Non-local memory effects of the electromotive force by fluid motion with helicity and two-dimensional periodicity

In mean-field dynamo theory, the electromotive force term 〈u′ × B′〉 due to small-scale fields connects the small-scale magnetic field with the large-scale field. This term is usually approximated as the α-effect, assumed to be instantaneous in time and local in space. However, the approximation is valid only when the magnetic Reynolds number Rm is much less than unity, and is inappropriate when Rm ? 1, which is the condition satisfied in the Earth's core or solar convection zone. We introduce a function φ _qr as a non-local and non-instantaneous generalization of the usual α-effect and examine its behaviour as a function of Rm in the range 1/64 ≤ Rm ≤ 10 for a kinematic dynamo model. We use the flow of G.O. Roberts 1972 Roberts, GO. 1972. Dynamo action of fluid motions with two-dimensional periodicity. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. London Ser. A, 271: 411–454. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] (Phil, Trans. Roy. Soc. London Ser. A, 1972, 271, 411–454), which is steady and has non-zero helicities and two-dimensional periodicity. As a result, we identify three regions in Rm space according to the behaviour of the function φ _qr : (i) Rm ? 1/4, where the function φ _qr is local and instantaneous and can be approximated by the traditional α and β effects, (ii) 1/4 ? Rm ? 4, where the deviation from the traditional α and β effects increases and non-localness and non-instantaneousness increase, and (iii) Rm ? 4, where boundary layers develop fully and non-localness and non-instantaneousness are prominent. We show that the non-local memory effect for Rm ? 4 strongly affects the dynamo action and explains an observed augmentation of the growth rate in the dispersion relation. The results imply that the non-local memory effect of the electromotive force should be important in the geodynamo or the solar dynamo.     

Has the upper portion of the Japan Sea Proper Water formation really been enhancing?

Weakening of the upper portion of the Japan Sea Proper Water formation was detected based on the dissolved oxygen concentration and potential temperature from 1970 to 2004, unlike the suggestion of previous studies that it has been enhanced since the 1970s. The revealed warming and decreasing trends in DO concentration throughout the water column indicate that the conveyor belt system in the Japan Sea is still slowing down even in the intermediate layers, though a relatively active dissolved oxygen supply into the intermediate layers is suggested. This fact leads us to modify the previous concept about the water mass formation; though a relatively active formation of the intermediate water mass occurs, the deep water formation is not counterbalanced by the intermediate water formation, and the overall Japan Sea Proper Water formation has been stagnating since the 1970s.     

Comprehensive numerical analysis of fault‐structure systems – Computation of the large‐scale seismic structural response to a given earthquake scenario –

The seismic structural response is affected by temporal and spatial variations in strong ground motion. It can be evaluated through the fault‐structure system: the fault mechanism, wave propagation through the crust, amplification near the surface, and soil‐structure interaction. To analyze this system at high resolution and accuracy, we previously proposed a new multiscale analysis method and numerically verified its validity. However, the problem of the extremely large computation cost of constructing a three‐dimensional numerical model and solving the discretized governing equations still remains. Here, we introduce a new method to resolve these difficulties. By combining this new method with our multiscale analysis, we developed a tool for fault‐structure system analysis. The accuracy of this tool is verified by comparing it to a Green's function solution. Finally, we demonstrate the potential utility of the method by estimating the seismic response of a large and complex underground highway junction in a given earthquake scenario. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geochemical and hydrological controls on biannual lamination of tufa deposits

Fluvial tufa deposits in southwest Japan commonly develop biannual lamination consisting of dense summer layers and porous winter layers, and the clearness of the laminae varies among the sites. The laminae have been largely attributed to a seasonally variable inorganic precipitation rate of calcite. This rate-controlled hypothesis was examined by using quantitative data for calcite packing-density (CPD) and the precipitation rate of calcite (PWP rate) calculated from water chemistry. The results for four tufa-depositing sites in SW Japan show that a positive correlation between CPD and PWP rate becomes less certain with increasing PWP rate. In the temperature realm of SW Japan, tufas develop regular distinct seasonal change in CPD when deposited in water containing Ca values less than 65 mg/l, which results in a relatively low precipitation rate. The CPD of tufa deposits rarely exceeds 65%, owing to pore space between fine-grained calcite crystals and to porosity derived from decomposed cyanobacteria and other microorganisms. By increasing the Ca content to more than 65 mg/l, the CPD often attains an upper limit and becomes insensitive to seasonal changes in the PWP rate. Therefore, seasonal variations in CPD at sites with a higher Ca content are unclear, as seen in two examples from tropical islands in southern Japan and in one locality in a temperate climate. The flow rate and microbial density on the tufa surface are subordinate factors with respect to the CPD. Seasonal changes in these two factors often enhance the porous/dense contrast of biannual lamination in SW Japan.     

