Swarms in Andaman Sea,India — a seismotectonic analysis

The seismotectonic characteristics of 1983–1984, 1993 and 2005 swarms in Andaman Sea are analysed. These swarms are characterised by their typical pulsating nature, oval shaped geometry and higher b values. The migration path of the swarms from north to south along the Andaman Spreading Ridge is documented. While the first two swarms are located along existing mapped rift segments, the 2005 swarm appears to have generated a new rift basin along 8°N. The analysis and supporting evidences suggest that these swarms were generated by intruding magmatic dyke along the weak zones in the crust, followed by rifting, spreading and collapse of rift walls. CMT solutions for 2005 swarm activity indicate that intrusion of magmatic dyke in the crustal weak zone is documented by earthquakes showing strike slip solution. Subsequent events with normal fault mechanism corroborate the rift formation, collapse and its spreading.     

Edge‐, bottom‐, and Rossby waves in a rotating stratified fluid

Abstract

It is found that in a rotating stratified fluid bounded by a single rigid wall, edge waves may occur at all frequencies less than or equal to N sin a (a is the angle of the wall from the horizontal and N the Brunt‐Vaisala frequency). These decay exponentially away from the boundary, in a distance of O(S) wavelengths, for α = O(1), or O(S ^‐1) wavelengths, for αS ≤ O(1), where S is the ratio of N to the Coriolis parameter f, taken for illustration to be large. The phase and energy both move with a component to the left, facing shallow water. The waves could, for example, appear as an internal tide at the continental rise or as baroclinic meandering of currents over a slope.

The low‐frequency limit, αS ? 1, is studied in detail. To allow for large scales of motion other rigid boundaries and variations in f are included. The edge (actually “bottom") waves then merge with topographic‐planetary waves as the wavelengths increase; the familiar depth‐independent mode is found to be possible in the sea for wavelengths exceeding about 450 km. The ß‐effect introduces modes complementary to that trapped at the bottom, which instead are isolated from it.     

Determination of a seismometer’s generator constant, azimuth, and orthogonality in three-dimensional space using a reference seismometer

To accurately predict the performance of a seismometer, knowledge of its key parameters is required. We present a new method that requires a single reference instrument to estimate some of the important parameters of the seismometer, such as the ratio of the generator constants, the orthogonality deviation, and the rotation in space and in the horizontal plane with regards to the reference instrument. The procedure is performed in the three-dimensional spaces where the Euler rotation theorem is applied in order to define a transformation, which is then used to transform the detection of the reference seismometer as well as the detection of the instrument under test. The estimated transformation matrix is defined as an upper triangular matrix, where its elements contain the information regarding the parameters of the tested seismometer, which are then evaluated using the Euler angles. The new method has been verified on a pair consisting of two STS-2 seismometers and on a pair consisting of one CMG-3T and one STS-2 seismometer.     

Changes in the spectral and chemical properties of a water mass passing through extensive macrophyte beds in a large fluvial lake (Lake Saint-Pierre, Québec, Canada)

Large fluvial lakes, as part of river corridors, are recognized as spatially heterogeneous ecosystems. Due to their shallowness, the littoral zone of these lakes occupies a large proportion of their surface and is extensively covered by macrophytes that are known to affect their physical, chemical and biological environments in various ways. This study documents the small-scale (5 km) bio-optical variations associated with the longitudinal passage of a water mass through macrophyte beds during their maximal growth season. The utilization of a 2D hydrodynamic model allowed us to establish hydrological connectivity between stations within the beds, and thus to identify longitudinal heterogeneity along the macrophyte beds. Significant changes in the inherent properties of the water were observed along the upstream-downstream gradient. Due to their effects on hydrodynamics, macrophytes were responsible for a decrease in particles and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) resulting in an increasing penetration depth of ultraviolet (UV) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Along the transect, chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) decreased more rapidly than DOC resulting in a decrease of the CDOM to DOC ratio. The observed changes in the DOC pool may be explained by the constant input of non-chromophoric DOC from macrophyte leachates and exudation within the bed and/or the photochemical and microbial degradation of CDOM. The implication of such small-scale heterogeneity on Lake Saint-Pierre productivity is discussed.     

