On the age of mylonites within the Mont Blanc massif

Abstract

Three generations of mylonites occur in the Mont Blanc Massif :

— the first one has produced mylonitic schists trending N20°E, of regional extension; the late Variscan Mont Blanc granite intruded these mylonites;

— the second one has affected large areas in the Mont Blanc granite, with the same N20°E direction;

— the third one is located along rather narrow bands N45°E, in the granite as well as in the older mylonitic schists.

All theses mylonites have been generated under (Bi) - greenschist facies conditions. They exhibit steeply plunging schistosity and lineation. They are all ante-Alpine; paradoxically, Alpine structures within the massif do not exhibit a striking appearence.     

Bilan,fonctionnement et protection du système karstique de la Fontaine de Vaucluse (sud-est de la France)

Résumén

L’aquifère karstique de la célèbre Fontaine de Vaucluse a fait l’objet de nouvelles investigations hydrogéologiqurs dont les résultats portent sur la définition et le fonctionnement du système.

Les données géologiques (lithologie, structure) nous ont permis la délimitation d’un impluvium de 1115 km² dont l’altitude moyenne. 870 m, est confirmée par les traceurs naturels physico-chimiques et isotopiques.

Le bilan hydrique, faute d’un réseau météorologique représentatif, a été calculé à partir d’un modèle climatique par tranches d’altitude, qui utilise les gradients pluviométriques et thermiques régionaux. On montre alors que les 3/4 des pluies efficaces proviennent des zones situées au-dessus de l’altitude moyenne de l’impluvium.

Les études hydrodynamiques et physico-chimiques nous ont permis de démontrer la faible inertie du système malgré sa taille, donc sa bonne karstification, ce qui confirme à l’échelle de l’ensemble les observations spéléologiques ponctuelles du plateau et de l’émergence.

Malgré leur faible apport au débit total, les précipitations estivales marquent la chimie de l’émergence et interrompent ainsi la phase de tarissement.

La contribution de l’eau des réserves au débit est prépondérante : respectivement les 3/4 et les 2/3 des volumes annuels écoulés en 1981 et 1982.

Compte tenu de l’absence de sols et de terrains poreux de couverture, ainsi que du développement de la karstification, la vulnérabilité du système est grande. Aussi une attention particulière doit-elle être portée à l’aménagement de la zone montagnarde de l’impluvium dont le rôle est prépondérant dans l’alimentation du système.     

Tectonique superposée de la zone de faille d’Arakapas (Massif de Troodos,Chypre)

Résumén

Une analyse tectonique du couloir faillé d’Arakapas est menée à partir de la mesure de plus de 3 000 plans striés relevés dans les formations ophiolitiques du Troodos et du Kellaki. Des mesures ont également été effectuées dans les formations du Crétacé terminal — Paléogène et du Néogène, afin de préciser l’âge des différents stades de la déformation. Elles ont été traitées par les méthodes des dièdres droits et du calcul du tenseur des contraintes. Il est montré que le couloir d’Arakapas a été le siège de plusieurs déformations successives. Au Néogène règne un régime en extension qui succède à un jeu décrochant dextre contemporain des compressions d’âge Crétacé terminal à Miocène. Un jeu décrochant antérieur peut-être mis en évidence. Il serait compatible avec le fonctionnement en faille transformante océanique proposé par divers auteurs.     

Synthesis of Fluid Inclusion Reference Materials in the H2O–NaCl–CH4 System

In this study, we detail procedures to synthesise inclusions of fluids of known composition under diagenetic conditions – low temperatures (50–180 °C) and pressures (2–25 MPa) – hosted by quartz. Pre‐existing microcavities in polished quartz chips were used, decrepitated and rinsed before being healed in an autoclave. Each synthesis required around 4 weeks. A range of biphase liquid–vapour inclusions in the H₂O–CH₄–NaCl system, similar to natural ones, were synthesised in quartz, varying the content of all three components. The quartz chips were checked before and after synthesis by optical microscopy, microthermometry and Raman spectroscopy. The method was used to build a series of calibration curves relating methane‐to‐water count ratios to the methane content of aqueous fluid inclusions. Good correlation was obtained between Raman band area ratios and the expected CH₄ solubilities from equations of state. The chosen procedure's main advantages, compared with other published methods, are as follows: quicker healing of the microfractures at lower temperatures, larger inclusions, simple quartz sample preparation, control of fluid inclusion composition and the use of commercial reactors. Such reference material inclusions allow the calibration of Raman microspectrometers with the objective of PTX reconstruction of palaeofluid migration in petroleum reservoirs.     

Modèle hydrologique du Lac Tchad

Résumé

Le Lac Tchad est modélisé par un bilan de volume donnant ses niveaux et superficies de plans d'eau en fonction d'apports et pertes: débit des tributaires; pluie; évaporation; infiltration. Il est représenté par trois réservoirs (cuvette nord et archipel connectés à la cuvette sud) dont les niveaux de plan d'eau, distincts en période d'apports déficitaires (situation actuelle), sont confondus en période excédentaire (situation avant 1973). Suite aux observations de terrain, la cuvette nord est représentée avec un “réservoir sol” devant être rempli pour que l'eau puisse apparaître en surface. Le modèle utilise sept paramètres optimisés: intensité d'infiltration; profondeur du “réservoir sol”; quatre paramètres d’échange entre réservoirs; niveau de fond de l'archipel. Grâce aux données mesurées au sol ou par satellite (débits, précipitations, évaporation, niveaux et superficie de plans d'eau) il est calé sur la période 1970–1996 et validé sur la période 1956–2008.

