Dating Geomorphologic Surfaces Using Cosmogenic 3He

1990 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. E. Cerling
Keyword(s):  
Production Rate ◽  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Geomagnetic Latitude ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Lava Flows ◽  
Helium Isotopes ◽  
Cosmogenic Dating

AbstractCosmogenically produced 3He in rocks can be used to date geomorphologic surfaces. Using the Late Pleistocene Bonneville flood event, the subsequent development of the Provo shoreline, and associated volcanic rocks, a production rate of 432 atoms/g/yr in olivine is determined for 38°56′ N latitude (present geomagnetic latitude 46.5°) at 1445 m altitude integrated over the last 14,400 years. Measurements of cosmogenic helium in flood deposits, on river-scoured surfaces, and lava flows show that it is possible to date directly large-scale events such as volcanic eruptions and catastrophic floods. Olivine and pyroxene are both satisfactory minerals for cosmogenic dating by the 3He method. However, in most cases, plagioclase and quartz are unsuitable because they do not quantitatively retain helium isotopes in their lattices.

Raman spectroscopy of volcanic lavas and inclusions of relevance to astrobiological exploration

2010 ◽  
Vol 368 (1922) ◽  
pp. 3127-3135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susana E. Jorge-Villar ◽  
Howell G. M. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Active Volcano ◽  
Spectroscopic Studies ◽  
Lava Flows ◽  
Pyroclastic Flows ◽  
Raman Spectroscopic ◽  
Normal Expectation ◽  
Terrestrial Environments ◽  
Volcanic Lava

Volcanic eruptions and lava flows comprise one of the most highly stressed terrestrial environments for the survival of biological organisms; the destruction of botanical and biological colonies by molten lava, pyroclastic flows, lahars, poisonous gas emissions and the deposition of highly toxic materials from fumaroles is the normal expectation from such events. However, the role of lichens and cyanobacteria in the earlier colonization of volcanic lava outcrops has now been recognized. In this paper, we build upon earlier Raman spectroscopic studies on extremophilic colonies in old lava flows to assess the potential of finding evidence of biological colonization in more recent lava deposits that would inform, first, the new colonization of these rocks and also provide evidence for the relict presence of biological colonies that existed before the volcanism occurred and were engulfed by the lava. In this research, samples were collected from a recent expedition to the active volcano at Kilauea, Hawaii, which comprises very recent lava flows, active fumaroles and volcanic rocks that had broken through to the ocean and had engulfed a coral reef. The Raman spectra indicated that biological and geobiological signatures could be identified in the presence of geological matrices, which is encouraging for the planned exploration of Mars, where it is believed that there is evidence of an active volcanism that perhaps could have preserved traces of biological activity that once existed on the planet’s surface, especially in sites near the old Martian oceans.

scholarly journals Late Miocene transcurrent tectonics in NW Turkey: evidence from palaeomagnetism and 40Ar–39Ar dating of alkaline volcanic rocks

2007 ◽  
Vol 144 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. KAYMAKCI ◽  
E. ALDANMAZ ◽  
C. LANGEREIS ◽  
T. L. SPELL ◽  
O. F. GURER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fault Zone ◽  
Late Miocene ◽  
Active Faults ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
North Anatolian Fault ◽  
Lava Flows ◽  
North Anatolian Fault Zone ◽  
The North ◽  
Nw Turkey

A number of intra-continental alkaline volcanic sequences in NW Turkey were emplaced along localized extensional gaps within dextral strike-slip fault zones prior to the initiation of the North Anatolian Fault Zone. This study presents new palaeomagnetic and 40Ar–39Ar geochronological results from the lava flows of NW Turkey as a contribution towards understanding the Neogene–Quaternary tectonic evolution of the region and possible roles of block rotations in the kinematic history of the region. 40Ar–39Ar analyses of basalt groundmass indicate that the major volume of alkaline lavas of NW Turkey spans about 4 million years of episodic volcanic activity. Palaeomagnetic results reveal clockwise rotations as high as 73° in Thrace and 33° anticlockwise rotations in the Biga Peninsula. Movement of some of the faults delimiting the areas of lava flows and the timing of volcanic eruptions are both older than the initiation age of the North Anatolian Fault Zone, implying that the region experienced transcurrent tectonics during Late Miocene to Pliocene times and that some of the presently active faults in the region are reactivated pre-existing structures.

