Single explosions at Stromboli in 2002: Use of clast microtextures to map physical diversity across a fragmentation zone

A combination of fortuitous eruptive and wind conditions at Stromboli volcano in September 2002 enabled the collection of samples of multiple lapilli from individual observed explosions. These ejecta present the first opportunity to analyze the vesicularity of material ejected in a single Strombolian explosion. Samples of between 40 and 92 lapilli were collected from each of six sequential explosions on 30 September 2002, and 28 lapilli were obtained from a single explosion  24 h later (1 October). Density measurements and microtextural observations show that considerable heterogeneity existed within each of the seven samples. Centimeter to millimeter size bubble-rich and bubble-poor zones are present and are, in places, mingled together. These data confirm that the shallow conduit at Stromboli is a texturally diverse environment at the instant of a single explosion, and that a similar range of heterogeneity can persist through closely-spaced sequences of explosions on a timescale of hours and, probably, days, despite the dynamic processes of ascent of melt and decoupled gas phases.     

Seasonal oscillations in mesospheric temperatures at low-latitudes

Using 3 years of high-quality temperature measurements (2002–2004) recorded from Maui, HI (20.8°N), we have investigated the characteristics of mesospheric seasonal oscillations at low-latitudes. Measurements of the near-infrared OH (6,2) and O₂ (0,1) nightglow emission layers (centered at 87 and 94 km) independently reveal a distinct semi-annual oscillation (SAO) and annual oscillation (AO) with amplitudes of 3.8 and 2.0 K, respectively. An observed asymmetry in the seasonal variation of the nocturnal mean, previously reported by Taylor et al. [2005. Characterization of the semi-annual-oscillation in mesospheric temperatures at low-latitudes. Advances in Space Research 35, doi:10.1016/j.asr.2005.05.111] from this site is shown to be due to a superposed AO of amplitude 50% of the SAO signature. Detailed investigations of the local-time variation of the SAO amplitude and phase combined with TIME-GCM simulations of the seasonal variation of the diurnal tide strongly suggest a large local-time dependence of the amplitude (but not phase) of the observed SAO. These data indicate that the true mean temperature SAO amplitude could be as high as 7 K at this latitude.     

首都圈地区爆破、矿塌和天然地震的识别研究

选取首都圈地区2008年8月——2009年9月ML在2.0——2.2范围内的爆破、矿塌和天然地震数据资料,从时间域和频率域进行分析对比,总结出识别爆破、矿塌和天然地震的依据．在时域方面,爆破的初动方向向上,矿塌向下,天然地震的初动方向依赖于台站的分布情况;爆破和矿塌的面波比较发育;天然地震的S波与P波最大振幅比(AS/AP)大于爆破和矿塌,同时,爆破和矿塌的能量衰减比天然地震快．在频域方面,高频成分的能量衰减快于低频;天然地震的拐角频率较高,爆破次之,矿塌的最小;在震中距200 km范围内,爆破的顶峰频率主要分布在5——7 Hz,矿塌分布在2——4 Hz,天然地震的顶峰频率较大,在10——18 Hz范围内.另外,天然地震的频率域较宽,其次为爆破、矿塌．      

Study of Sediment Nonlinearity Using Explosion Data in the Mississippi Embayment

Strong and weak motion data from the Mississippi Embayment Seismic Excitation Experiment (ESEE) were analyzed for signatures of nonlinear site responses. This experiment was performed jointly by the University of Memphis and U. S. Geological Survey in October 2002, by detonating two explosions of 2500 and 5000 lbs. Intrinsic and scattering Q estimates (Q_I and Q_S) from the coda of the strong motion data were found to be very low compared to previously determined Q values of P- and Rayleigh waves of weak motion data from the same explosions. The Q_I estimates from P-wave late coda of the strong motion data are less by more than 100 at 3 Hz and by more than 200 at 10 Hz, compared to the P-wave Q values determined from the weak motion data by Langston et al (2005). Also, Q_I determined from the late coda of strong motion Rayleigh-wave data is less by more than 200 at 0.5 Hz and by more than 50 at 3.0 Hz, compared to Q values determined from Rayleigh-wave weak motion data. A resonance peak spectral amplitude of the early part of a strong motion seismogram is shifted to lower frequencies compared to that from a later part of the same seismogram. Spectral amplitude ratios between transverse and vertical components of the strong motion data are degraded between frequencies 2 and 10 Hz for P waves, and less than 4 Hz for Rayleigh waves compared to the weak motion transverse to vertical spectral ratio. All these are signatures of nonlinear site responses during strong ground motion. This study proves the non-transportability of weak motion attenuation results to estimate ground motion from a future large earthquake that may take place in areas like the New Madrid Seismic zone.     

Mismatch between variations of solar indices, stratospheric ozone and UV-B observed at ground

In solar cycles 22–23, all solar indices showed maxima near 1990 and 2000 and minima in 1996. The maximum to minimum variation was only 1–2% in the UV range 240–350 nm. Dobson ozone intensities did not show any clear relationship with solar cycle and ozone variations were less than 10%. The UV-B (295–325 nm) observed at ground by Brewer spectrophotometers at some locations had variations of 50–100% for 295–300 nm, and 20–50% for 305–325 nm. The maxima were in different years at different locations (even with separations of only 300 km), did not match with the solar cycle, and were far too large to be explained on the basis of ozone changes (1% decrease of ozone is expected to cause 2% increase of UV-B). Thus, if the data are not bad, the UV-B changes do not match with solar activity or ozone changes and must be mostly due to other local effects (clouds, etc.?). When data are averaged over wide geographical regions, UV-B variation ranges are smaller (10–20%, probably because localised, highly varying cloud effects get filtered out), and are roughly as expected from ozone variations.     

Long period microtremors, microseisms and earthquake damage: Northridge, CA, earthquake of 17 January 1994

Three studies of site amplification factors, based on the recorded aftershocks, and one study based on strong motion data, are compared one with another and with the observed distribution of damage from the Northridge, CA, earthquake of 17 January 1994 (M_L=6.4). In the epicentral area, when the peak ground velocities are larger than v_m≈15 cm/s, nonlinear response of soil begins to distort the amplification factors determined from small amplitude (linear) wave motion. Moving into the area of near-field and strong ground motion (v_m>30 cm/s), the site response becomes progressively more affected by the nonlinear soil response. Based on the published results, it is concluded that site amplification factors determined from small amplitude waves (aftershocks, small earthquakes, coda waves) and their transfer-function representation may be useful for small and distant earthquake motions, where soils and structures respond to earthquake waves in a linear manner. However in San Fernando Valley, during the Northridge earthquake, the observed distribution of damage did not correlate with site amplification determined from spectra of recorded weak motions. Mapping geographical distribution of site amplification using other than very strong motion data, therefore appears to be of little use for seismic hazard analyses.     

From regional seismic hazard to “scenario earthquakes” for seismic microzoning: A new methodological tool for the Celano Project

We present the results of a probabilistic seismic hazard assessment and disaggregation analysis aimed to understand the dominant magnitudes and source-to-site distances of earthquakes that control the hazard at the Celano site in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. Firstly, we calculated a peak ground acceleration map for the central Apennines area, by using a model of seismogenic sources defined on geological-structural basis. The source model definition and the probabilistic seismic hazard evaluation at the regional scale (central Apennines) were obtained using three different seismicity models (Gutenberg–Richter model; characteristic earthquake model; hybrid model), consistent with the available seismological information. Moreover, a simplified time-dependent hypothesis has been introduced, computing the conditional probability of earthquakes occurrence by Brownian passage time distributions.Subsequently, we carried out the disaggregation analysis, with a modified version of the SEISRISK III code, in order to separate the contribution of each source to the total hazard.The results show the percentage contribution to the Celano hazard of the various seismogenic sources, for different expected peak ground acceleration classes. The analysis was differentiated for close (distance from Celano <20 km) and distant (distance from Celano >20 km) seismogenic sources. We propose three different “scenario earthquakes”, useful for the site condition studies and for the seismic microzoning study: (1) large (M=6.6) local (Celano-epicentre distance 16 km) earthquake, with mean recurrence time of 590 years; (2) moderate (M=5.5) local (Celano-epicentre distance 7.5 km) earthquake, with mean recurrence time of 500 years; and (3) large (M=6.6) distant (Celano-epicentre distance 24 km) earthquake, with mean recurrence time of 980 years.The probabilistic and time-dependent approach to the definition of the “scenario earthquakes” changes clearly the results in comparison to traditional deterministic analysis, with effects in terms of engineering design and seismic risk reduction.     

