Open-system Processes Research Articles

Using 3H and 14C to constrain the degree of closed-system dissolution of calcite in groundwater

This study uses 3H concentrations, 14C activities (a14C), 87Sr/86Sr ratios, and δ13C values to constrain calcite dissolution in groundwater from the Ovens catchment SE Australia. Taken in isolation, the δ13C values of dissolved organic C (DIC) and 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the Ovens groundwater imply that there has been significant calcite dissolution. However, the covariance of 3H and 14C and the calculated initial 14C activities (a014C) imply that most groundwater cannot have dissolved more than 20% of 14C-free calcite under closed-system conditions. Rather, calcite dissolution must have been partially an open-system process allowing 13C and 14C to re-equilibrate with CO2 in the unsaturated zone. Recognising that open-system calcite dissolution has occurred is important for dating deeper groundwater that is removed from its recharge area in this and other basins. The study is one of the first to use 14C and 3H to constrain the degree of calcite dissolution and illustrates that it is a valuable tool for assessing geochemical processes in recharge areas.

Geochronology and geochemistry of the Essimingor volcano: Melting of metasomatized lithospheric mantle beneath the North Tanzanian Divergence zone (East African Rift)

The North Tanzanian Divergence zone (NTD), at the southern end of the eastern branch of the East African Rift, is part of one of Earth's few currently active intra-continental rift systems. The NTD preserves a complex tectono-magmatic evolution of a rift in its early stage of activity. The oldest magmatism reported in the NTD is associated with the centrally located Essimingor volcano. Although major element oxides show narrow compositional variations suggesting fractional crystallization, trace element abundances and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic data have complex distributions that require open-system processes. The more primitive samples (MgO>9wt.%) likely reflect partial melting of a metasomatized lithospheric mantle characterized by residual garnet, phlogopite and minor amphibole. The range of radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions indicates the presence of mixing between this source and the lithosphere of the western branch of the East African Rift (Toro Ankole and Virunga). Laser-incremental heating of selected samples gives 40Ar/39Ar ages that range from 5.76±0.02Ma to 5.91±0.01Ma, suggesting an age roughly 2myr younger than previously reported.

The Late Miocene Guacimal Pluton in the Cordillera de Tilarán, Costa Rica: its nature, age and petrogenesis

*Corresponding author The Guacimal Pluton is situated in the Cordillera de Tilaran in the northwestern Costa Rica. It forms an oval-shaped body strongly elongated in the NW–SE direction. Its dimensions are ~15 × 4–6 km with an exposed surface of 60–70 km 2 . The pluton intruded basic volcanic rocks of the Aguacate Group (Miocene–Pliocene) and is surrounded by a wide thermal aureole of calc-silicate metasomatic rocks. The pluton is mainly formed of monzogranites to granodiorites, which strongly prevail over more basic types occuring scarce and relatively thin dykes and enclaves. The dominant magmatic minerals of this felsic suite are quartz, plagioclase, and K-feldspar with subordinate Mg-rich biotite, amphibole I, and magnetite. Orthopyroxene, Mn-rich ilmenite, Al-poor titanite, rutile, apatite, zircon, thorite, and chalcopyrite are accessories. Secondary minerals, which occur as fillings of miarolitic cavities and interstices, are quartz II, K-feldspar II, epidote, chlorite, actinolite, ilmenite II and Al-rich titanite II. The much less frequent mafic suite (mainly quartz diorite to quartz monzodiorite/monzogabbro) is composed of plagioclase, pargasite, actinolite, K-feldspar, quartz and magnetite, with accessory amounts of opaque minerals, epidote, chlorite, and titanite. The pluton was emplaced at a depth of c. 3 km, crystallized at temperature of c. 760–800 °C under a relatively high oxygen fugacity (1.6–2.1 log units above the NNO buffer). Increased activities of volatiles (H 2 O, F) upon cooling are indicated by the presence of highly aluminous, F-rich titanite and other hydrous silicates in miarolitic cavities. The prevailing, felsic rocks of the Guacimal Pluton are high-K calc-alkaline, whereas the mafic suite is nearly exclusively medi um-K calc-alkaline in nature. Laser ablation ICP-MS dating of zircons from two granite samples yielded statistically identical U–Pb ages of 6.3 ± 0.5 and 6.0 ± 0.4 Ma, respectively. The Sr–Nd isotopic compositions are rather primitive ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr 6 = 0.70380–0.70413, e 6 Nd ~ +7.3 to +7.9). Narrow range of these values rules out open-system processes such as magma mixing or assimilation of isotopically contrasting upper continental crust. Instead, the felsic suite is interpreted as either having crystallized from a highly fractionated melt extracted from a plagioclase–amphibole-dominated crystal mush in a putative deep crustal reservoir or a product of partial melting of older arc-related rocks, such as intermediate lavas or volcaniclastics or immature psammitic sediments rich in volcanic material. The observed variation in the felsic suite was most likely produced by low degrees of closed-system fractional crystallization of an assemblage dominated by feldspars. At least some of the rocks of the volumetrically subordinate mafic suite may represent litholo gies rich in the complementary cumulates.

