RESISTIVITY SOUNDING ON A HORIZONTALLY STRATIFIED MULTI-LAYERED EARTH*

The electrical potential due to a point source of current placed on the ground surface is studied for a multi-layered earth consisting of homogeneous overburden of constant conductivity over a stack of transition layers where conductivity varies with depth according to power and exponential laws in even and odd layers, respectively. The general recursion relations are derived and are used to obtain expressions for the apparent resistivities for Schlumberger and Wenner electrode arrays. Their asymptotic behavior has been studied. The solutions for some particular cases are given: (i) odd layers with conductivities exponentially varying with depth while all even layers (and the first) have constant conductivities; (ii) even layer conductivities varying as a power law while odd number layers are of constant conductivity; and (iii) any two successive layers as transition layers and all others having constant conductivities. Further it is shown that Patella's theory is a particular case of the present study. It is concluded, therefore, that the present treatment is more general as all earlier models consisting of trasition layers can be derived from this study.     

Counting chronology and climate records with about 1000 annual layers of a Holocene stalagmite from the Water Cave in Liaoning Province, Chinaannual layers of a Holocene stalagmite from the Water Cave in Liaoning Province, China

One active stalagmite from the Water Cave in Liaoning Province contains growth layers of three sizes. Based on thermal ionization mass spectrometry ²³⁰Th dating, we found that middle size layers are annual layers, with each middle layer consisting of one narrow dark layer and a wide bright layer. The small layers within middle layers are sub-annual layers and the large layers are multi-year layers. Based on the layer-counting method, we established a high-resolution time scale for layer thickness. Our results reveal two dramatic century-scale climate cycles over the past 1000 years in this region.     

High-altitude sporadic metal atom layers observed with Na and Fe lidars at 30°N

The seasonal/annual characteristics of the high-altitude sporadic metal atom layers are presented on the basis of extensive Na and Fe lidar measurements at 30°N during the past several years. It is found that the extremely high sporadic Na (Na_s) and Fe (Fe_s) layers above 105 km occurred mostly during summer. They had long durations (a few hours) and broad layer widths (much larger than 2 km). Their absolute peak densities could be comparable to or even larger than those of the corresponding main layers on a few nights. By using all the raw data profiles including sporadic layers, we have constructed the contour plots of Na and Fe densities versus month and altitude at 30°N. The Na and Fe layers both exhibit evidence for summer topside extension, which is consistent with the earlier observations for K and Ca at different latitudes. The summer topside extension of mean metal atom layers might represent a universal phenomenon that is alike for different atom species, different geographic locations and different measurement years. The extremely high sporadic metal atom layers above 105 km occurring during summer give rise to the phenomenon.     

Distribution, age and chemical composition of tephra layers in deep-sea sediments off western Indonesia

Tephra layers occur in deep-sea sediments of the northeastern Indian Ocean, adjacent to western Indonesian are. The layers range in age from Recent to Late Miocene. Relative abundance of light and heavy mineral species in all tephra layers have been determined, and pure glass shards from representative samples have been analyzed chemically for major oxides. On the basis of the chemical data, three distinct provinces can be recognized: (1) an extensive province of rhyolitic tephra layers, ranging in age back to Late Miocene, is found adjacent to Sumatra; (2) a more restricted province of dacitic layers, adjacent to Sunda Strait and western Java; and (3) a province of andesitic layers, found adjacent to eastern Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands. Chemical composition of tephra layers in each province remains constant with time. As an example, tephra layers from the rhyolitic province are characterized by a high and restricted range of SiO₂ (75–77%) when expressed on an H₂O-free basis.Tephra layers recovered from the study area were examined for chemical evidence of secondary alteration. The analyses revealed that H₂O is the only major oxide in the glass shards which increases progressively with the age of the tephra layers regardless of the bulk composition. H₂O, however, reaches a “saturation point” of 4–5% in the layers 250–400 thousands of years old and remains constant to the oldest recovered tephra layer (7.5 m.y. old).The decrease in silica content in deep-sea tephra layers eastward along the Indonesian volcanic arc coincides with a similar eastward decrease in average silica content in Indonesian lavas. A relatively high silica content in lavas from Sumatra, with associated ignimbrites and their deep-sea ash-fall equivalents is closely linked to thick pre-Cenozoic crust. In the portion of the arc to the east of Sumatra, the crust is Cenozoic and thin. Difference in silica content of both the lavas and deep-sea tephras along the Indonesian arc is considered in regard to the hypothesis of “magma filtering” which is based on the contrasting density gradients of ascending magma and the upper crust.     

