Spatial and temporal variations in summer precipitation in Japanese mountain areas

We examined spatial and temporal variations in precipitation measured during summer season between 1976 and 2007 for 28 stations located in mountain areas across Japan using the amount of precipitation (Pr), the mean depth of precipitation events (η), and the inverse of the mean interval times (λ). We obtained positive correlations between the period mean Pr (Pr ) and the period mean η ( ) and between Pr and the period mean λ ( ) for the 28 stations. Pr was more strongly related to than to , indicating the spatial variations in Pr that are primarily related to the variations in . In addition, Pr was more strongly related to η than to λ for most stations on the basis of data for 1976–2007, indicating that the year‐to‐year variations in Pr are primarily related to η. We also examined temporal trends in Pr, η and λ for 1976–2007 and found no systematic trends for 23 of the 28 stations, suggesting long‐term trends that are not common in mountain areas of Japan. The relationships between Pr and and between Pr and η presented in this study enable us to generate a temporal precipitation distribution pattern based on only Pr and Pr data, respectively. Furthermore, probabilistic stochastic hydrological models require precipitation characteristics as input; thus, this study contributes to the determination of hydrological cycles and their possible future changes in Japanese mountain areas and therefore to water resource management. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microbially induced formation of ooid-like coated grains in the Late Cretaceous methane-seep deposits of the Nakagawa area, Hokkaido, northern Japan

Abstract   Ooid-like coated grains are found in the Late Cretaceous methane-seep deposits in the Nakagawa area, Hokkaido, Japan. The coated grains were examined using macro- and microscopic observations, electron-probe microanalysis, and biomarker analysis. They are round- to oval-shaped, with nuclei consisting of fractured sediment and micritic envelopes. The fractures probably occurred as a result of increasing hydrostatic pressure when the sediment was still unconsolidated or weakly consolidated. Biomarker analysis revealed that two types of molecules, crocetane and PMI, are predominant in the hydrocarbon fraction with highly negative carbon isotopic composition as low as −122‰ ( vs Vienna Peedee Belemnite). These data suggest that the coated grains were formed under the influence of anaerobic oxidation of methane, near the sediment/seawater interface. The presence of such grains indicates that methane-containing pore water reached the sea floor at that time.     

Seismic velocity structure around the Hyuganada region, Southwest Japan, derived from seismic tomography using land and OBS data and its implications for interplate coupling and vertical crustal uplift

The Hyuganada region, a forearc region of Southwest Japan, is characterized by several interesting geological and geophysical features, i.e., significant aseismic crustal uplift of 120 m during the past 120 thousand years at the Miyazaki Plain, negative free-air gravity anomalies with the maximum magnitude of −130 mgal, and relatively less cohesive interplate coupling compared with that for off the Shikoku and Kii Peninsula. In order to examine the causes of these observations, we determined a detailed three-dimensional seismic velocity structure based on the seismic data observed by ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) and land stations. P- and S-wave tomographic velocity structures clearly indicate the subducting slab and also the zones of high Poisson's ratio at 25–35 km depth along the coastline of the northeastern part of the Hyuganada. The region with high Poisson's ratio may correspond to the serpentinized mantle wedge as suggested for other mantle wedges, and appears to be coincident with the zone for observed aseismic slips such as the slow-slip and after-slip events. Also, the detection may be related to a relatively weak interplate coupling in the Hyuganada region. The tomographic structures also indicate low velocity zones with a horizontal scale comparable to the Kyushu-Palau Ridge in and around the subducting slab. If we assume that the low velocity zones correspond to the subducted Kyushu-Palau Ridge, then the predicted gravity anomaly due to the density contrast between the low velocity zones and the surrounding region can explain about 60% of the gravity anomaly in the Hyuganada region. The buoyancy is probably an important factor for the crustal uplift observed in the Miyazaki Plain, the steep bending of the subducting slab and the normal fault-type earthquakes around the Hyuganada region.     

Does measuring azimuthal variations in sap flux lead to more reliable stand transpiration estimates?

