Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Geology and wine'

Terroir is determined by a combination of factors in the vineyard including the grape varietal, geology and soil, soil hydrology, physiography, and climate. Although most studies have examined regional differences in wine flavors and associated provenance of wine based on chemistry, few have examined the chemistry of the soil and the ability to trace that chemistry to grape juice and, finally, to the wine. This dissertation examines what soil physical and chemical differences specific to this region might influence grape juice chemistry and wine chemistry. Wine-grapes in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, are grown on three major soil parent materials: volcanic, marine sediments, and loess/volcanic. Winemakers have observed differences in the flavor of Pinot Noir wine made from grapes grown on these different parent materials. This dissertation examines differences in the soil properties and elemental chemistry of the soil parent materials at various vineyards to document their effect on wine chemistry as a step towards understanding differences in flavor. All aspects of the terroir are controlled by carefully selecting vineyards with similar exposure and elevation, the same grape varietal and wine making techniques, and only the soils vary. The hypothesis is that the chemistry of the grape juice and wine reflect the soil in which the grapes were grown and that the three parent materials have soils that can be distinguished by their physical and chemical characteristics. Soil pits were excavated in 20 vineyards, soil properties were described in the field, and soil samples were later analyzed in the laboratory particle size, organic matter, color, pH, cation exchange capacity (ammonium acetate method), clay mineralogy (x-ray diffraction), and elemental chemistry (ICP-MS/AES). X-ray fluorescence was used to examine the pisolites. ICP-MS/AES was used for elemental analysis of grape juice and wines produced from these vineyards. Principal component analysis was used to compare soil physical and chemical characteristics, grape juice and wine chemistry. The physical characteristics of soils from all the three parent materials indicate: they are old (>50,000 years) based on their high clay content, low cation exchange capacity, red colors, and high Fe and Al content. These features indicate enough time has passed to reduce organic matter and other cations at depth, leave behind insoluble Fe and Al, and develop pedogenic clays. In my study region, volcanic and marine sediment soils are more developed with slightly lower acidity than the loess/volcanic soils. A new finding for this region is the presence of pisolites (Fe/Mg concretions) in the volcanic and the loess/volcanic soils, but absent in the marine sediment soils. Winemakers hypothesized that pisolites were present only in loess soils and influenced wine flavor in some way. Volcanic soils have the highest P, S, Fe, Co, Mn, and V concentrations and the lowest As and Sr values. Marine sediment soils have higher Cl and Sr and lower P, Co, Mn, Ba, and V concentrations than volcanic soils. Loess soils have the highest values of K and Mg and are similar to volcanic soils with higher P and V values and similar to marine sediment soils with higher Sr values. The main elements found to be significant in determining one parent material from another are V and Mn (volcanic soils), Mg and K (loess soils), and Sr (marine sediment or loess soils). Sr is slightly higher in grape juice and wine from vines grown on marine sediment parent material compared to volcanic and loess parent material, whereas Mn is higher in the juice and wine from grapes grown in volcanic parent material. P, S, Fe, Co, V, Cl, Ba, Mg, and K did not maintain their relative concentration levels from soil to grape juice to wine. The principal component analysis shows that soil and wine chemistry differs between parent material, but is inconclusive for grape juice chemistry.

The Columbia Gorge Wine Region (CGWR) is an emerging wine producing area that extends for about 100km along the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington State in which the number of vineyards, wineries and physical terroir conditions have yet to be defined. To better understand the physical factors affecting Oregon and Washington wine, this project analyzes climate, topography, geology and soil at vineyards in the CGWR. This was accomplished using Geographic Information Systems, existing earth science databases and field work. The region, which includes the Columbia Gorge American Viticulture Area (AVA) and the southwest portion of the Columbia Valley AVA, is home to 82 vineyards, 513 hectares (1268 acres), 37 wineries and 41 different varieties of Vitus Vinifera. Vineyards range in elevation from 29 to 548 meters (95 to 1799 feet). Vintner responses to a grower's survey suggest that twenty-eight grape varieties account for 98% of the estimated grape variety acreage, with Pinot Noir being the most widely planted grape variety in both AVAs. The boundaries of each climatic regime were mapped based on 1981-2010 PRISM data, the Winkler Index (Amerine and Winkler, 1944) updated by Jones et al. (2010) and climatic maturity groupings designed for Oregon (Jones et al., 2002; Jones et al., 2010). Three Winkler climate regimes are represented within the CGWR, including regions Ia, Ib, and II from the Winkler Index (Jones et al., 2010). The diversity in regimes allows for a diversity of grape varieties to be planted within the regime. The average growing season temperatures and growing degree days, respectively, from 1981-2010 calculated for vineyards ranges from 13.7°C (55.7°F) to 17.7°C (63.9°F) and 871 for °C (1567 for °F) to 1664 for °C (2994 for °F) respectively. 58% of the vineyards are characterized in an intermediate climatic regime, 29% are within a cool climatic regime, 9% are within a warm climatic regime and 4% are on the boundaries between a cool, intermediate or warm regime. 80% of the vineyards are within Regions Ia and Ib characterized by the Winkler Index, and 20% are within Region II. The growing degrees days calculated for the CGWR are similar those measured in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, Burgundy, France, Umpqua Valley AVA in Oregon and Bordeaux wine region in France. All of the soils currently being used to grow grapes are well-drained and within a xeric moisture regime, which are favorable conditions for viticulture. 30 soil series are represented among the vineyard sites, with the Chemawa Series (Underwood Mountain) and Walla Walla Series (eastern portions) being the dominant soil series used to grow grapes. Majority of the soils contain a silt loam texture. Soil Survey data for Oregon and Washington suggest that loess is extensive in the CGWR, with 46.5% of the total vineyard acreage planted on soils formed in loess. The Missoula Floods also greatly influenced the texture and age of the soil in this region, with skeletal textures being close to the Columbia River. Other common geological deposits at vineyards in the CGWR include, Quaternary Basalt (19.6%), Missoula Flood deposits (9.1%), The Dalles Formation (8.0%), Columbia River Basalt Group (7.5%), Pliocene Basalt (3.0%), Quaternary Surficial deposits (3.0%), lahars (2.3%) and Quaternary Basaltic Andesite and Andesite (0.9%). Common geological deposits, soil series, and climate conditions at vineyard sites vary spatially in the region, and therefore it is suggested that future work focus on separating the region into separate climatic sub-AVA regimes to better reflect the diversity in terroir conditions.

