Impact of Doppler weather radar data on thunderstorm simulation during STORM pilot phase—2009

This study assesses the impact of Doppler weather radar (DWR) data (reflectivity and radial wind) assimilation on the simulation of severe thunderstorms (STS) events over the Indian monsoon region. Two different events that occurred during the Severe Thunderstorms Observations and Regional Modeling (STORM) pilot phase in 2009 were simulated. Numerical experiments—3DV (assimilation of DWR observations) and CNTL (without data assimilation)—were conducted using the three-dimensional variational data assimilation technique with the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF-ARW). The results show that consistent with prior studies the 3DV experiment, initialized by assimilation of DWR observations, performed better than the CNTL experiment over the Indian region. The enhanced performance was a result of improved representation and simulation of wind and moisture fields in the boundary layer at the initial time in the model. Assimilating DWR data caused higher moisture incursion and increased instability, which led to stronger convective activity in the simulations. Overall, the dynamic and thermodynamic features of the two thunderstorms were consistently better simulated after ingesting DWR data, as compared to the CNTL simulation. In the 3DV experiment, higher instability was observed in the analyses of thermodynamic indices and equivalent potential temperature (θ _e) fields. Maximum convergence during the mature stage was also noted, consistent with maximum vertical velocities in the assimilation experiment (3DV). In addition, simulated hydrometeor (water vapor mixing ratio, cloud water mixing ratio, and rain water mixing ratio) structures improved with the 3DV experiment, compared to that of CNTL. From the higher equitable threat scores, it is evident that the assimilation of DWR data enhanced the skill in rainfall prediction associated with the STS over the Indian monsoon region. These results add to the body of evidence now which provide consistent and notable improvements in the mesoscale model results over the Indian monsoon region after assimilating DWR fields.     

Improved prediction of clay soil expansion using machine learning algorithms and meta-heuristic dichotomous ensemble classifiers

Soil swelling-related disaster is considered as one of the most devastating geo-hazards in modern history.Hence,proper determination of a soil’s ability to expand is very vital for achieving a secure and safe ground for infrastructures.Accordingly,this study has provided a novel and intelligent approach that enables an improved estimation of swelling by using kernelised machines(Bayesian linear regression(BLR)&bayes point machine(BPM)support vector machine(SVM)and deep-support vector machine(D-SVM));(multiple linear regressor(REG),logistic regressor(LR)and artificial neural network(ANN)),tree-based algorithms such as decision forest(RDF)&boosted trees(BDT).Also,and for the first time,meta-heuristic classifiers incorporating the techniques of voting(VE)and stacking(SE)were utilised.Different independent scenarios of explanatory features’combination that influence soil behaviour in swelling were investigated.Preliminary results indicated BLR as possessing the highest amount of deviation from the predictor variable(the actual swell-strain).REG and BLR performed slightly better than ANN while the meta-heuristic learners(VE and SE)produced the best overall performance(greatest R2 value of 0.94 and RMSE of 0.06%exhibited by VE).CEC,plasticity index and moisture content were the features considered to have the highest level of importance.Kernelized binary classifiers(SVM,D-SVM and BPM)gave better accuracy(average accuracy and recall rate of 0.93 and 0.60)compared to ANN,LR and RDF.Sensitivity-driven diagnostic test indicated that the meta-heuristic models’best performance occurred when ML training was conducted using k-fold validation technique.Finally,it is recommended that the concepts developed herein be deployed during the preliminary phases of a geotechnical or geological site characterisation by using the best performing meta-heuristic models via their background coding resource.     

