High-resolution plate reconstruction of the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge

We use recently acquired magnetic and SeaBeam bathymetric data to examine the spreading rates and plate boundary geometry of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge 30°–36° S. Using a statistically rigorous estimation of rotation poles we develop a precise spreading history of the African—South American plate boundary. The total opening rate for 1–4.23 Myr (Plio-Pleistocene) is nearly constant at 32.3 ± 1 km Myr^–1. The spreading rate apparently is faster in the Late Miocene (7.3-5.3 Myr), though this may reflect inaccuracies in the geomagnetic time scale. The rotation poles enable a plate boundary reconstruction with an accuracy of 2–3 km. The reconstructions also show that the plate boundary geometry underwent several changes since the late Miocene including the growth of one ridge segment from 40 to 105 km in length, and the reorientation of another ridge segment which has spread obliquely from 7 to 1 Myr. Pole calculations using both right- and left-stepping fracture zones show an offset of 1–2 km between the deepest, most linear part of a fracture zone trough and the former plate boundary location. The high-resolution plate kinematics suggests that the plate boundary, as a whole, evolves 2-dimensionally as prescribed by rigid plates. On a local scale, asymmetric accretion, asymmetric extension, small lateral ridge jumps (< 3 km), and intra-segment propagation result in minor plate boundary adjustments and deformation to the rigid plates.     

Abrupt axial variations along the slow to ultra-slow spreading centers of the northern North Fiji Basin (SW Pacific): Evidence for short wave heterogeneities in a back-arc mantle

This study presents results of surveys conducted along the slow to ultra-slow spreading axis of the Northern North Fiji Basin (NNFB), including the Hazel Holmes, Tripartite and South Pandora Ridges, and the newly discovered Futuna and North Cikobia spreading centers. Spreading segments along these axes display highly contrasted axial morphologies, ranging from a rift valley to a prominent axial high. In some places, abrupt inversions of topography are observed between neighboring segments. Detailed analyses of bathymetry and backscatter maps reveal that axial highs are spotted with numerous coalescent volcanoes forming features ranging from irregular terrains to well-organized ridges. The volcanic edifices are distributed over a wide neovolcanic zone, which corresponds to the axial relief, suggesting on important contribution of volcanism to the relief construction. Comparisons between various ridge-shaped segments reveal that axial volcano-tectonic patterns are directly related to the local magma production and delivery, in a context of tectonic extension related to plate divergence, and suggest that coalescent volcanoes are fed from multiples short-lived and unconnected magma lenses. In the competition between horizontal and vertical accretion of oceanic crust, the spreading centers of the NNFB represent a special case where lava production is locally high enough and spreading rate is low enough to allow prominent axial highs to develop. The along axis morphologic variability is related to intermittent volcanic activity that may result from rapid temporal and spatial variations in the distribution of upper mantle convection cells below accretion centers, superimposed on the regional thermal anomaly located under the whole basin.     

气候平均场中的西太平洋副热带高压双脊线特征及其与季风槽准10天振荡的关系

副热带高压双脊线过程几乎历年均存在,其“季节锁相”与地域性使得在气候平均场上西太平洋副热带地区也存在明显的双脊线过程。作者利用43年NCEP/NCAR再分析资料对5～10月气候平均场中的西太平洋副热带高压双脊线过程进行了分析。气候平均场上5～10月西太平洋副热带高压共出现6次双脊线过程,集中发生在7月下旬至9月下旬,表明每年这个时段最易发生双脊线事件。每次双脊线过程均表现为副高南侧新生一脊线,发展几天后就减弱消失,北侧脊线（原脊线）继续维持。初步的诊断分析表明,6次双脊线过程中南侧脊线的生成与季风槽8～10天周期的“间歇性增强东伸”密切相关,这一准10天振荡在7月下旬至9月下旬的突然增强造就了双脊线的“季节锁相”。进一步分析发现,季风槽8～10天的“间歇性增强东伸”与两支分别来自西太平洋的西传准10天振荡和来自赤道的北传准10天振荡有关,这两支振荡同位相,其有利于位相同时传入南海季风区（10°N～15°N,110°E～120°E）,共同作用,引起季风槽的“间歇性增强东伸”。     

The glaciotectonic deformation of Quaternary sediments by fault-propagation folding

