Geodynamics of the deep sedimentary basin of the Caspian Sea region: paragenetic correlation of seismicity and mud volcanism

In this paper we analyze seismic regime and earthquake depth distribution and correlation of seismicity and mud volcanism in the Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea region. For the present region we have calculated accurate source locations, seismic activity, earthquake repetition and released earthquake energy parameters. It is shown that the active tectonic processes in the region are concentrated within the thick sedimentary cover that we consider as a general source of contemporary stress and a main structural element responsible for the origin of regional earthquakes. The correlation of seismicity and mud volcanism is of paragenetic character.     

The origin of tensile fracture lineaments

Fracture-controlled lineaments, commonly seen where brittle basement is exposed at the earth's surface, are generally restricted to a small number of sets, with angles of 45–90° between sets. The length-frequency distribution of lineaments in each set follows a truncated Poisson function. Such lineaments usually show almost no shearing offset, suggesting a tensile origin. A simple mechanical model of tensile fracturing is used to explain the spacing, directions, and length of lineaments, as well as their depth-frequency distribution. Results suggest that the penetration depth of tensile fractures which produce lineaments at the earth's surface is directly related to their length and that the fracture density is inversely proportional to fracture depth. Finally, the angles between lineament sets may be controlled by the ratio of strength of unfractured rock to that of pre-existing fractures, which might heal with time. The most likely source of tension is tectonic uplift. Fractures due to typical uplifts of 0.5–1 km over distances of 10–100 km may penetrate as brittle fractures to several kilometres into the crust, perhaps to the depth at which seismic activity ceases.     

Center-to-Limb Variation of Solar Microwave Bursts

Statistical studies of hard X-ray flares position on the solar disk have shown that the more energetic hard X-rays have a tendency to be more concentrated near the limb rather than at disk center, whereas lower-energy hard X-ray emission seems isotropic. Since the high-frequency radio emission is believed to be produced by the same energetic electron population responsible for the high-energy hard X-rays, we searched the microwave/millimeter emitting bursts for center-to-limb variation in their emission. A total of 499 bursts observed by the radio telescopes in Bern at the frequencies of 3.1, 5.2, 8.4, 11.8, 19.6, 35.0, and 50.0 GHz were analyzed. Simultaneous Hα flares were used for determination of the radio burst position on the solar disk. For each of the 7 frequencies, the peak flux and duration were studied as a function of heliocentric position. For 312 bursts, spectral parameters such as spectral index, peak frequency, and flux at spectral maximum were analyzed. For a subset of 43 bursts with emission at all frequencies, the emission and spectral parameters were analyzed. Center-to-limb variations of the spectral parameters for all bursts were sought. In order to interpret the observational results, we have performed a numerical simulation of gyrosynchrotron spectra. We find that high-frequency events, which are also the more energetic ones, have larger center-to-limb variations in their parameters than do the overall flares. Moreover, this behavior agrees with theoretical predictions.     

Groundwater resources assessment using integrated geophysical techniques in the southwestern region of Peninsular Malaysia

Combined geophysical techniques such as multi-electrode resistivity, induced polarization, and borehole geophysical techniques were carried out on volcano-sedimentary rocks in the north of Gemas as part of the groundwater resource’s investigations. The result identifies four resistivity units: the tuffaceous mudstone, tuffaceous sandstone, the tuff bed, and the shale layer. Two types of aquifer systems in terms of storage were identified within the area: one within a fracture system (tuff), which is the leaky area through which vertical flow of groundwater occurs, and an intergranular property of the sandy material of the aquifer which includes sandstone and tuffaceous sandstone. The result also reveals that the aquifer occupies a surface area of about 3,250,555 m² with a mean depth of 43.71 m and a net volume of 9.798?×?10⁷?m³. From the approximate volume of the porous zone (28 %) and the total aquifer volume, a usable capacity of (274.339?±?30.177)?×?10⁷?m³ of water in the study area can be deduced. This study provides useful information that can be used to develop a much broader understanding of the nature of groundwater potential in the area and their relationship with the local geology.     

