The Source Mechanism of the Athens Earthquake,September 7, 1999, Estimated from P Seismograms Recorded at Long Range

On 7 September, 1999, an earthquake (5.8 m_b ^USGS)took place about 20 km from the centre of Athens, until then a seismically quiet region ofeastern Greece. Considerable damage ranging from rock falls to the collapse of reinforcedconcrete structures was reported in the city and surrounding area. No surface break which couldbe directly attributed to rupture on the fault plane was mapped. We use the relativeamplitude method and forward modelling of broadband P seismogramsrecorded at long range to produce a two-dimensional model of the source. We conclude that the earthquake tookplace on a south-west dipping normal fault at a depth of 10 km. This implies that the depthof the seismogenic zone in the area is comparable to other more active regions of Greece.The rupture speed (2.1 km/s) and stress drop (0.54 MPa) are low and are typical of earthquakesin a tectonic environment dominated by high rates of extension. The estimated seismicmoment is 6.014 × 10¹⁷ N m. We have investigated reported rupture directivity and thepossibility of a circular rupture is also examined. Extrapolation of the fault plane to the freesurface suggests that the earthquake took place on a structure associated with the Fili fault.     

A 36Cl age determination for Mystery Creek rock avalanche and its implications in the context of hazard assessment, British Columbia, Canada

The Sea to Sky Corridor has experienced hundreds of historic and prehistoric landslides. The most common types of historical landslides are rock falls and debris flows, which are relatively small in volume but can be damaging. These types of failures are more common in the southern part of the corridor, between Horseshoe Bay and Porteau, where infrastructure has been built in close proximity to steep slopes. Farther north, fewer landslides have been reported historically, but those that have been recorded are usually large and date to prehistoric time (e.g., Cheekye fan and Mystery Creek rock avalanche). As part of a Geological Survey of Canada surficial geology and landslide inventory mapping study, Mystery Creek rock avalanche, near Whistler, British Columbia, was sampled for ³⁶Cl dating. Samples were collected from three large flat boulders of quartz diorite in the rock avalanche deposit to test a correlation with the previously reported radiocarbon age of 800 ± 100 years BP on charcoal. One sample revealed a mean age of 2,400 years and the other two, 4,300 and 4,800 years, respectively. These new results point to four possible interpretations: (1) Mystery Creek landslide is about 800 years old; (2) Based on the overlapping 2σ uncertainties, the rock avalanche took place between 2,200 and 3,600 years ago; (3) The rock avalanche deposit is 2,400 years old and the other two blocks are too old; and (4) The rock avalanche is between 4,300 and 4,800 years old. Although there is strength in numbers and it is likely that the age varies between 4,300 and 4,800 years, we favor the second interpretation where the age range is broader and statistically significant for all three samples. Moreover, at this time, we favor discounting the radiocarbon age based on a greater number of samples analyzed for ³⁶Cl analysis and lack of detailed information on the charcoal sampling. The causes and triggers of the Mystery Creek rock avalanche remain unknown, but direct glacial debuttressing can be ruled out. Some of the causes are likely a combination of the regional tectonic setting which produced preferential planes of weakness reflected in the trend of major faults, headscarp, and reverse scarps. Yearly cycles of freezing and thawing are considered a plausible cause based on present-day climate records. Finally, a large earthquake still remains a possible trigger because of the active tectonic setting and the presence of potentially contemporaneous landslides in the same area. Mystery Creek rock avalanche and other historic and pre-historic landslides contributed to validation of a heuristic rock fall/rock slide/rock avalanche susceptibility mapping study, in which their headscarps correlated well with medium-high to high susceptibility zones. In terms of hazard assessment, Mystery Creek rock avalanche, although pre-historic in age, occurred in present-day climatic and geological conditions. This poses a threat to infrastructure such as the Sea to Sky Highway, railway, and power line.     

