Low-frequency sea-level fluctuations along the coasts of Namibia and South Africa

Summary. Sea-level records at nine ports along the coasts of Namibia and South Africa are used to establish the existence of coastal trapped disturbances in sea-level as a response to the passage of synoptic weather systems. Using spectral analysis the characteristics and spatial variability of the sea-level fluctuations are identified. The results of cross-correlation analyses performed on sea-level data at adjacent ports for two periods during 1982 are discussed in detail to examine the propagation of coastal trapped waves round the coast.     

Large aperture seismic imaging at a convergent margin: Techniques and results from the Costa Rica seismogenic zone

In March and April 1995 a cooperative German, Costa Rican, and United States research team recorded onshore-offshore seismic data sets along the Pacific margin of Costa Rica using the R/V Ewing. Off the Nicoya Peninsula we used a linear array of ocean bottom seismometers and hydrophones (OBS/H) with onshore seismometers extending across much of the isthmus. In the central area we deployed an OBS/H areal array consisting of 30 instruments over a 9 km by 35-km area and had land stations on the Nicoya Peninsula adjacent to this marine array and also extending northeast on the main Costa Rican landmass. Our goal in these experiments was to determine the crustal velocity structure along different portions of this convergent margin and to use the dense instrument deployments to create migrated reflection images of the plate boundary zone and the subducting Cocos Plate. Our specific goal in the central area was to determine whether a subducted seamount is present at the location of the 1990, M 7 earthquake off the Nicoya Peninsula and can thus be linked to its nucleation. Subsequently we have processed the data to improve reflection signals, used the data to calculate crustal velocity models, and developed several wide-aperture migration techniques, based on a Kirchhoff algorithm, to produce reflection images. Along the northern transect we used the ocean bottom data to construct a detailed crustal velocity model, but reflections from the plate boundary and top and bottom of the subducting Cocos plate are difficult to identify and have so far produced poor images. In contrast, the land stations along this same transect recorded clear reflections from the top of the subducting plate or plate boundary, within the seismogenic zone, and we have constructed a clear image from this reflector beneath the Nicoya shelf. Data from the 3-D seismic experiment suffer from high-amplitude, coherent noise (arrivals other than reflections), and we have tried many techniques to enhance the signal to noise ratio of reflected arrivals. Due to the noise, an apparent lack of strong reflections from the plate boundary zone, and probable structural complexity, the resulting 3-D images only poorly resolve the top of the subducting Cocos Plate. The images are not able to provide compelling evidence of whether there is a subducting seamount at the 1990 earthquake hypocenter. Our results do show that OBS surveys are capable of creating images of the plate boundary zone and the subducting plate well into the seismogenic zone if coherent reflections are recorded at 1.8 km instrument spacing (2-D) and 5 km inline by 1 km crossline spacing for 3-D acquisition. However, due to typical high amplitude coherent noise, imaging results may be poorer than expected, especially in unfavorable geologic settings such as our 3-D survey area. More effective noise reduction in acquisition, possibly with the use of vertical hydrophone arrays, and in processing, with advanced multiple removal and possibly depth filtering, is required to achieve the desired detailed images of the seismogenic plate boundary zone.     

Sediment velocity estimation using iterative 3-D migrations of short offset seismic reflection data in deep water

In deep ocean settings where water depth greatly exceeds the source-to-receiver length, the geometry is insufficient for accurate determinations of velocity from reflection-moveout. However, velocities are crucial for estimates of physical properties and image processing. Focusing analyses with conventional post-stack two-dimensional migration improves images, but does not produce geologically meaningful velocities except in the special case of a two-dimensional earth. For the more general case of the three-dimensional earth there is no a priori method to determine the degree of geometrical complexity. We present a technique using a short-offset three-dimensional (3-D) data set over the 5 km deep trench west of the Lesser Antilles. These data illustrate highly sensitive post-stack 3-D focusing analyses (± 20 m s^–1 interval velocities), and the relationship of these seismically derived velocities to rock velocities. In our Barbados example we were able to establish the presence of a widespread 80-160 m thick low-velocity zone at and above the main low-angle fault. This observation suggests the water-rich décollement leaks water into the overlying sections. Also evident is a low-velocity section associated with turbidite sands. These results are confirmed with sparse logging data and well samples. Deep-water short offset 3-D experiments provide a potentially effective approach for velocity estimation, replacing the operational complexity of long-offsets with simpler short-offset techniques. In areas of structural complications and abundant diffracted energy, it is a surprisingly accurate method, utilizing the high fidelity 3-D wavefield and the information carried in zero-offset diffraction ellipsoids. The velocity used to properly collapse a diffraction ellipsoid is explicitly the velocity of propagation in the media since the travel path is known exactly. Thus, the derived velocities should closely represent rock velocities, unlike the 2-D case where the propagation geometry is not known.     

