各向异性介质中的AVO

分析了横向各向同性和方位各向异性介质的本构关系,由此讨论弹性波在两种各向异性介质中的传播特点,提出可表征这两种介质各向异性程度的广义参数．以此为基础讨论了两种各向异性介质中存在水平界面时的反射系数近似式,将Dely等人推导的横向各向同性介质中的反射系数公式推广到方位各向异性介质的主轴方向上．根据算例讨论修正的Banik和Thomsen的近似式,着重分析两种各向异性介质中的AVO关系及其对实际勘探的影响和指导意义．     

Stationary magnetospheric convection on November 24, 1981. 1. A case study of “pressure gradient/minimum-B” auroral arc generation

We present two case studies in the night and evening sides of the auroral oval, based on plasma and field measurements made at low altitudes by the AUREOL-3 satellite, during a long period of stationary magnetospheric convection (SMC) on November 24, 1981. The basic feature of both oval crossings was an evident double oval pattern, including (1) a weak arc-type structure at the equatorial edge of the oval/polar edge of the diffuse auroral band, collocated with an upward field-aligned current (FAC) sheet of ≈1.0 μA m⁻², (2) an intermediate region of weaker precipitation within the oval, (3) a more intense auroral band at the polar oval boundary, and (4) polar diffuse auroral zone near the polar cap boundary. These measurements are compared with the published magnetospheric data during this SMC period, accumulated by Yahnin et al. and Sergeev et al., including a semi-empirical radial magnetic field profile B_Z in the near-Earth neutral sheet, with a minimum at about 10–14 R_E. Such a radial B_Z profile appears to be very similar to that assumed in the “minimum B/cross-tail line current” model by Galperin et al. (GVZ92) as the “root of the arc”, or the arc generic region. This model considers a FAC generator mechanism by Grad-Vasyliunas-Boström-Tverskoy operating in the region of a narrow magnetic field minimum in the near-Earth neutral sheet, together with the concept of ion non-adiabatic scattering in the “wall region”. The generated upward FAC branch of the double sheet current structure feeds the steady auroral arc/inverted-V at the equatorial border of the oval. When the semi-empirical B_Z profile is introduced in the GVZ92 model, a good agreement is found between the modelled current and the measured characteristics of the FACs associated with the equatorial arc. Thus the main predictions of the GVZ92 model concerning the “minimum-B” region are consistent with these data, while some small-scale features are not reproduced. Implications of the GVZ92 model are discussed, particularly concerning the necessary conditions for a substorm onset that were not fulfilled during the SMC period.     

Reassembling the Paleogene–Eocene North Atlantic igneous province: New paleomagnetic constraints from the Isle of Mull, Scotland

The paleomagnetic data sets from the British Tertiary Igneous Province (BTIP) have recently been criticized as being unreliable and discordant with data from elsewhere in the North Atlantic Igneous Province (NAIP) [Riisager et al. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 201 (2002) 261–276; Riisager et al. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 214 (2003) 409–425]. We offer new paleomagnetic data for the extensive lava flow sequence on the Isle of Mull, Scotland, and can confirm the paleomagnetic pole positions emanating from important earlier studies. Our new north paleomagnetic pole position for Eurasia at 59 ± 0.2 Ma has latitude 73.3°N, longitude 166.2°E (dp/dm = 5.2/7.0).A re-evaluation and an inter-comparison of the paleomagnetic database emanating from the NAIP were carried out to test for sub-province consistency. We find a general agreement between the Eurasian part of NAIP (BTIP and Faeroes) and East Greenland data. However a compilation of West Greenland data displays a large and unexplained dispersion. We speculate on if this is related to different sense of block rotation of the Tertiary West Greenland constituents. Combining all data from the NAIP constituents, give a pole position at 75.0°N, 169.9°E (N = 25, K = 84.3, A₉₅ = 3.2) in Eurasian reference frame.     

