Dobele impact structure in latvia: Review of archived reports for future

1,2Burlakovs, J.,3Krievans, M.,3Seglins, V.,4Berzins, K.,5Stiebrins, O.
International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference Surveying Geology and Mining Ecology Management, SGEM 18, 75-81 Link to Article[DOI: 10.5593/sgem2018/1.1/S01.010]
1Linnaeus University, Sweden
2Russian Geographical Society,
Russian Federation
3University of Latvia, Latvia
4Astronomical Society of Latvia and Meteoriti.LV, Latvia
5Geological Society of Latvia, Latvia

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A numerical inversion method for improving the spatial resolution of elemental imaging by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

1Aonishi, T.,2Hirata, T.,3,4Kuwatani, T.,5Fujimoto, M.,3Chang, Q.,3Kimura, J.-I.
Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectroscopy 33, 2210-2218 Link to Article [DOI: 10.1039/c7ja00334j]
1School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagatsuda 4259, Yokohama, 226-8502, Japan
2Geochemical Research Center, University of Tokyo, Hongo, 7-3-1, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
3Department of Solid Earth Geochemistry, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Natsushima-cho 2-15, Yokosuka, 237-0061, Japan
4PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Honcho 4-1-8, Kawaguchi, 332-0012, Japan
5Department of Geoscience, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawaoiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan

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A petrologic study on the effect of mantle overturn: Implications for evolution of the lunar interior

1,2Ananya Mallik,1,3Tariq Ejaz,1Svyatoslav Shchek,4Gordana Garapic
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta (in Press) Link to Article [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2019.02.014]
1Bayerisches Geoinstitut, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
2Department of Geosciences, University of Rhode Island, 9 E. Alumni Avenue, Kingston RI 02881, United States of America
3National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Headland Sada, Vasco-da-Gama, Goa 403804, India
4State University of New York at New Paltz, 1 Hawk Drive, New Paltz, NY 12561, United States of America
Copyright Elsevier

Lunar mantle overturn caused by gravitational instability of the Fe-Ti rich KREEP layer (formed as the last 5% of a crystallizing magma ocean, and emplaced between the overlying anorthitic crust and the underlying lunar mantle) is a process that would introduce Fe-Ti enriched bodies deep inside the lunar interior. These chemical heterogeneities in the lunar mantle may be the source of the very Fe-Ti enriched near-primary Apollo basalts. Also, the Fe-Ti and KREEP enriched layer deep inside the Moon may be responsible for the 5-30% partial melt seismically detected close to the core-mantle boundary (CMB). This is assuming that that the partial melt is neutrally buoyant at P-T conditions of the CMB. Here, we experimentally investigate the phase equilibria of the overturned Fe-Ti rich layer mixed with the mantle, at P-T conditions deep inside the lunar interior, focusing on the partial melt compositions formed. Our aim is to test (a) whether potential partial melt compositions formed near the CMB are neutrally buoyant with respect to the surrounding mantle, hence, stable; (b) if the partial melts formed within the lunar interior are positively buoyant and ascend, whether they can reproduce chemical characteristics of Apollo basalts. The densities calculated for the Fe-Ti rich partial melts from this study, using the physical parameters from previous studies, range from lower to higher values compared to that of the lunar mantle. This provides a basis for future investigations to experimentally constrain better the densities of these partial melts. Depending on the buoyancy of the partial melts, the following two scenarios are likely to happen. Firstly, if the partial melts are neutrally buoyant at the CMB, 5-30% partial melt would constrain the CMB temperatures between 1330(±1) – 1470(±19) °C. This can be used by future studies to derive the selenotherm better. Secondly, if the partial melts are positively buoyant, they should ascend and react with the mantle along their path. Upon reaching shallow depths below the crust, they may likely assimilate any Fe-Ti rich layer that was left over from the gravitational overturn, as well as undergo olivine fractionation upon pooling in a shallow magma chamber. We modeled assimilation-fractional crystallization of the partial melts using the Gibb’s-free minimization algorithm alphaMELTS. Our results show that reactive ascent of Fe-Ti rich partial melts through the lunar mantle and subsequent olivine fractionation in a shallow magma chamber is a promising way to evolve the melt compositions to converge with the lunar basalts better. Shallow level assimilation of Fe-Ti rich lithology post reactive-ascent through the mantle is also feasible, but only for low degrees of assimilation.

