Effect of rock fragment embedding on the aeolian deposition of dust on stone‐covered surfaces

Many stone‐covered surfaces on Earth are subject to aeolian deposition of atmospheric dust. This study investigates how the deposition of dust is affected when rock fragments become gradually more embedded in the ground or, inversely, become more concentrated on the surface. Experiments were executed in an aeolian dust wind tunnel with eight different types of pebbles. The following parameters were measured: dust deposition on the pebbles, dust deposition between and underneath pebbles, total dust deposition (pebbles + inter‐pebble space), and the fraction, of total deposition, of dust caught by the pebbles alone. The absolute amount of dust deposition and the dust deposition density (dust deposition per unit surface) were studied for each parameter. The effects exerted by pebble size, pebble flattening, pebble elongation and wind speed were also investigated. Dust patterns on and around pebbles were also studied via flow visualization. The absolute amount of dust settling on pebbles decreases the more that the pebbles become embedded. Dust deposition density on pebbles, on the other hand, increases with embedding. The more pebbles become embedded in the soil, the more efficient the process of dust deposition on pebbles becomes. Dust deposition between and underneath pebbles increases with pebble embedding. Dust deposition density between and underneath pebbles is maximum at 50 per cent embedding, showing that in this area dust deposition is most efficient when pebbles are halfway embedded. Total deposition slightly decreases the more pebbles become embedded, but total dust deposition density increases with embedding. Aerodynamic flow separation and diverging and converging airflow play an important role in the process of dust deposition on stone‐covered surfaces. The more pebbles protrude above the soil, the more they act as an obstacle and the more they disturb the air and dust flow creating scouring zones, flow separation bubbles and shelter areas for the dust. All these effects diminish as pebbles become more embedded in the soil. However, perturbations in dust patterns remain visible until pebbles have disappeared entirely. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microseismic activity in the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, Greece, with emphasis on the seismotectonic setting of the Santorini–Amorgos zone

The volcanic arc of the Hellenic subduction zone with its four volcanic centers is of major relevance when evaluating the seismovolcanic hazard for the Aegean region. We present results from a 22-station temporary seismic network (CYCNET) in the central Hellenic Volcanic Arc (HVA). CYCNET recordings allow to analyze the level and spatio-temporal evolution of microseismic activity in this region for the first time. A total of 2175 events recorded between September 2002 and July 2004 are analyzed using statistical methods, cluster analysis and relative relocation techniques. We identify distinct regions with significantly varying spatio-temporal behavior of microseismicity. A large portion of the seismic activity within the upper crust is associated with the presence of islands representing horst structures that were generated during the major Oligocene extensional phase. In contrast, the central part of the Cyclades metamorphic core complex remains aseismic considering our magnitude threshold of 1.8 except one spot where events occur swarm-like and with highly similar waveforms.The highest activity in the study area was identified along the SW–NE striking Santorini–Amorgos zone. Within this zone the submarine Columbo volcano exhibits strong temporal variations of seismic activity on a high background level. This activity is interpreted to be directly linked to the magma reservoir and therein the migration of magma and fluids towards the surface. NE of Columbo where no volcanic activity has yet been reported we observe a similar seismicity pattern with small-scaled activity spots that might represent local pathways of upward migrating fluids or even developing volcanic activity within this zone of crustal weakness. In contrast, the Santorini and Milos volcanic complexes do not show significant temporal variations and low to moderate background activity, respectively. Relating our results to the distribution of historical earthquakes and the GPS-derived horizontal velocity field we conclude that the Santorini–Amorgos zone is presently in the state of right-lateral transtension reflecting a major structural boundary of the volcanic arc subdividing it into a seismically and volcanically quiet western and an active eastern part.     

Engineering-Seismological Analysis of Site Effects in the Area of Cologne

The study was implemented in the framework of the DFNK (Deutsches Forschungsnetz Naturkatastrophen – German Research Network Natural Disasters) project. The area around the city of Cologne was chosen as an object for assessment of seismic hazard and risk. A comprehensive geo-database was compiled for the area, which allows using a computational approach for analysis of site amplification functions and probable surface effects. Taking into account peculiarities of the local soil conditions, the analysis of site effects included both amplification of ground motions and liquefaction potential. These phenomena, having different nature, are interrelated and can considerably contribute to seismic hazard. This paper presents some results obtained on the base of computational analysis using geo-modeling.     