Crustal shear-wave splitting in the epicentral zone of the 2001 Mw 7.7 Bhuj earthquake, Gujarat, India

We report here crustal shear-wave anisotropy, ranging from 1% to 10.76% with an average of 2.4% in the aftershock zone of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake, Gujarat, India, from a study of leading shear-wave polarization directions (LPSDs), which vary on average from NNW–SSE to E–W with a delay of 0.07–0.14 s. The delays in the NNW–SSE to NE–SW directions observed at seven stations, near the seismogenic fault, suggest cracks parallel to the direction of the maximum horizontal regional compressional stress prevailing in the region, suggesting a dilatancy-induced anisotropy resulting from approximately stress-aligned parallel vertical micro-cracks. In contrast, the LPSDs at Ramvav, Rapar and Vondh stations, away from the seismogenic fault, are fault parallel, approximately E–W and almost orthogonal to the stress-aligned polarizations inferred elsewhere. The maximum average time delay of 0.14 s is observed at Lodai, where the fast polarization direction is found to be N338°W. This has been observed from anisotropic poro-elastic (APE) modelling and observations that these are 90° flips in shear-wave polarization, resulting from propagation through micro-cracks containing fluids at critically high pore-fluid pressure surrounding the hypocenter of the 2001 mainshock. The presence of high pore-fluid pressure in the seismogenic fault zone could also explain the observed scatter in shear-wave time delays. Further, the coincidence of the N–S trending intrusive bodies (as inferred from tomographic studies in the area) with the N–S direction of regional maximum horizontal compressional stress supports the interpretation of stress-aligned vertical extensive-dilatant anisotropic (EDA) cracks. The depth distribution of the estimated anisotropy (1–10.76%), b-values and stress drop values suggests an increase at 18–30 km depths, which could be attributed to high pore-fluid pressures resulting from a fluid-filled fractured rock matrix or open micro-cracks (characterized by high crack density and high porosity) coinciding with a low velocity zone (at 18–30 km depths) as delineated from tomographic studies in the area.     

Diurnal sea breeze effects on inner-shelf cross-shore exchange

Cross-shore exchange by strong (cross-shore wind stress, τ_sx>0.05 Pa) diurnal (7–25 h) sea breeze events are investigated using two years of continuous wind, wave, and ocean velocity profiles in 13 m water depth on the inner-shelf in Marina, Monterey bay, California. The diurnal surface wind stress, waves, and currents have spectral peaks at 1, 2, and 3 cpd and the diurnal variability represents about 50% of the total variability. During sea breeze relaxation (−0.05<τ_sx<0.05 Pa), a background wave-driven inner-shelf Eulerian undertow profile exists, which is equal and opposite to the Lagrangian Stokes drift profile, resulting in a net zero Lagrangian transport at depth. In the presence of a sea breeze (τ_sx>0.05 Pa), a uniform offshore profile develops that is different from the background undertow profile allowing cross-shore Lagrangian transport to develop, while including Lagrangian Stokes drift. The diurnal cross-shore current response is similar to subtidal (>25 h) cross-shore current response, as found by Fewings et al. (2008). The seasonality of waves and winds modify the diurnal sea breeze impact. It is suggested that material is not transported cross-shore except during sea breeze events owing to near zero transport during relaxation periods. During sea breeze events, cross-shore exchange of material appears to occur onshore near the surface and offshore near the sea bed. Since sea breeze events last for a few hours, the long-term cross-shore transport is incremental each day.     

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Daya Bay, China: An in situ study of primary production and environmental impacts

A month-long investigation of phytoplankton biomass and primary production (PP) was carried out during a harmful algal bloom (HAB) in Daya Bay, China, in 2003. During the bloom, the phytoplankton community was dominated by Scrippsiella trochoidea and Chattonella marina. The phytoplankton biomass (Chl a) and PP reached peak levels of 519.21 mg m⁻³ and 734.0 mgC m⁻³ h⁻¹, respectively. Micro-phytoplankton was the key contributor to Chl a and PP in a cage-culture area and in the adjacent HAB-affected waters, with percentages of up to 82.91% and 84.94%, respectively. The HAB had complicated relationships with hydrological and meteorological factors in Daya Bay. However, the water around the cage-culture area always showed statistically greater phytoplankton biomass and nutrient loadings than in adjacent waters, suggesting that this was the “trigger area” of the bloom. The spatial and temporal distribution of diverse HABs in Daya Bay, their ecological characteristics, and their environmental impacts are also discussed in this paper.     