Geological, Petrological and Geochemical Evidence for Progressive Construction of an Arc Crustal Section, Sierra de Valle Fertil, Famatinian Arc, Argentina

The petrogenesis of calc-alkaline magmatism in the Famatinian arc is investigated in the central Sierra Valle Fe¤ rtil, a major, lower to middle crustal section of the Early Ordovician active margin of West Gondwana. Large-scale field relationships show a gradual and continuous compositional variation of the plutonic sequence, ranging from olivine-bearing gabbronorites to hornblendeand biotite-bearing granodiorites. Distinctive lithostratigraphic units are, however, discernible as one compositional type of plutonic rock dominates over mappable areas.These results allow us to identify a continuous plutonic arc stratigraphy that progressively exposes shallower paleo-depths towards the east. At all the exposed levels, calc-alkaline plutonic rocks are volumetrically dominant, interrupted only by granulite-facies migmatites and leucogranites. The migmatites are interpreted to be refractory remnants of supracrustal sedimentary successions, whereas the peraluminous leucogranites have field relationships and chemical and isotopic compositions suggesting that they were produced via anatexis of metasedimentary packages. Massbalance calculations predict that a parental gabbroic magma after progressive closed-system fractionation would crystallize about 80% of the original mass to yield a granodioritic daughter. Because the crystallizing mineral assemblage comprises hornblende and plagioclase, mass balance suggests a volume of residual amphibole-rich gabbroic rocks much larger than that observed, suggesting that differentiation is significantly driven by open-system processes. Indeed, the combination of field and petrographic observations with bulk-rock geochemistry and petrogenetic modeling demonstrates that most dioritic and tonalitic rocks are hybrids formed by either (1) bulk assimilation of metasedimentary materials into gabbroic magmas, or (2) multi-stage and complex interactions between gabbroic rocks and metasedimentary-derived leucogranitic melts. The source region of the granodioritic magmas is located at the transition zone between a tonalite-dominated intermediate unit and a granodiorite-dominated silicic unit. Typical granodiorites have a hornblende-bearing mineralogy, metaluminous chemical signature and isotopic compositions [Sr/Sr(T)1⁄4 0·7075^0·7100 and eNd(T) 5·0] broadly overlapping those of the tonalites of the intermediate rock unit. These major compositional features of the granodiorites can be best explained if three end-member components contribute to their generation. As field observational data suggest, primitive gabbroic rocks, metaluminous intermediate magmas and anatectic leucogranitic melts mixed to produce the calc-alkaline granodiorites; however, the exact petrological process generating the granodioritic magmas is unclear because the mafic end-member may have been incorporated as mafic inclusions in the intermediate magmas or as syn-magmatic dikes, or both.The polygenetic nature of the intermediate to silicic plutonic rocks, along with the preponderance of parental gabbroic rocks at the inferred base of the plutonic column, suggests an upward growth of the intermediate to silicic crust that involved the complete reconstitution of the pre-existing crustal configuration. The main implication of this study is that intermediate and silicic plutonic rocks in the Valle Fe¤ rtil section formed within a crustal column in which the mass transfer and heat

