Robust phase algorithms for estimating apparent slowness vectors of seismic waves from regional events

In this paper, we consider the problem of estimating the apparent slowness vector p of a plane P wave caused by a regional seismic event and recorded by a small-aperture seismic array. The case is considered when strong non-stationary and non-Gaussian random interferences act on the array sensors. In this case, the well-known estimate of wideband frequency-wave-number analysis (WFK) becomes ineffective due to large estimation errors. We have proposed three new algorithms for estimating the vector p that are robust i.e. resistant to changes in the statistical properties of the random interferences. They mainly use information about the slowness vector contained in the phases of the spectra of seismograms recorded by the array sensors. An intensive Monte Carlo simulation was carried out to compare the accuracy of the proposed phase-based estimates with the accuracy of WFK-estimate in the case when non-stationary and non-Gaussian anthropogenic interferences act on the array sensors. In the simulation we used synthetic mixtures of signals caused by a seismic event and anthropogenic seismic interferences. These signals and interferences were recorded by real small-aperture seismic arrays. It was shown that the proposed phase-based estimates of the vector p provide significantly better accuracy than traditional WFK-estimate in the case of strong anthropogenic interferences, and have approximately the same accuracy in the case of white Gaussian noise.

     

Input parameters for estimating seismic loading

The estimation of seismic loading requires both the featuring of the seismotectonic environment as well as a prognosis of site-specific strong ground-motion parameters. Due to the long recurrence times of larger events, there is a lack of high quality strong motion recordings at many sites. The use of seismograms obtained from different seismotectonic regions, additionally recorded under different subsoil conditions, poses several questions as to the significance of the assessment of seismic loading. A way to overcome these problems is the generation of synthetic seismograms, e.g. by the use of Boore's stochastic procedure. Subsoil conditions may be explicitly included in the simulation as proposed by Kunze et al. In this context, the seismotectonic environment forms the deterministic frame of any stochastic strong ground-motion simulation. In terms of Boore's approach, seismic moment, global stress drop, high frequency cut off, and focal depth act as controlling parameters. In order to achieve a more realistic assessment of possible seismic loading, a classification of seismoactive zones should account for parameter vectors as described above rather than for single parameters like magnitudes or intensities. A tool to attack this task may be found in cluster analysis, which is a type of pattern recognition based on statistical considerations. Crucial to this technique, however, is the use of properly estimated parameters, which still cause discussion in the seismological community. Problems and chances of the approach are discussed with examples from the Swabian Jura and the Rhine graben.Paper presented at the 21st General Assembly of the European Seismological Commission held in Sofia, 1988.     

Constraints on seismic velocity anomalies beneath the Siberian craton from xenoliths and petrophysics

High seismic Vp velocity anomalies (8.7–9.0 km s^− 1) have long been known about in regions of the uppermost mantle of the Siberian craton, often in association with kimberlite fields. Laboratory measurement of seismic properties of five xenoliths, three peridotites and two eclogites, from the Udachnaya kimberlite under confining pressures up to 600 MPa were extrapolated to uppermost mantle P–T conditions of 1500 MPa and 500 °C, however none of the velocities are high enough to explain the observations. Eclogites or peridotites are commonly considered to be the source of anomalous high velocities. We prefer a peridotitic source to an eclogitic source due to the unusual chemistry and regional uniformity of eclogitic garnets required, maximum velocity limitations on laboratory measurements of seismic properties of natural eclogites, and purported abundance of eclogites in the lithosphere. Alternatively, a highly depleted peridotite, such as dunite or harzburgite, can produce velocities high enough to match observations. Olivine petrofabrics in most peridotites, including the three peridotites used in this study, are great enough to produce the observed high velocities provided olivine petrofabrics are continuous enough and correctly oriented to be seismically detectable and the modal proportion of olivine is high. There have been suggestions by other authors that the Siberian upper mantle is highly depleted and that a lithosphere-scale shear zone exists, which may have acted to organize fabrics into segments large enough for detection. Anomalously high Vp–Vs velocity ratios of greater than 1.8 are expected parallel to the olivine [100] maxima required to be present in a high-velocity olivine-dominated upper mantle. Vp–Vs velocity ratios can serve as a means of inferring large-scale anisotropy when limited seismic data are available, as in Siberia.     