天然地震波形与工业化爆破波形振幅比对比的研究

选取乌鲁木齐遥测地震台记录的部分天然地震与新疆工业化爆破项目中的部分爆破资料,通过波形振幅比AS/AP以及记录在P波垂直向的初动符号的对比,总结出了识别爆破与地震的依据。工业化爆破振幅比的比值比较稳定,且小于天然地震振幅的比值,而天然地震受多种因素的影响,振幅比的比值变化范围大。工业化爆破波形记录的初动向上为" ",而天然地震产生的地震波的初动符号具有四象限分布的明显规律。     

乌鲁木齐附近地区小爆破识别判据的研究

采用新疆乌鲁木齐地区多个地震台的位移仪及速度仪记录，探讨了人工小爆破记录与天然地震记录的差异及其识别判据。结果发现，爆破记录与地震记录在震相、P波垂直向初动符号分布、振幅衰减、振幅比As^-/Ap^-等方面具有不同的特征，据此我们制定出了识别爆破的单项判据和综合判据。     

The Polar Cap (PC) indices: Relations to solar wind parameters and global magnetic activity

The polar geomagnetic activity resulting from solar wind–magnetosphere interactions can be characterized the Polar Cap (PC) indices, PCN and PCS. PC index values are derived from polar magnetic variations calibrated on a statistical basis such that the index approximate values in units of mV/m of the interplanetary “geo-effective” (or “merging”) electric field (E_M) conveyed by the solar wind. The timing and amplitude relations of the PC index to solar wind plasma and magnetic field parameters are reported. The solar wind effects are parameterized in terms of the geo-effective electric field (E_M) and the dynamical pressure (P_DYN). The PC index has a delayed and damped response to E_M variations and display saturation-like effects for E_M values exceeding 10 mV/m. Steady or slowly varying levels of solar wind dynamical pressure have little or no impact on the PC index above the effects related to E_M for which the solar wind velocity is also a factor. Sharp increases in the dynamical pressure generate impulsive variations in the PC index comprising a initial negative impulse of 5–10 min duration followed by a positive impulse lasting 10–20 min. Typical amplitudes of both the negative and the positive impulses are 0.2–0.5 units. A sharp decrease in the pressure produces the inverse sequence of pulses in the PC index. Auroral substorm activity represented by the AL index level has a marked influence on the average PC/E_M level at the transition from very quiet (AL0 nT) to disturbed conditions while more or less disturbed conditions (AL<−100 nT) have no systematic effect on the average PC/E_M values. At distinct substorm events the PC/E_M ratio has a minimum (0.8) in the pre-onset phase at around 20 min before substorm onset. The average ratio gradually increases in the expansion phase to reach a maximum value (1.1) at around 40 min after substorm onset (or 20 min after the largest (negative) peak in AL). At substorm recovery during the next 2 h the PC/E_M ratio decreases. Finally, we report on the application of polar magnetic variations to model the disturbance storm time (Dst) index development during magnetic storms by using the PC index as a source function to quantify the energy input to the ring current representing accumulated storm energy and characterized by the Dst index.     

