Dolomite-bearing orogenic garnet peridotites witness fluid-mediated carbon recycling in a mantle wedge (Ulten Zone,Eastern Alps,Italy)

We document the presence of dolomite ± apatite in orogenic peridotites from the Ulten Zone (UZ, Italian Alps), the remnants of a Variscan mantle wedge tectonically coupled with eclogitized continental crust. These dolomite peridotites are associated with dominant carbonate-free amphibole peridotites, which formed in response to infiltration of aqueous subduction fluids lost by the associated crustal rocks during high-pressure (HP) metamorphism and retrogression. Dolomite-free and dolomite-bearing peridotites share the same metamorphic evolution, from garnet- (HP) to spinel-facies (low-pressure, LP) conditions. Dolomite and the texturally coexisting phases display equilibrium redistribution of rare earth elements and of incompatible trace elements during HP and LP metamorphism; clinopyroxene and amphiboles from carbonate-free and carbonate-bearing peridotites have quite similar compositions. These features indicate that the UZ mantle rocks equilibrated with the same metasomatic agents: aqueous CO₂-bearing fluids enriched in incompatible elements released by the crust. The P–T crystallization conditions of the dolomite peridotites (outside the field of carbonatite melt + amphibole peridotite coexistence), a lack of textures indicating quench of carbonic melts, a lack of increase in modal clinopyroxene by reaction with such melts and the observed amphibole increase at the expense of clinopyroxene, all suggest that dolomite formation was assisted by aqueous CO₂-bearing fluids. A comparison of the trace element compositions of carbonates and amphiboles from the UZ peridotites and from peridotites metasomatized by carbonatite and/or carbon-bearing silicate melts does not help to unambiguously discriminate between the different agents (fluids or melts). The few observed differences (lower trace element contents in the fluid-related dolomite) may ultimately depend on the solute content of the metasomatic agent (CO₂-bearing fluid versus carbonatite melt). This study provides strong evidence that C–O–H subduction fluids can produce ‘carbonatite-like’ assemblages in mantle rocks, thus being effective C carriers from the slab to the mantle wedge at relatively low P–T. If transported beyond the carbonate and amphibole solidus by further subduction, dolomite-bearing garnet + amphibole peridotites like the ones from Ulten can become sources of carbonatite and/or C-bearing silicate melts in the mantle wedge. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. In memory of Lauro Morten 1941–2006.     

Far-field Gravity and Tilt Signals by Large Earthquakes: Real or Instrumental Effects?

A wide set of dynamics phenomena (i.e., Geodynamics, Post Glacial Rebound, seismicity and volcanic activity) can produce time gravity changes, which spectrum varies from short to long (more than 1 year) periods. The amplitude of the gravity variations is generally in the order of consequently their detection requires instruments with high sensitivity and stability: then, high quality experimental data. Spring and superconducting gravimeters are intensively used with this target and they are frequently jointed with tiltmeters recording stations in order to measure the elasto-gravitational perturbation of the Earth. The far-field effects produced by large earthquakes on records collected by spring gravimeters and tiltmeters are investigated here. Gravity and tilt records were analyzed on time windows spanning the occurrence of large worldwide earthquakes; the gravity records have been collected on two stations approximately 600 km distant. The background noise level at the stations was characterized, in each season, in order to detect a possible seasonal dependence and the presence of spectral components which could hide or mask other geophysical signals, such as, for instance, the highest mode of the Seismic Free Oscillation (SFO) of the Earth. Some spectral components (6.5; 8; 9; 14, 20, 51) have been detected in gravity and tilt records on the occasion of large earthquakes and the effect of the SFO has been hypothesized. A quite different spectral content of the EW and NS tiltmeter components has been detected and interpreted as a consequence of the radiation pattern of the disturbances due to the earthquakes. Through the analysis of the instrumental sensitivity, instrumental effects have been detected for gravity meters at very low frequency.F.S.E. (Fondo Sociale Europeo -European Community -)     

