Recent activity of Nisyros volcano (Greece) inferred from structural, geochemical and seismological data

This study summarizes the results of structural, geochemical and seismological surveys carried out at Nisyros volcano (Aegean Sea, Greece) during 1999–2001. Field mapping and mesostructural measurements at the summit caldera (Lakki plain) indicate that faults follow two main strikes: NE-SW and N-S. The N-S striking fault depicts extensional features accommodating the left-lateral component of motion of the NE-SW- striking main faults. The NE-SW preferred strike of the Lakki faults and of the mineral-filled veins as well as the distribution and NE-SW elongation of the hydrothermal craters indicate that tectonics plays a major role in controlling the fluid pathway in the Nisyros caldera. The same NE-SW trend is depicted by CO₂ anomalies revealed through detailed soil CO₂ flux surveys, thus indicating a structural control on the pattern of the hydrothermal degassing. Degassing processes account for a thermal energy release of about 43 MW, most of which occurs at Lofos dome, an area that was affected by hydrothermal eruptions in historical times. The seismic study was conducted in June 2001, using a deployment specifically aimed at detecting signals of magmatic-hydrothermal origin. Our instruments recorded local and regional earthquakes, a few local long-period events (LP), and bursts of monochromatic tremor. Local earthquake activity is concentrated beneath the caldera, at depths generally shallower than 6 km. Plane-wave decomposition of tremor signal indicates a shallow (<200 m) source located in the eastern part of the caldera. Conversely, LP events depict a source located beneath the central part of the caldera, in the area of Lofos dome, at depths in the 1–2-km range. In agreement with geochemical and structural measurements, these data suggest that both the deeper and shallower part of the hydrothermal system are subjected to instability in the fluid flow regimes, probably consequent to transient pressurization of the reservoir. These instabilities may be related to input of hot fluids from the deeper magmatic system, as suggested by the variations in geochemical parameters observed after the 1997–1999 unrest episode. The significance of seismological and geochemical indicators as precursors of hydrothermal explosive activity at Nisyros is discussed.Editorial responsibility: H. Shinohara     

A simplified model for analysis and design of asymmetric-plan buildings

A new simplified model for analysis and design of multistorey buildings is developed. The model is based on a single super-element per building storey capable of representing the elastic and inelastic properties of the storey. This is done by matching the stiffness matrices and ultimate yield surface of the storey with that of the element; this surface relates storey shear and storey torque. For practical convenience, these surfaces are parametrized in terms of seven important physical parameters controlling the seismic response of asymmetric structures. Several numerical studies showed that the accuracy of the super-element model is satisfactory for most design purposes; the errors in peak responses are expected to be less than 20 per cent for most practical structures. Among the important advantages of this simplified model is that the time required in formulating, analysing and interpreting the structural model and its response is at least an order of magnitude smaller than for any conventional 3-D inelastic model. This enables the engineer to try different structural configurations and, thus, produce designs that have the desired seismic behaviour and are cost-effective. Furthermore, it has been shown through a multistorey building example that the super-element model is a powerful tool for conceptual design of a building. In spite of its simplicity, the model uses an accurate representation of the storey-shear and torque surfaces, which enables it to capture the fundamental features controlling the inelastic behaviour of the building.     

Mineral chemistry of Monte Vulture volcanics: petrological implications

Summary Two distinct periods of volcanic activity are distinguishable at Monte Vulture volcanic complex: the first activity started with tephritic and foiditic volcanics, documented by xenoliths in the phonotrachytic (Ph-T) ignimbrites, lava blocks in a basal explosion breccia deposit beneath the Ph-T ignimbrites, sandy lenses rich in volcanic components in fluviatile conglomerates, and ended with emplacement of phonotrachytic deposits (Ph-T ignimbrites and lava domes); whereas subsequent activity produced deposits of foiditic and tephritic composition which built up the central volcano. The volcanics of the two periods do not fit a simple evolutionary model on the basis of geochemical signatures.New whole-rock and microprobe analyses of mafic minerals from volcanics of the first period are presented here, together with the published data on M. Vulture volcanics, to give a more comprehensive picture of the magma evolution.Principal features can be summarized as follows: (i) melanitic garnet occurs as a stable phase only in the volcanics of the first period of activity; (ii) olivine and diopside occur only in the cone building deposits; (iii) pyroxenes from the volcanics of the first stage crystallized under different physico-chemical conditions with respect to those occurring in volcanics of the central edifice; (iv) the analyzed lavas occurring as blocks in the explosion breccia deposit of the first stage display diversities with respect to the lavas of the central volcano, and it is likely that diverse parental magmas fed the first and the subsequent activities. During the first stage, crystal/liquid fractionation processes determined the evolution from the mafic parental magmas towards phonotrachytic compositions, as with the foidite-tephrtte sequence of the second stage (cone building deposits). Mineralogical evidence of mixing processes is present in the volcanics of the sequences of the two stages.

