Is the empirical coefficient b for the relaxed eddy accumulation method constant?

The relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) method is an attractive alternative to the eddy covariance method to measure trace-gas flux, because it allows the use of analyzers with an optimal integration time to reduce the noise. However, the use of an empirical coefficient b results in uncertainties in the REA method. The consistency of b for temperature was investigated using a 1 year dataset obtained at three forest sites in East Asia: a temperate evergreen coniferous forest, a tropical evergreen broadleaf forest, and a cool-temperate deciduous coniferous forest. The observational b ranged from 0.54 to 0.57 under unstable conditions. Although the values for observational b were within narrow ranges among the sites, there were slight site-specific differences. We introduced new expression of b, similarity b, based on scalar similarity using the integral turbulence characteristics to investigate the nature of b. Both the observational and similarity b increased with increasing atmospheric stability under stable conditions, when lower values for the standard deviation of the vertical wind velocity resulted in higher values for b. The variations in b under stable conditions differed among sites. There were no seasonal variations in the observational b at all sites. Consequently, the present study recommends determining the coefficient b for unstable conditions for each site and considering changes in b associated with atmospheric stability in order to minimize errors in the REA method.     

Physical properties of the outflow sources in taurus

We have searched for CO outflows in eight embedded IRAS sources located in the Taurus molecular cloud using the 45m telescope of Nobeyama Radio Observatory. We have detected CO wing emission in four of these sources. CO outflow associated with TMC1A (04365+2535) is strong and spatially compact (radius 0.04 pc). The dynamical timescale of 2.5 × 10³ yr suggests this outflow is the youngest one in Taurus.We have combined our data with previously published survey data and have analyzed the physical properties of the outflow sources. We found that 12 out of 16 embedded sources ( 75 %) have CO outflows associated with them; this indicates that almost all stars experience a phase of molecular outflow in their embedded stage. The IRAS color of the outflow sources suggests that the outflows appear in considerably early phase of the evolution of YSOs, that is, as early as YSOs became observable with IRAS and that visible outflow sources are in a transient phase of evolution between embedded sources and visible T Tauri stars without outflow. Visible outflow sources are systematically more luminous than visible no-outflow sources, while embedded outflow sources have comparable luminosities with visible no-outflow sources. Such luminosity function suggests that the YSOs with outflow undergo mass accretion and increase their stellar mass as they progress from embedded sources to visible outflow sources. Typical mass accretion rate derived from the bolometric luminosity is 2 ×10^–6 M _yr ^–1. The timescale for mass accretion to acquire typical stellar mass, 0.5 – 0.8M , is 2.5 – 4 × 10⁵ yr.     

Identification and possible recurrence of an oversized tsunami on the Pacific coast of northern Japan

Geological evidence of severe tsunami inundation has been discovered in northern Japan. In the dune fields of Shimokita, in northernmost Tohoku, we have found two distinctive sand layers that are tsunami deposits. The run-up height of >20 m and inland inundation of at least 1.4 km are notably larger than any known historical case in Japan. The tsunami-genic earthquake that resulted in these deposits is thought to have taken place in the Kuril Forearc-Trench system nearly 700 years ago. The recurrence interval of major tsunamis originating in the Kuril subduction zone is about 400 years. Given that the most recent unusually large earthquake took place in AD 1611 (corresponding to the Keicho earthquake tsunami), the findings presented here increase the potential and hazard for an outsized tsunami striking the Pacific coast of northern Japan.     

X-ray CT based numerical analysis of fracture flow for core samples under various confining pressures

The X-ray CT based numerical analysis of fracture flow for core samples, recently developed by the authors, was applied to two granite core samples having either a mated artificial or a mated natural fracture at confining pressures of 5 to 50 MPa. A third-generation medical X-ray CT scanner was used to image the samples within a core holder consisting of an aluminum liner and a carbon fiber overwrap. Fracture models (i.e., aperture distributions) were obtained by the CT images, the resolution of which was coarser than the apertures, and a single-phase flow simulation was performed using a local cubic law-based fracture flow model. Numerical results were evaluated by a fracture porosity measurement and a solution displacement experiment using NaCl and NaI aqueous solutions. These numerical results coincided only qualitatively with the experimental results, primarily due to image noise from the aluminum liner of the core holder. Nevertheless, the numerical results revealed flow paths within the fractures and their changes with confining pressure, whereas the experimental results did not provide such results. Different stress-dependencies in the flow paths were observed between the two samples despite the similar stress-dependency in fracture porosity and permeability. The changes in total area of the flow paths with confining pressure coincided qualitatively with changes in breakthrough points in the solution displacement experiment. Although the data is limited, the results of the present study suggest the importance of analyzing fluid flows within naturally fractured core samples under in situ conditions in order to better understand the fracture flow characteristics in a specific field. As demonstrated herein, X-ray CT-based numerical analysis is effective for addressing this concern. Using a multi-phase flow model, as well as a core holder constructed of an engineered plastic, should provide a useful, non-destructive, and non-contaminative X-ray CT-based fracture flow analysis for core samples under in situ conditions in future studies.     

