Focus-of-attention techniques in the automatic interpretation of seismograms

The focus-of-attention techniques implemented in SNA2, a knowledge-based system for seismogram interpretation, are presented. They consist of data compression of the input digital records, scanning of the compressed traces to detect candidate seismograms and extraction of seismogram features. A criterion is given to rate the clarity of seismograms; the clarity defines the order in which the system will consider them to build up the interpretation. The proposed techniques are simple and fast; they allow quick rejection of noise and focussing the attention of the system on the portions of traces containing relevant information.     

On the water vapour absorption in the 8–13 μm spectral region for different atmospheric conditions

Experimental measurements of the absorption coefficient of atmospheric water vapour, at wavelengths between 8 and 13 m, are examined on the basis of atmospheric models describing the meteorological conditions of the observed atmospheres to obtain estimates of the foreign-broadening absorption coefficient for homogeneous paths. The results show that the variable contribution given by unresolved lines predominates on the continuum term due to wing effects of remote lines, even for rather high spectral resolutions.Associated with estimates of the self-broadening absorption coefficient, as proposed byRoberts et al. (1976), these data are applied to a wide set of atmospheric models, corresponding to various latitudes and seasons, indicating that the two components of the atmospheric absorption coefficient are closely related to the surface temperature. Because of the variable weights given by foreign- and self-broadening terms, the atmospheric absorption coefficient turns out to increase with the surface temperature with different rates at various wavelengths.     

The structure of coronal magnetic loops

We present here a model, based on observations, for the magnetic-field equilibrium of a cool coronal loop. The pressure structure, taken from the Harvard/Skylab EUV data, is used to modify the usual force-free-field form in quasi-cylindrical symmetry. The resulting field, which has the same direction but different strength, is calculated and its variation displayed. Finally, localized interchange stability is evaluated and discussed, as the first step in a subsequent complete magnetohydrodynamic-stability analysis.     

Contents of Volume 53

Volume Contents

Contents of Volume 53     

The Analysis of the Seasonal,Spatial, and Compositional Distribution of Humic Substances in a Subtropical Shallow Lake

The spatial and temporal distribution of humic substances in aquatic ecosystems can have important effects on ecosystem productivity, negatively impacting primary productivity while positively impacting secondary productivity. In the present investigation, a large shallow lake ecosystem was studied to determine the spatial and seasonal variation of the composition and concentration of humic substances. Concentrations of total dissolved organic matter, humic acid, and fulvic acid were found to display significant spatial distributions (1.3…13.5 mg/L, DOM; 0.1…5.4 mg/L, HA). The distribution is described by using mapping techniques and the analysis of the spatial distribution of the lake. An analysis of the seasonal variations also indicated the dependence of the occurrence of these compounds on meteorological and hydrological conditions. To identify the potential sources of these organic materials, an analysis was made of the ratio of humic and fulvic acid fractions and total DOM. It was found that areas of high DOM concentration coincided with the areas of highest HA percentage of total DOM. Furthermore using the ratio of the normalised concentrations of HA, FA, and residual DOM (< 5000 g/mol) it was found that areas dominated by each are spatially distinct. This confirms the hypothesis that in these shallow lakes, photodegradation and bacterioplankton activity will create a residence time dependent zonation of each component of the total DOM.     

Seismic response of multi‐span simply supported bridges to a spatially varying earthquake ground motion

This paper carries out a parametrical study of the pounding phenomenon associated with the seismic response of multi‐span simply supported bridges with base isolation devices. In particular, the analyses focus on the causal relationship between pounding and the properties of a spatially varying earthquake ground motion. In order to include the effect of the torsional component of pounding forces on the seismic response of the whole structure, a three‐dimensional (3D) finite element model has been defined and 3D non‐linear time‐history analyses have been performed. A parametrical study on the size of the gaps between adjacent bridge decks has highlighted that the pounding effects are amplified when the spatially varying ground motion time histories at each support are considered. Because of a spatially varying input, the pounding forces can assume values 3–4 times larger than those derived by a conventional seismic analysis with uniform input or with spatial input but considering ground motion wave passage effect only. The numerical results show that in order to achieve an acceptably safe structural performance during seismic events, a correct design of the isolation devices should take into account the relative displacements calculated by means of a non‐linear time‐history analysis with multi‐support excitation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temperature dependence of goethite dissolution promoted by trihydroxamate siderophores

