Model magnetosphere of Mercury

The paper presents a three-dimensional quantitative model of Mercury's magnetosphere based on the entire combined set of observational data obtained from the first and third encounters of Mariner 10 with Mercury. The model assumes that the surface magnetic field of the planet Mercury consists of a dipole, a quadrupole and an octupole. The dipole moment of Mercury is 2.4 × 10²² G cm³, tilted 2.3° from the normal to the planetary orbital plane and having the same directional sense as that of the Earth. The intensity of the quadrupole moment is approximately 45% of the dipole, and that of the octupole moment 29% of the dipole. The model meets four critical tests: (1) it produces the smallest residuals among all existing models, (2) it can reproduce the crossing of a tail current sheet by Mariner 10, (3) all planetary field lines are confined inside the model magnetosphere, and (4) the size of the model magnetosphere agrees well with the magnetopause crossings directly observed from Mariner 10. The model can also be used to explain two observational features: (1) the plasma characteristics observed in different regions of the magnetosphere, and (2) the regions of quiet and disturbed signatures directly observed from Mariner 10.     

On the determination of the Hermaean magnetic moment: A critical review

The determination of Mercury's magnetic moment from the spatially and temporally limited observations obtained by the Mariner 10 mission is dependent upon the assumed nature of both the intrinsic planetary magnetic field and that of the magnetospheric current systems. In this paper the methods that have been used for this purpose are reviewed. The results that have been obtained are then considered in comparison with the constraints placed on the planetary field by the solar wind dynamic pressures and stand-off distances inferred from the Mariner 10 magnetic field data by Slavin and Holzer (1979) which are consistent with an effective dipole moment of 6 ± 2 × 10²² G cm³. It is found that the models which fit the observations with substantial quadrupole and octupole moments are not consistent with the magnetospheric boundary conditions, presumably owing to incorrect assumptions regarding the magnetopause position, incorrect assumptions regarding solar wind dynamic pressure, and/or averaging over temporal variations in the Mariner 10 data.     

浅部约束的地磁测深C-响应一维反演

地磁测深研究的周期范围通常为10~5~10~7s,缺少反映浅部电性结构的短周期信息,而C-响应受浅部电阻率影响明显,因此本文提出在反演中增加浅部(约200 km)电阻率约束以提高深部反演的稳定性和可靠性.在磁层环状电流满足P_1~0假设的条件下,球坐标系中一维导电薄球层状地球的C-响应和电导率分布关系由边界条件通过递推的方法计算得到.反演采用有限内存拟牛顿(L-BFGS)法;浅部电阻率约束通过将目标函数对模型参数的梯度设为零来实现;通过置信区间分析评价约束反演结果的可靠性.合成数据的无约束反演虽然最终的拟合效果很好,但浅部电阻率受初始模型影响,差异较大;采用浅部约束后,反演结果对初始模型依赖性明显减小,同时还能显著提高200~600 km范围内反演结果的准确性.对全球近地轨道卫星观测的C-响应数据约束反演后结果与前人一致,表现为地幔电导率整体上随着深度的增加而增加.参数置信区间分析表明,由于约束反演加入了浅部信息,电阻率的变化范围更加紧致,说明反演结果更加可靠.因此,有必要通过其他地球物理方法,如长周期大地电磁测深等获得浅部电阻率分布,作为先验信息参加反演,进行浅部约束的C-响应反演,获得更可靠的一维全深度电性结构,为地磁测深数据解释奠定基础.     

He diffusion in olivine

Helium diffusion in olivine (dunite xenolith) has been measured in the temperature range 1180–1460°C; a linear Arrhenius function was obtained with an activation energy of 120₋₂₇⁺³² kcal/mole, and a pre-exponential factor (D₀) = 2.2 × 10⁸ cm²/s.

Diffusion mechanisms are not a viable means of degassing He from the mantle. Olivine phenocrysts can be expected to retain previously trapped He, during cooling in extrusive basalts, provided the flow units are thinner than 50 m; xenoliths will retain mantle He signatures only if magma transport times are less than 50 years, or if the He fugacity in the magma is high enough to prevent xenolith degassing. The lower oceanic crust is probably substantially degassed of He. Trapped He will be qualitatively retained in quenched submarine basalt glass only if the cooling rate is faster than 5 × 10¹⁴°C/m.y.; glass at several centimeters depth in a basalt flow (near the spherulite zone) will have cooling rates lower than this, so He loss may be significant in many basalt glass samples.     

