Volcans de la chaîne des Puys (Massif central,France) : point sur la chronologie Vasset–Kilian–Pariou–Chopine

On the basis of radiocarbon ages obtained on wood burned by base surges and tephrochronological observations, it has been possible to assess that the Puy Chopine, aged ca 9700 yr is older by a few centuries than both the Vasset and Kilian volcanoes. The last two have nearly the same age, ca 9300–9400 yr. Layers of trachytic tephra, most probably originated from Kilian or Vasset, can be observed overlapping those from the Pariou. This last volcano had been previously thought to be the younger of the area on the basis of the observation of trachytic tephra beneath its own tephra. However, new observations allow us to assume that those trachytes originated from the acid phase of the Pariou itself. Therefore, it can be assessed that the four volcanoes erupted according to the following sequence: Chopine/Pariou/?Vasset?/Kilian; the chronological situation of Vasset lies on poor arguments and it should be confirmed. To cite this article: D. Miallier et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Origine des variations latérales des dépôts yprésiens dans la zone des dômes en Tunisie septentrionaleOrigin of lateral variations of the Ypresian deposits in the dome zone in northern Tunisia

In the Mejez El Bab–Testour area (northern Tunisia), the Early Eocene extension induced block tilting and salt tectonics of the Triassic evaporites. Tectonic events and halokinesis have determined the organization of Ypresian sediments. Diapiric structures have been generated during Cretaceous along the east–west, north–south and NE–SW major faults and emphasised during Lower Eocene. In this region, the Ypresian deposits constitute a filling sequence and show several thickness and facies variations. They correspond to a Nummulitic and Globigerina mixed facies characterizing a platform-basin transition zone. To cite this article: H. El Ouardi, C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 141–146.     

Détermination du tenseur des contraintes par inversion de mécanismes au foyer de séismes sans choix de plans nodauxStress tensor determination through inversion of double couple focal mechanisms of earthquakes without choice between nodal planes

The seismotectonic state of stress is determined using double couple focal mechanisms of earthquakes, without any need to choose among the nodal planes. As the inversion criterion, a function that does not depend on this choice is adopted: the slip shear stress component, or SSSC. A new method is built, based on this criterion. Because the inversion is carried out by analytic means, the runtime is negligible and does not depend on the number of data. To cite this article: J. Angelier, C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 73–80     

Earth dynamics and climate changes

The evolution of the Earth's climate over geological time is now relatively well known. Conversely, the causes and feedback mechanisms involved in these climatic changes are still not well determined. At geological timescales, two factors play a prevailing role: plate tectonics and the chemical composition of the atmosphere. Their climatic effects will be examined using palaeoclimatic indicators as well as results of climate models. I focus primarily on the influence of continental drift on warm and cold climatic episodes. The consequences of peculiar land sea distributions (amalgamation/dispersal of continental blocks) are discussed. Plate tectonics also drive sea level changes as well as mountain uplift. Marine transgressions during the Mid-Cretaceous favoured warmth within the interiors of continents, although their effect could be very different according to the season. Mountain uplift is also an important factor, which is able to alter climate at large spatial scales. Experiments relative to climatic sensitivity to the elevation of the Appalachians during the Late Permian are discussed. To affect the whole Earth, the chemical composition of the atmosphere appears to be a more efficient forcing factor. The carbon dioxide driven by the long-term carbon cycle has influenced the global climate. Geochemical modelling simulates more or less accurately the long-term evolution of pCO₂, which corresponds roughly to the icehouse/greenhouse climatic oscillations. However, the uncertainties on pCO₂ are still important because different parameters involved in the long-term carbon cycle (degassing rate, chemical weathering of silicates, burial of organic matter) are not well constrained throughout the past. The chemical composition of the atmosphere is also altered by the emissions of modern volcanic eruptions leading to weak global cooling. The influence of large flood basalt provinces on climate is not yet known well enough; this volcanism may have released huge amounts of SO₂ as well as CO₂. At last, the chemical composition of the atmosphere may have been altered by the release of methane in response to the dissociation of gas hydrates. This scenario has been proposed to explain the abrupt warming during the Late Palaeocene.     

Styles of mantle convection and their influence on planetary evolution

Mantle convection is the method of heat elimination for silicate mantles in terrestrial bodies, provided they are not too small or too hot. Bodies that are small (～Moon or smaller, possibly even Mercury) may rely largely on conduction or melt migration, and bodies that are very hot (Io, very early Earth) may use massive melt migration (magma oceans) and heat pipes. In the standard, simple picture, we can use scaling laws to determine the secular cooling of a planet, likelihood and form of volcanism, and the possibility of a core dynamo. Contrary to popular belief, small planets do not cool faster than larger planets (provided they convect) but they do tend to have a slightly lower internal temperature at all times and thus may cease to be volcanically active at an earlier epoch. On the other hand, a larger volume fraction of a small planet may be involved in melt generation. However, our understanding of heat transfer by mantle convection is limited by three very important, largely unsolved problems: The complexities of rheology, the effects of compositional gradients, and the effects of phase transitions, especially melting. The most striking manifestation of the role of rheology lies in the difference between a mobile lid mode (plate tectonics for Earth) and a stagnant lid mode (other large terrestrial bodies). This difference may arise because of the role of water, but perhaps also because of melting, or size (gravity), or the vagaries of history. It has profound effects for the differences in history of Earth, Venus and Mars, including their surface geology, volatile reservoirs and magnetic fields. Since thermal convection is driven by small density differences, it can also be greatly altered or limited by compositional or phase effects. Melt migration introduces additional complications to the heat transport as well as being a source for the irreversible differentiation that might promote layering. Our limited understanding and ability to model these processes continues to limit the development of a predictive framework for the differences among the terrestrial planets.     

