On the maintenance of the axisymmetric part of the flow in the atmosphere

Summary The maintenance of the axisymmetric component of the flow in the atmosphere is investigated by means of a steady-state, quasi-geostrophic formulation of the meteorological equations. It is shown that the meridional variations in the time-averaged axisymmetric variables can be expressed as the sum of three contributions, one being due to the eddy heat transport, another to the eddy momentum transport, and a third to the convective-radiative equilibrium temperature which enters the problem through the specification of a Newtonian form of diabatic heating. The contributions by the large scale eddies are evaluated through the use of observed values for the eddy heat and momentum transports.The contributions from each of the three forcing mechanisms to the temperature and zonal wind fields are invstigated individually and found to be of about equal importance. The sum of the three contributions are also presented for the temperature, the zonal wind, the stream function associated with the mean meridional circulation and the corresponding vertical motion. Although the results fail to reproduce the main observed features of the lower stratosphere, they are found to be in good agreement with observations in the middle latitude troposphere. At any pressure level, for example, the computed mean zonal wind has a jet-like profile and the axis of the jet is found to slope to the south with height, as observed in the atmosphere.Based in part on a thesis submitted by the first author as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree at the University of Michigan. — Publication No. 194 from the Department of Meteorology and Oceanography, The University of Michigan.     

Evolutionary Changes in the Configuration of the Magnetic Field of the Solar Corona in the Epoch of the Minimum

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The evolution of the magnetic configuration in the solar corona is studied. The curvature of the K-corona helmets obtained from an analytical approximation of the...     

Comparison Between the Nutations of the Planet Mars and the Nutations of the Earth

The nutations of the planets Mars andEarth are investigated and compared. Alarge number of interior structureparameters are involved in the nutationcomputations. The comparison between the observations and the computationsprovides several constraints on these parmeters andtherefore allows a better understanding of the physics of the interior of theplanet. For the Earth, the high precision of the observations of the nutationshas led to a very good determination of interior properties of the planet. ForMars, observations of nutations are not yet available, and we review how theamplitude of the Martian nutations depends on the hypotheses consideredfor its interior. Although Mars is very similar to the Earth, its interior is not well known;for example, we don't knowif its core is liquid or solid. Only if the core is liquid,the Free Core Nutation (FCN) normal mode exists and can alter the nutationswhich are close to the resonance. From the observed geoids, it is known thatboth planets are not in hydrostatic equilibrium. The departure is larger forMars than for the Earth, and consequently, the implication of considering a convective mantle instead of a mantle in hydrostatic equilibrium described byClairaut's equation for the initial equilibrium state of the planet is largeron the Martian nutations than on the Earth nutations. The consequences of theuncertainty in the core dimensions are also examined and shown to be of a veryhigh influence for Mars if the core is liquid, due to the potential changes inthe FCN resonance. The influence of the presence of an inner core, which isknown to exist for the Earth, could be more important for Mars than for theEarth if the inner core is large. Due to the presence of Tharsis on Mars, thetriaxiality of this planet has, additionally, larger effects than on Earth.     

The changes in the electric conductivity of the lithosphere in the source region of the strongest Olyutora earthquake in the Koryak highlands

The results of the magnetotelluric (MT) soundings before and after an earthquake are analyzed. The interpretation is based on the longitudinal and transverse MT curves (along and across the strike of the main tectonic elements, respectively). The MT curves are distorted by the ρ- and coast effect. The distortions due to the coast effect are estimated by the testing three-dimensional (3D) model. It is established that the coast effect distortion at the periods up to 1000 s is small and can be disregarded. The divergence of the longitudinal and transverse MT curves, which points to the presence of the deep faults, is thoroughly studied. The inversion of the MTsounding curves is carried out by the REBOCC program of the numerical two-dimensional modeling. This program implements the procedures of elimination of the ρ-effect and the joint inversion of the longitudinal and transverse MT sounding curves. The obtained geoelectrical cross sections provide an insight into the structure of electrical conductivity of the lithosphere before and after the earthquake. The more intense variations in the electric conductivity are observed in the zone of the deep faults. These variations are related to the changes in the porosity and saturation of the rocks by the highly mineralized fluids.     

