Evolution of a mixed siliciclastic‐carbonate deep‐marine system on an unstable margin: The Cretaceous of the Eastern Greater Caucasus,Azerbaijan

Mixed siliciclastic‐carbonate deep‐marine systems (mixed systems) are less documented in the geological record than pure siliciclastic systems. The similarities and differences between these systems are, therefore, poorly understood. A well‐exposed Late Cretaceous mixed system on the northern side of the Eastern Greater Caucasus, Azerbaijan, provides an opportunity to study the interaction between contemporaneous siliciclastic and carbonate deep‐marine deposition. Facies analysis reveals a Cenomanian–early Turonian siliciclastic submarine channel complex that abruptly transitions into a Mid Turonian–Maastrichtian mixed lobe‐dominated succession. The channels are entrenched in lows on the palaeo‐seafloor but are absent 10 km towards the west where an Early Cretaceous submarine landslide complex acted as a topographic barrier to deposition. By the Campanian, this topography was largely healed allowing extensive deposition of the mixed lobe‐dominated succession. Evidence for irregular bathymetry is recorded by opposing palaeoflow indicators and frequent submarine landslides. The overall sequence is interpreted to represent the abrupt transition from Cenomanian–early Turonian siliciclastic progradation to c. Mid Turonian retrogradation, followed by a gradual return to progradation in the Santonian–Maastrichtian. The siliciclastic systems periodically punctuate a more widely extensive calcareous system from the Mid Turonian onwards, resulting in a mixed deep‐marine system. Mixed lobes differ from their siliciclastic counterparts in that they contain both siliciclastic and calcareous depositional elements making determining distal and proximal environments challenging using conventional terminology and complicate palaeogeographic interpretations. Modulation and remobilisation also occur between the two contemporaneous systems making stacking patterns difficult to decipher. The results provide insight into the behaviour of multiple contemporaneous deep‐marine fans, an aspect that is challenging to decipher in non‐mixed systems. The study area is comparable in terms of facies, architectures and the presence of widespread instability to offshore The Gambia, NW Africa, and could form a suitable analogue for mixed deep‐marine systems observed elsewhere.     

Late Glacial-Holocene sequence of Lake Saint-Point (Jura Mountains, France): Detrital inputs as records of climate change and anthropic impact

A sediment sequence (SP05, 12.5 m long) was taken from the deep zone of Lake Saint-Point (850 m a.s.l.). Sedimentological analyses highlight two main contrasted periods of sedimentation: the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM)/Late Glacial characterized by high silicates and quartz contents the Holocene dominated by the carbonated fraction. At the beginning of the Holocene (11 400 years cal. BP), silicates fraction flux abruptly decreased. The shift between the Late Glacial and the Holocene periods may be explained by forest development in the catchment. From 10 200 to 6800 years cal. BP, silicates and detrital carbonate fractions remained stable before they progressively increased steady till 5000 years cal. BP. Both increases cannot be totally attributed to an anthropic impact since pollen data indicate continuous anthropic activities only dated back from 3000 years cal. BP. They thus resulted from a dominant climatic control. From 5000 years cal. BP, silicates content still increased while detrital carbonates input became steady due to a change in pedogenetic processes affecting the catchment. During the last millennium, silicates and detrital carbonate decreased, probably due to pastureland development.     

Identification of a hydrodynamic threshold in karst rocks from the Biscayne Aquifer, south Florida, USA

A hydrodynamic threshold between Darcian and non-Darcian flow conditions was found to occur in cubes of Key Largo Limestone from Florida, USA (one cube measuring 0.2 m on each side, the other 0.3 m) at an effective porosity of 33% and a hydraulic conductivity of 10 m/day. Below these values, flow was laminar and could be described as Darcian. Above these values, hydraulic conductivity increased greatly and flow was non-laminar. Reynolds numbers (Re) for these experiments ranged from <0.1 to 7. Non-laminar flow conditions observed in the hydraulic conductivity tests were observed at Re close to 1. Hydraulic conductivity was measured on all three axes in a permeameter designed specifically for samples of these sizes. Positive identification of vertical and horizontal axes as well as 100% recovery for each sample was achieved. Total porosity was determined by a drying and weighing method, while effective porosity was determined by a submersion method. Bulk density, total porosity and effective porosity of the Key Largo Limestone cubes averaged 1.5 g/cm³, 40 and 30%, respectively. Two regions of anisotropy were observed, one close to the ground surface, where vertical flow dominated, and the other associated with a dense-laminar layer, below which horizontal flow dominated.     

