Late-time photometry of two nearby type II-P supernovae： 2004dj and 2004et

We present late-time photometry for two bright type II-P supernovae （SNe） 2004dj and 2004et, extending over 400 d after the explosion, which are measured with a set of intermediate-band filters that have the advantage of tracing the strength variations of some spectral features. Although these two SNe II-P exhibit similar photometric evolution at earlier times, they diverge during the nebular phase. SN 2004dj shows a slow late-time decline rate with - 0.7 ±0.1 mag （100d）^-1 during the period ranging from t ≈ 200 - 300 d after the explosion, while SN 2004et shows a much faster decline rate at a comparable phase, e.g., 1.3 ± 0.1 mag （100d）^-1. The steeper decay rate seen in SN 2004et is likely due to dust formation in the explosion ejecta. Based on intermediate-band photometry, we derived the evolution of the feature lines [e.g., Hα] of SNe 2004dj and 2004et which are similar in flux at comparable phases but perhaps with significantly different decay rates. The origin of the observed variations in the continuum and the feature lines is briefly discussed.     

Geophysical survey to estimate the 3D sliding surface and the 4D evolution of the water pressure on part of a deep seated landslide

Geophysical surveys were conducted on the very unstable front part of the La Clapière landslide in the French Alps (Alpes Maritimes). The electrical resistivity survey was carried out to obtain, for the first time on this deep-seated landslide, 3D information on the slipping surface and the vertical drained faults. Moreover, we planned to follow within time (6 months) the evolution of the saturated zones (presence of gravitational water) and their percolation into the shearing zones. Our 4D results showed the importance of the complex water channelization within the slope and relation to geological discontinuities.     

The effective elastic lithosphere under the Cook-Austral and Society islands

We have determined the elastic thicknessT_e of the oceanic lithosphere along two volcanic chains of the South Central Pacific: Cook-Austral and Society islands. We used a three-dimensional spatial method to model the lithospheric flexure assuming a continuous elastic plate. The model was constrained by geoid height data from the SEASAT satellite.Along the Cook-Austral chain the elastic thickness increases westward, from 2–4 km at McDonald hot spot to 14 km at Rarotonga. At McDonald seamount, however, the data are better explained by a local compensation model. The observed trend shows an increase ofT_e with age of plate at loading time. However, the elastic layer under the Cook-Austral appears systematically thinner by several kilometers than expected for “normal” seafloor, suggesting that substantial thermal thinning has taken place in this region. Considering the apparent thermal age of the plate instead of crustal age improves noticeably the results. Along the Society chainT_e varies from 20 km under Tahiti to 13 km under Maupiti which is located 500 km westward. When plotting together the Society and Cook-AustralT_e results versus age of load, we notice that within the first five million years after loading,T_e decreases significantly while tending rapidly to an equilibrium value. This may be interpreted as the effect of initial stress relaxation which occurs just after loading inside the lower lithosphere and suggests that the presently measured elastic thickness under the very young Tahiti load ( 0.8 Ma) is not yet the equilibrium thickness.     

Hyperspectral core logging for fire reconstruction studies

Lacustrine sediments contain a wide range of proxies that enable paleoenvironmental reconstructions. For instance, charcoal can be used to document past fire regime changes. In order to analyse high-temporal- and spatial-resolution records, however, it is necessary to develop fast, low-cost and high-stratigraphic-resolution methods. We developed a new paleo-fire proxy by studying a lacustrine core from the Esterel Massif, SE France, an area affected by two recent fire events, in AD 1987 and 2003. For this purpose, we searched for charcoal deposited and preserved in the lake sediments by combining a number of complementary methods, including: classic macrocharcoal tallying, scanning spectrophotometry, scanning hyperspectral imaging and high pressure liquid chromatography analyses. Macrocharcoal quantification is efficient, but time-consuming, and only provides intermediate-resolution data (cm scale). Spectrophotometry, used classically to quantify colour, is very fast, provides high-resolution data (4 mm) and is non-destructive (core preservation). Hyperspectral data have the same advantages as spectrophotometry, but offer higher spatial resolution (64-µm pixel size) and higher spectral resolution (6 nm) for core logging applications. The main result of this research is based on hyperspectral analysis at very high stratigraphic resolution using the I-band index. This index usually measures reflectance values at [660, 670 nm] corresponding to the trough in red reflectance produced by Chlorophyll a and its diagenetic products. This [660, 670 nm] reflectance trough, however, is also affected by the presence of altered organic matter and decreases with altered organic matter such as charcoal particles. Charcoal effect on the reflectance of Chlorophyll a and its diagenetic products is identified on first derivative spectra by a characteristic pattern around 675 nm, which is also in agreement with the Chlorophyll a concentrations measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography and charcoal particles. The I-band index is hence suitable for detecting burned organic matter, by quantifying the dilution of the chlorophyll signal by the charcoal signal. Thus, this adaptation of the I-band index can be applied in fire reconstruction studies.     

