Discontinuous Nature of the Lower Part of the South American Wadati-Benioff Zone in The Arica Elbow Region

The Arica Elbow region represents that part of Andean South America where the azimuth of the strike of the Peru-Chile trench changes from 150° to 190°. The area under study is roughly bounded by latitudes 17 °S and 23 °S, The shape of the Wadati-Benioff zone was studied in terms of the distribution of ISC hypocentres dated between 1964 and 1993. A system of 22 vertical cross-sections, perpendicular to the trench axis, and a map of epicentres was used to derive the detailed shape of the Wadati-Benioff zone of the presently descending slab. The distribution of earthquake foci indicates a fingerlike shape of the lower part of the Wadati-Benioff zone beneath the aseismic gap. The slab length shows small changes around 350 km in the northern sections, pronounced length oscillations between 350 and 750 km in the neighbouring central sections and a constant value of 650 km in the southern sections. The dip and thickness of the Wadati-Benioff zone are practically constant in all sections. Fault plane solutions, separated spatially into three zones, were used to estimate the state of stress in the slab.     

Weighted sum method for calculating ground force: an evaluation by using a portable vibrator system

Using a lightweight portable vibrator, we have evaluated the accuracy of the 'weighted sum' method for calculating ground force. Experiments in which the vibrator was suspended elastically have shown that, contrary to expectations based on standard theory, the amplitude of the weighted sum ground force was significantly above zero at high frequencies (> 500 Hz). Complementary investigations with load cells confirmed these results. If not accounted for, these deviations may introduce significant 'vibroseis-correlation noise' in processed records. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that ground force and base-plate velocity can be used to estimate the radiation impedance, which describes the interaction of (vibratory) sources with the ground. Using the mechanical characteristics of the system (i.e. maximum displacement, maximum velocity and maximum acceleration of the base-plate) and the radiation impedance, the behaviour of the portable vibrator on typical Dutch soil types was evaluated. We found that for the same sweep, more high-frequency energy could be generated on hard grounds (e.g. concrete) characterized by a higher radiation impedance than on softer grounds (e.g. clay or sand). Knowledge of this behaviour may provide important information for use in data interpretation.     

Melting of enriched mantle beneath Pitcairn seamounts: Unusual U–Th–Ra systematics provide insights into melt extraction processes

U-series systematics as well as Sr isotopes were measured on young seamount lavas from the Pitcairn hotspot collected during the Polynaut cruise. The combined U-series and Sr isotope data reveal typical mixing relationships between two endmembers. One typical ‘plume’ endmember with radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and relatively low ²³⁰Th/²³⁸U and a ‘lithosphere’ endmember with less radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and relatively larger ²³⁰Th/²³⁸U. Remarkably, all the lavas, except for a few arguably older samples, are characterized by ²²⁶Ra deficits relative to ²³⁰Th. On the basis of water content and trace element systematics, we argue that this is due to melting in the presence of phlogopite, which is only stable at lithosphere temperatures. A melting model including the diffusive exchange of elements among phlogopite, garnet and melt is used to constrain melting conditions of the lithosphere. These unusual ²²⁶Ra–²³⁰Th signatures can be explained by relatively slow melting rates at low matrix porosity. Our model also demonstrates that the effective partitioning behavior is dependent on the melting rate. A simple thermal model for lithosphere heating and melting is in good agreement with predicted melting rates.     

川西地区台阵环境噪声瑞利波相速度层析成像

2006年中国地震局地质研究所地震动力学国家重点实验室在川西地区(26°N~32°N,100°E~105°E)布设了由297台宽频带数字地震仪组成的流动观测台阵.利用该密集台阵29°N以北156个台站2007年1~12月份的地震环境噪声记录和互相关技术,我们得到了所有台站对的面波经验格林函数和瑞利波相速度频散曲线,并进一步反演得到了观测台阵下方2~35 s周期的瑞利波相速度分布图像．本文结果表明,观测台阵覆盖的川滇地块、松潘-甘孜地块和四川盆地的地壳速度结构存在显著差异,具体表现为：(1)短周期（2~8 s）相速度分布与地表构造特征相吻合,作为川滇地块、松潘-甘孜地块和四川盆地之间的边界断裂,龙门山断裂带和鲜水河断裂带对上述三个地块上地壳的速度结构具有明显的控制作用,四川盆地前陆低速特征表明相应区域存在较厚的（约10 km）沉积盖层;(2)中周期（12~18 s）相速度分布表明,川滇地块和松潘-甘孜地块中上地壳速度结构存在明显的不均匀横向变化,并形成了尺度不同且高、低速相间的分块结构,而四川盆地中地壳整体上已经表现出相对高速;(3)长周期（25~35 s）相速度分布表明,松潘-甘孜地块,特别是川滇地块中下地壳表现为广泛的明显低速异常,意味着它们的中下地壳相对软弱,而四川盆地的中下地壳呈现整体性的相对高速,意味着四川盆地具有相对坚硬的中下地壳,并且以汶川地震的震中为界,龙门山断裂带的地壳结构显示了北段为高速异常,南段为低速异常的分段特征．     

