scholarly journals The enigmatic curvature of Central Iberia and its puzzling kinematics

Solid Earth ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1247-1273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Pastor-Galán ◽  
Gabriel Gutiérrez-Alonso ◽  
Arlo B. Weil

Abstract. The collision between Gondwana and Laurussia that formed the latest supercontinent, Pangea, occurred during Devonian to early Permian times and resulted in a large-scale orogeny that today transects Europe, northwest Africa, and eastern North America. This orogen is characterized by an “S” shaped corrugated geometry in Iberia. The northern curve of the corrugation is the well-known and studied Cantabrian (or Ibero–Armorican) Orocline and is convex to the east and towards the hinterland. Largely ignored for decades, the geometry and kinematics of the southern curvature, known as the Central Iberian curve, are still ambiguous and hotly debated. Despite the paucity of data, the enigmatic Central Iberian curvature has inspired a variety of kinematic models that attempt to explain its formation but with little consensus. This paper presents the advances and milestones in our understanding of the geometry and kinematics of the Central Iberian curve from the last decade with particular attention to structural and paleomagnetic studies. When combined, the currently available datasets suggest that the Central Iberian curve did not undergo regional differential vertical-axis rotations during or after the latest stages of the Variscan orogeny and did not form as the consequence of a single process. Instead, its core is likely a primary curve (i.e., inherited from previous physiographic features of the Iberian crust), whereas the curvature in areas outside the core is dominated by folding interference from the Variscan orogeny or more recent Cenozoic (Alpine) tectonic events.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Pastor-Galán ◽  
Gabriel Gutiérrez-Alonso ◽  
Arlo B. Weil

Abstract. The collision between Gondwana and Laurussia that formed the latest supercontinent, Pangea, occurred during Devonian to Early Permian times and resulted in large-scale orogeny that today transects Europe, northwest Africa and eastern North America. This orogen is characterized by an S shape corrugated geometry in Iberia. The northern curve of the corrugation is the well known and studied Cantabrian (or Ibero-Armorican) Orocline and is convex to the east and towards the hinterland. Largely ignored for decades, the geometry and kinematics of the southern curvature, known as the Central Iberian curve, are still ambiguous and hotly debated. Despite the paucity of data, the enigmatic Central Iberian curvature has inspired a variety of kinematic models that attempt to explain its formation with little consensus. This paper presents the advances and milestones in our understanding of the geometry and kinematics of the Central Iberian curve from the last decade, with particular attention to structural and paleomagnetic studies. When combined, the currently available datasets suggest that the Central Iberian curve did not undergo regional differential vertical-axis rotations during or after the latest stages of the Variscan orogeny, and did not form as the consequence of a single process. Instead, its core is likely a primary curve (i.e. inherited from previous physiographic features of the crust) whereas the curvature in areas outside the core are dominated by folding interference during the Variscan orogeny or more recent Cenozoic (Alpine) tectonics.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josep Maria Casas ◽  
Joan Guimerà ◽  
Joaquina Alvarez-Marron ◽  
Ícaro Días da Silva

Abstract. Different models have been proposed to explain the formation of the Ibero-Armorican Arc, which require significant vertical axis rotations, at the end of the Variscan orogeny. Estimates of the amount of contraction (horizontal shortening) needed for these rotations range from 54 % to 91 % perpendicularly to the arc. These estimates are compared with coeval deformational structures developed in two areas of the orogen, one in the autochthonous hinterland underlying the Galicia-Trás-os-Montes Zone in the southern branch of the arc, and the other in the Cantabrian Zone foreland in the core of the arc. From this analysis it follows that the late Variscan deformation together with the subsequent Alpine contraction is not sufficient to explain the formation of the Ibero-Armorican Arc as a secondary structure by means of vertical axis rotations. Our analysis suggests this arc is mainly a primary, or non-rotational curve, slightly modified by ca. 10 % of superposed contraction during late Carboniferous and/or Alpine times. Moreover, we propose that the assumptions underlying the interpreted geometry of the arc be re-evaluated, and we discuss the role of late-Variscan regional strike-slip faults in the Iberian and in the Armorican massifs that probably acted consecutively before and during the contraction of the arc.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rilee E. Thomas ◽  
Marianne Negrini ◽  
David J. Prior ◽  
Robert Mulvaney ◽  
Holly Still ◽  
...  

