Morphology, distribution and origin of recent submarine landslides of the Ligurian Margin (North-western Mediterranean): some insights into geohazard assessment

Based on new multibeam bathymetric data, seismic-reflection profiles and side-scan sonar images, a great number of submarine failures of various types and sizes was identified along the northern margin of the Ligurian Basin and characterized with 3 distinct end-members concerning their location on the margin, sedimentary processes and possible triggering mechanisms. They include superficial landslides mainly located in the vicinity of the main mountain-supplied rivers and on the inner walls of canyons (typically smaller that 10⁸ m³ in volume: Type 1), deep scars 100?C500 m high along the base of the continental slope (Type 2), and large-scale scars and Mass Transport Deposits (MTDs) affecting the upper part of the slope (Type 3 failures). The MTDs are located in different environmental contexts of the margin, including the deep Var Sedimentary Ridge (VSR) and the upper part of the continental slope in the Gulf of Genova (Finale Slide and Portofino Slide), with volumes of missing sediment reaching up to 1.5 × 10⁹ m³. High sedimentation rates related to hyperpycnal flows, faults and earthquake activity, together with sea-level fluctuations are the main factors invoked to explain the distribution and sizes of these different failure types.     

Polarisation of type III bursts between 164 and 435 MHz: Structure and variation with frequency

We present the first observations of circular polarisation in type III bursts with spatial resolution in the range 164–435 MHz. We show that the degree of polarisation is in general neither constant nor uniform over burst extent, and increases with frequency. We discuss the observations and propose that they give access to the inhomogeneity of the coronal magnetic field and its variation with height.     

ESR/U-series chronology of the Lower Palaeolithic palaeoanthropological site of Visogliano, Trieste, Italy

The Visogliano shelter, in north-eastern Italy, is an important Middle Pleistocene occupation site where human remains were found together with an archaic lithic industry, including choppers, chopping tools and a few protobifaces. It is of utmost importance to try to document this period, when a second wave of settlement colonised Western Europe, carrying new flaking techniques and tools.Combined ESR/U-series analyses, integrated with biostratigraphical and environmental data, define a chronological frame for the layers from which the artefacts were unearthed. The lower levels, including human remains, can be dated to the 350–500 kyr time span, in agreement with micromammal and stratigraphical studies.These data make Visogliano one of the oldest palaeoanthropological sites in Italy, where human remains are directly associated with protobifaces, choppers and chopping tools. In Western Europe, Visogliano is contemporaneous to the G soil of the Arago Cave, France, with which it shares several similarities in faunal assemblages and radiometric data, and which contains human remains also. These data make Visogliano as one of the oldest sites in Europe where the Acheulian culture is observed.     

Oxygen isotope systematics of gem corundum deposits in Madagascar: relevance for their geological origin

The oxygen isotopic composition of gem corundum was measured from 22 deposits and occurrences in Madagascar to provide a gemstone geological identification and characterization. Primary corundum deposits in Madagascar are hosted in magmatic (syenite and alkali basalt) and metamorphic rocks (gneiss, cordieritite, mafic and ultramafic rocks, marble, and calc-silicate rocks). In both domains the circulation of fluids, especially along shear zones for metamorphic deposits, provoked in situ transformation of the corundum host rocks with the formation of metasomatites such as phlogopite, sakenite, and corundumite. Secondary deposits (placers) are the most important economically and are contained in detrital basins and karsts. The oxygen isotopic ratios (¹⁸O/¹⁶O) of ruby and sapphire from primary deposits are a good indicator of their geological origin and reveal a wide range of δ¹⁸O (Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water) between 1.3 and 15.6‰. Metamorphic rubies are defined by two groups of δ¹⁸O values in the range of 1.7 to 2.9‰ (cordieritite) and 3.8 to 6.1‰ (amphibolite). “Magmatic” rubies from pyroxenitic xenoliths contained in the alkali basalt of Soamiakatra have δ¹⁸O values ranging between 1.3 and 4.7‰. Sapphires are classified into two main groups with δ¹⁸O in the range of 4.7 to 9.0‰ (pyroxenite and feldspathic gneiss) and 10.7 to 15.6‰ (skarn in marble from Andranondambo). The δ¹⁸O values for gem corundum from secondary deposits have a wide spread between −0.3 and 16.5‰. The ruby and sapphire found in placers linked to alkali basalt environments in the northern and central regions of Madagascar have consistent δ¹⁸O values between 3.5 and 6.9‰. Ruby from the placers of Vatomandry and Andilamena has δ¹⁸O values of 5.9‰, and between 0.5 and 4.0‰, respectively. The placers of the Ilakaka area are characterized by a huge variety of colored sapphires and rubies, with δ¹⁸O values between −0.3 and 16.5‰, and their origin is debated. A comparison with oxygen isotope data obtained on gem corundum from Eastern Africa, India, and Sri Lanka is presented. Giant placer deposits from Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Tanzania have a large variety of colored sapphires and rubies with a large variation in δ¹⁸O due to mingling of corundum of different origin: mafic and ultramafic rocks for ruby, desilicated pegmatites for blue sapphire, syenite for yellow, green, and blue sapphire, and skarn in marbles for blue sapphire.     