平衡热液体系中硫同位素演化的几个图解

根据含硫矿物的同位素组成推断热液矿床成因是很有意义的。 1968年首先由H.Sakai指出热液的温度和pH值可以影响硫化物的同位素组成。接着,1972年H.Ohmoto以及1979年他和R.O.Rye系统讨论了平衡条件下热液的物理化学条件对硫同位素分馏的影响,建立了高温热液系统和低温热液系统的热液流体以及含硫矿物与热液成分和物理化学条件(温度、压力、氧逸度和酸碱度等)之间的数学表达式。     

Static and dynamic fault parameters of the Saitama earthquake of July 1, 1968

The source mechanism of the Saitama earthquake (36.07°N,139.40°E, M_s = 5.4) of July 1, 1968, is studied on the basis of P-wave first motion, aftershock, long-period surface-wave data and low-magnification long-period seismograms recorded in the nearfield. A precise location of the aftershocks is made using P and S—P time data obtained by a micro-earthquake observatory network. The synthetic near-field seismograms based on the Haskell model are directly compared with the observed near-field seismograms for wave form and amplitude to determine the dynamic fault parameters. The results obtained are as follows: source geometry, reverse dip slip with considerable right-lateral strike-slip component; dip direction, N6°E; dip angle 30°; fault dimension, 10 × 6 km²; rupture velocity, 3.4 km/sec in the direction S30°E; average dislocation, 92 cm; average dislocation velocity, 92 cm/sec; seismic moment, 1.9 · 10²⁵ dyn-cm; stress drop, 100 bar. The effective stress is about the same as the stress drop. For major earthquakes in the Japanese Islands, the dislocation velocity, .D, is found to be proportional to the stress drop, σ. This relation can be expressed by .D - (β/μ)σ, where β is the shear velocity and μ is the rigidity. This result has an importance in engineering seismology because the stress drop scales the seismic motion in the vicinity of an earthquake fault.     

Crustal anisotropy in southwest Ireland from analysis of controlled source shear-wave data

Results from a travel-time analysis of three-component shear-wave (S-wave) data recorded in southwest Ireland during a controlled source seismic experiment have been used to investigate the magnitude of crustal anisotropy. The data used were recorded from 20 in-line shots on three-component short-period stations deployed at approximately 1-km spacing along two parallel profiles. Analysis of the travel-time differences between vertically and horizontally polarised S-waves recorded on vertical, radial and transverse seismometer components was undertaken using seismic phases travelling near the Earth's surface (S_g) and reflected from the Moho (S_mS). Travel-time differences between the components for both phases scatter largely within the range ± 0.2 s, which is about the uncertainty in the measurements, with no observed coherent variation with shot-receiver offset. Synthetic S-wave seismograms were also computed from 1-D S-wave velocity models with varying degrees of anisotropy in the upper and in the lower crusts. Travel-time differences of S_g and S_mS phases picked from these synthetic seismograms confirm that for anisotropies with probable symmetries of magnitude 1–2% in either the upper or lower crust should result in an observable variation of the travel-time differences between the transverse and radial, and transverse and vertical components with source–receiver offset. The study shows that crustal anisotropy does not contribute significantly to the marked anisotropy recently deduced from SKS and SKKS measurements in Ireland, which is therefore confirmed to reside at sub-crustal and deeper mantle levels.     

The effect of reservoir length on seismic performance of gravity dams to near- and far-fault ground motions

In this article, the effect of reservoir length on seismic performance of gravity dams to near- and far-fault ground motions is investigated. For this purpose, four finite element models of dam–reservoir–foundation interaction system are prepared by using the Lagrangian approach. In these models, the reservoir length varies from H to 4H (H: the height of dam). The Folsom gravity dam is selected as a numerical application. Two different ground motion records of 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake are used in the analyses. One of ground motions is recorded in near fault; the other is recorded in far fault. Also, the two records have the same peak ground acceleration. The study mainly consists of three parts to assess the effects of reservoir length on the seismic performance of the concrete gravity dam. In the first part, the linear time-history analyses of the four finite element models prepared for the Folsom gravity dam are performed. In the second part, the seismic performance of the dam is evaluated according to demand–capacity ratio and cumulative inelastic duration. Finally, the nonlinear time-history analyses of the finite element models of the dam are carried out by using Drucker–Prager yield criteria for dam concrete. It is seen from the analyses results that the seismic behavior of the concrete gravity dams is considerably affected from the length of the reservoir. The reservoir length of 3H is adequate for concrete gravity dams. The selection of ground motion is on of the important parts of seismic evaluation of gravity dams. Also, the frequency characteristics of the ground motion having the same peak ground acceleration affect the seismic performance of the dam. The near-fault ground motions are generally creates more stress on the dam body than far-fault ground motions. The used performance approach provides a systematic methodology for assessment of the seismic performance and necessity of nonlinear analyses for dam systems.     

