A New Method for Estimating Lengths for Partially Exposed Features

Length distributions from sedimentary bodies can be measured in outcrop. A common feature in many outcrops is the occurrence of partially exposed bodies, i.e., sedimentary bodies that are cut by either one or both edges of the outcrop. Ignoring these partials while establishing a length distribution leads to a bias toward the smaller length classes. This is because larger bodies have a larger probability to occur as partials than smaller bodies. We present a new method for estimating the expected complete length for a partially exposed feature, based on the theory of conditional probability. The method is demonstrated and tested on a sandstone outcrop exhibiting over 200 interbedded thin silt/shale streaks. It is shown that the method can significantly enlarge both the size and the representativeness of length distributions.     

Spatial statistics for urban analysis: A review of techniques with examples

Traditionally, urban analysis has been quick to adopt and benefit from developments in technology (e.g., microcomputer, GIS) and techniques (e.g., statistics, mathematical programming). This has not been the case, however, with newer methods of spatial analysis — in particular, spatial statistics. Only recently has this situation started to change. This paper documents the confluence of spatial statistics and urban analysis by first reviewing developments in spatial statistics, and then presenting examples of recent applications in urban analysis. The developments reviewed fall under the rubric of global and local forms of spatial analysis, and cover three major technical issues: spatial association, spatial heterogeneity and the modifiable areal unit problem. The examples highlight the relevance and usefulness of the techniques reviewed for urban transportation and land-use applications. The paper concludes with conjectures concerning future developments at the intersection of spatial statistics and urban analysis.     

A linkage criterion for segmented normal faults

A detailed field study of 39 centimetre- to metre-scale relay ramps from two outcrops was performed to investigate the development of a linkage criterion for segmented normal faults. We analysed the displacement distribution and the geometry of fault arrays containing three types of relay ramp: open, linked, and fully breached, in order to identify which parameters are relevant to fault linkage, and to establish a linkage criterion. Each relay ramp geometry has a specific graphical field on a relay displacement–separation diagram. The field including all the linked geometries (initiation of linkage) separates open and fully breached relay ramps and is interpreted as a value of relay displacement to separation ratio for which faults link during their overlap. A ‘linkage threshold’, in each studied fault system, is defined as the best-fit linear trend of linked relays. We discuss the scaling and the variability of the linkage criterion using published datasets from a wide variety of settings and scales. The observed linkage threshold is linear, with a slope value varying less than one order of magnitude. This suggests that linking relay ramps have self-similar geometries from centimetre- to kilometre-scale and that normal fault linkage is governed by similar fault interaction across a broad range of scales. The linkage criterion, which can be an effective tool to estimate relay ramp geometry at depth or at the earth surface, could therefore be used to improve investigations in determining fluid entrapment or in the evaluation of potential surface of seismic ruptures.     

Stratigraphic architecture of the Pyreneo-Languedocian submarine fan,Gulf of Lions,western Mediterranean Sea

The Pyreneo-Languedocian submarine sediment body, located in the western sector of the Gulf of Lions, is an example of a fan-like depositional system essentially controlled by salt tectonics. The area was subjected to a combined effect of overburden subsidence into the evacuated salt layer and a significant distal salt thickening, due to preferential basinward salt migration. This mode of salt migration impacted the Quaternary sea-bottom morphology by creating a large midslope topographic low, providing space accommodation for the Pyreneo-Languedocian fan. At gulf scale, the fan is a unique feature because unchannelized sedimentary environment in the area occurs at slope level, thus in minor water depth in relation to all other deep-water sedimentary systems offshore Gulf of Lions. To cite this article: A.T. dos Reis et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Aluminum in quartz as a geothermometer

Quartz forming in aluminum-saturated environments has a trace aluminum content which varies linearly and directly with its temperature of crystallization. The aluminum content varies at a rate of approximately 1 ppm Al per 3.6° C change in temperature. Use of this geothermometer gives temperatures which are consistent with those expected by geologic reasoning or through the use of other geothermometers.     