用Rayleigh面波方位各向异性研究中国大陆岩石圈形变特征

中国大陆地质构造历史非常复杂,岩石圈长期积累的形变较大,而利用地震面波传播的各向异性是研究岩石圈形变特征的强有力手段. 本文利用双台窄带通滤波-互相关方法与基于图像分析的相速度频散曲线提取技术,提取Rayleigh面波相速度频散资料,进而反演中国大陆及邻区20～120 s周期Rayleigh面波相速度方位各向异性空间分布图像. 检测板测试结果显示：中国大陆大部分区域的方位各向异性横向分辨率在5°左右. 各向异性研究结果表明：中国大陆地壳上地幔方位各向异性特征存在显著的空间差异,反映出形变特征的空间差异;104°E以东地区地壳上地幔各向异性弱于西部地区,表明其构造变形总体弱于西部地区. 青藏地块及其东缘地区地壳与上地幔顶部变形最为强烈. 但东部的局部地区如华南地块与珠江口地区、鄂尔多斯盆地西南缘以及秦岭-大别造山带,较强的各向异性显示这些区域在不同时期也经历了强变形. 青藏地块内中短周期快波方向自西向东顺时针旋转变化可能指示板块碰撞与挤压过程中软弱物质的流变方向. 青藏地块西部中下地壳和上地幔形变模式相似,可能处于壳幔耦合状态;而中东部及东缘地区地壳上地幔形变模式存在明显差异,壳幔似乎不具备垂直连贯的形变特征. 位于青藏地块北部的塔里木盆地、柴达木盆地以及祁连褶皱带同样经历了强变形. 包括四川盆地在内的上扬子地块快波方向的变化显示中地壳与下地壳上地幔形变模式不同,而形变特征一致的下地壳与上地幔应为强耦合. 大约以103°E为界,龙门山断裂带可分为南西段和北东段,南西段处于低速区,而北东段位于高速区,且方位各向异性强度明显大于南西段;2008年5月12日汶川M_S8.0级地震沿断裂带的单侧破裂模式除与北东段的高应力积累有关外,还可能与北东段地下介质物性存在密切关系,高速坚硬岩体的发育有利于应变能的积累与集中释放.     

Natural Attenuation of Perchlorate in Denitrified Groundwater

Monitoring of a well‐defined septic system groundwater plume and groundwater discharging to two urban streams located in southern Ontario, Canada, provided evidence of natural attenuation of background low level (ng/L) perchlorate (ClO₄^?) under denitrifying conditions in the field. The septic system site at Long Point contains ClO₄^? from a mix of waste water, atmospheric deposition, and periodic use of fireworks, while the nitrate plume indicates active denitrification. Plume nitrate (NO₃^?‐N) concentrations of up to 103 mg/L declined with depth and downgradient of the tile bed due to denitrification and anammox activity, and the plume was almost completely denitrified beyond 35 m from the tile bed. The ClO₄^? natural attenuation occurs at the site only when NO₃^?‐N concentrations are <0.3 mg/L, after which ClO₄^? concentrations decline abruptly from 187 ± 202 to 11 ± 15 ng/L. A similar pattern between NO₃^?‐N and ClO₄^? was found in groundwater discharging to the two urban streams. These findings suggest that natural attenuation (i.e., biodegradation) of ClO₄^? may be commonplace in denitrified aquifers with appropriate electron donors present, and thus, should be considered as a remediation option for ClO₄^? contaminated groundwater.     

