The effects of rheological layering on post-seismic deformation

We examine the effects of rheological layering on post-seismic deformation using models of an elastic layer over a viscoelastic layer and a viscoelastic half-space. We extend a general linear viscoelastic theory we have previously proposed to models with two layers over a half-space, although we only consider univiscous Maxwell and biviscous Burgers rheologies. In layered viscoelastic models, there are multiple mechanical timescales of post-seismic deformation; however, not all of these timescales arise as distinct phases of post-seismic relaxation observed at the surface. The surface displacements in layered models with only univiscous, Maxwell viscoelastic rheologies always exhibit one exponential-like phase of relaxation. Layered models containing biviscous rheologies may produce multiple phases of relaxation, where the distinctness of the phases depends on the geometry and the contrast in strengths between the layers. Post-seismic displacements in models with biviscous rheologies can often be described by logarithmic functions

Interseismic strain accumulation: Spin-up, cycle invariance, and irregular rupture sequences

Using models of infinite length strike-slip faults in an elastic layer above linear viscoelastic regions, we investigate interseismic deformation. In the models we investigate, interseismic strain accumulation on mature faults is the result of the cumulative effects of all previous ruptures and is independent of the fault loading conditions. The time for a fault to spin-up to a mature state depends on the rheologies and the fault loading conditions. After the model has spun-up, the temporal variation of shear stresses is determined by the fault slip rate and model rheologies. The change in stress during spin-up depends on the slip rate, rheologies, and fault loading conditions but is independent of the magnitude of the initial stress. Over enough cycles such that the cumulative deformation is block-like, the average mature interseismic velocities are equal to the interseismic velocities of an elastic model with the same geometry and distribution of shear moduli. In a model that has spun-up with the fault rupturing periodically, the cumulative deformation is block-like at the end of each seismic cycle, and the interseismic deformation is cycle-invariant (i.e., the same in all cycles). When the fault ruptures nonperiodically, the fault spins up to a mature state that is the same as if the fault had ruptured periodically with the mean slip rate. When the fault slip rate within each cycle varies, the interseismic deformation evolves toward the cycle-invariant deformation determined by the most recent fault slip rate. Around a fault whose slip rate has been faster (slower) than average, interseismic velocities are larger (smaller) than the cycle-invariant velocities and increase (decrease) from cycle to cycle

Post-seismic and interseismic fault creep I: model description

We present a model of localized, aseismic fault creep during the full interseismic period, including both transient and steady fault creep, in response to a sequence of imposed coseismic slip events and tectonic loading. We consider the behaviour of models with linear viscous, non-linear viscous, rate-dependent friction, and rate- and state-dependent friction fault rheologies. Both the transient post-seismic creep and the pattern of steady interseismic creep rates surrounding asperities depend on recent coseismic slip and fault rheologies. In these models, post-seismic fault creep is manifest as pulses of elevated creep rates that propagate from the coseismic slip, these pulses feature sharper fronts and are longer lived in models with rate-state friction compared to other models. With small characteristic slip distances in rate-state friction models, interseismic creep is similar to that in models with rate-dependent friction faults, except for the earliest periods of post-seismic creep. Our model can be used to constrain fault rheologies from geodetic observations in cases where the coseismic slip history is relatively well known. When only considering surface deformation over a short period of time, there are strong trade-offs between fault rheology and the details of the imposed coseismic slip. Geodetic observations over longer times following an earthquake will reduce these trade-offs, while simultaneous modelling of interseismic and post-seismic observations provide the strongest constraints on fault rheologies

Rheologic constraints on the upper mantle from 5 years of postseismic deformation following the El Mayor‐Cucapah earthquake

We analyze five years of Southern California GPS data following the Mw=7.2 El Mayor‐Cucapah earthquake. We observe transient postseismic deformation which persists for 3 years at epicentral distances greater than ∼200 km. In the near field, rapid postseismic transience decays to a sustained rate which exceeds its preseismic trend. We attempt to determine the mechanisms driving this deformation, where we consider afterslip at seismogenic depths and viscoelastic relaxation in the lower crust and upper mantle as candidate mechanisms. We find that early, rapid, near‐field deformation can be explained with afterslip on the fault that ruptured coseismically. The later, sustained, near‐field deformation can be explained with viscoelastic relaxation in the lower crust with a steady‐state viscosity of ∼1019 Pa s and possibly continued afterslip. The later postseismic deformation in the far field is best explained with a transient viscosity of ∼1018 Pa s in the upper mantle. We argue that a transient rheology in the mantle is preferable over a Maxwell rheology because it better predicts the decay in postseismic deformation and also because it does not conflict with the generally higher, steady‐state viscosities inferred from studies of geophysical processes occurring over longer timescales.Key PointsTransient postseismic deformation can be observed following the El Mayor‐Cucapah earthquake at epicentral distances of up to 400 kmNear‐field postseismic deformation exhibits early transience that decays to a sustained rate which is elevated above the preseismic trendFar‐field postseismic deformation can be explained with a Zener or Burgers rheology upper mantlePeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134495/1/jgrb51756-sup-0001-s01.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134495/2/jgrb51756_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134495/3/jgrb51756.pd