A 14-year monthly climatology and trend in the 35–65 km altitude range from Rayleigh Lidar temperature measurements at a low latitude station

A sodium resonance lidar at 589 nm has been operated in São José dos Campos, Brazil (23°S, 46°W) since 1972 mainly for studies related to the origin, chemistry and dynamics of the mesospheric sodium layer. Beginning in 1993, the improved laser capability has also enabled the processing of the Rayleigh signal from which the temperatures from 35 to 65 km are retrieved on a nightly mean basis. We used these nightly profiles to determine the monthly temperature profiles from 1993 to 2006. The mean temperature characteristics for each year and for the whole period are obtained. Seasonal thermal amplitude is small (6 K peak to peak at 40 and 60 km). Compared with the MSISE-90 model, a large difference is noted, with temperature lower than the model below the stratopause and higher above. Also the seasonal variation has a large difference with better agreement occurring around local winter, but with temperatures higher by 8–10 K at the equinoxes. The semiannual component is dominant over the annual at all altitudes. Linear trends with decreasing temperature of 1.09, 2.29 and 1.42 K/decade are observed at 40, 50 and 60 km, respectively.     

Seismic recordings of subterranean volcanic activity at Ruapehu during 1964

Volcanic vibrations from Ruapehu volcano which is situated in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand have been recorded on high magnification slow motion tape seismographs and drum seismographs at the Chateau Volcanological Observatory since December, 1960. In 1964, volcanic microtremor with a dominant frequency of 2 c/s commenced late in March, and reached a peak seismic power level of 100 KW for short periods in May. During the maximum phase, the tremor completely ceased for up to 20 minutes, and recommenced with an explosion or burst of strong tremor. The sequence and timing were very similar to the sequence of ash discharge-stoppage-explosion-ash discharge observed during the 1945 eruption of Ruapehu. In 1964 it is thought that the eruption of ash clouds was prevented by the Crater Lake, so that visible activity was limited to a few fumaroles, steam rising from the lake, and turbulence in the water. The lake temperature increased from about 25°C (a normal temperature) on 20 March to 50°C on 26 May. The corresponding rates of heat loss from the lake are 200 and 700 MW respectively, and an additional 150 MW or more was required to heat up the lake, giving a total average heat output of 850 MW for about 4 weeks. The corresponding average seismic power was about 3 KW, which is 0.0005 per cent of the thermal power. If this relationship is constant, the peak thermal power over a period of 6 minutes was of the order of 20,000 MW. The explosions initiating the tremor were mostly identical except in amplitude, and their magnitudes ranged up to 2.3, corresponding to 10¹⁴ erg. This was slightly greater than the energy conserved during the preceding stoppage of tremor. The dominant tremor frequency was normally 2.2 c/s and sometimes 1.2 c/s. Individual bands of frequency within the spectrum varied in power, but coherent migrations of frequency bands occurred on a few occasions. Near the end of the maximum phase, the entire spectrum migrated downwards by half an octave and the tremor power decreased to zero. Tremor power and frequency increased again, and a violent period of explosions and tremor of changing frequency occurred. Quite frequently the explosions initiating the tremor were multiple, and a few explosions occurred which were followed by tremor lasting only a matter of seconds. Explosions apparently unrelated to tremor were very rare and minor. The explosions were located by temporary installation of portable slow motion tape recorders around the volcano. The epicentre is very close to Crater Lake, but the depth cannot be determined from the data. Graphs of tremor power against time covering the active period from April to September, and graphs of cumulative energy against time, and frequency spectrum against time, for explosions and tremor are presented, and slow motion tape recordings will be played many times faster than the recording speed so that the tremor and explosion vibrations can be heard as audible noises.     

