Causes of catastrophic failure of Tam Pokhari moraine dam in the Mt. Everest region

The moraine dam of the Tam Pokhari glacial lake breached on 3 September 1998 and caused a catastrophic flood in the downstream areas. To learn from the event, a field survey was conducted. The survey team found that a landslide, which is considered to be responsible for the outburst flood, occurred in the northeast-facing slope of the moraine dam. The dam internal structure played a crucial role in forming a landslide that triggered the excess overflow and finally the breach of the dam. The internal structure of the dam was made of alternating layers of finer and coarser sediments inclining at 30° downstream and layers are truncated in the upslope direction by a huge pile of unconsolidated and structureless moraine materials. Since the upstream slope angle of the dam i.e., 40° is larger than the angle of repose i.e. 35° of sediments, the increased pore water pressure in the dam triggered a landslide. The rainfall and seismological activities of that particular day, which hit the record high, were crucial in triggering the failure. It is estimated that the dam’s north and northeast-facing slopes completely slid involving about 30,000 m³ of sediment mass of unconsolidated moraine materials above the shear plane. A slope stability analysis was also performed. The calculated safety factor was 0.85, and the calculated slip circle agreed with the shear plane marked in the dam. About 18 million cubic metres of water was swiftly released due to the sudden breach of the moraine dam.     

Isochemical breakdown of garnet in orogenic garnet peridotite and its implication to reaction kinetics

An isochemical kelyphite (orthopyroxene+spinel+plagioclase) that has nearly the same bulk chemical composition as the precursor garnet was found within a matrix of ordinary kelyphites (orthopyroxene+clinopyroxene+spinel±amphibole) in garnet peridotites from the Czech part of the Moldanubian Zone. It was shown that the kelyphitization of garnet took place in three stages: (1) the garnet-olivine reaction, accompanied by a long-range material transfer across the reaction zone, and (2) the isochemical breakdown of garnet, essentially in a chemically-closed system, and finally, (3) an open-system hydration reaction producing a thin hydrous zone (amphibole+spinel+plagioclase), which is located between the isochemical kelyphite and relict garnet. The presence of relict garnet suggests that this breakdown reaction of the second stage did not proceed to a completion probably being hindered by the formation of the hydrous zone at the reaction front. It was found by electron back-scattered diffraction method that orthopyroxene and spinel do not show any topotaxic relationship in the first type of kelyphite; whereas they show locally topotaxic relationship in the isochemical kelyphite. The transition from the first type to the second type of kelyphite is discussed on the basis of the detailed observations in the transition zone between the two kelyphites. More widespread occurrence of isochemical kelyphite is expected to occur in orogenic peridotites as well as from xenoliths brought by volcanics.     

Strong ground motion simulation of the 2003 Bam, Iran, earthquake using the empirical Green’s function method

The 2003 Bam, Iran, earthquake caused catastrophic damage to the city of Bam and neighboring villages. Given its magnitude (M _w ) of 6.5, the damage was remarkably large. Large-amplitude ground motions were recorded at the Bam accelerograph station in the center of Bam city by the Building and Housing Research Center (BHRC) of Iran. We simulated the Bam earthquake acceleration records at three BHRC strong-motion stations—Bam, Abaraq, and Mohammad-Abad—by the empirical Green’s function method. Three aftershocks were used as empirical Green’s functions. The frequency range of the empirical Green’s function simulations was 0.5–10 Hz. The size of the strong motion generation area of the mainshock was estimated to be 11 km in length by 7 km in width. To estimate the parameters of the strong motion generation area, we used 1D and 2D velocity structures across the fault and a combined source model. The empirical Green’s function method using a combination of aftershocks produced a source model that reproduced ground motions with the best fit to the observed waveforms. This may be attributed to the existence of two distinct rupture mechanisms in the strong motion generation area. We found that the rupture starting point for which the simulated waveforms best fit the observed ones was near the center of the strong motion generation area, which reproduced near-source ground motions in a broadband frequency range. The estimated strong motion generation area could explain the observed damaging ground motion at the Bam station. This suggests that estimating the source characteristics of the Bam earthquake is very important in understanding the causes of the earthquake damage.     

