Seismic,petrologic, and geodetic analyses of the 1999 dome-forming eruption of Guagua Pichincha volcano,Ecuador

Guagua Pichincha, located 14 km west of Quito, Ecuador, is a stratovolcano bisected by a horseshoe-shaped caldera. In 1999, after some months of phreatic activity, Guagua Pichincha entered into an eruptive period characterized by the extrusion of several dacitic domes, vulcanian eruptions, and pyroclastic flows. We estimated the three-dimensional (3-D) P-wave velocity structure beneath Guagua Pichincha using a tomographic inversion method based on finite-difference calculations of first-arrival times. Hypocenters of volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes and long-period (LP) events were relocated using the 3-D P-wave velocity model. A low-velocity anomaly exists beneath the caldera and may represent an active volcanic conduit. Petrologic analysis of eruptive products indicates a magma storage region beneath the caldera, having a vertical extent of 7–8 km with the upper boundary at about sea level. This zone coincides with the source region of deeper VT earthquakes, indicating that a primary magma body exists in this region. LP swarms occurred in a cyclic pattern synchronous with ground deformation during magma extrusions. The correlation between seismicity and ground deformation suggests that both respond to pressure changes caused by the cyclic eruptive behavior of lava domes.     

GPS radio holography as a tool for remote sensing of the atmosphere, mesosphere, and terrestrial surface from space

GPS radio occultation (RO) signals are highly coherent and precise, and thus sufficient for holographic investigation of the atmosphere, ionosphere, and the Earth's surface from space. In principle, three-dimensional radio-holographic remote sensing is possible by using new radio holographic equations to retrieve the radio field within the atmosphere from a radio field known at some interface outside the atmosphere. A simplified two-dimensional form of the radio-holographic equations which are developed under an assumption of local spherical symmetry can be used to obtain two-dimensional radio images of the atmosphere and terrestrial surface. To achieve this, radio holograms recorded by a GPS receiver onboard a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite at two GPS frequencies can be used and focused synthetic aperture principle applied. Analysis of GPS/MET RO data is presented to show the effectiveness of a radio-holographic approach. It is shown that the amplitude of GPS radio signals (in addition to phase data) can be used to obtain detailed altitude profiles of the vertical gradient of refractivity in the atmosphere and electron density in the mesosphere. The results demonstrate the applicability of GPS radio holography for a detailed global study of the natural processes in the atmosphere and mesosphere. Electronic Publication     

The development of computer networks: First results from a microeconomic model

 Computer networks like the Internet are gaining importance in social and economic life. The accelerating pace of the adoption of network technologies for business purposes is a rather recent phenomenon. Many applications are still in the early, sometimes even experimental, phase. Nevertheless, it seems to be certain that networks will change the socioeconomic structures we know today. This is the background for our special interest in the development of networks, in the role of spatial factors influencing the formation of networks, and consequences of networks on spatial structures, and in the role of externalities. This paper discusses a simple economic model – based on a microeconomic calculus – that incorporates the main factors that generate the growth of computer networks. The paper provides analytic results about the generation of computer networks. The paper discusses (1) under what conditions economic factors will initiate the process of network formation, (2) the relationship between individual and social evaluation, and (3) the efficiency of a network that is generated based on economic mechanisms. Received: 5 July 2000 / Accepted: 28 November 2000     

The late Quaternary development of three ancient tarns on southwestern Cumberland Peninsula, Baffin Island, Arctic Canada: paleolimnological evidence from diatoms and sediment chemistry

