Estimation of site effects using strong motion data of BYTNet array in Turkey

Simultaneous estimation of effects of source, propagation path, and local site amplification was carried out using observed strong motion records in a frequency range from 0.8 to 20 Hz for the purpose of empirical evaluation of the local site effects in different geological conditions in the northwestern part of Turkey. The analyzed data are S-wave portions of 162 accelerograms from 39 shallow events observed at 14 sites of BYTNet array. A spectral separation method was applied to the observed S-wave spectra. The solutions for source spectra, inelasticity factor of propagation path for S-waves (Q _s-value), and factor of site amplification at each site were obtained in a least squares sense. In the analysis, we assumed that the factor of the site amplification at a reference site is the same as that of theoretical amplification of S-waves to the soil model whose bottom layer has an S-wave velocity around 2.15 km/s. The estimated Q _s-value of the propagation path is modeled as Q _s(f)?=?87.4f^0.78. The estimated site amplifications are characterized into three groups. The sites in the first group belong to rock site with no dominant peaks at a frequency range of 2 to 10 Hz. The second group of hard soil sites is characterized with moderately dominant peaks at a frequency of 5 Hz. The last group for soft soil sites has common peaks at a frequency of 4 Hz with larger amplitudes than those in the hard soil group. We, then, compare the amplifications with average S-wave velocity in top 30 m of the shallow S-wave profiles and proposed linear empirical formula between them at each frequency. We, furthermore, inverted the observed amplification factors into S-wave velocity and Q _s-value profiles of the deep soil over the basement.     

Fourier analysis of the light curves of eclipsing variables,XX

In the present paper _n ⁰ , for occulation and transit eclipses of partial phases, are evaluated numerically by means of the Runge-Kutta methods. Section 2 contains the required differential equations of _n ⁰ with respect to the modulusX orC, and Section 3 includes the numerical method of the solutions of these differential equations. Theoretical values of ₀ ⁰ and ₁ ⁰ , with corresponding values ofC, are also added in this section.     

Istanbul Earthquake Rapid Response System: Methods and practices

Potential impact of large earthquakes on urban societies can be reduced by timely and correct action after a disastrous earthquake. Modern technology permits measurements of strong ground shaking in near real-time for urban areas exposed to earthquake risk. The Istanbul Earthquake Rapid Response System equipped with 100 instruments and two data processing centers aims at the near real time estimation of earthquake damages using most recently developed methodologies and up-to-date structural and demographic inventories of Istanbul city. The methodology developed for near real time estimation of losses after a major earthquake consists of the following general steps: (1) rapid estimation of the ground motion distribution using the strong ground motion data gathered from the instruments; (2) improvement of the ground motion estimations as earthquake parameters become available and (3) estimation of building damage and casualties based on estimated ground motions and intensities. The present paper elaborates on the ground motion and damage estimation methodologies used by the Istanbul Earthquake Rapid Response System with a special emphasis on validation and verification of the different methods.     

Comparison of the attenuation properties for two different areas in eastern Anatolia,Turkey

In this study, the attenuation properties of the crust and the quality factor of S wave in eastern Anatolia (Turkey) were determined by local earthquakes for two different areas, Oltu and Erzurum. Seismic wave attenuation can be changed with high pressure or structural effects. Therefore, we argued that the estimation of attenuation coefficient in seismic active zones in Eastern Anatolia is a very useful tool to determine seismic activities. It uses regional waveform data set from two stations, OLT and ERZ, for 95 events that occurred in these regions between 2001 and 2005. The attenuation has been determined using the Chobra–Alexeev model based on the epicenter distance–amplitude relations. This model allows for investigation of the effects of variations in attenuation properties for different areas. We introduced a new magnitude formula for these areas using the amplitude normalization methods for reference values M_L=4, so as to correct effects of the magnitudes. We also determined velocity of seismic waves. The average attenuation coefficient (α), average quality factor (Q_s) and P and S waves velocities were obtained with normalized amplitude values for Erzurum (ERZ) and Oltu (OLT) as 0.0135 km⁻¹, 37, 6.20 km/s and 3.38 km/s and 0.0151, 34, 6.13 and 3.48.     

Identification of major moisture sources across the Mediterranean Basin

Climate Dynamics - We employ a Lagrangian based moisture back trajectory method on an ensemble of four reanalysis datasets to provide a comprehensive understanding of moisture sources over the...     

Assessing radial transmissivity variation in heterogeneous aquifers using analytical techniques

Pumping tests are one of the most commonly used in situ testing techniques for assessing aquifer hydraulic properties. Numerous researches have been conducted to predict the effects of aquifer heterogeneity on the groundwater levels during pumping tests. The objectives of the present work were as follows: (1) to predict drawdown conditions and to estimate aquifer properties during pumping tests undertaken in radially symmetric heterogeneous aquifers, and (2) to identify a method for assessing the transmissivity field along the radial coordinate in radially symmetric and fully heterogeneous transmissivity fields. The first objective was achieved by expanding an existing analytical drawdown formulation that was valid for a radially symmetric confined aquifer with two concentric zones around the pumping well to an N concentric zone confined aquifer having a constant transmissivity value within each zone. The formulation was evaluated for aquifers with three and four concentric zones to assess the effects of the transmissivity field on the drawdown conditions. The specific conditions under which aquifer properties could be identified using traditional methods of analysis were also evaluated. The second objective was achieved by implementing the inverse solution algorithm (ISA), which was developed for petroleum reservoirs to groundwater aquifer settings. The results showed that the drawdown values are influenced by a volumetric integral of a weighting function and the transmissivity field within the cone of depression. The weighting function migrates in tandem with the expanding cone of depression. The ability of the ISA to predict radially symmetric and log‐normally distributed transmissivity fields was assessed against analytical and numerical benchmarks. The results of this investigation indicated that the ISA method is a viable technique for evaluating the radial transmissivity variations of heterogeneous aquifer settings. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of an aftershock occurrence model calibrated for Turkey and the resulting likelihoods

This paper presents the calibration of Omori's aftershock occurrence rate model for Turkey and the resulting likelihoods. Aftershock occurrence rate models are used for estimating the probability of an aftershock that exceeds a specific magnitude threshold within a time interval after the mainshock. Critical decisions on the post-earthquake safety of structures directly depend on the aftershock hazard estimated using the occurrence model. It is customary to calibrate models in a region-specific manner. These models depend on rate parameters(a, b, c and p) related to the seismicity characteristics of the investigated region. In this study, the available well-recorded aftershock sequences for a set of Mw ≥ 5.9 mainshock events that were observed in Turkey until 2012 are considered to develop the aftershock occurrence model. Mean estimates of the model parameters identified for Turkey are a =-1.90, b = 1.11, c = 0.05 and p = 1.20. Based on the developed model, aftershock likelihoods are computed for a range of different time intervals and mainshock magnitudes. Also, the sensitivity of aftershock probabilities to the model parameters is investigated. Aftershock occurrence probabilities estimated using the model are expected to be useful for post-earthquake safety evaluations in Turkey.     

A re-configuring sliding-mode controller with adjustable robustness

In this paper, a controller design method for underwater vehicles is presented, which is based on re-configuration of a sliding-mode controller in case of disturbances caused by shallow water conditions. The disturbance distribution information can be obtained and used to update the corrective gain vector of the sliding-mode controller. This increases the robustness of the controller and, hence, keeps the system performance within acceptable limits. Proposed method is validated with simulations on a submarine model.