Pressure image assimilation for atmospheric motion estimation

The complexity of the laws of dynamics governing 3-D atmospheric flows associated with incomplete and noisy observations make the recovery of atmospheric dynamics from satellite image sequences very difficult. In this paper, we address the challenging problem of estimating physical sound and time-consistent horizontal motion fields at various atmospheric depths for a whole image sequence. Based on a vertical decomposition of the atmosphere, we propose a dynamically consistent atmospheric motion estimator relying on a multilayer dynamic model. This estimator is based on a weak constraint variational data assimilation scheme and is applied on noisy and incomplete pressure difference observations derived from satellite images. The dynamic model is a simplified vorticity-divergence form of a multilayer shallow-water model. Average horizontal motion fields are estimated for each layer. The performance of the proposed technique is assessed using synthetic examples and using real world meteorological satellite image sequences. In particular, it is shown that the estimator enables exploiting fine spatio-temporal image structures and succeeds in characterizing motion at small spatial scales.     

Architecture and sedimentology of the Kerinitis Gilbert‐type fan delta,Corinth Rift,Greece

The Kerinitis Delta in the Corinth Rift, Greece, is a footwall derived, coarse‐grained, Gilbert‐type fan delta deposited in the hangingwall of a linked normal fault system. This giant Gilbert‐type delta (radius 3·8 km, thickness > 600 m) was supplied by an antecedent river and built into a brackish to marine basin. Although as yet poorly dated, correlation with neighbouring deltas suggests that the Kerinitis Delta was deposited during a period of 500 to 800 ka in the Early to early Middle Pleistocene. Facies characterizing a range of depositional processes are assigned to four facies associations (topset, foreset, bottomset and prodelta). The dominantly fluvial topset facies association has locally developed shallow marine (limestone) and fluvial‐shoreface sub‐associations. This delta represents a subsidence‐dominated system in which high fault displacement overwhelmed base‐level falls (creation of accommodation predominantly ≥ 0). Stratal geometries and facies stacking patterns were used to identify 11 key stratal surfaces separating 11 stratal units. Each key stratal surface records a landward shift in the topset breakpoint path, indicating a rapid increase in accommodation/sediment supply. Each stratal unit records a gradual decrease in accommodation/sediment supply during deposition. The cyclic stratal units and key stratal surfaces are interpreted as recording eustatic falls and rises, respectively. A 30 m thick package of foresets below the main delta records the nucleation of a small Proto‐delta probably on an early relay ramp. Based on changes in stratal unit geometries, the main delta is divided into three packages, interpreted as recording the initiation, growth and death of the controlling fault system. The Lower delta comprises stacked, relatively thin, progradational stratal units recording low displacement on the young fault system (relay ramp). The Middle delta comprises vertically stacked stratal units, each recording initial aggradation–progradation followed by progradation; their aggradational component increases up through the Middle delta, which records the main phase of increasing rate of fault displacement. The Upper delta records pure progradation, recording abrupt cessation of movement on the fault. A major erosion surface incising basinward 120 m through the Lower and Middle delta records an exceptional submarine erosion process (canyon or delta collapse).     

Turbidite system architecture and sedimentary processes along topographically complex slopes: the Makran convergent margin

This study investigates the morphology and Late Quaternary sediment distribution of the Makran turbidite system (Makran subduction zone, north‐west Indian Ocean) from a nearly complete subsurface mapping of the Oman basin, two‐dimensional seismic and a large set of coring data in order to characterize turbidite system architecture across an active (fold and thrust belt) margin. The Makran turbidite system is composed of a dense network of canyons, which cut into high relief accreted ridges and intra‐slope piggyback basins, forming at some locations connected and variably tortuous paths down complex slopes. Turbidite activity and trench filling rates are high even during the Holocene sea‐level highstand conditions. In particular, basin‐wide, sheet‐like thick mud turbidites, probably related to major mass wasting events of low recurrence time, drape the flat and unchannellized Oman abyssal plain. Longitudinal depth profiles show that the Makran canyons are highly disrupted by numerous thrust‐related large‐scale knickpoints (with gradients up to 20° and walls up to 500 m high). At the deformation front, the strong break of slope can lead to the formation of canyon‐mouth ‘plunge pools’ of variable shapes and sizes. The plunge pools observed in the western Makran are considerably larger than those previously described in sub‐surface successions; the first insights into their internal architecture and sedimentary processes are presented here. Large plunge pools in the western Makran are associated with large scoured areas at the slope break and enhanced sediment deposition downstream: high‐amplitude reflectors are observed inside the plunge pools, while their flanks are composed of thin‐bedded, fine‐grained turbidites deposited by the uppermost part of the turbidity flows. Thus, these architectural elements are associated with strong sediment segregation leading to specific trench‐fill mechanisms, as only the finer‐grained component of the flows is transferred to the abyssal plain. However, the Makran accretionary prism is characterized by strong along‐strike variability in tectonics and fluvial input distribution that might directly influence the turbidite system architecture (i.e. canyon entrenchment, plunge pool formation or channel development at canyon mouths), the sedimentary dynamics and the resulting sediment distribution. Channel formation in the abyssal plain and trench‐fill characteristics depend on the theoretical ‘equilibrium’ conditions of the feeder system, which is related closely to the balance between erosion rates and tectonic regime. Thus, the Makran turbidite system constitutes an excellent modern analogue for deep‐water sedimentary systems with structurally complex depocentres, in convergent margin settings.     