Dipole moment scaling for convection-driven planetary dynamos

Scaling laws are derived for the time-average magnetic dipole moment in rotating convection-driven numerical dynamo models. Results from 145 dynamo models with a variety of boundary conditions and heating modes, covering a wide section of parameter space, show that the time-average dipole moment depends on the convective buoyancy flux F. Two distinct regimes are found above the critical magnetic Reynolds number for onset of dynamo action. In the first regime the external magnetic field is dipole-dominant, whereas for larger buoyancy flux or slower rotation the external field is dominated by higher multipoles and the dipole moment is reduced by a factor of 10 or more relative to the dipolar regime. For dynamos driven by basal heating, the dipole moment M increases like M  F^1/3 in the dipolar regime. Reversing dipolar dynamos tend to cluster near the multipolar transition, which is shown to depend on a local Rossby number parameter. The geodynamo lies close to this transition, suggesting an explanation for polarity reversals and the possibility of a weaker dipole earlier in Earth history. Internally heated dynamos generate smaller dipole moments overall and show a gradual transition from dipolar to multipolar states. Our scaling yields order of magnitude agreement with the dipole moments of Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Ganymede, and predicts a multipolar-type dynamo for Mercury.     

Apparent stress scaling and statistical trends

Statistical relations between different earthquake parameters, such as M₀ (seismic moment), E_S (seismic energy), τ_a (apparent stress), A (rupture area), g (average slip acceleration), are investigated. For this purpose, a kinematic earthquake model representing averaged earthquake rupture process is formulated. The model implies a scaling relationship for τ_a as a function of three other parameters, related to kinematic (M₀), geometric (A) and material (g) source characteristics, which, according to the model, can change independently. This scaling relation is used to explain statistical trends that characterize different earthquake data sets (including micro-, small, moderate and large events) plotted in the log τ_a − log M₀ space, and to determine the area in this space, where typical earthquakes occur. The scaling relationship is interpreted in terms of the apparent stress minimum (i.e., the most uniform among the possible earthquake rupture patterns). It is concluded that, although the apparent stress increases on an average with increasing seismic moment, small and large earthquakes are essentially similar.     

U,U andTh in seawater

We have developed techniques to determine²³⁸U,²³⁴U and²³²Th concentrations in seawater by isotope dilution mass spectrometry. U measurements are made using a²³³U²³⁶U double spike to correct for instrumental fractionation. Measurements on uranium standards demonstrate that²³⁴U/²³⁸U ratios can be measured accurately and reproducibly.²³⁴U/²³⁸U can be measured routinely to ± 5‰ (2σ) for a sample of 5 × 10⁹ atoms of²³⁴U (3 × 10⁻⁸ g of total U, 10 ml of seawater). Data acquisition time is 1 hour. The small sample size, high precision and short data acquisition time are superior to-counting techniques.²³⁸U is measured to ± 2‰ (2σ) for a sample of 8 × 10¹² atoms of²³⁸U ( 3 × 10⁻⁹ g of U, 1 ml of seawater).²³²Th is measured to ± 20‰ with 3 × 10¹¹²³²Th atoms (10⁻¹⁰ g²³²Th, 1 1 of seawater). This small sample size will greatly facilitate investigation of the²³²Th concentration in the oceans. Using these techniques, we have measured²³⁸U,²³⁴U and²³²Th in vertical profiles of unfiltered, acidified seawater from the Atlantic and²³⁸U and²³⁴U in vertical profiles from the Pacific. Determinations of²³⁴U/²³⁸U at depths ranging from 0 to 4900 m in the Atlantic (7°44′N, 40°43′W) and the Pacific (14°41′N, 160°01′W) Oceans are the same within experimental error (± 5‰,2σ). The average of these²³⁴U/²³⁸U measurements is 144 ± 2‰ (2σ) higher than the equilibrium ratio of 5.472 × 10⁻⁵. U concentrations, normalized to 35‰ salinity, range from 3.162 to 3.281 ng/g, a range of 3.8%. The average concentration of the Pacific samples (31°4′N, 159°1′W) is 1% higher than that of the Atlantic (7°44′N, 40°43′W and 31°49′N, 64°6′W).²³²Th concentrations from an Atlantic profile range from 0.092 to 0.145 pg/g. The observed constancy of the²³⁴U/²³⁸U ratio is consistent with the predicted range of²³⁴U/²³⁸U using a simple two-☐ model and the residence time of deep water in the ocean determined from¹⁴C. The variation in salinity-normalized U concentrations suggests that U may be much more reactive in the marine environment than previously thought.     

