Sensitivity of modeled tropical cyclone track and structure of hurricane Irene (1999) to the convective parameterization scheme

Summary The Betts-Miller and the Kain-Fritsch schemes are two of the many approaches to convective parameterization available to modelers. In the case of hurricane Irene (1999), the choice of parameterization markedly impacted the modeled track and structure of the hurricane and its subsequent extratropical transition. Specifically, in model runs using Betts-Miller, Irene recurved too early, causing the storm to weaken over the cool open ocean, delaying its transition, and changing the character of the storm. The Kain-Fritsch scheme more accurately reproduced the track of Irene and, hence, its interaction with upper-level features that caused extratropical transition and post-transition intensification. The two parameterizations produce different characteristic vertical warming profiles; the differences in warming are related to the structural differences in the simulated storm, affecting the hurricane response to its environment. Received October 13, 2001 Revised December 23, 2001     

Study of a semi‐active stiffness damper under various earthquake inputs

Semi‐active stiffness damper (SASD) is one of many semi‐active control systems with the capability to mitigate the dynamic response using only a small amount of external power. The system consists of a hydraulic damper connected to the bracing frame in a selected story unit. In this paper, study of a SASD in two building models of five‐stories under four benchmark earthquake records is reported. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the control system against structure type and varying earthquake inputs. Various control laws are chosen to work with SASD, such as: resetting control, switching control, linear quadratic regulator (LQR) and modified LQR, and the results are compared with no control and passive control cases. Numerical results show that the use of a SASD is effective in reducing seismic responses. Control effectiveness is dependent on the type of structure and earthquake excitation. Passive control is less effective than other control cases as expected. Resetting control, switching control and LQR generally perform similarly in response reduction. While modified LQR is more efficient and robust compared with other control algorithms. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mobility of Phosphorus during the Weathering of Volcanic Ashes

Data are presented on phosphorus mobility during the weathering of rhyolite–dacite tephra of the modern and ancient eruptions. Distal tephra cannot be considered a phosphorus source, since phosphorous has low mobility during weathering both in subaerial and subaqueous sedimentation conditions. However, volcanic ashes exert a fertilization effect, providing the supply of nutrient elements into the ecosystem of internal basins and coastal zones.     

U–Pb ages of the Dalsfjord Complex, SW Norway, and their bearing on the correlation of allochthonous crystalline segments of the Scandinavian Caledonides

The Dalsfjord Complex is an allochthonous crystalline unit in the hanging wall of a major extensional detachment of the Caledonian orogen on the western coast of Norway. U-Pb geochronology has been carried out to test a previously proposed correlation between this unit and the Jotun Nappe Complex, a member of the Middle Allochthon now occupying a foreland position to the east. A monzonite sample of the Dalsfjord suite yields a zircon age of 1,634Dž Ma, whereas a crosscutting gabbro was formed at 1,464Lj Ma. Both rocks were strongly overprinted during the Sveconorwegian orogeny, especially the monzonite whose zircons U-Pb data were strongly pulled towards a lower intercept age of 882ᆱ Ma, and whose titanite indicates a two-stage growth history at >960 Ma and <920 Ma. These relationships support the correlation of these units with the Jotun Complex, and to some degree also with the Lindås Nappe in the Bergen Arcs.     

