New chronological and geochemical constraints on the genesis and geological evolution of Ponza and Palmarola Volcanic Islands (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)

A new geochronological and geochemical study of the volcanic rocks of the Ponza and Palmarola Islands, Pontine Archipelago, has been carried out. This archipelago is located along the boundary between the Italian continental shelf and the opening Tyrrhenian basin. It is a key area to study volcanism related to the opening of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Ponza is the oldest felsic magmatic manifestation in the central Tyrrhenian area. Previous studies suggested that Ponza volcanic activity began before 5 Ma. Twenty-five new K–Ar ages constrain the volcanic activity (rhyolitic hyaloclastites and dykes) to the last 4.2 Ma, with two episodes of quiescence between 3.7 and 3.2 Ma and between 2.9 and 1.0 Ma. A new volcanic episode dated at 3.2–2.9 Ma has been identified on the central and southern Ponza, with emplacement of pyroclastic units. At 1.0 Ma, a trachytic episode ended the volcanic activity. The near island of Palmarola exhibits rhyolitic hyaloclastites and domes dated between 1.6 and 1.5 Ma, indicating that the island was entirely built during the Early Pleistocene in a short span of time of ca. 120 ka. Although only 6–8 km apart, the two islands display significantly different geochemical signatures. Ponza rhyolites show major and trace element compositions representative of orogenic magmas of subduction/collision zones: high-K calc-alkaline and metaluminous rhyolites (Agpaitic Index [AI] and Alumina Saturation Index [ASI] <1), high LILE/HFSE (Th/Ta=16–21) and LREE/HFSE ratios (La/Nb>3), and Nb–Ta negative anomalies. In Palmarola, the orogenic character is also present, but much less marked than in Ponza: rhyolites have a peralkaline character (AI>1), lower LILE/HFSE (Th/Ta=11–15), low LREE/HFSE ratios (La/Nb=1–2) close to those of anorogenic lavas, and the Nb–Ta negative anomalies are almost absent. Y/Nb ratios indicate different magmatic sources, one similar to island-arc or active continental margin basalts for Ponza rhyolites, and the others probably involving an OIB type component for Palmarola rhyolites and Ponza trachytes. Palmarola volcanics represent a transitional magmatism: although a preserved collisional geochemical imprint, they show geochemical features approaching those of anorogenic lavas erupted in a within-plate context. The change of magmatism evidenced in this study can be related to the tectonic evolution of the area. Indeed, Hf, Ta and Rb contents suggest that the oldest Pliocene rhyolites of Ponza would emplace in a syn- to late-collisional setting, while the younger Pleistocene rhyolites of Palmarola would be emplaced in a post-collisional setting in which the orogenic character (Th/Ta) decreases and mantle influence (Nb/Ta) increases. Geochemical modeling strongly suggests that the Palmarola rhyolites represent the waning stages of a subduction-related magmatism. The K–Ar datings allow us to estimate precisely the transition of magmatism to last less than 1.3 Ma. The transitional magmas may be the result of the upwelling of asthenospheric mantle inducing melting of a metasomatized lithospheric mantle and the mixing between these two sources. This upwelling could occur during the extension of the Tyrrhenian basin, caused by the slab retreat and steepening, or during a process of slab break-off starting in the Pliocene.     

现行南海诸岛地名中的渔民习用地名

分析了现行南海诸岛海地名的4个主要特点，其中最主要的特点，是渔民习用地名的采用；阐述了南海诸岛渔民习用地名的来历，指出记载南海诸岛渔民习用地名最多的，是海南岛渔民手抄的航海针经书《更路簿》以及有关单位的《调查报告》；探明了海南岛渔民对南海诸岛珊瑚礁的分类及其名称的现代含义；考释了南海诸岛各具体岛礁的渔民习用地名所反映的地理特征；论证了现行南海诸岛地名中，大量采用渔民习用地名，在地名学上和维护领土主权上的意义。     

DRASTIC-Fm: a modified vulnerability mapping method for structurally controlled aquifers in the southern Gulf Islands,British Columbia,Canada

DRASTIC, the methodology for mapping the intrinsic vulnerability of aquifers, is modified to incorporate the structural characteristics of fractured bedrock aquifers. In these aquifers, groundwater flow is predominantly through fractures, with large-scale fracture zones and faults acting as primary conduits for flow at the regional scale. The methodology is applied to the southern Gulf Islands region of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Bedrock geology maps, soil maps, structural measurements, mapped lineaments, water-well information and topographic data, assembled within a comprehensive GIS database, form the basis for assigning traditional DRASTIC indices, while adding the structural indices necessary for capturing the importance of regional structural elements in recharge and well capture zone determinations.     

