Observed seasonal and intraseasonal variability of the East India Coastal Current on the continental slope

We present data from three acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) moored off Cuddalore (12^°N), Kakinada (16.5^°N), and Gopalpur (19^°N) on the continental slope of the western Bay of Bengal and one mooring on the slope of the northern bay (89^°E, 19^°N; referred to as being located at Paradip). The data were collected during May 2009 to March 2013 and the observations show that the seasonal cycle, which includes the annual cycle, the semi-annual cycle, and a peak around 120 days, dominates the observed variability of the East India Coastal Current (EICC). Spectral analysis suggests that the 120-day peak dominates the seasonal variability at Paradip and is strong at Gopalpur and Kakinada. The annual cycle is coherent along the western boundary of the bay, i.e., the east coast of India, but with significant phase differences between moorings. At the semi-annual and 120-day periods, the alongshore coherence is weaker. Intraseasonal variability is weaker than the seasonal cycle, particularly at Cuddalore and Paradip, and it exhibits seasonality: the strongest intraseasonal variation is during spring (February–April). Peaks around 12 and 20–22 days are also seen at Gopalpur, Kakinada, and Cuddalore. A striking feature of the currents is the upward phase propagation, but there are also instances when phase propagates downward. The much lower vertical phase speed in the top ～100 m at Cuddalore leads to a distinct undercurrent at this location; at other locations, the undercurrent, though it exists often, is not as striking. During spring, however, the EICC tends to flow poleward (eastward) at Cuddalore, Kakinada, and Gopalpur (Paradip) over the top ～300 m, which is the maximum depth to which observations were made. The cross-shore component of the EICC is much weaker than the alongshore component at Cuddalore and, except for a few bursts during spring, at Kakinada and Gopalpur. It is only at Paradip, on the slope of the northern boundary, that significant cross-shore flows are seen during spring and the summer monsoon (June–August) and these flows are seen to be associated with eddy-like circulations in the altimeter data. We use the ADCP data to validate popular current data products like OSCAR (Ocean Surface Currents Analyses Real-time), ECCO2 (Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean, Phase II), and GODAS (Global Ocean Data Assimilation System). The OSCAR currents at Paradip match the observed currents well, but the correlation is much weaker at the other three locations. Both ECCO2 and GODAS fair poorly, particularly the latter because its variability in this boundary-current regime is extremely weak. Though it performs badly at Paradip, ECCO2 does capture the observed variability on occasions at the other locations.     

Fluoride contamination of groundwater and its seasonal variability in parts of Purulia district,West Bengal,India

The contamination of aquifers by fluoride and arsenic is a major cause of concern in several parts of India. A study has thus been conducted to evaluate the extent and severity of fluoride contamination and also its seasonal variability. Two blocks (Purulia-1 and Purulia-2) were considered for this purpose. Twenty groundwater samples (in each season) were collected from tube wells during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. In addition to fluoride, groundwater samples were also analyzed for major cations, anions, and other trace elements. The concentration of fluoride shows significant seasonal variation and ranges between 0.94–2.52 and 0.25–1.43 mg/l during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. In pre-monsoon season, more than 40% of the water samples show fluoride concentrations higher than the WHO limit. However, during the post-monsoon season, none of the groundwater sample shows fluoride concentrations higher than the WHO limit. Lesser concentration during the post-monsoon season is attributed to the dilution effect by the percolating rainwater, which has also been reflected in the form of a decrease in concentrations of other elements. The petrographic studies of the rock samples collected from the study area show that the rocks are mainly composed of plagioclase, orthoclase, and quartz with abundant biotite. The weathering and dissolution of biotite plays an important role in controlling the fluoride concentrations in the groundwater of the study area.     

