Alluvial sediment sources in a glaciated catchment: The voidomatis basin,Northwest Greece

X-ray diffraction (XRD) of the fine matrix component of four alluvial units and modern channel sediments in the Voidomatis River Basin of northwest Greece shows that fine sediment sources have changed considerably during the late Quaternary. The matrix fraction of the modern channel sediments is derived predominantly from erosion of local flysch rocks and soils. During the last glaciation, however, the fine sediment load of the Voidomatis River was dominated by glacially-ground, finely comminuted limestone materials. Limestone-derived fine sediment is not produced in significant amounts under modern climatic conditions. By combining this XRD work with a detailed programme of clast lithologic 1 analysis we have reconstructed former bedload and fine sediment load composition. The lithological properties of both the coarse (8-256 mm) and fine (< 63 μm) elements of the sediment load have varied markedly during the late Quaternary. A simple, semiquantitative assessment of fine sediment mineralogy, using diffractogram peak-height data, has provided a valuable complement to the information gathered from more traditional clast lithological techniques. Together, in favourable geological settings, fine fraction mineralogy and clast lithological analysis can provide a valuable tool for the reconstruction of late Quaternary alluvial environments.     

Geochemistry and isotopes of fluids from sulphur springs, Valles Caldera, New Mexico

Detailed geochemistry supported by geologic mapping has been used to investigate Sulphur Springs, an acid-sulfate hot spring system that issues from the western flank of the resurgent dome inside Valles Caldera. The most intense activity occurs at the intersection of faults offsetting caldera-fill deposits and post-caldera rhyolites. Three geothermal wells in the area have encountered pressures <1 MPa and temperatures of 200°C at depths of 600 to 1000 m. Hot spring and fumarole fluids may discharge at boiling temperatures with pH 1.0 and SO₄ 8000 mg/l. These conditions cause argillic alterations throughout a large area.Non-condensible gases consist of roughly 99% CO₂ with minor amounts of H₂S, H₂, and CH₄. Empirical gas geothermometry suggests a deep reservoir temperature of 215 to 280°C. Comparison of ¹³C and ¹⁸O between CaCO₃ from well cuttings and CO₂ from fumarole steam indicates a fractionation temperature between 200 and 300°C by decarbonation of hydrothermally altered Paleozoic limestone and vein calcite in the reservoir rocks. Tritium concentrations obtained from steam condensed in a mudpot and deep reservoir fluids (Baca #13, 278°C) are 2.1 and 1.0 T.U. respectively, suggesting the steam originates from a reservoir whose water is mostly >50 yrs old. Deuterium contents of fumarole steam, deep reservoir fluid, and local meteoric water are practically identical even though ¹⁸O contents range through 4‰, thus, precipitation on the resurgent dome of the caldera could recharge the hydrothermal system by slow percolation. From analysis of D and ¹⁸O values between fumarol steam and deep reservoir fluid, steam reaches the surface either (1) by vaporizing relatively shallow groundwater at 200°C or (2) by means of a two-stage boiling process through an intermediate level reservoir at roughly 200°C.Although many characteristics of known vapor-dominated geothermal systems are found at Sulphur Springs, fundamental differences exist in temperature and pressure of our postulated vapor-zone. We propose that the reservoir beneath Sulphur Springs is too small or too poorly confined to sustain a “true” vapor-dominated system and that the Sulphur Springs system may be a “dying” vapor-dominated system that has practically boiled itself dry.     

Spatial dependencies in wind-related housing damage

This article examines the spatial dependence among housing losses due to tornadoes using data from the May 1999 Oklahoma City tornado. In order to examine the existence of spatial dependence and its impacts on the damage analysis, we compare an estimation based on a traditional ordinary least square model with the general spatial model. The results show that housing damage in this disaster area is highly correlated. Monetary losses not only depend on the tornado that struck residences, but are related to the damage magnitudes of neighboring houses. Average losses as well as the loss ratio increase with the Fujita Scale damage rating. We conclude that the general spatial model provides unbiased estimates compared to the ordinary least square model. In order to construct appropriate home insurance policies for tornado disasters or to improve the damage resistance capabilities of houses, it is necessary for insurance underwriters and builders to consider spatial correlation of tornado damage.

2-D seismic trenching of colluvial wedges and faults

Images of the depth and shape of colluvial wedges by 3-D travel time tomography can be valuable in estimating the past history of ancient earthquakes and assessing the earthquake hazard of a fault. Unfortunately, 3-D seismic surveys can be both costly and time consuming. In this paper, we report our first successful results of detecting the shapes and depths of colluvial wedges with 2-D travel time tomography. The locations of the colluvial wedges are along the Oquirrh fault and the Salt Lake City segment of the Wasatch fault. We also report that the tomogram from one of our 2-D surveys suggests the possibility of detecting multiple colluvial wedges at depth. Using both reflection and tomographic images at another site clearly reveals the presence of a known shallow fault and the contact between native soil and recent fill. Our results suggest the synergistic use of both seismic tomography and reflection imaging, we denote as seismic trenching, as a means of detecting shallow colluvial wedges and faults. Seismic trenching has the potential to significantly expand the lateral extent and depth of investigation of paleoseismology.     