Quantifying weather conditions for rock fall hazard management

Relationships between weather conditions and rock fall occurrences have been acknowledged in the past, but seldom have such relationships been quantified and published. Rock falls are frequent hazards along transportation corridors through mountainous terrain, and predicting hazardous rock fall periods based on weather conditions can enhance mitigation approaches. We investigate the relationship between weather conditions and rock fall occurrences along a railway section through the Canadian Cordillera. Monthly weather-rock fall trends suggest that the seasonal variation in rock fall frequency is associated with cycles of freezing and thawing during the winter months. The intensity of precipitation and freeze–thaw cycles for different time-windows was then compared against recorded rock falls on a case-by-case approach. We found that periods when 90% of rock falls occurred could be predicted by the 3-day antecedent precipitation and freeze–thaw cycles. Some rock falls not predicted by this 3-day antecedent approach occurred during the first two weeks of spring thaw. These findings are used to propose a rock fall hazard chart, based on readily available weather data, to aid railway operators in their decision-making regarding safe operations.     

On the Ratios between Elastic Modulus and Uniaxial Compressive Strength of Heterogeneous Carbonate Rocks

The ratios M _R = E/σ _c for 11 heterogeneous carbonate (dolomites, limestones and chalks) rock formations collected from different regions of Israel were examined. Sixty-eight uniaxial compressive tests were conducted on weak-to-strong (5 MPa < σ _c < 100 MPa) and very strong (σ _c > 100 MPa) rock samples exhibiting wide ranges of elastic modulus (E = 6100–82300 MPa), uniaxial compressive strength (σ _c = 14–273.9 MPa), Poisson's ratio (ν = 0.13–0.49), and dry bulk density (ρ = 1.7–2.7 g/cm³). The observed range of M _R = 60.9–1011.4 and mean value of M _R = 380.5 are compared with the results obtained by Deere (Rock mechanics in engineering practice, Wiley, London, pp 1–20, 1968) for limestones and dolomites, and the statistical analysis of M _R distribution is performed. Mutual relations between E, σ _c, ρ, M _R for all studied rocks, and separately for concrete rock formations are revealed. Linear multiple correlations between E on the one hand and σ _c and ρ on the other for Nekorot and Bina limestone and Aminadav dolomite are obtained. It is established that the elastic modulus and M _R in very strong carbonate samples are more correlated with ρ−σ _c combination and ε _a max, respectively, than in weak to strong samples. The relation between M _R and maximum axial strain (ε _a max) for all studied rock samples (weak-to-strong and very strong) is discussed.     

Fragmentation during Rock Falls: Two Italian Case Studies of Hard and Soft Rocks

In recent years, rock fall phenomena in Italy have received considerable attention for risk mitigation through in situ observations and experimental data. This paper reports the study conducted at Camaldoli Hill, in the urban area of Naples, and at Monte Pellegrino, Palermo, Italy. The rocks involved are volcanic Neapolitan yellow tuff (NYT) in the former area and dolomitic limestone in the latter. Both rocks, even though with different strength characteristics, have shown a significant tendency towards rock fragmentation during run out. This behavior was first investigated by comparing the volumes of removable blocks on the cliff faces (V ₀) and fallen blocks on the slopes (V _f). It was assumed that the ratio V _f/V ₀ decreases with the distance (x _f) from the detachment area by an empirical law, which depends on a coefficient α, correlated with the geotechnical properties of the materials involved in the rock fall. Finally, this law was validated by observation of well-documented natural rock falls (Palermo) and by in situ full-scale tests (Naples). From the engineering perspective, consideration of fragmentation processes in rock fall modeling provides a means for designing low-cost mitigation measures.     

