A Hamiltonian theory for an elastic earth: First order analytical integration

In this article an approximate analytical integration is performed of the Hamiltonian corresponding to the rotational motion of an Earth whose elastic mantle is deformed by rotation and lunisolar attraction, using Deprit's perturbation method for the first order. Besides the usual terms, this Hamiltonian includes the perturbation of the kinetic energy and the elastic energy produced with the deformation, as well as their causes, the tidal and the centrifugal potential; these new terms have already been studied for the tidal deformation in previous articles (Getino and Ferrándiz, 1990a, 1990b). The effects of the deformation due to the centrifugal potential are studied in this article, following the same method as that used for the tidal deformation. Numerical tables of the periodic perturbations corresponding to the nutation in obliquity and longitude are obtained. As for the secular effects, a theoretical value of 457 days is obtained for Chandler's period.     

Scanning electron microscope‐cathodoluminescence (SEM‐CL) imaging of planar deformation features and tectonic deformation lamellae in quartz

Abstract– Planar deformation features (PDFs) in quartz are essential proof for the correct identification of meteorite impact structures and related ejecta layers, but can be confused with tectonic deformation lamellae. The only completely reliable method to demonstrate the shock origin of suspected (sub‐) planar microstructures, transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations, is costly and time consuming. We have used a cathodoluminescence (CL) detector attached to a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to image both PDFs and tectonic deformation lamellae in quartz to demonstrate the potential of a simple method to identify PDFs and define characteristics that allow their distinction from tectonic deformation lamellae. In both limited wavelength grayscale and composite color SEM‐CL images, PDFs are easily identified. They are straight, narrow, well‐defined features, whereas tectonic deformation lamellae are thicker, slightly curved, and there is often no clear boundary between lamella and host quartz. Composite color images reveal two types of CL behavior in PDFs: either they emit a red to infrared CL signal or they are nonluminescent. The color of the CL signal emitted by tectonic deformation lamellae ranges from blue to red. For comparison, we also imaged several shocked quartz grains at cryogenic temperature. In most cases, the PDF characteristics in cryo‐CL images do not differ significantly from those in images recorded at room temperature. We conclude that SEM‐CL imaging, especially when color composites are used, provides a promising, practical, low cost, and nondestructive method to distinguish between PDFs and tectonic lamellae, even when the simplest CL techniques available are used.     

Free particle modelling of hypervelocity asteroid collisions with the Earth

This paper presents a time-dependent two-dimensional numerical model of the impact phenomena. The model deals with formation and evolution of a crater, formation of an impact jet, and with global deformation and dynamical parameters of the impacted body. The model is applied to study the problem of deformation of the Earth when impacted by an asteroid. A hydrodynamical code of the free particle numerical method (HEFP) is applied to a silicate asteroid (impactor) and to the multilayered spherical Earth (target) described by the PREM model. The asteroids radii are within a range between 5 and 800 km. The velocity range is 20–30 km s⁻¹. Calculations cover the time intervals up to 2000 s.

Each of the material points of the bodies under consideration (the Earth and an asteroid) is described by its time-dependent position, velocity, specific internal energy, pressure and density. The global results, among others, are as follows: (i) deformation of the Earth's surface; (ii) position of the shock wave within the Earth; (iii) deformation of consecutive layers within the Earth's interior, and (iv) morphology of the crater including behavior of the impact jet and deformation of the impactor.     

Theory of electric currents in ionospheric E-layers

The magnetic disturbance associated with East-West current in the ionosphere is calculated in terms of the production and loss of ionisation. This is physically equivalent to a conventional equation of the type j = [σ]E, but may be preferred in many experimental circumstances. The relationship between the deformation of an ionospheric layer and the electric current, or magnetic disturbance in it, is explored in detail. Applications to mid-latitude sporadic-E, the equatorial electrojet, night-E, deformation of mid-latitude E-layer by quiet and disturbed currents and deformation of the E-layer by auroral electrojets are considered. Under a wide range of conditions, vertical backscatter devices can be used to find the altitude profile of the East-West component of ionospheric electric current by measuring the deformations of the vertical profiles of electron density.     

