A Probabilistic Assessment of Earthquake Hazard Parameters in NW Himalaya and the Adjoining Regions

The maximum likelihood estimation method is applied to study the geographical distribution of earthquake hazard parameters and seismicity in 28 seismogenic source zones of NW Himalaya and the adjoining regions. For this purpose, we have prepared a reliable, homogeneous and complete earthquake catalogue during the period 1500–2010. The technique used here allows the data to contain either historical or instrumental era or even a combination of the both. In this study, the earthquake hazard parameters, which include maximum regional magnitude (M _max), mean seismic activity rate (λ), the parameter b (or β?=?b/log e) of Gutenberg–Richter (G–R) frequency-magnitude relationship, the return periods of earthquakes with a certain threshold magnitude along with their probabilities of occurrences have been calculated using only instrumental earthquake data during the period 1900–2010. The uncertainties in magnitude have been also taken into consideration during the calculation of hazard parameters. The earthquake hazard in the whole NW Himalaya region has been calculated in 28 seismogenic source zones delineated on the basis of seismicity level, tectonics and focal mechanism. The annual probability of exceedance of earthquake (activity rate) of certain magnitude is also calculated for all seismogenic source zones. The obtained earthquake hazard parameters were geographically distributed in all 28 seismogenic source zones to analyze the spatial variation of localized seismicity parameters. It is observed that seismic hazard level is high in Quetta-Kirthar-Sulaiman region in Pakistan, Hindukush-Pamir Himalaya region and Uttarkashi-Chamoli region in Himalayan Frontal Thrust belt. The source zones that are expected to have maximum regional magnitude (M _max) of more than 8.0 are Quetta, southern Pamir, Caucasus and Kashmir-Himanchal Pradesh which have experienced such magnitude of earthquakes in the past. It is observed that seismic hazard level varies spatially from one zone to another which suggests that the examined regions have high crustal heterogeneity and seismotectonic complexity.     

Rotational circulation-preserving magnetogeostrophic flows

It has been shown that the only steady, inviscid, magnetogeostrophic rotational circulation-preverving motion whose magnetic field line pattern is that of the irrotational motion is a complex-lamellar motion whose magnetic field magnitude bears a constant value on a magnetic field line.     

Intrinsic and scattering attenuation in western India from aftershocks of the 26 January, 2001 Kachchh earthquake

176 vertical-component, short period observations from aftershocks of the M_w 7.7, 26 January, 2001 Kachchh earthquake are used to estimate seismic wave attenuation in western India using uniform and two layer models. The magnitudes (M_w) of the earthquakes are less than 4.5, with depths less than 46 km and hypocentral distances up to 110 km. The studied frequencies are between 1 and 30 Hz. Two seismic wave attenuation factors, intrinsic absorption (Q_i^− 1) and scattering attenuation (Q_s^− 1) are estimated using the Multiple Lapse Time Window method which compares time integrated seismic wave energies with synthetic coda wave envelopes for a multiple isotropic scattering model. We first assume spatial uniformity of Q_i^− 1, Q_s^− 1 and S wave velocity (β). A second approach extends the multiple scattering hypothesis to media consisting of several layers characterized by vertically varying scattering coefficient (g), intrinsic absorption strength (h), density of the media (ρ) and shear wave velocity structure. The predicted coda envelopes are computed using Monte Carlo simulation. Results show that, under the assumption of spatial uniformity, scattering attenuation is greater than intrinsic absorption only for the lowest frequency band (1 to 2 Hz), whereas intrinsic absorption is predominant in the attenuation process at higher frequencies (2 to 30 Hz). The values of Q obtained range from Q_t = 118, Q_i = 246 and Q_s = 227 at 1.5 Hz to Q_t ≈ 4000, Q_i ≈ 4600 and Q_s ≈ 33,300 at 28 Hz center frequencies, being Q_t^− 1 a measure of total attenuation. Results also show that Q_i^− 1, Q_s^− 1 and Q_t^− 1 decrease proportional to f^−ν. Two rates of decay are clearly observed for the low (1 to 6 Hz) and high (6 to 30 Hz) frequency ranges. Values of ν are estimated as 2.07 ± 0.05 and 0.44 ± 0.09 for total attenuation, 1.52 ± 0.21 and 0.48 ± 0.09 for intrinsic absorption and 3.63 ± 0.07 and 0.06 ± 0.08 for scattering attenuation for the low and high frequency ranges, respectively. Despite the lower resolution in deriving the attenuation parameters for a two layered crust, we find that scattering attenuation is comparable to or smaller than the intrinsic absorption in the crust whereas intrinsic absorption dominates in the mantle. Also, for a crustal layer of thickness 42 km, intrinsic absorption and scattering estimates in the crust are lower and greater than those of the mantle, respectively.     

Accumulation and depletion of chromium in mystus vittatus (BLOCH)

Exposure against two ppm chromium from K₂Cr₂O₇ for 1 to 7 months produced increasing accumulation of chromium in the liver, kidneys, brain and bone of the freshwater fish Mystus vittatus. In gonads, the accumulation of chromium was progressive for the first 5 months (i.e., April to August), but not in the subsequent 2 months. After 4 months exposure, fish transferred to chromium–free freshwater had a significant depletion of chromium from all tissues at 1, 2 and 3 months.     