Quantifying rock fall probabilities and their temporal distribution associated with weather seasonality

Quantifying rock fall hazards requires information about their frequency and volumes. Previous studies have focused on quantifying rock fall volume–frequency relationships or the weather conditions antecedent to rock fall occurrences, and their potential use as prediction tools. This paper is focused on quantifying rock fall occurrence probabilities and presents approaches for quantifying rock fall temporal distributions. In particular, von Mises distributions allow direct correlation between seasonal weather variations and rock fall occurrences. The approaches are illustrated using a rock fall database along a railway corridor in the Canadian Cordillera, in which rock fall occurrences were correlated to the morphology and lithology. A Binomial probability distribution applied to the annual rock fall frequency suggests an average daily rock fall probability of 1 × 10^?2 across the study area. However, circular (von Mises) distributions associated with weather trends in the area, and fitted to monthly rock fall records, allow estimation of daily rock fall probabilities in different months. This approach allows a direct correlation between rock fall frequencies and seasonal variations in weather conditions. The results suggest daily rock fall probabilities between 4 × 10^?3 and 8 × 10^?3 for April through July and up to 2.1 × 10^?2 in October. Moreover, local peaks in rock fall monthly records are quantitatively explained through the seasonality of weather conditions. Similar values are obtained when applying the Binomial distribution to monthly records. However, this last approach does not show strong distribution fits and does not allow a correlation between rock fall frequencies and seasonal weather variations.     

The July 2007 rock and ice avalanches at Mount Steele, St. Elias Mountains, Yukon, Canada

A large rock and ice avalanche occurred on the north face of Mount Steele, southwest Yukon Territory, Canada, on July 24, 2007. In the days and weeks preceding the landslide, several smaller avalanches initiated from the same slope. The ice and rock debris traveled a maximum horizontal distance 5.76 km with a maximum vertical descent of 2,160 m, leaving a deposit 3.66 km² in area on Steele Glacier. The seismic magnitude estimated from long-period surface waves (M _s) is 5.2. Modeling of the waveforms suggests an estimated duration of approximately 100 s and an average velocity of between 35 and 65 m/s. This landslide is one of 18 large rock avalanches known to have occurred since 1899 on slopes adjacent to glaciers in western Canada. We describe the setting, reconstruct the event chronology and present a preliminary characterization of the Mount Steele ice and rock avalanches based on field reconnaissance, analysis of seismic records and an airborne LiDAR survey. We also present the results of a successful dynamic simulation for the July 24 event.     

Closed system behaviour of argon in osumilite records protracted high‐T metamorphism within the Rogaland–Vest Agder Sector,Norway

Here, we present results of the first ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of osumilite, a high‐T mineral that occurs in some volcanic and high‐grade metamorphic rocks. The metamorphic osumilite studied here is from a metapelitic rock within the Rogaland–Vest Agder Sector, Norway, an area that experienced regional granulite facies metamorphism and subsequent contact metamorphism between 1,100 Ma and 850 Ma. The large grain size (~1 cm) of osumilite in the studied rock, which preserves a nominally anhydrous assemblage, increases the potential for large portions of individual grains to have remained essentially unaffected by the effects of diffusive argon loss, potentially preserving prograde ages. Step‐heating diffusion experiments yielded a maximum activation energy of ~461 kJ/mol and a pre‐exponential factor of ~8.34 × 10⁸ cm²/s for Ar diffusion in osumilite. These parameters correspond to a relatively high closure temperature of ~620°C for a cooling rate of 10°C/Ma in an osumilite crystal with a 175 µm radius. Fragments of osumilite separated from the sample preserve a range of ages between c. 1,070 and 860 Ma. The oldest ages are inferred to date the growth of coarse‐grained osumilite during prograde granulite facies regional metamorphism, which pre‐date contact metamorphism that has historically been ascribed to the growth of osumilite in the region. The majority of fragments record ages between c. 920 and 860 Ma, inferred to reflect the growth of osumilite and/or diffusive argon loss during contact metamorphism. The retention of old ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dates was facilitated by the low diffusivity of Ar in osumilite (i.e. a closed system), large grain sizes, and anhydrous metamorphic conditions. The ability to date osumilite with the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method provides a valuable new thermochronometer that may constrain the timing and duration of high‐T magmatic and metamorphic events.     

