Introduction to TETHYS—an interdisciplinary GIS database for studying continental collisions

The TETHYS GIS database is being developed as a way to integrate relevant geologic, geophysical, geochemical, geochronologic, and remote sensing data bearing on Tethyan continental plate collisions. The project is predicated on a need for actualistic model ‘templates’ for interpreting the Earth's geologic record. Because of their time-transgressive character, Tethyan collisions offer ‘actualistic’ models for features such as continental ‘escape’, collision-induced upper mantle flow magmatism, and marginal basin opening, associated with modern convergent plate margins. Large integrated geochemical and geophysical databases allow for such models to be tested against the geologic record, leading to a better understanding of continental accretion throughout Earth history. The TETHYS database combines digital topographic and geologic information, remote sensing images, sample-based geochemical, geochronologic, and isotopic data (for pre- and post-collision igneous activity), and data for seismic tomography, shear-wave splitting, space geodesy, and information for plate tectonic reconstructions. Here, we report progress on developing such a database and the tools for manipulating and visualizing integrated 2-, 3-, and 4-d data sets with examples of research applications in progress. Based on an Oracle database system, linked with ArcIMS via ArcSDE, the TETHYS project is an evolving resource for researchers, educators, and others interested in studying the role of plate collisions in the process of continental accretion, and will be accessible as a node of the national Geosciences Cyberinfrastructure Network—GEON via the World-Wide Web and ultra-high speed internet2. Interim partial access to the data and metadata is available at: http://geoinfo.geosc.uh.edu/Tethys/ and http://www.esrs.wmich.edu/tethys.htm. We demonstrate the utility of the TETHYS database in building a framework for lithospheric interactions in continental collision and accretion.     

Influence of atmospheric dust on non-telescopic sunspot observations

Catalogues of non-telescopic sunspot observations from the Orient have been presented by several authors. Since atmospheric dust facilitates naked-eye observation of the Sun we investigate its possible influence by comparing the historical records of sunspot sightings and atmospheric dust storms. A distinction is made between the record up to the end of the Ming dynasty that is based on court documents and the post-Ming reports that are all provincial sightings. The earlier record is found to be significantly anti-correlated with C-14 fluctuations while the latter one is weakly anti-correlated. The provincial sightings contain a much larger signature of atmospheric turbidity, as is also indicated by their poor comparison with telescopic data.     

Post-glacial persistence of turbiditic activity within the Rhône deep-sea turbidite system (Gulf of Lions,Western Mediterranean): Linking the outer shelf and the basin sedimentary records

Emplacement of post-glacial turbidites is commonly controlled by rapid changes in sea level or by seismicity. On the continental rise of the Gulf of Lions (Western Mediterranean), an aseismic area, we identified turbiditic beds deposited during the rising stage and highstand of sea level. Swath bathymetry, sediment cores, in situ Cone Penetrating Tests (CPTU), heavy mineral associations and radiocarbon dating determined the source, composition, distribution and age of the turbiditic beds. Turbidites are composed of homogeneous to positively graded silts to medium sand with quartz (up to 90%), shell debris and shelfal benthic faunas. Their distribution on the sea floor is very patchy and controlled by abundant inherited erosional bedforms. Their source is found in relict regressive sands at the outershelf. Their deposition occurred just after the onset of the post-glacial sea level rise and the concomitant sediment starvation of the Rhône deep sea turbiditic system until recently. Whilst canyons are fed with sand by strong seasonal hydro-sedimentary dynamics on the outershelf, the emplacement of post-glacial turbidites is not controlled by sea level changes but probably by the periodic flushing of the canyons. Our study revealed that this low energy aseismic margin undergoes significant transport of sand, down to the base of slope, during the sea-level rise and the Holocene highstand.     

Geodynamic Background of Intracontinental Cenozoic Alkaline Volcanic Rocks in Laojiezi, Western Yangtze Craton: Constraints from Sr-Nd-Hf-O Isotopes

The Laojiezi alkaline volcanic rocks, which are located in the intraplate region of the Yangtze craton, coincide with the formation of the Jinshajiang-Ailaoshan-Red River alkaline rock belt. Although this belt has been widely studied by geologists because of its porphyry-related Pb-Ag-Au polymetallic deposit and geotectonic location, the material sources of this belt are still debate. Whole-rock analyses show that these rocks have high total alkali contents (3.73–11.08wt%), and their aluminum saturation index (ASI) values widely vary from 0.82 to 3.07, which comprise a metaluminous-peraluminous magma series. These rocks are characterized by high K (K2O/Na2O>1) and low Ti and Mg contents; enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements, such as Rb, Ba, K and light rare earth elements; and depletion in high field strength elements, such as Ta, Nb, P, and Ti. These rocks exhibit moderate Eu (Eu/Eu*=0.86–1.04) and Ce (Ce/Ce*=0.63–0.96) anomalies. Their (87Sr/86Sr)i, εNd(t), zircon εHf(t) and δ18O values range from 0.70839 to 0.71013, from ?10.16 to ?12.45, from ?19.6 to ?5.8, and from 5.69‰ to 8.54‰, respectively, and their Nd and Hf two-stage model ages (TDM2) are 1.67–1.86 Ga and 1.27–2.02 Ga, respectively. These data reflect the primary partial melting of Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic lower crust with minor residual continental lithospheric mantle and supracrustal metasediments. The lithosphere was likely thickened along the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau following the Indian-Asian continent-continent collision (65–41 Ma). During the post-collision phase (36–16 Ma), the transition from a compressional to extensional setting triggered the convective removal of the over-thickened CLM beneath the Yangtze craton, which led to the upwelling of asthenospheric materials. This process created alkali-rich and high-K magma through the partial melting of the thickened lower crust. Magma that carried Cu-Au-Pb-Ag minerals was emplaced by strike-slip motion along the E- to W- or ENE- to WSW-trending tectonically weak zone, finally forming an alkaline porphyry Cu-Au-Pb-Ag polymetallic deposit.     

