Seismic strain rates and distributed continental deformation in the northern Andes and three-dimensional seismotectonics of northwestern South America

Remote sensing and field studies of several extensional basins along the northern margin of the Gulf of Aden in Yemen show that Oligocene–Miocene syn-rift extension trends N20°E on average, in agreement with the E–W to N120°E strike of main rift-related normal faults, but oblique to the main trend of the Gulf (N70°E). These faults show a systematic reactivation under a 160°E extensional stress that we interpret also as syn-rift. The occurrence of these two successive phases of extension over more than 1000 km along the continental margin suggests a common origin linked to the rifting process. After discussing other possible mechanisms such as a change in plate motion, far-field effects of Arabia–Eurasia collision, and stress rotations in transfer zones, we present a working hypothesis that relates the 160°E extension to the westward propagation since about 20 Ma of the N70°E-trending, obliquely spreading, Gulf of Aden oceanic rift. The late 160°E extension, perpendicular to the direction of rift propagation, could result from crack-induced extension associated with the strain localization that characterises the rift-to-drift transition.     

Climatology of hail in France

Within the framework of a doctoral thesis in geography, we endeavored to draw up the first map showing hail risk in France. The creation of this map is mainly based on the data of hail measuring networks. This map is corroborated, moreover, by the analysis of hail damage maps. Insurance data used to measure relative hail damage are the base premium rate levels expressed as a percentage of assets insured on a single crop, in this case grapes. These levels reflect well, over the long term, the regional hierarchy of damage, without it being necessary to correlate them directly in terms of frequency and intensity of hail. The regions that suffer the most hail stretch from the southwest to the east-central area of France, passing through the Massif Central. One must also note the southern Alps as a strongly hail-prone region. From the diagonal line of high hail risk emerge two gradients of decreasing intensity and frequency of hail. Toward the west, the risk of hail diminishes strongly, attaining a minimum level in Brittany and on the English Channel coast. Toward the southeast, hail diminishes near the Mediterranean coast. The climatological explanations of this map are so far only hypotheses. Hail is not the exclusive feature of a single climate; it seems on the contrary to be the hallmark of regions of climatic contact. The line of maximal hail risk is situated at the frontier between the oceanic and Mediterranean influences. This conflict is readily measurable in the southwest part of France where the pyrenees channel the Mediterranean influences at low levels. The map of hail risk is also the reflection of the probability of southwestern flow at high altitudes. In the east-central area of France (around Lyon), the local topography can amplify hail energy especially on leeward slopes.     

Performance evaluation of COSMO numerical weather prediction model in prediction of OCKHI: one of the rarest very severe cyclonic storms over the Arabian Sea—a case study

Natural Hazards - In the first week of December 2017, a very severe cyclonic storm, namely “OCKHI”, made its landfall over the western coastline of the Indian peninsula. In a...     

Geographical analysis of damage due to flash floods in southern France: The cases of 12–13 November 1999 and 8–9 September 2002

The southern part of France near the Mediterranean Sea is subject to flash floods generated by heavy rainfalls typical of the Mediterranean climate. In November 1999 (the 12th and 13th) and in September 2002 (the 8th and 9th), 5000 km² were touched by rainfalls superior to 200 mm in the departments of Aude and Gard. In both cases, maximum precipitation exceeded 500 mm within 24 h. The damage amounted in the hundreds of millions of euros, and there were numerous fatalities: 35 in 1999, and 23 in 2002. Following a survey of available data, this article details the cost of the damage for both flash flood events. The distribution of the damage is quantified by sector of activity (e.g., industry, agriculture). The average ratio “euros of loss per inhabitant” is quite similar in both cases, but this average hides some geographical discrepancies. Losses in industry can locally worsen the overall toll. The mapping of damage on a local scale and the amount of losses per inhabitant demonstrate that rural areas underwent heavy losses. This was mostly due to the destruction of the public infrastructures (e.g., roads, bridges) that represented more than half of the overall loss. In some rural areas, the cost of flash floods can exceed 15,000 euros per inhabitant. Such flood prevention issues as flood warning systems and land use planning must not focus only on the cities. Death, injury and heavy material losses also disadvantage the rural and mountainous areas where populations and activities are concentrated near rivers.