On the synchronism in the events within the core and on the surface of the earth: the changes in the organic world and in the polarity of the geomagnetic field in the phanerozoic

The data on geomagnetic reversals are compared with the changes in the organic world and with the lower-mantle plumes. The times of the formation of plumes and the times of their appearance on the Earth’s surface relate to the intervals characterized by the different frequencies of geomagnetic reversals, i.e., there is no interrelation between the formation of plumes and the frequency of the changes in the geomagnetic field polarity. At the same time, a certain synchronism is observed between the frequency of the geomagnetic reversals and the boundaries of the biostratigraphic ages, i.e., the changes in the organic world in the long-period range. A hypothesis is proposed, which explains the change in the sign of the geomagnetic field by the combined effect of the irregular rotation of the internal core relative to the mantle and the changes in the slope angle of the axis of the Earth’s rotation, which, in turn, results in synchronous events on the Earth’s surface: the rates of changes in the organic world.     

Relation of geomagnetic disturbances to the dynamics of the magnetosphere and the parameters of the interplanetary medium

The results of studying the dependence of the earthward shift of the magnetospheric boundaries on the magnetic storm power are generalized. The magnetosphere saturation effect, a sharp deceleration of the boundary shift at an increase in the ring current power above a certain critical level, is discussed. The geoeffectiveness of the solar wind parameters is discussed.     

On the variation in the geomagnetic dipole over the geological history of the Earth

The global database on the paleointensity, containing determinations of the virtual dipole moment (VDM) for a stable (normal) regime of the geomagnetic field in a time interval of up to 3.5 Ga, is supplemented by new VDM determinations and analyzed. The field generation process started no later than 3–3.5 Ga (earlier data are absent) at the stage of the Earth’s core formation. Since that time, the dipole value has differed from its present value by no more than an order of magnitude, and the deviations that have already been detected tend toward smaller values. The distribution of VDM values in the time interval 0–400 Ma is bimodal, which apparently reflects the presence of two different generation levels of the geomagnetic field distinguished by a relatively large value (close to the present field value) and a relatively small value (approximately half as large as the present value). The total duration of decreased VDM values appreciably exceeds that of increased VDM values (179.1 and 28.6 Myr, respectively). On the whole, data on the paleointensity do not contradict the hypothesis about the dipole nature of the field over the last 400 Myr; however, the number of determinations at high paleolatitudes is too small to draw decisive conclusions on the validity (or invalidity) of the dipole field approximation based solely on paleointensity data.     

On the effects of the reactive terms in the Boltzmann equation

The effects of the production and loss mechanisms that affect the Boltzmann equations are considered by the inclusion of a reactive term. The necessary elements to develop a proper form for this term are revised and the curent trends analyzed. Although no accurate theoretical treatment of the problem is possible due to the many body nature of it, important relations can be derived which, besides being representative of the quantitative aspects of the matter, are illustrative of the qualitative features of the phenomenon. The overall procedure is detailed in this revision.     

On the use of the autocorrelation method for estimating the depth to the magnetic basement

The depth to the top of magnetic dykes can be estimated from total field aeromagnetic data using the relation between the depth to magnetic sources and the autocorrelation function of magnetic data. By using synthetic anomalies we show that in the ideal case, depth can be determined to an accuracy of 10% or better, when the anomaly sources are two-dimensional dykes. However, the estimated depths depend on the width of the dykes. The estimated depth is about 0.6 times the actual depth to the top of thin dykes, and around the true depth for thick dykes having width-to-depth ratio around 3. The depth is considerably overestimated for very thick dykes (e.g., contacts, which is a special case of the thick dyke). Thus, the autocorrelation method requires that the width-to-depth ratio of the dyke is estimated independently to correctly estimate the depths. Alternatively, it must be assumed that the width-to-depth ratio for the two-dimensional source body is between 1.5 and 4.     

