Exhumation during oblique transpression: The Feiran–Solaf region, Egypt

The Feiran–Solaf metamorphic complex of Sinai, Egypt, is one of the highest grade metamorphic complexes of a series of basement domes that crop out throughout the Arabian-Nubian Shield. In the Eastern Desert of Egypt these basement domes have been interpreted as metamorphic core complexes exhumed in extensional settings. For the Feiran–Solaf complex an interpretation of the exhumation mechanism is difficult to obtain with structural arguments as all of its margins are obliterated by post-tectonic granites. Here, metamorphic methods are used to investigate its tectonic history and show that the complex was characterized by a single metamorphic cycle experiencing peak metamorphism at ∼700–750 °C and 7–8 kbar and subsequent isothermal decompression to ∼4–5 kbar, followed by near isobaric cooling to 450 °C. Correlation of this metamorphic evolution with the deformation history shows that peak metamorphism occurred prior to the compressive deformation phase D ₂, while the compressive D ₂ and D ₃ deformation occurred during the near isothermal decompression phase of the P–T loop. We interpret the concurrence of decompression of the P–T path and compression by structural shortening as evidence for the Najd fault system exhuming the complex in an oblique transpressive regime. However, final exhumation from ∼15 km depth must have occurred due to an unrelated mechanism.     

THE DIVERGENCE-CONVERGENCE EFFECT OF SURFACE CURRENT AND ITS ACTION ON THE BOHAI SEA

The action of the wind field and the influence of topography can cause divergence or convergence of surface current. The existence of the divergence-convergence effect is proved and the dynamical significance of the divergent or convergent state and its link with many marine phenomena are pointed out. Divergence fields of surface current in the Bohai Sea in winter and summer are obtained by numerical modelling describing the divergence-convergence character of seasonally wind-driven current. The relation between the effect and seasonal marine phenomena is discussed. Study on the divergence-convergence effect of surface current (DCESC)can be an indirect method for testing the calculated results.     

An alternative deduction of the hill-type surfaces of the spatial 3-body problem

In the present paper, inequalities stronger than Sundman's and the best possible zero velocity surfaces of the spatial 3-body problem first obtained by Saari (1987) are deduced using a modified version of the transformation developed by Zare (1976). The notion of inertia ellipsoid is used to show the equivalence of the present authors' result to that of Saari's.     

潼峪金矿区成矿断裂构造特征

潼峪金矿区发育过冲剪滑型、平移剪张型和平移剪滑型三种不同性质、不同方向成矿断裂,分布在金罗斑背形的不同部位,其形成有先后差异,但变形环境大体相同,具脆-韧性变形特征。空间上一般不超越褶皱主体。三类断裂中,前两者具石英脉型金矿化,后者形成构造蚀变岩型及小规模石英脉型金矿化。矿化差异与断裂产出的褶皱部位及其相应的应力应变条件的不同有关。     

Geochemistry constraints of Mesozoic–Cenozoic calc-alkaline magmatism in the South Shetland arc, Antarctica

Geochemical data from basalts, basaltic andesites, and andesites of the Mesozoic–Cenozoic (143–44 Ma) from Livingston, Greenwich, Robert, King George, and Ardley Islands of the South Shetland archipelago, Antarctica, are presented. The rocks have variable SiO₂ of approximately 46–61 wt%, Al₂O₃ of 15–26 wt%, and total alkali (K₂O+Na₂O) of 2–6 wt%. Most samples have low Mg#, Cr, and Ni, which indicates that they have undergone significant fractional crystallization from mantle-derived melts. The presence of olivine cumulatic in the samples from Livingston and Robert Islands explains some high MgO, Ni, and Cr values, whereas low Rb, Zr, and Nb values could be related to undifferentiated magmas. N-MORB-normalized trace element patterns show that South Shetland Islands volcanic rocks have a geochemical pattern similar to that found for other island arcs, with enrichment in LILE relative to HFSE and in LREE relative to HREE. The geochemistry pattern and presence of calcic plagioclase, orthopyroxene, Mg-olivine, and titanomagnetite phenocrysts suggest a source related to the subduction process. The geochemical data also suggest magma evolution from the tholeiitic to the calc-alkaline series; some samples show a transitional pattern. Samples from the South Shetland archipelago show moderate LREE/HREE ratios relative to N-MORB and OIB, depletion in Nb relative to Yb, and high Th/Yb ratios. These patterns probably reflect magma derived from a lithospheric mantle source previously modified by fluids and sediments from a subduction zone.

