Grey Rock Research Articles

Строительные материалы в средневековой архитектуре археологического памятника Дерахейб (Судан)

The material for the article was samples of light gray rock with lighter and darker inclusions taken during the study of architectural structures of the archaeological site Deraheib (Sudan), which has been investigated since 2017 by the Nubian Archaeological and Anthropological Mission of the Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology of the Lomonosov Moscow State University (NAAM). This rock was used for making floor in Building 3 (Mosque) and as a bonding material in the walls of the Northern Fortress. Decorative architectural elements carved from the same rock were found during the study of the interior rooms of the Northern Fortress. Samples of this rock were taken into Russia by agreement with the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums (NCAM) of the Republic of Sudan. The prepared thin sections were examined at the Research Institute and the Museum of Anthropology of the Lomonosov Moscow State University. Results. The analysis of thin sections showed that highly altered volcanic-metamorphic rocks, metamorphosed tuffs of acidic or alkaline composition, widespread in this region of Sudan, served as the material for pouring floors and for the making of a binder in the architectural structures of Deraheib, as well as for decorative architectural elements. Discussion. The conducted research indicates that the architects who erected buildings in Deraheib in the medieval period used locally available material, since it was very difficult to deliver building materials from the Nile Valley, taken into account the location of the monument almost in the center of the Nubian Desert. The tuff deposits at the site allowed the architects to build durable structures using local materials. The results of the study will allow to elaborate more accurate recommendations for the restoration of medieval architectural monuments of Deraheib.

Diatomite – evaluation of physico-mechanical, chemical, mineralogical and thermal properties

Diatomite is one of the most intensively examined raw materials in the materials industry with a broad range of various applications. The diatomite sample, collected from Vitačevo plateau in the vicinity of Kavadarci, was fully characterized by means of physical-mechanical, chemical, XRPD, SEM, TEM, DTA/TGA and IR techniques. The physical-mechanical features pointed out to soft, light, white to gray rock with shell-like structure exhibiting compressive strength from 4.65–4.88 MPa in dry form, whereas the total porosity ranges 70–72% and the density is 2.06–2.09 g/cm3. The chemical analysis of the diatomite revealed that SiO2 content exceeds 91%. The results from the X-ray powder diffraction indicate predominant amorphous SiO2 phase associated with minor presence of crystalline quartz, muscovite, chlorites and plagioclase. The IR spectrum of the diatomite manifested characteristic bands for amorphous silica at 799 cm–1 and 1101 cm–1. DTA/TGA results display great thermal stability of the sample remaining amorphous up to 1050ºC whereas the SEM analysis determined the morphology, surface characteristics and the nanometric pores in the raw material. Thus, the studied diatomite is classified as a natural nanomaterial that is suitable for broad application in various construction materials, refractory ceramics, special oxide ceramics, and also finds potential use in filtering, adsorbent, catalysts, food and pharmaceutical industries.

Spectrophotometric properties of materials observed by Pancam on the Mars Exploration Rovers: 4. Final mission observations

The last sets of Panoramic Camera (Pancam) visible/near-infrared (432–1009 nm) multispectral observations made under varying viewing and illumination geometries by the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity were examined using radiative transfer models to study the surface scattering and microphysical nature of rock and soil units at both sites. Nearly 12,000 individual measurements were collected for this study of soil, dust, and rock units over phase angles of ~0° to ~150°. Images were acquired on sols 1944–1946 (June 2009) at Troy, the final resting place of Spirit on the western side of Home Plate in Gusev crater, and by Opportunity at three locations on the western rim of Endeavour crater in Meridiani Planum between sols 2785 (November 2011) and 3867 (December 2014). Sky models were developed from observations of atmospheric opacity, which enabled corrections for diffuse skylight when combined with surface facet orientations determined from stereo images. Model results were improved by removing data affected by scattered light evident in some high phase angle images (resulting from minor dust contamination on the camera windows). At Troy, relatively dust-free “gray” rock units exhibited narrow, forward scattering behaviors akin to previous analyses of similar gray rock units at Gusev crater. Soils and “red” rocks coated with greater amounts of dust were more backscattering. Red rocks exhibited higher single scattering albedo (w), macroscopic roughness (θ), and opposition effect width (h) parameters, indicative of rough, low-porosity surfaces perhaps with more uniform grain size distributions. At Meridiani Planum, rubbly soils near São Gabriel crater and Cape Tribulation exhibited w values typical of previous soil analyses. However, the large drift “dust” deposits found in depressions on the northern tip of Cape York near Turkey Haven demonstrated elevated w values with a downturn toward 1009 nm, consistent with minor hydration of these materials. The dust deposits were modeled with the lowest θ values and highest h values of all soil units analyzed during the Opportunity mission, indicative of a smooth surface with homogeneous grain size distribution and/or lower porosity than other units. The dust unit scattering function was dissimilar to those for atmospheric and airfall-deposited dusts, however, suggesting that the originally deposited materials had been modified, perhaps by hydration and ongoing aeolian effects. Analyses of phase curve ratios among the units studied here and from laboratory data of analog soils suggested that surface scattering is a major control on the peak phase angle position of the “arch” in phase curve ratios, alongside the effects of particle-scale roughness.