Cytokine release from alveolar macrophages exposed to ambient particulate matter: Heterogeneity in relation to size, city and season

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated an association between exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Inflammation seems to play an important role in the observed health effects. However, the predominant particle component(s) that drives the inflammation is still not fully clarified. In this study representative coarse (2.5–10 μm) and fine (0.1–2.5 μm) particulate samples from a western, an eastern, a northern and a southern European city (Amsterdam, Lodz, Oslo and Rome) were collected during three seasons (spring, summer and winter). All fractions were investigated with respect to cytokine-inducing potential in primary macrophages isolated from rat lung. The results were related to the physical and chemical parameters of the samples in order to disclose possible connections between inflammatory potential and specific characteristics of the particles. RESULTS: Compared on a gram-by gram basis, both site-specific and seasonal variations in the PM-induced cytokine responses were demonstrated. The samples collected in the eastern (Lodz) and southern (Rome) cities appeared to be the most potent. Seasonal variation was most obvious with the samples from Lodz, with the highest responses induced by the spring and summer samples. The site-specific or seasonal variation in cytokine release could not be attributed to variations in any of the chemical parameters. Coarse fractions from all cities were more potent to induce the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α than the corresponding fine fractions. Higher levels of specific elements such as iron and copper, some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and endotoxin/lipopolysaccaride seemed to be prevalent in the coarse fractions. However, variations in the content of these components did not reflect the variation in cytokine release induced by the different coarse fractions. Addition of polymyxin B did not affect the particle-induced cytokine release, indicating that the variations in potency among the coarse fractions are not explained by endootoxin. CONCLUSION: The inflammatory potential of ambient PM demonstrated heterogeneity in relation to city and season. The coarse particle fractions were consistently more potent than the respective fine fractions. Though a higher level of some elements, PAH and endotoxin was found in the coarse fractions, the presence of specific components was not sufficient to explain all variations in PM-induced cytokine release

New Radar Interferometric Time Series Analysis Toolbox Released

Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) has become an important geodetic tool for measuring deformation of Earth’s surface due to various geophysical phenomena, including slip on earthquake faults, subsurface migration of magma, slow‐moving landslides, movement of shallow crustal fluids (e.g., water and oil), and glacier flow. Airborne and spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instruments transmit microwaves toward Earth’s surface and detect the returning reflected waves. The phase of the returned wave depends on the distance between the satellite and the surface, but it is also altered by atmospheric and other effects. InSAR provides measurements of surface deformation by combining amplitude and phase information from two SAR images of the same location taken at different times to create an interferogram. Several existing open‐source analysis tools [Rosen et al., 2004; Rosen et al., 2011; Kampes et al., 2003 ; Sandwell et al., 2011] enable scientists to exploit observations from radar satellites acquired at two different epochs to produce a surface displacement map

Central peak position in magnetization loops of high-TcT_c superconductors

Exact analytical results are obtained for the magnetization of a superconducting thin strip with a general behavior J_c(B) of the critical current density. We show that within the critical-state model the magnetization as function of applied field, B_a, has an extremum located exactly at B_a=0. This result is in excellent agreement with presented experimental data for a YBCO thin film. After introducing granularity by patterning the film, the central peak becomes shifted to positive fields on the descending field branch of the loop. Our results show that a positive peak position is a definite signature of granularity in superconductors.Comment: $ pages, 6 figure

Emergence and rapid global dissemination of CTX-M-15-associated Klebsiella pneumoniae strain ST307

Objectives: Recent reports indicate the emergence of a new carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clone, ST307. We sought to better understand the global epidemiology and evolution of this clone and evaluate its association with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Methods: We collated information from the literature and public databases and performed a comparative analysis of 95 ST307 genomes (including 37 that were newly sequenced). Results: We show that ST307 emerged in the mid-1990s (nearly 20 years prior to its first report), is already globally distributed and is intimately associated with a conserved plasmid harbouring the blaCTX-M-15 ESBL gene and several other AMR determinants. Conclusions: Our findings support the need for enhanced surveillance of this widespread ESBL clone in which carbapenem resistance has occasionally emerged.publishedVersio