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At least 1,675 records · Page 93Linked to original sources
USGS2004

Cenozoic marine geochemistry of thallium deduced from isotopic studies of ferromanganese crusts and pelagic sediments

Cenozoic records of Tl isotope compositions recorded by ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) crusts have been obtained. Such records are of interest because recent growth surfaces of Fe-Mn crusts display a nearly constant Tl isotope fractionation relative to seawater. The time-series data are complemented by results for bulk samples and leachates of various marine sediments. Oxic pelagic sediments and anoxic marine deposits can be distinguished by their Tl isotope compositions. Both pelagic clays and biogenic oozes are typically characterized by ??205Tl greater than +2.5, whereas anoxic sediments have ??205Tl of less than -1.5 (??205Tl is the deviation of the 205Tl/203Tl isotope ratio of a sample from NIST SRM 997 Tl in parts per 104). Leaching experiments indicate that the high ??205Tl values of oxic sediments probably reflect authigenic Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides. Time-resolved Tl isotope compositions were obtained from six Fe-Mn crusts from the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans and a number of observations indicate that these records were not biased by diagenetic alteration. Over the last 25 Myr, the data do not show isotopic variations that significantly exceed the range of Tl isotope compositions observed for surface layers of Fe-Mn crusts distributed globally (??205 Tl=+12.8??1.2). This indicates that variations in deep-ocean temperature were not recorded by Tl isotopes. The results most likely reflect a constant Tl isotope composition for seawater. The growth layers of three Fe-Mn crusts that are older than 25 Ma show a systematic increase of ??205Tl with decreasing age, from about +6 at 60-50 Ma to about +12 at 25 Ma. These trends are thought to be due to variations in the Tl isotope composition of seawater, which requires that the oceans of the early Cenozoic either had smaller output fluxes or received larger input fluxes of Tl with low ??205Tl. Larger inputs of isotopically light Tl may have been supplied by benthic fluxes from reducing sediments, rivers, and/or volcanic emanations. Alternatively, the Tl isotope trends may reflect the increasing importance of Tl fluxes to altered ocean crust through time. ?? 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters↗
USGS2004

Patterns of magma flow in segmented silicic dikes at Summer Coon volcano, Colorado: AMS and thin section analysis

A complex pattern of magma flow is found in two silicic dikes of a radial swarm at Summer Coon, an eroded stratovolcano in southern Colorado. The two intrusions are broken into multiple segments that suggest vertical dike propagation. However, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) measurements and thin section observations suggest that magma flow was often subhorizontal and away from the center of the volcano. Segments that are proximal to the central intrusion are characterized by magma that flowed steeply upward at the proximal segment extremity, then laterally along the segment, and finally downward at the distal end of the segment. Magma flow in offset segment tips located far from the volcano center was subhorizontal towards the adjacent segment, implying lateral propagation of segment tips towards one another. This observation suggests relatively high driving pressure in distal dike segments, as supported by dike thickening with radial distance from the center of the volcano. The present study indicates that radial dike evolution at stratovolcanoes is dominated by lateral flow of magma and dike segmentation is a poor magma flow indicator. A horizontally propagating radial dike has the potential to cause an eruption low on the flank of a composite cone, which poses a significant yet largely unrecognized hazard to population centers and infrastructure that may surround the volcano.

Colorado↗
USGS1997

Evolution of Nd and Pb isotopes in Central Pacific seawater from ferromanganese crusts

Hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts incorporate elements from ambient seawater during their growth on seamounts. By analysing Nd, Pb and Be isotope profiles within crusts it is possible to reconstruct seawater tracer histories. Depth profiles of 10 Be/ 9 Be ratios in three Pacific ferromanganese crusts have been used to obtain growth rates which are between 1.4 and 3.8 mm/Ma. Nd and Pb isotopes provide intact records of isotopic variations in Pacific seawater over the last 20 Ma or more. There were only small changes in Pb isotope composition in the last 20 Ma. This indicates a constant Pb composition for the erosional sources and suggests further that erosional Nd inputs may have been uniform too. ε Nd values vary considerably with time and most probably reflect changes in ocean circulation. The ε Nd values of the crusts not only vary as a function of age but also as a function of water depth. From 25 to 0 Ma, crust VA13/2 from 4.8 km water depth has a similar pattern of ε Nd variation to the two shallower crusts from 1.8 and 2.3 km, but about 1.0 to 1.5 units more negative. This suggests that ε Nd stratification in Pacific seawater, as demonstrated for the present day, has been maintained for at least 20 Ma. Each crust shows a decrease in ε Nd from 3–5 Ma to the present, which is interpreted in terms of an increase in the NADW component present in the Pacific. From 10 to 3–5 Ma ago the crusts show an increase in ε Nd . This suggests a decreasing role for a deep water source with ε Nd less than circum-Pacific sources. In this regard the Panamanian gateway restriction from ∼ 10 Ma with final closure at 3–5 Ma may have played an important role in reducing access of Atlantic-derived Nd to the Pacific.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters↗
USGS1997

