Extending the Qualitative Capabilities of GIS: Computer-Aided Qualitative GIS

A number of approaches for integrating GIS and qualitative research have emerged in recent years, as part of a resurgence of interest in mixed methods research in geography. These efforts to integrate qualitative data and qualitative analysis techniques complement a longstanding focus in GIScience upon ways of handling qualitative forms of spatial data and reasoning in digital environments, and extend engagements with 'the qualitative' in GIScience to include discussions of research methodologies. This article contributes to these emerging qualitative GIS methodologies by describing the structures and functions of 'computer-aided qualitative GIS' (CAQ-GIS), an approach for storing and analyzing qualitative, quantitative, and geovisual data in both GIS and computer aided data analysis software. CAQ-GIS uses modified structures from conventional desktop GIS to support storage of qualitative data and analytical codes, together with a parallel coding and analysis process carried out with GIS and a computer-aided data analysis software package. The inductive mixed methods analysis potential of CAQ-GIS is demonstrated with examples from research on children's urban geographies.     

Performance of a real‐time pseudodynamic test system considering nonlinear structural response

This paper presents the implementation details of a real‐time pseudodynamic test system that adopts an implicit time integration scheme. The basic configuration of the system is presented. Physical tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of the system and validate a theoretical system model that incorporates the dynamics and nonlinearity of a test structure and servo‐hydraulic actuators, control algorithm, actuator delay compensation methods, and the flexibility of an actuator reaction system. The robustness and accuracy of the computational scheme under displacement control errors and severe structural softening are examined with numerical simulations using the model. Different delay compensation schemes have been implemented and compared. One of the schemes also compensates for the deformation of an actuator reaction system. It has been shown that the test method is able to attain a good performance in terms of numerical stability and accuracy. However, it has been shown that test results obtained with this method can underestimate the inelastic displacement drift when severe strain softening develops in a test structure. This can be attributed to the fact that the numerical damping effect introduced by convergence errors becomes more significant as a structure softens. In a real‐time test, a significant portion of the convergence errors is caused by the time delay in actuator response. Hence, a softening structure demands higher precision in displacement control. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ISEE: Internet‐based Simulation for Earthquake Engineering—Part I: Database approach

An Internet‐based framework, named Internet‐based Simulation for Earthquake Engineering (ISEE) was developed to facilitate collaborative earthquake engineering experiments performed by multiple laboratories in a network environment. One of the approaches in the ISEE framework, named Database Approach, offers an easy way to perform multi‐site networked collaborative pseudo‐dynamic experiments. The Database Approach uses the Structured Query Language (SQL), a common and standardized computer language used in database management systems, for inter‐laboratory communications. Using the SQL protocol, it is easy to monitor the experiments' progress, access the data, as well as develop additional programs to expand the functions for a networked experiment. This approach offers consistency and durability of selected experimental data both during and after experiments. Two networked pseudo‐dynamic experiments were conducted to demonstrate the feasibility and expansibility of the Database Approach in ISEE. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

3D magnetotelluric modelling including surface topography

An edge finite‐element method has been applied to compute magnetotelluric (MT) responses to three‐dimensional (3D) earth topography. The finite‐element algorithm uses a single edge shape function at each edge of hexahedral elements, guaranteeing the continuity of the tangential electric field while conserving the continuity of magnetic flux at boundaries. We solve the resulting system of equations using the biconjugate gradient method with a Jacobian preconditioner. The solution gives electric fields parallel to the slope of a surface relief that is often encountered in MT surveys. The algorithm is successfully verified by comparison with other numerical solutions for a 3D‐2 model for comparison of modelling methods for EM induction and a ridge model. We use a 3D trapezoidal‐hill model to investigate 3D topographic effects, which are caused mainly by galvanic effects, not only in the Zxy mode but also in the Zyx mode. If a 3D topography were approximated by a two‐dimensional topography therefore errors occurring in the transverse electric mode would be more serious than those in the transverse magnetic mode.     

