Risk assessment of the impact of pyroclastic currents on the towns located around Vesuvio: a non-linear structural inverse analysis

In a.d. 79, the catastrophic eruption of Vesuvio, which later was described in two famous letters by Pliny the Younger to Tacitus the Historian, destroyed Pompeii, Hercolaneum, Oplontis and Stabiae, resulting in many thousand of victims. After a few hours of the eruption, the several-kilometre-high volcanic column began to collapse, provoking strong air shocks as well as destructive pyroclastic density currents, which travelled down the volcano slopes. In 2000, an archaeological excavation survey, which was performed on the east slope of the volcano in the Terzigno–Vesuvio area at a distance of about 5 km from the vent, brought to light the ruins of several Roman villas that were completely destroyed by these currents during the a.d. 79 eruption. The present paper proposes a new structural analysis, which starts from the study of the damage produced on partially collapsed masonry walls, and determines the dynamic pressures of the currents that overran this site. The non-linear structural analysis, which is based on strength values obtained by means of experimental tests, is of the 'inverse type' and takes into account the limit behaviour of the ancient Roman masonry. The values of the dynamic pressures that were capable of producing the collapse of the masonry walls were obtained by utilising a modern limit analysis theory. The obtained results show that dynamic pressures of a few kPa (1–5) were able to cause masonry buildings to collapse. These values are consistent with those proposed in some of the latest volcanological studies made by numerical simulations of pyroclastic flow propagation. It is shown here that these dynamic pressures are even able to determine the collapse of both modern reinforced concrete and masonry wall buildings that are largely present in the area. Therefore, in possible future eruptions, dynamic pressures of this magnitude would flatten a large urbanised area, where ~700,000 people are currently living. The obtained results give a better definition of both the risk to pyroclastic currents in possible Vesuvio eruptions and provide new guidelines for construction in the neighbouring zones.Editorial responsibility: A. Woods     

GIS-based hazard mapping and zonation of debris flows in Xiaojiang Basin,southwestern China

Debris flow sites were identified at 140 locations in the Xiaojiang Basin in Yunnan province, southwestern China. Their spatial distribution and catchment characteristics are described in detail on the basis of previous research, air photo interpretation, field investigation and mapping using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Using a statistical approach, a quantitative model of hazards assessment and zonation was developed through synthesis analysis of basin areas, gradients, and the relative reliefs of these debris flow sites. In terms of debris flow hazard assessment, areas within the Xiaojiang Basin can be classified as severe, heavy and light hazard regions.     

“入世“给地质勘查业带来的机遇与挑战

我国"入世"后,外国跨国公司必然会进入我国的地质市场.对比,本文指出了国内地勘单位与跨国公司相比,在技术力量、资本和管理水平等方面存在的问题,以及它们的介入所带来的不利影响和机遇,针对这些问题提出了具体的对策及所采取的措施.     

辽宁省阜新地区地下水水质特征及污染防治措施

地下水水质特征和污染程度直接反映地下水环境质量的好坏。由于受工业“三废”、地表水体以及矿山固体废弃物排放等因素的影响,阜新地区地下水水质受到严重的污染,部分地下水化学指标已超出国家饮用水标准。文章综合分析该地区水文地质概况及水质特征,其中包括自然环境下地下水化学特征和人为环境下地下水化学特征,初步探讨了影响地下水污染的主要因素,并提出地下水污染的防治措施和对策,对该地区地下水资源合理开发、保护和可持续利用具有重要意义。     

Natural Gas Hazard (CO2, 222 Rn) within a Quiescent Volcanic Region and Its Relations with Tectonics: The Case of the Ciampino-Marino Area, Alban Hills Volcano, Italy