Former and present habitats of Grey partridge (Perdix perdix L.) and Rock partridge (Alectoris Graeca Meisner) in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The main problem in small game management today is habitat loss. Agricultural development and modern techniques in crop farming have a high impact on small game populations. To present this impact in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we analyzed and determined former and present habitats of two traditionally important gamebird species: Grey partridge (Perdix perdix L.), and Rock partridge (Alectoris Graeca Meisner)

윌리엄 버틀러 예이츠의 「회색바위」 : 시인의 실연과 극복

윌리엄 버틀러 예이츠의 「회색바위」 : 시인의 실연과 극복

The stone inventory on the Neolithic settlement Evstyunikha I (Middle Trans-Ural)

The place of the Evstyuninsky type ceramics in the early Neolithic materials of the Middle Trans-Ural has been one of the problem areas of interest to the Ural archeologists until today. The Evstyuninsky type of Neolithic ceramics is presented in the archeological literature of the Urals fairly good. But it is still unknown what kind of stone products accompanies ceramics of this type. This paper fills this gap. The site is situated 300 meters from the village Evstyunikha, which nowadays is a northern outskirt of the Nizhny Tagil (Sverdlovsk Region). The collection of finds contains more than 9000 items. Among them there are about 6000 fragments of ceramic and 3500 stone products. The complex is very indiscrete 96% of ceramics refers to the Neolithic. The rest of the ceramics is presented by materials of later epochs. The use of stone tools in them was already limited. The full cycle of stone processing is presented at the site. The technology of splitting was used for obtaining knife-shaped plates from the butt nucleuses. They used large plates of 24 cm width and small ones of 0,51,0 cm width as well. In addition to the plates tiles processed by bilateral edge retouch were also widely used. Flat retouch was very rarely used it was used for producing of arrowheads only. A large percentage (nearly 70%) of products with tile cork indicates the use of the local mineral raw. 77% of all products are made of siliceous slate. Then there are volcanotectonic sandstone products and products made of light grey layered siliceous rock 6,5% each. Milky quartz and multi-colored jasper artifacts are 2% each. 6% are accounted for the other types of mineral raw (flint, chalcedony, slate carbonaceous, light grey slate, grey quartz, alevrotuf, sandstone, granodiorite, quartzite, serpentinite).

Meat and feather and down performance obroshynskyh gray geese II generation, crossed with a big gray breed

An slaughter, morphological and chemical characteristics of meat obroshynskyh young gray geese, geese crossed with a large gray rock. The average live weight of geese to the top of oviposition was – obroshyno gray, goose – 6.10 kg, geese – 7.00 kg, and Sun OG X: GG goose – 6.15 kg, geese – 7.32 kg. In absolute figures ante carcass live weight of males II (4725 g) prevailed peer group and to 2.94%, and female second group (4152 g) prevailed peers on this indicator at 4.19%. The weight of carcasses of male nepatranoyi second group was at 3.78% larger than males and groups, and group II females predominated peers on this indicator at 5.10%. The weight of carcasses of male patranoyi second group was 3.5% larger than males and groups, and group II females predominated peers on this indicator by 6.6%. Exit edible parts of young research groups was quite high, but this figure was highest in young second group. In the second group of males the figure was 61.5% and females – 58.9%. The mass of chilled carcasses of male second group was at 3.96% larger than males and groups, and group II females predominated peers on this indicator at 7.08%. Weight skin with subcutaneous fat in males Group II at 3.67% higher than the males and females of a second group of peers prevailed on this indicator at 4.64%. The mass of muscles in the male group II at 8.58% larger than the males and females of a second group of peers prevailed on this indicator – by 7.62%. Conducted studies found that productivity was higher in young animals obtained by crossing obroshynskyh gray females with males of a large gray rock.

