Probing the magma plumbing of Erebus volcano,Antarctica, by open-path FTIR spectroscopy of gas emissions

Gas emissions from Erebus volcano, Antarctica, were measured by open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to understand degassing of its magmatic system. Two degassing phonolite lava lakes were present in the summit crater during observation in December 2004. We report analyses of H₂O, CO₂, CO, SO₂, HF, HCl and OCS, (in order of molar abundance) in the plumes. Variations in the proportions of these species strongly reflect the dynamics of degassing, and sourcing of gas from different depths in the magmatic network. The highest observed ratios of CO₂ and H₂O are consistent with gas extracted from the melt at a depth of up to ∼ 2 km below the lava lakes. Magma degassing above this depth contributes to a higher H₂O/CO₂ proportion in the airborne plume. The ratio therefore reflects the balance of deeper vs. shallower contributions of volatiles and, possibly, a combination of closed- and open-system degassing. We observe a strong contrast in HF content in emissions from the two lava lakes, which we attribute to differing levels of magma ascent and/or cooling and crystallization of the magma supply. Fluxes of all gas species were determined using independent SO₂ flux determinations and measured gas ratios. In the case of CO₂ and water, ∼ 1 and ∼ 0.4 m³ s^− 1, respectively, of parental basanite magma are required to sustain the calculated output. The discrepancy between the two figures is readily explained by sequestration of part of the magma supply at depth such that it only partially degasses its complement of water.     

Audio frequency magneto-telluric survey of Norikura Volcano in central Japan

Norikura Volcano has not been active during the last 10,000 years in spite of the activity of the surrounding volcanic mountains. To study past volcanic activities, geological studies were carried out extensively. However, quite a few geophysical investigations were conducted to contribute to volcanology. Our objective is to detect the present subsurface structure of Norikura Volcano and to define volcanic stratifications. In the vicinity of Norikura Volcano, geothermal fields are still active. Subsurface volcanic rocks in this area have been exposed to geothermal activity and altered. To comprehend volcanic stratifications of Norikura and geothermal activity, we conducted audio frequency magneto-telluric (AMT) surveys around Norikura Volcano. AMT survey is useful in clearly defining the resistivity structure related to volcanic regions. The AMT data were acquired over a frequency range 10 Hz–10 kHz. Decomposition analysis was applied to the tensor impedance data. Subsequently, apparent resistivity and phase data were inverted using a two-dimensional magneto-telluric (MT) inversion and a model of Norikura was derived. The final model manifests that the surface resistors are in agreement with andesite lava or dacite lava. As for the deeper structure, a horizontal conductor is situated above resistive basements. The alteration of the conductor was weak, while basement rocks were strongly altered and/or heated through the thermal activity. The existence of these layers seems to indicate the degree of thermal activity of Norikura Volcano.     

Base shear capping buildings with graphite‐lubricated bases for collapse prevention in extreme earthquakes

Damage or collapse of buildings vulnerable to seismic forces may cause human casualties, and seismic upgrading of such structures is a practical solution to this deficiency. The study presented here proposes a simple approach to prevent structural collapse by separating the superstructure from its foundation to let the superstructure slide during extreme ground shaking. The sliding mechanism contributes to cap the horizontal force exerted on the superstructure. In such approach, the key is to maintain the friction force between the superstructure and the foundation sufficiently low and stable. This research proposes to realize a controlled sliding mechanism, which acts as a structural fuse, by means of carbon powder lubrication at the bases of the structure's columns. The fundamental behaviour of the proposed structural system, named the base shear capping building, is investigated by shaking table tests and numerical simulation. Both experimental and numerical results showed that graphite lubrication is an efficient and robust lubrication material, maintaining the friction coefficient between the steel column bases and mortar foundation at around 0.16. The sliding at the bases significantly reduced the acceleration transmitted to the superstructure, keeping the base shear coefficient not greater than about 0.40. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reconstruction of the eruptive history of Usu volcano,Hokkaido, Japan,inferred from petrological correlation between tephras and dome lavas

