Macroseismic effects highlight site response in Rome and its geological signature

A detailed analysis of the earthquake effects on the urban area of Rome has been conducted for the L??Aquila sequence, which occurred in April 2009, by using an online macroseismic questionnaire. Intensity residuals calculated using the mainshock and four aftershocks are analyzed in light of a very accurate and original geological reconstruction of the subsoil of Rome based on a large amount of wells. The aim of this work is to highlight ground motion amplification areas and to find a correlation with the geological settings at a subregional scale, putting in evidence the extreme complexity of the phenomenon and the difficulty of making a simplified model. Correlations between amplification areas and both near-surface and deep geology were found. Moreover, the detailed scale of investigation has permitted us to find a correlation between seismic amplification in recent alluvial settings and subsiding zones, and between heard seismic sound and Tiber alluvial sediments.     

安徽寿县新元古界一个滑塌-滑脱软沉积物变形复合构造的发现及地质初探

安徽寿县新元古界四十里长山组底部粉砂岩层中发现了一个滑塌-滑脱软沉积物变形复合构造,剖面观察显示,该沉积变形构造经历了滑塌变形、滑脱变形、震动液化变形等3次以上的变形过程,很好地保存了原始沉积面貌和沉积变形特征;分析该沉积变形构造的成因,发现变形构造属于软沉积物变形构造类型,形成于浅海陆棚边缘斜坡相带。引起软沉积物变形的动力是地震事件产生的多次震动波作用,造成软沉积物滑塌、滑脱褶皱、震动液化泄水等变形作用,形成了具有复杂变形特征的软沉积物变形复合体,是一次地震事件多次地震活动的沉积记录。     

Long-term changes in teleseismic P residuals at new zealand stations

Teleseismic P residuals in New Zealand have been studied to examine the hypothesis that they change prior to a local earthquake. The period 1965 to 1977 has been used, and to provide a statistically significant sample a six-monthly sliding mean has been calculated for all data from earthquakes

1. (a) more than 25 degrees away, and

2. (b) with a residual less than 3 seconds.

Results are discussed for all New Zealand seismograph stations where sufficient teleseismic arrivals have been reported, and are compared with the results from Scott Base, Antarctica, which is situated in an area devoid of local earthquakes.The study reveals a complex situation with certain events being well correlated with changes in residuals, and others showing no correlation at all. Moreover, some changes in residual occur at times of quiet seismic activity.A dominant feature of plots of mean residual versus time for each station is a gradual increase in P residual from about 1968 to 1975, followed by a slow decrease. No satisfactory explanation has been found for this long-term change in residual.The data detailed in this note was presented at the Earthquake Prediction Workshop, Canberra 1979, in the hope that a cause of the long-term drift might be suggested. No attempt has been made to analyse the short-term variations whilst the long term one remains unexplained.     

Geophysical interpretation of the Rashidpur structure Surma Basin,Bangladesh

The Rashidpur structure is located in the southern part of the Surma Basin, Bangladesh. This paper presents an integrated interpretation of seismic and other geophysical data considering the available geologic information in terms of hydrocarbon potential of this structure. The study area lies within a gravity high and a high magnetic intensity. Fifteen seismic sections of the study area have been analyzed to interpret the subsurface geology, structure and stratigraphy. Based on the analysis of seismic sections and correlation with well data, four prominent reflecting horizons have been identified. The litho-stratigraphy of the Rashidpur structure is prepared on the basis of well information. The lithological sequences encountered in the Rashidpur structure range in age from Miocene to Plio-Pliestocene. The gas producing sands of the structure are within Bokabil to Bhuban Formations of the Miocene age. The seismic study indicates that the Rashidpur structure is a narrow, NS elongated anticline affected by a major reverse fault on the eastern flank. It is an asymmetrical anticline with the axis swinging slightly to the east on the northern plunge and thus attaining a slight concavity to the east. There are various geophysical indications of hydrocarbons in this structure.     

