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Dislocation interactions in olivine control postseismic creep of the upper mantle
No full textChanges in stress applied to mantle rocks, such as those imposed by earthquakes, induce a period of evolution in viscosity and microstructure. This transient creep is often modelled based on stress transfer among slip systems due to grain interactions. However, recent experiments have demonstrated that the intragranular accumulation of stresses among dislocations is the dominant cause of strain hardening in olivine at low temperatures, raising the question of whether the same process contributes to transient creep at higher temperatures. Here, we demonstrate that olivine samples deformed at 25°C or 1150–1250°C both contain stress heterogeneities of ~1 GPa that are imparted by dislocations and have correlation lengths of ~1 μm. The similar stress distributions formed in both temperature regimes indicate that accumulation of stresses among dislocations also provides a contribution to transient creep at high temperatures. The results motivate a new generation of models that capture these intragranular processes and may refine predictions of evolving mantle viscosity over the earthquake cycle.</p
Controls on the barium isotope compositions of marine sediments
No full textThe accumulation of barium (Ba) in marine sediments is considered to be a robust proxy for export production, although this application can be limited by uncertainty in BaSO4 preservation and sediment mass accumulation rates. The Ba isotope compositions of marine sediments could potentially record insights into past changes in the marine Ba cycle, which should be insensitive to these limitations, enabling more robust interpretation of sedimentary Ba as a proxy. To investigate the controls on the Ba isotope compositions of marine sediments and their potential for paleo-oceanographic applications, we present the first Ba isotope compositions results for sediments, as well as overlying seawater depth profiles collected in the South Atlantic. Variations in Ba isotope compositions of the sediments predominantly reflect changes in the relative contributions of detrital and authigenic Ba sources, with open-ocean sediments constraining the isotope composition of authigenic Ba to be delta Ba-138/134 approximate to +0.1%0. This value is consistent with the average isotope composition inferred for sinking particulate Ba using simple mass balance models of Ba in the overlying water column and is hypothesized to reflect the removal of Ba from the upper water column with an associated isotopic fractionation of Delta Ba-138/134(diss-part) approximate to +0.4 to +0.5. Perturbations to upper ocean Ba cycling, due to changes in export production and the supply of Ba via upwelling, should therefore be recorded by the isotope compositions of sedimentary authigenic Ba. Such insights will help to improve the reliable application of Ba accumulation rates in marine sediments as a proxy for past changes in export production. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Deglacial changes in flow and frontal structure through the Drake Passage
Full text linkThe oceanic gateways of the Drake Passage and the Agulhas Current are critical locations for the inflow of intermediate-depth water masses to the Atlantic, which contribute to the shallow return flow that balances the export of deep water from the North Atlantic. The thermohaline properties of northward flowing intermediate water are ultimately determined by the inflow of water through oceanic gateways. Here, we focus on the less well-studied “Cold Water Route” through the Drake Passage. We present millennially-resolved bottom current flow speed and sea surface temperature records downstream of the Drake Passage spanning the last 25,000 yr. We find that prior to 15 ka, bottom current flow speeds at sites in the Drake Passage region were dissimilar and there was a marked anti-phasing between sea surface temperatures at sites upstream and downstream of the Drake Passage. After 14 ka, we observe a remarkable convergence of flow speeds coupled with a sea surface temperature phase change at sites upstream and downstream of Drake Passage. We interpret this convergence as evidence for a significant southward shift of the sub-Antarctic Front from a position north of Drake Passage. This southward shift increased the through-flow of water from the Pacific, likely reducing the density of Atlantic Intermediate Water. The timing of the southward shift in the sub-Antarctic Front is synchronous with a major re-invigoration of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, with which, we argue, it may be linked
Oceanic Residual Depth Measurements, the Plate Cooling Model and Global Dynamic Topography
