Deep electromagnetic (MT and AMT) sounding of the suture zones of the Ukrainian shield

The article discusses the results of deep magnetotelluric sounding of suture zones in the Precambrian structures of the Ukrainian shield in the context of collisional settings. All the considered suture zones (Orekhovo-Pavlograd, West Ingulets-Krivoi Rog, Golovanevsk-Yadlov-Traktemir, Nemirov-Kocherov or Brusilov) are associated with the regional anomalies of increased electric conductivity, which mark deep fault zones and characterize collisional settings. The nature of such deep anomalies might be due to the transport of the ore components together with the fluids from the crust and the mantle during the tectonomagmatic activation, which offers the possibility to predict the prospective areas of endogenic mineralization. A correlation has been established between the endogenic ore deposits located close to or within the suture zones and the low-resistivity anomalies.     

Balneological study based on the hydrogeochemical aspects of the sulfate springs water (Hit–Kubaiysa region), Iraq

This research examined the balneological characteristics of spring waters within the area of Abu-Jir Fault Zone throughout the hydrogeologic aspects explained by the setting of the hydrogeologic units including the water-bearing horizons of Euphrates, Ana, and Baba Formations. The groundwater flow in the hydrogeologic system correlated with the trends of enrichment or depletion case processes of mineralization (spatial distribution maps of TDS and other components) show different phenomena of groundwater source and interconnection, which helps in the classification springs into two potential site. The physicochemical characteristics of the water flow from springs indicate a hydrochemical approach throughout the spatial variation of important parameters (using Rockware software) related to the balneological study. The monitoring network of the spring waters performed by seven field measurements and 33 variables (totaling to 720 detected measurements) in 18 springs approved the after desk study and water point inventory using a GPS apparatus (GARMIN SUMMIT-e TREX). The study examined the integrated hydrogeological aspects and spring water properties for evolutions and the classification of minero-medicinal water. The traditional hydrochemical information of the spring waters and their sediment properties correlated with balneological limits (standards and definitions) are used in the selection of springs characterized by balneotherapeutic applications. A suggested screening and ranking technique has been developed for evaluating preferable springs selected for natural therapy. The application of ranking technique indicates four graded consequent preferable springs for balneotherapeutic investment: first grade spring represented by Kubaiysa spring (S-4); second grade springs represented by Tawila spring (S-12); third grade springs represented by Mamora spring (S-15), Arnab spring (S-10), Zazoe spring (S-5), and Maqtoom spring (S-13); and fourth grade springs represented by Khalidiya spring (S-16) and Layeg spring (S-7).     

Abu Roash G dolomite reservoir characterization using seismic inversion technique, Horus field, Western Desert, Egypt

The main objective of this paper was the characterization of the reservoir (Abu Roash G dolomite) in terms of acoustic impedance from surface seismic data complemented by available well logs. To reach our target, a two-step procedure was followed: first, identification of the reservoir signatures using synthetic seismogram using Strata program in Hampson–Russell software and second, applying inversion technique to the post-stack seismic data using Strata program in Hampson–Russell software to obtain acoustic impedance profiles and maps. This procedure was applied to 12 3D seismic lines (six cross-lines, and six in-lines) from Horus field in Western Desert in Egypt after converting them from analog state to SEGY format by vectorization. Five wells had been used in this study. The outcome of this paper is an improved subsurface image of seismic data and achieving the reservoir characterization in a good way.     

Shear softening and localization: Modelling the evolution of the width of the shear zone

In this paper, the question of shear localization inside a band is revisited. Using simplified constitutive equations we look at a 1D layer in a classical medium. Even though the example is simple, we show once more the loss of uniqueness of the solution. By studying the initial boundary value problem we also show that the width of the localization zone stays constant or decreases. A second gradient model is then introduced and the evolution of the width of the localization zone is studied. Analytical solutions are derived for a quasi-brittle material and estimations made for a ductile constitutive law. It is shown that the width of the localization zone stays constant for the quasi-brittle material and decreases for the ductile one. Numerical simulations are finally provided to validate the approach and to get more precise numerical results for the ductile case.     

Diffuse failure in geomaterials: Experiments,theory and modelling

This paper presents a synthesis of the works performed by various teams from France, Italy and Canada around the question of second‐order work criterion. Because of the non‐associative character of geomaterials plastic strains, it is now recognized that a whole bifurcation domain exists in the stress space with various possible modes of failure. In a first part these failure modes are observed in lab experimental tests and in discrete element modelling. Then a theoretical study of second‐order work allows to establish a link with the kinetic energy, giving a basis to explain the transition from a prefailure (quasi)static regime to a postfailure dynamic regime. Eventually the main features of geomaterials failure are obtained by applying second‐order work criterion to five different constitutive rate‐independent models—three being phenomenological and two micromechanical. As a whole this paper tries to gather together all the elements for a proper understanding and use of second‐order work criterion in geomechanics. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Selection of the best fit probability distribution in rainfall frequency analysis for Qatar

Natural Hazards - Design rainfall is widely used in urban infrastructure planning and design such as culverts and urban drainage systems. In design rainfall estimation, one of the primary steps is...     

Changes in the Virtual Dipole Moment of the Earth’s Magnetic Field in the Phanerozoic

Data on the virtual dipole moment (VDP) is distributed nonuniformly with time, which significantly complicates qualitative and quantitative analysis of its evolution. In addition to the moving average method and median values, for the first time, a technique is presented for a quasi-uniform presentation of data (interpolation method), as well as results of calculating the evolution of the VDM by this method for the Phanerozoic.     

Age of the Scan Basin (Scotia Sea)

Integrated geological and geophysical analysis of the anomalous magnetic field along with the previously unpublished profiles of Spanish expeditions onboard the R/V Hesperides and international databases of geomagnetic data processed in the context of the global tectonics concepts made it possible to identify paleomagnetic anomalies C11–C15 and compile the first map of the bottom geochronology of the Scan Basin. Unlike in earlier known publications, the paleoaxis of spreading does extend northeast, but approximately at an angle of 345°. According to calculations, spreading began 35.294?35.706 Ma ago during chron C15r, and the spreading paleoaxis was abandoned 29.527?29.970 Ma ago during chron C11n.2n. Thus, the destruction of the American–Antarctic bridge in the region joining the Bruce and Discovery banks with formation of oceanic crust in the Scan Basin started about 36 Ma ago. Regular spreading of the bottom has been continuing for about 6 Ma at a average rate close to 1.8 cm/year.     

Variations of the geomagnetic dipole magnitude over the past 400 My

The international bank of the virtual dipole moment data supplemented by the values from more recent publications is used as the basis for an analysis of the behavior of the virtual dipole moment values over the last 400 My. The results obtained revealed a positive linear trend from 4.1 × 10²² to 5.7 × 10²² A m² during the last 400 My. Against the background of the linear increase, fluctuations with a periodicity of about 40 My were observed. In the Phanerozoic time, minimums within the intervals of 340–370, 290–300, 240–270, 190–210, 165-140 (chrons M17-M43), 130-120 (chrons M2-M10), 100–110 (chron 34), 75–85 (chron C33 and the beginning of chron C34), 70-60 (chrons C31-C27), and 40-15 (chrons C18-C5AD) My B.P. are found. The distribution of the virtual dipole moment is strictly related to the distribution of the ancient geomagnetic field and may be taken into consideration when modeling the magnetization of the inversive magnetic layer of the ocean.