Derivation of earthquake-induced landslide distribution using aerial photogrammetry: the January 24, 2020, Elazig (Turkey) earthquake

Landslides - On January 24, 2020, an earthquake with the Mw of 6.8 occurred on the East Anatolian Fault Zone in Elazig Province, Turkey, and triggered many landslides. Even though Turkey is in a...     

Characterization of a carbonate reservoir using elastic full-waveform inversion of vertical seismic profile data

Two-dimensional elastic full waveform inversion was applied to two lines extracted from a spiral three-dimensional vertical seismic profile data acquired in an oilfield offshore, Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. The lines were selected to be parallel and perpendicular to the plane defined by the deviated borehole. The purpose of the inversion was to derive high-resolution elastic properties of the subsurface. After pre-processing, the data were band-pass filtered with a minimum frequency of 3.5 Hz and a maximum frequency of 30 Hz. A sequential inversion approach was used to mitigate non-linearity. The pre-processing of the data consisted in the removal of bad traces, followed by amplitude and phase corrections. High-resolution P- and S-wave velocity models that show good correlations with the available sonic logs were obtained. The results of the inversion suggest that the oilfield consists of a stack of layers with varying lithology, porosity and possibly fluid content.     

Impact of climate change on the wheat-growing season over Iran

The objective of this paper is to derive and analyze the present and future climate projections over the region of wheat production over Iran. In addition, the projected future climate fluctuation results will be used to assist the maximum performance of wheat and to be used as the main basis for planning changes in the farming calendar in Iran. Observed climate (temperature and degree day) changes during the period (1951–2009) will be discussed. Projected future changes up to 2100 based on the MAGICC/SCENGEN 5.3 compound model was utilized. Furthermore, 18 scenarios were used to derive a single GCM model referred to as the United Kingdom Hadley Center Global Environment Model, which will be used to select the worst, best, and average scenario.     

Exploration of copper deposits in Wadi El Regeita area, Southern Sinai, Egypt, with contribution of remote sensing and geophysical data

Three types of hydrothermal alterations are recorded in Wadi El Regeita area, argillic, phyllic, and propylitic. Whole-rock analysis of representative samples of the alteration halo (1) shows a Cu, Au, and Ag content up to 1.7 wt.%, 1.6 g/t, and 4 g/t, respectively; in the alteration halo (2), these metal contents are up to 1.3 wt.%, 1.4 g/t, and 3 g/t, following the same order. The integrated remote sensing and geophysical data, as well as geological field verification, show that Wadi El Regeita area includes promising Cu ores within two hydrothermal alteration haloes. Spatial data analyses of lineaments from Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) band ratio image (7/5, 5/4, 3/1) reveal the presence of alteration haloes that potentially may host Cu mineralization at south and north of El Regita Cu mine. Gravity interpretation indicates that the surveyed area is dissected by NE–SW fault zones in the central part, near Wadi El Regeita Cu mine. Ground magnetic survey data revealed that the surveyed area includes six magnetic bodies at depths ranging from 32 to 90 m, possibly recording the presence of mineralized and hydrothermally altered andesitic dykes. The half length of these dykes ranges from 600 to 1,070 m; their half thickness from 30 to 123 m and their half width from 48 to 531 m. Dyke locations coincide with surface alteration haloes (1) and (2) as indicated by the ETM band ratio image processing. The final assessment of the area, however, needs more detailed geological and geophysical studies with contributions of remote sensing techniques.     

Biodegradation of crude oil and n-alkanes by fungi isolated from Oman

Ten fungal species isolated from tar balls collected from the beaches of Oman were tested for their abilities to grow and degrade n-alkanes and crude oil. The abilities of Aspergillus niger, A. ochraceus and Penicillium chrysogenum to degrade n-alkanes (C13-C18), crude oil were compared and their mycelial biomass was measured. Significant differences were found in the utilization of C15, C16, C17 and C18 by the three fungi. Similarly, significant differences we found in the amount of biomass produced by the three fungi growing on C13, C17, C18 and crude oil. The correlation coefficient of biomass and oil utilization was not statistically significant for Aspergillus niger, significant for Aspergillus terreus and highly significant for P. chrysogenum.