Facies in an Upper Permian volcanic succession,Emmaville Volcanics,Deepwater, northeastern New South Wales

The Upper Permian Emmaville Volcanics at Deepwater, northeastern New South Wales, consist of a diverse succession of calc‐alkaline silicic‐intermediate ignimbrites, volcaniclastics and minor lavas. This 2.5 km‐thick sequence underlies and outcrops extensively along the northern margin of the Dundee Rhyodacite Outlier at Dundee. Detailed mapping and facies analysis have revealed eight locally mappable units namely; Magistrate Volcanic Member (rhyolitic ignimbrites), Wollundi Mudstone Member, Dellwood Ignimbrite Member, Marrawarra Rhyolite Member, Top‐Crossing Sandstone Member, Arranmor Ignimbrite Member, Yarramundi Andesite Member (lava, breccia) and Welcome Volcanic Member (rhyolitic ignimbrites). All volcanic units are contained in two fault‐bounded blocks of different lithology and structure. The volcanic succession ranges in composition from andesite to high‐silica rhyolite (58.6–78% SiO₂). Chemical characteristics include enrichment in K₂O (>3.5%), Al₂O₃ and large‐ion lithophile elements (LILE: Rb, K and light rare‐earth elements (LREE)), and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSE: Ti, Nb and Zr). These geochemical attributes reflect a continental subduction‐related signature. The facies architecture indicates that the principal volcanic features of the Late Permian palaeogeography in northeastern New South Wales was a topographically subdued depression flanked by low‐angle ignimbrite sheets with rhyolitic‐intermediate volcanic centres rising gently from the sloping terrain. The succession demonstrates that during the Late Permian andesitic volcanism was present, although localised. A modern analogue for the setting of the Emmaville Volcanics is the Quaternary Taupo Volcanic Zone (New Zealand).     

Rhizocarpon calibration curve for the Aoraki/Mount Cook area of New Zealand

Development of Rhizocarpon growth curve from the Aoraki/Mount Cook area of New Zealand provides a means to assess Little Ice Age glacier behaviour and suggests approaches that have wider application. Employing a sampling strategy based on large populations affords the opportunity to assess which of various metrics (e.g. single largest, average of five largest, mean of an entire population) best characterise Rhizocarpon growth patterns. The 98% quantile from each population fitted with a quadric curve forms a reliable representation of the growth pattern. Since this metric does not depend on the original sample size, comparisons are valid where sample strategy must be adapted to local situations or where the original sample size differs. For the Aoraki/Mount Cook area a surface 100 years old will have a 98% quantile lichen diameter of 34.3 mm, whereas a 200‐year‐old surface will have a lichen diameter of 73.7 mm. In the Southern Alps, constraints from the age range of calibration points, the flattening of the quadric calibration curve and ecological factors limit the useful age range to approximately 250 years. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late Quaternary environments,vegetation and agriculture in northern New Zealand

A sedimentological and plant microfossil history of the Late Quaternary is preserved in two sediment cores from early Polynesian ditch systems on southern Aupouri Peninsula. The study places human activities into a geomorphological and ecological context and allows comparison of natural and anthropogenic effects on two different geological settings: a floodplain and a relatively closed peat swamp. The data fill part of the current gap in the environmental record from northern New Zealand, namely MIS 3 (57k–26k yr BP). There is evidence for an increase in fire frequency in the region after 40k ¹⁴C yr BP, suggesting a shift to drier (and cooler) conditions. Pollen records show that conifer‐hardwood forest dominated by podocarps (especially Dacrydium) prevailed prior to Polynesian arrival and deforestation within the last millennium, with Fuscopsora insignificant throughout. Both cores show sections with gaps in deposition or preservation, possible flood‐stripping of peat during the pre‐Holocene and mechanical disturbance by early Polynesians. The identification of prehistoric starch grains and other microremains of introduced Colocasia esculenta (taro) in both cores supports indirect evidence that the ditch systems of far northern New Zealand were used for the extensive cultivation of this crop. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The P–T path of the ultra-high pressure Lago Di Cignana and adjoining high-pressure meta-ophiolitic units: insights into the evolution of the subducting Tethyan slab

The Lago di Cignana ultra‐high‐pressure unit (LCU), which consists of coesite–eclogite facies metabasics and metasediments, preserves the most deeply subducted oceanic rocks worldwide. New constraints on the prograde and early retrograde evolution of this ultra‐high pressure unit and adjoining units provide important insights into the evolution of the Piemontese–Ligurian palaeo‐subduction zone, active in Paleocene–Eocene times. In the LCU, a first prograde metamorphic assemblage, consisting of omphacite + Ca‐amphibole + epidote + rare biotite + ilmenite, formed during burial at estimated P < 1.7 GPa and 350 < T < 480 °C. Similar metamorphic conditions of 400 < T < 650 °C and 1.0 < P < 1.7 GPa have been estimated for the meta‐ophiolitic rocks juxtaposed to the LCU. The prograde assemblage is partially re‐equilibrated into the peak assemblage garnet + omphacite + Na‐amphibole + lawsonite + coesite + rutile, whose conditions were estimated at 590 < T < 605 °C and P > 3.2 GPa. The prograde path was characterized by a gradual decrease in the thermal gradient from ～9–10 to ～5–6 °C km^?1. This variation is interpreted as the evidence of an increase in the rate of subduction of the Piemonte–Ligurian oceanic slab in the Eocene. Accretion of the Piemontese oceanic rocks to the Alpine orogen and thermal relaxation were probably related to the arrival of more buoyant continental crust at the subduction zone. Subsequent deformation of the orogenic wedge is responsible for the present position of the LCU, sandwiched between two tectonic slices of meta‐ophiolites, named the Lower and Upper Units, which experienced peak pressures of 2.7–2.8 and <2.4 GPa respectively.     

Inactive and relict rock glaciers of the Deboullie Lakes Ecological Reserve,northern Maine,USA

Lobate talus slopes in the Deboullie Lakes Ecological Reserve (DLER) of northern Maine exhibit parabolic profiles characteristic of inactive and relict talus‐derived rock glaciers. Vegetated rock glacier surfaces suggest that the landforms are no longer active, and lobes comprising two DLER rock glaciers document periods of past growth. Observations of perennial subsurface ice are supported by datalogger temperature measurements, indicating that sporadic permafrost exists throughout the DLER. We compare the DLER rock glaciers, along with similar features elsewhere in New England and adjacent Québec, to the modern alpine permafrost distribution. Results indicate that a mean annual temperature cooling of ～6°C is required to promote active rock glacier growth. Ages of plant remains recovered from the basal sediments of a local pond constrain deglaciation to before 11 320 ¹⁴C a BP, and core stratigraphy and organic content reveal that a periglacial environment persisted during the early postglacial era. Thus, we hypothesise that the DLER rock glaciers were active during Lateglacial time despite the lack of glacier activity in the region. We take this to suggest that north‐eastern US rock glaciers formed in response to mean annual temperatures skewed towards the frigid winters of the Younger Dryas chronozone. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

大尺度环流系统对西北太平洋变性TC频数影响的气候诊断分析

基于中国热带气旋年鉴资料,从气候学角度出发,对西北太平洋TC(热带气旋)发生温带变性的频数与大尺度环流系统间的关系进行了诊断和分析.研究发现变性TC多发生于夏、秋两季,通过对NCEP月平均再分析资料的500hPa高度场进行EOF分解,发现西北太平洋TC变性的频数与65°N附近强冷高压系统在夏、秋两季都存在着正相关关系,且相关性在秋季高于夏季;与30°N附近强副热带高压系统存在负相关关系,夏季副热带高压系统的作用更大;与30°N以南西北太平洋多台风活动区域的弱低压存在显著的负相关,低压越弱,对流越弱,则TC的生成数越少,其中发生变性的TC数也会减少.500hPa高度场EOF分解的第一特征向量所对应的时间函数分布在20世纪70年代中期前后出现了反号,较好地对应了变性TC年频数的年际变化趋势,70年代中期之前变性TC呈总体偏多,之后变性TC的频数总体偏少,呈明显下降趋势.     

Hydrological regimes in a tropical valley of New Caledonia (SW Pacific): Impacts of wildfires and invasive fauna

In New Caledonia wildfires and invasive mammals (deer and wild pigs) constitute the major agents of land surface degradation. Our study reveals the linkage between land cover and water balance on the northeast coast of New Caledonia (2400 mm annual rainfall) located on a micaschist basement. The hydrological regime of characteristic and representative land surfaces is assessed using a 1-year record from three 100 m² plots each, located in a forest area degraded by an invasive fauna, in a woody savannah which is regularly burned, and in a healthy forest area. The three plots present highly contrasting hydrological regimes, with annual and maximum runoff/rain ratios during a rain event of, respectively, 0.82, 0.16, 0.03, and 2.7, 0.7, 0.2, for the degraded forest, the savannah and the healthy forest. Such results suggest that subsurface flow originating from the contributing area above the degraded forest plot should exfiltrate inside the plot. A conceptual model for the degraded forest plot shows that water exfiltrating inside the plot represents 61% of the observed runoff. In savannahs, water should mainly be transferred downstream by subsurface flow within a thick organic soil layer limited by an impervious clay layer at a 20–30 cm depth. Savannahs are generally located above forests and generate the transfer of rainwater to downslope forests. Exfiltration into the forests can be the result of this transfer and depends on the thickness and permeability of the forest topsoils and on topographic gradients. Water exfiltration in forest areas highly degraded by pigs and deer enhances erosion and increases further degradation. It probably also limits percolation in the areas located downstream by increasing the amount of superficial runoff concentrated in gullies.     

Structural fabric evidence for indentation tectonics in the Nambucca Block,southern New England Fold Belt,New South Wales

Structural studies of Lower Permian sequences exposed on wave‐cut platforms within the Nambucca Block, indicate that one to two ductile and two to three brittle — ductile/brittle events are recorded in the lower grade (sub‐greenschist facies) rocks; evidence for four, possibly five, ductile and at least three brittle — ductile/brittle events occurs in the higher grade (greenschist facies) rocks. Veins formed prior to the second ductile event are present in some outcrops. Further, the studies reveal a change in fold style from west‐southwest‐trending, open, south‐southeast‐verging, inclined folds (F₁ ⁰) at Grassy Head in the south, to east‐northeast‐trending, recumbent, isoclinal folds (F₁ ⁰; F₂ ⁰) at Nambucca Heads to the north, suggesting that strain increases towards the Coffs Harbour Block. A solution cleavage formed during D₁ in the lower grade rocks and cleavages defined by neocrystalline white mica developed during D₁ and D₂ in the higher grade rocks. South‐ to south‐southwest‐directed tectonic transport and north‐south shortening operated during these earlier events. Subsequently, north‐northeast‐trending, open, upright F₃ ² folds and inclined, northwest‐verging, northeast‐trending F₄ ² folds developed with poorly to moderately developed axial planar, crenulation cleavage (S₃ and S₄) formed by solution transfer processes. These folds formed heterogeneously in S₂ throughout the higher grade areas. Later northeast‐southwest shortening resulted in the formation of en échelon vein arrays and kink bands in both the lower and higher grade rocks. Shortening changed to east‐northeast‐west‐southwest during later north‐northeast to northeast, dextral, strike‐slip faulting and then to approximately northwest‐southeast during the formation of east‐southeast to southeast‐trending, strike‐slip faults. Cessation of faulting occurred prior to the emplacement of Triassic (229 Ma) granitoids. On a regional scale, S₁ trends east‐west and dips moderately to the north in areas unaffected by later events. S₂ has a similar trend to S₁ in less‐deformed areas, but is refolded about east‐west axes during D₃. S₃ is folded about east‐west axes in the highest grade, multiply deformed central part of the Nambucca Block. The deformation and regional metamorphism in the Nambucca Block is believed to be the result of indenter tectonics, whereby south‐directed movement of the Coffs Harbour Block during oroclinal bending, sequentially produced the east‐west‐trending structures. The effects of the Coffs Harbour Block were greatest during D₁ and D₂.     

Sedimentology of a debris‐rich,perhumid valley glacier margin in the Rakaia Valley,South Island,New Zealand

The sedimentology and stratigraphy of a multi‐phase glaciation sequence dating to Marine Isotope Stage 6 in the Rakaia Valley, South Island, New Zealand, is presented. This outcrop presents an example of the depositional signature of an end member of temperate valley glaciation, where voluminous sediment supply in a tectonically active setting combines with high annual temperatures and low seasonality to generate significant year‐round glacifluvial activity. Such glacial systems produce geological–climatic units that are dominated by thick sequences of aggradational gravels and proglacial lake sediments trapped behind outwash heads during deglaciation. At Bayfields Cliff, outwash sequences record an oscillating glacier margin marked by a sequence of glacier‐fed, Gilbert‐type deltas. The deltas are cut by numerous small‐scale, syndepositional, normal faults indicating both loss of glacier support and melt‐out of buried ice. A larger‐scale thrust fault system reflects late‐stage ice overrun. Braid plain gravels and chaotic disturbed glacial lake sediments are also recorded. A notable feature of these systems is the virtual absence of till in an environment with much other evidence for proximal ice. Cumulatively we regard these sediment–landform associations as diagnostic of debris‐laden, perhumid, temperate valley glacier systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

西大别熊店地区榴辉岩变质作用的P-T轨迹研究

西大别熊店地区的榴辉岩多属于高压榴辉岩,主要矿物为石榴石、角闪石、绿辉石、绿泥石、白云母、石英、以及少量金红石及长石。石榴石具有明显的生长环带。本次研究利用榴辉岩样品的全岩成分定量的绘制了P-T视剖面图,根据石榴石的端元成分含量,计算得出了石榴石成分剖面所对应的温压条件。其核部的温压条件为21. 5 × 10 ⁸ Pa ～ 22. 2 × 10 ⁸ Pa,450℃ ～ 463℃,对应的矿物组合为石榴石 + 绿辉石 + 蓝闪石 + 阳起石 + 硬柱石 + 绿泥石 + （白云母 + 水）;边缘的温压条件为6 × 10 ⁸ Pa ～ 8 × 10 ⁸ Pa,610℃ ～ 630℃,该温压条件对应的矿物组合为石榴石 + 普通角闪石 + 斜长石 + 透辉石 ＋ （白云母 + 水）,从而得到石榴石变质演化的P-T轨迹,由此反映出石榴石变质过程是一个升温降压的过程。