Paleogeography and paleomagnetism of the Nubian Sandstone Eastern Desert of Egypt

The present work gives the results of the paleomagnetic investigations carried out on the Cretaceous Nubian Sandstone and associated volcanics and hematitic oolitic iron ores in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. The paleogeography of the Nubian Sandstone especially for the Eastern Desert is discussed in the light of the various geological data as well as the paleomagnetic results, both of which point to certain conceptions. The position of the paleoequator and paleolatitude 20° S were derived from the paleomagnetic data indicating that the Nubian Sandstone was originally deposited in the paleoequatorial to subequatorial zone. The paleomagnetic results corroborate previous African data that there has been no polar wandering and continental drift for Africa during 210 to 110 million years and extend this period to 85 million years.It is concluded that the Nubian Sandstone is deposited under tropical to subtropical climate and that it is formed under various continental conditions excluding eolian merging intermittently into shallow marine.

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Zusammenfassung Die vorliegende Arbeit ist das Ergebnis paläomagnetischer Untersuchungen, die in kretazischer Nubischer Serie und zugehörigen vulkanischen Gesteinen sowie in hämatitischoolithischen Eisenerzen in der östlichen Wüste in Ägypten durchgeführt wurden. Es wird die Paläogeographie der Nubischen Serie, besonders der östlichen Wüste, diskutiert, einmal anhand verschiedener geologischer Beobachtungen und darüber hinaus anhand der paläomagnetischen Daten; beides weist auf ähnliche Deutungen hin. Die Lage des Paläoäquators und des Paläobreitenkreises 20° S zeigt an, daß die Nubische Serie in der Umgebung des damaligen Äquators abgelagert wurde. Die paläomagnetischen Ergebnisse bestätigen frühere afrikanische Daten, nach denen keine Kontinentaldrift für diesen Raum zwischen 210 und 110 Mill. Jahren stattfand, und erweitern diese Periode bis 85 Mill. Jahre. Es wird angenommen, daß die Nubische Serie in tropischem bis subtropischem Klima abgelagert wurde, und zwar unter den verschiedensten kontinentalen Ablagerungsbedingungen.

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Résumé Le présent travail est le résultat des recherches paléomagnétiques effectuées sur le grès nubien crétacé, les volcanites associées et les minerais de fer hématitiques et oolithiques dans le désert oriental de l'Egypte. La paléogéographie du grès nubien, surtout celui du désert oriental, est discutée à la lumière des différentes observations géologiques variées et, en outre, des données paléomagnétiques; toutes deux concluent a la même signification. La position du paléoéquateur et de la paléolatitude 20° S montre que la série nubienne a été déposée dans le domaine proche de l'équateur relatif à cette époque.Les résultats paléomagnétiques corroborent les données africaines antérieures d'après lesquelles il n'y aurait pas eu, pour ces régions, de dérive continentale entre 210 à 110 millions d'années; ils prorogent cette période jusqu'à 85 millions d'années.On admet que le grès nbien fut déposé sous le climat tropical à sub-tropical et effectivement sous les différentes conditions de dépôt continentales.

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Present recharge of an aquifer in a semi-arid region: an example from the Turonian limestones of the Errachidia basin, Morocco

 The Errachidia basin is composed of three superposed aquifers (Senonian, Turonian limestones and Infracenomanian). The Liassic limestone of the upper Atlas borders the northern part of the basin. The piezometric map of the Turonian aquifer displays a north-south flow, with an inflow area from the Atlas. This recharge hypothesis is demontrated by a discriminant analysis performed on chemical data: the majority of the spots are of sodium choride and hydrogenocarbonate types, while several boreholes are assigned to a calcium hydrogenocarbonate type Jurassic component. ¹⁸O measurements, using the Atlasic gradient δ¹⁸O=–4.18–0.0027 x elevation to estimate the recharge areas, confirm that the recharge area is the basin itself (<1100 m) on the Turonian outcrops, while in the confined part, the Turonian is recharged higher than 1400 m (corresponding to the Atlas). This contribution ranges from 56 to 85%, according to the situation versus the piezometric inflow area. The remainder represents infiltration and vertical leakage from the Senonian layers.     