Importance of coloured inversion technique for thin hydrocarbon sand reservoir detection – A case in mid Cambay basin

Cambay basin is an intra-cratonic rift graben formed as a result of rifting which was occurred in late Cretaceous with Deccan lava eruption through linear trending NNW to SSE directional basin. The Deccan basalt forms the basement over which more than 7–11 km thick piles of Tertiary sediments have been deposited during syn-rift and post-rift phases of basin development. Cambay basin has been considered as one of the significant hydrocarbon prolific basin in India. The biggest challenge in current days for this basin is further exploration or exploration under development stage in small marginal field or unexplored left out areas in the basin part as most of the areas are already explored/discovered by various small to big E&;P (exploration &; production) industrial players. In this present study one such small marginal field has been chosen for “Exploration under Development” portfolio in mid Cambay basin. The amount of oil-in-place volume, investment and techno-economics analysis of small marginal field has made this study area. In view of further hydrocarbon exploration in this area this kind of study will provide a robust support in limited dataset. The reservoir sand quality of the study area is discrete, thin and less permeable. This kind of sand body detection through classical seismic interpretation approach is difficult and there will be always a big amount of uncertainties for findings the pay reservoir sand. In view of the limitation of available data and challenging geological setup of the reservoir, a quantitative approach has been taken to detect the thin reservoir sand in this study area. Primarily coloured inversion technique has been applied on post-stack seismic data based upon well to seismic correlation and reservoir sand detection in seismic interpretation and well log property analysis. This technique has produced higher detectability impedance/property volume with respect to normal post-stack seismic data signature. Based on high contrast impedance/elastic property further seismic based attribute analysis on reservoir section has been performed. The attribute analysis has been made along surface and 3D seismic data level, provided clear image about the thin hydrocarbon sand reservoir. Based upon quantitative interpretation approach coloured inverted volume the prospect was chosen for further drilling in the study area and drilling of that sand was turned to be a hydrocarbon discovery prospect. The unconventional approaches e.g. coloured inversion with limited dataset for this kind of small marginal field has potential to find the hydrocarbon.     

A dynamic model of the Hellenic Arc deduced from geophysical data

Combined gravity and seismic data from Greece and the adjacent areas have been used to explain the high seismicity and tectonic activity of this area. Computed 2-D gravity models revealed that below the Aegean region a large “plume” of hot upper-mantle material is rising, causing strong attenuation of the crust. The hot “plume” extends to the base of the lithosphere and has very probably been mobilized through compressional processes that forced the lithosphere to sink into the asthenosphere. The above model is supported by: high heat flow in the Aegean region; low velocity of the compressional waves of 7.7 km/sec for the upper mantle; lower density than normal extending to the base of the lithosphere; teleseismic P-wave travel-time residuals of the order of +2 sec for seismic events recorded at the Greek seismic stations; volcanics in the Aegean area with a chemical composition which can be explained by assuming an assimilation of oceanic crust by the upper mantle; deep seismicity (200 km) which has been interpreted by various authors as a Benioff zone.     

新疆博格达山前带油气调查进展

博格达山前带位于准噶尔盆地南缘冲断带东段,构造变形复杂、沉积演化认识不清、成藏主控因素不明等关键地质问题制约了该区油气勘探进程。中国地质调查局油气资源调查中心新疆项目组在博格达山前带开展了一系列野外地质调查、地震资料处理解释、烃源岩地球化学分析等综合研究,厘清了该区构造变形样式和演化过程,明确了二叠系芦草沟组烃源岩沉积中心,评价了油气资源潜力,提出了该区复式油气成藏模式。钻探实践进一步证实了该区良好的油气资源潜力,推动了该区油气勘探进程,对类似地区开展油气勘探具有一定的借鉴意义。     

Recent crustal deformation and seismicity studies at Abu-Dabbab area, Red Sea, Egypt

The Abu-Dabbab area is characterized by high seismicity and complex tectonic setting; for these facts, a local geodetic network consisting of 11 geodetic benchmarks has been established. The crustal deformation data in this area are collected using the GPS techniques. Five campaigns of GPS measurements have been collected, processed, and adjusted to get the more accurate positions of the GPS stations. The horizontal velocity vectors, the dilatational, the maximum shear strains, and the principal strain rates were estimated. The horizontal velocity varies in average between 3 and 6 mm per year across the network. The results of the deformation analysis indicate a significant contraction and extension across the southern central part of the study area which is characterized by high seismic activity represented by the clustering shape of the microearthquakes that trending ENE. The north and northeastern parts are characterized by small strain rates. This study is an attempt to provide valuable information about the present state of the crustal deformation and its relationship to seismic activity and tectonic setting at the Abu-Dabbab area. The present study is the first work demonstrating crustal deformation monitoring at the Abu-Dabbab area. The time interval is relatively short. Actually, these results are preliminary results. So, the continuity of GPS measurements is needed for providing more information about the recent crustal deformation in that area.     

