Parametric vertical coordinate formulation for multiscale, Boussinesq, and non-Boussinesq ocean modeling

Two physical parameters are introduced into the basic ocean equations to generalize numerical ocean models for various vertical coordinate systems and their hybrid features. The two parameters are formulated by combining three techniques: the arbitrary vertical coordinate system of Kasahara [Kasahara, A., 1974. Various vertical coordinate systems used for numerical weather prediction. Mon. Weather Rev. 102, 509–522], the Jacobian pressure gradient formulation of Song [Song, Y.T., 1998. A general pressure gradient formation for ocean models. Part I: Scheme design and diagnostic analysis. Mon. Weather Rev. 126 (12), 3213–3230], and a newly introduced parametric function that permits both Boussinesq (volume-conserving) and non-Boussinesq (mass-conserving) conditions. Based on this new formulation, a generalized modeling approach is proposed. Several representative oceanographic problems with different scales and characteristics––coastal canyon, seamount topography, non-Boussinesq Pacific Ocean with nested eastern Tropics, and a global ocean model––have been used to demonstrate the model’s capabilities for multiscale applications. The inclusion of non-Boussinesq physics in the topography-following ocean model does not incur computational expense, but more faithfully represents satellite-observed ocean-bottom-pressure data. Such a generalized modeling approach is expected to benefit oceanographers in solving multiscale ocean-related problems by using various coordinate systems on the same numerical platform.     

Weathering rates of sandstone in a semi-arid environment (Hunter Valley,Australia)

The rate of sandstone weathering in the semi-arid climate of the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia has been estimated from observations of gravestone weathering in the area. The gravestone data points to two distinct stages in the weathering process. The first stage covering the first century of exposure is characterised by a relatively low recession rate of 0.5 mm/100 years. This is followed by a second stage in which the rate of weathering increases sharply to ca 2.5 mm/100 years. The non-linear nature of the weathering trends over time suggests that during the first century of exposure, structural changes took place within the sandstone material, which lay the foundation for accelerated weathering after further exposure. Laboratory trials were also conducted to identify the effectiveness of different weathering processes in the decay of sandstone in this region. Of the four processes examined, only the freeze–thaw cycle produced a significant degree of mass loss and is therefore most likely a strong contributor to the weathering of sandstone in this region.     

Tectonic deposition of mercury in the Almadén district,Las Cuevas deposit,Spain

The Las Cuevas mercury deposit is located in the northern part of the Almadén district, Ciudad Real, Spain. It displays characteristic epigenetic features. A reinterpretation of the geological context of the deposit and a detailed structural analysis indicate that the host rocks at Las Cuevas belong to the same stratigraphic units that host the old Almadén mine, but that they experienced a different tectonic evolution. Two types of ore are distinguished at Las Cuevas: (1) hydraulic breccias in a black quartzite, identical to the San Francisco horizon of the Almadén mine. This ore has been interpreted as syngenetic and is associated with an alkaline explosive volcanic event; and (2) a stockwork composed of horizontal subcritical tension cracks which developed along the contact between black shales and volcanic rocks in the hinge of a drag fold, and which is associated with advanced argillic alteration. Mobilization of mercury from type 1 to type 2 ore was related to a local inversion of the stress field associated with an increase of permeability by self-sealing, which probably occurred during uplift. Las Cuevas is representative of a whole class of mercury deposits hosted within basement rocks.     

Peralkaline nephelinites

Two fractionation trends in sodic alkaline ultramafic liquids have been predicted from experiments in subsystems of the join Di-Ak-Ne-Lc-Qz. The products of these trends are equated with contrasting suites of peralkaline nephelinites from two nephelinite-carbonatite volcanos of the south Gregory Rift, Shombole (southern Kenya) and Oldoinyo L'engai (northern Tanzania). In both trends, peralkalinity is interpreted to result from fractional crystallization of aluminous clinopyroxene. The Shombole trend has olivine nephelinite as its parental magma, and the differentiation products are mildly peralkaline [(Na+K)/Al1.15] nephelinites. It is the most common lineage observed in nephelinite-carbonatite centres. The Oldoinyo L'engai trend has melilitite or olivine-melilite nephelinite as its parental magma, and produces extremely peralkaline [(Na+K)/Al=1.4–2.3] wollastonite- and combeite- (Na₂ Ca₂Si₃O₉) bearing nephelinites. The presence of a reaction relation between wollastonite and liquid to produce combeite, indicated by corroded wollastonite phenocrysts armoured by combeite in some nephelinites from Oldoinyo L'engai, is confirmed by melting experiments. Combeite nephelinites from Oldoinyo L'engai were erupted simultaneously with natrocarbonatite ash, and are very similar in composition to silicate liquids that have been shown by experiment to be immiscible with natrocarbonatite. Because the L'engai trend is rarely expressed at extrusive centres (combeite has been recorded at only three localities), and combeite nephelinites are highly evolved magmas, it is unlikely that natrocarbonatite is primary to other carbonatite types. It is proposed that carbonatite liquid is exsolved at crustal pressures from a wide range of nephelinitic liquids: Mg-rich carbonatite from primitive, olivine-bearing alkaline ultramafic liquids, Ca-rich carbonatite from olivine-free nephelinites of low peralkalinity, and natrocarbonatite from strongly peralkaline combeite nephelinites.     

El cretácico medio y superior de la parte meridional del Bloque Maya (Guatemala)

Study of the Cretaceous strata of the Altos Cuchumatanes (western Guatemala) and in Alta Verapáz (central Guatemala) has revealed a number of foraminifers never before reported from these areas. These data permit a similar nomenclature to be applied to both areas in regard to the division of the sequence into formations. Thus, we distinguish in both areas: a) the Cobán Formation, a shallow platform carbonate of early Aptian to early Senonian age; b) the Campur Formation, of Campanian age, composed of a lower carbonate member with rudists and large benthonic foraminifers, and an upper carbonate member with pelagic foraminifers; c) the Sepur Formation, of Maastrichtian age, with flysch-like sediments, including intercalated blocks of ophiolite complex obducted during the Maastrichtian. We conclude that in early Aptian time, a shallow carbonate platform developed along the southern margin of the Maya Block. The platform subsided and was drowned during the terminal Campanian. This subsidence led to the formation of a flysch-like basin that received turbiditic sedimentation from the carbonate platform to the north and fragments of serpentinite from the ophiolite complex to the south.