Source‐to‐sink analysis of ancient sedimentary systems using a subsurface case study from the Møre‐Trøndelag area of southern Norway: Part 1 – depositional setting and fan evolution

In this study, we use seismic reflection, well and core data to investigate the role that basin physiography and sediment routing systems played on the distribution, geometry and stratigraphic architecture of Upper Cretaceous submarine fans (SF) offshore Norway. The Late Cretaceous Møre‐Trøndelag margin of western Norway was characterised by steep submarine slopes (gradient of ~0.3°–3°). Mudstones dominate the Upper Cretaceous slope succession, although a few regionally extensive, sandstone‐dominated units are developed. We focus on the most regionally extensive sandstone unit, which is of Late Turonian‐to‐Early Coniacian age. Mapping and visualisation of 2D and 3D seismic reflection data and analysis of well data indicates that the sandstone unit comprises a total of 11 SF, which were fed by sand‐rich sediment gravity flows routed through multiple upper slope canyons. Based on the internal organisation of seismic facies, four fan types have been identified: (i) Type Ia fans, which are characterised by <10 erosional channel complexes at their bases and aggradational to landward‐stepping lobes in their upper parts; (ii) Type Ib fans, which are characterised by >10 erosional channel complexes at their bases and aggradational to landward‐stepping lobe and mass‐transport deposits near the fan apex in their upper parts; (iii) Type II fans, which are dominated by aggradational lobe deposits; and (iv) Type III fans, which are dominated by a single channel complex that passes downdip into a small terminal lobe. The different fan types are interpreted to reflect variable stratigraphic responses to source proximity and basin physiography, which is principally related to the degree of local fault reactivation and differential compaction. This variability highlights the diversity of fan types that may occur over short distances along continental margins, and demonstrates the importance of local controls in understanding the internal stratigraphic variability that may be present in deep‐marine successions.     

Anomalous echoes observed with the EISCAT UHF radar at 100-km altitude

We have observed a number of strong echoes with the European incoherent-scatter (EISCAT) UHF (930-MHz) radar at angles 83.5° and 78.6° with the geomagnetic field and at about 100-km altitude north in the auroral zone. The echoes are shortlived and occur in single 2- or 10-s data dumps. They are offset by 125–130 kHz with respect to the transmitted frequency. In most cases the offset compares well with the frequency of gyro lines in the incoherent-scatter spectrum, as given by the standard linear dispersion relation. But sometimes the measured offsets deviate significantly from the model calculations, and the interpretation in terms of gyro lines becomes questionable. The discrepancy could possibly be explained by local deviations in the magnetic field from the model (IGRF 1987), which are generated by incoming particle beams. A more serious problem with the gyro-line theory is how the line can be excited at altitudes where the collisional damping is substantial. The high intensity and short lifetime of the signal point to a fast-growing plasma instability as the likely excitation mechanism, if the gyro-line interpretation is correct. The cause of the instability could be the same particle beams as those causing the disturbances in the magnetic field. Alternatively, the observations may be interpreted as meteor head echoes. The large Doppler shifts, the short lifetimes and the altitudes of the signals support this explanation. The main difficulty is that the distribution of measured offsets appears to be different in magnetically active conditions and in less active conditions. Also, the occurrence of echoes does not seem to follow the expected changes in meteor density. More observations in different conditions are needed to decide between the two interpretations. As it is, we are inclined to believe in the meteor head echo theory, the objections to the gyro-line theory being more fundamental.     

A critical view of the environmental condition of the Sognefjord

The world oceans and seas are experiencing a dramatic decline in their health and viability. In the midst of this crisis, the Norwegian fjords represent under-studied and highly vulnerable ecosystems. Fjord chemistry and fjord ecosystems are poorly studied given the current focus on polar ice melting, fish stock reductions and oil disasters. For this reason, this review sheds light on and aims to accumulate local and national findings concerning the current viability of the Sognefjord, the world's second longest fjord and Norway's longest and deepest fjord, stretching 205 km (127 miles) and reaching 1308 m below sea level as its deepest point. This review shows that there is a critical need to establish knowledge and parameters to better monitor and prevent an ecosystem catastrophe from developing in Norwegian fjords. The poor circulation in fjords compared to opens seas reduces their ability to circulate waste and transport fresh water from hydroelectricity plants. Because of fjord morphology, pollutants and heavy metals are potentially trapped within them at great depths for decades. The monitoring of Norwegian fjords is thus of fundamental importance.     

