The 1909 Benavente (Portugal) earthquake : search for the source

The Lower Tagus River Valley has been affected by severe earthquakes comprising distant events, as in 1755, and local earthquakes, as in 1344, 1531, and 1909. The 1909 earthquake was located NE of Lisbon, near Benavente, causing serious damage and many losses. Mw 6.0 has been assessed for this earthquake and a reverse faulting focal mechanism solution has been calculated. Poor epicenter location, possible directivity and site effects, low fault slip rates, and the thick Cenozoic sedimentary cover make difficult correlation with regional structures. The focal mechanism indicates an ENE reverse fault as source, though it does not match any outcropping active structure suggesting that the event could have been produced by a blind thrust beneath the Cenozoic sedimentary fill. Hidden sources, inferred from seismic reflection data, are a possible NE structure linking the Vila Franca de Xira and the Azambuja faults, or the southern extension of the later. Evidence of surface rupturing is inhibited by the thick Holocene alluvial cover and the high fluvial sedimentation rate, though a slightly depressed area was identified in the Tagus alluvial plain W of Benavente which was investigated as possible geomorphic evidence of co-seismic surface deformation. A high-resolution seismic reflection profile was acquired across a 0.5 m high scarp at this site, and two trenches were opened across the scarp for paleoseismic research. Some deformation of dubious tectonic origin was found, requiring further studies

Vs30 estimation using ambient vibrations and seismic refraction experiments - Application to the lower Tagus Valley (Portugal)

The town of Lisbon has been affected by several strong earthquakes in the past originated either offshore or inland. The main inland seismogenic zone is the Lower Tagus Valley (LTV) region oriented NNE-SSW and reaching the northern part of Lisbon at its southern end. It is composed by a system of faults mainly oriented according to the valley trend, but the identification of the particular seismogenic structures able to produce large earthquakes are still under debate. The strongest reported event was the January 31st, 1531 earthquake (Mw = 7.0) that produced large damage in the southern part of the valley, in particular in Lisbon. In recent years the seismic activity in the LTV is characterised by several small earthquakes. The last strong earthquake occurred on April 23rd, 1909 (Mw = 6.1) and destroyed several small towns located in the valley. Due to the concentration of economic and industrial facilities and population density, this region presents high seismic risk in the Portuguese context. Besides, this region can be also affected by large offshore earthquakes, as the 1755 earthquake which source is located southern of Portugal mainland, in the Atlantic Ocean, about 250 km far from Lisbon. In order to estimate soil ground motion associated to different seismic sources, a map of Vs30 is need. We present here a methodology to estimate Vs30 based on ambient vibrations surveys (single-station and arrays measurements), seismic refraction experiments and geologic and geotechnical information. This work was partially financed by the Portuguese project PTDC/CTE-GIX/102245/2008 NEFITAG - Strong ground motion and near field effects in the Lower Tagus Valley Region, and the Spanish funded Complementary Action CGL2010-11831-E Identificacion de efectos de sitio en los registros de intensidad sismica en Iberia

Discriminating among Earth composition models using geo-antineutrinos

It has been estimated that the entire Earth generates heat corresponding to about 40 TW (equivalent to 10,000 nuclear power plants) which is considered to originate mainly from the radioactive decay of elements like U, Th and K, deposited in the crust and mantle of the Earth. Radioactivity of these elements produce not only heat but also antineutrinos (called geo-antineutrinos) which can be observed by terrestrial detectors. We investigate the possibility of discriminating among Earth composition models predicting different total radiogenic heat generation, by observing such geo-antineutrinos at Kamioka and Gran Sasso, assuming KamLAND and Borexino (type) detectors, respectively, at these places. By simulating the future geo-antineutrino data as well as reactor antineutrino background contributions, we try to establish to which extent we can discriminate among Earth composition models for given exposures (in units of kt$\cdot$ yr) at these two sites on our planet. We use also information on neutrino mixing parameters coming from solar neutrino data as well as KamLAND reactor antineutrino data, in order to estimate the number of geo-antineutrino induced events.Comment: 24 pages, 10 figures, final version to appear in JHE

The Eastern Lower Tagus Valley Fault Zone in central Portugal : active faulting in a low-deformation region within a major river environment

Active faulting in the Lower Tagus Valley, Central Portugal, poses a significant seismic hazard that is not well understood. Although the area has been affected by damaging earthquakes during historical times, only recently has definitive evidence of Quaternary surface faulting been found along the western side of the Tagus River. The location, geometry and kinematics of active faults along the eastern side of the Tagus valley have not been previously studied. We present the first results of mapping and paleoseismic analysis of the eastern strand of the Lower Tagus Valley Fault Zone (LTVFZ). Geomorphological, paleoseismological, and seismic reflection studies indicate that the Eastern LTVFZ is a left-lateral strike-slip fault. The detailed mapping of geomorphic features and studies in two paleoseismic trenches show that surface fault rupture has occurred at least six times during the past 10 ka. The river offsets indicate a minimum slip rate on the order of 0.14–0.24 mm/yr for the fault zone. Fault trace mapping, geomorphic analysis, and paleoseismic studies suggest a maximum magnitude for the Eastern LTVFZ of Mw ~ 7.3 with a recurrence interval for surface ruptures ~ 1.7 ka. At least two events occurred after 1175 ± 95 cal yr BP. Single-event displacements are unlikely to be resolved in the paleoseismic trenches, thus our observations most probably represent the minimum number of events identified in the trenches

Seismic site characterization of the Kastelli (Kissamos) Basin in northwest Crete (Greece): Assessments using ambient noise recordings

Crete is actively seismic and site response studies are needed for estimating local site conditions subjected to seismic activity. In order to collect basic data, we performed ambient noise recordings to estimate the site response of the surface and near subsurface structure of the small-scale Kastelli Basin in northwest Crete. The spatial horizontal to vertical spectral ratios (HVSR) resonance pattern of the investigated sites in the centre of the Basin consists of either one or two peaks divided into low to high frequency range in different sites as follows: (a) in some sites only one amplified peak at low frequencies (0.6–1.2 Hz), (b) in other sites only one amplified peak at medium frequencies (2.9–8.5 Hz) and (c) in yet other sites two amplified peaks in the low to high frequency range (0.6–15.5 Hz). The investigated sites are amplified in the frequency range 0.6–15.5 Hz, while the amplitude reaches to a factor of 4 in the spectral ratios. The one HVSR amplified peak at low frequencies is related to locally soft or thick Quaternary deposits. Microtremors were measured in the coastal northwest part of the Basin in a well—lithified Cretaceous limestone site characterized by fractures and faults striking predominantly in a sector NNE to NNW. Sites of one amplified peak at medium frequencies are extended from coastal northwest to southwest delineating a structure striking to NNW. The two amplified peaks are attributed to shallow subsurface heterogeneities/irregularities, locally induced by fault zones and to the overlying Quaternary deposits. Spatial HVSR variations in the frequency and HVSR shape delineate four structures striking NNE, NNW and in a sector NW to WNW, crosscutting the dense populated Basin suggesting that microtremors could be a valuable tool for providing a first approximation of fault zone delineation at least for the Kastelli-Kissamos Basin. The Basin is classified into the X soil category of the Greek Seismic Code 2000.This work was implemented through the project entitled “Interdisciplinary Multi-Scale Research of Earth-quake Physics and Seismotectonics at the Front of the Hellenic Arc (IMPACT-ARC)” in the framework of action “ARCHIMEDES III—Support of Research Teams at TEI of Crete” (MIS380353) of the Operational Program “Education and Lifelong Learning” and is co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund) and Greek national fund

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks