Evolution of polycyclic alkanes in the Espirito Santo Basin

The distributions of polycyclic alkanes were monitored in a Neocomian sequence (well 1-ESS-34) from the Espirito Santo Basin, southeast Brazil. The profiles included, apart from regular hopanes, significant concentrations of 18α(H), 28,30-bisnorhopane and subordinate amounts of gammacerane. Sterane concentrations, normally with hopane/sterane <5, were compatible with other geochemical data indicating a predominantly planktonic/microbial source of the deposited organic matter. Sample maturities ranged from very immature to the onset of oil generation, allowing biomarker distributions to be followed along a broad maturation range. The ability of certain molecular ratios (e.g. C₂₇ 17α(H)/17β(H)hopanes) to reflect a maturity sequence with depth in the closely-spaced strata of the immature upper levels (Jiquiá Stage) showed the value of molecular techniques over classical geochemical methods (e.g. vitrinite reflectance) for the study of immature sequences. The presence in the oils of southern Espirito Santo of 28,30-bisnorhopane, gammacerane and methyl steranes in similar concentrations as in extracts of the deepest levels of the 1-ESS-34 well qualify the Jiquia Stage as the probable source rock of oils accumulated in the basin.     

Computation of synthetic seismograms for plane layered earth models including absorption and dispersion phenomena

A computer program package has been written in FORTRAN-IV language and tested successfully on an ICL 1904S computer. This program enables one to compute synthetic seismograms for layered earth models. The provision for studying the effect of absorption and dispersion of seismic waves has been made with Subroutines. The present program utilizes eight Subroutines and requires about 35 K core memory. A set of examples are illustrated for absorption and dispersion models. An exponential decay of amplitude has been used for the absorption model. This method is based on the plane wave propagation in a flat-layered earth system. Normal incident P-waves are used to eliminate the effect of other phases. Change in shape of reflected waves is observed in absorption model due to damping of energy of higher frequencies. Lack of resolution is found between closely spaced reflections at higher frequencies. The effect of dispersion on seismic waves decreases the time of primary reflections as well as amplitudes of the seismic waves.     

Simulation of the hydrocarbon structures using the P-SV wave solution

Numerical solution of the scalar and elastic wave equations has greatly aided geophysicists in modeling seismic wave fields in the complicated geologic structures containing hydrocarbons and hence increases the geologic interpretation. Finite-difference method offers a versatile approach to compute synthetic seismograms numerically for given subsurface complex geological structures. To avoid the spatial derivative of the elastic parameters and density, elastodynamic equation (first-order hyperbolic equation) has been solved using the Lax-Wendroff scheme. A numerical finite-difference modeling program has been developed for the P-SV wave using the above solution. A line source with a time delay of 0.015s and dominant frequency of 120 Hz has been utilized in the simulation. In order to avoid the large values of the displacement vector in the source region,Alterman andKaral's method (1968) has been utilized. Horizontal and vertical component synthetic seismograms have been computed for two different geological models with and without oil and gas bearing zones. It has been concluded from the response that a finite-difference technique not only yields the relative arrival times but also accounts for the variation in amplitude and phase according to the elastic impedance contrast across the interfaces. It should come as no surprise to learn that in spite of the limitation of this numerical method, the scheme has provided a valid response for the thin layer, high acoustic impedance contrast and the pinch out.     

A Fourier transform method for the interpretation of self-potential anomalies due to two-dimensional inclined sheets of finite depth extent

The self-potential anomaly due to a two-dimensional inclined sheets of finite depth extent has been analysed in the frequency domain using the Fourier transform. Expression for the Fourier amplitude and phase spectra are derived. The Fourier amplitude and phase spectra are analysed so as to evaluate the parameters of the sheet. Application of this method on two anomalies (synthetic and field data) has given good results.     

A method for rapid evaluation of magnetic anomalies over thin sheets

A method for rapid evaluation of magnetic anomalies over thin sheets is presented. This method is based on characteristic distancesX _3/4,X _1/2,X _1/4 at which the anomaly falls off to 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4 of the total (peak to peak) amplitude, respectively. Simple mathematical relations using these characteristic distances are presented to estimate the death and dip of the sheet. This method is fast and does not require prior knowledge of the base level and the origin. A few field examples are included to show the applicability and efficacy of the method.     

Analysis of the weightiness of site effects on reinforced concrete (RC) building seismic behaviour: The Adra town example (SE Spain)

The damage distribution in Adra town (south‐eastern Spain) during the 1993 and 1994 Adra earthquakes (5.0 magnitude), that reached a maximum intensity degree of VII (European Macroseismic Scale (EMS scale)), was concentrated mainly in the south‐east zone of the town and the most relevant damage occurred in reinforced concrete (RC) buildings with four or five storeys. In order to evaluate the influence of ground condition on RC building behaviour, geological, geomorphological and geophysical surveys were carried out, and a detailed map of ground surface structure was obtained. Short‐period microtremor observations were performed in 160 sites on a 100m × 100m dimension grid and Nakamura's method was applied in order to determine a distribution map of soil predominant periods. Shorter predominant periods (0.1–0.3 s) were found in mountainous and neighbouring zones and larger periods (greater than 0.5 s) in thicker Holocene alluvial fans. A relationship T = (0.049 ± 0.001)N, where T is the natural period of swaying motion and N is the number of storeys, has been empirically obtained by using microtremor measurements at the top of 38 RC buildings (ranging from 2 to 9 storeys). 1‐D simulation of strong motion on different soil conditions and for several typical RC buildings were computed, using the acceleration record in Adra town of the 1993 earthquake. It is noteworthy that all the aforementioned results show the influence of site effects in the degree and distribution of observed building damage. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A study of the vertical magnetic anomaly caused by magnetite deposits in Sua area of Palamau district,Bihar (India)

Summary A magnetic survey carried out in Sua area of the Palamau district, Bihar (India) has shown very interesting anomalies. The survey has been conducted specially to obtain the extension of the magnetite deposits which are being quarried at Sua. The interpretation of magnetic anomalies have clearly brought out the following facts: a) the magnetite is extending both sides of the quarry to a considerable distance, b) the nature of the anomaly indicates that the magnetite occurs in the form of veins. It has also been possible to find out the thickness of the veins and the depth at which they occur.     

Peralkaline acid tendencies in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands)

The study of a volcanic series from the island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) in which alkaline and peralkaline, saturated and undersaturated rocks coexist, is reported here. Materials with high volatile content (ignimbritic trachytes) were first emitted and the series ended with the eruption of phonolitic lavas. The average peralkalinity index in these rocks is typically about 1.0 and, therefore, peralkaline rocks coexist with non-peralkaline ones. However, a maximum in peralkalinity is found in the ignimbritic rocks of the lower part of the series. In spite of the evident acid peralkaline tendencies of these rocks, it does not seem appropriate to classify them as pantellerites or comendites. Nor are they consistent with the genetic processes proposed for rocks of similar composition and oceanic environment.The crystallization of the feldspars controls the variation trends among the different magmas but the fractionation alone does not sufficiently explain the genesis of successive fluids. Various factors seem to point to the important role which a gas-transfer process causing a geochemical stratification inside the magmatic chamber may have played.The occurrence of peralkaline silicics at Gran Canaria, which is located for away from the active Mid-Atlantic ridge, is not related to transitional basalts. These rocks are a deviation from the main undersaturated alkalic trend which characterizes the volcanism of the Canary Islands, their genesis being related to the realization of favourable local volcanic conditions.