Semidiurnal and Long-Period Components in Polar Motion Connected with the Triaxiality of Ellipsoids of Inertia of the Earth and Planets

The influence of the Earth's inertia ellipsoid triaxiality, both on the motion of the Angular Velocity Vector with respect to Tisserand's reference frame (hereinafter – AVV,T), the motion of the same vector in Space (hereinafter – AVV,S) as well as on the motion of Tisserand's Reference Frame in Space (hereinafter – TRF,S) is considered. It is shown that the observable effects are as follows: (1) in all three types of motions (AVV,T), (AVV,S) and (TRF,S) there are significant (observable) semidiurnal components which may be detected by modern GPS- and VLBI-measurements. Additionally, there is a long-periodic perturbation of (TRF,S) motion which is rather small for the Earth, but may be significant for the other planets of the Solar System (if the triaxiality of the inertia ellipsoid is sufficiently large and whenever the orbital and diurnal rotations are synchronous and, at the points of equinoxes, the orientation of the planet's principal equatorial moments of inertia is invariable in space). For the case of the Earth, the results of our calculations are compared with the results of modern GPS-observations.     

Analyses of zonal atmospheric excitation functions and their correlation with polar motion excitation functions

The atmospheric influence on the Earths, rotation can be described by the effective atmospheric angular momentum (EAAM) functions. In this study we focus on the analysis of short period variations of the equatorial components of the zonal EAAM excitation functions ₁ and ₂ and their influence on similar variations of polar motion. The global objective analysis data of the Japanese Meteorological Agency for the period 1986–1992 were used to compute the EAAM excitation functions in different latitude belts. Time- and latitude-variable amplitude spectra of variations of these functions with periods shorter than 150 days, containing pressure, pressure with the inverted barometric correction, and wind terms were computed. The spectra show distinct latitude and time variations of the prograde and retrograde oscillations which reach their maxima mainly in mid-latitudes. Prograde and retrograde oscillations with periods of about 40–60 days and about 110–120 days are seen in the spectra of pressure terms of the equatorial components of the zonal EAAM excitation functions. Additionally, correlation coefficients and cross-spectra between variations of the geodetic polar motion and equatorial components of the zonal EAAM excitation functions were computed to identify the latitude belts of the globe over which atmospheric circulation changes are correlated mostly with short period variations of the polar motion excitation functions. The correlation coefficients vary in time and latitude and reach maximum values in the northern latitudes from 50°N to 60°N. In the cross-spectra between the polar motion excitation functions and pressure terms of the zonal EAAM excitation functions there are peaks of common prograde oscillations with the periods around 20, 30, 40–50, 60 and 80–150 days and of common retrograde oscillations around 20, 30, 40 and 50–70 days.Paper presented at the IERS Workshop in Paris, March 1994     

Focal mechanisms of intraplate earthquakes in Bolivia,South America

Intraplate seismic activity in Bolivia is mainly located in the central region (16°–19°S, 63°–67°W) which includes the East Andean Cordillera and the Sub-Andean Sierras. At this region there is a bend in the trend of the main geological structures from NW-SE in the north to N-S in the south. Focal mechanisms have been calculated for 10 earthquakes of magnitudes 4.9–5.6, using first motionP-waves from long period instruments. Their solutions correspond to reverse faulting, some with a large component of strike-slip motion. Their solutions can be grouped into two types; one with pure reverse faulting on planes with azimuth NW-SE and the other with a large strike-slip component on planes with azimuths nearly N-S or WNW-ESE. The maximum stress axis (P-axis) is practically horizontal (dipping less than 5°) oriented in a mean N56°E direction. This orientation may be related with the direction of compression resulting from the collision of the Nazca plate against the western margin of the South American continent. Wave-form analysis of long-periodP-waves for one event restricts the focal depth to 8 km in the Sub-Andean region. Seismic moments and source dimensions determined from spectra of Rayleigh waves are in the range of 10¹⁶–10¹⁷Nm and 17–24 km, respectively. The Central Bolivia region can be considered as a zone of intraplate deformation situated between the Bolivian Altiplano and the Brazil shield.     

