Ground-Motion Scaling in the Western Alps

In order to empirically obtain the scaling relationships for the high-frequency ground motion in the Western Alps (NW Italy), regressions are carried out on more than 7500 seismograms from 957 regional earthquakes. The waveforms were selected from the database of 6 three-component stations of the RSNI (Regional Seismic network of Northwestern Italy). The events, M _W ranging between 1.2 and 4.8, were recorded within a hypocentral distance of 200 km during the time period: 1996–2001. The peak ground velocities are measured in selected narrow-frequency bands, between 0.5 and 14 Hz. Results are presented in terms of a regional attenuation function for the vertical ground motion, a set of vertical excitation terms at the reference station STV2 (hard-rock), and a set of site terms (vertical and horizontal), all relative to the vertical component of station STV2.The regional propagation of the ground motion is modeled after quantifying the expected duration of the seismic motion as a function of frequency and hypocentral distance. A simple functional form is used to take into account both the geometrical and the anelastic attenuation: a multi-variable grid search yielded a quality factor Q(f) = 310f ^0.20, together with a quadri-linear geometrical spreading at low frequency. A simpler, bi-linear geometrical spreading seems to be more appropriate at higher frequencies (f > 1.0 Hz). Excitation terms are matched by using a Brune spectral model with variable, magnitude-dependent stress drop: at M _w 4.8, we used Δσ = 50 MPa. A regional distance-independent attenuation parameter is obtained (κ₀ = 0.012 s) by modelling the average spectral decay at high frequency of small earthquakes.In order to predict the absolute levels of ground shaking in the region, the excitation/attenuation model is used through the Random Vibration Theory (RVT) with a stochastic point-source model. The expected peak-ground accelerations (PGA) are compared with the ones derived by Ambraseys et al. (1996) for the Mediterranean region and by Sabetta and Pugliese (1996) for the Italian territory.     

Proposal of a method to define areas of landslide hazard and application to an area of the Dolomites, Italy

A numerical–cartographical method has been developed to create landslide hazard maps. This method allows the assigning of a rating to the various parameters which contribute to landslides. The parameters considered are: (1) erodibility and degradability of the rocks and Quaternary deposits; (2) permeability of the ground to identify areas prone to hydraulic overpressure; (3) the geometric ratio between discontinuities and slope, and thickness of Quaternary deposits; (4) angle of the slopes; and (5) land use. A thematic map is constructed for each factor considered which defines different areas through ratings, after which all the thematic maps are overlaid and the ratings added up (or multiplied). The map which is thus obtained is reclassified in order to create the final map of landslide hazard. This method, which has already been tested in various areas, has produced excellent results in this case too, allowing a map to be constructed which corresponds to the actual instability problems.     

The Influence of Strong-Motion Duration on the Seismic Response of Masonry Structures

The influence of strong-motion duration on the response of saturated soils is clearly recognised and accounted for in the assessment of liquefaction potential. The degree to which duration of shaking influences damage to structures, however, remains a topic of debate, with resolution of the issue complicated by the variety of definitions of duration and the variety of structural behaviours, as well as the difficulty of decoupling the specific effect of duration from other features of the ground motion. A suite of seven structural models with strength and stiffness degrading characteristics, designed to reflect the seismic behaviour of masonry structures commonly encountered in many parts of Europe, are analysed using a suite of almost 500 strong-motion accelerograms. Correlations are explored between the damage, measured in terms of the strength degradation, and a range of strong-motion parameters, demonstrating that Arias intensity and spectral acceleration at the fundamental initial period of the structure are both reasonably good damage indicators for such structures. A significantly improved correlation is obtained by using the elastic spectral accelerations averaged over a period range from the initial period of the structure to a value approximately three times greater, reflecting the stiffness degradation as the shaking progresses. The scatter in the correlation is shown to be partially explained by differences in duration. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

High-pressure structural study of muscovite

The compressibility and structural variations of two 2M₁ muscovites having compositions (Na_0.07K_0.90 Ba_0.01□_0.02)(Al_1.84Ti_0.04Fe_0.07Mg_0.04)(Si_3.02Al_0.98) O₁₀ (OH)₂ (7 mole % paragonite) and (Na_0.37K_0.60□_0.03)(Al_1.84Ti_0.02 Fe_0.10Mg_0.06)(Si_3.03Al_0.97) O₁₀(OH)₂ (37 mole % paragonite) were determined at pressures between 1 bar and 35 kbar, by single-crystal X-ray diffraction using a Merrill-Bassett diamond anvil cell. Isothermal bulk moduli, setting K′ = 4, were 490 and 540 (± 30) kbar for the Na-poor and Na-rich samples respectively. Both samples show highly anisotropic compressibility patterns, with β _a ∶β _b ∶β _c = 1∶1.15∶3.95 for the Na-poor sample and β _a ∶β _b ∶β _c = 1∶1.19∶3.46 for the Na-rich one. HP structural refinements showed that the different compressibility was largely due to the partial substitution of Na for K in the interlayer region. Moreover, the different compressibility of the tetrahedral and octahedral layers, observed in both micas, increased the a rotation of the tetrahedral layer by about 2° in 28 kbar, as also indicated by the evolution of interlayer cation bond lengths. This increases the repulsion of oxygens of the basal layers and between the high-charged cations of the tetrahedral layer. As a consequence, phengitic substitution, reducing α rotation, would increase the baric stability of mica. Comparison between the HP structures of muscovite and phlogopite indicated the lower compressibility of the latter, mainly due to the greater compressibility of the dioctahedral layer with respect to that of the trioctahedral layer. The HT and HP behaviour of di- and trioctahedral micas showed an anisotropy in the compressional pattern which was markedly greater than that observed in the dilatation pattern. This unexpected result was explained by the different evolution with P and T of alkaliO bond lengths. By combining HP and HT data, a tentative equation of state of muscovite is proposed.     

