Spectral Trends of Solar Bursts at Sub-THz Frequencies

Previous sub-THz studies were derived from single-event observations. We here analyze for the first time spectral trends for a larger collection of sub-THz bursts. The collection consists of a set of 16 moderate to small impulsive solar radio bursts observed at 0.2 and 0.4 THz by the Solar Submillimeter-wave Telescope (SST) in 2012?–?2014 at El Leoncito, in the Argentinean Andes. The peak burst spectra included data from new solar patrol radio telescopes (45 and 90 GHz), and were completed with microwave data obtained by the Radio Solar Telescope Network, when available. We critically evaluate errors and uncertainties in sub-THz flux estimates caused by calibration techniques and the corrections for atmospheric transmission, and introduce a new method to obtain a uniform flux scale criterion for all events. The sub-THz bursts were searched during reported GOES soft X-ray events of class C or larger, for periods common to SST observations. Seven out of 16 events exhibit spectral maxima in the range 5?–?40 GHz with fluxes decaying at sub-THz frequencies (three of them associated to GOES class X, and four to class M). Nine out of 16 events exhibited the sub-THz spectral component. In five of these events, the sub-THz emission fluxes increased with a separate frequency from that of the microwave spectral component (two classified as X and three as M), and four events have only been detected at sub-THz frequencies (three classified as M and one as C). The results suggest that the THz component might be present throughout, with the minimum turnover frequency increasing as a function of the energy of the emitting electrons. The peculiar nature of many sub-THz burst events requires further investigations of bursts that are examined from SST observations alone to better understand these phenomena.     

On granitoid emplacement and related structures. A review

Granitoid magmas are emplaced at the upper crust under a complex interaction of gravitational processes and horizontal tectonics. Natural intrusive bodies show a wide variety of structural patterns that must be strongly related with their dynamic history of ascent and emplacement. Comparisons of natural structural patterns with experimental and numerical models are necessary to interpret in a coherent fashion the emplacement mechanism involved.From natural, experimental, numerical and theoretical considerations one can reach important conclusions on the problem of ascent and final emplacement of granitoid magmas in the Earth's crust. The present paper reviews the principal emplacement mechanisms referred to in the literature; that is, doming, diapirism, ballooning, stoping, cauldron subsidence and dike propagation.Dike propagation is the most effektive process in magma transport from deep zones in the crust and upper mantle. Extensional fractures for dike propagation and magma ascent can be developed at depth in the crust according to the modern dike propagation theory. In orogenic domains, magmas reach the upper crust through narrow channels or dikes and are accumulated in a final reservoir in the form of a discordant supracrustal pluton or a ballooning pluton if, during emplacement, any regional deformation acts simultaneously.

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Zusammenfassung Die Intrusion granitischer Magmen in die obere Krust ist das Ergebnis eines komplexen Zusammenspiels von schwerkraftbedingten Prozessen und horizontalen, tektonichen Bewegungen. Die gro\e Vielfalt tektonischer Strukturen von granitischen Plutonen spiegelt die Geschichte der Dynamik, ihres Aufstieges und ihrer Platznahme wider. Um den jeweils vorhandenen Intrusionsmechanismus zusammenhängend deuten zu können, sind Vergleiche der natürlichen, tektonischen Elemente mit experimentellen und numerischen Modellen notwendig. Hieraus lassen sich gegebenenfalls weitreichende Schlüsse zum Problem des Aufstiegs und der endgültigen Platznahme der Magmen in der Erkruste ziehen.In dieser Arbeit werden die wesentlichen Aufstiegsmechanismen von Magmen aus der Literatur diskutiert. Im Einzelnen sind dieses: Aufwölbung, Diapirismus, Aufweitung, Abbau, Kraterbildung und Gangentwicklung.Das Vordringen von Gängen ist der wirksamste Proze\ des Magmentransports aus tieferen Zonen der Kruste und des oberen Mantels. Ausdehnungsklüfte lassen sich als Ursache für das Vordringen von Gängen und den Magmenaufstieg nach der heutigen Theorie über die Entwicklung von Gängen in der tiefen Kruste herleiten. In orogenen Zonen erreichen Magmen die obere Erdkruste durch enge Kanäle oder Gänge und reichern sich dort auch in Form eines dikordanten, subkrustalen oder aufgweiteten Plutons an, wenn gleichzeitig mit der Platznahme regionaltektonische Deformationen ablaufen.

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Resumen Los magmas graníticos se emplazan en la corteza superior bajo una compleja interaccion entre procesos gravitatorios y tectónica horizontal. Los cuerpos intrusivos naturales muestran una amplia variedad de patrones estructurales que pueden estar directamente relacionados con la dinámica de ascenso y emplazamiento. Para explicar de forma cohérente el mecanismo de emplazamiento implicado en un plutón es necesario establecer comparaciones entre patrones estructurales de plutones y modelos experimentales y numéricos.A partir de consideraciones naturales, experimentales, numéricas y teóricas, se pueden extraer importantes conclusiones sobre el problema del ascenso y emplazamiento de magmas en la corteza. En este trabajo se revisan los principales mecanismos de emplazamiento referidos en la literatura; es decir, doming, diapirismo, ballooning, stoping, cauldron subsidence y propagación de diques.Propagación de diques es el proceso más efectivo en el transporte de magmas desde zonas profundas en la corteza y manto superior. De acuerdo con la moderna teoría de propagación de diques, las fracuras extensionales pueden producirse en profundidad en la corteza. En dominios orogénicos, los magmas alcanzan la corteza superior a través de estrechos canales o diques y se acumulan en un reservorio final, bien en forma de plutones discordantes supracrustales, o bien en la forma de un »ballooning pluton« si durante el emplazamiento actûa alguna deformación regional.