Seasonal variability in mesopause region temperatures over Fort Collins, CO (41°N, 105°W) based on lidar observations, 1990 through 2007

Nearly 900 nocturnal temperature profiles (85–105 km) from the Colorado State University Na lidar at Fort Collins, CO (40.59N, 105.14W) from 1990 to 2007. After the removal of an episodic warming attributable to Mt. Pinatubo eruption, the time series is analyzed as the sum of the climatological mean, annual and semiannual oscillation, solar cycle effect and trends along with possible annual/semiannual modulation of the latter two. The direct seasonal variation is consistent with the concept of the two-level mesopause. The trends in summer and winter are comparable 90–96 km at −0.15±0.1 K/year. The summer trend turns positive above 96 km. The winter trend is negative with minimum of −0.3 K/year at 100 km but positive at 104 km. The negative trend values are a factor of five smaller than an earlier analysis of the early part of this data due to removal of an episodic event.     

Long-term variability in mesopause region temperatures over Fort Collins, Colorado (41°N, 105°W) based on lidar observations from 1990 through 2007

During 1990–2007, there were 894 lidar observations of nocturnal mesopause region temperatures over Fort Collins, Colorado. In an earlier analysis with data to April 1997, an unexpected episodic warming, peaking in 1993 with a maximum value over 10 K, was reported and attributed to the Mount Pinatubo eruption in June 1991. With all data, long-term temperature trends from a 7-parameter linear regression analysis including solar cycle effect and long-term trends leads to a cooling of as much as 6.8 K/decade at 100 km, consistent with some reported observations but larger than model predictions. Including the observed episodic warming response in an 11-parameter nonlinear regression analysis reduces the maximum long-term cooling trends to 1.5 K/decade at 91 km, with magnitude and altitude dependences consistent with the prediction of two models, Spectral Mesosphere/Lower Thermosphere Model (SMLTM) and Hamburg Model of the Neutral and Ionized Atmosphere (HAMMONIA). In addition, the mid-latitude middle-atmospheric response to solar flux variability in Thermosphere–Ionosphere-Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED)/Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) temperatures is presented.     

Quasi-biennial oscillation in foF2 at the south crest of the equatorial anomaly

The aim of this paper is to report some periodicities observed in the ionospheric parameter foF2 measured at Tucuman (26.9°S; 65.4°W), station placed near the southern crest of the equatorial anomaly. For that, monthly medians of foF2 at several hours of LT for the period 1958–1987 are used. The data are run with Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Data gaps (4–5 months) are filled by means of linear interpolation. Several periodicities are present. Besides the solar cycle dominant dependence (11 years), semi-annual, annual, five years and quasi-biennial periodicities are also observed. A marked quasi-biennial periodicity is observed at daytime and nighttime hours being their greater amplitude at local noon and midnight. Different mechanisms or combined effects possibly cause them. It is suggested that the solar activity by means of extreme ultraviolet radiation (EUV), which present a quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) and it is responsible for the ionization, could be the dominant mechanism for the diurnal quasi-biennial periodicity of foF2. At night, since the photoionization by extreme ultraviolet radiation is not significant and the F2 layer is lower than during daytime (100 km) other mechanism may be operative for the quasi-biennial periodicity observed. Possibly the stratospheric QBO contributes to the modulation of the observed behaviour in foF2 at night. This result is preliminary because it needs to be extended to other stations so as to extract definite conclusions. Moreover, we cannot dismiss the possibility of a combined effect of both these mechanisms mainly at daytime and/or QBO influence of geomagnetic parameters.     

Temperature variability in central Mexico and its possible association to solar activity

Minimum extreme temperature variability from five meteorological stations in the central part of Mexico covering a period from 1920 to 1990 is examined. We found a correlation coefficient (r=0.65) between these temperature records and geomagnetic activity. Furthermore, by performing spectral analysis peaks were obtained with similar periodicities to those found in the sunspot number, the magnetic solar cycle, cosmic ray fluxes and geomagnetic activity; all of these phenomena are modulated by solar activity. Signals with periodicities comparable to those observed in El Niño and the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation were also identified. We conclude that the solar signal is probably present in the minimum extreme temperature record of the central part of Mexico.     

