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Archean and Proterozoic crustal evolution: Evidence from crustal seismology Archean and Proterozoic crustal evolution: Evidence from crustal seismology

Seismic-velocity models for Archean and Proterozoic provinces throughout the world are analyzed. The thickness of the crust in Archean provinces is generally found to be about 35 km (except at collisional boundaries), whereas Proterozoic crust has a significantly greater thickness of about 45 km and has a substantially thicker high-velocity (>7.0 km/s) layer at the base. We consider two...
Authors
R. Durrheim, Walter D. Mooney

Basin and range crustal and upper mantle structure, northwest to central Nevada Basin and range crustal and upper mantle structure, northwest to central Nevada

We present an interpretation of the crustal and uppermost mantle structure of the Basin and Range of northwestern Nevada based on seismic refraction/wide‐angle reflection, near‐vertical reflection, and gravity data. In comparison to most previous estimates, we find that the crust is somewhat thicker (32–36 km versus 22–30 km), and the uppermost mantle velocity is somewhat higher (8.0 km...
Authors
Rufus D. Catchings, Walter D. Mooney

Probing the Earth's strength: Can we measure small stress at high pressure? Probing the Earth's strength: Can we measure small stress at high pressure?

Simulating the conditions and processes that occur in the Earth's deep interior has been a major goal of experimental geophysics since the 1920s. In particular, pioneers such as P. W. Bridgman, David Griggs, Hugh Heard, Mervyn Paterson, William Brace, and their colleagues sought to establish the basic relations between differential stresses and rock and mineral deformation under pressure
Authors
A. Kronenberg, Stephen H. Kirby

Sonobuoy seismic studies at ODP drill sites in Prydz Bay, Antarctica Sonobuoy seismic studies at ODP drill sites in Prydz Bay, Antarctica

Five sonobuoy seismic-refraction records were collected along the Leg 119 geophysical transect across the Prydz Bay shelf. Velocity-depth profiles are computed from the sonobuoy data and are used to produce a depth section for the principal acoustic unit boundaries observed in the seismic-reflection data along the transect. Traveltime curves generated by ray-tracing for models...
Authors
Guy R. Cochrane, Alan K. Cooper

Seismic stratigraphy and structure of Prydz Bay, Antarctica: Implications from Leg 119 drilling Seismic stratigraphy and structure of Prydz Bay, Antarctica: Implications from Leg 119 drilling

Prydz Bay is situated on the MacRobertson Land coast of East Antarctica at the seaward end of a 700-km-long transverse rift zone, the Lambert Rift. New and reprocessed seismic reflection data are combined with drilling results from five Leg 119 sites across Prydz Bay to study the regional stratigraphy and structure of the continental shelf and upper slope. Severe seismic multiples hamper
Authors
Alan K. Cooper, Howard Stagg, Eric L. Geist

Quaternary history of some southern and central Rocky Mountain basins Quaternary history of some southern and central Rocky Mountain basins

This chapter summarizes the current state of late Cenozoic stratigraphic knowledge in some Rocky Mountain basins (here defined as the structurally low portions of major drainage basins) that have been studied in detail since Scott’s (1965) summary on the nonglacial history of the southern and middle Rocky Mountains. The Quaternary history of few of these basins has been studied as...
Authors
Marith C. Reheis, Robert C. Palmquist, S.S. Agard, Cheryl Jaworowski, Brainerd Mears, Richard F. Madole, Alan R. Nelson, Gerald Osborn

Low intensity of the geomagnetic field in early Jurassic time Low intensity of the geomagnetic field in early Jurassic time

From a large collection of Jurassic continental tholeiites cropping out in Europe and Africa, we selected 90 samples for paleointensity determinations. The samples were carefully selected to avoid any secondary magnetizations, especially viscous magnetization. Use of the Thellier method reveals that magnetic property changes due to heating begin often at quite low temperatures but...
Authors
M. Perrin, M. Prevot, E. A. Mankinen

Documented historical landslide dams from around the world Documented historical landslide dams from around the world

This data compilation consists of dBase IV1 data files of the location, date, triggering mechanism, kind, size, failure time and mechanism, breach dimensions, subsequent controls, materials, and references for 463 historical landslide dams and associated natural reservoirs that have been recorded throughout the World. The data base presented in this report is a compilation of information...
Authors
John E. Costa, Robert L. Schuster

Volcanologic investigations in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, September-October 1990 Volcanologic investigations in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, September-October 1990

U.S. Geological Survey volcanologists examined the ten volcanoes in the active Mariana Arc north of Saipan in May 1992, at the request of the Governor and the Disaster Control Office of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). A shallow earthquake swarm on Anatahan in March-April 1990 and reports of possible new fuming on Agrigan in August 1990 had prompted the evacuation...
Authors
Richard B. Moore, R. Y. Koyanagi, M. K. Sako, F. A. Trusdell, George Kojima, R. L. Ellorda, S. K. Zane
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