Effects of interaction between ultramafic tectonite and mafic magma on Nd-Pb-Sr isotopic systems in the Neoproterozoic Chaya Massif, Baikal-Muya ophiolite belt

Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr and U-Pb isotopic systems have been studied in minerals and whole rocks of harzburgites and mafic cumulates from the Chaya Massif, Baikal-Muya ophiolite belt, eastern Siberia, in order to determine the relationship between mantle ultramafic and crustal mafic sections. Geological relations in the Chaya Massif indicate that the mafic magmas were emplaced into, and interacted with older solid peridotite. Hand picked, acid-leached, primary rock-forming and accessory minerals (olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and plagioclase) from the two harzburgite samples show coherent behavior and yield 147 Sm/ 144 Nd- 143 Nd/ 144 Nd and 238 U/ 204 Pb- 206 Pb/ 204 Pb mineral isochrons, corresponding to ages of 640 ± 58 Ma (95% confidence level) and 620 ± 71 Ma, respectively. These values are indistinguishable from the crystallization age of the Chaya mafic units of 627 ± 25 Ma (a weighted average of internal isochron Sm-Nd ages of four mafic cumulates). The Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotopic systems in the harzburgite whole-rock samples were disturbed by hydrothermal alteration. These alteration-related isotopic shifts mimic the trend of variations in primary isotopic compositions in the mafic sequence, thus emphasizing that isotopic data for ultramafic rocks should be interpreted with great caution. On the basis of initial Sr and Nd values, ultramafic and mafic rocks of the Chaya Massif can be divided into two groups: (1) harzburgites and the lower mafic unit gabbronorites withε Nd = +6.6 to +7.1 andε Sr = −11 to −16; and (2) websterite of the lower unit and gabbronorites of the upper mafic unit:ε Nd = +4.6 to +6.1 andε Sr = −8 to −9. Initial Pb isotopic ratios are identical in all rocks studied, with mean values of 206 Pb/ 204 Pb= 16.994 ± 0.023 and 207 Pb/ 204 Pb= 15.363 ± 0.015. The similarity of ages and initial isotopic ratios within the first group indicates that the isotopic systems in the pre-existing depleted peridotite were reset by extensive interaction with basaltic magma during formation of the mafic crustal sequence. The isotopic data agree with a hypothesized formation of the Chaya Massif in a suprasubduction-zone environment.

Siberia↗
USGS1997

History of water-column anoxia in the Black Sea indicated by pyrite framboid size distributions

A detailed study of size distributions of framboidal pyrite in Holocene Black Sea sediments establishes the timing of a change from deposition under an oxic water column to deposition under an anoxic and sulfidic water column. In the most recent carbonate-rich sediments (Unit I) and in the organic carbon-rich sapropel (Unit II), framboid size distributions are remarkably uniform (mean diameter = 5 μm); over 95% of the framboids in Unit I and Unit II are < 7 μm in diameter. These properties of framboidal pyrite are consistent with framboid nucleation and growth within an anoxic and sulfidic water column, followed by transport to the sediment-water interface, cessation of pyrite growth due to the exhaustion of reactive iron, and subsequent burial. In contrast, the organic carbon-poor sediments of lacustrine Unit III contain pyrite framboids that are generally much larger in size (mean diameter = 10 μm). In Unit III, over 95% of the framboids are < 25 μm in diameter, 40% of framboids are between 7 μm and 25 μm, and framboids up to 50 μm in diameter are present. This distribution of sizes suggests framboid nucleation and growth within anoxic sediment porewaters. These new data on size distributions of framboidal pyrite confirm that the development of water-column anoxia in the Black Sea coincided with the initiation of deposition of laminated Unit II sapropels.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters↗
USGS1997

Continents as lithological icebergs: The importance of buoyant lithospheric roots