Argiles et zéolites dans l'altération d'un volcan bouclier en milieu tropical (Le Piton des Neiges,La Réunion)

The drilling of a gallery through the Roche-Écrite massif (Reunion Island) allowed to sample the old formations of the ‘Piton des Neiges’ volcano. The mineralogical study of the alteration products of the formations showed significant variations of the zeolites/clay minerals ratio depending on the location of the rocks in the volcano. The abundance of zeolites in the formation near the surface hydrographic network or the underground water drainage system seems to be due to the physicochemical processes favouring zeolites in more open systems in their competition with secondary clays. To cite this article: L. Bret et al., C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003).     

共轭伸展褶劈理夹角的定量解析

９０ 年代初以来,中国地质学者先后在浙、皖、赣、湘的“板溪群”及震旦系中发现了古生代的生物化石。因此,再次将“板溪群”是否是前震旦纪的一个变质地层单位、江南古陆是否存在以及华南大地构造格局是否需要重新厘定等问题提了出来。１９９３ 年笔者于赣东北蛇绿混杂岩带内的“双桥山群”岩块中,首次发现了含晚古生代的放射虫硅质岩。１９９６ 年又在该混杂岩带多处的“双桥山群”岩块和“下震旦统志棠组”中找到了含晚古生代的放射虫硅质岩,还首次在“登山群拔竹坑组”中发现了早古生代的几丁虫化石。经数年野外多次观察和对室内化石鉴定、岩石地球化学测试结果以及岩石学特征的综合分析表明,所发现的含晚古生代放射虫硅质岩及其岩石组合是一套洋盆深水相沉积;登山群拔竹坑组,是早古生代的一套浅水陆棚 深水陆棚 半深海相沉积。结合同行学者在邻区“板溪群”研究方面取得的新成果,笔者认为：“板溪群”不是前震旦纪的一个变质地层单位,而是一个复杂的构造岩带,江南古陆是不存在的,华南从早古生代到中生代早期还经历了一次洋盆演化过程,现在的构造格局是印支运动奠定的     

Lead isotope study of the late Archean Lac des Iles palladium deposit,Canada: enrichment of platinum group elements by ponded sulfide melt

Lead isotopic compositions of mineral separates are presented from the mineralized zones (Roby, Twilight, and High Grade zones) of the Lac des Iles palladium deposit (approximately 2.69 Ga) and tonalitic country rocks (approximately 2.727 to 2.775 Ga) in the Wabigoon subprovince of the western Superior Province of Canada. Plagioclase separates show Pb isotope ratios similar to those of the late Archean depleted mantle. Sulfide minerals coexisting with plagioclase have a more radiogenic Pb isotope composition, but very low concentrations of U (<0.2 ppb U) and Th (<0.01 ppb) compared to Pb (≫50 ppb). The isotope data are consistent with a model involving the incorporation of radiogenic Pb from country rocks to sulfide melt near the base of the magma chamber or along the conduit of the parental magmas. The proposed interpretation is also supported by decreasing Cu/Pd ratios from earlier barren to late fertile gabbro intrusions in the complex. The ponding sulfide melt became enriched in platinum group elements, as it was interacting with a large magma volume during the evolution of the Lac des Iles igneous complex.     

Further details on the applicability of Thellier paleointensity method: The effect of magnitude of laboratory field

Twenty years after Tanaka and Kono's pioneering contribution (Tanaka and Kono, 1984), we give some new details on the effect of applied field strength during Thellier paleointensity experiments. Special attention is paid to the relation of magnitude of laboratory field and Coe's quality factors (Coe et al., 1978). Full thermoremanent magnetizations were imparted on natural samples containing low-Ti titanomagnetites of pseudo-single domain structure in a 40-μT magnetic field from 600?°C to room temperature. The samples were subjected to the routine Thellier procedure using a wide range of applied laboratory fields. Results indicate that values of laboratory fields may be accurately reproduced within 2% of standard error. The quality factors, however, decrease when the magnitude of ‘ancient’ field does not match to applied laboratory fields. To cite this article: J. Morales et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Analyse multi-échelle par ondelettes des contacts géologiques : application à la carte gravimétrique du Maroc nord-oriental

The multiscale wavelet analysis has been applied to the gravity data from northeastern Morocco to map the major geological contacts, such us faults. Hence, the faults affecting the survey area were outlined with their importance level and dip direction. Seismic data confirm these results and testify the efficiency of this method, particularly in studying structure of plains. The structural map established is a very useful document in the planning of natural resources investigations (i.e. water, mines) to be undertaken in the area of study. To cite this article: D. Khattach et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).