Open Geosciences Volume 3 Issue 2

Open Geosciences

Volume 3 Issue 2

Contents
Journal Overview

Geomorphology in a changing environment

János Kovács, Szabolcs Fábián, Gábor Varga June 26, 2011

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The role of collapsing and cone rafting on eruption style changes and final cone morphology: Los Morados scoria cone, Mendoza, Argentina

Karoly Németh, Corina Risso, Francisco Nullo, Gabor Kereszturi June 26, 2011

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Abstract

Payún Matru Volcanic Field is a Quaternary monogenetic volcanic field that hosts scoria cones with perfect to breached morphologies. Los Morados complex is a group of at least four closely spaced scoria cones (Los Morados main cone and the older Cones A, B, and C). Los Morados main cone was formed by a long lived eruption of months to years. After an initial Hawaiian-style stage, the eruption changed to a normal Strombolian, conebuilding style, forming a cone over 150 metres high on a northward dipping (∼4°) surface. An initial cone gradually grew until a lava flow breached the cone’s base and rafted an estimated 10% of the total volume. A sudden sector collapse initiated a dramatic decompression in the upper part of the feeding conduit and triggered violent a Strombolian style eruptive stage. Subsequently, the eruption became more stable, and changed to a regular Strombolian style that partially rebuilt the cone. A likely increase in magma flux coupled with the gradual growth of a new cone caused another lava flow outbreak at the structurally weakened earlier breach site. For a second time, the unstable flank of the cone was rafted, triggering a second violent Strombolian eruptive stage which was followed by a Hawaiian style lava fountain stage. The lava fountaining was accompanied by a steady outpour of voluminous lava emission accompanied by constant rafting of the cone flank, preventing the healing of the cone. Santa Maria is another scoria cone built on a nearly flat pre-eruption surface. Despite this it went through similar stages as Los Morados main cone, but probably not in as dramatic a manner as Los Morados. In contrast to these examples of large breached cones, volumetrically smaller cones, associated to less extensive lava flows, were able to heal raft/collapse events, due to the smaller magma output and flux rates. Our evidence shows that scoria cone growth is a complex process, and is a consequence of the magma internal parameters (e.g. volatile content, magma flux, recharge, output volume) and external conditions such as inclination of the pre-eruptive surface where they grew and thus gravitational instability.

Surface changes on a landslide affected high bluff in Dunaszekcső (Hungary)

Titusz Bugya, Szabolcs Fábián, Noémi Görcs, István Kovács, Bertalan Radvánszky June 26, 2011

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Abstract

This article presents results from the survey conducted on Dunaszekcső loess bluff after the last major rotational sliding event in 2008. The study area is a region of 25×30 m located on loess bluff close to the recent scarp. The relative elevation change of the surface was surveyed in 2.5×5 m grid network in relation to a marked base point. The survey was conducted using simple equipment such as analogue theodolite and leveller with regular time interval during a year and control measurements were taken after six months. It was assumed that measurements to the nearest cm are sufficient to recognize vertical displacements of the surface. The study focused on identifying the pattern of general vertical movements for the study area by the relative movements of individual points. Our results show significant cm scale vertical displacements. Most of the grid points have a slow decreasing tendency, but close to the scarp a more significant displacement was found. The main character of the spatial pattern is subsidence, which is more definitive on southern part of the study area than the northern part. Our observations correlate with the broader geomorphological characteristics of loess bluffs along the Danube.

Secondary carbonates in loess-paleosoil sequences: a general review

Gabriella Barta June 26, 2011

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Abstract

The literature dealing with secondary carbonates in loess-paleosoil sequences is in many cases ambiguous, which means that different concepts are used for the same features, whereas certain concepts referring to different types are used as collective nouns. The aim of this study is to give a review on this nomenclature and to draw comparision between the various types and concepts. As a main guiding principle the article of Becze-Deák et al. (1997) is used, because it has formulated a proposition of a nomenclature which would be worthwhile to adopt. The terms and concepts introduced by their work are exact, referring to certain separated secondary carbonates and are of decisive importance with a view to paleoenvironmental reconstruction. The research of secondary carbonates in loess-paleosoil sequences is of great importance, through providing detailed information on the paleoenvironment, especially on the former moisture conditions (including leaching processes). Secondary carbonates originate from the vertical, horizontal or in situ resettlement of carbonates during pedogenesis in the soil-sedimentary environment. Among others, calcified root cells, hypocoatings and needle-fiber calcite are classified into the microscale category, while concretions (e.g. loess dolls) belong to the macroscale types.

