Real-time Seismic Amplitude Measurement (RSAM): a volcano monitoring and prediction tool

Seismicity is one of the most commonly monitored phenomena used to determine the state of a volcano and for the prediction of volcanic eruptions. Although several real-time earthquake-detection and data acquisition systems exist, few continuously measure seismic amplitude in circumstances where individual events are difficult to recognize or where volcanic tremor is prevalent. Analog seismic records provide a quick visual overview of activity; however, continuous rapid quantitative analysis to define the intensity of seismic activity for the purpose of predicing volcanic eruptions is not always possible because of clipping that results from the limited dynamic range of analog recorders. At the Cascades Volcano Observatory, an inexpensive 8-bit analog-to-digital system controlled by a laptop computer is used to provide 1-min average-amplitude information from eight telemetered seismic stations. The absolute voltage level for each station is digitized, averaged, and appended in near real-time to a data file on a multiuser computer system. Raw realtime seismic amplitude measurement (RSAM) data or transformed RSAM data are then plotted on a common time base with other available volcano-monitoring information such as tilt. Changes in earthquake activity associated with dome-building episodes, weather, and instrumental difficulties are recognized as distinct patterns in the RSAM data set. RSAM data for domebuilding episodes gradually develop into exponential increases that terminate just before the time of magma extrusion. Mount St. Helens crater earthquakes show up as isolated spikes on amplitude plots for crater seismic stations but seldom for more distant stations. Weather-related noise shows up as low-level, long-term disturbances on all seismic stations, regardless of distance from the volcano. Implemented in mid-1985, the RSAM system has proved valuable in providing up-to-date information on seismic activity for three Mount St. Helens eruptive episodes from 1985 to 1986 (May 1985, May 1986, and October 1986). Tiltmeter data, the only other telemetered geophysical information that was available for the three dome-building episodes, is compared to RSAM data to show that the increase in RSAM data was related to the transport of magma to the surface. Thus, if tiltmeter data is not available, RSAM data can be used to predict future magmatic eruptions at Mount St. Helens. We also recognize the limitations of RSAm data. Two examples of RSAM data associated with phreatic or shallow phreatomagmatic explosions were not preceded by the same increases in RSAM data or changes in tilt associated with the three dome-building eruptions.     

Accumulation of Phosphorus and Heavy Metals in the Peel-Harvey Estuary in Western Australia: Results of a Preliminary Study

Concentrations of P and of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu) were determined in sediment cores from the Peel-Harvey Estuary in Western Australia. Two cores were extracted, each representing one of the two basins of the estuary. Sediments were dated by surplus²¹⁰Pb, by¹³⁷Cs and by changes in the Fe/S ratio. Increasing exports of P from the mainly agricultural catchments have resulted in more than a doubling of both total P and acid extractable inorganic P in sediments of the estuary. Accumulation of P in the estuary is less than expected for complete retention of inputs of P from the major tributaries. Historical data show that since 1950 average concentrations of dissolved inorganic P have approximately doubled in the Peel Inlet and increased by times seven in the Harvey Estuary. Increases in concentrations in surface sediments of acid extractable Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu are noticeable in the Peel Inlet, and of Zn and Cd in the Harvey Estuary. The greatest increase, relative to background, is shown by Zn. Concentrations of extractable Zn and Cd in surface sediments are similar to those estimated from average concentrations in the water column for equilibrium adsorption to organic matter in sediments. Extractable Pb is greater than estimated for equilibrium adsorption to sediments. Extractable Cu is of the order of what can be expected for equilibrium adsorption to sediments in the Peel Inlet, but is less than expected in the Harvey Estuary.     

