Deterministic seismic scenario for Gujarat region, India

In this study, the modified stochastic method based on dynamic corner frequency has been used for the simulation of strong ground motions in Gujarat region. The earthquake-generating faults have been identified in the Gujarat region on the basis of past seismicity of the region. In all, 19 probable faults have been identified with 12 in Kachchh region, 5 in Saurashtra and 2 in Mainland Gujarat region. The maximum magnitude has been assigned to each fault based on the regional tectonic environment and past seismicity. The strong ground motions from these identified sources have been estimated at numerous points distributed all over Gujarat region on a grid. The peak ground acceleration (PGA) values have been extracted from the accelerograms and contoured. The spatial distribution of maximum of 19 PGA values at every grid point have been described and discussed. The ground motions at the surface of 32 important cities of the Gujarat have been estimated by incorporating the site amplification functions. The site amplification functions are obtained using the local earthquake data. These cities are located on various types of geological formations. We note that the site amplification functions have modified the character of the records and amplified the acceleration values at almost all the sites. The Kachchh region can expect surface accelerations between 400 and 800 cm/s², Saurashtra between 100 and 200 cm/s² and Mainland less than 50 cm/s² from a future large earthquake. The obtained results are useful for disaster mitigation measures, strengthening the existing built environment and design of structures in the region.     

Response of a dryland fluvial system to climate–tectonic perturbations during the Late Quaternary: Evidence from Rukmawati River basin,Kachchh, western India

Dryland rivers, dominated by short-lived, localised and highly variable flow due to discrete precipitation events, have characteristic preservation potential, which serves as suitable archives towards understanding the climate–tectonic coupling. In the present study, we have investigated the fluvial records of a major, southerly-draining river – the Rukmawati River in the dryland terrain of southern Kachchh, in western India. The sediment records along the bedrock rivers of Kachchh register imprints of the Indian summer monsoon (ISM), which is the major source of moisture to the fluvial system in western India. The Rukmawati River originates from the Katrol Hill Range in the north and flows towards the south, into the Gulf of Kachchh. The field stratigraphy, sedimentology, along with the optical chronology suggests that a braided-meandering system existed during 37 ka period due to an overall strengthened monsoon. A gradual decline in the monsoon strength with fluctuation facilitated the development of a braided channel system between 20 and 15 ka. A renewed phase of strengthened monsoon with seasonality after around 15 ka which persisted until around 11 ka, is implicated in the development of floodplain sequences. Two zones of relatively high bedrock uplift are identified based on the geomorphometry and morphology of the fluvial landform. These zones are located in the vicinity of the North Katrol Hill Fault (NKHF) and South Katrol Hill Fault (SKHF). Geomorphic expression of high bedrock uplift is manifested by the development of beveled bedrock prior to or around 20 ka during weak monsoon. The study suggests that the terrain in the vicinity of NKHF and SKHF is uplifting at around 0.8 and >0.3 mm/a, respectively. Simultaneously, the incision in the Rukmawati River basin, post 11 ka, is ascribed to have occurred due to lowered sea level during the LGM and early Holocene period.     

Chemistry of Precipitation Events and Inter-Relationship with Ambient Aerosols over a Semi-Arid Region in Western India

The precipitation events (n = 91), collected for 3 years (2000–2002) during the period of SW-monsoon (Jun–Aug) from an urban site (Ahmedabad, 23.0°N, 72.6°E) of a semi-arid region in western India, are found to exhibit characteristic differences in terms of their solute contents. The low solute (<700 μeq L⁻¹) events are either marked by heavy precipitation amount or successive events collected during an extended rain spell; whereas light precipitation events occurring after antecedent dry period are characterized by high solutes (>700 μeq L⁻¹). The ionic composition of low solute events show large variability due to varying contribution of anthropogenic species (: 1%–74%; : 1%–25%; and : 8%–68%) to the respective ion balance. In high solute events, ionic abundances are dominated by mineral dust (Ca²⁺ and ) and sea-salts (Na⁺ and Cl⁻). These differences are also reflected in the pH of low solute events (range: 5.2–7.4, VWM: 6.4) and high solute events (range: 6.6–8.2, VWM: 7.3). The comparison of Ca²⁺/Na⁺ and nss- ratios (on equivalent basis) in rain and aerosols suggests that the ionic composition of high solute events is influenced by below-cloud scavenging; whereas evidence for in-cloud scavenging is significantly reflected in low solute events. The annual wet-deposition fluxes of and are 330 and 480 mg m⁻² y⁻¹, respectively, in contrast to their corresponding dry-deposition fluxes (14 and 160 mg m⁻² y⁻¹); whereas wet and dry removal of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and are comparable.     