A 58 m long azimuthally oriented ice core has been collected from the floating lateral sinistral shear margin of the lower Priestley Glacier, Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica. The crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) and microstructures are described in order to correlate the geometry of anisotropy with constrained large-scale kinematics. Cryogenic Electron Backscatter Diffraction analysis shows a very strong fabric (c-axis primary eigenvalue ∼0.9) with c-axes aligned horizontally sub-perpendicular to flow, rotating nearly 40° clockwise (looking down) to the pole to shear throughout the core. The c-axis maximum is sub-perpendicular to vertical layers, with the pole to layering always clockwise of the c-axes. Priestley ice microstructures are defined by largely sub-polygonal grains and constant mean grain sizes with depth. Grain long axis shape preferred orientations (SPO) are almost always 1–20° clockwise of the c-axis maximum. A minor proportion of “oddly” oriented grains that are distinct from the main c-axis maximum, are present in some samples. These have horizontal c-axes rotated clockwise from the primary c-axis maximum and may define a weaker secondary maximum up to 30° clockwise of the primary maximum. Intragranular misorientations are measured along the core, and although the statistics are weak, this could suggest recrystallization by subgrain rotation to occur. These microstructures suggest subgrain rotation (SGR) and recrystallization by grain boundary migration recrystallization (GBM) are active in the Priestley Glacier shear margin. Vorticity analysis based on intragranular distortion indicates a vertical axis of rotation in the shear margin. The variability in c-axis maximum orientation with depth indicates the structural heterogeneity of the Priestley Glacier shear margin occurs at the meter to tens of meters scale. We suggest that CPO rotations could relate to rigid rotation of blocks of ice within the glacial shear margin. Rotation either post-dates CPO and SPO development or is occurring faster than CPO evolution can respond to a change in kinematics.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3484
Author(s):  
Tai-Lin Chang ◽  
Shun-Feng Tsai ◽  
Chun-Lung Chen

Since the affirming of global warming, most wind energy projects have focused on the large-scale Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs). In recent years, the fast-growing wind energy sector and the demand for smarter grids have led to the use of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) for decentralized energy generation systems, both in urban and remote rural areas. The goals of this study are to improve the Savonius-type VAWT’s efficiency and oscillation. The main concept is to redesign a Novel Blade profile using the Taguchi Robust Design Method and the ANSYS-Fluent simulation package. The convex contour of the blade faces against the wind, creating sufficient lift force and minimizing drag force; the concave contour faces up to the wind, improving or maintaining the drag force. The result is that the Novel Blade improves blade performance by 65% over the Savonius type at the best angular position. In addition, it decreases the oscillation and noise accordingly. This study achieved its two goals.


2014 ◽  
Vol 670-671 ◽  
pp. 964-967
Author(s):  
Shu Hua Bai ◽  
Hai Dong Yang

Nowadays, energy crisis is becoming increasingly serious. Coal, petroleum, natural gas and other fossil energy tend to be exhausted due to the crazy exploration. In recent decades, several long lasting local wars broke out in large scale in Mideast and North Africa because of the fighting for the limited petroleum. The reusable green energy in our life like enormous wind power, solar power, etc is to become the essential energy. This article is to conduct a comparative exploration of mini wind turbine, with the purpose of finding a good way to effectively deal with the energy crisis.


2001 ◽  
Vol 80 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 209-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Onida ◽  
F. Galadini ◽  
F. Forcella

AbstractPaleoseismological techniques have been used to investigate gravitational deformations at the Mortirolo Pass (Valtellina region, central Alps), in order to improve the knowledge on the activation mechanisms and the evolution of deep-seated gravitational slope movements. The deformation has been responsible for mass sliding towards the Valtellina depression through the activation of several-hundred-metre-long shear planes. Minor shear planes dipping towards the mountain played the role of antithetic structures. Four trenches were excavated across scarps representing the surficial expression of shear planes affecting the bedrock and Late Pleistocene-Holocene deposits. The excavations enabled to investigate the stratigraphy of Quaternary deposits and the geometry and kinematics of the shear planes affecting them. Radiocarbon analyses on organic material contained in sediments and paleosols enabled to define a succession of displacement events which occurred during the Late Pleistocene-Holocene. Collected data indicate the persistence of the activity until recent times (last movement related to 1810-1540 cal. BP). A sudden movement has been detected along one of the main shear surfaces (dipping towards the valley) with a vertical displacement of several metres. In contrast, numerous displacements (with lower vertical offset) have been detected along the antithetic shear planes. Different hypotheses have been proposed in the past to define the origin of huge gravitational movements (glacial retreat, uplift of the Alpine chain, fault activity). However, the Late Pleistocene cycles of glacial loading and unloading on the mountain slopes seem to be the most probable factors causing deep-seated gravitational movements in the investigated region. A recent dramatic landslide in an area adjacent to the investigated one (Mt. Zandila-Valpola) testifies to the paroxistic evolution of the large scale gravitational deformations. The densely inhabited Valtellina region is affected by a large number of gravitational structures similar to those of the Mortirolo area. In consideration of the possible effects of the paroxistic activation of these structures, detailed studies on the chronology and kinematics of the deformations through the application of paleoseismological techniques should therefore be encouraged.


