Search results for "Geomorphology"

Deep-rooted “thick skinned” model for the High Atlas Mountains (Morocco). Implications for the structural inheritance of the southern Tethys passive …

2006

A re-interpretation of the deep structure of the High Atlas is presented through integration of geophysical and geological data, highlighting the architectural significance of the southern Tethys palaeomargin. Previous crustal models suggest the occurrence of a flat intra-crustal detachment at a depth of � 20 km, a zone where surface thrusts merge and below which the lower High Atlas crust appears continuous. However, within this study seismic refraction data, electrical resistivity surveys and gravity modelling all appear to detect a jump in crustal thickness between the High Atlas and the northern plains. We interpret these data as penetration by thrusts within the ‘‘South-Atlasic fault’’…

Asymmetric continental deformation during South Atlantic rifting along southern Brazil and Namibia

2017

Abstract Plate restoration of South America and Africa to their pre-breakup position faces the problem of gaps and overlaps between the continents, an issue commonly solved with implementing intra-plate deformation zones within South America. One of these zones is often positioned at the latitude of SE/S Brazil. However, geological evidence for the existence of a distinct zone in this region is lacking, which is why it remains controversial and is not included in all modeling studies. In order to solve this problem we present a study of multiple geological aspects of both parts of the margin, SE/S Brazil and its conjugate part NW Namibia at the time of continental breakup. Our study highlig…

Seismic and sedimentologic features of Oxfordian-Kimmeridgian syn-rift sediments on the eastern margin of the Lusitanian Basin

1989

Following deposition of widespread middle Oxfordian lacustrine carbonates and evaporites, the Lusitanian Basin was differentiated into a number of sub-basins. The Arruda sub-basin is a half graben basin situated some 30 km north of Lisbon. It accumulated over 2.5 km of Kimmeridgian siliciclastic sediments, and is bounded to the east by the Vila Franca de Xira fault zone. Carbonate deposition persisted over horsts along the fault zone from the Oxfordian to the early Kimmeridgian, and in places to the late Kimmeridgian, and shows a pronounced west-east facies zonation, with higher energy framestones and grainstones accumulating along the exposed western margins. Seismic data indicate a major …

Tectono-stratigraphic modelling of the North Sicily continental margin (southern Tyrrhenian Sea).

2004

A two-dimensional numerical modelling that simulate the kinematic and thermal response of the lithosphere to thinning was used for the quantitative reconstruction of the late Neogene to Recent times tectonic and stratigraphic evolution of the North Sicily continental margin (southern Tyrrhenian Sea). The numerical study of the evolution of the North Sicily margin builds on the crustal image and kinematic interpretation of the margin obtained by Pepe et al. [Tectonics 19 (2000) 241] on the basis of seismic data and gravity modelling. Tectonic modeling indicate that different segments of the margin were undergoing different vertical movements, which are mainly expression of the rifting and th…

Vesiculated tuffs and associated features

1974

Vesiculated tuffs are tuffs that contain vesicles between the ash particles. Formation of the vesicles is the result of trapping of steam, the transporting agent of volcanic base surges, in wet, muddy or sticky ash deposited by the base surges. Vesiculated tuffs are described from various maars and tuff-rings in Europe (Iceland, France, Germany) and USA together with associated surface features such as: gravity flowage ripples, mud flow channels, current ripples, and current ridges. Other features described are: plastering of ash against obstacles and vesiculated accretionary lapilli, the latter containing vesicles in the outer layer. Vesiculated base surge deposits probably contained as mu…

The Soil Erosion Risk Map of the Sicilian Region (1:250,000 Scale)

2014

Assessing the risk areas of soil erosion by water at the regional level is relevant for current and future land planning of environmental actions to combat land degradation. The gravity of the risk is not only depending on the rate of soil erosion by water, but also on other factors, primarily soil depth and rock weatherability. The map of the soil erosion risk in the Sicilian region, expressed in terms of years to a complete loss of the fertile soil cover, is here presented as a methodological model. The degree of risk was not only estimated in function of the rate of soil erosion by water, but also of the depth of the fertile part of the profile, and of the weatherability degree of the un…

Las ramblas valencianas: algunos aspectos de hidrología, geomorfología y sedimentología

1987

Growth pattern of underlithified strata during thrust-related folding

2004

Abstract Asymmetric anticlines with overturned or steeply dipping forelimbs and gently dipping backlimbs are generally interpreted as thrust-related folds. Fold asymmetry occurs as a consequence of forelimb rotation. If deformation takes place in environments dominated by submarine sedimentation, the limbs coincide with the slope (depositional surface) and rotation reflects slope steepening. If folds are nucleated in poorly or unlithified deposits, growth geometry also depends on the properties of the media, such as cohesion and the angle of internal friction. For cohesionless deposits, the tilting of the slope influences the equilibrium of the soft sediments, resulting in gravity-driven fl…

Depositional Environment of the Devonian Quartz Sandstones in the Bāle Sand Pits

2014

This paper summarises data about the depositional environment of Devonian quartz sandstones in Latvia and discusses new fieldwork data from Bāle 1 and Bāle 2 sand pits. The commercial bed in these sand pits is composed of fine to gravel size grained white and pale gray sandstones with mud clasts and quartz pebbles in places. Studies in Bāle sand pit sectors 1 and 2 suggest the deposition of sediments in details channel and sand bars, with the scarce influence of tidal processes on sedimentation.

Sedimentological and deformational criteria for discriminating subglaciofluvial deposits from subaqueous ice-contact fan deposits: A Pleistocene exam…

2014

A pit located near Ballyhorsey, 28 km south of Dublin (eastern Ireland), displays subglacially deposited glaciofluvial sediments passing upwards into proglacial subaqueous ice-contact fan deposits. The coexistence of these two different depositional environments at the same location will help with differentiation between two very similar and easily confused glacial lithofacies. The lowermost sediments show aggrading subglacial deposits indicating a constrained accommodation space, mainly controlled by the position of an overlying ice roof during ice-bed decoupling. These sediments are characterized by vertically stacked tills with large lenses of tabular to channelized sorted sediments. The…