Cenomanian (Upper Cretaceous) carbon isotope stratigraphy of terrestrial organic matter for the Yezo Group, Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract Carbon isotope fluctuations of sedimentary organic matter along the two geological traverses in the Yezo Group, Hokkaido, northern Japan, elucidate a detailed chemostratigraphy for the Cenomanian Stage on the northwestern Pacific margin. Visual characterization of the kerogen from mudstone samples shows that the major constituents of sedimentary organic matter originated as terrestrial higher plants. The atomic hydrogen/carbon ratios of the kerogen suggest that the original δ¹³C values of terrestrial organic matter (TOM) have not been affected significantly by thermal diagenesis. The patterns in two δ¹³C_TOM curves are similar and independent of changes in lithology and total organic carbon contents, which suggests that TOM was mixed sufficiently before the deposition in the Yezo forearc basin for the δ¹³C composition having been homogenized. In addition, this implies that the Hokkaido δ¹³C_TOM profiles represent the averaged temporal δ¹³C variations of terrestrial higher‐plant vegetation in the hinterlands of northeast Asia during Cenomanian time. Three shorter‐term (ca. 0.1 my duration) positive‐and‐negative δ¹³C_TOM fluctuations of ∼1‰ are present in the Lower to Middle Cenomanian interval in the Yezo Group. On the basis of the age‐diagnostic taxa (ammonoids, inoceramids and planktic foraminifers), these discrete δ¹³C_TOM events are interpreted to be correlated with those in the δ¹³C curves of pelagic carbonates from European basins. The correlation of δ¹³C events between the European and Yezo Group sections suggests that the shorter‐term δ¹³C fluctuations in Cenomanian ocean‐atmosphere carbon reservoirs are useful for global chemostratigraphic correlation of marine strata. In particular, the correlation of δ¹³C fluctuations of the so‐called ‘Mid‐Cenomanian event’ (MCE) implies: (i) the δ¹³C variations of global carbon reservoir during the MCE are precisely recorded in the δ¹³C_TOM records; and (ii) the MCE δ¹³C_TOM event is an efficient chronostratigraphic index for the Lower/Middle Cenomanian boundary of the Mid‐Cretaceous sequences.     

Post-seismic Effects of an M 7.2 Earthquake and Microseismicity in an Abandoned, Flooded, Deep Mine

—?An M 7.2 earthquake took place 67?km southeast of an abandoned mine containing flooded, vertical ore veins at depth of 1?km. Multidisciplinary monitoring of the unweathered country rock within the mine was carried out for a distance of about one kilometer. The M 7.2 earthquake was followed by significant post-seismic changes in strain and tilt of ～10^?6, with a self-potential of ～10?mV, and an increase in the water level in the mine of about 10?cm/day. These phenomena continued for several months before returning to pre-earthquake levels. Coseismic elastic deformations were too small to account for the observed post-seismic changes, and have different senses in strain and tilt from the observed post-seismic changes. The contractions in strain and the changes in the electric self-potential and water-elevation rate strongly suggest an increase in pore pressure. An increase in microseismic activity (M?M 7.2 earthquake.     

Response to Morgan's comment

We respond to Morgan's comment on our model for cross‐profile morphology for glacial valleys. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Safety Management Based on Detection of Possible Rock Bursts by AE Monitoring during Tunnel Excavation

Summary. As underground development continues at great depths, the danger of rock bursts will inevitably increase. It is important to consider countermeasures for avoiding rock bursts in underground work. In Japan, rock bursts have actually been experienced during construction of several tunnels, including the Kan-etsu tunnel construction project, during which many rock bursts were observed. Stress analysis of tunnels is performed based on initial stress measurements in the base rock. In addition, AE measurement has been adopted in construction management, allowing safer excavation. Collective analysis of the data obtained has been shown to be effective for safety control during excavation of hard base rock. In this research, initial stress measurements in base rock, secondary stress analysis around a tunnel, and AE measurements are examined. Based on the results of this analysis, it is clear that the generation of rock bursts is related to the presence of geological discontinuities.     

Geneses of Two Types of Mafic Rocks to Carry Placer‐Magnetite Ores in the Sanin Granitic Belt,SW Japan

Two types of mafic rocks from the central Sanin district, and their mafic minerals, were studied chemically and microscopically. They are classified into pyroxene‐containing gabbroid and hornblende–biotite quartz diorite. The gabbroid had higher color index but lower magnetite content; while the quartz diorite had lower color index, but higher magnetite content. The magnetite contents are also related to the amounts of hydrous mafic silicates. The gabbroic magma having pyroxene–amphibole assemblage, originated in the upper mantle, was considered essentially anhydrous, but became partly hydrous on the way to the site of solidification in the continental crust, and crystallized some magnetites with hypersthene and amphibole. The quartz dioritic magma was formed by partial melting of possibly subducting ocean‐floor basalts, once exposed to the sea‐floor then altered; thus the magmas became hydrous and oxidized originally, and precipitated abundant magnetite and hydrous mafic silicates from the early crystallization stage onward. Their weathered parts provided the most placer magnetite ores in the history.