The Wind River gold prospect is located in TSN, R7E of Skamania County, Washington, and is an epithermal gold-quartz vein system hosted in volcanic rocks of the Ohanapecosh Formation, a late Eocene to middle Oligocene unit of calcalkaline chemical composition. Andesitic pyroclastic rocks of the Ohanapecosh Formation are the host of mineralization in the study area, and form the lowest of several stratigraphic subunits. These pyroclastic rocks are overlain by two sequences of lava flows which cap the ridges and are folded by an anticlinal warp over the length of Paradise Ridge, plunging gently to the southeast. Toward the west, the number of flows decreases and the proportion of intercalated pyroclastic rocks increases. Numerous dikes cut the pyroclastic rocks at the Wind River prospect. Geochemical data show these dikes to have been feeders for the overlying lava flows. Differing degrees of alteration of the dikes relative to the most intensely altered pyroclastic rocks which they cut indicates a complex history of overlapping hydrothermal and volcanic activity at the prospect.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior
This thesis presents an analysis of geodynamic and morphogenesis of the dune field in the Canoa Quebrada region located in the municipality of Aracati inserted in the state of CearÃ. It covers the area formed by fluvial-marine plain, the strip of beach and dune field located on the right bank of the mouth of the river Jaguaribe. The estimated time frame corresponds to the dynamic analysis of the dune field based on migration rates from 1988 to 2013. The objectives of this study are to analyze the environmental dynamics of the mobile dune field towards the mangrove ecosystem located at the mouth of the river Jaguaribe. Associated with the methodological approach, we used a set of techniques necessary for the completion of this research. From then analyzed through GIS aerial photographs of the 80 on the scale of 1: 25,000 and 2004 Quickbird the years of satellite images, 2010 and 2013 associated with the study of wind dynamics based on the variation of records their migration rates. In the study area, we find the moving dunes of the longitudinal type, small occurrence barcanoids, expressive occurrence and prevalence of sand sheets. The vegetation point of view, semi-fixed dunes were identified in contact with the mangrove ecosystem. These dunes can be classified as semi-fixed shapeless. There is no occurrence of fixed dunes or cemented dunes in the region. As for dune generations in Canoa Quebrada, dominates the generation D1, characterized by the occurrence of current dunes, furniture. In contact with the mangrove ecosystem, the semi-fixed dunes combine with the previous generation of dunes to the current, the current sub-type, defining the existence of D2 generation dunes. The average migration of the dune field during that period of 40 years was 7m / year. In the years 2010-2013 virtually no migration occurred, but the dunes continue to migrate towards the mangrove ecosystem.
Esta Tese apresenta uma anÃlise da geodinÃmica e morfogÃnese do campo de dunas na regiÃo de Canoa Quebrada localizada no municÃpio do Aracati inserido no estado do CearÃ. Abrange a Ãrea formada pela planÃcie fluvio-marinha, a faixa de praia e o campo de dunas localizados na margem direita da foz do rio Jaguaribe. O recorte temporal avaliado corresponde à anÃlise da dinÃmica do campo de dunas com base nas taxas de migraÃÃo no perÃodo de 1988 a 2013. Os objetivos dessa pesquisa foram analisar a dinÃmica ambiental do campo de dunas mÃveis em direÃÃo ao ecossistema manguezal localizado na foz do rio Jaguaribe. Associado à abordagem metodolÃgica, utilizou-se um conjunto de tÃcnicas necessÃrias à realizaÃÃo da presente pesquisa. A partir de entÃo, analisou-se atravÃs do geoprocessamento de fotografias aÃreas da dÃcada de 80 na escala de 1:25.000 e imagens de satÃlites Quickbird dos anos de 2004, 2010 e 2013 associados ao estudo da dinÃmica eÃlica com base nos registros da variaÃÃo de suas taxas de migraÃÃo. Na Ãrea de estudo, encontramos dunas mÃveis do tipo longitudinais, de pequena ocorrÃncia, barcanÃides, de expressiva ocorrÃncia e a predominÃncia dos lenÃÃis de areias. Do ponto de vista de cobertura vegetal, foram identificadas dunas semi-fixas no contato com o ecossistema manguezal. Essas dunas podem ser classificadas como semi- fixas sem forma definida. NÃo hà ocorrÃncia de dunas fixas ou de dunas cimentadas na regiÃo. Quanto Ãs geraÃÃes dunares, em Canoa Quebrada, domina a geraÃÃo D1, caracterizada pela ocorrÃncia de dunas atuais, mÃveis. No contato com o ecossistema manguezal, as dunas semi-fixas se combinam com a geraÃÃo de dunas anteriores Ãs atuais, do tipo sub-atuais, definindo a existÃncia de dunas de geraÃÃo D2. A taxa mÃdia de migraÃÃo no campo de dunas durante todo esse perÃodo de 40 anos foi de 7m/ano. Nos anos de 2010 a 2013 praticamente nÃo ocorreu migraÃÃo, mas as dunas continuam migrando em direÃÃo ao ecossistema manguezal.

Seismic studies in the area of the Ruby Mountains metamorphic core complex and adjacent basins of northeast Nevada provide new evidence for Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Ruby Mountains. Results from interpretation of industry seismic data show that (1) asymmetric basins flanking the Ruby Mountains were created by normal faults beginning in the late Eocene-early Oligocene; (2) the metamorphic core complex detachment fault system was cut by the normal fault system; and (3) total subsidences of Huntington and Lamoille basins, and Ruby basins are ∼4.5 and ∼5.0 km. Analysis of crustal-scale 3-component normal-incidence to wide-angle seismic data shows that (1) the crust along the eastern flank of the Ruby Mountains can be divided into three layers corresponding to the upper, middle and lower crust; (2) upper crustal rocks likely consist of metaquartzite, schist, granite gneiss, and granite-granodiorite with P-wave velocities (Vp) of 5.80-6.25 km/s, S-wave velocities (Vs) of 3.20-3.72 km/s, Poisson's ratios (sigma) of 0.22-0.25, and anisotropy of 0.6-2.5%; (3) possible middle crustal rocks are paragranulite, felsic granulite, felsic amphibolite gneiss, granite-granodiorite, and mica-quartz schist with Vp of 6.35-6.45 km/s, Vs of 3.70-3.75 km/s, and σ of 0.24; (4) lower crustal rocks most likely consist of granulite- rather than amphibolite-facies rocks with Vp of 6.60-6.80 km/s, Vs of 3.85-3.92 km/s, σ of 0.24-0.25, and anisotropy of less than 3%; (4) depth to the Moho varies irregularly between 30.5 and 33.5. Interpretation of these results suggests that (1) Cenozoic extension of the Ruby Mountains and adjacent basins began by late Eocene-early Oligocene; (2) depth to Moho does not reflect local surface relief on the eastern flank of the Ruby Mountains and adjacent basin; (3) fluid-filled fractures and mafic large-scale underplating are unlikely in the lower crust; (4) the present seismic velocities of highly extended core complex crust and normally extended Basin and Range crust are similar; and (5) orientations of fast shear waves near the surface and in the upper crust are parallel to sub-parallel to the regional maximum horizontal compressive stress in the Nevada part of the Basin and Range province.

Rifted continental margins and extensional basins, provide lasting records of the processes that occur during continental break-up and initial spreading. The eastern Black Sea (EBS) basin provides a good setting to study the development of continental margins, because of ongoing sedimentation during its development and the close proximity of its conjugate margins. Here, I present an analysis of a new wide-angle seismic dataset that reveals the structure of the deep sediments, crust and upper mantle within the EBS basin. These data provide a unique look at the formation of extensional basins, as the dataset includes a prole that is orientated parallel to the rift axis. This prole places new constraints on the variation in magmatism that accompanied continental rifting and the lateral extent over which these variations occur. The wide-angle data show 8-9km of sediment in the centre of the basin, and reveal a wide-spread low-velocity zone (LVZ) within the deep sediments. The depth of this LVZ coincides with the organic-rich mud layer identied as the Maikop, and indicates overpressure within this formation. From the seismic velocity model, excess pore pressures of 60 - 70 MPa above hydrostatic were estimated within the Maikop. The wide-angle data also reveal highly thinned continental crust (7km thick) in the western EBS, and crust interpreted as thick oceanic crust (13km thick) in the eastern EBS, implying a transition from magma-starved to magmatically robust rifting. Lateral variations in mantle temperature and composition can account for a gradual increase in magmatism, but the wide-angle data reveal that this transition is abrupt (30km) and coincides with one of a series of basement scarps. These results impact the interpretations of other rift zones, where a variation in the syn-rift magmatism is observed, but the nature of the transition is not known.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2008.
The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file and four media files (media file 1.pdf, media file 2.pdf, media file 3.pdf, and media file 4.pdf) Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 25, 2008) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Fractures and faults in the Jakey's Fork area, northeastern Wind River Range, Wyoming, caused by brittle Laramide deformation in the Precambrian granitic basement have been studied in detail at airphoto, outcrop, and thin-section scales. The study area is bounded on the south by the approximately east-west and vertical Jakey's Fork Fault and on the east by the approximately northwest-southeast and vertical Ross Lakes Fault. Both were active during Laramide deformation. Four distinct structural domains, defined by fracture pat terns and proximity to the two major faults nave emerged in this study. The areas are: 1) Along Ross Lakes Fault granite cores a fold defined by shallowly and steeply east dipping Cambrian Flathead Sandstone. Laramide movement on Ross Lakes Fault appears to have post-dated, Jakey ' s Fork Fault movement and was discordant with Precambrian zones. Fractures at all scales studied strike approximately northeast-southwest, consistent with the inferred maximum Laramide principal stress. 2) Along east-west striking Jakey's Fork Fault, Laramide movement appears to have reactivated Precambrian mylonite zones as evidenced by the chlorite-rich, foliated cataclasite along its trace. Fractures at all scales have an approximate east-west orientation. 3) Near the intersection of the two faults, deformation was intense, as shown by mylonitic, breccia, and veined clasts. Discrete airphoto fractures were not recognized due to intense deformation in this interaction zone. 4) In the central area, away from the two faults, airphoto and outcrop fracture orientations have a north to northeast strike. Fracture orientations at the thin-section scale are more variable and do not agree with macroscopic orientations; they strike west to northwest. The central area is a 'block', possibly divided into 'sub-blocks' , bounded by zones along which much of the deformation occurred. Thus, these zones had an insulating effect at thin-section scale. The Paleozoic rocks were at least partially decoupled from the basement during deformation, suggested by gouge along the contact and different fracture orientations on opposite sides of the contact. At least two fluid systems are represented in the study area. Relatively wide-spread, pre-Laramide chlorite development occurred at temperatures and pressures higher than those present during Laramide deformation. A Laramide (or post-Laramie ) pervasive fluid system (especially near Ross Lakes Fault) is reflected by abundant fracture porosity, advanced feldspar alteration, and kaolinite development.

