Geochronology and Petrogenesis of the Cretaceous Antampombato-Ambatovy Complex and Associated Dyke Swarm, Madagascar

The Antampombato–Ambatovy complex is the largest intrusionin the central–eastern part of the Cretaceous flood basaltprovince of Madagascar, with an exposed surface area of about80 km². It has an ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar incremental heating age of 89·9± 0·4 Ma and a U–Pb age of 90 ± 2Ma. The outcropping plutonic rocks range from dunite and wehrlite,through clinopyroxenite and gabbro, to sodic syenite. A dykeswarm cross-cutting some of the above lithologies (and the nearbyPrecambrian basement rocks) is formed of picritic basalts, alkalito transitional basalts, benmoreites and rhyolites; some ofthe latter are peralkaline. A few basaltic dykes have cumulateolivine textures, with up to 26 wt % MgO and 1200 ppm Ni, whereasothers have characteristics more akin to those of primitiveliquids (9 wt % MgO; Mg-number 0·61; 500 ppm Cr; 200ppm Ni). These basalts have relatively high TiO₂ (2·2wt %) and total iron (14 wt % as Fe₂O₃), and moderate contentsof Nb (10–11 ppm) and Zr (c. 100 ppm). Initial (at 90Ma) Sr- and Nd-isotope ratios of the clinopyroxenites and basaltdykes are 0·7030–0·7037 and 0·51290–0·51283,respectively. Syenites and peralkaline rhyolites have Sr- andNd-isotope ratios of 0·7037–0·7039 and 0·51271–0·51274,respectively. The data suggest derivation of the parental magmasfrom a time-integrated depleted mantle source, combined withsmall amounts of crustal contamination in the petrogenesis ofthe more evolved magmas. The isotopic compositions of the mafic–ultramaficrocks are most similar to those of the mid-ocean ridge basalt(MORB)-like igneous rocks of eastern Madagascar, and suggestthe existence of an isotopically ‘depleted’ componentin the source of the entire Madagascar province, even thoughthe Antampombato basalts are chemically unlike the lavas anddykes with the same depleted isotopic signature found in westernMadagascar. If this depleted component is plume-related, thissuggests that the plume has a broadly MORB-source mantle composition.The existence of isotopically more enriched magma types in theMadagascan province has several possible petrogenetic explanations,one of which could be the interaction of plume-related meltswith the deep lithospheric mantle beneath the island. KEY WORDS: geochronology; flood basalts; Antampombato–Ambatovy intrusion; Cretaceous; Madagascar     

Lithic-volcanic sandstones derived from oceanic crust in the Franciscan Complex of California: 'sedimental memories' of source rock geochemistry

The Permanente terrane, part of the Franciscan accretionary complex of California, contains an unusual fault-bounded packet bearing lithic-volcanic sandstones and conglomerates. Based on petrographical, sedimentological, stratigraphical and geochemical studies, it is concluded that these rocks were deposited on the flank of an oceanic rise or plateau by sediment gravity flows probably below the carbonate compensation depth. The bulk geochemistry of the sandstones is similar to the chemistry of greenstones in the Permanente terrane, suggesting that the greenstones or rocks similar to them represent the source of the lithic-volcanic sandstones, and that the sandstones geochemically ‘remember’ the chemistry of their source rocks. This ‘sedimental memory’ is impressive: geochemical variation in the sandstones is co-linear with presumable magmatic variation trends in the greenstones. Sandstone geochemistry, plotted on Zr/Y vs. Y and V vs. Ti diagrams, shows that compositions occupy similar fields as greenstones in the Permanente terrane and oceanic crustal compositions in general. Because oceanic crustal sequences can become accreted to continental margins, oceanic crust should be considered a potential source of sediment, especially in continental margin settings. However, differentiating sandstones derived from oceanic arcs and from oceanic crust is extremely difficult unless discriminating geochemical criteria are used.     

The millennium eruption of Hekla in February 2000

The 18th historic eruption of Hekla started on 26 February, 2000. It was a short-lived but intense event, emitting basaltic andesitic (55.5 wt% SiO₂) pyroclastic fragments and lava. During the course of the eruption, monitoring was done by both instruments and direct observations, together providing unique insight into the current activity of Hekla. During the 12-day eruption, a total of 0.189 km³ DRE of magma was emitted. The eruptive fissure split into five segments. The segments at the highest altitude were active during the first hours, while the segments at lower altitude continued throughout the eruption. The eruption started in a highly explosive manner giving rise to a Subplinian eruptive column and consequent basaltic pyroclastic flows fed by column collapses. After the explosive phase reached its maximum, the eruption went through three more phases, namely fire-fountaining, Strombolian bursts and lava effusion. In this paper, we describe the course of events of the eruption of Hekla and the origin of its magma, and then show that the discharge rate can be linked to different style of eruptive activity, which are controlled by fissure geometry. We also show that the eruption phases observed at Hekla can be linked with inferred magma chamber overpressure prior to the eruption.     

