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Influence of averaging interval on shear velocity estimates for aeolian transport modeling

Recent investigations of aeolian transport have focused on increasingly short time scales because of growing recognition that wind unsteadiness is a major factor in the dynamics of sediment transport. However, the statistical reliability of shear velocity (u_*) estimates becomes increasingly uncertain as averaging interval is decreased. This study provides an empirical assessment of the influence of averaging interval on the reliability of u_* estimates. The data consist of 15-min wind-speed profiles (1 Hz sampling) collected at four coastal sites. Each profile was subdivided into progressively shorter fixed-length time intervals, and estimates of u_* and the 95% confidence interval for u_* were determined for each time-block using standard statistical techniques.The logarithmic model accurately represents the measured wind-speed profiles, even with relatively brief averaging intervals. Mean r² values remain robust down to block lengths as short as 10–20 s, typically retaining better than 98% of the r² value found for the full-length data sets. Fewer than 2% of the individual 10-s blocks had r² values less than 0.9. However, mean confidence intervals typically expanded by 70–80% of the full-record value as block length decreased from 900 to 10 s. For highly log-linear profiles, this amounted to an absolute increase from about ±8% to only ±14% of u_*, so that the additional information gained through the use of shorter averaging intervals may outweigh the increase in statistical uncertainty. Nevertheless, given that rates of aeolian transport are generally modeled as a function of u_*³, this increase in uncertainty may be significant for transport modeling. Thus, very short averaging intervals should be used with caution when predicting aeolian sediment flux. It is proposed that transport modeling should incorporate the shear velocity confidence interval as an indicator of the potential error associated with this source of uncertainty.     

Kaolinitic meniscus bridges as an indicator of early diagenesis in Nubian sandstones, Sinai, Egypt

Characteristic meniscus geometries formed by kaolinitic infiltration are observed in Nubian sandstones collected on the western coast of the Sinai Peninsula (Egypt). Based on petrographic and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations, the kaolinite forming the menisci consists of mixed-size discrete platelets that gather into the corners around the framework grain-to-grain contacts. Specifically, the internal fabric of menisci indicates a general organizing trend from (1) the centre, where the platelets coat the framework grains; (2) to the peripheral zone, where they are oriented tangentially to grain surfaces; (3) to the pore linings with curvatures that are consistent with theoretical considerations of air–water interfaces. This typical arrangement suggests a detrital origin of kaolinite platelets by mechanical infiltration into sediments lying above the tablewater, in vadose conditions. This type of clay cementation occurring during early diagenesis can prevent (delay) deep burial diagenetic processes and therefore preserve excellent reservoir properties.     

Morphological Characteristics of Till Formations in Relation with Mechanical Parameters

The study of landslides stability on mountain slopes can become very difficult when materials in movement are heterogeneous: it is a current problem with the old glacial till formations presently under study (Aspe Valley, Pyrénées, France). Analysis of slope stability using numerical models necessitates accurate data about mechanical and physical properties. Because tills are very heterogeneous, a large sample is necessary but, unfortunately, data acquisition costs a lot of time and money. Therefore, we would like to estimate mechanical data from correlated parameters that are easier to acquire (morphological parameters using image analysis). Observations in the field and previous mechanical results in the laboratory have shown that differences between the behavior of tills seem to be related not only to their 3D structure but also to the morphological and petrographical characteristics of their components. The aim of this paper is first to illustrate how to classify the till formations textural and petrographical characteristics at the sample scales; these classifications are based on the distributions of size, shape of their constitutive elements (blocks, matrix, etc.). Significant statistical results are available by applying image analysis methods based on mathematical morphology. Next we show how these characteristics are related to the mechanical characteristics (friction angle, cohesion). Six specific till formations were collected, and we establish the relation between the effective internal angle of friction and the elongation factor.     

Stress measurements in soft rocks

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that accurate and reliable in situ stress measurements can be performed in soft rocks. A quick overview of the mechanical behaviour of soft rocks is presented. After reviewing stress measurement techniques that have been used in soft rocks, the modified doorstopper technique is presented and the advantages it has over other techniques in soft rocks are underlined. Results from laboratory simulations in controlled conditions show that the technique is reliable and accurate. It is then shown, through field applications in a potash mine in Brazil, in an underwater tunnel in shales in Canada and in an exploratory drift in molassic rocks of the French Alps, how the technique yields results that can sometimes be confirmed by field observations.     

U-TH-PA-RA study of the Kamchatka arc: new constraints on the genesis of arc lavas

The ²³⁸U-²³⁰Th-²²⁶Ra and ²³⁵U-²³¹Pa disequilibria have been measured by mass spectrometry in historic lavas from the Kamchatka arc. The samples come from three closely located volcanoes in the Central Kamchatka Depression (CKD), the most active region of subducted-related volcanism in the world. The large excesses of ²²⁶Ra over ²³⁰Th found in the CKD lavas are believed to be linked to slab dehydration. Moreover, the samples show the uncommon feature of (²³⁰Th/²³⁸U) activity ratios both lower and higher than 1. The U-series disequilibria are characterized by binary trends between activity ratios, with (²³¹Pa/²³⁵U) ratios all >1. It is shown that these correlations cannot be explained by a simple process involving a combination of slab dehydration and melting. We suggest that they are more likely to reflect mixing between two end-members: a high-magnesia basalt (HMB) end-member with a clear slab fluid signature and a high-alumina andesite (HAA) end-member reflecting the contribution of a slab-derived melt. The U-Th-Ra characteristics of the HMB end-member can be explained either by a two-step fluid addition with a time lag of 150 ka between each event or by continuous dehydration. The inferred composition for the dehydrating slab is a phengite-bearing eclogite. Equilibrium transport or dynamic melting can both account for ²³¹Pa excess over ²³⁵U in HMB end-member. Nevertheless, dynamic melting is preferred as equilibrium transport melting requires unrealistically high upwelling velocities to preserve fluid-derived ²²⁶Ra/²³⁰Th. A continuous flux melting model is also tested. In this model, ²³¹Pa-²³⁵U is quickly dominated by fluid addition and, for realistic extents of melting, this process cannot account for (²³¹Pa/²³⁵U) ratios as high as 1.6, as observed in the HMB end-member.The involvement of a melt derived from the subducted oceanic crust is more likely for explaining the HAA end-member compositions than crustal assimilation. Melting of the oceanic crust is believed to occur in presence of residual phengite and rutile, resulting in no ²²⁶Ra-²³⁰Th disequilibrium and low ²³¹Pa excess over ²³⁵U in the high-alumina andesites. Consequently, it appears that high-alumina andesites and high-magnesia basalts have distinct origins: the former being derived from melting of the subducted oceanic crust and the latter from hydrated mantle. It seems that there is no genetic link between these two magma types, in contrast with what was previously believed.