Fore-arc evolution and continental growth: a general model

The extended evolution of fore-arc regions which leads to their eventual incorporation into stable kratonic continental crust is elucidated by a general model based upon observations from the modern circum-Pacific and the Palaeozoic Tasman Geosyncline.Fore-arc regions widen during subduction in the manner described by Karig & Sharman (1975). Their history, after subduction has ceased, depends upon the thickness of the accretionary prism formed during subduction. Where the prism is thick (ca. 20 km) kratonization is a single-step process. The fore-arc region remains above sea-level; post-arc silicic volcanics accumulate due to granitoid plutonism, the magmas being derived by melting of the subduction complex and from the oceanic lithosphere trapped beneath it. The volcanic arc subsides, becoming the site of a fore-deep.Intermediate-thickness accretionary prisms (ca. 16 km) are kratonized in a two-step process. They remain at shelf depths, while their associated volcanic arcs sink to comparable depths. Both acquire a post-arc shallow marine sequence of typical platform-cover facies. They are then deformed and intruded by granitoids when the crust attains critical thickness (ca. 20 km).Thin accretionary prisms (≤ 12 km) require a three-step process for kratonization. They and their associated arcs sink to bathyal depths. They are overwhelmed by prograding post-arc flysch deposits of continental origin. Deformation of the post-arc flysch and plutonism occur when critical crustal thickness (ca. 20 km) is attained. A transitional tectonic regime ensues, with molasse-like transitional basins preferentially sited over the extinct volcanic arcs and the thinner parts of buried accretionary prisms.The model satisfactorily explains the Late Proterozoic-Palaeozoic evolution of southeast Australia, where a 1000 km wide tract of continental crust was accreted to the Australian Kraton in 250–300 Ma, beginning as a S.W. Pacific-type oceanic terrain. It has been found useful for interpreting geosynclinal terrains in other continents.According to the model, the dynamic processes that contribute to kratonization are systematically causally connected. Kratonization is a unified, internally deterministic and self-sustaining phenomenon. The model has implications for the origin, ‘stratigraphy’ and composition of upper and lower continental crust; the origins and tectonic settings of ophiolites, granitoids, paired metamorphic belts and transitional basins; and for the nature and causes of orogenesis.     

Petrogenesis of voluminous mid-Tertiary ignimbrites of the Sierra Madre Occidental,Chihuahua, Mexico

The mid-Tertiary ignimbrites of the Sierra Madre Occidental of western Mexico constitute the largest continuous rhyolitic province in the world. The rhyolites appear to represent part of a continental magmatic arc that was emplaced when an eastward-dipping subduction zone was located beneath western Mexico.In the Batopilas region of the northern Sierra Madre Occidental the mid-Tertiary Upper Volcanic sequence is composed predominantly of rhyolitic ignimbrites, but volumetrically minor lava flows as mafic as basaltic andesite are also present. The basaltic andesite to rhyolite series is calc-alkalic and contains 1% K₂O at 60% SiO₂. Trace element abundances of a typical ignimbrite with 73% SiO₂ are Sr 225 ppm, Rb 130 ppm, Y 32 ppm, Th 12 ppm, Zr 200 ppm, and Nb 15 ppm. The entire series plots as coherent and continuous trends on variation diagrams involving major and trace elements, and the trends are distinct from those of geographicallyassociated rocks of other suites. We interpret these and other geochemical variations to indicate that the rocks are comagmatic. Mineral chemistry, Sr isotopic data, and REE modelling support this interpretation.Least squares calculations show that the major element variations are consistent with formation of the basaltic andesite to rhyolite series by crystal fractionation of observed phenocryst phases in approximate modal proportions. In addition, calculations modelling the behavior of Sr with the incompatible trace element Th favor a fractional crystallization origin over a crustal anatexis origin for the rock series. The fractionating minerals included plagioclase (> 50%), and lesser amounts of Fe-Ti oxides, pyroxenes, and/or hornblende. The voluminous ignimbrites represent no more than 20% of the original mass of a mantle-derived mafic parental magma.     

A Spectrum-Independent Procedure for Correcting Eddy Fluxes Measured with Separated Sensors

We investigate flux underestimates in eddy correlation measurements that are caused by horizontal separation of the sensors. A common eddy correlation setup consists of a sonic anemometer and a humidity sensor which, because of its bulk, must be placed some distance away from the sonic path, leading to a flux loss (of latent heat). Utilizing an additional fast temperature sensor placed near the humidity sensor, we develop a procedure for correcting for this loss. The procedure simultaneously corrects the sensible heat flux for the difference between true temperature and sonic temperature. Our correction procedure, which does not depend on the shape of the cospectrum, is then compared to the widely-used procedure following Moore (1986), which assumes a cospectral model ('Kansas Model). Both correction methods are applied to data collected within the internal boundary layer over a rice paddy, downwind of arid land. Under conditions of good fetch, they were found to agree well. Under poor fetch conditions, the model-based correction tended to be too small, while the spectrum-independent combined correction was robust. The latter is thus recommended for situations where the cospectral shape can be expected to deviate from the 'Kansas shape.     

