A comparison of approximate techniques for non-linear seismic soil response

Some equivalent linearization techniques, applicable to problems dealing with non-linear seismic amplification of layered soils, are systematically treated and critically compared in this paper. The discussion concerns, in particular, the theoretical consistency, the operative modalities, the computational complexity and the numerical reliability of these methods. A comparison is made between the results furnished by some techniques among those examined and the results obtained through a step-by-step integration of the non-linear equations of motion, assuming as a test-problem the one-dimensional amplification of a horizontally stratified soil deposit characterized by the Ramberg-Osgood constitutive model.     

Electrical conductivity structure in the lower crust

The subject is reviewed, notwithstanding the existence of a number of disagreeing and/or controversial results found in the literature. First, a brief critical reexamination of the methodology is presented. Second, it is attempted to put the results, or partial conclusions by different authors, using different methods and referring to different geographical regions, into a working scheme. This is done by investigating, as far as possible, the relationships between the electrical conductivity information and other types of geophysical and geological information for each geographical area investigated. It appears almost impossible to draw general conclusions that hold for the entire Earth. Conclusions are given for those areas with some very well-defined geomorphological characters. Unfortunately, the available investigations still appear to give a poor coverage of several types of geographic areas with specific tectonic characteristics, and certainly the scientific coverage by electromagnetic methods of investigation cannot be compared with those available today from seismological methods. Investigating the electrical conductivity structure of the lower crust certainly opens relevant heuristic possibilities, but there appears to be a great need both for a refinement in the basic methodology, and for a better coverage of the investigated areas.     

A first insight into the constitution of the upper mantle under the hoggar area (Southern Algeria): The lherzolite xenoliths in the alkali-basalts

Quaternary alkali olivine basalts and nephelinites from the Hoggar area (Southern Algeria) contain numerous lherzolite inclusions. The investigated nodules have been classified into three textural categories: coarse, porphyroclastic and granuloblastic. Microprobe analyses have been carried out on the coexisting phases (olivine, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, spinel, pargasite, Al rich glass) from 10 selected samples, with a special attention to pyroxene porphyroclasts which are zoned in Al and Cr. Most of the porphyroclastic xenoliths contain secondary pargasite (or its breakdown products) which is thought to reflect a metasomatic event in mantle conditions. Equilibrium temperatures and pressures have been calculated for the three groups, using the single-pyroxene method: the coarse samples have been equilibrated at higher pressures (20–25 kb) and temperatures (1,000° C–1,100° C) than the granuloblastic samples (about 10 kb and 900° C); with regards to the porphyroclastic xenoliths, the estimated T and P have been related to two stages of crystallization (corresponding to porphyroclasts and neoblasts). Relationships between phase compositions, rock-textures and metasomatism are briefly discussed.     

Image analysis and circular statistics for shape-fabric analysis: applications to lithified ignimbrites

 Computer-assisted image analysis can be successfully used to derive quantitative textural data on pyroclastic rock samples. This method provides a large number of different measurements such as grain size, particle shape and 2D orientation of particle main axes (directional- or shape-fabric) automatically and in a relatively short time. Orientation data reduction requires specific statistical tests, mainly devoted to defining the kind of particle distribution pattern, the possible occurrence of preferred particle orientation, the confidence interval of the mean direction and the degree of randomness with respect to pre-assigned theoretical frequency distributions. Data obtained from image analysis of seven lithified ignimbrite samples from the Vulsini Volcanic District (Central Italy) are used to test different statistics and to provide insight about directional fabrics. First, the possible occurrence of a significant deviation from a theoretical circular uniform distribution was evaluated by using the Rayleigh and Tukey χ ² tests. Then, the Kuiper test was performed to evaluate whether or not the observation fits with a unimodal, Von Mises-like theoretical frequency distribution. Finally, the confidence interval of mean direction was calculated. With the exception of one sample (FPD10), which showed a well-developed bimodality, all the analysed samples display significant anisotropic and unimodal distributions. The minimum number of measurements necessary to obtain reasonable variabilities of the calculated statistics and mean directions was evaluated by repeating random collections of the measured particles at increments of 100 particles for each sample. Although the observed variabilities depend largely on the pattern of distribution and an absolute minimum number cannot be stated, approximately 1500–2000 measurements are required in order to get meaningful mean directions for the analysed samples. Received: 9 April 1996 / Accepted: 26 December 1996     