Behavior of the decollement at the toe of the Middle America Trench

Seismic reflection data from three areas of the Middle America Trench provide insights into the behavior of the decollement that separates subducted and offscraped sediment. The range of responses observed along this single subduction system provides clues as to how the decollement forms and is influenced by local conditions. The location of the decollement and whether or not the subducting basement topography influences the decollement are apparently controlled by the type and thickness of sediment in the trench. Where subducting basement topography and oceanic plate hemipelagic sediments are buried by sandy terrigenous turbidites, such as in the trench axis off Mexico, the decollement is localized near the base of the turbidite section. Subducting normal fault blocks in the oceanic crust control thrust ramps, and hanging wall anticlines form above the ramps.In regions of the trench where coarse terrigenous sediment is thin or absent, the decollement is localized within the incoming sediment section. Where muddy trench turbidites bury subducting topography (e.g. off Guatemala), the decollement is approximately 100 m deep and is little affected by the underlying subducting topography. The lower 200–300 meters of trench sediment and all of the pelagic sediment are subducted. Where there is no trench sediment overlying carbonate-rich oceanic plate sediments (e.g. off Costa Rica), the decollement is located within the subducting plate sediment section. The decollement is localized at a single stratigraphic level and rides up and over subducting horst blocks.

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Zusammenfassung Reflektionsseismische Daten aus drei Bereichen des Mittel-Amerika-Grabens geben Einblick in das Verhalten entlang einer Abscherung in der subduziertes und »abgeschabtes« Sediment voneinander getrennt werden. Die Daten, die entlang dieses Subduktionssystems erhalten wurden, liefern Anhaltspunkte darüber, wie sich die Abscherung bildet und wie sie von lokalen Bedingungen beeinflußt wird. Der Entstehungsort der Abscherung wird, unabhängig davon, ob die abtauchende Basementtopographie die Abscherung beeinflußt oder nicht, anscheinend von Typ und Dicke der Grabensedimente kontrolliert. Dort, wo das abtauchende Basement und die hemipelagischen Sedimente der ozeanischen Platte von sandigen, terrigenen Turbiditen überlagert werden, wie im Grabenabschnitt vor Mexico, liegt die Abscherung nahe der Basis des Turbiditprofiles. Abtauchende, normal gestörte Schollenblöcke der ozeanischen Kruste kontrollieren die Bildung von Überschiebungsrampen unter Bildung von Antiklinalen oberhalb dieser Rampen.Wo schlammige Grabenturbidite die subduzierende Topographie überdecken (z.B. vor Guatemala), liegt die Abscherung etwa 100 m unter der Sedimentoberfläche und wird kaum von der unterlagernden, abtauchenden Topographie beeinflußt. Die unteren 200–300 m der Grabensedimente sowie die gesamten pelagischen Ablagerungen werden subduziert. Wo karbonatreiche Sedimente der ozeanischen Platte nicht von Grabensedimenten überlagert werden (z.B. vor Costa Rica) liegt die Abscherung innerhalb der Sedimentsäule der abtauchenden Platte. Die Abscherung bewegt sich in einem einzigen stratigraphischen Niveau und gleitet dabei auf und über abtauchende Horstschollen.

