An integrated paleomagnetic study of Rio Grande de Santiago volcanic succession (trans-Mexican volcanic belt): revisited

We carried out an integrated paleomagnetic, rock-magnetic and paleointensity study of Miocene volcanic succession from the trans-Mexican volcanic belt (TMVB) north of Guadalajara. A total of 37 consecutive basaltic lava flows (326 oriented standard paleomagnetic cores) were collected at Lazo locality. Continuous susceptibility measurements with temperature and hysteresis experiments yield in most cases reasonably reversible curves with Curie points close to that of pseudo-single-domain magnetite. Two geomagnetic reversals were observed in the 300 m thick composite section. Paleosecular variation was lower than the one observed in general during Miocene. It appears that the volcanic units have been emplaced during a relatively short time span of about 1 Ma. The mean paleomagnetic directions obtained from this study do not differ significantly from that expected for the middle Miocene. The mean paleomagnetic direction calculated from all data is I=31.1°, D=354.6°, k=124 and ₉₅=2.1°, N=37. Seventy-two samples with apparently preserved primary magnetic mineralogy and without secondary magnetization, mostly belonging to reverse polarity chron were pre-selected for Thellier paleointensity determination. The flow-mean paleointensity values are ranging from 22.4±3.4 to 53.8±6.0 μT and the corresponding virtual dipole moments (VDMs) are ranging from (5.4±0.8) to (12.0±1.4)×10²² A m². This corresponds to mean value of (7.7±2.2)×10²² A m², which is close to present day geomagnetic field strength. Altogether, our data suggest the existence of relatively high geomagnetic field strength undergoing low fluctuations.     

Variability of photosynthetic pigments in the Colombian Pacific Ocean and its relationship with the wind field using ADEOS-I data

Variability of the oceanographic conditions in the Colombian Pacific Ocean, a part of the Panama Basin, is subjected to the variability of wind conditions in the equatorial part of the Pacific Ocean. Data of OCTS and NSCAT of ADEOS-I satellite provided as monthly averages for the period November 1996-June 1997 by NASDA, were processed and manipulated. A meridional (N-S) component and a zonal (E-W) component were run in order to analyse the data variability and correlation. It is concluded that the variability of the oceanic surface chlorophyll and SST in the Colombian Pacific is a seasonal event related to the migration of the ITCZ and the generation of a wind jet at the Isthmus of Panama. Upwelling due to the wind rotor is present throughout the whole period, with variable spatial distribution and a tendency to be located towards the eastern part of the basin. In a similar way, high chlorophyll concentrations observed in March coincide with both the intensification of the vertical velocities during that month, and the maximal rise of the thermocline in the northern part of the Panama Basin. Picture series of surface chlorophyll, SST, wind stress and Ekman pumping are provided for the studied area.     

Subsidence and strike-slip tectonism of the upper continental slope off Manzanillo, Mexico

The direction of convergence between the Rivera and North American plates becomes progressively more oblique (in a counter-clockwise sense as measured relative to the trench-normal direction) northwestward along the Jalisco subduction zone. By analogy to other subduction zones, the forces resulting from this distribution of convergence directions are expected to produce a NW moving, fore-arc sliver and a NW–SE stretching of the fore-arc area. Also, a series of roughly arc parallel strike-slip faults may form in the fore-arc area, both onshore and offshore, as is observed in the Aleutian arc.In the Jalisco subduction zone, the Jalisco block has been proposed to represent such a fore-arc sliver. However, this proposal has encountered one major problem. Namely, right-lateral strike-slip faulting within the fore-arc sliver, and between the fore-arc sliver and the North American plate, should be observed. However, evidence for the expected right-lateral strike-slip faulting is sparse. Some evidence for right-lateral strike-slip faulting along the Jalisco block–North American plate boundary (the Tepic–Zacoalco rift system) has been reported, although some disagreement exists. Right-lateral strike-slip faulting has also been reported within the interior of the Jalisco block and in the southern Colima rift, which forms the SE boundary of the Jalisco block.Threefold, multi-channel seismic reflection data were collected in the offshore area of the Jalisco subduction zone off Manzanillo in April 2002 during the FAMEX campaign of the N/O L'Atalante. These data provide additional evidence for recent strike-slip motion within the fore-arc region of the Jalisco subduction zone. This faulting offsets right-laterally a prominent horst block within the southern Colima rift, from which we conclude that the sense of motion along the faulting is dextral. These data also provide additional evidence for recent subsidence within the area offshore of Manzanillo, as has been proposed.     