Exploring controls of the early and stepped deglaciation on the western margin of the British Irish Ice Sheet

New optically stimulated luminescence dating and Bayesian models integrating all legacy and BRITICE-CHRONO geochronology facilitated exploration of the controls on the deglaciation of two former sectors of the British–Irish Ice Sheet, the Donegal Bay (DBIS) and Malin Sea ice-streams (MSIS). Shelf-edge glaciation occurred ~27 ka, before the global Last Glacial Maximum, and shelf-wide retreat began 26–26.5 ka at a rate of ~18.7–20.7 m a^–1. MSIS grounding zone wedges and DBIS recessional moraines show episodic retreat punctuated by prolonged still-stands. By ~23–22 ka the outer shelf (~25 000 km²) was free of grounded ice. After this time, MSIS retreat was faster (~20 m a^–1 vs. ~2–6 m a^–1 of DBIS). Separation of Irish and Scottish ice sources occurred ~20–19.5 ka, leaving an autonomous Donegal ice dome. Inner Malin shelf deglaciation followed the submarine troughs reaching the Hebridean coast ~19 ka. DBIS retreat formed the extensive complex of moraines in outer Donegal Bay at 20.5–19 ka. DBIS retreated on land by ~17–16 ka. Isolated ice caps in Scotland and Ireland persisted until ~14.5 ka. Early retreat of this marine-terminating margin is best explained by local ice loading increasing water depths and promoting calving ice losses rather than by changes in global temperatures. Topographical controls governed the differences between the ice-stream retreat from mid-shelf to the coast.     

Pattern,style and timing of British–Irish Ice Sheet retreat: Shetland and northern North Sea sector

The offshore sector around Shetland remains one of the least well-studied parts of the former British–Irish Ice Sheet with several long-standing scientific issues unresolved. These key issues include (i) the dominance of a locally sourced ‘Shetland ice cap’ vs an invasive Fennoscandian Ice Sheet; (ii) the flow configuration and style of glaciation at the Last Glacial Maximum (i.e. terrestrial vs marine glaciation); (iii) the nature of confluence between the British–Irish and Fennoscandian Ice Sheets; (iv) the cause, style and rate of ice sheet separation; and (v) the wider implications of ice sheet uncoupling on the tempo of subsequent deglaciation. As part of the Britice-Chrono project, we present new geological (seabed cores), geomorphological, marine geophysical and geochronological data from the northernmost sector of the last British–Irish Ice Sheet (north of 59.5°N) to address these questions. The study area covers ca. 95 000 km², an area approximately the size of Ireland, and includes the islands of Shetland and the surrounding continental shelf, some of the continental slope, and the western margin of the Norwegian Channel. We collect and analyse data from onshore in Shetland and along key transects offshore, to establish the most coherent picture, so far, of former ice-sheet deglaciation in this important sector. Alongside new seabed mapping and Quaternary sediment analysis, we use a multi-proxy suite of new isotopic age assessments, including 32 cosmogenic-nuclide exposure ages from glacially transported boulders and 35 radiocarbon dates from deglacial marine sediments, to develop a synoptic sector-wide reconstruction combining strong onshore and offshore geological evidence with Bayesian chronosequence modelling. The results show widespread and significant spatial fluctuations in size, shape and flow configuration of an ice sheet/ice cap centred on, or to the east of, the Orkney–Shetland Platform, between ~30 and ~15 ka BP. At its maximum extent ca. 26–25 ka BP , this ice sheet was coalescent with the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet to the east. Between ~25 and 23 ka BP the ice sheet in this sector underwent a significant size reduction from ca. 85 000 to <50 000 km², accompanied by several ice-margin oscillations. Soon after, connection was lost with the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet and a marine corridor opened to the east of Shetland. This triggered initial (and unstable) re-growth of a glaciologically independent Shetland Ice Cap ca. 21–20 ka BP with a strong east–west asymmetry with respect to topography. Ice mass growth was followed by rapid collapse, from an area of ca. 45 000 km² to ca. 15 000 km² between 19 and 18 ka BP , stabilizing at ca. 2000 km² by ~17 ka BP. Final deglaciation of Shetland occurred ca. 17–15 ka BP , and may have involved one or more subsidiary ice centres on now-submerged parts of the continental shelf. We suggest that the unusually dynamic behaviour of the northernmost sector of the British–Irish Ice Sheet between 21 and 18 ka BP – characterized by numerous extensive ice sheet/ice mass readvances, rapid loss and flow redistributions – was driven by significant changes in ice mass geometry, ice divide location and calving flux as the glaciologically independent ice cap adjusted to new boundary conditions. We propose that this dynamism was forced to a large degree by internal (glaciological) factors specific to the strongly marine-influenced Shetland Ice Cap.     