Correlation Fractal and Multifractal Characteristics of Seismic Activity in the Taiwan Area, China

Based on the analysis of newly collected data of plate tectonics, distribution of active faults and crustal deformation, the Taiwan area is divided into two seismic regions and six seismic belts. Then, correlation fractal dimensions of all the regions and belts are calculated, and the fractal characteristics of hypocenteral distribution can be quantitatively analyzed. Finally, multifractal dimensions Dq and f(α) are calculated by using the earthquake catalog of the past 11 years in the Taiwan area. This study indicates that (1) there exists a favorable corresponding relationship between spatial images of seismic activity described with correlation fractal dimension analysis and tectonic settings; (2) the temporal structure of earthquakes is not single but multifractal fractal, and the pattern of Dq variation with time is a good indicator for predicting strong earthquake events.     

Origin of the regional stress in the North German basin: results from numerical modelling

We use a thin sheet approach to investigate the effects induced by the Alpine collision on the deformation and regional stress in northern Europe, with special emphasis on the NE German Basin. Here new seismic crustal studies indicate a flexural-type basin, which may have been induced by compressive forces transmitted from the south, due to the Alpine orogeny. Finite-element techniques are used to solve the equations for the deformation of a continuum described by a linear creep rheology and a spatial resolution of about 0.5°. The model has been constrained by stress and seismic data. We show that a relatively strong lithosphere below the northern margin of the German Basin, at the transition with the Baltic Shield, may explain the characteristic regional stress field, in particular the fan-like pattern which is observed within the region. Furthermore, the predicted strain rate pattern resembles the seismically recognizable undeformed area of the North German Basin.     

P-wave travel-time anomalies: Aleutian-Alaska region

The P-wave travel-time residuals in the Aleutian-Alaska region have been obtained by combining data from three underground nuclear tests so far carried out by the Atomic Energy Commission of the United States in Amchitka Island. The travel-time residuals show close correlation with the tectonism of the area. Attempts have been made to interpret qualitatively the pattern of the residuals in regard to the plate tectonics of the area. Areas of negative residuals appear interpretable as due to the underthrusted high-velocity lithospheric plate while areas with positive residuals seem to be associated with normal crust and upper mantle.     

Interpretation of radon anomalies in seismotectonic and tectonic-gravitational settings: the south-eastern Crati graben (Northern Calabria, Italy)

The study area is located in the south-eastern part of the Crati valley (Northern Calabria, Italy), which is a graben bordered by N–S trending normal faults and crossed by NW–SE normal left-lateral faults. Numerous severe crustal earthquakes have affected the area in historical time. Present-day seismic activity is mainly related to the N–S faults located along the eastern border of the graben. In this area, much seismically induced deep-seated deformation has also been recognised.In the present paper, radon concentrations in soil gas have been measured and compared with (a) lithology, (b) Quaternary faults, (c) historical and instrumental seismicity, and (d) deep-seated deformation.The results highlight the following:

(a) There is no evidence of a strong correlation between lithology and the radon anomalies.

(b) A clear correlation between the N–S geometry of radon anomalies and the orientation of main fault systems has been recognised, except in the southernmost part of the area, where the radon concentrations are strongly affected by the superposition of the N–S and the NW–SE fault systems.

(c) Epicentral zones of instrumental and historical earthquakes correspond to the highest values of radon concentrations, probably indicating recent activated fault segments. In particular, high radon values occur in the zones struck by earthquakes in 1835, 1854, and 1870.

(d) Deep-seated gravitational deformation generally coincides with zones characterised by low radon concentrations.

