An analysis of the variation in delta architecture

The architecture and sedimentary facies of a delta during its steady-state development varies with the type of distributary system, the basin water depth, and the different ways of sediment diffusion at the delta front. Analysis of these variables has resulted in twelve prototype deltas, which are postulated as sedimentological norms to facilitate comparisons of both modern and ancient delta systems.     

The formation of circular littoral cones from tube-fed pāhoehoe: Mauna Loa,Hawai'i

Pyroclastic cones along the southwest coast of Mauna Loa volcano, Hawai'i, have a common structure: (a) an early formed circular outer rim 200–400 m in diameter composed mostly of scoria and lapilli, and (b) one or more later-formed inner rims composed almost exclusively of dense spatter. The spatter activity locally fed short lava flows that ponded within the outer rims. Based on various lines of evidence, these cones are littoral in origin: relationships between the cones and associated flows; the degassed nature of the pyroclasts; and (although not unequivocal) the position of the cones relative to known eruptive vent locations on Mauna Loa. Additional support for the littoral interpretation comes from their similarity to (smaller) littoral cones that have been observed forming during the ongoing Kilauea eruption. The structure of these Mauna Loa cones, however, contrasts with that of standard Hawaiian littoral cones in that there is (or once was) a complete circle of pyroclastic deposits. Furthermore, they are large even though associated with tubefed phoehoe flows instead of 'a'. The following origin is proposed: An initial flow of tube-fed phoehoe into the ocean built a lava delta with a base of hyaloclastite. Collapse of an inland portion of the active tube into the underlying wet hyaloclastites or a water-filled void allowed sufficient mixing of water and liquid lava to generate strong explosions. These explosions broke through the top of the flow and built up the outer scoria/lapilli rims on the solid carapace of the lava delta. Eventually, the supply of water diminished, the explosions declined in intensity to spattering, and the initial rim was filled with spatter and lava.     

The UV cameras on the High Energy Transient Experiment (HETE)

The High Energy Transient Experiment (HETE), scheduled for launch this year, is a small satellite dedicated to multiwavelength observations of -ray and X-ray bursts. The HETE spacecraft will be equipped with gamma-ray detectors, X-ray detectors with a coded mask, and ultraviolet-sensitive CCD cameras. The UV cameras on HETE are wide-field imagers which will a) provide UV images of the regions in which -ray or X-ray bursts are detected, before, duringand after the burst, b) detect UV transients, whether associated with a high-energy transient or not, c) monitor the brightnesses of field stars for variability over a wide range of timescales, and d) serve as star trackers for HETE. In this poster, we describe the HETE UV instrumentation, control software, and data products.     

AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF THE ELECTRON TEMPERATURE AND HEAVY ION VELOCITIES IN THE SOUTH POLAR CORONAL HOLE

The solar wind ions flowing outward through the solar corona generally have their ionic fractions freeze-in within 5 solar radii. The altitude where the freeze-in occurs depends on the competition between two time scales: the time over which the wind flows through a density scale height, and the time over which the ions achieve ionization equilibrium. Therefore, electron temperature, electron density, and the velocity of the ions are the three main physical quantities which determine the freeze-in process, and thus the solar wind ionic charge states. These physical quantities are determined by the heating and acceleration of the solar wind, as well as the geometry of the expansion. In this work, we present a parametric study of the electron temperature profile and velocities of the heavy ions in the inner solar corona. We use the ionic charge composition data observed by the SWICS experiment on Ulysses during the south polar pass to derive empirically the electron temperature profile in the south polar coronal hole. We find that the electron temperature profile in the solar inner corona is well constrained by the solar wind charge composition data. The data also indicate that the electron temperature profile must have a maximum within 2 solar radii. We also find that the velocities of heavy ions in their freeze-in regions are small (<100 km s^-1) and different elements must flow at different velocities in the inner corona.     

