Multiparametric Traveltime Inversion

In conventional seismic processing, the classical algorithm of Hubral and Krey is routinely applied to extract an initial macrovelocity model that consists of a stack of homogeneous layers bounded by curved interfaces. Input for the algorithm are identified primary reflections together with normal moveout (NMO) velocities, as derived from a previous velocity analysis conducted on common midpoint (CMP) data. This work presents a modified version of the Hubral and Krey algorithm that is designed to extend the original version in two ways, namely (a) it makes an advantageous use of previously obtained common-reflection-surface (CRS) attributes as its input and (b) it also allows for gradient layer velocities in depth. A new strategy to recover interfaces as optimized cubic splines is also proposed. Some synthetic examples are provided to illustrate and explain the implementation of the method.     

The structure of the eastern border of the Andes in north-western Argentina

In the eastern border area of the Andes of north-western Argentina two structural units are represented: the Cordillera Oriental and the Sierras Subandinas.The Cordillera Oriental represents a structural unit of faulted blocks strongly uplifted in relation to the Sierras Subandinas. In the Cordillera Oriental, the metamorphic basement has been partially folded together with the sedimentary cover. In some cases the cover has been detached away from its substratum and folded independently of it.It was generally accepted that the Sierras Subandinas coincide with big asymmetrical anticlines produced in the cover rocks by tilting of rigid basement blocks. The detailed geological mapping of the region situated between the parallels 24° 45 and 26° latitude south and the meridians 64° 30 and 66° west has provided data that permit to modify considerably this scheme.The existence of important strike-slip faults running highly oblique to the main regional structural pattern and controlling the shape of the Sierras Subandinas folds has been verified. These highly oblique faults with strike-slip movements, that affect the whole region, are probably ancient lineaments reactivated during Andean diastrophism in Upper Pliocene to Early Pleistocene time.

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Zusammenfassung Im östlichen Grenzgebiet der Anden im nordwestlichen Argentinien liegen zwei strukturell unterschiedliche Einheiten vor, die Cordillera Oriental und die subandinen Sierren (Sierras Subandinas).Die Cordillera Oriental besteht aus Leistenschollen eines leicht metamorphisierten Sockels. Sie ist als Ganzes im Verhältnis zu den subandinen Sierren stark herausgehoben worden. In der Cordillera Oriental wurde dieser Sockel zum Teil zusammen mit seinen sedimentären Deckschichten verfaltet, zum Teil wurden sie aber auch von ihrem Unterlager abgeschert und unabhängig von ihm gefaltet.Bisher wurde allgemein angenommen, daß die subandinen Sierren aus großen assymmetrischen Falten aufgebaut werden, die in den Deckschichten durch Kippung starrer Blöcke im tieferen Untergrund hervorgerufen wurden. Die genaue geokartographische Aufnahme eines Gebietes zwischen den Breitenkreisen 24° 45 und 26° südl. Breite und den Längenkreisen 64° 30 und 66° westl. Länge erbrachte Daten, die es erlauben, diese Vorstellung erheblich zu modifizieren.Weit durchhaltende Seitenverschiebungen, die die übergeordneten Strukturen des gesamten Gebietes schräg durchziehen und die Gestalt der Falten in den Sierren erheblich beeinflussen, wurden nachgewiesen. Sie stellen wahrscheinlich alte, präandine Lineamente dar, die während der Anden-Orogenese im Jungtertiär bis Altpleistozän reaktiviert Wurden.