Nature of the Moho Transition Zone in the Oman Ophiolite

The Moho Transition zone of ophiolites is dominantly composedof dunite, with various types of segregations (gabbros, pyroxenites,and chromitites). Representing a level of magmatic exchangebetween asthenospheric mantle and the constructing ocean crust,it records active melt circulation below a spreading ridge axisand offers the opportunity of observing the distribution ofmelt locally percolating and ponding in a deforming porous matrix.In the Oman ophiolite, the Moho Transition Zone has a thicknessvarying from ten to hundreds of meters; its thickness and compositionare related to the geometry of the asthenospheric mantle flow:thick Moho Transition Zones are on top of mantle diapirs characterizedby vertical flow, whereas thin Moho Transition Zones are presentin areas of horizontal mantle flow. A large high-temperatureplastic strain is recorded in thin Moho Transition zones, incontrast to thick ones where the strain is weaker and heterogeneous.Thick Moho Transition Zones display an intense magmatic activityexpressed by diffuse melt impregnations, dikes and sills. Inthese thick zones, we have studied the geometry of the meltcirculation at various scales. We present here the analysisof textures and lattice fabrics which record high-temperatureplastic strain and allow us to quantify it Melt circulates withinthe dunites and can locally destroy the solid framework, inrelation to a viscosity drop and the sharp overturn of mantleflow observed in this type of transition zone. KEY WORDS: Oman; ophiolite; Moho Transition Zone; textures ^*Corresponding author     

Podiform Chromite Ore Bodies: a Genetic Model

This paper presents an attempt to interpret the formation ofpodiform chromite ore found in ophiolitic complexes from magmaticaccumulation inside cavities along the basalt conduits feedingthe main magma chamber. Two processes play a major role in chromite concentration: anactive upward magma flow in narrow dykes; and an active convectioninside the cavity, for which a numerical modelling has beenperformed. The physical conditions imposed by the model compare well withgeophysical and geological data.     

High Temperature Dikes in Peridotites: Origin by Hydraulic Fracturing

The orientation of high temperature dikes has been studied withrespect to the plastic flow foliation and lineation in peridotitesfrom several massifs. Layering and dikes are composed of varioustypes of pyroxenites and gabbros; dunites, thought to representresidua along high temperature dikes, have been also studied.The layering is composed of dunites, websterites and/or orthopyroxenites,usually with the same minerals as in the host peridotite. Thesame rock types can be observed in the dikes emplaced earlyduring plastic deformation although the sequence tends to evolvetoward more ariegitic or gabbroic facies. Dikes emplaced during plastic flow display two dominant preferredorientations, one is at a high angle to the stretching lineation,the other is parallel to the shear planes deduced from the flowregime analysis in the peridotite (a unique shear plane obliqueto the foliation in the case of rotational flow, two shear planesconjugate with respect to the foliation in the case of irrotationalflow). Fracturing in all these orientations is ascribed to themagma pressure created by partial melting. Comparatively lowmagma pressure and high applied deviatoric stress result inshear fractures; high magma pressure and moderate applied stressresult in tension fractures (at high angles to the lineation).Dikes emplaced before or early during plastic flow are stronglydeformed and tectonically rotated toward the foliation and lineationdirections. For a large deformation they become parallel tothe foliation orientation. The ubiquitous mafic and ultramaficlayering present in most mantle peridotites may originate inthis way.     

Deep and High-temperature Hydrothermal Circulation in the Oman Ophiolite--Petrological and Isotopic Evidence

A systematic search for evidence of high-temperature hydrousalteration within the gabbros of the Samail ophiolite (Oman)shows that most of the gabbros have been affected by successivestages of alteration, starting above 975°C and ending below500°C. Sr and O isotopic analyses provide constraints onthe nature and origin of the fluids associated with these alterationevents. Massive gabbros, dykes and veins and their associatedminerals depart from mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-source magmasignatures (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr >0·7032 and depleted