Tectonometamorphic evolution of an intracontinental orogeny inferred from P–T–t–d paths of the metapelites from the Rehamna massif (Morocco)

New petrographic and microstructural observations, mineral equilibria modelling and U/Pb (monazite) geochronological studies were carried out to investigate the relationships between deformation and metamorphism across the Rehamna massif (Moroccan Variscan belt). In this area, typical Barrovian (muscovite to staurolite) zones developed in Cambrian to Carboniferous metasedimentary rocks that are distributed around a dome‐like structure. First assemblages are characterized by the presence of locally preserved andalusite, followed by prograde evolution culminating at 6 kbar and 620 °C in the structurally deepest staurolite zone rocks. This Barrovian sequence was subsequently uplifted to supracrustal levels, heterogeneously reworked at greenschist facies conditions, which was followed locally by static growth of andalusite, indicating heating to 2.5–4 kbar and 530–570 °C. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U monazite age of 298.3 ± 4.1 Ma is interpreted as minimum age of peak metamorphic conditions, whereas the ages of 275.8 ± 1.7 Ma and 277.0 ± 1.1 Ma date decompression and heating at low pressure, in agreement with previous dating of Permian granitoids intruding the Rehamna massif. The prograde metamorphism occurred during thickening and associated horizontal flow in the deeper crust (S1 horizontal schistosity). The horizontally disposed metamorphic zones were subsequently uplifted by a regional scale antiform during ongoing N–S compression. The re‐heating of the massif follows late massive E–W shortening, refolding and retrograde shearing of all previous fabrics coevally with regionally important intrusions of Permian granitoids. We argue that metamorphic evolution of the Rehamna massif occurred several hundred kilometres from the convergent plate boundaries in the interior of continental Gondwanan plate. The tectonometamorphic history of the Rehamna massif is put into Palaeozoic plate tectonic perspective and Late Carboniferous reactivation of (Devonian)–Early Carboniferous basins formed during stretching of the north Gondwana margin and formation of the Palaeotethys Ocean. The inherited heat budget of these magma‐rich basins plays a role in the preferential location of this intracontinental orogen. It is shown that rapid transition from lithospheric stretching to compression is characterized by specific HT type of Barrovian metamorphism, which markedly differs from similar Barrovian sequences along Palaeozoic plate boundaries reported from Variscan Europe.     

Performance of a conceptual and physically based model in simulating the response of a semi‐urbanized watershed in San Antonio,Texas

The need for accurate hydrologic analysis and rainfall–runoff modelling tools has been rapidly increasing because of the growing complexity of operational hydrologic and hydraulic problems associated with population growth, rapid urbanization and expansion of agricultural activities. Given the recent advances in remote sensing of physiographic features and the availability of near real‐time precipitation products, rainfall–runoff models are expected to predict runoff more accurately. In this study, we compare the performance and implementation requirements of two rainfall–runoff models for a semi‐urbanized watershed. One is a semi‐distributed conceptual model, the Hydrologic Engineering Center‐Hydrologic Modelling System (HEC‐HMS). The other is a physically based, distributed‐parameter hydrologic model, the Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA). Four flood events that took place on the Leon Creek watershed, a sub‐watershed of the San Antonio River basin in Texas, were used in this study. The two models were driven by the Multisensor Precipitation Estimator radar products. One event (in 2007) was used for HEC‐HMS and GSSHA calibrations. Two events (in 2004 and 2007) were used for further calibration of HEC‐HMS. Three events (in 2002, 2004 and 2010) were used for model validation. In general, the physically based, distributed‐parameter model performed better than the conceptual model and required less calibration. The two models were prepared with the same minimum required input data, and the effort required to build the two models did not differ substantially. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Implementing Digital Imaging for Improved Understanding of Microfine Cement Grout Permeation and Filtration

Geotechnical and Geological Engineering - Permeation grouting is a ground improvement method commonly used for strengthening and/or reducing permeability of soils with minimal disturbance to the...     

Microscopic impactor debris in the soil around Kamil crater (Egypt): Inventory,distribution, total mass,and implications for the impact scenario

We report on the microscopic impactor debris around Kamil crater (45 m in diameter, Egypt) collected during our 2010 geophysical expedition. The hypervelocity impact of Gebel Kamil (Ni‐rich ataxite) on a sandstone target produced a downrange ejecta curtain of microscopic impactor debris due SE–SW of the crater (extending ~300,000 m², up to ~400 m from the crater), in agreement with previous determination of the impactor trajectory. The microscopic impactor debris include vesicular masses, spherules, and coatings of dark impact melt glass which is a mixture of impactor and target materials (Si‐, Fe‐, and Al‐rich glass), plus Fe‐Ni oxide spherules and mini shrapnel, documenting that these products can be found in craters as small as few tens of meters in diameter. The estimated mass of the microscopic impactor debris (<290 kg) derived from Ni concentrations in the soil is a small fraction of the total impactor mass (~10 t) in the form of macroscopic shrapnel. That Kamil crater was generated by a relatively small impactor is consistent with literature estimates of its pre‐atmospheric mass (>20 t, likely 50–60 t).     

