Modélisation constitutive du comportement cyclique des sables en condition drainée

Dans cette étude, une modélisation numérique simple du comportement des sables sous chargement cyclique est proposée ; la démarche proposée consiste, en condition drainée, à déterminer les paramètres caractérisant le chemin cyclique moyen du sol sous l’'effet de N cycles dûment caractérisés, et à traduire l'’effet cyclique par une déformation volumique cumulée ainsi que par une variation de module du sol. Dans cette étude on s’'intéresse à des essais triaxiaux cycliques simulés au moyen d’'un calcul en éléments finis utilisant le programme Plaxis. On détermine les paramètres d’'identification du premier cycle (charge-décharge) réalisé pas à pas en prenant, comme modèle de comportement du sol le modèle HSM. Puis le comportement après N cycles (N>1000) est simulé par la formulation proposée comme un pseudo-fluage. La comparaison de la méthode proposée à plusieurs essais triaxiaux cycliques confirme la bonne adaptation du modèle proposé à ce type de problème

Dynamical effects of subducting ridges: Insights from 3-D laboratory models

We model the subduction of buoyant ridges and plateaus to study their effect on slab dynamics. Oceanic ridges parallel to the trench have a stronger effect on the process of subduction because they simultaneously affect a longer trench segment. Large buoyant slab segments sink more slowly into the asthenosphere, and their subduction result in a diminution of the velocity of subduction of the plate. We observe a steeping of the slab below those buoyant anomalies, resulting in smaller radius of curvature of the slab, that augments the energy dissipated in folding the plate and further diminishes the velocity of subduction. When the 3D geometry of a buoyant plateau is modelled, the dip of the slab above the plateau decreases, as a result of the larger velocity of subduction of the dense "normal" oceanic plate on both sides of the plateau. Such a perturbation of the dip of the slab maintains long time after the plateau has been entirely incorporated into the subduction zone. We compare experiments with the present-day subduction zone below South America. Experiments suggest that a modest ridge perpendicular to the trench such as the present-day Juan Fernandez ridge is not buoyant enough to modify the slab geometry. Already subducted buoyant anomalies within the oceanic plate, in contrast, may be responsible for some aspects of the present-day geometry of the Nazca slab at depth

Dehydration of subducting slow-spread oceanic lithosphere in the Lesser Antilles

Subducting slabs carry water into the mantle and are a major gateway in the global geochemical water cycle. Fluid transport and release can be constrained with seismological data. Here we use joint active-source/local-earthquake seismic tomography to derive unprecedented constraints on multi-stage fluid release from subducting slow-spread oceanic lithosphere. We image the low P-wave velocity crustal layer on the slab top and show that it disappears beneath 60–100 km depth, marking the depth of dehydration metamorphism and eclogitization. Clustering of seismicity at 120–160 km depth suggests that the slab’s mantle dehydrates beneath the volcanic arc, and may be the main source of fluids triggering arc magma generation. Lateral variations in seismic properties on the slab surface suggest that serpentinized peridotite exhumed in tectonized slow-spread crust near fracture zones may increase water transport to sub-arc depths. This results in heterogeneous water release and directly impacts earthquakes generation and mantle wedge dynamics

The Evolution of the Silver Hills Volcanic Center, and Revised 40Ar/39Ar Geochronology of Montserrat, Lesser Antilles, With Implications for Island Arc Volcanism

Studying the older volcanic centers on Montserrat, Centre Hills and Silver Hills, may reveal how volcanic activity can change over long time periods (≥1 Myr), and whether the recent activity at the Soufrière Hills is typical of volcanism throughout Montserrat's history. Here, we present the first detailed mapping of the Silver Hills, the oldest and arguably least studied volcanic center on Montserrat. Volcanism at the Silver Hills was dominated by episodic andesite lava dome growth and collapse, produced Vulcanian style eruptions, and experienced periodic sector collapse events, similar to the style of volcanic activity that has been documented for the Centre Hills and Soufrière Hills. We also present an updated geochronology of volcanism on Montserrat, by revising existing ages and obtaining new 40Ar/39Ar dates and palaeomagnetic ages from marine tephra layers. We show that the centers of the Silver, Centre, and Soufrière Hills were active during at least ∼2.17–1.03 Ma, ∼1.14–0.38 Ma, and ∼0.45 Ma–present, respectively. Combined with timings of volcanism on Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe these ages suggest that ∼0.5–1 Ma is a common lifespan for volcanic centers in the Lesser Antilles. These new dates identify a previously unrecognized overlap in activity between the different volcanic centers, which appears to be a common phenomenon in island arcs. We also identify an older stage of Soufrière Hills activity ∼450–290 ka characterized by the eruption of hornblende-orthopyroxene-phyric lavas, demonstrating that the petrology of the Soufrière Hills eruptive products has changed at least twice throughout the volcano's development

Étude expérimentale de l’interaction entre les fonds marins et les pipelines flexibles soumis à la houle et aux courants

Les pipelines posés sur les fonds marins en position non recouverte sont dans le cas de mer peu profonde soumis à l’action hydrodynamique de la houle et des courants. Ces efforts hydrodynamiques qui tendent à mettre le pipeline en mouvement sont contrebalancés par la réaction du sol. En conséquence, l’étude de la stabilité de ces pipelines requiert une estimation réaliste des efforts en présence. Cet article fait état d’une étude expérimentale en laboratoire visant à quantifier et à analyser l’interaction sol-eau-pipeline sous les effets de la houle. Lors de ces essais, l’action de la houle et des courants sur le pipeline est simulée mécaniquement (modèle physique d’échelle 1). Les variations de grandeurs physiques telles que la hauteur d’enfoncement du pipeline, la résistance horizontale du sol, les pressions d’eau autour du pipeline sont enregistrées et analysées. Différentes natures de chargements du pipeline, par référence à celles rencontrées sur site, sont étudiées. Une méthode analytique d’estimation de la résistance horizontale du sol est proposée

Martinique Island : a clear case for sediment melting and slab dehydration as a function of distance to the trench

International audienc

Why are Martinique lavas so heterogeneous ?

International audienc

two isotopic mixing lines in Martinique Island : the effect of rigde subduction

International audienc

two isotopic mixing lines in Martinique Island : the effect of rigde subduction

International audienc