Disequilibrium Induced by Fast Decompression in St-Bt-Grt-Ky-Sil-And Metapelites from the Betic Belt (Southern Spain)

Medium-grade metapelites from the Torrox unit (Western Alpujarrides,Betic Cordilleras) provide an example of the phase relationshipsto be expected from extensional collapse of thickened crust.The rocks contain assemblages formed by combinations of St–Bt–GrtKySil–And,and are characterized by a marked state of textural and compositionaldisequilibrium that originated during post-peak, near-isothermaldecompression at moderately high temperatures (from >10 to2–3 kbar, at 550–650C). Major disequilibrium featuresinclude abundant reaction textures, metastable coexistence ofthe three aluminium silicate (Als) polymorphs, wide heterogeneitiesin the composition of phases within single samples and unsystematicor abnormal Mg-Fe partitioning among biolite, garnet and staurolite.Reaction relations and compositional trends of phases can beshown to be consistent with expectations from model systems,however, indicating that disequilibrium was a consequence ofreaction overstepping along the isothermal decompression path.Ensuing fast, near-isobaric cooling abruptly terminated metamorphism,and allowed for the preservation of disequilibrium featuresafter decompression. Given that the rocks decompressed at relativelyhigh temperature, the occurrence of reaction overstepping suggeststhat decompression proceeded at a very fast rate, consistentwith a bulk exhumation velocity in the range of 5–10 km/Ma,as estimated from available radio-metric data for this stage. KEY WORDS: decompression; disequilibrium; extensional collapse; medium-grade metapelites; reaction overstepping ^*Corresponding author. Telephone: + 34 58 243355. Fax: + 34 58 243368. e-mail: agcasco{at}goliat.ugr.es     

Dissolution of Corundum and Andalusite in H2O-Saturated Haplogranitic Melts at 800{degrees}C and 200 MPa: Constraints on Diffusivities and the Generation of Peraluminous Melts

The mechanisms and kinetics of equilibration between peraluminousminerals and granitic melt were investigated experimentallyby the dissolution of corundum and andalusite into H₂O-saturatedmetaluminous haplogranitic melt at 800°C and 200 MPa. Mineraland haplogranitic glass rods were juxtaposed inside platinumcapsules, and then subjected to experimental conditions fortimes ranging from 12 to 2900 h. Upon melting, the mineral –meltinterface retreats with the square root of time. The compositionof the melt at the interface changes with time, but its ASI[aluminum saturation index = molar Al₂O₃/(CaO + Na₂O + K₂O)]remains constant at     

MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF KARST DEPRESSIONS ON A MEDITERRANEAN KARST MASSIF

Dolines are the most typical landform in karst landscapes. They play an important role in karst hydrogeology; they are effective sediment traps that provide information about past climates and karst evolution, and can also be indicators of tectonic activity. The morphometic analysis of those depressions can help in their study and interpretation. However, detailed identification and delineation of dolines becomes increasingly difficult when the study area is very large, of limited access or covered by vegetation. Here, we have used a method developed by the authors for automatic identification and delineation of karst depressions based on the use of a pit removal algorithm. Next a complete morphometric analysis of the karst depressions has been carried out. The main advantage of the methodology is that by delineating and identifying the depth of each doline from its rim, many morphometric statistics can be obtained, including the relation of doline depth and area with respect to altitude, the main doline orientations, doline density, the fractal dimension of doline area and frequency, and point field analysis, among others. The results are interpreted from a geomorphological point of view and the mapped dolines can be easily integrated into geomorphological mapping. A case study is presented from the large Sierra Gorda karst massif in southern Spain, where 3100 depressions have been identified. A strong structural control of doline shape and orientation is demonstrated; the main areas of doline density are highlighted and doline size is shown to follow a fractal law.     

Mean Kinematic Characteristics of Synoptic Easterly Disturbances over the Atlantic

This study investigates the mean kinematic characteristics of the tropical Atlantic easterly disturbances in January-March(JFM),April-June(AMJ),July-September(JAS)and October-December(OND)from 1968-1998.For each season,the preferential tracks of these disturbances in the 3-10-day band periods were computed and spatialized,as well as their associated wavelength,velocity and main period,which lies between 3-5 days and between 6-9 days depending on the track and the season. Two main tracks are highlighted over the Atlantic Ocean.During OND and JFM these two tracks are well separated and located in each hemisphere around 15°S and 12.5°N.From AMJ to JAS these tracks migrate northward;in JAS,they merge into one over the northern tropical Atlantic along 17.5°N.The associated wavelength fields exhibit a meridional gradient,with large wavelengths(greater than 4000 km) around the equator,between 5°N and 5°S,and smaller wavelengths outside of this latitude band(between 2500-3500 km).The phase speed is also found to exhibit poleward decreasing values from 12-6 m s-1. Over the north Atlantic track,6-9-day disturbances were found to occur from January to May and approximately from October to December.From June to September,the 3-5-day waves dominate the synoptic activity.Over the south Atlantic track,between May and August the synoptic variability is mainly explained by the 3-5-day disturbances but from January to April and from September to December both 3-5-day waves and 6-9-day waves can occur.     