Mesozoic syncollision siliciclastic sediments of the Bols’shoi Lyakhov Island (New Siberian Islands)

Graywackes and shales of the Bols’shoi Lyakhov Island originally attributed to the Mesozoic were subsequently considered based on microfossils as the Late Proterozoic in age. At present, these sediments in the greater part of the island are dated back to the Permian based on palynological assemblages. In the examined area of the island, this siliciclastic complex is intensely deformed and tectonically juxtaposed with blocks of oceanic and island-arc rocks exhumed along the South Anyui suture. The complex is largely composed of turbidites with members displaying hummocky cross-stratification. The studied mineral and geochemical characteristics of the rocks defined three provenances of clastic material: volcanic island arc, sedimentary cover and/or basement of the ancient platform, and exotic blocks of oceanic and island-arc rocks such as serpentinites and amphibolites. All the rock associations represent elements of an orogenic structure that originated by collision of the New Siberian continental block with the Anyui-Svyatoi Nos island arc. Flyschoid sediments accumulated in a foredeep in front of the latter structure in the course of collision. The Late Jurassic volcanics belonging to the Anyui-Svyatoi Nos island arc determine the lower age limit of syncollision siliciclastic rocks. Presence of Late Jurassic zircons in sandstones of the flyschoid sequence in Bols’shoi Lyakhov Island is confirmed by the fission-track dating. The upper age limit is determined by the Aptian-Albian postcollision granites and diorites intruding the siliciclastic complex. Consequently, the flyschoid sequence is within stratigraphic range from the terminal Late Jurassic to Neocomian. It appears that Permian age of sediments suggested earlier is based on redeposited organic remains. The same Late Jurassic-Neocomian age and lithology are characteristic of fossiliferous siliciclastic sequences of the Stolbovoi and Malyi Lyakhov islands, the New Siberian Archipelago, and of graywackes in the South Anyui area in Chukchi Peninsula. All these sediments accumulated in a spacious foredeep that formed in the course the late Cimmerian orogeny along the southern margin of the Arctic continental block.     

南海东沙海域天然气水合物地震数据多次压制及速度特征

多次波衰减是海洋地震数据处理中的一个关键问题.东沙海域多次波极其发育,由于地形的急剧变化和地质条件的影响,多次波变形严重(不符合双曲线规律).采用常规的处理方法效果并不明显,并可能造成成果剖面上出现明显的多次压制痕迹,很难达到保幅处理.针对此区多次波的特点,提出一种频率分离的方法将数据分离后再进行不同处理,可以很好地解决多次波的压制并突出有效波;在没有有效反射的位置,剖面的背景噪音也更符合视觉习惯;更重要的是,处理中没有频率损失,处理结果更和谐.另外,叠前偏移处理技术的运用可以使含水合物地层的接触关系、反射特征更清楚.叠前时间偏移所建立的速度模型也能够表现含水合物地层、BSR与含游离气层的相对速度关系.     

