Strain rates in the Alpine Mediterranean region: insights from advanced techniques of data processing

Strain rates and Euler poles for various subregions of the Alpine Mediterranean region were calculated by using global navigation satellite system data from permanent stations. The main scope of the study is to compare and analyze strain rate maps that were calculated using different approaches. This area presents a complex tectonic setting due to the interaction of the Eurasian and Nubian plates. The horizontal velocity gradient tensor was computed starting from a new set of site velocities determined by using continuous long-series geodetic data, state-of-the-art antenna calibrations and recomputed precise orbits. Geodesy provides velocities for a sparsely distributed, discrete number of sites, while deformation has a spatially continuous distribution. For this reason, the interpolation method and the geometric approach to the problem play a fundamental role in the estimation of the strain rate field. In the present study, principal deformation axes and principal angle were estimated by applying two different approaches: the Delaunay triangulation and a grid solution. Both methods produce results with broad coherence, providing new information about the deformation throughout the entire study area. Moreover, an evaluation and analysis of Euler poles related to the different velocity patterns, give complementary information to reconstruct the active deformation in the Mediterranean area.     

Post‐stack stratigraphic inversion workflow applied to carbon dioxide storage: application to the saline aquifer of Sleipner field‡

In the Norwegian North Sea, the Sleipner field produces gas with a high CO₂ content. For environmental reasons, since 1996, more than 11 Mt of this carbon dioxide (CO₂) have been injected in the Utsira Sand saline aquifer located above the hydrocarbon reservoir. A series of seven 3D seismic surveys were recorded to monitor the CO₂ plume evolution. With this case study, time‐lapse seismics have been shown to be successful in mapping the spread of CO₂ over the past decade and to ensure the integrity of the overburden. Stratigraphic inversion of seismic data is currently used in the petroleum industry for quantitative reservoir characterization and enhanced oil recovery. Now it may also be used to evaluate the expansion of a CO₂ plume in an underground reservoir. The aim of this study is to estimate the P‐wave impedances via a Bayesian model‐based stratigraphic inversion. We have focused our study on the 1994 vintage before CO₂ injection and the 2006 vintage carried out after a CO₂ injection of 8.4 Mt. In spite of some difficulties due to the lack of time‐lapse well log data on the interest area, the full application of our inversion workflow allowed us to obtain, for the first time to our knowledge, 3D impedance cubes including the Utsira Sand. These results can be used to better characterize the spreading of CO₂ in a reservoir. With the post‐stack inversion workflow applied to CO₂ storage, we point out the importance of the a priori model and the issue to obtain coherent results between sequential inversions of different seismic vintages. The stacking velocity workflow that yields the migration model and the a priori model, specific to each vintage, can induce a slight inconsistency in the results.     

Potential Use of Remote Sensing Techniques for Exploration of Iron Deposits in Western Sahara and Southwest of Algeria

At present, Western Sahara is politically one of the most sensitive areas of the World. Its economic development could be achieved through the exploitation of mineral resources that can be found in the almost unexplored area administrated by the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic. In this paper, we describe applications of known and cost-effective remote sensing techniques to detect and map areas containing mineral deposits, through the enhancement of Landsat ETM+ imageries. Several image processing techniques (false color composite, band ratioing, and principal component analysis) were used to highlight the presence of iron deposits. Two test areas were selected, one in Western Sahara and another one in Algeria. The occurrence of iron deposits in these test areas was assured using literature data for the Algerian test site and through a field campaign for the Western Sahara. There is good agreement between the ground truth data and the results obtained by the enhancements of the satellite images. Landsat images can be downloaded free of charge and their enhancements does not need expensive hardware or software tools. Therefore this technology could be transferred to the Saharawi technicians, enabling them to explore and manage the mineral resources of their own country independently.     

Trajectory Studies of Polar Stratospheric Cloud Lidar Observations at Sodankylä (Finland) During SESAME: Comparison with Box Model Results of Particle Evolution

Polar stratospheric clouds (PSC) were observed with the multi-wavelength lidar of the MOANA project (Modelling and Observations of Aerosols in the Northern Atmosphere) during SESAME (Second European Stratospheric Arctic and Mid-latitude Experiment). The physical state, liquid or solid, of the cloud particles can be inferred from the lidar data. Using isentropic back-trajectories to obtain the thermal history of the sampled air masses, it is possible to reconcile most of the observations with current ideas on PSC formation and evolution. When the cloud particles were identified as liquid, changes in the size distribution of the droplets along the trajectory were calculated using a micro-physical box model. Backscatter ratios calculated from the size distributions are in broad agreement with the lidar data, giving confidence in current understanding of the evolution of ternary solution (H2SO4, HNO3 and H2O) droplets.Results from two soundings are shown which bear on the problem of the formation of solid particles. In the first, solid particles were detected. The air mass had cooled to the frost point 12 hours earlier. In the second no solid particles were detected although the air temperature was below the nitric acid trihydrate existence point, and had decreased by 12K in the previous 14 hours.     