利用经验线方法校准ASTER和ETM+影像——以也门Hajjah东北部为例(英文)

This study is aimed at using the Empirical Line Method (ELM) to eliminate atmospheric effects with respect to visible and near infrared bands of advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER) and enhanced thematic mapper plus (ETM+) data. Two targets (Amran limestone as light target and quartz-biotite-sericite-graphite schists as dark target), which were widely exposed and easy to identify in the imagery were selected. The accuracy of the atmos-pheric correction method was evaluated ...     

乌鲁木齐市低层大气稳定度分布特征的统计分析

利用乌鲁木齐市4座100 m梯度气象塔2013年6月至2014年4月10 min气象资料,对比分析了温差法、温差-风速法、风速比法、理查森数法和总体理查森数法计算的A~F类大气稳定度的适用性,表明温差-风速法更适合乌鲁木齐市大气稳定度的分类,运用该方法计算出的A~F类稳定度进而统计分析乌鲁木齐市城区和郊区稳定度的频率分布特征。结果表明:郊区稳定类所占比例高于城区,城区中性类高于郊区,南郊和城区不稳定类高于北郊。中性类在冬季较大,春季和秋季较低;不稳定类在6月最高、9和1月最低;稳定类在10和1月最高、6和7月最低。白天以不稳定为主(占全天88.3%~96.3%)、夜间以稳定为主(占全天51.3%~60%),夏季最明显。不稳定与中性、稳定的日变化相反,郊区日出时和城区日出后2 h左右稳定类频率最大。中性(D类)在日出和日落后1~3 h分别出现两个峰值。寒潮天气稳定性比高温天气强,静风天气郊区稳定类比大风天气强,扬沙发生前以中性和稳定类稳定度为主、发生时和发生后以不稳定为主,降雨天气不稳定类比暴雪天气强。春季和夏季重污染天气B、C和F类为主,夏季南郊和近北郊C和F类约45%,秋季B和E类为主,约40%~50%;冬季城区D类频率最大,南郊、北郊和近北郊F类频率最大。     

乌鲁木齐市气象塔梯度观测资料质量控制与处理

本文介绍了乌鲁木齐市建成区内5座100 m气象塔地理位置,根据逻辑极值检查、僵值检查、时间一致性检查、空间一致性检查和人工干预检查等组成的一套针对气象塔观测资料的质量控制方法和四点滑动平均插值、要素垂直分布拟合和线性回归方法组成的数据插值方法,对乌鲁木齐市从南至北5座100 m气象塔2012年4月1日至2014年4月30日的资料进行质量控制和数据插值。结果表明:该套方案能很好地找出缺测、错误和可疑的数据,结合人工干预,使得检验结果更为可靠。5座气象塔资料的质量是比较好的,正常数据占总数据的97.17%,其中红光山数据质量最好(正常数据占总数据的99.01%)。非正常数据只是少数情况(占总数据的2.83%),包括缺测和错误数据,其中缺测数据占非正常数据的6.23%(出现在米东和燕南立交),错误数据占非正常数据的93.77%。虚假数据占错误数据的89.99%(大部分为风速、风向),僵值数据占错误数据的5.47%(大部分为气温和湿度).超出逻辑极值数据占错误数据的0.41%(只出现在水塔山气温),不符合一致性数据占错误数据的4.13%(主要为湿度,主要在燕南立交)。利用四点中央插值法、每座气象塔要素垂直分布拟合和不同气象塔之间线性回归方法插值气温和相对湿度的效果较好。     

Effect of polystyrene microplastics and temperature on growth,intestinal histology and immune responses of brine shrimp Artemia franciscana

Microplastics pollution and seawater temperature rise have been the major environmental issues, threatening the survival and biodiversity of marine organisms. T...     

Reservoir Potential Assessment of the Tortonian–Calabrian Sediments from Offshore Makran(Southwest Pakistan) through a Multidisciplinary Approach

The Tortonian–Calabrian strata of Offshore Makran(Pakistan) is investigated for the purpose of reservoir assessment. The stratigraphy and petrophysics indicate that the Neogene sediments have tight reservoir potential with porosities in the range of 3%–9% and 40%–50% water saturation. The mineralogical cross plots indicate a mixed lithology with an abundance of dolomite and calcite, together with minor quartz content and shale. The seismic interpretation demonstrates medium–high amplitude reflec...