Shallow landslides in deeply weathered slates of the Sierra de Collcerola (Catalonian Coastal Range, Spain)

Stability conditions in an area located NW of Barcelona (Spain) are discussed. Here, several mass movements were observed, mainly affecting weathered Paleozoic slates. Many of these failures involved slopes cut along recent infrastructures: debris flows, wedge and plane failures, generally surficial, occurred more frequently. After a detailed geological and geomorphologic survey, geomechanic characterization was carried out, according to RMR and SMR classifications. This rating gave a prediction of slope behaviour, in fairly good agreement with the real observed one.

Stability numerical analysis was carried out for the main cut slopes, based upon the Limit Equilibrium Method. First of all, the deterministic factor of safety was computed using the mean values of parameters. After that, a simulation technique based upon the Monte Carlo Method was applied in order to obtain factor of safety distributions. The probability of failure was estimated as P(F<1).

Finally, results from deterministic and probabilistic approaches were compared. The effectiveness of different possible remedial measures was highlighted by means of a sensitivity analysis, which showed that the more important parameters in the study area are the geometrical ones (height, slope and failure plane angles). The final technical solutions adopted are briefly outlined.     

Non-Linear Gravitational Clustering Using the Zel'dovich Approximation

As an alternative to computationally expensive N-body simulations for gravitional clustering, the Zel'dovich approximation (ZA) was studied in 3D, 2D and 1D. Plots of the density contrast were compared against linear theory and the exact solution. The ZA was found to perform very well in the linear regime, better than linear theory, and to give a good approximation well into the non-linear regime. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Formation and evolution of elliptical galaxies and QSO activity

We present the results of a numerical code that combines multi-zone chemical evolution with 1D hydrodynamics to follow in detail the evolution and radial behaviour of gas and stars during the formation of elliptical galaxies. We use the model to explore the links between the evolution and formation of elliptical galaxies and QSO activity. The knowledge of the radial gas flows in the galaxy allows us to trace metallicity gradients, and, in particular, the formation of a high-metallicity core in ellipticals. The high-metallicity core is formed soon enough to explain the metal abundances inferred in high-redshift quasars. The star formation rate and the subsequent feedback regulate the episodes of wind, outflow and cooling flow, thus affecting the recycling of the gas and the chemical enrichment of the intergalactic medium. The evolution of the galaxy shows several stages, some of which are characterized by a complex flow pattern, with inflow in some regions and outflow in other regions. All models, however, exhibit during their late evolution a galactic wind at the outer boundary and, during their early evolution, an inflow towards the galactic nucleus. The characteristics of the inner inflow could explain the bolometric luminosity of a quasar lodged at the galactic centre as well as the evolution of the optical luminosity of quasars.     

Les Faciès à Composante Détritique Dans le Crétacé Autochtone des Alpes-maritimes Italiennes

Riassunto Nell'Autoctono sedimentario delle Alpi Marittime è stata individuata una formazione tipica, sfuggita agli autori precedenti benchè molto caratteristica ed abbastanza estesa. Si tratta perloppiù di calcari, più o meno arenacei, che contengono ciottoli di porfido quarzifero, di rocce migmatiche e di rocce sedimentarie. Ciò porta a modificare lo schema paleogeografico tradizionale ammettendo una emersione del nucleo del Massiccio dell'Argentera nel Cretaceo superiore.

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In the autochtonous sedimentary beds of Alpi Marittime a typical formation is found; it is very peculiar and extends over a wide area, but until now it was unknown. The most common lithotypes represented in it are limestones with variable amounts of arenaceous material and containing pebbles of rhyolites and of migmatitic and sedimentary rocks. From these rock types a new paleogeographic scheme is strongly suggested, one in which there was the emersion of the central Argentera Massif during the late Cretaceous time.

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Zusammenfassung In den autochthonen sedimentären Einheiten der Meeralpen wurde eine typische Formation entdeckt, die bis jetzt von früheren Verfassern vernachlässigt wurde. Es handelt sich meistens um mehr oder weniger sandige Kalke, die Gerölle von Quarzporphyren und von migmatischen und sedimentären Gesteinen enthalten. Das führt dazu, das bisherige paläogeographische Bild durch das Auftauchen des Kerns vom Argentera-Massiv in der Oberen Kreide abzuändern.

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Résumé Dans l'Autochtone sédimentaire des Alpes-Maritimes a été découverte une formation typique, qui a échappé aux auteurs précédents, quoique étant bien caractéristique et suffisamment répandue. Il s'agit normalement de calcaires, plus ou moins gréseux, qui contiennent des galets de rhyolites, de roches migmatiques et de. roches sédimentaires. Cela conduit à modifier le schéma paléogéographique traditionnel en reconnaissant une émersion du noyau du Massif de l'Argentera dans le Crétacé supérieur.

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Migration and shortening rates in the northern Apennines,Italy: implications for seismic hazard

Is compression across the northern Apennine fold‐and‐thrust system (Italy) still active? To address this question, we quantified the long‐term rates of migration and shortening of the system along with the measurement errors. Our approach integrates structural geology, seismicity patterns, and statistical treatment of tectonic activity. On the basis of recently published surface and subsurface data, we found a migration rate of 8.85 ± 0.61 mm yr⁻¹. The inception age of individual fold structures follow closely this average rate, indicating that the system has been migrating at a constant rate for the past 17 Myr. Cumulative shortening of the system also increases linearly through time at 2.93 ± 0.31 mm yr⁻¹. The location of the youngest structures in the easternmost portion of the system coincides with a significant peak of seismic moment released by historical earthquakes. We conclude that not only these easternmost thrusts are still active, but also that they generate earthquakes.     

A structural and geophysical approach to the study of fractured aquifers in the Scansano-Magliano in Toscana Ridge, southern Tuscany, Italy

Fresh water availability has recently become a serious concern in the Italian Apennines, as various activities rely on a predictable supply. Along the ridge between Scansano and Magliano in Toscana, in southern Tuscany, the situation is further complicated by contamination of the nearby alluvial aquifers. Aquifers locally consist of thin fractured reservoirs, generally within low-permeability formations, and it can be difficult to plan the exploitation of resources based on conventional techniques. An integrated study based on geological data investigated the link between tectonics and groundwater circulation, to better define the hydrological model. After the regional identification of fault and fracture patterns, a major structure was investigated in detail to accurately map its spatial position and to understand the geometry and properties of the associated aquifer and assess its exploitation potential. The subsurface around the fault zone was clearly imaged using ground probing radar, two-dimensional and three-dimensional resistivity tomography, and three-dimensional shallow seismic surveys. The vertical and horizontal contacts between the different geological units of the Ligurian and Tuscan series were resolved with a high degree of spatial accuracy. Three-dimensional high-resolution geophysical imaging proved to be a very effective means of characterising small-scale fractured reservoirs.