An understanding of the formation of new continental crust provides an important guide to locating the oldest terrestrial rocks and minerals. We evaluated the crustal thicknesses of the thinnest stable continental crust and of an unsubductable oceanic plateau and used the resulting data to estimate the amount of mantle melting which produces permanent continental crust. The lithospheric mantle is sufficiently depleted to produce permanent buoyancy (i.e., the crust is unsubductable) at crustal thicknesses greater than 25–27 km. These unsubductable oceanic plateaus and hotspot island chains are important sources of new continental crust. The newest continental crust (e.g., the Ontong Java plateau) has a basaltic composition, not a granitic one. The observed structure and geochemistry of continents are the result of convergent margin magmatism and metamorphism which modify the nascent basaltic crust into a lowermost basaltic layer overlain by a more silicic upper crust. The definition of a continent should imply only that the lithosphere is unsubductable over ≥ 0.25 Ga time periods. Therefore, the search for the oldest crustal rocks should include rocks from lower to mid-crustal levels.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters↗
USGS1997

The Hf isotopic composition of ferromanganese nodules and crusts and hydrothermal manganese deposits: Implications for seawater Hf

We present Hf and Pb isotopic data, and chemical compositions of the outermost layers of marine ferromanganese deposits of different types (hydrogenous and hydrothermal) with a worldwide distribution. The Hf isotopic compositions display a broad range and refine previously reported regional differences as follows: Atlantic Ocean ɛ Hf = −4to+2, Indian Ocean ɛ Hf = +2to+4, Pacific Ocean ɛ Hf = +3to+10. The most radiogenic Hf isotopic compositions in the Pacific samples are for hydrothermal manganese deposits that also have low 207 Pb 204 Pb, demonstrating that this signature reflects a contribution from hydrothermal venting of Hf leached from oceanic volcanic rocks rather than from riverine inputs, volcanic ash, or eolian dust. Hafnium concentrations in the deposits increase from 20 ppb to 20 ppm with decreasing ɛ Hf , The Hf and Pb isotopic compositions for ferromanganese crusts define an apparent mixing trend between literature values of average continental crust and MORB. The range in ɛ Hf for ferromanganese crusts is narrower than it is for 206 Pb 204 Pb compared to the differences in isotopic composition of the sources of Hf and Pb. This is consistent with Hf having a longer residence time than Pb. The concentration of Hf in ferromanganese crusts has been found to co-vary with growth rate, and inversely correlates with Hf isotopic compositions. Hf isotope ratios may be used to determine not only the source of Hf, but possibly the source of Fe and Mn. Measurements of ɛ Hf and Hf concentrations in nodule tops, bottoms and associated sediments show that the ɛ Hf of nodules is sensitive to sedimentary oxic and sub-oxic diagenetic processes and thus most nodules may not reliably reflect the isotopic composition of Hf in seawater.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters↗
USGS1997

Kinetics of the coesite to quartz transformation

The survival of coesite in ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) rocks has important implications for the exhumation of subducted crustal rocks. We have conducted experiments to study the mechanism and rate of the coesite→quartz transformation using polycrystalline coesite aggregates, fabricated by devitrifying silica glass cylinders containing 2850 H/10 6 Si at 1000°C and 3.6 GPa for 24 h. Conditions were adjusted following synthesis to transform the samples at 700–1000°C at pressures 190–410 MPa below the quartz–coesite equilibrium boundary. Reaction proceeds via grain-boundary nucleation and interface-controlled growth, with characteristic reaction textures remarkably similar to those seen in natural UHP rocks. We infer that the experimental reaction mechanism is identical to that in nature, a prerequisite for reliable extrapolation of the rate data. Growth rates obtained by direct measurement differ by up to two orders of magnitude from those estimated by fitting a rate equation to the transformation–time data. Fitting the rates to Turnbull's equation for growth therefore yields two distinct sets of parameters with similar activation energies (242 or 269 kJ/mol) but significantly different pre-exponential constants. Extrapolation based on either set of growth rates suggests that coesite should not be preserved on geologic time scales if it reaches the quartz stability field at temperatures above 375–400°C. The survival of coesite has previously been linked to its inclusion in strong phases, such as garnet, that can sustain a high internal pressure during decompression. Other factors that may play a crucial role in preservation are low fluid availability — possibly even less than that of our nominally “dry” experiments — and the development of transformation stress, which inhibits nucleation and growth. These issues are discussed in the context of our experiments as well as recent observations from natural rocks.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters↗
USGS1998