Gravettian environmental changes in a N — S transect of central Europe

Rudolf Musil June 26, 2011

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The area defined as the N — S transect of Central Europe encompasses Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, southern Slovakia, northern Austria, Moravia and southern Poland. Physical and biological environmental analysis have been undertaken for the Gravettian period of the last glacial, between 31 and 22 ka cal BP. Mammal faunas have been recorded from different provinces, which have climatic differences. These climatic differences are reflected in the sediments, the plant cover and the fauna. Over the course of several warm and cold events from 31–22 ka the biodiversity of the individual provinces has remained roughly the same, but important quantitative changes have occurred in the individual faunas.

Hypogeal geological survey in the “Grotta del Re Tiberio” natural cave (Apennines, Italy): a valid tool for reconstructing the structural setting

Alice Ghiselli, Marzio Merazzi, Andrea Strini, Roberto Margutti, Michele Mercuriali June 26, 2011

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As karst systems are natural windows to the underground, speleology, combined with geological surveys, can be useful tools for helping understand the geological evolution of karst areas. In order to enhance the reconstruction of the structural setting in a gypsum karst area (Vena del Gesso, Romagna Apennines), a detailed analysis has been carried out on hypogeal data. Structural features (faults, fractures, tectonic foliations, bedding) have been mapped in the ”Grotta del Re Tiberio” cave, in the nearby gypsum quarry tunnels and open pit benches. Five fracture systems and six fault systems have been identified. The fault systems have been further analyzed through stereographic projections and geometric-kinematic evaluations in order to reconstruct the relative chronology of these structures. This analysis led to the detection of two deformation phases. The results permitted linking of the hypogeal data with the surface data both at a local and regional scale. At the local scale, fracture data collected in the underground have been compared with previous authors’ surface data coming from the quarry area. The two data sets show a very good correspondence, as every underground fracture system matches with one of the surface fracture system. Moreover, in the cave, a larger number of fractures belonging to each system could be mapped. At the regional scale, the two deformation phases detected can be integrated in the structural setting of the study area, thereby enhancing the tectonic interpretation of the area (e.g., structures belonging to a new deformation phase, not reported before, have been identified underground). The structural detailed hypogeal survey has, thus, provided very useful data, both by integrating the existing information and revealing new data not detected at the surface. In particular, some small structures (e.g., displacement markers and short fractures) are better preserved in the hypogeal environment than on the surface where the outcropping gypsum is more exposed to dissolution and recrystallization. The hypogeal geological survey, therefore, can be considered a powerful tool for integrating the surface and log data in order to enhance the reconstruction of the deformational history and to get a three-dimensional model of the bedrock in karst areas.

The distribution of sun glints sizes on the sea surface

Rauf Gardashov June 26, 2011

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The problem is studied both theoretically and experimentally. Statistical distributions of the total curvature and the reciprocal to the total curvature at the specular points (SP) of a random Gaussian uniform sea surface are discussed. The theoretical distribution and its asymptotes are completely investigated. The validity of the theoretical distribution is verified by numerical simulations and natural experiments. In the experimental study of this distribution, Sun glint images taken with a high time and spatial resolution digital camera are used. Those images are developed by using a specially-designed Fortran program which calculates the statistical characteristics of the glints. The experimentally derived distribution of the glint areas is compared with the theoretical distribution. The main causes (origins) of small divergence between the theoretical and experimental results are discussed.

The relationship between intraseasonal tropical variability and ENSO and its modulation at seasonal to decadal timescales

Daria Gushchina, Boris Dewitte June 26, 2011

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The intraseasonal tropical variability (ITV) patterns in the tropical troposphere are documented using double space-time Fourier analysis. Madden and Julian oscillations (MJO) as well as equatorial coupled waves (Kelvin and Rossby) are investigated based on the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis data for the 1977–2006 period and the outputs of an intermediate ocean-atmosphere coupled model named LODCA-OTCM. A strong seasonal dependence of the ITV/ENSO relationship is evidenced. The leading relationship for equatorial Rossby waves (with the correlation of the same order than for the MJO) is documented; namely, it is shown that intensification of Rossby waves in the central Pacific during boreal summer precedes by half a year the peak of El Niño. The fact that MJO activity in spring-summer is associated to the strength of subsequent El Niño is confirmed. It is shown that LODCA-QTCM is capable of simulating the convectively coupled equatorial waves in outgoing long wave radiation and zonal wind at 850 hPa fields with skill comparable to other Coupled General Circulation Models. The ITV/ENSO relationship is modulated at low frequency. In particular the periods of low ENSO amplitude are associated with weaker MJO activity and a cancellation of MJO at the ENSO development phase. In opposition, during the decaying phase, MJO signal is strong. The periods of strong ENSO activity are associated with a marked coupling between MJO, Kelvin and equatorially Rossby waves and ENSO; the precursor signal of MJO (Rossby waves) in the western (central) Pacific is obvious. The results provide material for the observed change in ENSO characteristics in recent years and question whether the characteristics of the ITV/ENSO relationship may be sensitive to the observed warming in the central tropical Pacific.

