On the relationship of thunderstorm ice hydrometeor characteristics and total lightning measurements

Satellite-borne and ground-based devices for the detection of lightning offer the opportunity to explore relationships–on all significant scales up to global–between lightning frequency, f, and other thundercloud parameters. Calculations predict that f is proportional to the product of the downflux p of solid precipitation and the upward mass flux, I, of ice crystals. This prediction has received support from limited computational studies. The physical reasons for such a relationship are explained in terms of the paramount role of ice in the electrification of thunderstorms. Herein, this prediction is subjected to further, preliminary examination through analysis of lightning and dual-polarimetric radar data collected during the STERAO experiment conducted in Northern Colorado during the summer of 1996. The analysis has yielded some highly provisional support for this flux hypothesis. Computed trends of radar derived hydrometeor fractions of solid precipitation and small ice show correlation to the total lightning frequency and raise the possibility of determining values of p and/or I from lightning measurements.It is shown that the extent to which the observed correlations between f and both solid precipitation and small ice trends are or are not strong can provide an indication as to whether the lightning activity is limited by the available concentrations of precipitating or non-precipitating ice in the upper regions of the charging zone of the thundercloud, where most of the charge transfer occurs. It is demonstrated that the most accurate determinations of precipitation rate p from measurements of lighting frequency f are likely to be for conditions where the field-growth is limited by the availability of graupel pellets. It is shown that the simultaneous time variations of f and solid precipitation trends of the type obtained in the STERAO experiment could enable us to determine the nature of the dominant glaciation process operative in the thunderclouds studied.     

A 3.5 Ga record of water-limited, acidic weathering conditions on Mars

The secondary mineral budget on Earth is dominated by clay minerals, Al-hydroxides, and Fe-oxides, which are formed under the moderate pH, high water-to-rock ratio conditions typical of Earth's near-surface environment. In contrast, geochemical analyses of rocks and soils from landed missions to Mars indicate that secondary mineralogy is dominated by Mg (± Fe, Ca)-sulfates and Fe-oxides. This discrepancy can be explained as resulting from differences in the chemical weathering environment of Earth and Mars. We suggest that chemical weathering processes on Mars are dominated by: (1) a low-pH, sulfuric acid-rich environment in which the stoichiometric dissolution of labile mineral phases such as olivine and apatite (± Fe–Ti oxides) is promoted; and (2) relatively low water-to-rock ratio, such that other silicate phases with slower dissolution rates (e.g., plagioclase, pyroxene) do not contribute substantially to the secondary mineral budget at the Martian surface. Under these conditions, Al-mobilization is limited, and the formation of significant Al-bearing secondary phases (e.g., clays, Al-hydroxides, Al-sulfates) is inhibited. The antiquity of rock samples analyzed in-situ on Mars suggest that water-limited acidic weathering conditions have more than likely been the defining characteristic of the Martian aqueous environment for billions of years.     

An analytical solution to multi-component NAPL dissolution equations

This note presents a novel method for determining the changing composition of a multi-component NAPL body dissolving into moving groundwater, and the consequent changes in the aqueous phase solute concentrations in the surrounding pore water. A canonical system of coupled non-linear governing equations is derived which is suitable for representation of both pooled and residual configurations, and this is solved. Whereas previous authors have handled such problems numerically, it is shown that these governing equations succumb to analytical solution. By a suitable substitution, the equations become decoupled, and the problem collapses to a single first-order equation. The final result is expressed implicitly, with time as a function of the number of moles of the least soluble component, m₁. The number of moles of each other component is expressed explicitly in terms of m₁. It is shown that the time-m₁ relationship has a well behaved inverse. An example is given in which the analytic solution is verified against traditional finite difference analysis, and its computational efficiency is shown.     

The geomorphology of planetary calderas

Satellite-derived observations of the geomorphology of calderas on Earth, Mars and Venus can be used to learn more about shield volcanoes. Examples of terrestrial basaltic volcanoes from the Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, and the Comoro Islands show how these volcanoes contrast with examples found on Mars and Venus. Caldera structure, degree of infilling, and the location of vents on the flanks are used to interpret each volcano's recent history. The geometry of the caldera floor can be used to infer some of the characteristics of the magma storage system, and the orientation of the deep magma conduits. The formation of benches within the caldera and the effects of the caldera on the distribution of flank eruptions are considered, and it is evident that most calderas on the planets are/were dynamic features. Presently, deep calderas, with evidence of overflowing lavas and ponded lavas high in the caldera wall, show that these calderas were once shallow. Similarly, shallow calderas filled with ponded lavas are evidence that they were once deeper. It is probably a mistake, therefore, to place great significance on caldera depth with regard to the position, shape, or size of subsurface plumbing.     

