Monte Verde,South-Central Chile: Stratigraphy,climate change,and human settlement

Two sedimentary units are recognized by means of stratigraphic and sedimentological analyses at Monte Verde, a late Pleistocene archeological site with stone tools and well-preserved wood artifacts and botanical remains, that lies southwest of Lago Llanquihue and north of the Golfo de Reloncavi in the southern end of the Chilean Central graben. the geological evidence shows that at no time after 33,000 yr B.P., and perhaps since the first Llanquihue advance (before 56,000 yr B.P.), was the Monte Verde area covered by ice. Influences of two glacial advances at 20,000 and 15,000-14,500 yr B.P. are recognized at the site; effects of the Varas Interstade, however, are not identified. Rapid climatic change took place after the end of the Llanquihue Glaciation. It was shortly interrupted by a cool, wet period around 10,000 yr B.P., after which a well-documented Hypsithermal (8270-4750 yr B.P.) accompanied by pyroclastic vulcanism followed. The evidence indicates that around 13,000 yr B.P. 1) the site occupants settled on the sandy point bars and beaches of the old creek channel and 2) the area was habitated during cool and wet conditions similar to those that prevail in the area today. Evidence for reconstruction of the paleo-environment and climate of the terminal Pleistocene and the preliminary implications of these findings for understanding the human occupation at Monte Verde are discussed.     

An algorithm to resolve γ-rays from charged cosmic rays with DAMPE

The DArk Matter Particle Explorer(DAMPE),also known as Wukong in China,which was launched on 2015 December 17,is a new high energy cosmic ray and γ-ray satellite-borne observatory.One of the main scientific goals of DAMPE is to observe Ge V-Te V high energy γ-rays with accurate energy,angular and time resolution,to indirectly search for dark matter particles and for the study of high energy astrophysics. Due to the comparatively higher fluxes of charged cosmic rays with respect to γ-rays,it is challenging to identify γ-rays with sufficiently high efficiency,minimizing the amount of charged cosmic ray contamination. In this work we present a method to identify γ-rays in DAMPE data based on Monte Carlo simulations,using the powerful electromagnetic/hadronic shower discrimination provided by the calorimeter and the veto detection of charged particles provided by the plastic scintillation detector. Monte Carlo simulations show that after this selection the number of electrons and protons that contaminate the selected γ-ray events at～10 Ge V amounts to less than 1% of the selected sample.Finally,we use flight data to verify the effectiveness of the method by highlighting known γ-ray sources in the sky and by reconstructing preliminary light curves of the Geminga pulsar.     

Shear wave propagation along infinite slopes: A theoretically based numerical study

In this paper, the seismic response of ‘infinitely’ long slopes is numerically analysed via the formulation of a 1D analytical/numerical model, in which the soil mechanical behaviour is assumed to be elasto‐perfectly viscoplastic and simple shear (SS) kinematical constraints are imposed. In order to simplify the problem, a theoretically based procedure to set up a fully 1D shear constitutive model is defined, within which the mechanical response of a multiaxial relationship is condensed. The use of a 1D shear constitutive model is aimed at reducing the number of unknowns and, therefore, the computational costs. In particular, the case of the Mohr–Coulomb yield criterion is considered, while an enhanced Taylor–Galerkin finite element algorithm is employed to simulate the seismic wave propagation within the soil stratum. The proposed ‘condensation’/calibration procedure captures both the ‘pseudo’‐hardening pre‐failure behaviour and the influence of dilation on the occurrence of strain‐localization, which characterize, under SS conditions, the static response of virgin perfectly plastic soils. The effectiveness of the conceived method is shown with reference to freshly deposited deposits, while, in the case of highly overconsolidated strata, some difficulties arise because of the brittle behaviour induced both by unloading and non‐associativeness. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The last deglaciation in the Picos de Europa National Park (Cantabrian Mountains,northern Spain)

A sedimentological and geochemical study of the Lago Enol sequence (Cantabrian Mountains, northern Spain), together with detailed geomorphological mapping, provides a first record of glacier evolution and climate change over the last 40 ka in the Picos de Europa National Park. The Enol glacier retreated from its maximum extent prior to 40 ka BP as demonstrated by the onset of proglacial lacustrine sedimentation in two glaciated depressions: the Comella hollow to the north (before 40 ka BP) and the Lago Enol (before 38 ka BP). These results support previous evidence that the maximum extent of southern European glaciers occurred earlier than in northern Europe. Alternation of homogeneous and laminated proglacial sediments during the glacier retreat illustrate a dynamic glacial evolution during the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 (40–26 ka BP). A slight warming is detected at 26 ka ago with the change from proglacial sediments (in a lake located in contact to the glacier) to glaciolacustrine sedimentation (in a non‐contact or distal lake). Finally, the onset of organic‐rich sediments took place at 18 ka ago. This last transition occurred in two phases, similarly to the North Atlantic Last Termination, suggesting a link between North Atlantic Deep Water formation oscillations and palaeohydrological variability in the Cantabrian Mountains. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Subsoil zoning of Mexico City using qualitative relationships between soil strength and electrical resistivity

Summary The seismic events occurring on 19 and 20 September 1985, whose epicentre was located in the coastal region of Michoacan, Mexico, produced tremendous damage in Mexico City. As a result of these losses the civil authorities of the city decided to study and evaluate the mechanical characteristics of the subsoil. To achieve this, it was necessary to drill several boreholes to obtain needed geophysical and geotechnical information. The geophysical method of electrical resistivity was the most appropriate to the research. This method enabled us to understand the structure and soil characteristics of the Mexican Valley.     

Biological and physical events involved in the origin,effects, and control of organic matter in solar saltworks

Aspects of communities and events in the concentrating ponds (S.G. 1.130 to 1.214) and salt crystallizing ponds (S.G. 1.215 to 1.264) of solar saltworks pertinent to salt manufacture are described. Communities that aid salt manufacture enable continuous and efficient production of high quality salt at a saltworks' design capacity, and they provide important controls on levels of organic matter in the brine. Fluctuating salinities, high concentrations of nutrients, and petroleum products are disturbances that causeAphanothece halophytica andDunaliella salina to release excessive quantities of organic matter, and that suppress or cause death to nutrient stripping organisms. Disturbances result in decreased quality and quantity of salt and increased costs for salt harvest, washing, and pond upkeep. Organic matter can be controlled by management techniques that keep nutrient stripping communities at proper levels and maintain a narrow and unchanging range of salinities in each pond, by constructing pond dikes able to withstand wind and water erosion, and by preventing spills of petroleum products in the ponds.     

Estimation of diffusion constants by observations of isokinetic effects: a test for radiogenic argon and strontium

A method of estimating unknown diffusion constants, by testing isokinetic effects, is briefly outlined. The calculated Ar^rad and Sr^rad diffusion constants agree well with experimental data. The employment of the method is suggested for the setting up of diffusion experiments.