Authigenic pyrite and gypsum in South West African continental slope sediments

An unusual association of authigenic pyrite and authigenic gypsum has been found in silty clays recovered from the South West African continental slope. Nannofossil content suggests that the sediments are Upper Miocene-Lower Pliocene in age. Pyrite occurs as (1) granular masses, (2) ‘worm’tubes, (3) foraminiferal infillings, and (4) framboids. Gypsum occurs as euhedral single or twinned crystals of selenite. ‘Worm’tubes and foraminiferal infillings of pyrite are partially or completely enclosed in some gypsum crystals. Electron microprobe analyses show a relatively high concentration of manganese in both the granular masses and tubes. Present-day waters off this coast are dominated by the upwelling of cold, nutrient-enriched waters (the Benguela Current). These rich waters support an enormous population of plankton. Death and decomposition of these plankton consume oxygen, thereby creating a belt of anaerobic sediments close to shore. An Upper Miocene-Lower Pliocene regression (Dingle & Scrutton, 1974) lowered sea level and shifted an older analogue of this upwelling zone seaward, eventually establishing an anaerobic environment in places on the present continental slope. Anaerobic bacteria thrived in these conditions. They reduced SO₄ dissolved in sea water, initiating the formation of H₂S. The H₂S reacted with iron minerals present in the sediment to form FeS. Addition of elemental sulphur produced pyrite. This strongly reducing, low pH, environment became saturated with calcium obtained by the dissolution of planktonic calcareous organisms. Gypsum was precipitated once the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and SO₄ exceeded the gypsum solubility product.     

The relationship between intraseasonal tropical variability and ENSO and its modulation at seasonal to decadal timescales

The intraseasonal tropical variability (ITV) patterns in the tropical troposphere are documented using double space-time Fourier analysis. Madden and Julian oscillations (MJO) as well as equatorial coupled waves (Kelvin and Rossby) are investigated based on the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis data for the 1977–2006 period and the outputs of an intermediate ocean-atmosphere coupled model named LODCA-OTCM. A strong seasonal dependence of the ITV/ENSO relationship is evidenced. The leading relationship for equatorial Rossby waves (with the correlation of the same order than for the MJO) is documented; namely, it is shown that intensification of Rossby waves in the central Pacific during boreal summer precedes by half a year the peak of El Niño. The fact that MJO activity in spring-summer is associated to the strength of subsequent El Niño is confirmed. It is shown that LODCA-QTCM is capable of simulating the convectively coupled equatorial waves in outgoing long wave radiation and zonal wind at 850 hPa fields with skill comparable to other Coupled General Circulation Models. The ITV/ENSO relationship is modulated at low frequency. In particular the periods of low ENSO amplitude are associated with weaker MJO activity and a cancellation of MJO at the ENSO development phase. In opposition, during the decaying phase, MJO signal is strong. The periods of strong ENSO activity are associated with a marked coupling between MJO, Kelvin and equatorially Rossby waves and ENSO; the precursor signal of MJO (Rossby waves) in the western (central) Pacific is obvious. The results provide material for the observed change in ENSO characteristics in recent years and question whether the characteristics of the ITV/ENSO relationship may be sensitive to the observed warming in the central tropical Pacific.     

坦桑尼亚滨海盆地陆坡峡谷沉积特征及其控制因素*

东非陆缘深水盆地具有巨大油气资源潜力,但对陆坡峡谷沉积特征研究较少,制约有利储集层预测。本研究利用三维地震资料,对东非坦桑尼亚滨海盆地陆坡峡谷开展精细研究。结果表明:(1)研究区陆坡发育多条大型海底峡谷;上陆坡处,坡度较陡,峡谷内以侵蚀作用为主,沉积物主要局限在褶皱推覆带的翼部;褶皱推覆带之外的下陆坡区,坡度变缓,峡谷末端发育席状砂质沉积及砂泥混杂的碎屑流沉积,同时在峡谷北侧发育向北延伸的泥质漂积体;在陆坡边缘,发育海底滑塌,形成块体搬运沉积。(2)峡谷沉积受陆源物质供给、褶皱推覆带、北大西洋底流以及陆坡边界断层等因素控制。受东非裂谷海域分支活动影响,研究区陆架窄、陆坡陡,陆源物质可迅速通过陆架,进入陆坡峡谷:与河流相连的峡谷,物源充足、规模较大,有沉积物发育而没有与河流直接相连的峡谷物源有限、规模较小,峡谷内无明显沉积;褶皱推覆带通过改变海底地形来控制峡谷内沉积分布,褶皱翼部发育沉积,核部则以侵蚀为主;褶皱推覆带外,北大西洋底流与峡谷末端重力流发生交互作用,细粒物质被搬运至峡谷北岸形成漂积体;陆坡边缘断层活跃,峡谷被断层切割,形成断崖,并引发海底滑塌,陆坡处不发育水道及朵体沉积,陆源物质通过峡谷被搬运至更深的深海盆地内。     

A comparative study of Pleistocene phosphorites from the continental slope off western India

Two types of phosphorite recovered from the continental slope off western India are described. The first type, phosphorite 1, comprises a hard, grey nodule composed of carbonate fluorapatite (CFA) and calcite as major minerals. The phosphorite consists of light‐brown microcrystalline apatite containing a few skeletal fragments and planktonic foraminifera. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies show evidence of dissolution of skeletal calcite and filling of the resulting cavities by phosphate composed of ovoid to rod‐shaped apatite microparticles. Apatite also occurs as coatings on these particles. The P₂O₅ content of the phosphorite is 29%, and the CO₂ content of the CFA is about 4·5%. The rare‐earth element (REE) abundance (ΣREE=2·02 μg g^–1) is lower than in other modern phosphorites. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio and ?Nd value of this sample are 0·70921 and –9·9 respectively. The ¹⁴C age found through accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating (18 720 ± 120 years BP) is much younger than that determined by the U‐series method (100 ka). The second type, phosphorite 2, comprises a friable, light‐brown nodule consisting of CFA as the only major mineral, with a CO₂ content of the CFA of 4·5%. In thin section, the phosphate is light brown and homogeneous, and a few bone fragments are present. The P₂O₅ content is 33%, and REE contents (ΣREE = 0·18 μg g^–1) are lower than in phosphorite 1. The age of phosphorite 2 is >300 ka. Phosphorite 1 appears to have formed during the late Pleistocene through replacement of carbonate by phosphate; phosphorite 2 is also of Pleistocene age but is much older than phosphorite 1. The initial substrate for phosphorite 2 was a fish coprolite, which was subsequently phosphatized during slow sedimentation under low‐energy conditions. Microbial mediation is evident in both phosphorites. The colour, density and P₂O₅ content of the phosphorites are found to be dependent on the nature of the initial substrates and physico‐chemical conditions during phosphatization. The CO₂ content of the CFA is not related to the precursor carbonate phase. The nature of sediments, rates of sedimentation and the time spent undergoing phosphogenesis at the sediment–water interface may control REE concentrations in phosphorites.     

Benthic foraminiferal biofacies on the shelf and upper continental slope off North Kerala (Southwest India)

This study examines benthic foraminifera (>63 μm) both qualitatively and quantitatively, from 19 closely spaced surficial sediment samples covering 30 to 200 m water depths across the shelf and upper continental slope off north Kerala (SW India). A total of 59 species are recorded. The major constituents of benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the study area are fursenkoinids, bolivinids, nonionids, rotaliids, elphidiids, buliminids, miliolids, gavilinellids, amphestiginids, bagginids, vaginulinids, uvigerinids and various agglutinated taxa. Cluster analysis using Bray Curtis similarity index defines four sample groups, each typified by a characteristic assemblage representing a biofacies. The major benthic foraminiferal biofacies identified are: Biofacies I, Fursenkoina-Nonion-Ammonia beccarii s.l. (30–40 m); Biofacies II, Fursenkoina-Nonion (40–55 m); Biofacies III, Bolivina robusta-Hanzawaia-Cancris-Amphistegina and miliolids (55–115 m) and Biofacies IV, Bolivina persiensis-Uvigerina-Bulimina-Fursenkoina and agglutinants (115–200 m). Relict foraminifera, most commonly represented by shallow-water benthic taxa are concentrated on the outer shelf. The relict assemblage appears to be a product of late Pleistocene low sea level. The foraminiferal biofacies have a good correspondence with the bathymetrically distributed three major lithofacies across the shelf and the upper continental slope. We studied the distribution pattern of individual taxa constituting the biofacies. The study demonstrates a relationship between the pattern of distribution of major benthic fauna and the sediment-size and organic carbon content across the inner shelf to upper slope. Additionally, certain taxa appear to be sensitive to various hydrographic parameters, such as, Bulimina marginata to temperature and Fursenkoina complanata and Uvigerina ex gr. U. semiornata to dissolved oxygen level.     