During the last two decades the scientific community has recognised the importance of the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the upwelling regions on the Earth's climate. This recognition has opened new questions such as: ¿What are the mechanisms for the ocean to adjust to variations in atmospheric forcing?, ¿Is there any indirect relation between the atmospheric seasonal cycle and the response of the surface ocean?, ¿How are the meridional boundary flows connected with the zonal jets in the interior ocean?, ¿What is the relevance of these processes in the redistribution of properties such as water mass, heat and fresh water? In this dissertation we explore several elements that determine the effect of the surface wind stress onto the processes within the near-surface ocean. The work focuses on recognizing the (subinertial) response mechanisms of the ocean surface to the spatial and temporal wind variations in two upwelling regions: a coastal region off Northwest Africa, in the area near Cape Blanc, and an oceanic region, in the equatorial Atlantic. With this purpose we use in situ and satellite data as well as numerical data from a high-resolution circulation model. The analysis of these data has been done with several methodologies, in some cases requiring substantial developments and tuning for local applications. The implementation of the Maximum Cross-Correlation Method has allowed determining some of the characteristics of the instantaneous and mean surface fields, during winter and spring, in the upwelling region north and south of Cape Blanc. We have identified three regions which are characterized by different responses to short-time changes of the along-shore wind stress. North of Cape Blanc stands out the intensity of the coastal baroclinic jet, in the Cape Verde basin the mesoscalar structures are relatively weak and large, and off Cape Blanc there is along-shore convergence which traduces in the formation of a normal-to-shore giant surface filament. The analyses of time series corresponding to several upwelling indexes show that the atmospheric forcing and the oceanic response are different north and south of Cape Blanc and during the first and second trimester of the year. The total subinertial flux may be represented as the combination of a surface Ekman flux (calculated as the Ekman transport divided by the thickness of the surface mixed layer) and the surface geostrophic current (deduced from altimetry satellite images). One of the most relevant results is that the temporal and spatial changes in the normal-to-shore Ekman transport influence the intensity of the geostrophic (baroclinic) coastal jet, therefore affecting the corresponding along-shore convergence (e.g. becoming intensified off Cape Blanc) and the offshore transport of upwelled waters. The dissertation has also aimed at understanding the patterns of seasonal variability in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean through the statistical analysis of time series of sea level pressure, sea surface wind stress, sea surface height, and the circulation of the near-surface ocean. The data reveals a predominant annual component in all these variables, closely related to the latitudinal oscillation of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone. The equatorial divergence of the Ekman transport is well correlated with the intensity of the zonal system of equatorial currents, which includes the Equatorial Undercurrent and its northern and southern branches. Additionally, the seasonal appearance of the North Equatorial Counter Current during (boreal) summer and fall is related to the meridional convergence of the Ekman transport during those same seasons, which leads to a temporal rise of sea level and the generation of an eastward current in geostrophic balance. In general, the divergence/convergence of meridional Ekman transport is dominant in the northern hemisphere and of lesser relevance in the southern hemisphere.
Durante las últimas dos décadas la comunidad científica internacional ha pasado a reconocer la importancia del Océano Atlántico tropical y las regiones de afloramiento en el clima terrestre. Este reconocimiento ha abierto nuevos interrogantes, tales como: ¿Cuáles son los mecanismos de ajuste del océano a las variaciones en el forzamiento atmosférico?, ¿Existe algún tipo de relación indirecta entre el ciclo estacional atmosférico y la respuesta del océano superficial?, ¿Cómo se conectan los flujos oceánicos meridionales en los contornos con los flujos zonales en el océano interior?, ¿Cuál es la importancia de estos procesos en la redistribución de propiedades tales como masa, calor y agua dulce? En esta tesis se exploran diversos elementos que determinan el efecto del esfuerzo del viento superficial sobre los procesos que ocurren en el océano superficial. El trabajo se centra en reconocer cuales son los mecanismos (subinerciales) de respuesta de la superficie del océano a las variaciones espaciales y temporales del viento en dos regiones de afloramiento: una costera al Noroeste de África, en el área cercana a Cabo Blanco, y otra oceánica, en el Atlántico ecuatorial. Para ello se emplean observaciones in situ, datos satelitales y datos numéricos provenientes de un modelo de circulación de alta resolución. El análisis de estos datos se ha realizado con diversas metodologías, cuya aplicación en algunos casos ha requerido un esfuerzo substancial de desarrollo y puesta a punto. La implementación del método de Máximas Correlaciones Cruzadas ha permitido determinar algunas de las características de los campos instantáneos y medios de velocidades superficiales, durante invierno y primavera, en la región del afloramiento de Cabo Blanco. Se han identificando tres regiones caracterizadas por tener respuestas distintas a los cambios que el viento paralelo a la costa experimenta en escalas temporales cortas. Al norte de Cabo Blanco destaca la intensidad del chorro baroclino costero, en la cuenca de Cabo Verde se aprecian estructuras mesoscalares relativamente débiles y grandes, y frente a Cabo Blanco existe convergencia paralela a costa que se traduce en flujo normal a costa en forma de un gran filamento superficial. El análisis de las series temporales de diversos índices de afloramiento muestra que los forzamientos atmosféricos y las respuestas oceánicas son distintas al norte y sur de Cabo Blanco y durante el primer y segundo trimestre del año. El flujo subinercial resultante se puede representar como la combinación de un flujo superficial de Ekman (calculado como el transporte de Ekman dividido por la profundidad de la capa de mezcla) y la corriente geostrófica superficial (deducida a partir de imágenes satelitales de altimetría). Uno de los resultados más relevantes es que los cambios espaciales y temporales en el transporte de Ekman perpendicular a costa influyen sobre la intensidad del chorro geostrófico (baroclíno) costero, y por tanto afectan su convergencia a lo largo de la costa intensificándose, por ejemplo, frente a Cabo Blanco) y la transferencia neta de aguas afloradas hacia el océano interior. La tesis también se ha encaminado a investigar los patrones de variabilidad estacional del Océano Atlántico ecuatorial, a través del análisis estadístico de series temporales de presión a nivel de mar, esfuerzo cortante del viento sobre la superficie oceánica, elevación del océano superficial, y la circulación oceánica superficial. Los datos revelan una fuerte componente anual en estas variables, estrechamente vinculada con la oscilación meridional de la Zona de Convergencia Intertropical. La divergencia ecuatorial del transporte de Ekman se correlaciona adecuadamente con la intensidad del sistema de corrientes zonales ecuatoriales, que incluyen la Corriente Ecuatorial Subsuperficial y sus ramales norte y sur. Asimismo, la aparición estacional de la Contra-Corriente Ecuatorial durante verano y otoño (boreal) se relaciona con la convergencia meridional en el transporte de Ekman que tiene lugar durante estas épocas, lo cual conduce a una subida del nivel del mar y la generación de una corriente hacia el este en balance geostrófico. En general se aprecia que los procesos de divergencia/convergencia del transporte meridional de Ekman son dominantes en el hemisferio norte y de menor relevancia en el hemisferio sur. Finalmente, con el fin de comprender mejor la dinámica ecuatorial, se ha desarrollado un modelo sencillo que permite cuantificar el aporte de la divergencia de Ekman al flujo zonal en varias bandas zonales características. Se han identificado dos condiciones típicas extremas, en primavera y otoño, y se han calculado la divergencia/convergencia meridional a través de líneas definidas por un máximo en la elevación de la superficie del mar. Bajo la suposición de que el transporte zonal cerca del contorno oriental (aquí tomada a una longitud de 0º) es nulo, se estima que la franja ecuatorial presenta, en su margen occidental, valores máximos de transporte correspondientes a 58 Sv en primavera y 27 Sv durante otoño, cuyo origen es el sistema de corrientes de frontera oeste.

