Coseismic and postseismic deformation from the 2007 Bengkulu earthquake based on GPS Data

On September 12, 2007, a M8.5 megathrust earthquake occurred along the Sunda trench near Bengkulu, West Sumatra. GPS data in Sumatra have indicated the coseismic and postseismic deformations resulting from this earthquake. Our estimate of coseismic displacements suggests that the earthquake displaced up to ~1.8m at GPS stations located north of the epicenter. Moreover, our principal strain estimation in the region suggests that the maximum coseismic extensional strain is ~40 ppm. Our analysis of GPS data in the region suggests that the postseismic decay of the 2007 Bengkulu earthquake was 46 days, estimated using a logarithmic function.

Temporal and spatial earthquake clustering revealed through comparison of millennial strain-rates from 36Cl cosmogenic exposure dating and decadal GPS strain-rate

To assess whether continental extension and seismic hazard are spatially-localized on single faults or spread over wide regions containing multiple active faults, we investigated temporal and spatial slip-rate variability over many millennia using in-situ 36Cl cosmogenic exposure dating for active normal faults near Athens, Greece. We study a ~ NNE-SSW transect, sub-parallel to the extensional strain direction, constrained by two permanent GPS stations located at each end of the transect and arranged normal to the fault strikes. We sampled 3 of the 7 seven normal faults that exist between the GPS sites for 36Cl analyses. Results from Bayesian inference of the measured 36Cl data implies that some faults slip relatively-rapidly for a few millennia accompanied by relative quiescence on faults across strike, defining out-of-phase fault activity. Assuming that the decadal strain-rate derived from GPS applies over many millennia, slip on a single fault can accommodate ~ 30–75% of the regional strain-rate for a few millennia. Our results imply that only a fraction of the total number of Holocene active faults slip over timescales of a few millennia, so continental deformation and seismic hazard are localized on specific faults and over a length-scale shorter than the spacing of the present GPS network over this time-scale. Thus, (1) the identification of clustered fault activity is vital for probabilistic seismic hazard assessments, and (2) a combination of dense geodetic observations and palaeoseismology is needed to identify the precise location and width of actively deforming zones over specific time periods.

Seismic and Geodetic Observations of Accelerated Sliding at Haupapa/Tasman Glacier, New Zealand

<p>Rain-induced accelerations of Haupapa/Tasman Glacier are accompanied by abundant seismicity. This seismicity reveals some of the glacial processes occurring at times of accelerated glacier sliding and those related directly to surficial water inputs.To study the processes occurring during rain-induced accelerations a network of seismic and geodetic sensors was deployed on the lower Haupapa/Tasman Glacier for four months in 2016. Seven categories of seismicity were defined during the study period. Glacier source processes were inferred for these categories based on their waveform characteristics, and each source was then compared to meteoric and geodetic data to discern spatial and temporal relationships. Of the seven categories of seismicity only the seismic events associated with crevasse opening were found to correlate with rain rate. Increased crevassing rate likely results from two factors: 1) increased extensional strain rates following the propagation of a subglacial cavitation front during transient accelerations and 2) hydrofracture due to the accumulation of rain in crevasses. Strain-driven crevassing is associated only with glacier acceleration, but crevasse opening via hydrofracture is inferred to occur independently of strain changes such that it is an active process at any point following heavy rainfall. Basal seismicity was not observed to respond to changes in glacier velocity or inferred subglacial water pressure, although this may be due to limitations in the seismic event detection technique.</p>

Seismic and Geodetic Observations of Accelerated Sliding at Haupapa/Tasman Glacier, New Zealand

<p>Rain-induced accelerations of Haupapa/Tasman Glacier are accompanied by abundant seismicity. This seismicity reveals some of the glacial processes occurring at times of accelerated glacier sliding and those related directly to surficial water inputs.To study the processes occurring during rain-induced accelerations a network of seismic and geodetic sensors was deployed on the lower Haupapa/Tasman Glacier for four months in 2016. Seven categories of seismicity were defined during the study period. Glacier source processes were inferred for these categories based on their waveform characteristics, and each source was then compared to meteoric and geodetic data to discern spatial and temporal relationships. Of the seven categories of seismicity only the seismic events associated with crevasse opening were found to correlate with rain rate. Increased crevassing rate likely results from two factors: 1) increased extensional strain rates following the propagation of a subglacial cavitation front during transient accelerations and 2) hydrofracture due to the accumulation of rain in crevasses. Strain-driven crevassing is associated only with glacier acceleration, but crevasse opening via hydrofracture is inferred to occur independently of strain changes such that it is an active process at any point following heavy rainfall. Basal seismicity was not observed to respond to changes in glacier velocity or inferred subglacial water pressure, although this may be due to limitations in the seismic event detection technique.</p>