A method for inversion of layered shear wavespeed azimuthal anisotropy from Rayleigh wave dispersion using the Neighborhood Algorithm

Seismic anisotropy provides important constraints on deformation patterns of Earth's material. Rayleigh wave dispersion data with azimuthal anisotropy can be used to invert for depth-dependent shear wavespeed azimuthal anisotropy, therefore reflecting depth-varying deformation patterns in the crust and upper mantle. In this study, we propose a two-step method that uses the Neighborhood Algorithm(NA) for the point-wise inversion of depth-dependent shear wavespeeds and azimuthal anisotropy from Rayleigh wave azimuthally anisotropic dispersion data. The first step employs the NA to estimate depthdependent VSV(or the elastic parameter L) as well as their uncertainties from the isotropic part Rayleigh wave dispersion data. In the second step, we first adopt a difference scheme to compute approximate Rayleigh-wave phase velocity sensitivity kernels to azimuthally anisotropic parameters with respect to the velocity model obtained in the first step. Then we perform the NA to estimate the azimuthally anisotropic parameters Gc/L and Gs/L at depths separately from the corresponding cosine and sine terms of the azimuthally anisotropic dispersion data. Finally, we compute the depth-dependent magnitude and fast polarization azimuth of shear wavespeed azimuthal anisotropy. The use of the global search NA and Bayesian analysis allows for more reliable estimates of depth-dependent shear wavespeeds and azimuthal anisotropy as well as their uncertainties.We illustrate the inversion method using the azimuthally anisotropic dispersion data in SE Tibet, where we find apparent changes of fast axes of shear wavespeed azimuthal anisotropy between the crust and uppermost mantle.     

基于面波频散的三维横波速度方位各向异性层析成像方法

地震各向异性是反映地球内部介质特性的重要指针之一。常用的横波分裂法和二维面波方位各向异性层析成像方法很难准确反映各向异性随深度的变化。将与周期相关的区域化面波方位各向异性转换成与深度相关的一维横波速度方位各向异性可以弥补深度信息不足的缺陷。现有三维横波速度各向异性研究多是通过两步方法来实现的,即逐个周期二维面波方位各向异性层析成像以及逐个格点一维横波速度方位各向异性反演。这种分步反演的方式既不利于三维先验约束的引入,也不利于利用原始观测拟合误差对三维模型进行直接评估。因此本文开发了基于面波频散曲线的三维横波速度方位各向异性层析成像方法,并编制了相关正演和反演程序。为了检测方法和程序的有效性,我们对规律分布的三维检测板模型进行了模拟测试。测试结果显示:该方法可以很好地恢复各向同性波速异常、各向异性相对强度和快波方向等三维结构信息;而且反演模型相对于参考模型明显改善了对观测数据的拟合,降低了对观测数据的均方根误差。但对各向同性理论模型进行各向异性反演时,在波速均匀区可产生小于0.5%的假各向异性幅值,在波速非均匀区该假的各向异性幅值会更大,浅部可达3.5%。因此在实际应用中需要谨慎解释（浅部）非均匀区的各向异性结果。      

Geographic variations in shell growth rates of the mussel Diplodon chilensis from temperate lakes of Chile: Implications for biodiversity conservation