An integrated paleomagnetic study of Rio Grande de Santiago volcanic succession (trans-Mexican volcanic belt): revisited

We carried out an integrated paleomagnetic, rock-magnetic and paleointensity study of Miocene volcanic succession from the trans-Mexican volcanic belt (TMVB) north of Guadalajara. A total of 37 consecutive basaltic lava flows (326 oriented standard paleomagnetic cores) were collected at Lazo locality. Continuous susceptibility measurements with temperature and hysteresis experiments yield in most cases reasonably reversible curves with Curie points close to that of pseudo-single-domain magnetite. Two geomagnetic reversals were observed in the 300 m thick composite section. Paleosecular variation was lower than the one observed in general during Miocene. It appears that the volcanic units have been emplaced during a relatively short time span of about 1 Ma. The mean paleomagnetic directions obtained from this study do not differ significantly from that expected for the middle Miocene. The mean paleomagnetic direction calculated from all data is I=31.1°, D=354.6°, k=124 and ₉₅=2.1°, N=37. Seventy-two samples with apparently preserved primary magnetic mineralogy and without secondary magnetization, mostly belonging to reverse polarity chron were pre-selected for Thellier paleointensity determination. The flow-mean paleointensity values are ranging from 22.4±3.4 to 53.8±6.0 μT and the corresponding virtual dipole moments (VDMs) are ranging from (5.4±0.8) to (12.0±1.4)×10²² A m². This corresponds to mean value of (7.7±2.2)×10²² A m², which is close to present day geomagnetic field strength. Altogether, our data suggest the existence of relatively high geomagnetic field strength undergoing low fluctuations.     

C-RESPONSE OF GEOMAGNETIC DEPTH SOUNDING ON A 1D THIN SHELL MODEL

This paper tries to formulate the C-response of geomagnetic depth sounding(GDS)on an Earth model with finite electrical conductivity. The computation is performed in a spherical coordinate system. The Earth is divided into a series of thin spherical shells. The source is approximated by a single spherical harmonic P₁⁰ due to the spatial structure of electrical currents in the magnetosphere. The whole solution space is separated into inner and external parts by the Earth surface. Omitting displacement current, the magnetic field in the external space obeys Laplacian equation, while in the inner part, due to the finite conductivity, the electromagnetic fields obey Helmholtz equation. To connect the magnetic fields in the inner and external space, the continuity condition of magnetic fields is used on the Earth surface. The external magnetic fields are expressed by the inner and external source coefficients, from which a new parameter called C-response is computed from the inner coefficient divided by the external coefficient, thus normalizing the actual source strength. The inner magnetic fields in each layer can be recursively derived by the continuity boundary condition of both normal and tangential components of the magnetic field from the initial boundary condition at core-mantle-boundary. The consistency of our C-responses with that from a typical 1-D global model validates the accuracy of the proposed algorithm. Numerical results also show that the C-response estimated from the geomagnetic transfer function method will deviate exceeding 5%from the actual response at longer periods than about 10⁶s, which means that ignoring the curvature of the Earth at extreme long periods will make inversion result unreliable. Therefore, an accurate C-response should be computed in order to lay a solid foundation for reliable inversion.     