Open System evolution of peralkaline trachyte and phonolite from the Suswa volcano, Kenya rift

Suswa is the southernmost volcanic center in the Central Kenya Peralkaline Province (CKPP) and represents the only salic center to have erupted significant volumes of peralkaline silica-undersaturated lavas and tuffs (trachyte, nepheline trachyte and phonolite). The eruptive products of Suswa can be clearly divided into two series, which correspond closely to the volcano's eruptive history. The earlier series (C1) includes lavas and tuffs that built the initial shield volcano (pre-caldera, unit S1) and erupted during the first caldera collapse (syn-caldera, units S2–S5); these rocks are dominated by peralkaline, silica-saturated to mildly under-saturated trachyte. The later series (C2) includes lavas and tuffs that erupted within the caldera structure following the initial collapse (post-caldera, units S6–S7) and during the creation of a second smaller, nested caldera and central “island block” (ring trench group, RTG, unit S8); these rocks are dominated by peralkaline phonolite. In this study, we combine mineralogical evidence with the results of major-element, trace-element, and thermodynamic modelling to propose a complex model for the origin of the Suswa volcano. From these results we conclude that C1 is the result of protracted fractional crystallization of a fairly “dry” alkali basalt (<1wt.% H2O) under relatively high pressure (400MPa) and low oxygen fugacity (FMQ to FMQ-1). Although C1 appears to be primarily the result of closed system processes, a variety of open system processes are responsible for C2. We propose that crystallization of C1 trachyte resulted in the formation of a syenitic residue, which was assimilated (Ma/Mc=0.1) during a later stage of recharge and differentiation of alkali basalt to produce post-caldera ne-trachyte. Post-caldera (S6-7) phonolites were in turn the result of fractional crystallization of this ne-trachyte. RTG phonolites, however, are the result of feldspar resorption prompted perhaps by magma recharge as evidenced by reverse zoning in alkali feldspar and linear compatible trace element patterns.

Open-system evolution of the Füzes-tó alkaline basaltic magma, western Pannonian Basin: Constraints from mineral textures and compositions

The crystal-rich alkaline basalt of the Füzes-tó scoria cone in the Bakony-Balaton Highland Volcanic Field, western Pannonian Basin, Hungary has a unique mineral assemblage reflecting a mixture of diverse crystals of various origins. The pheno- and microphenocrysts are represented by olivine with chromian spinel inclusions, clinopyroxene and plagioclase. The basalt contains abundant (20–40vol.% on a vesicle-free basis) xenocrysts of olivine, orthopyroxene, colorless clinopyroxene and spinel derived from different regions of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle. Rare green clinopyroxene xenocrysts are also present. The basalt also includes numerous spinel peridotite xenoliths. In one of them we studied several silicate melt veins which contain fresh vesiculated glass, chromian spinels, clinopyroxenes and olivines. The glass has an evolved subalkaline composition (56.9–64.6wt.% SiO2, 6.6–8.1wt.% Na2O+K2O).Magmatic chromian spinels and clinopyroxenes in the host basalt and in the silicate melt veins of the peridotite xenolith show two compositionally distinct populations (group1 and group2). Group1 chromian spinels and clinopyroxenes both have low Cr contents (18–41 Cr# (100∗Cr/(Cr+Al)) and 0.01–0.86wt.% Cr2O3, respectively) and occur predominantly in the host basalt. Group2 chromian spinels and clinopyroxenes have higher Cr contents (46–54 Cr# and 0.34–1.8wt.% Cr2O3, respectively) and appear mainly in the silicate melt veins. In addition, compared to the group1 clinopyroxenes, group2 clinopyroxenes have higher MgO and SiO2, and lower TiO2 and CaO contents.Based on our detailed mineral-scale study, group1 spinels and clinopyroxenes represent the host alkaline basaltic magma (magma1), while group2 crystals could have been derived from another silicate magma (magma2) that is represented by the silicate melt veins in the studied peridotite xenolith. It is notable that group2 spinels are also present in some olivine phenocrysts, and scarce group1 spinels appear in the silicate melt veins as well. In some cases, group1 and group2 chromian spinels coexist within the same olivine phenocryst, and clinopyroxene zones that have group1 and group2 compositions compose parts of the same clinopyroxene crystal in the host basalt. On the basis of these observations, we infer interaction between magma1 and magma2.The occurrence and interaction of two distinct magma batches suggest a complex magma evolution for this otherwise simple, monogenetic volcano and imply that open-system processes operated during the evolution of the Füzes-tó alkaline basaltic magma. Our results demonstrate the importance of mineral textures and compositions for understanding the complexity of magma processes that can be manifested at small-scale basaltic volcanoes.