Topex/Poseidon Altimetry and Dynamics of the Ocean-Atmosphere System

The T/P altimeter data 1993 – 1997 (cycles 11 – 194) has been analyzed with emphases on seasonal variations in sea surface topography (SST). The amplitude of the annual variations amounted to (5.9±0.3) mm when inverted barometer (IB) corrections were applied and (2.0±0.4) mm without any IB corrections. The amplitude of the semi-annual variations in SST was small with IB corrections applied: (0.6±0.3) mm. However, when no IB corrections were applied, it was (1.8±0.4) mm, i.e. the semiannual variations are at the same level as the annual variations with no IB corrections. The phase angle offset of the annual term has shifted by about 180° when IB correction was applied. The dynamics of the ocean-atmosphere system is discussed and it is concluded that it could, at least partly, be responsible for the above observed effects.     

A new fault rupture scenario for the 2003 Mw 6.6 Bam earthquake, SE Iran: Insights from the high-resolution QuickBird imagery and field observations

The December 26, 2003 M_w 6.6 Bam earthquake is one of the most disastrous earthquakes in Iran. QuickBird panchromatic and multispectral satellite imagery with 61 cm and 2.4 m ground resolution, respectively provide new insights into the surface rupturing process associated with this earthquake. The results indicate that this earthquake produced a 2–5 km-wide surface rupture zone with a complex geometric pattern. A 10-km-long surface rupture zone developed along the pre-existing Bam fault trace. Two additional surface rupture zones, each 2–5 km long, are oblique to the pre-existing Bam fault in angles of 20–35°. An analysis of geometric and geomorphic features also shows that movement on the Bam fault is mainly right-lateral motion with some compressional component. This interpretation is consistent with field investigations, analysis of aftershocks as well as teleseismic inversion. Therefore, we suggest that the 2003 Bam earthquake occurred on the Bam fault, and that the surface ruptures oblique to the Bam fault are caused by secondary faulting such as synthetic shears (Reidel shears). Our fault model for the Bam earthquake provides a new tectonic scenario for explaining complex surface deformations associated with the Bam earthquake.     

Calibration of Local Magnitude M<Subscript>L</Subscript> in the Azores Archipelago Based on Recent Digital Recordings

—The development of the digital seismic network in the Azores Archipelago during recent years made it possible to obtain the amplitudes (waveform) of recorded motion in a large set of stations. With this new data, maximum amplitudes of the Wood Anderson seismograph are computed, for each station/component, which, together with epicentral distances, allows for the estimation of local magnitude M _L . We used data recorded in 8 digital permanent three-component stations, with inter-stations distances up to 300 km, in the period June 1998 – June 2000, corresponding to a set of 1315 events with magnitude (M _L or M _D ) 2<M<5.8 and epicenters located in the Azores region, to estimate the coefficients of the equation to compute M _L , as well as to determine the corrections to be applied to each station. The new set of parameters, formed by attenuation coefficients and station corrections, were introduced in the calculations of the M _L , leading to smaller dispersions in the analyzed dataset. We also conclude that the attenuation in the first 150 km is similar to the California values, although higher for longer distances.     