Tentative identification of the diffuse interstellar absorption bands and of a diffuse interstellar doublet line

The four diffuse interstellar absorption bands at 4430, 4760, 4890, and 6180 and the two diffuse lines at 5780 and 5797 are interpreted as belonging to pre-ionization transitions in H^– and O^–, respectively. In both cases the identifications are supported by extrapolations of wave numbers of resonance lines along isoelectronic sequences.In the H^– case the hypothesis as to the origin of the bands is supported by quantum-mechanical results byHerzenberg andMandl (1963) as to the positions of resonances in collisions between neutral hydrogen atoms and free electrons. The relatively large intensities of the forbidden transitions indicate that the extent of the ion in its excited states may be very large as compared to ordinary atomic dimensions. In the O^– case the relative doublet separation, as extrapolated along the isoelectronic sequence, is used for the identification of the doublet.     

Computer simulations of gas flow around close binary systems

A gas-dynamical model of gas streams around close binary systems is given. The velocity feld and the density distribution are determined for different parameter ranges. The results succeed in explaining the formation of a ring and a disk around the accreting component. The models furthermore reveal the existence of a tongue of matter extending from the inner Lagrangian point and a jet perpendicular to the system axis.     

Entropy of viscous Universe models

The cosmological event horizon entropy and the apparent horizon entropy of the ΛCDM and the Bianchi type I Universe model with viscosity has been calculated numerically, and analytically in the large time limit. It is shown that for these Universe models the cosmological event horizon entropy increases with time and for large times it approaches a finite maximum value. The effect of viscosity upon the entropy is also studied and we have found that its role is to decrease the entropy. The bigger the viscosity coefficient is the less the entropy will be. Furthermore, the radiation entropy for the ΛCDM Universe model with and without viscosity is investigated, and together with the cosmological event horizon entropy are used to examine the validity of the generalized second law of thermodynamics, which states that the total rate of change of entropy of the Universe is never negative, in this Universe model.     

On the formation of large-scale shock waves in barre galaxies

The behavior of the gaseous phase in a barred galaxy is followed by computer simulations of the gas flow in a fixed potential formed by a bar and a disk. The results support a hypothesis that the dark lanes observed on the leading side of the bar in many SB galaxies are coinciding with the shock waves. Furthermore the results reject an outflow explanation of the arms but suggest these to be formed mechanically by the bar. Ring-shaped features were not reproduced but double arms were occasionally detected.     

Inuit landscape use and responses to climate change in the Wollaston Forland—Clavering Ø region,Northeast Greenland

Geografisk Tidsskrift—Danish Journal of Geography 110(2):155–174, 2010

The Thule culture of the Wollaston-Clavering Ø area is analysed and their settlement pattern as recorded within the area is presented and analysed in relation to the following high arctic seasons: winter, spring and summer. From the analysis it is seen that a defined and stable seasonal mobility between coast, fjords and inland existed and that the “Sirius Water Polynya” off Wollaston Forland and Sabine Ø, holds the key to understanding the human economy and settlement patterns in the research area, as well as in the region.

The cooling of the Little Ice Age, interpreted from the analysed data, does not affect the Inuit exploitation of the research area or their material culture in general. The main Inuit response to the cooling is migration, a response that can only be analysed when Northeast Greenland is studied regionally and interregionally. As migration is defined as an important part of prehistoric ‘Inuit being’, the Inuit made no additional strategies or inventions during the LIA. Inuit migration is, in this way, demonstrated to be a substantial contributor to the Inuit's cultural resilience and to their long-term existence in the Arctic.