Petrological, petrofabric, and oxygen isotopic study of five ungrouped meteorites related to brachinites

1Hikari Hasegawa,1,2Takashi Mikouchi,3,4Akira Yamaguchi,5Masahiro Yasutake,6Richard C. Greenwood,6Ian A. Franchi
Meteoritics & Planetary Science (in Press) Link to Article [https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.13249]
1Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, , Tokyo, 113‐0033 Japan
2The University Museum, The University of Tokyo, , Tokyo, 113‐0033 Japan
3Antarctic Meteorite Research Center, National Institute of Polar Research, Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190‐8518 Japan
4Department of Polar Science, School of Multidisciplinary Science, Graduate University for Advanced Sciences, Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190‐8518 Japan
5Division of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606‐8502 Japan
6 and Space Sciences, School of Physical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA UK
Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons

Northwest Africa (NWA) 6112, Miller Range (MIL) 090206 (plus its pairs: MIL 090340 and MIL 090405), and Divnoe are olivine‐rich ungrouped achondrites. We investigated and compared their petrography, mineralogy, and olivine fabrics. We additionally measured the oxygen isotopic compositions of NWA 6112. They show similar petrography, mineralogy, and oxygen isotopic compositions and we concluded that these five meteorites are brachinite clan meteorites. We found that NWA 6112 and Divnoe had a c axis concentration pattern of olivine fabrics using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). NWA 6112 and Divnoe are suggested to have been exposed to magmatic melt flows during their crystallization on their parent body. On the other hand, the three MIL meteorites have b axis concentration patterns of olivine fabrics. This indicates that the three MIL meteorites may be cumulates where compaction of olivine grains was dominant. Alternatively, they formed as residues and were exposed to olivine compaction. The presence of two different olivine fabric patterns implies that the parent body(s) of brachinite clan meteorites experienced diverse igneous processes.

Pantasma: Evidence for a Pleistocene circa 14 km diameter impact crater in Nicaragua

1P. Rochette, 2R. Alaç3P. Beck,2G. Brocard,4A. J. Cavosie,5V. Debaille,1B. Devouard,4F. Jourdan,6,7B. Mougel,1F. Moustard,6F. Moynier,8S. Nomade,9G. R. Osinski,10B. Reynard,11J. Cornec
Meteoritics & Planetary Science (in Press) Link to Article [https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.13244]
1Aix‐Marseille Univ., CNRS, INRA, IRD, Coll. France, CEREGE, 13545 Aix‐en‐Provence, France
2Basin Genesis Hub, School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
3Univ Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, IPAG, , 38041 Grenoble, France
4Space Science and Technology Centre and The Institute for Geoscience Research (TIGeR), School of Earth and Planetary Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
5Laboratoire G‐Time, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
6Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Université Sorbonne Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 7154, Paris, France
7Centro de geociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro
8LSCE, CEA, , 91190 Gif sur Yvette, France
9Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration and Department of Earth Science, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
10University of Lyon, ENS de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, , 69007 Lyon, France
11Geologist, Denver, USA
Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons

The circa 14 km diameter Pantasma circular structure in Oligocene volcanic rocks in Nicaragua is here studied for the first time to understand its origin. Geomorphology, field mapping, and petrographic and geochemical investigations all are consistent with an impact origin for the Pantasma structure. Observations supporting an impact origin include outward‐dipping volcanic flows, the presence of former melt‐bearing polymict breccia, impact glass (with lechatelierite and low H2O, <300 ppm), and also a possible ejecta layer containing Paleozoic rocks which originated from hundreds of meters below the surface. Diagnostic evidence for impact is provided by detection in impact glass of the former presence of reidite in granular zircon as well as coesite, and extraterrestrial ε54Cr value in polymict breccia. Two 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages with a combined weighted mean age of 815 ± 11 ka (2 σ; P = 0.17) were obtained on impact glass. This age is consistent with geomorphological data and erosion modeling, which all suggest a rather young crater. Pantasma is only the fourth exposed crater >10 km found in the Americas south of N30 latitude, and provides further evidence that a significant number of impact craters may remain to be discovered in Central and South America.

Phase Equilibria Modeling of Low‐grade Metamorphic Martian Rocks

1J. Semprich,2S. P. Schwenzer,1A.H. Treiman,1J. Filiberto
Journal of Geophysica research, Planets (in Press) Link to Article [https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JE005869]
1Lunar and Planetary Institute, USRA, Houston, TX, USA
2School of Environment, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons

Hydrous phases have been identified to be a significant component of martian mineralogy. Particularly prehnite, zeolites, and serpentine are evidence for low‐grade metamorphic reactions at elevated temperatures in mafic and ultramafic protoliths. Their presence suggests that at least part of the martian crust is sufficiently hydrated for low‐grade metamorphic reactions to occur. A detailed analysis of changes in mineralogy with variations in fluid content and composition along possible martian geotherms can contribute to determine the conditions required for subsurface hydrous alteration, fluid availability and rock properties in the martian crust. In this study, we use phase equilibria models to explore low‐grade metamorphic reactions covering a pressure‐temperature range of 0‐0.5 GPa and 150‐450 °C for several martian protolith compositions and varying fluid content. Our models replicate the detected low‐grade metamorphic/hydrothermal mineral phases like prehnite, chlorite, analcime, unspecified zeolites, and serpentine. Our results also suggest that actinolite should be a part of lower‐grade metamorphic assemblages, but actinolite may not be detected in reflectance spectra for several reasons. By gradually increasing the water content in the modeled whole rock composition, we can estimate the amount of water required to precipitate low‐grade metamorphic phases. Mineralogical constraints do not necessarily require an elevated geothermal gradient for the formation of prehnite. However, restricted crater excavation depths even for large impact craters are not likely sampling prehnite along colder gradients, either suggesting a geotherm of ~ 20 °C/km in the Noachian or an additional heat source such as hydrothermal or magmatic activity.

Sequential Chemical Separation of Cr and Ti from a Single Digest for High-Precision Isotope Measurements of Planetary Materials

1Hibiya, Y.,1Iizuka, T.,2Yamashita, K.,3Yoneda, S.,4Yamakawa, A.
Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research (in Press) Link to Article [DOI: 10.1111/ggr.12249]
1Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
2Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
3Department of Science and Engineering, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba, 305-0005, Japan
4National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, 305-8506, Japan

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Nanomagnetic properties of the meteorite cloudy zone

1,2Einsle, J.F.,3Eggeman, A.S.,2Martineau, B.H.,4Saghi, Z.,2Collins, S.M.,1Blukis, R.,5Bagot, P.A.J.,2Midgley, P.A.,1Harrison, R.J.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 115, E11436-E11445 Link to Article [DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1809378115]
1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EQ, United Kingdom
2Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0FS, United Kingdom
3School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
4Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Laboratoire d’électronique des Technologies de l’Information, MINATEC Campus, Grenoble, F-38054, France
5Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PH, United Kingdom