Rainfall–interception–evaporation–runoff relationships in a semi-arid catchment,northern Limpopo basin,Zimbabwe

Abstract

Two types of monthly water balance models at basin scale are used: PE models use precipitation and potential evapotranspiration (PET) as their observed input data, whereas P models need only precipitation. Calibration proceeds by comparing model runoff and observed runoff. Calibration is entirely automatic with the exclusion of subjective elements. All models differ only by their actual evapotranspiration equations. PE models from previous papers are generalized essentially by replacing the constant evapotranspiration parameter by a periodic one, thus increasing the number of parameters by two (a “parameter” is an unknown constant to be estimated, and which is a characteristic of the river basin to be described). P models use a periodic “driving force”, which is intended to represent periodicity of hydrological phenomena, normally originating in the (unavailable) PET time series. These eight PE models and three P models are then applied to 55 river basins in 10 countries with widely diverging climates and soil conditions. A marked improvement of model performance in about one third of the basins is due to the introduction of the above mentioned periodic functions. Even when PET data are available it is sometimes useful to consider P models. P models scarcely perform less well than PE models. An engineer, wanting to try out as few models as possible on a given river basin, can restrict his attention to the optimization of two or three models. The paper is an extension of a long effort towards monthly water balance models, and is believed to give a solution in most circumstances.     

Comparison of LLR,MLP, Elman,NNARX and ANFIS Models—with a case study in solar radiation estimation

Despite the widespread application of nonlinear mathematical models, comparative studies of different models are still a huge task for modellers. This is because a large number of trial and error processes are needed to develop each model, so the workload will be multiplied into an unmanageable level if many types of models are involved. This study presents an efficient approach by using the Gamma test (GT) to select the input variables and the training data length, so that the trial and error workload can be greatly reduced. The methodology is tested in estimating solar radiation at the Brue catchment, UK. Several nonlinear models have been developed efficiently with the aid of the GT, including local linear regression, multi-layer perceptron (MLP), Elman neural network, neural network auto-regressive model with exogenous inputs (NNARX) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). This work is only feasible within the time and resources constraint, due to the GT in reducing huge workload of the trial and error process.     

Experimental study on scour and flow field in a scour hole around a T-shape spur dike in a 90° bend

In this paper results of experimental study on scour and flow field around a T-shape spur dike in a 90 degree channel bend are presented. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory channel to measure the variations of bed topography under a clear water condition. The three dimensional flow field was measured by an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter in a scour hole due to a T-shape spur dike. It was found that by increasing the Froude number and length of spur dike the amount of scour increases. Increasing the wing length of spur dike decreases the scour. The amount of scour at the upstream of spur dike is much more as compare to that at the downstream of spur dike. By increasing the wing length of spur dike the zone of flow separation expands. As a result the sizes of vortex increase. Details of flow field are also addressed in the paper.     

November 13, 1898 earthquake in Western Transbaikalia: a “white spot” in seismic history of East Siberia

The parametric catalogues of historical earthquakes in East Siberia contain large data gaps. Among these is a 15-year period in the late nineteenth century (1886–1901). This period was not covered by any of macroseismic catalogues known; neither acquisition nor systematization of macroseismic data was ever performed for that purpose. However, 15 years is a rather long period in which large seismic events may have occurred. The present paper deals with the previously unknown earthquake that occurred on November 13, 1898. The primary macroseismic data were taken from regional periodicals. On the strength of all the evidence obtained, the earthquake epicenter is localized in Western Transbaikalia, near the western end of the Malkhansky Range; the magnitude is estimated at M?=?5.9. The information about the large earthquake of November 13, 1898 provides filling significant gaps in knowledge for seismicity in Western Transbaikalia and a better understanding of seismic potential of faults therein. The obtained results show that the periods of seismic quiescence in catalogues may be related to insufficient information on seismicity of Eastern Siberia in the historical past rather than to the absence of large earthquakes.     

Symmetry breaking in a nonlinear αω-dynamo

Abstract

An idealized nonlinear αω-dynamo is investigated. Emphasis is placed upon the different spatial symmetries, and the asymmetries that arise after secondary bifurcations. On varying the main control parameter D (the dynamo number), many transitions are found involving solutions without an equatorial symmetry, and solutions with quasiperiodic time dependence, but no chaos. Instead of a cascade to smaller spatial scales when D is highly supercritical it is found that additional asymmetries are introduced at tertiary bifurcations. Our complete bifurcation diagrams allow us to follow in detail how stability is passed from one solution to another as D varies. In these diagrams there are typically multiple stable solutions at any value of D, which suggests that similar stars can have different magnetic patterns.     

Rainfall and streamflow response to El Niño Southern Oscillation: a case study in a semiarid catchment,Australia

Abstract

This paper aims to compare the shift in frequency distribution and skill of seasonal climate forecasting of both streamflow and rainfall in eastern Australia based on the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) Phase system. Recent advances in seasonal forecasting of climate variables have highlighted opportunities for improving decision making in natural resources management. Forecasting of rainfall probabilities for different regions in Australia is available, but the use of similar forecasts for water resource supply has not been developed. The use of streamflow forecasts may provide better information for decision-making in irrigation supply and flow management for improved ecological outcomes. To examine the relative efficacy of seasonal forecasting of streamflow and rainfall, the shift in probability distributions and the forecast skill were evaluated using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and the linear error in probability space (LEPS) skill score, respectively, at three river gauging stations in the Border Rivers Catchment of the Murray-Darling Basin in eastern Australia. A comparison of rainfall and streamflow distributions confirms higher statistical significance in the shift of streamflow distribution than that in rainfall distribution. Moreover, streamflow distribution showed greater skill of forecasting with 0–3 month lead time, compared to rainfall distribution.     

