Electromagnetic induction in the British Isles region: analogue model and field station results

The results of a laboratory electromagnetic analogue model study, which employs a horizontal inducing field over a simple model of the British Isles region, delineate the location and frequency dependence of the major coast effect induction anomalies of the Scotland region. Contours of amplitudes, amplitude ratios, and in-phase and quadrature parts of the model field measurements are presented. The model vertical magnetic fields for two orthogonal source field polarizations and field station values for two hypothetical events for corresponding polarizations are compared.While major discrepancies occur between model and field H_z amplitudes, the H_z gradients across Scotland, which can be attributed to the coast-effect, are comparable in value, although sometimes reversed in sign. Superimposed on this coast-effect, the field data indicate the existence of current concentrations associated with the Great Glen and the Southern Uplands faults and possibly also of currents within the Scottish mainland near the east and west coasts.     

The strain history of a dalradian slide: Using pebbles with low fluctuations in axis orientation

The strain associated with the Horn Head Slide, a major tectonic break in the Dalradian rocks of NW Ireland, is recorded by pebbles in an adjacent quartzite horizon. Mean X/Y ratios of the deformed pebble shapes in excess of 8.0 are seen closest to the slide and the field of three-dimensional shapes lies along the K = 1 line. The usual methods of separating initial shape ratio (R_i) and tectonic strain ratio (R_s) from the deformed shape ratio (R_f) of ellipsoidal markers are based on measurements of variation in fluctuation (e.g., the (R_f/φ technique). However, due to the high X/Y strains in this situation and since the pebbles initially lay parallel to bedding and to a principal plane of the finite strain ellipsoid, fluctuation is generally very low. Thus, except for the least deformed X/Y data, the R_f/φ technique is inapplicable and other methods are used. For X/Y data with mean (R_f > 4.0: R_s is calculated as the harmonic mean of R_f; maximum R_i values only are obtained from the range of R_f data. For all Y/Z and X/Z data: R_i is calculated from the logarithmic range (ω_log) of R_f; R_s is simply obtained from the geometric mean of R_f modified by R_i. It is concluded from this that a varying prolate tectonic strain (K - 1.5) reaching X/Y values in excess of 8.00 was coaxially superimposed on an initial oblate shape fabric to produce the present field of deformed pebbles in the quartzite near the slide.     

Tectonic slides: A review and reappraisal

Tectonic slides are faults that have been described and discussed in the Caledonides for over fifty years but which, possibly because of misunderstanding, have failed to find acceptance in structural schemes elsewhere. A review of the literature suggests, nevertheless, that they are a distinct class of fault common in certain terrains. Unlike the usual ‘brittle’ faults, slides occur in metamorphic conditions as an integral part of the more widespread fabric producing regional deformation that characterises metamorphic—orogenic belts. Because of their formation in such ‘ductile’ environments, slides are broadly concordant structures which are rarely associated with cataclasis. Since they also often lie along lithological contacts, they may be very difficult to detect at outcrop — despite the large displacements that may have taken place. Slides however may be recognised by (a) tectonic schist, and (b) their typical occurrence in planar zones of intensified regional deformation. They are often associated with major folds: either occurring in individual fold limbs or else cutting across the axial planes of fold pairs or groups of folds. Alternatively they may be unrelated to folds and may occur at simple lithological junctions or else separate rocks of widely different orogenic history, i.e. at tectonic fronts. Strain studies suggest that lithological contacts are important in initiating slides because of the different response of contrasting rock types to high strains.     

Patterns of Coping and Adaptation Among Erosion-Induced Displacees in Bangladesh: Implications for Hazard Analysis and Mitigation

