Multiple generation magmatic and hydrothermal processes in a Martian subvolcanic environment based on the analysis of Yamato-000593 nakhlite meteorite

We studied the occurrence of secondary minerals and inferred their formation in the Yamato-000593 Martian meteorite using multiple technological approaches such as electron probe micro analysis, optical microscope, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, as well as Fourier transform-infrared microscopy and spectroscopy. Two separate hydrothermal alteration events and their sequence of formation (based on superpositional relationship) can be identified: an elevated temperature phase producing high-temperature sulfidic hydrothermal alteration and a lower temperature hydrothermal alteration phase by iron-rich fluids. This meteorite shows signatures more compatible with magmatic effects, rather than impact-induced hydrothermal alteration, as has been proposed earlier. The sulfidic alteration probably formed by magmatic hydrothermal fluids, whereas iron-rich hydrothermal fluid circulation after a possible early impact event has also been proposed, when the fluids cooled down to 50 °C. Most of the secondary minerals formed at alkaline-neutral conditions, and the few observed signatures (clay–silica-bearing veins, siderite-iron-oxide veins) of briny conditions are probably from local spatial effects in larger cavities. The ferrous minerals (hematite and siderite) along the fractures could be crystallized from Fe-HCO₃-bearing fluids. Alternatively, the primary magmatic minerals could have been oxidized easily (Fe-rich olivines, magnetite) during the cooling to iron oxides (hematite, goethite). The results suggest the possible existence of at least ephemerally habitable environments on Mars, mainly at volcanically heated locations. Following published geochemical models, the carbonates formed within acidic-circumneutral condition, which was followed by formation of phyllosilicates in alkaline condition.     

A simple contact–friction interface element with applications to buried culverts

A simple friction–contact interface element is introduced which simulates frictional slippage, separation, and re-bonding of two bodies initially mating at a common interface and subsequently deforming with an arbitrary static loading schedule. Constraint equations between initially mating node pairs and the general principle of virtual work are used to formulate the interface element for a finite element solution procedure. Some advantages of the interface element include; easy implementation intostandard finite element programs, direct determination of interface forces without round-off problems, and the generality afforded by the virtual work formulation to include other non-conservative models in the system. The application of the interface element to an idealized buried culvert problem illustrates that the model behaves properly. A second application, for a long-span culvert installation with incremental soil loading, demonstrates the importance of modelling slippage at the culvert–soil interface in order to conform with experimental observations.     

Évolution pression–température des amphibolites de la zone axiale au cours du métamorphisme hercynien des Pyrénées orientales

Thin levels of amphibolites from the Canigou, Albères and Cap de Creus massifs have been studied in order to investigate their pressure and temperature evolution during time. P and T values have been calculated using the amphibole–plagioclase–quartz thermo-barometer. Si, Al, Mg and Fe of zoned amphiboles have been analysed from core to rim by microprobe. By combining the results obtained from several (or different) crystals, P–T–t paths have been determined using the amphibole-plagioclase-quartz equilibriums. In the Canigou Massif, the amphibolites have recorded anti-clockwise P–T–t paths around a peak of metamorphism located at about 650?°C–6.1 kbar, whereas in the Albères Massif, the calculated P–T–t paths of amphibolites near the paragneisses are retrograde only, from 600?°C–5 kbar to 450?°C–2.5 kbar, but one cummingtonite-bearing amphibolite has also recorded an anti-clockwise evolution around 650?°C–4.5 kbar. The retrograde P–T–t paths recorded for amphibolites from the ‘Cap de Creus’ Massif are retrograde only, from 650?°C–6 kbar and 400?°C–1 kbar. To cite this article: C. Triboulet et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Introduction of the mining royalty system in Hungary

The new mining act that becarne effective in Hungary in 1993 instituted the payment of royalties for the minerals produced and sold annually. To arrive at the amount of mineral production, the Hungarian Geological Survey (HGS) conducts the National Inventory, which is used by the Mining Bureau of Hungary (MBH) to verify the mining royalty payment obligations. This paper explains the major legal requirements for the mining royalties and how the values of the minerals are calculated. It also describes the first experience with the declaration and payment of the mining royalties and provides the declared and paid 1995 royalties. The Mining Bureau of Hungary reports on the introduction of the mining royalty system that became effective with the Mining Act in 1993. This article is sponsored by the U.S. Hungarian Science and Technology Joint Fund under Project Joint Fund Number 539.     

Formation and shock impact history of the Csatalja ordinary chondrite

The analysis of the Csatalja H4 chondrite (which was found in August 2012) suggests shock-related textures and spatial inhomogeneities, indicating a complex geological history. In the most heavily fractured and sheared units, small opaque grains and older fractures have locally enhanced the shock effect, producing melt. While the impact textures were evident in most units of the meteorite, mechanical shearing is apparent in only two units, suggesting that these units might have been present at somewhat different locations inside the parent body. Shearing also occurred at the border of the so-called xenolith unit, confirming its mechanical mixing with the other units. Besides fragmentation and melting, chemical changes due to impact have also been identified, producing compositional homogenization of olivines in 30% of the investigated area of the sample's thin section (23 mm²), and moderate accumulation of Fe, Ca, and Na in the strongly shocked zones, initiating crystallization of feldspar in veins with a specific spatial distribution (feldspar glass with metal–sulfide globules). Analyzing the high P–T minerals, the peak shock pressure and temperature values differed substantially in the various units, ranging between 2 and 17 GPa, 100 and >1200 °C. The xenolith unit crystallized more slowly after the impact event and does not show shock impact alterations, suggesting that it was formed in a deeper region of the parent body. This was later shifted to its current surroundings and was lithified (fixed) to the rest of the sample. This “randomly selected” Csatalja sample provides information on the range of the formation temperatures, pressures, and processes that contributed to the heterogeneity of meteorites at the mm spatial scale, in general. The identified heterogeneity is a result not purely of the shock effects but also of the different pre-shock structural characteristics. The shock also mixed fragments mechanically that have been formed at different environments, with at least several dozens or even 100 m depth in the parent body.