Thesis (MSc (Earth Sciences))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
This study aims to provide a practical tool for the prediction and management of dust generated by the activities of an opencast mining operation. The study was conducted on opencast gypsum mines in the semi-arid environment of the Bushmanland, 90 km north of Loeriesfontein in the Northern Cape Province from April 2000 to October 2007. The vertical and horizontal components of wind transported sediment were sampled and a dust settling model was designed to predict the settling pattern of dust generated by opencast mining operations. The model was applied to soil samples collected from an area surrounding a mine. The influence sphere of the mining operation was predicted by the application of the model and then mapped. Once the influence sphere is mapped, the dust influence can be managed with the aid of an onsite weather station. By further applying the predictions based on climatic data, the influence sphere can be modelled. The model is not only applicable to the planning phase of an opencast mine to plan the position of dust sensitive areas like the living quarters, office buildings and workshops etc., but also to indicate the historical impact that a mining operation had once a quarry on an active mine is worked out and rehabilitated or a mine is closed. The model application can also aid with the explanation and visual or graphic representation of the predicted impact of planned mining operations on communities or neighbouring activities to them and thus avoid later penalties.

Wind observations are essential for determining the atmospheric flow. In particular, sea-surface wind observations are very useful for many meteorological and oceanographic applications. In this respect, most of the satellite remote-sensing radar systems can provide sea-surface wind information. This thesis reviews the current wind retrieval procedures for such systems, identifies the most significant unresolved problems, and proposes new methods to overcome such problems.
In order to invert the geophysical model function (GMF), which relates the radar backscatter measurement with the wind speed and direction (unknowns), two independent measurements over the same scene (wind cell) are at least needed. The degree of independence of such measurements is given by the azimuth (view) angle separation among them. This thesis is focused on improving the wind retrieval for determined systems (two or more measurements) with poor azimuth diversity and for underdetermined systems (one single measurement). For such purpose, observations from two different radar systems, i.e., SeaWinds and SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar), are used.
The wind retrieval methods proposed in this book for determined (Multiple Solution Scheme, denoted MSS) and underdetermined (SAR Wind Retrieval Algorithm, denoted SWRA) systems are based on Bayesian methodology, that is, on maximizing the probability of obtaining the "true" wind given the radar measurements and the a priori wind information (often provided by numerical weather prediction models), assuming that all wind information sources contain errors. In contrast with the standard procedure for determined systems, the MSS fully uses the information obtained from inversion, which turns out to positively impact the wind retrieval when poor azimuth diversity. On the other hand, in contrast with the various algorithms used nowadays to resolve the wind vector for underdetermined systems, the SWRA assumes not only that the system can not be solved without additional information (underdetermination assumption) but also that both the algorithms and the additional information (which are combined to retrieved the wind vector) contain errors and these should be well characterized. The MSS and the SWRA give promising results, improving the wind retrieval quality as compared to the methods used up to now.
Finally, a generic quality control is proposed for determined systems. In general, high-quality retrieved wind fields can be obtained from scatterometer (determined systems) measurements. However, geophysical conditions other than wind (e.g., rain, confused sea state or sea ice) can distort the radar signal and, in turn, substantially decrease the wind retrieval quality. The quality control method uses the inversion residual (which is sensitive to inconsistencies between observations and the geophysical model function that are mainly produced when conditions other than wind dominate the radar backscatter signal) to detect and reject the poor-quality retrievals. The method gives good results, minimizing the rejection of good-quality data and maximizing the rejection of poor-quality data, including rain contamination.

Thesis (M.S.)--Northwest Missouri State University, 2006.
The full text of the thesis is included in the pdf file. Title from title screen of full text.pdf file (viewed on January 25, 2008) Includes bibliographical references.