Groundwater surveys were performed by detailed(around 300 sites) grid-analysis of water temperature, pH, redox potential, electrical conductivity, ²²²Rn, alkalinity and by calculating the pCO₂, throughout the Ciampino and Marino towns in the Alban Hills quiescent volcano (Central Italy). Following several episodes of dangerous CO₂ exhalation from soils during the last 20 years and earlier ashistorically recorded, the work aimed at assessing the Natural Gas Hazard (NGH) including the indoor-Rn hazard. The NGH was defined as the probability of an area to become a site of poisonous peri-volcanic gas exhalations from soils to the lower atmosphere (comprising buildings). CO₂ was found to be a ``carrier' for the other poisonous minor and in trace components (H<sub>s</sub>S, CH<sub>4</sub>, <sup>222</sup>Rn, etc.). This assessment was performed by extrapolating in the aquifer CO<sub>2</sub> and <sup>222</sup>Rn conditions, and discriminating sectors where future CO<sub>2</sub> flux in soils as well as indoor-Rn measurements have to be noted. A preliminary indoor-Rn survey was performed at about 200 sites. The highest values were found in the highest pCO<sub>2</sub> and high <sup>222</sup>Rn values in groundwater. This indicates convection and enhanced permeability in certain sectors of the main aquifer, i.e., along the bordering faults and inside the gas-trap of the Ciampino Horst., where ``continuous gas-phase micro-macro seepage mechanism' is invoked to explain the high peri-volcanic gases flux.     

印尼和日本等地地震灾害对我省防震减灾的启示

简述了印度洋地震海啸与日本新、福冈地震灾害,分析了山西省防震减灾工作所面临的形势,提出了搞好山西省防震减灾工作的措施和建议,认为各级政府及有关部门应严格履行防震减灾的法定职责,作好“三大体系”的各项工作,才能实现无震有备,有震少灾。     

浅谈《防震减灾法》在河北省贯彻执行中的问题及对策

从贯彻实施防震减灾法律法规的实践入手,针对《防震减灾法》在河北省贯彻实施过程中存在的问题,进行分析探讨,提出了解决的对策,目的在于更进一步促进防震减灾工作的深入开展。     

The geotechnical effects of long human habitation (2000< years): Earthquake induced landslide hazard in the city of Zefat, northern Israel

This work studies the effects of long human habitation on site geotechnical conditions. It is focused on the city of Zefat that is located on the borders of the Dead Sea Transform in northern Israel. The city of Zefat, suffered severe damage and loss of life in historical earthquakes, as a consequence of earthquake induced landslides (EILS). In this work we evaluate the current EILS hazard for the city of Zefat using a GIS-based regional Newmark analysis, with calibration of the calculated Newmark displacement (representing EILS hazard) using maps of field evidence and historical documents testifying to slope instability that occurred in historical earthquakes.

We found that the core city of Zefat is built on a layered anthropogenic material, few meters deep which, was deposited as a result of more than 2000 years of human habitation. The anthropogenic material is mechanically weak, susceptible to slope failure and to amplification of seismic-shaking. It is responsible for the city's devastation in historical earthquakes and it is the source for the current high seismic hazard as well.

Our model shows that earthquakes of magnitudes (M_w) 5, 6 and 7 at distances of up to 10 km, 50 km and more than 100 km, respectively, are likely to induce landslides in the core city of Zefat. The current engineering status of the city is poor, and as a consequence severe damage and loss of life are expected in future earthquakes due to EILS, unless major engineering efforts are made. Cities in the Eastern Mediterranean with comparable long habitation histories (e.g., Jerusalem, Tiberias, Nablus, Amman) are expected to have similar geotechnical problems in their old sections and are advised to take appropriate engineering steps to reduce damage and loss of life in future earthquakes.

Evaluation of historical earthquake magnitudes based on reported local-damage may, however, lead to overestimated magnitudes where the damaged sites are built on anthropogenic talus (a common setting in the vicinity of the Dead Sea Transform).     

城市地震灾害风险评价方法研究

风险管理研究已成为防灾减灾工作从“被动救灾”到“主动预防”转化的热门课题。本文回顾了地震灾害风险评价研究进展,指出了现有评价方法的不足。提出了基于地震小区划的城市地震危险性评价方法、基于城市用地类型的城市地震易损性评价方法以及基于专家打分法的城市防震减灾能力评价方法。最后设计了城市地震灾害风险评价流程,并给出了城市地震灾害风险区划算法。     

加强抗震设防管理做好市县防震减灾工作

介绍了临汾市防震减灾工作的基本情况,从政府支持、宣传到位、执法检查、培训人员、优质服务5个方面论述了临汾市抗震设防管理工作的主要做法,指出了目前管理工作中存在的问题,认为,加强抗震设防管理是做好市县防震减灾工作的重要内容。