Traveltime computation for 3D anisotropic media by a finite-difference perturbation method

The first-order perturbation theory is used for fast 3D computation of quasi-compressional (qP)-wave traveltimes in arbitrarily anisotropic media. For efficiency we implement the perturbation approach using a finite-difference (FD) eikonal solver. Traveltimes in the unperturbed reference medium are computed with an FD eikonal solver, while perturbed traveltimes are obtained by adding a traveltime correction to the traveltimes of the reference medium. The traveltime correction must be computed along the raypath in the reference medium. Since the raypath is not determined in FD eikonal solvers, we approximate rays by linear segments corresponding to the direction of the phase normal of plane wavefronts in each cell. An isotropic medium as a reference medium works well for weak anisotropy. Using a medium with ellipsoidal anisotropy as a background medium in the perturbation approach allows us to consider stronger anisotropy without losing computational speed. The traveltime computation in media with ellipsoidal anisotropy using an FD eikonal solver is fast and accurate. The relative error is below 0.5% for the models investigated in this study. Numerical examples show that the reference model with ellipsoidal anisotropy allows us to compute the traveltime for models with strong anisotropy with an improved accuracy compared with the isotropic reference medium.     

Reflection coefficients for weak anisotropic media

The interaction of plane elastic waves with a plane boundary between two anisotropic elastic half-spaces is investigated. The anisotropy dealt with in this study is of a general type. Explicit expressions for energy-related reflection and transmission coefficients are derived. They represent an approximation which is valid for a small deviation of the elastic parameters from isotropy.
Classical perturbation theory is applied on a 6times6 non-symmetric real eigenvalue problem to calculate first-order corrections for the polarization and stress of the plane waves. The explicit solution of the isotropic problem is used as a reference case. Degenerate perturbation theory is used to consider the splitting of the isotropic S -wave into two anisotropic qS-waves. The boundary conditions for two half-spaces in welded contact lead to a 6times6 system of linear equations. A correction to the isotropic solution is calculated by linearization. The resultant coefficients are functions of horizontal slowness, Lamé parameters and densities of the reference media, and of the perturbation of the elasticity tensors from isotropy.     

Soil erosion assessment and mapping of the algar river watershed (uttar pradesh) using remote sensing technique

This study was undertaken to prepare an inventory on soil erosion of a hilly river watershed — the Aglar watershed, part of Tehri Garhwal and Dehradun districts (U.P.), using terrain physiography and soil survey data obtained from interpretation and analysis of Landsat TM FCC (1:62,500 scale) and limited ground investigations. The watershed is divided into four broad physiographic units viz. higher Himalayas (> 2000m elevation); lower Himalayas (< 2000m elevation); river terraces and flood plains. Each physiographic unit has been further divided into subunits on the basis of aspects and landuse. Three major orders of soils viz. Inceptisols, Mollisols and Entisols were found in different physiographic units. Soil, and land properties of soilscape units viz. soil depth, texture, structure, slope, landuse and soil temperature regime were evaluated for soil-erosion hazard. The results indicate that in the whole watershed 19.13%, 45.68%, 26.51% and 7.92% areas have been found to be under none to slight, moderate, severe and very severe soil erosion hazard categories, respectively.     

Genetic diversity and population connectivity of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla along the South African coast

The collector sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla has been identified as a species with potential for aquaculture production in South Africa. The species’ roe is considered a culinary delicacy in Asia and Europe. However, T. gratilla remains genetically uncharacterised in South Africa. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to provide baseline genetic information consisting of estimates of genetic diversity and population stratification, which may aid in future sustainable use of this urchin resource. A total of 22 species-specific microsatellite markers were used for the genetic characterisation of T. gratilla samples from along the South African coast, at Haga Haga, Coffee Bay, Hibberdene, Ballito Bay and Sodwana Bay. A moderate level of genetic diversity was observed, with an average number of alleles of 7.89 and an average effective number of alleles of 6.57, as well as an average observed heterozygosity of 0.55. Population differentiation tests suggest that the geographically representative samples form part of a single, large interbreeding population, with a global F_st estimate of 0.02 (p > 0.05). This finding is likely explained by high levels of gene flow between these locations caused by extensive larval dispersal during the planktonic larval stage. The panmixia observed within these natural populations of T. gratilla indicate that they could be managed as a single genetic stock.     