The petrogenesis of anorogenic felsic magmas and AMCG suites: Insights on element mobility and mutual cryptic contamination from polythermal experiments

The close association of mantle-derived mafic rocks and crust-derived felsic rocks in AMCG suites the world over is now interpreted in terms of delamination of the lithospheric keel of an orogen within a short time after the cessation of a major collision. The stage is set for the ascent of an asthenospheric diapir, which is accompanied by the ascent of a stream of H2O–CO2 representing regional degassing of the mantle in the ensuing extensional setting. The crust gets variably metasomatized prior to melting, and this episode of melting seems to involve almost complete melting rather than the expected films of leucosome. Results of polythermal experiments with a large array of target rocks (pulverized)+H2O show that it is possible to mobilize the major elements K, Na, Al, Si and Fe such that the transported fractions resembles an A-type granite or syenite. The open-system process increases in efficiency with increasing temperature and increasing pressure. A stream of such fluid interacting with gabbro or basic magma could create anorthositic and ultrabasic assemblages that are candidates for contamination of pools of basic magma in the uppermost mantle and lower crust. The same stream continues its buoyant rise and makes over the sterile granulitic lower and middle crust into a geochemically fertile protolith for the generation of A-type felsic magmas by wholesale anatexis.

Influence of the Preparation Processes on the Structure and Catalytic Properties of W-MCM-41 Mesoporous Materials

W-MCM-41 mesoporous material was prepared with the open system process, acid-hydrothermal process, and alkali-hydrothermal process, respectively. The samples were characterized by using various techniques. The influence of the different preparation methods on the structure and catalytic properties in the oxidation of cyclohexene was comparatively investigated in details. The results showed that all the samples exhibited good catalytic properties and the one prepared with alkali-hydrothermal method displayed the best mesoporous structure.

Differential degassing of H2O, Cl, F, and S: Potential effects on lunar apatite

Recent SIMS analysis of water, F, and Cl in lunar apatite suggests significantly higher volatile abundances in lunar magmas than previously considered. However, apatite is commonly a latecrystallizing mineral and its volatile content may reflect late-stage open-system processes that have perturbed the magmatic volatile content and obscured direct information regarding the volatile contents of the parental magmas and magmatic source region. Degassing during magma ascent has the potential to perturb not only the absolute but also the relative magmatic volatile abundances. A set of evacuated silica tube degassing experiments were conducted that simulate ascent of high-Al basalt 14053 with 0.5 wt% Cl, 0.5 wt% F, 0.3 wt% S, and 2.2 wt% (and 2.5 wt%) water (in addition to dissolved C-O-H species) from 100 km to within ~20 m of the surface followed by degassing (at an fO₂ of ~QIF). Extensive degassing occurred within 6 h during which 99-100% of the initial water, 89-84% of the initial Cl, 60-61% of the initial F, and 94-92% of the initial S was lost. During degassing, the relative volatile contents showed a strong decrease in water content and an increase in F:Cl ratio. In reflection of the changes in melt volatile contents, apatites crystallizing from the degassed melt would have much lower OH contents and higher F:Cl ratio than apatites crystallized from the non-degassed melt. These results confirm the possibility of significant underestimation of primary magma volatile contents, especially water and Cl, through use of apatite volatile contents and the assumption of simple increases in volatile abundance during magma differentiation.

