Observations of Alfvén Ionospheric Resonances on the Earth's Surface

The paper briefly reviews the preliminary results of observations of Alfvén ionospheric resonances performed in the northern Carpathian Mountains (south-eastern Poland) by the Cracow Schumann Resonances Group. The results confirm the simple models proposed recently by Lysak and Sentman.     

Investigation on the Site of the 2003 South Bomi (Tibet) M_S5.7 Earthquake

INTRODUCTIONAs registered by the seismic network of the China Earthquake Administration and the regionalnetworkof Xizang(Tibet) Autonomous Region,anMS5·7 earthquaketook place between Bomi countyand Medog county, Tibet on August 18 , 2003·The China Earthquake Administration sent anearthquake site investigation team to the stricken region immediately after the earthquake . Theinvestigationteamconsistedjointly of personnel fromthe Earthquake Administration of Xizang (Tibet)Autonomo…     

The effect of Razdol’naya River on the environmental state of Amur Bay (the Sea of Japan)

Seasonal variations in biogenic substances (nitrates, nitrites, ammonium, phosphates, and silicates), dissolved oxygen, dissolved organic matter, chlorophyll, humus, and suspended matter at seven stations on the Razdol’naya River are examined. Based on seasonal variations, the local sources of river water pollution by biogenic substances were identified. The annual and daily fluxes of biogenic substances through the Razdol’naya River into Amur Bay are calculated. A diffuse pollution source—agricultural fields in river valley—are shown to be the main source of biogenic substance fluxes. The vast hypoxia in the bottom water of Amur Bay, detected by the authors in 2007 and 2008, is supposed to be mostly caused by floods on the Razdol’naya R., which create favorable conditions of water blooming in Amur Bay in summer. The biomass of dead phytoplankton, experiencing microbiological decomposition and oxidation, causes hypoxia of bottom waters in the bay.     

Determining the origin of volcanic rocks in the mélange complex of Karangsambung based on the electrical resistivity imaging

An ENE-WSW-trending localized basalt-diabase outcrop along the SE margin of Luk Ulo Mélange Complex has been suggested as intrusive rocks cut through the Paleogene Totogan and Karangsambung formations. However, the absolute dating of the volcanics is older than the inferred relative age of the sedimentary formations, hence the in-situ intrusion theory is less likely. A subsurface imaging should delineate the possibility of the in-situ nature of volcanic rock by looking at the continuation of the rocks to the depth. In this study, we did a subsurface imaging by electrical resistivity method. The electrical resistivity surveys were conducted at 3 (three) lines across the ENE-WSW trend of the volcanic distribution. From those three measurements, we obtained three inversion models that present the distribution of the resistivity. We could differentiate between the high resistivity of volcanic rocks and the low resistivity of the clay-dominated sediments. Instead of the deep-rooted intrusions, the geometry of the volcanic rocks is concordant with the sedimentary strata. Since we do not observe any spatial continuity of the bodies, both laterally and vertically, the volcanic rocks might be part of broken intrusive rocks. Furthermore, the size and the sporadically distributed of the rocks also indicated that they are more likely as fragments during the olistostrome deposition, transported from its original location.     

Geoelectrical structure of the central zone of Piton de la Fournaise volcano (Réunion)