Structure of the poleward wall of the trough and the inclination of the geomagnetic field above the EISCAT radar

A special high-resolution routine of the EISCAT radar has been used to investigate the structure and development of the poleward wall of a deep trough in electron density. The feature was tracked by the radar during a 7-hour period under very quiet geomagnetic conditions. The field-aligned nature of the structure enabled an estimate to be made of the inclination of the geomagnetic field above EISCAT that was in good agreement with the current model. Observations of narrow field-aligned enhancements in electron temperature demonstrated that the wall of this trough is a dynamic feature, reforming regularly as the electron density responds on a time scale of tens of minutes to energy input from soft-particle precipitation.     

On the gravimetric undulations of the geoid and the deflections of the vertical

Summary The author mentions the aims of the World-wide gravity project he established in the Ohio State University in Columbus, in 1950. He outlines the practical procedure of the gravimetric computations of the undulationsN and the vertical deflection components and and emphasizes that only by the global international cooperation and additional gravity observations at sea carried out during the last decade it has been possible to gather to Columbus the needed gravity material. Since there exist still large gravimetrically unsurveyed areas it is of vital significance to study what gravity anomalies are best to be used for these regions. The given figures concerning the accuracy of theN, and , estimated theoretically and obtained in practice, indicate that in the gravimetrically well surveyed parts of the world like in Europe and the United States we can get gravimetrically on basis of existing gravity material theN-values with accuracy of about 5–10 meters, and and with the accuracy of about 1. The geoid undulationsN are already computed in Columbus for more than 6000 points of the northern hemisphere. The sample maps show the interesting geoid of Europe and vicinity between the latitudes 60° and 30° and longitude 5° W and 30° E, drafted on basis of more than 1000N-values computed at the corners of 1°×1° squares. It is interesting to realize that the geoid undulations in all this area are positive, the extreme values being between 40 and 50 meters. The geophysical significance of the geoid maps of this kind is pointed out.     

琼中地震台重力仪记录同震响应特征分析

2013年2月6-8日圣克鲁斯群岛发生6次强震,琼中地震台的重力仪记录都有同震响应出现。本文从重力仪记录的面波的延迟时间、最大变形幅度、同震持续时间3个方面研究了6次强震的同震响应特征。     

Contribution to the knowledge of the magmatic evolution by the study of the variation of the coefficient of viscosity

The determination of the coefficient of viscosity of eruptive products gives useful elements to the knowledge of possible variations of composition and physical conditions of the magmas.     

活动支座摩擦力对桥梁抗震性能的影响参数分析

利用摩擦单元模拟了活动支座摩擦力在桥梁地震反应分析中的作用,以一座6跨连续梁桥为例,通过改变其计算参数得到不同的计算模型,对各模型进行时程反应分析,得到不同参数模型的固定墩墩底弯矩的减震率。发现在某些情况下出现了负减震率并进行了原因分析。通过不同参数模型减震牢的对比,分析了各计算参数对固定墩墩底减震率的影响。建议对于考虑支座摩擦后自振周期接近场地卓越周期的桥梁考虑活动支座摩擦作用。     

城市冠层结构热力效应对城市热岛形成及强度影响的模拟研究

本文在城市边界层预报模式中耦合了一个单层冠层模式,此模式能够体现城市冠层结构和人为热源对城市热岛的共同作用.通过传统平板模式和城市冠层模式的模拟结果与自动气象站观测资料对比发现,耦合了城市冠层模式的模拟结果与观测资料更为吻合,尤其能够较好地模拟出城市地区夜间地面的气温变化情况.对北京城市区域的模拟结果进行分析,白家庄地区冠层建筑物使得城市地区气温白天下降,夜晚上升,不考虑人为热源作用时,城市冠层使得白家庄站地面气温白天最低下降2.5℃,夜间气温最大升高为4.7℃.针对模拟区域较小的理想算例模拟结果分析表明,城市冠层模式能够很好地模拟城市地区地表能量平衡关系,体现城市冠层对长短波辐射的封截以及热量存储能力,全天平均净辐射通量由传统模式的43.38 W/m2变为84.19 W/m2,热存储通量白天最大值为278.04 W/m2,夜晚最大释放热存储通量为160.35 W/m2.冠层建筑物和人为热源对夜间城市热岛强度的贡献分别为70.65％和29.35％.城市冠层建筑物对夜间城市热岛的形成起决定性作用.     

