Dating deformation using crushed alkali feldspar: 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of shear zones in the Wyangala Batholith,NSW, Australia

Diffusion parameters have been estimated for K-feldspar in and adjacent to mylonite shear zones in the Wyangala Batholith. The parameters obtained suggest that deformation during mylonitisation would have caused argon systematics to reset because diffusion distances were reduced by cataclasis, deformation and/or recrystallisation. However, the mineral lattice remained sufficiently retentive to allow subsequently produced radiogenic argon to be retained. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology is thus able to constrain operation of these biotite-grade ductile shear zones to the period from ca 380 Ma to ca 360 Ma, at the end of the Tabberabberan Orogeny.     

Age and tectonic significance of the Louth Volcanics: implications for the evolution of the Tasmanides of eastern Australia

Abstract

Re-evaluation of geochemical and geophysical datasets, and analysis of magmatic and detrital zircons from drill-core samples extracted from the Louth region of the southern Thomson Orogen (STO), augmented by limited field samples, has shown that two temporally and compositionally distinct igneous groups exist. The older Lower Devonian, calc-alkaline group corresponds to complexly folded, high-intensity curvilinear magnetic anomalies in the Louth region (Louth Volcanics) and are probable equivalents to Lower Devonian volcanics in the northern Lachlan Orogen. A younger Permo-Triassic alkaline assemblage forms part of an E–W corridor of diatremes that appears to relate to focussed lithospheric extension associated with the later stages of the Hunter–Bowen Orogeny in the New England Orogen. The alkaline group includes gabbros previously considered as Neoproterozoic, but all magmatic rocks, including alkaline basalts, contain an unusual number of xenocrystic zircons. The age spectra of the xenocrystic zircons mimic detrital zircons from Cobar Basin sedimentary rocks and/or underlying Ordovician turbidites, suggesting incorporation of upper crustal zircons into the alkaline basaltic magmas. A distinct difference of detrital zircon age spectra from central Thomson Orogen metasediments indicates the STO metasediments have greater affinities to the Lachlan Orogen, but both orogens probably began in the Early Ordovician during widespread backarc extension and deposition of turbidites in the Tasmanides. A surprising result is that Ordovician, Devonian and Permo-Triassic basaltic rocks from the STO and elsewhere in the Tasmanides, all yield the same Nd-model ages of ca 960–830 Ma, suggesting that Neoproterozoic subcontinental lithospheric mantle persisted throughout the evolution of the Tasmanide orogenic system.     

Continuation of the Ross–Delamerian Orogen: insights from eastern Australian detrital-zircon data

Abstract

Information on the Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Tasmanides in eastern Australia is limited due to the presence of an extensive younger sedimentary cover. Based on the spatio-temporal distribution of deformation and magmatism, the Tasmanides have traditionally been subdivided into five domains (Delamerian, Thomson, Lachlan, Mossman and New England). To test the relationships between these domains, we compiled over 10000 published detrital-zircon ages from basement rocks of the Tasmanides. We split the dataset spatially to test postulated connectivity between domains, and temporally to isolate corresponding age populations that can highlight subtle variations between domains. Results show that the Delamerian and Thomson domains originated as a single orogenic belt that likely received detritus from an early Paleozoic continental-scale drainage system. We also recognise a remarkably similar pattern of Paleoproterozoic and Archean ages in the Delamerian, Thomson and New England domains. This similarity indicates that the late Paleozoic development of the New England domain involved recycling of rocks from the Delamerian–Thomson domain(s). These findings shed new light on the crustal architecture of eastern Australia, and the nature of Paleozoic drainage and sediment recycling in eastern Gondwana.     

40Ar‐39Ar and K‐Ar age constraints on the Early Proterozoic Tennant Creek Block,northern Australia,and the age of its gold deposits∗

⁴⁰Ar‐³⁹Ar age spectra on minerals from granitic, metamorphic and hydrothermal rocks confirm that the Early Proterozoic Tennant Creek Block was affected by two thermal events during its evolution. Although extensive alteration of biotite and feldspar within the granites precludes the direct determination of their cooling history, ⁴⁰Ar‐³⁹Ar analyses for hydrothermal muscovite from several nearby gold‐copper deposits indicate that regional cooling to below ～ 300°C was not prolonged. Flat, uniform muscovite age spectra were obtained from gold deposits east of the Tennant Creek town site and indicate a minimum age of 1825–1830 Ma for their formation. These ages are within error of those for the felsic volcanism of the Flynn Subgroup, and a genetic relationship between the two may exist. Samples from gold deposits elsewhere in the area indicate disturbance of the K‐Ar isotope system. The second thermal event to affect the region occurred at around 1700 Ma, and is confirmed by the ⁴⁰Ar‐³⁹Ar muscovite ages for the ‘Warrego’ granite (1677 ± 4 Ma) and for the metamorphism of the Wundirgi Formation (1696 ± 4 Ma).     