Dietary analysis of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from faecal samples and overlap with fisheries in Erimo,Japan

The number of harbour seals in Japan has been rebounding since protection began in the mid‐1980s. With the increase in seal numbers, increased conflict with fisheries has occurred through depredation and the belief that seals compete with fisheries for prey. However, competition can only be determined if the prey species and quantities seals consume over time are known. We studied the diet of harbour seals in Erimo, site of the largest population of harbour seals in Japan, from 2011 to 2012 and assessed the degree of prey overlap with local fisheries. We used both hard parts and DNA techniques to identify prey items in seal scats, and compared these results to local fisheries data. A total of 46 prey occurrences was detected by both methods, of which 17 matched between techniques at least to the family level. Hard parts methods identified five incidences of prey undetected by DNA methods in five scats (one incidence per scat). DNA methods identified 24 additional prey occurrences in 13 scats, for which no hard part evidence for that prey had been found. This more than doubled the total number of prey occurrences across the 15 scats compared. Overall, the most frequently occurring harbour seal prey were walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), sculpins and snailfishes. In contrast, the top three groups targeted by fisheries were codfishes, salmon and invertebrates. Many species common in the harbour seal's diet such as snailfishes and blennies were not targeted by fisheries. Fishes such as greenlings, sculpins, rockfishes and Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) were common in the diet of harbour seals, but made up a very small proportion of fisheries catches in Erimo. The importance of other prey species varied between seasons. Sculpins, greenlings and forage fishes were the top three prey groups for harbour seals in spring by percent modified frequency of occurrence, whereas the most important target groups by percentage mass caught by fisheries were codfishes, cephalopods and other invertebrates. Sculpins and rockfishes remained as important prey items for harbour seals in summer and autumn, in addition to codfishes, snailfishes and blennies. In contrast, the main groups caught by fisheries in summer were other fishes, particularly Japanese amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata) and various species of sharks and eels, and invertebrates. By autumn, Erimo fisheries had focussed on catching salmon. Salmon were taken by harbour seals as well during this period, but at a relatively lower frequency compared to other prey groups. The results of our study show that although harbour seals consumed several of the prey species targeted by fisheries, the relative importance of these species to seals and fisheries and the seasons in which they were targeted were different.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of the phase transition between low-temperature and high-temperature clinoenstatites

 Phase transition between low-temperature clinoenstatite (LT-CEn) and high-temperature clinoenstatite (HT-CEn) was studied by using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, based on empirical potential parameters. Starting from LT-CEn, the MD calculations were carried out at atmospheric pressure and at elevated pressures (1–6 GPa). At elevated temperatures the transformation from the starting LT-CEn to HT-CEn occurred at any pressure. It was confirmed that the HT-CEn has the same space group C2/c as diopside but the M2 site is six-coordinated, unlike diopside. A significant difference in the MD-simulated cell volumes between LT-CEn and HT-CEn was also observed, showing a first-order transition. In addition, there were some temperature ranges where LT-CEN and HT-CEn would be coexistent and very small thermal hystereses between increasing and decreasing temperatures during the transition. These behaviors are consistent with the characteristic of a thermoelastic-martensitic transformation. The phase boundary between LT-CEn and HT-CEn was determined for the first time. Its positive dT/dP slope strongly shows that the high-pressure clinoenstatite is a significantly distinct phase from HT-CEn although the both phases have the same space group, C2/c. Received: 8 November 2000 / Accepted: 28 April 2001     

An international turbulence comparison experiment (ITCE 1976)

