Chemical record of the projectile in the graded fall-back sedimentary unit from the Ries Crater, Germany

The so-called “Graded Unit” comprises 17.2 m of the core from the research borehole Nördlingen 1973 and is thought to represent fall-back material, which has been sorted similar to tephra. Samples from six levels of these air-borne impact debris sediments in the Ries Crater have been analyzed for Ir, Ni, Co, Cr and Fe. The concentrations of these elements are negatively correlated with average grain size and accordingly the depth of the samples indicating the presence of a surface correlated component and are hence consistent with vapour deposition of meteoritic material on small dust grains. The largest Ir concentration found is 230 pg/g, a factor of 28 higher than the indigenous concentration. Enrichment factors in the uppermost layer of the “Graded Unit” are about 28 for Ir, approximately 2 for Fe, Co, Ni and 1.5 for Cr. If the enrichment of all elements determined were of meteoritic origin, then the “net meteoritic composition” is most closely matched by aubrites as suggested previously. However, it seems more likely that the observed concentration trends of Cr, Fe, Co and Ni are due to mineral sorting. Therefore the only as yet certain indication of meteoritic material is the presence of Ir, which is not sufficient to further constrain the nature of the projectile.     

Production of neutrinos and secondary electrons in cosmic sources

We study the individual contribution to secondary lepton production in hadronic interactions of cosmic rays (CRs) including resonances and heavier secondaries. For this purpose we use the same methodology discussed earlier [C.-Y. Huang, S.-E. Park, M. Pohl, C.D. Daniels, Astropart. Phys. 27 (2007) 429], namely the Monte-Carlo particle collision code DPMJET3.04 to determine the multiplicity spectra of various secondary particles with leptons as the final decay states, that result from inelastic collisions of cosmic-ray protons and Helium nuclei with the interstellar medium of standard composition. By combining the simulation results with parametric models for secondary particle (with resonances included) for incident cosmic-ray energies below a few GeV, where DPMJET appears unreliable, we thus derive production matrices for all stable secondary particles in cosmic-ray interactions with energies up to about 10 PeV.

We apply the production matrices to calculate the radio synchrotron radiation of secondary electrons in a young shell-type SNR, RX J1713.7-3946, which is a measure of the age, the spectral index of hadronic cosmic rays, and most importantly the magnetic field strength. We find that the multi-mG fields recently invoked to explain the X-ray flux variations are unlikely to extend over a large fraction of the radio-emitting region, otherwise the spectrum of hadronic cosmic rays in the energy window 0.1–100 GeV must be unusually hard.

We also use the production matrices to calculate the muon event rate in an IceCube-like detector that are induced by muon neutrinos from high-energy γ-ray sources such as RX J1713.7-3946, Vela Jr. and MGRO J2019+37. At muon energies of a few TeV, or in other word, about 10 TeV neutrino energy, an accumulation of data over about 5–10 years would allow testing the hadronic origin of TeV γ-rays.     

A meteorite impact crater field in eastern Bavaria? A preliminary report

Abstract— Numerous circular depressions north of Burghausen in eastern Bavaria, with diameters ranging from meters to tens of meters in size and dispersed over an area of at least 11 times 7 km, are suspected to have an extraterrestrial origin since they resemble other small meteorite impact craters. The depressions are bowl‐shaped, have high circularity and a characteristic rim. Most of them were formed in unconsolidated glacial gravels and pebbles intermixed with fine‐grained sand and clay. Magnetic investigations reveal weak anomalies with amplitudes of less than ±10 nano Tesla (nT). In some cases, the origins of the anomalies are suspected to be due to human activity within the structures. So far, no traces of meteoritic material have been detected. An evident archaeological or local geological explanation for the origin of the craters does not exist. A World War I and II explosive origin can be excluded since trees with ages exceeding 100 years can be found in some craters. One crater was described in 1909. Carbon‐14 dating of charcoal found in one crater yielded an age of 1790 ± 60 years. Hence, a formation by meteorite impacts that occurred in Celtic or early medieval times should be considered. A systematic archaeological excavation of some structures and an intensified search for traces of meteoritic material are planned.     