Provenance of zircon xenocrysts in the Neoproterozoic Brauna Kimberlite Field,São Francisco Craton,Brazil: Evidence for a thick Palaeoproterozoic lithosphere beneath the Serrinha block

The 642 Ma-old Brauna Kimberlite Field is located on the northeastern sector of the São Francisco Craton (Serrinha block) and is one of the rare Neoproterozoic kimberlitic events in South America. Zircon xenocrysts from the volumetric most important kimberlite pipes Brauna 03, Brauna 07 and Brauna 04 were used as a tool to identify different components of the lithosphere beneath the northeast region of the São Francisco craton. A composite kimberlite sample of eight representative and different drill holes and three samples of the host rocks (Nordestina granodiorite) were sampled for SHRIMP geochronology. The results were compared with precise U–Pb age data for the regional rocks, i.e. the Archaean basement and the Palaeoproterozoic Rio Itapicuru greenstone belt. Samples from the Nordestina granodiorite gave three different ages: 2155 Ma in the western part of the batholith, 2139 Ma in its central part, and 2132 Ma in its eastern part. Zircon ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of the Brauna kimberlite zircon grains spread over the timespan 2107–2223 Ma and indicate four age groups at 2105 ± 3 Ma, 2138 ± 7 Ma, 2166 ± 5 Ma, and 2198 ± 4 Ma. Source rocks for the three former age groups can be found in the Rio Itapicuru greenstone belt, including zircon xenocrysts from the Nordestina granodiorite, whereas the latter age group has not yet been reported in the Serrinha block. The new zircon ages show that only rocks of the Palaeoproterozoic Rio Itapicuru greenstone belt and of a hidden 2.17–2.20 Ga crust were sampled by the kimberlite magma during its ascent through the lithosphere. It is proposed that there is none or a few Archaean crust beneath the kimberlite emplacement area, hence implying a thick Palaeoproterozoic lithosphere for this portion of the São Francisco craton.     

1957～2002年南海—北印度洋海浪场波候特征分析

利用ERA-40海表10 m风场驱动第三代海浪数值模式WAVEWATCH-Ⅲ,得到南海—北印度洋1957年9月至2002年8月的海浪场,并分析其波候(风候)特征.研究发现如下主要特征:(1)该海域的波高波向、风速风向受季风影响显著;(2)北印度洋大部分海域的海表风速呈显著性逐年线性递增趋势,大约0.01～0.02 m/(s·a),南海线性递增的区域则较少,有效波高呈显著性逐年线性递增的区域主要集中在低纬度中东印度洋(约0.003～0.006 m/a)、索马里附近海域(大约0.002～0.005 m/a)、南海大部分海域(约0.002～0.004 m/a),线性递减的区域主要集中在孟加拉湾海域(约-0.002 m/a);(3)Nino3指数与南海—北印度洋的海表风场、浪场存在密切的关系;(4)南海—北印度洋的海表风速与有效波高存在5.2a左右的共同周期,南海的海表风速、有效波高还存在2.0a左右的共同周期,北印度洋的海表风速、有效波高还存在26.0a的长周期震荡.     

An efficient approach for frequency-domain and time-domain hydrodynamic analysis of dam–reservoir systems

An efficient procedure is developed for the hydrodynamic analysis of dam–reservoir systems. The governing equations of hydrodynamic pressure in the frequency as well as time domain are derived in the framework of the scaled boundary finite element method. The water compressibility and absorption of reservoir sediments can be conveniently taken into consideration. By extending the reservoir to infinity with uniform cross-section, only the dam–reservoir interface needs to be discretized to model the fluid domain, and the hydrodynamic pressure in the stream direction is solved analytically. Several numerical examples including a gravity dam with an inclined upstream face and an arch dam with a reservoir of arbitrary cross-section are provided to demonstrate the computational efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

太阳和月球射电辐射对40m天线数据接收影响分析

利用标准射电源和标准噪声源,对宁静太阳和月球射电辐射的噪声温度进行了测量,估计它们对40m天线接收绕月卫星信号的影响,结论是:(1)40m天线指向偏离太阳超过2°时,能够满足正常数据接收要求;(2)40m天线指向月球时,系统接收的噪声温度增加值为87.1K, 此时系统的总噪声温度能够满足正常数据接收要求.     

Statistical Evaluation of the Jason-1 Operational Sensor Data Record Special Issue: Jason-1 Calibration/Validation

The Jason-1 satellite altimeter mission represents a first step towards operational oceanography from satellite altimeter missions. An operational data product, the Operational Sensor Data Record (OSDR), provides measurements from the on-board altimeter and radiometer within 3–5 h of real time. This data product is a wind and wave product that is aimed towards near-real–time meteorological applications. A higher accuracy and more detailed data product, the Interim Geophysical Data Record (IGDR), that is better suited to detailed scientific studies of ocean topography, is available no sooner than 2–3 days from real time. The measurements reported on the OSDR primarily differ from those on the IGDR in that the OSDR reports measurements derived from on-board processing of the altimeter waveforms, while ground retracking of the waveforms is performed for the IGDR. The altimeter-derived measurements on the OSDR are validated through a statistical evaluation of the differences between data on the OSDR and IGDR. In doing so, the impact of ground retracking of the altimeter waveforms is also illustrated.     

近44年北印度洋海表风速变化趋势分析

利用来自ECMWF的ERA-40风场资料,就北印度洋海表风速的长期变化趋势展开分析,以期可为海洋水文保障、防灾减灾、研究全球气候变化提供参考.结果表明:(1)1958-2001年期间,北印度洋低纬度海域、索马里至斯里兰卡一带的大范围海域的海表风速表现出显著的逐年线性递增趋势,基本在0.01-0.02 m·s-1·a-1;呈显著性递减的区域主要分布于亚丁湾、红海、波斯湾、斯里兰卡北部零星海域、以及缅甸仰光西南部近海等小范围海域,约-0.01-0.005m·s-1·a-1;阿拉伯海、孟加拉湾等海域的海表风速在近44年期间则无显著性变化趋势;(2)近44年期间,北印度洋海域的海表风速整体上以0.0061m·s-1 ·a-1的速度显著性震荡递增,震荡区间在5.0-5.5 m·S-1之间;(3)不同海域海表风速的变化趋势在不同季节表现出很大差异:冬季和夏季,大部分海域海表风速的变化趋势显著,春季次之,秋季仅在赤道附近一带海域呈显著性递增;(4)近44年期间,北印度洋的海表风速存在显著的2.0年、2.6-3.7年、5.2年的变化周期,以及26年以上的长周期震荡.