Characterization of a landslide-triggered debris flow at a rainforest-covered mountain region in Brazil

Natural Hazards - Debris flows represent great hazard to humans due to their high destructive power. Understanding their hydrogeomorphic dynamics is fundamental in hazard assessment studies,...     

Modelling of the groundwater hydrological behaviour of the Langueyú creek basin by using N‐way multivariate methods

The groundwater hydrochemical behaviour of the Langueyú creek basin (Argentina) has been evaluated through a systematic survey, followed by application of hydrological and chemometric multivariate techniques. Ten physicochemical parameters were determined in groundwater samples collected from 26 wells during four sampling campaigns (June 2010; October 2010; February 2011 and June 2011), originating a tridimensional experimental dataset X . Univariate statistical and graphical hydrochemical tools (contour maps and Piper diagrams) applied to individual campaigns, allowed to reach some preliminary conclusions. However, a best visualization of the aquifer behaviour was achieved by applying Principal Component Analysis (MA‐PCA) and N‐way PCA procedures, Parallel Factor Analysis and Tucker3. Results were consistent with two‐term models, being Tucker3 [2 2 1] the most adequate, explaining a large amount of the dataset variance (50.7%) with a low complexity. The first Tucker3 [1 1 1] interaction (38.2% of variance) is related with (i) calcium/magnesium versus sodium/potassium ion exchange processes; (ii) an increase of ionic concentration and (iii) a decrease of nitrate pollution, all processes along the direction of the groundwater flow. The second [2 2 1] interaction (12.5% of variance), accounts for the predominant role played by conductivity, bicarbonate and magnesium in the dataset. The seasonal variations are closely related to concentration/dilution phenomena originated by the variations of the phreatic levels, although this point will require additional sampling to establish a definitive hydrochemical model. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temporal and spatial distribution of floating objects in coastal waters of central–southern Chile and Patagonian fjords

Floating objects are suggested to be the principal vector for the transport and dispersal of marine invertebrates with direct development as well as catalysts for carbon and nutrient recycling in accumulation areas. The first step in identifying the ecological relevance of floating objects in a specific area is to identify their spatio-temporal distribution. We evaluated the composition, abundance, distribution, and temporal variability of floating objects along the continental coast of central–southern Chile (33–42°S) and the Patagonian fjords (42–50°S) using ship surveys conducted in austral winter (July/August) and spring (November) of the years 2002–2005 and 2008. Potential sources of floating items were identified with the aid of publicly available databases and scientific reports. We found three main types of floating objects, namely floating marine debris (mainly plastic objects and Styrofoam), wood (trunks and branches), and floating kelps (Macrocystis pyrifera and Durvillaea antarctica). Floating marine debris were abundant along most of the examined transects, with markedly lower abundances toward the southern fjord areas. Floating marine debris abundances generally corresponded to the distribution of human activities, and were highest in the Interior Sea of Chiloé, where aquaculture activities are intense. Floating wood appeared sporadically in the study area, often close to the main rivers. In accordance with seasonal river run-off, wood was more abundant along the continental coast in winter (rainy season) and in the Patagonian fjords during the spring surveys (snow melt). Densities of the two floating kelp species were similar along the continental coast, without a clear seasonal pattern. M. pyrifera densities increased towards the south, peaking in the Patagonian fjords, where it was dominant over D. antarctica. Densities of M. pyrifera in the Patagonian fjords were highest in spring. Correlation analyses between the abundances of floating objects and the distance to the nearest sources were generally non-significant, suggesting that post-supply processes affect the distribution of the floating objects in the study region. The identification of several major retention zones supports this idea. Accumulation areas of floating objects appear to be more common in the fjord zones. In general, the results underscore the abundance of floating objects throughout the study region and the fact that floating marine debris sources are mostly local, whereas floating algae may be dispersed over greater distances. Future studies should focus on the ecological role of floating objects in biota dispersal and nutrient cycling.     

Stochastic analysis of unsaturated seepage through randomly heterogeneous earth embankments

Spatial variability of material properties is inherent in both natural soil deposits and earth structures, yet it is often ignored during geotechnical design. With the objective of developing novel methods for assessing the effects of soil variability on groundwater flow, this study presents a stochastic finite element model of seepage through a flood defense embankment with randomly heterogeneous material properties. Stochastic modeling is undertaken by means of a Monte Carlo simulation which involves a large number of finite element analyses, each with randomly varied porosity at element level, which leads to a corresponding random variation of both permeability and water retention properties across the embankment domain. This provides a statistical distribution of responses, such as total flow rate and time to reach steady state, instead of a single deterministic result as in conventional studies of seepage through unsaturated heterogeneous soils. As the degree of heterogeneity increases, water tends to flow along the most permeable paths inside the soil mass, resulting in an irregular shape of the predicted wetting fronts and pore pressure contours. The mean and standard deviation of the computed quantities strongly depend on the statistics of the input porosity field. Simulations are also conducted to compare the statistical variation of flow rate with and without dependency of the water retention curve on porosity. With recent growth in computer speed, stochastic finite element models based on the Monte Carlo approach can become a powerful design tool, especially if a quantitative assessment of geotechnical risks is required. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The intracratonic Caraíbas–Itacarambi earthquake of December 09, 2007 (4.9 mb), Minas Gerais State,Brazil