Sediment diatom and chemical analyses of cores from three poorly buffered extra-glacial lakes on the northeastern margin of the Canadian Shield (Cumberland Peninsula, Baffin Island) record interactions between aquatic and terrestrial spheres that were influenced by late Quaternary climatic conditions. Although differences exist between each of the lakes, notably with regards to the intensity of pre-Holocene catchment erosion and the timing of the onset of organic sedimentation, an underlying pattern of lake ontogeny, common to all three lakes, is identified. Although intensified watershed erosion characterized the Late Wisconsinan and Neoglacial cold periods, the lakes nonetheless remained viable ecosystems at these times. Sudden catchment stabilization during the late-glacial to earliest Holocene is associated with incipient organic sedimentation. Lake-water pH increased at this time, likely in response both longer base cation residence times as lake flushing rates decreased, and enhanced alkalinity production from sediment biogeochemical reactions. Subsequently, as the catchments remained stable during the productive early Holocene (c.9–7 ka BP), then gradually received a renewed increase of minerogenic sedimentation, the breakdown of sources of lake alkalinity resulted in natural acidification. Burial of cation-rich mineral sediments and the loss of permanent sedimentary sinks for the products of microbial reduction likely impeded within-lake alkalinity production, and catchment-derived base cations appeared ineffective in curtailing pH declines. The general nature of the Holocene development of these lakes is similar to that observed elsewhere on crystalline terrains, following deglaciation. Our data therefore suggest that catchment glaciation is not a necessary precursor for models of lake development characterized by initial base cation enrichment and subsequent gradual acidification.     

On the causes of landslides: Human activities,perception, and natural processes

Conceptual equations are presented for the net benefits, total risk, and total vulnerability associated with hazard zone occupation. It is shown that, as they are polycausal phenomena, landslides require a more sophisticated approach to this form of analysis than that employed for most other forms of hazard.Three examples of landsliding are examined. At Cuyocuyo, in the Peruvian Cordillera Oriental, slope instability is virtually inevitable, but human intervention may be disturbing some very fragile natural equilibria. At Calciano, in southern Italy, deforestation has resulted in a mudflow disaster, although man-made factors are not the only causes at work. Finally, in the Valle dell'Orco (also in southern Italy) demographic and agrarian change have aided the partial metamorphosis of the catchment into a large-scale mudflow complex (although the longer-term causes are natural, tectonic ones). These examples illustrate parts of the continuum that extends from dominant natural to dominant anthropogenic causes.Human intervention has played a key role in stimulating the natural antecedents of landslides occurring in the study areas. It is concluded that risk perception has not been wide enough to promote adequate risk mitigation, in part because of a failure properly to conceive of landslides as polycausal phenomena, in which man-made causes effectively cannot—and should not—be separated from natural ones.     

The role of choke points in the ocean context

Choke points are narrow international waterways where three characteristics are present. The waterway should be narrow and capable of being closed off to both commercial and military snipping. There should be no readily available maritime route to utilize in the event of closure. Finally, the choke point should be of considerable significance to at least several States. This article identifies seven “primary” choke points which seem to satisfy these criteria. These are Gibraltar, Bab el Mandeb, Hormuz, the Danish and Turkish Straits, and the Suez and Panama Canals. It also identifies eleven “secondary” choke points, where at least one of the reouired characteristics is missing. The eleven include Dover, Bering and Magellan Straits, as well as Malacca-Singapore and a number of others in the Western Pacific. Turning to a consideration of the status of choke points in a Post-Cold War era, the article notes four basic assumptions: (1) the intense military rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union will be reduced in coming years; (2) for many countries marine-related environmental concerns may be increasing considerably; (3) as the Cold War recedes, regional contests and confrontations will grow more intense; and (4) the overall densities of water-borne traffic will undergo change as the relative economic growth of regional centers changes. The article then considers the potential impact of these trends on the future role of choke points.     

Die Lagerungsverhältnisse der Altvulkanite

Zusammenfassung Es werden die Lagerungsverhältnisse der altvulkanischen Bildungen erörtert: Die fördertreue Lagerung der Tuffe und die teils kongruente, teils überschneidende, teils fördertreue Lagerung der Intrusivgruppen. Die Lagerung derselben beruht auf dem jeweiligen Verhältnis von Senkung und Hebung. Im Gegensatz dazu ist die inverse Lagerung der Scheiben innerhalb einer Intrusivgruppe bei stationärer Lage des Gebirges auf das zunehmende spezifische Gewicht der Schmelzen zurückzuführen. Diese Lagerung steht im Widerspruch zur Förderfolge. Dieser Befund bestätigt die Intrusivnatur der vorquartären Laven.Die Graben- und Kammerbasalte werden auf den Abriß eines Grabenkeils infolge der Horizontalen Dehnung und auf eine progressive Kammerbildung zurückgeführt. Sie gibt einen Hinweis auf den Raumgewinn nach unten. Es folgen Erörterungen über die Lagerungsbeziehungen der Intrusivkörper zu den Sedimenten und Tuffen. Am Schluß wird auf die methodische Anwendung der erkannten Gesetzmäßigkeiten hingewiesen. Im Anhang folgt eine Stellungnahme zu den bei der Diskussion vorgebrachten Einwänden.