Statistical Interpretation of Webnet Seismograms By Artificial Neural Nets

We employed multilayer perceptrons (MLP), self organizing feature maps (SOFM), and learning vector quantization (LVQ) to reveal and interpret statistically significant features of different categories of waveform parameter vectors extracted from three-component WEBNET velocigrams. In this contribution we present and discuss in a summarizing manner the results of (i) SOFM classification and MLP discrimination between microearthquakes and explosions on the basis of single-station spectral and amplitude parameter vectors, (ii) SOFM/LVQ recognition of initial onset polarities from PV'-waveforms, and (iii) a source mechanism study of the January 1997 microearthquake swarm based on SOFM classification of combined multi-station PV-onset polarity and SH/PVamplitude ratio (CPA) data. Unsupervised SOFM classification of 497 NKC seismograms revealed that the best discriminants are pure spectral parameter vectors for the recognition of microearthquakes (reliability 95% with 30 spectral parameters), and mixed amplitude and spectral parameter vectors for the recognition of explosions (reliability 98% with 41 amplitude and 30 spectral parameters). The optimal MLP, trained with the standard backpropagation error method by one randomly selected half of a set of 312 mixed (7 amplitude and 7 spectral) single-station (NKC) microearthquake and explosion parameter vectors and tested by the other half-set, and vice versa, correctly classified, on average, 99% of all events. From a set of NKC PV-waveform vectors for 375 events, the optimal LVQ net correctly classified, on average, 98% of all up and 97% of all down onsets, and assigned the likely correct polarity to 85% of the onsets that were visually classified as uncertain. Optimal SOFM architectures categorized the CPA parameter vector sets for 145 January 97 events individually for each of five stations (KOC, KRC, SKC, NKC, LAC) quite unambiguously and stable into three statistically significant classes. The nature of the coincidence of these classes among the stations that provided most reliable mechanism-relevant information (KOC, KRC, SKC) points at the occurence of further seven statistically significant subclassses of mechanisms during the swarm. The ten neural classes of focal mechanisms coincide fairly well with those obtained by moment tensor inversion of P and SH polarities and amplitudes extracted from the seismograms interactively. The obtained results, together with those of refined hypocenter location, imply that the focal area consisted of three dominant faults and at least seven subfaults within a volume of not more than 1 km in diameter that likely were seismically activated by vertical stress from underneath.     

Experimental models of extension of continental lithosphere weakened by percolation of asthenospheric melts

Analogue models are used to investigate extension of a continental lithosphere weakened by asthenospheric melts percolating through the upper mantle, a process that has been hypothesised to control the opening of the Ligurian Tethys. Models were performed in a centrifuge apparatus and reproduced, by using materials such as sand and viscous mixtures, extension of 60-km thick, three-layer continental lithosphere floating above the asthenosphere. The percolated lithospheric mantle was assumed to be characterised by a rheological behaviour similar to that of the asthenosphere. Two sets of experiments investigated the influence on deformation of (1) the thickness of the percolated mantle and the associated strength contrast between the normal and weakened lithosphere, and (2) the lateral width of the weakened zone. Model results suggest that mantle percolation by asthenospheric melts is able to promote strong localised thinning of the continental lithosphere, provided that a significant thickness of the lithospheric mantle is weakened by migrating melts within a narrow region. Strain localisation is maximised for percolation of the whole lithospheric mantle and strong strength contrast between the normal and weakened lithosphere. Under these conditions, the thickness of the lithosphere may be reduced to less than 12 km in 3 Ma of extension. Conversely, localised thinning is strongly reduced if the thickness of the percolated zone is ≤1/3 of the thickness of the whole lithospheric mantle and/or the lithosphere is weakened over wide regions. Overall, model results support the working hypothesis that mantle percolation by asthenospheric melts is a controlling factor in the transition from distributed continental deformation to localised oceanic spreading.     

