Fractal analysis of tidal channels in the Bahía Blanca Estuary (Argentina)

The fractal dimension (D) was estimated for nine tidal channels depicted in thematic mapper (TM) Landsat-5 imagery to derive information about the degree of geomorphological control on a tidal channel network characteristic of the Bahía Blanca Estuary (Argentina). Two methods, box counting and contiguity, were used to estimate fractal dimensions for each tidal channel. All channels produced D values close to 1, meaning that they are self-affine fractal features. However, these fractal dimensions do not represent the meandering pattern complexity characteristic of the tidal channels analysed. Although both methods allowed for estimation of D, the contiguity method showed that three of the channels actually are not fractal but have sinusoidal characteristics, a condition that was not detected by the former method.     

An analytic expression for wind-velocity profile within the saltation layer

The vertical wind-velocity profile within the saltation layer is investigated theoretically. New equations for the fluid shear stress distribution in the saltation layer and the velocity profile affected by saltation are derived. The dependence of the velocity profile on the threshold shear velocity, the vertical variations of sand grain velocity, the vertical sand-mass-flux distribution, and the fluid shear stress within the saltation are demonstrated. Velocity profiles with or without Bagnold's focus are predicted. These velocity profiles are not very sensitive to the vertical distribution of sand-mass flux. Predicted velocity profiles are compared with profiles measured in the wind tunnel, and satisfactory agreement has been achieved.     

The 322 ka Tiribí Tuff: stratigraphy, geochronology and mechanisms of deposition of the largest and most recent ignimbrite in the Valle Central, Costa Rica

The Tiribí Tuff covered much of the Valle Central of Costa Rica, currently the most densely populated area in the country (∼2.4 million inhabitants). Underlying the tuff, there is a related well-sorted pumice deposit, the Tibás Pumice Layer. Based on macroscopic characteristics of the rocks, we distinguish two main facies in the Tiribí Tuff in correlation to the differences in welding, devitrification, grain size, and abundance of pumice and lithic fragments. The Valle Central facies consists of an ignimbritic plateau of non-welded to welded deposits within the Valle Central basin and the Orotina facies is a gray to light-bluish gray, densely to partially welded rock, with yellowish and black pumice fragments cropping out mainly at the Grande de Tárcoles River Gorge and Orotina plain. This high-aspect ratio ignimbrite (1:920 or 1.1×10⁻³) covered an area of at least 820 km² with a long runout of 80 km and a minimum volume outflow of 25 km³ (15 km³ DRE). Geochemically, the tuff shows a wide range of compositions from basaltic-andesites to rhyolites, but trachyandesites are predominant. Replicate new ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age determinations indicate that widespread exposures of this tuff represent a single ignimbrite that was erupted 322±2 ka. The inferred source is the Barva Caldera, as interpreted from isopach and isopleth maps, contours of the ignimbrite top and geochemical correlation (∼10 km in diameter). The Tiribí Tuff caldera-forming eruption is interpreted as having evolved from a plinian eruption, during which the widespread basal pumice fall was deposited, followed by fountaining pyroclastic flows. In the SW part of the Valle Central, the ignimbrite flowed into a narrow canyon, which might have acted as a pseudo-barrier, reflecting the flow back towards the source and thus thickening the deposits that were filling the Valle Central depression. The variable welding patterns are interpreted to be a result of the lithostatic load and the influence of the content and size of lithic fragments.     

Active transfer fault zone linking a segmented extensional system (Betics, southern Spain): Insight into heterogeneous extension driven by edge delamination

Pliocene and Quaternary tectonic structures mainly consisting of segmented northwest–southeast normal faults, and associated seismicity in the central Betics do not agree with the transpressive tectonic nature of the Africa–Eurasia plate boundary in the Ibero-Maghrebian region. Active extensional deformation here is heterogeneous, individual segmented normal faults being linked by relay ramps and transfer faults, including oblique-slip and both dextral and sinistral strike-slip faults. Normal faults extend the hanging wall of an extensional detachment that is the active segment of a complex system of successive WSW-directed extensional detachments which have thinned the Betic upper crust since middle Miocene. Two areas, which are connected by an active 40-km long dextral strike-slip transfer fault zone, concentrate present-day extension. Both the seismicity distribution and focal mechanisms agree with the position and regime of the observed faults. The activity of the transfer zone during middle Miocene to present implies a mode of extension which must have remained substantially the same over the entire period. Thus, the mechanisms driving extension should still be operating. Both the westward migration of the extensional loci and the high asymmetry of the extensional systems can be related to edge delamination below the south Iberian margin coupled with roll-back under the Alborán Sea; involving the asymmetric westward inflow of asthenospheric material under the margins.     

Geomagnetic activity and wind velocity during the Maunder minimum

Following a given classification of geomagnetic activity, we obtained aa index values for the Maunder minimum (1645–1715). It is found that the recurrent and fluctuating activities were not appreciable and that the shock activity levels were very low. The aa index level was due almost entirely to the quiet days. Calculated average solar-wind velocities were 194.3 km s^–1 from 1657 to 1700 and 218.7 km s^–1 from 1700 onwards. Also, the coronal magnetic field magnitude and southward interplanetary magnetic field component Bz were lower. It is concluded that the nearly absent levels of geomagnetic activity during this period were due to lower coronal and Bz magnetic field magnitudes as well as to the continuous impinging on the Earth of a slow wind.     