The Chilean lake district includes diverse lentic ecosystems along ca. 700 km of the country (36°–43°S), including the “Nahuelbutan lakes”, “Araucanian lakes” and “Chiloe lakes”. This area is recognized as an important “hot spot” of benthic freshwater biodiversity in Southern South America. In Chilean temperate lakes, increased nutrient loads of P and N caused eutrophication, particularly in the Nahuelbutan Lakes. The freshwater Hyriidae mussel Diplodon chilensis (Gray, 1828) which is one of the most abundant species in Chilean temperate lakes, is known to be very susceptible to eutrophication. This species presents a clear reduction in its geographic ranges and is considered to be a threatened species in many Chilean lakes. In this study, we used a correlative approach to determine how eutrophication-driven changes in the food supply and in geographical parameters of different Chilean lakes affected the shell growth rates of D. chilensis. The results obtained from sclerochronological analyses of the mussel shells suggest an association with a group of environmental variables, including geographical types (negative), such as latitude and altitude, and limnological types (positive), especially phosphorous and turbidity. However, the D. chilensis populations under extreme conditions of turbidity in eutrophic and hypertrophic lakes are extinct or nearly so. The high positive correlation of the mean D. chilensis growth rates with orthophosphate (R=0.76; P<0.05), in relation to dissolved inorganic nitrogen, suggests that P is the major limiting factor of the primary productivity in Chilean temperate lakes. We discuss some implications of our results in terms of the conservation of biodiversity in temperate lake ecosystems at different taxonomic levels.     

A reappraisal of shear wave splitting parameters from Italian active volcanic areas through a semiautomatic algorithm

Shear wave splitting parameters represent a useful tool to detail the stress changes occurring in volcanic environments before impending eruptions. In the present paper, we display the parameter estimates obtained through implementation of a semiautomatic algorithm applied to all useful datasets of the following Italian active volcanic areas: Mt. Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei, and Mt. Etna. Most of these datasets have been the object of several studies (Bianco et al., Annali di Geofisica, XXXXIX 2:429–443, 1996, J Volcanol Geotherm Res 82:199–218, 1998a, Geophys Res Lett 25(10):1545–1548, 1998b, Phys Chem Earth 24:977–983, 1999, J Volcanol Geotherm Res 133:229–246, 2004, Geophys J Int 167(2):959–967, 2006; Del Pezzo et al., Bull Seismol Soc Am 94(2):439–452, 2004). Applying the semiautomatic algorithm, we confirmed the results obtained in previous studies, so we do not discuss in much detail each of our findings but give a general overview of the anisotropic features of the investigated Italian volcanoes. In order to make a comparison among the different volcanic areas, we present our results in terms of the main direction of the fast polarization (φ) and percentage of shear wave anisotropy (ξ).     

Azimuthal anisotropy of the Pg-wave velocity in hypocentral volumes of NW Croatia

Based on a large set of arrival times of the Pg phase reported by local and regional stations, we estimate azimuthal anisotropy of the Pg-wave velocity in focal volumes of the upper crust in NW Croatia. The method is based on analyses of the azimuthal dependence of ratios of cumulative differences of arrival times and travel paths between foci of earthquake pairs, computed for rays propagating within narrow azimuthal windows. The results clearly indicate the presence of anisotropy of 3.3% with the direction of fast velocity (approximately NNE-SSW) coinciding with the direction of the maximum tectonic pressure as revealed by 23 available focal mechanisms and previous geological investigations. Although a large part of observed anisotropy can be explained assuming that focal volumes are pervaded by a system of vertical extensive-dilatancy anisotropy (EDA) cracks aligned under the influence of local tectonic stress field, there is indication that — to a smaller extent — some role was also played by alignment of structural features in the region.     

Loading effect of a self-consistent equilibrium ocean pole tide on the gravimetric parameters of the gravity pole tides at superconducting gravimeter stations