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Die Mineralchemie der Monte Vulture Vulkanite: Petrologische Konsequenzen

Zusammenfassung Zwei Stadien vulkanischer Aktivität sind im Monte Vulture Komplex zu unterscheiden. Das erste Stadium ist durch tephritische und foiditische Vulkanite, die als Xenolithe in den phonotrachytischen (Ph-T) Ignimbriten erhalten sind, durch Lava Blöcke in einer basalen Explosionsbrekkzie im Liegenden der Ph-T Ignimbrite und durch Sandlinsen in fluviatilen Konglomeraten, die reich an vulkanogenen Komponenten sind, gekennzeichnet. Es endet mit der Eruption der Phontrachyte (Ph-T Ignimbrite und Lava Kuppen). Während des zweiten Stadiums wurden vulkanogene Ablagerungen foiditischer und tephritischer Zusammensetzung, die heute den Zentralteil des Vulkans aufbauen, eruptiert. Die Geochemie der Vulkanite läßt sich nicht mit Hilfe eines einfachen Bildungsmodelles erklären. Neue Gesamtgesteins- und Mikrosondenanalysen von Vulkaniten des Erststadiums und deren mafischer Minerale werden gemeinsam mit bereits publizierten Daten über die Vulkanite des Monte Vulture präsentiert, um ein zusammenfassendes Bild seiner Magmenentwicklung zu geben.Grundsätzlich kann folgendes festgehalten werden: (i) Granat tritt als stabile Phase nur in den Vulkaniten des ersten Stadiums auf. (ii) Olivin und Diopsid sind auf die Vulkanschlote beschränkt. (iii) Die Pyroxene der Vulkanite des Frühstadiums kristallisierten unter anderem physikalisch-chemischen Bedingungen, als die im Zentralteil des Vulkans. (iv) Die untersuchten Laven, die als Blöcke in der basalen Explosionsbrekkzie auftreten, unterscheiden sich ebenfalls von denen des zentralen Teiles. Wahrscheinlich sind sie von unterschiedlichen Ausgangsmagmen abzuleiten. Durch Fraktionierung entstanden während des ersten Stadiums aus einem ursprünglich mafischen ein phonotrachytisches Magma und während des zweiten die foiditisch-tephritische Abfolge der Vulkanschlote. Hinweise auf Mischungsprozesse liegen vor.

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With 6 Figures     

Precipitation of electrons after geomagnetic substorms

Summary Precipitating electrons E_e>10 keV and E_e>30 keV and protons E_p=150 to 300 keV are analyzed using data obtained from the low-altitude polar-orbiting satellite Interkozmos-17 after the magnetic storm of December 2, 1977. On December 3, an isolated substrom occurred, and strong electron precipitation was observed in the midnigt sector, while the sequence of substorms of December 5 expanded its longitudinal extent from 22 MLT through the morning to 12 MLT. The different character of the precipitation, in the two cases mentioned, is discussed in relation to the changes of conditions for the generation of cyclotron instability as well as to the effect of particle injection. Proton precipitation occurred only in the night sector, most probably just inside the plasmapause.

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¶rt; aau nau m E_e>10 u E_e>30 u nm E_p=150–300 n uu n uuma nmua n um m-17 n aum u 2. ¶rt;a 1977. 3. 12. nua uuaa u u nau m aumua m mo u. a n¶rt;amm 5. 12. nua auu ¶rt;m umaa, m m nau, a u m 22 MLT mu m ¶rt; 12 MLT. a aam nau nu¶rt; ¶rt; a ¶rt;am aa uu u ¶rt; uu um mumu u ¶rt;mu uuu amu. nau nm n¶rt;u m m u m a naana mu naa.

     

Comparison of electric and elastic parameters of indian precambrian rocks

Summary Examination of the relation between electric resistivity, compressional wave velocity and density of Indian Precambrian rocks is presented.

