Implementing low-cost landslide risk reduction: a pilot study in unplanned housing areas of the Caribbean

Landslides pose a serious physical and environmental threat to vulnerable communities living in areas of unplanned housing on steep slopes in the Caribbean. Some of these communities have, in the past, had to be relocated, at costs of millions of dollars, because of major slides triggered by tropical storm rainfall. Even so, evidence shows that: (1) risk reduction is a marginal activity; (2) there has been minimal uptake of hazard maps and vulnerability assessments and (3) there is little on-the-ground delivery of construction for risk reduction. This article directly addresses these issues by developing a low-cost approach to the identification of the potential pore pressure changes that trigger such slides we seek to address these three commentaries directly. A complex 45–60° slope site in St Lucia, West Indies was selected as a pilot for a modelling approach that uses numerical models (FLAC and CHASM) to verify the need for surface water management to effectively reduce landslide risk. Following the model confirmation, a series of drains were designed and constructed at the site. Post-construction evidence indicates the methodology to be sound, in that the site was stable in subsequent 1-in-1 to 1-in-4 year rainfall events. A critical feature of the approach is that it is community-based from data acquisition through to community members participating in construction.     

Study of the influence of katabatic flows on the Antarctic circulation using GCM simulations

Summary A one dimensional analytical model of katabatic wind over the Antarctica has been developed. This parametric model is derived from the bulk two-layer model of Ball including the surface friction and taking into account the Earth's rotation and the geostrophic wind in the upper layer.This model is validated using the data set (70 soundings) collected during IAGO experiment at D47 (67°24S, 138°43E, altitude 1 564m), 110 km inland from the coast of Adélie Land.The parameteric model is then introduced into a GCM which is a spectral global version of the operational numerical weather prediction model used by the French weather service. The most significant effect of the parameterization is a 50 m increase of the geopotential height over the South Pole. The surface temperature at the South Pole increases (2°C) reducing the pole-midlatitude thermal gradient. The westerly circulation at 50° S is slowed down (4m/s at 850 hPa), and the surface pressure at the South Pole increases (4hPa). These results, consistent with an increase of katabatic winds, would however be improved by a better coupling between the parameterization and the GCM boundary layer.With 8 Figures     

Isostasie flexurale et érosion différentielle : modélisation numérique appliquée au seuil du PoitouFlexural isostasy and differential erosion: numerical modelling applied at the ‘Seuil du Poitou’

One uses the principle of flexural isostasy to represent the uplift of the ‘Seuil du Poitou’ in response to erosion. The model indicates that a different uplift of on the last five millions years resulted from an erosion paradoxically stronger in the crystalline basement than in the limestones bedrock. To cite this article: J.-C. Maurin, K. Renaud, C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 1149–1155.     

In situ methods for studying adsorbed phases at the solid/liquid interface: microcalorimetry and ellipsometryLes méthodes d'étude in situ des phases adsorbées : microcalorimétrie et ellipsométrie

The applications of calorimetric and ellipsometric methods to the understanding of adsorption phenomena occurring at the solid–liquid interface are presented with examples in the field of surfactant adsorption. The various experimental approaches are presented and compared, i.e., immersion calorimetry, titration calorimetry and liquid flow calorimetry. It is shown how they can be used to follow, in situ, the building steps of the surfactant adsorbed layer. On the other hand, ellipsometry allows the adsorption isotherm, the adsorption kinetics as well as the thickness of the adsorbed layer to be determined on well-defined flat surfaces. To cite this article: R. Denoyel, C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 689–702.     

An Early-Cambrian UPb apatite cooling age for the high-temperature regional metamorphism in the Piancó area,Borborema Province (NE Brazil): initial conclusions

The Borborema Province (BP) of northeastern Brazil is a complex crustal assemblage, which has undergone a polycyclic evolution during the Proterozoic. In the Piancó-Alto Br??gida belt, a metamorphosed leucosome vein inserted in amphibolites has a trace element pattern suggesting a T-MORB protolith. Apatites yield a REE pattern indicating growth in equilibrium with garnet, thus pointing to its metamorphic origin. UPb analyses yield an age of 540±5 Ma interpreted as a cooling age following amphibolite facies regional metamorphism associated with granitic emplacement at ca. 580 Ma. The resulting slow cooling rates (ranging from ca. 2.5 to 5 °C Ma^?1) are consistent with underplating of mafic magmas, or crustal thickening caused by nappe stacking, as possible processes governing the metamorphic evolution of the BP. To cite this article: B. Dhuime et al., C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003).     

