A parametric study on seakeeping assessment of fast ships in conceptual design stage

The paper presents an approach to investigate the effects of some parameters on seakeeping assessment of fast ships in conceptual design stage. Hull form parameters have been classified into two groups: main dimensions (L, B and T) and secondary form parameters (LCB and C_P). To demonstrate the approach a fast ship is redesigned as parent hull and alternative hull forms are generated by changing these parameters systematically. Some hull forms are selected related the geometric limits and seakeeping analyzes are here investigated and discussed. The obtained results are satisfactory for seakeeping predictions during the conceptual design stage.     

A new perspective on the significance of the Ranotsara shear zone in Madagascar

The Ranotsara shear zone in Madagascar has been considered in previous studies to be a >350-km-long, intracrustal strike-slip shear zone of Precambrian/Cambrian age. Because of its oblique strike to the east and west coast of Madagascar, the Ranotsara shear zone has been correlated with shear zones in southern India and eastern Africa in Gondwana reconstructions. Our assessment using remote sensing data and field-based investigations, however, reveals that what previously has been interpreted as the Ranotsara shear zone is in fact a composite structure with a ductile deflection zone confined to its central segment and prominent NW–SE trending brittle faulting along most of its length. We therefore prefer the more neutral term “Ranotsara Zone”. Lithologies, tectonic foliations, and axial trace trajectories of major folds can be followed from south to north across most of the Ranotsara Zone and show only a marked deflection along its central segment. The ductile deflection zone is interpreted as a result of E–W indentation of the Antananarivo Block into the less rigid, predominantly metasedimentary rocks of the Southwestern Madagascar Block during a late phase of the Neoproterozoic/Cambrian East African Orogeny (c. 550–520 Ma). The Ranotsara Zone shows significant NW–SE striking brittle faulting that reactivates part of the NW–SE striking ductile structures in the flexure zone, but also extends along strike toward the NW and toward the SE. Brittle reactivation of ductile structures along the central segment of the Ranotsara Zone, confirmed by apatite-fission track results, may have led to the formation of a shallow Neogene basin underlying the Ranotsara plain. The present-day drainage pattern suggests on-going normal fault activity along the central segment. The Ranotsara Zone is not a megascale intracrustal strike-slip shear zone that crosscuts the entire basement of southern Madagascar. It can therefore not be used as a piercing point in Gondwana reconstructions.     

Geochemistry of oceanic carbonatites compared with continental carbonatites: mantle recycling of oceanic crustal carbonate

Major and trace element and Sr-Nd-Pb-O-C isotopic compositions are presented for carbonatites from the Cape Verde (Brava, Fogo, Sáo Tiago, Maio and Sáo Vicente) and Canary (Fuerteventura) Islands. Carbonatites show pronounced enrichment in Ba, Th, REE, Sr and Pb in comparison to most silicate volcanic rocks and relative depletion in Ti, Zr, Hf, K and Rb. Calcio (calcitic)-carbonatites have primary (mantle-like) stable isotopic compositions and radiogenic isotopic compositions similar to HIMU-type ocean island basalts. Cape Verde carbonatites, however, have more radiogenic Pb isotope ratios (e.g. ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=19.3-20.4) than reported for silicate volcanic rocks from these islands (18.7-19.9; Gerlach et al. 1988; Kokfelt 1998). We interpret calcio-carbonatites to be derived from the melting of recycled carbonated oceanic crust (eclogite) with a recycling age of ~1.6 Ga. Because of the degree of recrystallization, replacement of calcite by secondary dolomite and elevated ‘¹³C and ‘¹⁸O, the major and trace element compositions of the magnesio (dolomitic)-carbonatites are likely to reflect secondary processes. Compared with Cape Verde calcio-carbonatites, the less radiogenic Nd and Pb isotopic ratios and the negative Ɨ/4 of the magnesio-carbonatites (also observed in silicate volcanic rocks from the Canary and Cape Verde Islands) cannot be explained through secondary processes or through the assimilation of Cape Verde crust. These isotopic characteristics require the involvement of a mantle component that has thus far only been found in the Smoky Butte lamproites from Montana, which are believed to be derived from subcontinental lithospheric sources. Continental carbonatites show much greater variation in radiogenic isotopic composition than oceanic carbonatites, requiring a HIMU-like component similar to that observed in the oceanic carbonatites and enriched components. We interpret the enriched components to be Phanerozoic through Proterozoic marine carbonate (e.g. limestone) recycled through shallow, subcontinental-lithospheric-mantle and deep, lower-mantle sources.     

