ALBERT

Description / Table of Contents: Variations in seismic Q are sensitive to a much greater extent than are seismic velocity variations on factors such as temperature, fluid content, and the movement of solid state defects in the earth. For that reason an understanding of Q and its variation with position in the earth and with time should provide information in earth's tectonic evolution, as well as on aspects of its internal structure. Progress in understanding Q has suffered from difficulty in obtaining reliable amplitude data at global and temporary stations. Moreover, laboratory determinations of Q, until recently, were most often made at frequencies much higher than those measured by seismologists for waves propagating through the earth. Recent advances in seismic station distribution and quality, as well as in methodology at both high and low fequencies, have greatly improved the quality of observational data available to seismologists from global stations. Concurrent advances have been made in measuring Q using laboratory samples at frequencies that pertain to the earth and in theoretical understanding of seismic wave attenuation. Papers of this volume present new information on Q in the earth from several perspectives: methodology, results from global and regional observations of both body and surface waves, laboratory measurements, and theoretical understanding. The editors believe that we have reached a new threshold in Q studies and that advances in data quality and methodology will spur increased interest in this difficult, but interesting field.

Description / Table of Contents: This volume contains twenty-five research papers on seismicity patterns, their interpretation and their possible relevance to learning how to predict earthquakes. The interpretation of seismicity patterns has become somewhat controversial. Some researchers present case histories suggesting that earthquakes may be predicted by increased seismic moment release or seismic quiescence and, in general, by understanding the processes of self-organized criticality. Others deny these hypotheses. Although the problem of recognizing foreshocks in real time remains unsolved, new properties of microearthquakes as a function of time are coming to light. Computer modeling of seismicity also is advancing in sophistication and relevance. Surprisingly, b-values seem to hold substantial information about varying local conditions of earthquake generation.

Description / Table of Contents: Richard Metcalfe and Christopher A. Rochelle: Chemical containment of waste in the geosphere / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:vii-xvi, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.01 --- The Place of Chemical Containment in Regulatory Frameworks --- Raymond N. Yong: Overview of partitioning and fate of contaminants: retention, retardation and regulatory requirements / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:1-20, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.02 --- E. Frank: Regulatory objectives and safety requirements for the disposal of radioactive wastes in Switzerland / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:21-25, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.03 --- The Chemical Containment Properties of the Deep Geosphere --- David Savage, Randolph C. Arthur, and Shigeyuki Saito: Geochemical factors in the selection and assessment of sites for the deep disposal of radioactive wastes / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:27-45, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.04 --- W. R. Alexander and I. G. McKinley: The chemical basis of near-field containment in the Swiss high-level radioactive waste disposal concept / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:47-69, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.05 --- T. Iwatsuki and H. Yoshida: Characterizing the chemical containment properties of the deep geosphere: water-rock interactions in relation to fracture systems within deep crystalline rock in the Tono area, Japan / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:71-84, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.06 --- Steven A. Banwart, Peter Wikberg, and Ignasi Puigdomenech: Protecting the redox stability of a deep repository: concepts, results and experience from the Äspö hard rock laboratory / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:85-99, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.07 --- J. A. Berry, A. J. Baker, K. A. Bond, M. M. Cowper, N. L. Jefferies, and C. M. Linklater: The role of sorption onto rocks of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group in providing chemical containment for a potential repository at Sellafield / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:101-116, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.08 --- C. A. Rochelle, J. M. Pearce, and S. Holloway: The underground sequestration of carbon dioxide: containment by chemical reactions in the deep geosphere / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:117-129, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.09 --- The Role of Chemical Containment in Clay Barriers --- A. J. Spooner and L. Giusti: Geochemical interactions between landfill leachate and sodium bentonite / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:131-142, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.10 --- S. F. Thornton, M. I. Bright, D. N. Lerner, and J. H. Tellam: The geochemical engineering of landfill liners for active containment / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:143-157, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.11 --- E. L. Hurst and S. P. Holmes: Metal retention from landfill leachate by glacial clays: laboratory experiments / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:159-166, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.12 --- L. De Windt, J. Cabrera, and J. Y. Boisson: Radioactive waste containment in indurated shales: comparison between the chemical containment properties of matrix and fractures / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:167-181, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.13 --- The Chemical Containment Properties of Cementitious Engineered Barriers --- K. Bateman, P. Coombs, D. J. Noy, J. M. Pearce, P. Wetton, A. Haworth, and C. Linklater: Experimental simulation of the alkaline disturbed zone around a cementitious radioactive waste repository: numerical modelling and column experiments / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:183-194, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.14 --- Emily S. Hodgkinson and Colin R. Hughes: The mineralogy and geochemistry of cement/rock reactions: high-resolution studies of experimental and analogue materials / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:195-211, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.15 --- Containment of Metalliferous Wastes --- R. J. Bowell, K. P. Williams, R. J. Connelly, P. J. K. Sadler, and J. E. Dodds: Chemical containment of mine waste / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:213-240, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.16 --- L. Jared West, D. I. Stewart, J. R. Duxbury, and S. Richard Johnston: Toxic metal mobility and retention at industrially contaminated sites / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:241-264, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.17 --- Investigative Methods --- Shaun Reeder and Mark R. Cave: Evaluation of the containment properties of geological and engineered barriers by pore-water extraction and characterization / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:265-273, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.18 --- B. R. Plimmer, A. B. Pringle, and S. J. Moncaster: A probabilistic risk assessment methodology for landfills, with particular reference to the representation of chemical containment / Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 157:275-280, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.157.01.19

Description / Table of Contents: Earthquakes in shallow subduction zones account for the greatest part of seismic energy release in the Earth and often cause significant damage; in some cases they are accompanied by devastating tsunamis. Understanding the physics of seismogenic and tsunamigenic processes in such zones continues to be a challenging focus of ongoing research. The seismologic and geodetic work reported in this volume highlights the recent advances made toward quantifying and understandig the role of shallow plate coupling in the earthquake generation process. The relation between regional seismotectonics, features in the downgoing plate, and the slip distribution in earthquakes are examined for recent and great historical events. In addition to papers reporting new results, review articles on tsunami and tsunamigenic earthquakes and depth dependent plate interface properties are presented. These observational results, along with complementary laboratory and theoretical studies, can assist in assessing the seismic potential of a given region.