On December 9, 2007, a 4.9 m_b earthquake occurred in the middle of the São Francisco Craton, in a region with no known previous activity larger than 4 m_b. This event reached intensity VII MM (Modified Mercalli) causing the first fatal victim in Brazil. The activity had started in May 25, 2007 with a 3.5 magnitude event and continued for several months, motivating the deployment of a local 6-station network. A three week seismic quiescence was observed before the mainshock. Initial absolute hypocenters were calculated with best fitting velocity models and then relative locations were determined with hypoDD. The aftershock distribution indicates a 3 km long rupture for the mainshock. The fault plane solution, based on P-wave polarities and hypocentral trend, indicates a reverse faulting mechanism on a N30°Ε striking plane dipping about 40° to the SE. The rupture depth extends from about 0.3 to 1.2 km only. Despite the shallow depth of the mainshock, no surface feature could be correlated with the fault plane. Aeromagnetic data in the epicentral area show short-wavelength lineaments trending NNE–SSW to NE–SW which we interpret as faults and fractures in the craton basement beneath the surface limestone layer. We propose that the Caraíbas–Itacarambi seismicity is probably associated with reactivation of these basement fractures and faults under the present E–W compressional stress field in this region of the South American Plate.     

The branch-cut quantum gravity with a self-coupling inflation scalar field: The wave function of the Universe

This paper focuses on the implications of a commutative formulation that integrates branch-cutting cosmology, the Wheeler–DeWitt equation, and Hořava–Lifshitz quantum gravity. Building on a mini-superspace structure, we explore the impact of an inflaton-type scalar field on the wave function of the Universe. Specifically analyzing the dynamical solutions of branch-cut gravity within a mini-superspace framework, we emphasize the scalar field's influence on the evolution of the evolution of the wave function of the Universe. Our research unveils a helix-like function that characterizes a topologically foliated spacetime structure. The starting point is the Hořava–Lifshitz action, which depends on the scalar curvature of the branched Universe and its derivatives, with running coupling constants denoted as $g_i$. The corresponding wave equations are derived and are resolved. The commutative quantum gravity approach preserves the diffeomorphism property of General Relativity, maintaining compatibility with the Arnowitt–Deser–Misner formalism. Additionally, we delve into a mini-superspace of variables, incorporating scalar-inflaton fields and exploring inflationary models, particularly chaotic and nonchaotic scenarios. We obtained solutions for the wave equations without recurring to numerical approximations.     

The branch-cut quantum gravity with a self-coupling inflation scalar field: Dynamical equations

This article focuses on the implications of the recently developed commutative formulation based on branch-cutting cosmology, the Wheeler–DeWitt equation, and Hořava–Lifshitz quantum gravity. Assuming a mini-superspace of variables, we explore the impact of an inflaton-type scalar field $\varphi (t)$ on the dynamical equations that describe the trajectories evolution of the scale factor of the Universe, characterized by the dimensionless helix-like function ${\ln }^{-1}[\beta (t)]$. This scale factor characterizes a Riemannian foliated spacetime that topologically overcomes the big bang and big crunch singularities. Taking the Hořava–Lifshitz action as our starting point, which depends on the scalar curvature of the branched Universe and its derivatives, with running coupling constants denoted as $g_i$, the commutative quantum gravity approach preserves the diffeomorphism property of General Relativity, maintaining compatibility with the Arnowitt–Deser–Misner formalism. We investigate both chaotic and nonchaotic inflationary scenarios, demonstrating the sensitivity of the branch-cut Universe's dynamics to initial conditions and parameterizations of primordial matter content. The results suggest a continuous connection of Riemann surfaces, overcoming primordial singularities and exhibiting diverse evolutionary behaviors, from big crunch to moderate acceleration.     

Noncommutative branch-cut quantum gravity with a self-coupling inflaton scalar field: The wave function of the Universe

This article focuses on the implications of a noncommutative formulation of branch-cut quantum gravity. Based on a mini-superspace structure that obeys the noncommutative Poisson algebra, combined with the Wheeler–DeWitt equation and Hořava–Lifshitz quantum gravity, we explore the impact of a scalar field of the inflaton-type in the evolution of the Universe's wave function. Taking as a starting point the Hořava–Lifshitz action, which depends on the scalar curvature of the branched Universe and its derivatives, the corresponding wave equations are derived and solved. The noncommutative quantum gravity approach adopted preserves the diffeomorphism property of General Relativity, maintaining compatibility with the Arnowitt–Deser–Misner Formalism. In this work we delve deeper into a mini-superspace of noncommutative variables, incorporating scalar inflaton fields and exploring inflationary models, particularly chaotic and nonchaotic scenarios. We obtained solutions to the wave equations without resorting to numerical approximations. The results indicate that the noncommutative algebraic space captures low and high spacetime scales, driving the exponential acceleration of the Universe.