A low plain between arcadia and agronomy: Ippolito Nievo and the Friulan landscape

An analysis of the historical and cultural context of a large number of literary works illuminates the concept of landscape, a recurrent theme in contemporary humanistic geography. In this context, the works of Ippolito Nievo present an opportunity to look closer at the socio-economic circumstances of his time while also offering suggestive interpretative elements about the attitudes held concerning the wetlands of the lower Friulan plain.     

Heretical views on mountain building in Europe and North America: Harbingers of modern tectonics

Since Hutton's doctrine of internal dynamics, geologists have striven to find a rationale for the forces that engender mountain ranges. The 19th century vogue in geological opinion came to a consensus of thermal contraction, and ana priori assumption of shrinking of the globe. Outcrop relations were interpreted accordingly. But leading geologists on both sides of the Atlantic soon observed structures not accounted for by the prevailing hypothesis. The Alpine school of mobilism introduced tectonic polarity (Suess, 1875), nappes (Bertrand, 1884), thrust plates (Termier, 1903) and reached its climax with Argand's visionary perception of crustal flux, of closing ocean basins, and of colliding continents. While the nappe theory was being debated in Europe, another controversy with respect to mountain building surfaced in the American West: the derivation of the Basin Ranges (Gilbert, 1876). Just as the early proponents of large-scale crustal shortening felt that they must dissent from established views, so their contemporaries in America paradoxically discovered still another reason for mountain building, namely, that of crustal extension (Russel, 1884;Le Conte, 1889).

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Zusammenfassung ObwohlHutton (1795) die endogene Herkunft der gebirgsbildenden Kräfte bereits erkannt hatte, sind die physikalischen Grundlagen der Orogenese bis heute nicht abgeklärt worden. Im letzten Jahrhundert waren sich die Forscher zwar einig, daß thermale Erdschrumpfung den Faltenschub bewirke; und entsprechende Querschnitte durch die Faltengebirge sind denn auch zu wissenschaftlichem Allgemeingut geworden. Der bekannteste Fall ist wohl die Glarner Doppelfalte in den Zentralpen (Heim, 1878). Im Gefolge fortschreitender Geländeaufnahmen in den Gebirgen Europas und Nordamerikas erschien das Kontraktionsmodell der Orogenese allerdings stets fragwürdiger. Die Alpengeologen insbesondere verwiesen auf die paläogeographische Konsequenz der einseitigen tektonischen Verfrachtung (Suess, 1875), der Gleitdecken (Bertrand, 1884;Schardt, 1893) und Schubdecken (Termier, 1903). Die neue Anschauung über mobile Orogentektonik fand ihren Niederschlag in Argands meisterhaftem Vortrag über den Bau Asiens am Internationalen Geologen Kongreß 1922 (Argand, 1924).Gleichzeitig mit der Zuspitzung der Diskussion über die Deckentheorie der Alpen, spielte sich auch in Nordamerika eine Kontroverse ab. Auch hier drehte sich die Frage um die Entstehung der Gebirge. Zwar ging es nicht um die üblichen Faltengebirge, sondern um den neuen Typ des Blockgebirges, der im Großen Becken der westlichen Vereinigten Staaten als Basin Ranges (Gilbert, 1876) bekannt wurde. Während die Alpengeologen tektonische Schübe von bisher ungeahnter Größe entdeckten und damit weit mehr Verkürzung der Kruste als die Lehrmeinung wahr haben wollte, hatten es die Erforscher des amerikanischen Westens noch schwieriger, da das Blockgebirge des Großen Beckens offensichtlich durch Ausweitung der Kruste entstanden war (Russell, 1884;Le Conte, 1889). So haben in der alten und der neuen Welt gerade diese, der Lehrmeinung abtrünnigen Ansichten, dem heutigen geotektonischen Denken zum Durchbrach verholfen.

