Characteristics of canopy interception loss in Moso bamboo forests of Japan

In recent years, Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forests have rapidly expanded in Japan by replacing surrounding coniferous and/or broadleaved forests. To evaluate the change in water yield from forested areas because of this replacement, it is necessary to examine evapotranspiration for Moso bamboo forests. However, canopy interception loss, one of the major components of evapotranspiration in forested areas, has been observed in only two Moso bamboo forests in Japan with relatively high stem density (~7000 stems/ha). There are, in fact, many Moso bamboo forests with much lower stem density. Thus, we made precipitation (Pr), throughfall (Tf) and stemflow (Sf) observations for 1 year in a Moso bamboo forest with stem density of 3611 stems/ha and quantified canopy interception loss (Ic). Pr and Ic for the experimental period were 1636 and 166 mm, respectively, and Ic/Pr was 10%. The value was approximately the same as values for the other two Moso bamboo forests and lower than values for coniferous and broadleaved forests. On the other hand, Tf/Pr and Sf/Pr for our forest (86% and 4%, respectively) were approximately 10% of Pr larger and smaller than values for the other two Moso bamboo forests. These results suggest that the difference in stem density greatly affects precipitation partitioning (i.e. Tf/Pr and Sf/Pr) but does not greatly change Ic/Pr. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Role of H2O and CO2 Ices in Martian Climate Changes

In order to study the stability of martian climate, we constructed a two-dimensional (horizontal-vertical) energy balance model. The long-term CO₂ mass exchange process between the atmosphere and CO₂ ice caps is investigated with particular attention to the effect of planetary ice distribution on the climate stability. Our model calculation suggests that high atmospheric pressure presumed for past Mars would be unstabilized if H₂O ice widely prevailed. As a result, a cold climate state might have been achieved by the condensation of atmospheric CO₂ onto ice caps. On the other hand, the low atmospheric pressure, which is buffered by the CO₂ ice cap and likely close to the present pressure, would be unstabilized if the CO₂ ice albedo decreased. This may have led the climate into a warm state with high atmospheric pressure owing to complete evaporation of CO₂ ice cap. Through the albedo feedback mechanisms of H₂O and CO₂ ices in the atmosphere-ice cap system, Mars may have experienced warm and cold climates episodically in its history.     

Regionality of group velocities of Rayleigh waves in the Pacific and thickening of the plate

The relationship between group velocities of Rayleigh waves and the ocean-bottom age in the Pacific is examined. The Pacific basin is divided into four regions by isochrons determined from geomagnetic lineations. A significant change in group velocities of Rayleigh waves is obtained for these four regions by the use of the least-squares method from data for 27 paths in a period range 40–90 s. The present result and other geophysical observations strongly suggest the “thickening of the oceanic plate”, and are well explained by a simple plate-thickness/age relationl(km) = 7.49 t (m.y.)^1/2 inferred from the “mantle gravity anomaly”.     

A detailed cross-section of the deep seismic zone beneath northeastern Honshu, Japan

A cross-section of earthquakes located in northeastern Japan is presented by using pPdepths reported by the International Seismological Centre. Travel-time corrections for the water layer were used to recompute pP-depths of earthquakes located below the sea regions. Seven new focal-mechanism solutions, based on teleseismic and Japanese data, were determined for this region. The reconstructed cross-section shows a double seismic zone at intermediate depths of 80–150 km. Earthquakes located within the upper seismic plane are characterized by down-dip compression while those in the lower plane, located about 35 km below the other seismic plane, are characterized by down-dip extension. These observations suggest that, at these depths, stresses attributable to a simple “unbending” of a plate may contribute to the generation of earthquakes in addition to stresses generated by the gravitational sinking of the lithosphere. A detailed cross-section of shallow earthquakes in the same area between the trench and eastern coast of northeastern Honshu is presented along with focal-mechanism solutions. This cross-section delineates more clearly the seismic zones characterized by normal and low-angle thrust faulting.     