Comment on “The stability of UO2OH+ and UO2(HPO4)22− complexes at 25°C” by G. Dongarra and D. Langmuir

Equilibrium calculations have shown that all the solutions in the experiments of Dongarra and Langmuir (1980) were super-saturated with respect to uranyl triphosphate; the degree of super-saturation varied from 3 to 857. In spite of the super-saturation, for all of their experiments n? and molal % UO₂(HPO⁴)₂^2? have been found to be <0.5 and <12 respectively. Similarly in all of their experiments 88–98% of ∑U(VI) existed as UO₂²⁺ or hydroxo complexes. Based on the analysis of their data it has been shown that their experimental conditions were not appropriate for determining the stability constant of UO₂(HPO⁴)₂^2?. The significance of careful design of experiments has been demonstrated. The uncertainty in log β (±0.2) as reported by these authors is too small in view of the very small $\text{n}\text{?}$ as well as negligible pH change during titrations. Furthermore, the fact that the β determined by Dongarra and Langmuir is very close to that of Moskvin et al. (1967) certainly does not serve to validate the work of Dongarra and Langmuir, since Dongarra and Langmuir, as well as this writer, have found several problems in the work of Moskvin et al.     

Electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic instability near Ganymede

Jupiter’s moon—Ganymede—is the largest satellite in our solar system. Galileo spacecraft made six close flybys to explore Ganymede. More information was acquired about particle population, magnetic field and plasma waves during these encounters. In this paper, our aim is to study the generation of electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) emissions in the vicinity of Ganymede using the observed particle data. The calculated ECH wave’s growth rates are analyzed in the light of observations of plasma waves along the path of Galileo near Ganymede. Dispersion relation for electrostatic mode is solved to obtain the temporal growth rates. A new electron distribution function, fitted to distribution observed near Ganymede, is used in the calculations. A parametric study is performed to evaluate the effect of loss-cone angle and the ratio of plasma to gyro-frequency on growth rates. It is found that ECH waves growth rates generally decrease as the loss-cone angle is increased. However, the ratio plasma to gyro-frequency has almost no effect on the growth rates. These parameters vary considerably along the Galileo trajectory near Ganymede. This is the first study which relates the occurrence of ECH waves with the particle and magnetic field data in the vicinity of Ganymede. The study of ECH wave growth rate near Ganymede is important for the calculation of pitch angle scattering rates of low-energy electrons and their subsequent precipitation into the thin atmosphere of Ganymede producing ultraviolet emissions. Results of the present study may also be relevant for the upcoming JUNO and JUICE missions to Jupiter.     

Geochemical characterization of groundwater from an arid region in India

A study on the geochemical processes in arid region of western India (Kachchh district) was carried out using major, minor, trace metal data and isotopic composition (δ²H, δ¹⁸O) of groundwaters. Results indicate that the distribution of chemical species in groundwater of this district is controlled by leaching of marine sediments, dissolution of salts in root zone and incongruent dissolution of carbonate minerals. Common inorganic contaminants such as fluoride, nitrate and phosphate are within drinking water permissible limits. However, most of the samples analyzed contain total dissolved salts more than desirable limits and fall in doubtful to unsuitable category with regard to irrigational purpose. Trace metal data indicates no contamination from toxic elements such as arsenic and lead. An increased salt content is observed in groundwater at shallower depths indicating mixing with surface water sources. The chemical characteristics of the groundwater have found to be strongly dependent on the local lithological composition. Environmental isotopic data indicates that the groundwater is of meteoric origin and has undergone limited modification before its recharge. The processes responsible for observed brackishness are identified using chemical and isotope indicators, which are in agreement with subsurface lithology and hydrochemistry. These data though represent hydrochemical scenario of 2001 can still be used for understanding the long-term fluctuations in water chemistry and would be quite useful for the planners in validating groundwater quality models.     

Sediment Yield Index mapping and prioritization of Madia subwatershed,Sagar District of Madhya Pradesh (India)

Assessment of soil loss through Sediment Yield Index (SYI) is important for watershed planning, prioritization, and development. In the absence of measured sediment data, SYI expressing the relative sediment yield from different basins work as a basis for grading another basin to adopt erosion control measures. An attempt was made to evaluate SYI in wider scale by using cost-effective tools like remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS). SYI was calculated for Madia subwatershed, which consists of 29 microwatersheds and located in Sagar District, Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) The IRS LISS III data and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation models (DEM) of 90-m resolution were used to identify land use characteristics and geomorphometric analysis. Major land use was observed as agricultural land (24.7 %), water bodies (16.7 %), forest area (10.2 %), and settlement (21.3 %). In categorization, similar overall accuracy was observed for dense forest, barren land, settlement, and water bodies. The highest SYI with a value more than 20 was observed in microwatershed Mw6, Mw7, and Mw24, which comprises 33 % of the total watershed area. It gives the information about the watershed area that requires very high priority.     

Reducing hillslope size in digital elevation models at various scales and the effects on slope gradient estimation

Several models simulate watershed areas by delineating hillslopes. Hillslope size depends on the length of stream tributaries, which are affected by the drainage area threshold (DAT). There is no universal approach to identify the appropriate DAT. Therefore, a method to derive the DAT and a series of steps to delineate a watershed into smaller sizes were proposed in this study, and the impact of hillslope size on slope gradient estimation was investigated. The DAT obtained in this study was smaller than that obtained using other methods, resulting in a shorter length of the tributaries. Dividing these tributaries into equal short segments and using them to delineate the study area reduced the size of the hillslope. The results revealed that the shorter the length of the tributaries, the smaller the hillslope size. The accuracy of gradient estimation increased when the size of the hillslope was reduced.