Phosphate stromatolites from condensed cephalopod limestones, Upper Jurassic, Southern Spain

Upper Jurassic phosphate stromatolites of the Almola Sierra (Southern Spain) encrust macrofossils and hardgrounds, and form oncoids included within pelagic, condensed fossiliferous limestones. Their accretion was determined by bacterially mediated precipitation of phosphate, by the trapping and binding of fine siliciclastics and pelagic biomicrite and by the encrustation of benthonic foraminifera. Phosphorous, trace elements and rare-earth elements were concentrated from degraded organic matter and seawater by stromatolite-building communities, which mediated the formation of phosphate-rich and Fe-Al-Si-rich organic gels under oxic conditions, favouring the precipitation of amorphous mineral precursors (ACP and Fe-Al-Si oxyhydroxides). The observed Ce-enrichment for some stromatolites is explained by oxidative scavenging of Ce⁴⁺ from seawater by Fe—Mn oxyhydroxides. The bacterially mediated gels were able to migrate and fill the voids of the stromatolite structure, and later changed to carbonate-fluorapatite, haematite and poorly crystalline Fe-rich clays under postoxic conditions. Phosphatization of trapped carbonate particles also occurred. The phosphate stromatolites formed on a sediment-starved pelagic swell, during periods of no carbonate sedimentation and hardground development. Stromatolite lamination provides evidence for rhythmic alternation between bacterially mediated phosphogenesis, sedimentation and erosion, suggesting episodic changes in the sedimentary environment. Although some of the parameters that controlled phosphate precipitation associated with the stromatolites (local high organic productivity, sediment starvation, moderate depth of deposition and physicochemical conditions) were similar to those found in modern and ancient phosphogenic settings, the palaeogeographical framework and the intensity of sedimentary processes were different to those of the World's major phosphorite deposits.     

The paranthurid isopod crustacean Paranthura nigropunctata (Lucas, 1846): first record from the Atlantic coast of Morocco

The littoral paranthurid isopod crustacean Paranthura nigropunctata (Lucas, 1846) is recorded for the first time from the littoral of El Jadida located on the Atlantic northwest coast of Morocco. Specimens were obtained from the invasive brown seaweed Sargassum muticum and the natives Bifurcaria bifurcata and Cystoseira tamariscifolia in January 2015. This new record further confirms a significant southward distribution of P. nigropunctata and contributes to the knowledge of the biogeography of this isopod. Heretofore, the species was only known from the western and eastern Mediterranean and some Atlantic coasts. The present finding is the first of the species from Moroccan Atlantic shores, and suggests that the species may also be present in other coastal localities from Morocco and Africa. Some data on morphology, ecology and spatial distribution of the species are provided.     

Controls on late Quaternary incised‐valley dimension along passive margins evaluated using empirical data

Incised valleys are canyon‐like features that initially form near the highstand shoreline and evolve over geological time as rivers erode into coastal plains and continental shelves to maintain equilibrium‐gradient profiles in response to sea‐level fall. Most of these valleys flood during sea‐level rise to form estuaries. Incised‐valley morphology strongly controls the rate of creation of sediment accommodation, valley‐fill facies architecture and the preservation potential of coastal lithosomes on continental shelves, and affects coastal physical processes. Nonetheless, little is known about what dictates incised‐valley size and shape and whether these metrics can be used to explain principal formation processes. The main control on alluvial channel morphology over human time scales is discharge; this is based on numerous empirical studies and is well‐constrained because all variables are easily measured at this short time scale. Knowledge of long‐term river evolution over a complete glacio‐eustatic cycle, on the contrary, remains largely conceptual, experimental and based on individual systems because variables that are thought to drive morphological change are not easily quantified. In spite of this difficulty, existing models of incised‐valley formation at the coast suggest that valley evolution is driven largely by downstream forcing mechanisms, highlighting sea‐level and shelf gradient/morphology as the dominant controls on valley incision. Although valleys are cut by rivers, whose channels are a direct reflection of discharge, little empirical data exist in coastal areas to address the degree to which valley evolution is governed by upstream controls. The late Quaternary is the best time period to examine because it provides the most complete sedimentary record and many variables, including sea‐level, tectonics, substrate lithology and drainage network characteristics, are accurately constrained. Here, 38 late Quaternary valleys along the coast of two different passive continental margins are compared, which suggests that valley shape and size are governed primarily by upstream, intrinsic controls such as discharge. Valley width, depth and cross‐sectional area are found to be predictable at the highstand shoreline and are scaled with the size of their drainage basin, which has important implications for estimating sediment discharge to continental shelves and deep water environments during periods of low sea‐level.