Tectonic and climatic forcing on the Panj river system during the Quaternary

Surface processes involve complex feedback effects between tectonic and climatic influences in the high mountains of Pamir. The ongoing India–Asia collision provokes the development of east–west-trending mountain ranges that impose structural control on flow directions of the Pamir rivers. The evolving relief is further controlled by strong moisture gradients. The decreasing precipitations from the southern and western margins of the Pamir Plateau to its center, in their turn, control the emplacement of glaciers. Chronologies of glacial records from the Pamir Plateau attest for strong climatic variability during the Quaternary. Corresponding remnants of glacial advances suggest glacial morphodynamic restricted to >4,000 m a.s.l. since marine isotope stage 4. The Panj, the trunk river of Pamir, deflects from the predominant westward drainage, connecting its main tributaries at the western margin of the drainage basin. The geometry of the river network and the pattern of incision characterize the Panj as a composite river. River reaches of indicated low incision coincide with west-trending valleys, parallel to domes and their bounding faults. Valley shape ratios reflect increased incision in north-trending sections, but do not match with changes in the catchment geometry or erodibility of rock types. Modelled riverbed profiles distinguish three Panj reaches. The upstream increase in convexity suggests successive river captures in response to local base-level changes. The northward-deflected river reaches link the local base levels, which coincide with the southern boundaries of the Shakhdara and Yazgulom Dome and Darvaz Range. We argue that tectonics plays a large role controlling the drainage system of the Panj and hence surface processes in the Pamir mountains.     

Structural and mineralogical study of active and inactive hydrothermal fluid discharges in Panarea,Italy

The isle of Panarea (Aeolian Arc, Italy) is an active hydrothermal system, characterized by different types of fluid emissions, which cause various types of unique hydrothermal structures that are typical for hydrothermal fluid discharges. Such fluid discharge structures at shallow depths of less than 30 m have not been described in marine hydrothermal systems until now to the authors’ knowledge. The focus of the investigations was set on morphological, mineralogical, geochemical, and structural analyses. A broad variety of analytical methods was applied to gain as much information as possible. In addition to geological and sedimentological documentation and standard methods like making and analyzing thin and polished sections, optical microscopy or X-ray fluorescence analysis, the samples were investigated by X-ray computer tomography and scanning electron microscopy, including energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Because discharge features occur in various settings, a general classification of the features in the hydrothermal system was performed with special focus on their preservability in geological archives. In total, nine different facies types were distinguished based on genetic and/or morphological differences. All samples show laminated structures from µm to cm scale. The single laminae vary in shape and material witnessing various chemical compositions.     

Aluminum‐26 in H4 chondrites: Implications for its production and its usefulness as a fine‐scale chronometer for early solar system events

Abstract— In order to investigate whether or not ²⁶Al can be used as a fine‐scale chronometer for early solar system events we measured, with an ion microprobe, Mg isotopes and Al/Mg ratios in separated plagioclase, olivine, and pyroxene crystals from the H4 chondrites Ste Marguerite (SM), Forest Vale (FV), Beaver Creek and Quenggouk and compared the results with the canonical ²⁶Al/²⁷Al ratio for calcium‐aluminum‐rich inclusions (CAIs). For SM and FV, Pb/Pb and Mn‐Cr ages have previously been determined (Göpel et al., 1994; Polnau et al., 2000; Polnau and Lugmair, 2001). Plagioclase grains from these two meteorites show clear excesses of ²⁶Mg. The ²⁶Al/²⁷Al ratios inferred from these excesses and from isotopically normal Mg in pyroxene and olivine are (2.87 ± 0.64) × 10^?7 for SM and (1.52 ± 0.52) × 10^?7 for FV. The differences between these ratios and the ratio of 5 times 10^?5 in CAIs indicate time differences of 5.4 ± 0.1 Ma and 6.1 ± 0.2 Ma for SM and FV, respectively. These differences are in agreement with the absolute Pb/Pb ages for CAIs and SM and FV phosphates but there are large discrepancies between the U‐Pb and Mn‐Cr system for the relative ages for CAIs, SM and FV. For example, Mn‐Cr ages of carbonates from Kaidun are older than the Pb/Pb age of CAIs. However, even if we require that CAIs are older than these carbonates, the time difference between this “adjusted” CAI age and the Mn‐Cr ages of SM and FV require that ²⁶ Al was widely distributed in the early solar system at the time of CAI formation and was not mostly present in CAIs, a feature of the X‐wind model proposed by Shu and collaborators (Gounelle et al., 2001; Shu et al., 2001). From this we conclude that there was enough ²⁶Al to melt small planetary bodies as long as they formed within 2 Ma of CAIs, and that ²⁶Al can serve as a fine‐scale chronometer for early solar system events.     

