High angular resolution millimeter observations of circumstellar disks

In this lecture, we review the properties of protoplanetary disks as derived from high angular resolution observations at millimeter wavelengths. We discuss how the combination of several different high angular resolution techniques allow us to probe different regions of the disk around young stellar objects and to derive the properties of the dust when combined with sophisticated disk models. The picture that emerges is that the dust in circumstellar disks surrounding pre-main sequence stars is in many cases significantly evolved compared to the dust in molecular clouds and the interstellar medium. It is however still difficult to derive a consistent picture and timeline for dust evolution in disks as the observations are still limited to small samples of objects.We also review the evidence for and properties of disks around high-mass young stellar objects and the implications on their formation mechanisms. The study of massive YSOs is complicated by their short lifetimes and larger average distances. In most cases high angular resolution data at millimeter wavelengths are the only method to probe the structure of disks in these objects.We provide a summary of the characteristics of available high angular resolution millimeter and submillimeter observatories. We also describe the characteristics of the ALMA observatory being constructed in the Chilean Andes. ALMA is going to be the world leading observatory at millimeter wavelengths in the coming decades, the project is now in its main construction phase with early science activities envisaged for 2010 and full science operations for 2012.     

Seismic Design of Symmetric Structures for Accidental Torsion

The paper presents an analytical estimation of the dynamic effects, caused by the shifting of the centre of mass with accidental eccentricity in symmetric structures. The approximate analytical solution proves, that even under small accidental eccentricities the symmetric structures exhibit “irregular behaviour” and the accidental torsional effects cannot be described properly by static application of torsional moments. The prescribed application rule by Eurocode 8 for multimodal analysis underestimates the accidental torsional effects up to 21% for 5% eccentricity for the structures considered in the paper. An expression for the correction of member responses is derived. It is proved by numerical simulations of the dynamic response of three-dimensional models of symmetric structures, that the proposed correction coefficient gives accurate results in cases of single-storey and multi-storey structures. It gives a convenient way for the design practice to estimate accurately the accidental torsional effects on planar and 3-D models of symmetric structures. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A search for ethane on Pluto and Triton

We present here a search for solid ethane, C₂H₆, on the surfaces of Pluto and Triton, based on near-infrared spectral observations in the H and K bands (1.4-2.45 μm) using the Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT). We model each surface using a radiative transfer model based on Hapke theory (Hapke, B. [1993]. Theory of Reflectance and Emittance Spectroscopy. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK) with three basic models: without ethane, with pure ethane, and with ethane diluted in nitrogen. On Pluto we detect weak features near 2.27, 2.405, 2.457, and 2.461 μm that match the strongest features of pure ethane. An additional feature seen at 2.317 μm is shifted to longer wavelengths than ethane by at least 0.002 μm. The strength of the features seen in the models suggests that pure ethane is limited to no more than a few percent of the surface of Pluto. On Triton, features in the H band could potentially be explained by ethane diluted in N₂, however, the lack of corresponding features in the K band makes this unlikely (also noted by Quirico et al. (Quirico, E., Doute, S., Schmitt, B., de Bergh, C., Cruikshank, D.P., Owen, T.C., Geballe, T.R., Roush, T.L. [1999]. Icarus 139, 159-178)). While Cruikshank et al. (Cruikshank, D.P., Mason, R.E., Dalle Ore, C.M., Bernstein, M.P., Quirico, E., Mastrapa, R.M., Emery, J.P., Owen, T.C. [2006]. Bull. Am. Astron. Soc. 38, 518) find that the 2.406-μm feature on Triton could not be completely due to ¹³CO, our models show that it could not be accounted for entirely by ethane either. The multiple origin of this feature complicates constraints on the contribution of ethane for both bodies.     