2D numerical simulations of earthquake ground motion: examples from the Marche Region,Italy

A detailed numerical simulation of the ground motion and a site response analysis for two towns in the Marche Region (Treia and Cagli) is carried out on the basis of structural models deduced from available geological and geophysical data. In both cases, the reference event is an M = 5.7 earthquake associated with a normal fault located beneath each town. The ground motion is computed using the 2D spectral element method (SPEM 2D). The method solves the propagation of the seismic field through complex geological structures and enables an estimate of the effects of deep crustal structure, superficial geology, and topography on ground motion. Numerical simulations of the seismic field are performed along 2D vertical planes containing the seismic source. Strong ground motion has not been yet recorded in the two towns; therefore, the numerical simulation of ground motion represents a way to overcome the lack of instrumental data. The simulations carried out for Treia show that ground motion is influenced by both source mechanism and effects due to propagation through the geological structure, while ground motion in Cagli features strong local effects, caused by the presence of alluvial deposits under a large area of the town.     

Modelling the rainfall-induced mobilization of a large slope movement in northern Calabria

Two recent phases of mobilization of a large, rainfall-induced debris slide are analysed in terms of relationships between rains and phases of displacement. The first activation at San Rocco (San Benedetto Ullano, Calabria) occurred on 28 January 2009, after extraordinary rains had stricken the region for a couple of months. Detailed geomorphologic field surveys, combined with measurements of superficial displacements at datum points, were performed to properly recognize the evolution of the phenomenon. In addition, a real-time control system of rains and superficial displacements measured at extensometers was implemented, to better analyse the evolution of the phenomenon. In early May 2009, the activity reduced to very slow displacements, persisting in the same condition for the following 8 months. On 1 February 2010, premonitory signs of a new phase of activation were noticed, again following 2 months of extraordinary rainfalls. After few days of further precipitations, the middle sector of the landslide activated since 11 February, disrupting the road network and threatening the major lifelines and some buildings. A hydrological analysis aimed at simulating the dates of activation and the main phases of acceleration of the phenomenon was carried out, by calibrating the empirical model FLaIR against the daily rainfalls and the history of known phases of mobilization since 1970. Calibration allowed to successfully simulate both the cited phases of activity of the San Rocco landslide, by predicting the beginning of the movements as well as the following paroxysmal stages, as testified by the measurements at datum points and extensometers. The set of parameters obtained through calibration reflects the influence of both prolonged antecedent rains, and of high-intensity rainfalls of shorter duration, which slightly preceded the major displacements. Once calibrated the model, a suitable threshold could be defined, by analysing the trend of the mobility function against the history of activations of the considered slope movement, and by excluding false alarms. Accordingly, a reliable tool for predicting the phases of activity of a large slope movement could therefore be obtained.     

Experimental analysis of different software packages for orientation and digital surface modelling from UAV images

The use of UAVs finds application in a variety of fields, among which are the small scale surveys for environmental protection application. In this frame some experimental tests were carried out at Politecnico di Milano to assess metric accuracies of images acquired by UAVs and derived photogrammetric products. A block of 5 strips and 49 photos was taken by fixed wing system SenseFly, carrying a camera Canon Ixus 220HS on a rural area included in an Italian Park. Images are processed through bundle adjustment, automatic DEM extraction and orthoimages production steps with several software packages, with the aim to evaluate their characteristics, capabilities and weaknesses. The software packages tested were Erdas-LPS, EyeDEA (University of Parma), Agisoft Photoscan, Pix4UAV, PhotoModeler Scanner. For the georeferencing of the block 16 pre-signalized ground control points were surveyed in the area through GPS (NRTK survey). Comparison of results is given in terms of differences among orientation parameters and their accuracies. Moreover, comparisons among different digital surface models are evaluated. Furthermore, exterior orientation parameters, image points and ground points coordinates, obtained by the various software packages, were used as initial values in a comparative adjustment made by scientific in-house software. Paper confirms that computer vision software are faster in computation and, even if their main goal is not to pursue high accuracy in points coordinates determination, they seems to produce results comparable to those obtainable with standard photogrammetric approach. Agisoft Photoscan seems in this case to yield the best results in terms of quality of photogrammetric products.     