3D seismic interpretation of slump complexes: examples from the continental margin of Israel

This paper uses three‐dimensional (3D) seismic data from the continental margin of Israel (Eastern Mediterranean) to describe a series of slump deposits within the Pliocene and Holocene succession. These slumps are linked to the dynamics of subsidence and deformation of the transform margin of the eastern Mediterranean. Repeated slope failure occurred during the post‐Messinian, when a clay‐dominated progradational succession was forming. This resulted in large‐scale slump deposits accumulating in the mid‐lower slope region of the basin at different stratigraphic levels. It is probable that the slumps were triggered by a combination of slope oversteepening, seismic activity and gas migration. The high spatial resolution provided by the 3D seismic data has been used to define a spectrum of internal and external geometries within slump deposits. Importantly, we recognise two main zones for many of the slumps on this margin: a depletion zone and an accumulation zone. The former is characterised by extension and translation, and the latter by complex imbricate thrusts and fold systems. Volume‐based seismic attribute analysis reveals transport directions within the slump deposits, which are predominately downslope, but with subtle variations particularly at the lateral margins. Basal shear surfaces are observed to ramp both up and down stratigraphy. Slump evolution occurs both by retrogressive upslope failure, and by downslope propagation (out‐of‐sequence) failure. Slump anatomy and the combination of factors responsible for slump failure and transport are relatively poorly understood, mainly because of the limited 3D of outcrop control; hence, this subsurface study is an example of how improved understanding of the mechanisms and products can be obtained using this 3D seismic methodology in unstable margin areas.     

Drought 2002 in Colorado: An Unprecedented Drought or a Routine Drought?

The 2002 drought in Colorado was reported by the media and by public figures, and even by a national drought-monitoring agency, as an exceptionally severe drought. In this paper we examine evidence for this claim. Our study shows that, while the impacts of water shortages were exceptional everywhere, the observed precipitation deficit was less than extreme over a good fraction of the state. A likely explanation of this discrepancy is the imbalance between water supply and water demand over time. For a given level of water supply, water shortages become intensified as water demands increase over time. The sobering conclusion is that Colorado is more vulnerable to drought today than under similar precipitation deficits in the past.     

Metallogenic and tectonic characteristics of the paleozoic ophiolitic belt of the southern Chile coastal Cordillera

The comparison of the tectonic, geochemical, and metallogenic information of the Crystalline Paleozoic Basement of the South Coast Range of Chile, with those classical ophiolites complexes like Cyprus, Oman, the Apennines, Magellean, etc., allows to find many similarities between them: ultramafic rocks, mainly wherlites, harzburgites and dunites with strong serpentinization, and rodingites; tholeiitic basalts with pillow structures; volcano-clastic sediments (»green schists«) of tholeiitic composition and meta-pelites (»grey schists«).From a metallogenitic point of view, the frame is completed by podiform chromites: occurrences associated to the serpentinizing banded iron formations, stratiform manganese oxides (mainly pyrolusite) associated to meta-cherts and quartzites, and polymetallic massive sulphide horizons interbedded with green schists.It is proposed that this sequence, based on its tectonic, petrographical, geochemical and metallogenetical characteristics, corresponds to an ophiolite back arc complex associated to an island arc developed during the Paleozoic.

