Timescales of geological processes: Preface

正1. Introduction One of the major challenges in Geoscience is to understand how the formation and evolution of the Earth System are governed by timescales e that is, how the various geological processes that continue to contribute to its present-day structure and composition operated in the deep past. The traditional view of such processes refers to events that occur at immense spatial scales and over hundreds of millions of years, constrained in most cases by the ages of rocks determined using isotopic dating methods or the fossil record. However, the modern view of geological processes has increasingly acknowledged that their durations can be significantly shorter than previously thought possible, or indeed detectable     

QSO lensing magnification associated with galaxy groups

We simulated both the matter and light (galaxy) distributions in a wedge of the Universe and calculated the gravitational lensing magnification caused by the mass along the line-of-sight of galaxies and galaxy groups identified in sky surveys. A large volume redshift cone containing cold dark matter particles mimics the expected cosmological matter distribution in a flat universe with low matter density and a cosmological constant. We generate a mock galaxy catalogue from the matter distribution and identify thousands of galaxy groups in the luminous sky projection. We calculate the expected magnification around galaxies and galaxy groups and then the induced quasi-stellar object (QSO)–lens angular correlation due to magnification bias. This correlation is observable and can be used both to estimate the average mass of the lens population and to make cosmological inferences. We also use analytical calculations and various analyses to compare the observational results with theoretical expectations for the cross-correlation between faint QSOs from the 2dF Survey and nearby galaxies and groups from the Automated Plate Measurement and Sloan Digital Sky Survey Early Data Release. The observed QSO–lens anticorrelations are stronger than the predictions for the cosmological model used. This suggests that there could be unknown systematic errors in the observations and data reduction, or that the model used is not adequate. If the observed signal is assumed to be solely due to gravitational lensing, then the lensing is stronger than expected, due to more massive galactic structures or more efficient lensing than simulated.     

Sphalerite composition in relation to the stress distribution of a boudinage

The content of FeS in sphalerites from different parts of a boudinage is compared with the theoretical stress pattern. The calculated differences in stress correspond to less than one mole percent FeS and are often masked by the small variations in the fugacity of sulfur.     

Comparison between in situ cone resistance and laboratory strength for overconsolidated north sea clays

Abstract

Cone resistance and laboratory strength measurements have been compared for stiff overconsolidated clays from five oil and gas fields in the North Sea. The clays considered are glacial in origin. The best agreement between cone resistance and laboratory strength is found by using an N_k factor equal to 17 in the formula

q_c = N_k . S_u + γZ.

The study shows that the cone gives highly reproducible results, whereas there is a considerable scatter in the laboratory strength determinations. When making use of CPTs for preliminary design, the authors recommend assuming an N_k of 15–20, depending on the type of problem under consideration.     

Integrated geophysical and geological methods to investigate the inner and outer structures of the Quaternary Mýtina maar (W-Bohemia,Czech Republic)

The Mýtina maar is the first known Quaternary maar in the Bohemian Massif. Based on the results of Mrlina et al. (J Volcanol Geother Res 182:97–112, 2009), a multiparametric geophysical (electrical resistivity tomography, gravimetry, magnetometry, seismics) and geological/petrochemical research study had been carried out. The interpretation of the data has provided new information about the inner structure of the volcanic complex: (1) specification of the depth of post-volcanic sedimentary fill (up to ~100 m) and (2) magnetic and resistivity signs of one (or two) hidden volcanic structures interpreted as intrusions or remains of a scoria cone. The findings at the outer structure of the maar incorporate the (1) evidence of circular fracture zones outside the maar, (2) detection and distribution of volcanic ejecta and tephra-fall deposits at the surface, and (3) indications from electrical resistivity tomography and gravity data in the area between the Mýtina maar and ?elezná h?rka scoria cone, interpreted as a palaeovalley, filled by volcaniclastic rocks, and aligned along the strike line (NW–SE) of the Tachov fault zone. These findings are valuable contributions to extend the knowledge about structure of maar volcanoes in general. Because of ongoing active magmatic processes in the north-east part of the Cheb Basin (ca. 15–30 km north of the investigation area), the Mýtina maar-diatreme volcano and surroundings is a suitable key area for research directed to reconstruction of the palaeovolcanic evolution and assessment of possible future hazard potential in the Bohemian Massif.     

Osmotic suction of highly plastic clays

This paper presents a study on osmotic suction of compacted highly plastic clays. Two different types of bentonite (i.e. Calcigel and a bentonite from India called herein as Indian bentonite) were used. Squeezing technique was utilized to obtain soil pore-water of the specimen. Using relationship between electric conductivity and osmotic pressure of salt solution, osmotic suction of soil pore-water was obtained. Additional tests (i.e. total and matric suction using filter paper method and swelling pressure using constant volume swelling pressure test) were performed. The results show that osmotic pressure of soil pore-water obtained decreases by increasing squeezing pressure. Based on experimental result, osmotic suction of the specimen is osmotic pressure of the first drop of extracted soil pore-water. An empirical method was suggested to determine the squeezing pressure in squeezing technique. In addition, roles of osmotic suction in thermo-hydro-mechanical behavior of highly plastic clays were presented and discussed in the paper.     

