Measurements of stratospheric chlorine monoxide (ClO) from groudbased FTIR observations

Infrared absorption features due to ClO in the lower stratosphere have been identified from groundbased solar absorption spectra taken from Aberdeen, U.K. (57° N, 2° W) on 20 January 1995. A vertical column abundance of 3.42 (±0.47)×10¹⁵ molec cm^-2 has been derived from 13 independent absorption features in the P and R branches of the (0–1) vibration-rotation band of ³⁵ClO, spanning the spectral region 817–855 cm^-1. The observed absorption features are consistent with very high levels of ClO (approximately 2.6 parts per billion by volume (ppbv)) in the altitude range 16–22 km. A comparison of this profile with a 3D chemical transport model profile indicates the observation was made inside the polar vortex and shows good qualitative agreement but the model underestimates the concentrations of ClO. Simultaneous measurements of other species were made including HCl, HF and ClONO₂. These columns yield a value for HCl+ClONO₂+ClO of 7.02±0.65×10¹⁵ molec cm^-2. This is lower than the total inorganic chlorine (ClO _y ) column of 10.7±1.6×10¹⁵ molec cm^-2 estimated from mean measured (HCl+ClONO₂)/HF ratios together with in-vortex HF measurements. The discrepancy is probably due to significant amounts of the ClO dimer (Cl₂O₂) in the lower part of the stratosphere. The measurements of highly elevated levels of ClO are used to estimate O₃ loss rates at the 400, 475 and 550 K levels making assumptions about the probable distribution of ClO and Cl₂O₂. These are compared with loss rates derived from ozone sonde data.     

An engineering geological appraisal of the sandstones of the Clarens Formation,Lesotho, in relation to tunnelling

Summary The Delivery Tunnel South forms part of a system of tunnels for conveying water from Lesotho to South Africa. The tunnel was excavated primarily by tunnel boring machine in the sandstones of the Clarens Formation. These sandstones are uniformly graded and fine grained with quartz being the most abundant mineral. They are mostly of aeolian origin. Their unconfined compressive strength varies appreciably, from moderately strong to extremely strong. The boreability of the sandstones was investigated by the Norwegian Institute of Technology tests and the total hardness. These tests showed that these sandstones would be relatively easy to bore, although moderately abrasive. The prediction proved correct. In fact, excavation of the tunnel was completed 20 months ahead of schedule, the rock conditions being better than expected. The long-term durability of these sandstones was investigated to establish criteria for concrete lining of the tunnel. A series of tests were undertaken to evaluate the durability. These included a number of soaking tests using different fluid media, wet and dry testing, erosion tests and brushing tests. This testing programme suggested that concrete lining of the intact sandstone was probably only required where the strength of the sandstone was less than 20 MPa and that therefore only a small percentage of the tunnel need be lined.     

Optical and chemical analysis of iron in Luna 20 plagioclase

The iron content of Luna 20 anorthitic plagioclase ranges from a few hundredths to a few tenths of a weight per cent from crystal to crystal. Rather than being related to the original composition of the parent magma or magmas, the optical and chemical properties of the iron appear to be caused by postcrystallization migration and exsolution.Oriented inclusions of iron alloy present as needle-like crystals are observed, and the host plagioclases are irregularly chemically zoned in iron. It is not known whether thermal metamorphism or another process of chemical reduction related to impact and shock is responsible for the observed phenomena. Postcrystallization effects may obscure evidence of the original oxidation state and iron concentration of these crystals.     

Detection of Temperature-Dependent Spectral Variation on the Asteroid Eros and New Evidence for the Presence of an Olivine-Rich Silicate Assemblage

Data obtained by the near-infrared spectrometer carried by the NEAR-Shoemaker spacecraft show that the spectral properties of the asteroid Eros vary with temperature. The manner in which they vary demonstrates that the mineral olivine is a major constituent of the surface. The near-IR temperature-dependent spectral properties of Eros in the northern hemisphere, and for two individual regions on the surface, show clear evidence of the presence of the mineral olivine and are a close match to the temperature-spectral behavior of LL-type ordinary chondrite meteorites. While the presence of other olivine-rich meteorites cannot be excluded, H-type ordinary chondrites are clearly too pyroxene-rich to be permitted as a major surface component of Eros. The results of the thermal-spectral analysis are consistent with results from analysis of conventional reflectance spectra of the asteroid and contribute unambiguous detection of olivine to the understanding of the surface composition of Eros.     

Infrared Spectroscopy from San Fernando Observatory: He I 1083 nm, O I 1316 nm, and Fe I 1565 nm

Imaging spectroscopy of the Sun was carried out at the California State University Northridge San Fernando Observatory using an InGaAs near-IR video camera. Using the Sii 1082.71 nm and Hei 1083.03 nm lines the Evershed effect is measured simultaneously in the photosphere and the chromosphere for three sunspots; the speed of the Evershed flow is measured to be between 3 to 8 times greater in the Hei line than in the Sii line, and the direction is radially inward in the chromosphere and outward in the photosphere. Telluric absorption lines prevented a meaningful measurement of Oi 1128.7 nm limb emission, but an upper limit of 20×10^–3 B is measured for chromospheric limb emission at Oi 1316.3 nm. Zeeman splitting in Fei 1564.9 nm was observed in six sunspot umbrae, and a linear relationship between magnetic field and umbral continuum intensity is confirmed.     