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Zusammenfassung Das kristalline Grundgebirge der Küstenkordillere Südchiles zeigt in tektonischer, geochemischer und metallogenetischer Hinsicht viele Ähnlichkeiten mit den bekannten, klassischen Ophiolithkomplexen, wie z.B. Cypern, Oman, Apenninen und Magallanes. Bemerkenswert sind Rodingite und stark serpentinisierte ultrabasische Gesteine, u.a. Wehrlite, Harzburgite sowie Dunite. Au\erdem treten Basalte mit Pillow-Strukturen, vulkanoklastische Sedimente tholeiitischer Zusammensetzung (Grünschiefer) und Metapelite (Grauschiefer) auf. Von metallogenetischer Bedeutung ist die Anwesenheit von podiformen Chromit in Serpentiniten, von gebÄnderten Eisenerzen (BIF-Typ), stratiformen Mn-Oxid-Lagen in Metacherts und Quarziten sowie polymetallischen, massiven Sulfidschichten in Grünschiefern.Das metamorphe Grundgebirge wird aufgrund seiner tektonischen, petrographischen, geochemischen und metallogenetischen Gegebenheiten als Ophiolithkomplex des »back arc«-Typs angesehen, der im Zusammenhang mit einem palÄozoischen Inselbogen gebildet wurde.

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Resumen Al comparar las características tectónicas, geoquímicas y metalogenéticas del Basamento Cristalino Paleozoico de la Cordillera de la Costa del sur de Chile, con complejos ofiolíticos clásicos como Chipre, Omán, Los Apeninos, Magallanes, etc., se encuentran muchas similaridades entre ellos: rocas ultramáficas, principalmente wehrlitas, harzburgitas y dunitas, con fuerte serpentinización, y rodingitas; basaltos con estructura de almohadilla; sedimentos volcano-clásticos (»esquistos verdes«) de composición tholeiitica y metapelitas (»esquistos grises«).Desde el punto de vista metalogénico, el cuadro se completa con la ocurrencia de cromita podiforme asociada a serpentinitas; formaciones de hierro bandeado (BIF); óxidos de manganeso estratiformes asociados a meta-cherts y cuarcitas, y sulfuros masivos polimetálicos intercalados con esquistos verdes.Se propone que esta secuencia, basado en sus características tectónicas, petrográficas, geoquímicas y metalogénicas, corresponde a un complejo ofiolítico tipo »back arc« asociado a un arco de islas desarrollado durante el Paleozoico.

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, , .: , , . , - , . , — — — —. , BIF-, — metacherts — , . , , , « » — back arc -, .

     

Shear strength studies on soil-quarry dust mixtures

Due to the high demand for rubble and aggregates for construction purposes, rubble quarries and aggregate crushers are very common. Out of the different quarry wastes, quarry dust is one, which is produced in abundance. About 20–25% of the total production in each crusher unit is left out as the waste material-quarry dust. Bulk utilization of this waste material is possible through geotechnical applications like embankments, back-fill material, sub-base material and the like. It becomes a useful additive to the natural soil to improve its strength characteristics. For the above applications one of the important engineering properties is the shear strength. The purpose of the present investigation is to understand the shear strength behavior of quarry dust and soil-quarry dust mixes.     

Multipathing and spectral modulation of the downgoing wavefield in a complex crust: an example from the KTB (Germany) borehole

VSP data collected in the KTB (Germany) borehole to a depth of 8.5 km in 1999 show a surprising spectral modulation of the downgoing wavefield. After filtering the data with the singular value decomposition technique it was found that below about 6.2 km there are two depth intervals where the modulation can be explained in terms of a basic wavelet plus two weighted and delayed copies of that wavelet, with the delay for each wavelet remaining almost constant in each interval. The boundary between the two intervals is at about 7.25 km depth and above and below this depth the delay for the second wavelet is almost the same, while the delay for the third wavelet is significantly different. Neither the modulation nor its depth variation are source related and cannot be explained in terms of multiple reflections in a subhorizontal low-velocity layer. On the other hand, finite difference synthetic data show that subvertical layering (which is prevalent in the borehole area) provides a mechanism that can explain the observations. This mechanism has analogies with the generation of the standard refracted (i.e. head) waves. When a plane wave front propagates perpendicular to the boundaries of a vertical low-velocity layer surrounded by two vertical high-velocity layers, refracted wave fronts are generated in the low-velocity layer, which in turn generate secondary wave fronts in the high-velocity layers. These wave fronts trail the primary wave fronts by a constant delay whose magnitude has a simple dependence on the thickness of the low-velocity layer and the velocities involved. This process creates multipath arrivals that in geological settings with steeply inclined and faulted layers may appear and disappear rather abruptly, which may contribute to a scattered appearance of the wavefield.