Estimation of in-situ hydraulic diffusivity of rock masses

A method of estimating in-situ hydraulic diffusivity of rock masses by means of well-injection history and frequency of induced seismicity is presented. The method is based on the diffusion of injected fluid from a spherical cavity in a poroelastic half-space and the effective stress theory, as proposed byTerzaghi (1925, 1936) andHubbert andRubey (1959). Application of the method to two different regions, one in western New York and the other in Japan, resulted in estimated diffusivities of the order 10³ and 10⁴ cm²/sec, respectively. These values lie within the range of published estimates of in-situ diffusivity by other means, a summary of which is presented in tabular form. The calculated diffusivities suggest that the characteristic time of fluid diffusion is close to 0.1, rather than unity, as is sometimes assumed in the literature.     

An investigation of the size frequency resolution of an aerosol by the static method of diffusion

Summary Theoretical considerations are put forward for identifying the Dynamic and Static Methods of Diffusion measurements of aerosol particles. On the basic of this equality the Exhaustion Method of Diffusion developed byPollak andMetnieks for the size-frequency resolution of a heterogeneous aerosol by Dynamic Diffusion Methods should be applicable to Static Methods. This hypothesis is tested using a Pollak-Nolan nucleus counter as decay vessel. It is shown that turbulence in the counter is the most serious obstacle against this type of approach to finding the size components of an aerosol. The time involved, the high humidity in the counter and a hypothetical nucleus-free zone are other major difficulties for relatively large Aitken nuclei. It is established, however, that for particles whose diffusion coefficient is of the order of 10^–3 cm² sec^–1, the proposed method should be quite workable.     

High magnitude global seismicity and lateral velocity gradients

Summary A new significant correlation has been sought between high magnitude global seismicity and lateral surface wave velocity gradients. Rayleigh wave velocity divisioning of Eurasia, Africa, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean into regions of similar group velocity dispersion character of 30 sec period bySanto andSato [1]³) has been mainly used for calculating the gradients. It is quite striking to note that all earthquakes of magnitude 8.6 and above during 1897–1956 have occurred in regions having gradients of the order of 1.5·10^–3 sec^–1.Finally, some potential areas for high magnitude earthquake occurrences are predicted and the possible velocity gradients in regions, where division pattern is not yet investigated like South America and Australia, are also estimated.N.G.R.I. Contribution No. 70-170.     

Calculated wind climatology of the South-Saxonian/North-Czech mountain topography including improved resolution of mountains

A mesoscale model has been applied to calculate climatological means of the surface wind. A reliable average requires more than 40 model runs, which are differentiated by the direction and speed of the geostrophic wind under the assumption of neutral stratification. The frequency distributions of the geostrophic wind have been taken from observations of the 850-hPa winds at the radiosonde station in Prague for a 10-year period. The simulation results have been averaged over all sectors and speed classes of the geostrophic wind according to their frequencies. A comparison of the calculated mean wind speeds with observed ones shows deviations of about 0.4 ms⁻¹ outside the mountains. The representation of steep topography and isolated mountains on the basis of a 3-km horizontal resolution of the simulations needs special treatment in order to reduce the gap of up to 4 ms⁻¹ between observed and simulated mean wind speeds over mountains. Therefore, an empiric speed-up formula has been applied to the isolated mountains that otherwise would fall through the 3-km meshes. The corresponding deviations have been reduced to 1.5 ms⁻¹.     

A complex, Subplinian-type eruption from low-viscosity, phonolitic to tephri-phonolitic magma: the AD 472 (Pollena) eruption of Somma-Vesuvius, Italy

The combined use of field investigation and laboratory analyses allowed the detailed stratigraphic reconstruction of the Pollena eruption (472 AD) of Somma-Vesuvius. Three main eruptive phases were recognized, related either to changes in the eruptive processes and/or to relative changes of melt composition. The eruption shows a pulsating behavior with deposition of pyroclastic fall beds and generation of dilute and dense pyroclastic density currents (PDC). The eruptive mechanisms and transportation dynamics were reconstructed for the whole eruption. Column heights were between 12 and 20 km, corresponding to mass discharge rates (MDR) of 7×10⁶ kg/s and 3.4×10⁷ kg/s. Eruptive dynamics were driven by magmatic fragmentation of a phono-tephritic to tephri-phonolitic magma during Phases I and II, whereas phreatomagmatic fragmentation dominated Phase III. Magma composition varies between phonolitic and tephritic-phonolitic, with melt viscosity likely not in excess of 10³ Pa s. The volume of the pyroclastic fall deposits, calculated by using of proximal isopachs, is 0.44 km³. This increases to 1.38 km³ if ash volumes are extrapolated on a log thickness vs. square root area diagram using one distal isopach and column height.Editorial responsibility: R Cioni     