Chemistry, isotopic composition, and origin of a methane-hydrogen sulfide hydrate at the Cascadia subduction zone

Although the presence of extensive gas hydrate on the Cascadia margin, offshore from the western U.S. and Canada, has been inferred from marine seismic records and pore water chemistry, solid gas hydrate has only been found at one location. At Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 892, offshore from central Oregon, gas hydrate was recovered close to the sediment-water interface at 2–19 m below the seafloor (mbsf) at 670 m water depth. The gas hydrate occurs as elongated platy crystals or crystal aggregates, mostly disseminated irregularly, with higher concentrations occurring in discrete zones, thin layers, and/or veinlets parallel or oblique to the bedding. A 2- to 3-cm thick massive gas hydrate layer, parallel to bedding, was recovered at ∼ 17 mbsf. Gas from a sample of this layer was composed of both CH 4 and H 2 S. This sample is the first mixed-gas hydrate of CH 4 H 2 S documented in ODP; it also contains ethane and minor amounts of CO 2 . Measured temperatures of the recovered core ranged from 2 to −1.8°C and are 6 to 8 degrees lower than in-situ temperatures. These temperature anomalies were caused by the partial dissociation of the CH 4 H 2 S hydrate during recovery without a pressure core sampler.During this dissociation, toxic levels of H 2 S (δ 34 S, +27.4‰) were released. The δ 13 C values of the CH 4 in the gas hydrate, −64.5 to −67.5‰ (PDB) , together with δD values of −197 to −199‰ (SMOW) indicate a primarily microbial source for the CH 4 . The δ 18 O value of the hydrate H 2 O is +2.9‰ (SMOW) , comparable with the experimental fractionation factor for sea-ice. The unusual composition (CH 4 H 2 S) and depth distribution (2–19 mbsf) of this gas hydrate indicate mixing between a methane-rich fluid with a pore fluid enriched in sulfide; at this site the former is advecting along an inclined fault into the active sulfate reduction zone. The facts that the CH 4 H 2 S hydrate is primarily confined to the present day active sulfate reduction zone (2–19 mbsf), and that from here down to the BSR depth (19–68 mbsf) the gas hydrate inferred to exist is a ≥99% CH 4 hydrate, suggest that the mixing of CH 4 and H 2 S is a geologically young process. Because the existence of a mixed CH 4 H 2 S hydrate is indicative of moderate to intense advection of a methane-rich fluid into a near surface active sulfate reduction zone, tectonically active (faulted) margins with organic-rich sediments and moderate to high sedimentation rates are the most likely regions of occurrence. The extension of such a mixed hydrate below the sulfate reduction zone should reflect the time-span of methane advection into the sulfate reduction zone.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters↗
USGS1998

Field-dependence of AC susceptibility in titanomagnetites

AC susceptibility measurements as a function of field amplitude Hac and of frequency show a strong field dependence for a set of synthetic titanomagnetites (Fe3-xTixO4) and for certain basalts from the SOH-1 Hawaiian drill hole and from Iceland. In-phase susceptibility is constant below fields of about 10-100 A/m, and then increases by as much as a factor of two as Hsc is increased to 2000 A/m. Both the initial field-independent susceptibilities and field-dependence of susceptibility are systematically related to composition: initial susceptibility is 3 SI for a single-crystal sphere of TMO (x = 0) and decreases with increasing titanium content; field-dependence is nearly zero for TM0 and increases systematically to a maximum near TM60 (x = 0.6). This field dependence can in some cases be mistaken for frequency dependence, and leaf to incorrect interpretations of magnetic grain size and composition when titanomagnetite is present.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters↗
USGS1998

New U-Pb zircon ages and the duration and division of Devonian time

Newly determined U-Pb zircon ages of volcanic ashes closely tied to biostratigraphic zones are used to revise the Devonian time-scale. They are: 1) 417.6 ?? 1.0 Ma for an ash within the conodont zone of Icriodus woschmidti/I. w. hesperius Lochkovian); 2) 408.3 ?? 1.9 Ma for an ash of early Emsian age correlated with the conodont zones of Po. dehiscens--Lower Po. inversus; 3) 391.4 ?? 1.8 Ma for an ash within the Po. c. costatus Zone and probably within the upper half of the zone (Eifelian); and 4) 381.1 ?? 1.3 Ma for an ash within the range of the Frasnian conodont Palmatolepis punctata (Pa. punctata Zone to Upper Pa. hassi Zone). U-Pb zircon ages for two rhyolites bracketing a palyniferous bed of the pusillites-lepidophyta spore zone, are dated at 363.8 ?? 2.2 Ma and 363 ?? 2.2 Ma and 363.4 ?? 1.8 Ma, respectively, suggesting an age of ~363 Ma for a level within the late Famennian Pa. g. expansa Zone. These data, together with other published zircon ages, suggest that the base and top of the Devonian lie close to 418 Ma and 362 Ma, respectively, thus lengthening the period of ~20% over current estimates. We suggest that the duration of the Middle Devonian (Eifelian and Givitian) is rather brief, perhaps no longer than 11.5 Myr (394 Ma-382.5 Ma), and that the Emsian and Famennian are the longest stages in the period with estimated durations of ~15.5 Myr and 14.5 Myr, respectively.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters↗
USGS1998

