Terrace pediments in Makhtesh Ramon,central Negev,Israel

Terrace pediments occupy approximately 30 per cent of the bottom of the Makhtesh Ramon erosional cirque in the central Negev Desert, Israel. River terraces and terrace pediments are genetically connected landforms, where each terrace pediment corresponds with a fluvial terrace of the same relative height. A pediment and river terrace constitute a geomorphic pair and should be regarded as chronometrically synchronous morphological elements. The formation of the terrace pediment staircases is controlled mainly by local base level changes. The present‐day configuration and overall morphology of Makhtesh Ramon formed in the early stages of its development by both stream erosion and subsequent pedimentation. Less significantly, modification by intermittent erosion alternating with periods of stability, resulted in deepening of the Makhtesh Ramon bottom. The present‐day stepped relief throughout the Makhtesh valley is, thus, a composite feature. The overall rate of terrace pediment formation in Makhtesh Ramon ranges from 0·05 to 0·10 mm a⁻¹. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Western Bohemia/Vogtland Region in the Light of the Webnet Network

The local network of digital seismic stations WEBNET monitors the seismic activitv of practically the whole region of Western Bohemia/Vogtland swarms. The network consists of ten short-period stations and one very broadband station. The paper describes the configuration of the network, instrumental equipment and the basic parameters of the stations. The method of and formula for computing the local magnitudes from the WEBNET and KRASLICE seismograms are also given. Based on continuous WEBNET observations in the period 1995-1999, we were able to improve the model of temporal and spatial energy release in the region, the principal characteristics of which are summarised in the paper. Apart from direct P and S waves, the WEBNET seismograms also contain other significant P- and S-type waves, provisionally interpreted as reflected PxP, SxS and SxP waves. The fundamental characteristics of these waves are given in the paper, and tentative mechanisms of their origination are discussed. The large residua in the travel times of the P and S waves, and the discrepancies in the seismograms recorded at stations located east of the principal focal zone are pointed out.     

Refined Locations of The Swarm Earthquakes In The Nový Kostel Focal Zone and Spatial Distribution of The January 1997 Swarm In Western Bohemia,Czech Republic

In order to improve the accuracy of the spatial distribution of earthquake foci in the principal Novy Kostel focal zone, refined focal locations of about 1500 micro-earthquakes of the 1991 – 1997 period were determined using the relative Master-Event location method. To estimate the reduction in the scatter of located hypocentres, the results were compared with those obtained by routinely used FASTHYPO method and cluster analysis (the nearest-neighbour method) was applied to the located foci to evaluate the spatial distribution of the foci. Based on the results of refined location and of the cluster analysis, a concept of seismic energy release in space and time in the main focal zone was developed. Especially the January 1997 earthquake swarm was studied in detail: 946 events were located with the Master-Event location method, and the dimensions and geometry of focal clusters were determined. Type analysis was applied to waveforms to divide approximately 800 located events into eight multiplet groups to each of which a characteristic source mechanism was assigned. The spatial distribution of the foci as well as of the eight types of source mechanisms was revealed in this way and also the planes fitting the clusters of foci with two predominant source mechanisms were determined fairly well.     

Homogeneous Velocity Models of The West Bohemian Swarm Region Obtained By Grid Search

West Bohemian earthquake swarms are used to determine the parameters of simple homogeneous velocity models of the individual subregions of the given area, based on a group of earthquakes that occurred in these subregions. The grid search method is used for location. Models yielding the minimum sum of squares of the travel-time residua in locating the whole group of earthquakes in the given subregion are considered suitable. Relocation obtained by grid search is compared with that obtained by the FASTHYPO method. The computations indicate that the subregions under consideration can be, from the point of view of earthquake location, sufficiently represented by homogeneous models, but the models differ for the data from different subregions. The velocities of these models are given. The models under consideration are compared with some of the previously published 1-D models of the broader region of Western Bohemia.     