The role of phosphorus in growth of phytoplankton in Lake Vesijärvi,southern Finland – a multitechnique approach

The role of phosphorus in phytoplankton growth was studied in Lake Vesijärvi, a large previously eutrophic body of water with a history of flourishing fishery. The study combined different approaches: long-term algal enrichment experiments with natural phytoplankton assemblages were carried out together with observations on nutrient and chlorophyll a concentrations, elemental ratios (N:P, C:P, C:N) of particulate matter, and analysis of P uptake using [³³P]. None of the approaches revealed periods of P limitation, but some growth experiments as well as elemental ratios indicated slight deficiency in early summer. Concentrations of total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), which were usually 20–30 g l^–1, also indicated luxurious P resources. Thermal stratification was weak and the lake mixed twice during the study period; this was reflected in the phytoplankton biomass that increased up to 4-fold. Results of elemental ratios usually suggested the occurrence of nitrogen limitation, and in general these ratios were low for a lake. All size fractions >0.22 m in the experiments with [³³P] showed P uptake. In August most of the P was taken up by picoplankton, but when the lake turned over in September, the uptake of P by this fraction was absent. Thus, there was always a plentiful supply of P for phytoplankton, but the shortage of inorganic N may have affected those algae not capable of fixing N₂. These conditions should have favoured the growth of heterocystous cyanobacteria, but these prokaryotes never attained high abundances. This may have been due to the weak stability of the water column, or the growth of cyanobacteria may have been limited by trace elements such as molybdenum or iron.     

Origin of a native sulfur chimney in the Kueishantao hydrothermal field, offshore northeast Taiwan

Analyses of rare earth and trace element concentrations of native sulfur samples from the Kueishantao hydrothermal field were performed at the Seafloor Hydrothermal Activity Laboratory of the Key Labo-ratory of Marine Geology and Environment, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Using an Elan DRC II ICP-MS, and combining the sulfur isotopic compositions of native sulfur samples, we studied the sources and formation of a native sulfur chimney. The results show, when comparing them with native sulfur from crater lakes and other volcanic areas, that the native sulfur content of this chimney is very high (99.96%), the rare earth element (REE) and trace element constituents of the chimney are very low (ΣREE<21×10?9), and the chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the native sulfur samples are similar to those of the Kueishantao andesite, implying that the interaction of subseafloor fluid-andesite at the Kueishantao hydrothermal field was of short duration. The sulfur isotopic compo-sitions of the native sulfur samples reveal that the sulfur of the chimney, from H2S and SO2, originated by magmatic degassing and that the REEs and trace elements are mostly from the Kueishantao ande-site and partly from seawater. Combining these results with an analysis of the thermodynamics, it is clear that from the relatively low temperature (<116 ℃ ), the oxygenated and acidic environment is favorable for formation of this native sulfur chimney in the Kueishantao hydrothermal field.     

Is there a concrete relationship between energy consumption, economic development and environmental load in developing economies? A case study in Shandong Province, China

Shandong Province is currently experiencing fast urbanization and economic booming. However, low energy efficiency, energy shortage and other energy related issues are becoming the limiting factors for further economic development. Based on the analysis of Resource and Environmental Performance Index (REPI) of the past decade, the energy saving index shows that the energy saving level in Shandong fell behind the national average level in China. The sulfur dioxide saving index, however, shows that sulfur dioxide reduction in Shandong was significant. The energy demands of Shandong in 2010, 2015 and 2020 have been forecasted with the environmental load model. In a projected ideal scenario, the energy consumption does not increase with economic development. On the contrary, Shandong can achieve rapid economic development with less energy consumption and affordable environmental load if the industrial structure is being further optimized, technological upgrading efforts are strengthened, strict pollutant control measures are implemented, and reasonable plans for energy development are established.     

Deformations related to a large (M=6.9) earthquake, the magma discharge, and eruptions in the Karymskii Volcanic Center in 1996–2005

A network of interconnected stations was established in the entire area of the Karymskii Volcanic Center and near the active Karymskii Volcano, Kamchatka in 1971–1988 for the purpose of studying ground deformation. Multiple observations by this network yielded quantitative characteristics of the ground deformation related to the following phenomena: the eruption of Karymskii Volcano during the periods 1976–1982 and January 1, 1996, to 2005 (still continuing, written in February 2008); the discharge of basalt on January 2, 1996, in the bottom of Lake Karymskii situated in the caldera of Akademii Nauk Volcano (this volcano had previously been thought to be extinct) and the subsequent phreatomagmatic eruption lasting approximately 24 hours; and the large (M 6.9) earthquake of January 1, 1996, occurring at 21 h 57 min local time in the Karymskii Volcanic Center at a depth of ～10 km. This paper discusses the relationships of ground deformation to volcanic activity and to the abovementioned unique natural occurrences, and their mechanism as deduced from geodetic data.     