Redbed-type gold mineralisation, Kupferschiefer, south-west Poland

A new type of gold mineralisation containing minor amounts of platinum and palladium has been found proximal to the secondary redox interface located below the Cu-Ag Kupferschiefer orebody of the Polkowice-Sieroszowice mine in the south-western part of the Lubin-Sieroszowice district, Poland. This deposit can be classified as redbed-type gold. Our study shows that gold, platinum and palladium occur in secondary red-coloured sections of the basal Zechstein sedimentary rocks and in the uppermost Weissliegendes sandstone. Noble metal mineralisation occurs within an average interval of 0.22 m, which lies directly below the copper ores. The average grade of the horizon is 2.25 ppm Au, 0.138 ppm Pt and 0.082 ppm Pd with a metal content of several tens of tonnes of gold. A transition zone has been recognised between the gold-bearing horizon and the copper deposit. This transition zone is characterised by the presence of low grades of copper (<0.2 wt%) and elevated gold contents (>0.5 ppm). Native gold accompanied by electrum, mercury-bearing gold, haematite, covellite, chalcocite, bornite and chalcopyrite has been identified in the gold-bearing horizon. In some sections, Pd-arsenides, tetra-auricupride, Co-arsenides, clausthalite, tennantite, digenite, yarrowite, spionkopite and galena have also been noted.     

Isotope Evidences of the Paleozoic Stage of Epigenetic Transformation of Vendian Sediments of the Russian Platform

The Rb–Sr characteristics of whole-rock samples of Upper Vendian clayey rocks recovered by Gavrilov-Yam boreholes are studied. The Rb–Sr age versus sampling depth relationship has been revealed. Three sample assemblages are identified. The errorchron relationship of samples in the first interval (1760–2400 m) fits the age of 390 ± 40 Ma corresponding to the initial Hercynian history characterized by the transformation of platformal sediments. The other two assemblages (2410–2525 and 2528–2560 m) make up isochrons with slopes corresponding to 590 ± 50 and 690 ± 10 Ma, respectively. Their geochronological meaning is unclear.     

The gravity method in groundwater exploration in crystalline rocks: a study in the peninsular granitic region of Hyderabad, India

The application of variations in the earth's gravity in groundwater exploration on a regional scale, especially in sedimentary basins, metamorphic terrains, valley fills, and for buried alluvial channels, is well established. However, its use in hard crystalline rocks is little known. In granite, for example, the upper weathered layer is a potential primary aquifer, and the underlying fractured rock can form a secondary aquifer. Fracturing and weathering increases the porosity of a rock, thereby reducing the bulk density. Changes in gravity anomalies of 0.1–0.7 mGal for granites, due to weathering or variations in lithology, can be detected. To test the use of gravity as a groundwater exploration tool for crystalline rocks, a gravity survey of the peninsular shield granites underlying Osmania University Campus, Hyderabad, India, was undertaken. At the site, gravity anomalies reflect variations in the lithology and in the thickness of weathered zones. These anomalies also define the position of intrusives and lineaments. Areas of more deeply weathered granite that contain wells of higher groundwater yield are represented by negative gravity values. In the weathered zone, well yield has an inverse relation to the magnitudes of residual gravity. The study confirms the feasibility of gravity as a tool for groundwater exploration in crystalline rocks. Electronic Publication     

Mantle Structure Beneath the SW Slave Craton, Canada: Constraints from Garnet Geochemistry in the Drybones Bay Kimberlite

This study describes the petrography of peridotite xenoliths,and the major and trace element geochemistry of garnets in bothxenoliths and coarse concentrate from the Drybones Bay kimberlite.The temperature and depth of equilibration of clinopyroxeneand garnet show that the mantle lithosphere beneath the SW marginof the Slave Province was at least 160 km thick at the timeof kimberlite emplacement (     

Dissolution of Corundum and Andalusite in H2O-Saturated Haplogranitic Melts at 800{degrees}C and 200 MPa: Constraints on Diffusivities and the Generation of Peraluminous Melts

The mechanisms and kinetics of equilibration between peraluminousminerals and granitic melt were investigated experimentallyby the dissolution of corundum and andalusite into H₂O-saturatedmetaluminous haplogranitic melt at 800°C and 200 MPa. Mineraland haplogranitic glass rods were juxtaposed inside platinumcapsules, and then subjected to experimental conditions fortimes ranging from 12 to 2900 h. Upon melting, the mineral –meltinterface retreats with the square root of time. The compositionof the melt at the interface changes with time, but its ASI[aluminum saturation index = molar Al₂O₃/(CaO + Na₂O + K₂O)]remains constant at