Experimental control of the transition from Markovian to non-Markovian dynamics of open quantum systems

Realistic quantum mechanical systems are always exposed to an external environment. The presence of the environment often gives rise to a Markovian process in which the system loses information to its surroundings. However, many quantum systems exhibit a pronounced non-Markovian behavior in which there is a flow of information from the environment back to the system, signifying the presence of quantum memory effects [1-5]. The environment is usually composed of a large number of degrees of freedom which are difficult to control, but some sophisticated schemes for modifying the environment have been developed [6]. The physical realization and control of dynamical processes in open quantum systems plays a decisive role, for example, in recent proposals for the generation of entangled states [7-9], for schemes of dissipative quantum computation [10], for the design of quantum memories [11] and for the enhancement of the efficiency in quantum metrology [12]. Here we report an experiment which allows through selective preparation of the initial environmental states to drive the open system from the Markovian to the non-Markovian regime, to control the information flow between the system and the environment, and to determine the degree of non-Markovianity by direct measurements on the open system.

Investigation into the petrogenesis of Apollo 14 high-Al basaltic melts through crystal stratigraphy of plagioclase

The petrogenesis of Apollo 14 high-Al basaltic melts was studied using crystal stratigraphy, which involves textural (crystal size distributions — CSDs) and chemical analyses (electron microprobe and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). The samples studied here include pristine basalt 14072 and basaltic clasts from breccia 14321, and impact-generated crystalline samples 14073, 14276 and 14310. Plagioclase was the focus of this study because of its relatively high modal abundances and because it was on the liquidus for much of the melt cooling histories. Plagioclase crystals were analyzed (core-to-rim compositions where possible) to test and refine petrogenetic models based upon whole-rock compositions (Groups A, B, and C designations) and to investigate basalt 14072 and impact-melt crystallization. Textural studies have shown that each basalt group has distinctive plagioclase CSDs, which are in turn distinctive from those of the impact melts. Evolution of the individual basaltic melts was studied by comparing the equilibrium-melt compositions (calculated from plagioclase compositions using relevant partition coefficients) to fractional crystallization (FC) and assimilation and fractional crystallization (AFC) models. Petrogenetic modeling of trace elements in Group A basalts revealed that petrogenesis continued beyond 40% total crystallization required to model whole-rock compositions, and that there were open-system processes that affected the magma during plagioclase crystallization. Petrogenetic modeling of pristine high-Al basalts (14072 and Groups A, B and C) using trace elements shows that the equilibrium-melt compositions do not fall on a single AFC or FC trajectory. This is consistent with fluctuating degrees of assimilation (i.e., variable r-values) and/or variable assimilant compositions during petrogenesis. Petrogenetic modeling reveals that the impact melts experienced only closed-system fractional crystallization. This work demonstrates the importance of crystal stratigraphy in revealing the intricacies of lunar basalt petrogenesis.

Quartz zoning and the pre-eruptive evolution of the ~340-ka Whakamaru magma systems, New Zealand