Surface Soil Effects Study Using Short-period Microtremor Observations in Almería City, Southern Spain

—?In Almería city large earthquakes occurred and many buildings were completely destroyed in these historical earthquakes. The actual population of Almería city is about 200,000 people. This population is rapidly increasing and new urbanizing areas are growing to the eastern part of the city where they are located in softer soil conditions. Consequently, the evaluation of surface soil conditions is very important from a standpoint of earthquake disaster mitigation. We have obtained a landform classification map developed by analysing aerial photos, large-scale topographic maps and 80 borehole data. Eleven unit areas, which have different soil conditions, were inferred from this research. Also, S-wave velocity prospecting tests were carried out at several sites within the city. The shear-velocity values of the ground vary from 1689?m/s in hard rock to 298?m/s in soft soil. These results are useful for understanding the uppermost soil characteristics and are used for soil classification. Finally, short-period microtremor observations were densely carried out in the research area and NAKAMURA's method (1989) was applied for determining predominant periods. Microtremors were observed at about 173 sites with mainly 400?m interval in rock sites and 200?m interval in relatively soft soil sites. From the result of these microtremor measurements, the predominant period determined at rock site, in the western part of the city and historic area, is very short, about 0.1?s, and very stable. However at soft soil sites, in the center of the city, near Zapillo Beach and in the newly developed urban area, the predominant period is about 1.0?s and even larger in concordance with the geological conditions. Finally, at medium soil sites, in the eastern part of the city, the predominant period is about 0.4?s and it appears very stable in the whole region. The difference of predominant periods between hard rock and soft soil sites is very clear and it has been observed that the distribution of predominant periods depends heavily on the surface soil conditions.     

The observation and interpretation of geomagnetic variations in a small area of Hainan Province,China

ＴｈｅｏｂｓｅｒｖａｔｉｏｎａｎｄｉｎｔｅｒｐｒｅｔａｔｉｏｎｏｆｇｅｏｍａｇｎｅｔｉｃｖａｒｉａｔｉｏｎｓｉｎａｓｍａｌａｒｅａｏｆＨａｉｎａｎＰｒｏｖｉｎｃｅ，ＣｈｉｎａＧＵＯＨＵＡＦＡＮ１）（范国华）ＴＯＮＧＱＩＹＡＯ１）（姚同起）ＺＵＯ...     

Luminescence dating of irrigation systems: Application to a qanat in Aragón,Spain

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) techniques have been applied to investigate the potential for dating the deposition of upcast mounds associated with qanat ventilation shafts at the site of a medieval qanat located in Aragón, Spain. Coarse quartz grains, extracted from sediment samples taken from excavated sections of several mounds, possessed sufficiently strong OSL to enable an evaluation of equivalent dose by applying the single aliquot regenerative procedure to small aliquots, each containing an individual bright grain. The OSL dates for both palaeosol and overlying upcast indicate that a chronostratigraphic record has been preserved within the mounds investigated, and micromorphological analysis of thin sections of sediment blocks taken from the mounds is shown to provide an essential means of verifying the characteristics of the strata, in particular, the critical interface of upcast and the ancient ground surface. The earliest OSL dates for basal deposits taken from two separate sections of the same mound are in agreement, placing the mound construction during the first half of the 13th century A.D. However, in two other mounds the OSL dates for the deposition of upcast are internally consistent with the stratigraphy but significantly later, dating to the 16th and 17th centuries A.D. We interpret the differences between the dates for the upcast deposition to be the result of partial erosion of the upper shaft and later repair of the mounds, and this finding underlines the importance of both examining multiple mounds in the same qanat system and the internal structure of each sampled mound. This exploratory work demonstrates the potential for wider application of OSL for dating this important type of subterranean irrigation feature in the study of both the archaeology of human settlement and palaeoenvironmental change in arid regions.     

Solution of a Green’s function for a saturated porous medium in a half-space subjected to a torsional force

Based on the solutions of the Green’s function for a saturated porous medium obtained by the authors,and using transformation of axisymmetric coordinates,Sommerfeld integrals and superposition of the influence field on a free surface,the authors have obtained displacement solutions of a saturated porous medium subjected to a torsional force in a half-space.The relationship curves of the displacement solutions and various parameters(permeability,frequency,etc.)under action of a unit of torque are also given in this paper.The results are consistent with previous Reissner’s solutions,where a two-phase medium decays to a single-phase medium.The solution is useful in solving relevant dynamic problems of a twophase saturated medium in engineering.