Probabilistic versus deterministic seismic hazard analysis: an integrated approach for siting problems

A methodology is proposed to determine design earthquakes for site-specific studies such as the siting of critical structures (power plants, waste disposals, large dams, etc.), strategic structures (fire stations, military commands, hospitals, etc.), or for seismic microzoning studies, matching the results of probabilistic seismic hazard analyses. This goal is achieved by calculating the source contribution to hazard and the magnitude–distance deaggregation, showing that, varying the selected frequency and the level of hazard, the reference earthquakes are changed as a result. A procedure is then adopted to minimize the residuals between the uniform hazard spectrum (target motion) and the design earthquake spectrum, to provide a specific earthquake scenario encompassing all the frequencies of the target motion. Finally, some considerations on the use and the influence exerted by ground motion uncertainty (σ) on hazard deaggregation are outlined.     

Magmatismes basiques dits “orogeniques” et “anorogeniques” et teneurs entro2: Les associations “Isotitanees” et “anisotitanfes”

The patterns of variation of TiO₂ conent during magmatic evolution are different in the so called “orogenic” and “anorogenie” basic associations; these last terms, which are the cause of much misunderstanding, can be replaced by the terms “isotitaniferous” and “anisotitaniferous”.     

场地类别划分与抗震设计反应谱的讨论

介绍了新的抗震设计规范(2001—07—20发布，2002—01—01实施)中场地类别划分和地震影响系数的有关内容，指出其中一些不相协调之处。最后，针对不同的问题建议相应的解决办法。     

The “wave turbopause”

The “wave turbopause” is defined as the mesospheric altitude level where the temperature fluctuation field indicates a substantial increase in wave amplitudes in the vertical direction.The turbopause altitude is analyzed on the basis of four years of SABER data (2002–2005, Version 1.06). Substantial seasonal and latitudinal variations are found, with some interannual variability also present. Seasonal changes are annual at high latitudes, semi-annual at low latitudes, and a mixture of both at middle latitudes. Southern hemisphere data are similar as in the North if shifted by half a year. Latitudinal variations show a minimum in the tropics and two relative maxima at middle latitudes.The “wave turbopause” is found near to zero-wind lines or low-wind zones (zonal wind). It is compared to rocket and other measurements, and interesting similarities are obtained. The wave turbopause can also be found in the HAMMONIA GCM. A preliminary analysis shows results similar to those of the SABER measurements.     

Constant‐ductility response spectra for sequential earthquake and tsunami loading

Simplified approaches for examining structural system response under sequential earthquake and tsunami loading are helpful for understanding response trends. To aid understanding, nonlinear (constant‐ductility) response spectra are developed for elastoplastic single degree of freedom systems subjected to seismic loads followed by hydrodynamic tsunami loads. The forcing function is composed of long‐duration earthquake motion concatenated with a range of tsunami hydrodynamic forces that are proportional to the pseudo‐spectral acceleration produced by the earthquake motion. The constant‐ductility spectra are thus constructed for scenarios where the loading imposed by one hazard is not dominant over the other. The spectra and basic intensity measures indicate that the amplification of response for sequential earthquake and tsunami loading over the earthquake only case is most significant for systems with long natural periods and high‐ductility capacity under seismic loading. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

From regional seismic hazard to “scenario earthquakes” for seismic microzoning: A new methodological tool for the Celano Project