Asteroid Models from the Pan-STARRS Photometry

We present simulations on the asteroid photometric data that will be provided by the Pan-STARRS (Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System). The simulations were performed using realistic shape and light-scattering models, random orientation of spin axes, and rotation periods in the range 2–24 h. We show that physical models of asteroids can be reconstructed from this data with some limitations (possible multiple pole solutions). We emphasize the potential of sparse photometric data to produce models of a large number of asteroids within the next decade and we outline further tests with fast and slow rotators, tumblers, and binary asteroids.     

Adjustment of a spatial network according to conditional observations when various kinds of corrections are introduced

Summary In the present paper the adjustment of the Hradilek's spatial network[3] was carried out in space using the least-squares method according to conditional observations. Triangle, side and base equations of condition are given (see also[1]). In the first method of adjustment (Alternative A) the corrections are assigned to oblique (position) angles and the lengths of sides. In the second method of adjustment (Alternative B) the corrections are assigned to horizontal directions, zenith distances and lengths of sides. The refraction coefficients in both alternatives are introduced as unknown parameters. Neither method of adjustment depends on the directions of the verticals. Theoretically, Alternative B is more correct. However, for practical purposes the results yielded by Alternative A are little better than those yielded by Alternative B. As regards the economical aspect Alternative A is considerably more convenient. Both methods seem suitable for computing the rectangular spatial co-ordinates, less so for determining the refraction coefficients.     

Sedimentologische Untersuchungen eines küstennahen mediterranen Schlammbodens (Limski kanal,nördliche Adria)

Zusammenfassung Die Zusammensetzung und Verteilung der rezenten Sedimente im Limski kanal, einem 12 km weit in das Kalkplateau Istriens eingeschnittenen Meeresarm, wurde untersucht.An frischen Kernen wurde die Naßdichte, der Wassergehalt, p_H, Eh und die Korngrößenverteilung gemessen. Die Konzentration folgender Elemente wurde an der Oberfläche und in den Kernen bestimmt: Fe, Mn, P und C_org. Der Karbonatgehalt wurde titrimetrisch bestimmt.Die feinkörnigen Sedimente des Limski kanal bestehen aus eingeschwemmter Terra rossa und den Kalkschalen des autochthonen Benthos. Die prozentuale Zusammensetzung hängt von der Exposition, der Hydrographie und der Besiedlungsdichte ab. Änderungen des Eisengehaltes sind nicht diagenetisch, sondern sedimentationsgeschichtlich bedingt. Der Einfluß des wühlenden Benthos auf das Redox-Milieu wird diskutiert.

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This paper concerns the recent marine sediments of the Limski kanal, a drowned river valley of the Istrian peninsula.Bulk density, water content, grain size, p_H, and Eh were determined using freshly collected core samples. The lateral and vertical distribution of Fe, Mn, P, C_org and carbonate were determined.The fine-grained mud of the Limski kanal is composed of the terra rossa, transported into the sea by rain, and the calcareous debris of the autochthonous benthos. The percentage composition depends on exposition, hydrography, and production of calcareous shells. Alteration of the iron content does not depend on diagenesis, but on changing sedimentational conditions. The influence of the burrowing benthos on the redox-environment is discussed.

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Résumé La composition et la répartition de sédiments récents dans le Limski kanal ont été étudiées. Le canal s'étend sur une longueur de 12 km dans le plateau calcaire de la côte d'Istrie.Des mesures de la densité, de la teneur en eau, du p_H, de l'Eh et de la répartition granulométrique ont été faites sur des carottes fraichement tirées. La concentration en Fe, Mn, P, carbone organique et carbonate a été déterminée à la surface et dans la carotte.Les sédiments à grains fins du Limski kanal se composent de terra rossa, apportée par les cours d'eau, et de coquilles calcaires du benthos autochtone. La composition en pour cent dépend de l'exposition, de l'hydrographie et de la densité de population. Les variations de la teneur en fer ne s'expliquent pas par la diagenèse, mais par les changement du milieu sédimentaire. L'influence du benthos fouilleur sur le potentiel d'oxydo-reduction a été discutée.

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Limski, , 12 . — , , , . : , , . — Terra rossa . . , . , , - .

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Erweiterte Fassung eines am 27. Februar 1970 auf der 60. Jahrestagung der Geologischen Vereinigung in Kiel gehaltenen Vortrages.