Synthetic P-wave seismograms for the Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh,India) earthquake of January 19, 1975

Long-period P-wave seismograms are computed for the Kinnaur earthquake of January 19, 1975, using a bilateral-bidirectional propagating rectangular fault model. Comparison of computed and observed P-wave seismograms shows good agreement. Hence, it is inferred that a bilateral-bidirectional fault is a suitable model for this earthquake.     

Site-specific Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Map of Himachal Pradesh,India. Part II. Hazard Estimation

This article presents site-specific probable seismic hazard of the Himachal Pradesh province, situated in a seismically active region of northwest Himalaya, using the ground motion relations presented in a companion article. Seismic recurrence parameters for all the documented probable sources are established from an updated earthquake catalogue. The contour maps of probable spectral acceleration at 0, 0.2, and 1 s (5% damping) are presented for 475 and 2475 years return periods. Also, the hazard curves and uniform hazard response spectrums are presented for all the important cities in this province. Results indicate that the present codal provision underestimates the seismic hazard at cities of Bilaspur, Shimla, Hamirpur, Chamba, Mandi, and Solan. In addition, regions near Bilaspur and Chamba exhibit higher hazard levels than what is reported in literature.     

Dynamics and patterns of land levelling for agricultural reclamation of erosional badlands in Chambal Valley (Madhya Pradesh,India)

Gully and badland erosion constitute important land‐degradation processes with severe on‐site and off‐site effects above all in sedimentary deposits and alluvial soils of the arid and semi‐arid regions. Agricultural use of the affected land is impeded both by the irreversible loss of topsoil and the morphological dissection of the terrain. In various badland regions around the world, a solution to the latter problem is attempted by infilling of gullies and levelling of badland topography in order restore a morphology suitable for agricultural cultivation. Gully and badland levelling for agricultural reclamation has been conducted for decades in the large ravine lands of India. This study aims at analysing the distribution and dynamics of land levelling within the Chambal badlands in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh, between 1971 and 2015. Using high to medium resolution satellite images from the Corona, Landsat, Aster and RapidEye missions and a multi‐temporal classification approach, we have mapped and quantified areas that were newly levelled within eight observation periods. We analysed the spatial relation of levelled land to several physical and socio‐economic factors that potentially influence the choice of reclamation site by employing geographic information system (GIS) analysis methods and results from focus‐group discussions in selected villages. Results show that nearly 38 km² or 23% of the badlands in the study area have been levelled within 45 years. The levelling rate generally increases during the observation period, but the annual variability is high. We have found spatial relationships to badland morphology, vicinity of existing cropland and proximity to villages and drainage lines. From a socio‐economic point of view, availability of financial and technical means, access rights to the badland and ownership issues play an important role. Considering studies on soil degradation caused by levelling of badlands in other regions, the sustainability of the newly reclaimed fields in the Chambal badlands is questionable. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Site-specific Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Map of Himachal Pradesh,India. Part I. Site-specific Ground Motion Relations

This article presents four regional site-specific ground motion relations developed for the state of Himachal Pradesh in northwest Himalaya, situated in a seismically active region. These relations are developed from synthetic free surface ground motion databases obtained from a calibrated stochastic seismological model considering the characteristic properties of this specific region. The adopted methodology incorporates the site effects characterised through active MASW tests conducted in 22 important cities. The estimated ground motion levels from the developed relations are found to be in reasonable agreement with the recorded data.     

Integrated approach of heavy metal pollution indices and complexity quantification using chemometric models in the Sirsa Basin,Nalagarh valley,Himachal Pradesh,India

Chemometric techniques and pollution assessment indices were applied to determine the source and intensity of pollution in the Sirsa River, Himachal Pradesh,India. Results show EC, Cr, Fe, Mn, and Ni were above the permissible limit as per the Bureau of Indian Standards.The heavy metal pollution index(HPI) and contamination index(Cd) provided contrasting outcome and poor correlation was observed. A heavy metal evaluation index(HEI)method was developed using a multiple of the mean and correlation coefficient values to provide an alternative pollution classification. The criteria of HEI adopted for reclassification of HPI and Cdproduced comparable results; 40 % samples were labeled as low contamination,50 % as medium contamination, and 10 % as high contamination for all indices. Principal component analysis along with cluster analysis was used to identify the main factors responsible for degradation of water quality,namely discharge of industrial effluent, river bed mining,agricultural runoff, and minor natural or geogenic input.The methods and chemometric study proposed here can be used as effective tools to gather information about water quality and water resource management.     