The gravimetric parameters of the gravity pole tide are the amplitude factor δ, which is the ratio of gravity variations induced by polar motion for a real Earth to variations computed for a rigid one, and the phase difference κ between the observed and the rigid gravity pole tide. They can be estimated from the records of superconducting gravimeters (SGs). However, they are affected by the loading effect of the ocean pole tide. Recent results from TOPEX/Poseidon (TP) altimeter confirm that the ocean pole tide has a self-consistent equilibrium response. Accordingly, we calculate the gravity loading effects as well as their influence on the gravimetric parameters of gravity pole tide at all the 26 SG stations in the world on the assumption of a self-consistent equilibrium ocean pole tide model. The gravity loading effect is evaluated between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2006. Numerical results show that the amplitude of the gravity loading effect reaches 10⁻⁹ m s⁻², which is larger than the accuracy (10⁻¹⁰ m s⁻²) of a SG. The gravimetric factor δ is 1% larger at all SG stations. Then, the contribution of a self-consistent ocean pole tide to the pole tide gravimetric parameters cannot be ignored as it exceeds the current accuracy of the estimation of the pole tide gravity factors. For the nine stations studied in Ducarme et al. [Ducarme, B., Venedikov, A.P., Arnoso, J., et al., 2006. Global analysis of the GGP superconducting gravimeters network for the estimation of the pole tide gravimetric amplitude factor. J. Geodyn. 41, 334–344.], the mean of the modeled tidal factors δ_m = 1.1813 agrees very well with the result of a global analysis δ_CH = 1.1816 ± 0.0047 in that paper. On the other hand, the modeled phase difference κ_m varies from −0.273° to 0.351°. Comparing to the two main periods of the gravity pole tide, annual period and Chandler period, κ_m is too small to be considered. Therefore, The computed time difference κ_L induced by a self-consistent ocean pole tide produces a negligible effect on κ_m. It confirms the results of Ducarme et al., 2006, where no convincing time difference was found in the SG records.     

Upper mantle low anisotropy channels below the Pacific Plate

A new 3D anisotropic model has been obtained at a global scale by using a massive dataset of seismic surface waves. Though seismic heterogeneities are usually interpreted in terms of heterogeneous temperature field, a large part of lateral variations are also induced by seismic anisotropy of upper mantle minerals. New insight into convection processes can be gained by taking seismic anisotropy into account in the inversion procedure. The model is best resolved in the Pacific Plate, the largest and the most active tectonic plate. Superimposed on the large-scale radial (ξ parameter) and azimuthal anisotropy (of V_SV velocity) within and below the lithosphere, correlated with present or past Pacific Plate motions, are smaller-scale (<1000 km) lateral variations of anisotropy not predicted by plate tectonics. Channels of low anisotropy down to a depth of 200 km (hereafter referred to as LAC) are observed and are the best resolved anomalies: one east-west channel between Easter Island and the Tonga-Kermadec subduction zones (observed on both radial and azimuthal anisotropies) and a second one (only observed on azimuthal anisotropy) extending from the south-west Pacific up to south-east Hawaii, and passing through the Polynesia hotspot group for plate older than about 40 Ma. These features provide strong constraints on the decoupling between the plate and asthenosphere. They are presumably related to cracking within the Pacific Plate and/or to secondary convection below the rigid lithosphere, predicted by numerical and analog experiments. The existence and location of these LACs might be related to the current active volcanoes and hotspots (possibly plumes) in the Central Pacific. LACs, which are dividing the Pacific Plate into smaller units, might indicate a future reorganization of plates with ridge migrations in the Pacific Ocean.     

Al–Mg and Pb–Pb systematics of Allende CAIs: Canonical solar initial Al/Al ratio reinstated

