geologists can be excluded. The difficulties experienced with the Knollenmergel as a building ground are explained by the high percentage of the expandable interstratified mineral and the dearth of a genuine sand fraction.     

Seismically induced variations in Mariánské Lázně fault gas composition in the NW Bohemian swarm quake region, Czech Republic — A continuous gas monitoring

A continuously operated gas monitoring station was emplaced within the epicentral area of the NW Bohemian swarm earthquakes overlying directly the active Mariánské Lázně fault. The recordings of 8-month continuous monitoring period are presented. The variations in radon concentrations are similarly to variations in CO₂, i.e. CO₂ is considered to be the carrier gas for radon. Very small diurnal variations in gas concentration are caused by the earth tides, as daily variations in meteorological conditions cannot explain a short daily minimum at midday times. Sudden changes in gas concentration, which clearly exceed these diurnal variations occur and are always linked with seismic activities. Decreased gas concentration may indicate compression resulting in reduced fault permeability as is implied by negative peaks following local earthquake swarms. A sudden increase in CO₂ and Rn concentration may indicate an increased fault permeability caused by stress redistribution, giving rise to opening of migration pathways. This implies a repeatedly sudden rise in gas concentration before local earthquake swarms. Several variations in gas concentration were monitored linked with remote earthquakes of ground motion amplitudes  >1 μm. These seismic events are accompanied by an interference of the diurnal gas concentration–stress-cycle along the Mariánské Lázně fault. However, if shocks of remote earthquake can alter properties of the migrating fluids or the fault properties it can be suggested that these are able to trigger local seismicity, as indicated in the case of the Slovenia earthquake on 12th July 2004.     

The evolution of an impact-generated atmosphere

Shock wave and thermodynamic data for rock-forming and volatile-bearing minerals are used to determine minimum impact velocities (v_cr) and minimum impact pressures (p_cr) required to form a primary H₂O atmosphere during planetary accretion from chondritelike planetesimals. The escape of initially released water from an accreting planet is controlled by the dehydration efficiency. Since different planetary surface porosities will result from formation of a regolith, v_cr and p_cr can vary from 1.5 to 5.8 km/sec and from 90 to 600 kbar, respectively, for target porosities between 0 and ～45%. On the basis of experimental data, hydration rates for forsterite and enstatite are derived. For a global regolith layer on the Earth's surface, the maximum hydration rate equals 6 × 10¹⁰ g H₂O sec^?1 during accretion of the Earth. Attenuation of impact-induced shock pressure is modeled to the extent that the amount of released water as a function of projectile radius, impact velocity, weight fraction of water in the target, target porosity, and dehydration efficiency can be estimated. The two primary processes considered are the impact release of water bound in hydrous minerals (e.g., serpentine) and the subsequent reincorporation of free water by hydration of forsterite and enstatite. These processes are described in terms of model calculations for the accretion of the Earth. Parameters which lead to a primary atmosphere/hydrosphere are: an accretion time of ? 1.6 × 10⁸years, the use of an accretion model defined by Weidenschilling (1974, 1976), a mean planetesimal radius of 0.5 km, a hydration rate of 6 × 10¹⁰ g H₂O sec^?1 inferred from a mean porosity of ～ 10% for the upper 1 km of the accreting Earth, and values for the dehydration efficiency, DE, of 0.55 and 0.07 for the maximum and minimum pressure decay model, respectively. Conditions which prohibit the formation of a primary atmosphere include an accretion time much longer than 1.6 × 10⁸ years, a hydration rate for forsterite and enstatite well in excess of 6 × 10¹⁰ g H₂O sec^?1, and a dehydration efficiency DE < 0.07. We conclude that the concept of dehydration efficiency is of dominant importance in determining the degree to which an accreting planet acquires an atmosphere during its formation.