Ephemeris errors of GPS satellites

Ephemeris errors are supposed to be a major factor limiting the usefulness ofGPS in high precision geodesy. Considerations of orbital mechanics suggest that, regardless of their complexity, the uncertainties in the solar radiation pressure model, the gravity field model, and the estimated initial state, may have simple effects on the ephemeris. This possibility has been tested by fitting linear combinations of simple functions—chosen on theoretical grounds—to simulated errors of three-day ephemerides. With a set of five functions for the across-track component, six for the radial, and seven for the along-track, it has been possible to fit the position errors to better than 1% of theirr.m.s values, in all the caces studied. The simulations included —besides solar radiation pressure errors—gravity field model and initial state uncertainties, as well as an unknown constant force along the axis of the solar panels. The solar radiation force was calculated taking into account the shape, orientation, and physical properties (reflectivity and specularity) of the main parts of the spacecraft, under various conditions of illumination (continuous sunlight, eclipses, etc.).     

ESR dating of dental enamel from Middle Palaeolithic levels at Lazaret Cave,France

ESR dating was carried out on Cervus elaphus tooth enamel samples from the depositional sequence of Lazaret Cave, Nice, France. The deposits contain Anteneandertal hominid fossils associated with abundant lithic artefacts and faunal remains. Three samples from the Mousterian occupations in complex CIII (Fouille d'entrée) yielded early uptake (EU) ages between 108 and 125 ka and linear uptake (LU) ages between 133 and 160 ka. Seven samples from the Acheulian levels in the upper part of the complex CII (Fouille d'entrée and Fouille centre) gave EU ages between 113 and 165 ka and LU ages between 147 and 210 ka, with weighted means at 131 ± 7 and 165 ± 9 ka, respectively. The results of six enamel samples from the lower Acheulian levels at Locus VIII, another place in the cave, were discarded because of their decreasing tendency with depth. The US–ESR combination method was also applied and the CSUS–ESR dates were calculated using the ESR-DATA program. Altogether, the data suggest that the Lazaret Acheulian and Mousterian occupations were rapidly formed during OIS 6.     

Quantifying sediment storage in a high alpine valley (Turtmanntal,Switzerland)

The determination of sediment storage is a critical parameter in sediment budget analyses. But, in many sediment budget studies the quantification of magnitude and time‐scale of sediment storage is still the weakest part and often relies on crude estimations only, especially in large drainage basins (>100 km²). We present a new approach to storage quantification in a meso‐scale alpine catchment of the Swiss Alps (Turtmann Valley, 110 km²). The quantification of depositional volumes was performed by combining geophysical surveys and geographic information system (GIS) modelling techniques. Mean thickness values of each landform type calculated from these data was used to estimate the sediment volume in the hanging valleys and the trough slopes. Sediment volume of the remaining subsystems was determined by modelling an assumed parabolic bedrock surface using digital elevation model (DEM) data. A total sediment volume of 781·3×10⁶–1005·7×10⁶ m³ is deposited in the Turtmann Valley. Over 60% of this volume is stored in the 13 hanging valleys. Moraine landforms contain over 60% of the deposits in the hanging valleys followed by sediment stored on slopes (20%) and rock glaciers (15%). For the first time, a detailed quantification of different storage types was achieved in a catchment of this size. Sediment volumes have been used to calculate mean denudation rates for the different processes ranging from 0·1 to 2·6 mm/a based on a time span of 10 ka. As the quantification approach includes a number of assumptions and various sources of error the values given represent the order of magnitude of sediment storage that has to be expected in a catchment of this size. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Observation pétrographique d'un cas de mélange de magmas acide et basique: genèse des dacitoïdes de la région de Qom-Aran (Iran central)

Résumé Dans les pyroclastites de l'Eocène supérieur de la région de Qom-Aran (Iran Central) existent des roches à aspect intermédiaire entre des laves et des roches pyroclastiques (laves bréchiques).Ces laves hétérogénes présentent deux composants originaux: l'un acide formant la matrice claire (rhyolite à structure fluidale), l'autre basique, sombre, vitreux, en forme de micropillows et/ou de flammes.L'étude détaillée des contacts entre ces deux composants, illustrée par une série de microphotographies, implique l'état liquide des deux composants lors de leur mélange. L'homogénéisation mécanique aboutit à des laves intermédiaires (dacitoïdes). Durant ce dernier processus, des phénomènes de diffusion entre les deux magmas contrastés provoquent certains changements chimiques dans la composition originelle de chacun des deux composants.