Absolute paleointensity from Hawaiian lavas younger than 35 ka

Paleointensity studies have been conducted in air and in argon atmosphere on nine lava flows with radiocarbon ages distributed between 3.3 and 28.2 ka from the Mauna Loa volcano in the big island of Hawaii. Determinations of paleointensity obtained at eight sites depict the same overall pattern as the previous results for the same period in Hawaii, although the overall average field intensity appears to be lower. Since the present results were determined at higher temperatures than in the previous studies, this discrepancy raises questions regarding the selection of low versus high-temperature segments that are usually made for absolute paleointensity. The virtual dipole moments are similar to those displayed by the worldwide data set obtained from dated lava flows. When averaged within finite time intervals, the worldwide values match nicely the variations of the Sint-200 synthetic record of relative paleointensity and confirm the overall decrease of the dipole field intensity during most of this period. The convergence between the existing records at Hawaii and the rest of the world does not favour the presence of persistent strong non-dipole components beneath Hawaii for this period.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters↗
USGS1998

Origin of the Columbia River basalts: Melting model of a heterogeneous plume head

In order to study the origin of the Grande Ronde basalts (GRs) erupted in the climax stage of the Columbia River basalts (CRBs), we carried out high pressure melting experiments on four of the most primitive rock compositions representing the Yakima group of the CRBs. The voluminous GRs (constituting >80 vol% of CRBs) are totally aphyric basaltic andesites. GRs show very narrow and coherent chemical trends both in major and trace elements as well as isotopes. The silica-rich GRs (SiO 2 = 52–56 wt%) can be produced by direct partial melting of a MORB like source material (CRB72-31) at ∼2 GPa or ∼70 km depth. By 30–50% partial melting of the CRB72-31, the entire compositional range of the GRs can be produced in a narrow temperature interval (1300–1350°C) at ∼2 GPa. The aluminous clinopyroxene that appears in the above melting range is consistent as the major controlling phase of the GR trends. The partial melts are very similar to the GRs except for Al 2 O 3 and FeO which could be due to the mismatch in the source rock composition. Judging from the variation in REE, involvement of garnet in GR magma genesis can be ruled out. Small amounts of plagioclase (10–30 wt%) may be present in the partial melting residue. Judging from REE patterns and Nd isotopes of the GRs, the source rock should be unfractionated in REE. Based on the melting experiments, a heterogeneous plume model is proposed for the initial stage of the Yellowstone hot spot. Large lithologically distinct blobs of old oceanic crust components were included in the plume head. The GR magmas were produced by partial melting of the oceanic crust components at the bottom of the North American lithosphere. Similar melting processes of basalt/peridotite composite source may be operating in other LIPs (large igneous provinces). The GR type genuine oceanic crust derived melts may be seen where the ambient peridotite remains under subsolidus conditions. Volume and temperature of mantle plumes may have been overestimated, because contributions from the recycled oceanic crust is so large and the current mantle melting models concern only peridotite source.

Idaho, Nevada, Oregon↗
USGS1998

Discovery of microscopic evidence for shock metamorphism at the Serpent Mound structure, south-central Ohio: Confirmation of an origin by impact

The origin of the Serpent Mound structure in south-central Ohio has been disputed for many years. Clearly, more evidence was needed to resolve the confusion concerning the origin of the Serpent Mound feature either by endogenic processes or by hypervelocity impact. A petrographic study of 21 samples taken from a core 903 m long drilled in the central uplift of the structure provides evidence of shock metamorphism in the form of multiple sets of planar deformation features in quartz grains, as well as the presence of clasts of altered impact-melt rock. Crystallographic orientations of the planar deformation features show maxima at the shock-characteristic planes of {101??3} and {101??2} and additional maxima at {101??1}, {213??1}, and {516??1}. Geochemical analyses of impact breccias show minor enrichments in the abundances of the siderophile elements Cr, Co, Ni, and Ir, indicating the presence of a minor meteoritic component.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters↗
USGS1999

