Gamma-ray burst precursors as the remnant of the thermal radiation initially trapped in the fireball

In the standard fireball model of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), the fireball starts with an optically thick phase. As it expands, the fireball becomes optically thin at some stage. The thermal radiation trapped in the originally opaque fireball then leaks out, producing a transient event. The appearance of the event is investigated in the framework of a homogeneous, spherically symmetric and freely expanding fireball produced instantly by an explosive process without continuous injection of mass and energy. We find that, generally, the event has a time duration shorter than that of the main burst, which is presumably produced by the internal shock after the fireball becomes optically thin. The event is separated from the main burst by a quiescent time interval, and is weaker than the main burst at least in a high-energy band. Hence, the event corresponds to a GRB precursor. The precursor event predicted by our model has a smooth and Fast Rise and Exponential Decay (FRED) shaped light curve, and a quasi-thermal spectrum. Typically, the characteristic blackbody photon energy is in the X-ray band. However, if the distortion of the blackbody spectrum by electron scattering is considered, the characteristic photon energy could be boosted to the gamma-ray band. Our model may explain a class of observed GRB precursors – those having smooth and FRED-shaped light curves and quasi-thermal spectra.     

Grenvillian-aged orogenesis in the Palaeoproterozoic Gascoyne Complex, Western Australia: 1030–950 Ma reworking of the Proterozoic Capricorn Orogen

In situ SHRIMP U–Pb geochronology of monazite and xenotime in pelitic schists from the central Gascoyne Complex, Western Australia, shows that greenschist to amphibolite facies metamorphism occurred between c. 1030 and c. 990 Ma. Monazite from an undeformed rare‐element pegmatite from the same belt gives a ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of c. 950 Ma, suggesting that peak metamorphism and deformation was followed by pegmatite intrusion and coeval granite magmatism. Metamorphism in the central Gascoyne Complex was previously interpreted as Barrovian, largely based on the identification of kyanite in peak metamorphic assemblages, and has been attributed to intense crustal shortening and substantial tectonic thickening during Palaeoproterozoic continent–continent collision. However, the stable Al₂SiO₅ polymorph has been identified in this study as andalusite rather than kyanite, and the prograde assemblages of staurolite–garnet–andalusite–biotite–muscovite–quartz indicate temperatures of 500–550 °C and pressures of 3–4 kbar. These data show that the Palaeoproterozoic Gascoyne Complex underwent an episode of Grenvillian‐aged intracontinental reworking concentrated in a NW–SE striking corridor, during the Edmundian Orogeny. Until now, the Edmundian Orogeny was thought to have involved only reactivation of structures in the Gascoyne Complex, along with deformation and very low‐ to low‐grade metamorphism of Mesoproterozoic cover rocks some time between 1070 and 755 Ma. However, we suggest that it involved regional amphibolite facies metamorphism and deformation, granite magmatism and pegmatite intrusion between c. 1030 and c. 950 Ma. Therefore, the Capricorn Orogen experienced a major phase of tectonic reworking c. 600 Myr later than previously recognized. Our results emphasize the importance of in situ geochronology integrated with petrological studies in order to link the metamorphic history of a terrane with causally related tectonic events.     

Metamorphic P–T conditions and thermal structure of Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling main hole eclogites: Fe–Mg partitioning thermometer vs. Zr-in-rutile thermometer

Core rocks recovered from the main hole (5158 m deep) of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling (CCSD‐MH) project, southern Sulu UHP terrane, east‐central China, consist of eclogites, various gneisses and minor metaperidotite cumulates; this lithological section underwent subduction‐zone UHP metamorphism. Coesite‐bearing eclogites are mainly present between the depths of 100–2000 m, but below 2000 m, mafic eclogites are rare. Selected elements (Zr, Nb, Cr, Fe, Si, Mg, Al & Ti) in rutile from 39 eclogite cores from 100 to 2774 m, and major elements of minerals from representative eclogites were analysed by electron microprobe. Zirconium and Nb concentrations of rutile cluster ～100–400 and 200–700 ppm respectively. However, Zr and Nb contents in rutile from strongly retrograded eclogites show larger variations than those of fresh or less retrograded eclogites, implying that somehow fluid infiltration affected rutile chemistry during retrograde metamorphism. Zr contents in rutile inclusions in garnet and omphacite are slightly lower than those of the matrix rutile, suggesting that the rutile inclusions formed before or close to the peak temperature. The P–T conditions of the CCSD‐MH eclogites were estimated by both Fe–Mg exchange and Zr‐in‐rutile thermometers, as well as by the Grt–Cpx–Phn–Ky geothermobarometer. The maximum temperature range of 700–811 °C calculated at 40 kbar using the Zr‐in‐rutile thermometer is comparable with temperature estimates by the Fe–Mg exchange thermometer. The temperature estimates of eclogites in a ～3000 m thick section define a continuous gradient, and do not show a distinct temperature gap, suggesting that the rocks from 100 to 3000 m depth might belong to a single, large‐scale UHP slab. These data combined with P–T calculations for CCSD‐MH peridotites yield a low geotherm (～5 °C km^?1) for the Triassic subduction zone between the Sino‐Korean and Yangtze cratons; it lies ～30–35 mW m^?2 conductive model geotherm.     