John’s creek valley: a mountainous catchment for long-term interdisciplinary human-environment system research in Upper Styria (Austria)

The John’s creek valley (Johnsbachtal) is presented as a long-term, interdisciplinary cooperation platform in upper Styria (Austrian Alps) that brings together the interests and knowledge of persons with different backgrounds (scientists, teachers, students, as well as local actors and the population) with the central aim to generate mutual benefit for all involved parties. It covers an area of around 65 km² with elevations between 600 and 700 m in the valley to over 2,300 m in the summit regions. Annual mean temperature ranges from approximately 8 °C in the lower elevations of the valley to below 0 °C in the summit regions. Annual precipitation mounts to values of 1,500 mm and more than 1,800 mm in the lower elevations and summit regions, respectively. To allow for a long-term monitoring of the complex meteorological and hydrological conditions in the area, a hydroclimatological monitoring network has been installed that is described in detail in this paper. A special characteristic of the installed meteorological stations is that they cover a large range of altitudes and, therefore, allow to capture the gradients in meteorological variables induced by the complex Alpine topography. Furthermore, the hydroclimatological monitoring network in John’s creek valley is largely independent of regular third-party project funding, and therefore, not temporarily limited in its existence. A number of catchment research activities that cover a variety of disciplines (e.g., climatology, hydrology, (hydro)geology, geomorphology) and that largely benefit from the hydroclimatological data recorded in John’s creek valley are presented together with preliminary results. The latter include spatial distributions of meteorological and hydrological variables (e.g., precipitation, evapotranspiration and snowmelt) calculated for the test site using the hydrometeorological model AMUNDSEN. Furthermore, the results of hydrogeological investigations that have been carried out at the Etzbach spring are presented and discussed.     

Hydrogeological processes in seasonally frozen northern latitudes: understanding, gaps and challenges

The groundwater regime in seasonally frozen regions of the world exhibits distinct behavior. This paper presents an overview of flow and associated heat and solute transport processes in the subsurface, from the soil/vadose zone, through groundwater recharge to groundwater discharge processes in these areas. Theoretical developments, field studies and model development are considered. An illustrative conceptual model of the system is presented. From a groundwater perspective, the dominant effect is the extent of hydraulic isolation between the water above and that below the near-surface frozen zone. The spatial and temporal occurrences of this isolation are seasonally variable and may also be modified under a future changing climate. A good qualitative conceptual understanding of the system has been developed over numerous decades of study. A major gap is the inability to effectively monitor processes in the field, particularly unfrozen water content during freezing conditions. Modeling of field-scale behavior represents a major challenge, even while physically based models continue to improve. It is suggested that progress can be made by combining well-designed field experiments with modeling studies. A major motivation for improving quantification of these processes derives from the need to better predict the impacts of a future changing climate.     

Impact cratering — fundamental process in geoscience and planetary science

Impact cratering is a geological process characterized by ultra-fast strain rates, which generates extreme shock pressure and shock temperature conditions on and just below planetary surfaces. Despite initial skepticism, this catastrophic process has now been widely accepted by geoscientists with respect to its importance in terrestrial — indeed, in planetary — evolution. About 170 impact structures have been discovered on Earth so far, and some more structures are considered to be of possible impact origin. One major extinction event, at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary, has been firmly linked with catastrophic impact, but whether other important extinction events in Earth history, including the so-called “Mother of All Mass Extinctions” at the Permian-Triassic boundary, were triggered by huge impact catastrophes is still hotly debated and a subject of ongoing research. There is a beneficial side to impact events as well, as some impact structures worldwide have been shown to contain significant (in some cases, world class) ore deposits, including the gold-uranium province of the Witwatersrand basin in South Africa, the enormous Ni and PGE deposits of the Sudbury structure in Canada, as well as important hydrocarbon resources, especially in North America. Impact cratering is not a process of the past, and it is mandatory to improve knowledge of the past-impact record on Earth to better constrain the probability of such events in the future. In addition, further improvement of our understanding of the physico-chemical and geological processes fundamental to the impact cratering process is required for reliable numerical modeling of the process, and also for the correlation of impact magnitude and environmental effects. Over the last few decades, impact cratering has steadily grown into an integrated discipline comprising most disciplines of the geosciences as well as planetary science, which has created positive spin-offs including the study of paleo-environments and paleo-climatology, or the important issue of life in extreme environments. And yet, in many parts of the world, the impact process is not yet part of the geoscience curriculum, and for this reason, it deserves to be actively promoted not only as a geoscientific discipline in its own right, but also as an important life-science discipline.     