An intercomparison of four wet deposition schemes used in dust transport modeling

The characteristics of four wet deposition schemes widely used in dust modeling studies are examined within the framework of a regional scale dust model. Since these schemes are based on different formulations, the scavenging coefficients of them deviate by a factor of 10³ depending on precipitation rate and particle size. The four schemes coupled with the dust model are applied to simulate a 2002 Asian dust event. The corresponding wet deposition patterns and scavenging efficiencies are compared. It is found that apart from the scheme derived from scavenging coefficient measurements, the other three schemes give similar wet deposition patterns although their scavenging efficiencies are different depending on the particle-size range. The results suggest that the performances of these schemes are affected by the particle size distribution of the dust emission, together with the model's performance of precipitation prediction.     

Geochronology and petrogenesis of Pan-African, syn-tectonic, S-type and post-tectonic A-type granite (Namibia): products of melting of crustal sources, fractional crystallization and wall rock entrainment

The Oetmoed Granite–Migmatite Complex (OGMC), Central Damara Orogen, Namibia, consists mainly of 526 to 516 Ma garnet- and cordierite-bearing granite and subordinate 488 to 494 Ma hornblende- and titanite-bearing granite in the form of planar sheets and dykes. Additionally, a slightly elongated granite body occurs in the center of the complex. The garnet- and cordierite-bearing granite has major- and trace-element characteristics of S-type granite but the hornblende- and titanite-bearing granite has higher HFSE and REE contents similar to A-type granite. Whereas the garnet- and cordierite-bearing granite contains numerous restitic xenoliths, the hornblende- and titanite-bearing granite is xenolith-free. The country rocks are cordierite–sillimanite–K-feldspar–garnet-bearing metasedimentary rocks and migmatite. Cordierite- and garnet-rich xenoliths in the S-type granite do not represent primary restite, their depleted chemical composition is best explained by varying and large degrees of partial melting of incorporated country rocks. Most chemical variations among the garnet- and cordierite-bearing granite can be explained by processes linked with fractional crystallization of plagioclase, biotite and accessory phases, mostly monazite and zircon. Major and trace element data and high δ ¹⁸O values suggest that the least evolved members of the garnet- and cordierite-bearing granite were derived from metapelitic rocks at ca. 800°C as inferred from monazite and apatite dissolution thermometry. Higher CaO and Na₂O but lower SiO₂ contents and lower Rb/Sr ratios as well as lower δ ¹⁸O values of the hornblende- and titanite-bearing granite suggest that they are more likely generated by partial melting of non-pelitic sources (metagranitoids?) at temperatures in excess of 900°C. Decreasing TiO₂, Na₂O, FeO_tot., MgO, CaO, total REE content but increasing Al₂O₃ and K₂O indicate fractionation of mainly hornblende and titanite in the case of the hornblende- and titanite-bearing granite. The differing compositions of the garnet- and cordierite-bearing granite and the hornblende- and titanite-bearing granite are attributed to different source rocks (metapelite instead of metagranitoid) and different temperatures during melting as inferred from accessory phase dissolution thermometry. Furthermore, significant entrainment of country rock in some samples played a major role during petrogenesis of the garnet- and cordierite-bearing granite but was not important during the evolution of the hornblende- and titanite-bearing granite. Intrusion of such hot, felsic magmas close to the inferred peak of metamorphism has probably caused, in part, the high temperature metamorphism and anatexis of the country rocks at relatively low pressures.     