Differentiation in reproductive traits of geminate mangrove crabs of the genus Aratus (Decapoda: Brachyura) across the Central American Isthmus

The mangrove crab Aratus pisonii was considered to have an amphi‐American distribution; however, a recent study revealed that the Eastern Tropical Pacific populations were genetically distinct, thus representing a new species: Aratus pacificus. These species separated by the Isthmus of Panama have diverged under different environmental conditions that may have influenced their reproductive biology. As the available information about this genus concerns almost exclusively the Caribbean species, the aim of the present study was to analyse and compare reproductive aspects of A. pacificus and A. pisonii obtained from both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Costa Rica. Females were collected from April 2011 to April 2012, and reproductive features such as breeding season, size distribution of ovigerous females, fecundity, reproductive output, embryo volume and embryo water content were assessed. Both species produced embryos during the entire sampled period. Most females of A. pacificus carrying embryos close to hatching were found during the rainy season. Ovigerous females of A. pisonii were substantially larger and reached sexual maturity at a larger size than females of A. pacificus. Embryo production started in A. pacificus at a smaller female size than in A. pisonii. As fecundity increased with female size, the average fecundity was lower in A. pacificus. Females of A. pisonii produced larger embryos, which might be related to lower food availability: higher energy content in the embryo enhances the chances of larval survival. These data regarding reproductive features of the Pacific and Caribbean species support the conclusion to separate A. pacificus from A. pisonii.     

Vulnerability assessment in urban areas exposed to flood risk: methodology to explore green infrastructure benefits in a simulation scenario involving the Cañaveralejo River in Cali,Colombia

Natural Hazards - Building resilient infrastructure is one of the major challenges faced by cities due to increasing urbanization rates and climate change. Furthermore, the application of...     

Petrology and PGE Abundances of High‐Cr and High‐Al Podiform Chromitites and Peridotites from the Bulqiza Ultramafic Massif,Eastern Mirdita Ophiolite,Albania

The Bulqiza ultramafic massif, which is part of the eastern Mirdita ophiolite of northern Albania, is world renowned for its high-Cr chromitite deposits. High-Cr chromitites hosted in the mantle section are the crystallized products of boninitic melts in a supra-subduction zone (SSZ). However, economically important high-Al chromitites are also present in massive dunite of the mantle-crust transition zone (MTZ). Chromian-spinel in the high-Al chromitites and dunites of the MTZ have much lower Cr# values (100Cr/(Cr+Al)) (47.7–55.1 and 46.5–51.7, respectively) than those in the high-Cr chromitites (78.2–80.4), harzburgites (72.6–77.9) and mantle dunites (79.4–84.3). The chemical differences in these two types of chromitites are reflected in the behaviors of their platinum-group elements (PGE). The high-Cr chromitites are rich in IPGE relative to PPGE with 0.10–0.45 PPGE/IPGE ratios, whereas the high-Al chromitites have relatively higher PPGE/IPGE ratios between 1.20 and 7.80. The calculated melts in equilibrium with the high-Cr chromitites are boninitic-like, and those associated with the high-Al chromitites are MORB-like but with hydrous, oxidized and TiO2-poor features. We propose that the coexistence of both types of chromitites in the Bulqiza ultramafic massif may indicates a change in magma composition from MORB-like to boninitic-like in a proto-forearc setting during subduction initiation.     

Update earthquake risk assessment in Cairo,Egypt

The Cairo earthquake (12 October 1992; m _b  = 5.8) is still and after 25 years one of the most painful events and is dug into the Egyptians memory. This is not due to the strength of the earthquake but due to the accompanied losses and damages (561 dead; 10,000 injured and 3000 families lost their homes). Nowadays, the most frequent and important question that should rise is “what if this earthquake is repeated today.” In this study, we simulate the same size earthquake (12 October 1992) ground motion shaking and the consequent social-economic impacts in terms of losses and damages. Seismic hazard, earthquake catalogs, soil types, demographics, and building inventories were integrated into HAZUS-MH to produce a sound earthquake risk assessment for Cairo including economic and social losses. Generally, the earthquake risk assessment clearly indicates that “the losses and damages may be increased twice or three times” in Cairo compared to the 1992 earthquake. The earthquake risk profile reveals that five districts (Al-Sahel, El Basateen, Dar El-Salam, Gharb, and Madinat Nasr sharq) lie in high seismic risks, and three districts (Manshiyat Naser, El-Waily, and Wassat (center)) are in low seismic risk level. Moreover, the building damage estimations reflect that Gharb is the highest vulnerable district. The analysis shows that the Cairo urban area faces high risk. Deteriorating buildings and infrastructure make the city particularly vulnerable to earthquake risks. For instance, more than 90 % of the estimated buildings damages are concentrated within the most densely populated (El Basateen, Dar El-Salam, Gharb, and Madinat Nasr Gharb) districts. Moreover, about 75 % of casualties are in the same districts. Actually, an earthquake risk assessment for Cairo represents a crucial application of the HAZUS earthquake loss estimation model for risk management. Finally, for mitigation, risk reduction, and to improve the seismic performance of structures and assure life safety and collapse prevention in future earthquakes, a five-step road map has been purposed.     

Assessment of agricultural drought during crop-growing season in the Sudano–Sahelian region of Cameroon

Natural Hazards - Drought is a recurrent phenomenon in the Sudano–Sahelian region of Cameroon. However, it has received very little attention, especially, on its impacts on the growing season...