Auroral electrojet dynamics during magnetic storms, connection with plasma precipitation and large-scale structure of the magnetospheric magnetic field

Effect of the equatorward shift of the eastward and westward electrojets during magnetic storms main phase is analyzed based on the meridional chains of magnetic observatories EISCAT and IMAGE and several Russian observatories (geomagnetic longitude ≈110°, corrected geomagnetic latitudes 74°>φ>51°.) Magnetic storms of various Dst index intensity where the main phase falls on 1000 UT - 2400 UT interval were selected so that one of the observatory chains was located in the afternoon - near midnight sector of MLT. The eastward electrojet center shifts equatorward with Dst intensity increase: when Dst ≈ −50 nT the electrojet center is located at φ ≈ 62°, when Dst ≈ −300 nT it is placed at φ ≈ 54°. The westward electrojet center during magnetic storms main phase for intervals between substorms shifts equatorward with Dst increase: at φ ≈ 62° when Dst ≈ −100 nT and at φ ≈ 55° when Dst ≈ −300 nT. During substorms within the magnetic storms intervals the westward electrojet widens poleward covering latitudes φ ≈ 64°–65°. DMSP (F08, F10 and F11) satellite observations of auroral energy plasma precipitations at upper atmosphere altitudes were used to determine precipitation region structure and location of boundaries of various plasma domains during magnetic storms on May 10–11, 1992, February 5–7 and February 21–22, 1994. Interrelationships between center location, poleward and equatorward boundaries of electrojets and characteristic plasma regions are discussed. The electrojet center, poleward and equatorward boundaries along the magnetic observatories meridional chain were mapped to the magnetosphere using the geomagnetic field paraboloid model. The location of auroral energy oxygen ion regions in the night and evening magnetosphere is determined. Considerations are presented on the mechanism causing the appearance in the inner magnetosphere during active intervals of magnetic storms of ions with energy of tens KeV. In the framework of the magnetospheric magnetic field paraboloid model the influence of the ring current and magnetospheric tail plasma sheet currents on large-scale magnetosphere structure is considered.     

Isotopic geochemistry of Fernando de Noronha

Volcanic and hypabyssal rocks ranging in age from 12 to 3 Ma from the Fernando de Noronha archipelago in the western equatorial Atlantic Ocean can generally be divided into two age-compositional groups that have variable and distinct isotopic compositions. Predominantly older alkali basalts and trachytes are generally characterized by more radiogenic Sr-isotopic (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr= 0.70457–0.70485) compositions and less radiogenic Nd-isotopic (¹⁴³/Nd¹⁴⁴Nd= 0.51271–0.51281) and Pb-isotopic (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb= 19.132–19.282) compositions relative to the generally younger, more alkaline Si-undersaturated rocks which include nephelinites, ankaratrites, and melilitites (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr= 0.70365–0.70418,¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd= 0.51277–0.51290,²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb= 19.317–19.565). These variations suggest the influence of at least two separate components in the source(s) of both series. One component is characterized by highRb/Sr and low μ, possibly derived from delaminated subcontinental lithosphere, whereas the other has high μ and lowRb/Sr similar to the source of St. Helena lavas. A third component is suggested by correlated compositions in the latest alkaline, Si-undersaturated lavas, and this component may be derived from depleted mantle. These isotopic variations in conjunction with the generally increasing degree of alkalinity with time are consistent with the temporal depletion of a low-μ, highRb/Sr component and increasing contributions from a high-μ component in the sources of the volanic rocks of Fernando de Noronha.     

Depth distribution of stresses in the Hokkaido Wadati-Benioff zone as deduced by inversion of earthquake focal mechanisms

