Regional debris-flow and debris-flood frequency–magnitude relationships

Construction of frequency–magnitude (F–M) relationships of debris floods and debris flows is challenging because of few direct observations, discontinuous event occurrence, loss of field evidence, the difficulty of accessing the sediment archive and the challenge of finding suitable statistical methods to analyse the dataset. Consultants often face budget limitations that prohibit application of the full gamut of absolute dating methods, stratigraphic analysis and analytical tools necessary to fully resolve the F–M legacy. In some cases, F–M curves are needed for watersheds without local information, or where obtaining this information is prohibitively expensive. For such watersheds, the F–M relationship may be estimated where several F–M curves have already been assembled in a specific region. Individual F–M curves are normalized by fan area or fan volume, then stratified by process type and geomorphic activity level. This paper describes the development of regional F–M curves for debris flows in southwestern British Columbia and debris flows and debris floods in the Bow River valley near Canmore, Alberta. We apply the regional relationships to other cases in Canada and the United States and demonstrate that the method can be globalized. The regional approach is compared to cases where detailed F–M relationships have been established by other means. Strong negative deviations from the regional debris-flow or debris-flood magnitude trends could signal inherent watershed stability, while strong positive deviations could signal extraordinary landslide processes, or suggest that the fan may be largely of paraglacial origin. We highlight some of these outlying cases and develop a method whereby the regional curves can be meaningfully adjusted, or reliance can be placed on lower or upper confidence bounds of the F–M curves. We caution against the indiscriminate use of the regionally based F–M curves, especially in watersheds where multiple geomorphic processes are active. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Jupiter’s South South Temperate Zone vortices: Observations and simulations

The region in Jupiter’s atmosphere with the highest density of anticyclonic spot-like vortices is the region known as the South South Temperate Zone (SSTZ), which is located between the eastward jet at ≈−42.9° latitude and the westward jet at ≈−39.2° latitude. We present a characterization of the spots found in this region based on ground-based and Hubble Space Telescope observations from the years 1993 to 2007. Mergers have been reported between spots in this region, similar to those observed for the White Ovals in the latitudinal domain immediately equatorward (northward). We use a multilayer model to perform numerical simulations that capture the details of a well-observed merger event involving multiple interacting vortices. We find that the vertical stratification has an important effect in the outcome of the interaction between spots. In particular it can play a determining role on whether or not a cyclone embedded between two approaching anticyclones can inhibit their merging. From our simulations we conclude that the background static stability of the atmosphere in the SSTZ is better characterized by an average value of .     

High-temperature deformation during continental-margin subduction & exhumation: The ultrahigh-pressure Western Gneiss Region of Norway

A new dataset for the high-pressure to ultrahigh-pressure Western Gneiss Region allows the definition of distinct structural and petrological domains. Much of the study area is an E-dipping homocline with E-plunging lineations that exposes progressively deeper, more strongly deformed, more eclogite-rich structural levels westward. Although eclogites crop out across the WGR, Scandian deformation is weak and earlier structures are well preserved in the southeastern half of the study area. The Scandian reworking increases westward, culminating in strong Scandian fabrics with only isolated pockets of older structures; the dominant Scandian deformation was coaxial E–W stretching. The sinistrally sheared Møre–Trøndelag Fault Complex and Nordfjord Mylonitic Shear Zone bound these rocks to the north and south. There was moderate top-E, amphibolite-facies deformation associated with translation of the allochthons over the basement along its eastern edge, and the Nordfjord–Sogn Detachment Zone underwent strong lower amphibolite-facies to greenschist-facies top-W shearing. A northwestward increase in exhumation-related melting is indicated by leucosomes with hornblende, plagioclase, and Scandian sphene. In the western 2/3 of the study area, exhumation-related, amphibolite-facies symplectite formation in quartzofeldspathic gneiss postdated most Scandian deformation; further deformation was restricted to slip along biotite-rich foliation planes and minor local folding. That the Western Gneiss Region quartzofeldspathic gneiss exhibits a strong gradient in degree of deformation, implies that continental crust in general need not undergo pervasive deformation during subduction.     

Illumination conditions of the south pole of the Moon derived using Kaguya topography

We have used the Kaguya laser altimeter-derived topography to conduct a comprehensive study of the illumination conditions at the Moon’s south pole. We have determined, by comparing simulated and actual Clementine images, that the Kaguya topography can be used to generate realistic illumination conditions. We generated an average illumination map for the year 2020 for the lunar south pole region. From this we identified the areas that receive the most illumination. The place receiving the most illumination (86% of the year) is located close to the rim of Shackleton crater at 88.74°S 124.5°E. However two other areas, less than 10 km apart from each other, are collectively lit for 94% of the year. We found that sites exist near the south pole that are continuously lit for several months during summer. We were also able to map the locations and durations of eclipse periods for these areas. Finally we analyzed the seasonal variations in lighting conditions, from summer to winter, for key areas near the south pole. We conclude that areas exist near the south pole that have illumination conditions that make them ideal candidates as future outpost sites.     

Location‐based social media behavior and perception: Views of university students

Location‐based social media (LBSM), a specific type of volunteered geographic information (VGI), is increasingly being used as a spatial data source for researchers in geography and related disciplines. Many questions, though, have been raised about VGI data in terms of its quality and its contributors. While a number of studies have explored users’ demographics and motivations for contribution to explicitly geographic forms of VGI, such as OpenStreetMap and Wikimapia, few have focused on these aspects with implicitly geographic forms of VGI, such as LBSM (for example, Twitter and Instagram). This study, through use of an online survey, specifically assesses the LBSM behavior and perceptions of 253 university students, noting differences found in gender, race, and academic standing. We find that the greatest differences are those between males and females, rather than through race or academic standing, and LBSM appears less biased than other forms of VGI.     