Series solutions for flow in stratified aquifers with natural geometry

An analytical series solution method is presented for modeling regional steady-state groundwater flow in a two-dimensional stratified aquifer cross-section where the water table is well-characterized. The aquifer system may have any number of contiguous or non-contiguous layers and the geometry of each layer is restricted only by the requirement that the elevation of the stratigraphic unconformities between layers is a function of the x-coordinate alone. Various techniques may be used to handle pinching layers, faults, and other discontinuities. The solutions are obtained by minimizing head and flow continuity errors between layers and errors in the Dirichlet surface at a set of control points along these unconformities; the governing equation is met exactly. The solutions are derived and demonstrated on multiple test cases. The errors for some specific, geometrically challenging cases are assessed and discussed.     

Magmatic and phreatomagmatic volcanic activity at Mt. Takahe, West Antarctica, based on tephra layers in the Byrd ice core and field observations at Mt. Takahe

The morphology, grain size characteristics and composition of ash particles in 30 ka to 150 ka tephra layers from the Byrd ice core were examined to characterize the eruptions which produced them and to test the suggestion that they were erupted from Mt. Takahe, a shield volcano in Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica. Volcanic deposits at Mt. Takahe were examined for evidence of recent activity which could correlate with the tephra layers in the ice core.Coarse- and fine-ash layers have been recognized in the Byrd ice core. The coarse-ash layers have a higher mass concentration than the fine-ash layers and are characterized by fresh glass shards > 50 μm diameter, many containing elongate pipe vesicles. The fine-ash layers have a lower mass concentration and contain a greater variety of particles, typically < 20 μm diameter. Many of these particles are aggregate grains composed of glass and crystal fragments showing S and Cl surface alteration. The grain-size distributions of the coarse and fine-ash layers overlap, in part because of the aggregate nature of grains in the fine-ash layers. The coarse-ash layers are interpreted as having formed by magmatic eruption whereas the fine-ash layers are believed to be hydrovolcanic in origin.Mt. Takahe is the favored source for the tephra because: (a) chemical analyses of samples from the volcano are distinctive, being peralkaline trachyte, and similar in composition to the analyzed tephra; (b) Mt. Takahe is a young volcano (< 0.3 Ma); (c) pyroclastic deposits on Mt. Takahe indicate styles of eruption similar to that inferred for the ice core tephra; and (d) Mt. Takahe is only about 350 km from the calculated site of tephra deposition.A speculative eruptive history for Mt. Takahe is established by combining observations from Mt. Takahe and the Byrd ice core tephra. Initial eruptions at Mt. Takahe were subglacial and then graded into alternating subaerial and subglacial activity. The tephra suggest alternating subaerial magmatic and hydrovolcanic eruptions from 30 to 20 ka B.P., followed by a sustained period of hydrovolcanic eruptions from 20 to 14 ka B.P., which peaked at 18 ka B.P.     

A laboratory study of teleseismic Pn waves

In this paper, the influences of mechanical properties of low velocity layers and thickness of high velocity layers in the lower lithosphere on the horizontal propagaties of seismic waves are discussed by means of altrasonic seismic model experiments; It is shown that the structure of the lower lithosphere consisting of soft low velocity layers and thin high velocity layers is favourable for the horizontal propagation of seismic energy, therefore, it is a very possible structure pattern of the lower lithosphere responsible for Pn and later high velocity arrivals observed in long range distances; Such pattern is also consistent with studies of rheological stratification of the lower lithosphere beneath mid-ocean-ridges and continental rifts. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,15, 97–102, 1993. The project is supported by the Chinese joint Seismological Science Foundation.     

