Geobiology

Copyright 2009, Society of Petroleum Engineers This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2009 SPE/EAGE Reservoir Characterization and Simulation Conference held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 19–21 October 2009. This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE ...

Danigala Circular Rock is a unique shaped rock situated near Aralaganwila in the Polonnaruwa district. Ariel views of the rock show a unique semi-circular shape of it. There have been news of UFO sightings and alien activities in this area which gives it the name “Alien Mountain”.

Features of Danigala Circular Rock
There is a peculiar form of vegetation surrounding the Danigala Circular Rock which makes it suspicious for alien activity. The rock also has a temple and many caves in the surrounding area. One such cave consists of a large reclining Buddha statue which is similar to the one found at Pidurangala. This Buddha image made of brick and stucco is said to be 38.9 feet in length but has been vandalized by treasure hunters.

Peculiarity of Danigala Circular Rock

The rounded track on top of Danigala does not seem to be man-made.
Locals believe of alien activity in this area due to the peculiar features of Danigala. Danigala is known in the names “Alien Mountain”, “Kandegama Rock” and “Star Gate of King Ravana”. It is believed to be one of the places where King Ravana landed his special aircraft, “Dandu Monara”.

Caves in the area

A total of 70 caves have been found in this area. These caves date as early as the 2nd century. The place is often accessed by wild elephants from the surrounding areas. Many inscriptions have been carved on the rock here and one such inscription mentions King Saddatissa and his son. The inscriptions also mention the many donors of the caves.

Ravana
Ravana is the mythical multi-headed demon-king of Lanka in Hindu mythology. With ten heads and twenty arms, Ravana could change into any form he wished. Representing the very essence of evil, he famously fought and ultimately lost a series of epic battles against the hero Rama, seventh avatar of Vishnu.

Family
Ravana was a terrible demon (raksasa) who was the king of all demons and of the fortress island of Lanka (modern-day Sri Lanka). His father was Visravas (son of Pulastya, one of the creator Prajapati) and mother Nikasa, also a demon and mother of the cannibal demons, the Pisitasanas. Ravana acquired his throne through foul means when he expelled his half-brother Kubera, god of wealth, from the island. Rava had many sons, notably Aksa, who had three heads, symbolic of the three stages of fever (heat, cold, and sweating), and Indrajit (aka Meghanada), who could make himself invisible.

Ravana had a formidable appearance with his ten heads (and so he is also known as Dasakantha and Panktigriva) and twenty arms. His body was covered in scars, won in endless battles with the gods. Three wounds, in particular, were from the discus of Vishnu, the thunderbolt of Indra, and the tusk of Airavata, the elephant of Indra. Through his devotion and penance to the great god Brahma, Ravana was made invincible and had the power to assume any form he wished from men to mountains to death itself. He was so powerful that he could cause earthquakes and storms. However, it was foretold that Ravana's end would come because of a woman, and so it would be.

El Caminito del Rey (The King's Little Path) is a walkway, pinned along the steep walls of a narrow gorge in El Chorro, near Ardales in the province of Málaga, Spain. The name derives from the original name of Camino del Rey (King's Pathway), abbreviated locally to el caminito.

El Chorro ("The Cascade") is a small village located in Málaga (Andalusia) in southern Spain, near the town of Álora. It is one of the most popular rock climbing attractions in Spain as it is located next to Desfiladero de los Gaitanes ("Gorge of the Gaitanes")

The gorge runs from the outlet of the "Embalse del Gaitanejo" to "El Chorro". There are two extremely narrow sections at each end of the gorge with a wider bowl in between. In addition to the re-furbished walkway, the old Málaga-Cordoba railway line runs through the gorge in a set of tunnels and bridges.

Computerized evaluation of Vibroseis similarity test data is the logical consequence of the increasing quality requirements for signal reproducibility and for synchronization of vibrators. The differences in start time and phase as well as an indication of local phasing problems between any two Vibroseis signals can be obtained from an analysis of the difference of their respective phase spectra. This method appears to be accurate and stable with respect to harmonics which usually plague the signals from transducers monitoring the motion of the vibrators'base plates.

