THE TRANSIENT ELECTROMAGNETIC RESPONSE OF A POLARIZABLE SPHERE IN A CONDUCTING HALF SPACE1

A polarizable sphere embedded in a conducting half-space can give rise to negative voltage transients in a coincident-loop time-domain electromagnetic system. Such transients have been observed in field situations. Our results are obtained from a model in which the contributions of the host rock, the currents in the sphere, and the interaction between the sphere and the host rock are separated and superposed. This model uses approximations to the integral equation solutions rather than finite-element or finite-difference approximations, and so allows very rapid computation. The theoretical demonstration suggests that interpretation of the negative voltage transients as a polarization response is valid, but more detailed interpretation of polarization properties may not be possible, because the superposition of the polarization response on the normal response depends strongly on the position of the target.     

INVERSION OF FIRST-BREAK TRAVELTIME DATA OF DEEP SEISMIC REFLECTION PROFILES1

First breaks of 2D deep reflection data were used to construct velocity-depth models for improved static corrections to a deeper datum level and for geological interpretations. The highly redundant traveltime data were automatically picked and transformed directly into a velocity-depth model by maximum depth methods such as the Giese- and the Slichter-method. Comparisons with the results of synthetic calculations and a tomographic approach using iterative inversion methods (ART, SIRT) showed that maximum depth methods provide reliable velocity models as a basis for the computation of static corrections. These methods can economically be applied during data acquisition in the field. They provide particularly long-period static anomalies, which are of the order of 20–40 ms (0.5-1 wavelength) within CMP gathers of an example of a deep reflection profile in SW-Germany sited on crystalline basement. Reprocessing of this profile, which was aimed at the comparison between the effects of the originally used and the new statics, did not result in dramatically improved stacking quality but showed a subtle influence on the detailed appearance of deep crustal events.     

Interpretation of moment measures derived from water-lain sediments

ABSTRACT Although mean size provides a useful value for characterizing sediments, it is an inadequate expression of the interaction between sediments and hydraulic regimes and many authors have explored the significance of other statistical moment measures in different parts of the particle size spectrum. Few publications, however, have described such relationships over a very wide range of particle sizes. Using a combined data base (of marine and lacustrine sediments) we have been able to demonstrate the following: The distributions of standard deviation (and entropy) values are repeated in similar form on either side of the sand size class, describing mixtures between sands and gravel and sands and clay. Skewness is modified by the hydraulic response of the sediment and a skewness divide is present at about 2.7 φ, where it coincides with the minimum shear velocity required to initiate particle motion. This divide may be used to distinguish between high and low energy regimes. Kurtosis, like standard deviation, is a measure of the mixing of end member populations but it is more sensitive to changes in the tails of distribution curves. The maximum positive peak of kurtosis, at about 2.5 φ, lies close to the skewness divide (in our data). By using skewness/kurtosis plots it is possible to define separate field distribution for sediments which, to a greater or lesser degree, appear to conform to hydraulic equilibrium. By using sediments which are close to equilibrium (and lie at or close to our skewness/kurtosis boundary curves, it should be possible to define hydraulic shear velocities, at the time of formation. Values may be established by empirical relationships or by defining the break-point (traction and intermittent suspension) between linear components of individual sample φ size/probability distribution plots. Such relationships should be enhanced by using hydraulic equivalent diameters instead of sieve diameters. In fine sediments, the use of fractional (silt: clay) ratios offers sensitivity at a level comparable to that of skewness/kurtosis plots and may be more easily computed.     

ESSAI DE DETERMINATION AUTOMATIQUE DES VITESSES SISMIQUES PAR MESURES ENTRE PUITS*

Large memory computers create new possibilities for seismic interpretation in well-drilled areas, and more generally in problems involving deep sources. Records obtained by well-to-surface, surface-to-well and/or well-to-well propagation contain a large amount of information, owing to the great number of seismic rays travelling throughout the subsurface. This paper considers two successive steps: — direct case: computation of the first arrival times of seismic rays propagating through a two-dimensional subsurface with given vertical and horizontal velocity variations; — inverse case: computation of a two-dimensional velocity distribution, knowing the travel times of seismic rays through the subsurface. A computer program has been elaborated to solve both direct and inverse problems. There are no difficulties with the direct case; a certain number of uncertainties remain with the inverse case.     

Lithified carbonate sediment and zeolitic tuff in basalts, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Basaltic boulders dredged from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge contain lithified coccolith-foraminiferal ooze in fractures and small pockets. Textural and isotopic studies of this sediment provide no evidence for high temperature metamorphism. The lithified carbonate sediment occurs together with palagonitized basaltic glass and zeolitic tuff, and appears to have been squeezed into cracks and other voids within the congealed margins of partly-cooled basalt pillows which intruded soft carbonate ooze. Thermal metamorphism probably was precluded by rapid heat dissipation in convecting pore waters and by the thermal stability of calcareous microplankton. Low temperature alteration of basaltic glass appears to have provided the chemical milieu for precipitation of calcite cement as well as zeolites in the sediment.     