Characterizing slope morphology using multifractal technique: a study from the western continental margin of India

Here, we present the slope configuration of the submarine gullies, ridges and the adjacent slump zone off Goa, along the western continental margin of India utilizing multibeam bathymetric and single-channel seismic data. The fluid flow migration signature in the form of pockmark seepages, traces of mud volcanoes and enhanced reflectors is observed in the area. Altogether thirty-three depth profiles from the gully, ridge and slump areas depict downslope progression in gully incision and varying gradients in the gullies (1.19–4.07°) and ridges (2.13–3.70°), whereas the profiles of the slump zone are comparatively steady (2.25–2.51°). The scatter plot of the three slope characteristics, viz., gradient, mean depth and root mean square relief, characterizes the profiles of the gullies, ridges and slump zone into three distinct clusters. Principal component analysis as well corroborates the categorization. Furthermore, a stochastic multifractal technique has been employed to understand the nature of the fine-scale seafloor processes active in the slope region. The three estimated parameters of the depth profiles, i.e., the degree of multifractality (α), sparseness (C ₁) and the degree of smoothness (H), substantiate a very high degree of multifractality for all the thirty-three bathymetric profiles. Except for the five adjacent profiles (four from the slump zone and one from the ridge), the remaining twenty-eight depth profiles of the gully, ridges and slump zones show negligible difference. Based on the multifractal study, we conclude that the observed discrimination might be due to the significant interaction between the bottom currents off Goa and the varied seafloor morphological aspects with seepages and faults.     

Slumping processes on the Caucasian continental slope of the Black Sea

New results of geomorphological, seismoacoustic, and lithological investigations on the upper continental slope off the Arkhipo-Osipovka Settlement are presented. Here, a large submarine slump was discovered by seismic survey in 1998. The assumed slump body, up to 200 m thick, rises 50–60 m above the valley floor that cuts the slope. Recent semiliquid mud that overlies laminated slope sediments with possible slump deformations flows down in the valley thalweg. Radiocarbon age inversion recorded in a Holocene sediment section of shelf facies recovered from the upper slope points to the gravity dislocation of sediments.     

Water chemistry of Mansar Lake (India): an indication of source area weathering and seasonal variability

The chemistry of major elements (Ca, Mg, Na, K and Si) and anions (HCO ₃, SO ₄ and Cl) in the water of Mansar Lake was studied, based on seasonal data. The results show that total dissolved solid (TDS) concentration in a particular season is similar, but varies slightly in different seasons with a variation factor of less than 2. This is because the collections were made in the dry seasons and the Ca-precipitation is the cause for the seasonal variability. The major element chemistry of Mansar Lake is mainly controlled by rock weathering, with HCO ₃ and Ca dominating the major ion composition because of the abundance of carbonate rocks in the basin. The results also indicate that the lake water is saturated with respect to calcite and/or dolomite during the spring season whereas it is undersaturated in the summer season. This contrast brings out seasonal variability. The lake shows disequilibrium with atmospheric CO ₂ as a result of carbonate dissolution in the drainage basin. The study also shows that physical weathering/erosion is dominant and that chemical weathering is incipient. This is consistent with the Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) data.     

Carbonate characteristics of waters of the Arctic Ocean continental slope

Carbonate characteristics of the water mass of the deepwater part of the Arctic Ocean (AO) in the continental slope area were determined, and the range and reasons of their variability during summer-fall season were revealed. The AO water area is a meaningful sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide. The warm intermediate Atlantic waters (AW) are also undersaturated with carbon dioxide relative to its content in the atmosphere. While these waters move along AO continental slope, the value pCO₂ in the AW core decreases to 8–10 μatm (mainly, due to drop in the water temperature). The potential absorption capacity of the AO deepwater basin is estimated at approximately 48 Tg of carbon (without sea ice taken into account). Joint analysis of carbonate and hydrological parameters showed that near-bottom waters formed on the shallow shelf of the Laptev Sea, which is rich in inorganic and organic carbon of terrestrial and marine genesis, take part in formation of halocline waters of the AO. They are modified due to interaction with AW penetrating to the shelf and are transferred to the deepwater AO segment, where they occur in the halocline according to their density. Transformed near-bottom waters of the Laptev Sea shelf, similar to waters of the halocline of Pacific origin in the eastern sector of the AO, are traced above the continental slope in Amundsen Basin on the basis of higher CO₂ concentrations.     