 A study of the geoelectrical structure of the central part of Piton de la Fournaise volcano (Réunion, Indian Ocean) was made using direct current electrical (DC) and transient electromagnetic soundings (TEM). Piton de la Fournaise is a highly active oceanic basaltic shield and has been active for more than half a million years. Joint interpretation of the DC and TEM data allows us to obtain reliable 1D models of the resistivity distribution. The depth of investigation is of the order of 1.5 km but varies with the resistivity pattern encountered at each sounding. Two-dimensional resistivity cross sections were constructed by interpolation between the soundings of the 1D interpreted models. Conductors with resistivities less than 100 ohm-m are present at depth beneath all of the soundings and are located high in the volcanic edifice at elevations between 2000 and 1200 m. The deepest conductor has a resistivity less than 20 ohm-m for soundings located inside the Enclos and less than 60–100 ohm-m for soundings outside the Enclos. From the resistivity distributions, two zones are distinguished: (a) the central zone of the Enclos; and (b) the outer zone beyond the Enclos. Beneath the highly active summit area, the conductor rises to within a few hundred meters of the surface. This bulge coincides with a 2000-mV self-potential anomaly. Low-resistivity zones are inferred to show the presence of a hydrothermal system where alteration by steam and hot water has lowered the resistivity of the rocks. Farther from the summit, but inside the Enclos, the depth to the conductive layers increases to approximately 1 km and is inferred to be a deepening of the hydrothermally altered zone. Outside of the Enclos, the nature of the deep, conductive layers is not established. The observed resistivities suggest the presence of hydrated minerals, which could be found in landslide breccias, in hydrothermally altered zones, or in thick pyroclastic layers. Such formations often create perched water tables. The known occurrence of large eastward-moving landslides in the evolution of Piton de la Fournaise strongly suggests that large volumes of breccias should exist in the interior of the volcano; however, extensive breccia deposits are not observed at the bottom of the deep valleys that incise the volcano to elevations lower than those determined for the top of the conductors. The presence of the center of Piton de la Fournaise beneath the Plaine des Sables area during earlier volcanic stages (ca. 0.5 to 0.150 Ma) may have resulted in broad hydrothermal alteration of this zone. However, this interpretation cannot account for the low resistivities in peripheral zones. It is not presently possible to discriminate between these general interpretations. In addition, the nature of the deep conductors may be different in each zone. Whatever the geologic nature of these conductive layers, their presence indicates a major change of lithology at depth, unexpected for a shield volcano such as Piton de la Fournaise. Received: 3 November 1999 / Accepted: 15 September 1999     

Impacts of in-stream aggregate mining on the distributary channels of the alluvial fans of Tafí valley (Northwest Argentina)

In-stream mining is a common aggregate mining practice around the world. However, the impacts of such practice are not always taken into account when the mines are established, and the environmental cost of in-stream aggregate mining is generally not assessed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impacts of aggregate mining conducted in La Puerta River (Tafí valley, Northwest Argentina), a dry-pit in-stream mine, by considering the geomorphological, geoarchaeological, and human effects. Multitemporal analysis of the area using remote sensors (aerial photographs and satellite images 1970–2020), high-resolution drone digital elevation models and orthomosaics (2018–2019), and an intensive survey demonstrated that the mining area grew exponentially between 2002 and 2020 under unregulated mining. As a result, this practice exerts great environmental impact, including channel section alterations and destabilization of riverbanks, soil loss, river profile changes, and the formation of lag deposits of discarded materials, thus increasing environmental hazard under unpredictable flows. Finally, this is a highly touristic area that has suffered substantial landscape degradation and irreversible archaeological damage.     

Variation temporelle de la dégradation spécifique du bassin versant de l'Oued Mouilah (nord-ouest Algérien) / Temporal variation of the specific sediment yield of the Wadi Mouilah basin (northwest Algeria)

Abstract

The temporal variation in the specific sediment yield in the Wadi Mouilah basin in northwestern Algeria was determined using data obtained between 1977 and 1995. The results show that, contrary to previous estimations, the watershed is not subject to significant degradation. This is due to its lithology and configuration. The average specific sediment yield over 18 years of measurement is only 165 t km^?2 year^?1, of which, over 65% occurs in the autumn. Moreover, 97% of solid transport occurs during the brief floods whose peak discharge determines the liquid and solid contributions. Furthermore, the relationship between the flow and the specific sediment yield, at the annual level, highlights a significant departure from relationships suggested for watersheds similar to Wadi Mouilah.     