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Résumé Bien que Hutton (1795) ait reconnu la dynamique endogène des phénomènes géologiques, leurs fondements physiques ne sont pas, quant à présent, encore clarifiés. L'opinion en voque au 19ème siècle était en faveur de la contraction thermique comme déterminante de la poussée tectonique. Les profils transversaux dans les chaînes plissées devinrent alors de représentation courante. Tel est la cas bien connu du «Double-pli» de Glaris dans les Alpes centrales (Heim, 1878). Mais des géologues des deux côtés de l'Atlantique observèrent bientôt des structures ne concordant pas avec le modèle de la contraction dans l'orogenèse. L'école mobiliste alpine établit les concepts de la polarité tectonique (Suess, 1875), celui des nappes (Bertrand, 1884), celui des grands charriages (Termier, 1903). La nouvelle conception sur le tectogenèse atteignit son apogée avec la conférence magistrale d'Argand sur la Structure de l'Asie au Congrès géologique international de 1922. (Argand, 1924). — Pendant que la théorie des nappes était en pleine discussion en Europe, une autre controverse sur l'orogenèse se développait dans l'Ouest américain: les problèmes des «Basin Ranges» (Gilbert, 1876). De même que les premiers partisans du rétrécissement à grande échelle de l'écorce terrestre durent s'écarter des points de vue établis, leurs contemporains des Etats-Unis découvrirent paradoxalement une autre cause du soulèvement des chaînes de montagnes: l'extension de l'écorce terrestre (Russel, 1884;Le Conte, 1889).

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The Oeschinensee rock avalanche,Bernese Alps,Switzerland: a co-seismic failure 2300 years ago?

Landslide deposits dam Lake Oeschinen (Oeschinensee), located above Kandersteg, Switzerland. However, past confusion differentiating deposits of multiple landslide events has confounded efforts to quantify the volume, age, and failure dynamics of the Oeschinensee rock avalanche. Here we combine field and remote mapping, topographic reconstruction, cosmogenic surface exposure dating, and numerical runout modeling to quantify salient parameters of the event. Differences in boulder lithology and deposit morphology reveal that the landslide body damming Oeschinensee consists of debris from both an older rock avalanche, possibly Kandertal, as well as the Oeschinensee rock avalanche. We distinguish a source volume for the Oeschinensee event of 37 Mm³, resulting in an estimated deposit volume of 46 Mm³, smaller than previous estimates that included portions of the Kandertal mass. Runout modeling revealed peak and average rock avalanche velocities of 65 and 45 m/s, respectively, and support a single-event failure scenario. ³⁶Cl surface exposure dating of deposited boulders indicates a mean age for the rock avalanche of 2.3 ± 0.2 kyr. This age coincides with the timing of a paleo-seismic event identified from lacustrine sediments in Swiss lakes, suggesting an earthquake trigger. Our results help clarify the hazard and geomorphic effects of rare, large rock avalanches in alpine settings.     

Correcting for crystal tilt in HRTEM images of minerals: the case of orthopyroxene

High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) is a powerful technique for crystal structure imaging and real structure analysis. It is theoretically possible to resolve inter-atomic distances with modern high resolution microscopes. In practice, however, the effects of sample and lens parameters such as crystal tilt and phase contrast transfer function (CTF) distort the images, reduce the resolution offered, and make image interpretation difficult. We have analyzed to what extent it is possible to reconstruct interpretable images of a tilted mineral by image processing.HRTEM images of orthopyroxene were simulated for a series of crystal tilts and thicknesses under Scherzer defocus condition using the parameters of a 400 kV microscope. The tilted images were reconstructed by crystallographic image processing. After correcting for crystal tilt, the images were as good as electron density maps calculated from X-ray diffraction structure factors.     

Fifteen days of continuous activity survey at Stromboli volcano, Italy, in late September 2000: Doppler radar, seismicity, infrared, soil humidity, and mapping of the crater region

The intention of our study was to gain new insight into the complex interplay between different types of eruption of the Stromboli volcano by combining detailed field observation with different geophysical methods. We recorded more than 600 eruptions by use of continuous Doppler radar measurements. We detected the onset of the seismic precursor and the beginning of the visible eruption by use of seismic and infrared data. Two soil samples per day were used to monitor the effect of humidity on the eruptive style. We mapped the crater region as a reference base for the long-term morphological changes of the active region and for the exact positions of our measurement systems. Two distinct types of eruption were distinguished from each other on the basis of seismic and radar data - short, wide-angle Strombolian explosions and pulsating, sharp angle fountain-like eruptions. Data and visual observations imply that weather conditions significantly effect volcanic activity. We also interpret the intensification of eruptive activity during our field study as replenishment of the reservoir with a new batch of magma in late September 2000.