Mechanical Causation of Biological Structure: Productive Pulls Produce Persistent Filaments in a Human Fibroblast Model of Matrix Development

During development, mesenchymal cells direct the elaboration of extracellular matrix that shapes the initial animal bauplan which subsequently grows to produce mechanically-competent structure. To gain insight into the processes that initiate matrix formation at the cellular level, high temporal and spatial resolution videos were obtained from a primary human corneal fibroblast (PHCF) cell culture system known to produce an organized, collagenous stroma similar to a human cornea. The images were taken over a 4-day period prior to culture confluency which permitted a clear view of the cell kinematics and any elaborated filaments. The movies reveal an active cellular system in which the PHCFs execute five types of high-velocity and high extensional strain-rate 'pulls' that produce persistent filaments. In four of the pull types, average maximum strain rates (~0.1-0.33s-1) were adequate to induce aggregation and/or crystallization in crowded biopolymer systems. The results demonstrate that PHCFs have the capacity to mechanically induce the formation of biopolymer structures intercellularly and in the path of force.

Strains under Angular Pressing of a Strip from a Cylindrical Billet

The scheme of non-equal channel angular pressing (non-ECAP) of a magnesium billet has been analyzed. The modeling was performed by DEFORM-2D software. A high level of strain is shown to be achieved during non-ECAP. It leads to more homogenous structure refinement of magnesium and plasticity improvement that could favorably affect the subsequent deformation of a Mg-strip by cold rolling. At non-ECAP-process, the upper part of the strip is noted to be hardened more than the lower one. The lower part is supposed to be formed by extensional strain mainly, meanwhile for the upper one, the prime mechanism is likely to be shear strain. Based on hardness measurement of the samples cut from the obtained Mg-strip, conclusions have been made about the influence of the accumulated strain during non-ECAP on the strength properties of the strip.

Structural Inheritance Controls Strain Distribution During Early Continental Rifting, Rukwa Rift

Little is known about rift kinematics and strain distribution during the earliest phase of extension due to the deep burial of the pre-rift and earliest rift structures beneath younger, rift-related deposits. Yet, this exact phase of basin development ultimately sets the stage for the location of continental plate divergence and breakup. Here, we investigate the structure and strain distribution in the multiphase Late Paleozoic-Cenozoic magma-poor Rukwa Rift, East Africa during the earliest phase of extension. We utilize aeromagnetic data that image the Precambrian Chisi Shear Zone (CSZ) and bounding terranes, and interpretations of 2-D seismic reflection data to show that, during the earliest rift phase (Permo-Triassic ‘Karoo’): 1) the rift was defined by the Lupa border fault, which exploited colinear basement terrane boundaries, and a prominent intra-basinal fault cluster (329° ± 9.6) that trends parallel to and whose location was controlled by the CSZ (326°); 2) extensional strain in the NW section of the rift was accommodated by both the intra-basinal fault cluster and the border fault, where the intra-basinal faulting account for up to 64% of extension; in the SE where the CSZ is absent, strain is primarily focused on the Lupa Fault. Here, the early-rift strain is thus, not accommodated only by border the fault as suggested by existing magma-poor early-rift models; instead, strain focuses relatively quickly on a large border fault and intra-basinal fault clusters that follow pre-existing intra-basement structures; 3) two styles of early-rift strain localization are evident, in which strain is localized onto a narrow discrete zone of basement weakness in the form of a large rift fault (Style-1 localization), and onto a broader discrete zone of basement weakness in the form of a fault cluster (Style-2 localization). We argue that the CSZ and adjacent terrane boundaries represent zones of mechanical weakness that controlled the first-order strain distribution and rift development during the earliest phase of extension. The established early-rift structure, modulated by structural inheritance, then persisted through the subsequent rift phases. The results of our study, in a juvenile and relatively well-exposed and data-rich rift, are applicable to understanding the structural evolution of deeper, buried ancient rifts.