In the studied area, the anisotropic distribution of radon concentrations is congruent with the presence of neotectonic features and deep-seated gravitational phenomena. The method used in this study could profitably contribute towards either seismic risk or deep-seated gravitational deformation analyses.     

东营凹陷红层地球物理特征分析及有利储层预测

东营凹陷深部储层是干燥沉积环境下的一套红层,其中的孔一中储层厚度大、钻遇井少,具有较大勘探潜力。但目标区地层结构复杂,埋深从南到北逐渐变大,井震关系一致性不好,储层预测有很大难度。通过综合分析井震特征、优选地震属性、建立井震厚度关系,使用单一最佳属性法、多元线性回归法、基于学习型的非线性储层预测法,得出以下认识与结论：1）研究区红层具有薄互层典型特征,频率较上覆和下伏地层高,地震反射具有中振、低连、低信噪比特征;2）新研发的基于优势频率的流度因子具有最好的厚度相关性,最大振幅、均方根振幅、过零点数、能量半时也较好;3）无论是多元线性回归还是非线性支持向量机,优化的五属性储层预测效果要好于七属性;4）基于交叉验证的支持向量机方法十分适合深部储层小样本储层厚度预测,效果好于单一最佳属性法和多元线性回归法。     

基于地震与非地震联合约束下复杂冲断带构造建模:以西昆仑山前柯东构造带为例

柯东构造带是揭示西昆仑山前冲断带变形过程的关键区之一,也是当前油气勘探重要的目标区。由于该区构造变形 强、地层速度变化快以及地表条件复杂等因素,导致当前勘探面临着地震勘探资料品质差,构造建模多解性强等问题。文 章利用R型因子降维分析方法,通过对柯东构造带甫沙地区的重、磁、电反演成果进行降维分析,结果表明甫沙地区深部 发育断块构造,不存在地震剖面上显示的背斜构造;同时联合地震资料的综合解释,认为现今的甫沙地区发育的断块构造 是早期的完整背斜受早更新世山前右旋走滑断裂改造的结果。在柯东构造带的综合建模实践表明,通过地震与非地震方法 的联合约束可以为认识复杂冲断带的构造变形提供有效的手段。     

一体化研究方法在塔中地区碳酸盐岩储层预测中的应用

塔中地区现有三维地震资料覆盖面积4530km2以上,并已全部实现数据加载。为提高该区碳酸盐岩储层预测的精度和效率,在前期工作的基础上,初步建立了塔中一体化研究平台,进行包括数据管理、地层对比、储层对比、储层地震响应特征分析和储层综合评价在内的应用研究。结果表明,可以实现数据共享和有效管理,实现地质、地震、测井的有机结合。数据整理和实现办法适合实际,能清晰直观地体现碳酸盐岩储层发育情况。     

地震相分析技术在沙门子鼻隆岩性预测中的应用

地震相分析技术忠实于地震信息本身,克服了地震反演技术的某些缺陷,是研究沉积相和储层预测的重要手段之一.其综合利用了地震信号的各种地震信息,具有独特的解决问题的能力.利用Stratimagic地震相分析技术软件包实现地震道、多属性数据体等时窗/深度的层段内的地震相自动分析技术,对沙门子地区的河道展布进行了研究,侏罗系八道湾组属于扇三角洲砂体.从而更好的控制了该区主力油层的分布和连片范围,并取得了较好的效果.     

Seismicity and structural investigations of the Romanian Vrancea Region: Evidence for azimuthal variations of p-wave velocity and poisson's ratio