The mark III Nançay radioheliograph The Radioheliograph Group

A north-south array has been added to the Mark II Nançay Radioheliograph (Radioheliograph Group, 1977). This instrument gives at 169 MHz two one-dimensional images of the Sun in the east-west and north-south directions including measurement of the circular polarization ratio. The main performances of this instrument are high space and time resolutions, flexible on line data processing and the possibility of off-line interactive data reduction. The method of calibration is briefly described. A few observations are presented.     

High energy electrons detected during solar flares

The S 79 experiment on board of the HEOS-A1 European Satellite has been designed to electrons detection whose kinetic energies should be equal or greater than 7.5 MeV. From December 1968 to July 1970, 11 events were observed.Their main characteristics are described in this article. Two different categories of events may be sorted out from these observations. The propagation conditions in the interplanetary space are now discussed to find out a possible interpretation.     

Motions, relative positions, and sizes of continua and bursts in solar noise storms

We present multifrequency radioheliograph observations of solar radio noise storms. The data base consists of observations carried out over 7 different days in the spring months of 1992 and 1993. In all, we present about 82 hours of data with 1 s time resolution at 4 different frequencies between 164 and 410 MHz. The spatial resolutions in the EW and NS directions vary with frequency from 1.2 to 0.8 and 3.7 to 1.5 arc min, respectively. In order to study the characteristics of bursts and continuum, we have developed a method for separating them in the time domain at each frequency. Our main results are: (i) there are no systematic large-scale motions of the continuum, the position is usually stable to within 2 of arc over durations of 3–4 hours and more; (ii) the positions of the continuum at different frequencies are often closer to each other than 1 of arc and have strongly correlated small-scale motions; (iii) the bursts have their positions scattered over the continuum extent and are slightly smaller in size than the underlying continuum; and (iv) there is no evidence for bipolar structures. We discuss the implications of these results for the current models of noise storm emission and for the trapping of suprathermal electrons.Presented at the CESRA Workshop in Potsdam, Germany, 16–20 May, 1994.     

Comparison of PTt paths in allochthonous high pressure metamorphic terrains from the Scandinavian Caledonides and the French Massif Central: Contrasted thermal structures during uplift