Knowledge and understanding of wave-induced dynamic soil response are of particular importance for marine geotechnical engineers involved in the design of the foundation for marine infrastructures such as breakwaters, platforms, pipelines and offshore wind turbines. In general, the nonlinearity of deformation occurring in loosely deposited sand foundations with a low relative density, and a low standard penetration test (SPT) value can presumably lead to the build-up of pore water pressures of foundation soil as a result of its plastic volumetric contraction under cyclic shearing. Liquefaction occurs when the accumulated pore pressure overcomes the overburden pressure, making the soil grains become unbound and completely free. The liquefied seabed soil will behave like a kind of heavy fluid without any shear resistance to supported submarine infrastructures, thusleading to catastrophic consequences such as the collapse of platforms and breakwaters, and sinking or floatation of submarine pipelines. In the present study, a theoretical framework is implemented to understand the relevant physical processes associated with wave-seabed-structure interaction, with a focus on the assessment of potential risks for failure of marine structures caused by liquefaction occurring in its loosely deposited sand foundations.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Griffith School of Engineering
Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology
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The main objective of this study is to improve wind wave forecasting in the NW Mediterranean Sea while focusing on the characteristic sharp gradients of the wind and wave conditions. This work was motivated by the limited accuracy of wave models in semi-enclosed-basins and orography-controlled wind conditions, especially during fetch-limited storm events. First, to reduce the commonly observed under-estimation of wave parameters, the mesoscale variability of wind and wave fields was characterized in time (1 h to 1 day) and in space (10 km to 100 km). Second, to better capture the typical sharp gradients, the grid size of the input wind fields was decreased during a characteristic storm event from 18 km to 4 km and the wind input frequency was increased from 6 h to 1 h. Third and last, the rate of wave growth in the numerical model was tuned in order to match the local rate of wave growth. The rate of non-dimensional growth in the region of study, which was calculated using measurements along the fetch, turned out to be faster than simulated using the default physical parameterizations and faster than reported in previous studies. Adjusting the wave growth rate in the model to the observations improved the estimated wave height about 18 % and the peak frequency about 4%. Decreasing the grid size of the numerical models from 12 km to 4 km improved the timing of the wave peaks but not the maximum values of the storm. Increasing the frequency of the wind input (from 6 h to 3 h) improved the estimation of the maximum wave height values (peaks) of the storm about 13%. Summarizing, the results of this work indicated that tackling wind and wave gradients in complex regions such as the study area it is posible to reduce the under-estimation of wave parameters and to improve wave forecasting.
L’objectiu principal d’aquest estudi és millorar les prediccions de l’onatge generat pel vent al Mediterrani Noroccidental enfocant-se en els forts gradients de vent i d’onatge característics de la zona. Aquest treball sorgeix de la falta d’exactitud dels models d’onatges en conques semi tancades i en condicions de vent controlades per l’orografia, especialment durant temporals d’onatge limitats pel ‘fetch’. En primer lloc, per tal reduir les sub-estimacions dels parametres de l’onatge, s’ha caracteritzat la variabilitat dels camps de vent i d’onatge tant en temps (entre 1 h i un 1 dia) com en espai (entre 10 i 100 km). En segon lloc, per tal de capturar els forts gradients típics de la zona en els models numèrics d’onatge, durant un temporal característic s’ha reduit el tamany de malla dels vents d’entrada al model de 18 km a 4 km i s’ha augmentat la freqüència d’entrada dels vents de 6 h a 1 h. En tercer i últim lloc, s’ha ajustat la tasa de creixement de l’onatge en els models numèrics d’acord amb la tasa de creixement obtinguda a partir d’observacions locals. La tasa de creixement a la zona d’estudi, que s’ha calculat utilitzant mesures al llag del fetch, ha resultat ser més rápida que la predita utilitzant les parametritzacions incorporades per defecte en els models, i més rápida que les tases obtingudes en experiments anteriors. El fet d’ajustar la tasa de creixement en el model d’onatge ha permès millorar un 18% l’alçada d’ona significant estimada i un 4 % la freqüència de pic de l’onatge. Reduir el tamany de malla dels vents d’entrada de 12 km a 4 km ha permès millorar l’estimació en el temps dels pics d’onatge, però no els valors màxims del temporal. En canvi, augmentar la freqüència dels vents d’entrada (de 6 h a 3 h) ha millorat un 13% l’estimació dels valors màxims d’alçada d’ona durant el temporal. En resum, els resultats d’aquest treball indiquen que abordant els gradients de vent i onatge en regions complexes és posible reduir la sub-estimació dels paràmetres de l’onatge i millorar-ne la seva predicció.
El objetivo principal de este estudio es mejorar las predicciones del oleaje generado por el viento en el Mediterráneo Noroccidental enfocando los fuertes gradientes de viento y oleaje característicos de la zona. Este trabajo surge de la falta de exactitud de los modelos de oleaje en cuencas semi-cerradas y en condiciones de viento controladas por la orografía, especialmente durante temporales de oleaje limitados por el ‘fetch’. En primer lugar, para reducir las sub-estimaciones de los parámetros del oleaje, se caracterizó la variabilidad de los campos de viento y oleaje tanto en tiempo (entre 1 h y un 1 día) como en espacio (entre 10 y 100 km). En segundo lugar, para capturar los fuertes gradientes típicos de la zona en los modelos numéricos de oleaje, para un temporal característico, se redujo el tamaño de malla de los vientos de entrada al modelo de 18 km a 4 km y se aumentó la frecuencia de entrada de los vientos de 6 h a 1 h. En tercer y último lugar, se ajustó la tasa de crecimiento del oleaje en los modelos numéricos de acuerdo a la tasa de crecimiento obtenida a partir de observaciones locales. La tasa de crecimiento en la zona de estudio, que se calculó usando medidas de viento y oleaje a lo largo del fetch, resultó ser más rápida que la predicha utilizando las parametrizaciones incorporadas por defecto en los modelos, i más rápida que les tases obtenidas en experimentos anteriores. El hecho de ajustar la tasa de crecimiento en el modelo de oleaje permitió mejorar un 18% la altura de ola significante estimada y un 4 % la frecuencia de pico del oleaje. Reducir el tamaño de malla de los vientos de entrada de 12 km a 4 km permitió mejorar la estimación en el tiempo de los picos de oleaje, pero no los valores máximos del temporal. En cambio, aumentar la frecuencia de los vientos de entrada (de 6 h a 3 h) ha mejorado un 13% la estimación de los valores máximos de altura de ola durante el temporal. En resumen, los resultados de este trabajo indican que abordando los gradientes de viento y oleaje en regiones complejas se reduce la subestimación de los parámetros del oleaje y se mejora su predicción.

The Cretaceous Mowry Shale is an organic-rich, siliceous marine shale, and as such is a known source rock in the Western United States. Studies have documented that total organic carbon (TOC) in the Wind River Basin, Wyoming increases to the southeast. These studies cover large areas with limited sample sets. In this study, over 250 samples were collected near Lander, Wyoming to address spatial heterogeneity of TOC within the Mowry Shale at a much finer scale than previously examined. Samples were collected along five vertical sections at three localities, and following correlation of the vertical sections, which was strongly aided by the presence of regional bentonite horizons, samples were collected laterally from the same unit at regular 25-foot intervals. These samples were analyzed using pyrolysis and x-ray diffraction techniques. Average TOC values are fairly consistent within the study area (1.65%, with a range of 2.10% to 1.15%). Average Tmax values for vertical and lateral samples is 433 °C with a standard deviation of 7.25 °C suggesting immature to very early oil window thermal maturity. Kerogen types are determined to be dominantly type III, suggesting a dominance of terrestrial input, becoming slightly more mixed type II/III to the southeast. Redox-sensitive trace metals such as uranium, thorium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, and molybdenum values all suggest a slightly oxygenated sediment water interface during time of deposition. These pyrolysis and trace metal data suggest that the study area was in a prograding proximal marine/prodeltaic depositional environment during Upper Mowry time with influences from higher energy bottom flows. Lateral homogeneity of strata and the low variability in geochemical character across the study area suggest that the local basin in the study area was not segmented by structural or oceanographic conditions. While efforts were made to collect unaltered outcrop samples (digging back into what appeared to be unfractured, unaltered rock), alteration or weathering of organic material is a concern for source rock evaluation of near-surface outcrops. In order to address this concern, a 5-foot-deep trench was dug back into the outcrop at the target horizon in one locality. Samples were taken at regular three-inch intervals from this trench as it was excavated to determine the effect of weathering on TOC in the study area. Based on pyrolysis results, TOC was affected by weathering only along fracture sets (several samples intersected fractures in the shallow subsurface) and did not appreciably increase from the surface to a depth of five feet. Due to the impermeable nature of shale rock, decreases of TOC due to weathering appear to be limited to the immediate surface of samples and along fracture sets.