Resampling methods for evaluating the uncertainty of the nonparametric magnitude distribution estimation in the Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis

The cumulative distribution function (CDF) of magnitude of seismic events is one of the most important probabilistic characteristics in Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA). The magnitude distribution of mining induced seismicity is complex. Therefore, it is estimated using kernel nonparametric estimators. Because of its model-free character the nonparametric approach cannot, however, provide confidence interval estimates for CDF using the classical methods of mathematical statistics.To assess errors in the seismic events magnitude estimation, and thereby in the seismic hazard parameters evaluation in the nonparametric approach, we propose the use of the resampling methods. Resampling techniques applied to a one dataset provide many replicas of this sample, which preserve its probabilistic properties. In order to estimate the confidence intervals for the CDF of magnitude, we have developed an algorithm based on the bias corrected and accelerated method (BC_a method). This procedure uses the smoothed bootstrap and second-order bootstrap samples. We refer to this algorithm as the iterated BC_a method. The algorithm performance is illustrated through the analysis of Monte Carlo simulated seismic event catalogues and actual data from an underground copper mine in the Legnica–Głogów Copper District in Poland.The studies show that the iterated BC_a technique provides satisfactory results regardless of the sample size and actual shape of the magnitude distribution.     

Geobarometry of low-temperature eclogites: applications of isothermal pressure-activity calculations

Estimation of metamorphic pressures in low temperature eclogite (Type C) is difficult because of the high variance mineral assemblages and problems in geothermometry, solution properties of low-temperature omphacite, and the thermodynamic properties of clinozoisite. We have considered equilibria in the CaO–FeO–MgO–TiO₂–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O (CFMTASH) system involving the phase components, quartz, rutile, kyanite, ilmenite, almandine, pyrope, grossular, clinozoisite, sphene, diopside, and H₂O-fluid There are four linearly independent equilibria involving the phase components in this system. Because kyanite can crystallize as a nearly pure phase, the lack of kyanite in a rock indicates that a _Al2SiO5 is<1.0. If we can estimate temperature independently, we can solve for a _Al2SiO5 and pressure by using two of the equilibria in isothermal pressure-activity diagrams. We have applied this approach to eclogites from New Caledonia and from southwestern Oregon. For the New Caledonia eclogites, calculated pressures range from 11.2 to 13.6 kbar at 500°C, and are consistent with the minimum pressures based upon the presence of jadeitic pyroxene+quartz and the lack of stable albite. Oregon eclogites come from different tectonic blocks and calculated minimum pressures of 11–12 kbar are based upon the presence of jadeitic pyroxene+rutile+garnet and lack of stable albite and ilmenite at reduced values of a _SiO2 (0.7–0.9).     

H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O storage capacity of olivine and low-Ca pyroxene from 10 to 13 GPa: consequences for dehydration melting above the transition zone

