Styles of tectonic inversion within syn-orogenic basins: examples from the Central Apennines, Italy

The geometry of several thrust-related folds in the Central Apennines of Italy results from a switch in deformation regime, from extension to contraction. This switch in tectonic regime occurred during the deposition of syn-orogenic sediments, and the emplacement and migration of the thrust belt–foredeep system towards the foreland in Neogene time. The styles of positive tectonic inversion result from normal faults that were steepened, rotated and truncated by thrusts, with local development of minor folds due to buttressing. Normal fault-controlled escarpments are also locally preserved in the forelimbs and backlimbs of thrust-related anticlines. The location and amplitudes of contractional structures across the belt reflects the distribution of pre-thrusting normal faults within precursor syn-orogenic basins, a result that may improve our understanding of the evolution of Apennine, as well as other thrust belt–foredeep systems.     

A solar spectrum for PFS data analysis

A measured calibrated solar radiance in the range 1.2-, with the spectral sampling of does not exist. When studying the measured Planetary Fourier Spectrometer (PFS) spectra of the Earth's or Mars's atmosphere we discover that the most used solar spectrum contains several important errors. Here we present a “calibrated” solar radiance in the wavelength range 1.2-, with the spectral resolution of PFS , which we are going to use for studying Martian spectra. This spectrum has been assembled using measurements from Kitt Peak and from ATMOS Spacelab experiment (uncalibrated high resolution) and theoretical results, together with low resolution calibrated continuum. This is the best we can have in this moment to be used with PFS, while waiting to have good solar calibrated radiances. Examples of solar lines at Mars are given.     

The accretion of interstellar matter by white dwarfs

The problem of the energy released by interstellar matter in its accretion by low-luminosity stars is examined. It is found that nearly all the gravitational energy is available as the energy source for the accreting star. When this source of energy becomes predominant, a luminosity-temperature relation can be derived.Evolutionary consequences for the white dwarfs are discussed.The behaviour of selected classes of white dwarfs is recognized in the theoretical H.R. diagram.The evidence for a separation between field white dwarfs and Hyades cluster's white dwarfs is shortly discussed. For the Hyades white dwarfs a well defined sequence in good agreement with a constant accretion locus is found.A critical discussion is finally given on the efficiency of the accretion mechanism in the Hyades dwarfs.

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Sommario Viene discusso il problema dell'energia ceduta dalla materia interstellare nei processi di cattura gravitazionale da parte di oggetti stellari di bassa luminosità. Si mostra come le maggior parte di questa energia sia effettivamente ceduta alla struttura stellare.Nei casi in cui l'energia di accrescimento predomini sulle altre sorgenti di energia è possibile ricavare una relazione luminosità-temperatura. Sono discusse possibili conseguenze sull'evoluzione delle nane bianche.E'esaminato il comportamento di alcune classi di nane bianche nel diagramma H.R. teorico, e viene brevemente discussa l'evidenza per una reale separazione delle nane bianche di campo da quelle nell'ammasso delle Iadi. Per queste ultime in particolare si trova una sequenza molto ben definita, in ottimo accordo con un luogo di costante accrescimento.Un esame critico è infine compiuto riguardo la possibile efficienza dell'accrescimento nelle nane delle Iadi.

     

Measurement of a Peak in the Cosmic Microwave Background Power Spectrum from the North American Test Flight of Boomerang

We describe a measurement of the angular power spectrum of anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) at scales of 0&fdg;3 to 5 degrees from the North American test flight of the Boomerang experiment. Boomerang is a balloon-borne telescope with a bolometric receiver designed to map CMB anisotropies on a long-duration balloon flight. During a 6 hr test flight of a prototype system in 1997, we mapped more than 200 deg(2) at high Galactic latitudes in two bands centered at 90 and 150 GHz with a resolution of 26&arcmin; and 16&farcm;5 FWHM, respectively. Analysis of the maps gives a power spectrum with a peak at angular scales of 1 degrees with an amplitude 70 μK(CMB).     