The precise knowledge of the initial ²⁶Al/²⁷Al ratio [(²⁶Al/²⁷Al)₀] is crucial if we are to use the very first solid objects formed in our Solar System, calcium–aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) as the “time zero” age-anchor and guide future work with other short-lived radio-chronometers in the early Solar System, as well as determining the inventory of heat budgets from radioactivities for early planetary differentiation. New high-precision multi-collector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) measurements of ²⁷Al/²⁴Mg ratios and Mg-isotopic compositions of nine whole-rock CAIs (six mineralogically characterized fragments and three micro-drilled inclusions) from the CV carbonaceous chondrite, Allende yield a well-defined ²⁶Al–²⁶Mg fossil isochron with an (²⁶Al/²⁷Al)₀ of (5.23 ± 0.13) × 10^− 5. Internal mineral isochrons obtained for three of these CAIs (A44A, AJEF, and A43) are consistent with the whole-rock CAI isochron. The mineral isochron of AJEF with (²⁶Al/²⁷Al)₀ = (4.96 ± 0.25) × 10^− 5, anchored to our precisely determined absolute ²⁰⁷Pb–²⁰⁶Pb age of 4567.60 ± 0.36 Ma for the same mineral separates, reinstate the “canonical” (²⁶Al/²⁷Al)₀ of 5 × 10^− 5 for the early Solar System. The uncertainty in (²⁶Al/²⁷Al)₀ corresponds to a maximum time span of ± 20 Ka (thousand years), suggesting that the Allende CAI formation events were culminated within this time span. Although all Allende CAIs studied experienced multistage formation history, including melting and evaporation in the solar nebula and post-crystallization alteration likely on the asteroidal parent body, the ²⁶Al–²⁶Mg and U–Pb-isotopic systematics of the mineral separates and bulk CAIs behaved largely as closed-system since their formation. Our data do not support the “supra-canonical” ²⁶Al/²⁷Al ratio of individual minerals or their mixtures in CV CAIs, suggesting that the supra-canonical ²⁶Al/²⁷Al ratio in the CV CAIs may have resulted from post-crystallization inter-mineral redistribution of Mg isotopes within an individual inclusion. This redistribution must be volumetrically minor in order to satisfy the mass balance of the precisely defined bulk CAI and bulk mineral data obtained by MC-ICP-MS.The radiogenic ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratio obtained as a by-product from the Pb–Pb age dating is used to estimate time-integrated ²³²Th/²³⁸U ratio (κ value) of CAIs. Limited κ variations among the minerals within a single CAI, contrasted by much larger variations among the bulk CAIs, suggest Th/U fractionation occurred prior to crystallization of igneous CAIs. If interpreted as primordial heterogeneity, the κ value can be used to calculate the mean age of the interstellar dust from which the CAIs condensed.     

Anisotropic Measurements in the Rhinegraben Area and the French Massif Central: Geodynamic Implications

—As part of an integrated seismic study, polarization of shear waves has been analyzed for teleseismic events recorded at a set of permanent broadband, semi-permanent long- and short-period and temporary short-period seismological stations located in two geodynamically important areas in western Europe, namely the Rhinegraben-Urach area and the French Massif Central volcanic field.¶While for the semi-permanent and the permanent stations there is a good azimuthal coverage of teleseismic earthquakes which allowed us to investigate the azimuthal dependence and the spatial variation over short distances of an anisotropy direction, no even azimuthal distribution of teleseismic recordings with a clear elliptical (or linear) polarization of the S phases could be obtained in the case of the temporary stations.¶While the mean values of the splitting parameters φ and δt are geographically coherent for adjacent stations, our results show a large scatter of the individual splitting parameters for the set of events used. The magnitude of the splitting time suggests that the deformation extends below the lithosphere and that the thickness of the anisotropic structure is at least 100–200 km.¶For some stations located in the Rhinegraben-Urach area (ECH, RG-N, RG-S, RBG), the variations of φ are consistent with a two-layer anisotropic model as suggested by Vinnik et al. (1994) for the South German Triangle. For the stations ECH (Vosges mountains), RG-N and RG-S (Rhinegraben proper), the resulting estimates of fast direction are around N10°E–N30°E and N80°E–N100°E for the upper and lower layers, respectively. For the station RBG (Urach), the results are N60°E–N70°E and N125°E–N135°E, respectively.¶In the Rhinegraben-Urach area, the estimates of the effective fast direction for a one-layer model show a rotation from a graben-related (30°) pattern to an Alpine belt-related pattern in the eastern part (≈ E–W). In the French Massif Central region, the results reveal two distinct fast polarization patterns. While to the west of the Sillon Houiller, φ is parallel to this late-variscan transformlike fault zone and perpendicular to the variscan belt, it is to the east rather perpendicular to the Alpine belt. The results suggest a mixture of both a lithospheric and an asthenospheric component of the seismic anisotropy for the Rhinegraben-Urach as well as for the French Massif Central areas.     