Flow toward periodic tile drains

The method of conformal mapping is applied to the analysis of transient flow toward parallel periodic drains in a semi-infinite aquifer taking into consideration the non-linear boundary conditions on the free surface. The mapping function is expressed as a power series in time and the seepage domain is mapped onto a domain of an auxiliary complex variable. Mapping is performed in such a manner that the free surface will always remain the real axis. Calculations are carried out for different ratios of drain depth to drain spacing using various drain diameter to depth ratios.     

Geosynclinal evolution of the Epi-Baykalian platform of Central Brazil

Evidences of geosynclinal polarity (orogenic and sedimentary) in foldbelts of Central Brazil led the authors to the recognition of seven tectonic isopic zones as parts of a wide geosynclinal system policyclically developed during a long Baykalian Cycle of 1,500-500 m. y. ago. Tectonic and stratigraphic evolutions are reinterpreted on the light of the new concepts.The orogenic polarity of contiguous miogeosynclinal and eugeosynclinal foldbelts provided the basis for enlarging the Brasiliane Cycle of short duration (850–550 m. y.) to a Brasiliane Cycle of 1,500-550 m.y. (= Baykalian Cycle). The Minas Cycle is viewed as a phase within a distinct platform-making process.

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Zusammenfassung Die PolaritÄt orogener und sedimentÄrer Erscheinungen in Geosynklinalen der Faltengürtel Zentralbrasiliens veranla\te die Autoren, sieben tektonische Zonen als Teile eines gro\rÄumigen geosynklinalen Systems, das wÄhrend eines langen Baykalischen Zyklusses vor 1500 bis 500 Millionen Jahren entstand, zu unterscheiden. Tektonische und stratigraphische Entwicklungen werden im Lichte dieser neuen Auffassung neu interpretiert.Die orogene PolaritÄt von aneinandergrenzenden miogeosynklinalen und eugeosynklinalen Faltengürteln lieferte die Grundlage für die Erweiterung des Brasilianischen Zyklusses von kurzer Dauer (850-550 Millionen Jahre) zu einem Brasilianischen Zyklus von 1500-500 Millionen Jahren (=Baykalischer Zyklus). Der Minas-Zyklus wird als eine Phase innerhalb eines Plattform bildenden Prozesses angesehen.

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Résumé Certaines évidences de polarité géosynclinale (orogéniques et sedimentaires) dans les régions plissées du Brésil Central ont conduit les auteurs a établir sept zones tectoniques rassemblées dans un seul système géosynclinal, qui s'est développé policycliquement au cours d'un Cycle Baykalien de 1500 à 500 millions d'années. Les évolutions stratigraphiques et tectoniques sont réinterprétées à la lumière de nouveaux concepts.La polarité orogénique du couple eugéosynclinal-miogéosynclinal de ces zones plissées a fourni des données suffisantes pour étendre les limites du Cycle Brésilien (= Baykalien) de 850–550 millions d'années à 1500–550 millions d'années: le Cycle Minas est devenu simplement une phase dans ce processus de formation de plateformes.

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7 , 1500-500 . . 850–500 1500-500 ( ). , .

     

Abbassamento elettroosmotico della superficie piezometrica in un suolo saturo d'acqua

Riassunto Si studia il fenomeno di elettroprosciugamento di un terreno, in un caso particolare di disposizione elettrodica (piano-parallela, e parallela alla superficie del suolo), con particolare riguardo all'abbassarsi nel tempo del limite fra terreno saturo d'acqua e terreno asciutto. Si scrivono formule che forniscono i tempi di prosciugamento, e l'espressione dell'energia elettrica assorbita dal processo.

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Summary In present paper the A. deals with the electro-drainage phenomenon, on account of a particular distribution of the electrodes (plane-parallel, and parallel to soil surface), in regard chiefly to the lowering, relative to time, of the boundary between the zone of water-saturated soil and the zone of dry soil. Formulae are given in order to evaluate the duration of electro-drainage and the amount of electric energy taken over by the process.