Microearthquake studies in Egypt carried out by the geological survey of Egypt

Extensive microearthquake studies have been conducted in Egypt as a joint project between scientists from the Egyptian Geological Survey and Mining Authority (EGSMA) and U.S. scientists. At this stage, a great part of the data has been analyzed and two intensively active areas have been located: one in the Abu Dabbab area of the Eastern Desert, the second at the mouth of the Gulf of Suez near Gubal Island (Daggett et al., 1980). Both sites have been reported to be the epicenters of large earthquakes in 1955 and 1969, respectively. A few scattered earthquakes have also been located in the northern part of the Red Sea, some of which lie along its median axis (Daggett et al., 1986) adding to evidence for the medial opening of the northern Red Sea. After the occurrence of an earthquake (M = 5.5) in the Aswan region on 14 November 1981, continuous recording of the many aftershocks was carried out by EGSMA for about seven months from December 1981 to July 1982, when the temporary network was replaced by a network of telemetered seismographs installed and operated by Helwan Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics in cooperation with scientists from Lamont and Doherty Geological Observatory (LDGO). The majority of epicenters are concentrated in the vicinity of G. Marawa about 65 km upstream of Aswan Dam, along the E-W Kalabsha fault. The observed focal mechanism is consistent with a right-lateral strike-slip motion on the Kalabsha fault. Analysis of Aswan microearthquakes has been done by EGSMA in cooperation with scientists from California Division of Mines and Geology (CDMG).     

Ichthyofauna (Chondrichthyes,Osteichthyes) from the Upper Cretaceous intertrappean beds of Piplanarayanwar,Chhindwara District,Madhya Pradesh,India

A new fossiliferous intertrappean section is found 92 km southwest of the extensively studied intertrappean beds of Mohgaonkalan and Jhilmili in Chhindwara District, Central India. Application of the bulk screen‐washing method led to the recovery of a rich microvertebrate fauna represented by fish, amphibians, crocodiles, snakes and dinosaurs. In this paper, the ichthyofauna recovered from the new intertrappean section consisting of Igdabatis indicus Prasad and Cappetta, 1993, Lepisosteus indicus Woodward, 1908, Osteoglossidae gen. et sp. indet., Pycnodontidae gen. et sp. indet. and Siluriformes indet. is described. The ichthyofauna dominantly represented by the teeth of Igdabatis indicus is suggestive of a nearshore, deltaic or estuarine palaeoenvironment and Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) age for the intertrappean beds. The remarkable similarity of the new intertrappean fauna to that of Asifabad and the infratrappean beds of Marepalli also is suggestive of coastal‐plain conditions all along the Godavari lineament in the Late Cretaceous. Although the presence of planktonic foraminifera in the intertrappean beds of Jhilmili in the Mandla Lobe of Deccan volcanic province has been inferred in terms of a short term marine incursion from the west coast along the Narmada lineament in the Early Palaeocene, currently there is no definitive evidence for the prevalence of marine or coastal‐plain conditions along the Narmada lineament at least in the latest Cretaceous.     

Geology of the Corbetti Caldera area (Main Ethiopian Rift Valley)

The Corbetti Caldera area, a recent volcanic complex in the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley, is described. In the area, most of the volcanic products are peralkaline pyroclastics (ignimbrites and pumice). The volcanological history of this complex has been reconstructed. It comprises fissure eruptions, which were followed by a volcano-tectonic collapse. Finally the activity resumed with the birth of two recent peralkaline volcanoes (Urji and Chabbi) inside the caidera. Both these volcanoes are at present in a fumarolic stage. Relations between the tectonic of the Rift Valley and the volcanological evolution of the Caldera Corbetti Area are discussed.     