Meteorites contain a record of their thermal and magnetic history, written in the intergrowths of iron-rich and nickel-rich phases that formed during slow cooling. Of intense interest from a magnetic perspective is the “cloudy zone,” a nanoscale intergrowth containing tetrataenite—a naturally occurring hard ferromagnetic mineral that has potential applications as a sustainable alternative to rare-earth permanent magnets. Here we use a combination of high-resolution electron diffraction, electron tomography, atom probe tomography (APT), and micromagnetic simulations to reveal the 3D architecture of the cloudy zone with subnanometer spatial resolution and model the mechanism of remanence acquisition during slow cooling on the meteorite parent body. Isolated islands of tetrataenite are embedded in a matrix of an ordered superstructure. The islands are arranged in clusters of three crystallographic variants, which control how magnetic information is encoded into the nanostructure. The cloudy zone acquires paleomagnetic remanence via a sequence of magnetic domain state transformations (vortex to two domain to single domain), driven by Fe–Ni ordering at 320C. Rather than remanence being recorded at different times at different positions throughout the cloudy zone, each subregion of the cloudy zone records a coherent snapshot of the magnetic field that was present at 320C. Only the coarse and intermediate regions of the cloudy zone are found to be suitable for paleomagnetic applications. The fine regions, on the other hand, have properties similar to those of rare-earth permanent magnets, providing potential routes to synthetic tetrataenite-based magnetic materials.

Quantitative in situ XRD measurement of shock metamorphism in Martian meteorites using lattice strain and strain‐related mosaicity in olivine

1,2Laura E. Jenkins, 1,2Roberta L. Flemming, 1,2Phil J. A. McCausland
Meteoritics & Planetary Science (in Press) Link to Article [https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.13245]
1Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7 Canada
2Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration (CPSX), The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7 Canada
Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons

All Martian meteorites have experienced shock metamorphism to some degree. We quantitatively determined shock‐related strain in olivine crystals to measure shock level and peak shock pressure experienced by five Martian meteorites. Two independent methods employing nondestructive in situ micro X‐ray diffraction (μXRD) are applied, i.e., (1) the lattice strain method, in which the lattice strain value (ε) for each olivine grain is derived from a Williamson–Hall plot using its diffraction pattern (peak width variation with diffraction angle) with reference to a best fit calibration curve of ε values obtained from experimentally shocked olivine grains; (2) the strain‐related mosaicity method, allowing shock stage to be estimated by measuring the streaking along the Debye rings of olivine grain diffraction spots to define their strain‐related mosaic spread, which can then be compared with olivine mosaicity in ordinary chondrites of known shock stage. In this study, both the calculated peak shock pressures and the estimated shock stages for Dar al Gani 476 (45.6 ± 0.6 GPa), Sayh al Uhaymir 005/8 (46.1 ± 2.2 GPa), and Nakhla (18.0 ± 0.6 GPa) compare well with literature values. Formal shock assessments for North West Africa 1068/1110 (53.9 ± 2.1 GPa) and North West Africa 6234 (44.6 ± 3.1 GPa) have not been reported within the literature; however, their calculated peak shock pressures fall within the range of peak shock pressures defining their estimated shock stages. The availability of nondestructive and quantitative μXRD methods to determine shock stage and peak shock pressure from olivine crystals provides a key tool for shock metamorphism analysis.

Dynamic and isotopic evolution of ice reservoirs on Mars

1E.Vos,1,2O.Aharonson,2N.Schorghofer
Icarus (in Press) Link to Article [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2019.01.018]
1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
2Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
Copyright Elsevier

The layered polar caps of Mars have long been thought to be related to variations in orbit and axial tilt. We dynamically link Mars’s past climate variations with the stratigraphy and isotopic composition of its ice by modeling the exchange of H2O and HDO among three reservoirs. The model shows that the interplay among equatorial, mid-latitude, and north-polar layered deposits (NPLD) induces significant isotopic changes in the cap. The diffusive properties of the sublimation lags and dust content in our model result in a cap size consistent with current Mars. The layer thicknesses are mostly controlled by obliquity variations, but the precession period of 50 kyr dominates the variations in the isotopic composition during epochs of relatively low and nearly constant obliquity such as at present. Isotopic sampling of the top 100 m may reveal climate oscillations unseen in the layer thicknesses and would thus probe recent precession-driven climate cycles.