In situ determination of long-term basaltic glass dissolution in the unsaturated zone

Maximum in situ weathering rates of basaltic glass measured at the El Malpais National Monument in New Mexico are on the order of 2–5×10⁻¹⁹ mol/cm² s. Rates were calculated from backscattered electron (BSE) imaging of weathered porosity and are equivalent to 1.7–5% of the surface per 1000 years. Weathering is independent of glass composition but appears to increase with flow elevation at El Malpais. Measured rates represent weathering over 3000 years and are substantially lower than glass dissolution rates measured in the laboratory over much shorter time spans. Basaltic glass is a close chemical analogue to glass hosts proposed for encapsulation of high-level nuclear wastes. Radionuclide release rates predicted from the basis of in situ field rates are substantially less than those predicted from short-term laboratory experiments.     

Structure of mineral glasses—I. The feldspar glasses NaAlSi3O8, KAlSi3O8, CaAl2Si2O8

The short range distribution of interatomic distances in three feldspar glasses has been determined by X-ray radial distribution analysis. The resulting radial distribution functions (RDF's) are interpreted by comparison with RDF's calculated for various quasi-crystalline models of the glass structure.The experimental RDF's of the alkali feldspar glasses were found to be inconsistent with the four-membered rings of tetrahedra associated with crystalline feldspars; the structures of these glasses are probably based on interconnected six-membered rings of the type found in tridymite, nepheline, or kalsilite. In contrast, the RDF of calcic feldspar glass is consistent with a four-membered ring structure of the type found in crystalline anorthite. T-O bond lengths (T = Si,Al) increase from 1.60 Å in SiO₂ glass [J. H. Konnert and J. Karle (1973) Acta Cryst.A29, 702–710] to 1.63 Å in the alkali feldspar glasses to 1.66 Å in the calcic feldspar glass due to the substitution of Al for Si in the tetrahedra] sites. The T-O-T bond angles inferred from the RDF peak positions are 151° in SiO₂ glass (see reference above), 146° in the alkali feldspar glasses, and 143° in the calcic feldspar glass. Detail in the RDF at distances greater than 5 Å suggests that the alkali feldspar glasses have a higher degree of long range order than the calcic feldspar glasses.Assuming that the structural details of our feldspar glasses are similar to those of the melts, the observed structural differences between the alkali feldspar and calcic feldspar glasses helps explain the differences in crystallization kinetics of anhydrous feldspar composition melts. Structural interpretations of some thermodynamic and rheologic phenomena associated with feldspar melts are also presented based on these results.     

Occurrence ofSpartina macrodetritus in Bay of Fundy waters

Suspended macrodetritus (>600 μm) from extensiveSpartina alterniflora marshes is widespread in the Cumberland Basin region of the macrotidal upper Bay of Fundy. The average concentration is about 5 mg C per m³ and most is found in the lower two-thirds of the water column. The total amount in the Basin at high tide is approximately 8 metric tonnes of organic carbon which is less than 1% of the annual net aerial primary production of the fringingS. alterniflora marshes. The high visibility ofSpartina detritus in Cumberland Basin is caused by the extreme tides (average tidal range about 11 m) which export marsh vegetation and distribute it widely about the estuary, and by the pronounced turbidity which has been shown to limit phytoplankton growth.     

Activity of Hawaiian Volcanoes during the years 1940–1950

Summit eruptions of Mauna Loa, on the Island of Hawaii, occurred in 1940 and 1949, and flank eruptions in 1942 and 1950. Lava poured out in 1940 and 1942 was about equal in amount, totaling approximately 76 million cubic meters in each eruption. The 1949 eruption was somewhat smaller, liberating approximately 59 million cubic meters. The 1950 eruption was one of the largest on record, producing five large lava flows and several smaller ones, totaling approximately 459 million cubic meters. Three of the 1950 flows entered the sea. In 1942 a lava flow threatened the city of Hilo, and was bombed from the air in an effort to divert it. Calculations indicate that the gas content of the lava extruded during the 1940 eruption probably was in the vicinity of one percent by weight of the total magma. Other calculations indicate the viscosity of fluid Hawaiian lava to be in the range of 10³ to 10⁵ poises. Temperature readings on the 1950 lava ranged from 1090⁰ to 900⁰ C. Kilauea Volcano showed signs of uneasiness in 1944, with an apparent increase of magmatic pressure indicated by outward tilting of the moutain flanks and a series of earthquakes progressing toward the surface. In December 1950 a series of earthquakes accompanied a subsidence of the summit of Kilauea Volcano.     

