Growing mountain ranges and quenched river networks

River networks in mountain ranges owe their existence to the competing effects of tectonic uplift and climate-controlled erosion. However, paradoxically, the universal geometric properties of river networks are independent of both tectonics and climate. Currently, this paradox has still not been resolved. Here we propose a solution that consists in considering that the geometry of river networks is established on the lowland margins of incipient uplifts, and is quenched into the erosion zone as the mountain belts widen with time. In our model, the geometry of river networks simply reflects the downward coalescence of alluvial rivers on un-dissected surfaces outside of mountain belts, and is therefore independent of erosion processes. To cite this article: S. Castelltort, G. Simpson, C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Radar measurement of small-scale surface texture: Syrtis major

Recent radar observations of Syrtis Major have shown it to be smooth and relatively homogeneous when sensed at centimeter wavelengths λ. There is a gradual decrease in surface roughness east to west across the basin, which correlates with an apparent decrease in small (< 1 km diameter) crater density. Root mean square surface slopes σ range from more than 1.5–2.0° in the east to less than 0.5° along the western margin at λ = 12.6 cm. The surface appears somewhat rougher at λ = 3.6 cm; a σ ∝ λ^?0.3 dependence is inferred. Radar reflectivity increases from about 5% to about 12% across Syrtis Major, being greatest near the western margin. High-resolution (8 to 20 m/pixel) Viking images suggest that an increasing amount of resurfacing has occurred in western Syrtis Major compared with the eastern parts. The radar, infrared, and optical imaing evidence are consistent with resurfacing by geologically recent, low-viscosity lavas which were subsequently mantled by thin layers of aeolian material. Each data set may be taken as a unique source of scale-dependent information on surface materials and properties. From comparison of radar-derived surface roughness with image-derived crater density curves we conclude that processes other than cratering control the surface texture on 0.03- to 100-m surface scales.     

Volcanic threat in developing countries of the Asia�CPacific region: probabilistic hazard assessment, population risks, and information gaps

The importance of disaster reduction has gained increased awareness within the international development community and thereby highlighted a need for a preliminary assessment of natural hazard risk in developing countries of the Asia?CPacific, including that for volcanic eruption. In this paper, we present a key component of such an assessment, which involved qualifying the frequency and potential consequences of large??Volcanic Explosivity Index of four or more??volcanic eruptions. The frequencies of large eruptions from volcanoes grouped by region were determined from frequency?Cmagnitude plots using data provided by the Smithsonian Institution??s Global Volcanism Program. However, calculated frequencies represent only minimum values due to an incomplete eruption record. Unfortunately, limited data precluded the calculation of eruption frequencies for the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Samoa. A first-order analysis of the populations potentially impacted by large volcanic eruptions suggest that (1) volcanic disasters affecting populations of >100,000 can be expected at least every decade in Indonesia and once every few decades in the Philippines and (2) a volcanic disaster impacting >1% of the population can be expected twice a century in Vanuatu, twice a millennium for Indonesia and the Philippines, and around every millennium in Papua New Guinea and Tonga.     

Mud-Dominated Storm Deposits From A Lower Carboniferous Ramp

The Lower Carboniferous Pen-y-Holt Limestone of South Wales comprises about 300m of interbedded wackestones and lime mudstones. The wackestones are interpreted as relatively distal ‘turbidite-like’ storm-generated deposits and the lime mudstones as background deposits. The storms had a periodicity of about one per 9000–18000 years. They were deposited in a deep-ramp carbonate environment at least 20–30km from the ancient shoreline and in about 100m water depth, and therefore probably below wave base. The ramp is estimated to have had an average slope angle of 0·5–1·0 degree. Unlike other previously described carbonate or siliciclastic storm deposits, the Pen-y-Holt Limestone storm deposits are totaly mud-supported and generally lack internal sedimentary structures, yet contain large bioclasts such as crinoid ossicles. The simultaneous deposition of lime mud and crinoid ossicles from a storm-generated turbidity current is hydrodynamically untenable. Thin-section evidence however, suggests that the lime mud may have originally been deposited as peloids which have since been largely destroyed during diagenesis. Peloids and crinoid ossicles, it is suggested, could have been transported by the same current.     

