Uncharted archives – imprints of tsunami backwash deposits on the Algarve shelf (Portugal)

Author(s):  
Piero Bellanova ◽  
Klaus Reicherter ◽  
Pedro J.M. Costa ◽  
Mike Frenken ◽  
Lisa Feist ◽  
...  

<p>Research on offshore tsunami deposits is scarce and their depositional processes and preservation potential are virtually unexplored. Therefore, the RV Meteor cruise M152 mapped and sampled one coast-parallel and two coast-perpendicular transects at water depths from 65 to 114 m off the Algarve coast (Portugal). This coast was strongly affected by the well-known Lisbon earthquake and tsunami of November 1<sup>st</sup>, 1755 AD. Numerous onshore locations have been well documented and studied with historic damage reports and modern scientific investigations of the onshore tsunami deposits. However, very scarce information about the backwash, the water masses flowing back into the sea, exists and their imprint on the shelf is unexplored.</p><p>In order to fill this gap, a total of 19 vibracores were recovered during the RV Meteor cruise M152. For tracing the sedimentary imprint of the AD 1755 tsunami and potential predecessors, a multi-proxy analysis was carried out (sedimentology, micropaleontology, inorganic and organic geochemistry, radiocarbon and OSL dating). Within the offshore Holocene stratigraphic record, at least two event layers of likely tsunami backwash origin were identified based on their significantly different properties compared to the background shelf sediments. The uppermost tsunami layer (at a depth of 16-25 cm in most cores) displays an erosional contact at the base with heterogeneous compositional changes; its bounding radiocarbon ages allow a correlation with the AD 1755 Lisbon tsunami. Organic-geochemical markers, such as n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, steroids and fatty acids, show an increased input of terrestrial matter in this offshore AD 1755 event layer.</p><p>A surprising discovery was another distinct high-energy deposit, i.e. a potential predecessor to the AD 1755 Lisbon tsunami, at a core depth of about 122-155 cm, which was <sup>14</sup>C-dated to approx. 3700 yrs cal BP. Due to its erosional base and coarse-grained composition (well-sorted medium sand), as well as the increased terrestrial influence (displayed by biomarkers), it can be assumed that this deposit originates from the backwash of a paleo-tsunami.</p><p>This multi-proxy approach with sedimentological, micropaleontological, inorganic and organic-geochemical criteria, enabled us to (1) identify of backwash tsunami deposits; (2) establish a recurrence interval; and (3) estimate the hazard potential for the related coastal areas. Results of the M152 cruise demonstrate for the first time that the depositional basins on the Algarve shelf have the potential to reliably archive Holocene tsunami backwash deposits. The low-energy environment of the outer Algarve shelf sets prime conditions for the preservation of tsunami backwash deposits. Thus, these geoarchives offer the possibility to study the mechanisms and hydrodynamics of backwash currents, and to investigate tsunami strata that are not preserved elsewhere.</p>

1994 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey D. Stilwell ◽  
R. Ewan Fordyce ◽  
Peter J. Rolfe

Crinoids are reported from the New Zealand Paleocene for the first time and include rare articulated columnals and brachia with pinnules. These specimens of Metacrinus sp. (Isocrinidae) are present in basal, fossiliferous, coarse-grained, quartzose sediments of the Kauru Formation, a few centimeters above schist basement, in the Kakanui Valley, North Otago. The crinoid-bearing facies probably represents earliest onlap or a storm surge onto a wave cut platform; sedimentological and paleontological evidence indicates a moderate- to high-energy environment. The crinoids were most probably buried rapidly while alive or shortly after death. The presence of isocrinids in the Kauru Formation and younger Paleogene strata reveals that the supposed shift of some isocrinids from a shallower to a deeper environment actually occurred much later in the Paleogene, and not the Late Cretaceous as previously supposed. Associated molluscs indicate a mid to upper “Wangaloan” Stage (local), equivalent to mid Paleocene. A summary of the New Zealand crinoid fossil record is presented.


