Significant tectonic clockwise rotations were evidenced in the Tell Atlas (Neogene Algerian Cheliff basin) by previous paleomagnetic studies. For northwestern Africa and in the context of the Africa‐Eurasia convergence, they provided a new argument validating a kinematic model, based on transpression with shortening accommodated by clockwise block rotations. To corroborate this deformation pattern at a larger scale, new paleomagnetic studies were performed on 349 cores in the Mitidja basin, of Mio‐Plio‐Quaternary age, in the Algerian Tell Atlas. This intramontaneous basin is structured by two regional major E‐W to WNW‐ESE dextral shear zones. Primary magnetization data were obtained in 43 out of the 49 sampled sites. This magnetization is carried by Ti‐poor titanomagnetite. Its direction shows that significant tectonic block rotations affected this basin since 16 Ma. Zones located between the E‐W and WNW‐ESE major structures are affected by coherent clockwise rotations (average magnitude of 48°) of large blocks, compartmented by presently associated sinistral NE‐SW faults. Along the shearing structures, smaller blocks, resulting from the fragmentation of the large blocks, show various rotations, many of which are of large magnitude. These rotations, similar to those highlighted previously in the Cheliff basin, are interpreted as resulting from bookshelf, consequence of the Africa‐Eurasia plates convergence in the Tell Atlas.

Hypocenters of main shock and aftershocks of the March 20, 2006 Laalam earthquake are relocated using HypoDD double-difference technique. We combined accelerogram and seismogram data of the National Center of Applied Research in Earthquake Engineering (CGS). Among about 191 aftershocks, recorded at least by 4 stations, 141 aftershocks of Md 1.2–2.7 were relocated using HypoDD. The obtained swarm of epicenters occupying a crustal volume of 5 km × 3 km × 5 km and the focal mechanism corresponds to an unknown pure left lateral strike slip, trending N174°E. We were able to calculate focal mechanisms for only seven aftershocks with more than seven polarity readings, which give a P axis oriented NNW–SSE. The waveform inversion also provided values of Mw 5.1, M0 5.9 10−16 Nm and the depth 4.9 km. The dislocation and the stress drop were estimated to 90 cm and 16.5 bars, respectively.

General lipoprotein (Lp) (a) screening can help to identify patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Non-invasive methods allow early detection of clinically asymptomatic incipient atherosclerotic disease. Medical treatment options are still unsatisfactory. Lp(a) apheresis is an established treatment in Germany for secondary prevention of progressive cardiovascular disease. Statin-based lowering of LDL cholesterol and thrombocyte aggregation inhibitors still represent the basis of medical treatment. Target levels for LDL-cholesterol should be modified in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia (a).

We use the recorded seismicity, confined to the Dead Sea basin and its boundaries, by the Dead Sea Integrated Research (DESIRE) portable seismic network and the Israel and Jordan permanent seismic networks for studying the mechanisms of earthquakes in the Dead Sea basin. The observed seismicity in the Dead Sea basin is divided into nine regions according to the spatial distribution of the earthquakes and the known tectonic features. The large number of recording stations and the adequate station distribution allowed the reliable determinations of 494 earthquake focal mechanisms. For each region, based on the inversion of the observed polarities of the earthquakes, we determine the focal mechanisms and the associated stress tensor. For 159 earthquakes, out of the 494 focal mechanisms, we could determine compatible fault planes. On the eastern side, the focal mechanisms are mainly strike-slip mechanism with nodal planes in the N-S and E-W directions. The azimuths of the stress axes are well constrained presenting minimal variability in the inversion of the data, which is in agreement with the Eastern Boundary fault on the east side of the Dead Sea basin and what we had expected from the regional geodynamics. However, larger variabilities of the azimuthal and dip angles are observed on the western side of the basin. Due to the wider range of azimuths of the fault planes, we observe the switching of σ1 and σ2 or the switching of σ2 and σ3 as major horizontal stress directions. This observed switching of stress axes allows having dip-slip and normal mechanisms in a region that is dominated by strike-slip motion.