Diurnal sea breeze effects on inner-shelf cross-shore exchange

Cross-shore exchange by strong (cross-shore wind stress, τ_sx>0.05 Pa) diurnal (7–25 h) sea breeze events are investigated using two years of continuous wind, wave, and ocean velocity profiles in 13 m water depth on the inner-shelf in Marina, Monterey bay, California. The diurnal surface wind stress, waves, and currents have spectral peaks at 1, 2, and 3 cpd and the diurnal variability represents about 50% of the total variability. During sea breeze relaxation (−0.05<τ_sx<0.05 Pa), a background wave-driven inner-shelf Eulerian undertow profile exists, which is equal and opposite to the Lagrangian Stokes drift profile, resulting in a net zero Lagrangian transport at depth. In the presence of a sea breeze (τ_sx>0.05 Pa), a uniform offshore profile develops that is different from the background undertow profile allowing cross-shore Lagrangian transport to develop, while including Lagrangian Stokes drift. The diurnal cross-shore current response is similar to subtidal (>25 h) cross-shore current response, as found by Fewings et al. (2008). The seasonality of waves and winds modify the diurnal sea breeze impact. It is suggested that material is not transported cross-shore except during sea breeze events owing to near zero transport during relaxation periods. During sea breeze events, cross-shore exchange of material appears to occur onshore near the surface and offshore near the sea bed. Since sea breeze events last for a few hours, the long-term cross-shore transport is incremental each day.     

Selection of optimal intensity measures in probabilistic seismic demand models of highway bridge portfolios

Probabilistic seismic demand models are a common and often essential step in generating analytical fragility curves for highway bridges. With these probabilistic models being traditionally conditioned on a single seismic intensity measure (IM), the degree of uncertainty in the models is dependent on the IM used. Selection of an optimal IM for conditioning these demand models is not a trivial matter and has been the focus of numerous studies. Unlike previous studies that consider a single structure for IM selection, this study evaluates optimal IMs for use when generating probabilistic seismic demand models for bridge portfolios such as would be found in HAZUS‐MH. Selection criteria such as efficiency, practicality, sufficiency, and hazard computability are considered in the selection process. A case study is performed considering the multi‐span simply supported steel girder bridge class. Probabilistic seismic demand models are generated considering variability in the geometric configurations and material properties, using two suites of ground motions—one synthetic and one recorded motion suite. Results show that of the 10 IMs considered, peak ground acceleration (PGA) and spectral acceleration at the fundamental period are the most optimal for the synthetic motions, and that cumulative absolute velocity is also a close contender when using recorded motions. However, when hazard computability is considered, PGA is selected as the IM of choice. Previous studies have shown that spectrally based quantities perform better than PGA for a given structure, but the findings of this study indicate that when a portfolio of bridges is considered, PGA should be used. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Methodology for the development of analytical fragility curves for retrofitted bridges

Fragility curves for retrofitted bridges indicate the influence of various retrofit measures on the probability of achieving specified levels of damage. This paper presents an analytical methodology for developing fragility curves for classes of retrofitted bridge systems. The approach captures the impact of retrofit on the vulnerability of multiple components, which to date has not been adequately addressed, and results in a comparison of the system fragility before and after the application of different retrofit measures. Details presented include analytical modeling, uncertainty treatment, impact of retrofit on demand models, capacity estimates, and component and system fragility curves. The findings indicate the importance of evaluating the impact of retrofit not only on the targeted response quantity and component vulnerability but also on the overall bridge fragility. As illustrated by the case study of a retrofitted multi‐span continuous (MSC) concrete girder bridge class, a given retrofit measure may have a positive impact on some components, yet no impact or a negative impact on other critical components. Consideration of the fragility based only on individual retrofitted components, without regard for the system, may lead to over‐estimation or under‐estimation of the impact on the bridge fragility. The proposed methodology provides an opportunity to effectively compare the fragility of the MSC concrete bridge retrofit with a range of different retrofit measures. The most effective retrofit in reducing probable damage for a given intensity is a function of the damage state of interest. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The origin and persistence of alpine vernal ponds in mineral soils

Little is known of the processes that create and maintain vernal ponds in mineral soils in alpine environments. On the Central Plateau, Tasmania, we tested the hypotheses that vernal pond complexes on mineral soils formed in response to the underlying topography of a glacio-fluvial plain; relate to present day topography; resulted from past damming by organic accumulation; are moulded by wind. The underlying topography did not relate to the surface ponds, nor were they on steeper slopes than adjacent areas without ponds. The morphology of the ponds and the morphological and edaphic characteristics of the pond complexes and adjacent areas are consistent with an origin by organic material damming. The strongest winds orientate most ponds, rather than the aspect of the slope. Sediments were preferentially caught on sticky traps to the northeast of the ponds, away from fierce prevailing southwesterly winds. Temperature measurements and fortnightly observation showed non-concordant patterns of variation in water levels in the ponds. We deduce that the complexes of vernal ponds may have formed in previous moister conditions more favourable to organic matter accumulation, possibly in the early Holocene, and are maintained by a faster rate of accumulation of mineral and organic particles in the tussock grassland adjacent to the ponds than in the ponds themselves. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.