Magnetic effects of sea tides

The tidal motion of sea water across the earth's magnetic field is known to induce small electric currents to flow in the oceans and the surrounding land. There has been recently a great deal of interest in this phenomenon. Here we consider a model ocean in the form of an infinitely long channel with a tidal wave passing along it. It is shown that for the lunar tidal frequency of 12.45 hours the solution of this problem for typical ocean depths exhibits characteristics which are essentially due to the high frequency. The solution therefore differs appreciably from low-frequency solutions which are therefore only applicable as models of the shallow seas. In our model we observe concentrations of electric current near the coast and phase changes relative to the oceanic tide. A new “equivalent field exclusion principle” is presented and used to explain some of the results we have obtained. The method used is simple and applies readily to waves of any frequency, and results are given for waves of higher frequencies. The amplitude and phase lag of the magnetic field of a channel simulating the Atlantic Ocean are discussed.     

Perturbation of regional ocean tides due to coastal dikes

The tidal regime modeling system for ocean tides in the seas bordering the Korean Peninsula is designed to cover an area that is broad in scope and size, yet provide a high degree of resolution in coastal development areas, including the Saemangeum area in the eastern Yellow Sea and the Ariake Sea in Japan, where serious environmental problems have occurred after the completion of interior tidal dikes. With this simulation system, we have estimated the changes in tidal regime due to barriers at Saemangeum and Isahaya Bay in the Ariake Sea. Some results in terms of perturbations in tidal elevations due to the construction of coastal dikes are presented and discussed.     

Magnetic fields in the Galaxy

Abstract

Methods of measuring magnetic field strengths in astrophysics are reviewed. These determine that a magnetic field of 2–3μG lies approximately along the local spiral arm of the Galaxy. Faraday rotation measures indicate that abrupt field reversals occur in a number of directions. At the centre of the Galaxy, the field is vertical, i.e. perpendicular to the plane of the Galaxy.     

Seismic waves due to storm over the sea: I

Summary Elastic wave propagation problem has been studied in the composite medium — a gravitating liquid layer overlying an elastic half-space. Assuming moving normal pressure load on the free surface, an attempt has been made to study the order of disturbance on the earth's surface. In the discussion asymptotic values of the displacement, components have been considered for small values of the parameter.     

Modelling magnetic fields due to steel drum accumulations

Modelling the magnetic fields produced by accumulations of steel drums is a problem that is relevant to the detection and evaluation of disposal sites containing materials that are potentially hazardous to the environment. Accurate modelling is possible with existing integral equation techniques but these are numerically intensive due to the need to solve very large systems of linear equations. Use of an approximate iterative technique for the solution of the equations (system iteration) allows the integral equation technique to be extended to modelling the magnetic effect of substantially large accumulations, comprising up to several hundred drums, on very moderate computing facilities. However, even this process remains time‐consuming and suggests the use of more rapid, if less accurate, modifications. Several are available. Surprisingly, quite reasonable results can also be achieved with a very basic approximation that represents each drum by a discrete dipole located at its centroid. The dipole moments are found from the magnetic behaviour of single drums exposed to a uniform inducing field, which can be conveniently defined by a dyadic drum apparent susceptibility. The basic discrete dipole model for drum accumulations can be substantially improved by using a first‐order accommodation of the depolarizing effect produced by the shape of the accumulation. All of the above modelling techniques require details of individual drum locations and orientation. This information is generally unavailable to geophysical practitioners involved in environmental surveys and so prompts the idea of models that represent drum accumulations as a continuous distribution of magnetization. The convenience of neglecting details of drum location and orientation comes at the cost of some loss in accuracy of the modelled responses. However, for accumulations buried sufficiently deep and in which the drums are uniformly distributed, the total field magnetic anomaly is found to be reasonably approximated by the effect of a continuous magnetization, expressible in terms of an effective isotropic susceptibility. Again, the basic model can be improved by the accommodation of demagnetization effects due to the shape of the accumulation.     

Cross-shelf transport into nearshore waters due to shoaling internal tides in San Pedro Bay, CA

In the summer of 2001, a coastal ocean measurement program in the southeastern portion of San Pedro Bay, CA, was designed and carried out. One aim of the program was to determine the strength and effectiveness of local cross-shelf transport processes. A particular objective was to assess the ability of semidiurnal internal tidal currents to move suspended material a net distance across the shelf. Hence, a dense array of moorings was deployed across the shelf to monitor the transport patterns associated with fluctuations in currents, temperature and salinity. An associated hydrographic program periodically monitored synoptic changes in the spatial patterns of temperature, salinity, nutrients and bacteria. This set of measurements show that a series of energetic internal tides can, but do not always, transport subthermocline water, dissolved and suspended material from the middle of the shelf into the surfzone. Effective cross-shelf transport occurs only when (1) internal tides at the shelf break are strong and (2) subtidal currents flow strongly downcoast. The subtidal downcoast flow causes isotherms to tilt upward toward the coast, which allows energetic, nonlinear internal tidal currents to carry subthermocline waters into the surfzone. During these events, which may last for several days, the transported water remains in the surfzone until the internal tidal current pulses and/or the downcoast subtidal currents disappear. This nonlinear internal tide cross-shelf transport process was capable of carrying water and the associated suspended or dissolved material from the mid-shelf into the surfzone, but there were no observation of transport from the shelf break into the surfzone. Dissolved nutrients and suspended particulates (such as phytoplankton) transported from the mid-shelf into the nearshore region by nonlinear internal tides may contribute to nearshore algal blooms, including harmful algal blooms that occur off local beaches.     

