Investigation of the damping of geomagneticPi2 pulsations using generalized spectral analysis

Summary The method of spectral analysis has been modified to render the spectrum not only a function of frequency, but also of damping. The generalized spectra of damped geomagnetic pulsations, recorded at the observatories of Budkov and Dymer, are computed. The degree of damping of these pulsations in the X and Y-components at both stations is determined. The results are compared with results obtained using other methods.     

Transmitted waves in the vicinity of the interface beyond the critical point

Summary The space (time) delay of transmitted waves in the vicinity of the interface beyond the critical point is investigated on two-dimensional seismic models of a low velocity channel; results of laboratory experiments are compared with the conclusions of the theory. The effect of the time delay in field measurements is demonstrated by means of two typical geological formations.     

Macroseismic effects of the north-Italian earthquake of May 6th, 1976, on the territory of Czechoslovakia

Summary The method of treatment of the macroseismic data obtained on the territory of the CSSR after the main 1976 Friuli earthquake is described and the preliminary results are confronted with the geologic structure.     

Correlation of precipitable water vapour values over the United States with physical and chemical parameters Part I: Seasonal trends with precipitation and its nitrate content. Geographic changes of nitrate

Summary The analysis ofReitan's data on precipitable water vapour in the atmosphere, and data ofJunge on the nitrate content of precipitation, is extended onto a seasonal basis. Computations indicate consistency between precipitable water vapour, precipitation and its nitrate content, within a semiemprical law proposed, and especially for the warmer trimestres of the period July 1956–June 1957. A simple expression correlating the atmospheric content of precipitable water vapour over stations situated between sea level and 580 ft of altitude, with temperature, is suggested and tested. Increasing trends of atmospheric nitrate with latitude are established for all seasons of the period examined.Contribution of the Centro Nucleazione Aerosoli of the National Research Council of Italy, Via Vettore 4 (Monte Sacro),Rome.     

Définition Morphologique de la phase de la Composante Annuelle des Températures en Italie

Résumé Les moyennes mensuelles des températures publiées parF. Eredia pour 482 stations ont servi au calcul de la phase de la composante annuelle par la technique deYakovlev plus expéditive que la méthode d'analyseLabrouste. L'examen de la répartition géographique de la phase calculée fait ressortir les influences de l'orographie, de l'orientation des côtes et de la latitude sur la mise en place dans le temps de la fraction permanente de la marche annuelle des températures.

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Summary The monthly average values of temperature, published byF. Eredia for 482 stations, enabled the authors to calculate the phase of the annual component byYakovlev's method more expeditif asLabrouste method. The geographical repartition of the phase of annual component shows the bearings of orographie, coast orientation and latitude on time distribution of this permanent fraction of temperature variations.

     

Définition morphologique de la phase de la composante annuelle des pluies en italie

Résumé Les moyennes mensuelles des pluies publiées parM.F. Eredia pour 3.601 stations ont servi à l'extraction de la composante annuelle par la méthode des combinaisons linéaires d'ordonnées de M. et MmeH. Labrouste. L'examen de la répartition géographique de la phase de cette composante fait ressortir les différentes influences du relief continental et de l'orientation des côtes sur la mise en place dans le temps de cette fraction permanente des pluies.

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Summary The monthly average values of rain, published byF. Eredia for 3.601 stations enabled the autors to calculate the annual component by the linear combinations method (established by M. and MmeH. Labrouste). The geographical repartition of the phase of this component shows the different bearings of continental relief and coast orientation on time-distribution of this permanent fractions of rain.

     

Instantaneous global ozone balance including observed nitrogen dioxide

The catalytic destruction of stratospheric ozone by the oxides of nitrogen is believed to be an important part of the global ozone balance. The lack of sufficient measurements of NO _x concentrations has impeded efforts to quantify this process. Recent measurements of stratospheric nitrogen dioxide from ground-based stations as well as aircraft and balloons have provided a first approximation to a global distribution of NO₂ vertical columns at sunset. These observed vertical columns have been translated into time-dependent vertical NO₂ profiles by means of a one-dimensional atmospheric photochemical model. Using recent observations of air temperature and ozone along with this information, the independent instantaneous (one second) rates of ozone production from oxygen photolysis P(O₃), of ozone destruction from pure oxygen species (Chapman reactions) L(O _x ), and of ozone destruction by nitrogen oxides L(NO _x ) were estimated over the three-dimensional atmosphere. These quantities are displayed as zonal average contour maps, summed over various latitude zones, summed over various altitude bands, and integrated globally between 15 and 45 km. Although the global summation between 15 and 45 km by no means tells the complete story, these numbers are of some interest, and the relative values are: P(O₃), 100; L(O _x ), 15; L(NO _x ), 45±15. It is to be emphasized that this relative NO _x contribution to the integrated ozone balance is not a measure of the sensitivity of ozone to possible perturbations of stratospheric NO _x ; recent model results must be examined for current estimates of this sensitivity.     

Magmatic gases extracted and analysed from ocean floor volcanics

Magmatic gases extracted and analysed from basaltic rocks collected in the FAMOUS area near 36°50′ N in the Atlantic ocean show that the total amount of gas included in the samples varies between about 500 ppm to 1600 ppm. The main gaseous phases included in the various types of basalts consist of CO₂ (270–700 ppm), CO (150–800 ppm), HCl (100–1000 ppm), H₂ (0–50 ppm), SO₂ (up to 175 ppm), N₂ (up to about 213 ppm) and traces of hydrocarbons (up to about 24 ppm). The relative amount of CO, CO₂ and SO₂ varies with both the degree of crystallinity of the rock and with fractional crystallization and/or fractional melting. The glassy margin of pillow lavas have a higher CO/CO₂ ratio than the more crystalline interior. The most fractionated rocks of the series rich in clinopyroxene are depleted in the CO/CO₂ ratio and have a higher SO₂ content than do the most mafic end members rich in olivine. Early-formed olivine was crystallized in a reducing environment rich in CO and H₂ with respect to later formed mineral associations. It is likely that the carbon and sulfur oxidation is taking place at a relatively shallow depth during magmatic ascent or during volcanism. The ocean floor volcanics when compared to subaerial basalts are depleted in SO₂ and have on the average ten times more H₂.