A summary of sulfur dioxide emission rate measuremnts from Guatemalan volcanoes

Measurements of the sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emission rate from three Guatemalan volcanoes provide data which are consistent with theoretical and laboratory studies of eruptive and shallow magma chamber processes. In particular, unerupted magma makes a major contribution to the measured SO₂ emission rates at Santiaguito, a continuously erupting dacitic volcanic dome. Varying shallow magma convection rates can explain the variations in SO₂ emission rates at Santiaguito. At Fuego, a basaltic volcano currently in repose, SO₂ emission rate measurements are consistent with a high level magma body that is crystallizing and releasing volatiles. At Pacaya, a continuously erupting basaltic volcano, recent SO₂ emission rate measurements support laboratory simulation studies of strombolian eruptions; these studies indicate that the majority of gas escapes during eruptions and little gas escapes between eruptions.Average SO₂ emission rates over the last 20 years for Santiaguito, Fuego and Pacaya are 80, 160 and 260 Mg/d, respectively. On a global scale, these three volcanoes account for 1% of the annual global volcanic output of SO₂. Santiaguito and Pacaya, together, emit 6% of the total annual SO₂ emitted by continuously erupting volcanoes.Even though SO₂ measurements at these volcanoes have been made infrequently and by different investigators, the collective data help to establish a useful baseline by which to judge future changes. A more complete record of SO₂ emission rates from these volcanoes could lead to a better understanding of their eruption mechanisms and reduce the impact of their future eruptions on Guatemalan society.     

A Late Pleistocene submarine slide on the Bear Island Trough Mouth Fan

A large submarine slide on the southern flank of the Bear Island Trough Mouth Fan, southwestern Barents Sea continental slope, has a run-out distance of about 400 km, a total volume of about 1100 km³, and is younger than 330 ka. Three seismic units, comprising mainly hemipelagic sediments has partly filled the slide scar. An increased sedimentation rate on the Bear Island Trough Mouth Fan from Late Pliocene time, probably in combination with abundant earthquakes, is the most likely cause of the slide. Based on these and previous studies, we suggest that large-scale slides were important sediment transport processes during Plio-Pleistocene.     

Unusual spatial-temporal dynamics of geomagnetic disturbances during the main phase of the extremely strong magnetic storm of November 7–8, 2004

The spatial dynamics of geomagnetic variations and pulsations, auroras, and riometer absorption during the development of the main phase of the extremely strong magnetic storm of November 7–8, 2004, has been studied. It has been indicated that intense disturbances were observed in the early morning sector of auroral latitudes rather than in the nighttime sector, as usually takes place during magnetic storms. The unusual spatial dynamics was revealed at the beginning of the storm main phase. A rapid poleward expansion of disturbances from geomagnetic latitudes of 65°–66° to 74°–75° and the development of the so-called polar cap substorm with a negative bay amplitude of up to 2500 nT, accompanied by precipitation of energetic electrons (riometer absorption) and generation of Pi2–Pi3 pulsations, were observed when IMF B _z was about ?45 nT. The geomagnetic activity maximum subsequently sharply shifted equatorward to 60°–61°. The spatial dynamics of the westward electrojet, Pi2–Pi3 geomagnetic pulsations, and riometer absorption was similar, which can indicate that the source of these phenomena is common.     

Phobos-grunt soil sampling device

The main objective of the Phobos-Grunt spacecraft mission is to sample Phobos soil and delivery it to Earth. Soil sampling is performed by means of a soil sampling device. The article covers the structure of the soil sampling device, its main functions and operation cyclogram.     

SCOPIX – digital processing of X-ray images for the enhancement of sedimentary structures in undisturbed core slabs

X-ray images of sediment core allow recognition of fine-scaled sedimentary structures which traditional epoxy casts or lacquer peels are unable to resolve. The X-ray imaging system SCOPIX has the additional advantage of acquiring high-resolution digital pictures suitable for further analysis by advanced image processing techniques. Because of the frequent presence of both physical and biogenic sedimentary structures in undisturbed sediment cores, two image analysis procedures have been established which simplify the information contained in the images (in term of structures and facies), and allow a quantitative characterization of the observed structures. This form of parametrization of the image structure constitutes an additional source of information for a better interpretation of the physical processes responsible for the generation of the sedimentary structures.     

Directionality of surface high-frequency geoacoustic emission during deformational disturbances

Changes in the directionality of surface high-frequency geoacoustic emission during periods of deformational disturbances on the diurnal time scale prior to strong seismic events on Kamchatka have been investigated. It has been shown that while the emission intensity grows by over an order of magnitude, sharp maxima appear in the direction of longitudinal acoustic oscillations. Based on their position, the orientation of the major compression axis can be determined, whose chaotic motion exhibits two metastable states around the direction to the epicenter of the earthquake.     

Late Quaternary marine terraces in the Mediterranean coastal area of Syria: Geochronology and neotectonics

In order to provide new data on the neotectonics and geodynamic properties of western Syria, studies of marine terraces have been carried out. The most attention was paid to the lower terraces in the range of 3–5 to 30–35 m above sea level, because they have more complete distributions along the shore. The lower terraces were examined along the coastal area from Tartus to Latakia, and along the carbonate cliff on Arwad Island. Seven ²³⁰Th/U dates for these terraces are in the range of 85–130 ka, suggesting the age interval of the last interglacial (MIS 5). New dates on the lower terraces provide a basis for stratigraphical and geomorphological interpretation as well as neotectonic reconstruction. According to the geomorphological data and lithological composition of those terraces, two main uplifted blocks can be established. One coincides with the Latakia block, and another corresponds to the western margin of the Banias volcanic plateau. These blocks are divided by a subsided structure corresponding to the Nahr el Kebir graben. The amplitude of neotectonic uplifting in the Latakia and Banias blocks reaches 15–20 m for the Late Pleistocene.     

Remarks on the Definition and Estimation of Friction Velocity

One of the mainscaling parameters in similarity theory of the atmospheric boundary layer is friction velocity. Unfortunately, several definitions of friction velocity exist in the literature. Some authors use the component of the horizontal Reynolds stress vector in the direction of the mean wind vector to define friction velocity. Others define the friction velocity by means of the absolute value of the horizontal Reynolds stress vector. The two definitions coincide only if the direction of the mean wind vector is parallel to the horizontal Reynolds stress vector. In general, the second definition gives larger values for the friction velocity. Over complex terrain the situation is further complicated by the fact that the terrain following flow is not necessarily horizontal. Thus, several authors have proposed to use terrain following coordinate systems for the definition of friction velocity. By means of a large dataset of fast-response wind measurements with an ultrasonic anemometer the friction velocities resulting from the different definitions are compared. Furthermore, it is shown that friction velocity can be well estimated from horizontal wind speed, and even better from simple horizontal or vertical turbulence parameters.     

The Crust–Mantle Carbon Cycle and Origin of Abiogenic Hydrocarbons

Oceanology - Abstract—The paper studies carbon transformation and transfer processes in the crust and mantle. Sediments dragged into subduction zones are dewatered, broken down, and altered...     

Pounding of buildings modelled by an impact oscillator

Pounding of adjacent buildings is modelled by an impact oscillator subjected to harmonic excitation. Non-linear impact stiffness is represented by a Hertz-type relationship. Spectra of impact velocity are presented for a range of model parameters. These spectra are characterized by a strong peak near a period equal to one half the natural period of a similar non-impacting oscillator. Bands of response are found in which periodic multiple impacts and non-periodic or chaotic impacts occur.