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Resumen En el borde oriental de los Andes del Noroeste Argentino están representadas dos unidades estructurales: la Cordillera Oriental y las Sierras Subandinas.La Cordillera Oriental es una unidad constituida por bloques fallados y, en conjunto, elevada con respecto a las Sierras Subandinas. En la Cordillera Oriental el basamento metamórfico ha sido parcialmente plegado junto con la cobertura sedimentaria. En algunos casos lo cobertura ha sido despegada de su substrato y plegada independientemente.En general se aceptaba que las Sierras Subandinas coincidian con grandes anticlinales asimétricos producidos en la cobertura sedimentaria por el basculamiento de bloques rígidos de basamento situados en el subsuelo. La cartografía geológica-estructural detallada de la región comprendida por los paralelos 24° 45 y 26° S y los meridianos 64° 30 y 66° W ha proporcionado datos que permiten modificar considerablemente este esquema.Se ha comprobado la existencia de importantes fallas transcurrentes, fuertemente oblicuas con respecto a la estructura regional, que han tenido profunda influencia sobre la forma de los pliegues subandinos. Estas fallas oblicuas son probablemente lineamientos antiguos en los que el diastrofismo Andico (Plioceno-Pleistoceno) ha producido considerables desplazamientos paralelos al rumbo de los mismos.

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Résumé Dans la bordure orientale des Andes du Nord-ouest de l'Argentine, deux unités structurales différentes sont présentes: les Sierras subandines et la Cordillère orientale.La Cordillère orientale est composée d'un socle faiblement métamorphique faillé en blocs fortement surélevés par rapport aux Sierras subandines. Dans la Cordillère orientale, ce socle métamorphique a été en partie plissé avec sa couverture sédimentaire; mais parfois celle-ci a été décolée de son substratum et plissé indépendentement.Jusqu'à présent, on admettait que les Sierras subandines sont constituées de grands anticlinaux assymétriques produits dans la couverture par l'ascension de blocs faillés du socle. La cartographie géologico-structurale detaillée de la région comprise entre les parallèles 24° 45 et 26° de latitude sud et les méridiens 64° 30 et 60° ouest conduit à modifier considérablement ce schéma.D'importants décrochements très obliques par rapport à la direction de la structure régionale et qui ont fortement influencé la forme des plis subandins sont probablement des accidents anciens rajeunis pendant le diastrophisme andin au cours du Pliocène supérieur et du Pléistocène inférieur.

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Identification of Possible Intense Historical Solar Storms During the Years 1781–1788 Inferred from Aurorae and Geomagnetic Observations in Rio De Janeiro

The reconstruction of solar activity during the late 18th century is a puzzle for researchers due to the scarcity of sunspot observations in that epoch. In this work, we analyse some details of the solar activity during the years 1781–1788, inferred from geomagnetic measurements and visual observations of aurorae performed by the Portuguese scientist Bento Sanches Dorta from Rio de Janeiro. We describe in greater detail four large solar storms that induced large changes in daily values of geomagnetic declination and, simultaneously, correspond to visual observations of aurorae described by Sanches Dorta.     

Acceleration response modification factors for nonstructural components attached to inelastic moment‐resisting frame structures

A statistical analysis of the peak acceleration demands for nonstructural components (NSCs) supported on a variety of stiff and flexible inelastic regular moment‐resisting frame structures with periods from 0.3 to 3.0 s exposed to 40 far‐field ground motions is presented. Peak component acceleration (PCA) demands were quantified based on the floor response spectrum (FRS) method without considering dynamic interaction effects. This study evaluated the main factors that influence the amplification or decrease of FRS values caused by inelasticity in the primary structure in three distinct spectral regions namely long‐period, fundamental‐period, and short‐period region. The amplification or decrease of peak elastic acceleration demands depends on the location of the NSC in the supporting structure, periods of the component and building, damping ratio of the component, and level of inelasticity of the supporting structure. While FRS values at the initial modal periods of the supporting structure are reduced due to inelastic action in the primary structure, the region between the modal periods experiences an increase in PCA demands. A parameter denoted as acceleration response modification factor (R_acc) was proposed to quantify this reduction/increase in PCA demands. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spatial Distribution of Shelf- and Slope-Dwelling Fishes Collected by Bottom Longline off Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