The onset of hydrous partial melting in the mantle above the transition zone is dictated by the H₂O storage capacity of peridotite, which is defined as the maximum concentration that the solid assemblage can store at P and T without stabilizing a hydrous fluid or melt. H₂O storage capacities of minerals in simple systems do not adequately constrain the peridotite water storage capacity because simpler systems do not account for enhanced hydrous melt stability and reduced H₂O activity facilitated by the additional components of multiply saturated peridotite. In this study, we determine peridotite-saturated olivine and pyroxene water storage capacities at 10–13 GPa and 1,350–1,450°C by employing layered experiments, in which the bottom ~2/3 of the capsule consists of hydrated KLB-1 oxide analog peridotite and the top ~1/3 of the capsule is a nearly monomineralic layer of hydrated Mg# 89.6 olivine. This method facilitates the growth of ~200-μm olivine crystals, as well as accessory low-Ca pyroxenes up to ~50 μm in diameter. The presence of small amounts of hydrous melt ensures that crystalline phases have maximal H₂O contents possible, while in equilibrium with the full peridotite assemblage (melt + ol + pyx + gt). At 12 GPa, olivine and pyroxene water storage capacities decrease from ~1,000 to 650 ppm, and ~1,400 to 1,100 ppm, respectively, as temperature increases from 1,350 to 1,450°C. Combining our results with those from a companion study at 5–8 GPa (Ardia et al., in prep.) at 1,450°C, the olivine water storage capacity increases linearly with increasing pressure and is defined by the relation C_{\textH2 \textO}^\textolivine ( \textppm ) = 57.6( ±16 ) ×P( \textGPa ) - 169( ±18 ). C_{{{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}}}^{\text{olivine}} \left( {\text{ppm}} \right) = 57.6\left( { \pm 16} \right) \times P\left( {\text{GPa}} \right) - 169\left( { \pm 18} \right). Adjustment of this trend for small increases in temperature along the mantle geotherm, combined with experimental determinations of D_{\textH2 \textO}^{\textpyx/olivine} D_{{{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}}}^{\text{pyx/olivine}} from this study and estimates of D_{\textH2 \textO}^{\textgt/\textolivine} D_{{{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}}}^{{{\text{gt}}/{\text{olivine}}}} , allows for estimation of peridotite H₂O storage capacity, which is 440 ± 200 ppm at 400 km. This suggests that MORB source upper mantle, which contains 50–200 ppm bulk H₂O, is not wet enough to incite a global melt layer above the 410-km discontinuity. However, OIB source mantle and residues of subducted slabs, which contain 300–1,000 ppm bulk H₂O, can exceed the peridotite H₂O storage capacity and incite localized hydrous partial melting in the deep upper mantle. Experimentally determined values of D_{\textH2 \textO}^{\textpyx/\textolivine} D_{{{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}}}^{{{\text{pyx}}/{\text{olivine}}}} at 10–13 GPa have a narrow range of 1.35 ± 0.13, meaning that olivine is probably the most important host of H₂O in the deep upper mantle. The increase in hydration of olivine with depth in the upper mantle may have significant influence on viscosity and other transport properties.     

Evaluation of the ASL and Hawara formations using seismic- and log-derived properties, October Oil Field, Gulf of Suez, Egypt

October Field is one of the most prolific offshore oil fields in the Gulf of Suez of Egypt. It consists of a number of marine platforms and produces oil from different reservoirs of different geological ages from the Lower Cretaceous to the Miocene. The aim of this study was to enhance a seismic-log evaluational procedure to evaluate the Miocene-aged Asl and Hawara Formations which encounter the main hydrocarbon and source rock potentials in the area North of October Oil Field. The well logging data, the borehole seismic data, and the velocity surveys are all used in this study. A number of synthetic seismograms are constructed and interpreted together with the deduced seismic impedance and reflection coefficient data for many wells in the study area. In addition, a comprehensive velocity analysis is performed using the seismic times and the computed average and interval velocities. These seismic-derived parameters are primarily used in recognizing and locating precisely the marl and sand sections of Asl Formation which show low to middle amplitudes. Furthermore, a quantitative well logging analysis is carried out over Asl and Hawara Formations to shed light over their hydrocarbon potentiality. Good oil saturation is exhibited by the Asl sand section which reaches to more than 90% in the southern parts of the study area. The petrophysical characters of this sand are very good in terms of good effective porosity (9% to13%), low shale volume (V _sh?<?5%), and high oil saturation (S _h?>?85%). The sections of the Asl marl and the Hawara shale on the other hand are considered completely wet. An integrated model making use of the seismic- and log-derived properties is applied over the two studied formations for better understanding the reservoir of interest. Many relations are constructed between velocity, seismic impedance, and the rock pore spaces on one hand and between the velocity, lithology, and fluid content on the other hand. This study revealed that the sand section attains very good oil-bearing potentiality in the study area and proved that the application of an integrated model of the log- and seismic-derived properties led to an enhanced evaluation of the Asl and Hawara Formations, good discrimination between their lithological components besides precise differentiation from the overlying Middle to Late Miocene sections.     

Constraints on phase diagram topology for the system CaO−MgO−SiO2−CO2−H2O

Published phase diagrams for the siliceous carbonate system CaO–MgO–SiO₂–CO₂–H₂O are contradictory because of different estimates of the relative stability of magnesite. Experimental data on magnesite are too ambiguous to determine the validity of these estimates. Therefore, field evidence is used to select the correct phase diagram topology for siliceous carbonate and carbonate ultramafic rocks at pressures of about 2–5 kbar. The primary selection criterion is provided by the existence of the stable assemblage talc+dolomite+forsterite+tremolite+antigorite, which occurs in the Bergell contact aureole and Swiss Central Alps. Field evidence also is used to argue that the reaction magnesite+quartz=enstatite must occur at lower temperature than the reaction dolomite+quartz=diopside. T-X _{CO 2} and P _{CO 2}-T phase diagrams consistent with these observations are calculated from experimental and thermo-dynamic data. For antigorite ophicarbonate rocks, remarkable agreement is obtained between the spatial distribution of low variance mineral assemblages and the calculated diagrams.     