Melting rates beneath Hawaii: Evidence from uranium series isotopes in recent lavas

²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ²³⁰Th and ²²⁶Ra abundances have been measured in six samples of recent Hawaiian basalt by high precision mass spectrometry, in an attempt to compare the melting process in plumes and at spreading ridges. The data reveal a very small range in (²³⁰Th/²³⁸U) activity ratio up to a maximum value of 1.02 ± 0.01, and (²²⁶Ra/²³⁰Th) activity ratios which lie between 1.10 ± 0.015 and 1.19 ± 0.02. UTh and RaTh abundances are linearly correlated demonstrating that the disequilibria predate crystallisation and differentiation. Using recently published estimates for the bulk partition coefficients of U and Th, the results are consistent with melting rates > 10⁻³ kg m⁻³ a⁻¹ at porosities < 10⁻³ for dynamic fractional melting in the garnet stability field.     

渭河断陷盆地及邻区环境剪应力场及其与震源参数关系研究

利用陕西数字地震台网的数字地震资料研究了渭河断陷盆地及邻区的震源参数和环境剪应力场, 结果表明该地区地壳内环境剪应力处于较低水平, 平均值为12.7×10⁵ Pa, 并据此分析了该地区的地震活动性, 建立并探讨了环境剪应力与震级M_L、 地震矩M₀、 矩震级M_W的关系, 讨论了环境剪应力与震源深度间的关系。     

Review of Mercury's dynamic magnetosphere:Post-MESSENGER era and comparative magnetospheres

This review paper summarizes the research of Mercury’s magnetosphere in the Post-MESSENGER era and compares its dynamics to those in other planetary magnetospheres,especially to those in Earth’s magnetosphere.This review starts by introducing the planet Mercury,including its interplanetary environment,magnetosphere,exosphere,and conducting core.The frequent and intense magnetic reconnection on the dayside magnetopause,which is represented by the flux transfer event"shower",is reviewed on how they depend on magnetosheath plasma β and magnetic shear angle across the magnetopause,followed by how it contributes to the flux circulation and magnetosphere-surface-exosphere coupling.In the next,Mercury’s magnetosphere under extreme solar events,including the core induction and the reconnection erosion on the dayside magnetosphere,as well as the responses of the nightside magnetosphere,are reviewed.Then,the dawn-dusk properties of the plasma sheet,including the features of the ions,the structure of the current sheet,and the dynamics of magnetic reconnection,are summarized.The last topic is devoted to the particle energization in Mercury’s magnetosphere,which includes the energization of the Kelvin-Helmholtz waves on the magnetopause boundaries,reconnection-generated magnetic structures,and the cross-tail electric field.In each chapter,the last section discusses the open questions related to each topic,which can be considered by the simulations and the future spacecraft mission.We end this paper by summarizing the future Bepi Colombo opportunities,which is a joint mission of ESA and JAXA and is en route to Mercury.     

云南地区中小地震静力学和动力学参数定标关系

Source spectra for moderate and small earthquakes are obtained after removing the path effect, site effect, and instrument response, etc. in the observed S-wave spectra. Based on the Brune source model...     

Noble gases in submarine pillow basalt glasses from the Lau Basin: Detection of a solar component in backarc basin basalts

Noble gas elemental and isotopic abundances have been analysed in eight samples of youthful basaltic glass dredged from three different locations within the Lau Backarc Basin: (1) the King's Triple Junction, (2) the Central Lau Spreading Centre at 18°S and (3) the Eastern Lau Spreading Centre at 19°S. Samples from the Lau central and eastern spreading centres have MORB-like helium isotopic ratios of approximately 1.2 × 10⁻⁵ (8.5 R/R_A). In contrast, the samples from the King's Triple Junction yield helium isotopic ratios averaging 9.4 (±0.8) × 10⁻⁶ (6.7 ± 0.6 R/R_A), systematically lower than the MORB-like value, which may be reflecting the addition of radiogenic ⁴He released from the descending slab. Neon isotopic ratios are enriched in ²⁰Ne and ²¹Ne with respect to atmospheric ratios by as much as 23% and 62% respectively. These observations further confirm that non-atmospheric neon is a common characteristic of samples derived from the mantle. The helium and neon isotopic signatures in the samples can be explained by mixing of a primordial solar component, radiogenic and nucleogenic components produced by radioactive processes inside the Earth, and an atmospheric component. This reconnaissance survey of noble gases in a backarc basin indicates that current volcanism is dominated by magmas from the mantle wedge, a source similar to that from which MORBs are derived. The heavier noble gases (argon, krypton and xenon), however, show more atmosphere-like compositions, either indicating strong interaction of the magmas with the atmosphere or the presence of a recycled component derived from the underlying subducting slab.     