Japanese early-warning for debris flows and slope failures using rainfall indices with Radial Basis Function Network

Early-warning systems for natural disasters are important tools for disaster risk reduction and for achieving sustainable development and livelihoods. In 2005, the Japanese government initiated a new nationwide early-warning system for landslides disasters. The main methodology of the system is to set a criterion for occurrences of debris flows and slope failures based on several rainfall indices (60-min cumulative rainfall and soil–water index) in each 5-km grid mesh covering all of Japan. Because many of the records of mass movements are lacking in scientific precision on timing and location, the system applies Radial Basis Function Network methods to set the criterion based primarily on rainfall data recorded as not triggering disasters. Since the end of March 2007, under torrential rainfall conditions, early-warning information has been disseminated as part of weather news using TV, radio, and the Internet. Because of the increasing worldwide recognition of the importance of early-warning systems for natural disaster reduction, the aim of this article is to introduce the new Japanese early-warning system to the international landslide community. In this article, the method, the system, and the result of its application to landslide disasters in 2009 are presented.     

Experiment study on RC frame retrofitted by the external structure

A new retrofitting method is proposed herein for reinforced concrete (RC) structures through attachment of an external structure. The external structure consists of a fiber concrete encased steel frame, connection slab and transverse beams. The external structure is connected to the existing structure through a connection slab and transverse beams. Pseudostatic experiments were carried out on one unretrofitted specimen and three retrofitted frame specimens. The characteristics, including failure mode, crack pattern, hysteresis loops behavior, relationship of strain and displacement of the concrete slab, are demonstrated. The results show that the load carrying capacity is obviously increased, and the extension length of the slab and the number of columns within the external frame are important influence factors on the working performance of the existing structure. In addition, the displacement difference between the existing structure and the outer structure was caused mainly by three factors: shear deformation of the slab, extraction of transverse beams, and drift of the conjunction part between the slab and the existing frame. Furthermore, the total deformation determined by the first two factors accounted for approximately 80% of the damage, therefore these factors should be carefully considered in engineering practice to enhance the effects of this new retrofitting method.     

Tectonics and sedimentation around Kashinosaki Knoll: A subducting basement high in the eastern Nankai Trough

Abstract   When seamounts and other topographic highs on an oceanic plate are subducted, they cause significant deformation of the overriding plate and may act as asperities deeper in the seismogenic zone. Kashinosaki Knoll (KK) is an isolated basement high of volcanic origin on the subducting Philippine Sea Plate that will soon be subducted at the eastern Nankai Trough. Seismic reflection imaging reveals a thick accumulation of sediments (∼1200 m) over and around the knoll. The lower portion of the sedimentary section has a package of high-amplitude, continuous reflections, interpreted as turbidites, that lap onto steep basement slopes but are parallel to the gentler basement slopes. Total sediment thickness on the western and northern slopes is approximately 40–50% more than on the summit and southeastern slopes of KK. These characteristics imply that the basal sedimentary section northwest of KK was deposited by infrequent high-energy turbidity currents, whereas the area southeast of KK was dominated by hemipelagic sedimentation over asymmetric basement relief. From the sediment structure and magnetic anomalies, we estimate that the knoll likely formed near the spreading center of the Shikoku Basin in the early Miocene. Its origin differs from that of nearby Zenisu Ridge, which is a piece of the Shikoku Basin crust uplifted along a thrust fault related to the collision of the Izu–Bonin arc and Honshu. KK has been carried into the margin of the Nankai Trough, and its high topography is deflecting Quaternary trench turbidites to the south. When KK collides with the accretionary prism in about 1 My, the associated variations in sediment type and thickness around the knoll will likely result in complex local variations in prism deformation.     

