Geotechnical characterization and analysis of rainfall—induced 2009 landslide at Marappalam area of Nilgiris district,Tamil Nadu state,India

Landslides are frequently occurring natural hazards in Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, India, particularly during monsoon season. The present study describes the geotechnical characterization and analysis of rainfall-induced landslide that occurred at Marappalam location of Nilgiris district on November 10, 2009. The detailed investigation comprises mapping of landslide, topographical survey, field and laboratory investigations, characterization of soil and rock, and numerical analysis. Field study comprises borehole and geophysical investigations. Detailed laboratory investigation was performed to identify index and engineering properties of soil and rock. Based on the results obtained from field and laboratory investigations, the generalized subsoil profile of Marappalam slope has been plotted. The investigations revealed that loose and soft soil layer with low permeability and plasticity interspersed with boulders could be the main source of debris flow. Scanning electron microscopic analysis and x-ray diffraction analysis were performed to study the influence of weathering on slope failure. Failure mechanism of Marappalam 2009 landslide was identified from the numerical analysis performed using landslide simulation program LS-RAPID. The analysis revealed that the 5-day antecedent rainfall (303 mm) and intense rainfall on 10th November 2009 (405 mm) saturate the slope due to infiltration of rainwater. This leads to a decrease in the matric suction and subsequent development of positive pore water pressure, which in turn reduces the shear resistance of the soil along with shear displacement, and resulted in a progressive failure.     

Seismic vulnerability assessment in the new urban area of Diriyah Governorate,Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Nine seismic refraction profiles were conducted and processed to study the near-surface sediments in the new urban area of Diriyah. The 2D geoseismic models illustrate two layers: a surface layer of soft sediments and weathered to hard limestone bedrock. Moreover, microtremor measurements were performed at 38 sites for 40 min using three-component seismographs and processed to assess the peak spectral amplitude and the corresponding fundamental resonance frequency. The seismic vulnerability index at each measurement site was estimated. These results correlate well with the geotechnical borehole data. The north-western zone is highly vulnerable due to the great thickness of the soft sediments.     

Biodegradation Studies on Acid Violet 19, a Triphenylmethane Dye,by Pseudomonas aeruginosa BCH

Acid violet 19 (AV) belongs to the triphenylmethane (TPM) class of dyes which are potentially mutagenic or carcinogenic. However, very little studies on biodegradation of AV were reported as compared to other TPM dyes such as malachite green and crystal violet. In this study, AV was decolorized up to 98% within 30 min by Pseudomonas aeruginosa BCH. The decolorization depends on the initial dye concentration, pH, and temperature. However, the dye was decolorized under wide pH and temperature ranges with an optimum of pH 7 and 30°C. Up to 250 mg L^?1 of dye was found to be tolerated and decolorized by this strain. It showed decolorization ability for seven repeated dye addition cycles. The effect of additional carbon sources on dye decolorization was studied in which mannitol containing medium showed decolorization in 15 min. Induction in the enzyme activities of laccase, NADH‐DCIP reductase, and veratryl alcohol oxidase (VAO) indicates their involvement in AV degradation. Various analytical studies viz. UV–VIS, HPTLC, HPLC, and FTIR confirmed the biodegradation of AV by the bacterium. Based on GC‐MS analysis, a possible degradation pathway for AV was proposed. The phytotoxicity studies using Phaseolus mungo and Sorghum vulgare revealed the less toxic nature of metabolites formed after AV degradation.     

Emergence of the semi-empirical technique of strong ground motion simulation: A review

High frequency ground motion simulation techniques are powerful tools for designing earthquake resistant structures in seismically active regimes. Simulation techniques also provide the synthetic strong ground motion in the regions where actual records are not available (Kumar et al. 2015).These techniques require several parameters of earthquake and other seismic information proceeding to the simulation. Practically estimation of parameters is a tough task, particularly in a region with limited information. This demands a simulation technique based on the easily estimated parameters for a new site. The purposes of this paper are to briefly review existing simulation techniques and to discuss in detail the new, simple and effective semi-empirical technique (Midorikawa 1993) of strong motion simulation.     

Analysis of sedimentary facies and depositional environments of Paleogene sequence of Cambay basin,India

A study on the sedimentary facies characterization and depositional environment interpretations for the K#Field (K-Oil Field) in Cambay petroleum basin of western onshore, India was conducted based on the sub-surface data from drilled wells, including well logs, borehole images, cores and the regional knowledge of the basin. In this work, an effort is made to integrate the current data from seismics and well logging, to study and analyze its depositional environments and establish the petroleum systems. The study regions for the present work are K45 and K48 blocks. The target strata includes 2 oil-bearing formations of Paleogene, which is about 3600 ft; they are M#Fm (M-Formation) of the Eocene and N#Fm (N-Formation) of Oligocene, subdivided into 11 zones. The sediment fill is mostly of Tertiary. The research attempts to decipher the oil - depositional source correlation problems of the basin. Sedimentary models were established referring to the core analysis, core photographs and well logs. Reservoir and heterogeneity study included reservoir lithology features, physical properties and pore structure features.Well facies analysis of oil well WELL-0297 and WELL-0129 was done and the results were analyzed for further drilling of new wells for oil and gas exploration. The study found that the Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene and Paleogene are fluviatile facies sand and mud interbed sediment with the thickness 2000-4000 ft, which are main oil-bearing formations in these areas. Studies concluded that the fluvial reservoirs of the K#Field are characterized by large variations from laterally extensive bodies with good interconnectedness and high net-to-gross ratios, multi-storey ribbon bodies with poor interconnections and low net-to-gross ratios.     

