Concepts for reference frames in geodesy and geodynamics: The reference directions

Modern high accuracy measurements of the non-rigid earth are to be referred to four-dimensional, i.e., time- and space-dependent reference frames. Geodynamic phenomena derived from these measurements are to be described in a terrestrial reference frame in which both space- and time-like variations can be monitored. Existing conventional terrestrial reference frames (e.g. CIO, BIH) are no longer suitable for such purposes. The ultimate goal of this study is the establishment of a reference frame, moving with the earth in some average sense, in which the geometric and dynamic behavior of the earth can be monitored, and whose motion with respect to inertial space can also be determined. The study is conducted in several parts. In the first part problems related to reference directions are investigated, while subsequent parts deal with positions, i.e., with reference origins and scale. Only the first part is treated in this paper. The approach is based on the fact that reference directions at an observation point on the earth surface are defined by fundamental vectors (gravity, earth rotation, etc.), both space and time variant. These reference directions are interrelated by angular parameters, also derived from the fundamental vectors. The interrelationships between these space- and time-variant angular parameters are illustrated in a commutative diagram, tower of triads, which makes the derivation of the various relationships convenient. In order to determine the above parameters from observations using least squares techniques, a model tower of triads is also presented to allow the formation of linear observation equations. Although the model tower is also space and time variant, its variations are described by adopted parameters representing our current knowledge of the earth.     

Ejective and Sweeping Motions Above a Peatland and Their Role in Relaxed-Eddy-Accumulation Measurements and Turbulent Transport Modelling

The three turbulent velocity components, water vapour (\(\text {H}_2\text {O}\)), carbon dioxide (\(\text {CO}_{2}\)), and methane (\(\text {CH}_{4}\)) concentration fluctuations are measured above a boreal peatland and analyzed using conditional sampling and quadrant analysis. The overarching question to be addressed is to what degree lower-order cumulant expansion methods describe transport efficiency and the relative importance of ejections and sweeps to momentum, \(\text {CH}_{4}\), \(\text {CO}_{2}\) and \(\text {H}_2\text {O}\) fluxes across a range of atmospheric flow regimes. The patchy peatland surface creates distinctly different source and sink distributions for the three scalars in space and time thereby adding to the uniqueness of the set-up. The measured and modelled fractional contributions to the momentum flux show that sweep events dominate over ejections in agreement with prior studies conducted in the roughness sublayer. For scalar fluxes, ejections dominate the turbulent fluxes over sweeps. While ejective motions persist longer for momentum transport, sweeping events persist longer for all three scalars. Third-order cumulant expansions describe many of the results detailed above, and the results are surprising given the highly non-Gaussian distribution of \(\text {CH}_{4}\) turbulent fluctuations. Connections between the asymmetric contributions of sweeps and ejections and the flux-transport term arising in scalar turbulent-flux-budget closure are derived and shown to agree reasonably well with measurements. The proposed model derived here is much simpler than prior structural models used to describe laboratory experiments. Implications of such asymmetric contributions on, (i) the usage of the now proliferating relaxed-eddy-accumulation method in turbulent flux measurements, (ii) the constant-flux assumption, and (iii) gradient-diffusion closure models are presented.     

Quasitrapped protons (E p =1–11 MeV) nearL=4 registered by intercosmos-13 satellite

Summary Data obtained from apparatus detecting energetic particles on low altitude polar orbiting satellite Intercosmos-13 show enhancement of quiasitrapped proton flux (E_p=1–11 MeV) near L=4 in comparison with both and lower L. This phenomenon persists during intervals with low level of geomagnetic activity. Possibility of influence of false pulses on the result is discussed.     

Generalized Problem of Two and Four Newtonian Centers

We consider integrable spherical analog of the Darboux potential, which appear in the problem (and its generalizations) of the planar motion of a particle in the field of two and four fixed Newtonian centers. The obtained results can be useful when constructing a theory of motion of satellites in the field of an oblate spheroid in constant curvature spaces.     

Crustal profiles of active continental collisional belt: Czechoslovak deep seismic reflection profiling in the West Carpathians

Summary. Czechoslovak deep seismic reflection profiles across the West Carpathians, the first in the Alpine-Himalayan belt, and surface geological data, suggest that the passive margin of the Eurasian plate was obliquely overriden by the upper Carpatho-Pannonian plate during the end of the Krosno sea subduction some 17-14 Ma ago. The following period was dominated by slight oblique continental collision (transpression and transtension) of the West Carpathian-East Alpine continental material escaping from the East Alpine collision zone and Eurasian Brunovistulic passive margin. Crustal shortening in the North was accommodated by significant northerly dipping backthrusting and crustal thickening. Backthrusting is clearly observable on deep seismic lines 2T and 3T. Different subsidence features are present on the deep seismic line 3T. There are active pull-apart graben in the Vienna basin, mid-Miocene (16–10 Ma) low-angle normal faulting in the Danube basin, and there is a normal simple shear zone offsetting the Moho boundary beneath the Danube basin.     

Indoor radon probability calculated from the Czech soil gas radon data in a grid net for the European Geogenic Radon Map construction: test of feasibility

The construction of the European Geogenic Radon Map in a proposed grid system 10 × 10 km requires the data test to derive the probability of exceeding the indoor action level 200 Bq m⁻³ from the geologically based data. The Czech Republic disposes both indoor and soil gas data sets to test the real probability to exceed 200 Bq m⁻³ from indoor radon measurements and to compare it with the probability calculated from soil gas radon concentrations. Comparison of real and calculated probability enables to delineate the areas, where under- or overestimation can be expected. The results of data processing show minor differences between processing the raw data in generalised polygons of geological units and in a grid net, when using the generalised geological characteristics of grid cells.     

River runoff changes and recent climatic fluctuations in Bulgaria

Some estimates of global climatic change in the next 100 years suggest a general warming and rainfall decrease on the Balkan Peninsula. Our studies suggest that in Bulgaria climatic changes have already started. Because water resources to a great extent depend upon climate dynamics, this paper develops the linkage of climatic fluctuations and water resources using time-series analysis of climatic parameters and some river runoff characteristics and their correlation. One of the main conclusions, based on the results, is that climatic change manifested in the last 15 years has significantly influenced river runoff. A study of the recent prolonged drought and the influence of changes on water resources and human activity begins with characterizing climate-hydrology linkages. The results of this study point to several problems of regional and local importance.     

Aluminium phosphate and phosphate-sulphate minerals in kyanite schists of the Ichetuyskoye area, West Transbaikalia, Russia: crystal chemistry and evolution

Aluminium phosphate and aluminium phosphate-sulphate (APS) minerals occur as disseminated crystals and fine-grained aggregates in kyanite schists near Ichetuyskoye, in the Dzhida basin (West Transbaikal region, Russia). Petrographical, mineralogical and geochemical data suggest a metamorphic evolution through prograde and retrograde stages. Lazulite-scorzalite and trolleite in association with kyanite, quartz, muscovite, paragonite, topaz, rutile, magnetite and hematite formed during the prograde stage. More than 25 minerals identified in schists are genetically related to the retrograde stage. Some phosphates and all of the APS minerals belong to the alunite, beudantite and plumbogummite groups. Electron-microprobe data reveal the presence of wide compositional variations and complex solid-solution series among the members. The main crystal-chemical variations of the APS solid-solution series in the alunite supergroup concern the relative proportions of svanbergite, woodhouseite, goyazite, crandallite, florencite-(Ce) and natroalunite. Chemical analyses of APS minerals indicate extremely high amounts of LREE, Sr, Ba, Ca and Na. In some cases, APS minerals have compositions of Ba and Ca,Ba phosphates?C sulphates.