Establishing a chronology for lacustrine sediments using a multiple dating approach—A case study from the Frickenhauser See, central Germany

In order to establish a reliable chronology for lacustrine sediments of the Frickenhauser See (central Germany) different dating methods have been applied. A total of 17 AMS ¹⁴C dates, all within the last 2000 years, were supplemented with ¹³⁷Cs/²¹⁰Pb dating and varve counting of the uppermost sediments (131 years). The age–depth model for the Frickenhauser See has to cope with highly variable sedimentation rates and overlapping probability distributions of calibrated ¹⁴C dates. The uncertainty of calibrated ¹⁴C dates could be considerably reduced by including the stratigraphic relationship of the dated samples, the age information derived from short-lived isotopes and varve counting as well as an upper and lower limit of realistic sedimentation rates as ‘a priori’ information in the calibration procedure. Sets of possible age combinations obtained by repeated sampling from the modified probability distributions were used to calculate continuous age–depth relationships based on monotonic smoothing splines. The obtained age–depth model for the sediment record of the Frickenhauser See represents the average of over 16,000 such model runs and suggests a drastic increase in sedimentation rates from around 1–2 mm a⁻¹ (200–1000 AD) to over 25 mm a⁻¹ for the period between 1100 and 1300 AD. From then on, sedimentation rates exhibit relatively stable values around 3–9 mm a⁻¹. ‘Conventional’ age–depth models such as general polynomial regression or cubic splines either do not include the obtained age-information in a satisfying manner (the model being too “stiff”) or exhibit “swings” causing age-reversals in the model. Although the age–depth relationships obtained for monotonic smoothing splines and mixed-effect regression are generally very similar, they differ in their respective sedimentation rates as well as in their uncertainties. Mixed-effect regression resulted in much higher sedimentation rates of more than 37 mm a⁻¹. These results suggest that monotonic smoothing splines give better control of the age–depth model characteristics and are well suited in situations, where the integrity of ¹⁴C dates is high, i.e. the dated material represents the age of the respective layer.     

Wave-trains in the solar wind

The main results of Whitham's averaged Lagrangian method for the treatment of linear wave-trains in a weakly inhomogeneous, moving medium are presented briefly. This method is then applied to an ideal, isotropic, one-fluid plasma which can be taken for the lowest order approximation for the interplanetary solar wind expansion.     

The International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS): current capabilities and future prospects

Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) plays a unique and fundamental role in the maintenance of the global (terrestrial and celestial) reference frames, which are required for precise positioning in many research areas such as the understanding and monitoring of global changes, and for space missions. The International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS) coordinates the global VLBI components and resources on an international basis. The service is tasked by the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) and International Astronomical Union (IAU) to provide products for the realization of the Celestial Reference Frame (CRF) through the positions of quasars, to deliver products for the maintenance of the terrestrial reference frame (TRF), such as station positions and their changes with time, and to generate products describing the rotation and orientation of the Earth. In particular, VLBI uniquely provides direct observations of nutation parameters and of the time difference UT1-UTC. This paper summarizes the evolution and current status of the IVS. It points out the activities to improve further on the product quality to meet future service requirements.     

Improved water resource management for a highly complex environment using three-dimensional groundwater modelling

A three-dimensional groundwater model was used to improve water resource management for a study area in north-west Switzerland, where drinking-water production is close to former landfills and industrial areas. To avoid drinking-water contamination, artificial groundwater recharge with surface water is used to create a hydraulic barrier between the contaminated sites and drinking-water extraction wells. The model was used for simulating existing and proposed water management strategies as a tool to ensure the utmost security for drinking water. A systematic evaluation of the flow direction between existing observation points using a developed three-point estimation method for a large number of scenarios was carried out. It is demonstrated that systematically applying the developed methodology helps to identify vulnerable locations which are sensitive to changing boundary conditions such as those arising from changes to artificial groundwater recharge rates. At these locations, additional investigations and protection are required. The presented integrated approach, using the groundwater flow direction between observation points, can be easily transferred to a variety of hydrological settings to systematically evaluate groundwater modelling scenarios.