Metamorphic evolution of a subduction complex, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

A subduction complex composed of ocean floor material mixed with arc-derived metasediments crops out in the Elephant Island group and at Smith Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, with metamorphic ages of 120-80 Ma and 58-47 Ma? respectively. Seven metamorphic zones (I-VII) mapped on Elephant Island delineate a gradual increase in metamorphic grade from the pumpellyite-actinolite facies, through the crossite-epidote blueschist facies, to the lower amphibolite facies. Geothermometry in garnet-amphibole and garnet-biotite pairs yields temperatures of about 350 degrees C in zone III to about 525 degrees C in zone VII. Pressures were estimated on the basis of Si content in white mica, Al2O3 content in alkali amphibole, Na-M4/Al-IV in sodic-calcic and calcic amphibole, Al-VI/Si in calcic amphibole, and jadeite content in clinopyroxene. Mean values vary from about 6-7.5 kbar in zone II to about 5 kbar in zone VII. Results from the other islands of the Elephant Island group are comparable to those from the main island; Smith Island yielded slightly higher pressures, up to 8 kbar, with temperatures estimated between 300 and 350 degrees C. Zoned minerals and other textural indications locally enable inference of P-T-t trajectories, all with a clockwise evolution. A reconstruction in space and time of these P-T-t paths allows an estimate of the thermal structure in the upper crust during the two ductile deformation phases (D-1 & D-2) that affected the area. This thermal structure is in good agreement with the one expected for a subduction zone. The arrival and collision of thickened oceanic crust may have caused the accretion and preservation of the subduction complex. In this model, D-1 represents the subduction movements expressed by the first vector of the clockwise P-T-t path, D-2 reflects the collision corresponding to the second vector with increasing temperature and decreasing pressure, and D-3 corresponds to isostatic uplift accompanied by erosion, under circumstances of decreasing temperature and pressure.

Herpesvirus infection with severe lymphoid necrosis affecting a beaked whale stranded in the Canary Islands

This report describes the pathologic findings in a single, adult female Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris stranded in the Canary Islands. The study indicated that this whale died with a severe, systemic, herpesviral infection and clearly exhibited lesions different from those of the fat and gas embolic syndrome described in beaked whale mass strandings associated with sonar exposure. This is the first report of a cetacean alphaherpesvirus infection of the lymphoid system in a beaked whale.

Urban heat islands and electrical energy consumption

This study proposes the development of thermal and energy consumption maps to generate useful planning information. A residential neighbourhood in a medium-sized city was selected as the study area. In this area, 40 points were taken as urban reference points where air temperatures at the pedestrian level were collected. At the same time, rural temperatures made available by the city meteorological station were registered. Data of electrical energy consumption of the building units (houses and apartments) were collected through a household survey that was also designed to identify the users' income levels. Then, maps were developed so that the configuration of urban heat islands and electrical energy consumption could be visualised, compared and analysed. The results showed that the income level was the most important variable influencing electrical energy consumption. However, a strong relationship of the consumption with the thermal environment was also observed.

The British Virgin Islands national integrated development strategy

Includes bibliography

Request by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for admission of the Cayman Islands as an associate member of ECLAC

Includes bibliography

Admisión de las Islas Vírgenes Británicas y de las Islas Vírgenes de los Estados Unidos como miembros asociados de la Comisión Económica para América Latina = Admission of the British Virgin Islands and United States Virgin Islands as associate members of the Economic Commission for Latin America

Incluye Bibliografía

Resolution 628(XXXI): Admission of the Turks and Caicos Islands as an associate member of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Resolution 640(XXXII) Admission of the Cayman Islands as an associate member of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Application of the United States Virgin Islands for membership to the CCST

Contiene la solicitud de ingreso al CCCT de las Islas Virgenes de Estados Unidos.

The British Virgin Islands national integrated development strategy

Includes bibliography