Cathodoluminescence (CL) zoning in quartz crystals from rhyolitic pumices in two ignimbrite members of the ~340-ka Whakamaru super-eruption deposits, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand, is investigated in conjunction with the analysis of Ti concentration in quartz to reconstruct the history of changing magma chamber conditions and to elucidate the eruption-triggering processes. CL intensity images are taken as a proxy for Ti concentration and thus temperature and/or pressure and/or compositional variations during crystal growth history. Estimates of the maximum temperature changes (i.e., assuming other factors influencing Ti uptake remain constant) are made using the TitaniQ geothermometer based on the Ti concentration in quartz. These results are reviewed in comparison with Fe–Ti oxide, feldspar-melt and amphibole geothermometry. Core-to-rim quartz Ti profiles record a marked change in conditions (temperature increase and/or pressure decrease and/or change in melt composition) causing and then following a significant resorption horizon in the outer parts of the crystals. Two alternative models that could explain the quartz Ti zonation invoke a temperature increase caused by mafic recharge and/or a pressure decrease due to magma ponding and re-equilibration at shallow crustal levels. Concomitant changes in melt composition and Ti activity may, however, also have strongly influenced Ti uptake into the quartz. Some crystals also show other marked increases in CL brightness internally, but any accompanying magmatic changes did not result in eruption. Diffusion modelling indicates that this significant change in conditions occurred over ~10–85 years prior to caldera-forming eruption. This rapid thermal pulse or pressure change is interpreted as evidence for open-system processes, and appears to record a magma chamber recharge event that rejuvenated the Whakamaru magma system (melt-dominant magma plus crystal mush), and potentially acted as a trigger for processes that led to eruption.

Differentiation and Source Processes at Mt Pelée and the Quill; Active Volcanoes in the Lesser Antilles Arc

Volcanic rocks erupted at Mt Pelee (Martinique; central Lesser Antilles) and the Quill volcano (Statia; northern Lesser Antilles) define distinct differentiation trends, each of which can be accounted for largely by fractional crystallization of plagioclase, amphibole and Fe–Ti oxides. This assemblage is seen commonly in associated cumulate nodules, although the petrography of the lavas is pyroxene + plagioclase + Fe–Ti oxides. Thus differentiation is controlled, in part, by cryptic amphibole fractionation. At a given degree of differentiation incompatible trace element abundances tend to be higher at Mt Pelee, and REE patterns are more fractionated than is the case at the Quill. Isotopic ratios of Sr and Pb correlate with indices of differentiation (e.g. wt % SiO2) at both volcanoes (more convincingly at Mt Pelee), indicating that differentiation is also an open-system process. When the differentiation trends for the two volcanoes are compared they do not converge towards a single parental magma composition, suggesting that the primary magmas for the Quill and Mt Pelee are different. This difference is most probably due to mantle source variations. The source of the Mt Pelee magmas appears to be more enriched in incompatible elements, consistent with a greater proportion of admixed subducted sediment. This observation is in agreement with previous studies that have documented an increasing sediment contribution southwards along the arc. However, comparison with available data for other volcanoes along the arc does not reveal a consistent along-arc trend, suggesting that a model of sediment–source mixing is oversimplified and that additional factors such as variable fluid contributions from the subducted slab may be important.

Quantum Fisher information flow and non-Markovian processes of open systems

We propose to use the quantum Fisher information in characterizing the information flow of open quantum systems. This information-theoretic approach provides a quantitative measure to statistically distinguish Markovian and non-Markovian processes. A basic relation between the QFI flow and non-Markovianity is unveiled for quantum dynamics of open systems. For a class of time-local master equations, the exactly-analytic solution shows that the non-Markovianity is characterized by additive information sub-flows in different non-Markovian channels.

Relationship between monogenetic magmatism and stratovolcanoes in western Mexico: The role of low-pressure magmatic processes

