Characteristics of Enhanced and Low Amplitude Anisotropic Wave Trains and Interplanetary Transients

The occurrence of a large number of high and low amplitude anisotropic wave train events over the years 1981–1994 has been examined along with the different solar features. The results indicate that the time of maximum of diurnal variation significantly remains in the 18-h direction for majority of the high and low amplitude wave trains. The amplitude of diurnal anisotropy remains significantly high and phase shifts towards earlier hours as compared to the quite day annual average values for majority of the HAEs. The diurnal amplitude remains significantly low and phase shifts towards earlier hours as compared to the quiet day annual average values for majority of the LAEs. The occurrence of these enhanced/low amplitude events is found to be dominant during the positive polarity of the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field. The amplitude of the diurnal anisotropy of these events is found to increase on the days of magnetic cloud as compared to the days prior to the event and it found to decrease during the later period of the event as the cloud passes the Earth. The high-speed solar wind streams do not play any significant role in causing these types of events. The interplanetary disturbances (magnetic clouds) are also effective in producing cosmic ray decreases.     

Analysis of Y-component of Geomagnetic Field and SYM-H Index Using Wavelet Multiresolution Analysis

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - Electrodynamical coupling between the solar wind’s plasma and the Earth’s magnetosphere creates geomagnetic disturbances recorded on the ground. This work...     

Shoreline Change Analysis at Chilika Lagoon Coast,India Using Digital Shoreline Analysis System

Shoreline is the dynamic interfaces of both terrestrial and marine environment, which constantly affected by natural coastal processes includes wave, tide, littoral drift and cyclonic storms as well as coastal development. Wave induced littoral drift and fluvial discharge causing the gradual inlet migration and has the concurrent impact on shoreline of Chilika lagoon. This study is to determine the long-term shoreline changes along the coast of Chilika lagoon. Historical satellite images were used to analyse the shoreline erosion and accretion based on statistical approach. The satellite data from 1975 to 2015 were processed by using ERDAS Imagine and the shorelines are extracted. The shoreline oscillation was analysed at an interval of 100 m along the coast of Chilika lagoon using DSAS software. Most commonly used statistical methods such as end point rate and linear regression rate are used. The shoreline change analysis for entire coast of the lagoon since 40 years (1975–2015) indicates that 62% is of accretion, 25% is under stable coast and erosion is 13%. The result reveals that the lagoon coast shows high accretion of 9.12 m/year at updrift side of the lagoon inlet whereas the downdrift side shows high erosion of ??10.73 m/year due to the wave induced northeasterly longshore sediment transport round the year and riverine discharge. This study would provide the potential erosion and accretion area at Chilika lagoon coast and would help in adaptive shoreline management plan.     

Ground Based Bistatic Scatterometer Measurement for the Estimation of Growth Variables of Ladyfinger Crop at X-Band

The present study describes the ground based bistatic scatterometer measurements of ladyfinger crop at its various growth stages in the specular direction with the azimuthal angle (\( \phi = 0 \)) for the angular incidence angle ranging from 20° to 60° at the interval of 10° at HH and VV polarization. An outdoor ladyfinger crop bed of an area 4 × 4 m² was specially prepared for the ground based bistatic scatterometer measurements. The crop growth variables like vegetation water content, leaf area index, fresh biomass, and plant height were also measured at the time of each bistatic scatterometer measurement. The specular bistatic scattering coefficients were found to be decreasing with the crop growth variables up to the maturity stage and then after it increased slightly. The linear regression analysis was carried out between specular bistatic scattering coefficient and crop growth variables at all the incidence angles for HH and VV polarization to select the optimum angle of incidence and polarization for the estimation of crop growth variables. The potential of subtractive clustering based adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system was applied for the estimation of crop growth variables. The estimated values for different crop growth variables were found almost close to the observed values.     