北京西山谷积山背斜地热系统成因模式及远景区预测

北京西山隆起区没有天然温泉出露。近年来,在谷积山背斜相继钻井发现了40～49℃的地下热水,但对地热系统成因尚无研究。运用地质、水文地质、地球化学等方法开展研究,结果表明热储为蓟县系雾迷山组白云岩岩溶裂隙水,热水为HCO_3-Ca·Mg型,为中-弱碱性、微硬度、氟水型淡热矿水,初步称为北京西山谷积山地热田。构建了地热系统成因模式,分析热源为谷积山背斜深部隐伏的燕山期酸性花岗岩体产生的放射性元素衰变生热,为隆起山地碳酸盐岩层状热储的地热系统类型,不同于一般隆起山地导热断裂对流地热系统类型。结合西山地区广泛发育的穹窿型构造与燕山期岩浆活动特征,初步预测西山下苇甸穹窿等穹窿型构造具有形成地热系统的地热地质条件,有潜力成为地热资源的富集远景区。     

约束冰层温度膨胀力的研究

由水冻结成冰的相变过程中体积会膨胀;冰在升温过程中体积也会膨胀.本文讨论的是后者.海冰与海中固定式结构、防波堤、护岸等相互接触,这些结构物形成了冰的约束边界.当外界环境温度(主要是气温)发生变化时,冰的温度场也发生变化,从而引起冰的应变,产生温度应力,并对结构产生温度膨胀力.冰温度膨胀力要受约束边界的形状、约束体的刚度、冰层的相对厚度、温升率、应变率等多种因素的影响.     

超高压变质岩中柯石英→石英相变研究的进展

柯石英是石英的高压同质多相变体，是超高压变质作用的产物，它是识别超高压变质作用的重要标志矿物。柯石英的发现表明了近地表的岩石随板块运动曾被俯冲至地下大于90km的深度并经受了超高压变质作用。研究柯石英→石英相变过程中的微结构变化，对进一步研究超高压变质作用的机理及超高压变质岩折返过程的动力学机制具有重要意义。本文简述了近年来有关超高压变质岩中柯石英→石英相变研究的一些进展。     

基于移动网格技术的热融湖动态演化过程数值模拟

基于移动网格技术建立了热融湖动态演化有限元数值模型, 研究了青藏高原多年冻土区典型热融湖动态演化过程, 分析了热融湖半径、深度的变化过程及其对湖底及周围多年冻土温度状况的影响. 结果表明:在移动边界热融湖模型中, 热融湖半径以0.7 m·a^-1的速度近线性地增大; 随着下伏高含冰量冻土的融化, 热融湖深度增加先慢后快, 最后逐渐减小趋于稳定. 热融湖深度和半径从5月末至翌年1月末增加显著, 在2-5月间基本保持稳定. 伴随着热融湖的扩展, 地表边界逐渐演变为湖底边界, 热融湖的热影响范围逐渐增大. 在固定边界热融湖模型中, 其热影响会逐渐趋于稳定, 由于初始尺寸大, 其湖底多年冻土退化速率大于移动边界模型, 而远离湖边的多年冻土退化速率要小于移动边界模型. 如果不考虑热融湖边界随时间的变化, 可能会高估热融湖对湖底多年冻土的热影响, 而低估其对附近多年冻土的热影响.     

攀枝花宝鼎煤田煤变质成因探讨及煤质预测

通过对煤的变质成因分析,认为宝鼎煤田煤类多样,分布格局独特的原因是煤层在广泛深成变质作用基础上,局部叠加了岩浆热变质作用的结果。根据研究结果探讨了宝鼎煤田煤变质模式,预测了深部的煤质变化,指出F22断层以西为下一步JM的有利寻找方向。