P-T data of Ky-St-Grt gneisses hosting HP amphibolites and eclogites from the Austroalpine Polinik complex, Kreuzeck Mountains, Eastern Alps, Austria

Martin Michálek, Marián Putiš, Christoph Hauzenberger June 26, 2011

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This study focuses on metapelites of the Polinik complex in the Kreuzeck Mts. southeast of the Tauern Window, Eastern Alps, where kyanite — staurolite — garnet gneisses host eclogites and high pressure (HP) amphibolites of the Austroalpine basement. The stable mineral assemblage is garnet — staurolite — biotite — kyanite — quartz. Estimated metamorphic conditions from conventional geothermobarometry are 654±30 °C and 0.9±0.08 GPa, and Average P-T values calculated by THERMOCALC, are 665±15 °C at 0.77±0.09 GPa. Formation of the present mineral association in gneisses is related to the exhumation (D2) stage of hosted eclogites/HP amphibolites within a lateral strike-slip zone.

Effects of cyclic loading on the rheological properties of sandstones

Jindřich Šancer, Martin Štrejbar, Aneta Maleňáková June 26, 2011

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This paper presents some results of the laboratory tests on the time-dependent behaviour of three types of sandstone. Research into the rheological properties of rocks is mostly done under static (quasistatic) loading. In nature, however, rocks are also often subjected to cyclic (vibration) loading as a result of vibrations from traffic or the propagation of seismic waves due to, for example, earthquakes, rock bursts, blasting operations and such like. On this account, the research presented is focused on the study of rheological rock properties during vibration (cyclic) loading. The tests of the rheological properties of a cyclic load were conducted both in creep regime and in relaxation regime, at various levels of average load or strain and for various parameters of vibration (frequency, amplitude). The measured values of different parameter settings were compared and evaluated so that it was possible to set the dependence of cyclical rock loading in the rheological regime. For the purpose of the comparison of rock behavior during vibration and static loading, other tests were also carried out. The results of the research show that, in the course of cyclical loading, the rock rheological properties depend, to a significant extent, on the parameters of this loading, especially the amplitude and frequency.

Pinios (Peneus) River (Central Greece): Hydrological — Geomorphological elements and changes during the quaternary

George Migiros, George Bathrellos, Hariklia Skilodimou, Theodoros Karamousalis June 26, 2011

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The Pinios River is the third longest river of Greece. It drains the entire drainage basin of Thessaly (eastern part of Central Greece), part of which is the largest plain of the country. In this research the hydrological, geomorphological and geological characteristics of the riverine area of Pinios were studied. Classification and grouping of these characteristics were then carried out, which led to the segmentation of the Pinios River into seven sections, each one with its own set of thematic data. These sets assign separate functions and evolutions of the river system during the Quaternary. Specifically, the basin of the present Pinios River, before its evolution into a river basin, comprised three separate and independent systems. The present Pinios River emerged as a river system from the merging of the lacustrine paleoenvironments along with the major tributaries that drained large parts of the present hydrological basin and as soon as the karstic openings of the central hill valley and the Tempi valley took place during the Quaternary. The followed methodology for the segmentation of the river can be used for the study of heterogeneous river systems.

Erratum to: Central European Journal of Geosciences, volume 3, number 2

János Kovács, Szabolcs Fábián, Gábor Varga, Karoly Németh, Corina Risso, Francisco Nullo, Gabor Kereszturi, Titusz Bugya, Szabolcs Fábián, Noémi Görcs, István Kovács, Bertalan Radvánszky, Gabriella Barta, Rudolf Musil, Alice Ghiselli, Marzio Merazzi, Andrea Strini, Roberto Margutti, Michele Mercuriali, Rauf Gardashov, Daria Gushchina, Boris Dewitte, Martin Michálek, Marián Putiš, Christoph Hauzenberger, Jindřich Šancer, Martin Štrejbar, Aneta Maleňáková, George Migiros, George Bathrellos, Hariklia Skilodimou, Theodoros Karamousalis June 26, 2011

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About this journal

The aim of the journal is to become the premier source of high quality research from all over the world. Open Geosciences is designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas between experienced and young researchers from different countries. Free language correction is provided to authors from non-English speaking regions. Additionally, each published article is promoted to researchers working in the same field of Earth Sciences.

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