New paleontological evidence on time determination of the east part of the Eastern Kunlun Mélange and its tectonic significance

The area studied is located in the middle ofQinghai Province, at the south end of Qaidam Basinand the eastern part of the Eastern Kunlun Mountainsin Dulan County, Haixi Prefecture and Madoi County,Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Prov-ince (fig. 1). The area is situated tectonically in theeast of the Eastern Kunlun Mountains at the junctionof the Eastern Kunlun Orogenic Belt with the WesternQingling which is also the junction of the QaidamPlate with the South China Plat…     

Impact of space energetic particles on the Earth’s atmosphere (a review)

The state of the Earth??s upper atmosphere is formed with the participation of impacts by energetic particles, such as galactic cosmic rays, protons of solar proton events, and precipitation of relativistic electrons. Changes in the neutral composition and the thermal and dynamical regime of the upper atmosphere during periods of disturbances caused by the influence of energetic particles are considered.     

New findings on the tectono-metamorphic history of the western Rhenish Massif (Germany) by K–Ar dating of metasedimentary illite

Metapelites, clay-rich sandstones and volcanics from Cambrian, Ordovician and Lower Devonian strata of the western Rhenish Massif underwent a complex regional Variscan tectono-thermal evolution, as shown by mineralogical and K–Ar isotopic analyses of the illite to mica components from three NW-SE transects. The metamorphic degree extended from an anchimetamorphic to an epimetamorphic intensity during two major episodes of illite crystallization at 328 ± 6 and 282 ± 12 Ma. A further late orogenic or post-orogenic extensional activity could also be detected, but not precisely, around 270 Ma, probably recorded by the precipitation of illite in new or reactivated extensional faults with upward moving heat flows.     

Silicon isotope fractionation during the precipitation of quartz and the adsorption of H_4SiO_(4(aq))on Fe(Ⅲ)-oxyhydroxide surfaces

Equilibrium Si isotope fractionation factors among orthosilicic acid(i.e.,H4 Si O4(aq)), quartz and the adsorption complexes of H4 Si O4(aq)on Fe(III)-oxyhydroxide surface were calculated using the full-electron wave-function quantum chemistry methods [i.e., B3LYP/6-311G(2df,p)]with a new cluster-model-based treatment. Solvation effects were carefully included in our calculations via water-droplet method combined with implicit solvent models(e.g., PCM).The results revealed that, if it is under equilibrium conditions,heavy Si isotopes would be significantly enriched in quartz in comparison to H4 Si O4(aq). However, most of the field observations suggested that quartz would have identical or even depleted d30 Si values compared to that of H4 Si O4(aq). To explain this discrepancy between the equilibrium calculation results and the field observations, the kinetic isotope effect(KIE) associated with the formation of amorphous silica,which usually is the precursor of crystalline quartz, was investigated using quantum chemistry methods. The KIE results showed that amorphous silica would be significantly enriched in light Si isotopes during its formation. Our equilibrium fractionation results, however, matched a special type of quartz(i.e., Herkimer ‘‘diamond') very well, due to its nearly equilibrated precipitation condition. Opposite to the case of precipitated quartz, a large equilibrium Si isotope fractionation(i.e.,-3.0 %) was found between the absorbed bidentate Si surface complexes(i.e.,2C [ Fe2O2Si(OH)2) and H4 Si O4(aq). This calculated equilibrium Si isotope fractionation factor largely differed from a previous experimental result(ca.-1.08 %). We found that the formation of transient or temporary surface complexes [e.g.,1V [ Fe2OSi(OH)3] may have accounted for the smaller net fractionation observed.With the equilibrium and kinetic Si isotope fractionation factors provided here, the distributions and changes of Si isotope compositions in the Earth's surface systems can be better understood.     