Trace fossils as diagnostic indicators of deep-marine environments, Middle Eocene Ainsa-Jaca basin, Spanish Pyrenees

A quantitative study of trace fossil abundance in the Middle Eocene deep-marine clastic systems, Ainsa-Jaca basin, Spanish Pyrenees, shows that they are powerful discriminators of submarine fan and related environments. Sixteen fan and related environments are recognized from upper-slope gully to the distal basin-floor. For each environment, the degree of bioturbation (density), trace-fossil diversity, number of pre-depositional and post-depositional trace fossils, as well as the number of graphoglyptid ichnospecies were quantified. In the more laterally confined and channel-dominated Ainsa basin, there is a trend of increasing bioturbation intensity and trace-fossil diversity away from channel-axis to off-axis environments. In the more unconfined and distal Jaca basin, there is a trend of increasing trace-fossil diversity and number of pre-depositional trace fossils including graphoglyptids from the channel-lobe transition to the fan-fringe. The trace-fossil assemblages of the Ainsa-Jaca basin are characteristic of a number of sub-ichnofacies of the Nereites ichnofacies. In the distal Jaca basin, the Paleodictyon sub-ichnofacies occurs in the lobe-fringe and fan-fringe, whereas the distal basin-floor has a trace-fossil assemblage typical of the Paleodictyon sub-ichnofacies, but with a high proportion of post-depositional fodinichnia . Trace-fossil assemblages of proximal basin, axial, environments are characteristic of the Ophiomorpha rudis sub-ichnofacies, whilst proximal off-axis environments, have a mixed Paleodictyon-Ophiomorpha rudis sub-ichnofacies trace-fossil assemblage.     

Time-scales of Differentiation from Mafic Parents to Rhyolite in North American Continental Arcs

Young rhyolites and associated lavas and magmatic enclaves fromthe Katmai–Novarupta volcanic system (Alaskan Peninsula),and the Crater Lake and Medicine Lake volcanic system (Cascades)were analyzed for U and Th isotope abundances, as well as majorand trace element concentrations, to investigate the time-scalesof the processes that lead to rhyolite generation in continentalarcs. Basalts and basaltic andesites typically migrate fromthe mantle to the surface within several thousand years. Variationsin (²³⁰Th)/(²³²Th) and (²³⁸U)/(²³²Th) ratios with SiO₂ concentrationsin intermediate lavas appear to result from crystal fractionationcombined with assimilation of recently crystallized magmas.These data also suggest that     

Pyrite geochemistry in the Toarcian Posidonia Shale of south‐west Germany: Evidence for contrasting trace‐element patterns of diagenetic and syngenetic pyrites

Authigenic pyrite grains from a section of the Lower Toarcian Posidonia Shale were analysed for their trace‐element contents and sulphur‐isotope compositions. The resulting data are used to evaluate the relationship between depositional conditions and pyrite trace‐element composition. By using factor analysis, trace‐elements in pyrite may be assigned to four groups: (i) heavy metals (including Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Bi and Tl); (ii) oxyanionic elements (As, Mo and Sb); (iii) elements partitioned in sub‐microscopic sphalerite inclusions (Zn and Cd); and (iv) elements related to organic or silicate impurities (Ga and V). Results indicate that trace‐element contents in pyrite depend on the site and mechanism of pyrite formation, with characteristic features being observed for diagenetic and syngenetic pyrites. Diagenetic pyrite formed within anoxic sediments generally has a high heavy metals content, and the degree of pyritization of these elements increases with increasing oxygen deficiency, similar to the degree of pyritization of reactive Fe. The highest gradient in the increase of the degree of trace element pyritization with bottom‐water oxygenation was found for the elements Ni < Cu < Mo = As < Tl. In contrast, syngenetic pyrite formed within a euxinic water column typically is enriched in As, Mo and Sb, but is low in heavy metals, and the geochemical variation reflects changes in sea water composition.     

Regional calibration of a watershed model

Abstract

As watershed models become increasingly sophisticated and useful, there is a need to extend their applicability to locations where they cannot be calibrated or validated. A new methodology for the regionalization of a watershed model is introduced and evaluated. The approach involves calibration of a watershed model to many sites in a region, concurrently. Previous research that has sought to relate the parameters of monthly water balance models to physical drainage basin characteristics in a region has met with limited success. Previous studies have taken the two-step approach: (a) estimation of watershed model parameters at each site, followed by (b) attempts to relate model parameters to drainage basin characteristics. Instead of treating these two steps as independent, both steps are implemented concurrently. All watershed models in a region are calibrated simultaneously, with the dual objective of reproducing the behaviour of observed monthly streamflows and, additionally, to obtain good relationships between watershed model parameters and basin characteristics. The approach is evaluated using 33 basins in the southeastern region of the United States by comparing simulations using the regional models for three catchments which were not used to develop the regional regression equations. Although the regional calibration approach led to nearly perfect regional relationships between watershed model parameters and basin characteristics, these “improved” regional relationships did not result in improvements in the ability to model streamflow at ungauged sites. This experiment reveals that improvements in regional relationships between watershed model parameters and basin characteristics will not necessarily lead to improvements in the ability to calibrate a watershed model at an ungauged site.