Remanent magnetism of the Deccan Trap flows around Sagar,Madhya Pradesh,India

The results of remanent magnetic studies on eight of the nine Deccan Trap flows in the vicinity of Sagar (23°56′ N: 78°38′ E) are presented. It is found that the lower four flows in the sequence are of ‘reversed’ magnetic polarity. Of the upper four flows, the top and the bottom ones show ‘intermediate’ directions while the two flows sandwiched between these are ‘normal’. These results suggest a transitional stage between the polarity inversion of the geomagnetic field from ‘reversed’ to ‘normal’ during the eruption of these Deccan Trap flows. The remanent magnetic directions of these ‘reversed’ and ‘normal’ flows show fairly shallow inclinations and are comparable to the remanent magnetic directions of the Pavagarh basalts.     

CSAMT和重力方法在狮子湖温泉深部地球物理勘查中的应用

作为一种新型开发的绿色能源,地热资源被越来越多的人所重视.开采埋藏较深的地热资源风险大,因此开发前的地质和地球物理勘查是十分必要的.采用单一的地球物理方法勘探具有很大的风险,因此采用多种方法进行综合调查可以降低单一方法的风险,取得较好的效果.本文以狮子湖温泉为例,研究了地球物理方法在温泉勘探的应用.本次勘探采用可控源音频大地电磁法(CSAMT-Controlled Source Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics)和微重力测量,CSAMT是针对大地电磁测深法场源的随机性和信号微弱,提出的一种采用可以控制的人工场源改进方案.仪器采用美国Zonge公司生产的GDP-32Ⅱ.该方法由人工向地下供入音频谐变电流建立电磁场,通过仪器在地面接收从地下反馈来的信息,根据不同时代、岩性地层电性特征达到勘查目的.为此我们在测区做了两条剖面,从CSAMT反演图推断,自上而下可分为3个电阻率层,该剖面视电阻率具有很好的层理特征,反映了厚大的中新生代地层（Edn、K）覆盖.剖面西部有明显的泥盆系地层（D）存在.根据视电阻率的变化特点,可以推断这条剖面的5条断层.在剖面中部距地表400～800米深处存在一明显低阻区,推测应为含水破碎带或低阻泥岩.对数据进行二维反演,可以清楚的看到利于储水的盆地构造.CSAMT方法受静态效应影响很大.静态效应位移可能是由地形和电阻率的浅部的横向变化引起的,既是不可避免的,也是不可预测的.因此对数据进行预处理是十分必要的.减少静态效应的影响办法有以下三种：（1）、对效应进行理论计算;（2）、采用空间滤波和相位积分等处理方法;（3）、使用独立的、无静态效应的测量方法.计算静态效应理论值在理论上是简捷的,但在实际的野外条件下,由于无法预测引起静态效应的物体的几何尺寸和电性参数,因此这种方法无法得到可靠的校正值.空间滤波处理是目前广泛采用的一类方法,Bostick（1986）提出了消除MT数据中静态效应的电磁列阵剖面法（EMAP）.EMAP法由于采用连续的剖面测量,可采用窗口可变的自适应空间滤波器-汉宁窗（Hanning window）或叫余弦钟形滤波器消除静态效应.但是这种方法提供了静态效应的要求的数据密度,这就增大了大量的额外测量,提高了获得数据的代价.因此,我们做重力勘探与CSAMT相对比.微重力测量使用美国产LCR-D型重力仪.实测的微重力异常是地下由浅到深各类地质体的物性差异在地面综合叠加的效应,其中包括界面起伏、岩性不均匀、地壳与壳下物质的厚度变化等诸多地质因素在内.实测的重力异常值经过固体潮改正、零点漂移改正、布格改正、正常场改正之后,得到改正后的重力异常值.从微重力反演结果看来,自西往东重力异常逐渐减小,程台阶下降趋势,并趋于平缓,验证了CSAMT的异常结果.从而弥补了CSAMT法的不足.通过这两种方法,我们大致查明了新生代红层盆地的产出形态.该红层盆地西侧边缘位于青山小学一带,自西往东变深;并反演计算出新生代红层与晚古生代泥盆系地层的分界面.深部地球物理勘探的方法有很多,各有各自的优缺点,我们不能从单一的一种方法得到的结论来判断地下地质构造.CSAMT法勘探深度大,但由于本身的物理特性,导致静态效应、近场效应等影响甚大.严重影响我们对地下地质目标体深度的判断,重力和CSAMT法的相互验证,很好的说明了多种地球物理方法综合测定的优势.     

