Fracturation d'âge Aptien supérieur sur la bordure orientale de la plate-forme arabique (Haushi-Huqf,Oman)Aptian faulting (Shu'aiba Formation) on the eastern edge of the Arabian Platform (Haushi-Huqf,Oman)

In the Haushi-Huqf (Eastern Central Oman) as in other parts of the Arabian platform, a major sedimentary break is recorded between the Early Aptian carbonates (Shu'aiba Formation) and the Albian orbitolinid-rich marls (Nahr Umr Formation). The unconformity corresponds to a succession of events: (1) a brusque interruption of the regressive sequence of the Shu'aiba limestone (algae and small rudistid build-ups); (2) a stratigraphic gap related to the Late Aptian; (3) the development of a thick ferruginous crust (hardground) that covered the top surface of the Shu'aiba; the hardground is related to a forced flooding surface; (4) the Shu'aiba was rapidly drowned and buried under the Nahr Umr marls. Moreover, the Shu'aiba limestone was subject to faulting NW–SE-trending normal faults before lithification and formation of the ferruginous crust. The faulting episode is clearly dated: post-Early Aptian and pre-Albian. The signification of the faulting remains hypothetical. The syndiagenetic NW–SE normal faults may correspond to ‘en echelon’ faults, combined with transcurrent fault movements (for example the Haushi-Nafun Fault). The possible causes of these intra-platform transcurrent movements are discussed. To cite this article: C. Montenat, P. Barrier, C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 781–787.     

Water wars in the Middle East: a looming threat

This paper explains how hydropolitical dynamics and spatial variables almost triggered a water war between Israel and Lebanon because the latter was building a pump on the Wazzani Spring, a tributary of the Jordan River. The convergence of a regional drought, history of violent confrontations between the two riparians, distrust, varying development needs and territorial disputes almost culminated in a war between these east Mediterranean neighbours. While most international water disputes in the Middle East will be resolved peacefully, some are likely to trigger violent confrontations threatening political stability in the Middle East in the next few decades.     

'Trees, forests and communities': some historiographical approaches to environmental history on Africa

Focusing on the contested issue of trees and forests, this paper looks at various ways in which historians have explored environmental change and human agency in Africa. It looks in particular at the colonial period and positions the case of the Cape Colony (South Africa) in a broader historiographical context. Colonial silviculture involved both the appropriation of the natural forests and the creation of exotic plantations. These policies generated a mixture of reactions from African communities and had varying effects on the environment. Colonial science and the projects it gave rise to have since been critiqued, contributing to the promotion of community-based forestry schemes that try to incorporate indigenous knowledge and ideas about land use.     

锦江水库坝址③号断裂构造破碎带地质特征及其对堤坝安全性的影响

通过野外地质调查和地球化学探测成果，结合区域地质发展史，论述锦江水库③号断裂构造破碎带的地质特征及其对建筑物的影响。     

活动断裂引发的环境地质问题及措施

随着经济的飞速发展和现代化建设的加快，全社会防灾减灾意识的增强，在国土规划、抗震规划及高、深、大型工程项目的建设中，对活动断裂的研究，已成为勘测、设计中的重要课题。本文就影响张家口市城市安全的活动断裂的类型、空间展布、活动特征、引发的环境地质灾害及工程对策等予以阐述，为城市规划提供依据。     

天津地区构造沉降及控沉远景问题

使用第四纪地质、统计地貌学和历史水准点调查等手段,研究了天津地区的构造沉降背景,讨论了控制地面沉降远景目标问题。研究工作使用天津地区第一海相层底板埋深、全新统地层钻孔、深层基岩标和历史水准点等一系列资料,获得天津市和邻近地区构造沉降的平均速率为1.7mm a左右。研究还发现了基底构造沉降背景具有这样一些规律:(1)从西部到东部沿海,区内沉降有逐渐增加的趋势。(2)沿海河发育了一条北西方向的构造沉降异常带。(3)以海河为界,沉降分布的方向不同,北部为北西西向,南部为北东方向,整体活动规律反映了活动断裂和基底构造的控制作用。     

从洛杉矶地区地震实验计划说起

简要介绍了美国洛杉矶地震实验计划(LARSE)的研究目的、科学思路以及一些重要的研究成果。受LARSE计划实践的启发，文章对我国即将开展的城市活断层探测研究思路提出了几点科学认识：①进行深浅活动构造相结合的探测，建立直到震源深度的活动断裂立体图像；②实施折射／反射相结合的综合性探测，发展高分辨折射技术，弥补数百米-数千米深度范围成像的不足；③重要的活动断层常常具有一定的规模，在空间上构成复杂的构造格局，因此，活断层探测不能局限在城市，而应在一定的空间范围中进行。