Neogene volcanic activity of western Syria and its relationship with Arabian plate kinematics

The Cenozoic (mostly Neogene) volcanic activity in Syria is part of the extensive magmatism that took place in the Mashrek Region, Middle East, from upper Eocene to Holocene (40–0.0005 Ma). Samples in western Syria are mostly high TiO₂ (TiO₂ 1.8–3.7 wt.%) alkaline mafic rocks (basanites, hawaiites and alkali basalts) plus rare transitional/tholeiitic basalts and basaltic andesites) with within-plate-like trace element signature.On the basis of incompatible trace element content, the volcanic activity in Syria has been divided into two stages: the first lasting from 25 to 5 Ma and the second from 5 to recent times. Indeed, the Syrian lavas show incompatible trace element content increasing with decreasing age from 25 to 5 Ma, followed by an abrupt decrease to low values roughly at the Miocene–Pliocene boundary. This temporal shift in composition is related to major tectonic re-organization occurred during upper Miocene.The proposed petrogenetic model invokes three steps: (a) passive upwelling of the shallow asthenosphere during the development of the Dead Sea transform fault system. Different degrees of partial melting were followed by variable extents of fractional crystallization and limited upper crustal contamination; (b) the Miocene–Pliocene boundary tectonic change enhanced passive decompression of the same sources and a consequent increase in degree of partial melting resulting in low incompatible trace element content of the relatively high-volume liquids; (c) after this phase, the incompatible trace element content in the basaltic magmas increased as consequence of fractional crystallization processes.Major and trace element content similarities with the rest of the circum-Mediterranean igneous rocks are consistent with a common relatively shallow origin for the Cenozoic anorogenic magmatism of the entire circum-Mediterranean area (the so-called Common Magmatic Reservoir). Because much of the igneous activity in the studied area is concentrated near the Dead Sea fault, the origin of Cenozoic magmatism in Syria (and in the rest of the circum-Mediterranean area) reflects a strong lithospheric control on the loci of partial melting. Mantle plumes from lower mantle and/or north-westward channelling of the Afar mantle plume is not needed to explain volcanic activity in Syria and the Mashrek area.     

A simplified method for simulation of strong ground motion using finite rupture model of the earthquake source

We present a simplified method to simulate strong ground motion for a realistic representation of a finite earthquake source burried in a layered earth. This method is based on the stochastic simulation method of Boore (Boore, D. M., 1983, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am. 73, 1865–1894) and the Empirical Greens Function (EFG) method of Irikura (Irikura, K., 1986, Proceedings of the 7th Japan Earthquake symposium, pp. 151–156). The rupture responsible for an earthquake is represented by several subfaults. The geometry of subfaults and their number is decided by the similarity relationships. For simulation of ground motion using the stochastic simulation technique we used the shapping window based on the kinetic source model of the rupture plane. The shaping window deepens on the geometry of the earthquake source and the propagation characteristics of the energy released by various subfaults. The division of large fault into small subfaults and the method for accounting their contribution at the surface is identical to the EGF. The shapping window has been modified to take into account the effect of the transmission of energy released form the finite fault at various boundaries of the layered earth model above the source. In the present method we have applied the correction factor to adjust slip time function of small and large earthquakes. The correction factor is used to simulate strong motion records having basic spectral shape of ² source model in broad frequency range. To test this method we have used the strong motion data of the Geiyo earthquake of 24th March 2001, Japan recorded by KiK network. The source of this earthquake is modelled by a simple rectangular rupture of size 24 × 15 km, burried at a depth of 31 km in a multilayered earth model. This rupture plane is divided into 16 rectangular subfaults of size 6.0 × 3.75 km each. Strong motion records at eight selected near-field stations were simulated and compared with the observed records in terms of the acceleration and velocity records and their response spectrum. The comparison confirms the suitability of proposed rupture model responsible for this earthquake and the efficacy of the approach in predicting the strong motion scenario of earthquakes in the subduction zone. Using the same rupture model of the Geiyo earthquake, we compared the simulated records from our and the EGF techniques at one near-field station. The comparison shows that this technique gives records which matches in a wide frequency range and that too from simple and easily accessible parameters of burried rupture.