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¶rt;m auumu ¶rt; muu nmuu, m n¶rt; uu u nmm ¶rt;uu n¶rt; u ¶rt;uu.

     

Wet surge deposits at La Fossa di Vulcano: Depositional and eruptive mechanisms

Wet surge deposits of different volcanic cycles of the recent Fossa activity at Vulcano have been measured on a bed-by-bed basis, with data recorded to millimeter detail. The wet surge layers are varicoloured with variable thickness, with the most recurrent thickness being about 1 cm. The beds consist of fine ash without internal structures. Textural features include: (a) accretionary lapilli, of maximum size of 0.5 cm, dispersed thoroughout the layer or forming continuous layers of submillimeter size; (b) vesiculated layers which represent 10% to 65% of the total deposit; vesicles have different shapes and smooth walls, varying in volume from 1% to 15–20%; (c) soft-sediment types of bedding deformation, such as gravity flowage ripples, load cast and slumps. The slope angle has not influenced either the concentration and size of the accretionary lapilli or the shape, size, and distribution of vesicles. Only the thickness of the layers decreases with distance from the vent.SEM investigations show features indicating the hydromagmatic origin of the deposits and stressing the role of the fluid phase. Noteworthy is the presence of vesiculated grains, produced by magmatic exsolution, which show chilling effects on the internal walls of the broken bubbles.Grain size analyses reveal that the layers are not graded and most of the samples have a median size finer than 50 μm. The grain size distributions are frequently polymodal, suggesting several closely timed explosions. As all the beds exhibit the same textures, grain size, and particle morphology a single mechanism can explain their deposition. The depositional unit formed at the base of the cloud through the lateral expansion on the ground of a sticky muddy medium consisting of ash and fluid. In general each layer lost its plasticity before the deposition of the next layer. The deposition occurred in a nearly continuous sequence without periods of rest long enough to permit erosional discontinuity.The eruptions are hydromagmatic and occur where magma, at least partially fragmented, comes into effective contact with subsurface water. The process follows a model suggested by Wohletz (1983b, 1986), developing in more than one fragmentation event. In the turbulent surge cloud both severe hydration and alteration of glassy grains and the formation of accretionary lapilli occur.     

Geological, geochemical and metallogenetic evaluation of the Pontgibaud vein swarm and its surrounding area, Massif Central, France

The Pontgibaud vein swarm, which has been exploited since Roman times for Pb, Zn and Ag, is a NNE-trending system located in the Massif Central about 30 km west of Clermont-Ferrand.     

Long-period fluctuations observed in the ionospheric absorption variations

Summary By subsequent application of power spectrum analysis, autocorrelation analysis and fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the day- and night-time absorption values of five LF radio-paths (164 kHz, 155 kHz, 185 kHz, 218 kHz and 272 kHz) in Europe during the interval 1 June 1979–30 June 1980, fluctuations with the following basic (fundamental), commonly recurrent periods were found: 3.5–5 days and 10.5–12 days. They exist in all investigated time series, while 6- and 9-day fluctuations are observed on the northern radio-paths (185 kHz and 272 kHz). Shorterperiod oscillations are most active during autumn and especially during winter, while the longerperiod oscillation (10.5–12-day) has significant amplitudes also in summer.

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n n¶rt;am nuu aaua nma mu, amu aaua u m maauu () ¶rt; u ¶rt;a n nu u nmu a¶rt;u ma (164 , 155 , 185 , 218 u 272 ) a¶rt; n nu¶rt; 1 u 1979–30 u 1980. u a¶rt; ¶rt;u (¶rt;ama) nmu nu¶rt;: 3.5–5 ¶rt; u 10.5–12 ¶rt. u nummm u¶rt;a ¶rt;a. 6- u 9-m au a¶rt;am m a¶rt;umaa (185 u 272 ). ama au a amu u u u. ¶rt;nu¶rt; (10.5–12 ¶rt;) um aum anum¶rt; u m.

     

Laboratory measurements of electrical properties of rocks and minerals

In this paper all important results on laboratory measurements of electrical properties of rocks and minerals for the last four years are presented. Although basic results from all over world are reviewed, East European and U.S.S.R. works are described more extensively. Only D.C. conductivity results are considered, however all principal conclusions hold in similar form for both D.C. and A.C. conductivities. At the end the most important areas of further study and measurement are depicted and the main problems of the future are outlined.