Deformation of “Villafranchian” lacustrine sediments in the Chisone Valley (Western Alps, Italy)

The Chisone Valley is located in the internal NW Alps, in the Pinerolese District, an area characterized by present low to medium seismicity. Fine-grained sediments (sand, silt and clay with interbedded gravel) crop out in the lower Chisone Valley: they were first interpreted as glaciolacustrine deposits, and then as a lacustrine infilling of the valley floor probably due to differential uplifting of the valley mouth. Review of this data, together with new field and palynological observations, lead us to refer the lacustrine deposits to approximately the Lower Pleistocene (Villafranchian). In many outcrops, the lacustrine deposits show strong soft-sediment deformation such as convolute laminations, water-escape structures and disrupted beds, some of them associated with folds and faults (cm to dm in size); only two sites show metric to decametric folds and faults trending E-W and N-S. Detailed structural analysis conducted along a recently exposed section (Rio Gran Dubbione site) shows several soft-sediment deformation features on the limbs of mesoscale folds. Because of their intimate structural association, the origin of these minor structures seems to be connected to synsedimentary activity on reverse and normal faults (m to dm in size) affecting the lacustrine deposits in the same locality. Soft-sediment deformation features can be interpreted as possible paleoseismites. If so, the present seismicity of the Pinerolese District, which is the major area of such activity in NW Italy, cannot be considered an isolated episode in the geological evolution of the region; even if there is no supporting evidence for continuous seismicity, the deformations in the lacustrine sediments of the Chisone Valley testify to Early Pleistocene seismic activity, probably related to the recent tectonic evolution of the internal side of the NW Alps.     

Silicate-silicate liquid immiscibility and graphite ribbons in Libyan desert glass

Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) investigation of the dark (brown or bluish) streaks occurring in Libyan Desert Glass reveals the common presence of small glass spherules. The spherules, mostly 100 nm in size, are homogeneously dispersed within the silica-glass matrix. The complete absence of electron diffraction effects confirms their amorphous nature. The spherules are Al-, Fe- and Mg-enriched with respect to the surrounding silica matrix and their (Mg + Al + Fe) : Si ratio is close to 1.The silica-glass matrix and amorphous spherules form an emulsion texture (i.e., globules of one glass in a matrix of another glass), which originates from silicate-silicate liquid immiscibility. This texture has also been observed in other impact-derived glasses.The silica glass also contains carbonaceous inclusions consisting of 5-50 nm thick, polygonalized graphite ribbons that form closed structures up to 200 nm in diameter.These observations are in agreement with an impact origin for Libyan Desert Glass.     

Plankton-Derived Resting Stages in Marine Coastal Sediments along the Salento Peninsula (Apulia, South-Eastern Italy)

Abstract. An oceanographic survey was carried out along the Salento Peninsula in March 2000. Resting stages of plankton were searched for in coastal sediments to study the microplankton composition in addition to the classical analysis of active stages in the water column. A total of 215 taxa were recognised, 149 as active stages in the water column and 74 as resting stages in the sediments. Cysts were widely distributed and at Brindisi and Alimini their abundance was higher than elsewhere. A general trend was observed with resting stage abundance, species richness and diversity in the sediments: all three decreased with distance from the coast. The integrated water/sediments approach used in this study allowed us to collect 37 species (mainly as resting stages) new for the studied area.     