Active sub-reflector research for a large radio telescope

This paper proposes an active sub-reflector suitable for large radio telescopes, which can compensate both of the deformation of the main reflector and sub-reflector position offsets. The mathematical formula of the main reflector deformation compensated by the sub-reflector is deduced based on Cassegrain and Gregory antenna structures. The position of the sub-reflector is adjustable to compensate for defocusing errors on high and low elevations, which are mainly caused by the deformation of the sub-reflector supporting legs. In this paper, the method of obtaining the optimum position of the sub-reflector from the aperture phase by the interferometric method is introduced. The actual measurement is verified on the Tianma 65 m radio telescope, which provides a new way to diagnose the position error of the sub-reflector.     

Experimental reproduction of tectonic deformation lamellae in quartz and comparison to shock‐induced planar deformation features

Abstract— Planar features can develop in quartz during comparatively slow tectonic deformation and during very fast dynamic shock metamorphism. Despite their very different structural nature, tectonically induced deformation lamellae have sometimes been mistaken as shock‐induced planar deformation features (PDFs). To understand the formation of deformation lamellae and to address the substantial differences between them and PDFs, we have conducted deformation experiments on single crystals of quartz in a Griggs‐type apparatus, at a temperature of 800 °C, a confining pressure of 12 kbar, and a strain rate of 0.7–1.1 · 10^?6. The deformed samples were analyzed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and compared to natural PDFs from the Ries Crater, Germany. TEM revealed that tectonic deformation lamellae are associated with numerous sub‐parallel curved subgrain walls, across which the orientation of the crystal changes slightly. The formation of deformation lamellae is due to glide‐ and climb‐controlled deformation in the exponential creep regime. In contrast, the PDFs in shocked quartz from the Ries are perfectly planar, crystallographically controlled features that originally represented amorphous lamellae. Due to post‐shock annealing and hydrothermal activity they are recrystallized and decorated with fluid inclusions.     

Structural evolution of Lavinia Planitia, Venus: Implications for the tectonics of the lowland plains

This work shows the results of a detailed structural analysis of the deformation belts of Lavinia Planitia. Ridge belts and graben and groove belts can be observed at the studied area, while wrinkle ridges and large individual grooves predominate in the smooth plains. Transcurrent components of displacement are commonly observed, and transpression and transtension zones are the rule rather than the exception at most of the studied belts. Along-strike azimuth changes of deformation belts are accommodated by internal variations in the predominance of contractional, transcurrent or extensional structures. The material of the surrounding plains embays most of these deformation belts. The kinematic analysis of this complex network of tectonic structures suggests a broadly synchronous activity of contractional, transcurrent and extensional structures. The maximum horizontal shortening axis determined in this work describes a steady, semi-circular pattern centered at Alpha Regio. This deformation continued, although with subdued activity, after embayment of the deformation belts by the material of the plains. Future study of the tectonic evolution of the lowland plains should take into account the importance of the coeval history of neighboring uplands and lowlands.     

Resolution of impact‐related microstructures in lunar zircon: A shock‐deformation mechanism map

