Deformation patterns in the southwestern part of the Mediterranean Ridge (South Matapan Trench,Western Greece)

Seismic reflection data and bathymetry analyses, together with geological information, are combined in the present work to identify seabed structural deformation and crustal structure in the Western Mediterranean Ridge (the backstop and the South Matapan Trench). As a first step, we apply bathymetric data and state of art methods of pattern recognition to automatically detect seabed lineaments, which are possibly related to the presence of tectonic structures (faults). The resulting pattern is tied to seismic reflection data, further assisting in the construction of a stratigraphic and structural model for this part of the Mediterranean Ridge. Structural elements and stratigraphic units in the final model are estimated based on: (a) the detected lineaments on the seabed, (b) the distribution of the interval velocities and the presence of velocity inversions, (c) the continuity and the amplitudes of the seismic reflections, the seismic structure of the units and (d) well and stratigraphic data as well as the main tectonic structures from the nearest onshore areas. Seabed morphology in the study area is probably related with the past and recent tectonics movements that result from African and European plates’ convergence. Backthrusts and reverse faults, flower structures and deep normal faults are among the most important extensional/compressional structures interpreted in the study area.     

Behaviour of steel cushions subjected to combined actions

Mild steel is relatively low-cost and easily accessible material to fabricate some structural members. It would be a significant advantage if seismic energy dissipaters that are used in structures constructed in the earthquake prone areas, could also be produced on site. In this paper, a promising seismic energy dissipater made of mild steel, so-called steel cushion (SC) is presented. It is provided experimental and analytical responses of SCs subjected to bi-axial loadings. SC rolls under the lateral loading that allows relocation of the plasticized cross-section. Henceforth, SC dissipates considerable amount of seismic energy. A series of tests were performed to achieve experimentally the behavior of SC subjected to longitudinal and transversal loading. Finite Element Models (FEMs) were also generated to reproduce the experimental backbone curves and to predict the bi-directional response properties for discrete transversal forces and plate thicknesses. Closed-form equations were derived to determine yield and ultimate forces and the corresponding displacements as well as location of the plasticized sections. The behavior of SC could either be projected by the FEMs with the exhibited parameters or by means of the proposed closed-form equations and the normalized design chart.     

Space–time analysis, faulting and triggering of the 2010 earthquake doublet in western Corinth Gulf

Two moderate magnitude earthquakes (M5.5 and M5.4) occurred in January 2010 with their epicenters at a distance of about 5?km between them, in the western part of the Corinth Gulf. The recordings of the regional seismological network, which is dense locally, were used for the location of the two main events and aftershocks, which are concentrated in three clusters beneath the northern coasts of the Gulf. The first two clusters accompany each one of the two stronger earthquakes, whereas the third cluster comprises only low magnitude aftershocks, located westward of the two stronger events. Seismic excitation started in January 18, 2010, with the M?=?5.5 earthquake in the area occupied by the central cluster. Seismicity immediately jumped to the east with numerous aftershocks and the M?=?5.4 earthquake which occurred four days later (January 22, 2010). Cross sections normal to the long axis of each cluster show ruptures on north dipping faults at depths of 7?C11?km. Focal mechanisms of the stronger events of the sequence support the results obtained from the spatial distribution of the aftershocks that three different fault segments activated in this excitation. The slip vectors of all the events have an NNW?CSSE to NNE?CSSW orientation almost parallel to the direction of extension along the Corinth Gulf. Calculation of the Coulomb stress changes supports an interaction between the different clusters, with the major activity being coincided with the area of positive induced stress changes after the first earthquake.     

Sectional response of T-shaped RC walls

Deformation quantities such as strain, curvature and displacement are of paramount importance in seismic design within a performance-based procedure that aims to control the structural response at predefined levels of inelastic action. Given the importance of curvature expressions independent of strength for the design process, and for the particular case of T-shaped walls, the curvature trends at yield, serviceability and ultimate limit state are determined in graphical and analytical form. The comprehensive set of equations proposed in this work are strength independent and allow the reliable computation of limit-state curvatures, essential in a displacement-based design approach, and thus the realistic estimation of appropriate ductility factors in the design of T-shaped walls. Furthermore, results regarding the section properties of T-shaped walls, such as the elastic stiffness and the moment capacity for opposite directions of loading, offer additional information on T-shaped walls.     