Integrated measurements of acoustical and optical thin layers I: Vertical scales of association

This study combined measurements from multiple platforms with acoustic instruments on moorings and on a ship and optics on a profiler and an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to examine the relationships between fluorescent, bioluminescent, and acoustically scattering layers in Monterey Bay during nighttime hours in July and August of 2006 and May of 2008. We identified thin bioluminescent layers that were strongly correlated with acoustic scattering at the same depth but were part of vertically broad acoustic features, suggesting layers of unique composition inside larger biomass features. These compositional thin layers nested inside larger biomass features may be a common ecosystem component and are likely to have significant ecological impacts but are extremely difficult to identify as most approaches capable of the vertical scales of measurement necessary for the identification of sub-meter scale patterns assess bulk properties rather than specific layer composition. Measurements of multiple types of thin layers showed that the depth offset between thin phytoplankton and zooplankton layers was highly variable with some layers found at the same depth but others found up to 16 m apart. The vertical offset between phytoplankton and zooplankton thin layers was strongly predicted by the fraction of the water column fluorescence contained within a thin phytoplankton layer. Thin zooplankton layers were only vertically associated with thin phytoplankton layers when the phytoplankton in a layer accounted for more than about 18–20% of the water column chlorophyll. Trophic interactions were likely occurring between phytoplankton and zooplankton thin layers but phytoplankton thin layers were exploited by zooplankton only when they represented a large fraction of the available phytoplankton, suggesting zooplankton have some knowledge of the available food over the entire water column. The horizontal extent of phytoplankton layers, discussed in the second paper in this series, is likely an important factor contributing to this selective exploitation by zooplankton. The pattern of vertical offset between phytoplankton and zooplankton layers was consistent between studies in different years and using different combinations of platforms, indicating the importance of the relationship between zooplankton layers and the fraction of phytoplankton within a layer at night within Monterey Bay. These results highlight the value of integrating measurements of various types of organisms to understand thin layers processes and the importance of assessing ecological interactions in plankton thin layers within the context of the properties of the entire water column, like the animals themselves do.     

天然地震PS转换波动力学特征的初步研究

本文根据合成理论地震图的广义射线理论,并应用自行编写的FORTRAN计算程序,研究了单一界面、薄层和迭层界面上形成的PS转换波的动力学特征,讨论了沉积盖层及上部地壳介质吸收对转换波的影响。     

Climate-driven shifts in diatom assemblages recorded in annually laminated sediments of Sacrower See (NE Germany)

Sacrower See is a eutrophic lake with annually laminated sediments extending back to A.D. 1868. Analysis of annual layers revealed multi-decadal periods of distinct diatom assemblages at A.D. 1868–1875, 1876–1940, 1941–1978, and 1979–2000. Detrended correspondence analysis performed on individual seasonal sediment layers showed decadal-scale patterns of turnover in the diatom flora. The spring–summer layers showed higher sample scores until the early 1960s, after which the differences with the autumn–winter layers became smaller. Rates-of-change analysis revealed that the seasonal variability in diatom assemblages was higher than the annual changes. Summer diatom rates of change over the period A.D. 1894–1960 was on average higher than for winter, whereas between the 1960s and 1970s the winter rates of change became higher than the summer ones. Redundancy Analyses showed that seasonal temperatures and wind strength were significant explanatory variables for diatom assemblages in both annual and seasonal layers. These results suggest that meteorological changes indirectly affected diatom assemblages via the mixing regime of the lake. A comparison of the diatom rates of change with the amplitude of inter-annual climate change shows a statistically significant correlation for the spring-summer layers in the period of A.D. 1963–2000, showing that the sensitivity of diatom assemblages to meteorological changes has varied over the past century, with a stronger effect on diatoms registered during the past 40 years.     