No full textConvective circulation of the mantle causes deflections of the Earth's surface that vary as a function of space and time. Accurate measurements of this dynamic topography are complicated by the need to isolate and remove other sources of elevation, arising from flexure and lithospheric isostasy. The complex architecture of continental lithosphere means that measurement of present-day dynamic topography is more straightforward in the oceanic realm. Here, we present an updated methodology for calculating oceanic residual bathymetry, which is a proxy for dynamic topography. Corrections are applied that account for the effects of sedimentary loading and compaction, for anomalous crustal thickness variations, for subsidence of oceanic lithosphere as a function of age, and for non-hydrostatic geoid height variations. Errors are formally propagated to estimate measurement uncertainties. We apply this methodology to a global database of 1,936 seismic surveys located on oceanic crust and generate 2,297 spot measurements of residual topography, including 1,161 with crustal corrections. The resultant anomalies have amplitudes of ±1 km and wavelengths of ∼1,000 km. Spectral analysis of our database using cross-validation demonstrates that spherical harmonics up to and including degree 30 (i.e. wavelengths down to 1,300 km) are required to accurately represent these observations. Truncation of the expansion at a lower maximum degree erroneously increases the amplitude of inferred long-wavelength dynamic topography. There is a strong correlation between our observations and free-air gravity anomalies, magmatism, ridge seismicity, vertical motions of adjacent rifted margins, and global tomographic models. We infer that shorter wavelength components of the observed pattern of dynamic topography may be attributable to the presence of thermal anomalies within the shallow asthenospheric mantle
Practising pastoralism in an agricultural environment: An isotopic analysis of the impact of the Hunnic incursions on Pannonian populations
No full textWe conducted a multi-isotope study of five fifth-century AD cemeteries in modern-day Hungary to determine relationships between nomadic-pastoralist incomers—the historically documented Huns and other nomadic groups—and the sedentary agricultural population of the late Roman province of Pannonia. Contemporary historical sources describe this relationship as adversarial and destructive for the late Roman population, but archaeological evidence indicates high levels of hybridity between different groups. We undertook carbon, nitrogen, strontium and oxygen isotope analyses of bone collagen, dentine and tooth enamel at Keszthely-Fenékpuszta, Hács-Béndekpuszta, Győr-Széchenyi Square, Mözs and Szolnok-Szanda to examine these relationships through past subsistence practices. The patterns at all sites indicate medium to high animal protein consumption with little evidence for a significant contribution of aquatic resources. All populations relied to a great extent on C4 plants, most likely millet. Within each population, diet was heterogeneous, with significant variations in terms of animal protein and C3 and C4 plant consumption. High levels of intra-population and individual variability suggest that populations made use of a range of subsistence strategies, with many individuals exhibiting significant changes over their lifetimes. Rather than being characterised only by violence, the historically-documented influx of nomadic populations appears to have led to widespread changes in subsistence strategies of populations in the Carpathian basin. Nomadic-pastoralist groups may have switched to smaller herds and more farming, and, conversely, local populations may have integrated with a new economic system based on animal herding
Megathrust and accretionary wedge properties and behaviour in the Makran subduction zone
No full textSeptarian concretions exhibit multiple generations of cements that include body, fringe, and spar phases. Classic paragenetic interpretations include initial precipitation of the body followed by fringe(s) and then by spar in more or less discrete events. Traditional approaches (e.g., carbon and oxygen isotope analyses) are generally unable to distinguish paragenetic trends as they relate to specific formation environments (e.g., precipitation during burial or with meteoric influx). Here we present carbonate clumped-isotope, δ13C (δ13Ccarb), and δ18O (δ18Ocarb) values for septarian concretions taken from four host units in order to assess cement paragenesis and overcome traditional shortcomings. Clumped-isotope and δ18Ofluid data exhibit a wide range of values, with carbonate precipitation temperatures between ∼ 20 and 50°C and δ18Ofluid compositions of ∼ −14 to +4‰ (VSMOW). In stable-isotope cross-plots, specific cement phases group together and confirm the paragenesis indicated by superposition. In some cases, samples analyzed from concretion bodies yield temperature and δ18Ofluid values that indicate formation at shallow depths, consistent with independent data (e.g., high minus-cement porosity, external laminae deflection). In contrast, other concretion-body analyses indicate relatively high body temperatures that conflict with shallow-formation indices. Petrographic and backscatter scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveal that concretion bodies partially consist of a secondary, replacement phase, which could explain the higher temperatures expressed in bulk body samples. Based on data for different phases in these septarian concretions, we suggest that initial body-cement precipitation occurred at relatively shallow depths from unmodified seawater, followed by fringe formation at elevated temperatures that likely coincided with the emplacement of the secondary body phase. When considered together, late-stage spar phases exhibit temperatures and δ18Ofluid values supportive of spar precipitation from fluids with a significant meteoric component, possibly during uplift