Geometric and temporal evolution of extensional growth folds in the Barents Sea, offshore Norway: A tool to understand normal fault growth

Extensional growth folds form ahead of the tips of propagating normal faults. These folds can accommodate a considerable amount of extensional strain and they may control rift geometry. Fold-related surface deformation may also control the sedimentary evolution of syn-rift depositional systems; thus, the stratigraphic record can constrain the four-dimensional evolution of extensional growth folds, which in term provides a record of fault growth and broader rift history. Here we use high-quality 3D seismic reflection and borehole data from the SW Barents Sea, offshore northern Norway to determine the geometric and temporal evolution of extensional growth folds associated with a large, long-lived, basement-involved fault. We show that the fault grew via linkage of four segments, and that fault growth was associated with the formation of fault-parallel and fault-perpendicular folds that accommodated a substantial portion (10 – 40%) of the total extensional strain. Fault-propagation folds formed at multiple times in response to periodic burial of the causal fault, with individual folding events (c. 25 Myr and 32 Myr) lasting a considered part of the total, c. 130 Myr rift period. Our study supports previous suggestions that continuous (i.e., folding) as well as discontinuous (i.e., faulting) deformation must be explicitly considered when assessing total strain in extensional setting. We also show changes in the architecture of growth strata record alternating periods of how folding and faulting, showing how rift margins may be characterised by basinward-dipping monoclines as opposed to fault-bound scarps. Our findings have broader implications for our understanding of the structural, physiographic, and tectonostratigraphic evolution of rift basins.

Determining the efficiency and parameters of rubble strip reinforcement

The necessity of development and improvement of methods and means for the protection of preparatory roadways, in particular, protective structures, was proved on the basis of ordinary rock with binding surfaces. Analysis of the results of the study on the use of protective structures of ordinary rock and bounding surfaces was performed. It has shown the feasibility of reinforcing rock structures to ensure operational conditions for the protected roadways. Such structures include rubble strips reinforced with partitions made of metal mesh. To determine their efficiency and reinforcement parameters, studies were performed using provisions of structural mechanics, soil mechanics, and bulk media, as well as physical modeling using natural materials. According to the results obtained in the performed studies, the efficiency of reinforcement of rubble strips with a metal grid was proved and a procedure for calculation of reinforcement parameters that need to be considered in designing the above structures was developed. Such parameters include width and height of the strip, class of reinforcement, its diameter and tensile strength, size of the grid cells, angle of internal friction of rocks, and diameter of maximum rock pieces in the strip. It was established that reinforcement of the rubble strip by partitions made of metal meshes can reduce the width of the strip and volume of the rock fill by 1.33…2.66 times without losing the structure rigidity. To do this, the condition of reinforcement strength in grids must be met. It consists of comparing its tensile strength with maximum stresses in the partition. These stresses are determined by the magnitude of the load on the rubble strip from the roof rocks, the diameter of the reinforcement, and the maximum rock pieces, as well as relative extensional strain in reinforcement.

Preparation of Perfluorosulfonated Ionomer Nanofibers by Solution Blow Spinning

In this work, we report the preparation of high-purity perfluorosulfonated ionomer (Nafion) nanofibers (NFs) via solution blow spinning (SBS). Fiber formation in solution jet spinning is strongly dependent on the structure of the spinning solution. Upon adding a small amount of poly(ethyleneoxide) (PEO) as a spinning aid to Nafion dispersion, most of the highly ordered Nafion aggregate disappeared, allowing the stable production of bead-free and smooth high-purity NFs (Nafion/PEO = 99/1) by SBS. The microstructure of the blowspun Nafion NFs differed from that of electrospun NFs. In the blowspun NFs, incomplete microphase separation between hydrophilic (ionic) and hydrophobic domains was observed, but the crystallization of CF2−CF2 chains was enhanced owing to the high extensional strain rate and rapid solidification during SBS. These findings provide fundamental information for the preparation and characterization of blowspun Nafion NFs.