A regional comparison of retrograde PTt paths of high pressure metamorphic terrains in the Scandinavian Caledonides (Seve Nappe Complex (S.N.C.)) and the French Massif Central (F.M.C.) reveals the following similarities: physical conditions of eclogite formation are roughly identical (600–780°C / 13.5–16.5 Kb), dominantly isothermal decompression. However in detail two major differences have been recognized: 1- In the S.N.C., PT estimates of eclogite formation are constant within individual tectonic lenses but vary when different tectonic lenses are compared. During uplift these temperature differences are maintained and diminish only at the final stages of the uplift history; 2- In the F.M.C. the physical conditions of eclogite formation are relatively constant (700–750°C/15Kb) but discrepancies in temperature (> 100°C) appear during the first stages of the uplift history if one compares eastern with western domains.A thermal analytical model allows to explain these facts. In the S.N.C. the initial temperature difference during eclogite formation is related to various depths of burial. In the F.M.C. diachronic nappe stacking occurs implying a more pronounced screen effect in western than in eastern domains of the F.M.C. This also accounts for the initial retrogression under low- to middle amphibolite facies conditions in the west and granulite facies conditions in the east. Moreover from radiometric and structural data, we can see that all the uplift history of the S.N.C. is assisted by tectonic processes, while in the F.M.C., after the nappe pile was constructed, the uplift history is essentially controlled by erosional and/or isostatic processes.

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Zusammenfassung Ein regionaler Vergleich von PTt Pfaden von hochdruckbeanspruchten Gebieten in den skandinavischen Kaledoniden (Seve Nappe Complex (S.N.C.)) und dem französischen Zentralmassif (F.M.C.) zeigen folgende Ähnlichkeiten: Die physikalischen Bedingungen während der Eklogitbildung waren ungefähr identisch (600–780°C/ 13,5–16,5 kb), hauptsächlich isothermale Dekompression. Trotzdem werden zwei Hauptunterschiede beobachtet: 1- In den S.N.C. sind PT-Schätzungen der Eklogitbildung gleich in individuellen tektonischen Linsen; varriieren aber beim Vergleich verschiedener tektonischer Linsen. Während des Heraushebens wurden diese Temperaturunterschiede aufrechterhalten und verminderten sich nur in den letzten Stadien der Heraushebungsgeschichte. 2- In dem F.M.C. sind die physikalischen Bedingungen der Eklogitbildung relativ konstant (700–750°C/15 kb), aber es treten Temperaturdiskrepanzen (> 100°C) während der ersten Heraushebungsstadien auf, wenn man die westlichen mit den östlichen Bereichen vergleicht.Ein thermales analytisches Modell erlaubt es diese Fakten zu erklären. In den S.N.C. ist die initiale Temperaturdifferenz während der Eklogitbildung mit verschiedenen Versenkungstiefen in Verbindung zu bringen. In dem F.M.C. erfolgte eine diachrone Deckenstapelung, dies bewirkte einen stärker betonten Abschirmeffekt in den westlichen Bereichen des F.M.C als in den östlichen. Der initiale Rückgang von niedriggradigen zu hochgradigen Amphibolitfaziesbedingungen im Westen und Granulitfaziesbedingungen im Osten legen hierüber Rechenschaft ab. Darüber hinaus können wir aus den radiometrischen und tektonischen Daten ersehen, daß die gesamte Hebungsgeschichte des S.N.C. von tektonischen Prozessen unterstützt wurde, während im F.M.C. die Hebungsgeschichte maßgeblich von erosiven und/oder isostatischen Prozessen kontrolliert wurde, nachdem die Dekkenstapelung beendet war.

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Résumé La comparaison des évolutions rétromorphiques PTt des nappes de haute pression des Calédonides Scandinaves (Complexe des Nappes de Seve — S.N.C.) et du Massif Central français (F.M.C.) révèle les similarités suivantes: les conditions intensives du métamorphisme éclogitique sont très voisines (600–780°C/13.5–16.5 Kbar), suivi globalement d'une décompression isotherme. Cependant en détail, des différences majeures ont été reconnues: 1- Dans le S.N.C., les estimations PT de la formation des éclogites sont constantes au sein d'une même unité, mais varient quand cellesci sont comparées. Pendant la remontée, ces différences sont maintenues et ne diminuent que lors des stades terminaux; 2- Dans le F.M.C., les conditions intensives du métamorphisme de haute pression sont relativement homogènes (700–750°C/15 Kbar), mais des différences de température (> 100°C) apparaissent pendant les premiers stades de la remontée entre les domaines occidentaux et orientaux.Une modélisation thermique de type analytique permet d'expliquer ces faits. Dans le S.N.C., la différence initiale de température pendant la formation des éclogites est liée à des profondeurs d'enfouissement variées. Dans le F.M.C., il existe un diachronisme lors de la mise en place des nappes, impliquant un effet d'écran plus prononcé à l'ouest qu'à l'est. Il rend également compte de la rétromorphose des assemblages de haute pression dans les conditions du faciès amphibolite à l'ouest et du faciès granulite à l'est du F.M.C. De plus, à partir des données radiométriques et structurales, on constate que l'ensemble de l'histoire de la remontée du S.N.C. est assistée par des processus tectoniques, alors que dans le F.M.C., une fois la pile tectonique constituée, sa remontée est essentiellement contrôlée par les mécanismes de l'érosion et ceux de l'isostasie.

