Seismological evidence for compositional variations at the base of the mantle transition zone under Japan Islands

Temperature and water content anomalies just above the 660-km discontinuity under the Japan Islands are estimated from seismological observations. Two sets of seismological observations of P-wave velocity perturbations and depth variations of the 660-km discontinuity are used, which are (1) long-wavelength (~ 500 km) variations from seismic tomography based on a grid parameterization and waveform analysis of ScS reverberations and (2) moderate-wavelength (~ 150 km) variations from seismic tomography with a block parameterization and receiver-function analysis. To estimate temperature and water content anomalies, partial derivatives of velocity and depth variations with respect to temperature and water content determined by mineral physics studies are used. Under Southwest Japan, low temperature and high water-content anomalies are obtained from both sets of seismological observations, which have already been found by a previous study. Under Northeast Japan, however, there are discrepancies between the results estimated from the two data sets, possibly due to the different resolution scales. This discrepancy is dismissed when examining distributions of the temperature and water content anomalies. These anomalies can be grouped into two geographical locations, one group under Southwest Japan, the other under Northeast Japan. The two groups are clearly separated and exhibit common features in both sets of the seismological observations. The grouping is interpreted by a compositional difference between the subducting Pacific slab under Southwest Japan and a normal mantle under Northeast Japan.     

Stress state analysis of a collapsed overhanging rock slab: A case study

This paper describes the geomechanical back-analysis of the flexural failure of an overhanging limestone slab (volume = 68 m³) that collapsed on 26/01/1999 on the abandoned Cellina Valley state road SS 251 (western Friuli, NE Italy). The survey carried out on site examining the contact surfaces between the block and the slope has ascertained that the rock slab was connected to the stable rock mass by means of a single great rock bridge. The detailed reconstruction of the slab geometry and of the actual restraint conditions acting before the rockfall permitted an estimation of the stress state by using a 3D finite element code (Strand7). The finite element numerical model, referred to the restrained cross-section measured on site (A_res = 2.82 m²), gives a maximum value of σ_t = 5.19 MPa for the tensile stress, which is in good agreement with the estimated value for the characteristic strength mobilized at rupture by the intact rock material (T₀ = 3.5–5.5 MPa). Considerably lower maximum tensile stress (σ_t = 2.25 MPa), smaller than one half, is obtained if the whole contact surface is assumed as resisting surface (A_res = 10.50 m²) and the rock bridge is neglected.     

Coexistence of lawsonite‐bearing eclogite and blueschist: phase equilibria modelling of Alpine Corsica metabasalts and petrological evolution of subducting slabs

In Alpine Corsica (France), deeply subducted metabasalts are well preserved as lawsonite‐bearing eclogite (Law‐Ecl), occurrence of which is restricted to ～10 localities worldwide. The Corsican Law‐Ecl, consisting of omphacite + lawsonite + garnet + phengite + titanite, occurs as both single undeformed metabasaltic pillows surrounded by lawsonite blueschist (Law‐Bs), and carbonate‐bearing eclogitic veins. Law‐Bs are found as variably deformed metabasaltic pillows locally cross‐cut by eclogitic veins and consist of glaucophane + actinolite + lawsonite + garnet + phengite + titanite. Field evidence and microstructures reveal that both Law‐Ecl and Law‐Bs are stable at the metamorphic peak in the lawsonite‐eclogite stability field. Isochemical phase diagrams (pseudosections) calculated for representative Law‐Ecl and Law‐Bs samples indicate that both lithologies equilibrated at the same conditions of ～520 ± 20 °C and 2.3 ± 0.1 GPa. Therefore, the coexistence at the same peak metamorphic conditions of Law‐Ecl and Law‐Bs implies that different portions of deeply subducted oceanic crust may store significantly different H₂O contents, depending on bulk‐rock chemical composition. In addition, thermodynamic modelling of phase equilibria indicates that the occurring progressive dehydration reactions, which are significantly depending on bulk‐rock chemical composition, strongly influence rock densification and eclogite formation in subducting slabs.     