Shoreline and shelf-edge trajectories describe the migration through time of sedimentary systems, using geomorphological breaks-in-slope that are associated with key changes in depositional processes and products. Analysis of these trajectories provides a simple descriptive tool that complements and extends conventional sequence stratigraphic methods and models. Trajectory analysis offers four advantages over a sequence stratigraphic interpretation based on systems tracts: (1) each genetically related advance or retreat of a shoreline or shelf edge is viewed in the context of a continuously evolving depositional system, rather than as several discrete systems tracts; (2) subtle changes in depositional response (e.g. within systems tracts) can be identified and honoured; (3) trajectory analysis does not anticipate the succession of depositional events implied by systems-tract models; and (4) the descriptive emphasis of trajectory analysis does not involve any a priori assumptions about the type or nature of the mechanisms that drive sequence development. These four points allow the level of detail in a trajectory-based interpretation to be directly tailored to the available data, such that the interpretation may be qualitative or quantitative in two or three dimensions. Four classes of shoreline trajectory are recognized: ascending regressive, descending regressive, transgressive and stationary (i.e. nonmigratory). Ascending regressive and high-angle (accretionary) transgressive trajectories are associated with expanded facies belt thicknesses, the absence of laterally extensive erosional surfaces, and relatively high preservation of the shoreline depositional system. In contrast, descending regressive and low-angle (nonaccretionary) transgressive trajectories are associated with foreshortened and/or missing facies belts, the presence of laterally extensive erosional surfaces, and relatively low preservation of the shoreline depositional system. Stationary trajectories record shorelines positioned at a steeply sloping shelf edge, with accompanying bypass of sediment to the basin floor. Shelf-edge trajectories represent larger spatial and temporal scales than shoreline trajectories, and they can be subdivided into ascending, descending and stationary (i.e. nonmigratory) classes. Ascending trajectories are associated with a relatively large number and thickness of shoreline tongues (parasequences), the absence of laterally extensive erosional surfaces on the shelf, and relatively low sediment supply to the basin floor. Descending trajectories are associated with a few, thin shoreline tongues, the presence of laterally extensive erosional surfaces on the shelf, and high sediment supply to basin-floor fan systems. Stationary trajectories record near-total bypass of sediment across the shelf and mass transfer to the basin floor.

The 2.1-billion-year-old (Ga) Francevillian series in Gabon hosts some of the oldest reported macroscopic fossils of various sizes and shapes, stimulating new debates on the origin, evolution and organization of early complex life. Here, we document ten representative types of exceptionally well-preserved mat-related structures, comprising "elephant-skin" textures, putative macro-tufted microbial mats, domal buildups, flat pyritized structures, discoidal microbial colonies, horizontal mat growth patterns, wrinkle structures, "kinneyia" structures, linear patterns and nodule-like structures. A combination of petrographic analyses, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and organic elemental analyses of carbon-rich laminae and microtexture, indicate a biological origin for these structures. The observed microtextures encompass oriented grains, floating silt-sized quartz grains, concentrated heavy minerals, randomly oriented clays, wavy-crinkly laminae and...

The Middle Marker – horizon H1 of the Hooggenoeg Formation – is the oldest sedimentary horizon in the Barberton greenstone belt and one of the oldest sedimentary horizons on Earth. Herein, we describe a range of carbonaceous microstructures in this unit which bear resemblance to phototrophic microbial biofilms, biose-dimentary structures, and interpreted microfossils in contemporaneous greenstone belts from the Early Archaean. Post-depositional iron-rich fluid cycling through these sediments has resulted in the precipitation of pseudo-laminated structures, which also bear resemblance, at the micron-scale, to certain microbial mat-like structures, although are certainly abiogenic. Poor preservation of multiple putative microbial horizons due to coarse volcaniclastic sedimentation and synsedimentary fragmentation by hydrothermal fluid also makes a conclusive assessment of biogenicity challenging. Nonetheless, several laminated morphologies within volca-niclastic sandstones and siltstones and coarse-grained volcaniclastic sandstones are recognisable as syngenetic photosynthetic microbial biofilms and microbially induced sedimentary structures; therefore, the Middle Marker preserves the oldest evidence for life in the Barberton greenstone belt. Among these biosignatures are fine, crinkly, micro-tufted, laminated microbial mats, pseudo-tufted laminations and wisp-like carbonaceous fragments interpreted as either partially formed biofilms or their erosional products. In the same sediments, lenti-cular objects, which have previously been interpreted as bona fide microfossils, are rare but recurrent finds whose biogenicity we question. The Middle Marker preserves an ancient record of epibenthic microbial communities flourishing, struggling and perishing in parallel with a waning volcanic cycle, an environment upon which they depended and through which they endured. Direct comparisons can be made between environment-level characters of the Middle Marker and other Early Archaean cherts, suggesting that shallow-water, plat-formal, volcanogenic-hydrothermal biocoenoses were major microbial habitats throughout the Archaean.

