Note on the isolated vortices over the topographic-β

The behavior of the isolated vortices over the topographic-is considered with the quasi-geostrophic two-layer model, in the limit of very shallow upper layer, in the absence of planetary-. The results are compared with the observed Kurshio warm-core rings. When a ring drifts southward (northward) relative to the meridional mean current, it radiates (does not radiate) Rossby waves in the lower layer. Even when the lower layer is radiating, the decaying is very slow as long as the ring drifts closely to a background current.Current affiliation (from Feb. 1, 1992): NCAR, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, Colorado 80307-3000, U.S.A.     

Shock wave phenomena in collisions between a current loop and a plasmoid

We present the results of 3-D MHD simulations of collisions between an equilibrium current and a plasmoid. Three typical equilibrium configurations were analyzed. Our simulation results show that when a plasmoid approaches a current loop, an active region is created in front of the plasmoid bounded on the front side by a bow shock wave and on the back side by a reverse shock wave. The collision process modifies the current system and a strong electric field is also induced in the active region. An additional magnetic field generated by the induced current upsets the initial equilibrium condition. As a result, the whole loop is compressed and heated. We found that when the plasmoid approaches the loop, before reaching it the induced electric field amounts to its maximum value. The current loop is curved under the collision. The core of the plasmoid can not drive into the loop, it is sprung back by a magnetic counterpressure. This collision process between a plasmoid and a current loop may be responsible for the triggering of a solar flare observed by Yohkoh.     

Towards steady-state solutions for supersonic wind accretion on to gravitating objects

We discuss the results of a numerical simulation of the hydrodynamic Bondi–Hoyle accretion obtained on the basis of a high-resolution numerical scheme with the proper entropy correction procedure necessary to avoid the 'weak' non-monotonicity intrinsic in these schemes. Both the axisymmetric and plane cases are considered. The axisymmetric accretion problem turns out to have steady-state solutions for all determining parameters. Steady-state solutions for the plane accretion are found in certain cases even for sinusoidally perturbed and strongly non-uniform winds. Non-stationary phenomena do exist but they are not very violent and can sometimes be attributed as well to numerical as to physical reasons.     

Two-stage model of incorporation of seamount and oceanic blocks into sedimentary melange: Geochemical and biostratigraphic constraints in Jurassic Chichibu accretionary complex, Shikoku, Japan

Abstract The significance of timing and formation of mélange in accretionary prisms, particularly concerning basaltic and related rocks and pelagic sediments, is exemplified in the Sawadani area of the Jurassic Chichibu accretionary complex in Shikoku, southwest Japan. Major and trace element geochemistry of the basaltic and related rocks indicates that all are of a hot-spot origin which produced a seamount. Most of the rocks have a trend of differentiation from an alkalic parental magma. The time relationship between the blocks and matrices of the mélange deduced from radiolarian fossil evidence and macro- to microscopic characteristics of contacts between different lithologies indicates two stages of mixing of materials in the seafloor. The first mixing occurred on the flank of the seamount in the pelagic environments in the Late Permian, and the second occurred on the trench floor or in the accretionary prism after the Early Jurassic. These two stages show respectively the geological phenomena of a seamount within the Izanagi-Kula plate and its incorporation into the Asian continental margin.     

Benefits of an impact mission to 3200 Phaethon: nature of the extinct comet and artificial meteor shower

The asteroid 3200 Phaethon is suggested as a candidate for direct impact research. The object is considered to be an extinct comet and the parent of the Geminid meteor shower. One could say that this provides a possible argument for a space mission. Based on such a mission, this paper proposes to investigate the nature of the extinct comet and the additional interesting possibility of artificially generated meteor showers.
Dust trail theory can calculate the distribution of a bundle of trails and be used to show in which years artificial meteors would be expected. Results indicate that meteor showers will be seen on Earth about 200 yr after the event, on 2022 April 12.     

