A coupled hydro-mechanical model for subsurface erosion with analyses of soil piping and void formation

Acta Geotechnica - A coupled hydro-mechanical erosion model is presented that is used for studying soil piping and erosion void formation under practical, in-situ conditions. The continuum model...     

GEOELECTRIC MODELS IN ENGINEERING GEOPHYSICS*

Man's engineering activities are concentrated on the uppermost part of the earth's crust which is called engineering-geologic zone. This zone is characterized by a significant spatialtemporal variation of the physical properties status of rocks, and saturating waters. This variation determines the specificity of geophysical and, particularly, geoelectrical investigations. Planning of geoelectric investigations in the engineering-geologic zone and their subsequent interpretation requires a priori) geologic-geophysical information on the main peculiarities of the engineering-geologic and hydrogeologic conditions in the region under investigation. This information serves as a basis for the creation of an initial geoelectric model of the section. Following field investigations the model is used in interpretation. Formalization of this a priori) model can be achieved by the solution of direct geoelectric problems. An additional geologic-geophysical information realized in the model of the medium allows to diminish the effect of the “principle of equivalence” by introducing flexible limitations in the section's parameters. Further geophysical observations as well as the correlations between geophysical and engineering-geologic parameters of the section permit the following step in the specification of the geolectric model and its approximation to the real medium. Next correction of this model is made upon accumulation of additional information. The solution of inverse problems with the utilization of computer programs permits specification of the model in the general iterational cycle of interpretation.     

Solving the mysteries of the diffuse interstellar medium with high-resolution UV spectroscopy

Understanding the complex structure, dynamics, and ionization of gas in the nearby interstellar medium is required before one can realistically model interstellar gas in other galaxies. High-resolution ultraviolet spectra provide the essential data for such studies because the resonance lines of most important atoms, ions, and molecules are located in the ultraviolet, and high spectral resolution is needed to resolve line profiles and determine the velocity structure along a line of sight. I list ten important physical questions concerning interstellar gas that require a more sensitive spectrometer than STIS and the desired spectral resolution to answer these questions.     

城市化对北京地区日照时数和云量变化趋势的影响

利用1961～2008年北京城区和郊区12个台站的气候观测资料,采用趋势分析和累积距平的方法,研究了北京城区和郊区近48年的日照时数、总云量及低云量的年际和四季变化趋势,并探讨了城市化进程对日照和云量变化的影响。结果表明：近48年来,城区的总云量和日照时数呈减少趋势,但低云量呈增加趋势;郊区的总云量和低云量呈增加趋势,而日照时数呈减少趋势;具体到年代变化,1980年代初以后,城区总云量呈减少趋势,且1990年代减少的趋势最为明显,2000年后,城区总云量变化发生逆转,呈显著增加趋势。对于低云量,1960年代到1980年代,城区郊区低云量呈波动减少趋势,而1990年代到2000年代后呈波动增加趋势。对于日照时数,1960年代到1980年代城区郊区日照时数均呈增加趋势,1990年代至2000年代则呈明显减少的趋势。低云量与日照时数表现出明显负相关特征,这与北京城市化发展对区域气候的影响有密切的关系。     

Estimating the influence of seismic and meteorological factors on the accuracy of measurements by relative gravimeters

Continuous high-precision long-term gravity measurements are carried out at the geophysical observatory located in the experimental base of Vladimir State University. The long time series of gravity acceleration and its standard deviation are obtained. The factors responsible for the increases in the studied deviations are analyzed. The recommendations for improving the accuracy of relative gravity measurements are formulated.     

High-magnesium picrite–basalt associations of the Tunka terrane (Baikal–Hövsgöl region) as an indicator of the back-arc basin spreading

High-Mg metabasalts and metapicrites discovered within the Urtagol Formation in the central zone of the Tunka bald mountains (East Sayan) are studied. In geochemistry the high-Mg metavolcanics are similar to subductional rocks. We have established that the Nb-rich recycled material of oceanic crust (RSC) was a source of elements for high-Ti metabasalts, and subductional fluid rich in LREE and Th relative to Nb was the source of these elements for high-Ti metapicrites. The enrichment of low-Ti metavolcanics, formed, probably, at the early stages of the basin opening, was due to the contamination of melt with continental-crust material. A comparison of the metavolcanics with nonmetamorphosed analogs is made, and some genesis aspects are considered. The results obtained led to the conclusion that the metavolcanics mark the paleospreading of the back-arc basin.     

Geothermal asymmetry in transform faults of the equatorial Atlantic Ocean

Doklady Earth Sciences - Statistical analysis of heat flow values measured in transform faults of the equatorial part of the Atlantic Ocean has been performed. Owing to the calculation using the...     

Study of a thermal drill head for the exploration of subsurface planetary ice layers

The recently discovered water vapor plumes on Saturn's moon Enceladus, the polar caps of planet Mars and the possible ice volcanism on the Jovian satellites call for suitable techniques to explore deep ice layers of the solar system bodies. This paper presents a novel approach to deliver scientific probes into deeper layers of planetary ice. Several existing locomotion concepts and techniques for such probes are presented. After studying the mathematical framework of the melting locomotion process, melting tests with different head forms were done to evaluate the influence of the head's geometry on the melting process. This work led to a novel concept of a thermal drill head, using heat and mechanical drill in combination to penetrate the ice. We compare the performance of such a hybrid concept versus the melting penetration alone by a mathematical model and tests in ice with a prototype of the melting drill head.