The recent tomography results obtained within the scope of the Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) European Soultz project led us to revisit the meso-fracturing properties of Soultz test site. In this paper, we develop a novel approach coupling effective medium modeling and shear-wave splitting to characterize the evolution of crack properties throughout the hydraulic stimulation process. The stimulation experiment performed in 2000 consisted of 3 successive injection steps spanning over 6 days. An accurate 4-D tomographic image was first carried out based upon the travel-times measured for the induced seismicity [Calò M., Dorbath C., Cornet F.H., Cuenot N. (2011) Large-scale aseismic motion identified through 4-D P-wave tomography, Geophys. J. Int. 186, 1295-1314]. The current study shows how to take advantage of the resulting compressional wave (Calò et al., 2011) and shear-wave velocity models. These are given as input data to an anisotropic effective medium model and converted into crack properties. In short, the effective medium model aims to estimate the impact of cracks on velocities. It refers to a crack-free matrix and 2 families of penny-shaped cracks with orientations in agreement with the main observed geological features: North-South strike and dip of 65°East and 65°West [Genter A., Traineau H. (1996) Analysis of macroscopic fractures in granite in the HDR geothermal well EPS-1, Soultz-sous-Forêts, France, J. Vol. Geoth. Res. 72, 121-141], respectively. The resulting output data are the spatial distributions of crack features (lengths and apertures) within the 3-D geological formation. We point out that a flow rate increase results in a crack shortening in the area imaged by both compressional and shear waves, especially in the upper part of the reservoir. Conversely, the crack length, estimated during continuous injection rate phases, is higher than during the increasing injection rate phases. A possible explanation for this is that cracks remain large because the system has time to relax. We also calculate the extension and opening rates during all hydraulic stimulation sets. While the opening rate is unchanged, the extension rate varies depending on the stimulation phase. It is also shown to be higher around and above the open-hole section than below. This can indicate a potential upward path that makes fluid percolation easier within the granite formation, this path being induced by the temperature gradient. We also compare the evolution of crack extension during injection with shear-wave splitting. Split shear waves were recorded at 2 stations during hydraulic stimulation and processed in terms of splitting parameters. The fast shear-wave polarization remains constant and parallel to the maximum horizontal stress orientation while the amplitude of splitting varies with time. We observe a good agreement between travel-time differences and crack extension rates during the first 4 days of the stimulation experiment. Afterwards, these two parameters depart from each other. This study emphasizes the added value of the coupling between effective medium modeling and shear-wave splitting to monitor meso-scale cracks in reservoirs submitted to hydraulic stimulation.

Lipid apheresis is at present well established in routine treatment of diverse hyperlipoproteinemias refractory to conventional dietary and medical regimens, especially in countries with high medical and socioeconomic standards. Severe familial hypercholesterolemia with atherosclerotic vessel disease involving the coronary arteries is the most frequent indication for lipid apheresis as well as homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia before the development of cardiovascular complications.In hyperlipoproteinemia (a) with progressive vessel disease, lipid apheresis is regularly accepted in Germany. The indication of apheresis in Refsum's disease and the chylomicronemia syndrome is described.

New findings of the structure of the Dead Sea sedimentary basin and its eastern and western bordering regions are obtained by P and PKP wave relative traveltime residuals of 644 teleseisms, as recorded by the Dead Sea Integrated Research portable seismic network in the Dead Sea basin and its neighboring regions. The Lisan Peninsula is characterized by relatively small teleseismic traveltime residuals of about 0.14s, in the latitude range of 31.22 degrees-31.37 degrees and at the longitude of 35.50 degrees, slowly decreasing toward the west. The largest teleseismic traveltime residuals are in the southern Dead Sea basin, south of the Lisan Peninsula in the latitude range of 31.05 degrees-31.15 degrees and along longitude 35.45 degrees and continuing southward toward the Amaziahu Fault, reaching values of 0.4-0.5s. There is a small positive residual at the Amaziahu Fault and a small negative residual south of it probably marking the southern end of the Dead Sea basin. East and west of the Dead Sea basin the mean teleseismic traveltime residuals are negative with overall averages of -0.35s and -0.45s, respectively. Using the teleseismic residuals, we estimate the horizontal dimensions of the Lisan salt diapir to be 23kmx13km at its widest and a maximal thickness of about 7.2km. The thickness of the Mount Sodom salt diapir is estimated as 6.2km.

The recent new tomography results obtained within the scope of the Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) European Soultz project led us to revisit the meso-fracturation features of the reservoir. In this paper, we develop a novel approach based on effective medium modeling to characterize the evolution of crack properties all along the hydraulic stimulation process. The stimulation experiment performed in 2000 actually consisted of 3 successive injection steps. An accurate 4-D tomography was previously conducted using the travel-times measured for the induced seismicity. The present study focuses on the exploitation of the resulting P-wave and S-wave velocity models. They are given as input data in an effective medium model and converted into crack properties. The effective medium model refers to a crack-free matrix and 2 families of penny-shaped cracks whose orientations are in agreement with geological features. The resulting output data are the spatial distribution of crack aspect ratios within the 3-D reservoir. This study emphasizes the added value of the coupling between effective medium modelling and geophysical studies to monitor meso-scale cracks in reservoirs submitted to hydraulic stimulation.

The October 27, 1985 Constantine earthquake of magnitude MS 5.9 (NEIC) although moderate is the strongest earthquake recorded in the eastern Tellian Atlas (northeast Algeria) since the beginning of instrumental seismology. The main shock locations given by different institutions are scattered and up to 10 km away northwest from the NE–SW 30 km long elongated aftershocks cloud localized by a dedicated temporary portable network. The focal mechanism indicates left-lateral strike-slip on an almost vertical fault with a small reverse component on the northwest dipping plane. This paper presents relocations of the main shock and aftershocks using TomoDD. One hundred thirty-eight individual focal mechanisms have been built allowing the determination of the stress tensor at different scales. A rupture model has been suggested, which explains the different observations of aftershock distribution and stress tensor rotation.

