DEGLACIATION OF THE EASTERN FLANK OF THE NORTH PATAGONIAN ICEFIELD AND ASSOCIATED CONTINENTAL-SCALE LAKE DIVERSIONS

ABSTRACT. We examine the deglaciation of the eastern flank of the North Patagonian Icefield between latitudes 46° and 48°S in an attempt to link the chronology of the Last Glacial Maximum moraines and those close to present-day outlet glaciers. The main features of the area are three shorelines created by ice-dammed lakes that drained eastwards to the Atlantic. On the basis of 16 ¹⁴C and exposure age dates we conclude that there was rapid glacier retreat at 15–16 ka (calendar ages) that saw glaciers retreat 90–125 km to within 20 km of their present margins. There followed a phase of glacier and lake stability at 13.6–12.8 ka. The final stage of deglaciation occurred at c. 12.8 ka, a time when the lake suddenly drained, discharging nearly 2000 km³ to the Pacific Ocean. This latter event marks the final separation of the North and South Patagonian Icefields. The timing of the onset of deglaciation and its stepped nature are similar to elsewhere in Patagonia and the northern hemisphere. However, the phase of lake stability, coinciding with the Antarctic Cold Reversal and ending during the Younger Dryas interval, mirrors climatic trends as recorded in Antarctic ice cores. The implication is that late-glacial changes in southern Patagonia were under the influence of the Antarctic realm and out of phase with those of the northern hemisphere.     

A GLACIAL STAGE SPANNING THE ANTARCTIC COLD REVERSAL IN TORRES DEL PAINE (51°S), CHILE, BASED ON PRELIMINARY COSMOGENIC EXPOSURE AGES

ABSTRACT. Initial cosmogenic ¹⁰Be results from a former ice limit in Torres del Paine indicate a shortlived stillstand or readvance of Patagonian ice culminating at 12–15 kyr BP with a mean age of 13.2 ± 0.8 kyr BP. The glacier extended some 40 km beyond the present ice margin and was within 15 km of the presumed Last Glacial Maximum limits. The timing of the glacier stage spans the cooling event recorded in Antarctic ice cores, termed the Antarctic Cold Reversal (14.5–12.9 kyr BP). This result implies that glaciers at these latitudes were out of phase with those in the northern hemisphere; instead they mirrored the climate structure of Antarctica during the last glacial to interglacial transition.     

Unique recovery stage of reef communities after F/F event in a huge coral reef of Carboniferous, Southern Guizhou,China

Carboniferous is a global recession period of reef-building. There were fewer reefs at that times due to massive extinction and the great glacial catastrophe in the southern hemisphere in Frasnian/Famennian[1]. So far, however, most of the researches concerning Carboniferous reefs have been limited, which leads to insufficient knowledge regarding the composition, structure, ecological characteristics of reef-building communities, the reef growth models, etc. Interna-tional studies conducted o…     

Morphometric controls and geomorphic responses on fans in the Southern Alps,New Zealand

Morphometric variables associated with 41 debris‐?ow and 18 ?uvial fans and their basins in the Southern Alps of New Zealand are examined. The results show statistically signi?cant differences in the area, maximum elevation, relief and ruggedness (Melton's R) of the basin and the area, gradient, and apex and toe elevations of the fan between debris‐?ow and ?uvial sites. Concavity of the fan longitudinal pro?le also differs between the two fan types, although this could not be tested statistically. Most of these morphometric differences re?ect differences in processes and environmental controls on them. Discriminant analysis indicates that basin area and fan gradient best differentiate the two fan types by process. Moderately strong correlations exist, on both debris‐?ow and ?uvial fans, between basin area or Melton's R and fan area. Correlations between basin area or Melton's R and fan gradient are generally weaker. The results of this study also indicate that on debris‐?ow‐prone fans the fan gradient and basin Melton's R have lower thresholds which overlap little with upper thresholds associated with basins where only stream?ow reaches the fan. These thresholds may therefore have value in preliminary morphometric assessments of debris‐?ow hazard on fans in the Southern Alps. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geophysical Evidence for Terrane Boundaries in South-Central Argentina

