Dipping basement reflectors along volcanic passive margins—new insight using data from the Kerguelen Plateau

Multichannel seismic reflection data from the Southern Kerguelen Plateau show many dipping basement reflectors associated with volcanic flows. These reflectors are quite similar in their shape to seaward-dipping basement reflectors observed along volcanic passive margins. On the Kerguelen Plateau the sources are updip of the basement reflectors, in the presently extinct and eroded volcanoes. We suggest that the same source/reflector geometry may also apply to the seaward-dipping basement reflectors observed along passive margins. We interpret these reflectors to be the result of volcanism on the passive margin which flowed in all directions into the newly created ocean basin at an early spreading stage.     

Sub-Milankovitch and Milankovitch forcing on a model Mesozoic carbonate platform – the Latemar (Middle Triassic, Italy)

ABSTRACT Basic shallowing-upward cycles (shu-cycles) and five-bundled megacycles in the Latemar platform have been widely regarded as a model example for precessional and eccentricity forcing in the Mesozoic. Based on bio-/chronostratigraphic data, recent studies questioned this particular type of Milankovitch forcing on the Latemar cyclic series. We present an integrated model that incorporates (i) new cyclostratigraphic data, (ii) new and existing bio-/chronostratigraphic data and (iii) new spectral analyses. The basic shu-cycles in the Latemar reflect sub-Milankovitch control. Cycle bundles of 1 : 4–5 (megacycles : shu-cycles) indicate precessional forcing. They do not reflect eccentricity superimposed on precessional forcing. Spectral analyses reveal highly significant ratios in the large-scale cycle bundlings. Stacking patterns of 1 : 9.9 and 1 : 24.0 shu-cycles represent obliquity and short eccentricity forcing. Both sub-Milankovitch and Milankovitch forcing potentially controlled shallow subtidal carbonate deposition in Mesozoic greenhouse times. Cyclostratigraphic models require an integrated approach including bio- and chronostratigraphic data.     

Zur Entstehung der Trou-Au-Natron-Caldera (Tibesti-Gebirge,Zentral-Sahara) aus photogeologischer Sicht

Aerial photographs of the “Trou au Natron” and “Doôn Kinimi” calderas (Tibesti Mts., Central Sahara) have been interpreted and plotted in order to obtain qualitative and quantitative information. The Trou au Natron sets an example for the possibility to identify the origin of a caldera by means of analysing aerial photographs only. Special attention is paid to the pyroclastics, because they had been used so far as an argument for the explosive origin of the Trou au Natron. It is possible to point out that no immediate relation exists between pyroclastics and the formation of the caldera and that the Trou au Natron — contrary to former opinions — presents a collapse caldera.     

An expanded weighted-averaging model for inferring past total phosphorus concentrations from diatom assemblages in eutrophic British Columbia (Canada) lakes

Eighteen lakes were added to a published training set of 46 British Columbia (BC) lakes in order to expand the original range of total phosphorus (TP) concentrations. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to analyze the relationship between diatom assemblages and environmental variables. Specific conductivity and [TP] each explained significant (P0.05) directions of variance in the distribution of the diatoms. The relationship between diatom assemblages and [TP] was sufficiently strong to warrant the development of a weighted-averaging (WA) regression and calibration model that can be used to infer past trophic status from fossil diatom assemblages.The relationship between observed and inferred [TP] was not improved by the addition of more eutrophic lakes, however the [TP] range and the number of taxa used in the transfer function are now superior to the original model. Diatom species assemblages changed very little in lakes with TP concentrations greater than 85 µg 1^–1, so we document the development of a model containing lakes with TP85 µg 1^–1. The updated model uses 59 training lakes and covers a range of species optima from 6 to 41.9 µg 1^–1 TP, and a total of 150 diatom taxa.The updated inference model provided a more realistic reconstruction of the anthropogenic history of a highly eutrophic BC lake. The model can now be used to infer past nutrient conditions in other BC lakes in order to assess changes in trophic status.     

Analytical model for a geomorphological instantaneous unit hydrograph

The rainfall‐runoff modelling of a river basin can be divided into two processes: the production function and the transfer function. The production function determines the proportion of gross rainfall actually involved in the runoff. The transfer function spreads the net rainfall over time and space in the river basin. Such a transfer function can be modelled using the approach of the geomorphological instantaneous unit hydrograph (GIUH). The effectiveness of geomorphological models is actually revealed in rainfall‐runoff modelling, where hydrologic data are desperately lacking, just as in ungauged basins. These models make it possible to forecast the hydrograph shape and runoff variation versus time at the basin outlet. This article is an introduction to a new GIUH model that proves to be simple and analytical. Its geomorphological parameters are easily available on a map or from a digital elevation model. This model is based on general hypotheses on symmetry that provide it with multiscale versatile characteristics. After having validated the model in river basins of very different nature and size, we present an application of this model for rainfall‐runoff modelling. Since parameters are determined relying on real geomorphological data, no calibration is necessary, and it is then possible to carry out rainfall‐runoff simulations in ungauged river basins. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conditional estimation variances: An empirical approach

One of the tasks routinely carried out by geostatisticians is the evaluation of global mining reserves corresponding to a given cutoff grade and size of selective mining units. A long with these recovery figures, the geostatistician generally provides an assessment of the global estimation variance, which represents the precision of the overall average grade estimate, when no cutoff is applied. Such a global estimation variance is of limited interest for evaluating mining projects; what is required is the reliability of the estimate of recovered reserves or, in other words, the conditional estimation variance. Unfortunately, classical linear geostatistical methods fail to provide an easy way to estimate this variance. Through the use of simulated deposits (representing various types of regionalization)the present paper reviews and discusses the effects of changes in cutoff grade and selective mining unit size on the conditional estimation variance. It is shown that, when the cutoff grade is applied to a pointsupport (sample-size)distribution, the conditional estimation variance appears to be readily accessible by classical formulas, once the conditional semivariogram is known. However, the evaluation of the conditional estimation variance seems to be less straightforward for the general case when a cutoff is applied to the average grade distribution of selective mining units. Empirical approximation formulas for the conditional estimation variance are tentatively proposed, and their performance in the case of the simulated deposits is shown. The limitations of these approximations are discussed, and possible ways of formalizing the problem suggested.     

Discussion on the atmospheric radiation tables byElsasser andCulbertson

Summary The radiation tables byElsasser andCulbertson [1]²) are based upon an integrated form of the radiative transfer equation. Unfortunately, a term dealing with the temperature dependency of the transmission function is left out. This leads to an inconsistency of their analysis. It is the aim of this paper to correct and to modifyElsasser's graphical-numerical procedure such as to make his treatment internally consistent.     

Microstructure and texture formation in extruded lead sulfide (galena)

Lead sulfide (galena) of different purity and grain size was extruded through a round and rectangular die at temperatures between 773 and 923 K. Global and local lattice preferred orientations (here referred to as textures) were measured by neutron and electron back-scattering diffraction. Tension leads to a <100> <111> double fibre texture. Pure shear deformation yields texture components near the ideal face-centered cubic metal brass, copper, Goss and cube positions. The intensity of the components depends on the purity and/or grain size. The microstructure is partially recrystallized. Electron back-scattering diffraction indicates that in tension the <100> and in pure shear the Goss and cube components are associated with dynamic recrystallization. The deformation texture can be qualitatively explained by the full and relaxed constraints Taylor model using slip on {100}<110>, {110}<110> and {111}<110> systems. The texture formation in lead sulfide compares well with that observed for other ionic crystals with the NaCl-structure as well as for face-centered cubic metals with a high stacking fault energy.