Paleomagnetism of the Cambro-Ordovician McClure Mountain alkalic complex,Colorado

The Middle to Late Cambrian loop in the North American apparent polar wander path (APWP) has been variously attributed to tectonic rotations, remagnetizations and primary magnetizations. Although no primary thermal remanent magnetizations or primary detrital remanent magnetizations have as yet been demonstrated, the temporally self-consistent nature of the loop has been used as an argument for primary magnetizations. We have studied535 ± 5Ma nepheline syenites and syenites of the McClure Mountain alkalic complex, as well as495 ± 10Ma red trachyte dikes which intruded the complex, in an effort to find a primary TRM. Because Zijderveld analysis yielded consistent results for only one trachyte dike, remagnetization great-circle analysis was employed, giving a pole for the trachyte dikes at the tip of the loop (43°N, 114°E), while the syenites and nepheline synenites gave a pole at the base of the loop (18°N, 142°E). The magnetic carrier in the trachytes is hematite which apparently formed during a pervasive hydrothermal alteration. KAr whole rock dating of the trachytes suggests a Pennsylvanian age for the alteration, and thus a late Paleozoic remagnetization of the trachytes. Thus, the low-latitude Cambrian pole is confirmed, but we find no evidence in this study to support the primary nature of the Cambrian APWP.     

Earthquake distribution and volcanism in Kamchatka,Kurile Islands,and Hokkaido Part 3: Southern Kuriles and Hokkaido

Summary The morphology of the Wadati-Benioff zone in the region of Southern Kuriles and Hokkaido, based on the distribution of 4015 earthquake foci, verified the existence of an intermediate depth aseismic gap and its relation to active andesitic volcanism. A paleosubduction zone activated by an intermediate depth collision with the active subduction zone was found and described.

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Structures caused by repeated freezing and thawing in various loamy sediments: A comparison of active,fossil and experimental data

In this paper, the authors present the results of both macroscopic and microscopic investigations on structure development created by repeated ice lensing in various loamy experiments. Experimental data are compared with observations performed on active forms in High Arctic and Alpine Mountain environments. Those observations are also compared with phenomena observed in fossil periglacial formations of Western Europe. Platy and short prismatic structure formation is bonded to the hydraulic and thermal conditions during ice segregation. When a long series of alternating freezing and thawing affects platy structures, the fabric evolves, also being influenced by slope and drainage conditions: cryoturbations, frostcreep, and gelifluction can appear. They are characterized by specific microfabrics which are better developed with an increasing number of cycles: this is clear in experiments where hydraulic and thermal parameters are better controlled. Vesicles are also a prominent characteristic of the surface horizon in experiments and arctic soils. The genesis of vesicles is discussed on the basis of new observations and is related to the mechanical collapse of frost-created aggregates under the mechanical work of soil air escape during soil saturation by water at thaw.     

Spatial variability of N2O concentrations and of denitrification-related factors in the surficial groundwater of a catchment in Northern Germany

N₂O concentrations and denitrification-related factors (NO₃, SO₄, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and CO₂) were investigated in the surface groundwater of a catchment in northern Germany, the Fuhrberger Feld Aquifer (FFA). We sampled 79 plots that were selected according to the three criteria of land use, historical land use conversion (1954–1995) and groundwater level. We sampled three sites within each plot. The sampling depth was 0.5 m below the groundwater surface.We found no indication for the occurrence of autotrophic denitrification in the surface groundwater. Heterotrophic denitrification was identified as the main process for N₂O accumulation. The variability of N₂O concentrations on the plot-scale was extremely high and was poorly explained by the three sampling criteria. Other denitrification-related variables such as NO₃, SO₄ and DOC were less variable. The selection criteria land use and groundwater level clearly influenced the order of magnitude of N₂O concentrations in the surface groundwater. Under arable land, high NO₃ concentrations resulted in high N₂O concentrations. The surface groundwater under forest and pasture was almost NO₃-free and had also very small N₂O concentrations. Plots where the distance from the soil surface to the groundwater surface was large (>1 m up to 3.4 m) showed higher N₂O concentrations in the surface groundwater than plots where the distance was small (<1 m). A larger distance from the soil surface to the groundwater leads to a longer residence time and more decomposition of DOC in the soil. Consequently the less bioavailable DOC could inhibit the efficiency of the heterotrophic denitrification in the groundwater, yielding more N₂O. Elevated organic carbon levels in plots with historic land use conversion (pasture to arable) were very stable and did not influence N₂O concentrations. The high within plot variability showed that an upscaling of N₂O from the plot-scale to the catchment-scale is possible as long as the groundwater level regime and the land use do not change.