Mezinian landscape system (Late Upper Palaeolithic of Eastern Europe)

In the geographical environment of the pleniglacial steppes of the great plain of Eastern Europe, the palaeoeconomy of the Mezinian is based on intensive and systematic mammoth exploitation and largely completed by other species of biozone of this region. The Mezinian hunters are organized in a network of numerous groups of about 30 people. The human groups settled in residential settlements (with large huts in mammoth bones) of long occupation in the year, from which travels are operated inside the territory sometimes longer than 600 km for activities of hunting, raw material procurement, groupings and intergroup meetings. The movements of human groups are known by the presence of small seasonal sites, without mammoth bone structures, and also by the presence of non-local raw materials: several types of flint, transparent or dark grey rock crystal, chalcedony, amber, and seashells.

“The Grey Rock” Revisited: An Ironic Relationship between Men and Gods

“The Grey Rock” Revisited: An Ironic Relationship between Men and Gods

West of Cody

West of Cody Jonathan Starke (bio) I think of you while driving west of Cody, Wyoming, where cattle and horse ranches settle up against the foothills that wind around the mountains. There’s one piece of land in particular, right up under yellow and green pastures that goes for a half mile before disappearing at the base of jagged gray rock. I see you up there a few years from now, sitting outside of the cabin you talked about building, a paper-white cigarette between your delicate fingers and a cup of coffee at your side. Your bare legs are crossed in the early morning, and your breath comes out in circles like spools. You sit there with your chin up like you’re waiting for something. “Let’s have a cigarette,” I said. “Right,” you said, knowing I had smoked in the past but hated it now. “No, really. I’ve never had a smoke after sex. Get your Spirits.” You got out of bed and moved through the dark, running your hand along the wall until you found your way into the kitchen. You filled a cup with water and brought it back with two cigarettes in your fist. I wanted you to say something to me about how good it was or [End Page 1] what you thought of me, but you only handed me a cigarette and put one in your own mouth. I heard a click, and then a brief orange flashed over your face. “Here.” You handed the lighter to me. I rolled the paper stick in my palm, feeling like a fraud. I thought of Jack Palance and how he held his cigarette between tough fingers. You propped a pillow up against the wall. Then we both half sat and half lay there, our shoulders even, our faces looking forward into the dark and open closet. Each time I saw a glow out of the corner of my eye, I took a puff of my cigarette so the orange tip was burning as yours was fading. “You really want to build a cabin in the mountains?” “Yeah. Someday.” You hesitated. I didn’t know what was in the pause, why it had to hang in the air so long. I thought then of a long conversation we had on the phone a few nights earlier. You told me about your cabin, growing vegetables and coffee beans and tobacco and cannabis. I joked that the tobacco and coffee beans were a must, that you couldn’t survive without those things. There was more I wanted to say, a list I could have gone through about wants and needs and desires. But we had only known each other a few short weeks, and there have been too many times in my life when I’ve been incapable of just saying that I know a way to weave the thread of us together. I want to pull off the road on Highway 16, to get out and walk around and breathe the Wyoming air you’ll be breathing in a few years. Instead, I keep on driving and think about you sitting out here all alone. In between coffee sips, you squint and brush your curls away from your face, put your hand on your forehead to see those mountains you were always so fond of. Then you take a drag, and out of your mouth comes that purple cloud, and I can’t see anything else for the rest of the drive, only the way you’re sitting out there with your legs crossed, looking up at the mountains with a cigarette between your fingers. You finished your cigarette first and plunged it into the cup of water. I felt like I had failed somehow, allowing you to finish ahead of me, [End Page 2] the orange ember going dark in the ashwater. “You all done?” I asked and wondered why I wasn’t enough to keep you here and what you were thinking about this last night we had together before you left me for Troy, New York, before we became only moments and memories and not an everyday accumulation of you and me...