SLANT STACKING AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR ANISOTROPY*

Slant stacking transforms seismic data, recorded as a function of source-receiver offset and traveltime, into the domain of intercept time τ and ray parameter p. The shape of the τ-p-curves thus obtained is closely related to the slowness surfaces of the layers. A layer-stripping operation in the τ-p-domain removes all effects of the layers above the target layer. The resulting curve is equal to the slowness surface of the layer except for a scaling factor containing the thickness and dip of the layer. The slowness surface is a characteristic surface for anisotropic media. This makes the τ-p-domain very suitable for detecting and describing anisotropic layers. The relationship between the shape of τ-p-curves, the slowness surfaces, and the geometry of the layers is derived. Synthetic τ-p-curves calculated with the reflectivity method show some difficulties that can arise in determining the shape of the curves and in applying the stripping operation. It is shown that the effects of vertical inhomogeneity on the interpretation of τ-p-curves in terms of anisotropy are small.     

Transversely isotropic media equivalent to thin isotropic layers1

Any set of isotropic layers is equivalent, in the long wavelength limit, to a unique transversely isotropic (TI) layer; to find the elastic moduli of that layer is a solved problem. The converse problem is to find a set of isotropic layers equivalent to a given TI media. Here, explicit necessary and sufficient conditions on the TI stiffness moduli for the existence of an equivalent set of isotropic layers are found by construction of a minimal decomposition consisting of either two or three isotropic constituent layers. When only two constituents are required, their elastic properties are uniquely determined. When three constituents are required, two have the same Poisson's ratio and the same thickness fraction, and even then there is a one-parameter family of satisfactory minimal decompositions. The linear slip model for fractured rock (aligned fractures in an isotropic background) yields a restricted range of transverse isotropy dependent on only four independent parameters. If the ratio of the normal to tangential fracture compliance is small enough, the medium is equivalent to thin isotropic layering and in general its minimal decomposition consists of three constituents.     

Magnetic and mineralogical characteristics of rocks at the Mezmaiskaya cave Paleolithic site (Northern Caucasus)

The results of magnetic and microprobe studies of the rock sequences in the Mezmaiskaya cave at the unique multilayer Paleolithic site are discussed. The magnetic properties of rocks are analyzed for 17 layers (upwards from layer 4 to layer 1\1) dated from over 73 ka ago to recent times. The rocks of layer 1C (Early Upper Paleolithic, ∼38 ka) are found to have the highest magnetic susceptibility (K) (up to 2500 × 10⁻⁶ SI), which is related to the intensive activity of [Homo sapiens]. The minimum K corresponds to the rocks of layer 2, which is overlain by layer 1D. The sizes of magnetic grains vary throughout the rock section. The largest grains are found in the middle part of the section in the Middle Paleolithic layers 2B3, 2B2, 2B1, 2A, and 2. The superparamagnetic fraction is identified in all layers. This fact supports the view that the cave was open as early as the formation of layer 4. According to the thermomagnetic data on the saturation magnetization and the temperature curves of magnetic susceptibility, magnetite is the main carrier of the rock magnetization; some samples contain iron hydroxides. Samples with iron sulfides (pyrite) are abundant. The study of the hysteresis parameters of rocks showed that the question on whether sulfide-bearing rocks are suitable for reliable paleomagnetic determinations requires further laboratory research into the origin of magnetite in the rocks. The chemical composition of rocks composing layer 2B3 and layers 1D (∼39 ka) and 2B1 (∼45 ka), in which the presence of volcanic ash has been previously established according to the presence of volcanic glass, was determined by detailed microprobe analysis. A wide variety of chemical elements (up to 18 items) was recognized in layers 1D and 2B1. The iron, titan, chrome, manganese content, and concentrations of other components vary from grain to grain. The microprobe analysis of samples from layers 1D and 2B1 revealed a set of magnetic particles with compositions characteristic of volcanic rocks, which supports the ash origin of these layers. Layer 2B3 is established not to be volcanic ash. The results on the volcanic glass in the rocks of layers 1D and 2B1 were published by Golovanova and her colleagues in Current Anthropology in October 2010 [Golovanova et al., 2010].     