Abstract. A total of 1789 fish belonging to 38 families and 73 species were collected at depths between 18 and 1102 m during 216 bottom longline operations off Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, between February 1994 and December 1995. For each species the depth distribution is provided. Length-weight and depth-size relationships are reported for three shelf-dwelling species. The bigger-deeper relationship found in two of them contrasts with the bigger-shallower pattern of the deeper living trichiurid Lepidopus caudatus . In November 1997, nine additional bottom longline operations were carried out off eastern Fuerteventura at depths between 805 and 1217 m. In this area, after earlier studies in October 1995, a spawning aggregation of the morid Mora moro was encountered for the second time. The catches of 1997 revealed a strongly male-biased sex ratio. Also, the males showed a significantly lower gonadosomal index than two years earlier. These findings indicate slight interannual variations in reproductive timing and an earlier arrival of male Mora moro at the spawning grounds. Clear variations in the number of fish collected at adjacent sites possibly reflect a preference for distinct microhabitats. Preliminary evidence of local upwelling of cold water above the spawning grounds is provided by satellite imagery.     

Interannual variability in the biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Decapoda,Majidae)

The spider crab Maja brachydactyla is an important commercial species in Europe and supports intensive fisheries in the NE Atlantic. A field survey was performed to assess long‐term and consecutive interannual (2005–2010) variation of the biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae of M. brachydactyla. Larval biochemical profiles differed significantly among years, with pronounced differences being recorded in 2010. Differences among batches of newly hatched larvae were mainly explained by the contribution of triacylglycerols and, to a lesser degree, by protein and lipid content. The use of different nutrition indices is discussed. The biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae from M. brachydactyla was highly variable, even though surveyed broodstock was obtained from the same local population and was always sampled during the same season. The unpredictable biochemical profiles of newly hatched larvae may condition their survival and recruitment. This largely overlooked aspect of larval variability should be considered in future fisheries management strategies and captive production of marine organisms that still rely on wild seeds.     

Distribution and spatial variation of hydrothermal faunal assemblages at Lucky Strike (Mid-Atlantic Ridge) revealed by high-resolution video image analysis

Whilst the fauna inhabiting hydrothermal vent structures in the Atlantic Ocean is reasonably well known, less is understood about the spatial distributions of the fauna in relation to abiotic and biotic factors. In this study, a major active hydrothermal edifice (Eiffel Tower, at 1690 m depth) on the Lucky Strike vent field (Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR)) was investigated. Video transects were carried out by ROV Victor 6000 and complete image coverage was acquired. Four distinct assemblages, ranging from dense larger-sized Bathymodiolus mussel beds to smaller-sized mussel clumps and alvinocaridid shrimps, and two types of substrata were defined based on high definition photographs and video imagery. To evaluate spatial variation, faunal distribution was mapped in three dimensions. A high degree of patchiness characterizes this 11 m high sulfide structure. The differences observed in assemblage and substratum distribution were related to habitat characteristics (fluid exits, depth and structure orientation). Gradients in community structure were observed, which coincided with an increasing distance from the fluid exits. A biological zonation model for the Eiffel Tower edifice was created in which faunal composition and distribution can be visually explained by the presence/absence of fluid exits.     

Characterisation of Soot Emitted by Domestic Heating,Aircraft and Cars Using Diesel or Biodiesel

The characterisation of aggregates, like soot, firstly requires the determination of the size distribution of the primary particles. The primary particle size of combustion generated aggregates depends upon the combustion environment and the formation conditions, such as temperature, pressure and fuel-to-air ratio, among others. Since the combustion characteristics are different in the different types of burners, the characterisation of primary particles may offer the possibility to distinguish soot from different sources. In this paper, we present the signature of the primary particles and the aggregates of soot emitted by cars using diesel or biodiesel, by domestic heating, and by aircraft exhausts, which can be considered as the major sources as derived from measurements on transmission electron micrographs. The size distributions of all aggregates types with different aerodynamic diameter were log-normal and quasi-monodisperse. The size distribution of the primary particles for soot emitted by different sources showed minor differences. However, a comparison between the diameter of the primary particles and those obtained using a standard method for carbon black revealed discrepancies. The median diameter of the primary particles was combined with the median number of primary particles in an aggregate to calculate the relative particle surface area available for adsorption. In a similar way, the relative specific surface area was determined. The surface area was measured using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (B.E.T.) nitrogen adsorption method and the relative surface area available for adsorption was calculated.