---

Petrographic Observations on Mixing of Acid and Basic Magmas: Genesis of the Dacitoïdes of the Qom-Aran Area (Central Iran)Among the Upper Eocene pyroclastic materials of the Qom-Aran area (Central Iran) there are rocks (named lava-breccias) with intermediate facies between lavas and pyroclastic rocks.These heterogeneous lavas exhibit two distinct components: (1) an acid one, making up the light-coloured groundmass (fluidal rhyolite), and (2) a basic, dark, vitreous component in the shape of micro-pillows and/or flame-like patches.A detailed study of the boundaries between these two components has been performed and illustrated by several microphotographs. It shows that the two components were in a liquid state when mixed with each other. Mechanical homogeneization results into an intermediate lava (dacitoïde). During this process, diffusion phenomena between the two contrasted magmas brought about chemical changes in the original composition of each — basic and acid — component.

     

Luminescence investigation of loess and tephra from Halfway House section, Central Alaska

Infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) properties of the Old Crow tephra and bracketing loess from the Halfway House site in Central Alaska are investigated in order to test newly developed techniques, including SAR and recently proposed fading corrections. Loess samples investigated show a standard growth of luminescence with regenerative dose while the tephra sample is less sensitive by an order of magnitude and saturates at lower dose. The growth curves obtained using multiple-aliquots regeneration (MAR) saturate at a higher value than those with the single-aliquot regeneration (SAR) protocol. Fading rate determinations for these samples are shown to be imprecise and no noticeable difference was observed between loess and tephra materials. Anomalous fading corrections using an average g value of 5% are applied to the natural test dose signal intensity using the dose rate correction (DRC) method. IRSL ages obtained for loess are in agreement with the expected age while the tephra age is lower than expected, suggesting the measured fading rate is underestimated for this material.     

Seismic vulnerability evaluation of axially loaded steel built-up laced members Ⅱ： evaluations

The test results described in Part 1 of this paper （Lee and Bruneau, 2008） on twelve steel built-up laced members （BLMs） subjected to quasi-static loading are analyzed to provide better knowledge on their seismic behavior. Strength capacity of the BLM specimens is correlated with the strength predicted by the AISC LRFD Specifications. Assessments of hysteretic properties such as ductility capacity, energy dissipation capacity, and strength degradation after buckling of the specimen are performed. The compressive strength of BLMs is found to be relatively well predicted by the AISC LRFD Specifications. BLMs with smaller kl/r were ductile but failed to reach the target ductility of 3.0 before starting to fracture, while those with larger kl/r could meet the ductility demand in most cases. The normalized energy dissipation ratio, EC/ET and the normalized compressive strength degradation, Cr″/Cr of BLMs typically decrease as normalized displacements δ/δb,exp increase, and the ratios for specimens with larger kl/r dropped more rapidly than for specimens with smaller kl/r; similar trends were observed for the monolithic braces. The BLMs with a smaller slenderness ratio, kl/r, and width-to-thickness ratio, b/t, experienced a larger number of inelastic cycles than those with larger ratios.     

A simplified approach for vulnerability assessment in moderate-to-low seismic hazard regions: application to Grenoble (France)

Due to the moderate seismic risks in France, the building vulnerability assessment methods developed for high seismic risk countries could not easily be used here because of their cost and the low-risk perception among the public and officials. A light vulnerability assessment method is proposed and tested in Grenoble (France), based on classes and scores provided in the GNDT method but simplified in terms of visual screening and number of structural parameters used. Compared to the RiskUE method, the damage obtained by our approach shows that 90% of buildings have residuals smaller than 0.2, i.e. one grade of the EMS98 damage scale. A large scale survey is devised and conducted among the inhabitants of Grenoble in order to collect the main structural parameters. By comparing the results from the survey to the historical urbanization of Grenoble and to expert surveys performed in two urban districts, the information useful for the light method of vulnerability assessment can be rapidly collected by non-experts reducing substantially the estimate cost. The average damage is then computed using the GNDT formula considering the probable intensities which could be observed in Grenoble (VII and VIII). The average damage reaches 0.4 in the oldest part of Grenoble mainly made of masonry buildings and 0.2 in reinforced concrete suburbs where reinforced concrete predominates. The results are a relative vulnerability assessment that provides useful initial information for the urban zones of Grenoble where the vulnerability is higher. This method can be used to classify the seismic vulnerability in wide seismic-prone regions to a fair degree of accuracy and at low cost.