SEG Discovery ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
JEREMY P. RICHARDS

ABSTRACT Large-scale crustal lineaments are recognized as corridors (up to 30 km wide) of aligned geological, structural, geomorphological, or geophysical features that are distinct from regional geological trends such as outcrop traces. They are commonly difficult to observe on the ground, the scale of the features and their interrelationships being too large to map except at a regional scale. They are therefore most easily identified from satellite imagery and geophysical (gravity, magnetic) maps. Lineaments are believed to be the surface expressions of ancient, deep-crustal or trans-lithospheric structures, which periodically have been reactivated as planes of weakness during subsequent tectonic events. These planes of weakness, and in particular their intersections, may provide high-permeability channels for ascent of deeply derived magmas and fluids. Optimum conditions for magma penetration are provided when these structures are placed under tension or transtension. In regions of subduction-related magmatism, porphyry copper and related deposits may be generated along these lineaments because the structures serve to focus the ascent of relatively evolved magmas and fluid distillates from deep-crustal magma reservoirs. However, lineament intersections can only focus such activity where a magma supply exists, and when lithospheric stress conditions permit. A comprehensive understanding of regional tectono-magmatic history is therefore required to interpret lineament maps in terms of their prospectivity for mineral exploration.


Author(s):  
S. Varatharajan ◽  
K. V. Sureshkumar ◽  
K. V. Kasiviswanathan ◽  
G. Srinivasan

The second stage of Indian nuclear programme envisages the deployment of fast reactors on a large scale for the effective use of India’s limited uranium reserves. The Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam is a loop type, sodium cooled fast reactor, meant as a test bed for the fuels and structural materials for the Indian fast reactor programme. The reactor was made critical with a unique high plutonium MK-I carbide fuel (70% PuC+30%UC). Being a unique untested fuel of its kind, it was decided to test it as a driver fuel, with conservative limits on Linear Heat Rating and burn-up, based on out-of-pile studies. FBTR went critical in Oct 1985 with a small core of 23 MK-I fuel subassemblies. The Linear Heat Rating and burn-up limits for the fuel were conservatively set at 250 W/cm & 25 GWd/t respectively. Based on out-of-pile simulation in 1994, it was possible to raise the LHR to 320 W/cm. It was decided that when the fuel reaches the target burn-up of 25 GWd/t, the MK-I core would be progressively replaced with a larger core of MK-II carbide fuel (55% PuC+45%UC). Induction of MK-II subassemblies was started in 1996. However, based on the Post-Irradiation Examination (PIE) of the MK-I fuel at 25, 50 & 100 GWd/t, it became possible to enhance the burn-up of the MK-I fuel to 155 GWd/t. More than 900 fuel pins of MK-I composition have reached 155 GWd/t without even a single failure and have been discharged. One subassembly (61 pins) was taken to 165 GWd/t on trial basis, without any clad failure. The core has been progressively enlarged, adding MK-I subassemblies to compensate for the burn-up loss of reactivity and replacement of discharged subassemblies. The induction of MK-II fuel was stopped in 2003. One test subassembly simulating the composition of the MOX fuel (29% PuO2) to be used in the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor was loaded in 2003. It is undergoing irradiation at 450 W/cm, and has successfully seen a burn-up of 92.5 GWd/t. In 2006, it was proposed to test high Pu MOX fuel (44% PuO2), in order to validate the fabrication and fuel cycle processes developed for the power reactor MOX fuel. Eight MOX subassemblies were loaded in FBTR core in 2007. The current core has 27 MK-I, 13 MK-II, eight high Pu MOX and one power reactor MOX fuel subassemblies. The reactor power has been progressively increased from 10.5 MWt to 18.6 MWt, due to the progressive enlargement of the core. This paper presents the evolution of the core based on the progressive enhancement of the burn-up limit of the unique high Pu carbide fuel.


Author(s):  
Mitsuhiro Suzuki ◽  
Takeshi Takeda ◽  
Hideo Nakamura

Presented are experiment results of the Large Scale Test Facility (LSTF) conducted at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) with a focus on core exit thermocouple (CET) performance to detect core overheat during a vessel top break loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) simulation experiment. The CET temperatures are used to start accident management (AM) action to quickly depressurize steam generator (SG) secondary sides in case of core temperature excursion. Test 6-1 is the first test of the OECD/NEA ROSA Project started in 2005, simulating withdraw of a control rod drive mechanism penetration nozzle at the vessel top head. The break size is equivalent to 1.9% cold leg break. The AM action was initiated when CET temperature rose up to 623K. There was no reflux water fallback onto the CETs during the core heat-up period. The core overheat, however, was detected with a time delay of about 230s. In addition, a large temperature discrepancy was observed between the CETs and the hottest core region. This paper clarifies the reasons of time delay and temperature discrepancy between the CETs and heated core during boil-off including three-dimensional steam flows in the core and core exit. The paper discusses applicability of the LSTF CET performance to pressurized water reactor (PWR) conditions and a possibility of alternative indicators for earlier AM action than in Test 6-1 is studied by using symptom-based plant parameters such as a reactor vessel water level detection.


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