Anomalous CO2 content in the Gallicano thermo-mineral spring (Serchio Valley,Italy) before the 21 June 2013, Alpi Apuane earthquake (M = 5.2)

Since late 2002, a continuous automatic monitoring network is operating in Tuscany, Central Italy, to investigate the geochemical response of selected aquifers to local seismic activity. The monitoring is aimed at identifying possible earthquake geochemical precursors. The network is currently constituted by six stations, all equipped with sensors for the measurement of temperature, pH, redox potential, electrical conductivity, CO₂ and CH₄ dissolved concentration, that have been installed in the areas of highest seismic risk of the region. By combining geochemical data gathered from the automatic station of Gallicano (Garfagnana, Northern Tuscany), and obtained via chemical analyses of spring water samples collected during periodic field surveys in the area surrounding this station, the most significant aspects of the deep fluid circulation paths feeding the Gallicano thermo-mineral system have been investigated, and the geochemical baseline of the Gallicano spring defined. The CO₂ continuous signal recorded by the Gallicano automatic station has been then processed over the period 2003–2013 in the search for anomalies possibly related to local seismic activity. A substantial anomaly in CO₂ content has been observed at Gallicano in conjunction with the Alpi Apuane earthquake (M = 5.2) of 21 June 2013.     

Physico-chemical evolution of groundwater in tectonically active areas. Application to the Leana hot spring (Murcia Region,SE Spain)

Seismic events can affect the physico-chemical characteristics of groundwater. These anomalies are of a pre-seismic, co-seismic and post-seismic nature and correspond to pulse variations, sudden increases and decreases without return to initial values and upward or downward changes in trend. Continuous and in situ conductivity and temperature monitoring and periodic water sampling at a hot spring associated with neotectonic activity are of great interest for establishing predictive methods. This method is limited to the seismic activity affecting the fracturing system with which the hot spring is associated. The Region of Murcia and surroundings (southeast Spain) was selected as the study area for exploring the nature of these influences on groundwater. A hot spring in the Leana spa (Murcia) was equipped and monitored during the period 2006–2008, allowing for the in situ determination of conductivity and temperature as well as of major and minor constituents at the laboratory. Due to its proximity and related with fault network, we suggest that 86 % of earthquakes located between 0 and 10 km may affect in situ parameters of groundwater, and 75 % may affect laboratory determinations. This percentage drops in more distant zones. Of all earthquakes that seem to influence groundwater, 55 % of the in situ parameter anomalies and 53 % of laboratory were of a pre-seismic nature.     

Environmental tritium and radiocarbon studies in the Vedavati River basin, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, India

Environmental tritium and radiocarbon studies were undertaken in the Vedavati river basin situated partly in Karnataka and partly in Andhra Pradesh, India, aimed at the determination of the general recharge condition of the water-bearing zones in the gneissic complex, granites and the Dharwar Group of metamorphic rocks, where groundwater occurs under semi-unconfined to semi-confined conditions and at places under the water-table condition. The groundwater movement is controlled by fractures, fissures, a weathered zone and surficial mantle. An attempt was also made to find out whether substantial recharge occurs along fractured lineaments; whether the water-bearing zones can be considered as interconnected or isolated, and whether the recharge and discharge areas identified by geohydrological considerations can be confirmed.

Environmental tritium and radiocarbon contents, measured in 45 groundwater samples, show that a large number of samples are very young, containing water from post-thermonuclear-era rain, thus indicating an age less than 25 yr. In some other samples, despite radiocarbon ages found to be older, some component of recent precipitation is found to be present as indicated by bomb tritium.

Groundwater dating in the area shows an excellent correlation between hydro-isochrons of minimum age with the recharge contour of maximum magnitude. This study has clearly resulted in the demarcation of the recharge areas. However, the discharge areas as such cannot be clearly delineated because of lack of a pattern indicating increase of ages in any particular direction. This, however, also reflects somewhat discontinuous groundwater bodies, which may also be expected from the general structure and hydrogeology of the region. Along a major lineament the groundwater is found to be very young thus confirming that substantial recharge occurs along lineaments.     

Principal Component Analysis for Water Quality Assessment of the Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh,India

Water Resources - The present study is an attempt to apply principal component analysis (PCA) for spatial assessment of water quality parameters that are responsible for water quality deterioration...     