Approach to the geostrategy of the oceans: The case of the mediterranean

It is known that by the general ‘geostrategy’ for the oceans we mean the behaviour of countries of the world in defending their own vital economic interests as projected on different oceans. The means for protecting national interests can be economic, political, diplomatic or military. This paper dwells in particular on these last aspects, offering in the first part some useful reflections on the analysis of regional seas. The second part gives elements for the understanding of the complex Mediterranean situation where the East-West confrontation is accentuated by widespread economic, political, ideological and ethnic contrasts between coastal states. For these reasons this sea can be defined as one of the most unstable and belligerent regions in the world.     

Comparison of the fish assemblages associated with Posidonia oceanica after the partial loss and consequent fragmentation of the meadow

An extensive Posidonia oceanica meadow was partially destroyed by excavation, resulting in areas of seagrass habitat of equal complexity (shoot density) but different heterogeneity (degree of fragmentation). The fish assemblages associated with differently fragmented beds were compared from a landscape perspective. Differences in the fish assemblages were detected, with several species showing different patterns: (1) species that increased their abundance along with the degree of bed fragmentation, (2) species that were more abundant in fragmented beds, but did not show differences between more or less fragmented beds, and (3) species that were mostly abundant in large seagrass patches or in the continuous meadow. The fish assemblages were also affected by depth, but further research is needed to determine properly this effect. Some ecological mechanisms are suggested to operate in the interaction between P. oceanica and the held fish assemblage.     

Il terremoto delle Prealpi carniche dell'8 giugno 1934 e sua profondita' ipocentrale

Riassunto Nel riesaminare i risultati cui sono pervenuti altri studiosi nella determinazione della profondità alla quale furono originati alcuni terremoti, l'A. ha dovuto riconoscere che le conclusioni dei loro calcoli non sono attendibili. Lo stesso è avvenuto recentemente per il terremoto veneto dell'8-6-1934, pel quale il prof. P. Caloi aveva trovato 37 km, basati su dati sismografici. Adoperando invece il metodo della decrescenza dell'intensità con la distanza, l'A. ha ottenuto ca. 10 km. Tale grave disaccordo lo ha indotto a riesaminare i vari metodi adottati dal Caloi — specie quello dell'angolo di emergenza delle onde sismiche — ed è giunto alla conclusione che la profondità di 37 km, in apparenza assai lusinghiera tanto da presentare un errore medio di soli 0,4 km, è ben lontana da raggiungere tanta esattezza.

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Summary The methods for estimate the depth of a earthquake are examined again by the Author, who come to the conclusion that some results of calculation are unreliable. This is explain for the earthquake of 8th June 1934 (Veneto), already examined by P. Caloi, who found a depth of 37 km, by means of elements deduced from seismological diagrams only. Instead, the A., using the method grounded on the decreasing of the intensity with the distance, has obtained 10 km. The analysis of this great discrepance show that some methods, as that of the angle of emergency, should be applied with prudence and limitation to assure reliable results.

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Zusammenfassung Der Verf. überprüft die Ergebnisse erhalten in der Tiefe-Bestimmung eines Bebens und zeigt wie einige Schlussfolgerungen unzulässig sind. Das wird ausführlich für das Erdbeben vom 8. Juni 1934 (Venetien) gezeigt, welches P. Caloi schon untersucht hat, erhaltend eine Tiefe von 37 km und zwar allein auf Grund von mikroseismischen Elementen. Dagegen, mit Anwendung des Verfahrens der Intensität-Abnahme mit dem Abstand, hat der Verf. eine Tiefe von nur 10 km erhalten. Diese grosse Verschiedenheit wird da me stesso studiato (1): di Costantinopoli del 1894 dal franceseLacoine (4) e (5); dei Colli Laziali del 1911, 1927 e 1928 dall'Oddone (2) e (34); dell'Istria del 29-VIII-1931, del Friuli del 25-XII-1931, di Belluno del 27-XII-1933, tutti studiati dalCaloi (14), (21), (23); quello Calabro-Siculo del 1938 dal rumenoDemetrescu (6) e (7).