Seismicity and structural investigations of the Romanian Vrancea Region: Evidence for azimuthal variations of p-wave velocity and poisson's ratio

A study of the shallow and intermediate depth seismicity of the Romanian Vrancea region in the period 1964–1981 has been performed. The seismic events have been relocated by a standard location procedure using a regional velocity model. From the temporal and spatial distribution of the seismic activity, aspects of the seismicity before the large March 4, 1977 earthquake are treated, in particular the seismic gap in space and time prior to this event, found by Mârze (1979), which is critically discussed and revised. The concept of the precursor time/magnitude relationships of different authors is applied and its validity to the Vrancea region assessed. The hypocentral distribution shows that the intermediate depth seismic activity is confined to a small volume with dimensions of only some tens of kilometers. The results are interpreted in terms of the tectonics of the region. From an analysis of the travel-time residuals at different local stations, evidence for lateral velocity heterogeneities beneath the region is obtained e.g. a high velocity zone southeastwards of the Carpathian chain. Finally mean ratios, (i.e. Poisson's ratios), for various stations are calculated from P- and S-wave travel times. They show azimuthal variations of up to 6% for stations within the area where the intermediate seismic activity occurs in comparison with the station Focsani, situated eastwards in the Carpathian foredeeps. All these results are compatible with the plate tectonic concept for the Vrancea region, that is the subduction of an oceanic lithospheric slab under the Carpathian mountain arc, giving rise to such a highly active seismic zone.     

Evolution of photoautotrophy and early atmospheric oxygen levels

Current photochemical models suggest that oxygen levels in the prebiological atmosphere were extremely low, most probably remaining in the range 10⁻⁸–10⁻¹⁴ PAL (present atmospheric level). It is, therefore, reasonable to assume that only life processes were able to overwhelm these minor O₂-pressures, with free oxygen resulting from the reduction of carbon dioxide to the carbohydrate level during photoautotrophic carbon fixation using water as an electron donor (

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). It is by now well established that reduced (organic) carbon is a common constituent of sedimentary rocks from the very start of the geological record 3.8 Ga ago. Both direct assays and inferences derived from a carbon isotope mass balance suggest that the C_org-content of Archaean sediments was not basically different from that of geologically younger rocks. This poses the problem of the existence 3.5 Ga ago of an oxidation equivalent of such a formidable ancient C_org-reservoir which, depending on the model adopted for the growth of the sedimentary mass through time, might have amounted to between 20 and 100% of the present one. Low atmospheric oxygen pressures in the Early Precambrian that are inferred from retarded oxidation reactions, notably in the ancient continental weathering cycle, are likely, therefore, to indicate extremely rapid processes of oxygen consumption in other parts of the system (e.g., hydrosphere) rather than the general absence of photosynthetic oxidation equivalents during this time.     

Whole-bird models for the magnetic cleansing of oiled feathers

Iron powder, a promising dry-cleansing agent for oiled feathers where both the contaminant and the cleansing agent may be harvested magnetically, has been tested on the plumage of whole-bird models. The breast and back plumage of Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) and Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) carcasses were patch-contaminated with commercial-grade engine oil, three different crude oils, and an oil/seawater emulsion. The plumage was then subjected to a magnetic cleansing protocol. The contaminant removal was assessed gravimetrically and was found to reflect the outcomes for a previously reported in vitro study using feather clusters. Between 92-98% of the contaminants, and effectively all of the cleansing agent, were removed from the feathers.     

Hydrothermal gases offshore Milos Island, Greece

Hydrothermal fluids emerge from the seafloor of Paleohori Bay on Milos. The gases in these fluids contain mostly CO₂ but CH₄ concentrations up to 2% are present. The stable carbon isotopic composition of the CO₂ (near 0%) indicates an inorganic carbon source (dissociation of underlying marine carbonates). The carbon and hydrogen isotopes of most CH₄ samples are enriched in the heavy species (δ¹³C = −9.4 to −17.8‰; δD = −102 to −189‰) which is believed to be characteristic for an abiogenic production of CH₄ by CO₂-reduction (Fischer-Tropsch reactions). Depletions in the deuterium content of three CH₄ samples (to −377%) are probably caused by unknown subsurface rock alteration processes. Secondary hydrogen isotope exchange processes between methane, hydrogen and water are most likely responsible for calculated unrealistic methane formation temperatures.

We show that excess helium, slightly enriched in ³He, is present in the hydrothermal fluids emerging the seafloor of Paleohori Bay. When the isotopic ratio of the excess component is calculated a ³He/⁴He_excess of 3.6 · 10⁻⁶ is obtained: This indicates that the excess component consists of about one third of mantle helium and two thirds of radiogenic helium. We infer that the mantle-derived component has been strongly diluted by radiogenic helium during the ascent of the fluids to the surface.     