Possibility of ground observations of electron spin-flip radiation from lowerE-region electrons

Summary Landovitz & Marshall (¹) have suggested a maserlike mechanism to explain the decameter emission from the Jovian ionosphere. Although the application of the suggested mechanism for emission outwards into space from our planet is obvious, it is our purpose to show that if this mechanism is indeed operative, emission of electron spin-flip radiation from the electrons in the lower part of theE-region is also possible. An order of magnitude estimate predicts that thisE-region radiation which travels downward can be observed by ground receivers.     

Eruptive history of Karymsky volcano,Kamchatka, USSR,based on tephra stratigraphy and 14C dating

Eruptions of the active Karymsky stratovolcano began about 5300 (6100 ¹⁴C) b.p. from within a pre-existing caldera which formed 7700 ¹⁴C b.p. As indicated by 32 ¹⁴C determinations on buried soils and charcoal, the volcano has gone through two major cycles of activity, separated by a 2300 year period of repose. The first cycle can be divided into two stages (6100–5100 and 4300–2800 b.p.). The earlier stage began with especially intense eruptions of basaltic andesite to dacite. The later stage was characterized by moderate-strength eruptions of andesite. The second cycle, which is characterized by weak to moderate intermittent eruptions of andesite, started 500 b.p. and continues to the present. Eruptive patterns suggest that this cycle may continue for at least another 200 years with an eruptive character similar to that of the recent past.     

Discussion on the atmospheric radiation tables byElsasser andCulbertson

Summary The radiation tables byElsasser andCulbertson [1]²) are based upon an integrated form of the radiative transfer equation. Unfortunately, a term dealing with the temperature dependency of the transmission function is left out. This leads to an inconsistency of their analysis. It is the aim of this paper to correct and to modifyElsasser's graphical-numerical procedure such as to make his treatment internally consistent.     

Der Jahresrhythmus des Luftdrucks in den Alpen

Summary By means of charts of distribution of amplitude and phase of the first term of harmonic series of the annual pressure variation in the Alps it is shown that it represents a wave which by increasing her amplitude progresses from the outside to the central part of the mountains. Essentially it illustrates the annual process of heating. In renewing earlier studies byConrad about the average change of the annual pressure variation with height illustrated by harmonic dial the altitude of reversing of the sign of this variation is found surprisingly smaller in the Alps than in other regions of the earth probably on account of the maritime influence.     

A determination of the wind-driven ocean circulation from the vorticity budget of the atmosphere

Summary The annual mean distribution of the surface stress curl over the Northern Hemisphere has been estimated from the horizontal vorticity advection in the atmosphere by using the upper-wind statistics as published byCrutcher [2]³). The results are used to compute the wind-driven mass transport (Sverdrup transport) in North Atlantic and North Pacific. The calculated intensity of the Gulf Stream is largest at the latitude 35°N, where a mass transport of 45×10⁶ tons sec^–1 is obtained; for the maximum intensity of the Kuroshio current a value of 60×10⁶ tons sec^–1 is obtained.Research supported in part by the Section of Atmospheric Sciences, National Science Foundation, Grant GP-2561.The research for this study was started by the author at the Department of Meteorology and Oceanography, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.     

The thermal diffusivity of red sandy soil at Waltair

Summary The study of heat exchanges or temperature changes in the surface layers of the soil are important in agricultural science at tropical latitudes. The quantity, thermal diffusivity largely determines the temperature change produced in any layer of the soil when heat is conducted there from an adjacent layer. Therefore, the authors have determined the thermal diffusivity of the soil from range and lag methods suggested byJohnson andDavies [15]²) andCoutis [7] respectively. The values of diffusivity cbtained from these methods agree well with each other. The effect of soil moisture on diffusivity has been studied. The diffusivity increases with the increase of moisture in the surface layers of the scil. The ratio of ranges of soil temperature at different depths is found to be approximately constant which is in agreement with the theory of heat flow into the soils. The results of diffusivity obtained from these methods agree well with those results of past workers. The mean value of the thermal diffusivity of red sandy soil at the experimental site of Waltair is found to be 6.336×10^–3 cm²/sec.     

Propagation of Love type waves in a non-homogeneous layer lying over a vertically semi-infinite homogeneous isotropic medium

Summary The aim of this paper is to study the propagation of love-type waves in a homogeneous half-space overlain by a heterogeneous crust with various types of heterogenety. Frequency equations are obtained in each of the cases and numerical calculations are done in some cases and the results thus obtained are compared with those done byJeffreys andMitra [3]²).     