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(Seve Nappe Complex = S.N.C.) (..), , : (600–780°/13,5–16,5 kb), . . . : 1) S.N.C. , . . 2) .. , , (700–750°/15 ), , , . . S.N.C. . .. , , , . . , , S.N.C. , .. . . / , .

     

Extensional tectonic regimes in the Aegean basins during the Cenozoic

Abstract Kinematics of faults in the Northern Aegean show three extensional tectonic regimes the tensional directions of which trend (1) WNW-ESE, (2) NE-SW and (3) N-S. These were active during the Upper Miocene, Pliocene-Lower Pleistocene and Mid Pleistocene-Present day, respectively. The main characteristics of the stress patterns (1) and (2) on the overall Aegean is tentatively explained by variations of the horizontal lithospheric stress value σ_zz due to the slab push and of the vertical lithospheric stress value σ_zz due to mass heterogeneities. During the Mid Pleistocene-Present, due to the slab push, tectonics were compressional along the arc boundary: σ_zz was σ1. In the Aegean basins, tectonics were extensional, c_2Z was σ1 as a consequence of the thickness of the continental crust and, possibly of an updoming asthenosphere; thus σ_zz became σ2, allowing tension σ3 to be orthogonal to the compression along the arc, i.e. to be roughly parallel to the arc trend. During the Pliocene-Lower Pleistocene, the extensional regime was distinctly different. The tensional directions were roughly radial to the arc. It is suggested that σ_zz was weakly compressional, or eventually tensional, due a seaward migration of the slab so that σ_zz became σ3. In the Northern Aegean, the stress pattern has been also controlled by the westward push of the Anatolian landmass. During the Mid Pleistocene-Present day, this was typically extensional (al was vertical) and the right lateral strike-slip motion on the North Anatolian Fault transformed into a N-S-stretching, E-W-shortening of the Northern Aegean. Dextral strike-slip motions along the North Aegean Trough fault zone were possible on NE-SW-striking faults. During the Pliocene-Lower Pleistocene, normal fault components were higher; however, because the angle between the NE-SW trend of the tensional axis and the strike of the fault zone was acute, dextral strike-slip components were possible on all the faults striking NE-SW to E-W. A clockwise 15^o rotation of Limnos with respect to Samothraki, Thraki and Thassos, suggested by structural data, was probably associated with these dextral motions. The WNW-ESE trending tension during the Upper Miocene indicates that the dextral North Anatolian Fault had not yet merged into the North Aegean Trough fault zone at that time. We propose that the formation of Aegean basins during the Cenozoic was related to the activity of two major Hellenic arcs. The ‘Pelagonian-Pindic Arc’ resulted in the formation of the subsident Aegean basins of Middle Eocene-Lower Miocene age and of the older Northern Aegean orogenic volcanism. The ‘Aegean Arc’ resulted in the formation of the subsident Aegean basins of Middle Miocene to Present day age and of the Southern Aegean orogenic volcanism. Were these arcs associated with a unique subduction zone or with two such zones ? In the first case, the slab is no more than 16 Myr old, in the second it may be as old as 45–50 Myr. The answer depends on the accuracy of the seismic tomography profiles.