The formation and inversion of the Western Greater Caucasus basin and the uplift of the western greater Caucacus: implications for the wider black sea region
Full text linkThe western Greater Caucasus formed by the tectonic inversion of the western strand of the Greater Caucasus Basin, a Mesozoic rift that opened at the southern margin of Laurasia. Subsidence analysis indicates that the main phase of rifting occurred during the Aalenian to Bajocian synchronous with that in the eastern Alborz and, possibly, the South Caspian Basin. Secondary episodes of subsidence during the late Tithonian to Berriasian and Hauterivian to early Aptian are tentatively linked to initial rifting within the western, and possibly eastern, Black Sea and during the late Campanian to Danian to the opening of the eastern Black Sea. Initial uplift, subaerial exposure, and sediment derivation from the western Greater Caucasus occurred at the Eocene-Oligocene transition. Oligocene and younger sediments on the southern margin of the former basin were derived from the inverting basin and uplifted parts of its northern margin, indicating that the western Greater Caucasus Basin had closed by this time. A predominance of pollen representing a montane forest environment (dominated by Pinacean pollen) within these sediments suggests that the uplifting Caucasian hinterland had a paleoaltitude of around 2 km from early Oligocene time. The closure of the western Greater Caucasus Basin and significant uplift of the range at approximately 34 Ma is earlier than stated in many studies and needs to be incorporated into geodynamic models for the Arabia-Eurasia region
β-Irradiation Effects on the Formation and Stability of CaMoO4 in a Soda Lime Borosilicate Glass Ceramic for Nuclear Waste Storage
No full textThis work demonstrates the formulation of glass ceramics for nuclear waste storage that increases the incorporation rate of problematic molybdenum in a stable crystallite without affecting physiochemical properties. It further tests the durability of this material when subjected to β-irradiation proportional to 1000 years of radioisotope decay projected during storage and hypothesizes a model for crystallite alteration. This result opens a new door to potential materials with increased waste loading efficiency and long-term structural projections
Nickel isotopic composition of the mantle
Full text linkThis paper presents the first detailed study of Ni isotope variations in mantle rocks of different
types and origins. Ultramafic rocks display a relatively large range in δ 60 Ni (permil deviation in
60 Ni/ 58 Ni relative to the NIST SRM 986 Ni isotope standard) from 0.15‰ to 0.36‰, with olivine-
rich rocks such as dunite and olivine cumulates showing lighter isotope compositions than
komatiite, lherzolite and pyroxenite. In order to understand these variations mineral separates from
peridotites xenoliths have also been analysed. Olivine and orthopyroxene mineral separates display
light δ 60 Ni whereas clinopyroxene and garnet are isotopically heavy. This indicates that peridotite
whole-rock δ 60 Ni are a function of variations in mineralogy, suggesting that melts will have δ 60 Ni
that is dominated by variations in residual mantle and cumulate mineralogy. Based on fertile
peridotite xenoliths and Phanerozoic komatiite samples it is concluded that the upper mantle has a
relativel
Formation of sediment waves by turbidity currents and geostrophic flows: A discussion
No full textA condition for the existence of sediment waves under turbidity currents as antidunes with the requirement of a slope gradient ≥ 3.0 × 10− 3 is deduced. Data show no such waves on slopes 3 × 10− 3 so no clear distinction is possible. Where turbidity current channels cross sediment drifts, or geostrophic flows traverse turbidite fans, the origin of most mudwaves will need to be determined by reference to internal features and context. A key problem is deposition of mud as antidunes from turbidity currents where even the waning flow is probably well above the critical erosion velocity for a clear flow. Deposition must occur from high concentration flows well above clear water critical depositional stresses. Once a wavy bed is set up, subsequent deposition may occur via the lee-wave mechanism proposed for contourite waves under a gradient Froude Number > 1. A steep angle (< 45°) between crest and flow axes is typical of GF waves, which may be dunes or antidunes, whereas TC waves tend to be orthogonal, but data on this discriminant are sparse