Inversion approach for thermal data from a convecting hydrothermal system

Hydrothermal systems are often studied by collecting thermal gradient data and temperature/depth curves. These data contain important information about the flow field, the evolution of the hydrothermal system, and the location and nature of the ultimate heat sources. Thermal data are interpreted by the “forward” method; the thermal field is calculated based on selected initial conditions and boundary conditions such as temperature and permeability distributions. If the calculated thermal field matches the data, the chosen conditions are inferred to be possibly correct. Because many sets of initial conditions may produce similar thermal fields, users of the “forward” method may inadvertently miss the correct set of initial conditions. Analytical methods for “inverting” data also allow the determination of all the possible solutions consistent with the definition of the problem. In this paper we suggest an approach for inverting thermal data from a hydrothermal system, and compare it to the more conventional approach. We illustrate the difference in the methods by comparing their application to the Salton Sea Geothermal Field by Lau (1980a) and Kasameyer, et al. (1984). In this particular example, the inverse method was used to draw conclusions about the age and total rate of fluid flow into the hydrothermal system.     

Assigning land use to supply wells for the statistical characterization of regional groundwater quality: Correlating urban land use and VOC occurrence

Many national and regional groundwater studies have correlated land use “near” a well, often using a 500 m radius circle, with water quality. However, the use of a 500 m circle may seem counterintuitive given that contributing areas are expected to extend up-gradient from wells, and not be circular in shape. The objective of this study was to evaluate if a 500 m circle is adequate for assigning land use to a well for the statistical correlation between urban land use and the occurrence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Land use and VOC data came from 277 supply wells in four study areas in California. Land use was computed using ten different-sized circles and wedges (250 m to 10 km in radius), and three different-sized “searchlights” (1–2 km in length). We define these shapes as contributing area surrogates (CASs), recognizing that a simple shape is at best a surrogate for the actual contributing area. The presence or absence of correlation between land use and the occurrence of VOCs was evaluated using Kendall’s tau (τ). Values of τ were within 10% of one another for wedges and circles ranging in size from 500 m to 2 km, with correlations remaining statistically significant (p < 0.05) for all CAS sizes and shapes, suggesting that a 500 m circular CAS is adequate for assigning land use to a well. Additional evaluation indicated that urban land use is autocorrelated at distances ranging from 8 to 36 km. Thus, urban land use in a 500 m CAS is likely to be predictive of urban land use in the actual contributing area.     

Depth constraints on azimuthal anisotropy in the Great Basin from Rayleigh-wave phase velocity maps

We present fundamental-mode Rayleigh-wave azimuthally anisotropic phase velocity maps obtained for the Great Basin region at periods between 16 s and 102 s. These maps offer the first depth constraints on the origin of the semi-circular shear-wave splitting pattern observed in central Nevada, around a weak azimuthal anisotropy zone. A variety of explanations have been proposed to explain this signal, including an upwelling, toroidal mantle flow around a slab, lithospheric drip, and a megadetachment, but no consensus has been reached. Our phase velocity study helps constrain the three-dimensional anisotropic structure of the upper mantle in this region and contributes to a better understanding of the deformation mechanisms taking place beneath the western United States. The dispersion measurements were made using data from the USArray Transportable Array. At periods of 16 s and 18 s, which mostly sample the crust, we find a region of low anisotropy in central Nevada coinciding with locally reduced phase velocities, and surrounded by a semi-circular pattern of fast seismic directions. Away from central Nevada the fast directions are ～ N–S in the eastern Great Basin, NW–SE in the Walker Lane region, and they transition from E–W to N–S in the northwestern Great Basin. Our short-period phase velocity maps, combined with recent crustal receiver function results, are consistent with the presence of a semi-circular anisotropy signal in the lithosphere in the vicinity of a locally thick crust. At longer periods (28–102 s), which sample the uppermost mantle, isotropic phase velocities are significantly reduced across the study region, and fast directions are more uniform with an ～ E–W fast axis. The transition in phase velocities and anisotropy can be attributed to the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary at depths of ～ 60 km. We interpret the fast seismic directions observed at longer periods in terms of present-day asthenospheric flow-driven deformation, possibly related to a combination of Juan de Fuca slab rollback and eastward-driven mantle flow from the Pacific asthenosphere. Our results also provide context to regional SKS splitting observations. We find that our short-period phase velocity anisotropy can only explain ～ 30% of the SKS splitting times, despite similar patterns in fast directions. This implies that the origin of the regional shear-wave splitting signal is complex and must also have a significant sublithospheric component.     

