Path-specific Velocity Structure of Western China from Surface-wave Dispersion

We develop one-dimensional (1-D) path-specific velocity models in western China using new Rayleigh and Love wave group and phase velocity dispersion measurements for 20 events in the region. The earthquakes were grouped into three geographic clusters from which we compute the average phase and group velocity dispersion. We invert the average dispersion curves simultaneously for 1-D shear-velocity models appropriate for the three central Asian paths, using three previous shear-velocity models as initial models. The models are validated by forward modeling waveforms of recent events. The crustal thickness beneath western China in the vicinity of the Lop Nor test site is 50–60 km and our velocity models are consistent with major geologic features (e.g., basins and mountain ranges) and previous structural models for this region.     

Cosmogenic 3He exposure ages and geochemistry of basalts from Ascension Island,Atlantic Ocean

The chronology and origin of volcanism of Ascension Island, South Atlantic Ocean, is poorly resolved. Here we use in situ produced cosmogenic ³He in olivine and pyroxene phenocrysts from well-preserved lava flows to date the main sub-aerial basalt volcanism on the island. Etching olivine separates in HF/HNO₃ appears to remove a significant proportion of the implanted radiogenic ⁴He contribution. Average exposure ages of each flow corrected for radiogenic He range from 328 ka to 186 ka and are used to refine the chronology and stratigraphy of the island. Magmatic ³He/⁴He ratios derived from in vacuo crushing are in the range of 6.3–7.3 R_A. This range is lower than the neighbouring Mid-Atlantic Ridge segment (6–8°S) but slightly higher than measured in regional ocean islands of St. Helena, Tristan da Cunha and Gough. Combining these data with new trace element data and published radiogenic isotope ratios it appears that the Ascension Island magmatism is a mix of HIMU mantle material, typified by basalts from St. Helena, and depleted MORB-source mantle.     

Pacific walruses, indigenous hunters, and climate change: Bridging scientific and indigenous knowledge

This paper presents and evaluates two perspectives on changing climate–walrus–human relationships in the Beringian region, from the viewpoints of marine biology and ecology, and from that of indigenous hunters. Bridging these types of knowledge is vital in order to grasp the complexity of the processes involved and for advancing understanding of subarctic marine ecosystems that are currently experiencing rapid ecological and social change. We argue that despite substantial gaps and distinctions, information generated by scientists and indigenous hunters have many similarities. Differences in interpretation are primarily due to scaling and temporal rates of change of knowledge, which could be rectified through more active sharing of expertise and records, enhanced documentation of indigenous observations, more collaborative research, and increased insight from the social sciences.     

Solar neutrino measurement with the radiochemical gallium detector (GALLEX)

The GALLEX experiment for the detection of solar neutrinos by means of a radiochemical gallium detector is operated by groups from Italy, France, Germany, Israel and the USA in the Gran Sasso underground laboratory (LNGS) near L'Aquila (Italy). It consists of (i) the technical scale tank made of glass fiber reinforced polyester fabric containing 101 tonnes (54 m³) of a highly concentrated (8 moll^–1) GaCl₃ solution; (ii) a gas sparging system for desorption of GeCl₄ which has been formed by interaction of the neutrinos with gallium according to⁷¹Ga + _e ⁷¹Ge + e^– and by addition of ca. 1 mg of a stable Ge isotope; (iii) the absorption columns for concentration of GeCl₄ into a volume of 1 l of water; (iv) the laboratory scale apparatus for conversion of GeCl₄ to GeH₄ and mixing with the counting gas Xe; (v) the counter filling station, and (vi) the low level proportional counters.Contributions of possible side reactions which have to be corrected for, e.g. by cosmic muons, fast neutrons and-emitters are discussed, as well as the purification of the target solution from long-lived (t _1/2 = 271 d) cosmogenic⁶⁸Ge. A first preliminary result after one year of solar neutrino measurement is presented. This constitutes the first direct measurement of the basic proton-proton fusion reaction in the core of the sun. This result, appreciably below the predictions of the standard solar model (SSM) (132 SNU) can be interpreted, together with the results of the chlorine and KAMIOKANDE experiments either by astrophysics or by neutrino oscillations (MSW effect). The solar neutrino measurements are continuing and a calibration experiment with a⁵¹Cr source is in preparation.Presented at the 2nd UN/ESA Workshop, held in Bogotá, Colombia, 9–13 November, 1992.for the GALLEX Collaboration: P. Anselmann, W. Hampel, G. Heusser, J. Kiko, T. Kirsten, E. Pernicka, R. Plaga, U. Ronn, M. Sann, C. Schlosser, R. Wink, M. Wojcik (Max Planck Institut fur Kernphysik, Heidelberg); R. v. Ammon, K.H. Ebert, T. Fritsch, K. Hellriegel, E. Henrich, L. Stieglitz, F. Weirich (Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Institut für Heisse Chemie); M. Balata, E. Bellotti, N. Ferrari, H. Lalla, T. Stolarczyk (INFN-Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso); C. Cattadori, O. Cremonesi, E. Fiorini, S. Pezzoni, L. Zanotti (Universita di Milano und INFN); F. von Feilitzsch, R. Mößbauer, U. Schanda (TU München, Garching); G. Berthomieu, E. Schatzman (Observatoire Nizza); I. Carmi, I. Dostrovsky (Weizman Institut, Rehovot); C. Bacci, P. Belli, R. Bernabei, S. d'Angelo, L. Paoluzi (Universita di Roma und INFN); S. Carbit,M. Cribier, G. Dupont, L. Gosset, J. Rich, M. Spiro, C. Tao, D. Vignaud (CEN Saclay); R.L. Hahn, F.X. Hartmann, J.K. Rowley, R.W. Stoenner, J. Weneser (Brookhaven National Laboratory).     

ACCURACY PREDICTION FOR ORTHO-IMAGE GENERATION

This paper revisits the basic mathematical formulation of ortho-image (digital orthophoto) generation. The main objective is to provide an approach for predicting the accuracy of an ortho-image, according to the accuracy of the digital elevation model (DEM), control points and image measurements, the configuration of fiducial, tie and control points, and the ground slope. The approach is based on applying the well-known law of error propagation to the mathematical model of ortho-image generation. Although it may seem intuitive for professionals in the field of photogrammetry, such an approach is essential in the era when specialists in other fields use off-the-shelf software packages for ortho-image generation. Simulations with the derived approach show that the accuracy of the ortho-image is more sensitive to errors in image measurement of fiducial, tie and control points and ground coordinates of control points, than to DEM errors. Non-standard configurations of fiducial, tie and control points further impair the accuracy. In addition, certain combinations of point location and ground slope might lead to unacceptably large error on the ortho-image.     

Reindeer pastoralism in modern Siberia: research and survival during the time of crash

In many areas across Siberia, the reindeer herding economy of the native people went into a deep recession during the post-Soviet transition of the 1990s. However, as a larger cross-section of data indicates, the reindeer stock decline is not a universal phenomenon. Nor is the present-day crisis in native Siberian herding economies an unprecedented event, as pastoralists did suffer tremendously in "traditional times", due to the devastating epizootics and other natural disasters, and even more so, during the Soviet-induceed collectivizsation. While such a historical review by no means diminishes the scale of the present-day crisis in native herding economies, it helps to identify both the experience and traditional adaptations once used by the native Siberians during the previous times of hardship. Of those, the most efficient were: maintaining cultural and ecological diversity in local herding systems; the ability to shift quickly between nomadic population as the invaluable source of cultural knowledge, technological expertise, and of domestic reindeer stock for ultimate recovery. The modern situation in Siberia, in fact, favours increased local diversity and helps to produce a steady stream of new "winners" as well as new "losers." This new experience has to be comprehensively documented, to produce both a reliable general overview and a detailed summary of the specific regional and local transitions.