Study on the characteristics of earthquake''''s impact on cities

Introduction With rapid development of national economy, urbanization has been speeded up in China, and several city groups or city belts with extra-large cities as their centers have been formed. For example, Pearl River Delta urbanized area surrounds Guangzhou City, Shenzhen City, Zhuhai City; Yangtze River Delta urbanized area surrounds Shanghai City, Suzhou City, Wuxi City, Nanjing City, Hangzhou City; Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan urbanized area surrounds Beijing City, Tianjin City…     

Research on the Characteristics of Large Earthquake Activity on the Active Tectonic Boundaries on the Chinese Mainland

INTRODUCTIONThe active blocks refer tothe geologic units that formedinlate Cenozoic (100 ~120 ka BP) andhave been highly active as fault zones since late Quaternary with relatively uniform motion styles(Zhang Guomin,et al .,2000 ;Zhang Peizhen,et al .,2003) .The active blocks are relativelyintactand have uniformmotion modalities ,their boundary zones (also called the active boundaries) are thelocalized or centralized zones of interactions and differential movement among the active block…     

A mechanism of Pc 1 pearl formation based on the Alfvén sweep maser

A self-consistent model for the generation of Pc 1 pearl emissions based on the nonlinear coupling between the magnetospheric and ionospheric resonators for Alfvén waves is considered. Formation of pearls is attributed to the pulsating regime of the Alfvén sweep maser with nonlinear selective mirrors. Such mirrors are formed by the conjugate ionospheres: their reflection coefficient has an oscillatory frequency dependence due to eigenmodes of the ionospheric Alfvén resonator. Nonlinear magnetosphere/ionosphere feedback is provided by the dependence of the value and frequency of the reflection maxima on the flux of energetic protons precipitated into the ionospheres in the course of Alfvén wave generation in the magnetosphere. A nonlinear soliton-like solution of this model is found which corresponds to a single wave packet having the positive frequency drift and oscillating between the conjugate ionospheres. Properties of this solution are shown to explain many observational characteristics of Pc 1 pearls, such as their morningside predominance, correlation with low magnetic activity, spatio-temporal and spectral patterns.     

Influence of the Aznalcóllar mining spill on the vertical distribution of heavy metals in sediments from the Guadalquivir estuary (SW Spain)

The Natural Park of Do?ana and the Guadalquivir estuary were impacted by the release of 6 million cubic meters of acid waste after the mine-tailing spill in Aznalcóllar (Andalusia, SW, Spain). Here is presented the monitoring of the accidental spill on vertical distribution of heavy metals in the estuarine sediments. The total concentration of six metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu), their chemical speciation and the organic carbon concentration were analyzed in sediment vertical profiles. The results obtained determine background levels similar to previously reported in the area. The analysis catalogues the impact of the accident on the estuary as acute and mainly associated with high concentrations of Zn and Cd. The recent enrichment in Zn and Cd and their geochemical association with the more mobile fractions of the sediment determine an environmental risk associated with the acute impact and detected in some of the areas of the estuary.     

Numerical simulation of the influence of lower-crustal flow on the deformation of the Sichuan-Yunnan Region

On the basis of distribution of active fault and regional rheological structure, a three-dimensional finite element model of Sichuan-Yunnan region, China, is constructed to simulate contemporary crustal motion and stress distri- bution and discuss the dynamic mechanism of crustal motion and deformation in the Sichuan-Yunnan region. Lin- ear Maxwell visco-elastic model is applied, which includes the active fault zones, the elastic upper crust and vis- cous lower crust and upper mantle. Four different models with different boundary conditions and deep structure are calculated. Some conclusions are drawn through comparison. Firstly, the crustal rotation about the eastern syntaxis of the Himalaya in the Sicuan-Yunnan region may be controlled by the special dynamic boundary condition. The drag force of the lower-crust on the upper crust is not negligible. At the same time, the main active fault zones play an important role in the contemporary crustal motion and deformation in Sichuan-Yunnan region.     