A framework for predicting abrasion rupture of crusts in wind erosion

Crusts play a crucial role in the reduction or control of wind erosion. In this regard, the resilience and durability of crusts are of prime importance. Crusts have high resilience and durability against wind flow shear stresses; however, they are prone to abrasion induced by saltating particles. Therefore, estimating crust durability in abrasion rupture has practical importance. In this study, a cyanocrust and a biocemented sand crust were subjected to a controlled flux of saltating particles for different sandblasting periods to provide a framework for predicting crust rupture. The velocity and pre- and post-collision energy of the saltating particles were measured using high-speed photography. The changes in the strength of the crusts after different periods of sandblasting were determined using a scratch test. The results suggested that the average strength of the cyanocrust and biocemented sand crust became 0.25 and 0.7 of their corresponding initial values after 30 min of sandblasting. Also, the average stiffness of the cyanocrust and biocemented sand crust decreased to 0.5 and 0.9 of their initial values, respectively. Furthermore, the amount of impact energy absorbed by the crusts increased by the deterioration of the crusts. Compiling the results of the wind tunnel experiment and scratch tests yielded an exponential equation which can be used to estimate crust durability in a given condition of saltation. Based on this equation, the cyanocrust and biocemented sand crust will break down entirely after 23 and 449 min, respectively, at a wind velocity of 6.8 m/s and a saltation flux of 1 g/s/m.     

Natural frequency and damping ratio of a vertically vibrated surface foundation

It is possible and common to obtain equivalent natural frequency and damping for a soil-foundation system from results of experimental or numerical analysis assuming the system has a single degree of freedom. Three approaches to extract natural frequency and damping were applied to the vertically vibrated soil-foundation system. The sensitivity of the computed natural frequency and damping to the soil properties was evaluated through parametric studies. About 10–20% of discrepancy in values of natural frequency was observed due to different approaches. The results help to assess the reliability of equivalent soil properties determined from the reported natural frequency of the system. Finally the results obtained using theoretical predictions with linear soil properties measured in situ were compared to those calculated from experimental data. The prediction and experimental results showed good agreements if the embedment of the foundation is neglected with stepped sine test but considered with impulse test.     

The height datum problem and the role of satellite gravity models

Regional height systems do not refer to a common equipotential surface, such as the geoid. They are usually referred to the mean sea level at a reference tide gauge. As mean sea level varies (by ±1 to 2 m) from place to place and from continent to continent each tide gauge has an unknown bias with respect to a common reference surface, whose determination is what the height datum problem is concerned with. This paper deals with this problem, in connection to the availability of satellite gravity missions data. Since biased heights enter into the computation of terrestrial gravity anomalies, which in turn are used for geoid determination, the biases enter as secondary or indirect effect also in such a geoid model. In contrast to terrestrial gravity anomalies, gravity and geoid models derived from satellite gravity missions, and in particular GRACE and GOCE, do not suffer from those inconsistencies. Those models can be regarded as unbiased. After a review of the mathematical formulation of the problem, the paper examines two alternative approaches to its solution. The first one compares the gravity potential coefficients in the range of degrees from 100 to 200 of an unbiased gravity field from GOCE with those of the combined model EGM2008, that in this range is affected by the height biases. This first proposal yields a solution too inaccurate to be useful. The second approach compares height anomalies derived from GNSS ellipsoidal heights and biased normal heights, with anomalies derived from an anomalous potential which combines a satellite-only model up to degree 200 and a high-resolution global model above 200. The point is to show that in this last combination the indirect effects of the height biases are negligible. To this aim, an error budget analysis is performed. The biases of the high frequency part are proved to be irrelevant, so that an accuracy of 5 cm per individual GNSS station is found. This seems to be a promising practical method to solve the problem.