Experimental and Numerical Study of Strip Footing Supported on Stabilized Sand Slope

The paper presents the results of laboratory model tests and theoretical analysis on the behavior of a strip footing supported on sheet pile wall-stabilized sandy slope and loaded vertically to failure. The parameters varied in the study include the height, stiffness and location of the sheet pile wall, the location of the footing relative to the slope crest and the relative density of sand. Two-dimensional plane strain finite element analyses was used to analyze a prototype strip footing on sandy slope with same conditions. The results indicate that the inclusion of sheet pile wall has significant effect in improving the response of the strip footing and the slope itself. The theoretical results confirm the experimental results of the model footing tests and show reasonable agreement. Based on the numerical and experimental results, critical values of the sheet pile wall parameters for maximum stabilizing effect are established.     

Magnetic susceptibility as a proxy for rainfall: Worldwide data from tropical and temperate climate

The magnetic susceptibility of soils has been linked with climate, mainly through rainfall, by numerous investigators. For this study we assembled a worldwide dataset of 272 samples, both published and new, to determine the nature of the relationship between MS and rainfall. On a worldwide basis there is a crude relationship (r² = 0.265) between MS and rainfall. MS increases with increasing rainfall from about 200 mm/yr to 1000–1200 mm/yr. Above 1200 mm/yr, MS decreases as rainfall increases up to about 2000 mm/yr. Under arid and semi-arid conditions, below about 200 mm/yr of rainfall, MS and rainfall exhibit no relationship, likely the result of limited pedogenic activity.When tropical and temperate localities are analyzed separately, the correlation between MS and rainfall exhibits a dramatic improvement, r² = 0.568 and 0.520, respectively. For similar amounts of rainfall tropical localities generally exhibit lower MS values which may be related to differences in the seasonal variation of rainfall. Because the soil environment is highly variable, it is unlikely that a global or even regional equation could accurately estimate rainfall from MS. Using data from Morocco and Mali we demonstrate that local equations using only MS to estimate rainfall produce reasonable results, r² = 0.700 for Morocco and 0.611 for Mali. However, a single independent variable is unlikely to capture the variability of the complex soil system. To the local equations described above we experimented with adding several independent variables in addition to MS including diffuse reflectance spectral data (DRS), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and x-ray fluorescence (XRF). For DRS data, % reflectance and red, yellow, and near-infrared wavelengths appear important; for XRD illite and kaolinite counts are important whereas for XRF Fe₂O₃ is important. The addition of these other independent variables dramatically improves prediction quality. In the case of the Mali transect, estimating rainfall from these variables produces an r² that exceeds 0.9. Based on these data we conclude that MS has the potential to be a reasonable proxy of rainfall for mean annual precipitation values from 200 to 2000 mm/yr, especially if local equations are used. Predictions can be improved by including other independent variables that show sensitivity to climate and are related to MS through the chemistry of the weathering process; we included DRS, XRD, and XRF data with good results.     

Long‐wave radiation and heat flux estimates within a small tributary in Catamaran Brook (New Brunswick,Canada)

River water temperature is an important water quality parameter that also influences most aquatic life. Physical processes influencing water temperature in rivers are highly complex. This is especially true for the estimation of river heat exchange processes that are highly dependent on good estimates of radiation fluxes. Furthermore, very few studies were found within the stream temperature dynamic literature where the different radiation components have been measured and compared at the stream level (at microclimate conditions). Therefore, this study presents results on hydrometeorological conditions for a small tributary within Catamaran Brook (part of the Miramichi River system, New Brunswick, Canada) with the following specific objectives: (1) to compare between stream microclimate and remote meteorological conditions, (2) to compare measured long‐wave radiation data with those calculated from an analytical model, and (3), to calculate the corresponding river heat fluxes. The most salient findings of this study are (1) solar radiation and wind speed are parameters that are highly site specific within the river environment and play an important role in the estimation of river heat fluxes; (2) the incoming, outgoing, and net long‐wave radiation within the stream environment (under the forest canopy) can be effectively calculated using empirical formula; (3) at the study site more than 80% of the incoming long‐wave radiation was coming from the forest; (4) total energy gains were dominated by solar radiation flux (for all the study periods) followed by the net long‐wave radiation (during some periods) whereas energy losses were coming from both the net long‐wave radiation and evaporation. Conductive heat fluxes have a minor contribution from the overall heat budget (<3·5%); (5) the reflected short‐wave radiation at the water surface was calculated on average as 3·2%, which is consistent with literature values. Results of this study contribute towards a better understanding of river heat fluxes and water temperature models as well as for more effective aquatic resources and fisheries management. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.