Eight new magnetic stars with large continuum depressions

Observations with the 6-m telescope revealed eight new magnetic, chemically peculiar stars: HD 29925, HD 40711, HD 115606, HD 168796, HD 178892, HD 196691, HD 209051, and BD+32°2827. Zeeman observations of all these objects have been carried out for the first time. We selected candidates by analyzing the depression profile at a wavelength of λ5200 Å. This technique for selecting candidate magnetic stars was shown to be efficient: we found magnetic fields in 14 of the 15 objects that we selected for our observations with a Zeeman analyzer. A maximum longitudinal field strength B _e exceeding 8 kG was found in HD 178892; in HD 209051 and HD196691, B _e reaches 3.3 and 2.2 kG, respectively. For the remaining stars, we obtained lower limits of the longitudinal field (more than several hundred G).     

Effect of seabed instability on fixed offshore platforms

Storms, hurricanes, and earthquakes may cause seabed instability, especially if the seabed is weak. The seabed instability, manifested in movement of soil layers, exerts lateral forces that may cause large stresses in offshore foundations. The induced stresses may compromise the stability of the foundation and supported structure. The effect of seabed instability on a fixed offshore structure is examined in this study. The method used accounts for soil nonlinearity, dynamic soil resistance, and pile–soil–pile interaction within the stable soil layer. Dynamic p–y curves, dynamic t–z curves and q–z curves have been used to simulate the soil resistance in the lateral and axial directions. The effect of different parameters that influence the response of offshore structures to seabed instability is evaluated. The parameters considered include the value of soil movement, the sliding layer depth, the wave loading, the pile flexibility, the soil movement profile, and the axial loading at the pile head. The response predicted using the proposed analysis compared well with that calculated using a boundary element solution for a case history of a failed offshore platform.     

Seismicity of the northernmost part of the Red Sea (1995–1999)

Seismicity in the northernmost part of the Red Sea has been studied using data from Hurghada Seismological Network in addition to readings from the existing neighbouring networks. Relocated events in addition to data from national centers are used to obtain a complete and true picture for the seismicity of the area. The spatial distribution of earthquakes defines three earthquake zones in the Gulf of Aqaba and three zones at the entrance of the Gulf of Suez and southern tip of Sinai Peninsula. The thermal activity and the triple junction nature control the activity in this area. The activity defines also an active trend extending from the southern tip of Sinai Peninsula to the median zone of the Red Sea. The seismicity of this trend is probably related to the active spreading zone associated with the opening of the Red Sea. The b-values are derived for the entrance areas of the two gulfs and for Gulf of Aqaba. Values of b are 1.35 for the triple junction region, 1.13 for the activity before the 22 November 1995 Gulf of Aqaba mainshock and 1.25 for the aftershocks of this event.     

Carbon monoxide levels along roadway

This paper predicts and compares the carbon monoxide (CO) concentration levels along Sembulan Road for years 2004 and 2014 using CAL3QHC air dispersion model at two major locations, i.e., at Sembulan Roundabout and Sutera Harbour Intersection, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The CO concentration “hot-spots” were also identified at Sutera Harbour Intersection, and the highest maximum 1-hr average ground level concentrations of CO modeled for Kpg. Air Sembulan located in the northeast of idling road was 9.33 ppm for year 2004. This study showed that there would be no extreme changes in CO concentration trends for year 2014 although a substantial increase in the number of vehicles is assumed to affect the level of CO concentrations. It was also found that the CO levels would be well below the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines of 30 ppm for 1-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA). Comparisons between the modeled and observed outputs using quantitative data analysis technique and statistical methods indicated that the CAL3QHC predicted results correlated well with measured data. It was predicted that receptors located near to the major intersection, in the long-term would be potentially exposed to relatively higher CO levels.     

Post-collision neogene volcanism of the Eastern Rif (Morocco): magmatic evolution through time

Neogene volcanism in the Eastern Rif (Morocco) comprises a series of calc-alkaline, potassic calc-alkaline, shoshonitic and alkaline volcanic rocks. According to new stratigraphical, along with new and previous chronological and geochemical data, the orogenic volcanism was successively (1) calc-alkaline (basaltic andesites and andesites: 13.1 to 12.5 Ma, rhyolites: 9.8 Ma), (2) K-calc-alkaline (basaltic andesitic to rhyolitic lavas and granodiorites: 9.0 to 6.6 Ma), and (3) shoshonitic (absarokites, shoshonites, latites, trachytes: 7.0 to 5.4 Ma). The later Pliocene volcanism was basaltic and alkaline (5.6 to 1.5 Ma). The calc-alkaline and K-calc-alkaline series exhibit lower K₂O (0.7–5.3 wt.%), Nb (8–19 ppm) contents and higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70773–0.71016) than the shoshonitic series (K₂O: 2.4–7.2 wt.%, Nb: 21–38 ppm, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.70404–0.70778). Pliocene alkaline basalts have a sodic tendency (Na₂O/K₂O: 1.7–3.5), high Nb content (up to 52 ppm), and low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio (0.70360–0.70413). The variations through time of K₂O, Nb and Sr isotopic ratio reflect different mantle sources: (i) calc-alkaline, potassic calc-alkaline and shoshonitic series are derived from a mantle source modified by older subduction, (ii) alkaline basalts are derived mainly from an enriched mantle source. Through time, incompatible elements such as Nb increased while ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr decreased, suggesting a decreasing influence of metasomatized mantle (inherited subduction). Such evolution is related to the post-collision regimes operating in this area, and could be linked to the succession of extensional, compressional and strike-slip fault tectonics.     