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Résumé Des prospections par sismique-réflexion, effectuées dans trois régions de la fosse d'Amérique Centrale, éclairent le comportement du décollement qui sépare les sédiments subductés des sédiments «raclés». Les donnés recueillies le long de ce système de subduction simple fournissent des indications sur la manière dont le décollement prend naissance et est influencé par les conditions locales. L'emplacement du décollement et le fait qu'il est, ou non, influencé par la topographie du substrat en subduction dépendent, semble-t-il, de la nature et de l'épaisseur des sédiments de la fosse. Lorsque, dans la plaque océanique en subduction, la topographie du socle et les sédiments hémipélagiques surincombants sont enfouis sous des turbidites terrigènes arénacées, comme c'est le cas au large du Mexique, le décollement se produit près de la base de la série turbiditique. La subduction de blocs découpés par des failles normales dans la croûte océanique détermine des rampes de charriage au-dessus desquelles prennent naissance des structures anticlinales.Dans les parties de la fosse qui sont pauvres en sédiments terrigènes grossiers ou qui en sont dépourvues, le décollement est situé à l'intérieur de la série sédimentaire. Lorsque le relief de la plaque en subduction est enfoui sous des turbidites boueuses (p. ex. au large du Guatemala), le décollement se situe à 100 m sous la surface supérieure des sédiments et est peu affecté par la topographie du substrat subducté. La subduction affecte alors la partie inférieure (200 à 300 m) des sédiments de la fosse, ainsi que l'entièreté des sédiments pélagiques. Lorsqu'il n'y a pas de sédiments terrigènes recouvrant les dépôts carbonates de la plaque océanique (p. ex. au large de Costa Rica), le décollement se situe au sein de ces derniers; il correspond à un niveau stratigraphique et contourne par en-haut les blocs en horst de la plaque descendante.

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Large-volume silicic volcanism in Kamchatka: Ar–Ar and U–Pb ages,isotopic, and geochemical characteristics of major pre-Holocene caldera-forming eruptions

The Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia represents the most volcanically active arc in the world in terms of magma production and the number of explosive eruptions. We investigate large-scale silicic volcanism in the past several million years and present new geochronologic results from major ignimbrite sheets exposed in Kamchatka. These ignimbrites are found in the vicinity of morphologically-preserved rims of partially eroded source calderas with diameters from ～ 2 to ～ 30 km and with estimated volumes of eruptions ranging from 10 to several hundred cubic kilometers of magma. We also identify and date two of the largest ignimbrites: Golygin Ignimbrite in southern Kamchatka (0.45 Ma), and Karymshina River Ignimbrites (1.78 Ma) in south-central Kamchatka. We present whole-rock geochemical analyses that can be used to correlate ignimbrites laterally. These large-volume ignimbrites sample a significant proportion of remelted Kamchatkan crust as constrained by the oxygen isotopes. Oxygen isotope analyses of minerals and matrix span a 3‰ range with a significant proportion of moderately low-δ¹⁸O values. This suggests that the source for these ignimbrites involved a hydrothermally-altered shallow crust, while participation of the Cretaceous siliceous basement is also evidenced by moderately elevated δ¹⁸O and Sr isotopes and xenocryst contamination in two volcanoes. The majority of dates obtained for caldera-forming eruptions coincide with glacial stages in accordance with the sediment record in the NW Pacific, suggesting an increase in explosive volcanic activity since the onset of the last glaciation 2.6 Ma. Rapid changes in ice volume during glacial times and the resulting fluctuation of glacial loading/unloading could have caused volatile saturation in shallow magma chambers and, in combination with availability of low-δ¹⁸O glacial meltwaters, increased the proportion of explosive vs effusive eruptions. The presented results provide new constraints on Pliocene–Pleistocene volcanic activity in Kamchatka, and thus constrain an important component of the Pacific Ring of Fire.     