Structural,stratigraphic, and petrologic aspects of the Arenal-Chato volcanic system,Costa Rica: Evolution of a young stratovolcanic complex

Geologic mapping on a scale of 1:10000 and detailed stratigraphic studies of lava flows and tephra deposits of the Arenal-Chato volcanic system reveal a complex and cyclic volcanic history. This cyclicity provides insight into the evolution of magma batches during the growth of the andesitic volcanic system. The Arenal and Chato volcanoes have a central zone comprised of a lava armor and a distal zone comprised of a tephra apron. During Arenal's last two eruptive periods major craters formed near intersections of regional fractures at the lava armortephra apron transition. We suggest that such intersections are potential sites for future major explosions. The earliest rocks, i.e., the Chato lava flows, range in composition from basaltic andesite to andesite. These rocks, except for the andesitic domes of Chatito and La Espina, appear to have evolved from a common parental magma. The last active period of Chato volcano occurred 3550 B. P. The earliest known activity of Arenal volcano is 2900 B. P. Arenal lava flows have 54–56 wt% SiO₂ and may be subdivided into a high-alumina group (HAG, Al₂O₃ = 20 wt%) and a low-alumina group (LAG, Al₂O₃ = 19 wt%). Compared to the HAG, the LAG also has smaller amounts of incompatible elements and higher amounts of FeO and MgO. Arenal tephra deposits were emplaced by Plinian-Sub-Plinian explosions occurring at 300±150-yr intervals. These deposits are compositionally zoned and alternate between dacite and basalt. The stratigraphy reveals an apparent magmatic cycle consisting of (a) dacitic-andesitic tephra, (b) HAG lava flows, (c) LAG lava flows, and (d) andesitic-basaltic tephra. This magmatic cycle is repeated four times during Arenal's history and is interpreted to have developed by the crystal fractionation and crystal redistribution of a single magma batch. The period of this cycle, and consequently the life of a magma batch, is about 800 years. If the cyclic pattern continues, a basaltic explosive phase may occur in the next 250 years.     

Large Scale Rockfall Reach Susceptibility Maps in La Cabrera Sierra (Madrid) performed with GIS and Dynamic Analysis at 1:5,000

For the testing of the effect on the tsunami prevention facilities, a simplified methodfor tsunami risk assessment was suggested without wave run-up analysis. This methodis proposed using calculated offshore tsunami waveform and field reconnaissance suchas the seawall height, time necessary for residents' evacuation and tsunami warninginsurance. Then, two normalized values are evaluated; one is the ratio of calculatedmaximum tsunami height to seawall height, the other is the ratio of time betweentsunami over-topping and evacuation completion to total time required for evacuation.These two values are used to qualitatively estimate the safety of residents and the effectof tsunami prevention facilities, eliminating the necessity to compute complicatedtsunami run-up onshore.     

A ‘core-complex-like structure’ formed by superimposed extension,folding and high-angle normal faulting. The Santi Petri dome (western Betics,Spain)

The Santi Petri dome (western Betics, southern Spain) shows a core-complex-like structure, where migmatitic gneisses and schists outcrop below low-grade slates and phyllites, all of which form the basement of the Neogene Málaga basin. The migmatites and schists suffered a coaxial-flattening event during isothermal decompression and were later exhumed by ductile ESE non-coaxial stretching. Further exhumation was achieved by W- to SW-transport brittle low-angle normal faulting. Subsequently these extensional structures were gently folded in the core of a NE/SW-oriented antiform during the Tortonian. Finally the Santi Petri domal geometry was accentuated by the interference of orthogonal high-angle faults with ENE–WSW and NNW–SSE orientation. This core-complex-like structure, formed by superposition of extensional and compressive tectonic events, does not represent a classical, purely extensional core complex, which shows that metamorphic structure and geometry are not decisive criteria to define a core-complex.     

Occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments of San Diego Bay marinas

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have garnered much attention due to their bioaccumulation, carcinogenic properties, and persistence in the environment. Investigation of the spatial distribution, composition, and sources of PAHs in sediments of three recreational marinas in San Diego Bay, California revealed significant differences among marinas, with concentrations in one site exceeding 16,000 ng g^? 1. ‘Hotspots’ of PAH concentration suggest an association with stormwater outfalls draining into the basins. High-molecular weight PAHs (4–6 rings) were dominant (> 86%); the average percentage of potentially carcinogenic PAHs was high in all sites (61.4–70%) but ecotoxicological risks varied among marinas. Highly toxic benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) was the main contributor (> 90%) to the total toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) in marinas. PAHs in San Diego Bay marina sediments appear to be derived largely from pyrogenic sources, potentially from combustion products that reach the basins by aerial deposition and stormwater drainage from nearby streets and parking lots.     

Variations in the dynamic response of structures founded on piles induced by obliquely incident SV waves

Although the seismic actions generally consist of a combination of waves, which propagates with an angle of incidence not necessarily vertical, the common practice when analyzing the dynamic behavior of pile groups is based on the assumption of vertically incident wave fields. The aim of this paper is to analyze how the angle of incidence of SV waves affects the dynamic response of pile foundations and piled structures. A three-dimensional boundary element-finite element coupling formulation is used to compute impedances and kinematic interaction factors corresponding to several configurations of vertical pile groups embedded in an isotropic homogeneous linear viscoelastic half-space. These results, which are provided in ready-to-use dimensionless graphs, are used to determine the effective dynamic properties of an equivalent single-degree-of-freedom oscillator that reproduces, within the range where the peak response occurs, the response of slender and nonslender superstructures through a procedure based on a substructuring model. Results are expressed in terms of effective flexible-base period and damping as well as maximum shear force at the base of the structure. The relevance and main trends observed in the influence of the wavefront angle of incidence on the dynamic behavior of the superstructure are inferred from the presented results. It is found that effective damping is significantly affected by the variations of the wave angle of incidence. Furthermore, it comes out that the vertical incidence is not always the worst-case scenario.