GIS application for regional assessment of seismically induced slope failures in the Sierra Nevada Range,South Spain,along the Padul Fault

Complete rupture of the Padul Fault represents one of the largest plausible earthquakes in the Sierra Nevada Range, one of the most seismically active regions of Spain. We performed a regional assessment of earthquake-triggered slope instabilities in the western part of the range to determine the most likely types of failures from such an earthquake in the region and suggest where such failures have a higher likelihood of occurring. These results are broadly useful for management of regional life-lines and future development. First, a slope-instability inventory of the Sierra Nevada was produced to identify the most common instability types. Subsequently, the Newmark’s sliding rigid-block methodology, implemented in a geographic information system, was used to obtain the distribution of Newmark displacements in the area considering a M _w 6.6 earthquake on the Padul Fault. The Newmark displacements were then compared to the distribution of the inventoried slope instabilities to identify the areas where seismicity could reactivate old slope instabilities or generate new ones, and to identify the involved landslide typology. The most likely seismically induced slope instabilities in the Sierra Nevada are rock falls and rock slides. These types of instabilities could be triggered by Newmark displacements of 2 cm or less.     

Geochemistry and stable isotopic composition of tufa waters and precipitates from the Interlake Region, Manitoba, Canada: Constraints on groundwater origin, calcitization, and tufa formation

New major, trace and isotopic geochemical results from a regional study of springs discharging from the major carbonate rock aquifer in the Interlake Region of Manitoba, Canada, are used to understand water–rock reactions, timing of recharge/discharge, tufa formation processes, and as baseline data. Spring waters are fresh with total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations ranging from 150 to 880 mg/L. Waters discharging in the northern part of the study area have lower TDS, are dominantly Ca–Mg–HCO₃ waters with low SO₄ concentrations (<< 50 mg/L), and appear to have interacted primarily with Silurian carbonate lithologies. In contrast, waters in the southeastern part of the study area have higher TDS and have elevated SO₄ concentrations (up to 210 mg/L). Spring waters have elevated Mg/Ca_molar (1.23 ± 0.23), typically greater than congruent dissolution of dolomite. Ca and Mg concentrations and Mg/Ca_molar indicate that groundwater residence times were sufficient to allow equilibration with bedrock dolomite lithologies; elevated tritium in northern waters indicates a significant recharge component in the 1960's and 1970's. Tufa precipitates that have formed from many of the spring waters are low-Mg calcite (MgO = 1.70 to 5.80 wt.%). Sr concentrations are variable (57 to 657 ppm) and tufa Sr/Ca_molar ratios appear to be entirely controlled by spring water Sr/Ca_molar. Empirically determined Sr distribution coefficients (D_Sr = 0.389 ± 0.083) indicate rapid crystallization following CO₂ degassing, consistent with heavier δ¹³C_VPDB compared to spring waters. Sulfate concentrations are generally too low for calcitization (dedolomitization) reactions driven by anhydrite dissolution to be the dominant control on the elevated groundwater Mg/Ca_molar, implying either extensive sulfate reduction along the flow paths (however, δ¹³C_DIC suggests the elevated SO₄ is more consistent with Fe-sulfide oxidation), or that other processes are involved. Major ion ratios suggest that the waters in the southern part of the study area are more consistent with interaction with siliciclastic rocks than with anhydrite dissolution. We suggest that calcitization (dedolomitization) reactions driven by anhydrite dissolution may not dominate all carbonate aquifers and that mixing of waters in karst conduits combined with ion exchange reactions are important controls on water chemistry in these systems.     