This dissertation is devoted to seismic tomography. I have implemented a new modelling tool for 3-D joint refraction and reflection travel-time tomography of wide-angle seismic data (TOMO3D). The reason behind this central objective is the evidence that the information based on 2-D seismic data does not allow to capture the structural complexity of many 3-D targets, and in particular that of the seismogenic zone in subduction margins. The scientific rationale for this statement, which justifies the central part of my thesis work, is based on the analysis of 2-D models obtained in the convergent margin of Nicaragua, a seismically active area where a textbook example of tsunami earthquake took place in 1992. In this application I modelled two perpendicular wide-angle seismic profiles for the characterisation of the overriding plate and the interplate fault. To do this, I applied TOMO2D, a state-of-the-art joint refraction and reflection 2-D travel-time tomography code. The inversion outcomes are two 2-D velocity models along both profiles, together with the 1-D geometry of the interplate boundary. In combination with other geophysical data measurements, namely coincident multichannel seismic profiles and gravity data, these models provide new constraints on the nature and structure of the margin, and in particular add new insights on the nucleation and propagation of the said earthquake and its tsunamigenic behaviour. Ultimately, this case study evidences the aforementioned limitations of 2-D modelling in the investigation of 3-D geological structures and phenomena. Following from this first application and with the idea of increasing the amount of data used in travel-time tomography, I focused on an a priori paradoxical phenomenon related to water-layer multiple phases, that under certain circumstances, is observed on wide-angle record sections. The interest of this study lies in the fact that this phenomenon can provide additional constraints on travel-time tomography models. First, I propose and corroborate the hypothesis explaining the apparent paradox, and then derive the most favourable geological conditions for the phenomenon to occur. Subsequently, the possibility to model this multiple-like phases is introduced in TOMO3D. The development of TOMO3D, which constitutes the core of my work, is founded on TOMO2D, from which it inherits the numerical methods for solving the forward and inverse problems. Source files have been rewritten, redefining and introducing the necessary variables and functions to handle 3-D data inversion. The tests made with the sequential version of the code emphasise the need of parallelisation for practicality reasons. Indeed, the increasing size of data sets along with the modelling of the additional spatial dimension results in computationally demanding inversions. Hence, I parallelised the forward modelling part of the code, which takes up to 90% of the computing time, with a combination of multiprocessing and message-passing interface extensions. Subsequently, the parallel version of TOMO3D is applied to a complex synthetic case simulating a subduction zone. This first 3-D application serves to evaluate the correctness of the code's programming, and as step-by-step description of the modelling procedure, with particular attention on the layer-stripping strategy used to successively model several reflectors. The outcomes demonstrate the ability of the code and the chosen inversion strategy to accurately recover the velocity distribution and the geometry of the two reflectors. Finally, TOMO3D is applied to a real 3-D wide-angle seismic data set acquired at the Pacific margin of Ecuador and Colombia to extract a 3-D velocity model of the overriding and incoming plates, which is then compared to previous results obtained with an extensively tested and used 3-D refraction travel-time tomography code (FAST). The comparison indicates that TOMO3D is more accurate than FAST but at the same time it is computationally more demanding. However, the parallelisation of TOMO3D allows using high-performance computing facilities, which is not the case of FAST or most of the existing codes.
Aquesta tesi està dedicada a la tomografia sísmica. Concretament, he implementat una eina de modelització 3D per a la tomografia conjunta de temps de trajecte de refraccions i reflexions (TOMO3D). La raó darrere d'aquest objectiu és l'evidència de que la informació basada en dades sísmiques 2D no permet copsar la complexitat de gran part dels cossos geològics, i en particular de la zona sismogènica en marges de subducció. El desenvolupament del TOMO3D es basa en el TOMO2D, un codi d'avantguarda per a la tomografia conjunta de refraccions i reflexions en 2D. Els arxius de codi han estat reescrits, redefinint i introduint les funcions necessàries per dur a terme la inversió 3D. Els testos fets amb la versió seqüencial del codi posen de manifest la necessitat de paral·lelització ja que l'increment de la mida dels conjunts de dades així com la modelització de la dimensió espacial afegida fan que les inversions siguin computacionalment exigents. La versió paral·lelitzada del TOMO3D ha sigut aplicada a un cas sintètic complex que simula una zona de subducció. Aquesta primera aplicació 3D serveix per avaluar la correcció de la programació del codi, i com a descripció pas a pas del procediment de modelització. Els resultats demostren la capacitat del codi per recuperar acuradament la distribució de velocitat i la geometria dels dos reflectors. Finalment, el TOMO3D és aplicat a un conjunt 3D de dades de sísmica de gran angle adquirit al marge pacífic d'Equador i Colòmbia per extreure'n un model 3D de la velocitat de les plaques cavalcant i subduïda, que és comparat amb el resultat obtingut amb un codi 3D de tomografia de temps de trajecte de refraccions (FAST). La comparació indica que el TOMO3D és més acurat que el FAST però al mateix temps és computacionalment més exigent. Tot i així, la paral·lelització del TOMO3D permet utilitzar plataformes de supercomputació, a diferència del que passa amb el FAST i la majoria de codis existents.

Das mittlere Baruther Urstromtal und Umgebung zwischen Luckenwalde und Golßen (Brandenburg, Deutschland) ist reich an äolischen Bildungen (DE BOER, 1990). Aus einer Kombination der bekannten Dünentypen (Parabel-, Längs-, Quer- und Kupstendünen) wird eine Reihe von 6 Dünenkomplexen abgeleitet. Sie sind aus einem oder mehreren Dünentypen aufgebaut und haben eine unterschiedliche Genese, Unterschiede im Alter und der Alterssfolge sowie eine bestimmte topographische Lage. Die (oberflächig anstehenden) Talsande/Flug(deck)sande, die Alt- und die Jungdünensande werden von Fein- bis Mittelsanden gebildet. In den jeweiligen Vertikalprofilen ist nach dem Körnungsbild eine Dreiteilung zu erkennen: die "liegenden" (Urstromtalterrassen-)Sande, die Altdünensande und die "hangenden" Jungdünensande. Das Liegende der ältesten Binnendünen ähnelt den Terrassensanden sehr. Daher darf angenommen werden, daß die oberen Urstromtalsande eine starke äolische Komponente besitzen. Altersbestimmungen wurden durch relative Positionierung, Feststellungen zur Art der Bodenbildungen, archäologische Funde, Pollenanalysen sowie Karten- und Literaturstudien vorgenommen, ergänzt durch Radiokarbon- (14C-) und Thermolumineszenzdatierungen. Eine methodische Neuerung ist die automatisierte Bearbeitung der Dünnschliffbilder. Mit dem Quantimet-970-Bildverarbeitungssystem wurde die Einregelung der Längsachsen von Quarzkörnern ermittelt. Die Messungen ergaben, dass die (N)NO-(S)SW-, die ONO-WSW- und die SSO-NNW-Richtungen vorherrschen. Es ist zu vermuten, dass die wichtigsten dünenbildenden Winde im Weichselspätglazial und im Holozän aus den westlichen und südlichen Quadranten wehten, wobei Südwestwinde vorgeherrscht haben dürften. Auf Grund der Forschungsergebnisse werden 12 Phasen der Dünenbildung unterschieden. Sie vermitteln ein Bild der äolischen Prozesse und Landschaftsformen, welches mit Daten aus Niedersachsen und West-Polen größtenteils übereinstimmt.
The Central Baruth Ice-Marginal Valley and surroundings between Luckenwalde and Golßen (Brandenburg, Germany) is rich in aeolian deposits and aeolian landscape forms DE BOER (1990). From a combination of the well-known dune forms (longitudinal, transverse, parabolic and hummocky dunes) a series of 6 dune complexes can be identified. These dune complexes are built by one or several dune types and differ in genesis or building sequence, in age or age sequence as well as in topographic position. The (surficial) valley/aeolian sands, the cover sands and the drift sands are mainly composed of fine- to medium-grained fractions. Based on grain-size analysis three units can be distinguished in the studied vertical profiles: the underlying (valley terrace) sands, the cover sands ("Altdünensande") and the overlying drift sands ("Jungdünensande"). The sands of the substratum of the oldest inland dunes are very similar to these dune sands. Therefore it is accepted that the upper parts of the valley sands contain a strong aeolian component. A modernization is the automated method of long axes orientation measurements on elongated quartz grains in thin sections with the Quantimet-970 Image Analyzer. The results showed that the (N)NE-(S)SW-, the ENE-WSW- and the SSE-NNW-directions dominated. It is to be expected that the most important dune building winds during the Weichselian Late Glacial and during the Holocene were winds from the western and southern quadrants, with southwest winds most likely being the most important. Dating was done by means of relative positioning, palaeosols, archaeological finds, pollen analysis, cartographic and literature research as well as by means of the 14C- and thermoluminescence dating methods. Based on the results of this research 12 dune-forming phases have been distinguished. They give an impression of aeolian processes and landscape forms that are in accordance with dates obtained from dunes in Niedersachsen and west Poland.