Neoliberal Globalisation, "Exotic" Agro-exports, and Local Change in the Pacific Islands: A Study of the Fijian Kava Sector

The economically vulnerable and geographically isolated states and territories of the Pacific Islands find themselves increasingly powerless to resist the recent accelerated diffusion of globalisation and the economic options that this entails. Neoliberal policy has arrived in the ocean region later than elsewhere in the tropical world and in the developing world in general. However, it now almost exclusively frames regional and state policy agendas, and is profoundly restructuring economies and societies across the region. Agriculture, by far the leading economic sector in Pacific Island countries, has been targeted specifically for reform. The cultivation of non-traditional agricultural exports has formed the centrepiece of the evolving strategy. As well as "staple" exports such as sugar, copra, and taro going to non-traditional markets, "exotic" niche products are being developed for export to high income markets in Europe, Asia and North America. A major example of such a product is kava – a "traditional" crop used in the preparation of a ceremonial and/or social drink. Psycho- and physiological properties have been identified in the plant by the pharmaceutical industry that is marketing a range of kava products. Produced widely across the Pacific, Fiji is the major export source. This paper traces the evolution of globalisation in the Pacific Islands, placing the current wave of neoliberalism in its historical context. It goes on to outline the evolution of the Fijian kava export sector, and investigates some of the local socio-economic impacts of recent market growth. Given the evidence presented in this study, the paper asks if the power relations evolving under contemporary neoliberal globalisation are likely to be any different from those that existed during colonial globalisation.     

Real-Time River Level Monitoring Using GPS Heighting

This paper presents the current progress of the River Level Monitoring using GPS Heighting (RiGHt) project. The aim of the project is to develop an integrated system to allow the continuous monitoring of river heights using a buoy equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) and satellite communications and using Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques. ? 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The tidal regime of Shark Bay, Western Australia

A non-linear hydrodynamic model is used to describe the tidal dynamics of Shark Bay, Western Australia. The model is forced by tidal elevations generated by M₂, S₂, K₁ and O₁ constituent data at the open boundaries. The absence of suitable boundary data required a ‘calibration’ of the boundary condition against the known constituent data from within the model domain. The model provides a good match to the available field data, and allows the surface-level and current response to be resolved over the entire domain. Due to a near quarter-wave resonance of the semi-diurnal tide along the eastern Hopeless Reach, which increases the semi-diurnal tide by a factor of 2, the tidal characteristics on each of the Reaches are different: on the eastern Hopeless Reach the tides are mainly semi-diurnal while on the western Freycinet Reach the tides are mainly diurnal. The tidal range is also higher along Hopeless Reach. Tidal harmonics, generated by non-linearity, are important in the shallow regions. The tidal wave is shown to propagate as a progressive wave into the Bay. Substantial phase-lag, attenuation and dissipation occur over the Faure Sill, a major shallow region of the eastern reach of the Bay. Non-linear generation of the M₄ and MS₄ tides is also significant in this region. Depth-averaged residual currents are presented, which show a tidally generated circulation that is enhanced in regions of complex topography. Estimates of tidal dissipation indicate that although the total dissipation is small on a global scale, the areal average is comparable with the Gulf of Carpentaria and approximately one-quarter of the value estimated for the Patagonian Shelf.     

Three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations of radiation-driven warped accretion discs

We present three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics calculations of warped accretion discs in X-ray binary systems. Geometrically thin, optically thick accretion discs are illuminated by a central radiation source. This illumination exerts a non-axisymmetric radiation pressure on the surface of the disc, resulting in a torque that acts on the disc to induce a twist or warp. Initially planar discs are unstable to warping driven by the radiation torque and, in general, the warps also precess in a retrograde direction relative to the orbital flow. We simulate a number of X-ray binary systems which have different mass ratios, using a number of different luminosities for each. Radiation-driven warping occurs for all systems simulated. For mass ratios   q ∼ 0.1  a moderate warp occurs in the inner disc while the outer disc remains in the orbital plane (cf. X 1916−053). For less extreme mass ratios, the entire disc tilts out of the orbital plane (cf. Her X–1). For discs that are tilted out of the orbital plane in which the outer edge material of the disc is precessing in a prograde direction, we obtain both positive and negative superhumps simultaneously in the dissipation light curve (cf. V603 Aql).     

Predicting the Isotropic Volumetric Compression Response of Hydrating Cemented Paste Backfill (CPB)

Geotechnical and Geological Engineering - Deep and high-stress mining results in stress transfers onto the previously placed backfill, and mines have recorded several MPa induced backfill stresses....