Recent rapid salinity rise in three East Antarctic lakes

Research in East Antarctica has shown several recent environmental changes that may be linked to human impacts on climate. In order to detect the influence and context of these changes on coastal aquatic ecosystems we examined lake sediment cores from three lakes in the Windmill Islands, East Antarctica; Beall Lake, Holl Lake and ȁ8Lake Mȁ9. Cores were sectioned at␣2.5 mm intervals. Their diatom species composition was examined to detect changes in lake salinity using a diatom-salinity transfer function, and their algal pigment content was examined to detect photoautotrophic community responses to environmental change. Results showed that Holl Lake originated in a depression exposed by Holocene recession of the continental ice sheet and that Beall Lake and Lake M originated as isolated marine basins formed by changes in relative sea level. A general late Holocene trend of declining lake salinity was evident in all three lakes, interrupted by one short-term high salinity event in Beall Lake. This is consistent with a long-term positive moisture balance. This general decline in salinity has been followed by a remarkable recent rapid increase in salinity in all three lakes in the last few decades. We speculate that this rapid increase in salinity might be linked to changes taking place in the region including feedbacks resulting from decreasing sea ice extent as recorded in the nearby Law Dome ice core, and positive feedbacks in the catchments whereby reduced snow cover has led to decreased albedo, which in turn has caused increased evaporation and sublimation. Collectively these changes have shifted the lakes across a threshold from positive to negative moisture balance. A minor, but not rapid shift in the abundance of diatom pigments relative to pigments from green algae and cyanobacteria was also detected suggesting that some changes in photoautotrophic community composition have occurred. Measurements of modern nutrient levels are also higher than would be expected in Beall Lake and Holl Lake, given the extremely low sediment accumulation rates. This may be associated with a c. 300% increase in the population of Adélie penguins in the Windmill Islands recorded since the 1950s, or may a first signs of a rapid increase in catchment development and associated lake productivity as experienced in Antarctic and Arctic lakes subject to recent rapid regional warming. The most marked feature of the records is the rapid increase in salinity in all three lakes in␣the last few decades, which has occurred in lakes both with and without resident penguin populations.Dominic A. Hodgson and Donna Roberts contributed equally to this work     

Derelict fishing gear in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands: diving surveys and debris removal in 1999 confirm threat to coral reef ecosystems

Marine debris threatens Northwestern Hawaiian Islands' (NWHI) coral reef ecosystems. Debris, a contaminant, entangles and kills endangered Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi), coral, and other wildlife. We describe a novel multi-agency effort using divers to systematically survey and remove derelict fishing gear from two NWHI in 1999. 14 t of derelict fishing gear were removed and debris distribution, density, type and fouling level documented at Lisianski Island and Pearl and Hermes Atoll. Reef debris density ranged from 3.4 to 62.2 items/km². Trawl netting was the most frequent debris type encountered (88%) and represented the greatest debris component recovered by weight (35%), followed by monofilament gillnet (34%), and maritime line (23%). Most debris recovered, 72%, had light or no fouling, suggesting debris may have short oceanic circulation histories. Our study demonstrates that derelict fishing gear poses a persistent threat to the coral reef ecosystems of the Hawaiian Archipelago.     

Simushir earthquakes and tsunami of November 15, 2006, and January 13, 2007

The earthquakes and tsunami on November 15, 2006 and January 13, 2007, near Simushir Island are described. Long-term and short-term precursors of the phenomena are discussed. A joint analysis of the seismological and geodetic data provided reliable interpretation of the source mechanisms of the earthquakes. The actions of the tsunami warning personnel are analyzed. Extensive experimental data on the tsunami occurrence at different sites of the Pacific Ocean are presented. The tsunami of November 15, 2006, was numerically modeled using coseismic vertical displacements of the ocean bottom calculated from GPS data. The observed and calculated data on the maximal tsunami run up are compared.     

南极涛动与西沙夏季气候的关联性

利用近53a(1960—2012年)南海西沙群岛永兴岛气象站的观测资料以及同期的NCEP/NCAR月平均再分析资料,分析了近53a西沙夏季气候变化特征及其与春、夏季南极海平面气压的可能联系,并初步分析了南极涛动(AAO)对西沙夏季气候的影响。结果表明:近53a来西沙夏季平均降水持续减少、气温明显升高、风速显著减弱;降水、气温和风速还表现出准2a的年际变率及7~11a的年代际变率。回归分析和相关分析结果均表明,当春、夏季南极海平面气压偏强(弱)时,西沙夏季降水偏多(少)、气温偏低(高)、风速偏强(弱)、空间分布型类似于负(正)位相的南极涛动(AAO)。春、夏季AAO处于正位相,一方面在年代际尺度上导致东亚夏季风减弱,另一方面在年际尺度上导致印度季风减弱,从而使得西沙夏季降水偏少、气温偏高、风速偏弱。