Rock fall hazard control along a section of railway based on quantified risk

Rock falls represent a large percentage of landslide-related hazards reported by Canadian railways in mountainous terrain. A 54.7?km-long section of railway through the Canadian Cordillera is examined that experiences, on average, 18 rock falls each year. An approach for rock fall hazard management is developed based on quantified risk. The approach focuses on defining railway operation procedures (freight train operations and track maintenance) that comply with quantified risks. Weather-based criteria that define periods when rock falls are more likely to occur along the study area are examined. These criteria are used herein to reduce exposure to rock falls and reduce their consequences. Several freight train operation strategies are proposed that comply with a tolerable level of risk adopted in this study for illustrative purposes. The approach provides a simple, flexible and practical strategy for railway operations that can be regularly adopted by the operators, and that is based on a more comprehensive assessment of quantified risk.     

Applicability of Newmark method at regional, sub-regional and site scales: seismically induced Bullas and La Paca rock-slide cases (Murcia, SE Spain)

In this paper, the applicability of the Newmark method at regional, sub-regional and site scales has been investigated in the Lorca Basin (Murcia). This basin is located in one of the most seismically active regions of Spain. The area is very interesting for studying earthquake-induced slope instabilities as there are well-known cases associated with specific earthquakes. For the regional and sub-regional scales, a geographic information system has been used to develop an implementation of Newmark sliding rigid block method. Soil and topographic amplification effects have been particularly considered. Subsequently, ‘Newmark displacement’ maps for deterministic seismic scenarios have been produced. Some specific studies have also been performed using limit equilibrium methods to estimate the safety factor and the critical acceleration of certain slope instabilities at a site scale. These instabilities were the rock slides related to recent seismic series at the Lorca Basin: 2002 Bullas (M _w = 5.0) and 2005 La Paca (M _w = 4.8). Finally, the safety factor, critical acceleration and Newmark displacement values estimated at different scales have been compared to determine which scale is most suitable for the Newmark method.     

豫西崤山韩沟岩体锆石U-Pb定年、地球化学特征及地质意义

韩沟二长花岗斑岩岩体位于崤山北部,其成因研究不仅可对崤山北部构造演化提供重要约束,而且可为区域找矿提供新思路。对韩沟岩体中黑云母二长花岗斑岩进行了LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年,20个测点的206Pb/238U年龄为142~147 Ma,加权平均年龄为(145.1±0.7)Ma。韩沟岩体具有高硅、富碱高钾、贫镁低钙的特征,属于富钾钙碱性花岗岩类(KCG)。韩沟岩体的稀土配分模式具有右倾、轻稀土富集及重稀土亏损的特征,(La/Yb)N范围为10.41~11.51,显示弱正Eu异常。韩沟岩体样品富集大离子亲石元素,亏损高场强元素Nb、Ta,在微量元素蛛网图上显示明显的Nb、Ta及Ti负异常。韩沟岩体具有高Sr、低Y和低Yb的特征,属于埃达克岩,Na_2O和K_2O含量表明其为C型埃达克岩。韩沟岩体是加厚大陆下地壳的部分熔融形成的,部分熔融源区的残余相矿物包括石榴石和金红石,且无(富钙)斜长石残留。崤山北部至少经历了~145 Ma和~130 Ma两次规模不等的岩石圈拆沉作用,韩沟岩体为~145Ma规模较小岩石圈拆沉作用的产物。韩沟岩体的形成时代与~145 Ma区域成岩成矿期相接近,在岩石圈拆沉作用这一灾变过程中,必然导致深部流体的大规模活动及其快速释放,表明韩沟岩体周缘及深部应具有较大的Au成矿潜力,其周缘11个Au矿床(点)就是最好的找矿证明。     

Three-step continental-crust growth from subduction accretion and underplating,through intermediary differentiation,to granitoid production

Sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb dating, laser-ablation multi-collector ICPMS Hf isotope and electron microprobe element analyses of inherited/antecrystal and magmatic zircons from five granitoid intrusions of Linxi area, in the southern segment of the Great Xing’an Range of China were integrated to solve continental crustal growth mechanisms. These intrusions were divided into two suites. Suites 1 and 2 are mainly granodiorite and syenogranite and correspond to magnesian and ferroan granites, respectively. SHRIMP dating establishes an Early Cretaceous (135–125 Ma) age for most Linxi granitoids and a time of ∼146 Ma when their source rocks were generated or re-melted. However, some granitoids were generated in Early Triassic (241 Ma) and Late Jurassic (146 Ma), after their source rock experienced precursory melting episodes at 263 Ma and 165 Ma, respectively. All zircon ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages (<300 Ma, n = 100), and high positive zircon ε_Hf(t) values (n = 175) suggest juvenile source materials with an absence of Precambrian basement. Hf–Nd isotopic decoupling of Linxi granitoids suggests a source component of pelagic sediments, i.e. Paleozoic subduction accretion complexes. Zircon ε_Hf(t) values (t = 263–165 Ma) form a trend sub-parallel to the depleted mantle Hf isotope evolution curve, whilst those with t = 146–125 Ma fall markedly below the latter. The first trend indicates a provenance from essentially subducted oceanic slabs. However, the abrupt ε_Hf(t) decrease, together with extensive Early Cretaceous magmatism, is interpreted as reflecting mantle upwelling and resultant underplating, and exhumation of subducted oceanic slabs. Suite 1 granitoids derive mainly from subducted oceanic slabs or Paleozoic subduction accretion complex, whereas Suite 2 from underplated mafic rock and, subordinately, Paleozoic subduction accretion complex. Compositions of Suites 1 and 2 depend on the hydrous, oxidized or relatively anhydrous, reduced nature of source rocks. Among each of these five intrusions, magmatic zircons have systematically lower ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf than inherited/antecrystal zircons. Hf isotopic and substituting element profiles through inherited/antecrystal zircons (t = 263 to ∼146 Ma) indicate repeated low melt-fraction melting in the source region. In contrast, profiles through inherited/antecrystal and magmatic zircons (t = 146–125 Ma) reveal melting region expansion with a widening range of source compositions and increasing melt fractions. These results lead to the conclusion that continental growth in this region involved a three-step process. This included subduction accretion and repeated underplating, intermediary differentiation of juvenile rocks, and granitoid production from these differentiated rocks.     

Climatic variability during the last 90 ka of the southern and northern Levantine Basin as evident from marine records and speleothems

The influence of the northern Atlantic and tropical monsoonal systems, as recorded by the River Nile, on the climate variability of the southeastern Mediterranean was studied in two cores taken by the R/V Marion Dufresne: one core taken SE of Cyprus representing the northern Levantine Basin (core 9501, 980 m water depth) and the other located ˜380 km further south, represents the southeastern Levantine Basin in an area influenced by the River Nile plume (core 9509, 884 m water depth). The study was performed at relatively high resolution using several proxies: δ¹⁸O of Globigerinoides ruber, sediment characteristics and index colour parameters in core sections representing the last 86 ka. A low-resolution alkenone sea surface temperature record was also measured. The time frame in both cores was mostly constrained by ‘wiggle’ matching with the nearby well-dated δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C record of the Soreq Cave, which is mainly influenced by the eastern Mediterranean water vapor. The sedimentary record of the southern core is strongly influenced by the River Nile contribution throughout the last 86 ka, as evidenced by the higher sedimentation rates compared with the northern core (20 cm/ka vs. 5 cm/ka), continuously darker sediment colour, and higher TOC values (0.6–0.9 vs. 0.25 wt% not including sapropels). During sapropels S1 and S3, present in both cores, the influence of the River Nile became more widespread, reaching as far as Cyprus. Yet, the influence of the River Nile remained stronger in the south, as evident by the higher TOC values in the southern core throughout the entire 90 ka period and the longer duration of S1 in the southern core. An anomalous low δ¹⁸O interval that is not recorded in western Mediterranean occurred between 58 and 49 ka in the Levantine Basin and is more developed in the northern core. This period correlates with D-O interstadial 14 and maximum northern hemisphere insolation during the lastglacial cycle, suggesting that the warming mainly impacted the northern Levant.The Eastern Mediterranean Sea and land area was considerably warmer than the western Mediterranean throughout the LGM – Holocene transition, and the δ¹⁸O_{G. ruber} drop of 4.5‰ is significantly greater than the 3‰ shift found for the western Mediterranean δ¹⁸O_{G. bulloides}, both differences reflecting an increased continental effect from the western to eastern Mediterranean. Comparison between the marine and the land δ¹⁸O records suggests that the origin of rain over the land is composed of mixed signal from the southern and northern Levantine Basin. The study of Δδ¹⁸O_sea–land variations demonstrates that various factors have influenced the sea–land relationship during the last 90 ka. The ‘amount effect’ has an important influence on rainfall δ¹⁸O during interglacial periods (particularly sapropel periods), whereas during glacial periods, increased land distances and elevation differences arising from decrease in sea level may have brought about decrease in δ¹⁸O of rainfall due to Rayleigh distillation processes. These influences were superimposed on those of sea surface water δ¹⁸O changes brought about by continental ice melting, and the strong effects felt in the southern Levantine Basin of the high River Nile input during periods of enhanced monsoonal activity.     