Dynamic response of double beam rested on stochastic foundation under harmonic moving load

This paper deals with the dynamic response of infinite double Euler–Bernoulli beam supported by elastic foundation with stochastic stiffness subjected to an oscillating moving load, which is the first research in relevant literature review. In this matter, equations of motion for double beam are formulated in a moving frame of reference. Moreover, by employing the first order perturbation theory and calculating contour integration, the response of double beam is obtained analytically and validated by a stochastic finite element model. Sensitivity analyses on the various parameters of closed form solution such as velocity, load frequency, coefficient of variation of soil foundation and rail and slab bending stiffness show the significant effect of load frequency on the dynamic response of the doubled beam. From practical point of view, the obtained results of the present study can be utilized efficiently in analysis and design of slab track systems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hysteretic behavior and strength capacity of shallowly embedded steel column bases with SFRCC slab

A series of shallowly embedded steel column bases consisting of an exposed column base and a floor slab is tested under horizontal cyclic loading to very large deformation. The effects of floor slabs on strength and ductility are examined using concrete and Steel fiber‐reinforced cementitous composites (SFRCC) for the floor slab. The elastic stiffness, maximum strength, and dissipated energy of the column bases when they include SFRCC increase by 40, 70, and 70% over those of corresponding column bases with concrete floor slab. Better bonding behavior is notable for SFRCC, and the maximum strength and dissipated energy further increase by 15–30% and 70–90%, respectively, owing to the careful arrangement of reinforcing bars. Numerical models are developed to enhance the understanding the behavior of shallowly embedded column bases. Procedures for estimating the elastic stiffness and maximum strength of shallowly embedded column bases with conventional concrete are calibrated for their applicability to those with SFRCC slab. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemical composition of sediments from the subducting Cocos Ridge segment at the Southern Central American subduction zone

Subducted sediments play an important role in the magmatism at subduction zones and the formation of mantle heterogeneity, making them an important tracer for shallow crustal processes and deep mantle processes.Therefore, ascertaining the chemical compositions of different subduction end-members is a prerequisite for using subducted sediments to trace key geological processes. We reports here the comprehensive major and trace element analyses of 52 samples from two holes（U1414 A and U1381 C） dri...     

Phase Stability and Reactions of Subducting CaCO3 under Upper Mantle Conditions

CaCO₃ is an important component of marine sediments and one of the major deep-carbon carriers at subduction zones. Some subducted CaCO₃ can be dissolved in subduction fluids and recycled back to the surface via arc volcanoes degassing. At the same time, there still remain large amounts of CaCO₃ and its reaction products, which could be further transported into Earth’s deep interior. These internal processes link atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere with the deep...     

Partial dehydration of brucite and its implications for water distribution in the subducting oceanic slab

Hydrous minerals within the subducting oceanic slab are important hosts for water. Clarification of the stability field of hydrous minerals helps to understand transport and distribution of water from the surface to the Earth’s interior. We investigated the stability of brucite, a prototype of hydrous minerals, by means of electrical conductivity measurements in both open and closed systems at 3 GPa and temperatures up to 1300 K. Dramatic increase of conductivity in association with characteristic impedance spectra suggests that partial dehydration of single-crystal brucite in the open system with a low water fugacity occurs at 950 K, which is about 300 K lower than those previously defined by phase equilibrium experiments in the closed system. By contrast, brucite completely dehydrates at 1300 K in the closed system, consistent with previous studies. Partial dehydration may generate a highly defective structure but does not lead to the breakdown of brucite to periclase and water immediately. Water activity plays a key role in the stability of hydrous minerals. Low water activity (aH₂O) caused by the high wetting behavior of the subducted oceanic slab at the transition zone depth may cause the partial dehydration of the dense hydrous magnesium silicates (DHMSs), which significantly reduces the temperature stability of DHMS (this mechanism has been confirmed by previous study on super hydrous phase B). As a result, the transition zone may serve as a ‘dead zone’ for DHMSs, and most water will be stored in wadsleyite and ringwoodite in the transition zone.     

