The Zaghawa and the Midob of North Darfur – A comparison of migration behaviour

Two ethnic groups of North Darfur, the Zaghawa and the Midob, are being compared as regards their migration behaviour and their identification in their destination areas. Both groups have severely suffered as a result of the drought phase of the last three decades, during which more than half of the Zaghawa and Midob have migrated southwards and to the towns. Despite the similarity of the two ethnic groups, being non-Arab agropastoralists who are socially and politically marginalised both within Darfur and within the Sudan, they show marked differences in their migration behaviour and ethnic solidarity. The Zaghawa migrants are considerably more economically successful than the Midob migrants. The main reasons are: – The Zaghawa started their outmigration earlier than the Midob. Thus, they could establish ethnically-based networks in Libya and the Gulf countries, to which Zaghawa migrants can resort to make a good start in their destination areas. By the time the Midob started their migration in the 1980s, the conditions of employment in the Arab oil countries had worsened. – The Zaghawa show a strong clan solidarity. They readily lend money to young members of their clan to cover the high costs of travelling to the Arab oil countries for work, where many of them have already established themselves. – The Midob, both in the Sudan and abroad, have much less resources available. The only country open for them outside the Sudan is Libya. Lacking capital, the Midob go there on camels, mostly illegally. Having no connections in Libya, except those to other poor Midob there, they usually try to work in herding sheep and goats, which is not a lucrative profession. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comportement d'une source karstique soumise à une sécheresse prolongée : la source Bittit (Maroc)

The behaviour of a karstic spring (Bittit spring, Middle Atlas, Morocco) subjected to a prolonged drought (>20 yr), is analysed using spring hydrographs analysis methods and correlation and spectral methods. Two series of discharges, corresponding to a normal rainfall period and a drought period, are analysed. The results show that the karstic system is inertial, with very significant storage. However, in spite of the great regulating capacity of the storage, the long drought period significantly reduced the spring discharges, due to less diversified inputs, and to the karstic system storage depletion. To cite this article: F. Amraoui et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Megacities – megarisks

We review the definitions, population trends, and characteristics of megacities. Characteristics of megacities are, apart from their size, their complexity in terms of administration, infrastructure, traffic, etc., and at the same time the speed of change. Vulnerabilities and risk potential are discussed using the examples of Mexico City and Mumbai. We present the experience accumulated in the 6 years work of the Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI, ) with more than 20 large cities around the world, mostly located in the developing world. On this background we analyze obstacles that keep megacities from developing an efficient approach towards disaster mitigation and define a strategy that might overcome these problems. The key element of this strategy is the development of a Disaster Risk Management Master Plan (DRMMP) for cities. Currently the Istanbul Earthquake Master Plan (IEMP) serves as best example for an appropriate strategy for disaster reduction in megacities.     

Genesis of folds in external zones: application of fault propagation fold model. Gafsa Basin example (southern central Tunisia)

The evolution of geological structures is related particularly to reactivation of preexisting fault, thus the importance of tectonic inheritance. Basing on stratigraphic and structural data in external zones leaving the example of Gafsa Basin (southern central Tunisia), we study the evolution of folds during tectonic phases. The structural and stratigraphic data prove that Gafsa Basin is subject for more than one tectonic phase where beginning by Cretaceous extension and reactivated by Atlasic compression. The combination of field results associated to that geomorphology confirms the application of “fault propagation model” as evolution mode of folds. The balanced of cross section, using numerical software Ramp E.M. 1.5.2, shows the importance of tectonic inheritance to interpret evolution of structures reliefs. The deformation increases related to reactivation of old normal fault. The most important deformation is observed in Jbal At Taghli presenting folds in the form of duplex resulted from conjugate activity of tear fault; it is the first interpretation of tear fault activity in surface in the scale of Tunisia. The application of fault propagation fold model to interpret fold genesis confirms the field data and proves the role of tectonic inheritance and reactivation of preexisting faults in the evolution of structures during different tectonic phases.     

Neogene sediment deformations and tectonic features of northeastern Tunisia: evidence for paleoseismicity

The Neogene stratigraphic series is characterized by predominant clayey facies alternated by other sand layers. The outcrop and subsurface studies show varied and complex styles of deformations and lead to relate the structures to paleoseismic events. The seismicity of eastern onshore and offshore Tunisian margin follows the master fault corridors oriented globally N–S, E–W, and NW–SE that correspond to the bordering faults of grabens and syncline corridors and associated faulted drag fold structures oriented NE–SW. Epicenters of magnitudes between 3 and 5 are located along these border fault corridors. The Neogene strata record brittle structures, including numerous and deep faults and fractures with straight and high-angle dipping planes. The structuring of NE–SW en echelon folds and synclines inside and outside NW–SE and E–W right lateral and N–S and NE–SW left lateral tectonic corridors indicates the strike-slip type of bordering faults and their seismogenic nature. Wrench fault movements that induce mud and salt diapirs, mud volcanoes, and intrusive ascensions are related to seismic shocks. Seismic waves caused by activity along one, or most likely, several tectonic structures would have propagated throughout the Quaternary cover producing seismites. The similarity of deposits, structuring, and seismites between the Tunis-Bizerte to the North and Hammamet-Mahdia to the South accredits the hypothesis that the seismic episodes might have affected sedimentation patterns along the Sahalian large geographic area. The paleoseismic events in northeastern Tunisia might be related to tectonic fault reactivations through time. This hypothesis is consistent with the geomorphologic context of the study area, characterized by several morphostructural lineaments with strong control on the sediment distribution, as well as uplifted and subsiding terrains. The estimated magnitude of the seismic events and the great regional tectonically affected areas demonstrate that the northeastern Tunisia experienced stress through the last geological episodes of its evolution. This Neogene kinematic reconstruction highlights the neotectonic system inducing the actual seismicity on this margin. Therefore, there is a straight relationship between deepseated faults and seismicity.     

A new emergent alpine front chain in central Tunisia (Maktar area): filtering gravimetric data contribution

A residual anomaly gravity map of the Maktar area has been processed via several methods including horizontal gradient, upward continuation, and Euler deconvolution to highlight structures hidden by sedimentary cover. These methods reinforce the existence of several faults inferred from geologic studies. This work outlines deep or near-surface faults that had remained hidden until now. The most important set of these faults is NE–SW trending, with depths in excess of 3,000 m. These faults limit the Northwestern limb of Balouta massif and restrain the Northwestern side of Oued Ousafa syncline. This last fault presents a thrust front which constituted the western continuity of a southern Tunisian thetys margin and a western Zaghouan scar prolongation. E–W striking faults refer to an arched beam of faults limiting Kessera plateau and others situated in the northern part of the Maktar plateau. N–S and NW–SE directions correspond to branches of less-apparent importance. Superposition of local maxima specifies dipping vergence of different proven structures. Results from this work show the importance of gravimetric data analysis in Maktar area and provide new insight into Central Atlas Tunisia structure such as new emergent segment front Alpine chain. The proposed map could be a basis for planning future hydrogeological and petroleum research in this region.