Surface‐wave inversion for a P‐velocity profile with a constant depth gradient of the squared slowness

Surface waves are often used to estimate a near‐surface shear‐velocity profile. The inverse problem is solved for the locally one‐dimensional problem of a set of homogeneous horizontal elastic layers. The result is a set of shear velocities, one for each layer. To obtain a P‐wave velocity profile, the P‐guided waves should be included in the inversion scheme. As an alternative to a multi‐layered model, we consider a simple smooth acoustic constant‐density velocity model, which has a negative constant vertical depth gradient of the squared P‐wave slowness and is bounded by a free surface at the top and a homogeneous half‐space at the bottom. The exact solution involves Airy functions and provides an analytical expression for the dispersion equation. If the ratio is sufficiently small, the dispersion curves can be picked from the seismic data and inverted for the continuous P‐wave velocity profile. The potential advantages of our model are its low computational cost and the fact that the result can serve as a smooth starting model for full‐waveform inversion. For the latter, a smooth initial model is often preferred over a rough one. We test the inversion approach on synthetic elastic data computed for a single‐layer P‐wave model and on field data, both with a small ratio. We find that a single‐layer model can recover either the shallow or deeper part of the profile but not both, when compared with the result of a multi‐layer inversion that we use as a reference. An extension of our analytic model to two layers above a homogeneous half‐space, each with a constant vertical gradient of the squared P‐wave slowness and connected in a continuous manner, improves the fit of the picked dispersion curves. The resulting profile resembles a smooth approximation of the multi‐layered one but contains, of course, less detail. As it turns out, our method does not degrade as gracefully as, for instance, diving‐wave tomography, and we can only hope to fit a subset of the dispersion curves. Therefore, the applicability of the method is limited to cases where the ratio is small and the profile is sufficiently simple. A further extension of the two‐layer model to more layers, each with a constant depth gradient of the squared slowness, might improve the fit of the modal structure but at an increased cost.     

Recent population trends of sooty and light-mantled albatrosses breeding on Marion Island

Sub-Antarctic Marion Island is one of the few islands where both species of Phoebetria albatrosses breed sympatrically. The last published assessment of their population trends, which reported counts up to 2008, concluded that the numbers of breeding pairs of sooty albatross P. fusca (Endangered) were decreasing, whereas numbers of light-mantled albatross P. palpebrata (Near Threatened) were increasing. Extending the counts to 2014 reversed these trends, with numbers of sooty albatrosses increasing from 2006 to 2014, and numbers of light-mantled albatrosses decreasing from 2007 to 2014. Confidence in island-wide counts is low due to the cryptic nature of the albatrosses on their largely inaccessible cliff-side nest sites, as well as counts for sooty albatrosses taking place late in the incubation period when 10?20% of nests have already failed. Given the greater conservation concern for the sooty albatross, we recommend that dedicated annual counts be conducted during the early incubation period, and be repeated shortly after the chicks hatch (late December), mid-way through the nestling period (late February) and prior to fledging (late April), to give a better idea of breeding success. Count zones also should be revised to facilitate more accurate counts, ensuring more reliable estimates of sooty albatross population trends at Marion Island.     

Low-frequency symmetric waves in fluid-filled boreholes and pipes with radial layering

Many tasks in geophysics and acoustics require estimation of mode velocities in cylindrically layered media. For example, acoustic logging or monitoring in open and cased boreholes need to account for radial inhomogeneity caused by layers inside the borehole (sand screen, gravel pack, casing) as well as layers outside (cement, altered and unaltered formation layers). For these purposes it is convenient to study a general model of cylindrically layered media with inner fluid layer and free surface on the outside. Unbounded surrounding media can be described as a limiting case of this general model when thickness of the outer layer is infinite. At low frequencies such composite media support two symmetric modes called Stoneley (tube) and plate (extensional) wave. Simple expressions are obtained for these two mode velocities valid at zero frequency. They are written in a general form using elements of a propagator matrix describing axisymmetric waves in the entire layered composite. This allows one to apply the same formalism and compute velocities for n -layered composites as well as anisotropic pipes. It is demonstrated that the model of periodical cylindrical layers is equivalent to a homogeneous radially transversely isotropic media when the number of periods increases to infinity, whereas their thickness goes to zero. Numerical examples confirm good validity of obtained expressions and suggest that even small number of periods may already be well described by equivalent homogeneous anisotropic media.