scholarly journals Application of paleoseismological techniques to the study of Late Pleistocene-Holocene deep-seated gravitational movements at the Mortirolo Pass (central Alps, Italy)

2001 ◽  
Vol 80 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 209-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Onida ◽  
F. Galadini ◽  
F. Forcella
Keyword(s):  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Vertical Displacement ◽  
Central Alps ◽  
Glacial Retreat ◽  
Activation Mechanisms ◽  
Loading And Unloading ◽  
Shear Planes ◽  
Geometry And Kinematics

AbstractPaleoseismological techniques have been used to investigate gravitational deformations at the Mortirolo Pass (Valtellina region, central Alps), in order to improve the knowledge on the activation mechanisms and the evolution of deep-seated gravitational slope movements. The deformation has been responsible for mass sliding towards the Valtellina depression through the activation of several-hundred-metre-long shear planes. Minor shear planes dipping towards the mountain played the role of antithetic structures. Four trenches were excavated across scarps representing the surficial expression of shear planes affecting the bedrock and Late Pleistocene-Holocene deposits. The excavations enabled to investigate the stratigraphy of Quaternary deposits and the geometry and kinematics of the shear planes affecting them. Radiocarbon analyses on organic material contained in sediments and paleosols enabled to define a succession of displacement events which occurred during the Late Pleistocene-Holocene. Collected data indicate the persistence of the activity until recent times (last movement related to 1810-1540 cal. BP). A sudden movement has been detected along one of the main shear surfaces (dipping towards the valley) with a vertical displacement of several metres. In contrast, numerous displacements (with lower vertical offset) have been detected along the antithetic shear planes. Different hypotheses have been proposed in the past to define the origin of huge gravitational movements (glacial retreat, uplift of the Alpine chain, fault activity). However, the Late Pleistocene cycles of glacial loading and unloading on the mountain slopes seem to be the most probable factors causing deep-seated gravitational movements in the investigated region. A recent dramatic landslide in an area adjacent to the investigated one (Mt. Zandila-Valpola) testifies to the paroxistic evolution of the large scale gravitational deformations. The densely inhabited Valtellina region is affected by a large number of gravitational structures similar to those of the Mortirolo area. In consideration of the possible effects of the paroxistic activation of these structures, detailed studies on the chronology and kinematics of the deformations through the application of paleoseismological techniques should therefore be encouraged.

The effect of bubbles on the rheology of basaltic lava flows: Insights from large-scale two-phase experiments

2020 ◽  
Vol 548 ◽  
pp. 116504
Author(s):  
A. Soldati ◽  
J.A. Farrell ◽  
C. Sant ◽  
R. Wysocki ◽  
J.A. Karson
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Lava Flows ◽  
Basaltic Lava ◽  
Two Phase

Two key switches in regional stress field during multi-stage deformation in the Carboniferous−Triassic southernmost Altaids (Beishan, NW China): Response to orocline-related roll-back processes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhonghua Tian ◽  
Wenjiao Xiao ◽  
Brian F. Windley ◽  
Peng Huang ◽  
Ji’en Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Electron Backscatter Diffraction ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Structural Deformation ◽  
Regional Stress ◽  
Regional Stress Field ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Beishan Orogenic Collage ◽  
Roll Back