Development of a deep-crustal shear zone in response to syntectonic intrusion of mafic magma into the lower crust, Ivrea-Verbano zone, Italy

A 1 to 1.5 km-thick, high-temperature shear zone is localized in wall rocks subparallel to the eastern intrusive contact of the Permian Mafic Complex of the Ivrea-Verbano zone (IVZ), Italy. The shear zone is characterized by concentrated ductile deformation manifested by a penetrative foliation subparallel to the intrusive contact and a northeast-plunging sillimanite lineation. Evidence of noncoaxial strain and transposition is widespread in the shear zone including such features as rootless isoclinal folds, dismemberment of competent layers, and scattered kinematic indicators. The metasedimentary rocks in the shear zone are migmatitic, and the accumulation of leucosome is variable within the shear zone. Near the intrusive contact with the Mafic Complex leucosome forms ~20 vol% of the wall rock, whereas leucosome concentrations may locally reach ~60 vol% of the wall rock near the outer limits of the shear zone. This variation in vol% leucosome suggests melt/magma migration from the inferred site of anatexis along the intrusive contact to lower-strain regions within and near the margins of the shear zone. The leucosome accumulations chiefly occur as layer-parallel concentrations, but are also folded and boudined, and locally are associated with tension gashes and fracture arrays. Networks of granitic dikes and small plutons in the eastern IVZ suggest that some magmas migrated out of the high-temperature shear zone. Some magma apparently migrated laterally along the strike of the shear zone and concentrated in areas of lower strain where the intrusive contact takes a major westward bend. The high-temperature shear zone is interpreted as a 'stretching fault' (or stretching shear zone) after Means [W.D. Means, Stretching faults, Geology 17 (1989) 893-896], whereupon the metasedimentary wall rocks and associated leucosome deformed synchronously with the multistage emplacement and deformation flow of the Mafic Complex. The recognition of a high-temperature shear zone associated with the emplacement of mafic igneous rocks into the deep crust is an example of the progressive stratification of the lower crust during magmatic under- or intraplating that has consequences for seismic imaging and its interpretation.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters↗
USGS1999

Metal emissions from Kilauea, and a suggested revision of the estimated worldwide metal output by quiescent degassing of volcanoes

Measurements of a large suite of metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn and several others) and sulfur at Kilauea volcano over an extended period of time has yielded a detailed record of the atmospheric injection of ordinarily-rare metals from this quiescently degassing volcano, representative of an important type. We have combined the Kilauea data with data of recent studies by others (emissions from volcanoes in the Indonesian arc; the large Laki eruption of two centuries ago; Etna: estimates of total volcanic emissions of sulfur) to form the basis for a new working estimate of the rate of worldwide injection of metals to the atmosphere by volcanoes. The new estimate is that volcanoes inject a substantially smaller mass of ordinarily-rare metals into the atmosphere than was stated in a widely cited previous estimate [J.O. Nriagu, A global assessment of natural sources of atmospheric trace metals, Nature 338 (1989) 47-49]. Our estimate, which is an upper limit, is an annual injection mass of about 10,000 tons of the metals considered, versus the earlier estimate of about 23,000 tons. Also, the proportions of the metals are substantially different in our new estimate.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters↗
USGS1999

Actual timing of neodymium isotopic variations recorded by Fe-Mn crusts in the western North Atlantic

Hydrogenetic ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) crusts from the western North Atlantic record variations in the Nd and Pb isotopic composition of Cenozoic deep water preserved during their growth. The timing and cause of the most striking change have been the subject of debate. Some have proposed that the shift took place after 4 Ma in response to the closure of the Panama gateway. Others have argued that the major change in isotope composition occurred as early as 8 Ma. This study presents high-resolution Nd isotope records for crusts previously dated using 10Be/9Be chronology. These data confirm that the shifts in Nd occurred after 4 Ma, consistent with a likely relationship with the closure of the Central American Isthmus and intensification of Northern Hemisphere Glaciation, and in accordance with changes seen in other physical and chemical records. These results illustrate the need for both a robust chronological framework and high-resolution records before a reliable paleoceanographic interpretation can be made of the variations recorded by Fe-Mn crusts.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters↗