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Geographical identity of wines and wine regions is a potent marketing took that highlights the value and uniqueness of a particular product. Many Old World viticultural countries place great importance on the role of soil properties in determining geographical identity of wines. However this view has not gained currency in Australia, which does not have the density of plantings to highlight any soil influences on wine. It is relatively intuitive to suggest that soils have an influence on wine style and quality. After all, grapevines are grown in soils and are dependent upon them for support, nutrients and water. However, although there is a voluminous world literature declaring this relationship to be true, a meticulous examination of it points to the fact that the scientific evidence is scant and that very few studies could claim to have established clear links via truly repeatable, rigorous scientific methods. Much of what has been written is either biased by preconceived notions, journalistic licence, or flawed by an inattention to the complexity of the path from soil through root, vine and grape, to wine. Previous attempts at establishing relationships between soil geography and wine have been embroiled in the complexities of the definition of the French term 'terroir'. Examination is made of the world literature on terroir and the various attempts at classifying regions based on this sometimes tenuous concept. Literature related to the classification of wines based on their labaratory-determined constituents is also examined. By using a rigorously controlled geographical approach, this thesis attempts to "bridge the gap" between the wine industry's use and misuse of the concept of terroir and the detailed soil and plant physiological research which, although extremely valuable, has not often been readily transferable to the field situation. 11 soil locations were identified and described in the Pokolbin viticultural district that had distinctly different soil properties but were: a) planted to same grape variety (shiraz) with the same age and history; b) within the same mesoclimatic area; c) having identical soil and canopy management; and d) no irrigation influences. Thus all possible environmental influences on grape composition were controlled for except for soil variation. A wide range of juice and grape composition measures were obtained at harvest from each soil location, over three successive vintages, 1994, 1995 and 1996. These included yield parameters, juice composition, pigments, phenolics, glycosyl and mineral composition. Differences in grape composition were compared between soil locations and between years to gauge the relative influence of soil versus seasonal effects. Soil properties were examined in detail and used to help explain the variation in grape composition. It was found that significant variation in grape composition existed that could only have been attributed to soil variation. In many instances the soil location effects were significantly more influential than the vintage effect, even though the three seasons studied differed considerably in climatic conditions. Multivariate analysis of the grape composition data highlighted interactions between measures that were influenced by soil location effects. Interactions between calcium and magnesium in the grape were examined in more detail, and it was shown that a positive correlation exists between these two measures. This relationship is influenced and hidden by soil properties, namely the relative proportion of calcium and magnesium in soils. The broad implications of these results are discussed with relevance to site selection of vineyards and viticultural trials, the relative importance of soil chemistry in viticulture, irrigation management, and Geographical Indications in Australia.

In questo lavoro abbiamo cercato di mettere a punto una nuova procedura analitica per determinare il rapporto 87Sr/86Sr in prodotti della filiera agroalimentare, a partire dai suoli che costituiscono il substrato delle vigne fino al vino come prodotto finito passando per uva e mosto. Il nuovo protocollo analitico mostra un’ottima riproducibilità, comparabile con quella delle rocce in sistemi geologici, così da permettere la valutazione del possibile legame tra vino e substrato geologico delle vigne di produzione (Marchionni et al., 2013). In this work we have tried to develop a new analytical procedure to determine the 87Sr/86Sr ratio in the products of the food chain, from the soils that form the substrate of the vineyards to wine as a finished product by way of grapes and wine. The new analytical protocol shows good reproducibility, comparable with that of the rocks in geological systems, to enable assessment of the possible link between geological substratum of the vineyards and wine production (Marchionni et al., 2013).

This thesis presents the results of traveltime inversion of seismic wide-angle reflection/refraction data for strongly varying media. The two-dimensional velocity structure along two lines across the central Chilean margin (near Valparaiso) has been obtained and assessed in terms of resolution, uncertainties, and non-uniqueness. The traveltime inversion method was used to model the data and assess the model reliability. A tomographic approach was used to assess the objectivity of the structures in the final models. The final models include slope sediments, the Valparaiso forearc basin, subducting sediments, an accretionary wedge, upper and lower continental crust, a two-layer oceanic crust, and uppermost mantle. The thesis results were compared with the results of forward modeling of the same dataset and with results of analogous seismic surveys across convergent margins worldwide.

Gas hydrates were discovered in a mud diapir in the leased block Mississippi Canyon 798 - Gulf of Mexico, through piston coring. Subsequently, a seismic experiment was set up to investigate the dynamics behind the hydrate formation. Wide aperture seismic traveltime data obtained from the experiment have been inverted to estimate 2D P-wave velocity models of the five shot lines. The results from modeling indicate the presence of free gas in regions that show up as zones of high reflectivity on the reflection profiles. The topography of the study area suggests presence of active salt bodies, which in turn, makes it plausible for the gas in the Mississippi Canyon 798 to have deeper sources.

abstract: ABSTRACT The Spirit landing site in Gusev Crater has been imaged by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera more than thirty times since 2006. The breadth of this image set allowed a study of changes to surface features, covering four Mars years. Small fields of bedforms comprised of dark material, and dark dust devil tracks are among the features revealed in the images. The bedforms are constrained within craters on the plains, and unconstrained in depressions less than 200m wide within the topography of the Columbia Hills, a ~120m-high structure in center of Gusev. Dust devil tracks appear in many images of the bedforms. Within the Columbia Hills, three bedform fields approximately 180m2 and composed of fine dark basaltic sand were studied, using five HiRISE images taken from 2006 to 2014. Both bedform crests and the dust devil tracks superimposed on them were evaluated for change to azimuth and length, and for correlation between the features. The linear to slightly sinuous transverse crests ranging from less than 1m to 113m in length and two to three meters in wavelength, are primary bedforms. During the study they shifted as much as 33 degrees in azimuth, and individual crests moved on the surface as much as 0.75m. The greatest changes corresponded to a global dust storm in 2007. Average crest movement was documented at the rate of 0.25m per year. Rather than moving progressively, the crests eventually returned to near their original orientation after the storm. The dust devil tracks, reflecting a more complex wind regime, including vortex development during diurnal heating, maintained predominantly NW-SE orientations but also reflected the effects of the storm. The observed modifications were neither progressive, nor strictly seasonal. The apparent stability of the bedform geometry over four seasons supports the predictions of the Mars Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (MRAMS): low speed (1-7.5 ms-1), daily alternating winds of relatively equal force. Crest profiles were found to be nearly symmetrical, without slipfaces to indicate a preferential wind direction; this finding also is supported by the MRAMS model.
Dissertation/Thesis
Masters Thesis Geological Sciences 2016

碩士
國立臺灣海洋大學
河海工程學系
105
There is great windpower potential on the western offshore of Taiwan. But Taiwan is suffered from earthquakes and typhoons frequently, and the planned area of the wind farm is covered by soft seabed. Various marine geological hazards bring a lot of risks and uncertainties to the plan and design of wind turbine foundations, cables and construction. It’s difficult to make a choice between completeness of data and cost during subsea soil investigation. Taking DNV standards of marine operations and cases of marine geological hazards as reference, this study considers soft soil and soil liquefaction into marine geological hazards analysis. This study analyzed the potential of two kind geological hazards, as soft soil and soil liquefaction, with recent seabed cone penetration test (CPT) data. Soft soil was distinguished with qc value at each depth, and summed up the length of soft soil to be graded, the result was compared with the former research which was analyzed with standard penetration test (SPT) data simultaneously. Soil liquefaction analyzed with assessment methods by Robertson (2012) and Kexian Li(2015) which calculated the cyclic resistance under the cyclic loading of earthquake and typhoon-induced wave. The above-mentioned analysis results were demonstrated the results of hazard potential with ArcGIS. Based on the concept of risk assessment, this study defined hazard factor as the potential of soft soil and soil liquefaction, and vulnerability factor as the construction cost of wind turbine foundations and cables in the whole offshore wind farm developments, then combined both factors into risk matrix for the assessment, it indicated the expected influence level of geologic hazards which affected the cost of offshore wind farm development. This study could provide the recommended procedure of risk assessment of wind turbine foundations and cables under geologic hazards during planning of offshore wind farm.