     

Sur le comportement du vecteur d'advection des perturbations et du tourbillon vertical en altitude

Résumé L'important problème de « l'advection des perturbations » ne peut Être traité d'une manière rationnelle et n'acquiert un sens précis qu'en étudiant d'une part les conséquences purement analytiques des propriétés générales de toute fonction de perturbation, et en utilisant d'autre part les résultats fondamentaux de la théorie des perturbations. On aboutit ainsi à préciser complètement la notion de « vecteur d'advection des perturbations » et l'on montre que les importantes différences qui existent entre le mouvement des perturbations au niveau de la mer (commandé par un champ de température moyenne) et en altitude (où les perturbations se déplacent plutÔt avec le vent moyen, du moins dans la troposphère moyenne) peuvent Être facilement expliquées par le comportement, suivant les verticales,d'une mÊme fonction vectorielle de vitesse d'advection des perturbations, qui intervient d'une manière essentielle dans notre théorie des perturbations.A l'aide du champ moyen de température et de vent entre l'équateur et les pÔles (du sol jusqu'à 20 km d'altitude), nous déduisons le champ moyen du vecteur d'advection des perturbations et le comparons au vent moyen. Cette comparaison donne l'explication de plusieurs faits empiriques importants. De plus, on peut en déduire les limites de la région où il peut y avoir en altitude des « ondes longues » compatibles avec la conservation du tourbillon vertical, ainsi que la longueur d'onde caractéristique de ces perturbations.Dans la deuxième partie du mémoire, nous montrons qu'une transformation simple de l'équation des variations de pression de notre théorie des perturbations conduit à une équation généralisée du tourbillon vertical pouvant Être comparée à l'équation classique du tourbillon que l'on déduit des équations de l'hydrodynamique. Ceci permet de se rendre compte dans quelle mesure on peut admettre en altitude la conservation du tourbillon vertical, propriété qui peut Être considérée comme un cas particulier de l'équation des variations de pression.

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Summary The important problem of the « advection of the perturbations » can be treated along rational lines and acquires a precise meaning only when its treatment is based, on the one hand, on the analysis of the general mathematical properties of any perturbation function, and on the main results of the hydrodynamical theory of perturbations, on the other hand. In this way, the notion of the « advection vector of the perturbations » can be completely clarified and it can be shown that the important differences between the motion of the perturbations at sea level (which is determined by a mean temperature field) and in the free atmosphere (where the perturbations move rather with the mean wind, at least in the middle troposphere) are easily explained by the behaviour of thesame vectorial advection function which plays an essential part in our theory of perturbations.By means of the observed fields of temperature and wind between the equator and the poles (from sea level to the 20 Km level) we deduce the mean field of the advection vector of the perturbations and compare it to the mean wind field. This leads to the explanation of many important empirical facts and also gives the limits of the region where « long waves » (compatible with the conservation of vertical vorticity) can exist, and also the characteristic wave length of these perturbations.In the second part of the paper, a simple transformation of the equation for pressure variations of our theory of perturbations leads to a generalised equation for the vertical vorticity, which can be compared with the classical vortieity equation derived from the hydrodynamical equations. The condition of the conservation of the vertical absolute vorticity can then be appreciated as a particular case of our equation of pressure variations.

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Communication faite le 5 Avril 1956 à la 4ième Assemblée de la « Società Italiana di Geofisica e Meteorologia » (Genova, 5–8 Avril 1956).     

The ionosphere over Genova during the solar eclipse of February 15, 1961

Summary The behaviour of the ionosphere over Genova during the solar eclipse of February 15, 1961 is investigated. For theE-layer the effect was very marked, but the value obtained for the recombination coefficient is above normal. The effect of the eclipse was also observed on theF2 layer; however, the behaviour here appears affected by the simultaneous occurrence of an ionospheric perturbation. Finally, the maximum reduction of the ionospheric absorption on 2 and 3 Mc/s during the eclipse was found to be of the order of about 12 db.This report belongs to a set of investigations on geophysical effects of the solar eclipse of February 15th, 1961 carried out by the «Istituto Geofisico, Università di Genova», and made possible through a financial support of the «Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche».