ALBERT

Notes: Following the early Eocene collision of the Indian and Asian plates, intracontinental subduction occurred along the Main Central Thrust (MCT) zone in the High Himalaya. In the Kishtwar–Zanskar Himalaya, the MCT is a 2 km thick shear zone of high strain, distributed ductile deformation which emplaces the amphibolite facies High Himalayan Crystalline (HHC) unit south-westwards over the lower greenschist facies Lesser Himalaya. An inverted metamorphic field gradient, mapped from the first appearance of garnet, staurolite and kyanite index minerals, is coincident with the high strain zone. Petrography and garnet zoning profiles indicate that rocks in the lower MCT zone preserve a prograde assemblage, whereas rocks in the HHC unit show retrograde equilibration. Thermobarometric results derived using THERMOCALC indicate a P–T  increase of c. 180 °C and c. 400 MPa across the base of the MCT zone, which is a consequence of the syn- to postmetamorphic juxtaposition of M1 kyanite grade rocks of the HHC unit on a cooling path over biotite grade footwall rocks, which subsequently attain their peak (M2) during thrusting. Inclusion thermobarometry from the lower MCT zone reveals that M2 was accompanied by loading, and peak conditions of 537±38 °C and 860±120 MPa were attained. M1 kyanite assemblages in the HHC unit, which have not been overprinted by M2 fibrolitic sillimanite, were not significantly affected by M2, and conditions of equilibration are estimated as 742±53 °C and 960±180 MPa.There is no evidence for dissipative or downward conductive heating in the MCT zone. Instead, the primary control on the distribution of peak assemblages, represented by the index minerals, is postmetamorphic ductile thrusting in a downward propagating shear zone. Polymetamorphism and diachroneity of equilibration are also important controls on the thermal profile through the MCT zone and HHC unit.

Notes: Coexisting Ca-poor and Ca-rich pyroxenes in granulites at Cape Riche, in the Precambrian Albany-Fraser Province, Western Australia, are dominantly chemically homogeneous within individual samples, suggesting a major episode of equilibration. However, occasional grains in a few samples contain exsolved domains interpreted as relics of an earlier, higher-T assemblage. Pyroxene pairs in ten, presumably isothermal, samples from a restricted area are used to (i) assess the suitability of several versions of the two-pyroxene thermometer for application to metamorphic rocks, and (ii) determine the thermal history of the Cape Riche pyroxenes.The various versions of the two-pyroxene thermometer applied to the well-equilibrated homogeneous pyroxene grains show poor to good precision and yield mean temperatures varying widely from 683° to 893°C, in the following order of increasing T: Lindsley (1983; opx version), 683°± 11°C; Kretz (1982; KD version), 705°± 19°C; Ross & Huebner (1975), 709°± 30°C; Kretz (1982; solvus version), 735°± 24°C; Fonarev & Graphchikov (1982; opx version), 〈750°C; Lindsley (1983; cpx version), 784°± 40°C; Fonarev & Graphchikov (1982; cpx version), ~820°± 30°C; Wood & Banno (1973), 849°± 16°C; Powell (1978), 854°± 23°C; Wells (1977), 893°± 10°C. Independent T estimates, based on mafic assemblages and garnet-biotite thermometry, suggest that the major episode of metamorphism occurred at 700-800°C (P ~ 5 kbar). Therefore the Wells, Powell, Wood & Banno and Fonarev & Graphchikov (cpx) temperatures are almost certainly too high. In the absence of a more precise independent T estimate it is difficult to assess the relative merits of the results obtained from the remaining versions of the two-pyroxene thermometer, none of which can be unequivocally demonstrated to be seriously in error, though the Lindsley (opx) T is probably too low. Other significant shortcomings evident in the results include the relatively poor precision obtained from the three methods based on purely graphical representation of the augite limb of the solvus (i.e., the Ross & Huebner, Fonarev & Graphchikov (cpx) and Lindsley (cpx) versions), and the apparent dependence of derived T on Mg/Fe2+ ratio for the Powell, Wood & Banno and Lindsley (cpx) methods.For the bulk compositions of exsolved domains, the different versions of the two-pyroxene thermometer yield mean temperatures 23° to 82°C (overall mean, 65°C) higher than for homogeneous grains in the same samples. These exsolved domains are interpreted as relics of a higher-T (peak?) metamorphic assemblage, rather than an igneous precursor.

Notes: Calcsilicate granulites of probable Middle Proterozoic age (c.1000–1100 Ma) in the vicinity of Battye Glacier, northern Prince Charles Mountains, East Antarctica, contain prograde metamorphic assemblages comprising various combinations of wollastonite, scapolite, clinopyroxene, An-rich plagioclase, calcite, quartz, titanite and, rarely, orthoclase, ilmenite, phlogopite and graphite. Comparison of the prograde assemblages with calculated and experimentally determined phase relations in the simple CaO–Al2O3–SiO2–CO2–H2O system suggests peak metamorphism at ≥835 °C in the presence (in wollastonite-bearing assemblages at least) of a CO2-bearing fluid (XCO≥0.3) at a probable pressure of 6–7 kbar.Well-preserved retrograde reaction textures represent: (1) breakdown of scapolite to anorthite+calcite±quartz; (2) formation of grossular–andradite garnet and, locally, (3) epidote, both principally by reactions involving scapolite breakdown products and clinopyroxene; (4) local coupled replacement of clinopyroxene and ilmenite by hornblende and titanite, respectively; and finally (5) local sericitization of prograde and retrograde plagioclase. These retrograde reactions are interpreted to be the result of cooling and variable infiltration by H2O-rich fluids, possibly derived from crystallizing pegmatitic intrusions and segregations that may be partial melts, which are common throughout the area.

Notes: Seismic reflection methods are being developed at the University of Manitoba to aid in determining fine crustal structure in the Precambrian of Manitoba and northwestern Ontario. Present-day environmental concern as well as mineshaft conditions necessitate the detonation of several smaller charges repeated, say, I times and followed by ‘vertical’ stacking. To obtain the familiar √I improvement in signal-to-noise (S:N) amplitude ratio applying the straight-sum (SS) method, one assumes, among other things, that both S:N ratio and signal variance are the same on all traces. Dropping these assumptions, as we must for our data, it becomes necessary to apply weighting coefficients to optimize the S:N ratio of the stacked trace. We still assume the signal shapes to be the same for repeated shots, so for the jth trace on the record of the ith shot we model the time series as: tij=ai (sj+nij); where ai is a scaling factor. The proper weights wi are then shown to be proportional to σsi/σ2ni where σ2 is variance, or to γi/ai where γi is S:N power ratio.Applying the weighted-stack (WS) method gives S:N amplitude ratios which are, on average, 55% of the optimal ratios expected from WS theory compared with only 24% for the SS method. The 45% shortfall in WS performance is ascribed mainly to trace-alignment (or time-delay) errors. Varying noise levels on individual traces, slight dissimilarity of signal shape, and correlated noise may also contribute to a lesser extent (in decreasing order of significance). This WS method appears to strike a good practical balance between S:N improvement and processing efficiency.

Notes: Contemporary use patterns of land and water resources create conflicts between natural and human environments. These conflicts are generally not discussed as part of a classical approach to geologic education. This paper addresses the need to increase non-earth science training simultaneous with traditional training. The benefits to be gained will be welcomed by both students and their potential employers. One approach to suggested interdisciplinary water-resource education is discussed.

Notes: A number of political theorists have recently argued that group representation is essential to the achievement of social justice. However relatively little work exists on the institutional implications of such arguments beyond the analysis of electoral mechanisms to achieve greater representation within legislatures. This leaves unanswered one of the most difficult questions facing policy-makers – how to effectively engage the range of Black and minority ethnic (BME) communities in decision-making processes. Through a detailed analysis of the changing nature of the arrangements in place in Birmingham (UK) to engage BME communities, this paper is able to reflect on the theoretical and practical challenges of group representation in contemporary polities.

Notes: Biological damage to plants is commonly found from the Devonian but occurs most commonly from the Cretaceous. Damage inflicted on plants whilst they were alive may trigger a pathological response involving the growth of abnormal tissues. Much of the damage is caused by arthropods, particularly insects. Whilst some damage is non-taxon specific, such as simple feeding traces, other damage, such as leaf mines, galls or bark boring, may reveal the co-evolution of host specific taxa and the timing of such interactions. Damaged plants, particularly from the Cretaceous and Tertiary are described and illustrated. The geological history of the evolution of insect-related plant damage is briefly reviewed. Increased variety in the pathological response of plants is seen from the Cretaceous with the evolution of the angiosperms and diversification of numerous insect groups.

Notes: The growing number of ground-water research projects that are based primarily on potential distribution data has stimulated the development of several new types of potential measuring, instruments. The primary requirements for these instruments are longevity, precision, sensitivity, and short timelag. Ease of installation, minimum maintenance, low capital investment, and provision of a continuous record are equally desirable. Generally, available instruments will satisfy two or three, but not all of these requirements.The need for a piezometer possessing all these characteristics was encountered during a flow-system study beneath an irrigated field. A piezometer subsequently was designed which combines the sensitivity of a Kecke electrical water-level sensing device with the continuous record provided by a Stevens Type F, graphic recorder. Replacement of the standard Keck sensing “Bob” with a probe specifically designed for small diameter pipes (5/16-inch I.D.),* provides instrumentation with a short timelag. The absence of a diaphragm and strain gauges enhances longevity. The device is inexpensive, simple and easily installed. Samples of well water for chemical analysis may also be obtained from the piezometers.