Comparison of groundwater age models for assessing nitrate loading,transport pathways,and management options in a complex aquifer system

In an aquifer system with complex hydrogeology, mixing of groundwater with different ages could occur associated with various flow pathways. In this study, we applied different groundwater age‐estimation techniques (lumped parameter model and numerical model) to characterize groundwater age distributions and the major pathways of nitrate contamination in the Gosan agricultural field, Jeju Island. According to the lumped parameter model, groundwater age in the study area could be explained by the binary mixing of the young groundwater (4–33 years) and the old water component (>60 years). The complex hydrogeologic regimes and local heterogeneity observed in the study area (multilayered aquifer, well leakage hydraulics) were particularly well reflected in the numerical model. The numerical model predicted that the regional aquifer of Gosan responded to the fertilizer applications more rapidly (mean age: 9.7–22.3 years) than as estimated by other models. Our study results demonstrated that application and comparison of multiple age‐estimation methods can be useful to understand better the flow regimes and the mixing characteristics of groundwater with different ages (pathways), and accordingly, to reduce the risk of improper groundwater management plans arising from the aquifer heterogeneity.     

Metamorphic petrology of a high‐T/low‐P granulite terrane (Damara belt,Namibia) – Constraints from pseudosection modelling and high‐precision Lu–Hf garnet‐whole rock dating

Migmatites comprise a minor volume of the high‐grade part of the Damara orogen of Namibia that is dominated by granite complexes and intercalated metasedimentary units. Migmatites of the Southern Central Zone of the Damara orogen consist of melanosomes with garnet+cordierite+biotite+K‐feldspar, and leucosomes, which are sometimes garnet‐ and cordierite‐bearing. Field evidence, petrographic observations, and pseudosection modelling suggest that, in contrast to other areas where intrusion of granitic magmas is more important, in situ partial melting of metasedimentary units was the main migmatite generation processes. Pseudosection modelling and thermobarometric calculations consistently indicate that the peak‐metamorphic grade throughout the area is in the granulite facies (~5 kbar at ~800°C). Cordierite coronas around garnet suggest some decompression from peak‐metamorphic conditions and rare andalusite records late, near‐isobaric cooling to <650°C at low pressures of ~3 kbar. The inferred clockwise P–T path is consistent with minor crustal thickening through continent–continent collision followed by limited post‐collisional exhumation and suggests that the granulite facies terrane of the Southern Central Zone of the Damara orogen formed initially in a metamorphic field gradient of ~35–40°C/km at medium pressures. New high‐precision Lu–Hf garnet‐whole rock dates are 530 ± 13 Ma, 522.0 ± 0.8 Ma, 520.8 ± 3.6 Ma, and 500.3 ± 4.3 Ma for the migmatites that record temperatures of ~800°C. This indicates that high‐grade metamorphism lasted for c. 20–30 Ma, which is compatible with previous estimates using Sm–Nd garnet‐whole rock systematics. In previous studies on Damara orogen migmatites where both Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf chronometers have been applied, the dates (c. 520–510 Ma) agree within their small uncertainties (0.6–0.8% for Sm–Nd and 0.1–0.2% for Lu–Hf). This implies rapid cooling after high‐grade conditions and, by implication, rapid exhumation at that time. The cause of the high geothermal gradient inferred from the metamorphic conditions is unknown but likely requires some extra heat that was probably added by intrusion of magmas from the lithospheric mantle, i.e., syenites that have been recently re‐dated at c. 545 Ma. Some granites derived from the lower crust at c. 545 Ma are the outcome rather than the cause of high‐T metamorphism. In addition, high contents of heat‐producing elements K, Th, and U may have raised peak temperatures by 150–200°C at the base of the crust, resulting in the widespread melting of fertile crustal rocks. The continuous gradation from centimetre‐scale leucosomes to decametre‐scale leucogranite sheets within the high‐grade metamorphic zone suggests that leucosome lenses coalesced to form larger bodies of anatectic leucogranites, thereby documenting a link between high‐grade regional metamorphism and Pan‐African magmatism. In view of the close association of the studied high‐T migmatites with hundreds of synmetamorphic high‐T granites that invaded the terrane as metre‐ to decametre‐wide sills and dykes, we postulate that crystallization of felsic lower crustal magma is, at least partly, responsible for heat supply. Late‐stage isobaric cooling of these granites may explain the occurrence of andalusite in some samples.