Usu volcano has erupted nine times since 1663. Most eruptive events started with an explosive eruption, which was followed by the formation of lava domes. However, the ages of several summit lava domes and craters remain uncertain. The petrological features of tephra deposits erupted from 1663 to 1853 are known to change systematically. In this study, we correlated lavas with tephras under the assumption that lava and tephra samples from the same event would have similar petrological features. Although the initial explosive eruption in 1663 was not accompanied by lava effusion, lava dome or cryptodome formation was associated with subsequent explosive eruptions. We inferred the location of the vent associated with each event from the location of the associated lava dome and the pyroclastic flow deposit distribution and found that the position of the active vent within the summit caldera differed for each eruption from the late 17th through the 19th century. Moreover, we identified a previously unrecognized lava dome produced by a late 17th century eruption; this dome was largely destroyed by an explosive eruption in 1822 and was replaced by a new lava dome during a later stage of the 1822 event at nearly the same place as the destroyed dome. This new interpretation of the sequence of events is consistent with historical sketches and documents. Our results show that petrological correlation, together with geological evidence, is useful not only for reconstructing volcanic eruption sequences but also for gaining insight into future potential disasters.     

甘肃南祁连党河南山奥陶纪火山岩的岩石地球化学特征

甘肃南祁连褶皱带党河南山早奥陶纪火山岩主要赋存于吾力沟群中。地球化学研究结果表明,本区火山岩由基性火山岩和中性火山岩组成,基性火山岩分属拉斑玄武岩和钙碱性玄武岩,而中性火山岩则属钙碱性安山岩。它们均具有低TiO2、MgO,选择性富集大离子亲石元素(Rb、Th、Ba、Sr)和轻稀土元素(La、Ce、Sm),具有较高的高价大阳离子比值和Nb的强烈亏损,岩石学和地球化学特征表明本区火山岩形成于岛弧环境。     

吉林蛟河上地幔岩碎块内熔融微区矿物学及其地质意义

吉林蛟河地幔岩碎块是被碱性橄榄玄武岩岩浆喷发携带至地壳浅部或地表的。碱性橄榄玄武岩中地幔岩碎块含量40%~55%,局部达60%以上;碎块大小不等,一般直径以5~10 cm居多,大者达20~35 cm,故定名为地幔岩集块熔岩(岩流)。地幔岩碎块以尖晶石二辉橄榄岩和尖晶石斜辉橄榄岩碎块为主,纯橄榄岩次之,未发现石榴石橄榄岩;胶结物为碱性橄榄玄武岩岩浆。本次研究发现地幔岩内存在丰富的、不同成分和形态的熔融微区。熔融微区类型以其形状可分为滴状、扇状、球状、不规则状、短脉状和环边状,以其特征新生矿物分为OL型、K型、Na+Chl型、PL型、OL+SP型、C+SP型和SP+Chl+Ser型。熔融微区结构为玻基间隐结构或放射状结构;矿物呈骸晶状、中空为玻璃质;残余玻璃脱玻化,产生少量针状和不透明黑色雏晶。熔融微区的形状、结构、物质组成及矿物结晶等特征具有标型性,表征这些熔融体是在上地幔深度保存的幔源岩熔融交代的产物,幔源结晶岩是固相残留。该幔源岩经历强火山喷发使其发生爆炸的地质事件,导致K、Na、Al、Ca易熔组分和H₂O、CO₂等挥发分开始熔融和气体释放,营造快速固化结晶和淬火的环境。这些少量的熔融物择优占据矿物间隙、裂隙、位错或晶体缺陷处汇聚并熔融交代相邻矿物,不断扩展空间,遂形成滴状等特征形状的“微区”。由于熔融程度不同,产生的熔融物的化学成分和结晶程度也有差异,所代表的初始岩浆性质也不一样,可以是超基性或碱性橄榄玄武质,抑或碧玄岩质岩浆。从检测出的这些信息证实,蛟河地幔岩是被不一致熔融抽取后的地幔残留,即岩石圈地幔。     