Resumo

Dados geoquímicos de basaltos, andesitos basálticos e andesitos mesozóicos–cenozóicos (143–44 Ma) das ilhas Livingston, Greenwich, Robert, King George e Ardley do Arquipélago Shetland do Sul, Antártica são discutidas neste artigo. As rochas tem conteúdos de SiO₂ variando de 46 a 61%, Al₂O₃ de 15 a 26% e álcalis (K₂O+Na₂O) de 2 a 6%. A maior parte das amostras tem conteúdos baixos de Mg#, Cr e Ni, indicando que sofreram significante cristalização fracionada de fusões derivadas do manto. A presença de fases cumuláticas nas amostras das ilhas Livingston e Robert explicaria os elevados valores de MgO, Ni, Cr, enquanto que baixos valores de Rb, Zr e Nb observados nas amostras destas ilhas poderiam estar relacionados a magmas não diferenciados. Os padrões de elementos-traço normalizados pelo N-MORB mostram que as rochas vulcânicas das Ilhas Shetland do Sul têm padrão geoquímico similar àqueles encontrados em outros arcos de ilhas com enriquecimento em LILE em relação aos HFSE e em ETRL em relação aos ETRP. O padrão geoquímico e a ocorrência de fenocristais de plagioclásio cálcico, ortopiroxênio, olivina magnesiana e titanomagnetita sugerem origem relacionada a processos de subducção. Dados geoquímicos obtidos para as amostras do arquipélago Shetland do Sul sugerem um magma evoluindo de toleítico para cálcico-alcalino, observando-se em algumas amostras um padrão transicional. As amostras do arquipélago Shetland do Sul mostram em relação ao N-MORB e OIB, moderadas razões ETRL/ETRP, empobrecimento em Nb relativo a Yb e elevada razão Th/Yb Estes padrões refletem, provavelmente, magma derivado de uma fonte mantélica litosférica, que foi modificada por fluídos e sedimentos da zona de subducção.     

Ab initio study of the high-pressure behavior of CaSiO3 perovskite

Using density functional simulations, within the generalized gradient approximation and projector-augmented wave method, we study structures and energetics of CaSiO₃ perovskite in the pressure range of the Earths lower mantle (0–150 GPa). At zero Kelvin temperature the cubic CaSiO₃ perovskite structure is unstable in the whole pressure range, at low pressures the orthorhombic (Pnam) structure is preferred. At 14.2 GPa there is a phase transition to the tetragonal (I4/mcm) phase. The CaIrO₃-type structure is not stable for CaSiO₃. Our results also rule out the possibility of decomposition into oxides.

地质体三维可视化建模的技术方法研究

地质体三维可视化模型具有形象、直观、动态、准确、信息丰富等特点,在指导地质找矿和矿山开发等方面具有很大的优势及实用价值。文章对地质体三维可视化建模的整个技术方法流程作了总结性阐述,并分析其技术关键,同时还进一步探讨了模型的分类及其应用。     

Probing the Obscuring Medium Around Active Nuclei Using Masers: The Case of 3C 403

We report the first detection of a water megamaser in a radio-loud galaxy, 3C 403, and present a follow-up study using the VLA. 3C 403 has been observed as a part of a small sample of FR II galaxies with evidence of nuclear obscuration. The isotropic luminosity of the maser is 1200 L. With a recessional velocity of cz 17680 km s^–1 it is the most distant water maser so far reported. The line arises from the densest (> 10⁸ cm^–3) interstellar gas component ever observed in a radio-loud galaxy. Two spectral features are identified, likely bracketing the systemic velocity of the galaxy. Our interferometric data clearly indicate that these arise from a location within 0.1 (110 pc) from the active galactic nucleus. We conclude that the maser spots are most likely associated with the tangentially seen parts of a nuclear accretion disk, while an association with dense warm gas interacting with the radio jets cannot yet be ruled out entirely.