K-ar ages of the yemen plateau

The temporal evolution of the Yemen Trap series is examined in the light of K-Ar radiometric data.Rifting and volcanic activity characterize the Yemen plateau between 30 and 20 m.y. confirming a fairly common history of the Afro-Arabian plate on both sides of the Red Sea.     

3D multivalued travel time and amplitude maps

An algorithm for computing multivalued maps for travel time, amplitude and any other ray related variable in 3D smooth velocity models is presented. It is based on the construction of successive isochrons by tracing a uniformly dense discrete set of rays by fixed travel-time steps. Ray tracing is based on Hamiltonian formulation and includes computation of paraxial matrices. A ray density criterion ensures uniform ray density along isochrons over the entire ray field including caustics. Applications to complex models are shown.     

Volcanic Risk Assessment and Mapping in the Vesuvian Area Using GIS

This paper assesses the risk to people and property from lava flow hazard in the Vesuvian area of Italy using a Geographical Information System (GIS). The intense urbanisation and dense population near Mt. Vesuvius make the area very hazardous. Due to the large amount of available data, GIS is an essential tool to facilitate risk evaluation and constant monitoring of the zone. This analysis is based mainly on a lava flow hazard map of Mt. Vesuvius, determined from volcanic activity between 1631 and 1944. A land-use zonation map of the area was created in order to show areal distribution of the resources, built-up centres and population. For each of the 17 municipalities in the area, demographic and urban data were entered into the GIS database and linked to each appropriate geographic unit in order to create a set of reference maps at the 1:50 000 scale. The lava flow hazard map was overlain on the land use map, and spatial and numerical information of risk were extracted from the resulting maps.     

Evaluation of the Seismic Alert System of Mexico (SASMEX) during the June 23, 2020, Oaxaca Earthquake (Mw 7.4)

Natural Hazards - The Mexican Seismic Alerting System (SASMEX) successfully alerted for the June 23, 2020, La Crucecita earthquake (Mw 7.4) in southern Mexico. The time between the alert broadcast...     

Using new remote sensing satellites for assessing water quality in a reservoir

Water quality monitoring could benefit from information derived from the newest generation of medium-resolution Earth observation satellites. The main objective of our study was to assess the suitability of both Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2A satellites for estimating and mapping of Secchi disk transparency (SDT), a common measurement of water clarity, in Cassaffousth Reservoir (Córdoba, Argentina). Ground observations and a dataset of four Landsat 8 and four Sentinel-2A images were used to create and validate models to estimate SDT in the reservoir. The selected algorithms were used to obtain graphic representations of water clarity. Slight differences were found between Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2 estimations. Thus, we demonstrated the suitability of both satellites for estimating and mapping water quality. This study highlights the importance of free and readily available satellite datasets in monitoring water quality, especially in countries where conventional monitoring programmes are either lacking or unsatisfactory.     

Magnetic susceptibility mapping of the Cambrian El Hongo pluton,Eastern Sierras Pampeanas,Argentina

A map of bulk magnetic susceptibility was obtained on El Hongo trondhjemite, a small Cambrian pluton intruding the metamorphic basement in Eastern Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina, based on systematic magnetic susceptibility measurement at 450 sites using a SM30 susceptibility meter. Samples were collected on 58 sites and their bulk magnetic susceptibility was measured in laboratory with a Bartington MS2 system. Point-to-point comparison showed differences, that were attributed to the effect of roughness of the surveyed surfaces, and to the development of a weathered cap. However, the difference was systematic and in accordance with expected values predicted by manufacturer tables, whereby, once corrected with the appropriate factor, the obtained values with SM30 susceptibility meter were regarded as representative of fresh rocks. The resulting map was interpreted in terms of variation in abundance of magnetite, which is present in the rocks as a magmatic mineral, altered to hematite (martitized) in varying degrees. The map revealed that El Hongo trondhjemite is a weakly magnetic pluton, with a typical bulk susceptibility of about 500 × 10^?6 SI, which would correspond to an abundance of magnetite below 0.2 vol%, but with conspicuous variations. Lows in the outer sector and in the vicinity of metamorphic xenoliths were interpreted as due to destruction of magnetic minerals linked to reactions between magma and host rock. A distinct concentric pattern in the western area could indicate the presence of a separate intrusion. Finally, alternate highs and lows in susceptibility follow the undulations in regional schistosity, which in turn would have controlled the emplacement of the pluton. Thus we provide a good example of the utility of magnetic susceptibility mapping in granitoid terrains, as an expeditious way for preliminary mapping that could guide further and more detailed research.     

Carbon accounting for sinks in the CDM after CoP-9

Abstract

The role of sinks in the clean development mechanism (CDM) has been a subject of controversy for several reasons; one being that temporary carbon storage in forests appeared to prevent any opportunity to use them as an option to reduce permanent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Milan (December 2003), the Conference of the Parties (CoP) decided to address this problem by introducing two types of expiring units: temporary CERs (tCERs) and long-term CERs (lCERs). Countries committed to emission reductions may acquire these units to temporarily offset their emissions and thus to postpone permanent emission reductions. As further decided by the CoP, baseline emissions of GHGs and the enhancement of sinks outside the project boundary will not be accounted for in the calculation of tCERs or lCERs. The contribution of CDM-sink projects to GHG emissions abatement will therefore be greater than what will be credited to them. On the other hand, permanent GHG emissions that may result as a consequence of the implementation of sink project activities are treated as non-permanent. If these emissions are above avoided baseline emissions, CDM-sinks will result in net increases of GHG emissions into the atmosphere. After briefly reassessing the non-permanence problem, this article explains how tCERs and lCERs should be quantified according to Decision 19/CP.9 of CoP-9 and how calculations are implemented in the forthcoming software CO₂ Land. Using a simple numerical example, it illustrates how the GHG accounting rule adopted at CoP-9 may result in net increases of GHG emissions. In the conclusion, a possible solution to this problem is proposed.