Terrane assembly and geodynamic evolution of central–western Hoggar: a synthesis

After a review of the rock sequences and evolution of the eastern and central terranes of Hoggar, this paper focusses on the Neoproterozoic subduction-related evolution and collision stages in the central–western part of the Tuareg shield. Rock sequences are described and compared with their counterparts identified in the western and the eastern terranes exposed in Hoggar and northern Mali. The Pharusian terrane that is described in detail, is floored in the east by the Iskel basement, a Mesoproterozoic arc-type terrane cratonized around 840 Ma and in the southeast by Late Paleoproterozoic rock sequences (1.85–1.75 Ga) similar to those from northwestern Hoggar. Unconformable Late Neoproterozoic volcanosedimentary formations that mainly encompass volcanic greywackes were deposited in troughs adjacent to subduction-related andesitic volcanic ridges during the c. 690–650 Ma period. Abundant arc-related pre-collisional calc-alkaline batholiths (650–635 Ma) intruded the volcanic and volcaniclastic units at rather shallow crustal levels prior to collisional processes. The main E–W shortening in the Pharusian arc-type crust occurred through several stages of transpression and produced overall greenschist facies regional metamorphism and upright folding, thus precluding significant crustal thickening. It was accompanied by the shallow emplacement of calc-alkaline batholiths and plutons. Ages of syn-collisional granitoids range from 620 Ma in the western terranes, to 580 Ma in the Pharusian terrane, thus indicating a severe diachronism. After infill of molassic basins unconformable above the Pan-African greenschists, renewed dextral transpression took place in longitudinal domains such as the Adrar fault. The lithology, volcanic and plutonic suites, deep greenschist facies metamorphism, structures and kinematics from the Adrar fault molassic belt previously considered as Neoproterozoic are described in detail. The younger late-kinematic plutons emplaced in the Pharusian terrane at 523 Ma [Lithos 45 (1998) 245] relate to a Cambrian tectonic pulse that post-dates molasse deposition. The new geodynamic scenario presented considers several paleosubductions. The major east-dipping subduction, corresponding to the closure of a large Pan-African oceanic domain in the west (680–620 Ma) post-dates an older west-dipping “Pharusian” subduction (690–650 Ma?) to the east of the eastern Pharusian terrane. Such a diachronism is suggested by the 690 Ma old eclogites of the western part of the LATEA terrane of central Hoggar [J. African Earth Sci. this volume (2003)] that are nearly synchronous with the building up of the Pharusian terrane, thus suggesting that the 4°50^′ lithospheric fault represents a reactivated cryptic suture.     

An57Fe mössbauer effect study of ankerite

A natural sample of ankerite has been characterized by chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis. The composition was found to be (Ca_1.11Mg_0.50Fe_0.33Mn_0.09) [Co₃]_1.99.⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer effect measurements were performed at temperatures between 4.2 and 400 K. At low temperatures (T < 25 K) relaxation effects are clearly dominant. The temperature dependence of the center shift is remarkably well reproduced by a model based on the Debije approximation of the lattice vibrations. In contrast, the temperature dependence of the quadrupole splitting cannot be described by any reasonable crystal field model. It is argued that an orbit-lattice coupling might explain the observed quadrupole splittings. A spectrum recorded in an applied field of 6 T reveals a positive electric field gradient from which an orbital doublet ground state is concluded. Highly anisotropic field reductions are derived but cannot be quantitatively explained due to a lack of knowledge concerning the magnetic structure of ankerite. The line widths decrease significantly with increasing temperature which is only partly due to the decreasing Mössbauer fraction.     

Synthesis,solubility, electrokinetic properties and refined crystallographic data of sabugalite

Sabugalite has been synthesized directly from pure chemicals. From chemical, differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses, its formula is calculated as HA1(UO₂/PO₄)₂·16H₂O. The natural relationship between hydrogen autunite, autunite and sabugalite was investigated by means of ion exchange experiments, and its infrared spectrum, electrokinetic properties and solubility studied. An increase in solubility results in a more positive zeta-potential. The cell dimensions have been determined from Guinier-Hägg diffraction data. Synthetic sabugalite crystallizes in the monoclinic system with space group C2/m and cell parameters: a=19.426 Å; b=9.843 Å; c=9.850 Å; α=γ=90°; β=96.161°; V=1,872.54 ų and Z=2.     