基于SAMI2模式的电离层加热模拟

通过在SAMI2模式的电子能量方程中添加人工加热项,数值模拟了在加热条件下磁场线上电子温度与电子密度的扰动情况,并对比了不同加热条件下的扰动效应.结果表明,入射到电离层中的大功率无线电波与等离子体相互作用,能够有效造成整条磁场线上电子温度的升高而产生电子温度扰动,尤其是加热点处,温度可增加3倍多;由于电子温度升高,压力平衡受到破坏,引发等离子体扩散进而导致电子密度扰动;电子密度扰动使得垂直于磁场线的电子密度梯度发生变化,这有可能形成电离层管(Ionosphere duct);电子温度和电子密度的扰动幅度随着加热时间的推移而减小,即扰动逐渐趋于稳定.电子温度与密度的扰动与加热率存在一种非线性关系.     

Deuterium tracing for the estimation of transpiration from trees Part 3. Measurements of transpiration from Eucalyptus plantation, India

Measurements of transpiration from individual trees of Eucalyptus from plantations at four different sites in Karnataka, Southern India, are presented. These show large (as much as tenfold) differences in the transpiration between premonsoon and postmonsoon periods, a reflection of the effects of soil-moisture stress in the premonsoon periods. For trees with diameters at breast height (DBH) less than 10 cm the transpiration rate of individual trees is proportional to the square of the DBH. For trees which are not experiencing soil-water stress the daily transpiration rate of individual trees, q, is well represented by the relation: q = (6.6 ± 0.3)g (m³ day⁻¹ where g (m²) is the tree basal area. On a unit ground area basis the transpiration rate, expressed as a depth per day is given by the relation: E_t = (0.66 ± 0.03)G (mm day⁻¹ where g(m²ha⁻¹) is the total basal area per hectare. For all the sites studied, although there is evidence for the ‘mining’ of soil water as roots penetrate deeper depths in the soil each year, there is no evidence for direct abstraction from the water table.     

2008年10月西藏当雄MW6.3地震震后形变提取与余滑反演

2008年10月6日西藏当雄发生M_W6.3地震.本文利用震后2008年10月26日至2010年8月22日的16期ENVISAT ASAR数据,通过小基线集干涉测量、误差校正与MInTS（Multiscale InSAR Time Series）技术提取高精度的震后形变场,利用SDM（Steepest Descent Method）方法反演断层震后余滑演化过程,并分析震后余滑与同震滑动的关系.结果表明：当雄M_W6.3地震的近场震后形变场主要位于断层西侧,在时间演化上具有明显的对数函数衰减规律;震后余滑主要集中于断层中南段深0~15 km区间,最大的余滑量约0.07 m,位于断层深约9.28 km处,滑动角约-103°;震后余滑引起的地震矩能量M₀与矩震级M_W在时间演化上具有指数函数递增规律;当剪切模量μ=32 GPa,震后665天余滑释放的地震矩能量约为1.92×10¹⁷N·m,约占同震滑动释放地震矩的4.8%,相当于矩震级M_W5.46;虽然震后余滑已经延伸到断层浅部0~5 km区间,但由于余滑量相对较小,没有改变同震滑动在断层浅部区域的滑动亏损现象,这可能是2010年11月30日该区域又发生M_W5.3级余震的主要原因之一.     

Pu, Cs and excess Pb in Russian Arctic sediments

The activity ratios of Pu and radiocesium isotopes have been used to delineate the major sources (such as global and close-in (debris) fallout, nuclear fuel reprocessing and fabrication plant effluents) in the environment. We have measured ²³⁸Pu, ^239,240Pu, ¹³⁷Cs, and excess ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in 107 surficial sediments as well as in 5 sediment cores collected in the summer months of 1993 and 1994 from the Ob and Yenisey Rivers (Russia) and the Kara sea. A comparison of the sediment core inventories of ^239,240Pu and ¹³⁷Cs, along with the ²³⁸Pu/^239,240Pu activity ratios, with those expected from global fallout allows us to estimate the relative amounts, if any, of reactor-derived ²³⁸Pu and ^239,240Pu from the dumped reactor sites in the study area.