Collision structure in the upper crust beneath the southwestern foot of the Hidaka Mountains, Hokkaido, Japan as derived from explosion seismic observations

The P-wave velocity structure of the upper crust beneath a profile ranging from Niikappu to Samani in the southwestern foot of the Hidaka Mountains, Hokkaido, Japan was obtained through analysis of refraction and wide-angle reflection data. The mountains are characterized by high seismicity and a large gravity anomaly. The present profile crosses the source region of the 1982 Urakawa-oki earthquake (M_s 6.8). The length of the profile is 66 km striking northwest and southeast. Along the profile, 64 vertical geophones were set up and 5 shot points were chosen. For each shot, a 400–600 kg charge of dynamite was detonated. The studied area is composed of four major geological belts: Neogene sedimentary rocks, the Kamuikotan belt, the Yezo Group, and the Hidaka belt. The measurement line crosses these geological trend at an oblique angle. The structure obtained is characterized by remarkable velocity variations in the lateral direction and reflects the surface geological characteristics. A thin, high-velocity layer (HVL) was found between low-velocity materials in the central part of the profile, beneath the Kamuikotan Metamorphic Belt, at a depth ranging from 0.5 to 6 km, overthrusting toward the west on the low-velocity materials consisting of Neogene sedimentary rocks, and forming gentle folds. Outlines of the velocity structure of the Hidaka Mountains yielded by other studies have shown a large-scale overthrust structure associated with the collision of the Outer Kurile and the Outer Northern Honshu Arcs. The shallow velocity structure inferred by the present study showed a similar (although small scale) overthrust structure. The obtained structure shows that the composite tectonic force, comprising westward movement of the Outer Kurile Arc and northward movement of the Outer Northern Honshu Arc, plays an important role in the evolution of the tectonic features of the crust and upper mantle in a wide depth range beneath the Hidaka Mountains.     

structure of south-western Honshu, Japan and the nature of the Mohorovicić discontinuity

Summary. Two record sections have been prepared for a series of explosions near Lake Biwa, south-western Honshu, Japan. The record sections cover both the array stations and the network of microearthquake stations that are distributed throughout the area. This enabled us to detect for the first time in the Japanese islands the phase reflected at the Mohorovicić discontinuity. Until now the weakness and obscurity of the phase has made it difficult to detect. We were able to overcome this problem by processing the seismograms to enhance the phase. Our work leads us to propose that the surface of the Mohorović discontinuity may be divided into pieces by a number of deep faults, while a thin layer of ultrabasic rock in the lower crust may account for the weakness of the signal.     

Sublimation’s impact on temporal change of albedo dichotomy on Iapetus

Iapetus, one of the saturnian moons, has an extreme albedo contrast between the leading and trailing hemispheres. The origin of this albedo dichotomy has led to several hypotheses, however it remains controversial. To clarify the origin of the dichotomy, the key approach is to investigate the detailed distribution of the dark material. Recent studies of impact craters and surface temperature from Cassini spacecraft data implied that sublimation of H₂O ice can occur on Iapetus’ surface. This ice sublimation can change the albedo distribution on the moon with time.In this study, we evaluate the effect of ice sublimation and simulate the temporal change of surface albedo. We assume the dark material and the bright ice on the surface to be uniformly mixed with a certain volume fraction, and the initial albedo distribution to incorporate the dark material deposits on the surface. That is, the albedo at the apex is lowest and concentrically increases in a sinusoidal pattern. This situation simulates that dark materials existed around the Iapetus’ orbit billions of years ago, and the synchronously rotating Iapetus swept the material and then deposited it on its surface. The evolution of the surface albedo during 4.0 Gyr is simulated by estimating the surface temperature from the insolation energy on Iapetus including the effect of Saturn’s eccentricity and Iapetus’ obliquity precession, and evaluating the sublimation rate of H₂O ice from the Iapetus’ surface.As a result, we found that the distribution of the surface albedo changed dramatically after 4.0 Gyr of evolution. The sublimation has three important effects on the resultant surface albedo. First, the albedo in the leading hemisphere has significantly decreased to approach the minimum value. Second, the albedo distribution has been elongated along the equator. Third, the edge of the low albedo region has become clear. Considering the effect of ice sublimation, the current albedo distribution can be reconstructed from the sinusoidal albedo distribution, suggesting the apex-antapex cratering asymmetry as a candidate for the origin of the albedo dichotomy. From the model analysis, we obtained an important aspect that the depth of the turn-over layer where the darkening process proceeded for 4 Gyr should be an order of 10 cm, which is consistent with evaluation from the Cassini radar observations.