Beach water table fluctuations due to spring–neap tides: moving boundary effects

Tidal water table fluctuations in a coastal aquifer are driven by tides on a moving boundary that varies with the beach slope. One-dimensional models based on the Boussinesq equation are often used to analyse tidal signals in coastal aquifers. The moving boundary condition hinders analytical solutions to even the linearised Boussinesq equation. This paper presents a new perturbation approach to the problem that maintains the simplicity of the linearised one-dimensional Boussinesq model. Our method involves transforming the Boussinesq equation to an ADE (advection–diffusion equation) with an oscillating velocity. The perturbation method is applied to the propagation of spring–neap tides (a bichromatic tidal system with the fundamental frequencies ω₁andω₂) in the aquifer. The results demonstrate analytically, for the first time, that the moving boundary induces interactions between the two primary tidal oscillations, generating a slowly damped water table fluctuation of frequency ω₁−ω₂, i.e., the spring–neap tidal water table fluctuation. The analytical predictions are found to be consistent with recently published field observations.     

A theory of atmospheric tides generated by the differential heating between land and sea

Summary The differential heating between land and sea is incorporated into the theory of atmospheric tides. This involves the representation of the land and sea distribution by a set of Fourier series.The theory postulates the existence of waves of angular speeds different from the angular velocity of the earth with some of the waves travelling from West to East instead of the usual East to West.By considering the diurnal variation of eddy diffusion of heat energy absorbed close to the surface, the semidiurnal standing waves at the poles was calculated by the application of this theory. The order of magnitude of the calculated tides agreed well with observation, though, contrary to observation, the calculated amplitude at the South pole is larger than that at the North pole.It is also shown that the polar standing oscillation is caused mainly by the land and sea distribution between 75°N and 45°S.     

Contribution of the relative velocity between source and receivers to electromagnetic fields in the sea

The analysis of the primary electromagnetic fields caused by steady state or transient electric current flowing along a current loop moving with a constant velocity below the sea surface has several applications. It supports the analysis of submarine physical data and it is useful for protecting ships from the threat of sea mines. The usual approach to the solution for the primary field starts from a hertz vector potential in the frequency domain due to a magnetic dipole. Subsequently it employs Fourier, Laplace, and Hankel transforms to describe the time variation of the primary electromagnetic induced field due to a loop. The result is applicable to both shallow and deep sea water environments. Because of the difference in velocity between source and receiver, a careful application of the convolution integral is necessary in order to adapt the source pulse solution to any type of transmitting current waveform. Furthermore, since the scattered field represents a fraction of the primary field, even minor differences in it caused by the differential velocity renders inadequate interpretation of EMI data.     

Non-symmetrical levee breaching processes in a channel bend due to overtopping

A series of experiments were done to reveal the overtopping breaching process of non-cohesive and cohesive levees in a U-bend flume. The flood hydrograph and breaching geometry were measured and analyzed in detail. The results show that the levee breaching processes can be briefly divided into four stages: slope erosion, longitudinal headward gully-cutting, lateral erosion, and relative stabilization. For non-cohesive levees, non-symmetrical lateral development of the breach occurs throughout the four stages, and the final non-symmetrical coefficient is approximately 2.2–2.6. Larger flow discharge or higher water level can accelerate the breaching process, while coarser sands tend to accelerate the process initially but depress the process at the end. The fluvial erosion rate of a non-cohesive breach shows a power-function relation with the excess wall shear stress. For cohesive levees, a plateau forms in the breach partially blocking the flow in the first two stages. The breach flow is approximately perpendicular to the levee body, and, thus, the erosion rates of the two breach sides are almost the same. Non-symmetrical lateral development mainly occurs in the third stage when the deep gully forms. The final non-symmetrical coefficient is approximately 2.7–3.3. It is expected that these findings can provide a valuable experimental dataset and a theoretical basis for breach closure and flood alleviation.     

Magnetic topologies in the solar corona due to four discrete photospheric flux regions

Many dynamic phenomena in the solar corona are driven by the complex and ever-changing magnetic field. It is helpful, in trying to model these phenomena, to understand the structure of the magnetic field, i.e. the magnetic topology. We study here the topological structure of the coronal magnetic field arising from four discrete photospheric flux patches, for which we find that seven distinct, topologically stable states are possible; the changes between these are caused by six types of bifurcation. Two bifurcation diagrams are produced, showing how the changes occur as the relative positions and strengths of the flux patches are varied. A method for extending the analysis to higher numbers of sources is discussed.     