Analyses on CT Image of Gray Rock Uniaxial Compressive Failure Process Based on MATLAB

The uniaxial compressive failure process CT images of gray rock were analysised based on Matlab. Matlab is used to transfer gray rock CT images into gray histogram which can be observed directly so as to see clearly the damage evolution process of gray rock under loading. By comparison, gray histogram is consistent with the result presented by original CT image. The gray histogram equalized by Matlab can show clearly the change trend and process of gray rock internal defects and micro cracks. Gray histogram is a good method to observe and analyses CT images.

Iron redistribution during postore stage at uranium deposits of the Khiagda ore field, Vitim district

The localization conditions of mineralization at uranium deposits of the Khiagda ore field related to the economic sandstone type in paleovalleys are considered in this paper. These conditions allow different genetic treatments. Uncertainty in genetic estimates is caused by localization of orebodies in both gray sedimentary rocks at the boundary with bleached rocks and in the bleached rocks themselves. The results of mineralogical and geochemical studies have shown that bleaching is related to iron redistribution at the postore stage. Obvious evidence in favor of this conclusion has been obtained from statistical processing of quantitative soluble iron determinations in various geochemical types of host rocks. The postore bleaching is superposed on earlier oxidized and ore-bearing gray rocks, obliterating the coloration inherent to redox ore-controlling zoning.

Paleomagnetic studies of the Lower Devonian gray deposits of Podolia

New results of paleomagnetic studies of Lower Devonian sediments from the southwest of Ukraine (the Podolia area, the Dniester river basin) have been presented. The samples are grey limestone and dolomite of Tiverian series comparable with the Lochkovian stage of the Geological time scale. Stable component of magnetization of the most samples indicate to remagnetization of rocks (the Permian pole, ϕ=45qS, λ=340qE, dp/dm=2q/5q). In some samples of the Ivanev suite the primary component of magnetization (Lower Devonian direction) has been distinguished. Paleomag-netic pole (ϕ=0q, λ=329qE, dp/dm=10q/12q) is in a good agreement with Lower Devonian fragment of apparent wander path for the Baltica. The results are in agreement with earlier data of authors for Silurian gray sedimentary rocks of Podolia.

The measurement of luteinising hormone in the western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus ocydromus) and the black-flanked rock wallaby (Petrogale lateralis lateralis)

An enzyme immunoassay with an anti-bovine-LH antibody (518B7) was applied to female western grey kanagaroos (Macropus fuliginosus ocydromus) and black-flanked rock wallabies (Petrogale lateralis lateralis). Validation showed parallelism to the assay standard curve, and significant increases in plasma LH concentrations after challenging animals with intramuscular GnRH.

U-Pb zircon age of the gold-bearing Seredovina Massif, Middle Urals

The Seredovina gold-bearing massif is located in the Middle Urals, 2 km southeast of Nev’yansk in the well-known Nev’yansk gold district and is confined to the outer contact of the large Verkhisetsk tonalite‐granodiorite batholith (Fig. 1). The massif is a typical minor granitoid intrusion localized in the apical part of batholith-shaped bodies, which usually contains dike fields with gold-bearing quartz veins and wallrocks composed of listwaenite‐beresite metasomatites [1‐3]. The massif hosts the Nev’yansk Seredovina quartz‐sulfide gold deposit. The Seredovina Massif is composed of hornblende‐ biotite granodiorites crosscut by thin (up to 0.5 m thick) aplite dikes. The hornblende‐biotite granodiorites are light gray medium-grained rocks with a vague gneissic structure and porphyritic hypidiomorphic texture. The rock contains plagioclase, quartz, biotite, hornblende, and K-feldspar. Epidote, titanite, apatite, allanite, and zircon are accessory minerals. Plagioclase forms elongated prismatic and tabular grains with distinct rhythmic zoning. Potassium feldspar occurs as irregularly shaped interstitial grains of a cross-hatched microcline containing oikocrysts of tabular plagioclase and occasional amphibole. Quartz is observed as irregular grains. Amphibole is represented by common hornblende with brownish green pleochroism along Np and Nm to dark green along Ng . Biotite forms tabular and elongated plates with brownish green pleochroism. Biotite flakes often contain inclusions of apatite, zircon, and titanite, and often grow together with epidote. Zircons for isotope dating were extracted by the routine procedure: crushing of typical granodiorite sample (30 kg) of the massif to a fraction of ‐0.5 mm; extraction of the heavy fraction using the Wifley table and heavy liquid technique; and separation of zircon grains under binocular microscope. U‐Pb analyses were performed on a SHRIMP-II ion microprobe at the Center of Isotope Research, Karpinskii All-Russia Research Institute of Geology, using the standard technique [4, 5].

