Eocene-Pliocene time scale and stratigraphy of the Upper Rhine Graben (URG) and the Swiss Molasse Basin (SMB)

We present a general stratigraphic synthesis for the Upper Rhine Graben (URG) and the Swiss Molasse Basin (SMB) from Eocene to Pliocene times. The stratigraphic data were compiled both from literature and from research carried out by the authors during the past 6 years ; an index of the stratigraphically most important localitites is provided. We distinguish 14 geographical areas from the Helvetic domain in the South to the Hanau Basin in the North. For each geographical area, we give a synthesis of the biostratigraphy, lithofacies, and chronostratigraphic ranges. The relationships between this stratigraphic record and the global sea-level changes are generally disturbed by the geodynamic (e.g., subsidence) evolution of the basins. However, global sea-level changes probably affected the dynamic of transgression–regression in the URG (e.g., Middle Pechelbronn Beds and Serie Grise corresponding with sea-level rise between Ru1/Ru2 and Ru2/Ru3 sequences, respectively) as well as in the Molasse basin (regression of the UMM corresponding with the sea-level drop at the Ch1 sequence). The URGENT-project (Upper Rhine Graben evolution and neotectonics) provided an unique opportunity to carry out and present this synthesis. Discussions with scientists addressing sedimentology, tectonics, geophysics and geochemistry permitted the comparison of the sedimentary history and stratigraphy of the basin with processes controlling its geodynamic evolution. Data presented here back up the palaeogeographic reconstructions presented in a companion paper by the same authors (see Berger et al. in Int J Earth Sci 2005).     

Altersbeziehungen zwischen Metamorphosen,mechanischen Deformationen und Intrusionen am Südrand des Rhodope-Massivs (Makedonien,Griechenland)

Zusammenfassung Ausgedehnte Granodiorit- und Granitmagmen intrudierten am Südrand des Rhodope-Massivs (Symvolongebirge und Kavala-Gebiet, Nordgriechenland) syntektonisch in bezug auf eine Formung, die durch überwiegend flach nach NE bis ENE tauchende Faltungs- und Scherungsachsen gekennzeichnet ist (B₂-Tektonik). Die metamorphen Hüllgesteine wurden von der B₂-Tektonik ebenfalls kräftig erfaßt. Ihr älteres Gefüge, das durch mittelsteil nach NNW tauchende B₁-Achsen bestimmt war, kommt daher nur noch reliktisch vor. Der Mineralbestand sowohl der Magmatite als auch ihres metamorphen Rahmens wurde im Zuge der B₂-Tektonik retrograd metamorph umgewandelt.Radiometrische Altersbestimmungen lassen erkennen, daß die magmatischen Gesteine spätestens im Oberkarbon kristallisierten, anschließend jedoch wiederholt aufgewärmt wurden. Das Alter der prämagmatischen Metamorphose der Hüllgesteine und der mit dieser in Zusammenhang stehenden B₁-Tektonik kann demnach nicht jünger als kaledonisch sein.

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Extensive granodioritic and granitic magmas were intruded in the southern margin of the Rhodope-Massif (Symvolon mountains and Kavala region, northern Greece). The intrusions took place syntectonically to a deformation which is characterized by predominantly gently NE to ENE plunging fold- and shear-axes (B₂-folding). The mantling rocks, which have been metamorphosed long before this B₂-folding have an older structure which is characterized by mediumly NNW plunging B₁-axes, visible only in relicts. During the B₂-folding the mineral contents of the igneous rocks and their metamorphic mantling rocks have been metamorphosed retrogressively.Radiometric dating indicates that the crystallization of the magmatic rocks have a minimum age of Upper-Carboniferous, but subsequently these rocks were reheated repeatedly. The age of the premagmatic metamorphism of the mantling rocks and that of the related B₁-foldnig, therefore, cannot be younger than Caledonic.

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Résumé Dans la partie sud du massif du Rhodope (montagnes du Symvolon et région de Kavala, Grèce du Nord) existent de grandes intrusions de magmas granodioritiques et granitiques. Les intrusions eurent lieu syntectoniquement au cours d'une phase de déformation caractérisée par des axes de plis et de cisaillement, généralement à plongement faible vers le NE à ENE (tectonique B₂). Les roches encaissantes, qui furent métamorphisées longtemps avant cette phase de tectonique B₂, ont une structure plus ancienne, caractérisée par des axes B₁ plongeant moyennement vers le NNW. Cette structure est reconnaissable seulement dans des parties réiduelles. Durant la tectonique B₂ les roches éruptives et les roches encaissantes métamorphisées subirent un métamorphisme rétrograde.Des datations radiométriques indiquent, pour la cristallisation des roches magmatiques, au minimum un âge Carbonifère supérieur. Dans la suite ces roches furent réchauffées â plusieures reprises. Le métamorphisme plus ancien des roches encaissantes et la tectonique B₁ associée à ce métamorphisme ne peuvent donc pas Être plus récents que l'époque calédonienne.