Geologos ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Vierek

Source and depositional processes of coarse-grained limestone event beds in Frasnian slope deposits (Kostomłoty-Mogiłki quarry, Holy Cross Mountains, Poland)The Kostomłoty-Mogiłki succession is situated in the Kostomłoty transitional zone between the shallow-water Kielce stromatoporoid-coral platform and the deeper Łysogóry basin. In the Kostomłoty-Mogiłki quarry, the upper part of the Szydłówek Beds and Kostomłoty Beds are exposed. The Middle-Upper Frasnian Kostomłoty Beds are composed of shales, micritic and nodular limestones with abundant intercalations of detrital limestones. The dark shales and the micritic and nodular limestones record background sedimentation. The interbedded laminated and detrital limestones reflect high-energy deposition (= event beds). These event beds comprise laminated calcisiltites, fine-grained calcarenites, coarse-grained grain-supported calcirudites fabrics, and matrix-supported calcirudites. The material of these event beds was supplied by both erosion of the carbonate-platform margin and cannibalistic erosion of penecontemporaneous detrital limestones building the slope of this platform. Storms and the tectonic activity were likely the main causes of erosion. Combined and gravity flows were the transporting mechanisms involved in the reworking and redeposition.


Sedimentology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 1553-1576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Smedile ◽  
Flavia Molisso ◽  
Catherine Chagué ◽  
Marina Iorio ◽  
Paolo Marco De Martini ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 5123-5132 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hernández-Rojas ◽  
F. Calvo

The aggregation and physical growth of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules was simulated using a coarse-grained potential and a stochastic Monte Carlo framework. In agreement with earlier studies, homomolecular nucleation of pyrene, coronene and circumcoronene is found to be limited at temperatures in the 500–1000 K range. Heteromolecular nucleation is found to occur with a minor spontaneous segregation toward pure and equi concentrations.


This study uses a variety of criteria to examine short-range correlation within the Crag deposits in order to assess the validity of longer-range correlations within the British Pleistocene stage system. To this end, six rotary cored boreholes spaced at 0.5-1.0 km intervals were drilled along a north-south-aligned traverse between Aldeburgh and Sizewell, Suffolk. These show that the thick Red/Norwich Crag sequence is confined to a deep, sharply bounded basin, which is of probable erosional rather than tectonic origin. The undisturbed borehole core material enabled an assessment of the limits of stratigraphic resolution within these dominantly high-energy, shallow marine sediments to be made. Subdivision of the sequence was done on the basis of lithostratigraphical and biostratigraphical (foraminifera, pollen and spores, dinoflagellate cysts, and molluscs) criteria; chronostratigraphical methods (palaeomagnetism and amino acid chronology) were also applied. The various subdivisions indicated by each of these disciplines were in large part consistent, demonstrating that valid stratigraphic units had been identified. Only amino acid chronology did not indicate any obvious subdivision of the sequence. Three lithostratigraphical units were recognized within the thick Crag sequence. The lowest unit (AS-Lith 1) consists of coarse shelly sands interbedded with thinly laminated muds and fine sands. The middle unit (AS-Lith 2) consists of fine- to coarse-grained shelly sands arranged in two coarsening-upwards cycles. Units AS-Lith 1 and AS-Lith 2 are correlated on a lithostratigraphical basis with the Red Crag Formation of the adjacent Aldeburgh-Orford area to the south and are named the Sizewell Member and the Thorpeness Member respectively. The uppermost unit (AS-Lith 3) comprises fine- to medium-grained, well-sorted sands; it correlates with the Chillesford Sand Member of the Norwich Crag Formation of the adjacent Aldeburgh-Orford area. The Sizewell Member of the Red Crag Formation is normally magnetized and palaeontologically distinctive. The pollen, foraminifera and dinoflagellate assemblages firmly establish it as Pre-Ludhamian in age, and probably equivalent to an interval within the Reuverian C to Praetiglian Stages of the Netherlands. The Thorpeness Member of the Red Crag Formation is less easy to place within the British Pleistocene stage system. It is reverse magnetized, at least in part, and foraminifera assemblages suggest possible correlation with the Ludhamian Stage. No identifiable pollen or dinoflagellate assemblages were obtained. The Chillesford Sand Member of the Norwich Crag Formation is largely unfossiliferous but the borehole material has yielded a single pollen spectrum that suggests correlation with the Bramertonian Stage.