A size-gradient hypothesis for alpine treeline ecotones

Research on the stress gradient hypothesis recognizes that positive (i.e. facilitative) and negative (i.e. competitive) plant interactions change in intensity and effect relative to abiotic stress experienced on a gradient. Motivated by observations of alpine treeline ecotones, we suggest that this switch in interaction could operate along a gradient of relative size of individual plants. We propose that as neighbors increase in size relative to a focal plant they improve the environment for that plant up to a critical point. After this critical point is surpassed, however, increasing relative size of neighbors will degrade the environment such that the net interaction intensity becomes negative. We developed a conceptual (not site or species specific) individual based model to simulate a single species with recruitment, growth, and mortality dependent on the environment mediated by the relative size of neighbors. Growth and size form a feedback. Simulation results show that the size gradient model produces metrics similar to that of a stress gradient model. Visualizations reveal that the size gradient model produces spatial patterns that are similar to the complex ones observed at alpine treelines. Size-mediated interaction could be a mechanism of the stress gradient hypothesis or it could operate independent of abiotic stress.     

Plutonic xenoliths from Martinique,Lesser Antilles: evidence for open system processes and reactive melt flow in island arc crust

The Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc is remarkable for the abundance and variety of erupted plutonic xenoliths. These samples provide a window into the deeper crust and record a more protracted crystallisation history than is observed from lavas alone. We present a detailed petrological and in situ geochemical study of xenoliths from Martinique in order to establish their petrogenesis, pre-eruptive storage conditions and their contribution to construction of the sub-volcanic arc crust. The lavas from Martinique are controlled by crystal–liquid differentiation. Amphibole is rarely present in the erupted lavas, but it is a very common component in plutonic xenoliths, allowing us to directly test the involvement of amphibole in the petrogenesis of arc magmas. The plutonic xenoliths provide both textural and geochemical evidence of open system processes and crystal ‘cargos’. All xenoliths are plagioclase-bearing, with variable proportions of olivine, spinel, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene and amphibole, commonly with interstitial melt. In Martinique, the sequence of crystallisation varies in sample type and differs from other islands of the Lesser Antilles arc. The compositional offset between plagioclase (~An₉₀) and olivine (~Fo₇₅), suggests crystallisation under high water contents and low pressures from an already fractionated liquid. Texturally, amphibole is either equant (crystallising early in the sequence) or interstitial (crystallising late). Interstitial amphibole is enriched in Ba and LREE compared with early crystallised amphibole and does not follow typical fractionation trends. Modelling of melt compositions indicates that a water-rich, plagioclase-undersaturated reactive melt or fluid percolated through a crystal mush, accompanied by the breakdown of clinopyroxene, and the crystallisation of amphibole. Geothermobarometry estimates and comparisons with experimental studies imply the majority of xenoliths formed in the mid-crust. Martinique cumulate xenoliths are inferred to represent crystal mushes within an open system, through which melt can both percolate and be generated.     

Spatial variability estimation and risk assessment of the aquifer level at sparsely gauged basins using geostatistical methodologies

The spatial variability evaluation of the water table level of an aquifer provides useful information in water resources management plans. Three different approaches are applied to estimate the spatial variability of the water table in the study basin. All of them are based on the Kriging methodology. The first is the classical Ordinary Kriging approach, while the second involves information from a secondary variable (surface elevation) and the application of Residual Kriging. The third calculates the probability to lie below a certain groundwater level limit that could cause significant problems in groundwater resources availability. The latter is achieved by means of Indicator Kriging. A recently developed non-linear normalization method is used to transform both data and residuals closer to normal distribution for improved prediction results. In addition, the recently developed Spartan variogram model is applied to determine the spatial dependence of the measurements. The latter proves to be the optimal model, compared to a series of models tested, which provides in combination with the Kriging methodologies the most accurate cross validation estimations. The variogram form is explained with respect to the radius of influence of the pumping wells representing the spatial impact of the pumping activity. Groundwater level and probability maps are developed providing the ability to assess the spatial variability of the groundwater level in the basin and the risk that certain locations have in terms of a safe groundwater level limit that has been set for the sustainability of the groundwater resources of the basin.