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Rhodope ( Symrolon Kavala, ) - . , , , , NE ENE (B₂- ). ₂. , B₁ NNW, . , , . , , , , . , - B₁ .

     

German research in transport geography: Life in the space between objective analysis and political advice1

Transportation has been a bone of public contention for decades, the discussion ranging from traffic-calming measures in individual streets to the continual growth of global transport movements. In the last 20 years transport topics have also received increased attention within the discipline of geography, be it academic, professional or in schools, but the topics addressed by today's transport geography have almost nothing in common with the roots of the field. This means that transport geography is a handed-down, hyphenated sub-branch of geography in name only. In fact, the name refers to a field of geography that is experiencing not only all the birthing pains and uncertainties of a discipline in the process of defining a new direction for itself, but also the sense of excitement and thrill of the new. This paper sets out to show both the role transport geography plays as part of human geography with its concepts and paradigms, and also the role it plays within the political debate on transport. An appeal is made to geographers to become more involved in this branch of our science.     

Multistage Variscan magmatism in the central Tauern Window (Austria) unveiled by U/Pb SHRIMP zircon data

U/Pb SHRIMP ages of nine Variscan leucocratic orthogneisses from the central Tauern Window (Austria) reveal three distinct pulses of magmatism in Early Carboniferous (Visean), Late Carboniferous (Stephanian) and Early Permian, each involving granitoid intrusions and a contemporaneous opening of volcano-sedimentary basins. A similar relationship has been reported for the Carboniferous parts of the basement of the Alps further to the west, e.g. the “External massifs” in Switzerland. After the intrusion of subduction-related, volcanic-arc granitoids (374?±?10?Ma; Zwölferkogel gneiss), collisional intrusive-granitic, anatectic and extrusive-rhyolitic/dacitic rocks were produced over a short interval at ca. 340?Ma (Augengneiss of Felbertauern: 340?±?4?Ma, Hochweißenfeld gneiss: 342?± 5?Ma, Falkenbachlappen gneiss: 343?±?6?Ma). This Early Carboniferous magmatism, which produced relatively small volumes of melt, can be attributed to the amalgamation of the Gondwana-derived “Tauern Window” terrane with Laurussia–Avalonia. Probably due to the oblique nature of the collision, transtensional phenomena (i.e. volcano-sedimentary troughs and high-level intrusives) and transpressional regimes (i.e. regional metamorphism and stacked nappes with anatexis next to thrust planes) evolved contemporaneously. The magmas are mainly of the high-K I-type and may have been generated during a short phase of decompressional melting of lithospheric mantle and lower crustal sources. In the Late Carboniferous, a second pulse of magmatism occurred, producing batholiths of calc-alkaline I-type granitoids (e.g. Venediger tonalite: 296?±?4?Ma) and minor coeval bodies of felsic and intermediate volcanics (Heuschartenkopf gneiss: 299?±?4?Ma, Peitingalm gneiss: 300?±?5?Ma). Prior to this magmatism, several kilometres of upper crust must have been eroded, because volcano-sedimentary sequences hosting the Heu- schartenkopf and Peitingalm gneisses rest unconformably on 340-Ma-old granitoids. The youngest (Permian) period of magma generation contains the intrusion of the S-type Granatspitz Central Gneiss at 271?±?4?Ma and the extrusion of the rhyolitic Schönbachwald gneiss protolith at 279?±?9?Ma. These magmatic rocks may have been associated with local extension along continental wrench zones through the Variscan orogenic crust or with a Permian rifting event. The Permian and the above-mentioned Late Carboniferous volcano-sedimentary sequences were probably deposited in intra-continental graben structures, which survived post-Variscan uplift and Alpine compressional tectonics.     

Feasibility of pre-earthquake strengthening of buildings based on cost-benefit and life-cycle cost analysis, with the aid of fragility curves

There are two fundamental questions this article aims to deal with. First, whether a pre-earthquake strengthening of a large and heterogeneous building stock (the emphasis here is on building types common in S. Europe), is economically feasible or not, and second what is the optimal retrofit level for mitigating the seismic risk. To this purpose contemporary decision making tools, namely cost-benefit and life-cycle cost analyses, are tailored to the needs of the present study, and implemented with the aid of an ad-hoc developed new software application (COBE06). A method for estimating the reduction in structural vulnerability due to retrofit is proposed, as well as a methodology to determine the optimum retrofit level using the fragility curve approach. Finally, the proposed methodology is used in a pilot application that concerns the city of Thessaloniki, and results are drawn for the feasibility of strengthening the reinforced concrete building stock in this city.