Wide-angle seismic reflections reveal a lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary zone in the subducting Pacific Plate, New Zealand.

New wide-angle seismic reflection data from offshore New Zealand show that the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) is more structured than previously thought. Three distinct layers are interpreted within a 10- to 12-km-thick LAB zone beginning at a depth of ≈70 km: a 3 (±1)-km-thick layer at the bottom of the lithosphere with a P-wave () azimuthal anisotropy of 14 to 17% and fast azimuth subparallel to the direction of absolute plate motion and a 9 (±2)-km-thick, low channel with a P-wave-to-S-wave velocity ratio (/) of >2.8 in the upper 7 km of the channel and 1.

High mantle seismic P-wave speeds as a signature for gravitational spreading of superplumes.

New passive- and active-source seismic experiments reveal unusually high mantle P-wave speeds that extend beneath the remnants of the world's largest known large igneous province, making up the 120-million-year-old Ontong-Java-Manihiki-Hikurangi Plateau. Sub-Moho P phases of ~8.8 ± 0.

Episodic kinematics in continental rifts modulated by changes in mantle melt fraction.

Oceanic crust is created by the extraction of molten rock from underlying mantle at the seafloor 'spreading centres' found between diverging tectonic plates. Modelling studies have suggested that mantle melting can occur through decompression as the mantle flows upwards beneath spreading centres, but direct observation of this process is difficult beneath the oceans. Continental rifts, however-which are also associated with mantle melt production-are amenable to detailed measurements of their short-term kinematics using geodetic techniques.

Staff perceptions of syringe dispensing machines in Australia: a pilot study.

Background/aims: Syringe dispensing machines were introduced into needle syringe programs (NSPs) two decades ago. The few published studies on dispensing machines have focused on feedback of machine users and service providers' feedback has rarely been reported. This study obtained the feedback of health staff of NSPs, other sectors of Drug Misuse Treatment Services and of other health services adjoining dispensing machines on the role and effectiveness of dispensing machines.

Client satisfaction and risk behaviours of the users of syringe dispensing machines: a pilot study.

Introduction And Aims: The study examines risk behaviours of the users of syringe dispensing machines (SDMs) and evaluates the usefulness of these machines in providing injecting drug users (IDUs) with sterile injecting equipment.

Design And Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were used among users of SDMs in an Area Health Service of Sydney.

Results: The majority of the 167 participants reported being happy with the quality of the SDM services.