Fine-scale analysis of shelf–slope physiography across the western continental margin of India

We attempt here to quantify and model physiographic features off the central west coast of India in terms of power spectral exponent, amplitude parameter. We demonstrate that statistical analysis of multi-beam echo-sounder grid bathymetry data is able to characterise the outer shelf, upper slope, shelf margin basin and several structural rises in the region. A scatter diagram analysis shows that the seafloor data can be grouped into two distinct clusters. Distinctly different clustering patterns are observed over the structural rises, compared to the shelf, slope and basinal areas. This suggests different modes of formation for the members of these two clusters. In fact, the steep structural rises appear to be part of the NW–SE-trending coast-parallel Mid-Shelf Basement and Prathap ridges. These ridges are rift-induced volcanic emplacements on a stretched and thinned continental crust which probably formed during mid-Cretaceous times.     

Geological features and origin of the chromite deposits of sukinda valley,Orissa, India

The chromiferous ultramafic rocks of Sukinda Valley (21°0'–21°5'N:85°43'–86°0'E) of Orissa are intrusive into the Iron-Ore Supergroup (2,950–3,200 Ma) at the eastern periphery of the Indian Precambrian shield. Both laterally and vertically, chromite occurs as persistent layers, lenses or pockets in the serpentinized and silicified dunite-peridotite extending over a strike length of 25 km. The ultramafic rocks and the chromitite layers are cofolded with the Iron-Ore Supergroup into a plunging syncline. Primary layering, ball and pillow structures, cross laminations, graded bedding etc. can also be detected. The different varieties of chromite ore present in the area are massive, banded and spotted, laminated and friable. The grain size of chromite varies between 0.25 and 4 mm, and the fineness of the grain increases from the bottom to the top layers. The cell dimension of chromite (8.23–8.32 Å) decreases with the increase of Al₂O₃.Cr₂O₃ in pure chromite varies between 48 to 61 wt. percent, Al₂O₃ is 7.10–15.09 wt. percent, whereas Fe₂O₃ is very low (0.03–3.20 wt. percent). The amount of RO to R₂O₃ varies within a narrow limit of 0.98–1.13, indicating that the chromite is chemically balanced. The FeO to MgO ratio is intermediate between the stratiform and alpine type. Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺ increase with respect to Cr³⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the upper chromitite layers. TiO₂ lacks significant correlation with the major element composition of chromite.It is concluded that the Sukinda Valley chromitites of Orissa are predominantly stratiform in nature and were presumably formed in situ by crystal settling, the layering having been accentuated by the fluctuation of FO₂. The geological features suggest a single magmatic cycle.     

An Efficient Accurate Direct Solution of Poisson’s Equation for Computation of Meteorological Parameters

Poisson's equation is solved numerically by two direct methods, viz. Block Cyclic Reduction (BCR) method and Fourier Method. Qualitative and quantitative comparison between the numerical solutions obtained by two methods indicates that BCR method is superior to Fourier method in terms of speed and accuracy. Therefore. BCR method is applied to solve (?)2(?)= ζ and (?)2X= D from observed vorticity and divergent values. Thereafter the rotational and divergent components of the horizontal monsoon wind in the lower troposphere are reconstructed and are com pared with the results obtained by Successive Over-Relaxation (SOR) method as this indirect method is generally in more use for obtaining the streamfunction ((?)) and velocity potential (X) fields in NWP models. It is found that the results of BCR method are more reliable than SOR method.     

Variability of sensible heat flux over the Bay of Bengal and its connection to Indian Ocean Dipole events

The Bay of Bengal (BOB) is known to possess complex thermodynamics which show distinct seasonal patterns. Surface heat fluxes in the BOB are very much dependant on upper ocean heat exchanges and wind. Sensible heat flux (SHF) is also one among those fluxes that depends on air-sea temperature difference and wind. However, this study further proves that a strong relationship exists between barrier layer thickness (BLT) and SHF variability that has not been focussed on in earlier literatures. This study also investigates the seasonal as well as inter-annual variability of SHF and its relationship with BLT and sea surface temperature (SST) patterns in more detail with statistical analyses. It is found that both SST and BLT are responsible for the evolution of SHF signal in the BOB although their effects are spatially distributed. During the post monsoon period, freshwater induced enhanced BLT is more related to SHF than the summer time when effect of SST is found to be dominant. During Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) years, the correlation between SHF and BLT in the eastern BOB is more pronounced compared to SHF and SST. The western BOB however is dominated by SST variations for the respective IOD phase which also contribute to SHF signals there. Northernmost BOB shows high standard deviation due to river discharge effects.     