In surficial sediment samples collected in 1993 and 1994, the ^239,240Pu concentrations varied between 4.2 and 856 mBq kg⁻¹, with a mean of 239 mBq kg⁻¹. In samples with a measurable ²³⁸Pu, the ²³⁸Pu/^239,240Pu activity ratios varied between 0.010 and 0.069, with an average value of 0.035 ± 0.014. This range can be compared to the average ²³⁸Pu/^239,240Pu activity ratio of 0.030 for the year 1993 from nuclear weapons testing and SNAP fallout obtained from soil studies, indicating very little (≤ 5%) additional sources of ²³⁸Pu to the sediments in the study area. The inventories of Pu in the 5 sediment cores from the study area varied between 2.67 ± 0.67 and 24.5 ± 2.2 Bq m⁻² with a mean value of 8.83 Bq m⁻². The ¹³⁷Cs concentrations in the upper 3 cm of the sediments varied between below detection limit to 71.4 Bq kg⁻¹, with a mean of 14.9 Bq kg⁻¹. The ¹³⁷Cs inventories in the 5 sediment cores varied between 156.7 ± 28.3 and 1600 ± 153.3 Bq m⁻², with a mean value of 583.3 Bq m⁻². The mean ratio of inventories of Pu to that of ¹³⁷Cs, 0.015, is comparable to the values in other places in the Arctic region. There is a significant correlation between total organic carbon and concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs, ^239,240Pu and ²¹⁰Pb, suggesting that organic matter-enriched fine particles are a likely carrier phase for these nuclides. The ratio of ¹³⁷Cs/^239,240Pu also suggests that most of these nuclides are derived from global fallout.     

Absolute paleointensities recorded during the Brunhes chron at La Guadeloupe Island

Ten absolute paleointensity determinations within the Brunhes chron have been obtained on andesitic lava flows from La Guadeloupe Island, French West Indies (F.W.I.). The Thellier and Thellier method performed on 124 specimens under either ambient or argon atmosphere allows reliable determinations from high temperature steps. A satisfactory within flow reproducibility has been observed and at least two samples for each flow have been used for calculation of the weighted-mean paleointensity. The average virtual axial dipole moment (VADM=7.1±1.8×10²² A m²) for normal polarity flows from the Brunhes chron recorded at La Guadeloupe is compatible with the historical field. The 10 VADM values obtained show a relatively good agreement with the deep-sea composite record (SINT800) of relative paleointensity. Focusing on the 100–75 ka interval, a 20-ka oscillation observed from a compilation of available volcanic data and present in high-resolution sedimentary records has been tentatively related to the axial dipole moment variations. Finally, a paleointensity decrease of a factor of 10 is observed for flows emitted during the Matuyama–Brunhes (M–B) transition, as already observed in other records of this reversal. Because a large area of the Globe around the Caribbean Islands was previously devoid of data, the present dataset fills a gap towards construction of a global paleointensity database for the Brunhes chron.     

Be andCl depth profiles in an Apollo 15 drill core

Cosmic-ray-produced¹⁰Be (t_1/2 = 1.6 × 10⁶ years) and³⁶Cl (t_1/2 = 3.0 × 10⁵ years) have been measured in the Apollo 15 long core for study of galactic cosmic ray production profiles using tandem accelerator mass spectrometry. From these experiments, the half-attenuation length for¹⁰Be production and³⁶Cl production were calculated to be 120 g/cm² and 132 g/cm² (150–400 g/cm² region). The measured half-attenuation length for¹⁰Be is slightly longer than that predicted by the Reedy-Arnold theoretical model. The flatter and somewhat deeper maximum seen in the³⁶Cl profile compared to the¹⁰Be,²⁶Al and⁵³Mn profiles can be explained by production from secondary thermal neutrons on³⁵Cl.