Fault-propagation folding is an important yet seldom recognised structural style within sediments affected by glacier-induced deformation. Fault-propagation folds develop in the hanging wall of low angle thrust faults and compensate part of the slip along the fault. Field examples are recognised across northern Europe, in glaciotectonic complexes of north Germany, Wales and the Isle of Man. The recognition of the fault-propagation fold mechanism in glaciotectonic deformation is important because resultant structures are related to exactly the same phase of deformation (i.e. the same phase of ice advance), and thus play a critical role in analyses of the temporal and spatial evolution of glacier-induced deformation. Some field examples show monoclinal geometries that are in good agreement with predictions of trishear kinematic theory. The trishear approach is appropriate to model these structures because the structures analysed in the field and simulated below show characteristics that are compatible with fault-propagation folds that were produced by trishear kinematics. The curved forelimb and the monocline geometry of the fault-propagation folds fit to the trishear model. The occurrence of footwall synclines is also in good agreement with trishear kinematics. These synclines show the typical thickening of the strata in the hinge. With respect to the modelling output, most important factors for the structural evolution of the fault-propagation folds is the ramp angle of the thrust, the position of the tip line and the propagation-to-slip ratio along the fault. This fits to observations made by previous studies at large scale fault-propagation folds in fold-and-thrust belts.     

Apatite compositions from oceanic cumulates with implications for the evolution of mid-ocean ridge magmatic systems

Apatite distributions and compositions from cumulates from the EPR at Hess Deep, the MAR at the Kane Transform, and the SWIR at ODP Hole 735B were determined to assess the variability at each setting and to evaluate the potential utility of apatite in understanding the evolution of the lower ocean crust. Apatite in cumulates with low P₂O₅ contents are heterogeneously distributed along linear arrays or in tight clusters suggesting they crystallized from planar or pipe-like channels of evolved liquid. Most of the variation in the apatite composition is in the halogen site. The X_Ap^F and X_Ap^Cl are inversely correlated defining trends at near constant X_Ap^OH with EPR X_Ap^OH=0.25, MAR X_Ap^OH=0.45, and SWIR X_Ap^OH=0.65. These trends are defined both by sample averages and by the range of individual analyses in samples with large ranges in their F/Cl ratio. These trends are interpreted to reflect the reequilibration of apatite from variably evolved liquids/fluids that moved through the crystal mush. Comparison of the F–Cl–OH contents of apatite with the F–Cl–OH contents of glasses recovered from the same ridges show approximate correspondence: apatite and glasses from the EPR have the highest halogen contents while apatite and glasses from the MAR and SWIR have more OH. Some of the higher Cl contents in the apatite are interpreted to be produced by degassing of the cumulus pile while others reflect the assimilation of a seawater component. We suggest that systematic analysis of apatite from oceanic cumulates might allow cumulates that crystallized at shallow depths and assimilated seawater-derived components to be distinguished from those that crystallized below the level of seawater interaction.     

Ice-collapse induced waves and graded gravel ridges on a Lake Beach

Ice collapsing into the waters of proglacial Briksdal Lake, western Norway, generates waves which rework shoreline sediments. Swash establishes graded gravel ridges sub-perpendicular to the shoreline, derived from material eroded by backwash. A terminal gravel bar at the lakeward limit of wave-induced transport marks the maximum depth of water surface waves.     

Circular moraine features on the Varanger Peninsula, northern Norway, and their possible relation to polythermal ice sheet coverage

This paper introduces a new hypothesis about the formation of circular moraine features (CMFs) on felsenmeer-covered plateaux of the Varanger Peninsula, northern Norway. CMFs and glacial lineations in the northwestern part of the Varanger Peninsula were mapped from aerial photographs. In two CMF-rich areas, Base œrro-Plateau and Båtsfjordfjellet, the CMFs were investigated during fieldwork. The aim was to investigate possible entrainment, transport and deposition mechanisms of the CMFs in connection to ice sheet properties.The CMFs were deposited in connection with a polythermal ice cover. During glaciations, the ice sheet was cold-based on the boulder field plateaux and warm-based in valleys, especially in ice drainage pathways towards fjords. The CMF material was probably entrained en masse, on the Varanger Peninsula, in transition zones between warm- and cold-based ice. The debris transport took place close to the ice base. During deglaciation, the debris formed dirt cones, slowing down the melting of underlying dead-ice blocks. As material slid down the margins of the cones, the typical CMF shape was formed.