Numerical study on the influence of internal tides on tropical-cyclone-induced sea surface temperature cooling in the South China Sea

Ocean Dynamics - Sea surface temperature (SST) cooling is a typical ocean response to tropical cyclones (TCs). Previous studies have shown that TC-induced SST cooling is influenced by the TC...     

Numerical simulation of low-flow channel evolution due to sediment augmentation

For the conservation and restoration of river environment,a sediment replenishment technique, which conveys a part of the sediments excavated and/or dredged from reservoirs to the river below dams is developed and has been implemented tentatively in several dams.Sediments placed as replenishment can be flushed out and transported downstream by floodwater or dam releases.The flushed sediments are expected to contribute to the control of degradation and the variation of the low-flow channel.However,this technique is in the development stage because there are many unknown factors.Therefore,systematic investigations are necessary for practical management of the technique.In this study,the effects of the location of replenishment sediment on sediment flushing and on control of degradation were investigated by means of flume experiments.A two-dimensional numerical model was also developed to further investigate the effects of sediment augmentation on river restoration.The numerical model treats bank erosion and sediment transport over fixed beds. The simulation results were verified against the experimental results.The flushing process of replenishment sediment was investigated first,and then its effect as a countermeasure for river bed degradation was analyzed.Results are summarized as follows:(1) Augmentation at upper riffles is effective for flushing of replenishment sediment and variation of low-flow channel.(2) Amelioration of degradation can be found in the cases of two types of placement.The amelioration effect of upper riffle placement was larger than that of lower riffle placement(3) Aggradation rate of the bed near the replenishment site in the fixed bed is large in the lower riffle placement compared with the upper riffle placement.(4) The numerical model was found to be generally successful as a predictive tool.     

Magnetic fields in galaxy halos and their importance

Abstract

The observational facts about magnetic fields in galactic halos are reviewed. The existence, origin and significance of poloidal field components are described. Observational evidence that magnetic fields channel winds from active galactic centres is discussed. Field strengths adduced from the radio polarizations of edge-on galaxies are given. Priorities for future research are suggested.     

Magnetic fields over active tectonic zones in ocean

The aim of our work is to estimate the electromagnetic effects that can be detected in the submarine zones with hydrothermal activity. It is known that meso-scale flows appear in the regions over underwater volcanoes or hot rocks. Their origin is connected with heat flux and hot jets released from underwater volcanoes or faults in a sea bottom. Values of mean velocities and turbulent velocities in plumes were estimated. Quasiconstant magnetic fields induced by a hot jet and a vortex over a plume top are about 1–40 nT. Variable magnetic fields are about 0.1–1 nT. These magnetic disturbances in the sea medium create an additional natural electromagnetic background that must be considered when making detailed magnetic surveys.     

Displacement and stress fields due to nonuniform slip along a strike slip fault

A closed-form analytic solution for the displacement and stress field due to a trapezoidal type of nonuniform slip along a strike slip fault is obtained by following Steketee’s method of integration. A set of displacement and stress contours are plotted and compared with the corresponding cases of uniform slip. A possible explanation of the equidistance distribution of strike slip faults and its relation to the amount of slip and the dimensions of the fault are shown.     

Magnetic fields of the solar nebula as recorded in chondrules from the Allende meteorite

The natural remanent magnetization (NRM) in individual chondrules from the Allende meteorite was measured. These had previously been oriented relative to each other. The NRM directions of the chondrules are not initially random, but they become scattered after either alternating field (AF) or thermal demagnetization. The NRM is less stable than anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) against AF-demagnetization.

The bulk of the NRM in the matrix is erased by 300°C. For the larger chondrules it is erased by 550°C, but for the smaller chondrules and the white inclusion a substantial decrease in NRM occurs by 350°C leaving about 20% up to 600°C. The behavior of the laboratory-induced ARM and the NRM under alternating field demagnetization suggest that the NRM of the chondrules consists of at least two components of TRM. One is a high-temperature component which was acquired when the individual chondrules were cooled through the Curie temperature and before they were assembled into the Allende meteorite. The other is a low-temperature component which was probably acquired in a field of about 1 Oe when the meteorite experienced thermal metamorphism or during the assembly of the meteorite.     

Estimating aquifer properties from the water level response to Earth tides

Water level fluctuations induced by tidal strains can be analyzed to estimate the elastic properties, porosity, and transmissivity of the surrounding aquifer material. We review underutilized methods for estimating aquifer properties from the confined response to earth tides. The earth tide analyses are applied to an open well penetrating a confined carbonate aquifer. The resulting range of elastic and hydraulic aquifer properties are in general agreement with that determined by other investigators for the area of the well. The analyses indicate that passive monitoring data from wells completed in sufficiently stiff, low porosity formations can provide useful information on the properties of the surrounding formation.