Equatorial electrojet in east Brazil longitudes

This paper describes the morphology of the equatorial electrojet (EEJ) along 45°W longitude in east Brazil, where the ground magnetic (dip) equator is associated with the largest declination in the world. Daily range of the horizontal field (ΔH), as expected, was largest at the station in the chain closest to the dip equator, Sao Luiz (inclination −0.25°S). ΔZ was largest positive at Eusebio (inclination 9.34°S) and largest negative at Belem (inclination 7.06°N); both near the fringe of EEJ belt. ΔZ at Sao Luiz during the daytime was unexpectedly large negative in-spite of a small dip and also located south of the dip equator where ΔZ should be positive. Center of EEJ was found to be shifted southward of the dip equator by about 1° in latitude. During southern summer, ΔY started decreasing from 00 h and reached a minimum value in the afternoon, an abnormal feature not discussed for any station so far. The mid-day value of the direction of ΔH vector was 22°–24°W compared to the declination of 19°–21°W in the region.     

Total electron content at low latitudes

Radio beacon from ATS-6 at 140 MHz was used to measure the changes in the polarization angle (Faraday rotation) at Bombay, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Udaipur and Patiala during October 1975 to July 1976. In this paper, results of diurnal, seasonal and latitudinal variations in total electron content (TEC) derived from these measurements are reported. The amplitude of diurnal peak is found to be higher at Rajkot, Ahmedabad and Udaipur as compared to that at Patiala or Bombay, indicating that the peak of Appleton anomaly in the latitudinal variation of TEC was close to the latitude of Ahmedabad. The diurnal maximum of TEC occurs around the same time during summer and winter months. The peak electron content shows a semiannual variation at all the stations with large values in equinoxes as compared to winter and summer. The TEC at Bombay shows a seasonal anamoly with high values in winter as compared to summer. The paper describes the development of latitudinal anomaly with the time of the day for different seasons. This anomaly is maximum during 1000 to 1800 LT and is located between 12° and 14° N (dip latitude) in summer and equinoxes and at about 10°N in winter.     

Theory for preliminary negative impulse in storm sudden commencement inH at equatorial stations

It is shown that the storm sudden commencement (SSC) inH field at low latitude station consists of only a positive excursion when the interplanetary shock due to the solar plasma impinging on the magnetosphere is associated with a southward excursion of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). When the signature of SSC at low latitude station consists of a preliminary negative excursion preceding the main positive excursion of theH field, the solar plasma causing the compression is associated with a northward excursion of the IMF. It is suggested that the signature of SSC(H) at equatorial stations is the result of combined effect of the compression of magnetosphere by the solar plasma as well as due to the electric field effects associated with the velocity of the solar plasma (v) interacting with the northward component (Bz) of the interplanetary field (i.e.,E =−v _x Bz).     

Daily variations ofE andF region drifts over Tiruchirapalli

Daily variations of the E-W and N-S components of ionospheric drifts, measured using closely spaced receiver method over Tiruchirapalli near magnetic equator, are described for the periods 1973–75 forE region and 1974–75 forF region. N-S component is not observed except for a few occasions during summer months for theE region. E-W component is generally eastward during night hours and westward during day hours. There is a large day-to-day variability in the magnitude as well as in the evening reversal time. Daily variations primarily consist of the diurnal component with average amplitude of about 90 m/sec forF region and of about 80 m/sec forE region. The drift speeds are found to decrease with magnetic activity. It is concluded that the abnormal electrojet region extends upto north of Tiruchirapalli in the Indian zone and drifts here can be used as a monitor of electric field.     

Geomagnetic disturbance effects on equatorial spreadF

Geomagnetic disturbance effects on the occurrence of range and frequency spread at Huancayo are studied for the period 1957–74. The occurrence of frequency spread is decreased on disturbed days forD-months andE-months while duringJ-months an increase is noted in the post-midnight period. The occurrence of range spread is decreased on disturbed days in the pre-midnight hours duringD andE-months. Post-midnight hours ofD andE-months and all hours of night duringJ-months show an increase of range spread on disturbed days, which is most prominent during low sunspot years. The mean occurrence of frequency spread (2300–0100 LT) and range spread (2000–2300 LT) decrease with increasing ΣKp. On the other hand, occurrence of range spread (0300–0500 LT) increases with increasing ΣKp, and is suggested as the consequence of the changes of the horizontal electric field in theF-region associated with the geomagnetic storms.     

Slope failures along the western continental margin of India: a consequence of gas-hydrate dissociation, rapid sedimentation rate, and seismic activity?

Along the western continental margin of India (WCMI), several bottom simulating reflectors were identified on analogue single-channel seismic records, some of these located in areas where slumping and mass wasting were observed. The causes, consequences and degree of geographic variation of these geomorphic processes are assessed in terms of possible gas-hydrate dissociation during Pleistocene sea-level changes, high sedimentation resulting in underconsolidation, and seismotectonic activity prevailing along the WCMI margin. One consequence of possible gas-hydrate dissociation along the continental slope could be sediment failure and mass transport down the slope. By contrast, in the flat deep-sea areas, gas-hydrate dissociation may have led to gas seepage and the development of pockmarks at the seafloor.