Big data and remote sensing for multi-decadal drought impact assessment on Shorea robusta

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - Intense droughts in recent years are a global concern. The duration and timing of drought for forests have not been researched as much as crops. This study...     

Development of rational models for tunnel blast prediction based on a parametric study

The empirical models available for prediction of the tunnel blast results like pull ratio, specific charge, specific drilling and overbreak have some inherent shortcoming in absence of any parametric study at the backdrop. Hence, the models use different constituting parameters and provide values which differ widely. After a thorough review of literature and field investigations in the drivages of mines and tunnels some parameters were identified. Those parameters were subjected to Multiple Linear Regression analyses to filter out the most influencing ones which represent the rockmass properties, the tunnel configurations and the blast designs. A parameter called Tunnel Blasting Index (TBI) was conceptualized and was expressed in terms of those most influencing parameters. All the blast results observed during the filed investigations could be well related to a single index TBI. Some adjustments on account of shape of the tunnel and joint orientations, which were not addressed in the available models, are suggested in the developed models.     

Some primary structures in the chromitites of Orissa,India

Some important primary structures have been studied and described from the chromities of Sukinda Valley in Orissa, India. The structures include primary layering, Ball and Pillow structures, and cross laminations. From the similarity of the structures and texture of the chromitites with the sedimentary rocks, it is presumed that the chromities were formed by magmatic sedimentation under the influence of gravity.

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Zusammenfassung Aus den Chromititen von Sukinda Valley in Orissa, Indien, werden einige wichtige, primäre Gefüge untersucht und beschrieben. Die Gefüge zeigen primäre Bänderung, Ball and Pillow-Lagen und Kreuzschichtung. Aus der Ähnlichkeit der Gefüge der Chromitite mit denen sedimentärer Gesteine wird geschlossen, daß die Chromitite durch gravitative, magmatische Saigerung sedimentiert worden sind.

     

Thermo-elastic Rayleigh waves in transversely isotropic solids

Summary The frequency equation of the thermo-elastic Rayleigh waves in a semi-infinite transversely isotropic solid has been obtained. The form of the frequency equation for small values of the reduced frequency has also been deduced, and it is found that, as in the isotropic medium, the velocity does not depend on the frequency. But unlike the isotropic case, the velocity depends upon the thermal constants as well.     

Factors affecting the performance of family planning workers: importance of geographical information systems in empirical analysis

Substantial variation in contraceptive prevalence rates (CPRs) and fertility rates (FRs) between community health workers (CHWs) has been documented since the inception of the Matlab family planning program in rural Bangladesh. The coefficients of variation of these indicators for Matlab CHWs were 7% and 26%, respectively, in 1995. To identify the reasons for these performance variations, geographical information system (GIS) approaches were applied to longitudinal and cross-sectional data on 80 CHWs for the period 1980-95. Each observation in the data-set included catchment area-specific characteristics, measures of CHW efficiency in service delivery, and CHW-specific characteristics for one specific year. A one-unit increase in the average age of target women in the catchment area increases the CPR by 9.2%. The CPR increases by 0.2% for each 1% increase in women's literacy and decreases by 0.1% for each 1% increase in the number of Muslim households in the catchment area. An increase of 1 sq. km in the size of the catchment area reduces the CPR by 3%. CHW performance increases with age up to 45 years and then decreases. Similarly, a 1-year increase in the average age of target women reduces the FR by 2%. A 10% increase in the size of the catchment area reduces program performance by increasing the FR by 1.4%. A single geographic barrier to movement increases the FR by 1%. This analysis indicates that CHW performance can be improved significantly by defining catchment areas through use of GIS techniques. Without knowledge of the spatial distribution of population and the physical barriers to movement, allocating a fixed number of clients per CHW may not be the most efficient approach.