Prediction of eruption of Hawaiian volcanoes

Prediction of Hawaiian volcanic eruptions depends primarily on the interpretation of records of earthquakes and tumescence of the volcano. Recent work byJ. P. Eaton of the U. S. Geological Survey appears to demonstrate the presence of two distinct groups of earthquakes. One group originates at a depth of 40 to 60 km, within the earth’s mantle, and is thought to mark the zone of origin of the magma. The other group is of shallower origin and results from change of shape and size of the volcanic edifice. Earthquakes of the deep group occur from time to time, often in swarms, between eruptions and are not useful in predicting an outbreak. Those of the shallow group may accompany the swelling and splitting open of the volcano preceding eruption, but they may also accompany shrinking of the volcano and sinking of the mountain top that appears to result from withdrawal of magma beneath the volcano without surface eruption. Determining whether the quakes result from swelling of shrinking of the volcano depends largely on measurements of tilting of the ground surface. If the volcano is in a swollen condition and continues to swell, a large number of earthquakes of shallow origin is highly suggestive, if not definitely indicative, of imminent eruption. The place of origin of the quakes indicates, sometimes very closely, the location of the coming eruption. It is not yet possible, however, to predict the time of outbreak except in a rather general manner. Sometimes it can be predicted within a few days. At times there may be an oscillation of ground tilting directly preceding the eruption, suggesting a pulsation of magmatic pressure at depth, but this is not yet certain. There appears to be some indication that summit eruptions of either Mauna Loa or Kilauea are preceded by a less definite earthquake pattern, and are therefore less readily predictable, than flank eruptions. No cycle of activity of any great value in predicting activity has been recognized in Hawaii. Intervals between eruptions of Mauna Loa have ranged from a few months to more than 9 years, and Kilauea has been even more variable. In the case of Mauna Loa there has been a rough alternation between summit and flank eruptions, but with many exceptions to this general sequence. Astronomical and tidal cycles have been studied in relation to both time of outbreak and strength of eruption, but without demonstration of any very definite relationship. Eruptions have occurred in every month of the year, but there is a slight tendency for them to cluster just before and after solstice, particularly winter solstice.     

Evaluating Errors in a Digital Vegetation Map with Forest Inventory Data and Accuracy Assessment Using Fuzzy Sets

In large-area mapping projects, existing reference data, often collected for a different purpose, are increasingly being used for map accuracy assessment. Multi-attribute digital vegetation maps have been developed for all National Forest lands in California (8.1 million ha). We developed decision rules that could be applied to quantitative Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plot data in order to score the fuzzy membership of plot locations in all possible map classes. We compare the accuracy of the vegetation map attributes estimated using this method to accuracy estimated from fuzzy class membership scores assigned by experts (inventory crews) during field work. Accuracy of the vegetation life form attribute was estimated to be higher when expert label assignments were used as reference data (76–87%), instead of FIA plot data (62–79%). This suggests that automated decision rules applied to detailed data from FIA plots, which have smaller area than map polygons, may systematically underestimate map accuracy. However, assignment of the actual map labels to FIA plot locations by inventory crews appears to be a robust method for using the FIA data for accuracy assessment.     

Simulated changes in daily rainfall intensity due to the enhanced greenhouse effect: implications for extreme rainfall events

In this study we present rainfall results from equilibrium 1 ×– and 2 × CO₂ experiments with the CSIRO 4-level general circulation model. The 1 × CO₂ results are discussed in relation to observed climate. Discussion of the 2 × CO₂ results focuses upon changes in convective and non-convective rainfall as simulated in the model, and the consequences these changes have for simulated daily rainfall intensity and the frequency of heavy rainfall events. In doing this analysis, we recognize the significant shortcomings of GCM simulations of precipitation processes. However, because of the potential significance of any changes in heavy rainfall events as a result of the enhanced greenhouse effect, we believe a first examination of relevant GCM rainfall results is warranted. Generally, the model results show a marked increase in rainfall originating from penetrative convection and, in the mid-latitudes, a decline in largescale (non-convective) rainfall. It is argued that these changes in rainfall type are a consequence of the increased moisture holding capacity of the warmer atmosphere simulated for 2 × CO₂ conditions. Related to changes in rainfall type, rainfall intensity (rain per rain day) increases in the model for most regions of the globe. Increases extend even to regions where total rainfall decreases. Indeed, the greater intensity of daily rainfall is a much clearer response of the model to increased greenhouse gases than the changes in total rainfall. We also find a decrease in the number of rainy days in the middle latitudes of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. To further elucidate these results daily rainfall frequency distributions are examined globally and for four selected regions of interest. In all regions the frequency of high rainfall events increases, and the return period of such events decreases markedly. If realistic, the findings have potentially serious practical implications in terms of an increased frequency and severity of floods in most regions. However, we discuss various important sources of uncertainty in the results presented, and indicate the need for rainfall intensity results to be examined in enhanced greenhouse experiments with other GCMs.