Seismic Cycles and Trend Predictions of Earthquakes in Sumatra–Andaman and Burmese Subduction Zones using Temporal b-value and Hurst Analysis

The annual b-value fluctuation patterns in Burmese subduction zone and Andaman–Sumatra subduction zone are evaluated from earthquake data (January 1990 to June 2016; Mw ³ 4.3) to identify seismic cycles with sequential dynamic phases as described in the ‘elastic failure model’ of Main et al. (1989). Two seismic cycles have been identified in Andaman–Sumatra subduction zone, one started in 1990 and ended on 2004 with occurrence of great Sumatra earthquake (Mw 9.0) and the other started in 2005 and continuing till date with the phase of crack coalescence and fluid diffusion (3A&B). Similarly, the subduction zone of Burma shows evidence of one incomplete seismic cycle within 1990–2016 and presently undergoing the crack coalescence and fluid diffusion (3A&B) phase. The analysis has prompted to subdivide the area into thirteen smaller seismic blocks (A to M) to analyse area specific seismic trend and vulnerability analysis employing Hurst Statistics. Hurst plots with the dynamic phases of ‘elastic failure model’ of earthquake generation is compared to assess the blocks with high seismic vulnerability. The analysis suggest that north Andaman zone (block G) and north Burma fold belt (block M) are seismically most vulnerable. Moreover, the seismic vulnerability of Tripura fold belt and Bangladesh plain (block K) is equally high.     

Finite element modelling of landslide prone slopes around Rudraprayag and Agastyamuni in Uttarakhand Himalayan terrain

Himalayan mountain chains are neo-tectonically active and significantly susceptible to frequent geohazards like landslides, earthquakes, cloudburst and flash floods, etc. Himalayan slopes are characterized by highly fractured, jointed and sheared rock mass. This affects the strength of the rocks and thus largely influences the stability characteristic of slopes which have been aggravated by human intervention. The ongoing developmental activities, particularly in the last two decades, are responsible for large-scale destabilization of slopes. In rugged terrain, safer designs along hill-cut roads must be ensured. Despite extensive geotechnical works for slope stabilization done in the Himalayan range, slope sections evolve due to various natural and man-made factors are need to be understood in greater details. Proper evaluation and treatment were done on the cut slopes that are severely affected during Kedarnath disaster of June 2013. One of such roads is national highway from Rudraprayag to Gaurikund near Kedarnath. In this study, the stability of vulnerable road cut slopes from Rudraprayag to Agastmuni was investigated. Three key road cut slopes were considered. Finite element analysis was conducted using PLAXIS simulator. Factors of safety, stress, strain, horizontal and vertical displacement have been determined for each slope. The most unstable slope had a factor of safety (FoS) equal to 0.935, while the most stable slope had FoS equal to 2.56. Outcomes from simulation are in good agreement with the prevailing field conditions. Slope stability evaluation must be performed to ensure better safety and to achieve disaster mitigated design.     

Tectonic and lithologic control over landslide activity within the Larji–Kullu Tectonic Window in the Higher Himalayas of India

The purpose of this study is to analyze and characterize recent landslide events in the Larji–Kullu Tectonic Window (LKTW), and to establish a relationship between the tectonic and lithologic characters of the terrain and the landslides activity. Using multispectral satellite image analysis with selected field investigation, a landslide occurrence database has been generated for the period between 1984 and 2015. To decipher the accelerated occurrences of landslides in the region, an integrated study is undertaken in the Kullu (also known as Kulu) valley of Beas River basin within the LKTW complex, to analyze the litho-structural and terrain slope interactions using morpho-tectonic parameters such as Topographic/Bedding Plane Interaction Angle (TOBIA) index, terrain surface roughness index and lithological competency analysis. A prominent clustering of landslides is observed in the north of Sainj River, contained within the tectonic window. Major sites of landslides are found to be located in the intensely fractured Manikaran Quartzite occurring within the core of the LKTW. The landslides are mostly associated with southern and southwestern-facing slopes and activations are pronounced in the ‘Orthoclinal’ slope class with gradient of 37°–48°. Thematic maps, e.g., geological, structural, geomorphological, slope and slope-aspect maps are generated and considered together to understand the morpho-tectonic scenario of the tectonic window. Observations from the above-stated thematic maps along with the occurrences of moderate magnitude earthquake epicenters helped to infer neotectonic movements along the Sainj River fault. Tectonic upliftment of the northern bank of the Sainj River along with increased precipitation through decades has resulted in recurrent landslides within the LKTW.     