On the system approach in the problem of forecasting the earthquakes

The studies on forecasting earthquakes, which reached their greatest development in the last quarter of the past century, have not solved this problem. The present paper sheds light on this. It is concluded that the philosophy of investigations should be profoundly reconceived, and a systematic approach, which is extensively used for solving complex multicomponent problems, should be applied. If applied to earthquake prediction, it could reveal the weak points of the analysis and determine the necessary volume of observations; it would allow geophysicists to pass from poorly substantiated attempts at forecasting to the systematic study of all aspects of the problem which would provide the basis for the forecast. The current state of the problem and its composing subsystems, the geophysical environment and its stress-strain state, are discussed. The questions that have not been previously given due attention, namely, the relationship between the earthquakes and the paths of fluid migration, the reliability of precursors, and the factors responsible for the lack of their correspondence to the parameters of seismic rupture are analyzed. It is concluded that the current networks of seismic and other geophysical observations are incapable of recording the premonitory signs of an impending earthquake and providing the basis for forecasting large earthquakes.     

Simulation of the Rayleigh waves in the proximity of the scattering velocity heterogeneities. Exploring the capabilities of the microseismic sounding method

The interaction between the fundamental mode surface Rayleigh waves and the buried heterogeneities with various sizes and different velocity contrasts was studied on base numerical simulation. The field of surface oscillations in the proximity of the scattering heterogeneities was computed as a function of frequency. The synthetic seismograms were used for numerical simulation of the microseismic sounding technology proposed earlier, implying that the solution of the inverse problem for the structure of the medium containing inclusions can be derived from the information contained in the ambient microseismic field. It is assumed that the depth of the layer to be reconstructed is linked with the frequency of the microseisms by a simple relation with the help of a numerical coefficient equal to 0.4–0.5. The combined results of the simulation of a direct problem together with the simple inverse problem solution show that the microseismic sounding technique ensures adequate estimation of the medium structure. Previously, the technology was based on the experimental data only and was phenomenological in character. Some relations between the velocity parameters of the original model heterogeneities and their reconstructed images were also studied.     

Theory of the evolution of the earth and the earth's crust

Summary The paleomagnetic field (declination and inclination) in different geological epochs is represented through the field of the so-called magnetic dipole. The optimal dipole coordinates so obtained show that during older geological times the optimal dipole lay outside the earth's centre and moved towards and around the earth centre. It is supposed that the optimal dipole trajectory in the earth coincides with earth core trajectory. This core motion brought about a motion of the masses of the mantle in a direction opposite to the motion of the core. This in turn brought about the break-down of Pangea and the separation of the continents. The drift of the continents, the relative changing of the earth's rotational axis and many other geological and geophysical phenomena may be explained through such a motion, that is through the motion of an eccentrical core towards the earth centre.     

On the determination of the non-linearity of the gravimeter scale

Summary The results of two different methods of the determination of the non-linearity of the gravimeter scale are compared; the economy is discussed as well.     

Dynamics of the transport of the phosphorus and silicon at the water-bottom boundary in the Baltic Sea

The study of the fine structure of the phosphorus and silicon distribution in near-bottom layers and in the interstitial water of the sediments has been carried out in the different Baltic Sea regions (Gulf of Finland, Bornholm, Gotland). The data of this study are used to calculate the flows and effective transport coefficients for mineral phosphorus and silicon exchange processes between sediment and near-bottom layer. The values of nutrient flows varied depending on sediment type from 9.8 to 632 μg-at. m⁻² year⁻¹ for phosphorus and from 232.4 to 1881.1 μg-at. m⁻² year⁻¹ for silicon. The dependence of the effective transport coefficients versus the distance from the bottom (h) is expressed by empirically-derived equation: K_eff = Ah^−b. The values of constants “A” and “b” depend on the hydrochemical conditions, sediment type and hydrophysical conditions in the near-bottom layers. Calculated constants for regions are discussed.