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Global high resolution versus Limited Area Model climate change projections over Europe: quantifying confidence level from PRUDENCE results

Four high resolution atmospheric general circulation models (GCMs) have been integrated with the standard forcings of the PRUDENCE experiment: IPCC-SRES A2 radiative forcing and Hadley Centre sea surface temperature and sea-ice extent. The response over Europe, calculated as the difference between the 2071–2100 and the 1961–1990 means is compared with the same diagnostic obtained with nine Regional Climate Models (RCM) all driven by the Hadley Centre atmospheric GCM. The seasonal mean response for 2m temperature and precipitation is investigated. For temperature, GCMs and RCMs behave similarly, except that GCMs exhibit a larger spread. However, during summer, the spread of the RCMs—in particular in terms of precipitation—is larger than that of the GCMs. This indicates that the European summer climate is strongly controlled by parameterized physics and/or high-resolution processes. The temperature response is larger than the systematic error. The situation is different for precipitation. The model bias is twice as large as the climate response. The confidence in PRUDENCE results comes from the fact that the models have a similar response to the IPCC-SRES A2 forcing, whereas their systematic errors are more spread. In addition, GCM precipitation response is slightly but significantly different from that of the RCMs.     

Vortex shedding behind tapered obstacles in neutral & stratified flow

Results of laboratory and numerical experiments on both homogeneous and density-stratified flow over single, bluff obstacles of various shapes are presented. The obstacle height is in most cases of the same order as the base diameter and the major controlling (flow) parameter is the Froude number, defined here as F_h=U/Nh, where U is the (uniform) upstream velocity, h the obstacle height and N is the buoyancy frequency. Attention is concentrated, firstly, on the case of homogeneous flows over rather weakly tapered obstacles and, secondly, for bodies whose height is similar to their base width, on the case F_h=0.1, representing stratification sufficiently strong that lee-wave motions do not play a significant role in the flow dynamics. For right-circular cones it is shown that the sectional contributions to the total fluctuating side force (lift) show significant phase variations up the height of the obstacle, which are not always reflected in the developed vortex street further downstream. For some obstacle shapes, the vortex lines linking the von Karman eddies at different heights can be significantly tilted, particularly in the upper part of the wake. Vortex convection speeds do not appear generally to vary greatly with height and, as found in previous work, the shedding frequency remains constant with height, despite the strong variation of cross-stream obstacle width. By comparison with the homogeneous results, it is suggested that the stratification enhances the shedding instability, which would otherwise be very weak for squat obstacles, but does not annihilate the ability of the flow at one level to influence that at another.     

An engineering geological appraisal of the sandstones of the Clarens Formation,Lesotho, in relation to tunnelling

Summary The Delivery Tunnel South forms part of a system of tunnels for conveying water from Lesotho to South Africa. The tunnel was excavated primarily by tunnel boring machine in the sandstones of the Clarens Formation. These sandstones are uniformly graded and fine grained with quartz being the most abundant mineral. They are mostly of aeolian origin. Their unconfined compressive strength varies appreciably, from moderately strong to extremely strong. The boreability of the sandstones was investigated by the Norwegian Institute of Technology tests and the total hardness. These tests showed that these sandstones would be relatively easy to bore, although moderately abrasive. The prediction proved correct. In fact, excavation of the tunnel was completed 20 months ahead of schedule, the rock conditions being better than expected. The long-term durability of these sandstones was investigated to establish criteria for concrete lining of the tunnel. A series of tests were undertaken to evaluate the durability. These included a number of soaking tests using different fluid media, wet and dry testing, erosion tests and brushing tests. This testing programme suggested that concrete lining of the intact sandstone was probably only required where the strength of the sandstone was less than 20 MPa and that therefore only a small percentage of the tunnel need be lined.     

Sediment contamination in floodplains and alluvial terraces as an historical record of gold exploitation in the Carmo River basin,Southeast Quadrilátero Ferrífero,Minas Gerais,Brazil

This paper describes the geochemistry of sediment samples placed in floodplains and alluvial terraces downstream from gold mines in the Carmo River basin, Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The geochemistry signature Na₂O, K₂O, SiO₂, CaO, MgO, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, P₂O₅, Mn, As, Cu, Zn, Ba, Ni, Cr, S, Co were analyzed in different facies from stratigraphic profiles. As, Cu, Zn, and Mn anomalies are mainly associated with the clayed facies deposited in floodplains and oxbow lakes, and with coarse‐sediment facies deposited in the channel. The facies were accumulated by the gold exploitation activity in the region. The contamination of As, Cu, and Zn was controlled by minerals such as iron oxides and hydroxides (hematite, magnetite, and mainly goethite), manganese oxides, and sulfide‐rich minerals. The As‐bearing sediments of the region characterize one of the most As contaminated area of Brazil. Their main source is associated with gold exploration in the last three centuries.