Rethinking communication in risk interpretation and action

We have studied the attenuation characteristics of eastern Himalaya and southern Tibet by using local earthquake data set that consists of 123 well-located events, recorded by the Himalayan Nepal Tibet Seismic Experiment operated during 2001–2003. We have used single backscattering model to calculate frequency-dependent values of coda Q (\(Q_\mathrm{c}\)). The estimation of \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) is made at central frequencies 2, 4, 8 and 12 Hz through five lapse time windows from 10 to 50 s starting at double the travel time of the S-wave. The observed \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) is found to be strongly frequency-dependent and follows a similar trend as observed in other tectonically active parts of the Himalaya. The trend of variation of \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) with lapse time and the corresponding apparent depths is also studied. Increase in \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) values with the lapse time suggests that the deeper part of the study region is less heterogeneous than the shallower part. The observed values of \(Q_0\) (\(Q_\mathrm{c}\) at 1 Hz) and frequency parameter n indicate that the medium beneath the study area is highly heterogeneous and tectonically very active. A regionalization of the estimated \(Q_0\) is carried out, and a contour map is prepared for the whole region. Some segments of Lesser Himalaya and Sub-Himalaya exhibit very low \(Q_0\) , while the whole Tethyan Himalaya and some parts of Greater Himalaya are characterized by low \(Q_0\) values. Our results are comparable with those obtained from tectonically active regions in the world.     

Attenuation characteristics of Garwhal–Kumaun Himalayas from analysis of coda of local earthquakes

Coda of local earthquakes that occurred during 2006–2007 are used to study the attenuation characteristics of the Garhwal–Kumaun Himalayas. The coda attenuation characteristics are represented in terms of coda Q or Q _c . It is observed that Q _c increases with frequency. Q _c also varies with increase in lapse time of coda waves. Q _c increases up to an 85-s average lapse time. This is similar to observations around the world reported by many workers who have interpreted this as a manifestation of the fact that heterogeneity decreases with depth. However, around a 90-s average lapse time Q _c is lower than its values for lower and higher average lapse times. This is interpreted as an indication of possible presence of a fluid-filled medium or a medium having partial melts at around a 160-km depth. Q ₀, i.e., Q _c at 1 Hz, increases, and frequency parameter n decreases with increasing lapse time, barring around a 90-s lapse time. This again shows that in general, heterogeneity decreases with increasing depth. The Q ₀ and n values for smaller lapse times are similar to those for tectonically active areas. By comparing Q _c values obtained in this study with those obtained by us using the 1999 Chamoli earthquake aftershocks, it is concluded that the crust is turbid and the mantle is more transparent. However, whether the variation in Q _c values between 1999 and 2006–2007 is temporal or not cannot be definitely established from the available data set.     

Seismicity of Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

The Sinai Peninsula has a triangular shape between the African and Arabian Plates and is bounded from the western and eastern borders by the Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba–Dead Sea rift systems, respectively. It is affected by strong and destructive earthquakes (e.g., March 31, 1969 and November 22, 1995) and moderate earthquakes (m _b?>?5) throughout its history. After the installation of the Egyptian National Seismic Network (ENSN), a great number of earthquakes has been recorded within and around Sinai. Consequently, the seismogenic source zones and seismotectonic behavior can be clearly identified. Available data, including both historical and instrumental (1900–1997), have been collected from national and international data centers. While the data from 1998 till December 2007 are gathered from ENSN bulletins. The seismogenic source zones that might affect Sinai Peninsula are defined more precisely in this work depending on the distribution of earthquakes, seismicity rate (a value), b value, and fault plane solution of the major earthquakes. In addition, the type of faults prevailed and characterized these zones. It is concluded that the Gulf of Aqaba zone–Dead Sea transform zone, Gulf of Suez rift zone, Cairo–Suez District zone, and Eastern Mediterranean dislocation zone represent the major effective zones for Sinai. Furthermore, there are two local seismic zones passing through Sinai contributing to the earthquake activities of Sinai, these are the Negev shear zone and Central Sinai fault (Themed fault) zone. The source parameters, a and b values, and the maximum expected moment magnitude have been determined for each of these zones. These results will contribute to a great extent in the seismic hazard assessment and risk mitigation studies for Sinai Peninsula to protect the developmental projects.