Citation Bader, J.-C., Lemoalle, J. & Leblanc, M. (2011) Modèle hydrologique du Lac Tchad. Hydrol. Sci. J. 56(3), 411–425.     

EFFECTS OF SNOW JAMS ON FLUVIAL ACTIVITIES IN THE HIGH ARCTIC

During break-up in the High Arctic, ice jams are insignificant, but large quantities of snow accumulated in the valleys strongly affect fluvial processes. Near Resolute, Cornwallis Island, many channels were first formed in valley snow drifts and their positions were unstable. Channels carved in the snow can easily accommodate changing discharge by a modification of their width, depth, and velocity. This causes considerable variation in the at-a-station hydraulic geometry relationships.

The availability of sediment is locally restricted by the snow lining along the channels, although some fluvial sediments deposited on the snow revealed that peak flows could entrain very large boulders. Several depositional features observed in the study area also indicated that fluvial activities can extend over a broad zone beyond the confines of the summer channels.

This study suggests that, by increasing discharge, snow jams enhance the erosional power of streams, but by interposing between streamflow and the valley floor, the snow can limit the supply of sediments. Whether the erosional or the protectional tendency dominates will depend upon the snow jam characteristics along various segments of the High Arctic streams.     

Holocene chronostratigraphy of northeastern Baffin Bay based on radiocarbon and palaeomagnetic data

The northeastern Baffin Bay continental margin, which experiences high sediment accumulation rates, is an excellent location to study Holocene sedimentary variations. However, it is often difficult to obtain reliable chronologies of the sediment archives using traditional methods (δ¹⁸O and radiocarbon) due to specific oceanographic conditions (e.g. corrosive bottom waters). Here we propose a chronostratigraphy of three cores collected on the northwestern Greenland margin (AMD14‐204, AMD14‐210 and AMD14‐Kane2B) based on a combination of radiocarbon dating and palaeomagnetic records. Geophysical properties of discrete samples were used to verify the reliability of the palaeomagnetic records. Palaeomagnetic analyses indicate a strong and stable natural remanent magnetization carried by low coercivity ferrimagnetic minerals (magnetite) in the pseudo‐single domain grain size range. Correlation of the full palaeomagnetic vector (inclination, declination, and relative palaeointensity) was used to establish a reliable chronostratigraphical framework for two of the cores (AMD14‐204 and AMD14‐210) and to propose an original palaeomagnetic record for the previously ¹⁴C‐dated core AMD14‐Kane2B that covers most of the Holocene. Overall, this new chronostratigraphy allowed improvement of the timing of the main palaeoenvironmental changes that occurred in this area during the Holocene.     

Effects of accelerating and decelerating flows in a channel with vegetated banks and gravel bed

Experiments were conducted in an 8 m long,40 cm wide,and 60 cm deep re-circulating fiume with vegetated banks and gravel bed to study the effects of accelerating and decelerating flows on the flow stru...     

One year measurements of aerosol optical properties over an urban coastal site: Effect on local direct radiative forcing

We present results of direct aerosol radiative forcing over a French Mediterranean coastal zone based on one year of continuous observations of aerosol optical properties during 2005–2006. Monthly-mean aerosol optical depth at 440 nm ranged between 0.1 and 0.34, with high Angstrom coefficient (α > 1.2). The single scattering albedo (at 525 nm) estimated at the surface ranged between 0.7 and 0.8, indicating significant absorption. The presence of aerosols over the Mediterranean zone during summer decreases the shortwave radiation reaching the surface by as much as 26 ± 3.9 W m^− 2, and increases the top of the atmosphere reflected radiation by as much as 5.2 ± 1.0 W m^− 2. The shortwave atmospheric absorption translates to an atmospheric heating of 2.5 to 4.6 K day^− 1. Concerted efforts are needed for investigating the possible impact of the increase in heating rate on the maintenance of heat-waves frequently occurring over this coastal region during summer time.     

Fluidization Process in Submarine Landslides: Physical and Numerical Considerations

Fluidization processes in submarine landslides were studied by physical and numerical means. To examine soil-water interactions in the fluidization process, the computer axial tomography (CAT)-scan imaging techniques and laboratory vanes were utilized with a focus on the transition from failure to post-failure. Based on the results that were obtained from the scanning images and laboratory vane tests after the process of water infiltration into the soil sample, it appears that a gradual decrease in shear strength is unavoidable with increasing water content in a shear zone. From the numerical results, which were based on the dam-break problem using the transport equation coupled with the Navier-Stokes equation, if the slide is assumed to be initially unstable, a possible transition of fluidization processes that are dependent upon a change in density occurs. The density of the mud decreases with time during the flow at the interface between mud and water. The upper part of the mud pushes the lower part of the mud and then induces a rotation of mud that moves substantial distances. These results emphasize the importance of the soil-water interaction, the need for sediment rheology and the influence of the water circulation on the motion of the landslide.