Constraining slip rates and spacings for active normal faults

Numerous observations of extensional provinces indicate that neighbouring faults commonly slip at different rates and, moreover, may be active over different time intervals. These published observations include variations in slip rate measured along-strike of a fault array or fault zone, as well as significant across-strike differences in the timing and rates of movement on faults that have a similar orientation with respect to the regional stress field. Here we review published examples from the western USA, the North Sea, and central Greece, and present new data from the Italian Apennines that support the idea that such variations are systematic and thus to some extent predictable. The basis for the prediction is that: (1) the way in which a fault grows is fundamentally controlled by the ratio of maximum displacement to length, and (2) the regional strain rate must remain approximately constant through time. We show how data on fault lengths and displacements can be used to model the observed patterns of long-term slip rate where measured values are sparse. Specifically, we estimate the magnitude of spatial variation in slip rate along-strike and relate it to the across-strike spacing between active faults.     

Trace and minor element geochemistry of the rhyolitic volcanic rocks,Central North Island,New Zealand

Analytical data are presented for the following elements: Cs, Rb, Ba, K, Sr, Ca, Na, Fe, Mg, Cu, Co, Ni, Li, Sc, V, Cr, Ga, Al, Si, La, Y, and Zr. Eight samples were analysed by the spark source method for rare earths, Tl, Pb, Hf, Sn, Nb, Mo, Bi, and In. In addition to data on rhyolitic volcanics, a small number of intermediate volcanics and eugeosynclinal sediments were analysed for comparative purposes. The following features are shown by the trace element data:

1. The rhyolitic rocks have consistently lower concentrations of most trace and minor elements when compared with recent estimates of average concentrations in granites. None of the criteria for strong fractionation (e.g. low K/Rb, Ba/Rb and K/Cs ratios) are present.
2. The data do not indicate any systematic differences between the rhyolitic lavas and ignimbrites, although the very young rhyolitic pumices are consistently more “basic” in their element concentrations compared to the other rhyolitic analyses.
3. The residual glasses (and devitrified matrices) are depleted, relative to the total rock compositions, in Fe, Mg, Ca, Sr, V, Sc, and Al, and enriched in Cs, Rb, K, Ba, and Si. Zr is depleted in the residual glasses separated from rhyolites, but not in the andesitic residual matrices.
4. The rare earth fractionation patterns of the rhyolitic and andesitic extrusives are very similar, being intermediate between chondritic and sedimentary patterns i.e., there is no evidence of strong fractionation. The rhyolitic patterns also indicate a slight Eu depletion.
5. Comparable trace and minor element behaviour (with the possible exception of Zr) seems to exist through the rhyolite-andesite compositional range. This is supported by the whole rock-residual liquid trends for the various elements studied, which broadly coincide with the observed whole rock trends, both through the rhyolitic-andesitic compositonal range, and within the rhyolitic compositional range.

The data are finally discussed in the light of the possible origin of the rhyolitic magmas. It is believed that the analytical data presented are qualitatively consistent with the recently proposed idea that the magmas are derived by partial fusion of the associated Triassic-Jurassic eugeosynclinal greywacke-argillite sedimentary sequence.     

Giving Credit where Credit is Due. A Practical Method to Distinguish between Human and Natural Factors in Carbon Accounting

Net carbon emissions from the biosphere differ from fossil-fuel based emissions in that: (i) a large proportion of biospheric carbon exchange is not under direct human control; (ii) land-use decisions often have only a small short-term effect on net emissions, but a large long-term effect; and (iii) biospheric carbon exchange is potentially reversible. Because of these differences, carbon accounting approaches also need to be different for fossil-fuel and biosphere-based emissions. Recognising that, the international negotiators at COP 7 adopted a range of guiding principles for accounting for biospheric carbon exchange, including: that accounting excludes removals resulting from (a) elevated carbon dioxide concentrations above pre-industrial level; (b) indirect nitrogen deposition; and (c) the dynamic effects of age structure resulting from activities and practices before the reference year. In this paper, we highlight some of the challenges in biospheric carbon accounting for Canada, the U.S.A, New Zealand and Australia, four nations for which biospheric net carbon exchange is large relative to fossil-fuel based emissions. We discuss an accounting scheme that is based on assessing changes in average carbon stocks due to changes in land use. That scheme is tailored to the special needs of biospheric carbon management and is consistent with the accounting principles adopted at COP 7. The paper shows how the accounting scheme would resolve many of the biospheric carbon accounting anomalies identified for the four nations we studied.     