Seismic characterization of switching platform geometries and dominant carbonate producers (Miocene,Las Negras,Spain)

The primary goals of seismic interpretation and quantification are to understand and define reservoir architecture and the distribution of petrophysical properties. Since seismic interpretation is associated with major uncertainties, outcrop analogues are used to support and improve the resulting conceptual models. In this study, the Miocene carbonates of Cerro de la Molata (Las Negras, south‐east Spain) have been selected as an outcrop analogue. The heterogeneous carbonate rocks of the Cerro de la Molata Platform were formed by a variety of carbonate‐producing factories, resulting in various platform morphologies and a wide range of physical properties. Based on textural (thin sections) and petrophysical (porosity, density, carbonate content and acoustic properties) analyses of the sediments, eleven individual facies types were determined. The data were used to produce synthetic seismic profiles of the outcrop. The profiles demonstrate that the spatial distribution of the facies and the linked petrophysical properties are of key importance in the appearance of the synthetic seismic sections. They reveal that carbonate factory and facies‐specific reflection patterns are determined by porosity contrasts, diagenetic modifications and the input of non‐carbonate sediment. The reflectors of the seismograms created with high‐frequency wavelets are coherent with the spatial distribution of the predefined facies within the depositional sequences. The synthetic seismograms resulting from convolution with lower frequency wavelets do not show these details – the major reflectors coincide with: (i) the boundary between the volcanic basement and the overlying carbonates; (ii) the platform geometries related to changes in carbonate factories, thus sequence boundaries; and (iii) diagenetic zones. Changes in seismic response related to diagenesis, switching carbonate producers and linked platform geometries are important findings that need to be considered when interpreting seismic data sets.     

K0 estimation in level granular soil from anisotropic wave velocities on the basis of micromechanics

This study aims to explore the possibility for estimating K₀ in a level ground of granular soil by seismic methods on the basis of micromechanics theory. The idea was to simulate in situ cross‐hole seismic method for the measurement of wave velocities along various directions of wave‐propagation. This work made use of a field simulator to control a K₀ condition (zero lateral strain condition) in specimens. A series of vertical loading containing subsequent loading and unloading were applied to the specimen prepared by pluviation. In general, the K₀ values determined experimentally in this work agreed with the exiting empirical relations. K₀ value was also calibrated from measured anisotropic wave velocities using an optimization procedure. From the comparison of the back‐calculated and measured results of K₀, it revealed the feasibility for the determination of the in situ lateral stress in granular soil by seismic methods and on the basis of micromechanics theory as long as enough wave‐velocity measurements along various directions of wave‐propagation were available. The potential for the usage of the presented methodology for the determination of the in situ lateral stress in level‐ground of granular soil by seismic methods seems encouraging. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The characteristics of volatile components and alkaline metasomatism in main skarn-type iron deposits in China and their role in ore formation

Skarns, ores and hydrothermally metasomatic rocks associated with some major skarn iron deposits in China contain abundant volatile components, such as F, Cl and H₂O. Alkaline (sodic or potassic) metasomatism is obviously evident in the magmatic and other alumo-silicate wall rocks. They may serve as important ore-searching indicators. In this paper, the probable source of iron fluids, transport forms of iron and conditions of precipitation of magnetite are also discussed. From the studies of major skarn iron deposits in China, the authors hold that volatile components, such as F, Cl, H₂O, etc., and alkaline (K, Na) metasomatism play a very important role in the formation of this type of iron deposits^{[1, 2, 3]}.     

Petrologic hypothesis testing with Pearce element ratio diagrams: derivation of diagram axes

In petrology, Pearce element ratio (PER) diagrams have been used: i) to determine whether members of a rock suite are co-genetic, ii) to identify the minerals involved in differentiation processes, and iii) to evaluate the extent to which those mineral are involved. The axis coefficients of each diagram are chosen such that sorting of minerals or combinations of minerals will generate unique and predictable trends. Unfortunately, selection of the optimal combination of axis coefficients is a difficult task, especially if the system being investigated has a large number of phases or complicated solid solution minerals. Our work has established a formal set of rules and matrix operations which facilitate the determination of PER diagram axes coefficients. This methodology can be used to determine the unit molar vector displacement caused by the addition or subtraction of a specific mineral, given a set of axis coefficients. It can also be used to create PER diagrams on which minerals have predetermined vector displacements. By designating all vector displacements to be parallel, axis coefficients for assemblage test diagrams can be determined to test the following hypothesis: the observed chemical variation is due to the addition (or removal) of a specific set of minerals. Alternatively, by designating all vector displacements to be mutually perpendicular, phase discrimination diagrams can be created which test whether the observed chemical variations require a specific phase to be involved in differentiation. Phase discrimination diagrams also provide a means to estimate the extent of that involvement. This methodology facilitates construction of powerful yet simple PER diagrams which provide an effective means of testing alternative differentiation hypotheses. Current address: Department of Geological Sciences, Queen's University Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada     