Magnetized relativistic jets and long-duration GRBs from magnetar spin-down during core-collapse supernovae

We use ideal axisymmetric relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations to calculate the spin-down of a newly formed millisecond,   B ∼ 10¹⁵ G  , magnetar and its interaction with the surrounding stellar envelope during a core-collapse supernova (SN) explosion. The mass, angular momentum and rotational energy lost by the neutron star are determined self-consistently given the thermal properties of the cooling neutron star's atmosphere and the wind's interaction with the surrounding star. The magnetar drives a relativistic magnetized wind into a cavity created by the outgoing SN shock. For high spin-down powers  (∼10⁵¹–10⁵² erg s⁻¹)  , the magnetar wind is superfast at almost all latitudes, while for lower spin-down powers  (∼10⁵⁰ erg s⁻¹)  , the wind is subfast but still super-Alfvénic. In all cases, the rates at which the neutron star loses mass, angular momentum and energy are very similar to the corresponding free wind values (≲30 per cent differences), in spite of the causal contact between the neutron star and the stellar envelope. In addition, in all cases that we consider, the magnetar drives a collimated  (∼5–10°)  relativistic jet out along the rotation axis of the star. Nearly all of the spin-down power of the neutron star escapes via this polar jet, rather than being transferred to the more spherical SN explosion. The properties of this relativistic jet and its expected late-time evolution in the magnetar model are broadly consistent with observations of long duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and their associated broad-lined Type Ic SN.     

Monitoring, prediction, and early warning using ground-based radar interferometry

In order to define adequate prevention measures and to manage landslide emergencies, real-time monitoring is required. This paper presents two different applications of the remote sensing technique: the ground-based synthetic aperture radar interferometry, here proposed as a monitoring and early warning support for slope instability. Data acquisitions carried out through a ground-based synthetic aperture radar interferometer, operating in K_u band, installed in front of the observed slopes, are discussed. Two case studies, based on the use of the same apparatus (formerly developed by the Joint Research Center of the European Commission and by Ellegi-LiSALab srl), are reported: the first one concerns the monitoring of a large landslide, named Ruinon (Valfurva, Italy). The second one deals with the monitoring of the NW unstable slope in the Stromboli island aimed to implementing an early warning system. Acquired interferometric data are processed to provide displacements and velocity maps of the monitored area. The monitoring services ongoing on the Ruinon landslide and on Stromboli demonstrate the capability of this technique to operate in different operative settings (i.e., different phenomena and geological framework) and for different aims (monitoring for prevention, early warning, and emergency assessment). This methodology has also been proved by national and regional authorities of civil protection in order to provide a real-time monitoring for emergency management.     

Preliminary paleolimnological study of rocha lagoon, SE Uruguay

Physical, chemical and biological data from a sedimentary profile of Rocha lagoon (Uruguay) are presented. Analyses of silica remains showed that opal phytoliths, diatoms, sponge spicules and chrysophyte cysts were the most important contributors to biogenic silica. Organic matter, total nitrogen and total phosphorus were used to infer past trophic development. Physical analysis of sediments allowed us to identify five lithological units related to sea level variation and climatic events.     

Low-cost long-term monitoring of global climate forcings and feedbacks

We describe the rationale for long-term monitoring of global climate forcings and radiative feedbacks as a contribution to interpretation of long-term global temperature change. Our discussion is based on a more detailed study and workshop report (Hansenet al., 1993b). We focus on the potential contribution of a proposed series of inexpensive small satellites, but we discuss also the need for complementary climate process studies and ground-based measurements. Some of these measurements could be made inexpensively by students, providing both valuable climate data and science educational experience.     

Microtremors and volcanic explosions at Stromboli — Part 2

A seismic survey was carried out at Stromboli volcano during August 1973. Statistical and spectral analyses of volcanic tremor and explosion quakes were performed. The statistical analysis has shown that the value of them coefficient in Ishimoto & Iida’s relation is high and that the hourly frequencies of events are fairly constant. The spectral analysis has shown a similarity in shape between tremors and explosion quakes. These events have the dominant frequency of 5 Hz at the craters area.