This study is based on the detailed geometry of the Hokkaido Wadati-Benioff zone and the paleosubduction zone as delineated by Hanus and Vanek (1984). The used data includes 217 CMT Harvard solutions for earthquakes, which belong to the Wadati-Benioff zone and 13 for the paleosubduction zone. The inverse technique by Gephart and Forsyth (1984) was incorporated for determining the best fit principal stress directions σ₁, σ₂, σ₃ and the ratio (R=σ₂−σ₁/σ₃−σ₁) for 20 km depth intervals in the Wadati-Benioff zone and for the paleosubduction zone considered as a single body. In almost all the considered depth layers, the maximum compressive stress σ₁ is normal to the strike of the slab and dips less than 25°, indicating the NW-SE convergence between the Pacific and Eurasian lithospheric plates. Exceptions are in the depth layer 81–120 km, the paleosubduction zone with steeply dipping along-strike σ₁, and the lower part of the subduction zone (161–220 km) where σ₁ is almost horizontal and of E trend. The minimum compressive stress σ₃ is mostly along-strike and of a different dip with the exception of the 21–60 km layer wher they are down-dipping. The results obtained for the depth ranges 0–20 km, 81–100 km, 121–160 km, and the paleosubduction zone indicate heterogeneous stress fields. These results show that the slab pull and the mantle resistance, acting on the slab edge, are not the main forces which control the contemporary plate tectonics in the Hokkaido region. Along-strike compression at depths 81–120 km and along-strike extension at 0–20 and 61–220 km are involved in the slab dynamics. These can be related to horizontal bending of the subducting Pacific plate.     

Geodynamic implications of deep mantle upwelling in the source of Tertiary volcanics from the Veneto region (South-Eastern Alps)

Major and trace element and Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotopic data for the most primitive Tertiary lavas from the Veneto region (South-Eastern Alps, Italy) show the typical features of HIMU hotspot volcanism, variably diluted by a depleted asthenospheric mantle component (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i=0.70306–0.70378; _Ndi=+3.9 to +6.8; _Hfi=+6.4 to +8.1, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i=18.786–19.574). P-wave seismic tomography of the mantle below the Veneto region shows the presence of low-velocity anomalies at depth, which is consistent with possible upwellings of plume material. Between the depths of 100–250 km the velocity anomalies are approximately 2–2.5% slower than average, implying a temperature excess of about 220–280 K, in agreement with estimates for other mantle plumes in the world. In this context, the Veneto volcanics may represent the shallow expression of a mantle upflow. The presence of a HIMU-DM component in a collision environment has significant geodynamic implications. Slab detachment and ensuing rise of deep mantle material into the lithospheric gap is proposed to be a viable mechanism of hotspot magmatism in a subduction zone setting.     

The criterion of dynamic stability of zonal motion including the vertical shear

Summary Many writers treated on the problem of dynamic instability of westerly flow due to the excessive horizontal shear, and the present author discusses the corresponding dynamic instability due to the vertical shear. The critical vertical shear in indifferent stratification is given by the condition — the meridional component of absolute vorticity vanishes, — and is an approximate negative valueof 10^–4 sec ^–1 in middle latitude. However the critical vertical shear in normal stable stratification is a fairly large negative value of 2 sec^–1. It might be emphasized that the problem of this study differs fromRichardson's criterion of turbulence, for the present author discusses the condition under which the zonal flow is dynamically stable, whileRichardson expressed the condition under which the turbulence will decrease.     

The variation of crustal thickness across the Swiss Alps based on gravity and explosion seismic data

Summary Recently determined gravity anomalies along the NW-SE oriented Swiss Geotraverse from Basel to Bellinzona are used in combination with seismic refraction data to deduce a crustal section across the Swiss Alps. Topographic, Bouguer, free air, isostatic and geological corrections were applied to the data. Geological features considered in the corrections are the Swiss Molasse basin filled with sediments and the Ivrea body of high-density material. The resultant Bouguer anomaly over the Gotthard massif is 130 mgal lower than the Bouguer anomaly at the northern end of the profile near Basel. The Alpine region is associated with negative isostatic anomalies down to –20 mgal. The crustal thickness is found to increase gradually from the northern end of the profile (thicknessH=30 km) towards the Helvetic nappes at the northern margin of the Alps (H=38 km) and more rapidly towards the Gotthard massif (H=50 km) and further south to Biasca down to a depth of 58 km. From Biasca southward the crustal thickness thins quite rapidly to reach a depth of 30 km at the southern end of the profile near Bellinzona. Thus the Alps have a distinct asymmetric crustal root whose maximum thickness is almost twice the average crustal thickness in Central Europe. With the Mohorovii-discontinuity deduced from seismic observations an average constant density contrast of –0.33 gcm^–3 is found between the lower crust and upper mantle underneath the Alps.Institut für Geophysik, ETH Zürich, Contribution No. 130.     