五大连池老黑山火山钾质玄武岩结晶动力学研究

本文模拟了五大连池地区老黑山火山钾质响质碱玄岩熔岩在不同降温速率下从1150℃冷却到700℃橄榄石的结晶动力学过程,并从晶体粒度、晶体数量和晶体形态三方面研究了晶体结晶特征与降温速率之间的关系。结果表明:(1)晶体粒度分布(CSD)显示七组不同降温速率下的晶体粒度与布居密度均呈现较好的幂率关系,且幂律指数相近,斜率范围在3.69～4.42之间,这说明了晶体粒度分布对降温速率的依赖性并不显著。(2)随着降温速率由快变慢,晶体数量总体增长。当降温速率为0.0468℃/min时,晶体数量达到峰值。随后,结晶进入以退火合并为主的晶体粗化过程,直至结晶动力学达到平衡。(3)各降温速率下晶体形态呈现出分形特征,分形维数界于1.39～1.62之间,反映了新生晶体生长的自组织临界性。不同降温速率下的晶体边界复杂程度出现较大无规波动,显示出晶体形态对降温速率的高度敏感性。当降温速率为0.1℃/min时,晶体边界形态最复杂,当降温速率变慢到0.0468℃/min后,晶体边界形态的复杂程度趋于稳定。本项动力结晶实验对于深入了解五大连池新期火山熔岩流的运动机制以及动力结晶过程有重要的科学意义。     

西南极乔治王岛菲尔德斯半岛火山岩地质初步研究

西南极乔治王岛菲尔德斯半岛主要由基性熔岩、火山碎屑岩及薄层沉积岩组成,并有次火山岩体及脉岩发育.野外观察及K—Ar,Rb—Sr全岩年龄说明岩石形成于始新一渐新世.主要元素和微量元素地球化学特征说明岩石属低钾高铝钙碱性玄武岩,但具有拉斑玄武岩的某些特征,是岛弧火山活动的产物.岩层呈平缓单斜,发育有近同期及后期走滑正断层,以及由断层活动形成的局部以称褶皱.     

The angle measure technique: A new method for characterizing the complexity of geomorphic lines

A new method for characterizing the complexity of geomorphic phenomena is presented. This method, termed the angle measure technique, involves measuring the angularity of a digitized line for a wide range of scales. In this manner, the technique is capable of delineating changes in the complexity of geomorphic lines with scale, from which the characteristic scale(s) of the lines can be identified. Unlike fractal analysis, values produced by the angle measure technique correspond to single scales. Therefore, no assumptions are made concerning the relationship between complexity and scale, and the technique can resolve variations in complexity over small ranges of scale. The technique is illustrated using both computer-generated curves and natural lines, including the trace of a river channel, and is compared to fractal analysis on a contour line crossing two lava flows.     

Early Miocene to Quaternary evolution of volcanism and the basin formation in western Anatolia: a review

Western Anatolia, largely affected by extensional tectonics, witnessed widespread volcanic activity since the Early Miocene. The volcanic vents of the region are represented by epicontinental calderas, stratovolcanoes and monogenetic vents which are associated with small-scale intrusions as sills and dykes. The volcanic activity began with an explosive character producing a large ignimbritic plateau all over the region, indicating the initiation of the crustal extension event. These rhyolitic magmas are nearly contemporaneous with granitic intrusions in western Anatolia. The ignimbrites, emplaced approximately contemporaneous with alluvial fan and braided river deposits, flowed over the basement rocks prior to extensional basin formation. The lacustrine deposits overlie the ignimbrites. The potassic and ultrapotassic lavas with lamprophyric affinities were emplaced during the Late Miocene–Pliocene. The volcanic activities have continued with alkali basalts during the Quaternary.