The exceptional magnitude and intensity of the Toba eruption,sumatra: An example of the use of deep-sea tephra layers as a geological tool

The eruption of Toba (75,000 years BP), Sumatra, is the largest magnitude eruption documented from the Quaternary. The eruption produced the largest-known caldera the dimensions of which are 100 × 30 km and which is surrounded by rhyolitic ignimbrite covering an area of over 20,000 km². The associated deep-sea tephra layer is found in piston cores in the north-eastern Indian Ocean covering a minimum area of 5 × 10⁶ km². We have investigated the thickness, grain size and texture of the Toba deep-sea tephra layer in order to demonstrate the use of deep-sea tephra layers as a volcanological tool. The exceptional magnitude and intensity of the Toba eruption is demonstrated by comparison of these data with the deep-sea tephra layers associated with the eruptions of the Campanian ignimbrite, Italy and of Santorini, Greece in Minoan time. The volume of ignimbrite and distal tephra fall deposit produced in the Toba eruption are comparable, a total of at least 1000 km³ of dense rhyolitic magma. In contrast the volume of dense magma produced by the Campanian and Santorini eruptions are approximately 70 and 13 km³ respectively. Thickness versus distance data on the three deep-sea tephra layers show that eruptions of smaller magnitude than Santorini are unlikely to be preserved as distinct tephra layers in most deep-sea cores. In proximal cores all three tephra layers show two distinct units: a lower coarse-grained unit and an upper fine-grained unit. We interpret the lower unit as a plinian deposit and the upper unit as a co-ignimbrite ash-fall deposit, indicating two major eruptive phases. The Toba tephra layer is coarser both in maximum and median grain size than the Campanian and Santorini layers at a given distance from source. These data are interpreted to indicate a very high cruption column, estimated to be at least 45 km. We have applied a method for estimating the duration of the Toba eruption from the style of graded-bedding in deep-sea tephra layers. Studies of two cores yield estimates of 9 and 14 days. The eruption column height and duration estimates both indicate an average volume discharge rate of approximately 10⁶ m³/sec. The Toba eruption therefore was not only of exceptional magnitude, but also of exceptional intensity.     

Hm-wave filtration in a horizontally stratified Earth's magnetosphere

Summary Drawing on papers [4, 5] a semi-quantitative model of filtration and resonance of a linearly polarized HM-wave has been constructed in a horizontally stratified Earth atmosphere. The wave is filtered in a system of 3 homogeneous layers, limited by two halfspaces. Attenuation of the wave is only assumed in the lower layer, i.e. in the ionosphere. A relation has been derived for the amplitude coupling factor H_T/H_F expressing the absolute ratio of the amplitude of the wave after transmission through the system of layers and the amplitude of the wave, incident at the system of layers. The mechanism of geomagnetic pulsations is illustrated on the principle of the resonance of a HM-wave in the Earth's magnetosphere. The magnetosphere has been replaced by the said system of layers, and the dependence of H_T/H_F=f() on the parameters of the system of layers has been studied using a computer.     

Dispersion function of Rayleigh waves in porous layered half-space system

Rayleigh wave exploration is based on an elastic layered half-space model. If practical formations contain porous layers, these layers need to be simplified as an elastic medium. We studied the effects of this simplification on the results of Rayleigh wave exploration. Using a half-space model with coexisting porous and elastic layers, we derived the dispersion functions of Rayleigh waves in a porous layered half-space system with porous layers at different depths, and the problem of transferring variables to matrices of different orders is solved. To solve the significant digit overflow in the multiplication of transfer matrices, we propose a simple, effective method. Results suggest that dispersion curves differ in a lowfrequency region when a porous layer is at the surface; otherwise, the difference is small.     