Ground deformations in collapsed caldera structures

A method is presented to analyze the effect of stress-strain discontinuities on the ground deformations generated by a pressure source. This is meant to simulate the effects due to caldera structures, likely to present fractured zones at the borders of the collapsed area. A method originally developed by Crouch (1976) to solve plane-strain problems has been used to simulate deformation curves for several source and discontinuity geometries. The main result is that the location of the discontinuities controls the extension of the deformed zone, and always reduces it with respect to a continuous medium. With respect to a homogeneous medium the presence of lateral discontinuities also acts towards lowering the overpressure required to produce a given amount of deformation. These results indicate that, when analyzing ground deformations in calderas, the use of classical methods involving continuous media should be avoided, or at least taken with caution. These methods, in fact, assume that the extension of the deformed zone is only linked to the source depth.Some examples of ground deformations in active calderas have been analyzed in the framework of the results obtained from theoretical modeling. Four calderas recently affected by ground deformations have been considered: Rabaul (New Guinea), Campi Flegrei (Italy), Long Valley and Yellowstone (U.S.A.). The effects of collapsed structures on the deformation field are possibly evidenced for all the four calderas. At Rabaul and Campi Flegrei, the fracture systems mainly affecting the ground deformations probably represent younger, innermost collapses and are well evidenced by seismicity studies. Ground deformations are here concentrated in an area much smaller than the one enclosed by geologically visible caldera rims. In particular, at Rabaul, the effect of the innermost collapse can explain the high concentration of the uplift in the period 1971–1985, previously modeled by a very shallow source (1–3 km) in terms of overpressure in the main magma chamber, probably located at 4–5 km of depth.     

Nanociliates of the order Prostomatida: Their relevance in the microbial food web of a mesotrophic lake

Two nanociliates of the order Prostomatida,Pseudobalanion planctonicum (12–18 µm) andUrotricha furcata (12–21 µm), were found to be the most abundant ciliates in the epilimnion of Piburger See, a small mesotrophic lake. Temperature and food availability were the main factors controlling the sudden increase in abundance, which reached a maximum of 101 cell ml^–1 at the beginning of summer. During their exponential development in numbers and biomass, a strong decrease in chlorophylla and in the abundance of phytoplankton, especiallyRhodomonas, was observed. We assume, therefore, thatPseudobalanion planctonicum andUrotricha furcata together with rotifers, mainlyPolyarthra dolichoptera, are able to reduce the phytoplankton biomass in the upper epilimnion to the same level as found during the clearwater phase. Preliminary results of grazing on bacteria suggest that these nanociliates are omnivorous, although their impact on bacterial assemblages was low (3.1% of the standing stock grazed per day). Feeding on the base of the food web combined with their high abudance at certain times makes them an important link for higher trophic levels. This study constitutes the second report onPseudobalanion as an important component of the microbial food web in lakes.     

On the sunspot cycle and the yearly variation of solar magnetic variation at istanbul

Summary The sunspot cycle variation of the amplitude of the solar magnetic variation has been investigated for magnetically moderate, quiet and disturbed days at Istanbul for the period 1949–1968, and fairly good linear relationship has been found forZ andD components of the earth's magnetic field. In some cases, it is rather difficult to say that there is any linear relationship between sunspot number and the amplitude of theH component of the earth's magnetic field. Meanwhile,K indices has also been considered with sunspot number by means of multiple regression analysis to overcome some uncertainties in this investigation.     