2018 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Fentimen ◽  
Andres Rüggeberg ◽  
Aaron Lim ◽  
Akram El Kateb ◽  
Anneleen Foubert ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Ruiz ◽  
Manuel Abad ◽  
Luís Miguel Cáceres ◽  
Joaquín Rodríguez Vidal ◽  
María Isabel Carretero ◽  
...  

This review analyses the ostracod record in Holocene tsunami deposits, using an overview of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami impact on its recent populations and the associated tsunamigenic deposits, together with results from numerous investigations of other Holocene sequences. Different features such as the variability of the local assemblages, population density, species diversity, age population structure (e.g., percentages of adults and juvenile stages) or taphonomical signatures suggest that these microorganisms may be included amongst the most promising tracers of these high-energy events in marshes, lakes, lagoons or shallow marine areas.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 1884-1895 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hernández-Rojas ◽  
F. Calvo ◽  
S. Niblett ◽  
D. J. Wales

Coarse-grained models developed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons based on the Paramonov–Yaliraki potential have been employed to investigate the finite temperature thermodynamics, out-of-equilibrium dynamics, energy landscapes, and rearrangement pathways of the coronene octamer.


Metals ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
Nicholas Olynik ◽  
Bin Cheng ◽  
David J. Sprouster ◽  
Chad M. Parish ◽  
Jason R. Trelewicz

Exploiting grain boundary engineering in the design of alloys for extreme environments provides a promising pathway for enhancing performance relative to coarse-grained counterparts. Due to its attractive properties as a plasma facing material for fusion devices, tungsten presents an opportunity to exploit this approach in addressing the significant materials challenges imposed by the fusion environment. Here, we employ a ternary alloy design approach for stabilizing W against recrystallization and grain growth while simultaneously enhancing its manufacturability through powder metallurgical processing. Mechanical alloying and grain refinement in W-10 at.% Ti-(10,20) at.% Cr alloys are accomplished through high-energy ball milling with transitions in the microstructure mapped as a function of milling time. We demonstrate the multi-modal nature of the resulting nanocrystalline grain structure and its stability up to 1300 °C with the coarser grain size population correlated to transitions in crystallographic texture that result from the preferred slip systems in BCC W. Field-assisted sintering is employed to consolidate the alloy powders into bulk samples, which, due to the deliberately designed compositional features, are shown to retain ultrafine grain structures despite the presence of minor carbides formed during sintering due to carbon impurities in the ball-milled powders.


1986 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Wilson

Abstract. Three new species and one new genus of adherent foraminiferans have been found within bivalve borings in cobbles from the Faringdon Sponge-gravel (Upper Aptian) of south-central England. The new genus and species, Lapillincola faringdonensis is a uniserial textulariine with an initial planispiral coil and a multiple aperture. Lapillincola gen. nov. is a remarkable homeomorph of Arenonina Barnard, which was originally described as an agglutinated form. Arenonina is shown here to actually be calcareous and perforate, and thus a junior synonym of Rectocibicides Cushman & Ponton. Acruliammina parvispira sp. nov. is another uniserial textulariine with an initial coil. Bullopora ramosa sp. nov. is an adherent polymorphinid with a branching, irregular series of adherent chambers. These foraminiferans may have used the bivalve borings as spatial refuges from the abrasive, high energy environment of the Sponge-gravel.


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