Abstract– The microstructures of lunar zircon grains from breccia samples 72215, 73215, 73235, and 76295 collected during the Apollo 17 mission have been characterized via optical microscopy, cathodoluminescence imaging, and electron backscatter diffraction mapping. These zircon grains preserve deformation microstructures that show a wide range in style and complexity. Planar deformation features (PDFs) are documented in lunar zircon for the first time, and occur along {001}, {110}, and {112}, typically with 0.1–25 μm spacing. The widest PDFs associated with {112} contain microtwin lamellae with 65°/<110> misorientation relationships. Deformation bands parallel to {100} planes and irregular low‐angle (<10°) boundaries most commonly have <001> misorientation axes. This geometry is consistent with a dislocation glide system with <100>{010} during dislocation creep. Nonplanar fractures, recrystallized domains with sharp, irregular interfaces, and localized annealing textures along fractures are also observed. No occurrences of reidite were detected. Shock‐deformation microstructures in zircon are explained in terms of elastic anisotropy of zircon. PDFs form along a limited number of specific {hkl} planes that are perpendicular to directions of high Young’s modulus, suggesting that PDFs are likely to be planes of longitudinal lattice damage. Twinned {112} PDFs also contain directions of high shear modulus. A conceptual model is proposed for the development of different deformation microstructures during an impact event. This “shock‐deformation mechanism map” is used to explain the relative timing, conditions, and complexity relationships between impact‐related deformation microstructures in zircon.     

Structure and impact indicators of the Cretaceous sequence of the ICDP drill core Yaxcopoil‐1, Chicxulub impact crater,Mexico

Abstract As part of the ICDP Chicxulub Scientific Drilling Project, the Yaxcopoil‐1 (Yax‐1) bore hole was drilled 60 km south‐southwest of the center of the 180 km‐diameter Chicxulub impact structure down to a depth of 1511 m. A sequence of 615 m of deformed Cretaceous carbonates and sulfates was recovered below a 100 m‐thick unit of suevitic breccias and 795 m of post‐impact Tertiary rocks. The Cretaceous rocks are investigated with respect to deformation features and shock metamorphism to better constrain the deformational overprint and the kinematics of the cratering process. The sequence displays variable degrees of impact‐induced brittle damage and post‐impact brittle deformation. The degree of tilting and faulting of the Cretaceous sequence was analyzed using 360°‐core scans and dip‐meter log data. In accordance with lithological information, these data suggest that the sedimentary sequence represents a number of structural units that are tilted and moved with respect to each other. Three main units and nine sub‐units were discriminated. Brittle deformation is most intense at the top of the sequence and at 1300–1400 m. Within these zones, suevitic dikes, polymict clastic dikes, and impact melt rock dikes occur and may locally act as decoupling horizons. The degree of brittle deformation depends on lithology; massive dolomites are affected by penetrative faulting, while stratified calcarenites and bituminous limestones display localized faulting. The deformation pattern is consistent with a collapse scenario of the Chicxulub transient crater cavity. It is believed that the Cretaceous sequence was originally located outside the transient crater cavity and eventually moved downward and toward the center to its present position between the peak ring and the crater rim, thereby separating into blocks. Whether or not the stack of deformed Cretaceous blocks was already displaced during the excavation process remains an open question. The analysis of the deformation microstructure indicates that a shock metamorphic overprint is restricted to dike injections with an exception of the so called “paraconglomerate.” Abundant organic matter in the Yax‐1 core was present before the impact and was mobilized by impact‐induced heating and suggests that >12 km³ of organic material was excavated during the cratering process.     

Floor-fractured crater models of the Sudbury Structure,Canada: Implications for initial crater size and crater modification

Abstract The pattern of radial and concentric offset dikes at Sudbury strongly resembles fracture patterns in certain volcanically modified craters on the Moon. Since the Sudbury dikes apparently formed shortly after the impact event, this resemblance suggests that early endogenic modification at Sudbury was comparable to deformation in lunar floor-fractured craters. Although regional deformation has obscured many details of the Sudbury Structure, such a comparison of Sudbury with lunar floor-fractured craters provides two alternative models for the original size and surface structures of the Sudbury basin. First, the Sudbury date pattern can be correlated with fractures in the central peak crater Haldane (36 km in diameter). This comparison indicates an initial Sudbury diameter of between 100 and 140 km but requires loss of a central peak complex for which there is little evidence. Alternatively, comparison of the Sudbury dikes with fractures in the two-ring basin Schrödinger indicates an initial Sudbury diameter of at least ～ 180 km, which is in agreement with other recent estimates for the size of the Sudbury Structure. In addition to constraining the size and structure of the original Sudbury crater, these comparisons also suggest that crater modification may reflect different deformation mechanisms at different sizes. Most lunar floor-fractured craters are attributed to deformation over a shallow, crater-centered intrusion; however, there is no evidence for such an intrusion at Sudbury. Instead, melts from the evolving impact melt sheet probably entered fractures formed by isostatically-induced flexure of the crater floor. Since most of the lunar floor-fractured craters are too small (<100-km diameter) to induce significant isostatic adjustment, crater modification by isostatic uplift apparently is limited to only the largest of craters, whereas deformation over igneous intrusions dominates the modification of smaller craters.     