The large-scale dynamics of grain-size variation in alluvial basins, 2: Application to syntectonic conglomerate

The concept of‘syntectonic’ conglomerate is based on the idea that gravel progradation is mainly generated by an increase in tectonic uplift and erosion of a source area with attendant increase in sediment flux supplied to a basin. However, other mechanisms, such as changes in basin subsidence rates, sorting of supplied sediment, and capability of transporting streams, can also lead to progradation and be difficult to distinguish from a syntectonic origin. Here we use our previously developed model to help understand the origin of gravel progradation in three Neogene alluvial basins - the Bermejo Basin of Argentina, the Himalayan Foreland Basin, and the San Pedro Basin of southern Arizona - all of which have available high-resolution magnetostratigraphy. Interpretation of the origin of gravel progradation in these basins begins with calculation of basin equilibrium time, which is the time-scale required for the streams to reach a steady-state profile, assuming constant conditions. We then compare the time-scale of the observed changes in the basin with the equilibrium time to determine if and how the model can be applied to the stratigraphic record. Most of the changes we have studied occur on time scales longer than the equilibrium time (‘slow variations’), in which case the key to interpretation is the relationship between overall grain-size change and sedimentation rate in vertical sections. Of the three examples studied only one, the Bermejo Basin, is consistent with the traditional model of syntectonic progradation. Overall progradation in the two other basins is most consistent with a long-term reduction in basin subsidence rates. In addition, short-term variation in diffusivity or sediment flux, probably climatically driven, is the most likely control of small-scale progradation of gravel tongues in the San Pedro Basin. These results, along with observations from other basins, suggest that subsidence is clearly an important control on clastic progradation on ‘slow’ time scales (i.e. generally a million years or more). If subsidence rates are directly linked to tectonic events, then subsidence-driven progradation marks times of tectonic quiescence and is clearly not syntectonic in the traditional sense. These examples show that the model can be useful in interpreting the rock record, particularly when combined with other traditional basin-analysis techniques. In particular, our results can be used to help discriminate between clastic progradation due to tectonic origin and progradation resulting from other mechanisms in alluvial basins.     

Non-stationary spectral moments of base excited MDOF systems

The paper deals with the evaluation of non-stationary spectral moments of multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) line systems subjected to seismic excitations. The spectral moments of the response are evaluated in incremental form solution by means of an unconditionally stable step-by-step procedure. As an application, the statistics of the largest peak of the response are also evaluated.     

PAssive COastal TOMography: an Innovative Approach for the Remote Monitoring of Sea Temperature

Abstract. This paper describes a new Ocean Acoustic Tomography (OAT) methodology - a passive tomography - presently in an advanced development phase. This technique has been developed for long-term, extensive, remote monitoring of the seawater temperature spatial distribution, which is estimated from the received noise emitted from ships of opportunity. To test the passive tomographic processor under controlled conditions, the components of the naval noise from different kinds of vessels was analysed and realistic naval noise was simulated. The feasibility of the proposed methodology was confirmed by test-runs on semi-synthetic data; its capability to resolve temperature profiles will be better assessed with the use of real acoustic and environmental data collected during the INTIMATE00 experiment performed in October 2000 in the Atlantic Ocean off the Portuguese coast. An analysis of the space and time variability of the Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) decomposition of the sound speed (SSP) in the Mediterranean Sea has been carried out to identify areas where acoustic tomography can be successfully applied. Results from simulations in the South Adriatic Sea, which was identified as a region with a high sound speed variability associated with the seasonal cycle and with the main oceanographic processes, are reported.     

Clear‐sky closure studies of lower tropospheric aerosol and water vapor during ACE‐2 using airborne sunphotometer, airborne in‐situ, space‐borne, and ground‐based measurements

We report on clear‐sky column closure experiments (CLEARCOLUMN) performed in the Canary Islands during the second Aerosol Characterization Experiment (ACE‐2) in June/July 1997. We present CLEARCOLUMN results obtained by combining airborne sunphotometer and in‐situ (optical particle counter, nephelometer, and absorption photometer) measurements taken aboard the Pelican aircraft, space‐borne NOAA/AVHRR data and ground‐based lidar and sunphotometer measurements. During both days discussed here, vertical profiles flown in cloud‐free air masses revealed 3 distinctly different layers: a marine boundary layer (MBL) with varying pollution levels, an elevated dust layer, and a very clean layer between the MBL and the dust layer. A key result of this study is the achievement of closure between extinction or layer aerosol optical depth (AOD) computed from continuous in‐situ aerosol size‐distributions and composition and those measured with the airborne sunphotometer. In the dust, the agreement in layer AOD (λ=380–1060 nm) is 3–8%. In the MBL there is a tendency for the in‐situ results to be slightly lower than the sunphotometer measurements (10–17% at λ=525 nm), but these differences are within the combined error bars of the measurements and computations.