Interrelations Between Thermal Conductivity and Other Physical Properties of Rocks: Experimental Data

— A new non-contact and non-destructive optical scanning instrument provided a large number of high-precision measurements of thermal conductivity tensor components in samples of sedimentary and impact rocks, as well as new insights into interrelations between thermal conductivity and other physical properties. More than 800 core samples (dry and fluid-saturated) of sedimentary rocks from different Russian oil-gas deposits and impact rocks from the well “Nördlingen 1973” drilled in the Ries impact structure (Germany) were studied using optical scanning technology. It was established that the thermal conductivity parallel to the stratification is more informative for petrophysical investigations than the thermal conductivity perpendicular to the layering. Different approaches were developed to estimate porosity, permeability, pore space geometry, and matrix thermal conductivity with a combination of thermal conductivity measurements in dry and fluid-saturated samples and mathematical modelling. These approaches allow prediction of the rock porosity and permeability and their spatial distribution along a well using thermal conductivity measurements performed with the optical scanning instrument directly applied to cores. Conditions and constraints for using Lichtenecker-Asaad's theoretical model for the estimation of porosity and thermal conductivity of sedimentary rocks were determined. A correlation between thermal conductivity and acoustic velocity, porosity, density, and electric resistivity of impact rocks was found for different rock types. New relationships between permeability, electrical and thermal conductivity found for sedimentary rocks are described.     

Metallogenetic evolution of the East Alpine Paleozoic basement

Paleo-metallogenetic sketch maps of the East Alpine area are presented for the Ordovician/Silurian, the Devonian/Lower Carboniferous, and the Upper Carboniferous/Permian. Mineralization and tectonic evolution are then discussed in the frame of a plate tectonic model compatible with recent results in Western Europe.A group of microcontinents originally dispersed in an ocean north of Gondwana, comprising in the investigated area a Bohemian, Penninic and a South/Austro-Alpine microcontinent was sutured after earlier localized orogenies to a Central European continent during the Devonian resulting from a general northward drift from the Cambrian onwards. This was followed by the development of a new destructive plate margin in the South with a northerly dipping subduction zone, enabling the consumption of the Proto-Tethys ocean. Mainland Gondwana then collided with the newly formed continent during the Carboniferous.Contrary to the generally convergent tectonic pattern most mineralizations in the South/Austro-Alpine area appear associated with crustal extension and related volcanism continuing into the Lower Carboniferous. Especially in the Upper Ordovician this conforms well with the concept of a back arc extensional cratonic basin setting. Metal zoning similar to the Andean/Cordilleran situation cannot be observed. Notably different, however, is the orogenic setting of the Penninic area during the Lower Paleozoic, with an economic scheelite-mineralization and associated trace elements reflecting mainly crustal affinities.The Upper Carboniferous calc-alcaline magmatism of the South/Austro-Alpine-Penninic area with its Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag-F mineralisation in the South and anomalous Be-Bi-F-Li-Mo-W-U contents further North displays many features of a back arc magmatic belt. The orogenetic stage is followed in the Upper Carboniferous-Permian by molasse with sandstone type U, graphite (coal) and acidic volcanism giving rise to (Ba-F-) Cu-Pb-Zn-U ores. A renewed tensional regime accompanied by marine transgression during the higher Permian produced evaporite deposits and minor epigenetic mineralization dominated by Fe in the Austro-Alpine area.