Turbulence data for the International Turbulence Comparison Experiment (ITCE) held at Conargo, N.S.W. (35° 18′ S., 145° 10′ E.) during October, 1976 are analysed. The standard deviation % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafeart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaaiikaiqado% hagaqbamaaCaaaleqabaGaaGOmaaaakiaacMcadaahaaWcbeqaaiaa% igdacaGGVaGaaGOmaaaaaaa!3B93!\[(s'^2 )^{1/2} \] and covariance % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafeart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWaa0aaaeaace% WG3bGbauaaceWGZbGbauaaaaaaaa!3809!\[\overline {w's'} \] measured by a number of instruments and instrument arrays have been compared to assess their field performance and calibration accuracy. Satisfactory agreement, i.e. typically 5% for % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafeart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaaiikamaana% aabaGabm4CayaafaWaaWbaaSqabeaacaaIYaaaaaaakiaacMcadaah% aaWcbeqaaiaaigdacaGGVaGaaGOmaaaaaaa!3BA4!\[(\overline {s'^2 } )^{1/2} \] (except in humidity) and of the order of 20% for % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafeart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaaiikaiqado% hagaqbamaaCaaaleqabaGaaGOmaaaakiaacMcadaahaaWcbeqaaiaa% igdacaGGVaGaaGOmaaaaaaa!3B93!\[(s'^2 )^{1/2} \], was achieved, but only after consideration of:

1. Instrumental response at high frequencies.
2. Flow distortion induced by instruments and supporting structures.
3. Spatial separation of instruments used for covariance measurements.
4. Statistical errors associated with single point measurements over a finite averaging time, and with lateral separation of two sensor arrays being compared.

     

Phase transition of potassium sulfate,K2SO4 (II); dielectric constant and electrical conductivity

The phase transition of K₂SO₄ has been investigated by measurements of the dielectric constant and electrical conductivity, correlated with the structural point of view. Using single crystals, the temperature dependences of the dielectric constants and electrical conductivities were measured at frequencies of 0.3, 1, 3, and 5 MHz in the temperature range from 20° to 640 °C. Within this range, the dielectric constant does not reach a maximum, but near the phase-transition temperature at 587° C, the dielectric constant along the c axis shows a larger discontinuity than those along the a and b axes. The temperature dependence of the dielectric constant is consistent with the disordered structure of the high temperature form. Based on the parabolic increase of the dielectric constant in the temperature range from 582° to 587° C, it is likely that the phase transition propagates through an intermediate state. The electrical conductivity coefficients of K₂SO₄ increase with increasing temperature, exhibiting semiconducting character above the phase-transition temperature. In the high-temperature form, the electrical conductivity along the a axis exceeds that along the c axis. Since the electrical conductivity of K₂SO₄ is mainly ionic in character, the migration of K⁺ ions makes a major contribution to the conduction process.     

The Tucson meteorite

Tucson is an unusual iron meteorite which contains highly reduced silicate inclusions and elemental silicon and chromium in solution. The metal matrix of Tucson was found to be chemically uniform, suggesting that homogenization has occurred at elevated temperatures. The microstructure of the metal consists of plessite and thin ribbons of kamacite. Nickel and phosphorus concentrations indicate that kamacite nucleated along prior taenite grain boundaries at ~650°C, and grew upon cooling to 500°C. Kamacite growth calculations show that Tucson cooled at ~1°C/1000 yr, a rate which corresponds to a depth of burial at the center of a 15 km radius parent body or closer to the surface of parent bodies of larger sizes. The shapes of the Tucson irons, and the presence and distribution of silicate inclusions in the Fe-Ni matrix appear to be a result of a solidification process.     

Microshear zones in a Miocene submarine dacite dome of southwest Japan

Microscopic shear zones have been found in the groundmass of glassy rocks of a Miocene submarine dacite dome in southwest Japan. Similar textures have been reported previously but only in dykes. These textures give a valuable insight into the deformation of the dome during its emplacement by recording the orientations of the principal strains. Detailed textural analysis indicates that the microshear zones formed as a result of flattening and stretching of the magma simultaneously with quenching. Measured stretching directions are near-parallel suggesting the magma flowed in one dominant direction rather than in a radial pattern. The strain is believed to also be influenced by high magma pressure inside the dome being imposed on the high viscosity outer part of the dome. Present address: Faculty of Resource Science and Management, University of New England-Northern Rivers. P. O.Box 157 Lismore NSW 2480 Australia