IERS1996规范中地球引力势模型和测量模型的改进

简要而系统地介绍ＩＥＲＳ１９９６规范采用的地球引力势模型和各种测量模型,着重叙述了其与ＩＥＲＳ１９９２标准相比所作的改进。规范用ＪＧＭ－３地球引力势模型取代ＧＥＭ－Ｔ３模型,在计算地球潮汐形变产生的附加势时展开到３阶,并考虑了地幔的滞弹效应。在测站位移的计算中,规范引入了３倍洛夫数,计及地幔的滞弹性,引入了计算冰后期回弹的ＩＣＥ－４Ｇ模型,列出了改正ＶＬＢＩ观测中天线形变改正的公式。关于地球自转和     

Geology of the southern Ishtar Terra/Guinevere and Sedna Planitae region on Venus

Recent high resolution, high incidence angle Arecibo radar images of southern Ishtar Terra and flanking plains of Guinevere and Sedna on Venus reveal details of topographic features resolved by Pioneer Venus. The high incidence angles of Arecibo images favor the detection of surface roughness-related features, and complement recently obtained low incidence angle Venera 15/16 images in which changes in surface topographic slope are well portrayed. Four provinces have been defined on the basis of radar characteristics in Arecibo images and topography. Volcanism and tectonism are the dominant processes in the mapped area, which has an average age of about 0.5–1.0 billion years (Ivanov et al., 1986). These processes vary in relative significance in the mapped provinces and it is likely that geologic activity has occurred simultaneously in all four provinces. On the basis of stratigraphic evidence, however, a general sequence is proposed which represents the major activity in each area. The low predominantly volcanic plains of Guinevere and Sedna Planitiae are the relatively oldest terrain. A major region of complex tectonic deformation, the Southern Ishtar Transition Zone, postdates much of the low plains and delineates the steep-sloped flanks of Ishtar Terra. Lakshmi Planum is characterized by a distinctive volcanic style (large low edifices, calderas, flanking plains) and at least in part postdates the Southern Ishtar Transition Zone. Relatively recent plains-style volcanism occurs locally in Sedna Planitia and embays the Southern Ishtar Transition Zone. Compressional deformation appears to dominate the mountains of the Ishtar plateau, but the nature of the tectonic deformation in the Southern Ishtar Transition Zone is very complex and likely represents a combination of extension, compression and strikeslip deformation. Arecibo data reveal additional coronae in the lowlands, suggesting that corona formation is an even more widespread process than indicated by the Venera data.     

并置VLBI站相对形变率及其与VTRF2005结果的比较

对杨志根等人在2005年估计的全球6个并置VLBI站的相对形变率(特别是相对垂直形变率)结果与最近的VLBI全球解VTRF2005的相应结果作了比较。结果表明,北美Greenbank的NRAO20和NRAO85_3两个VLBI站之间每年3—4mm的相对垂直形变率和Westford的WEST- FORD和HAYSTACK两个VLBI站间每年1-2mm的相应结果可以进一步得到肯定;太平洋夏威夷岛的KOKEE和KAUAI两个VLBI站每年2～5mm的相对水平形变率和日本鹿岛的KASHIMA和KASHIM34两个VLBI站间每年1-2mm的相应结果也可以得到确认。然而,每年2—4mm的KASHIMA和KASHIM34站间的相对垂直形变率结果,在过去所有观测研究的结果中都被基本肯定,在VTRF2005中的结果中却几乎消失了,对其中可能的原因作了讨论。此外,对北美的FD-VL- BA和HRASO85两个VLBI站间的相对垂直形变率仍不能肯定,在不同的全球解中,FD-VLBA站的形变率解结果是基本稳定的,而HRASO85站在VTRF2005中的垂直形变率结果为(2．61±3．91) mm／a,与估计的结果符号相反,并且比在VTRF2003中的相应结果大了2．2mm／a,估计误差也大了近7倍。有关的结果还有待采用更新的资料进行讨论。     

A structural model from local earthquake tomography: Application to present-day tectonics of the Upper Rhine Graben

We present a novel numerical approach to construct quantitative tectonic models from crustal velocity distributions derived from local earthquake tomography. Independent constraints on the location and orientation of structures are obtained from earthquake hypocenters and seismic reflection profiles. An application of this method is given for the southern end of the Upper Rhine Graben (northwestern Europe). Kinematic boundary conditions are imposed on the structural model to investigate the large scale intraplate deformation in the region. A 3-D finite element code is used to calculate the displacements, the distribution of stresses, and the potential for brittle failure in the Graben. The modeling takes into account the intersection and curvature of crustal faults. The results demonstrate the dependence of fault interaction in the system on kinematic conditions, as well as the influence of minor faults on the kinematics of major basin bounding master faults. We show that although most of the deformation in the region is taken up by the eastern boundary faults of the Rhine Graben, all faults in the system have the potential to be (re)activated. In particular, a fault system underlying the front of the Jura fold and thrust belt appears to accommodate a large part of the intraplate deformation.     

Plastic deformation of olivine‐rich diogenites and implications for mantle processes on the diogenite parent body

Numerous petrologic and geochemical studies so far on the howardite, eucrite, and diogenite (HED) meteorites have produced various crystallization scenarios for their parent body, believed to be the differentiated asteroid 4 Vesta. Structural analyses of diogenites can reveal important insights into postcrystallization deformation on the parent body. Recently published results (Tkalcec et al. 2013 ) of structural analysis on the olivine‐rich diogenite NWA 5480 reveal that it underwent solid‐state plastic deformation, although not at the base of a magma chamber. Dynamic mantle downwelling has been proposed as a plausible deformation mechanism (Tkalcec et al. 2013 ). The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the plastic deformation found in NWA 5480 is an isolated case. We expand the structural analysis on NWA 5480 and extend it to NWA 5784 and MIL 07001,6, two other samples of rare olivine‐rich diogenites, using electron‐backscattered‐diffraction (EBSD) techniques. Our EBSD results show that the diogenites analyzed in this study underwent solid‐state plastic deformation, confirming that the observed deformation of NWA 5480 was not an isolated case on the diogenite parent body. The lattice‐preferred orientations (LPOs) of olivine in NWA 5784 and NWA 5480 are clearly distinct from that typical for cumulate rocks at the base of magma chambers, indicating a different stress environment and a different deformation mechanism. The LPO of olivine in MIL 07001 is less conclusive. The structural results of this study suggest that plastic deformation occurred on the diogenite parent body at high temperatures (1273 < T ≤ 1573 K) in the solid state, i.e., after crystallization of the diogenites themselves, in a dynamic environment with active stress fields.     

Origin of Petrofabrics and Magnetic Anisotropy in Ordinary Chondrites

Abstract— Three-dimensional finite strain and magnetic susceptibility anisotropy have been determined for 15 ordinary chondrites. The axes of strain and magnetic ellipsoids roughly correlate in both magnitude and orientation. The shapes of these ellipsoids are generally oblate spheroids that define a dominant foliation and a weak lineation. These characteristics suggest deformation involving uniaxial compaction. The degree of uniaxial deformation correlates with intensity of shock, as indicated by optical, TEM and chemical criteria. These data, plus the lack of a relationship between foliation and metamorphic history, indicate that dynamic processes, i.e., impacts, produced planar deformation fabrics in chondrites.     

Subsurface deformation of experimental hypervelocity impacts in quartzite and marble targets

Two impact cratering experiments on nonporous rock targets were carried out to determine the influence of target composition on the structural mechanisms of subsurface deformation. Projectiles of 2.5 mm diameter were accelerated to ~5 km s⁻¹ and impacted onto blocks of marble or quartzite. Subsurface deformation was mapped and analyzed on the microscale using thin sections of the bisected craters. Additionally, both experiments were modeled and the calculated strain zones underneath the craters were compared to experimental deformation features. Microanalysis shows that the formation of radial, tensile, and intragranular cracks is a common response of both nonporous materials to impact cratering. In the quartzite target, the subsurface damage is additionally characterized by highly localized deformation along shear bands with intense grain comminution, surrounded by damage zones. In contrast, the marble target shows closely spaced calcite twinning and cleavage activation. Crater diameter and depth as well as the damage lens underneath the crater are unexpectedly smaller in the marble target compared to the quartzite target, which is in contradiction to the marble's much weaker compressive and tensile strengths. However, numerical models result in craters that are similar in size as well as in strain accumulation at the end of transient crater formation, indicating that current models should still be viewed cautiously when compared to experimental details.     

Positioning and control of the orbital structure of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arktika-M</Emphasis> innovative space system (marking the 50 years of Lavochkin Association’s space activities)

The orbital positioning options and orbital structure control methods are considered for the Arktika-M highly elliptical hydrometeorological space system, which is designed for continuous 24-hour imaging of the Earth’s Arctic region. The purpose of the control is to ensure on-going performance during the entire operational life of the space system given a major spatial and temporal deformation of its orbital structure due to the nonuniform evolution of the orbital parameters. The highly elliptical Molniya orbits are considered. The proposed control procedure is based on the minimization of the spatial and temporal deformation of the orbital structure by means of the differential choice of the initial orbital parameters during the deployment and follow-up of the space system.     

Shock‐induced microtextures in lunar apatite and merrillite

Apatite and merrillite are the most common phosphate minerals in a wide range of planetary materials and are key accessory phases for in situ age dating, as well as for determination of the volatile abundances and their isotopic composition. Although most lunar and meteoritic samples show at least some evidence of impact metamorphism, relatively little is known about how these two phosphates respond to shock‐loading. In this work, we analyzed a set of well‐studied lunar highlands samples (Apollo 17 Mg‐suite rocks 76535, 76335, 72255, 78235, and 78236), in order of displaying increasing shock deformation stages from S1 to S6. We determined the stage of shock deformation of the rock based on existing plagioclase shock‐pressure barometry using optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and SEM‐based panchromatic cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging of plagioclase. We then inspected the microtexture of apatite and merrillite through an integrated study of Raman spectroscopy, SEM‐CL imaging, and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). EBSD analyses revealed that microtextures in apatite and merrillite become progressively more complex and deformed with increasing levels of shock‐loading. An early shock‐stage fragmentation at S1 and S2 is followed by subgrain formation from S2 onward, showing consistent decrease in subgrain size with increasing level of deformation (up to S5) and finally granularization of grains caused by recrystallization (S6). Starting with 2°–3° of intragrain crystal‐plastic deformation in both phosphates at the lowest shock stage, apatite undergoes up to 25° and merrillite up to 30° of crystal‐plastic deformation at the highest stage of shock deformation (S5). Merrillite displays lower shock impedance than apatite; hence, it is more deformed at the same level of shock‐loading. We suggest that the microtexture of apatite and merrillite visualized by EBSD can be used to evaluate stages of shock deformation and should be taken into account when interpreting in situ geochemically relevant analyses of the phosphates, e.g., age or volatile content, as it has been shown in other accessory minerals that differently shocked domains can yield significantly different ages.