Contamination assessment of copper,lead, zinc and chromium in dust fall of Jinan,NE China

To assess the pollution of heavy metal in dust fall, nine dust fall samples were collected during the heating period and non-heating period from Jinan, a city in northeastern China. The samples were analyzed for Cu, Pb, Zn and Cr and the contamination level of heavy metals was assessed on the basis of the geo-accumulation index (I _geo). The results indicated that all of the four investigated metals accumulated significantly in the dust fall of Jinan, and the metal concentrations were much higher than background values. During the heating period, the mean values for Cu, Pb, Zn and Cr in the dust fall were 354.9, 688.5, 2,585.5 and 478.6 mg kg⁻¹. During the non-heating period, the mean values for Cu, Pb, Zn and Cr in the dust fall were 228.2, 518.2, 1,933.9 and 96.3 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The I _geo values calculated based on background values revealed that the contamination level of heavy metal in the dust fall ranges from moderately contaminated to heavily contaminated, and it mainly originates from traffic and industry. In this work, the dust fall residue compared to the standard reference was also chosen as the background value to calculate the I _geo value. This method is useful for situations in which the background value is difficult to obtain.     

Interactions between rock avalanches and glaciers in the Mont Blanc massif during the late Holocene

Rock avalanches are common in the Mont Blanc massif, which is bordered by valleys with large resident and tourist populations and important highways. This paper combines historical data with detailed geomorphological mapping, stratigraphic observation, and absolute and relative dating, to interpret several deposits resulting from rock avalanching onto glaciers.Nineteen rock falls and rock avalanches are described, ranging in volume from 10,000 m³ to 10 × 10⁶ m³. They occurred between 2500 BP and AD 2007 at six sites. The events at three sites (Miage and Drus Glaciers, and Tour des Grandes Jorasses) are characterised by short travel distances; those at Brenva, Triolet, and Frébouge Glaciers exhibit excessive travel distances.Interactions between rock avalanches and glaciers are of four types: (i) rock-avalanche triggering, where glacial and paraglacial controls include debuttressing of rockwalls due to glacier thinning and retreat, oversteepening of rock slopes by glacial erosion, and effects of glaciers on permafrost; (ii) rock-avalanche mobility, in which mobility and travel distance are modified by channelling of rock-avalanche debris by moraines and valleys, incorporation of ice and snow (often >50% for large events), and irregularities on the glacier surface; (iii) deposit sedimentology, where melting of incorporated ice transforms the final deposit by reducing its thickness typically to <5 m, and debris of variable thicknesses is juxtaposed in a hummocky deposit with chaotic piles of angular rock debris; and (iv) glacier dynamics where insulating debris deposited upon a glacier produces a debris-covered glacier of different dynamics, and high elevated scars can favour the formation of small glaciers.     

