Periodic counts for estimating the size of the spawning population of alewives,Alosa pseudoharengus (Wilson)

The number of migrating alewives in the Parker River, Massachusetts, can be counted visually by standing at the upper end of each of the 6 fish ladders in the system. Estimating the entire run of up to a month’s duration by this procedure is not economically feasible, but we suggest a subsampling procedure that can provide sufficient accuracy and be economical. The reliability of periodic sample counts when used to estimate population numbers of anadromous alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) was indicated by the low variance of paired counts, small random errors of individual counts, and by the low variability between counts on days of large runs in the Parker River. Analyses of computer-simulated runs using actual data suggested that short counts taken frequently are superior to longer counts taken less often. Both field and computer-simulated data suggested that ten-minute counts taken hourly will estimate the true population of alewife runs within 10% error at the .05 level of probability.     

General considerations of the physics of planetary interiors

A deeper understanding of the constituents of the Solar System has been obtained over the last decade due primarily to the success of a variety of space missions which have provided a wealth of data to augment that obtained from Earth based observatories. Although the measurements refer directly to both the surface and atmospheric conditions, inferences can be made about conditions within the main bodies of the planets. This has been achieved through the closest collaboration between physicists, chemists and geologists in the study of these problems.In the present review we explore in a general way some of the types of problem involved with the physics of the interiors of planetary bodies. Concern will be with elucidating the structure of these bodies on the basis of the properties observed now. The arguments will be made in general terms and will not be concerned with any one planet in close detail.     

Evolution of the Taupo-Hikurangi subduction system

The present day Taupo-Hikurangi subduction system is a southward extension of the Tonga-Kermadec Arc system into a sediment-rich continental margin environment. It consists of a shallow structural trench (the Hikurangi Trough), a 150 km wide, imbricate thrust controlled accretionary borderland (the continental slope, shelf, and coastal hills of eastern North Island), a frontal ridge (the main “greywacke” ranges of North Island), and a volcanic arc and marginal basin (the Taupo Volcanic Zone).Structural elements become progressively more elevated and subduction more oblique towards the south. The whole NNE-trending system is truncated at a largely strike-slip, transform boundary that extends along the southwestern part of the Hikurangi Trough and the Hope fault of South Island to the main Alpine Fault.The volcanic arc is 200–270 km from the structural trench and comprises a NNE trending chain of andesite-dacite volcanoes extending along the eastern side of the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Most of the andesites are olivine-bearing and have been erupted within the last 50,000 years.It is suggested the Taupo-Hikurangi margin has evolved by rotation of accretionary elements, from an original NW-trending subduction system north of New Zealand. The older elements of the prism were associated with subduction of a re-entrant of the Pacific Plate (and perhaps the South Fiji Basin) in Mid Tertiary times. They subsequently became separated from their NW-trending volcanic arc by dextral strike-slip movement along curved faults east of the main “greywacke” ranges. During the Plio-Pleistocene, oblique subduction and accretion intensified as the Taupo-Hikurangi margin rotated into line with the NNE-trending Kermadec system and a marginal basin was developed along a similar trend to form the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Within the last 50,000 years olivine-bearing andesite volcanism has commenced along the eastern side of the Taupo Volcanic Zone.     

Gariboldi volcanic complex,Ethiopia

The Garibaldi Complex is one of a chain of predominantly silicic volcanic cones along the centre of the Main Ethiopian Rift, which form part of the Pleistocene-Recent Aden Series (Mohr, 1962a). The present form of the Complex is largely a result of silicic conebuilding episodes, between which ignimbrites were erupted and areas collapsed to form calderas, and to a lesser extent of recent basalt eruptions. Comparisons are made with other areas of caldera collapse and attention drawn to the possible relationship between caldera complexes and plutonic ring structures.     

Outline of a theory of solar wind interaction with the magnetosphere

Some new ideas on the interaction of the solar wind with the magnetosphere are brought forward. The mechanism of reflection of charged particles at the magnetopause is examined. It is shown that in general the reflection is not specular but that a component of momentum of the particle parallel to the magnetopause changes. A critical angle is derived such that particles whose trajectories make an angle less than it with the magnetopause enter the magnetosphere freely, so transferring their forward momentum to it. Spatially or temporally non-uniform entry of charged particles into the magnetosphere causes electric fields parallel to the magnetopause which either allow the free passage of solar wind across it or vacuum reconnection to the interplanetary magnetic field depending on the direction of the latter. These electric fields can be discharged in the ionosphere and so account qualitatively for the dayside agitation of the geomagnetic field observed on the polar caps. The solar wind wind plasma which enters the magnetosphere creates (1) a dawn-dusk electric field across the tail (2) enough force to account for the geomagnetic tail and (3) enough current during disturbed times to account for the auroral electrojets. The entry of solar wind plasma across the magnetosphere and connection of the geomagnetic to interplanetary field can be assisted by wind generated electric field in the ionosphere transferred by the good conductivity along the geomagnetic field to the magnetopause. This may account for some of the observed correlations between phenomena in the lower atmosphere and a component of magnetic disturbance.