Coupling between different layers of the lithosphere under horizontal drag underneath

Based on a layered Theological model of the lithosphere, the velocity and stress distributions in the lithosphere under horizontal drag underneath were calculated using viscoelastic finite element method of plain strain with finite deformation. In the simulation, different conditions of drag and blocking were assumed to study their influences on the stress distribution and the coupling between different layers. Blocking depth has little influence on the stress level in the whole area and the coupling between different layers, but influences the stress state in the area around the blocking. The area covered by the high stress anomaly becomes larger when the blocking depth becomes deeper, but the magnitude of the value of the maximum shear stress decreases. The greater the viscosity differences between different layers of the lithosphere, the greater the possibility of decoupling between them. Under the drag of normal mantle convection (the convection velocity is about 20 cm · a^?1), a lithosphere with a Theological structure similar to that of North China could not have decoupling between different layers, while could have stress distribution with magnitude of several MPa to tens of MPa and could have anomalous areas with stress accumulation if the geological structure is complicated.     

Tephrostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental variation in late Quaternary core sediments of the southwestern Ulleung Basin, East Sea (Sea of Japan)

Abstract   Data on the late Quaternary tephra layers, tephrostratigraphy, geochemistry and environment were determined in two sediment cores from the southwestern part of Ulleung Basin (East Sea/Sea of Japan), representing marine-oxygen isotope stages 1–3. The cores consist mainly of muddy sediments that are partly interbedded with silty sands, lapilli tephra and ash layers. The lapilli tephra layers (Ulleung-Oki tephra, 9.3 ka) originating from Ulleung Island consist mainly of massive-type glass shards, whereas the ash layers (Aira-Tanzawa ash, 22.0–24.7 ka) derived from southern Kyushu Island are mainly composed of typical plane-type and bubble-wall glasses that are higher in SiO₂ and lower in Na₂O + K₂O than the lapilli tephra layers. Except for the tephra layers, fine-grained sediments throughout the core sections are mostly of marine origin based on geochemical data (C/N ratios, hydrogen index, S2 peak) and Tmax. In particular, organic carbon contents increased during Termination I, probably as a result of an influx of the deglacial Tsushima Current through the Korea Strait.     

REFRACTION LE LONG DES BANCS MINCES RAPIDES ET EFFET D'ECRAN POUR LES MARQUEURS PROFONDS *

Refraction along thin high velocity layers and along basement is investigated in two cases. a) high velocity layer just on the basement. b) high velocity layer higher above. Period and attenuation of refracted waves are givers as a function of the layer thickness H. Refracted arrivals along thin high velocity layers are visible at significant distances if the layer thickness is not smaller than A/6, where A is the longitudinal wavelength in high velocity medium. The pseudoperiod is proportional to the layer thickness H. The attenuation at large distance follows an x^-ne^-k1x law, where n is close to I and k₁ is inversely proportional to H. Refracted arrivals along the basement are observable even in the case of thin high velocity layers situated in the overburden; their intensity is smaller and their pseudo-period larger than when no layer exists in the overburden. The intensity of the basement arrival decreases and the pseudoperiod increases with increasing layer thickness. The pseudoperiod and the attenuation of refracted arrivals along high velocity layers and along the basement are also highly dependent on acoustic contrasts. Both arrivals from a high velocity layer and from the basement can be recorded simultaneously, provided the frequency spectrum of the seismic chain is sufficiently broad. In all cases layer arrivals show a character very different from basement arrivals.     

HM-wave filtration in a horizontally stratified earth's magnetosphere

Summary The model of filtration of a linearly polarized HM-wave in a system of three homogeneous layers, limited by two halfspaces and treated in[1], is generalized. The wave attenuation is considered in all inner layers of the system and the model is applied to the filtration of HM-waves in the lower layers of the magnetosphere, i.e. in the ionosphere. The nature of the changes of the functional dependences is studied, i.e. of the amplitude coupling factor on the frequency under variation of the fundamental parameters, defining the filtering medium. Filtration models are demonstrated and discussed for the periods of maximum and minimum solar activity during daytime and at night. The relation between the properties of filtration and the possibilities of observing geomagnetic pulsations on the Earth's surface is pointed out.