风吹雪积雪分布特征和铁路路基形式相关性研究

风吹雪作为一种由气流挟带起分散的雪粒在近地面运行的二相流现象,在风的作用下发生迁移与重新沉积。风吹雪成灾是雪颗粒、大气流场、微地貌等因素多重作用的结果。拟建伊宁(伊)—阿克苏(阿)铁路穿越尤路都斯盆地,盆地冬春季气候寒冷,降雪量较大,地面常形成较厚的积雪,发育有风吹雪灾害,可对研究区内交通工程安全造成潜在威胁。本文以新疆天山地区尤路都斯盆地风吹雪为研究对象,通过现场气象监测、冬季雪害调查等方法对盆地内积雪与风吹雪特征进行研究。进而以受风吹雪影响较大的拟建铁路阿尔先段为例,系统分析该区段风吹雪成因特征及其工程防治措施。研究发现尤路都斯盆地风吹雪宏观孕灾背景主要是受西伯利亚寒流和蒙古高压的影响,冷空气使盆地产生强劲西北向大风。低温和较低的湿度使得积雪能够以较低密度的形式持续存在,进而在较低风速下启动形成风吹雪。通过拟建铁路阿尔先段典型路堑工程数值模拟研究,得出积雪平台宽度宜设置为5 m,下导风板与水平面夹角设为90°,下导风口高度设置为1.6 m,下导风板板高设置为5 m。研究成果可为寒区交通建设防灾减灾提供有益借鉴。     

Compositional variability of ice‐rafted debris in Heinrich layers 1 and 2 on the northwest European continental slope identified by environmental magnetic analyses

The composition of ice‐rafted debris (IRD) within a sediment core from the European continental slope (core OMEX‐2K; 49° 5′ N, 13° 26′ W) has been examined using environmental magnetic analyses. The data demonstrate compositional variability of the IRD within Heinrich layers 2 (H2) and 1 (H1) and these differences are most readily explained by changes in the contribution of different IRD sources to the core site. Some IRD within the main Heinrich layers show magnetic signatures that are similar to IRD derived from the Laurentide ice sheet found in cores from within the main North Atlantic IRD‐belt. In contrast, other IRD‐rich layers, both prior to and within the main Heinrich layers, demonstrate different magnetic behaviour, suggesting a contribution from a non‐Laurentide sourced IRD, most likely derived from ice streams discharging from northeast Atlantic ice sheets such as the British and Fennoscandian ice sheets. These data are consistent with published compositional data from the same core and, given the rapid, highly sensitive and non‐destructive nature of the method, suggest that environmental magnetic analysis has considerable potential for characterising IRD materials within Heinrich layers for the purposes of defining provenance. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Changed late Quaternary marine environments on Atlantic continental shelf and upper slope

About 2000 large sediment samples were collected during the early 1960s throughout the continental shelf off the Atlantic coast of the United States to establish and map sediment types including sediments relict from times of glacially low (and subsequently higher) sea levels. In about 510 of these samples we found fossil shells of mollusks remaining from environmental conditions different from those at present. Publications and collections by others contain about 70 additional samples having relict mollusks. Some of these shells indicate lower sea levels, others colder water, and still others warmer water than is now present. Radiocarbon measurements from earlier studies by us and others established the dates of colder water (late Pleistocene), and we made additional measurements to learn the dates of warmer water (about 1000 to 2000 yr B.P.). The results show reasonably enough that continental shelves are the sites of relict faunas as well as of sediments that indicate changed and complex environmental histories.     

Geochemical features of sediments on the continental slope of the Weddell Sea and their paleoceanographic interpretation

Genetic sediment types have been identified based on the study of sediment core PS 1599 of bottom sediments recovered from the eastern continental slope of the Weddell Sea. The XRF analysis of 48 samples from this core carried out at the Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry (Moscow) yielded the first comprehensive geochemical characteristics of all genetic types. Methods of correlation and factor analyses were used to outline geochemical associations of sediments and examine causes of their formation, including the role of grain size composition. The results obtained have revealed fundamental differences between sources, mechanisms, and methods of the transportation of sedimentary material for Holocene sediments, on the one hand, and Weichselian sediments, on the other hand.     