Multi-functional heat pulse probe measurements of coupled vadose zone flow and transport

Simultaneous measurement of coupled water, heat, and solute transport in unsaturated porous media is made possible with the multi-functional heat pulse probe (MFHPP). The probe combines a heat pulse technique for estimating soil heat properties, water flux, and water content with a Wenner array measurement of bulk soil electrical conductivity (EC_bulk). To evaluate the MFHPP, we conducted controlled steady-state flow experiments in a sand column for a wide range of water saturations, flow velocities, and solute concentrations. Flow and transport processes were monitored continuously using the MFHPP. Experimental data were analyzed by inverse modeling of simultaneous water, heat, and solute transport using an adapted HYDRUS-2D model. Various optimization scenarios yielded simultaneous estimation of thermal, solute, and hydraulic parameters and variables, including thermal conductivity, volumetric water content, water flux, and thermal and solute dispersivities. We conclude that the MFHPP holds great promise as an excellent instrument for the continuous monitoring and characterization of the vadose zone.     

Meteorological Aspects, Ozone, and Solar Radiation Measurements During POPCORN 1994

Meteorological data, ozone mixing ratios, and photolysis frequencies for the period August 2 to August 24, 1994, are presented and discussed in support of the field campaign POPCORN (Photochemistry of Plant Emitted Compounds and OH Radicals in Northeastern Germany). Measurements of temperature, ozone, and wind speed at different heights are used to evaluate micro-meteorological parameters. The observations provide information about local influences on the air mass composition. The analysis of radio sonde data of nearby stations provides the height of the planetary boundary layer.     

Structural development of the Precambrian basement in the Bir Safsaf-Aswân area,SW-Egypt

Structural investigations, especially on quartz c-axis fabrics, combined with petrological work, were carried out in Precambrian rocks from the basement outcrops Bir Safsaf, Gebel el Asr und Gebel Umm Shâghir in the Western Desert in SW Egypt. The principal rock types are migmatites with local mylonite zones. The foliation and shear planes strike WNW-ESE, the axes of the wide and open folds NE-SW to N-S. Investigation of recrystallization features and mineral parageneses lead to P–T-estimates for the different stages of the metamorphic evolution. They range from early granulite facies down to greenschist facies. Quartz-c-axis fabrics of the migmatites and mylonites are similar (crossed-girdle fabrics) but they have a different regional orientation of the strain ellipsoid. Shear zones developed after the main migmatite facies event. The geological evolution of the basement outcrops in Bir Safsaf, Gebel el Asr and Gebel Umm Shâghir is comparable and the whole region is thought to be part of the East Sahara Craton.

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Zusammenfassung Strukturuntersuchungen, besonders Quarz-c-Achsen-Regelungen, kombiniert mit petrologischen Arbeiten, wurden an Gesteinen der präkambrischen Grundgebirgsaufschlüsse Bir Safsaf, Gebel el Asr und Gebel Umm Shâghir in der Western Desert, ägypten, durchgeführt. Die hauptsächlich auftretenden Gesteinstypen sind Migmatite mit lokalen Mylonitzonen. Schieferungs- und Scherflächen streichen WNW-ESE, die Achsen der weiten bis offenen Faltung NE-SW bis N-S. Mit Hilfe des Rekristallisationsverhaltens und der Paragenesen werden P-T-Abschätzungen der Metamorphosestadien angegeben. Sie reichen von früher Granulitfazies bis zu später Grünschieferfazies. Die Quarz-c-Achsenregelung in Migmatiten und Myloniten ist ähnlich (Kreuzgürtelregelung), jedoch mit unterschiedlicher regionaler Orientierung des Strainellipsoids. Scherzonen entwickelten sich nach dem migmatitfaziellen Hauptmetamorphose-Ereignis. Die geologische Entwicklung in den Grundgebirgsaufschlüssen von Bir Safsaf, Gebel el Asr und Gebel Umm Shâghir ist vergleichbar und das gesamte Gebiet wird als Teil des Ostsaharakratons angesehen.