A study of the shallow and intermediate depth seismicity of the Romanian Vrancea region in the period 1964–1981 has been performed. The seismic events have been relocated by a standard location procedure using a regional velocity model. From the temporal and spatial distribution of the seismic activity, aspects of the seismicity before the large March 4, 1977 earthquake are treated, in particular the seismic gap in space and time prior to this event, found by Mârze (1979), which is critically discussed and revised. The concept of the precursor time/magnitude relationships of different authors is applied and its validity to the Vrancea region assessed. The hypocentral distribution shows that the intermediate depth seismic activity is confined to a small volume with dimensions of only some tens of kilometers. The results are interpreted in terms of the tectonics of the region. From an analysis of the travel-time residuals at different local stations, evidence for lateral velocity heterogeneities beneath the region is obtained e.g. a high velocity zone southeastwards of the Carpathian chain. Finally mean ratios, (i.e. Poisson's ratios), for various stations are calculated from P- and S-wave travel times. They show azimuthal variations of up to 6% for stations within the area where the intermediate seismic activity occurs in comparison with the station Focsani, situated eastwards in the Carpathian foredeeps. All these results are compatible with the plate tectonic concept for the Vrancea region, that is the subduction of an oceanic lithospheric slab under the Carpathian mountain arc, giving rise to such a highly active seismic zone.     

The 1909 Benavente (Portugal) earthquake: search for the source

The Lower Tagus River Valley has been affected by severe earthquakes comprising distant events, as in 1755, and local earthquakes, as in 1344, 1531, and 1909. The 1909 earthquake was located NE of Lisbon, near Benavente, causing serious damage and many losses. Mw 6.0 has been assessed for this earthquake and a reverse faulting focal mechanism solution has been calculated. Poor epicenter location, possible directivity and site effects, low fault slip rates, and the thick Cenozoic sedimentary cover make difficult correlation with regional structures. The focal mechanism indicates an ENE reverse fault as source, though it does not match any outcropping active structure suggesting that the event could have been produced by a blind thrust beneath the Cenozoic sedimentary fill. Hidden sources, inferred from seismic reflection data, are a possible NE structure linking the Vila Franca de Xira and the Azambuja faults, or the southern extension of the later. Evidence of surface rupturing is inhibited by the thick Holocene alluvial cover and the high fluvial sedimentation rate, though a slightly depressed area was identified in the Tagus alluvial plain W of Benavente which was investigated as possible geomorphic evidence of co-seismic surface deformation. A high-resolution seismic reflection profile was acquired across a 0.5 m high scarp at this site, and two trenches were opened across the scarp for paleoseismic research. Some deformation of dubious tectonic origin was found, requiring further studies.     

New Approach for Estimation of Static and Seismic Active Earth Pressure

To estimate static and seismic active earth pressure (P_ad) on a rigid retaining wall, numerical analyses using different step sizes have been carried out in this paper, based on the modified Culmann line method by considering Coulomb’s planar rupture surface. Equivalent pseudo-static seismic forces are considered in the analysis. A new concept of modified unit weight by considering ground surcharge is introduced under static and seismic conditions. By numerical analysis, area of soil (A) has been estimated to obtain the ratio of A/A₀ where A₀ is θh², θ is the angle between retaining structure and ground surface and h is the vertical height of the wall. This ratio remains constant for a particular type of soil and has been used to estimate the maximum active earth pressure using force diagram. Results are provided in tabular form for easy calculation of the coefficient of static and seismic active earth pressure. Present results by considering the new technique, compares well with the results obtained by earlier researchers.     

Seismic microzonation of Bangalore,India

In the present study, an attempt has been made to evaluate the seismic hazard considering local site effects by carrying out detailed geotechnical and geophysical site characterization in Bangalore, India to develop microzonation maps. An area of 220 km², encompassing Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) has been chosen as the study area. Seismic hazard analysis and microzonation of Bangalore are addressed in three parts: in the first part, estimation of seismic hazard is done using seismotectonic and geological information. Second part deals with site characterization using geotechnical and shallow geophysical techniques. In the last part, local site effects are assessed by carrying out one-dimensional (1-D) ground response analysis (using the program SHAKE2000) using both standard penetration test (SPT) data and shear wave velocity data from multichannel analysis of surface wave (MASW) survey. Further, field experiments using microtremor studies have also been carried out for evaluation of predominant frequency of the soil columns. The same has been assessed using 1-D ground response analysis and compared with microtremor results. Further, the Seed and Idriss simplified approach has been adopted to evaluate the soil liquefaction susceptibility and liquefaction resistance assessment. Microzonation maps have been prepared with a scale of 1:20,000. The detailed methodology, along with experimental details, collated data, results and maps are presented in this paper.