A large Quaternary monogenetic volcanic field is present in the western part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. It is composed by mafic-intermediate scoria cones and silicic domes that are arranged in two NNW–SSE alignments. These mark the north and south borders (Northern Volcanic Chain and Southern Volcanic Chain, SVC) of the San Pedro–Ceboruco graben. The products of this monogenetic volcanic field span a large range of compositions (from basalt to rhyolite) and magma affinities (from sub-alkaline to Na-alkaline), defining different magmatic groups. Mafic and silicic monogenetic centres from the north alignment also coexist with two stratovolcanoes (Ceboruco and Tepetiltic) and sometimes punctuate their flanks. Whole-rock analyses indicate the existence of 4 different types of primitive magmas (Na-alkaline, High-Ti, Low-Ti/SVC and sub-alkaline) which have evolved independently by low-P magmatic processes. Despite the relatively small size and simplicity of the monogenetic magmatism, open-system processes have modified the geochemical and isotope composition of erupted products. The negative correlation between Sr isotope ratios and MgO contents observed for Southern Volcanic Chain and High-Ti groups points to crustal interaction via AFC processes, involving upper granitic crust and mafic lower crust respectively. In contrast, the large variability in Nd-isotopic ratios, combined with low and less variable 87Sr/ 86Sr, shown by the most mafic compositions of the High-Ti group is mostly due to mantle source heterogeneities. Low-Ti and Na-alkaline compositions are only slightly modified by crustal contamination processes and their whole-rock geochemistry reflects the complex nature of the western Mexico sub-arc mantle. It is therefore apparent that a combination of mantle source processes plus crustal assimilation has generated complex geochemical and isotopic characteristics in the western part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic belt. Despite the presence of monogenetic cones on the flanks of stratovolcanoes, limited magma interaction between monogenetic and polygenetic magmatism has been recognised only at Ceboruco, possibly producing the chemical variability of post-caldera lavas. Indeed, mafic magma feeding High-Ti monogenetic systems might represent the possible mafic end-member which triggered the Ceboruco caldera-forming event. This may have important implications for other explosive systems in which monogenetic magmatism is associated with stratovolcanoes. A geographic/tectonic control is also suggested by the geochemical data. Na-alkaline compositions are only found in the northern part of the Northern Volcanic Chain. Parental magmas of both the High-Ti and Low-Ti monogenetic series, erupted between the Ceboruco and Tepetiltic stratovolcanoes, were modified by lower crust AFC processes possibly favoured by the stress regime. Indeed, the presence of a local left-hand step over along the northern main fault systems between the two stratovolcanoes might inhibit free uprising of monogenetic mafic magmas. The preferential alignment of stratovolcanoes and monogenetic volcanic vents parallel to the northern main fault systems and the possible mixing between High-Ti mafic monogenetic magmas and more evolved Ceboruco magmas suggests that, under the predominance of regional stress, the influence of central volcanic vents on monogenetic magmatism might be more complex than simple control of vent directions and might favours magma mixing processes.

Measure for the non-Markovianity of quantum processes

Recently, a measure for the non-Markovian behavior of quantum processes in open systems has been developed which is based on the quantification of the flow of information between the open system and its environment [Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 210401 (2009)]. The information flow is connected to the rate of change of the trace distance between quantum states which can be interpreted in terms of the distinguishability of these states. Here, we elaborate the mathematical details of this theory, present applications to specific physical models, and discuss further theoretical and experimental implications, as well as relations to alternative approaches proposed recently.

The generation of a diverse suite of Late Pleistocene and Holocene basalt through dacite lavas from the northern Cascade arc at Mount Baker, Washington

