Geophysical data from the MEDOC experiment across the Northern Tyrrhenian backarc basin has mapped a failed rift during backarc extension of cratonic Variscan lithosphere. In contrast, data across the Central Tyrrhenian have revealed the presence of magmatic accretion followed by mantle exhumation after continental breakup. Here we analyse the MEDOC transect E–F, which extends from Sardinia t…

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) has been widely used in environmental applications to study processes associated with subsurface contaminants and contaminant remediation. Anthropogenic alterations in subsurface electrical conductivity associated with contamination often originate from highly industrialized areas with significant amounts of buried metallic infrastructure. The deleterious…

Geodetic observations of interseismic deformation in the Western United States provide constraints on microplate rotations, earthquake cycle processes, and slip partitioning across the Pacific–North America Plate boundary. These measurements may be interpreted using block models, in which the upper crust is divided into microplates bounded by faults that accumulate strain in a first-order ap…

In this note, we prove a generalization of the ‘strange formula’ of Freudenthal and de-Vries for compact homogeneous spaces with positive Euler characteristic. As a corollary, we obtain a new proof of the original formula. We also apply our results to computing a topological invariant used to study hyper-Kähler structures.

Deformation experiments on partially molten rocks in simple shear form melt bands at 20◦ to the shear plane instead of at the expected 45◦ principal compressive stress direction. These melt bands may play an important role in melt focusing in mid-ocean ridges. Such shallow bands are known to form for two-phase media under shear if strongly non-Newtonian power-law creep is employed …

We used ab initio molecular dynamics to calculate the elastic constants of MgSiO3, FeSiO3 and (Fe0.5Mg0.5)SiO3 perovskite under lower-most mantle conditions (136 GPa, 2000–4000 K). At 0K, Vp and Vs for FeSiO3 perovskite are 12 and 18 per cent lower, respectively than those for MgSiO3, in agreement with previous work. The difference in velocity, however, increases with temperature for high sp…

Probabilistic tsunami hazard analysis (PTHA) relies on computationally demanding numerical simulations of tsunami generation, propagation, and non-linear inundation on high-resolution topo-bathymetric models. Here we focus on tsunamis generated by co-seismic sea floor displacement, that is, on Seismic PTHA (SPTHA). A very large number of tsunami simulations are typically needed to incorpo…

Static stress changes after major earthquakes are generally believed to influence the spatial and/or temporal distribution of aftershocks and subsequent earthquake events. Aftershock sequences, for example, tend to occur in areas with an increase in Coulomb stress with similar mechanisms to the main shock. However, in regions with pre-existing crustal structures with different mechanisms,…

At the end of the 19th century, the suggestion was made by several scientists, including J. M. Baldwin, that behavioral responses to environmental change could both rescue populations from extinction (Baldwin Effect) and influence the course of subsequent evolution. Here we provide the historical and theoretical background for this argument and offer evidence of the importance of these ideas fo…

Vocal responses to anthropogenic noise have been documented in several species of songbird. However, only a few studies have investigated whether these adjustments are made in ‘‘real time’’ or are longer-term responses to particular soundscapes. Furthermore, increased ambient noise often is accompanied by structural changes to the habitat, including the introduction of noisy roadways an…