Directional permeability of porous media to homogeneous fluids

Summary Investigations have shown that in groundwater- and oil-bearing strata there are preferential directions of flow that are often maintained over wide areas.Johnson & Hughes (1948, see Ref.) analysed a series of oil well cores by cutting them into small horizontal plugs and they obtained directional permeabilities which they plotted in the form of polar graphs. They were not able to give a physical explanation of this phenomenon. On the other hand, there exists a theory of permeability in which the latter is represented as a symmetric tensor. This theory has been developed byFerrandon (1948, see Ref.), but no experimental substantiation of it seems ever to have been attempted.In the present paper, the author undertakes to compare the two sets of findings. FromFerrandon's theory, the directional permeabilities (denoted byk) corresponding to the experiments ofJohnson & Hughes are calculated and it is shown thatk ^–1/2 if plotted as polar graph, should form an ellipse. The data ofJohnson & Hughes are then are drawn. In this manner, a substantiation of the tensor theory ofFerrandon is obtained.

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Zusammenfassung Untersuchungen der Permeabilität von Grundwasser und Erdöl führenden Gesteinsschichten haben gezeigt, dass dieselbe in vielen Fällen richtungsabhängig ist. Hierbei bleibt die Richtung extremaler Permeabilität oft über weite Gebiete konstant.Johnson & Hughes untersuchten eine Reihe von Bohrkernen von Oelquellen auf Richtungsabhängigkeit der Permeabilität. Hierzu schnitten sie aus denselben kleine, waagrechte Stücke, bestimmten deren Permeabilität und stellten das Ergebnis ihrer Messungen in der Form von Permeabilitätspolardiagrammen dar. Sie waren nicht im Stande, eine theoretische Erklärung der erhaltenen Kurven zu geben. Auf der anderen Seite existiert eine Theorie der Permeabilität, wobei die letztere als symmetrischer Tensor behandelt wird. Diese Theorie wurde vonFerrandon vorgeschlagen; es scheint aber, dass keine experimentelle Bestätigung davon je versucht worden ist.In der vorliegenden Arbeit vergleicht der Verfasser die zwei Typen von Untersuchungen. Nach derFerrandon'schen Theorie wird die «gerichtete» Permeabilität (mitk bezeichnet), die den Experimenten vonJohnson & Hughes entspricht, berechnet. Es wird gezeigt, dassk ^–1/2, als Polardiagramm dargestellt, die Gestalt einer Ellipse haben sollte. Die Resultate vonJohnson & Hughes werden dann in die Form vonk ^–1/2 umgerechnet und als entsprechende Polardiagramme dargestellt. In dieser Weise wird eine experimentelle Bestätigung der Tensortheorie vonFerrandon erhalten.

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Published by Permission of Imperial Oil Limited, Calgary, Alberta (Canada).     

Displacement due to impulsive loadings on the surface of elastic half-space

Summary The displacement due to vertical impulsive load has been obtained by function theoretic method. Graphs have been drawn for horizontal as well as for vertical displacement. It has been shown thatPekeris's [12]²) method is easier to apply than that ofCagniard [2] for the same purpose.     

Resolution of tidal high water anomaly

Summary As a preliminary calculation of the Equilibrium Theory of Tides, a fictitious Earth-Moon configuration is analyzed byThomson andTait [1]²), in which non-sphericity of oceans is attributed to the attraction exerted by a stationary Moon. A rise of level is found at the which Earth-Moon orbital motion is accounted. This feature, which is utterly contradictory to fact according toG. H. Darwin [2] prompted him to remark that the equilibrium theory is nearly as much wrong as possible, in respect to the time of high water. An elementary analysis is given which, in demonstrating an exactly opposite finding, suggests a manner of removing one of the long-standing obscurities of the Laplace theory, remarked upon byHough andAiry, and in recent times byC. Eckart [3].     

Experimentelle Untersuchungen über die Erzeugung von Salzteilchen aus den Meeren

Zusammenfassung Die für die Erzeugung von Salzteilchen aus dem Meer wesentlichen Vorg?nge werden untersucht, wobei die Teilchen nachVittori nachgewiesen und vermessen werden. Es zeigt sich, dass Zerplatzen von aufsteigenden Luftblasen allein wenig wirksam ist. Dagegen nimmt die erzeugte Teilchenzahl mit wachsender Zersprühgeschwindigkeit rasch zu. Dichten von 10⁶ pro cm³ durchgeblasener Luft sind leicht realisierbar. Die Ergebnisse werden im Hinblick auf die für und wider dieK?hler’sche Hypothese vorgebrachten Argumente und auf die tats?chlichen Chloridgehalte der Atmosph?re diskutiert.

