From paleostresses to paleoburial in fold-thrust belts: Preliminary results from calcite twin analysis in the Outer Albanides

This paper presents a new approach to constrain paleoburial and subsequent uplift by folding in fold-thrust belts, combining differential stress estimates from mechanically-induced calcite twins with the assumption that stress in the upper crust is in frictional equilibrium. Calcite twin data were collected from pre-folding veins in late Cretaceous limestones from the Ionian zone in Albania in order to (1) determine Paleogene-Neogene stresses associated with the development of the major vein sets in the frontal anticlines of the Outer Albanides and (2) estimate paleoburial of the Cretaceous reservoir rocks during pre-folding flexural subsidence of the foreland. The first vein set (set I) trends N140 (± 20) and the second set (set II) is oriented N060 (± 20). Calcite twinning analysis from set I veins reveals a pre-folding N030° extension likely related to foreland flexure; a later pre-folding, NE-directed compression (LPS) is identified either from one or from both vein sets in the samples from the Saranda anticline; this NE compression is instead recorded by twinning in set II veins from the Kremenara anticline during late stage fold tightening. This NE compression well agrees with independent microtectonic data, regional transport direction and contemporary stress. The differential stress values related to this NE compression are combined with the hypothesis of crustal frictional stress equilibrium to derive first-order estimates of paleoburial of the Cretaceous limestones just before they were uplifted by folding. The ~ 4 km paleoburial of these limestones estimated in the Saranda anticline is consistent with independent paleoburial estimates from stratigraphy, maturity rank of organic matter, paleotemperature/paleogeothermal gradients from fluid inclusions and predictions of kinematic modelling of the Albanian foreland. Our results therefore place reliable constraints on the amount and rate of vertical uplift of these Cretaceous limestones and yield a promising methodology for better constraining paleoburial and therefore erosion and uplift in fold-thrust belts.     

Recent glacier changes in the Kashmir Alpine Himalayas,India

Using Landsat data at decadal interval (1980–2013), the glacier fluctuations (glacier area, equilibrium line altitude and specific mass balance) of nine benchmark glaciers in Kashmir Himalaya were estimated. The observed changes were related to topographic and climatic variables in order to understand their influence. From the data analysis, it was observed that the glaciers have shrunk by 17%, ELA has shifted upwards (80–300 m) and SMB shows variation in glacier mass loss from ?0.77 to ?0.16 m.w.e. Annual air temperature showed a significant increasing trend, and a slight but insignificant decrease in precipitation was observed during the period. It is evident that in the same climatic regime, varying topography plays a key role in determining the glacier changes. It is believed that the observed changes in the glacier geometry and dynamics, if continued, shall have adverse effect on the streamflows, water supplies and other dependent sectors in the region.     

Experimental investigation of slip‐stick behaviour in granular materials

This paper presents the results of an experimental programme to study load oscillation in granular materials. Spherical glass beads were used in the investigation. Cylindrical specimens were compressed under axisymmetric triaxial loading condition at 25,100,250 and 400 kPa confining pressures. The test parameters included: (i) particle size; (ii) gradation (uniform versus non‐uniform specimens); (iii) confining pressure; (iv) loading rate; and (v) specimen density. In general, a slight post‐peak principal stress softening was observed as well as a continuous volume increase (dilation) even at relatively high strains. This appears to be caused by the uniform shape and smooth surface of the spherical particles. Load oscillations were observed in the very small, small, and well‐graded beads at each confining pressure. For the medium beads, the oscillations appeared at high confining pressure (250 and 400 kPa), and they did not appear in the large beads. The influences of the confining pressure, loading rate, particle size, gradation and specimen density on load oscillation are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An automated cross‐validation method to assess seismic time‐to‐depth conversion accuracy: a case study on the Cooper and Eromanga basins,Australia

Selecting a seismic time‐to‐depth conversion method can be a subjective choice that is made by geophysicists, and is particularly difficult if the accuracy of these methods is unknown. This study presents an automated statistical approach for assessing seismic time‐to‐depth conversion accuracy by integrating the cross‐validation method with four commonly used seismic time‐to‐depth conversion methods. To showcase this automated approach, we use a regional dataset from the Cooper and Eromanga basins, Australia, consisting of 13 three‐dimensional (3D) seismic surveys, 73 two‐way‐time surface grids and 729 wells. Approximately 10,000 error values (predicted depth vs. measured well depth) and associated variables were calculated. The average velocity method was the most accurate overall (7.6 m mean error); however, the most accurate method and the expected error changed by several metres depending on the combination and value of the most significant variables. Cluster analysis tested the significance of the associated variables to find that the seismic survey location (potentially related to local geology (i.e. sedimentology, structural geology, cementation, pore pressure, etc.), processing workflow, or seismic vintage), formation (potentially associated with reduced signal‐to‐noise with increasing depth or the changes in lithology), distance to the nearest well control, and the spatial location of the predicted well relative to the existing well data envelope had the largest impact on accuracy. Importantly, the effect of these significant variables on accuracy were found to be more important than choosing between the four methods, highlighting the importance of better understanding seismic time‐to‐depth conversions, which can be achieved by applying this automated cross‐validation method.     

Nexus between natural and technical disaster shocks,resource depletion and growth-specific factors: evidence from quantile regression

Natural Hazards - Debris flows are a hazardous natural calamity in mountainous regions of Nepal. Torrential rainfall within a very short period of the year is the main triggering factor for...     

Effects of Dietary Protein Level on Growth and Utilization of Protein and Energy by Juvenile Mangrove Red Snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus )

1Introduction The mangrove red snapper,Lutjanus argentimacu-latus(Forsskal,1775)is a carnivorous,warm-watereuryhaline fish that is considerably cultured in South-east Asia,Southern China and the Middle East(Le-ung et al.,1999;Estudillo et at.,2000;Ng et al.,2000;Catacutan et al.,2001).In Pakistan,it isknown for its good quality meat and also for its highconsumption rate.Although it fetches a premiumprice at local markets(Anonymous,2002),the in-creasing demand has generated interest towar…     

Nonlinear kinetic Alfven waves in space plasmas with generalized ($$) distribution

In this paper, we have investigated linear and nonlinear propagation of kinetic Alfven waves in which the electrons have been assumed to follow generalized (\(r,q\)) distribution. We have shown that (\(r,q\)) distribution gives us most of the distributions observed in space plasmas. We have varied the flatness parameter \(r\) and the tail parameter \(q\) to explore the linear and nonlinear propagation characteristics of kinetic Alfven waves. We have also discussed the limiting cases. It has been shown that our results agree well with Fast and Freja observations of the nonlinear kinetic Alfven waves. An important feature of our study is the formation of rarefactive solitary structures. It has been shown that this result cannot be obtained with Maxwellian distribution and that it agrees well with the observations of Fast and Freja satellites.     

Another Look at the Nexus Among Energy Consumption,Natural Resources,and Gross Capital Formation: Evidence from Pakistan

Natural Resources Research - Natural resources are a nation’s wealth, and the use of this wealth depends on the nation’s developmental objective. The goal of this work is to determine...