Geochronology, Geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf Isotopes of No. I Complex from the Shitoukengde Ni–Cu Sulfide Deposit in the Eastern Kunlun Orogen, Western China: Implications for the Magmatic Source, Geodynamic Setting and Genesis

The Shitoukengde Ni-Cu deposit, located in the Eastern Kunlun Orogen, comprises three mafic–ultramafic complexes, with the No. I complex hosting six Ni-Cu orebodies found recently. The deposit is hosted in the small ultramafic bodies intruding Proterozoic metamorphic rocks. Complexes at Shitoukengde contain all kinds of mafic-ultramafic rocks, and olivine websterite and pyroxene peridotite are the most important Ni-Cu-hosted rocks. Zircon U-Pb dating suggests that the Shitoukengde Ni-Cu deposit formed in late Silurian(426–422 Ma), and their zircons have εHf(t) values of-9.4 to 5.9 with the older T_(DM1) ages(0.80–1.42 Ga). Mafic-ultramafic rocks from the No. I complex show the similar rare earth and trace element patterns, which are enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements(e.g., K, Rb, Th) and depleted in heavy rare earth elements and high field strength elements(e.g., Ta, Nb, Zr, Ti). Sulfides from the deposit have the slightly higher δ~(34)S values of 1.9–4.3‰ than the mantle(0 ± 2‰). The major and trace element characteristics, and Sr-Nd-Pb and Hf, S isotopes indicate that their parental magmas originated from a metasomatised, asthenospheric mantle source which had previously been modified by subduction-related fluids, and experienced significant crustal contamination both in the magma chamber and during ascent triggering S oversaturation by addition of S and Si, that resulted in the deposition and enrichment of sulfides. Combined with the tectonic evolution, we suggest that the Shitoukengde Ni-Cu deposit formed in the post-collisional, extensional regime related to the subducted oceanic slab break-off after the Wanbaogou oceanic basalt plateau collaged northward to the Qaidam Block in late Silurian.     

Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Early Permian A‐type Granite in the Hongol Area,Central Inner Mongolia: Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

We performed geochronological and geochemical analyses of the A-type granite in the Hongol area, central Inner Mongolia, to determine its age, petrogenesis and tectonic setting, which are significant for clarifying the Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Xing'an Mongolian Orogenic Belt(XMOB). The rock type of the A-type granite in the Hongol area is alkali-feldspar granite, and it constitutes a western part of the Baiyinwula-Dongujimqin A-type granite belt. Zircon U-Pb geochronology yields ~(206)Pb/~(238)U ages ranging from 293 to 286 Ma for the alkali-feldspar granite, indicating this granitic pluton formed in the Early Permian. The alkali-feldspar granite is high in silica(SiO_2=75.13 wt%-80.17 wt%), aluminum(Al_2 O_3=10.59 wt%-13.17 wt%) and alkali(Na_2 O+K_2 O=7.33 wt%-9.11 wt%), and low in MgO(0.08 wt%-0.39 wt%) and CaO(0.19 wt%-0.70 wt%). It is obviously enriched in LILEs such as Rb, Th and K,depleted in HFSEs such as Nb, Ti, La and Ce, with pronounced negative anomalies of Nb, Ti, P, Eu, Sr and Ba. Its Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions show positive ε_(Nd)(t)(+0.72-+3.08), low T_(DM2)(805-997 Ma),and high radioactive Pb with(~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i of 18.710-19.304,(~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i of 15.557-15.604 and(~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i of 37.887-38.330. Petrological characteristics and geochemical data suggest that the alkalifeldspar granite in the Hongol area belongs to aluminous A-type granite. This A-type granite formed in a post-collisional extensional setting and was generated by the partial melting of felsic rocks in the middlelower crust resulting from post-collisional slab breakoff. It is suggested that the Paleo-Asian Ocean was closed before the Permian in central Inner Mongolia.