Stand transpiration (E) estimated using the sap‐flux method includes uncertainty induced by variations in sap flux (F) within a tree (i.e. radial and azimuthal variations) and those between trees. Unlike radial variations, azimuthal variations are not particularly systematic (i.e. higher/lower F is not always recorded for a specific direction). Here, we present a theoretical framework to address the question on how to allocate a limited number of sensors to minimize uncertainty in E estimates. Specifically, we compare uncertainty in E estimates for two cases: (1) measuring F for two or more directions to cover azimuthal variations in F and (2) measuring F for one direction to cover between‐tree variations in F. The framework formulates the variation in the probability density function for E (σ_E) based on F recorded in m different azimuthal directions (e.g. north, east, south and west). This formula allows us to determine the m value that minimizes σ_E. This study applied the framework to F data recorded for a 55‐year‐old Cryptomeria japonica stand. σ_E for m = 1 was found to be less than the values for m = 2, 3 and 4. Our results suggest that measuring F for one azimuthal direction provides more reliable E estimates than measuring F for two or more azimuthal directions for this stand, given a limited number of sensors. Application of this framework to other datasets helps us decide how to allocate sensors most effectively. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mass motions due to shock propagations along low-lying loops in the solar atmosphere

The formation of fibrils in low-lying loops is investigated by performing one-dimensional nonlinear hydrodynamic calculations. The loops have the height of 3000–5000 km and have an atmosphere extending from the photosphere to the corona. A shock wave is generated from a pressure pulse in the photosphere and it ejects the chromosphere-corona transition region along the loop, expanding the underlying chromosphere into the corona. This expanding chromospheric material in a loop is regarded as a fibril. The shock propagates in the corona and collides with another transition region where a reflected shock and a penetrating shock are generated. The effect of the reflected shock on the motion of the fibril is weak. The fibril shows a nearly ballistic motion as observations suggest, if it does not extend beyond the summit of the loop. The corona in the loop is compressed nearly adiabatically by the fibril, and the enhanced coronal pressure leads the fibril finally to a retracting motion even if the fibril goes beyond the summit of the loop.Contributions from the Kwasan and Hida Observatories, University of Kyoto, No. 261.     

Near Real－Time Calculation of Ionospheric Electric Fields and Currents Using GEDAS

This paper presents the recent progress in our project of estimating near real-time electric fields and currents in the ionosphere through our computer system called the Geospace Environment Data Analysis System (GEDAS). We show a new technique in which data from ground magnetometers are collected by the system and used as input for the KRM and AMIE programs to calculate the distribution of ionospheric electric fields and currents, as well as of other ionospheric parameters, such as electric potential patterns. One of the goals of this project is to specify ionospheric processes. Examples of the near real-time calculation and the data flow of our scheme are presented.     

Book review

Although visible bands of high-resolution multispectral imagery are used for bathymetry, the relative utility of different bands is poorly understood. Therefore, we evaluated the relative utility of the six visible bands of WorldView-2. We statistically selected the visible bands that gave the best accuracy under different situations, tallying how often each band was included in the best combination. The average frequency was greater than 50% for every band and differed between bands by only 17%. We conclude that all visible bands are useful for remote sensing of water depth, although the utility depends on the image and number of training pixels available.     

Point defects and pre-dose requirements for sensitization of the 300°C TL peak in natural quartz

This paper discusses the structural features required to stimulate a strong thermoluminescence (TL) glow peak near 300°C in clear natural quartz. For that reason, fresh TL data taken from several specimens prepared from five single crystals with known impurity content are shown. The TL emission was measured with a test dose of 10 mGy of γ-rays in the readout intervals 50–160 and 160–320°C. The readings were carried out prior and after the administration of a pre-dose of 175 kGy of γ-rays followed by heat-treatments at 400°C. For each single specimen, the OH content and the population of inclusions were evaluated by infrared spectroscopy and optical microscopy, respectively. The darkening induced by high γ dose was evaluated by optical spectroscopy. It was observed that the absorption at 475 nm and TL responses decrease with increase of the OH. It was shown that both smoky darkening and TL signals were better explained in terms of Li/Al and Li/OH content ratios rather than the absolute values of aluminum and alkali concentrations. The sensitization with high γ dose and heating is essential to create and stabilize a class of defects sites with Li⁺ ions dislodged from [AlO₄/Li]⁰ and Li-dependent OH centers. It is suggested that the defect sites formed with Li⁺ act as electron traps during test dose irradiation, whereas electron-hole recombination occurs essentially at [AlO₄]⁰ centers during the TL output near 300°C.