A critical appraisal of the Cayconi Formation, Crucero Basin, southeastern Peru

The Cayconi Formation of the Crucero Basin, Puno Department, southeastern Peru, has been described as a 800–1000 m sequence of Oligocene and Miocene fanglomerate and lacustrine sedimentary rocks, interlayered with mafic and silicic volcanic rocks, and unconformably overlying Paleozoic and Cretaceous successions. On the basis of new field and petrological investigations, key aspects of the stratigraphic relationships of the rocks comprising this formation, and hence the viability of this lithostratigraphic name, are questioned. Thus, several sedimentary units previously assigned to the Cayconi Formation are reinterpreted as Cretaceous or older. We further argue that the formational terminology fails to accomodate the great variety of volcanic rocks, which are, moreover, disposed in isolated eruptive fields. We therefore propose establishment of the Crucero Supergroup as a broad, yet flexible framework for lithostratigraphic subdivision of the Tertiary sequences of the Cordillera Oriental of southeastern Peru. This new nomenclature accomodates the voluminous two-mica ash flow tuffs (Macusani Volcanics) and associated rocks of the Quenamari Meseta, a succession excluded from the existing lithostratigraphic classification scheme. It also permits distinction between the petrogenetically-contrasted upper Oligocene — Lower Miocene and Middle Miocene — Upper Miocene volcanic suites, which dominate, respectively, the Picotani and Quenamari Groups comprising the proposed Crucero Supergroup. Finally, the economically important granitic/rhyolitic intrusive centers cogenetic with the volcanic rocks are readily assignable to intrusive lithodemes in each group.     

Toe-of-slope of a Cretaceous carbonate platform in outcrop,seismic model and offshore seismic data (Apulia,Italy)

Synthetic seismic models of outcrops in the Early Cretaceous slope of a carbonate platform on the Gargano Promontory (southern Italy) were compared to an offshore seismic section south of the Promontory. Outcrops of the same age on the promontory have the same sequence stratigraphic characteristics as their offshore equivalent, and are the only areas where the transition from platform to basin of Early Cretaceous is exposed on land. Two adjacent outcrop areas were combined into one seismic-scale lithologic model with the aid of photo mosaics, measured sections, and biostratigraphic data. Velocity, density, and porosity measurements on spot samples were used to construct the impedance model. Seismic models were generated by vertical incidence and finite difference programs. The results indicate that the reflections in the seismic model are controlled by the impedance contrast between low porous intervals rich in debris from the platform and highly porous intervals of pelagic lime mudstone, nearly devoid of debris. Finite difference seismic display showed best resemblance with the real seismic data, especially by mapping a drowning unconformity.     

Using the present to estimate the future: A simplified approach for the quantification of climate change effects on urban flooding by scenario analysis

Understanding and modelling pluvial flood patterns is pivotal for the estimation of flood impacts in urban areas, especially in a climate change perspective. However, urban flood modelling under climate change conditions poses several challenges. On one hand, the identification and collection of climate change data suitable for flood-related evaluations requires consistent computational and scientific effort. On the other hand, large difficulties can arise in the reproduction of the rainfall-runoff transformation process in cases when only little information about the subsurface processes is known. In this perspective, a simplified approach is proposed to address the challenges regarding the quantitative estimation of climate change effects on urban flooding for real case applications. The approach is defined as “bottom-up” because climate change information is not included in flood modelling, but it is only invoked for the interpretation of results. In other words, the challenge faced in this work is the development of a modelling strategy that is expeditious, because it does not require flood simulations for future rainfall scenarios, but only under current climate conditions, thus reducing the overall computational effort; and it is flexible, because results can be easily updated once new climate change data, scenarios or methods become available, without the need of additional flood simulations. To simulate real case applications, the approach is tested for a scenario analysis, where different return periods and hyetograph shapes are used as input for urban inundation modelling in Naples, Italy. The approach can support public and private stakeholders, such as land administrators and water systems managers; moreover, it represents a valuable and effective basis for climate change risk communication strategies.     