Spatial variations of the décollement/protodécollement zone and their implications: A 3-D seismic inversion study of the northern Barbados accretionary prism

We conducted a 3‐D seismic inversion study to investigate spatial variations of physical properties of the décollement zone (DZ) and protodécollement zone (PDZ) under the northern Barbados accretionary prism. Significant spatial variations of physical properties were observed in the PDZ seaward of the thrust front from the inversion data. The density generally increases southward with a few localized low‐density patches. A lower density commonly corresponds to a thicker PDZ, suggesting that the paleomorphology may at least partially control the variations of the physical properties. Similar low‐density patches were also found in the DZ. These features may be inherited from those of the PDZ and enhanced after subduction through localized arrested consolidation. Under the prism toe, the density of the DZ increases landward. This trend may mainly result from shear‐induced consolidation of the DZ but may also be related to landward increasing tectonic loading. Significant north–south differences in density and, thus, porosity and strength of the PDZ, are observed and these differences may continue into the DZ. A stronger DZ is likely responsible for a larger prism taper observed in the southern area of the prism toe. The larger taper, thus more horizontal shortening, coupled with a thinner sediment sheet above the PDZ in the southern area, may cause a relative retreat of the thrust front and a pronounced change in strike of the sequence thrusts south of seismic Line 690. The north–south differences may ultimately have originated in the approach of a structurally higher segment of the Tiburon Rise. The Tiburon Rise affects regional morphology and, thus, it controls the sedimentation and physical properties of the PDZ. It may also control sediment accumulation above the PDZ. Therefore, the sedimentational change induced by the structural high of the Tiburon Rise, in turn, resulted in structural change of the prism in the southern area.     

Observations of shallow layering utilizing the Pingerprobe echo-sounding system

A “Pingerprobe” is a system of echo sounding in which the sound source is placed near bottom to improve resolution by restricting the area investigated. It is demonstrated that a commercially available 12-kHz “pinger” with a synchronized shipboard receiver is useful not only in the monitoring of the positioning of a bottom or near-bottom instrument package (such as a corer) but also in making observations on the acoustic nature of the sea floor. In rough terrain the Pingerprobe has measured stratified sediments in some places where the PDR (Precision Depth Recorder) cannot. Observations on proximal abyssal plains indicate that the prolonged echo character common to these areas may result from small-scale roughness or inhomogeneity. When a suspended instrument is sent to the bottom in rough terrain, or in areas of intermittent subbottom reflections, use of a Pingerprobe improves information about the conditions at the point of contact and permits selection of the desired topographic setting.     

Regional studies of potential carbon monoxide sources based on space shuttle and aircraft measurements

Carbon monoxide measurements made from the space shuttle show maxima over South America, central Africa, the eastern Mediterranean, and China. The maxima appear to be associated with either concomitant or prior convection in the air masses which carries boundary layer air into the upper troposphere. Previous aircraft measurements of carbon monoxide and ozone over South America are shown to be consistent with this view. In the tropics the three regions of long-term mean rising motion, which form part of the Walker circulation, are associated with elevated carbon monoxide.     

Impacts of vehicles on natural terrain at seven sites in the San Francisco Bay area

The impacts of off-road vehicles on vegetation and soil were investigated at seven representative sites in the San Francisco Bay area. Plant cover of grass and chaparral (with shrubs to 4 m tall) have been stripped by the two- and four-wheel vehicles in use. Impacts on loamy soils include increased surface strength (as much as 275 bars), increased bulk density (averaging 18%) to depths of 90 cm or more, reduction of soil moisture by an average 43% to 30 cm depths, greatly reduced infiltration, extension of the diurnal temperature range by as much as 12°C, and reduction of organic carbon by an average 33% in exposed soils. Very sandy soils respond similarly to vehicular use except that moisture is increased and surface strength of beach sand is decreased. These physical and chemical impacts reduce the land's capability of restoring its vegetative cover, which in turn adversely affects animal populations. Both the loss of plant cover and the physical changes caused by vehicles promote erosion. Measured soil and substrate losses from vehicular use zones range from 7 to 1180 kg/m². The estimated erosion rate of the Chabot Park site exceeds the rate of erosion considered a serious problem by a factor 30, it exceeds United States Soil Conservation Service tolerance values by a factor of 46, and it exceeds average San Francisco Bay area erosion rates by a factor of 17. The resulting soil losses are effectively permanent. Neither the increased sediment yield nor the increased runoff is accomodated on the sites of use, and both are causing adverse effects to neighboring properties.