The tectonic model of the Shillong plateau and Assam valley in the northeast India region, the source area for the 1897 great earthquake (Ms ~ 8.7) and for the four (1869, 1923, 1930 and 1943) large earthquakes (M. ≥ 7.0), is examined using the high precision data of a 20-station broadband seismic network. About 300 selected earthquakes M ≥ 3.0 recorded during 2001–2009 are analysed to study the seismicity and fault plane solutions. The dominating thrust/reverse faulting earthquakes in the western plateau may be explained by the proposed pop-up tectonics between two active boundary faults, the Oldham–Brahmaputra fault to the north and the Dapsi–Dauki thrust to the south, though the northern boundary fault is debated. The more intense normal and strike-slip faulting earthquakes in the eastern plateau (Mikir massif) and in the Assam valley, on the other hand, are well explained by transverse tectonics at the long and deep rooted Kopili fault that cuts across the Himalaya and caused the 2009 Bhutan earthquake (Mw 6.3). It is conjectured that the complex tectonics of the Shillong plateau and transverse tectonics at the Kopili fault make the region vulnerable for impending large earthquake(s).

Using a Bouguer anomaly map and a dense seismic data set, we have performed two studies in order to improve our knowledge of the deep structure of Taiwan.First, we model the Bouguer anomaly along a profile crossing the island using simple forward modelling. The modelling is 2D, with the hypothesis of cylindrical symmetry.Second we present a joint analysis of gravity anomaly and seismic arrival time data recorded in Taiwan. An initial velocity model has been obtained by local earthquake tomography (LET) of the seismological data. The LET velocity model was used to construct an initial 3D gravity model, using a linear velocity-density relationship (Birch's law). The synthetic Bouguer anomaly calculated for this model has the same shape and wavelength as the observed anomaly. However some characteristics of the anomaly map are not retrieved. To derive a crustal velocity/density model which accounts for both types of observations, we performed a sequential inversion of seismological and gravity data. The variance reduction of the arrival time data for the final sequential model was comparable to the variance reduction obtained by simple LET. Moreover, the sequential model explained about 80% of the observed gravity anomaly. New 3D model of Taiwan lithosphere is presented. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In this study we have determined detailed Vp and Vs seismic velocity models of the Ionian lithosphere subducting beneath the Tyrrhenian basin and of the surrounding mantle, by applying a post-processing technique to a large sample of local earthquake tomography studies. Our seismic velocity models permit us to infer the presence of low velocity anomalies within the slab, which we interpret as regions that are partially hydrated by fluids released during the subduction process. A petrological interpretation of the velocity anomalies gives new details on the magmatism of the volcanic Aeolian arc. Furthermore our velocity models provide a more detailed description of the boundary of the slab and its connection with the large seismically active Tindari-Letojanni strike slip system. Finally these results allow describing in detail some features of the slab as the presence of lateral and vertical tears. In conclusion, the obtained models provide some constraints for inferences on mantle circulation, and on the geodynamical evolution of the central-western Mediterranean.

New findings of the velocity structure of the crust across the Dead Sea Basin are obtained by applying tomography-based method to local earthquakes. We use P-wave traveltime of 614 earthquakes that occurred in the Dead Sea Basin in 19832009. At all depths, the Dead Sea Basin is characterized by lower velocities relative to both the eastern and western sides of the basin. There is significant seismic activity at a depth of about 20 km, mainly in the centre and the northern part of the basin. At shallow depths (< 15 km) there is more seismic activity on the eastern side of the basin than on the western side, and the northern basin is generally more active than the southern basin. Asymmetry is also observed in the faults that border the Dead Sea Basin. The Arava Fault on the eastern side, with nearly vertical dip faulting, appears to be a clear boundary at all depths down to about 20 km. The depth extension of the Jericho Fault on the western side of the basin is definitely limited to less than 15 km. At greater depths of 20 km or more, the western side is only partially bounded by a fault. The concentration of earthquakes in the central part of the basin at depths larger than 15 km suggests that the Dead Sea Fault at those depths acts as one single fault that is located in, or near, the central axis of the basin. The existence of a number of clusters of earthquakes that spread from shallow depths of a few kilometres up to a depth of about 22 km, points to several defined faults that traverse the Dead Sea Basin. One such example is the aftershock sequence of the 2004 earthquake that occurred in the northern Dead Sea Basin. Seismic activity near Mt Sodom is relatively low and occurs at shallow depths down to 10 km, whereas at larger depths (= 15 km) it ceases. This implies that the whole structure is relatively shallow with no wide and deeper extension. Seismic activity near and within the Lisan Peninsula extends to somewhat larger depths (similar to 15 km), and then it ceases. The occurrence of earthquakes at large depths suggests that the upper and the lower crust are relatively cool, as was also suggested by earlier studies, pointing to the fact that the heat flow is significantly below the global average value.