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Pyroclasts are deposited in accordance with their eruption. Intrusives are found in congruent, overlapping, or in eruption-accordant positions, consequent to tectonic rise and subsidence. In stable areas the reversed succession within the volcanic complex follows an increased specific weight of the magma. Reversed successions of volcanic series corroborate the intrusive origin of the prequaternary lavas. The graben and chamber basalts depend on wedge-shaped graben subsidence, and on progressive formation of chambers.

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Résumé On examine ici les aspects des stratifications des formations volcaniques anciennes, en particulier la stratification des tuffs et celle des roches intrusives. La stratification de ces dernières est due aux diverses formes d'affaisement et de soulèvement. En contraste avec cela, la disposition inverse des plaques à l'intérieur d'un groupe de roches intrusives dans une position stationnaire de la montagne doit s'expliquer par l'accroissement du poids spécifique du magma. Cette disposition se trouve en opposition avec l'ordre d'arrivée. Cette constation permet de confirmer la nature intrusive de «laves» préquaternaires. Les basaltes des fossés et les basaltes des salles ont attribués à un graben par suite de l'extension horizontale et à une formation progressive de salles. Celle-ci apporte une indication sur le gain d'espace réalisé vers le bas.A la fin on attire l'attention sur les aspects de la stratification des corps intrusifs par rapport aux sédiments et aux tuffs ainsi que sur l'application méthodique deces résultats. Dans l'appendice suit une prise de position par rapport aux objections formulées en cours de discussion.

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Intrusiver und extrusiver Peridoditmagmatismus im alpinotypen Bereich

Zusammenfassung Der Widerspruch, welcher sich aus der hohen Schmelztemperatur ultrabasischer Magmen und der geringen Kontaktmetamorphose ergibt, ist allgemein weder durch den kühlen Kristallbrei noch durch die tektonische Einschuppung von Bruchstücken der Peridoditschale lösbar. Die Platznahme der Ultrabasite erfolgte teils tief intrusiv, teils seicht intrusiv im Bereich der Geosynklinalböden, teils submarin extrusiv. Sedimentogene Serpentine sind sehr selten. Das Alter der Serpentine im alpinmediteranen Raum reicht vom Altpaläozoikum bis in die oberste Kreide.     

Zur Frage der Geschwindigkeit des Deckenschubes

Zusammenfassung In den folgenden Ausführungen werden Daten über die Geschwindigkeit der Bewegung von Schubdecken in der Hauptbewegungsphase geliefert. Die hierfür verwendeten Beispiele stammen aus den Ostalpen und Westkarpaten. Eine sichere Geschwindigkeits-Bestimmung ist derzeit noch nicht durchführbar. Es können aber Minimalbewegungswerte von etwa 1,5 mm/Jahr errechnet werden. Die reale Transportgeschwindigkeit könnte auch wesentlich höher liegen, vielleicht bei 10–20 mm/Jahr.

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This paper presents facts pertaining to the velocity of the overthrust of nappes during a tectonical phase by means of examples from the Eastern Alps and the Western Carpathians. An exact determination of this velocity is still not possible. One can calculate minimum values of near 1,5 mm/year. The real velocity of the overthrusts of nappes might be much higher, perhaps 10–20 mm/year.

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Résumé L'article expose des données sur la vitesse des mouvements des nappes de charriage pendant la phase principale de transport. Les exemples présentés proviennent des Alpes orientales et des Carpathes occidentales. Il n'est pas possible jusqu'à présent de faire une détermination plus exacte de cette vitesse. Mais on peut calculer un minimum de transport d'environ 1,5 mm/an. La vitesse réelle des mouvements de translation pourrait même être nettement plus élevée, et atteindre peut-être 10–20 mm/ an.

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