Thermospheric/mesospheric temperatures on Venus: Results from ground-based high-resolution spectroscopy of CO2 in 1990/1991 and comparison to results from 2009 and between other techniques

We report temperatures in Venus’ upper mesosphere/lower thermosphere, deduced from reanalyzing very high resolution infrared spectroscopy of CO₂ emission lines acquired in 1990 and 1991. Kinetic temperatures at ～110 km altitude (0.15 Pa) are derived from the Doppler width of fully-resolved single line profiles measured near 10.4 μm wavelength using the NASA GSFC Infrared Heterodyne Spectrometer (IRHS) at the NASA IRTF on Mauna Kea, HI, close to Venus inferior conjunction and two Venus solstices. Measured temperatures range from ～200 to 240 K with uncertainty typically less than 10 K. Temperatures retrieved from similar measurement in 2009 using the Cologne Tuneable Heterodyne Infrared Spectrometer (THIS) at the NOAO McMath Telescope at Kitt Peak, AZ are 10–20 K lower. Temperatures retrieved more recently from the SOIR instrument on Venus EXpress are consistent with these results when the geometry of observation is accounted for. It is difficult to compare ground-based sub-mm retrievals extrapolated to 110 km due to their much larger field of view, which includes the night side regions not accessible to infrared heterodyne observations. Temperature variability appears to be high on day-to-day as well as longer timescales. Observed short term and long term variability may be attributed to atmospheric dynamics, diurnal variability and changes over solar activity and seasons. The Venus International Reference Atmosphere (VIRA) model predicts cooler temperatures at the sampled altitudes in the lower thermosphere/upper mesosphere and is not consistent with these measurements.     

Modelling mid‐channel bars in meandering channels

An analytical modelling framework is proposed to reproduce the frequently observed but poorly studied occurrence of mid‐channel bars in meandering channels. Mid‐channel bars occur in meanders and may characterize transitional morphologies between pure meandering and braided rivers. Based on existing field and experimental observations, we propose that two different mechanisms can generate central topographical patterns in meanders. A former mechanism (‘width‐forced’) is related to spatial width oscillations which determine a laterally symmetrical bed shear stress pattern that promotes mid‐channel bars. A second mechanism (‘curvature‐forced’) can take place also in curvilinear equiwidth streams since also longitudinal variations of channel curvature can produce laterally symmetrical alterations of the sediment transport capacity. A perturbation approach is employed to model both mechanisms within a common framework, allowing reproduction, at least qualitatively, of several observed features. While width‐forced mid‐channel bars are a symmetric linear altimetric response, to reproduce curvature‐forced mid‐channel bars requires modelling nonlinear flow‐bed topography interactions at the second order of the perturbation expansion. Hypotheses on how these mechanisms operate are further discussed through an application to field cases. The amplitude of the nonlinear response can be relevant compared to that of the point bar in equiwidth meanders and the location of mid‐channel bars seldom coincides with bend apexes, mainly depending upon the intrinsic meander wavelength. Central bars tend to symmetrically divert the flow against the two banks, a process which is proposed as a possible cause of cross‐sectional overwidening, along with the asymmetry between the rates of bank erosion and of the opposite bank accretion. The outcomes of this first modelling step on the subject allow discussion of the mutual feedback processes that characterize interactions between mid‐channel bars and width variations in river meanders. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Full-scale Modelling of Falling Rock Protection Barriers

Full-scale impact tests, carried out to evaluate the behaviour of flexible falling rock protection barriers, are described and relevant results presented and discussed. Falling rock protection barriers, which may be numbered among passive measures against rockfall, are designed to intercept and stop falling rocks by dissipation of impact energies through the elasto-plastic deformation of a system made up of metallic nets and supporting and connecting components. The testing programme involved models of barriers subjected to the impact of free-falling blocks of kinetic energy ranging from 500 to 5,000 kJ. The experimental test site, set-up in Fonzaso (Italy), and the experimental procedure were developed according to the new European testing standards (ETAG 027) on falling rock protection kits. The paper is aimed at presenting an extensive and high quality database, which can be extremely useful for a better understanding of the actual response of such structures and for any subsequent analytical and numerical modelling.