Influence of interaction between small asperities on various types of slow earthquakes in a 3-D simulation for a subduction plate boundary

Recently, the occurrence of slow earthquakes such as low-frequency earthquakes and very low-frequency earthquakes have been recognized at depths of about 30 km in southwest Japan and Cascadia. These slow earthquakes occur sometimes in isolation and sometimes break into chain-reaction, producing tremor that migrates at a speed of about 5–15 km/day and suggesting a strong interaction among nearby small asperities. In this study, we formulate a 3-D subduction plate boundary model with two types of small asperities chained along the trench at the depth of 30 km. Our simulation succeeds in representing various types of slow earthquakes including low-frequency earthquakes and rapid slip velocity in the same asperity, and indicates that interaction between asperities may cause the very low-frequency earthquakes. Our simulation also shows chain reaction along trench with propagation speed that can be made consistent with observations by adjusting model parameters, which suggests that the interactions also explain the observed migration of slow earthquakes.     

On the divergence of the ionospheric electric field around the westward travelling surge

The pattern of the ionospheric electric field around the westward travelling surge (WTS) is theoretically studied. This is obtained by solving the current continuity equation at the ionospheric altitude for temporal and spatial development of the field-aligned current density modelled as the WTS phenomenon. The results show that the divergence of the ionospheric electric field is significantly changed depending on the dawn-to-dusk convection electric field E₀ because of non-uniformity in the ionospheric conductivity: the ionospheric electric field diverges in the upward current region (around the head of the WTS) when a westward electric field E₀ of 10 mV m⁻¹ is uniformly applied. On the other hand, the ionospheric electric field converges without E₀. From the observational inference that the ionospheric electric field converges around the head of the WTS, it is suggested that the WTS phenomenon may not be accounted for by the discharging process in the presence of the enhanced dawn-to-dusk convection electric field and non-uniform conductivity as was studied by previous authors.     

Interdecadal oscillations in the Japan Sea proper water related to the arctic oscillation

The time series of dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in the Japan Sea Proper Water (JSPW) shows clear interdecadal oscillation with about 20-year periodicity since the 1970s. This interdecadal variation in the DO concentration is positively correlated with the Arctic Oscillation (AO) index; the DO concentration tends to be high during a positive AO phase when the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) is relatively weak, which is considered to be an unfavorable condition for the JSPW formation. To clarify the discrepancy, the cause of the interdecadal oscillation was investigated using the wind at Wajima and sea surface temperature (SST) in the JSPW formation area. The cold-air outbreaks determined from the wind at Wajima are synchronized with the interdecadal oscillation of the AO; during a positive AO phase the cold-air outbreaks over the Japan Sea are more active, as reported by Isobe and Beardsley (2007). Since the SST in the JSPW formation area is negatively correlated with cold-air outbreaks, the activity of cold-air outbreaks is more important to the JSPW formation than the EAWM, at least on an interdecadal timescale. Significant correlations of the indicator of low pressure migration with the AO and cold-air outbreaks confirm that atmospheric disturbances move frequently into the Japan Sea from the East China Sea in a positive AO phase. A detailed examination of cold-air outbreaks revealed that the passing of atmospheric low pressures temporarily enhances the east-west pressure gradient over the Japan Sea and effectively brings cold air into the JSPW formation area.     

Determination of plastic regions around underground openings by a coupled boundary-element-characteristics method

A two-dimensional hybrid method for solving elastoplastic problems in engineering is presented by coupling two existing methods, namely, the boundary element method and the characteristics method. The formulation of this method is presented, as well as an excellent procedure for the determination of the boundary between elastic and plastic regions. It is shown not only that this method is a powerful and accurate method for evaluating the shape and extent of the plastic region around rock caverns, which is of prime importance for the construction of rock caverns, but also applicable to a given range of the initial stress field ratio where only compressive failure occurs. Then, some typical examples are solved in order to check the accuracy of the solution by this method. Furthermore, its successful applications are presented and discussed to determine the shape and the extent of the plastic regions around parallel, circular and rectangular openings.     

The upper portion of the Japan Sea Proper Water; Its source and circulation as deduced from isopycnal analysis

All of the available hydrographic station data (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, phosphate and nitrate) taken in various seasons from 1964 to 1985 are analyzed to show where the upper portion of the Japan Sea Proper Water (UJSPW) is formed and how it circulates. From vertical distributions of water properties, the Japan Sea Proper Water can be divided into an upper portion and a deep water at the ₁ (potential density referred to 1000 db) depth of 32.05 kg m^–3 surface. The UJSPW in the north of 40°N increases in dissolved oxygen contents and decreases in phosphate contents in winter, while no significant seasonal variation is seen in the south of 40°N. Initial nutrient contents calculated from relationships between AOU and nutrients on isopycnal surfaces show no significant regional difference in the Japan Sea; this suggests that the UJSPW has originated from a single water mass. From depth, dissolved oxygen and phosphate distributions on ₁ 32.03 kg m^–3 surface, core thickness distribution and subsurface phosphate distribution, it is inferred that the UJSPW is formed by the wintertime convection in the region west of 136°E between 40° and 43°N, and advected into the region west of the Yamato Rise along the Continent; finally, it must enter into the Yamato Basin.