Seismic resistance of precast concrete shear walls

The earthquake resistance of stacked precast concrete simple shear walls found typically in Large Panel buildings of the cross-wall type is studied. Physical model testing on a small shaking table facility and analytical techniques are compared. Results of the testing of four models to failure portrayed the non-linear effects of rocking and shear slip that were assumed in several analytical studies but were never before measured experimentally. The physical model studies are supplemented with an independent mathematical analysis using a modified version of the dynamic, non-linear computer code Drain 2–D. Correlation of the analytical and experimental results show that the computer study can be used to predict the overall shear wall response. Results of the small scale model and the mathematical model studies indicate that the simple shear wall behaves in a non-linear manner, even for low magnitudes of base acceleration. Non-linear effects, usually concentrated in only one or two joints, reduced force levels and increased displacements. The four small scale models that were tested withstood high magnitudes of base acceleration without collapse.     

Influence de la Nature des Magmas sur l’Activité Phréatomagmatique: Approche Volcanologique et Thermodynamique

Many volcanic forms resulting from phreatomagmatic eruptions of differentiated magmas have been studied in the Massif Central (France), in the Phlegrean Fields (Italy), and on Saõ Miguel island (Azores). They show a continuous series between explosion crater maar type — and the hyaoloclastic tuff-cone. An essential feature of this morphological series is the preponderance of tuff-rings resulting from subaerial eruptions. Subaerial tuff-rings of basic compositions are less common than maars. A thermodynamic approach shows that the quantity of heat supplied by the different kinds of magmas and the water / magma ratio are the essential parameters controlling the activity, and the resulting morohology of these volcanoes.     

Paleomagnetic constraints on the late Cretaceous and Cenozoic tectonics of southeastern Asia

Many features of the Cenozoic tectonic history of central and southeastern Asia can be understood as direct consequences of the thrust and penetration of India into Asia. Recent indentation experiments with plasticine (Tapponnier et al. [7]) have extended this idea and have led to the prediction of a pattern of large rotations and displacements of continental blocks that can be tested by paleomagnetism. The available Cretaceous and Cenozoic paleomagnetic data from this part of the world have been reviewed and a new APWP for Eurasia has been constructed for reference. The negligible rotation of South China and large clockwise rotation of Indochina are consistent with the model, i.e., with an history of large-scale left-lateral strike-slip motion along the Altyn Tagh and Red River faults. Data from Malaya and Borneo can be reconciled with the model, although in a less straightforward fashion. The large counter clockwise rotation of South Tibet implies that it rotated in sympathy with India during the collision and suggests that future indentation experiments should include this feature. Finally a middle Cretaceous reconstruction of the south margin of Asia is proposed. One interesting result is the restored continuity of geological features in Tibet and Indochina, with active subduction of oceanic (Indian plate) crust taking place to the south at subtropical latitudes.     

Le Capelinhos (Faïal,Açores) vingt ans après son éruption: le modèle éruptif «surtseyen» et les anneaux de tufs hyaloclastiques

Phreatomagmatic structures are of two kinds: maars and tuff-rings. Data given by records of Capelinhos activity (Faïal, Açores, 1957–1958), by structures at west point of Faïal island, and by palagonitic breccias of Velay and Cantal areas (France) lead to relate hyaloclastic tuff-rings and shallow subaquatic («surtseyan») eruptions. It is possible to precise causes, characteristics, and mechanism of formation of tuff-rings.     

Identification of a magma chamber in the Ghoubbet-Asal rift (Djibouti) from a magnetotelluric experiment

A very broad band (10^?3 to 10⁴ Hz) magnetotelluric investigation of the axial zone of the Ghoubbet-Asal rift (Djibouti) has revealed a shallow (2–4 km) magma chamber which can be mapped in some detail. The suggested roof of the chamber is shallowest very close to the Ardoukoba volcano which was built during the November 1978 rifting episode.     

Core motions,electromagnetic core-mantle coupling and variations in the earth's rotation: New constraints from geomagnetic secular variation impulses

Recently observed secular acceleration impulses (SAI) of the geomagnetic field are interpreted in terms of organized motions of the outer core layers. Such motions have planetary dimensions (5000 km) and a large amplitude (3 × 10^?4 m s^?1) and are established in very short times (less than one year). The correlation of SAI observed in the Northern Hemisphere with minima in the Earth's rotation rate (around 1840, 1905 and 1970) is shown to be consistent with a simple model involving electromagnetic coupling of the weakly conducting (of the order of 100 ω^?1 m^?1) mantle, of a coherent outer core layer (thickness 100 to a few hundred kilometres) and of the rest of the core. The magnitude of the torque which acts suddenly on both parts of the core at the time of the impulses is estimated.