Estimating azimuthal stress‐induced P‐wave anisotropy from S‐wave anisotropy using sonic log or vertical seismic profile data

Most sedimentary rocks are anisotropic, yet it is often difficult to accurately incorporate anisotropy into seismic workflows because analysis of anisotropy requires knowledge of a number of parameters that are difficult to estimate from standard seismic data. In this study, we provide a methodology to infer azimuthal P‐wave anisotropy from S‐wave anisotropy calculated from log or vertical seismic profile data. This methodology involves a number of steps. First, we compute the azimuthal P‐wave anisotropy in the dry medium as a function of the azimuthal S‐wave anisotropy using a rock physics model, which accounts for the stress dependency of seismic wave velocities in dry isotropic elastic media subjected to triaxial compression. Once the P‐wave anisotropy in the dry medium is known, we use the anisotropic Gassmann equations to estimate the anisotropy of the saturated medium. We test this workflow on the log data acquired in the North West Shelf of Australia, where azimuthal anisotropy is likely caused by large differences between minimum and maximum horizontal stresses. The obtained results are compared to azimuthal P‐wave anisotropy obtained via orthorhombic tomography in the same area. In the clean sandstone layers, anisotropy parameters obtained by both methods are fairly consistent. In the shale and shaly sandstone layers, however, there is a significant discrepancy between results since the stress‐induced anisotropy model we use is not applicable to rocks exhibiting intrinsic anisotropy. This methodology could be useful for building the initial anisotropic velocity model for imaging, which is to be refined through migration velocity analysis.     

An important source ofHe (andHe) in diamonds

A large data base has recently accumulated on the concentrations of helium isotopes in diamonds mined from various regions. It was noted earlier (Ozima et al. (1985) [1]; Lal et al. (1989) [2]) that the frequency distribution of the⁴He concentrations is a fairly narrow one, whereas that of³He concentrations is a broad one with no pronounced peaks. The ratios ³He/⁴He, on the other hand show a broad maximum around 2 R_a (R_a equals atmospheric ³He/⁴He ratio, = 1.40 × 10⁻⁶) with a slow decrease over two orders of magnitude on either side. Does this imply that the diamonds sample a wide variety of helium reservoirs having a range of ³He/⁴He ratios but somehow attain similar⁴He concentrations? We propose that in a majority of the diamonds studied,⁴He is primarily due to implantation of radiogenic alpha particles from the host material after emplacement in the crust, usually kimberlite, and that the concentrations of⁴He in diamonds often get appreciably altered by this process. Thus the⁴He trapped in the diamond at the time of its crystallization is usually overwhelmed by the implanted helium and the measured ³He/⁴He ratios do not generally correspond to any “sources” in the mantle. However, the implanted⁴He resides in the outer 16 μm of the diamond, and the intrinsic⁴He and ³He/⁴He ratios in the diamond can be studied if its outer layers are removed.The wider implications of diamond being the “target” material for nuclear reaction products from the host material are discussed. Radiogenic³He produced in the host material is also implanted in the diamond, but this contribution is small on a gross basis. However, since the depth of implantation of³He is greater than that of⁴He, some of the very high ³He/⁴He ratios observed in diamonds could be due to the “implantation” of radiogenic³He. The radiogenic reactions in the host material can also contribute to appreciable²¹Ne in diamonds.