PKS2250-41 and the Role of Jet Cloud Interactions in Powerful Radio Galaxies

We have studied the effects of the interaction between the radio jet and the ambient gas in the powerful radio galaxy PKS2250-41 (z = 0.31). Our results show that the gas has been accelerated, compressed, heated and collisionally ionized by the shock. This study helps us to understand the processes which determine the observed properties of many high redshift radio galaxies. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The GTC: An Advanced 10m Telescope for the ORM

The Gran Telescopio CANARIAS (GTC) is a high performance 10-m class telescope whose construction has been promoted by the IAC (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias). It will be installed at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM), in the island of La Palma. First light is planned for end-2002. The key science drivers for the project are image quality, operational efficiency and reliability, as emphasized in the Conceptual Design Document which was finished in mid-97. The Preliminary Design is now proceeding on all aspects of the project. The GTC Project is presently funded at the 70% level by Spain. The scientific drives behind the GTC project are described here, as well as the current technical, managerial, and operational baseline. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Electromagnetic induction of a three-dimensional conductivity inhomogeneity in the two-layered earth

Summary The calculation of the elements of Green's tensor function is presented for solving the problem of the electromagnetic induction by means of a vector integral equation. A two-layered Earth is considered as the medium, the surface layer including a three-dimensional conductivity inhomogeneity. Use is made of the boundary condition requiring the vertical component of the electric current to be zero at the Earth's surface which partly simplifies the theoretical computation. Long-period asymptotics of the individual complicated functions, occurring in Green's tensor function as well as in the tensor function required to calculate the components of the anomalous magnetic field at the surface of the halfspace, were effected. With the aid of these asymptotics one can obtain estimates of the functions occurring in the theoretical analysis of the problem.     

A comment on determining the induced magnetic field in bodies of arbitrary shape

Summary The authors prove that the solution of Laplace's equation under Neumann's boundary conditions can be transformed to an advantage into determining the field which is generated by charges, induced by the external field at surfaces of discontinuity.     

Elastic constants computed for a medium composed of this anisotropic layers

Summary The problem of the elastic properties of a medium composed of thin anisotropic layers is treated. The study is based on the conditions of stress and strain and on Hooke's Law under the assumption of close contact between the layers. The algorithm described is suitable for a computer.Dedicated to RNDr. Jan Pícha, CSc., on his 60th Birthday     

Magnitude scale structure from filtered broadbandP-wave records

A series of Hokkaido events, recorded by the FBV Broadband Seismograph System at the KHC Seismic Station, is used to study the structure of the earthquake magnitude scale on the basis of maximum velocity amplitudesA _vmax of teleseismicPwaves in different period bands. Amplitude-periodband (APB) diagrams are constructed for each event. According to the shape of the APB diagrams the events investigated can be divided into three types: (a) events with largestA _vmax values in the intermediate period range (periods ofA _vmax from 2.2 to 23 sec), (b) events with largestA _vmax values in the short-period range (periods ofA _vmax from 1 to 2 sec), (c) events exhibiting anomalous APB diagrams. Type (a) events seem to represent the process of wave generation that prevails for shallow earthquakes. Type (b) events approach to explosive-like generation of seismic waves. The nature of the exceptionally occurring type (c) events must be clarified in further investigations. The influence of the type of earthquake on the magnitude values estimated on the basis of standard class A and B (short-period and intermediate-band) seismograms is demonstrated. It appears that for estimating correct values of earthquake magnitudes complementary information on the process of seismic wave generation in the focus is necessary. At teleseismic distances this information can be obtained from either APB diagrams or amplitude spectra ofP waves recorded, e.g., by broadband velocity sensing instruments.     

Geodynamic interpretation of the earthquake distribution in the kermadec subduction zone

Summary The morphology of the Wadati-Benioff zone in the Kermadec region, based on the distribution of 1100 earthquake foci, verified the existence of an intermediate aseismic gap and its relation to active andesitic volcanism, and the non-uniformity of subduction due to the hampering effect of the main structural features of the subducting Pacific plate. Two cycles of the recently active subduction in the Tonga-Kermadec island arc were found.     

О ВЗАИМОДЕЙСТВИИ МЕЖДУ ВЫСОТНЫМИ АТМОСФЕРНЫМИ ВИХРЯМИ И НАЗЕМНЫМ ТЕЧЕНИЕМ

Summary It is shown that non-divergent vortices may induce, as a result of the resonance effect, a rapid surface development.     

Isoseismals of the strongest Friuli aftershocks of September 1976

Summary Isoseismal maps of the three strongest Friuli aftershocks of September 1976 were compiled using the contributions from European countries within the shaken area. The characteristic features of the macroseismic fields are discussed.     

To the problem of noise reduction in sea-level records used in vertical crustal movement detection

The aim of this investigation is to develop a simple technique that would allow us to use the sea-level records for detecting contemporary vertical crustal movements of duration from several months to several years. The choice of auxiliary data needed for any such analysis is restricted to the regularly available meteorological data to make this approach possible in routine search for precursory movements in earthquake-prone areas. A linear mathematical model is designed to evaluate the effect of atmospheric temperature and pressure variations, river discharge, long periodic tides and Chandlerian motion. Spectra of the residual sea-level variations are also shown. It is concluded that local episodic crustal movements of a magnitude larger than some 10 cm may be detectable by this approach. If finer resolution is needed then it it necessary to also account for steric level, wind, and sea-current variations, for which data are largely non-existent.