Sustainable groundwater resources exploration and management in a complex geological setting as part of a humanitarian project (Mahafaly Plateau,Madagascar)

Southwestern Madagascar is a semi-arid region and a hot-spot of global change. On the Mahafaly plateau, people live with quasi-permanent water stress and groundwater, the only available resource, is difficult to exploit due to a complex hydrogeological environment. A methodology (suitable for humanitarian projects; <?40 k€) was developed in four phases to assess the sustainable exploitation of the water resource: (A) regional scale exploration, (B) village scale exploration, (C) drilling campaign, and (D) hydro-climatic monitoring. This integrated hydrogeophysical approach involves geophysical measurements (262 TEM-fast soundings, 2588 Slingram measurements, 35 electrical soundings), hydrochemical analyses (112 samples), and a piezometric survey (127 measurements). Two groundwater resources were identified, one deep (below 150 m) and one shallow (<?20 m). Hydrochemical results highlighted the vulnerability of both resources: anthropic contamination for the shallower and seawater intrusion for the deeper. Therefore, subsequent geophysical surveys supported the siting of six boreholes and three wells in the shallow aquifer. This methodological approach was successful in this complex geological setting and requires testing at other sites in and outside Madagascar. The study demonstrates that geophysical results should be used in addition to drilling campaigns and to help monitor the water resource. In fact, to prevent over-exploitation, piezometric and meteorological sensors were installed to monitor the water resource. This unique hydro-climatic observatory may help (1) non-governmental organization and local institutions prevent future water shortages and (2) scientists to understand better how global change will affect this region of the world.     

Normalized evaluation of the performance,capacity and availability of catalogue services: a pilot study based on INfrastruture for SPatial InfoRmation in Europe

Geographic information has a great potential to be re-used when supported by mechanisms for its discovery. Above all, the quality of a catalogue service is the key feature supporting users in the discovery process. So far, there have been in existence various methodologies dealing with the normalized evaluation of quality with respect to catalogue services. Their biggest weakness seems to be in the depth of quality testing, i.e. some influences are beyond the scope of evaluation of these methodologies with respect to quality in catalogue services. In this study, the quality of 45 catalogue services across Europe was verified with the proposed normalized evaluation methodology originating from documents within the INfrastruture for SPatial InfoRmation in Europe (INSPIRE) framework. This paper discusses the (statistical) influence of factors that may significantly change the results of catalogue service testing. The proposals for improving the existing INSPIRE normalized evaluation procedure are applicable for any spatial data infrastructure and/or Digital Earth component using the Open Geospatial Consortium Catalogue Service for the Web as a basis.     

Coupled Aquifer-Borehole Simulation

A model coupling fluid hydraulics in a borehole with fluid flow in an aquifer is developed in this paper. Conservation of momentum is used to create a one-dimensional steady-state model of vertical flow in an open borehole combined with radially symmetric flow in an aquifer and with inflow to the well through the wellbore screen. Both laminar and turbulent wellbore conditions are treated. The influence of inflow through the wellbore screen on vertical flow in the wellbore is included, using a relation developed by Siwoń (1987) . The influence of inflow reduces the predicted vertical variation in head up to 15% compared to a calculation of head losses due to fluid acceleration and the conventional Colebrook-White formulation of friction losses in a circular pipe. The wellbore flow model is embedded into the MODFLOW-2000 ground water flow code. The nonlinear conservation of momentum equations are iteratively linearized to calculate the conductance terms for vertical flow in the wellbore. The resulting simulations agree favorably with previously published results when the model is adjusted to meet the assumptions of the previous coupled models.     

Seismic wave propagation in laterally inhomogeneous poroelastic media via BIEM

This work addresses in‐plane pressure P and vertically polarized shear SV seismic wave propagation in a finite, laterally inhomogeneous, multilayered poroelastic geological region resting on the homogeneous elastic half‐space. The particular approach followed here is based on a combination of the (i) viscoelastic approximation (isomorphism) to Biot's equations of dynamic poroelasticity and on the (ii) boundary integral equation method (BIEM) using frequency‐dependent fundamental solutions of the governing wave equations. The problem is formulated under plane strain conditions and time‐harmonic motions are assumed. Validation of the viscoelastic isomorphism and verification of the BIEM is done by solution of benchmark examples. These simulation studies reveal that the proposed methodology is able to depict a sensitivity of the seismic signals recovered to the following parameters: (i) poroelastic properties of fluid saturated layers; (ii) lateral geological inhomogeneity; (iii) surface topography and (iv) frequency content and direction of the incident wave. It is concluded that the combination of viscoelastic isomorphism with BIEM software provides an effective numerical tool for evaluating site‐effect phenomena in multilayered, fluid saturated geological regions with complex geometry. The numerical results obtained demonstrate that dynamic poroelasticity interacting with other physical peculiarities of the Earth's surface layers, such as lateral heterogeneity, material properties along the wave path, local geological profile and type of elastic wave, gives rise to complex seismic signals on the free surface at the site of interest. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.