Petrography and geochemistry of carbonate void-filling cements in fossil reefs

An Investigation of the distribution of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, Sr²⁺ and K⁺ as well as O¹⁸ and C¹³ in void-filling cements out of three fossil reefs — of Devonian and Triassic ages — shows a rhythmic fluctuation of these parameters in the successive layers. This reflects a similar change in the salinity conditions during cementation. It also leads to the presumption that the void filling process starts in early stages with a semi-closed system and later passes into a relatively closed one. Results obtained from factor analysis support this hypothesis.The original mineralogic constitution of the cements must have followed the rhythmic fluctuation of salinity with the result of forming alternative layers of aragonite and calcite. These lead, through inversion and grain growth, in later diagenetic stages to the formation of fibrous calcite.Blocky calcite represents the last stage of cementation. It crystallises out of exhausted solutions and shows no signs of inversion.Multivariate analysis of all investigated parameters reveals three factors. These were interpreted as representing Salinity, Temperature and original Mineralogy.

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Zusammenfassung Die Untersuchung der Verteilung von Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, Sr²⁺ und K⁺, sowie O¹⁸ und C¹³ in Hohlraumzementen aus drei fossilen Riffen von devonischem und triadischem Alter zeigt eine rhythmische Schwankung in den sukzessiven Zementschalen. Die Schwankung der geochemischen Parameter reflektiert eine änderung der Salinitätsbedingungen. Dies wird unter der Annahme erklärt, daß die Ausfüllung der Hohlräume zuerst in einem halbgeschlossenen, später dann in einem relativ geschlossenen System stattfindet. Die Faktorenanalyse bestätigt diese Hypothese.Die Mineralogie der gebildeten Zemente folgt der rhythmischen Salinitätsschwankung und daraus entstand zunächst eine Wechsellagerung von calcitischen und aragonitischen Zementen.über Inversion und Sammelkristallisation bildet sich während der späteren Diagenese der fibröse Calcit, dessen rhythmische Gefügeabfolge von der ursprünglichen Mineralogie der Zemente diktiert wird. Als letzte Zementgeneration folgt blockiger Calcit aus ionenarmen Lösungen, wobei keine Umwandlung dieser Zementphase mehr erfolgt.Aus der Faktorenanalyse aller geochemischen Parameter ergeben sich drei Faktorengruppen, die die Salinität, Temperatur und ursprüngliche Bildungsmineralogie charakterisieren.

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Résumé L'examen de la répartition du Ca₂₊, Mg₂₊, Na₊, Sr₂₊ et K₊, ainsi que O¹⁸ et C¹³ dans le ciment de remplissage des vides de 3 récifs fossiles d'âge dévonien à triasique, montre une variation rythmique dans les couches successives du ciment. La variation des paramètres chimiques reflète un changement dans les conditions de la salinité. Ceci s'explique si l'on accepte que le remplissage des vides a eu lieu dans un milieu d'abord à moitié fermé, et plus tard relativement fermé. L'analyse des facteurs confirme cette hypothèse. La minéralogie du ciment formé est conforme à la variation rythmique de la salinité, d'où résulta une alternance de ciment calcitique et aragonitique.Après l'inversion et la recristallisation coalescente, il s'est formé, durant la diagenèse ultérieure de la calcite fibreuse, dont la succession structurale rythmique est dictée par la minéralogie originelle du ciment. Comme dernière génération de ciment, vient de la calcite en bloc provenant d'une solution pauvre en ions, sans qu'il s'en suive une transformation decette phase de cimentation.L'analyse des facteurs de tous les paramètres chimiques fait apparaÎtre trois groupes de facteurs qui caractérisent la salinité, la température et la minéralogie originelle de formation.

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