Field‐based and spectral indicators for soil erosion mapping in semi‐arid mediterranean environments (Coastal Cordillera of central Chile)

The Coastal Cordillera of central Chile is naturally sensitive to soil erosion due to moderate to steep slopes, intense winter rains when the vegetation cover is scarce, and deeply weathered granitic rocks. In 1965, 60 per cent of its surface was moderately to very severely eroded. Today this process is still largely active, but no data are currently available to evaluate the real extent, distribution and severity of soil degradation on a regional scale. This information is vital to support efficient soil conservation plans. A multi‐scale approach was implemented to produce regional land degradation maps based on remote sensing technologies. Fieldwork has shown that the surface colour or ‘redness’ and the density of coarse fragments are pertinent erosion indicators to describe a typical sequence of soil degradation in the context of mediterranean soil developed on granitic materials and micaschists. Field radiometric experiments concluded that both factors influence the reflectance of natural surfaces and can be modelled using radiometric indices accessible from most satellites operating in the optical domain, i.e. redness index and brightness index. Finally the radiometric indices were successfully applied to SPOT images to produce land degradation maps. Only broad classes of erosion status were discriminated and the detection of the degradation processes was only possible when most of the fertile layer had already been removed. This technology provides decision‐making information required to develop regional soil conservation plans and to prioritize actions between catchment areas, especially in vast inter‐tropical regions where spatialized data are not always readily available. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

U/Pb radiochronology of two granitic plutons from the eastern Cordillera (Peru) — Extent of Permian magmatic activity and consequences

Two granitic bodies of the eastern Cordillera (Peru) have been dated by U/Pb method on zircons: 257±3 my and 238±11 my ages are respectively obtained for P 438 Quillabamba and P 381 Coasa granites. P 381 zircon fractions show a degree of discordancy which can be related to their quite high uranium contents (continuous lead loss model, with variable diffusion coefficient Wasserburg, 1963). Recent data and these new radiochronological results allow to define in the eastern Cordillera an extensive magmatic province of nearly 1000 km in length. This activity should be related to a distension phase. Consequently kinematic Hercynian and Andean intrusives are only present in minor proportion in Peruvian eastern Cordillera.

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Zusammenfassung Zwei Granitkörper wurden in der östlichen Kordillere von Peru mit Hilfe der U/Pb-Methode an Zirkonen datiert. 257±3 mill. Jahre wurden für den P 438 Quillamba Granit und 238±11 mill. Jahre für den P 381 Coasa Granit ermittelt. Die P 381 Zirkon Werte zeigen eine Diskordanz, die auf einen erhöhten Urangehalt zurückgeführt werden kann (nach dem Modell für kontinuierlichen Bleiverlust mit variablem Diffusionskoeffizienten, Wasserburg 1963). Zusammen mit weiteren Datierungen kann man in der östlichen Kordillere eine magmatische Provinz von einer Länge bis zu 1000 km definieren. Diese Aktivität sollte im Zusammenhang mit einer Dehnungsphase stehen. Daraus folgt, daß herzynische und andin Intrusionen in der östlichen Kordillere von Peru nur von untergeordneter Bedeutung sind.

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Resume Deux massifs de granite appartenant à un vaste cortège magmatique de la Cordillère orientale du Pérou ont été daté par la méthode U/Pb sur zircons; des âges de 257 ± 3 m.A. et de 238 ± 11 mA ont été ainsi déterminés respectivement pour les granites de Quillabamba (P 438) et de Coasa (P 381). Le notable degré de discordance des échantillons P 381 parait être dû à leurs relativement hautes teneurs en uranium (modèle de perte continue, à coefficient de diffusion variable de Wasserburg, 1963). Des travaux récents et ces nouvelles données radiochronologiques permettent de définir dans la Cordillère orientale du Pérou une province magmatique permienne d'environ 1000 km de long, dont la mise en place serait dûe à une phase de distension. Les instrusions hercyniennes et andines ne représentent qu'une proportion mineure des massifs granitoïdes de la Cordillère orientale.

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- . Quilamba 438 257 ±3 , Coasa 381 — 238±11 . 381 , ( : , Wasserburg, 1963). 1000 . . , .

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Contribution C.G.G. n^o 222.