WALTER B. LANGBEIN (1907–1982)

ABSTRACT

Lake-sediment-based estimates of sediment yield are calculated from a ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs chronology for the period 1765–1983 for a small lake-catchment in the English Midlands. Based on a multiple coring exercise, synchronous sedimentation levels are identified on the basis of mineral magnetism because of the lack of a visual stratigraphy. The rates of sediment accumulation are adjusted for outflow losses, biogenic precipitation and atmospheric fallout and results are considered to reflect accurately sediment yields for the area. At best, these yields are averaged over 4–5 years in the recent past, and 50–60 years in previous centuries. It is suggested that analysis of sediment yields over the last 218 years provides data covering one of the most dramatic periods of change as a result of human activity and covers intermediate timescales often ignored in hydrological studies because they fall beyond the scope of direct process monitoring.     

In memory of G.P. Kalinin (1916–1975)

Chronicles

In memory of G.P. Kalinin (1916–1975)     

The July–August 2001 eruption of Mt. Etna (Sicily)

The July–August 2001 eruption of Mt. Etna stimulated widespread public and media interest, caused significant damage to tourist facilities, and for several days threatened the town of Nicolosi on the S flank of the volcano. Seven eruptive fissures were active, five on the S flank between 3,050 and 2,100 m altitude, and two on the NE flank between 3,080 and 2,600 m elevation. All produced lava flows over various periods during the eruption, the most voluminous of which reached a length of 6.9 km. Mineralogically, the 2001 lavas fall into two distinct groups, indicating that magma was supplied through two different and largely independent pathways, one extending laterally from the central conduit system through radial fissures, the other being a vertically ascending eccentric dike. Furthermore, one of the eccentric vents, at 2,570 m elevation, was the site of vigorous phreatomagmatic activity as the dike cut through a shallow aquifer, during both the initial and closing stages of the eruption. For 6 days the magma column feeding this vent was more or less effectively sealed from the aquifer, permitting powerful explosive and effusive magmatic activity. While the eruption was characterized by a highly dynamic evolution, complex interactions between some of the eruptive fissures, and changing eruptive styles, its total volume (~25×10 ⁶ m ³ of lava and 5–10×10 ⁶ m ³ of pyroclastics) was relatively small in comparison with other recent eruptions of Etna. Effusion rates were calculated on a daily basis and reached peaks of 14–16 m ³ s ^-1, while the average effusion rate at all fissures was about 11 m ³ s ^-1, which is not exceptionally high. The eruption showed a number of peculiar features, but none of these (except the contemporaneous lateral and eccentric activity) represented a significant deviation from Etna's eruptive behavior in the long term. However, the 2001 eruption could be but the first in a series of flank eruptions, some of which might be more voluminous and hazardous. Placed in a long-term context, the eruption confirms a distinct trend, initiated during the past 50 years, toward higher production rates and more frequent eruptions, which might bring Etna back to similar levels of activity as during the early to mid seventeenth century.     

Seismicity study in Pournari reservoir area (W. Greece) 1981–2010

The spatial-temporal evolution of seismicity is examined, during the initial impoundment of Pournari reservoir located on Arachthos River (Western Greece), as well as for the next 30 years. The results show that, despite the relatively moderate-to-high seismicity from west to east, there is no remarkable earthquake in the vicinity before the first reservoir impoundment. Immediately after the impoundment (January 1981), and during the first 4 months, a considerable number of low-magnitude seismic events were recorded in the broader area of the dam. Moreover, two independent major events occurred on March 10, 1981 (M _L ?=?5.6) and April 10, 1981 (M _L ?=?4.7) with focal depths 13 and 10 km, respectively. The detailed analysis of the two corresponding aftershock sequences shows that they present different behaviors (e.g., larger b-value and lower magnitude of the main aftershock) than that of other aftershock sequences in Greece. This seismicity is probably due to triggering, via the water loading mechanism and the undrained response due to a flysch appearance on the reservoir basement. The activation of the thrust fault may be attributed to the bulging of evaporites that characterize the disordered structure of W. Greece, via possible water intake. The detailed processing of the recorded seismicity during the period 1982–2010, in comparison with the variations of Pournari Dam water level, shows an increase of shallow seismicity (h?≤?5 km) in the vicinity of the reservoir up to a 10-km distance—in contrast to the initial period, characterized by a number of deeper events due to the background response change from undrained to drained status.     

A. I. H. S. 1957–1960

Abstract

This study was made to define the relation between floods in a humid region and the causative factors that account for their variability. The study covered the basic relationships between peak discharges and hydrologic factors as well as the practical working methods for generalizing the results on a regional basis. Statistical multiple-correlation techniques were applied to hydrologic data in New England. A field and library investigation of historical flood data extended the period of flood knowledge to as much as 300 years. The relation of many topographic and climatic factors to flood peaks was tested. Flood peaks with recurrence intervals at 9 levels, from 1.2 to 300 years, were related to 6 independent variables, 3 of which are topographic, 2 climatic, and 1 orographic.     

Leonid Semenovich Yazvin (1933–2005)

Chronicle

Leonid Semenovich Yazvin (1933–2005)     

1988年沃尔多.E.史密斯奖章授予菲利普.H.艾布尔森(授奖词)

授予菲利普.H.艾布尔森(Philip HaugeAbelson)的史密斯奖章是为纪念把毕生精力都献给了科学,特别是地球物理学的两位科学家而设立的。艾布尔森对科学的贡献,包括他个人的研究工作,任《科学》杂志编辑期间的卓越的工作,以及他曾任美国地球物理联合会会长等都是众人皆知的。但是人们可能还不太知道他在把《地球物理研究》(JGR)杂志创办成为美国地球物理联合会的主要杂志和世界主要的地球物理编年史中所起的作用。在50年代中期,随着国际地球物理年来临,美国地球物理联合会的成员可在诸如地震学会、美国气象学会、勘探地球物理学会之类的一些组织的专刊或美国地球物理联合会学报等专业杂志上发表文章。这些学报试图起到多