We present the results of a probabilistic seismic hazard assessment and disaggregation analysis aimed to understand the dominant magnitudes and source-to-site distances of earthquakes that control the hazard at the Celano site in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. Firstly, we calculated a peak ground acceleration map for the central Apennines area, by using a model of seismogenic sources defined on geological-structural basis. The source model definition and the probabilistic seismic hazard evaluation at the regional scale (central Apennines) were obtained using three different seismicity models (Gutenberg–Richter model; characteristic earthquake model; hybrid model), consistent with the available seismological information. Moreover, a simplified time-dependent hypothesis has been introduced, computing the conditional probability of earthquakes occurrence by Brownian passage time distributions.Subsequently, we carried out the disaggregation analysis, with a modified version of the SEISRISK III code, in order to separate the contribution of each source to the total hazard.The results show the percentage contribution to the Celano hazard of the various seismogenic sources, for different expected peak ground acceleration classes. The analysis was differentiated for close (distance from Celano <20 km) and distant (distance from Celano >20 km) seismogenic sources. We propose three different “scenario earthquakes”, useful for the site condition studies and for the seismic microzoning study: (1) large (M=6.6) local (Celano-epicentre distance 16 km) earthquake, with mean recurrence time of 590 years; (2) moderate (M=5.5) local (Celano-epicentre distance 7.5 km) earthquake, with mean recurrence time of 500 years; and (3) large (M=6.6) distant (Celano-epicentre distance 24 km) earthquake, with mean recurrence time of 980 years.The probabilistic and time-dependent approach to the definition of the “scenario earthquakes” changes clearly the results in comparison to traditional deterministic analysis, with effects in terms of engineering design and seismic risk reduction.     

A NEW METHOD OF CANCELLING MULTIPLE REFLECTIONS: “SOUSTON”*

Cancelling of multiple reflections by CDP stacking is generally incomplete. When the order of coverage is low, an improvement may be obtained by the use of special filters (e.g. Schneider et al: Geophysics 1965; D'Hoeraene: Geophysics 1966). But when the order of coverage is high, the efficiency of these filters is less obvious. On the other hand, the higher the order of coverage, the higher the efficiency in the solution presented. Schematically, our method includes three steps: Firstly: Searching for the multiple reflections. For this purpose Move Out corrections corresponding to the multiples are applied to each individual record, then CDP stacking is carried out. Secondly: Cleaning up of the individual records. “Decorrections” are firstly applied, then multiples are subtracted. For this, subtraction is weighed versus the energy of the multiples, that is to say versus the correlation between the original record and the pure multiple reflections. Thirdly: Normal processing with the cleaned records which have been obtained. The different steps of this method are illustrated with the help of theoretical examples. Its efficiency improvement in regard to normal CDP stacking is then demonstrated by means of true examples.     

The measurement of water losses from a forested area using a “natural” lysimeter

Water losses due to transpiration and evaporation of intercepted water were measured using a “natural” lysimeter in the Hafren forest of central Wales, and were compared with estimates of potential evaporation calculated from meteorological observations. Given certain assumptions concerning the forest canopy, the lysimeter observations were used to estimate runoff from the experimental catchment of the Upper Severn, within which the lysimeter is sited; this estimate agreed well with observation.     

Review study on near-natural conditions of Central European mountain streams, with particular reference to debris and beaver dams: Results of the “REG meeting” 2000

This paper summarises the results of the “Rhithron Ecology Group” meeting in Essen (March 2000), supplemented by a literature evaluation.An extended view of small mountain streams in Central Europe under “potentially natural conditions” is presented. We focus on the potential impact of natural transverse structures (debris dams and beaver dams) on stream morphology, hydrology, habitat composition and communities. Furthermore, impact of other stream morphological features, which are presently lacking in the Central European landscape, is described.We suggest that Central European mountain streams are characterised by a higher proportion of lentic zones under “potentially natural conditions”. Morphological degradation leads to a loss of lentic zones and to an increase of current velocities and corresponding changes in faunal composition, particularly higher abundance and proportion of rheophilic species and a decrease of species preferring lentic zones. This should be regarded in future stream assessment.     