Tectonic shortening and gravitational spreading in the Gulf of Cadiz accretionary wedge: Observations from multi-beam bathymetry and seismic profiling

The Gulf of Cadiz lies astride the complex plate boundary between Africa and Eurasia west of the Betic-Rif mountain belt. We report on the results of recent bathymetric swathmapping and multi-channel seismic surveys carried out here. The seafloor is marked by contrasting morphological provinces, spanning the SW Iberian and NW Moroccan continental margins, abyssal plains and an elongate, arcuate, accretionary wedge. A wide variety of tectonic and gravitational processes appear to have shaped these structures. Active compressional deformation of the wedge is suggested by folding and thrusting of the frontal sedimentary layers as well as basal duplexing in deeper internal units. There is evidence for simultaneous gravitational spreading occurring upslope. The very shallow mean surface and basal slopes of the accretionary wedge (1° each) indicate a very weak decollement layer, geometrically similar to the Mediterranean Ridge accretionary complex. Locally steep slopes (up to 10°) indicate strongly focused, active deformation and potential gravitational instabilities. The unusual surface morphology of the upper accretionary wedge includes “raft-tectonics” type fissures and abundant sub-circular depressions. Dissolution and/or diapiric processes are proposed to be involved in the formation of these depressions.     

Global-scale surface spectral variations on Titan seen from Cassini/VIMS

We present global-scale maps of Titan from the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) instrument on Cassini. We map at 64 near-infrared wavelengths simultaneously, covering the atmospheric windows at 0.94, 1.08, 1.28, 1.6, 2.0, 2.8, and 5 μm with a typical resolution of 50 km/pixel or a typical total integration time of 1 s. Our maps have five to ten times the resolution of ground-based maps, better spectral resolution across most windows, coverage in multiple atmospheric windows, and represent the first spatially resolved maps of Titan at 5 μm. The VIMS maps provide context and surface spectral information in support of other Cassini instruments. We note a strong latitudinal dependence in the spectral character of Titan's surface, and partition the surface into 9 spectral units that we describe in terms of spectral and spatial characteristics.     

Equilibration Scales in Silicic to Intermediate Magmas Implications for Experimental Studies

Experimental phase equilibrium studies are increasingly beingused for the determination of intensive variables (P, T, fH₂O,fO₂ ) in silicic to intermediate magmas. In contrast, silicicigneous bodies are now perceived as open, periodically recharged,systems involving only limited chemical equilibration. Thus,the use of laboratory-determined crystal–liquid equilibriumdata needs clarification. Here we review the field, petrologicaland geochemical evidence concerning states and scales of chemicalequilibrium in silicic magma bodies. It is concluded that totalchemical equilibrium is generally not the rule. However, a subsystemin local equilibrium (the reactive magma) can be identified.Equilibration scales in silicic magmas are rate-limited eitherby diffusive flux in crystals (DICL regime) or by diffusiveflux in the melt (MD regime). The recognition that equilibriumin magmas is limited to a reactive subsystem requires phaseequilibrium studies to be chemically scaled. Experiments, eitherof total or partial equilibrium type, should aim at a closereproduction of equilibrium states specific to natural systems.The laboratory reconstruction of the natural equilibrium statesguarantees a precise determination of the pre-eruptive parametersand a reliable application of the experimental data to activevolcanic systems. KEY WORDS: silicic magmas; chemical equilibrium; timescales; experimental studies     

A new scenario framework for climate change research: background,process, and future directions

The scientific community is developing new global, regional, and sectoral scenarios to facilitate interdisciplinary research and assessment to explore the range of possible future climates and related physical changes that could pose risks to human and natural systems; how these changes could interact with social, economic, and environmental development pathways; the degree to which mitigation and adaptation policies can avoid and reduce risks; the costs and benefits of various policy mixes; and the relationship of future climate change adaptation and mitigation policy responses with sustainable development. This paper provides the background to and process of developing the conceptual framework for these scenarios, as described in the three subsequent papers in this Special Issue (Van Vuuren et al., 2013; O’Neill et al., 2013; Kriegler et al., Submitted for publication in this special issue). The paper also discusses research needs to further develop, apply, and revise this framework in an iterative and open-ended process. A key goal of the framework design and its future development is to facilitate the collaboration of climate change researchers from a broad range of perspectives and disciplines to develop policy- and decision-relevant scenarios and explore the challenges and opportunities human and natural systems could face with additional climate change.