Co‐evolution of riparian vegetation and channel dynamics in an aggrading braided river system,Mount Pinatubo,Philippines

Increased bank stability by riparian vegetation can have profound impacts on channel morphology and dynamics in low‐energy systems, but the effects are less clear in high‐energy environments. Here we investigate the role of vegetation in active, aggrading braided systems at Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, and compare results with numerical modeling results. Gradual reductions in post‐eruption sediment loads have reduced bed reworking rates, allowing vegetation to finally persist year‐round on the Pasig‐Potrero and Sacobia Rivers. From 2009–2011 we collected data detailing vegetation extent, type, density, and root strength. Incorporating these data into the RipRoot model and BSTEM (Bank Stability and Toe Erosion Model) shows cohesion due to roots increases from zero in unvegetated conditions to > 10·2 kPa in densely‐growing grasses. Field‐based parameters were incorporated into a cellular model comparing vegetation strength and sediment mobility effects on braided channel dynamics. The model shows both low sediment mobility and high vegetation strength lead to less active systems, reflecting trends observed in the field. The competing influence of vegetation strength versus channel dynamics is a concept encapsulated in a dimensionless ratio between timescales for vegetation growth and channel reworking known as T*. An estimated T* between 1·5 and 2·3 for the Pasig‐Potrero River suggests channels are still very mobile and likely to remain braided until aggradation rates decline further. Vegetation does have an important effect on channel dynamics, however, by focusing flow and thus aggradation into the unvegetated fraction of braidplain, leading to an aggradational imbalance and transition to a more avulsive state. The future trajectory of channel–vegetation interactions as sedimentation rates decline is complicated by strong seasonal variability in precipitation and sediment loads, driving incision and armoring in the dry season. By 2011, incision during the dry season was substantial enough to lower the water‐table, weaken existing vegetation, and allow for vegetation removal in future avulsions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On shear-wave triplication in transversely isotropic media

The exact solution to the problem of qSV triplication in homogenous transversely isotropic media has been long known, but the result is algebraically complex and is seldom applied in practice. We present an appropriate approximation (not assuming weak qSV-anisotropy) that simplifies the conditions for the onset of off-axis triplication as anisotropy is increased, identifying the anisotropy parameter σ as the controlling parameter. It follows that commonly reported surface-seismic P-wave move-out measurements imply that many formations in the earth's sedimentary crust support off-axis qSV triplications. For typical Vp/Vs velocity ratios and a horizontally stratified earth, however, off-axis qSV triplications appear to only occur for shear-wave incidence angles too far from the vertical to be sampled by surface-seismic converted-wave survey geometries.     

Storage and Preservation of Artificial Sweeteners in Groundwater Samples

Compound‐specific standardized sampling and storage methods are not available for artificial sweeteners found in groundwater. This study aimed to understand: (1) the appropriate length of storage time for samples containing acesulfame (ACE), sucralose (SUC), saccharin (SAC), and cyclamate (CYC) in simulated groundwater (SGW); (2) conditions of their stability; and (3) which sampling materials are appropriate for sample collection. The evaluated storage conditions included acidification, headspace, exposure to light, and refrigeration; the evaluated sampling materials included steel, stainless steel, aluminum, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide (nylon), polypropylene (PharMed BPT?) tubing, styrene‐ethylene‐butylene co‐polymer (MasterFlex?) tubing, and polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon?) tubing. All compounds evaluated were stable in storage at 4 °C for 241 d (8 months). Concentrations of artificial sweeteners were consistently within 60% to 120% of original concentrations, except ACE and SAC that were substantially lower under acidified conditions at 25 °C after 241 d. Artificial sweetener concentrations remained nearly constant while in contact with all sampling materials except steel. SEM and TEM images showed oxidation of steel occurred; moreover, removal of all artificial sweetener compounds from aqueous solution had occurred after 289 d. These results suggest artificial sweetener analyses conducted within 14 d of sample collection produce optimal results; however, longer storage times may be acceptable under certain conditions. The results also suggest concentrations of artificial sweeteners in SGW are not affected by contact with typical well casing, sampling, and storage materials, with the exception of steel. The findings from this study will improve the use of artificial sweeteners as tracers in environmental studies.     

Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide photoproduction quantum yields in the Delaware Estuary

Photochemical mineralization of dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in the cycling of carbon in estuarine systems. A key to modeling this process is knowledge of apparent quantum yields (AQYs) for the photochemical products. Here we determined spectral AQYs for carbon dioxide (CO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO), the main products of DOM photomineralization, along the main axis of the Delaware Estuary. Apparent quantum yields for CO₂ photoproduction were determined shipboard using a multi-spectral irradiation system. Carbon monoxide AQYs were determined in stored samples by employing a narrow band spectral irradiation system. A single AQY spectrum described carbon dioxide photochemical production within the estuary whereas CO AQY spectra varied with salinity, suggesting different precursors and mechanisms for the production of these two species. CO₂ AQYs were used along with shipboard measurements of DOM absorbance and solar irradiance to calculate photoproduction rates. Calculated CO₂ photoproduction rates agreed with directly measured rates (2 to 4 μM CO₂ d^? 1) within experimental error, supporting the further development and use of AQYs to calculate regional-scale photochemical fluxes.     

Geographical indications and the South Africa–European Union free trade agreement

Geographical indications, as a form of intellectual property, are becoming increasingly important in global trade. In South Africa's trade and cooperation agreement with the European Union, problems over the use of names such as 'port' and 'sherry' provided an important obstacle to the conclusion of the trade deal. This paper argues that the conflict over geographical indications in this trade agreement must be seen in the context of broader initiatives to establish a system of protecting this form of intellectual property through the World Trade Organisation.