A simple filter is developed which transforms VLF-EM real magnetic field transfer functions into apparent resistivities. It is based on the relationship between the horizontal derivative of the surface electric field and the vertical magnetic field at the surface of a two-dimensional earth model. The performance of this simple autoregressive filter is tested for modelled and real survey data. The technique yields profiles of apparent resistivity very similar, both in magnitude and in wavelength, to those which would have been obtained using VLF-EM resistivity measurements or d.c. resistivity profiling. This low-pass filter has the advantage of reducing high-wavenumber noise in the data; therefore only the major features of the VLF-EM profile are displayed.

Paleontological inferences, molecular clocks, and biomarker fossils indicate sponges evolved in the Cryogenian, but Precambrian sponge fossils are rare, poorly substantiated, and controversial. Spicule-like microstructures (SLMs) hosted in phosphatized fossils from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation (∼635–551 Ma) at Weng’an of South China have been interpreted as cylindrical siliceous monaxons, and their hosting fossils as the oldest demosponges in the fossil record. In order to assess their veracity as the oldest spiculate demosponges, we utilize a suite of in situ nanoscale analytical techniques—including scanning electron microscopy, synchrotron X-ray fluorescence mapping, X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy, focused ion beam electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy—to evaluate the ultrastructures and elemental, chemical, and mineralogical compositions of the SLMs. Our data decisively shows that the SLMs are carbonaceous in composition and rectangular in transverse sections, and therefore, are not cylindrical siliceous spicules. Instead, the SLMs may be microbial strands, axial filaments of early hexactinellids, or acicular crystals molded by organic matter. Regardless, our new data invalidate the oldest and only Precambrian demosponges with mineralized spicules. These results indicate that interpretations of Precambrian sponge fossils should be scrutinized with compositional, mineralogical, and ultrastructural data collected using in situ analytical techniques. In addition, our conclusions affirm that no unequivocal biomineralizing sponges occur below the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary. If hexactinellids and demosponges did diverge in the Cryogenian as suggested by molecular clocks and biomarkers, they either evolved biomineralization long after their divergence or their biomineralized spicules were never preserved until after the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary. In either case, the dearth of biomineralizing sponge fossils in the Precambrian and their abundance in the early Cambrian must reflect a geobiologically-significant aspect of the Precambrian-Phanerozoic transition.

The name White Pocket actually refers to two areas. On the topo map there is a tall butte about 500 feet high that can be seen from miles around. I'll refer to this butte as the White Pocket Monolith or Butte. Conversely, photographers use the term White Pocket to refer to the area of white and coral colored cauliflower (aka brain) rock to the east of the White Pocket Butte.

The Paria Plateau is the central geographic feature of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument; a remote, sandy area 20 by 20 miles in size bordered by Buckskin Gulch and the Paria River to the north, the cliffs themselves to the east and south, and House Rock Valley to the west. Some parts are flat, others gently sloping, and the area is crossed only by rough tracks, most requiring a 4WD vehicle due to long stretches of deep, soft sand. Dotted across this generally featureless region are numerous small outcrops of the underlying Navajo sandstone, eroded to form unusually varied shapes, generally colored white or red but mixed with layers of many other shades.