The geological interpretation of high-resolution aeromagnetic data over the La Pampa province, in central Argentina, in addition to lower resolution magnetic information from the region of the Neuquén and Colorado basins, leads to the definition of the precise boundaries of the Chilenia, Cuyania, Pampia and Patagonia terranes, as well as that of the Río de la Plata Craton, within the study region. The high-resolution aeromagnetic survey data are compared and studied in conjunction with all the available geological information, to produce a map of the solid geology of this region, which is largely covered by Quaternary sediments. A number of structures of different magnitudes, as well as their relative chronology, are also recognized, i.e., regional faults, sub-regional faults, fractures and shear zones, as well as the most conspicuous magnetic fabric of the basement that reflects its main planar structures. Three different basements are distinguished on the basis of their contrasting magnetic character, and are interpreted to represent the Cuyania and Pampia terranes and the Río de la Plata Craton, separated from each other by large-scale discontinuities. In the western part of the study region an additional major discontinuity separates the Chilenia and Cuyania terranes. In the southernmost area studied, WNW-trending structures are predominant, particularly a major NNE-vergent thrust that indicates the truncation of the Cuyania-Pampia suture and is regarded to be related to the possible collision of the Patagonia terrane. An E–W – trending magnetic and gravity anomaly traversing the full extra-Andean Argentine territory, located immediately to the south of 39°S, represents a major structure. The activation of this structure during the Mesozoic gave rise to the Huincul Ridge and marks the interruption of the distinct N-S structures of the Chilenia, Cuyania and Pampia terranes, as well as those of the Río de la Plata Craton, to the north. This E–W represents the suture zone of the Patagonia terrane.     

Biomass estimation using Landsat-TM and -ETM+. Towards a regional model for Southern Africa?

Grazing and fire are major factors influencing the savanna ecosystems of Southern Africa. In both grazing and conservation areas overgrazing is an important reason for degradation of vegetation and soil. Insufficient fire management can cause a change in the species composition and may influence the soil negatively. For adequate planning purposes the knowledge of available biomass is indispensable. High-resolution satellite systems can provide such knowledge on a large scale. Three study areas in Southern Africa contributed to a first survey. Gutu District is situated in Zimbabwe. In its Communal Lands a high population density leads to severe degradation of vegetation and soil. The South African test sites are located in Kruger National Park and Madikwe Game Reserve. Therefore a wide ecological range from highly degraded to slightly disturbed savanna ecosystems is included. Satellite images of both Landsat-5 (TM) and Landsat-7 (ETM+) were applied. After cross-calibration of the two different satellite systems, indices applied to radiance and reflectance showed significant correlations with ground truth data of grass and other foliage biomass. Including new data from Hluhluwe National Park (South Africa) into the regression models improved the results, indicating that a regional model for savanna ecosystems in Southern Africa could be found. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

1996年11月9日南黄海6.1级地震前的地震活动异常

１９９６年１１月９日在南黄海海域发生了６．１级地震。该地震前自１９９３年直震中周围区域的地震活动明显增强、小震群活跃，出现孕震空区及一些地震活动指标的中期异常。１９９５年８月后该区地震活动的出现明显平静。这次地震前的地震活动异常是明显的。     

南黄海和东海地区现代构造应力场特征的研究

分析研究了南黄海和东海地区18口石油勘探钻井的井孔崩落特征，结合对琉球岛弧和冲绳海槽地区浅源地震震源机制解的分析，确认了南黄海地区与我国华北地区有类似的现代构造应力场特征；并得出东海地区的最大水平压应力方向为NEE-SWW，最小水平压应力方向为NNW-SSE，它们分别与冲绳海槽地区的最大和最小主压应力方向接近;东海地区地壳上层的水平差应力可能不强，这与该地区没什么地震活动的特点是一致的．根据应力场特征推断，我国东部地区并未受到菲律宾海板块俯冲的推挤作用，而是可能受到垂直于冲绳海槽走向的拉伸作用的影响．     

华南花岗岩类的演化特征

从区域地质背景、岩石地质、岩石化学、同位素地球化学等方面开展的综合研究表明：华南前寒武纪至中生代的花岗岩作用，是呈阶段演变的一种历史地质过程。它与该区大陆地壳演化与运动的发展过程和大陆大地构造不同体制的深部动力过程密切相关。传统板块理论连续作用的构造模式，难以对此作出全面解释。华南花岗岩及其成矿规律性的研究，需要从大陆地壳的形成、演化与运动的历史动力学作用过程中加以解决。     

1994年南黄海5．3级地震前兆异常及其复杂性研究

本文介绍了１９９４年７月２６日南黄海５．３级地震及其前兆异常情况，结合１９９２年１月２３日南黄海５．３级地震，探讨了地震前兆的复杂性及其机制和地震预报问题。