青藏高原坡面冻土土壤水分空间变异特性

为深入揭示坡面冻土水分运移规律及其主要影响因子,以青藏高原巴颜喀拉山北坡为例,结合冻融变化过程,研究不同地形条件冻土土壤水分空间变异特征,利用分类回归树模型（CART）和典范对应分析（CCA）识别影响坡面冻土土壤水分空间异质性的主控因子及其相互作用关系。研究结果表明:①受坡面地形与冻融过程影响,冻结期坡面冻土土壤水分侧向流动减弱,以垂直迁移为主,上坡位含量高于下坡位,反之,融化期上坡位含量则低于下坡位。②影响坡面冻土土壤水分的主要环境因子为高程、土壤质地、土壤温度和植被覆盖度,但在不同冻融阶段下其影响因子存在差异,在冻结状态下主要因子为高程、土壤质地和土壤温度,其相对贡献率分别达到19.97%、19.45%和9.56%;在融化阶段下主要因子为高程、植被覆盖度和土壤质地,其相对贡献率分别为37.4%、14.9%和10.7%。③ 0~20 cm浅层深度上影响坡面冻土土壤水分的主要因素为坡度、高程和植被覆盖度,其相关系数分别高达0.941 2、0.903 9和0.563 1;中下层深度上其主要影响因素较为复杂。     

土体参数空间变异性对边坡失效模式间相关性及系统可靠度的影响

常用的计算失效模式间近似相关系数存在一定的误差,采用Pearson相关系数准确地表征边坡失效模式间相关性。基于近似相关系数和Pearson相关系数,研究了土体参数空间变异性对边坡失效模式间相关性、代表性失效模式数目、边坡系统失效概率上、下限3方面的影响。简要介绍了选取边坡代表性滑动面的风险聚类法以及系统失效概率上、下限的Ditlevsen双模界限公式。以单层和两层边坡为例研究了近似相关系数的适用性。结果表明:常用的近似相关系数不能考虑土体参数空间变异性对边坡失效模式间相关性的影响,而Pearson相关系数能够有效地反映土体参数空间变异性对边坡失效模式间相关性的影响。当土体参数空间变异性较弱时,近似相关系数与Pearson相关系数间差别明显,基于近似相关系数会选取过多的代表性滑动面,不能有效地反映边坡代表性破坏模式。此外,基于近似相关系数计算的边坡系统失效概率上限会超过1,系统失效概率上、下限范围很宽,使得系统失效概率上、下限失去了意义。相比之下,基于Pearson相关系数计算的边坡系统失效概率上、下限范围较窄,能够有效地反映系统失效概率变化情况。     

Subsidence and strike-slip tectonism of the upper continental slope off Manzanillo, Mexico

The direction of convergence between the Rivera and North American plates becomes progressively more oblique (in a counter-clockwise sense as measured relative to the trench-normal direction) northwestward along the Jalisco subduction zone. By analogy to other subduction zones, the forces resulting from this distribution of convergence directions are expected to produce a NW moving, fore-arc sliver and a NW–SE stretching of the fore-arc area. Also, a series of roughly arc parallel strike-slip faults may form in the fore-arc area, both onshore and offshore, as is observed in the Aleutian arc.In the Jalisco subduction zone, the Jalisco block has been proposed to represent such a fore-arc sliver. However, this proposal has encountered one major problem. Namely, right-lateral strike-slip faulting within the fore-arc sliver, and between the fore-arc sliver and the North American plate, should be observed. However, evidence for the expected right-lateral strike-slip faulting is sparse. Some evidence for right-lateral strike-slip faulting along the Jalisco block–North American plate boundary (the Tepic–Zacoalco rift system) has been reported, although some disagreement exists. Right-lateral strike-slip faulting has also been reported within the interior of the Jalisco block and in the southern Colima rift, which forms the SE boundary of the Jalisco block.Threefold, multi-channel seismic reflection data were collected in the offshore area of the Jalisco subduction zone off Manzanillo in April 2002 during the FAMEX campaign of the N/O L'Atalante. These data provide additional evidence for recent strike-slip motion within the fore-arc region of the Jalisco subduction zone. This faulting offsets right-laterally a prominent horst block within the southern Colima rift, from which we conclude that the sense of motion along the faulting is dextral. These data also provide additional evidence for recent subsidence within the area offshore of Manzanillo, as has been proposed.