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Summary The processes essential for the production of salt-particles from the sea are investigated, the particles being identified and measured according toVittori. Bursting air bubbles are shown to be mostly ineffective. The number of produced particles increases rapidly with accelerating velocity of spraying. Populations of 10⁶ per cm³ of air blown through the water are possible. The results are discussed with regard to the arguments stated pro and contra the hypothesis ofK?hler and to the chlorid contents of the atmosphere.

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Résumé Les facteurs essentiels pour la production de particules de chlorure de sodium hors de la mer sont examinés en indiquant et mesurant les particules selon la méthode deVittori. L’éclatement des bulles d’air ascendant dans l’eau est démontré être peu efficace. Le nombre de particules produits s’augmente très vite, si la vélocité de jaillissement s’accro?t. On peut aisément réaliser des densités de 10⁶ par cm³ d’air soufflé. Les résultats sont discutés en vue des arguments constatés pro et contre l’hypothèse deK?hler et de la quantité de chlorure, contenue effectivement dans l’atmosphère.

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Dr.W. Rau, Max-Planck-Institut für Physik der Stratosph?re,Weissenau (Würtibg.).     

Lees's topographic correction in heat flow and the geothermal flux in Tasmania

Summary Lees's topographic correction for a simple idealized hill is discussed and extended to a monoclinal structure. It is valuable as giving very simply the order of magnitude of the correction. A number of new measurements of temperature in Tasmanian boreholes has been made and the previous rather high value of over 2 cal/cm² sec for the heat flux has been confirmed. The variation of thermal conductivity through the thickness of a differentiated tholeiite sheet has been measured and found to be in reasonably good agreement with values calculated from chemical and modal analyses.     

Rayleigh wave propagation in a two-layer anisotropic media

Summary The possibility of propagation of Rayleigh waves in an incompressible crust of constant density and rigidity varying exponentially with depth lying on a semi-infinite transversely isotropic base has been discussed in this paper. Frequency equation has been derived and numerical calculations are made. The result obtained in this case is compared with that ofNewlands [3]²) andDutta [4].     

A new measure of seismicity

Summary In this paper an attempt has been made to analyse the World shallow focus earth-quakes by the method ofGutenberg andRichter. Frequency-magnitude analysis of various earthquakes indicate that in the relation logN=a–b M, the ratio (b/a)^–1 satisfies fairly well the seismicity of a region and it is felt that this ratio may be used as a measure of seismicity for a given region.     

Quantitative estimates of interplate coupling inferred from outer rise earthquakes

Interplate coupling plays an important role in the seismogenesis of great interplate earthquakes at subduction zones. The spatial and temporal variations of such coupling control the patterns of subduction zone seismicity. We calculate stresses in the outer rise based on a model of oceanic plate bending and coupling at the interplate contact, to quantitatively estimate the degree of interplate coupling for the Tonga, New Hebrides, Kurile, Kamchatka, and Marianas subduction zones. Depths and focal mechanisms of outer rise earthquakes are used to constrain the stress models. We perform waveform modeling of body waves from the GDSN network to obtain reliable focal depth estimates for 24 outer rise earthquakes. A propagator matrix technique is used to calculate outer rise stresses in a bending 2-D elastic plate floating on a weak mantle. The modeling of normal and tangential loads simulates the total vertical and shear forces acting on the subducting plate. We estimate the interplate coupling by searching for an optimal tangential load at the plate interface that causes the corresponding stress regime within the plate to best fit the earthquake mechanisms in depth and location.We find the estimated mean tangential load over 125–200 km width ranging between 166 and 671 bars for Tonga, the New Hebrides, the Kuriles, and Kamchatka. This magnitude of the coupling stress is generally compatible with the predicted shear stress at the plate contact from thermal-mechanical plate models byMolnar andEngland (1990), andVan den Buekel andWortel (1988). The estimated tectonic coupling,F _tc , is on the order of 10¹²–10¹³ N/m for all the subduction zones.F _tc for Tonga and New Hebrides is about twice as high as in the Kurile and Kamchatka arcs. The corresponding earthquake coupling forceF _ec appears to be 1–10% of the tectonic coupling from our estimates. There seems to be no definitive correlation of the degree of seismic coupling with the estimated tectonic coupling. We find that outer rise earthquakes in the Marianas can be modeled using zero tangential load.