Application of the Clean Development Mechanism in the Sanitation Sector: “Proof of Concept”

Greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector account for only 4% of the total production, with wastewater management accounting for accurately 8 to 10% of this contribution. Wastewater disposal and treatment activities, mainly contributes to non‐CO₂ gases such as methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Capturing or avoiding these emissions is thus both a concern and an opportunity. The clean development mechanism (CDM) offers an instrument to internalize global climate concerns into the design of wastewater treatment facilities. Properly designed facilities could improve effluent quality and optimize the abatement of greenhouse gas emissions, thus ensuring additional revenues to pay for capital, operation and maintenance costs and possibly justify higher levels of wastewater treatment. This document summarizes the experience of the “Rio Frio CDM project” in Colombia, as an example of what is achievable through the CDM application in wastewater treatment upgrade in developing countries. This document summarizes the scope of the project, the methodology used to establish current greenhouse emissions and future reductions, and the estimated financial results.     

Formation of diamond with mineral inclusions of “mixed” eclogite and peridotite paragenesis

Two unusual diamonds were studied from kimberlites from China, which contain both ultramafic and eclogitic mineral inclusions in the same diamond hosts. Diamond L32 contains seven Fe-rich garnets, four omphacites and one olivine inclusion. Four olivine, one sanidine and one coesite were recovered from diamond S32. Both garnet and omphacite inclusions have similar compositions as those from other localities of the world, and show basaltic bulk composition. All the garnet and omphacite inclusions in diamond L32 have positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu^*1.64 1.79). These observations support the proposal that mantle eclogite is the metamorphic product of subducted ancient oceanic crust. The Mg/(Mg + Fe) ratio of the olivine inclusions from the two diamonds (91-92) are evidently lower than the normal olivine inclusions in diamonds from the same kimberlite pipe (92-95). The following model is proposed for the formation of diamonds with “mixed” mineral inclusions. Ascending diamond-bearing eclogite (recycled oceanic crust) entrained in mantle plumes may experience extensive partial melting, whereas the ambient peridotite matrix remains subsolidus in the diamond stable field. This provides a mechanism for the transport of diamond from its original eclogitic host to an ultramafic one. Subsequent re-growth of diamond in the new environment makes it possible to capture mineral inclusions of different lithological suites. Partial melts of basaltic sources may interact with the surrounding peridotite, resulting in the relatively lower Mg/(Mg + Fe) ratios of the coexisting olivine inclusions from the studied diamonds. Diamonds with “mixed” mineral inclusions demonstrate that plume activity also occurred in the Archean cratons.     

Scum in Nutrient Removal Plants: The Role of Carbon Sources in “Microthrix parvicella” Growth

Scum formation is a widespread problem in activated sludge nutrient removal plants. It often comes along with an excessive development of the filamentous bacterium “Microthrix parvicella” stabilizing the flotation process. As “M. parvicella” was found to depend on long‐chain fatty acids (LCFA) as sole carbon source not only in vitro but also in situ, some options of in‐situ substrate supply are discussed. Wastewater concentrations of fatty acids in the range of 2 to 15 mg L^‐1 and homologue concentrations from synthetic surfactant degradation below 10 mg L^‐1 rule out these substrates as source for excessive biomass production. They might, however, well be suitable for start‐up of a “M. parvicella” population. Build‐up of excessive biomass might rely on fatty acid supply originating in cell walls of lysed stationary phase bacteria of long residence time sludge fractions such as scum layers. Moreover, biogenic surfactants such as rhamnolipids have been proved to be an excellent carbon source for excessive biomass production in vitro.     

A simple technique for measuring rainfall interception by small shrub: “interception flow collection box”

In this paper a simple technique for field measurement of rain water loss arising from interception and water flows associated with species of small Mediterranean shrub is described: the ‘interception flow collection box’. This technique solves the problem of installing devices to control stemflow in species with a multiple trunk and demonstrates its efficiency through the results obtained from the data observed for three species of semi-arid Mediterranean shrub: Juniperus oxycedrus, Rosmarinus officinalis and Thymus vulgaris. Finally, the empirical equations for the prediction of throughfall, stemflow and rain water loss through interception are presented for the three selected species and the validity of the technique employed is established. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.