Phase relations, singularities and thermobarometry of metamorphic assemblages containing phengite, chlorite, biotite, K-feldspar, quartz and H2O

The phase relations of divariant and trivariant assemblages involving combinations of phengite, chlorite, biotite, K-feldspar, quartz and H₂O in the KFASH, KMASH and KFMASH systems were calculated using a single thermodynamic data set (Holland and Powell 1998). The stability fields of the various equilibria are represented in P-T projections by contouring sets of compositional isopleths for the Tschermak (Al₂(Fe,Mg)₋₁Si₋₁) and FeMg₋₁ exchanges controlled by the coexisting phases. Five multivariant continuous equilibria, which occur in different regions of P-T-X space, are calibrated as thermobarometers in metamorphic rocks of pelitic to quartzofeldspathic composition. More subtle P-T information, relating to the trajectories (dT/dz) along which reacting rocks have been buried or exhumed, can be extracted from the continuous reactions by investigating the recorded compositional trends in the Al₂(Fe,Mg)₋₁Si₋₁ and FeMg₋₁ solutions. Singularities in P-T space are associated with some of these reactions and may result in unusual mineral textures and compositional trends. A fluid-absent singularity has particular petrological significance because it marks the transition between hydration and dehydration along a single reaction with increasing pressure and temperature. This behaviour causes the sequence of reactions among these minerals observed during metamorphism to be critically dependent on the P-T trajectory. Thermobarometric calculations show good agreement with respect to experimental and field-based data for phengite compositions less than about 50 mol% celadonite (<∼3.5 Si p.f.u. phengite). Received: 15 November 1999 / Accepted: 3 April 2000     

Magnetic anomalies associated with the southeastern continental margin of South Africa

A total magnetic intensity, iso-magnetic map is presented and discussed. Between East London and Durban large east-west trending anomalies are known on land and can be traced onto the continental shelf but not beyond the slope. Elsewhere the continental shelf is characterized by a remarkably quiet magnetic field. A feature of the map is the linear anomaly, named the Cape Slope Anomaly, which is parallel to the continental margin and coincides approximately with the 68° small circle about the early pole of opening for the South Atlantic as given by Le Pichon and Hayes (1971). The anomaly is traced between 30°54S, 30°48E and 37°45S, 20°31E and is interpreted as occurring over the truncated edge of a semi-infinite, sub-horizontal, remanently magnetized plate in oceanic crust beyond the continental margin.Between 37°03S, 21°49E and 37°41S, 21°12E the Slope Anomaly occurs over a ridge named the Agulhas Ridge. A continuous seismic reflection profile over the ridge shows acoustic basement occurring under a cover of sediments. A two dimensional model study indicates that the basement materials may belong to the body causing the anomaly with the exception of the basement material that forms the landward peak of the ridge, which is non-magnetic.     

ELF Radar System Proposed for Localized D-Region Ionospheric Anomalies

This letter proposes a novel extremely low frequency (ELF) radar for localized D-region (altitude < 95 km) ionospheric anomalies that have been generated by natural geophysical processes. The proposed system would use the former U.S. Navy Wisconsin Transmitting Facility as a distant well-characterized impulsive ELF source. Sample calculations that demonstrate how passive vertical E-field detectors could characterize ionospheric conductivity depressions of variable diameter located above Los Angeles are provided. These calculations have been obtained using our recently developed three-dimensional whole-Earth electromagnetic wave propagation model based upon the rigorous finite-difference time-domain solution of Maxwell's equations. A key potential application of the proposed ELF radar system is the detection of hypothesized ionospheric earthquake precursors     

Local‐scale adaptations: A modeled assessment of soil,landscape, microclimatic,and management factors in Norse home‐field productivities

Adaptation of farming practices to inherent site conditions was essential to the success of Norse colonization in pristine landscapes. A key factor in the initial success of colonization, or landnám, of Iceland was management of the area adjacent to the domestic dwelling, the home‐field, to provide fodder for over‐wintering livestock. In this paper we examine three settlement home‐fields in the Mývatn and Laxá valley area of northeast Iceland. Contemporary evidence reveals a distinct climatic toposequence together with differences in the nature of the inherent soils between sites. By considering the influence of these differences, microscale adaptations in early land management practices in the production of hay are sought within a tightly defined chronological context. Using an integrated agroecosystem modeling approach, the factors affecting long‐term sustainability of hay production in the Norse home‐field are examined. Results indicate that regional‐level climate differences will have an impact on production, especially pronounced cold periods. It is also clear that small‐scale climate factors, as well as inherent soil differences between sites influenced productivity for the Norse farmer. However, productivities overall are at subsistence level, emphasizing the need for optimized land management to sustain home‐field production. After examining different management scenarios, it is apparent that the effect of an increased rate of manuring will be most apparent during the first century of settlement; thereafter the effect is relatively diminished. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.