Evidence for a massive dark object in NGC 4350

In this work we build a detailed dynamic model for an S0 galaxy possibly hosting a central massive dark object (MDO). We show that the photometric profiles and the kinematics along the major and minor axes, including the h ₃ and h ₄ profiles, imply the presence of a central MDO of mass     i.e. 0.3–2.8 per cent of the mass derived for the stellar spheroidal component. Models without MDO are unable to reproduce the kinematic properties of the inner stars and of the rapidly rotating nuclear gas.
The stellar population consists of an exponential disc (27 per cent of the light) and a diffuse spheroidal component (73 per cent of the light) that cannot be represented by a simple de Vaucouleurs profile at any radius. The M L ratios we found for the stellar components (3.3 and 6.6 respectively) are typical of those of disc and elliptical galaxies.     

Editorial

Editorial Board

Editorial     

Engineering assessment of seismic hazard and long period ground motions at the Bolu Viaduct Site following the November 1999 earthquake

The M_w 7.1 earthquake of November 12, 1999 severely damageda 2.5 km long viaduct on a stretch under construction of theIstanbul-Ankara motorway, 18 km W of Bolu. The fault rupture crossedthe viaduct with an observed offset close to 1.5 m; the viaduct decksuffered large permanent displacements but did not collapse.Seismic hazard at the site appears to be governed by characteristicearthquakes occurring every few hundred years both on the Düzce faultand on the main stretch of North Anatolian fault (NAF). Smaller activefaults near the site also contribute to the hazard.We investigate how a reliable design response spectrum of displacement canbe constructed for the viaduct site using both probabilistic and deterministictools. After checking the applicability of known attenuation relations againstrecorded data, we illustrate a hazard analysis that incorporates acharacteristic earthquake model for the relevant faults, and accounts forstatistical directivity effects on the Düzce fault. Constant-risk responsespectra up to 3 s are thus obtained for different return periods. Syntheticmotions at the site are generated next, using a known source model, inorder to explore the features of the displacement response spectrum atvibration periods in the range between 1s and 6 s, in which the dominantresponse of the viaduct deck, uncoupled from the piers, occurs. Adiscussion of results follows.     

An index for measuring the effects of topography on seismic ground motion intensity

An index is proposed for the quantitative evaluation of topographical effects, as may be required in seismic microzoning and structural design applications. This topographical effects index (TEI) is defined as the relative Arias intensity for a given position. As an example, the TEI is calculated for a semicircular canyon excited by an earthquake signal that consists of plane elastic SH waves and is characterized by a theoretical spectrum of accelerations. The analytical solution by Trifunac¹⁵ provides the transfer functions for this problem. The behaviour and spacial distribution of the calculated TEI values are illustrated for different incidence angles and spectral parameters. The proposed index appears useful for generating quantitative criteria which, after proper confirmation by instrumental recordings, could be considered in earthquake code provisions.     

Historical Trends of Organochlorine Pesticides in an Alpine Glacier

The significance of persistent organic pollutants, such as organochlorine compounds, as global contaminants in cold regions has been recognised for a long time. In particular, there is a growing interest on the role of high mountains as `cold condensers' for these chemicals. In this paper, for the first time, organochlorine pesticides (DDTs, HCHs, HCB) are analysed in an ice core sampled on a `cold' glacier in the Alps. Several methods were applied to achieve accurate dating of the core layers. Historical trends of organochlorine pesticides from the 1950s up to the year 2000 are reconstructed, showing, for each individual chemical, the influence of long range transport, as well as of local transport patterns. The role of mountain glaciers as natural archives for studying the local and global transport of persistent organic pollutants is highlighted, though results can be biased by volatilisation losses.     

Toward a ground-motion logic tree for probabilistic seismic hazard assessment in Europe

The Seismic Hazard Harmonization in Europe (SHARE) project, which began in June 2009, aims at establishing new standards for probabilistic seismic hazard assessment in the Euro-Mediterranean region. In this context, a logic tree for ground-motion prediction in Europe has been constructed. Ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs) and weights have been determined so that the logic tree captures epistemic uncertainty in ground-motion prediction for six different tectonic regimes in Europe. Here we present the strategy that we adopted to build such a logic tree. This strategy has the particularity of combining two complementary and independent approaches: expert judgment and data testing. A set of six experts was asked to weight pre-selected GMPEs while the ability of these GMPEs to predict available data was evaluated with the method of Scherbaum et al. (Bull Seismol Soc Am 99:3234?C3247, 2009). Results of both approaches were taken into account to commonly select the smallest set of GMPEs to capture the uncertainty in ground-motion prediction in Europe. For stable continental regions, two models, both from eastern North America, have been selected for shields, and three GMPEs from active shallow crustal regions have been added for continental crust. For subduction zones, four models, all non-European, have been chosen. Finally, for active shallow crustal regions, we selected four models, each of them from a different host region but only two of them were kept for long periods. In most cases, a common agreement has been also reached for the weights. In case of divergence, a sensitivity analysis of the weights on the seismic hazard has been conducted, showing that once the GMPEs have been selected, the associated set of weights has a smaller influence on the hazard.     

A strong motion network in northern Italy: detection capabilities and first analysis

The necessity of a dense network in Northern Italy started from the lack of available data after the occurrence of the 24th November 2004, Ml 5.2, Salò earthquake. Since 2006, many efforts have been made by the INGV (Italian National Institute for Geophysic and Vulcanology), Department of Milano-Pavia (hereinafter INGV MI-PV), to improve the strong-motion monitoring of the Northern Italy regions. This activity led to the installation of a strong-motion network composed by 20 accelerometers, 4 coupled with 20-bits Lennartz Mars88 recorders, 12 coupled with 24-bits Reftek 130 recorders and 4 coupled with 24-bits Gaia2 recorders. The network allow us to reduce, in the area under study, the average inter-distances between strong-motion stations from about 40 km (at November 2004) to 15 km. At present the network includes nine 6-channels stations where velocity sensors work together the strong-motion ones. The data transmission is assured by modem-gsm, with the exception of four stations that send data in real time through a TCP/IP protocol. In order to evaluate different site responses, the stations have been installed both in free field and near (or inside) public buildings, located in the center of small villages. From June 2006 to December 2008 a dataset of 94 events with local magnitude range from 0.7 to 5.1 has been collected. An ad hoc data-processing system have been created in order to provide, after each recorded event, engineering parameters such as peak ground acceleration (PGA) and velocity (PGV), response spectra (SA and PSV), Arias and Housner intensities. Data dissemination is achieved through the web site , while the waveforms are distributed through the Italian strong motion database ().     

3D Response analysis of an instrumented hill at Matsuzaki, Japan, by a spectral method

Strong ground motion observed at an instrumented hill site is first analysed through the standard (SSR) and the horizontal-to-vertical (HVSR) spectral ratio techniques. A reasonable agreement is found between these approaches. The observations are then compared with 3D numerical simulations, performed with a highly efficient numerical code based on a spectral method, that allowed for reasonable computer times also on a PC. The observed amplification is significantly higher than that computed with a 3D homogeneous model of the mountain, suggesting that local response is governed by large-scale and small-scale soil heterogeneities rather than by topographic site effects. The introduction of a local near-surface inclusion of nonhomogeneous soil material under one of the recording stations has not significantly improved the numerical results. The observed data are also compared with the results of simplified simulations, either using 2D homogeneous models or coupling the 3D response with a 1D local soil profile. The results of such simplified approaches are discussed and their usefulness is emphasised.