Mt. Baker is a dominantly andesitic stratovolcano in the northern Cascade arc. In this study, we show that the andesites are not all derived from similar sources, and that open-system processes were dominant during their petrogenesis. To this end, we discuss petrographic observations, mineral chemistry, and whole rock major and trace element chemistry for three of Mt. Baker’s late Pleistocene to Holocene lava flow units. These include the basalt and basaltic andesite of Sulphur Creek (SC) (51.4–55.8 wt% SiO2, Mg# 57–58), the Mg-rich andesite of Glacier Creek (GC) (58.3–58.7 wt% SiO2, Mg# 63–64), and the andesite and dacite of Boulder Glacier (BG) (60.2–64.2 wt% SiO2, Mg# 50–57). Phenocryst populations in all units display varying degrees of reaction and disequilibrium textures along with complicated zoning patterns indicative of open-system processes. All lavas are medium-K and calc-alkaline, but each unit displays distinctive trace element and REE characteristics that do not correlate with the average SiO2 content of the unit. The mafic lavas of SC have relatively elevated REE abundances with the lowest (La/Yb)N (~4.5). The intermediate GC andesites (Mg- and Ni-rich) have the lowest REE abundances and the highest (La/Yb)N (~6.7) with strongly depleted HREE. The more felsic BG lavas have intermediate REE abundances and (La/Yb)N (~6.4). The high-Mg character of the GC andesites can be explained by addition of 4% of a xenocrystic olivine component. However, their depleted REE patterns are similar to other high-Mg andesites reported from Mt. Baker and require a distinct mantle source. The two dominantly andesitic units (GC and BG) are different enough from each other that they could not have been derived from the same parent basalt. Nor could either of them have been derived from the SC basalt by crystal fractionation processes. Crystal fractionation also cannot explain the compositional diversity within each unit. Compositional diversity within the SC unit (basalt to basaltic andesite) can, however, be successfully modeled by mixing of basalt with compositions similar to the dacites in the BG unit. Given that the BG dacites erupted at ~80–90 ka, and a similar composition was mixed with the SC lavas at 9.8 ka, the process that produced this felsic end-member must have been repeatedly active for at least 70 ka.

Insights into silicic melt generation using plagioclase, quartz and melt inclusions from the caldera-forming Rotoiti eruption, Taupo volcanic zone, New Zealand

The Rotoiti (~120 km3) and Earthquake Flat (~10 km3) eruptions occurred in close succession from the Okataina Volcanic Centre at ~50 ka. While accessory mineral geochronology points to long periods of crystallization prior to eruption (104–105 years) and separate thermal histories for the magmas, little was known about the rates and processes of the final melt production and eruption. Crystal zoning patterns in plagioclase and quartz reveal the thermal and compositional history of the magmatic system leading up to the eruption. The dominant modal phase, plagioclase, displays considerable within-crystal zonation: An37–74, ~40–227 ppm MgO, 45–227 ppm TiO2, 416–910 ppm Sr and 168–1164 ppm Ba. Resorption horizons in the crystals are marked by sharp increases (10–30%) in Sr, MgO and XAn that reflect changes in melt composition and are consistent with open system processes. Melt inclusions display further evidence for open system behaviour, some are depleted in Sr and Ba relative to accompanying matrix glass not consistent with crystallization of modal assemblage. MI also display a wide range in XH2O that is consistent with volatile fluxing. Quartz CL images reveal zoning that is truncated by resorption, and accompanied by abrupt increases in Ti concentration (30–80 ppm) that reflect temperature increases ~50–110°C. Diffusion across these resorption horizons is restricted to zones of <20 μm, suggesting most crystallization within the magma occurred in <2000 years. These episodes are brief compared to the longevity (104–105 year) of the crystal mush zones. All textural and compositional features observed within the quartz and plagioclase crystals are best explained by periodic mafic intrusions repeatedly melting parts of a crystal-rich zone and recharging the system with silicic melt. These periodic influxes of silicic melt would have accumulated to form the large volume of magma that fed the caldera-forming Rotoiti eruption.

Microgranitic Enclaves as Products of Self-mixing Events: a Study of Open-system Processes in the Maua Granite, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Based on in situ Isotopic and Trace Elements in Plagioclase

Microgranitic Enclaves as Products of Self-mixing Events: a Study of Open-system Processes in the Maua Granite, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Based on in situ Isotopic and Trace Elements in Plagioclase

Measure for the Degree of Non-Markovian Behavior of Quantum Processes in Open Systems

We construct a general measure for the degree of non-Markovian behavior in open quantum systems. This measure is based on the trace distance which quantifies the distinguishability of quantum states. It represents a functional of the dynamical map describing the time evolution of physical states, and can be interpreted in terms of the information flow between the open system and its environment. The measure takes on nonzero values whenever there is a flow of information from the environment back to the open system, which is the key feature of non-Markovian dynamics.