Customization of WRF-ARW model with physical parameterization schemes for the simulation of tropical cyclones over North Indian Ocean

The convection and planetary boundary layer (PBL) processes play significant role in the genesis and intensification of tropical cyclones (TCs). Several convection and PBL parameterization schemes incorporate these processes in the numerical weather prediction models. Therefore, a systematic intercomparison of performance of parameterization schemes is essential to customize a model. In this context, six combinations of physical parameterization schemes (2 PBL Schemes, YSU and MYJ, and 3 convection schemes, KF, BM, and GD) of WRF-ARW model are employed to obtain the optimum combination for the prediction of TCs over North Indian Ocean. Five cyclones are studied for sensitivity experiments and the out-coming combination is tested on real-time prediction of TCs during 2008. The tracks are also compared with those provided by the operational centers like NCEP, ECMWF, UKMO, NCMRWF, and IMD. It is found that the combination of YSU PBL scheme with KF convection scheme (YKF) provides a better prediction of intensity, track, and rainfall consistently. The average RMSE of intensity (13?hPa in CSLP and 11?m?s^?1 in 10-m wind), mean track, and landfall errors is found to be least with YKF combination. The equitable threat score (ETS) of YKF combination is more than 0.2 for the prediction of 24-h accumulated rainfall up to 125?mm. The vertical structural characteristics of cyclone inner core also recommend the YKF combination for Indian seas cyclones. In the real-time prediction of 2008 TCs, the 72-, 48-, and 24-h mean track errors are 172, 129, and 155?km and the mean landfall errors are 125, 73, and 66?km, respectively. Compared with the track of leading operational agencies, the WRF model is competing in 24?h (116?km error) and 72?h (166?km) but superior in 48-h (119?km) track forecast.     

U/Pb radiochronology of two granitic plutons from the eastern Cordillera (Peru) — Extent of Permian magmatic activity and consequences

Two granitic bodies of the eastern Cordillera (Peru) have been dated by U/Pb method on zircons: 257±3 my and 238±11 my ages are respectively obtained for P 438 Quillabamba and P 381 Coasa granites. P 381 zircon fractions show a degree of discordancy which can be related to their quite high uranium contents (continuous lead loss model, with variable diffusion coefficient Wasserburg, 1963). Recent data and these new radiochronological results allow to define in the eastern Cordillera an extensive magmatic province of nearly 1000 km in length. This activity should be related to a distension phase. Consequently kinematic Hercynian and Andean intrusives are only present in minor proportion in Peruvian eastern Cordillera.

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Zusammenfassung Zwei Granitkörper wurden in der östlichen Kordillere von Peru mit Hilfe der U/Pb-Methode an Zirkonen datiert. 257±3 mill. Jahre wurden für den P 438 Quillamba Granit und 238±11 mill. Jahre für den P 381 Coasa Granit ermittelt. Die P 381 Zirkon Werte zeigen eine Diskordanz, die auf einen erhöhten Urangehalt zurückgeführt werden kann (nach dem Modell für kontinuierlichen Bleiverlust mit variablem Diffusionskoeffizienten, Wasserburg 1963). Zusammen mit weiteren Datierungen kann man in der östlichen Kordillere eine magmatische Provinz von einer Länge bis zu 1000 km definieren. Diese Aktivität sollte im Zusammenhang mit einer Dehnungsphase stehen. Daraus folgt, daß herzynische und andin Intrusionen in der östlichen Kordillere von Peru nur von untergeordneter Bedeutung sind.