The Pliocene, a geologic epoch spanning ~2.6-5.3 million years ago (Ma), was a period in Earth’s history where temperatures were several degrees warmer than today and atmospheric CO2 was close to modern levels, making it an analogue for future climate change. Following this interval, the planet’s climate shifted to the familiar glacial-interglacial cycles of the Pleistocene (~0-2.6 Ma), beginning with the development of extensive Northern Hemisphere ice sheets at ~2.7 Ma. In response to these changes through the Plio-Pleistocene, several components of the Earth System, particularly related to East Asia and the North Pacific Ocean, varied both temporally and spatially, further modifying regional and global climate through various feedbacks. In this thesis, I utilize a combination of geochemical proxies derived from North Pacific marine sediments as well as a regional climate model to better understand the evolution of the westerly winds, North Pacific Ocean circulation, and East Asian desert landscapes, across the last five million years. In Chapter 1, I reconstruct Pliocene dust fluxes at two different sites in the North Pacific using the constant flux proxy extraterrestrial 3He (3HeET), the first of such records in the Pliocene. Along with 3HeET-derived export productivity fluxes and sea surface temperatures from the westernmost core, I show that the Northern Hemisphere westerly winds, were shifted poleward and weaker during much of the warm Pliocene. Coinciding with the intensification of Northern Hemisphere Glaciation, the westerlies shifted equatorward and strengthened at ~2.7 Ma, and during subsequent glacial periods thereafter. Combining my dust flux record with others from different ocean basin, I find that these changes in the westerly winds were globally synchronous. Chapter 2, entitled “Pliocene Variability of Active Pacific Meridional Overturning Circulation: Reevaluating North Pacific Productivity and Redox Conditions from ~2.5-6 Ma”, presents additional 3HeET-based export productivity flux data, as well as redox element concentrations, from the central subarctic North Pacific through the Pliocene. The new records suggest elevated North Pacific export production during the interval spanning ~4-5.5 Ma, followed by a decrease in the mid-Pliocene (~3.5-4 Ma). Combining this new data with previously published records and modeling output, I provide additional evidence for an active Pacific meridional overturning circulation during the warmer-than-present Pliocene, and add constraints on its variability under various climatic conditions. In Chapter 3, I bring together two constant flux proxy-derived dust flux datasets from the same core in the western North Pacific Ocean to provide novel insight into Quaternary dust dynamics in East Asia. By utilizing constant flux proxies, and accounting for inputs of volcanic material, I show for the first time that dust input to the North Pacific decreased over the last ~2.7 Myr, particularly during glacial periods. While quite different from other previously published dust datasets, this finding is consistent with our current understanding of East Asian dust production mechanisms, and acts as a strong impetus to perform more comprehensive studies of dust fluxes to the North Pacific and other depositional areas downwind of arid regions. Chapter 4 transitions to a terrestrial setting, in which I investigate the impacts of shifting arid region surface albedo on the atmospheric boundary layer using the Hami Basin, China, as a test location. Combining new simulations from the Weather Research and Forecasting base model and available geologic data, I report a previously undescribed “wind-albedo-wind” feedback process. Specifically, I propose that wind erosion, in conjunction with surficial sediments of various albedos, leads to altered wind speeds, and eventually fluctuations in erosion itself. In Chapter 5, I expand upon the work in the preceding chapter by coupling the Weather Research and Forecasting model with a chemistry component to simulate dust emissions. In addition, along with albedo, I characterize previously interpreted surface changes through time to reflect shifts in erodibility and surface roughness. I conclude that although albedo does ultimately influence near-surface wind speeds and dust emissions as predicted in my earlier study, the effects of variable surface roughness and erodibility dominate. Integrating these results with an updated interpretation of the geologic evolution of the Hami Basin, we find that during various periods of the last ~700 ky, the Hami Basin, and likely the greater stony Gobi Desert, could have been much more important dust sources than today.

碩士
國立臺灣海洋大學
河海工程學系
103
The western offshore area of Taiwan is assessed as the world's best offshore wind farm by international engineering consulting firm 4C Offshore. The potential of integrated offshore wind is about 10 GW. To promote alternative energy projects, Ministry of Economic Affairs Bureau of Energy planning will build 600 offshore wind turbines in 2030. However, the special geographical environment of the offshore wind farm in the design life cycle may be affected by earthquakes and typhoons. Under in extreme conditions, it may cause the seabed soil liquefaction, leading to the shallow seabed submarine cable damage. This study, considering the actual seabed geological hazard cases and DNV standards mentioned geological risk that may occur offshore wind farm, the sensitivity factor of offshore wind farm are included as soft soil, soil liquefaction, slope stability. The criterion of sensitivity geology of offshore wind farm was established. In this study, the drilling data of site investigation of offshore wind farm was collected. By use of AutoCAD and Civilight AutoLog ver.1.02, a vertical of seabed profile was display. And also by use of ArcGIS to draw a parallel seabed profile, it can help explore offshore wind farm spatial distribution of soil properties and soil parameters for wind turbine foundation design reference. By use of the sensitivity criterion of this study, the geologic potential of each factor can determine, and the analysis of geology sensitivity was performed by superposition of each potential map. From the analysis results showed that Fuhai offshore wind farm is belong to the most geologic sensitive area. On the other hand, based on the concept of disaster risk by International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, and combined with the vulnerability factor as soft seabed soil and slope stability, and hazard factor as the potential of soil liquefaction caused by earthquake and typhoon waves the disaster risk assessment of seabed could be evaluated with risk matrix under different conditions, It could be provided the reference of design and construction of submarine cable of offshore wind farm.

abstract: Understanding topography developed above an active blind thrust fault is critical to quantifying the along-strike variability of the timing, magnitude, and rate of fault slip at depth. Hillslope and fluvial processes respond to growing topography such that the existing landscape is an indicator of constructional and destruction processes. Light detection and ranging (lidar) data provide a necessary tool for fine-scale quantitative understanding of the topography to understand the tectonic evolution of blind thrust faulting. In this thesis, lidar topographic data collected in 2014 are applied to a well-studied laterally propagating anticline developed above a blind thrust fault in order to assess the geomorphic response of along-strike variations in tectonic deformation. Wheeler Ridge is an asymmetric east-propagating anticline (10 km axis, 330 m topographic relief) above a north-vergent blind thrust fault at the northern front of the Transverse Ranges, Southern San Joaquin Valley, California. Wheeler Ridge is part of a thrust system initiating in the late Miocene and is known to have significant historic earthquakes occur (e.g., 1952 Mw 7.3 Kern County earthquake). Analysis of the lidar data enables quantitative assessment of four key geomorphic relationships that may be indicative of relative variation in local rock uplift. First, I observe remnant landforms in the youngest, easternmost section of Wheeler Ridge that indicate the erosional history of older deposits to the west. Second, I examine the central portion of Wheeler Ridge where drainages and hillslopes are closely tied to uplift rates. Third, I observe the major wind gap within which a series of knickpoints are aligned at a similar elevation and tie into the local depositional and uplift history. Finally, I survey the western section and specifically, the fold backlimb where high-resolution topography and field mapping indicate long ridgelines that may preserve the uplifted and tilted alluvial fan morphology. I address changing landforms along the fold axis to test whether backlimb interfluves are paleosurfaces or the result of post-tectonic erosional hillslope processes. This work will be paired with future geochronology to update the ages of uplifted alluvial fan deposits and better constrain the timing of along-strike uplift of Wheeler Ridge.
Dissertation/Thesis
Masters Thesis Geological Sciences 2015

In the BATHOLITHSonland seismic project, a refraction - wide-angle reflection survey was shot in 2009 across the Coast Mountains and Interior Plateau of central British Columbia. Part of the seismic profile crossed the Nechako Basin, a Jurassic-Cretaceous basin with potential for hydrocarbons within sedimentary rocks that underlie widespread volcanics. Along this 205-km-long line segment, eight explosive shots averaging 750 kg were fired and recorded on 980 seismometers. Forward and inverse modelling of the traveltime data were conducted with two independent methods: ray-tracing based modelling of first and secondary arrivals, and a higher resolution wavefront-based first-arrival seismic tomography. Gravity modelling was utilized as a means of evaluating the density structure corresponding to the final velocity model. Material with velocities less than 5.0 km/s is interpreted as sedimentary rocks of the Nechako Basin, while velocities from 5.0-6.0 km/s may correspond to interlayered sediments and volcanics. The greatest thickness of sedimentary rocks in the basin is found in the central 110 km of the profile. Two sub-basins were identified in this region, with widths of 20-50 km and maximum sedimentary depths of 2.5 km and 3.3 km. Such features are well-defined in the velocity model, since resolution tests indicate that features with widths greater than ~13 km are reliable. Beneath the sedimentary rocks, seismic velocities increase more slowly with depth – from 6.0 km/s just below the basin to 6.3 km/s at ~17 km depth, and then to 6.8-7.0 km/s at the base of the crust. The Moho is interpreted at a depth of 33.5-35 km along the profile, and mantle velocities are high at 8.05-8.10 km/s.