There’s a Continuous Range of Gray Rocks Between us

There’s a Continuous Range of Gray Rocks Between us

Pre-Nagssugtoqidian crustal evolution in West Greenland: geology, geochemistry and deformation of supracrustal and granitic rocks north-east of Kangaatsiaq

The area north-east of Kangaatsiaq features polyphase grey orthogneisses, supracrustal rocks and Kangaatsiaq granite exposed within a WSW–ENE-trending synform. The supracrustal rocks are comprised of garnet-bearing metapelites, layered amphibolites and layered, likewise grey biotite paragneisses. Their association and geochemical compositions are consistent with a metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary basin (containing both tholeiitic and calc-alkali lavas) and is similar to other Archaean greenstone belts. The Kangaatsiaq granite forms a 15 × 3 km flat, subconcordant body of deformed, pink, porphyritic granite occupying the core of the supracrustal synform, and is demonstrably intrusive into the amphibolites. The granite displays a pronounced linear fabric (L or L > S). The post-granite deformation developed under lower amphibolite facies conditions (400 ± 50°C), and is characterised by a regular, NE–SW-trending subhorizontal lineation and an associated irregular foliation, whose poles define a great circle; together they are indicative of highly constrictional strain. The existence of a pre-granite event is attested by early isoclinal folds and a foliation within the amphibolites that is not present in the granite, and by the fact that the granite cuts earlier structures in the supracrustal rocks. This early event, preserved only in quartz-free lithologies, resulted in high-temperature fabrics being developed under upper amphibolite to granulite facies conditions.

U-Pb (SHRIMP II) age of zircons from ash beds of the chernokamen formation, Vendian Sylvitsa group (Central Urals)

The Serebryanka and Sylvitsa groups on the western slope of the Urals characterize the Vendian section of the eastern folded framework of the East European Platform [1]. They are conspicuous against the background of the coeval platformal sequences by their relatively complete sedimentary record, sufficiently good outcrops, and opportunities for detailed sedimentological study both along and across the regional paleoslope. The tillite units serve as key elements of the stratigraphic framework of the Serebryanka Group. However, their number and continuity along the strike remain a matter of debate [1, 2]. The Sylvitsa Group comprises the following formations recognized on a regional scale (from bottom to top): Staropechny Formation (with a thin tillite unit at the base), Perevalok, Chernokamen, and Ust’-Sylvitsa formations. Their specific structural features serve as criteria for largescale correlation with Upper Vendian platformal sequences [1‐3]. The Ediacaran-type soft-bodied fossil biota is abundant in the Chernokamen Formation. The great density of fossil populations, the high taxonomic diversity of this biota, and the presence of endemic (for the Southeast White Sea region) taxons give grounds to suggest biogeographic links between the Central Ural and White Sea segments of the Late Vendian paleobasin [4]. The fossil biota from sedimentary rocks of the Chernokamen Formation comprises Cyclomedusa davidi Sprigg, Dickinsonia sp., Dickinsonia tenuis Glaessner et Wade, Ediacaria flindersi Sprigg, Eoporpita medusa Wade, Inaria khatyspytia (Vodanjuk), Irridinitus multiradiatus Fedonkin, Medusinites mawsoni (Sprigg), Nemiana simplex Palij, Paliella patelliformis Fedonkin, Palaeopascichnus delicatus Palij, Protodipleurosoma wardi Sprigg, Vaizitsinia sophia Sokolov et Fedonkin, and Yorgia sp. These data make it possible to correlate the Chernokamen Formation of the Central Urals with the reference section of the southeastern White Sea region. The Upper Vendian of the White Sea region includes a very characteristic taxon Yorgia , which appears for the first time in the Zimnegorsk Formation. However, insufficiently reliable stratigraphic and facies affiliations of the Sylvitsa Group and the absence of isotopic datings remained serious obstacles for such correlation until recently. In 2002, we found thin volcanic ash beds in the upper part of the Staropechny Formation. These beds are associated with the chocolate brown thin-bedded mudstones that crop out on the left bank of the Sylvitsa River downstream of the Kernos Creek. In 2003, volcanic ash beds, which are also closely related to the chocolate brown mudstones, were revealed in the Staropechny and Perevalok formations and in the lower subformation of the Chernokamen Formation in the Vilukha ravine on the left and right banks of the Us’va River. In 2004, ash beds were traced for 4.5 km in the lower subformation of the Chernokamen Formation along the Mezhevaya Utka River. In all the above cases, ash beds were readily discernible as a poorly cemented light gray (with pinkish, cream, and greenish hues) rock among the host chocolate brown mudstones. Members of chocolate brown mudstones with volcanic ash beds are important for Upper Vendian stratigraphy of the East European Platform. The tuffaceous rocks serve as key units for subdivision and correlation of outcrops and borehole sections [2, 3, 5, 6]. The most complete Upper Vendian platformal sections of the Mezen syneclise and the southeastern White Sea region