Determination of Geopotential Differences between Local Vertical Datums and Realization of a World Height System

The methodology developed for connecting Local Vertical Datums (LVD) was applied to the Australian Height Datum (AHD) and the North American Vertical Datum (NAVD88). The geopotential values at AHD and NAVD88 were computed and the corresponding vertical offset of 974 mm with rms 51 mm was obtained between the zero reference surfaces defined by AHD and NAVD88. The solution is based on the four primary geodetic parameters, the GPS/levelling sites and the geopotential model EGM96. The Global Height System (or the Major Vertical Datum) can be defined by a geoidal geopotential value used in the solution as the reference value, or by the geopotential value of the LVD, e.g. NAVD88.     

Caldera morphology in the western Galápagos and implications for volcano eruptive behavior and mechanisms of caldera formation

Caldera morphology on the six historically active shield volcanoes that comprise Isabela and Fernandina islands, the two westernmost islands in the Galapagos archipelago, is linked to the dynamics of magma supply to, and withdrawal from, the magma chamber beneath each volcano. Caldera size (e.g., volumes 2–9 times that of the caldera of Kilauea, Hawai'i), the absence of well-developed rift zones and the inability to sustain prolonged low-volumetric-flow-rate flank eruptions suggest that magma storage occurs predominantly within centrally located chambers (at the expense of storage within the flanks). The calderas play an important role in the formation of distinctive arcuate fissures in the central part of the volcano: repeated inward collapse of the caldera walls along with floor subsidence provide mechanisms for sustaining radially oriented least-compressive stresses that favor the formation of arcuate fissures within 1–2 km outboard of the caldera rim. Variations in caldera shape, depth-to-diameter ratio, intra-caldera bench location and the extent of talus slope development provide insight into the most recent events of caldera modification, which may be modulated by the episodic supply of magma to each volcano. A lack of correlation between the volume of the single historical collapse event and its associated volume of erupted lava precludes a model of caldera formation linked directly to magma withdrawal. Rather, caldera collapse is probably the result of accumulated loss from the central storage system without sufficient recharge and (as has been suggested for Kilauea) may be aided by the downward drag of dense cumulates and intrusives.     

Secondary dispersion from gold deposits in west Turkey

Orientation studies over the Sarpda? prospect in the Biga peninsula and the Arapdagi deposit near Izmir have provided elear evidence for elemental dispersion around west Turkish gold prospects. Although these deposits are of different types, silicification associated with the deposits results in the main part of both deposits forming topographic highs.At Sarpda? gold mineralisation is relatively weak compared with nearby prospects and associated with a silicified cap on the main hill. Comparison of coarse and fine fractions, based on a 190 μm size split of 8 kg of -2 mm material, suggests that gold disperses clastically on the steep slopes, probably within silica, but coarse grains break down giving Au concentrations in the finer fractions at the base of the main slope. Discrete gold grains, that can be panned, only occur 1–2 km downstream within the streams and heavy mineral concentrations are very limited. This interpretation of Au dispersion is consistent with the data from 1 kg samples collected at the higher primary grade, but more contaminated, Arapda?i prospect.Antimony is the most consistent pathfinder both for the silicified cap at Sarpda? and for gold-rich veins at Arpada?i. It gives high contrast anomalies. Arsenic is useful being more mobile than Sb, although contrast may be low. High resolution Ag data can be useful but base metal enrichments are also often associated with Ag anomalies. Most prospects have some base metal enrichments although they can be displaced from the main gold-rich parts of the deposit and anomalies may be weak. Lead and Cu are the more consistently useful elements.The use of large (> 8 kg of -2 mm material) samples produces consistent stream sediment data that can be used to reliably interpret single samples and quantify Au anomalies. A survey around the Halíköy Hg and Emirli Sb mines, using these large samples, confirmed the extension of the known gold-bearing Emirli structure. In contrast the major Hg-bearing Halíköy Fault is gold poor although a structure parallel to it is auriferous.     

On the appearance of a cold front with a narrow rainband in the vicinity of the Alps

Summary First intensive observations of a narrow cold frontal rainband in southern Germany are described. The observations by Doppler radar and surface observations are in good agreement with others made in Great Britain and at the west coast of the United States. There are no principal differences between the observations close to the sea and those during the passage of the front across the Alpine foreland. The observed coexistence of short and elongated precipitation cells is explained by the local modification of convergence and vorticity. When approaching the Alps the precipitation patterns increased in size due to the upslope winds, and the pre-frontal low-level jet is reorganized completely in a manner such that the cross-frontal circulation was enhanced while the pre-frontal low-level jet disappeared.With 20 Figures