The largest and best known formations are the Coyote Buttes, in the northwest corner of the plateau, including the famous Wave, while the second most visited site is six miles southeast - this is White Pocket, a group of domes and ridges covering an area of one square mile, below a larger mesa lined by similar rocks.
A pocket, in this sense, refers to a relatively small area of land markedly different to its surroundings, which here, like most of the plateau, are sandy plains sparsely covered by bushes and small trees. White, or light grey is the dominant rock color, in contrast to the red of the Coyote Buttes, but the general features are similar - swirling, thin-layered strata, adjacent layers of contrasting color, and curious erosive features. Other colorful pockets are found further south and east on the plateau, some also with an official name but most unrecognized.
There are several dozen locations, all with the potential to have photogenic formations.

The natural process
Plasma makes up 99% of the universe. We on Earth, with solids, liquids and gases, are the exception. Plasma was the source and starting point for the evolution of our natural world. The source and starting point for life.

One special segment within the world of plasma involves combining air plasma with water. This is where you enter into the realm of thunderstorms. This basic process is responsible for essential events in nature. It is for good reason that thunderstorms are referred to as green rain. These plasma activated water showers have a temporary cleansing effect and the water that remains contains a higher content of bound nitrogen. This is nature’s way of providing nutrition for plants and trees. Lightning strikes 8 million times a day and accounts for more than 10% of all bonded nitrogen on earth, a sustainable and circular process of nature.

Plasma activated water is produced by making use of water, air and electricity. Ambient air is brought into the plasma phase with electrical energy, the activated air is then brought into contact with water. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen dissolve into the water creating plasma activated water (PAW). The process of treating water with plasma is copied out of nature, it’s a biomimicry of a thunderstorm where rain and water come into contact with lightning.

What are the main benefits of plasma activated water?
After the activation process plasma activated water possesses unique temporary properties that can be used for hygiene purposes. The benefits of these temporary hygiene properties could be useful for many agriculture-, medical– and cleaning applications.

The second benefit of plasma activated water is that these hygiene properties are reduced over time and the reactive components fall back to its original state. Which is leaving water with an elevated concentration of acid, a perfect pH controller.

Etymology : From Middle English born or a dialectal variant of 'burn with fire'.

According to a danish dictionary on etymology ("Etymologi. Ordenes historie. Gyldendals Røde Ordbøger. Copenhagen, 1989) Is it correct to identify "Burgundarholmr" with Bornholm.

There is no connection between the island and Burgundy. At the time, when Adam of Bremen wrote about it (1070) he called the island Holm og Hulm. Navnet Bornholm har heller intet med hverken Burgundy elle rburgundere at gøre.

Professor Nornam Davis, one of the highest respected medieval historians in Europa, writes about Burgundy in his latest book: “Vanished Kingdoms The History of Half-forgotten Europa” Pinguin Books Limited 2011.
He opens the chapter “Burgundia” with 3 full pages on Bornholm. He say: “ All in all, therefore, the traditional identification of Bornholm with the prehistoric wanderings of the Burgundians is entirely credible: By no means proven, but more than a mere possibility”. page 89. Some historians, probably for personal reasons, do not like this hypothesis and thus try to make it more likely, the name has another origin. But in the name of impartial judgement, Professor Davis’ professional statement about the credibility of a historical link between Bornholm and Burgundy ought to find its way into Wikipedia’s description of Bornholm.

Someboyd wrote: "I'm hoping this is an appropriate place to put this: the etymologies contradict each other. The etymology in the introduction says the name is from Burgundy, and the etymology at the beginning of the history section says it comes from 'berg'. I think this really ought to be cleared up." Yes indeed. But to call Norman Davies (as the correct spelling of his name is – I don't know of any Nornam Davis) is not the whole truth. Actually was denied a chair at Stanford University, "Davies' works have been criticized at Stanford and elsewhere, by such experts as Lucy S. Dawidowicz (author of The War Against the Jews: 1933-1945) who said they felt Davies minimized historic anti- Semitism in Poland and tended to blame Polish Jews for their fate in the Holocaust. Davies' supporters contend that Poles suffered as much as Jews did in the war and could have done very little to save any of the 3 million Jews living in Poland at the time of the Nazi invasion in 1939."

If you go to other sources, (i.a. the German Reallexikon and others) you will find that other scholars today agree that the word refers to berg - or a high island. I can come back later with details. The archaeologists at Bornholms Museum has not found anything here, that supports the outdated theory, that Burgundians were here. n