Apatite and zircon fission-track dating from the Hirabayashi-NIED borehole, Nojima Fault, Japan: Evidence for anomalous heating in fracture zones

Fission-track (FT) analysis using apatite and zircon was performed on samples from two fracture zones (FZ) at the depths of 1140 and 1310 m within the 1838 m borehole core penetrating the Ryoke Granitic Rocks in the Nojima Fault at Nojima-Hirabayashi, Awaji Island, Japan, drilled just after the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu earthquake. Clear discordance in apatite and zircon FT age was found for two samples located at  2 m below the central part of each FZs where the presence of pseudotachylyte and/or fault gouge would predict the largest amount of slip. Asymmetric distribution was identified by discordant ages with respect to the central part of FZs. These very local discordant ages in the fault reflect thermal anomalies caused by secondary heating with an inferred maximum temperature in the region between apatite and zircon closure temperatures at a time post-48 Ma. As a source of the secondary heating, heat transfer or dispersion via geothermal fluids caused presumably the observed similarity in asymmetric distribution of discordant FT ages at two different FZs. Other samples yield concordant FT zircon and apatite ages and these indicate rapid cooling within the bounds of two closure temperatures of these minerals at  60 Ma of the Ryoke Granitic Rocks.     

Noble gases in oxidized residue prepared from the Saratov L4 chondrite and Raman spectroscopic study of residues to characterize phase Q

We analyzed noble gases in an oxidized residue prepared from a HF‐HCl residue of the Saratov L4 chondrite. The Ar, Kr, and Xe concentrations in the oxidized residue are two orders of magnitude lower than those in the HF‐HCl residue, and they are close to concentrations in the bulk. The He and Ne concentrations are similar in the three samples. The Ne isotopic ratios are almost purely cosmogenic, indicating absence of presolar diamonds (the carrier of the HL component). Thus, Saratov contains phase Q without presolar diamond. A study of the Raman spectroscopic parameters for the HF‐HCl residue and the oxidized residue shows large changes due to oxidation. The directions of these changes are the same as observed in Allende, except oxidation increased the I_D/I_G (intensity ratio of the D band to the G band) in Saratov but decreased in Allende. This difference may be attributed to the different crystalline stages of carbon in both meteorites. The shifts in the Raman parameters to a discrete and/or more expanded region suggest that (1) oxidation changes the crystalline condition of graphitic carbon, (2) phase Q is not a dissolved site, and (3) the release of Q‐gas is simply related to the rearrangement of the carbon structure during oxidation.     

Expanding fisheries co-management to ecosystem-based management: A case in the Shiretoko World Natural Heritage area,Japan

Fisheries co-management in the Shiretoko World Natural Heritage area was expanded to ecosystem-based management, in which the fisheries sector plays an essential role in management. A marine management plan was drawn up to define the management objectives, strategies to maintain major species, and methods for ecosystem monitoring. A network of coordinating organizations from a wide range of sectors was established to integrate policy measures. Experience from this case could inform ecosystem-based management in other countries where large numbers of small-scale fishers take a wide range of species under a fisheries co-management regime.     

Clinopyroxene-perovskite phase transition of FeGeO3 under high pressure and room temperature

In order to confirm the possible existence of FeGeO₃ perovskite, we have performed in situ X-ray diffraction measurements of FeGeO₃ clinopyroxene at pressures up to 40 GPa at room temperature. The transition of FeGeO₃ clinopyroxene into orthorhombic perovskite is observed at about 33GPa. The cell parameters of FeGeO₃ perovskite are a=4.93(2) Å, b=5.06(6) Å, c=6.66(3) Å and V=166(3) ų at 40 GPa. On release of pressure, the perovskite phase transformed into lithium niobate structure. The previously reported decomposition process of clino-pyroxene into Fe₂GeO₄ (spinel)+GeO₂ (rutile) or FeO (wüstite) +GeO₂ (rutile) was not observed. This shows that the transition of pyroxene to perovskite is kinetically accessible compared to the decomposition processes under low-temperature pressurization.