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Résumé Cette note fait état des résultats de recherches menées dans les aires d'affleurement du socle pré-cambrien de Bir Safsaf, du Jebel al Asr et du Jebel Umm Shâghir, dans le désert occidental d'Egypte; ces recherches ont consisté en l'étude des structures, particulèrement des fabriques des axes c du quartz, combinée avec une étude pétrologique. Les roches sont essentiellement des migmatites accompagnées de zones de mylonites locales. La schistosité et les plans de cisaillement y sont orientés WNW-ESE; elles présentent des plis ouverts dont les axes sont NE-SW à N-S. L'étude des structures de recristallisation et des paragenèses minérales fournit une estimation des conditions (p,t) au cours des stades successifs de l'évolution métamorphique. Ces conditions s'échelonnent du faciès des granulites jusqu'à celui des schistes verts. Les fabriques des axes c du quartz sont les mÊmes dans les migmatites et les mylonites (fabrique à «ceintures croisées»), mais ces roches présentent des orientations régionales différentes de l'ellipsoÏde des déformations. L'événement métamorphique principal à caractère migmatitique a été suivi de la formation de couloirs de cisaillement (shear-zones). L'évolution géologique du socle est comparable dans les trois aires étudiées; l'ensemble est considéré comme faisant partie du craton du Sahara oriental.

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, Bir Safsaf, Gebel el Asr Gebel Umm Shâghir, . . WNW-ESE, — NE-SW N-S. , . . / Kreuzgü rtelregelung /, . . Bir Safsaf, Gebel el Asr Gebel Umm Shaghir , .

     

Plant Phenological Anomalies in Germany and their Relation to Air Temperature and NAO

This paper analyses long-term (1951–2000) phenological observations of20 plant seasonal phases recorded within the phenological network of the German Weather Service in relation to climate data and NAO. Phenological inter-annual variability and temporal trends were determined by using mean anomaly curves for Germany. For all phases, the mean trends derived by this method are similar to German averages of linear trends of single station records. Trend analysis using anomaly curves appears to be effective in relating seasonal phenological trends to climate or satellite data: Spring and summer phenological anomalies, such as leaf unfolding and flowering of different species, strongly correlate with temperature of the preceding months (R² between 0.65 and 0.85, best one-variable model) andtheir onsets have advanced by 2.5 to 6.7 days per ° C warmer spring. Fruit ripening of Sambucus nigra and Aesculus hippocastanum, keyphenophases of early and mid autumn, correlate well with summer temperature (R² 0.74 and 0.84) and also advance by 6.5and 3.8 days per ° C (April–June). But the response of autumn colouringto warmer climate is more complex because two opposing factors influence autumn colouring dates. Higher spring and early summer temperatures advance leaf colouring, whereas warmer autumn temperatures delay leaf colouring. The percentage of variance explained by temperature (R² 0.22 to 0.51,best one-variable model) is less than for spring and summer phases. The length of the growing season is mainly increased by warmer springs (R² 0.48to 0.64, best one-variable model) and lengthened by 2.4 to 3.5 days/° C (February–April). The North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAO) of January–March correlates with spring phenological anomalies(R² 0.37 to 0.56, best one-variable model), summer to mid autumn phases respond to NAO of February–March (R² 0.23 to 0.36) (both negativecorrelations). Leaf colouring is delayed by higher NAO of (August) September (R² 0.10to 0.18). NAO of January–February explains 0.41 to 0.44% of thevariance of the length of the growing season.