Long-Term Effects of Tidal Exclusion on Salt Marsh Plain Species at Estero de Punta Banda,Baja California

Disturbance is an important factor influencing plant species composition and diversity. We addressed changes in plant composition and soil characteristics in Estero de Punta Banda, Baja California, Mexico following 22 years of disturbance by tidal exclusion. Currently, sediments in the non-tidal site are dry, 26 ± 1% moisture, and hypersaline, 143 ± 12; while those at the tidal marsh are wet, 36.2 ± 1% moisture, with 40.3 ± 2.6 salinity. The non-tidal site has lost seven species including annuals, short- and long-lived perennials, ephemerals, and parasites. Current dominants are the perennials Batis maritima and Sarcocornia pacifica. Average species richness at the non-tidal site is 4.4 ± 0.32 vs.10 ± 0.18 species per square meter at the tidal site. Average species diversity index is lower at the diked area. The general biodiversity loss that results from tidal exclusion in arid estuaries, contrasts with the species-rich communities that develop in diked humid-climate estuaries.     

Multiple P–T–d–t paths reveal the evolution of the final Nuna assembly in northeast Australia

The final assembly of the Mesoproterozoic supercontinent Nuna was marked by the collision of Laurentia and Australia at 1.60 Ga, which is recorded in the Georgetown Inlier of NE Australia. Here, we decipher the metamorphic evolution of this final Nuna collisional event using petrostructural analysis, major and trace element compositions of key minerals, thermodynamic modelling, and multi-method geochronology. The Georgetown Inlier is characterised by deformed and metamorphosed 1.70–1.62 Ga sedimentary and mafic rocks, which were intruded by c. 1.56 Ga old S-type granites. Garnet Lu–Hf and monazite U–Pb isotopic analyses distinguish two major metamorphic events (M1 at c. 1.60 Ga and M2 at c. 1.55 Ga), which allows at least two composite fabrics to be identified at the regional scale—c. 1.60 Ga S1 (consisting in fabrics S1a and S1b) and c. 1.55 Ga S2 (including fabrics S2a and S2b). Also, three tectono-metamorphic domains are distinguished: (a) the western domain, with S1 defined by low-P (LP) greenschist facies assemblages; (b) the central domain, where S1 fabric is preserved as medium-P (MP) amphibolite facies relicts, and locally as inclusion trails in garnet wrapped by the regionally dominant low-P amphibolite facies S2 fabric; and (c) the eastern domain dominated by upper amphibolite to granulite facies S2 foliation. In the central domain, 1.60 Ga MP–medium-T (MT) metamorphism (M1) developed within the staurolite–garnet stability field, with conditions ranging from 530–550°C at 6–7 kbar (garnet cores) to 620–650°C at 8–9 kbar (garnet rims), and it is associated with S1 fabric. The onset of 1.55 Ga LP–high-T (HT) metamorphism (M2) is marked by replacement of staurolite by andalusite (M2a/D2a), which was subsequently pseudomorphed by sillimanite (M2b/D2b) where granite and migmatite are abundant. P–T conditions ranged from 600 to 680°C and 4–6 kbar for the M2b sillimanite stage. 1.60 Ga garnet relicts within the S2 foliation highlight the progressive obliteration of the S1 fabric by regional S2 in the central zone during peak M2 metamorphism. In the eastern migmatitic complex, partial melting of paragneiss and amphibolite occurred syn- to post- S2, at 730–770°C and 6–8 kbar, and at 750–790°C and 6 kbar, respectively. The pressure–temperature–deformation–time paths reconstructed for the Georgetown Inlier suggest a c. 1.60 Ga M1/D1 event recorded under greenschist facies conditions in the western domain and under medium-P and medium-T conditions in the central domain. This event was followed by the regional 1.56–1.54 Ga low-P and high-T phase (M2/D2), extensively recorded in the central and eastern domains. Decompression between these two metamorphic events is ascribed to an episode of exhumation. The two-stage evolution supports the previous hypothesis that the Georgetown Inlier preserves continental collisional and subsequent thermal perturbation associated with granite emplacement.     