Facies and sedimentology of a carbonate delta drift (Miocene,Maldives)

The identification of sediment drifts typically relies on interpretation of reflection seismic data sets. This study sedimentologically analyzed an example of a carbonate delta drift previously identified in seismics in order to provide a catalogue of characteristic features at core and seismic scale for allowing testing the occurrence of this poorly known type of deposit elsewhere. Cores and downhole logs recovered during International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 359 to the Maldives, in combination with seismic data, were analyzed with this objective. The diagnostic criteria for the sedimentological recognition of a delta drift are: (i) the development of sigmoidal clinoforms that thin out towards proximal and distal settings; (ii) a proximal part characterized by coarse‐grained facies with abundant shallow‐water components and distal areas dominated by fine‐grained facies with rare to absent shallow‐water components; (iii) winnowing of the finer fraction in proximal facies; (iv) extensive fragmentation of most of the bioclasts with minor intervals of well‐preserved components; (v) bigradational intervals in the proximal part and large channels in proximal to distal settings; and (vi) the lobe to delta shaped outline of the sediment accumulation. The characteristic shallow‐water fossil assemblage of the Mid to Upper Miocene delta drift consists of large benthic foraminifera (Amphistegina, Cycloclypeus, Lepidocyclina, Operculina and Heterostegina), fragmented red algae and bryozoans, equinoid debris, and Halimeda plates. The deeper‐water part of the drift bodies consists of fine‐grained planktonic foraminifera‐rich wackestone. Condensed intervals may occur as result of enhanced bottom‐current activity. In contrast to siliciclastic drift bodies, the carbonate delta drift has an important contribution by in situ shallow‐water carbonate production reminiscent of a shoal. In situ carbonate production is proposed as a major controlling factor which is as important as the pelagic settling or the shaping by density and bottom currents in siliciclastic drifts. In the absence of three‐dimensional data and in two‐dimensional views the carbonate delta drift sediment bodies resemble carbonate ramps, which indicates that there may be the need to re‐evaluate various cases of such systems described from the geological record.     

Fractal Analysis of the Gray-Scale Intensity Data of Finely Laminated Sediments from Bainbridge Crater Lake, Galápagos

The gray-scale intensity data of finely laminated sediments from Bainbridge Crater Lake, Galápagos, were analyzed in terms of Hurst exponent and fractal dimension. The sediment record preserved in this volcanic maar provides a continuous history of past El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events over the last 6200 years. Accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon data show that sedimentation rate was not constant for whole core. To take into consideration this fact gray-scale intensity data from analyses of X-radiography images of a 4.1 m long core from this basin were divided into Data 1 and Data 2. Data 1 corresponds to the more recent part of stratigraphic sequence, which was deposited since 3000 yr BP; Data 2 is from the earlier part of record between 6200 and 3000 yr BP. A persistent behavior with a Hurst exponent of H = 0.88 and H = 0.8 was found by power spectrum analysis method for Data 1 and Data 2, respectively. The width method of analysis shows that ENSO fluctuation before 3000 yr BP had a persistent behavior on a time-scale up to 26 years, while the more recent El Niño occurrences have a persistent behavior on a time-scale up to 5.6 years.     

Enregistrements sismologiques de l'explosion sur le site de l'usine AZF (Toulouse,France)Seismological records of an explosion at the AZF chemical complex in Toulouse,France

This study presents a detailed analysis of the seismic records of a strong explosion that occurred on 21 September 2001 at a chemical complex located south of Toulouse, France, and provoked important damages. The explosion, which is equivalent to a 3.4 magnitude earthquake, has been recorded at most of the stations of the National Seismological Network, as well as at a station under test at the ‘Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées’, 4.2 km away from the epicentre. The main seismic phases are interpreted using the known crustal structures, and a modelling with synthetic seismograms is performed. To cite this article: A. Souriau et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 155–161.