Nonlinear dynamics and recurrence analysis of extreme precipitation for observed and general circulation model generated climates

A statistical framework based on nonlinear dynamics theory and recurrence quantification analysis of dynamical systems is proposed to quantitatively identify the temporal characteristics of extreme (maximum) daily precipitation series. The methodology focuses on both observed and general circulation model (GCM) generated climates for present (1961–2000) and future (2061–2100) periods which correspond to 1xCO₂ and 2xCO₂ simulations. The daily precipitation has been modelled as a stochastic process coupled with atmospheric circulation. An automated and objective classification of daily circulation patterns (CPs) based on optimized fuzzy rules was used to classify both observed CPs and ECHAM4 GCM‐generated CPs for 1xCO₂ and 2xCO₂ climate simulations (scenarios). The coupled model ‘CP‐precipitation’ was suitable for precipitation downscaling. The overall methodology was applied to the medium‐sized mountainous Mesochora catchment in Central‐Western Greece. Results reveal substantial differences between the observed maximum daily precipitation statistical patterns and those produced by the two climate scenarios. A variable nonlinear deterministic behaviour characterizes all climate scenarios examined. Transitions’ patterns differ in terms of duration and intensity. The 2xCO₂ scenario contains the strongest transitions highlighting an unusual shift between floods and droughts. The implications of the results to the predictability of the phenomenon are also discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dating Palaeolithic sites in southwestern Crete,Greece

Discussions of dispersals of early hominins from Africa assume that Southwest Asia and the Arabian Peninsula were the primary passageways for migrations to Eurasia. The Mediterranean is usually viewed as a barrier to early hominin movements because pre‐sapiens hominins were thought to lack the technical means or the cognitive skills to construct boats. The discovery of early Palaeolithic artefacts in an archaeological survey on the Greek island of Crete challenges this view. Here we show that Palaeolithic artefacts in the Plakias region in southwestern Crete are associated with geological contexts that can be dated to the late Middle or early Late Pleistocene. Because Crete has been separated from the mainland throughout the Pleistocene, the presence of Pleistocene age artefacts there suggests that early hominins were able to cross open water. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mass closure of total suspended particles over the coal burning power production area of western Macedonia, Greece

Ambient suspended particles (TSP) were collected from January to June 2001 at seven sampling sites in western Macedonia, Greece, where four thermal power stations are located. TSP samples were chemically characterized for minerals (Fe, Al, Mg, Ca, K, Ti and Si), trace elements (P, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, V, Zn, Te, Co, Ni, Se, Sr, As, and Sb), water-soluble ions , carbonaceous compounds (OC/EC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These classes of compounds were consequently compared with PM mass concentrations of TSP in order to perform mass closure. PM chemical compositions exhibited differences at the seven sites. Minerals were found to be more abundant at four sites, electrolytes dominated the composition at two of the sites while carbonaceous material was most abundant only at one site. The fraction unaccounted for ranged between 22 and 34%. Spatial variations of atmospheric concentrations showed significantly higher levels of minerals, some trace metals and TC at the site that was closest to the power plants. At the same site ions exhibited high correlations with minerals and the majority of trace elements.     

Ground fissures in the area of Mavropigi Village (N. Greece): Seismotectonics or mining activity?

In the beginning of July 2010, a ground fissure was observed in the field near the village of Mavropigi (Northern Greece) and specifically in its NW side. Later on (early September), a second ground fissure was perceived, close and almost parallel to the first one and very close to the limits of the lignite exploitation mine (by the Public Power Corporation, PPC). It was observed that the village of Mavropigi slides away slowly towards the PPC lignite mine. Geological, seismological, as well as geotechnical survey in the field indicated that the phenomenon is related to the coal mining exploitation in the near vicinity of the village rather than to any seismotectonic activity in the surrounding area.     

Analysing the topology of seismicity in the Hellenic arc using complex networks

Based on the theory of complex networks, we quantify for the first time correlations between seismic events occurring in the Hellenic arc and Trench system, which is the most seismogenic structure in the European–Mediterranean region. We examine how relatively strong events with their aftershock sequences trigger phase transitions of the underlying network topology of seismic activity from random to scale-free structures. In particular, we show that the network is characterized by a highly clustered spatial structure giving rise to heterogeneous networks exhibiting enhanced small-world attributes.