Evaluation of fertility indicators associated with arsenic-contaminated paddy fields soil

Emerging environmental issues related to heavy metal contamination in rice draw great concern about the soil quality of paddy farming lands irrigated with groundwater. Investigating the functioning of soil microorganisms exposed to heavy metal contamination is imperative for agricultural soil manipulations. The current study accentuates the influence of heavy metals on microbial activity and community composition in arable soil of West Bengal State of India. The result revealed that the fertility indicators (activity of all soil enzymes) and growth-limiting factors (soil N and P) were negatively correlated with the heavy metal stress except the soil total organic content which demonstrated significant positive correlation with the heavy metals. In case of functional diversity of soil, all the considered diversity indices exhibited no specific pattern along with the availability of heavy metals. Further, despite the heavy metal contamination, we observed a very complex and indifferent pattern of bacterial community composition along the heavy metal contamination sites. Overall, we found that γ-Proteobacteria had been the most abundant bacterial community followed by Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, β-Proteobacteria and α-Proteobacteria. Commemorating all the results, we can infer that arsenic and other heavy metal contamination is deteriorating the soil quality and hence warrants immediate attention of concerned soil scientist and agronomists.     

Evaluation of initiating system by measurement of seismic energy dissipation in surface blasting

Enhanced demand for coal and minerals in the country has forced mine operators for mass production through large opencast mines. Heavy blasting and a large amount of explosive use have led to increased environmental problems, which may have potential harm and causes a disturbance. Ground vibrations generated due to blasting operations in mines and quarries are a very important environmental aspect. It is clear that a small amount of total explosive energy is being utilized in blasting for breakage of rock mass, while the rest is being wasted. The amount of energy which is wasted causes various environmental issues such as ground vibrations, air overpressure, and fly rock. Ground vibrations caused by blasting cannot be eliminated entirely, yet they can be minimized as far as possible through a suitable blasting methodology. A considerable amount of work has been done to identify ground vibrations and assess the blast performance regarding the intensity of ground vibrations, i.e., peak particle velocity and frequency spectrum. However, not much research has done into reducing the seismic energy wasted during blasting leading to ground vibrations. In this paper, the blast-induced ground vibrations in three orthogonal directions, i.e., transverse, vertical, and longitudinal, were recorded at different distances using seismographs. An attempt has been made for the estimation of the percentage of explosive energy dissipated in the form of seismic energy with electronic and non-electric (NONEL) initiation system. signal processing techniques with the help of DADiSP software is used to study the same.     

Unlocking possibility of blasting near residential structure using electronic detonators

Ever since development of human civilization, mining and agriculture has been the backbone of growth. Today the most developed countries of the world are the ones focused on core economical development, be it power generation, steel making, oil and gas production, or agriculture. Mining has been gaining importance over the years both from the economic perspective and as an area of sustained research. With the advent of globalization, things have changed very fast and today it is an industry that is driving the economies of several nations. Global competition has propelled countries to reach higher production levels through better techniques of drilling and blasting, excavation and mineral processing. We now have bigger and faster drill machines and excavators. In Explosives technology too significant progress has been made towards having safer explosives and accurate initiating systems that have increased overall control over blasting in terms of vibration, fragmentation, throw, fly rock and overall blast economics. Explosives and Rock Blasting Technology has advanced so much in the last few decades that blasting can now be precisely performed, controlled and predicted. Development of new tools like electronic blasting systems and advanced simulation software has made it possible to customize blasting results as per requirement. These developments have helped mining engineer worldwide in reaping huge productivity benefits besides making it possible to meet the environmental norms even in most demanding conditions. Inability to blast large size shots on account of proximity of mines to human habitation have always constrained mine management in fully leveraging the strength of large size production equipments. Mine managers have been forced to conduct small blasts on increased frequency to provide feed to large capacity shovels while compromising on Shovel productivity on account of undesirable movement of shovels during blasting. This paper deals with a case study at SEB quarry of Tata Steel wherein it was difficult to fire a big blast due to existing nearby structures. A critical scientific study was conducted before successfully firing of one of the biggest shot of 83 tonnes in the history of quarry. The paper discusses the issues being faced, alternate solutions opted and the final outcome.