Glaciovolcanic landsystems and large-scale glaciotectonic deformation along the Brekknafjöll–Jarlhettur,Iceland

This paper documents the glaciovolcanic landsystem of the Brekknafjöll–Jarlhettur ridge in Central Iceland. Glaciolacustrine diamict is found beneath, and in association with, a complex assemblage of pillow lava, lava breccias and hyaloclastites. Three depositional environments are identified: glaciolacustrine fan, pillow lava dome, and hyaloclastite fan. These subaqueous environments occurred both simultaneously and at different times along the volcanic fissures which underlie the ridge and have given rise to a complex facies architecture. This facies architecture provides evidence that the ridge evolved in a time transgressive fashion during several episodes of volcanism, some of which may have been punctuated by periods of ice erosion. Associated with the ridge are large-diapiric folds in diamict and gravel which form by the loading and lateral displacement of saturated diamict beneath the developing volcanic pile. A depositional model is presented which emphasises the glaciolacustrine component and the time transgressive nature of the glaciovolcanic landsystem. Much of the eruption occurred in subglacial to englacial lakes or vaults, which were probably linked by water and sediment exchange. The initial subglacial vaults appear to have extended beyond the fissure limits and were infilled by glaciolacustrine diamicts, subaqueous outwash and the eruption of pillow lava. This was followed by the eruption of hyaloclastite sand and breccia forming an elongated fan.     

Distribution patterns of living benthic foraminifera from Cap Breton canyon,Bay of Biscay: Faunal response to sediment instability

Analysis of living (Rose Bengal-stained) benthic foraminifera in 13 multicorer samples taken along the Cap Breton canyon (Bay of Biscay) revealed that the combination of organic-rich material and sediment instability provides very specific benthic ecosystem conditions. The active canyon hosts different foraminiferal assemblages that appear to be determined by different types and frequencies of environmental disturbance at the sites. Most of them are strongly dominated by shallow-infaunal living taxa that combine a tolerance for low-quality organic matter with a high reproductive potential. Foraminiferal assemblages characterized by high densities, very superficially living taxa and strong dominance of bolivinids and buliminids, follow a poor pioneer fauna dominated by Technitella melo. These assemblages are observed in the narrow canyon axis, where frequent sediment resuspension occurs and affects habitat stability. Assemblages studied from sites outside the canyon axis are still dominated by shallow-infaunal species but show lower foraminiferal densities and higher diversities. Deep-infaunal taxa are only present in some inner meanders and more distal stations. These assemblages are typical for ecological niches that are relatively stable and unaffected by re-sedimentation processes. They have attained a more advanced stage of ecosystem stability. They are influenced by neither lateral sediment nor enriched organic matter input.     

Radon anomalies and volcanic eruptions

A well-documented case of ²²²Rn anomaly preceding the eruptive activity of Karymsky volcano (Kamchatka) was recently reported in the literature. Stimulated by this example, we have attempted to utilize the available data on radon emanation from rocks, its solubility, and its circulation in waters to discuss how a ²²²Rn anomaly can be produced by magma approaching the surface. It is shown that the most likely process of radon release is the flushing of gases through pore fluids. Heating of extensive fracture surfaces by high-temperature gases may also be important. In order to survive in detectable amounts after moving distances greater than a few meters, radon must be transported by fast-moving fluids, such as those rising toward the surface through a fracture or in the ascending limbs of fluids convecting in very porous rocks under high temperature gradients. The pattern observed at Karymsky volcano is interpreted on the basis of these relations.     

Un réseau fluviatile d'âge Burdigalien terminal dans le Sud-Est de la France : remplissage,extension, âge,implications

An integrated study combining facies analysis, multiple group biostratigraphy, identification of depositional sequences and mapping has been conducted on the Miocene Molasse Basin of the external Alps (southeastern France). The filling of the basin is described as resulting from a succession of fluvial incisions subsequently filled during marine transgressions. The major incision is dated as Latest Burdigalian and the major transgression as Langhian. This revised interpretation of the Miocene physiographic evolution of the Molasse Basin implies a re-examination of previous stratigraphic correlations within the basin. To cite this article: D. Besson et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).