Methods for determining the Pleistocene–Holocene component of displacement on active faults reactivating pre-Quaternary structures: examples from the Central Apennines (Italy)

In the tectonically active fault system of the Central Apennines Ridge (Italy) several normal/transtensive faults mapped as Quaternary structures show evidence of pre-Neogene thrusting activity. Therefore, determining the amount of fault-slip during Pleistocene–Holocene times is crucial for seismic hazard assessment. Three principal lines of evidence have been used in this study for estimating the pre-Quaternary activity of extensional fault systems in the Central Apennines. The first is the geological and stratigraphic record (i.e. thickness and facies variations) for pre-Quaternary successions. The second is the widespread structural analysis evidence of extensional faults involved in Neogene thrust tectonics; whether considering a passive role (e.g. fault carried and tilted above a thrust-sheet) or inversion (e.g. positive inversion and related minor structures). The third is the geomorphological evidence, particularly erosion surface analysis, which permits the understanding of the relief generated by tectonics after the formation of post-thrusting erosional surfaces. Preliminary results from some faults which belong to the Sibillini Mts. and the Norcia extensional fault zones show clear evidence of Quaternary reactivations.     

Space distribution of evolving stars in M13

Information about space distribution is collected for selected classes of evolving stars in the globular cluster M13. After a rigorous elimination of field stars, three samples are examined, corresponding to the red giant stage (G), the blue (B) and the yellow (YG) parts of the horizontal branch. It is shown that results are easy to understand in terms of:

1. A substantial mass loss in the H-shell burning stage;
2. Evolution along the horizontal branch from the blue side to the red one;
3. A mixing in the observed giant branch of two populations with sensible differences in masses.

Theoretical interpretations are briefly discussed with reference to the reliability and usefulness of this type of investigation.     

Neural network approach to prediction of temperatures around groundwater heat pump systems

A fundamental aspect in groundwater heat pump (GWHP) plant design is the correct evaluation of the thermally affected zone that develops around the injection well. This is particularly important to avoid interference with previously existing groundwater uses (wells) and underground structures. Temperature anomalies are detected through numerical methods. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models are widely used in this field because they offer the opportunity to calculate the time evolution of the thermal plume produced by a heat pump. The use of neural networks is proposed to determine the time evolution of the groundwater temperature downstream of an installation as a function of the possible utilization profiles of the heat pump. The main advantage of neural network modeling is the possibility of evaluating a large number of scenarios in a very short time, which is very useful for the preliminary analysis of future multiple installations. The neural network is trained using the results from a CFD model (FEFLOW) applied to the installation at Politecnico di Torino (Italy) under several operating conditions. The final results appeared to be reliable and the temperature anomalies around the injection well appeared to be well predicted.     

Foreland-dipping normal faults in the inner edges of syn-orogenic basins: a case from the Central Apennines, Italy

Extensional deformations are common within foredeep basins and generally consist of hinterland-dipping normal faults located at the foredeep–foreland transition zones. Foreland-dipping normal faults at the belt–foredeep boundaries, by contrast, are far less documented and their occurrence is not predicted by simple orogenic load models. New surface data integrated with seismic reflection profiles across the Central Apennines of Italy reveal the occurrence of foreland-dipping normal faults located in the inner edges of foredeep depressions. Extensional deformations are systematically found within sequentially younger Tortonian, Messinian and Early Pliocene foredeep basins, thus suggesting that normal fault development was an intrinsic feature of the evolving belt–foredeep–foreland system and could have influenced the stratal architectures of the host syn-orogenic deposits. Foreland extension is consistent with existing geodynamic models for the Apennines and could represent the effects of lithospheric bending: its recognition and documentation elsewhere could provide significant insights to improve our understanding of syn-orogenic basin dynamics.     

Latent Exurban Development: City Expansion Along the Rural-To-Urban Gradient in Growing and Declining Regions of Southern Europe

This paper quantifies the extent of exurban development in Mediterranean Europe. The assessment was carried out by studying changes in the urban-to-rural population density gradient between the years 1950 and 2010. Three of the six urban regions in this study have experienced population growth and moderate urban concentration, while two regions appear to be shifting toward population decline and urban de-concentration after having experienced compact expansion. A phase of recent re-urbanization has been observed in one region. Altogether, these findings indicate a common path of urban expansion among representative Mediterranean regions between 1950 and 1980 while, in the following period, the cities experienced distinct development phases. From this study, we conclude that exurban development is mainly the product of a shift from compact and dense to semi-compact and intermediate-density settlements. [Key words: semi-dense urban growth, density-distance curve, Mediterranean Europe].