Significance of discrepancies in the processing of GPS data with different algorithms

Summary GPS phase measurements can be processed by using a number of different algorithms. These include models based on (interferometric) single differences, double differences and triple differences, as well as an algorithm using the direct observable, i.e. the pure phase measurement. Theoretically, subject to including appropriate a priori covariance matrices, which express the geometrical configuration (correlation) between the different nominal observables, the results should be identical. Conversely, neglecting these covariances could lead to different numerical answers. Identical GPS data sets are processed with software packages based on different algorithms, and the resulting discrepancies established, in order to asses whether or not they are significant. Similarly, differential ionospheric and tropospheric corrections are evaluated and their significance determined for baselines of different lengths.     

Origin of basalts from the Marquesas Archipelago (south central Pacific Ocean): isotope and trace element constraints

Basalts from the Marquesas Archipelago display significant variations according to magmatic type in ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.512710–0.512925) and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70288–0.70561) suggesting heterogeneities at various scales in the mantle source, with respectively the highest and lowest values in tholeiites compared to alkali basalts. This relationship is the reverse from that observed in the Hawaiian islands. Systematic indications of magma mixing are recognized from the relationships between trace element and isotopic ratios. Tholeiites from Ua Pou Island which have unradiogenic Sr (about 0.7028) plot close to basalts from Tubuai and St. Helena, i.e. distinctly below the main mantle trend in the Nd vs. Sr isotopic diagram. It is suggested that the source of these tholeiites is ancient subducted lithosphere which has suffered previous extraction of liquid with island arc tholeiite composition. The trace element and isotopic data of the basalts from the other Marquesas Islands imply the contamination of an equivalent source by an enriched component. This latter has trace element characteristics of the upper crust.     

Long-term monitoring of a large deep-seated landslide (La Clapiere,South-East French Alps): initial study

The large-scale deformation of high mountain slopes finds its origin in many phenomena (inherent parameters, external stresses) with very different time constants (instantaneous to geological scale). Gravitational effect, tectonic forces and water infiltration are generally the principal causes of slope instability. However, it can be very difficult to distinguish which cause is dominant and which are their respective effects. To gain a better understanding of the complex processes taking place during the evolution of an unstable slope and separate the causes responsible of the landslide dynamic, an observational study based on geodetic, meteorological, seismological and electrical data has been performed on the La Clapière rockslide (Southern French Alps). This deep-seated landslide (DSL) is known for many years as one of the largest and fastest rock slide in Europe (60 million m³ of highly weathered metamorphic material, moving at 1 to 3 m year^?1). The set-up of the “Observatoire Multidisciplinaire des Instabilités de Versants” (OMIV, http://omiv.osug.fr) in 2011 has allowed the production and availability of an important and original data set over several years of accurate monitoring. Thus, for the first time, the long-term study of geodetic data permitted us to highlight acceleration phases in the general movement of the landslide that affect its dynamic. These modifications are associated with variations of the velocity by a factor 3 to 6. The characterization of the origin of these variations was possible due to the comparison with meteorological, electrical and seismological data. Based on these various signals, we were able to establish correlations and contributions of meteorological water infiltration in the dynamic evolution of the La Clapière slope. We determine several response times to the meteorological stress for seismic endogenous events (mainly rockfalls), the resistivity of the ground (quasi-instantaneous) and the kinematics of the slope (from 2 weeks to 2.5 months). Moreover, our results strongly suggest the existence of rainfall threshold of 3.5?±?1 mm day^?1 from which the number of seismic endogenous events is highly increased.     

西昆仑山北部早古生代构造－岩浆带的发现

1987年以来,先后做了4条横穿昆仑山的综合路线地质调查。它们是:中-巴公路沿线;新-藏公路沿线;于田县普鲁村-苏巴什-硫磺达坂路线;青海茫崖镇-祁曼塔格路线。在西昆仑山北部的调查区内,都有钙-碱性的深成岩体出露。通过对这些岩体系统地做U-Pb、Ar-Ar及Rb-Sr定年研究,发现它们具有早古生代年龄(384-480Ma),延伸上千公里,形成于活动大陆边缘或碰撞后的构造环境,常与属于蛇绿岩套的组分相伴生。这充分说明在青藏高原内部存在一条新发现的缝合带。