An Island Grows (review)

Reviewed by: An Island Grows Elizabeth Bush Schaefer, Lola M. An Island Grows; illus. by Cathie Felstead. Greenwillow, 2006 [40p] Library ed. ISBN 0-06-623931-1$17.89 Trade ed. ISBN 0-06-623930-3$16.99 Reviewed from galleys R 4-7 yrs "Deep, deep beneath the sea/ Stone breaks/ Water quakes," and the escaping magma slowly accrues into a volcanic island that breaks the surface of the ocean. The buffeted rock turns into soil, which blooms with plant life, attracts insects and [End Page 33] birds, and eventually lures traders and settlers who establish a robust culture on their speck of turf. Schaefer's spare couplets ("Magma glows/ Volcano blows") are gracefully complemented by Felstead's tidily composed paper collages, which evolve from simple studies of gray rock, fiery magma, and teal sea to a vibrant community that boasts a colorful harvest from land and water. One might quibble over the rounded rocks that somehow emerge jagged from the water, or the fact that the problem of active volcanoes hosting population centers is never addressed (it's even sidestepped in the closing notes). The main focus here is transformation, though, and elementary science teachers, emergent readers, and budding geographers alike will appreciate this engaging introduction. Copyright © 2006 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

Spectrophotometric properties of materials observed by Pancam on the Mars Exploration Rovers: 1. Spirit

Multispectral observations of rocks and soils were acquired under varying illumination and viewing geometries in visible/near‐infrared wavelengths by the Panoramic Camera (Pancam) on the Spirit Mars Exploration Rover to provide constraints on the physical and mineralogical nature of geologic materials in Gusev Crater. Data sets were acquired at six sites located near the landing site, in the surrounding plains, and in the West Spur and Husband Hill regions of the Columbia Hills. From these ∼600 images, over 10,000 regions of interest were selected of rocks and soils over a wide range of phase angles (0–130°). Corrections for diffuse skylight incorporated sky models based on observations of atmospheric opacity throughout the mission. Disparity maps created from Pancam stereo images allowed inclusion of estimates of local facet orientations in the sky models. Single‐term and two‐term phase functions derived from Hapke scattering models exhibit a dominantly broad backscattering trend for soils and “Red” rocks inferred to be covered with variable amounts of dust and other coatings, consistent with the results from the Viking Lander and Imager for Mars Pathfinder cameras. Darker “Gray” rock surfaces (inferred to be relatively less dust covered) display more narrow, forward scattering behaviors, consistent with particles exhibiting little internal scattering. Gray and Red rocks are macroscopically rougher than most soil units, although a “dust‐cleaning” event observed near the Paso Robles site caused an increase in soil surface roughness in addition to a substantial decrease in surface single scattering albedo. Gray rocks near the rim of Bonneville Crater exhibit the largest macroscopic roughness () among all units, as well as the greatest backscattering among Gray rocks. Photometric properties of coated Red rocks vary in the West Spur region, possibly as a result of weathering differences related to elevation‐dependent aeolian regimes.