Ionospheric measurements of relative coronal brightness during the total solar eclipses of 11 August, 1999 and 9 July, 1945

Swept-frequency (1/10 MHz) ionosonde measurements were made at Helston, Cornwall (50°06N, 5°18W) during the total solar eclipse on August 11, 1999. Soundings were made every three minutes. We present a method for estimating the percentage of the ionising solar radiation which remains unobscured at any time during the eclipse by comparing the variation of the ionospheric E-layer with the behaviour of the layer during a control day. Application to the ionosonde date for 11 August, 1999, shows that the flux of solar ionising radiation fell to a minimum of 25±2% of the value before and after the eclipse. For comparison, the same technique was also applied to measurements made during the total solar eclipse of 9 July, 1945, at Sörmjöle (63°68N, 20°20E) and yielded a corresponding minimum of 16 ± 2%. Therefore the method can detect variations in the fraction of solar emissions that originate from the unobscured corona and chromosphere. We discuss the differences between these two eclipses in terms of the nature of the eclipse, short-term fluctuations, the sunspot cycle and the recently-discovered long-term change in the coronal magnetic field.     

大型洞穴崩塌大厅

中国和马来西亚Sarawak的Mulu喀斯特区发育的大型洞穴厅堂和天坑都与小洞道有关.它们主要沿破碎带发育,有些沿潜流带发育,其岩块崩塌并非仅与渗流排水有关.     

Skolithos pipes as strain markers in mylonites

It is argued that mylonite zones result from translatory movements between rock masses and that the deformation mechanism is one of simple shear. Evidence is adduced to show that the mylonite zones in the Moine Thrust Belt of northwestern Scotland were developed in association with the inverted limbs of early Caledonian folds which trend parallel to the thrust front. On this basis a method is developed for the determination of shear strain from parameters which can be measured in mylonites which contain deformed Skolithos worm burrows. Very large strains are indicated (γ - 10). Some general implications are discussed.     

Recent crustal movements in the Sierra Nevada—Walker lane region of California—Nevada: Part i, rate and style of deformation

This review of geological, seismological, geochronological and paleobotanical data is made to compare historic and geologic rates and styles of deformation of the Sierra Nevada and western Basin and Range Provinces. The main uplift of this region began about 17 m.y. ago, with slow uplift of the central Sierra Nevada summit region at rates estimated at about 0.012 mm/yr and of western Basin and Range Province at about 0.01 mm/yr. Many Mesozoic faults of the Foothills fault system were reactivated with normal slip in mid-Tertiary time and have continued to be active with slow slip rates. Sparse data indicate acceleration of rates of uplift and faulting during the Late Cenozoic. The Basin and Range faulting appears to have extended westward during this period with a reduction in width of the Sierra Nevada.The eastern boundary zone of the Sierra Nevada has an irregular en-echelon pattern of normal and right-oblique faults. The area between the Sierra Nevada and the Walker Lane is a complex zone of irregular patterns of hörst and graben blocks and conjugate normal-to right- and left-slip faults of NW and NE trend, respectively. The Walker Lane has at least five main strands near Walker Lake, with total right-slip separation estimated at 48 km. The NE-trending left-slip faults are much shorter than the Walker Lane fault zone and have maximum separations of no more than a few kilometers. Examples include the 1948 and 1966 fault zone northeast of Truckee, California, the Olinghouse fault (Part III) and possibly the almost 200-km-long Carson Lineament.Historic geologic evidence of faulting, seismologic evidence for focal mechanisms, geodetic measurements and strain measurements confirm continued regional uplift and tilting of the Sierra Nevada, with minor internal local faulting and deformation, smaller uplift of the western Basin and Range Province, conjugate focal mechanisms for faults of diverse orientations and types, and a NS to NE—SW compression axis (σ₁) and an EW to NW—SE extension axis (σ₃).     

Recent crustal movements in the Central Sierra Nevada—Walker lane region of California—Nevada: Part ii, The pyramid lake right-slip fault zone segment of the Walker lane

The Pyramid Lake fault zone is within the Honey Lake—Walker Lake segment of the Walker Lane, a NW-trending zone of right-slip transcurrent faulting, which extends for more than 600 km from Las Vegas, Nevada, to beyond Honey Lake, California. Multiscale, multiformat analysis of Landsat imagery and large-scale (1: 12,000) lowsun angle aerial photography, delineated both regional and site-specific evidence for faults in Late Cenozoic sedimentary deposits southwest of Pyramid Lake. The fault zone is coincident with a portion of a distinct NW-trending topographic discontinuity on the Landsat mosaic of Nevada. The zone exhibits numerous geomorphic features characteristic of strike-slip fault zones, including: recent scarps, offset stream channels, linear gullies, elongate troughs and depressions, sag ponds, vegetation alignments, transcurrent buckles, and rhombohedral and wedge-shaped enclosed depressions. These features are conspicuously developed in Late Pleistocene and Holocene sedimentary deposits and landforms.The Pyramid Lake shear zone has a maximum observable width of 5 km, defined by Riedel and conjugate Riedel shears with maximum observable lenghts of 10 and 3 km, respectively. P-shears have formed symmetrical to the Riedel shears and the principal displacement shears, or continuous horizontal shears, isolate elongate lenses of essentially passive material; most of the shears are inclined at an angle of approximately 4° to the principal direction of displacement. This suggests that the shear zone is in an early “PreResidual Structure” stage of evolution, with the principal deformation mechanism of direct shear replacing the kinematic restraints inherent in the strain field.Historic seismic activity includes microseismic events and may include the earthquake of about 1850 reported for the Pyramid Lake area with an estimated Richter magnitude of 7.0. Based on worldwide relations of earthquake magnitude to length of the zone of surface rupture, the Pyramid Lake fault zone is inferred to be capable of generating a 7.0–7.5-magnitude event for a maximum observable length of approximately 6 km and a 6.75–7.25-magnitude event for a half length of approximately 30 km.