Influence of structural flexibility and wave interference on dynamic behavior of idealized offshore platform

An approximate method is presented to estimate the hydrodynamic loading and structural response of an idealized offshore platform subjected to a regular train of linear surface waves. The platform is taken to consist of four bottom-mounted, flexible, circular cylinders supporting a rigid deck and is assumed to be aligned parallel to the incident wave direction. The response of each column is assumed to be one-dimensional and to be governed by linear beam theory. The solution technique for the fluid velocity potential involves replacing scattered waves by equivalent plane waves together with non-planar, first-correction terms, and can be shown to be a large spacing approximation.Numerical results are presented which show the effect of hydrodynamic interference and structural flexibility on the platform response.     

Microearthquakes along the back-arc spreading system in the eastern Bismarck Sea

OBS’s were deployed for 26 to 29 days in the eastern Bismarck Sea to investigate the back-arc spreading. Hypocenters of 186 shallow earthquakes were determined using P- and S-waves from at least five stations. In the western survey area, a transform fault zone is marked by a linear micro-earthquake activity striking N65°W and less than 5 km wide. The predominant type of their focal mechanisms is strike-slip. In the eastern area, several intermittent zones of micro-earthquakes and their strike-slip type focal mechanisms suggest the location of short-length transform faults separating en-echelon spreading ridges.     

Kinetic studies of the rate of dissolution of silica and diatom tests in sea water

Kinetic studies have been carried out on the dissolution of 10μm beads of silica and of the siliceous tests of two species of diatoms (Thalassiosira fluviatus andSkeletonema costatum) in sea water at 10–50°C and over the pH range 6–9. At all temperatures dissolution of the biogenous silica occurred most rapidly at pH 8 and most slowly at pH 6. First order kinetics were closely followed when the silica was present in a considerable excess over that required for saturation, the rate being proportional to the area of the silica. Apparent deviation from this type of kinetics occurred when there was insufficient silica to bring about saturation. This was undoubtedly due to the progressive decrease in the surface area which takes place as the particle dissolves. Application of the rather simplistic model developed by Kamataniet al. (1980), which makes allowance for this decrease, gave a close correspondence with the data until ∼ 90% of the silica had dissolved.     

Submersible structural study of Tamayo transform fault: East Pacific Rise, 23°N (project RITA)

A submersible structural study of Tamayo transform fault, the second field study of an oceanic transform, was conducted with the diving saucer CYANA as part of the international project RITA. On the basis of the surface ship surveys and deep-tow traverses made prior to the diving program, the four successful dives of CYANA established the geometry of the presently active shear zones and demonstrated that the median ridge of the Tamayo transform is tectonically inactive. The dive results require the presence, in an area marked by diapir-like bodies, of an extensional relay zone linking the two offset shear zones which trend about 110°.P. CHOUKROUNE, Laboratoire de Géologie structurale, Université de Rennes I, avenue du Général-Leclerc, 35042-Rennes Cédex, France; P. J. FOX, State University of New York at Alban, Albany, New York, 12222, USA; M. SEGURET, Laboratoire de Géologie structurale Université des Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc, Place Eugéne-Bataillon, 34060, Montpellier Cédex, France; J. FRANCHETEAU, H. D. NEEDHAM, Centre Océanologique de Bretagne, B. P. 337, 29273, Brest Cédex, France; T. JUTEAU, Laboratoire de Minéralogie-Pétrographie, Université Louis-Pasteur, 1 rue Blessig, 67084, Strasbourg, Cédex, France; R. D. BALLARD, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, 02543, USA; W. NORMARK, United States Geological Survey, Pacific-Arctic Branch of Marine Geology, Menlo Park, California, 94025, USA; A. CARRANZA, Centro de Ciencias del Mar y Limnologia, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico 20 DF, Mexico; D. CORDOBA, J. GUERRERO, Instituto de Geologia, UNAM, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico 20 DF Mexico; C. RANGIN, UNAM,now at Université de Paris VI, France.     

The shape of deep-water siliciclastic systems: A discussion

Deep-water siliciclastic systems are classified primarily on their shape as: submarine fans with well developed or poorly developed morphology, slope drapes, for example, over relatively stable basin margins, fault-scarp aprons, canyons and large channels, under-supplied sheet systems such as abyssal plains, non-fan ponded systems such as over-supplied perched basins, and fan deltas. Collectively, or separately, these systems may form sedimentary basin fills that can be over or under-supplied with respect to the sediment input although most systems will tend toward over-supply/overflow with time. Finally, the sum total of the siliciclastic systems and basins can be used to define the tectonic milieux such as passive, strike-slip and convergent margins.