The purpose of this research was to identify social, culturaland psychological aspects of riverbank erosion-induced displacement in the flood plainsof Bangladesh. Although considerable research has examined the social and economicimpacts of riverine hazards in Bangladesh, there has been a general neglect of associatedpsychosocial implications. The specific objectives of the study were to: (1) assess hazardawareness in relation to riverbank erosion, (2) determine the magnitude of psychologicaldistress associated with displacement, and (3) identify patterns of psychosocial copingand adaptation common to displaced persons in Bangladesh. Although displacees were foundto have a significantly higher level of distress than non-displacees, this was relatedprimarily to socioeconomic deprivation rather than to displacement per se. The findingsof this study showed that the constant threat of riverbank erosion has contributed to asubstantial disaster subculture in the riverine zones of Bangladesh. The commonly hypothesized factorssuch as loss of land and frequency and duration of displacement were notsignificantly associated with distress levels.The need to integrate into hazard analysis and mitigation studiesa social, cultural and psychological context is recommended. In Bangladesh, the poor copewith hardship and problems by relying on religion, which in turn significantlyinfluences how they perceive and interpret natural calamities. It is argued that the capacityof people to respond to environmental threats is a function of not only the physicalforces which affect them, but of indigenous social and cultural belief systems which influencehow people interpret and organize their activities. Hazard analysis and mitigation wouldbe most effective when it takes into account psychological and socio-cultural aspects ofdisasters, due to the fact that psychological distress impacts the capacity of people toachieve livelihoods, but also important social and psychological processes determine the waypeople perceive and adapt to natural hazards.     

Failure of Marine Deposits and their Redistribution by Sediment Gravity Flows

— SedFlux simulates the fill of sedimentary basins, and can be used to examine the location and attributes of sediment failure on continental margins and the runout of their associated sediment gravity flows. Numerical experiments show how the evolving boundary conditions of sea-level fluctuations, floods, storms, tectonic and other relevant processes control the rate and size of slope instabilities. By tracking deposit properties (pore pressures, grain size, bulk density, porosity), a finite-slope factor-of-safety analysis of marine deposits examines failure potential. A decider routine is used to determine whether the failed material will travel down slope as turbidity current or a debris flow. Examples provided insight into: (i) why fjords dominated by turbidity current deposition often contain debris flow deposits; (ii) how glaciated margins prograde seaward through shallow failures of low yield strength material; and, (iii) how large-scale basin subsidence can control the onset of canyon formation across continental slopes.     

A geomagnetic variation study of Scotland

Summary. Data from eighteen Gough—Reitzel magnetometers and four flux-gate magnetometers, which were operated in North Scotland, are presented and discussed. The coverage given by this set of instruments was not dense enough to resolve satisfactorily the complex induction anomalies in this area but some of the major features seen are described. The features observed cannot be accounted for either by oceanic induction effects or by source field effects. The Great Glen shows up as a major conductivity feature. Other effects are also observed, some apparently associated with the highly resistive granites found in this area.     

New populations in the British city centre: Evidence of social change from the census and household surveys

Encouraged by government policies to promote city centre living and to increase residential land use on brownfield sites, there has been considerable repopulation of the city centre. Through detailed small-area census analysis of Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea, supplemented by household surveys and key informant interviews, the research points to a range of population characteristics and changes occurring in the British city centre. Certain characteristics such as a high proportion of lone person households, fewer children and low car ownership remain fairly consistent. However, substantial population expansion affirms that a large part of the population is “new”. Between 1991 and 2001, men came to outnumber women, and each of the city centres saw a relative expansion of its young adult population. The new residents have a higher appreciation than longer term residents of proximity to work and leisure facilities, and of the stylishness of city centre living. Most of the new residents rent their accommodation, generally in flats, and the predominance of renting is associated with a transient attitude to city centre residence among the new population. Socio-economic evidence indicates a striking rise in social status or gentrification in all the city centres investigated, especially where high status private housing developments encourage the trend. With policies promoting residential development, the city centre is becoming increasingly socially exclusive.     

Collins Glacier Retreat Process and Regional Climatic Variations,King George Island,Antarctica

This paper investigates the recent climatic variability and changes in snow line and ice front position in Collins Glacier, King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula. This region has recorded one of the largest temperature increases in the past fifty years and has been demonstrated to be highly sensitive to climate changes. To monitor recent changes (1983–2006), we determined the fluctuations of the terminus and snow line of the glacier via remote sensing data and field observation in the summer of 2013. We conclude that the Collins Glacier has responded slowly to regional climate changes (decades or even centuries), as glacial responses to climatic events do not depend solely on one environmental variable. The glacier presented more retreat and elevation of the snow line in the north sector. The retreat data are correlated with the mean monthly temperature and annual number of days of melting‐degree variations.