Planetary wave activity in the lower ionosphere during CRISTA I campaign in autumn 1994 (October-November)

On the basis of MEM spectrum analysis, the main planetary scale fluctuations formed in the lower ionosphere are studied over a period of 3–25 days during the CRISTA campaign (October-November 1994). Three dominant period bands are found: 3–5, 6–8 and 15–23 (mainly 16–18) days. For 7–8 and 16–18 day fluctuations, propagation was eastward with wave numbers K = 3 and K = 1, respectively. The magnitude of planetary wave activity in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere during the CRISTA campaign seems to be fairly consistent with the expected undisturbed normal/climatological state of the atmosphere at altitudes of 80–100 km.     

A method of dip corrections for expanding spread velocity measurements

Summary A method is described which takes account of the dip of the reflecting interfaces by applying corrections to the travel-times. This correction simultaneously provides a smoothing of that portion of the scattering of thex ²–t ² data which is caused merely by the dip of the reflecting beds. Furthermore, a new reflection correlation control is derived. The average velocity is determined using the method of least squares. Finally, a numerical example is treated.Presented at the Twelfth Meeting of the European Association of Exploration Geophysicists, held in Brussels, June 5–7, 1957.     

P-T-t path of metamorphism for the Julin Group and its geodynamical implications in Yuanmou, Yunnan

The metamorphic complex of the Julin Group occurs in the Yuanmou area of Yunnan Province on the western margin of the Yangtze Platform, and connects with the Kangdian metamorphic complex to the north. Based on the detailed petrographic observations and studies of garnet growth zoning, aP-T-t path has been reconstructed for the staurolite-kyanite zone in the Julin Group. This path is characterized by (1) a counter-clockwise evolutional trend, (2) a quicker increase of temperature than that of pressure in the initial prograde metamorphism, but slower near the peak, then temperature and pressure simultaneously reaching the peak metamorphic conditions, and (3) a slow near-isobaric cooling during the retrograde process. TheP-T-t path for prograde metamorphism is closely related to magmatic accretion in the arc setting. The magmatic accretion model, metamorphism type and tectonic setting may be compared with the global Grenville tectono-metamorphic events, and related to the assembly of the Rodinia at the late Mesoproterozoic-early Neoproterozoic (∼1.0 Ga). The retrogradeP-T-t path shows a slow near-isobaric cooling, indicating sustained heat supplies from the upper mantle and no rapid erosion. This heat source may be originated from the Neoproterozoic (∼0.82 Ga) breakup of the Rodinia.     

Geomagnetic activity and wind velocity during the Maunder minimum

Following a given classification of geomagnetic activity, we obtained aa index values for the Maunder minimum (1645–1715). It is found that the recurrent and fluctuating activities were not appreciable and that the shock activity levels were very low. The aa index level was due almost entirely to the quiet days. Calculated average solar-wind velocities were 194.3 km s^–1 from 1657 to 1700 and 218.7 km s^–1 from 1700 onwards. Also, the coronal magnetic field magnitude and southward interplanetary magnetic field component Bz were lower. It is concluded that the nearly absent levels of geomagnetic activity during this period were due to lower coronal and Bz magnetic field magnitudes as well as to the continuous impinging on the Earth of a slow wind.     

On the onset of convection in rotating spherical shells

Abstract

The linear problem of the onset of convection in rotating spherical shells is analysed numerically in dependence on the Prandtl number. The radius ratio η=r _i/r _o of the inner and outer radii is generally assumed to be 0.4. But other values of η are also considered. The goal of the analysis has been the clarification of the transition between modes drifting in the retrograde azimuthal direction in the low Taylor number regime and modes traveling in the prograde direction at high Taylor numbers. It is shown that for a given value m of the azimuthal wavenumber a single mode describes the onset of convection of fluids of moderate or high Prandtl number. At low Prandtl numbers, however, three different modes for a given m may describe the onset of convection in dependence on the Taylor number. The characteristic properties of the modes are described and the singularities leading to the separation with decreasing Prandtl number are elucidated. Related results for the problem of finite amplitude convection are also reported.