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Zusammenfassung Paläometallogenetische Skizzen des Ostalpenraumes werden für die Zeitabschnitte Ordoviz/Silur, Devon/Unterkarbon und Oberkarbon/Perm vorgestellt. Mineralisation und tektonische Entwicklung werden im Rahmen eines plattentektonischen Modelles diskutiert, welches mit neueren Ergebnissen aus dem westlichen Europa kompatibel ist:Eine Gruppe von Mikrokontinenten, welche ursprünglich in einem Ozean nördlich von Gondwana verstreut lag, und welche im hier untersuchten Bereich einen böhmischen, penninischen und süd-/ostalpinen Mikrokontinent umfaßte, driftete seit dem Kambrium nach Norden und war nach räumlich begrenzten Orogenesen im Devon zu einem Mitteleuropäischen Kontinent verschweißt. Darauf entstand südlich davon ein neuer destruktiver Plattenrand mit einer nördlich abtauchenden Subduktionszone, wodurch die Proto-Tethys konsumiert wurde. Im Karbon kollidierte schließlich die Hauptmasse Gondwanas mit dem neu gebildeten Kontinent entlang einer heute im Mediterran-Raum gelegenen Sutur.Im Gegensatz zur generell konvergenten Tektonik erscheinen die meisten Mineralisationen der Süd- und Ostalpinen Einheiten an Krustendehnung und damit auftretenden Vulkanismus gebunden, welche bis ins Unterkarbon anhielten. Besonders im Ordoviz entspricht dies gut einem back arc extensional cratonic basin. Eine metallogenetische Zonierung in Abhängigkeit vom Abtauchen einer Subduktionszone nach dem Anden/Kordilleren-Modell ist nicht zu beobachten. Davon sehr verschieden ist die orogene Situation im Penninikum während des Alt-Paläozoikums, wo die wirtschaftlich wichtige Scheelitvererzung mit ihren Begleitelementen starke Krustenaffinität anzeigt.Der oberkarbone kalkalkalische Magmatismus des Süd- und Ostalpins sowie des Pennins mit Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag-F-Mineralisation im Süden und erhöhten Be-Bi-F-Li-Mo-W-U-Ge-halten weiter nördlich hat viele Züge eines back arc magmatic belt.Dem orogenen Stadium folgte im Oberkarbon-Perm Molassesedimentation mit U-Vorkommen und Graphit (Kohle), sowie mit saurem Vulkanismus verknüpften (Ba-F-) Cu-Pb-Zn-U-Vererzungen. Erneuerte Zerrung und marine Transgression im obersten Perm führten zur Bildung von Evaporit-Lagerstätten und einer unbedeutenden epigenetischen Fe-betonten Mineralisation im Ostalpinen Raum.

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Résumé Trois esquisses paléométallogéniques de la région des Alpes orientales sont présentées pour les périodes suivantes: Ordovicien et Silurien, Dévonien et Carbonifère inférieur, Carbonifère supérieur et Permien. Sur cette base, les minéralisations respectives et l'évolution tectonique sont discutées dans le cadre d'un modèle de tectonique de plaques, lequel est compatible avec les résultats récents des recherches en Europe occidentale.Il s'agit d'un groupe de microcontinents, à l'origine dispersés dans un océan au Nord du Gondwana, comprenant les microcontinents moldanubien, penninique et austroalpin et qui dériva vers le Nord à partir du Cambrien pour se souder, après une orogenèse limitée durant le Dévonien, et former le continent de la « Paléoeurope centrale ». Ensuite s'installa, au Sud, une nouvelle marge de plaque destructive avec une zone de subduction inclinée vers le Nord, résultant dans la résorption de la Proto-Téthys. Au Carbonifère, le Gondwana entra finalement en collision avec ce continet nouvellement formé le long d'une suture aujourd'hui située dans le domaine de la Méditerranée.En opposition avec la tectonique de convergence, les minéralisation de la région sudaustroalpine sont apparemment liées à une extension de la croûte continentale accompagnée d'un volcanisme bimodal jusqu'au Carbonifère inférieur. Surtout pendant l'Ordovicien supérieur, ceci est comparable à un bassin cratonique extensionnel d'arrière-arc. Une zonation métallogénique dans la dépendance du prolongement d'une zone de subduction, semblable à la situation observée dans les cordillères occidentales des deux Amérique n'est pas évidente. Notablement différent cependant est l'environnement orogénique du Penninique au Paléozoïque inférieur, avec sa minéralisation importante de schéélite et éléments associés qui indiquent une forte affinité avec une croûte continentale.Le magmatisme calco-alcalin d'âge carbonifère supérieur du Sud-austroalpin et du Penninique, avec une minéralisation de Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, F au Sud, et des eneurs élevées an Be, Bi, F, Li, Mo, W, U plus au Nord, présente de nombreux traits d'une zone magmatique d'un arrière-arc. Ce stade orogénique fut suivi d'une molasse avec des occurrences de U en roches gréseuses, de graphite (houille), et un volcanisme acide associé à des minéralisations de (Ba-F), Cu-Pb-Zn-U. Un nouveau régime extensionnel accompagné d'une transgression marine produisit au Permien supérieur des dépôts évaporitiques et une minéralisation épigéné tique insignifiante dominée par Fe, dans l'Austroalpin.

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/, / . , , . , - , , - , , , , . , , , . , . , , . back arc extensional cratonic basin. / . . - , u, Pb, Zn, Ag F Be, Bi, F, Li, Mo, W, U , back arc magmatic belt. / /, (, F) Cu, Pb, Zn U. .