Caractérisation hydrogéochimique de la nappe du Continental Intercalaire (sud tunisien) / Hydrogeochemical characterization of the Continental Intercalaire aquifer (southern Tunisia)

Abstract

The study of the Continental Intercalaire aquifer system of southern Tunisia, based on the interpretation of geochemical (major elements) and isotopic (¹⁸O, ²H, ¹³C and ¹⁴C) data, has aided the understanding of the hydrodynamics of this multi-layer aquifer system, which is greatly influenced by tectonics. The determination of the origin of groundwater salinization and the understanding of the hydrogeological and geochemical behaviour of this aquifer were achieved by studying the correlation between the major elements and total mineralization (TDS). By using isotopic tools, it was shown that the water of this aquifer has been recharged under cooler, palaeoclimatic conditions. The technique also made it possible to better understand the hydrodynamic functioning of the aquifer system: it showed that the relatively recent recharge of the aquifer has been by direct infiltration from carbonate and sandy outcrops of the Cretaceous and Miocene, respectively, located in the eastern and northeastern parts of the aquifer. The ¹⁸O content was used to calculate the altitude of recharge basins. The isotopic gradient defined in this study is ?0.5 δ¹⁸O ‰/100 m.     

Finite-difference migration of the field of refracted waves in studies of the deep structure of the Earth’s crust and the upper mantle based on the DSS (on the example of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">DOBRE</Emphasis> profile)

The main results of deep seismic sounding (DSS) are usually presented in the form of high-velocity models of the medium. Some model examples and the international DOBRE profile have shown that the informativeness of the data obtained can be significantly enhanced by the construction of wave images of the Earth’s crust, based on the migration of refracted and wide-angle reflected waves. The Donets Basin Refraction/Reflection Experiment (DOBRE) profile crosses the Dnieper-Donets paleorift zone in the Donbas region. Along the profile, refracted waves from the basement and the upper mantle and the reflections from the crust basement (the M boundary) are reliably traced. This wave migration has been used to construct a wave image of the structure of the Earth’s crust. As a result, a clear seismic image of the basement surface, whose depth changes along the profile from 0 to 20 km, was obtained. In near-slope parts of the basin, several major faults were identified that had not been identified previously during standard kinematic data processing. It is shown that the crust-upper mantle transition zone is a clearly reflective horizon only within the crystalline massifs; under a depression, it is represented by a lens-shaped highly-heterogeneous area. As shown in the model examples, the images obtained using such a migration accurately reflect the structural features of the medium, in spite of its complicated structure.     

Study on the correlativity of earthquakes impact on cities

Introduction With rapid development and advancement of economy and society, lots of city groups or city belts with ex-tra-large cities as their centers have been formed in China. The regions these city groups lie in usually have well-developed economy, dense population, and are regional politics and culture centers. Some groups lie in the regions with high level of earthquake activity, such as the Surrounding Capital City Group with the centers of Bei-jing and Tianjin. Once a large earthqua…     

Anomalous directions and paleointensity of the geomagnetic field based on paleomagnetic investigations of rocks from the Karadzha Range (Azerbaijan) of the age 45–20 ka

Paleomagnetic investigations of marine and subaqueous deposits in the 12-meter marine terrace of a section of the Karadzha Range (Azerbaijan) are performed. These deposits correspond to OI stage 3 and encompass the time interval ～45–20 ka. Four anomalous deviations of the magnetization from the dipole field at the sampling site are recorded in the upper and lower transgressive members of deposits. Investigations of the influence of the anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility (AMS) on directions of the natural remanent magnetization (NRM) showed that only three of the four identified intervals can actually reflect geomagnetic field changes. The fourth interval of the anomalous NRM behavior is recorded in samples demonstrating the presence of the identified AMS direction pointing to a possible deformation of layers, which could turn the NRM vector toward the direction of the acting factor. Based on the age of the terrace under investigation, three other anomalous horizons could correspond to heavily reduced records of the Mono and Lashamp excursions of the geomagnetic field.