Evaluation of cold-water carbonates as a possible paleoclimatic indicator

The common belief currently shared by many geoscientists concerning the climatic interpretation of limestones is that a warm-water environment is essential. This concept is not necessarily true because the rate and extent of terrigenous sediment dilution, rather than water temperature, is the primary factor determining whether or not a limestone forms at nearshore or continental shelf depths. Because carbonate productivity is lowest in cold climates, however, CaCO₃ abundance and the thickness of carbonate accumulations tend to be least at high latitudes. In this regard present-day continental shelves and beaches offer a poor model for comparing cold-water and warm-water carbonates because of the generally emergent continental tectonic framework, recent eustatic sea-level changes, and the presence of ice caps at the modern poles.Typically, the influence of climate on non-reef continental shelf and beach environments cannot be clearly distinguished by the presence or absence of major taxonomic groups. Faunal diversity and equitability are more sensitive in this regard. The absence of shelf-depth inorganic carbonate precipitates, micrite envelopes, and peloids may also point to the cold-water origin of a rock. Skeletal mineralogy and oxygen isotopes of certain unrecrystallized carbonates may be good paleoclimatic indicators; however, trace elements and physical-textural attributes of the carbonate fraction are probably temperature insensitive.Previous studies of high-latitude continental shelves have concentrated merely on the abundance of calcareous material and there is seemingly a disproportionate amount of information with respect to low-latitude carbonate studies. Further research on cold-water carbonates may open up new avenues for alternative paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic interpretations.     

Hydrogeochemical methods for base metal exploration in the northern Canadian shield

The use of lake waters for base metal exploration has been studied in the northern part of the Slave Geological Province of the Canadian Shield. The area is north of the treeline, within the zone of continuous permafrost, and, like most other regions of the Shield, has a high density of small lakes.A regional sampling of 1218 lakes established that less than 2 ppb (μg/l) Zn or Cu is typical of waters from unmineralized terrane. These samples had a median pH of 6.8 and a median specific conductivity of 19.5 μmhos. Lake waters were also taken from the areas surrounding five massive sulphide occurrences: High Lake, Canoe Lake, Takiyuak Lake, Hackett River and Agricola Lake. In all cases there are unambiguous anomalies for Zn. Anomalies are also present for Cu, but are less intense and extensive. This difference between the two elements is related to the superior mobility of Zn in surface waters and its more consistent presence as a major constituent of massive sulphides.A water sampling apparatus has been developed and tested on a light turbine helicopter. Using this, thirty sites may be sampled each hour when sampling at a density of 1 site per 2.8 km². Measurement of pH, conductivity and water temperature are recorded in the helicopter during sampling.A number of factors have been investigated that may influence the utility of lake water sampling for base metal exploration:

1. (1) Seasonal variability, while present to moderate degree, is unlikely to hinder application of the method.

2. (2) For the size of lakes sampled (2 km² or less), elements are homogeneously distributed across the lake surface during the ice-free season. During the initial period of break-up there are marked variations in element content around the ice-free lake margin. Sampling during this period may help define the source of metals for anomalous lakes.

3. (3) Study of sample preservation suggests that mobile elements, such as Zn, that are stable in solution within lakes, are also relatively stable when untreated water is stored in plastic bottles.

4. (4) Care must be taken to avoid contamination of the samples, particularly from the bottle.

The areal extent of lake water base metal anomalies appears to be less than equivalent lake sediment anomalies. Thus for wide-interval, regional geochemical reconnaissance, lake sediment sampling is the method of choice. Lake waters are an appropriate medium for detailed exploration of areas of interest, such as volcanic belts. For this application, the principal attractions are rapid sampling rates, and hence low costs, high contrast anomalies, and a uniform sampling medium.     

Blaubleibender covellite and its relationship to normal covellite

Both natural and synthetic samples of blaubleibender (blue-remaining) covellite have been studied by reflected light microscopy, electron probe microanalysis and electron microscopy and diffraction. The natural sample of composition Cu_1.20S has a 19a × 19a superstructure based on the hexagonal coveilite subcell (side a). The synthetic sample of composition Cu_1.10S has a 27 a × 2 7a superstructure. In both cases the phases are homogeneous. The evidence suggests that the recognition of two distinct types of blaubleibender covellite may be an oversimplification, and that a series of metastable superstructures based on the covellite structure may exist.Work done while on leave at the Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, Cambridge     

Carbon and sulfur in the Swaziland sequence

Sedimentary and igneous rocks of the Swaziland Sequence of South Africa (>3,200 my. old) contain total carbon (0.09–8.28%), organic carbon (0.04–1.95%) and sulfur (9–53,000 ppm). Amounts of organic carbon are generally high in the lower part of the Sequence (based on two samples from the Theespruit Formation). Sulfur content varies widely with no obvious correlations or trends. These rocks may contain clues to the early carbon and sulfur cycles on earth.     

A discrete particle representation of hillslope hydrology: hypothesis testing in reproducing a tracer experiment at Gårdsjön,Sweden

Despite the long history of the continuum equation approach in hydrology, it is not a necessary approach to the formulation of a physically based representation of hillslope hydrology. The Multiple Interacting Pathways (MIPs) model is a discrete realization that allows hillslope response and transport to be simultaneously explored in a way that reflects the potential occurrence of preferential flows and lengths of pathways. The MIPs model uses random particle tracking methods to represent the flow of water within the subsurface alongside velocity distributions that acknowledge preferential flows and transition probability matrices, which control flow pathways. An initial realization of this model is presented here in application to a tracer experiment carried out in Gårdsjön, Sweden. The model is used as an exploratory tool, testing several hypotheses in relation to this experiment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

GLAST large area telescope multiwavelength planning

Gamma-ray astrophysics depends in many ways on multiwavelength studies. The Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) Large Area Telescope (LAT) Collaboration has started multiwavelength planning well before the scheduled 2007 launch of the observatory. Some of the high-priority multiwavelength needs include: (1) availability of contemporaneous radio and X-ray timing of pulsars; (2) expansion of blazar catalogs, including redshift measurements; (3) improved observations of molecular clouds, especially at high galactic latitudes; (4) simultaneous broad-band blazar monitoring; (5) characterization of gamma-ray transients, including gamma ray bursts; (6) radio, optical, X-ray and TeV counterpart searches for reliable and effective sources identification and characterization. Several of these activities are needed to be in place before launch.