Tectonic style and pressure distribution at the northern margin of the Alps between Lake Constance and the River Inn

Hydrocarbon exploration in the Molasse basin and the Alpine thrust belt has provided new information on the tectonic structure of the foreland margin of the overthrust belt. Two N-S cross-sections show the front of the Folded Molasse as a so-called Triangle Zone in the area north of the Hindelang 1 well (Bavaria) and the Sulzberg 1 well (Vorarlberg). The Triangle Zone was described and defined byJones (1982) for the Alberta Foothills in Canada.Oil and gas wells commonly encountered overpressured zones with pressure gradients up to 2.5 bar/10 m. The pressure profiles from the Sulzberg1, Hindelang1, Staffelsee1, Miesbach 1 and Bromberg 1 wells were analysed stratigraphically and lithologically with respect to the tectonics of the region. It can be concluded that the overpressures in the Foreland Molasse were caused by compaction, where those within the thrust belt were caused by tectonics.

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Zusammenfassung Die von der Erdöl- und Erdgasindustrie im Bereich des Alpennordrandes durchgeführten Untersuchungsarbeiten brachten neue Ergebnisse zum tektonischen Bau. So stellt sich in zwei N-S-Profilen nördlich von Hindelang (Bayern) und über die Tiefbohrung Sulzberg 1 (Vorarlberg) die Stirn der Faltenmolasse als Triangelzone dar, wie sie von Jones (1982) aus den Foothills der Rocky Mountains beschrieben wird.Tiefbohrungen auf Erdöl und Erdgas haben verbreitet überhydrostatische Porendrücke mit Gradienten bis 2,5 bar/10 m angetroffen. Es wurden Druckprofile aus den Bohrungen Sulzberg 1, Hindelang 1, Staffelsee 1, Miesbach 1 und Bromberg 1 nach stratigraphisch-lithologischen Gesichtspunkten analysiert, regionaltektonisch zugeordnet und interpretiert. Es zeigt sich, daß die Überdrücke in der Vorlandmolasse durch Kompaktion entstanden sind, während diejenigen unter den Decken tektonische Ursachen haben.

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Résumé Les travaux d'exploration entrepris par l'industrie du pétrole dans le bassin molassique et dans la bordure septentrionale des Alpes ont conduit à de nouveaux résultats en ce qui concerne les structures tectoniques de cette région. Dans deux profils nord — sud établis dans la région, respectivement au nord de Hindelang (Bavière) et au nord de Sulzberg (Vorarlberg), le front de la molasse plissée se présente comme une »zone triangulaire« du type défini parJones (1982) dans les Foothills d'Alberta au Canada.Des forages pétroliers profonds ont fréquemment recontré des pressions interstitielles hyperhydrostatiques avec des gradients pouvant atteindre 2,5 bars / 10 m.Les profils de pression relevés dans les sondages de Sulzberg 1, Hindelang 1, Staffelsee 1, Miesbach 1 et Bromberg 1 ont été analysés au point de vue stratigraphique et lithologique et placés dans le cadre tectonique de la région. Il en résulte que les surpressions dans la molasse d'avant-pays (Vorlandmolasse) sont dues à la compaction et que celles des formations recouvertes par les nappes sont d'origine tectonique.

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Medium-scale maps after survey from space—The “Metric-Camera”—Experiment

Airphotos have been used for topographic survey since the Twenties. The “European Space Agency” (ESA), the “Deutsche Forschungs- und Versuchsanstalt für Luft- und Raumfahrt” (DFVLR) and “Carl Zeiss” have modified this successful technique for spacecraft and recently have tested the system over four continents. Each of these satellite photos covers a region of 189×189 km to the scale of 1∶800000 and may be enlarged to 1∶250000 or 1∶100000. Between the altitudes of 200 and 300 km, mapmaking or-revision seems to be economic in zones or in countries, where existing maps are of minor quality or outdated. In this paper, examples from deserts and semideserts in the Sudan are presented.     

Shock effects on hydrous minerals and implications for carbonaceous meteorites

New infrared absorption spectra, thermo-gravimetric analyses and optical-and scanning electron microscopy of shock-recovered specimens of antigorite serpentine (Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄) from the pressure range between 25 to 59 GPa are reported. The infrared spectra show systematic changes in absorption peaks related to structural and molecular surface absorbed water. H₂O absorption peaks increase at the expense of OH peaks with increasing shock pressure. Changes in SiO bond vibrational modes with increasing shock pressure parallel those seen for other, non-hydrous minerals. Thermogravimetric analyses of shock-recovered samples determine the amount of shock-induced water loss. For samples shocked in vented assemblies, the data define a relation between shock-induced water loss versus shock pressure. Results for samples shocked in sealed assemblies demonstrate a dependence of water loss on shock pressure and target confinement. For the vented assembly samples, a linear relation between shock pressure and both the length of dehydration interval and the effective activation energy for releasing post-shock structural water in antigorite is found. Optical and scanning electron miscroscopy of shocked antigorite reveal a number of textures thought to be unique to shock loading of volatile-bearing minerals. Gas bubbles, which probably are the result of shock-released H₂O appear to be injected into zones of partial melting. This process may produce the vesicular dark veins which are distributed throughout heavily shocked samples. The present observations suggest several criteria which may constrain possible shock histories of the hydrous matrix phases of carbonaceous condrites. A model is proposed for explaining hydrous alteration processes occurring on carbonaceous chondrite parent bodies in the course of their accretion. We speculate that shock loading of hydrous minerals would release and redistribute free water in the regoliths of carbonaceous chondrite parent bodies giving rise to the observed hydrous alterations.