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Resume Deux massifs de granite appartenant à un vaste cortège magmatique de la Cordillère orientale du Pérou ont été daté par la méthode U/Pb sur zircons; des âges de 257 ± 3 m.A. et de 238 ± 11 mA ont été ainsi déterminés respectivement pour les granites de Quillabamba (P 438) et de Coasa (P 381). Le notable degré de discordance des échantillons P 381 parait être dû à leurs relativement hautes teneurs en uranium (modèle de perte continue, à coefficient de diffusion variable de Wasserburg, 1963). Des travaux récents et ces nouvelles données radiochronologiques permettent de définir dans la Cordillère orientale du Pérou une province magmatique permienne d'environ 1000 km de long, dont la mise en place serait dûe à une phase de distension. Les instrusions hercyniennes et andines ne représentent qu'une proportion mineure des massifs granitoïdes de la Cordillère orientale.

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- . Quilamba 438 257 ±3 , Coasa 381 — 238±11 . 381 , ( : , Wasserburg, 1963). 1000 . . , .

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Contribution C.G.G. n^o 222.     

Rootless calc-silicate folds in granite: An implication towards syn- to post-plutonic emplacement

Deformation of the Champaner Group of rocks that form a part of Southern Aravalli Mountain Belt, western India, occurred during the Grenville orogeny (ca. 1400–935 Ma). Two phases of deformation are recorded: \(\hbox {D}_{1}\), persistent throughout the group and characterised by westerly plunging tight isoclinal folds and \(\hbox {D}_{2}\), a localized phase of deformation associated with shortening of the earlier folds from the eastern margin. Both the phases of deformation are in association with the syn-tectonically emplaced Godhra granite. The present work records rootless calc-silicate folds in granite belonging to the older formation, located at the eastern fringe of the Champaner Group. Field evidences suggest superimposition of Type 2 interference pattern trending NE–SW over rootless Type 0 of varying trends from NW–SE to N–S. The superposed pattern obtained from the field study differs in terms of structural trends with the neighbouring Precambrian stratigraphic units. These stratigraphic units include the Champaner Group to which the study area belongs, the Kadana Formation of the Lunavada Group and Pre-Chamapaner Gneissic Complex. Rootless character of folds found within the study area imply syn-post plutonic emplacement of Godhra granite.     

Mineralogical approaches to sourcing pipes and figurines from the eastern woodlands,U.S.A.

Provenance studies of stone artifacts often rely heavily upon chemical techniques such as neutron activation analysis. However, stone specimens with very similar chemical composition can have different mineralogies (distinctive crystalline structures as well as variations within the same mineral) that are not revealed by multielemental techniques. Because mineralogical techniques are often cheap and usually nondestructive, beginning with mineralogy allows the researcher to gain valuable information and then to be selective about how many samples are submitted for expensive and somewhat destructive chemical analysis, thus conserving both valuable samples and funds. Our University of Illinois team of archaeologists and geologists employs Portable Infrared Mineral Analyzer (PIMA) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Sequential acid dissolution/XRD/Inductively coupled plasma (SAD‐XRD‐ICP) analyses. Two case studies of Hopewellian pipes and Mississippian figurines illustrate this mineralogical approach. The results for both studies identify sources relatively close to the sites where the artifacts were recovered: Sterling, Illinois (rather than Ohio) for the (Hopewell) pipes and Missouri (rather than Arkansas or Oklahoma) for the Cahokia figurines. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The Best Natural Boundary:a New Concept Developed by Combining the Sequence Boundary with the GSSP

Through a detailed study of sequence boundaries, it is concluded that sequence stratigraphy is an independent regional and transitional stratigraphic system between local lithostratigraphy and global chronostratigraphy. Therefore, a new tripartite stratigraphic classification scheme has been proposed. By combining organically the concept of sequence boundaries with the GSSP, it is suggested that the GSSP should be chosen in a conformale portion of a related sequence boundary, and the boundary established in light of this concept is defined as the Best Natural Boundary (BNB). The definition of the BNB points out the working area and stratigraphic level for the GSSP. By referring to a case study of the Permian Guadalupian/Lopingian boundary, the concept of the BNB has been elaborated in detail, and it is proposed that the BNB of the Guadalupian and the Lopingian lies between the Mesogondolella granti Zone and the Ctarkina postbitteri Zone, which is also the sequence chronostratigraphic boundary between th