Glaciers and rock glaciers’ distribution at 28° SL,Dry Andes of Argentina,and some considerations about their hydrological significance

The area studied includes a little-known portion on the Dry Andes of the San Juan Frontal Cordillera, Argentina, where the hydrological significance of glaciers and rock glaciers was earlier never studied. The surveyed sector includes Cerro El Potro (5,870 m ASL) and nearby mountain chains (28°S). The predominant landforms in these areas were shaped in a periglacial environment superimposed on an earlier glacial landscape. These regions comprise abundant rock glaciers, a noteworthy rock glacier zone in the world, of which little is known in South America. This work employs geomorphological mapping to analyze the distribution of active rock glaciers in relation to altitude, aspect and slope using optical remote sensing techniques with GIS. Statistical estimation techniques were used based on a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and aerial photos and Spot images interpretation. The specific density of rock glaciers’ estimation in the surveyed area (Argentine border) is 1.56% with corresponds to 38 rock glaciers with an area of 5.86 km² and 0.12 km³ of water equivalent. Furthermore, the analytical results show that elevations >4,270 m ASL, a southeast-facing aspect, and slope between 2° and 40° favor the existence of rock glaciers, Finally, a comparison with glacier water equivalent, which covers an area of ~16 km² and 0.9 km³ of water equivalent, shows that glaciers are the main stores of water at 28°S (Cerro El Potro Glacier). However, the importance of rock glaciers as water reserves in this portion of Argentina should not be underestimated.     

Thermal conductivity of Higher Himalayan Crystallines from Garhwal Himalaya, India

We report the measurements of thermal conductivity for some Higher Himalayan Crystalline rocks from Joshimath and Uttarkashi areas of the Garhwal Himalaya. Seventy-three rock samples including gneiss, metabasic rock and quartzite were measured. Gneissic rocks, which include augen gneiss, banded gneiss, felsic gneiss and fine-grained gneiss, exhibit a wide range in conductivity, from 1.5 to 3.6 Wm^− 1K^− 1 for individual samples, and 2.1 to 2.7 Wm^− 1K^− 1 for the means. Among these, augen gneisses and banded gneisses show the largest variability. Of all the rock types, quartzites (mean 5.4 Wm^− 1K^− 1) and metabasic rocks (mean 2.1 Wm^− 1K^− 1) represent the highest and lowest mean values respectively. The range in conductivity observed for gneissic rocks is significantly higher than that generally found in similar rock types in cratonic areas. The rock samples have very low porosity and exhibit feeble anisotropy, indicating that they do not contribute to the variability in thermal conductivity. Besides variations in mineralogical composition, the heterogeneous banding as well as intercalations with metabasic rocks and quartz veins, a common occurrence in structurally complex areas, appears to cause the variability in conductivity. The study therefore brings out the need for systematic characterization of thermophysical properties of major rock types comprising the Himalayan region for lithospheric thermal modeling, assessment of geothermal energy and geo-engineering applications in an area. The dataset constitutes the first systematic measurements on the Higher Himalayan Crystalline rocks.     

Rock falls in the Mont Blanc Massif in 2007 and 2008

Due to a lack of systematic observations, the intensity and volume of rock falls and rock avalanches in high mountain areas are still poorly known. Nevertheless, these phenomena could have burly consequences. To document present rock falls, a network of observers (guides, mountaineers, and hut wardens) was initiated in the Mont Blanc Massif in 2005 and became fully operational in 2007. This article presents data on the 66 rock falls (100 m³?≤?V?≤?50,000 m³) documented in 2007 (n?=?41) and 2008 (n?=?25). Most of the starting zones are located in warm permafrost areas, which are most sensitive to warming, and only four rock falls are clearly out of permafrost area. Different elements support permafrost degradation as one of the main triggering factors of present rock falls in high mountain areas.