The orogenic architecture of the Altaids of Central Asia was created by multiple large-scale slab roll-back and oroclinal bending. However, no regional structural deformation related to roll-back processes has been described. In this paper, we report a structural study of the Beishan orogenic collage in the southernmost Altaids, which is located in the southern wing of the Tuva-Mongol Orocline. Our new field mapping and structural analysis integrated with an electron backscatter diffraction study, paleontology, U-Pb dating, 39Ar-40Ar dating, together with published isotopic ages enables us to construct a detailed deformation-time sequence: During D1 times many thrusts were propagated northwards. In D2 there was ductile sinistral shearing at 336−326 Ma. In D3 times there was top-to-W/WNW ductile thrusting at 303−289 Ma. Two phases of folding were defined as D4 and D5. Three stages of extensional events (E1−E3) separately occurred during D1−D5. Two switches of the regional stress field were identified in the Carboniferous to Early Permian (D1-E1-D2-D3-E2) and Late Permian to Early Triassic (D4-E3-D5). These two switches in the stress field were associated with formation of bimodal volcanic rocks, and an extensional interarc basin with deposition of Permian-Triassic sediments, which can be related to two stages of roll-back of the subduction zone on the Paleo-Asian oceanic margin. We demonstrate for the first time that two key stress field switches were responses to the formation of the Tuva-Mongol Orocline.

Volcanoes geological mapping and structural geology with UAS High Resolution Digital Terrain Model : the Kuei-Shan Tao case example (Eastern Taiwan).

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Deffontaines ◽  
Kuo-Jen Chang ◽  
Samuel Magalhaes ◽  
Gérardo Fortunato
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Okinawa Trough ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Digital Terrain Model ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Geological Mapping ◽  
Lava Flows ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Structural Scheme

<p>Volcanic areas in the World are often difficult to map especially in a structural point of view as (1) fault planes are generally covered and filled by more recent lava flows and (2) volcanic rocks have very few tectonic striations. Kuei-Shan Tao (11km from Ilan Plain – NE Taiwan) is a volcanic island, located at the soutwestern tip of the South Okinawa trough (SWOT). Two incompatible geological maps had been already published both lacking faults and structural features (Hsu, 1963 and Chiu et al., 2010). We propose herein not only to up-date the Kuei-Shan Tao geological map with our high resolution dataset, but also to create the Kuei-Shan Tao structural scheme in order to better understand its geological and tectonic history.</p><p>Consequently, we first acquired aerial photographs from our UAS survey and get our new UAS high resolution DTM (HR UAS-DTM hereafter) with a ground resolution <10cm processed through classical photogrammetric methods. Taking into account common sense geomorphic and structural interpretation and reasoning deduced form our HR UAS-DTM, and the outcropping lithologies situated all along the shoreline, we have up-dated the Kuei-Shan Tao geological mapping and its major structures. To conclude, the lithologies (andesitic lava flows and pyroclastic falls) and the new structural scheme lead us to propose a scenario for both the construction as well as the dismantling of Kuei-Shan Tao which are keys for both geology and geodynamics of the SWOT.</p>

Helium isotopes in volcanic rocks from the Okinawa Trough-impact of volatile recycling and crustal contamination

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 376-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zenghui Yu ◽  
Shikui Zhai ◽  
Kun Guo ◽  
Yonghua Zhou ◽  
Tong Zong
Keyword(s):  
Okinawa Trough ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Crustal Contamination ◽  
Helium Isotopes ◽  
The Okinawa Trough

scholarly journals Simulated climate variability in the region of Rapa Nui during the last millennium

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 381-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Junk ◽  
M. Claussen
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Vegetation Change ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Easter Island ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Vegetation Changes ◽  
Last Millennium ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Climatic Fluctuations

Abstract. Easter Island, an isolated island in the Southeast Pacific, was settled by the Polynesians probably between 600 and 1200 AD and discovered by the Europeans in 1722 AD. While the Polynesians presumably found a profuse palm woodland on Easter Island, the Europeans faced a landscape dominated by grassland. Scientists have examined potential anthropogenic, biological and climatic induced vegetation changes on Easter Island. Here, we analyze observational climate data for the last decades and climate model results for the period 800–1750 AD to explore potential causes for a climatic-induced vegetation change. A direct influence of the ENSO phenomenon on the climatic parameters of Easter Island could not be found in the model simulations. Furthermore, strong climatic trends from a warm Medieval Period to a Little Ice Age or rapid climatic fluctuations due to large volcanic eruptions were not verifiable for the Easter Island region, although they are detectable in the simulations for many regions world wide. Hence we tentatively conclude that large-scale climate changes in the oceanic region around Easter Island might be too small to explain strong vegetation changes on the island over the last millennium.

scholarly journals HEAVY CLASTIC MINERALS AS AN INDICATOR OF GEODYNAMIC SETTINGS OF ACCUMULATION AND PROVENANCE OF CRETACEOUS SEDIMENTS OF THE WEST SAKHALIN TERRANE

2021 ◽  
pp. 68-86
Author(s):  
A.I. Malinovsky ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Source Area ◽  
Heavy Minerals ◽  
Clastic Material ◽  
The West ◽  
Geodynamic Settings ◽  
Eurasian Continent ◽  
Ocean Boundary ◽  
By Products

The article discusses the results of studying heavy clastic minerals from the Cretaceous sandy rocks of the West Sakhalin Terrane, and also presents their paleogeodynamic interpretation. It is shown that in terms of mineralogical and petrographic parameters, the terrane sandstones correspond to typical graywackes and are petrogenic rocks formed mainly by destruction of igneous rocks of the source areas. The sediments were found to contain both sialic, granite-metamorphic association minerals, and femic, formed by products of the destruction of basic and ultrabasic volcanic rocks. The interpretation of the entire set of data on the content, distribution and microchemical composition of heavy minerals was carried out by comparing them with minerals from older rocks and modern sediments accumulated in known geodynamic settings. The results obtained indicate that during the Cretaceous, sedimentation occurred along the continent-ocean boundary in a basin associated with large-scale left-lateral transform movements of the Izanagi Plate relative to the Eurasian continent. The source area that supplied clastic material to that basin combined a sialic landmass composed of granite-metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, a mature deeply dissected ensialic island arc, and fragments of accretion prisms, in the structure of which involved ophiolites.

scholarly journals The role of airborne volcanic ash for the surface ocean biogeochemical iron-cycle: a review

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 6441-6489 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Duggen ◽  
N. Olgun ◽  
P. Croot ◽  
L. Hoffmann ◽  
H. Dietze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Volcanic Ash ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Ash Deposition ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Iron Cycle ◽  
Surface Ocean ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract. Iron is a key micronutrient for phytoplankton growth in the surface ocean. Yet the significance of volcanism for the marine biogeochemical iron-cycle is poorly constrained. Recent studies, however, suggest that offshore deposition of airborne ash from volcanic eruptions is a way to inject significant amounts of bio-available iron into the surface ocean. Volcanic ash may be transported up to several tens of kilometres high into the atmosphere during large-scale eruptions and fine ash may encircle the globe for years, thereby reaching even the remotest and most iron-starved oceanic areas. Scientific ocean drilling demonstrates that volcanic ash layers and dispersed ash particles are frequently found in marine sediments and that therefore volcanic ash deposition and iron-injection into the oceans took place throughout much of the Earth's history. The data from geochemical and biological experiments, natural evidence and satellite techniques now available suggest that volcanic ash is a so far underestimated source for iron in the surface ocean, possibly of similar importance as aeolian dust. Here we summarise the development of and the knowledge in this fairly young research field. The paper covers a wide range of chemical and biological issues and we make recommendations for future directions in these areas. The review paper may thus be helpful to improve our understanding of the role of volcanic ash for the marine biogeochemical iron-cycle, marine primary productivity and the ocean-atmosphere exchange of CO2 and other gases relevant for climate throughout the Earth's history.

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