Active faulting of the southeastern-most Zagros (Iran): Microearthquake seismicity and crustal structure

The microseismicity of the southeastern-most Zagros is examined by high-resolution data recorded by a temporary dense local seismic network. The seismicity defines a diffuse pattern, mostly located beneath folds in the southern part of the High Zagros Fault (HZF). Seismicity dips gently northward in the depth range 6–25 km, implying slip on a major intracrustal thrust fault extending to the north of the Main Zagros Reverse Fault (MZRF) which seems to connect to the Mountain Frontal Fault (MFF). Furthermore, observed focal mechanisms suggest transpressive motion on the HZF located west of the Zendan-Minab-Palami (ZMP) fault system and striking obliquely to the convergent motion. These observations suggest that the transition zone between the Zagros continental collision zone and the Makran oceanic subduction zone is not confined to the east of the ZMP and some part of the this diffuse transition is accommodated north of the Hormuz Strait in the west by partitioning between strike-slip and shortening components. The Zagros reverse domain is terminated by a transpressive tectonic regime. Moho depth beneath the MZRF, deduced from receiver functions, is almost 45 km thinner than is observed in the central and northern parts of the Zagros. These observations support a model of active underthrusting of the Arabian plate beneath central Iran in the southeastern-most Zagros.     

Study of solute sources and evolution of hydrogeochemical processes of the Chhota Shigri Glacier meltwaters,Himachal Himalaya,India

Abstract

This study was carried out from 2003 to 2007 to understand the hydrogeochemical processes and the solute sources of the meltwaters of the Chhota Shigri Glacier, Himalaya. The meltwater is almost neutral to slightly alkaline in nature: bicarbonate and sulphate are the dominant anions, while calcium and magnesium are the dominant cations. Bicarbonate is found to be derived from carbonate weathering and partly from silicate weathering. Rock weathering followed by precipitation are the main controlling factors that influence the meltwater chemistry of this region. The relatively high values of pCO₂ reflect a higher rate of solubility in comparison to release of excess CO₂ gas to the atmosphere. The presence of active hydrogeochemical processes and sediment–water interaction results in excess solute transport through the meltwater to the Chandra River that feeds the Chenab, one of the great Himalayan river systems, and ultimately flows into the ocean. This study is the first of its kind to understand in detail the hydrogeochemical process and resultant solute load transport in this Himalayan glacier.

Citation Sharma, P., Ramanathan, A.L., and Pottakkal, J., 2013. Study of solute sources and evolution of hydrogeochemical processes of the Chhota Shigri Glacier meltwaters, Himachal Himalaya, India. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (5), 1128–1143.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz     

Fluoride hazard and assessment of groundwater quality in the semi-arid Upper Panda River basin,Sonbhadra district,Uttar Pradesh,India

Abstract

Around 9000 inhabitants in the Panda River basin, Sonbhadhra District, Uttar Pradesh, India, are vulnerable to a “silent” dental and skeletal fluorosis from groundwater consumption. The fluoride source and seasonal groundwater quality variation were studied by collecting 65 groundwater samples in the Upper Panda River basin. Major rock types are phyllites and granite gneissic rocks. Fluoride concentrations are in the range 0.4–5.6 mg/L in the pre-monsoon season and 0.1–6.7 mg/L in the post-monsoon season. Fluor-apatite and biotite mica in the granite gneissic rock were identified as the main provenance of fluoride in the groundwater through water–rock interactions. Due to precipitation of calcium, soils become alkaline with high contents of sodium; these conditions allow fluoride to accumulate in water. According to risk index calculations, the fluoride-affected villages were shown to fall in the fluoride risk zone (with a risk index of around 1.7). On the basis of mineral stability diagrams, groundwater from the weathered and fractured aquifers appears to be stable within the kaolinite field, suggesting weathering of silicate minerals. The groundwater is chemically potable and suitable for domestic and agricultural purposes, except for a few wells in the southern region that are contaminated with high amounts of fluoride.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis

Citation Raju, N.J., Dey, S., Gossel, W., and Wycisk, P., 2012. Fluoride hazard and assessment of groundwater quality in the semi-arid Upper Panda River basin, Sonbhadra District, Uttar Pradesh, India. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (7), 1433–1452.