This article reports an investigation of the temperature dependence of goethite dissolution kinetics in the presence of desferrioxamine B (DFO-B), a trihydroxamate siderophore, and its acetyl derivative, desferrioxamine D1 (DFO-D1). At 25 and 40°C, DFO-D1 dissolved goethite at twice the rate of DFO-B, whereas at 55°C, the behavior of the two ligands was almost the same. Increasing the temperature from 25 to 55°C caused little or no significant change in DFO-B or DFO-D1 adsorption by goethite. A pseudo-first-order rate coefficient for dissolution, calculated as the ratio of the mass-normalized dissolution rate coefficient to the surface excess of siderophore, was approximately the same at 25 and 40°C for both siderophores. At 55°C, however, this rate coefficient for DFO-D1 was about half that for DFO-B. Analysis of the temperature dependence of the mass-normalized dissolution rate coefficient via the Arrhenius equation led to an apparent activation energy that was larger for DFO-B than for DFO-D1, but much smaller than that reported for the proton-promoted dissolution of goethite. A compensation law was found to relate the pre-exponential factor to the apparent activation energy in the Arrhenius equation, in agreement with what has been noted for the proton-promoted dissolution of oxide minerals and for the complexation of Fe³⁺ by DFO-B and simple hydroxamate ligands in aqueous solution. Analysis of these results suggested that the siderophores adsorb on goethite with a only single hydroxamate group in bidentate ligation with an Fe(III) center.     

Mechanical stratigraphy as a factor controlling the development of a sandbox transfer zone: a three-dimensional analysis

In thrust belts, fold–fault terminations are common features of the structural architecture and can pose complicated problems to unravel, in particular when two or more terminations are in close proximity. Such terminations usually reflect pre-existing attributes. Amongst the many factors, lateral variations in the mechanical stratigraphy can control along-strike geometry and kinematics of fault-related folds.A displacement transfer zone was produced in a compressional sandbox model by means of two adjacent, mechanically different stratigraphic domains. The experiment allowed two discrete chains to develop in the different domains, so that a complex structural setting occurred in the connecting area. Periclinal folds, oblique thrust fronts and oblique ramps developed in the resulting transfer zone. The interaction between periclines in the transfer zone produced lateral culminations in the folded structures. The analysis of displacement across the structural domains revealed that a significant loss of slip along the faults occurred in the relay zone. In this area, imbricate faulting was partially replaced by layer-parallel shortening. A linear relationship appears to exist between the bed length of the thrust sheet and the related fault slip.     

Landslides triggered by the 23 November 2000 rainfall event in the Imperia Province, Western Liguria, Italy

From mid-October to 22 November 2000, the western Liguria Region of Italy experienced prolonged and intense rainfall, with cumulative values exceeding 1000 mm in 45 days. The severe rainfall sequence ended on November 23 with a high-intensity storm that dumped more than 180 mm of rain in 24 h. The high-intensity event caused flooding and triggered more than 1000 soils slips and debris flows and a few large, complex landslides. Slope failures caused three fatalities and severe damage to roads, private homes, and agriculture. Large (1:13,000) and very large (1:5000) scale colour aerial photographs were taken 45 days after the event over the areas most affected by the landslides. Through the interpretation of the 334 photographs covering an area of 500 km², we prepared a landslide inventory map that shows 1204 landslides, for a total landslide area of 1.6 km². We identified the rainfall conditions that triggered landslides in the Armea valley using cumulative- and continuous-rainfall data, combined with detailed information on the time of landslide occurrence. Landslide activity initiated 8 to 10 h after the beginning of the storm, and the most abundant activity occurred in response to rainfall intensities of 8 to 10 mm per hour. For the Ceriana Municipality, an area where the landslides were numerous in November 2000, we also collected information about a historical event that occurred on 8–11 December 1910 and triggered abundant landslides resulting in severe economic damage. A comparison of the damage caused by the historical and the recent landslide events indicated that damage caused by the 1910 historical event was more diffused but less costly than the damage caused by the 2000 event.     

Acoustoelasticity in cracked solids

A new model that accounts for the stress dependence of the phase velocity of elastodynamic waves propagating in a cracked solid under compression is presented. The phase velocities of longitudinal and shear waves are derived from the effective elastic properties of a cracked solid, which are evaluated within the framework of Kachanov's approach. Following Kachanov, the extra-compliance tensor of the cracked solid is related to the crack compliances, which display a marked non-linear behaviour when subjected to a compressive load. Such non-linear behaviour is shown to be derived from the elastic interaction between the contacting crack faces under compression. This work does not address the effect of mutual interaction among cracks and the generation of higher harmonics due to the medium non-linearity. Numerical examples are presented that illustrate the phase velocity changes occurring in a solid with a random distribution of parallel cracks as a function of an external compressive load. A distinctive feature of the acoustoelastic effect in solids with large parallel fractures and in solids with distributions of aligned microcracks is also illustrated.