The plan shape of current ripples in relation to flow conditions

Two sets of empirical data on the relationship of the plan shape of current ripples to flow conditions previously thought incompatible are reconciled by taking explicit and necessary account of the effects of flow width relative to flow depth. The aspects of plan shape considered are the mean streamwise ripple wavelength and the wavelength, measured across the flow, of longitudinal features due to centrifugal instability formed on the backs of the ripples. A regression analysis connecting these attributes with flow conditions including the width-effect shows that the amount of unexplained variability is of the same order as the accumulated experimental errors, and suggests that the two sets of data are in excellent agreement. The relationship of the plan geometry to flow conditions is less simple than has sometimes been supposed, but ways are suggested in which the experimental results can be used to establish the hydraulics of past environments.     

Solving the mysteries of the diffuse interstellar medium with high-resolution UV spectroscopy

Understanding the complex structure, dynamics, and ionization of gas in the nearby interstellar medium is required before one can realistically model interstellar gas in other galaxies. High-resolution ultraviolet spectra provide the essential data for such studies because the resonance lines of most important atoms, ions, and molecules are located in the ultraviolet, and high spectral resolution is needed to resolve line profiles and determine the velocity structure along a line of sight. I list ten important physical questions concerning interstellar gas that require a more sensitive spectrometer than STIS and the desired spectral resolution to answer these questions.     

Frostspalten und Froststrukturen in Schottern bei Leipzig

Zusammenfassung In saaleeiszeitlichen Schottern bei Leipzig-Schönau, deren Alter außer durch eine Liegend- und eine Hangendmoräne auch durch Tier- und Pflanzenfunde gesichert ist (Grahmann), treten neben kryoturbaten Strukturen 5. Frostspalten auf. Die Spalten sind ganz schmal, beginnen in 4 verschiedenen Höhen und werden von ungestörtem Schotter überlagert, sind also während der Aufschotterung entstanden. Der Schotter ist gegen die Spalten gebeugt, was für Frostspalten im Schotter typisch ist und auf dessen Wasserdurchlässigkeit zurückgeführt wird. Sie sind einphasig entstanden und bezeugen für die Auf Schotterung ein trockenes, kaltes Klima. Wenn Frostspalten im Schotter beginnen, stellen sie dafür nicht nur einen Klimaindikator, sondern auch ein glaziales Leitfossil dar.     

High-Resolution Simulations of Nonhelical MHD Turbulence

According to the kinematic theory of nonhelical dynamo action, the magnetic energy spectrum increases with wavenumber and peaks at the resistive cutoff wavenumber. It has previously been argued that even in the dynamical case, the magnetic energy peaks at the resistive scale. Using high resolution simulations (up to 1024³ meshpoints) with no large-scale imposed field, we show that the magnetic energy peaks at a wavenumber that is independent of the magnetic Reynolds number and about five times larger than the forcing wavenumber. Throughout the inertial range, the spectral magnetic energy exceeds the kinetic energy by a factor of two to three. Both spectra are approximately parallel. The total energy spectrum seems to be close to k ^?3/2, but there is a strong bottleneck effect and we suggest that the asymptotic spectrum is instead k ^?5/3. This is supported by the value of the second-order structure function exponent that is found to be ζ₂ = 0.70, suggesting a k ^?1.70 spectrum. The third-order structure function scaling exponent is very close to unity,—in agreement with Goldreich–Sridhar theory. Adding an imposed field tends to suppress the small-scale magnetic field. We find that at large scales the magnetic energy spectrum then follows a k ^?1 slope. When the strength of the imposed field is of the same order as the dynamo generated field, we find almost equipartition between the magnetic and kinetic energy spectra.     

USE OF SPACE PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE MAKING AND REVISION OF SMALL-SCALE MAPS

A brief review paper focuses on Soviet strategies for the use of space imagery, particularly photographic products (1:2,000,000 to 1:4,200,000 scale) from manned spaceflights, in the revision of small-scale general reference maps. Principles for the interpretation and mapping of basic map elements appearing on space photographs are outlined. Space photographs provide for reduction in time spent in map editing and the more correct analysis of the reliability of information and its generalization. A technology of map revision based on the joint use of original photographs and photomaps, with the transfer of revisions from photomaps to map originals, is proposed. Translated from: Geodeziya i kartografiya, 1986, No. 8, pp. 29-33.     

Enthalpies in (Na,Ca)- and (K,Ca)-feldspar binaries: a high-temperature solution calorimetric study

A series of high structural state plagioclases (Ab-An) was crystallized from glasses. By exchanging Na for K in KCl melts, metastable K-plagioclases (Or-An) were prepared which possess the same structural state as the starting plagioclases. Both series were investigated at 980 K by lead borate solution calorimetry. Continuing the ideas of Carpenter and McConnell (1984) and Carpenter (1992a), the results can be interpreted as follows. In the high plagioclase series, the enthalpies of solution, jH_sol, reflect the schemes of Al,Si ordering: (1) analbite-like (C2/m) ordering in the An-poor region 0hX_AnА.2, (2) high albite-like (C1¥) ordering in intermediate plagioclases, and (3) anorthite-like (I1¥) ordering in the An-rich region 0.7AnБ. In regions 1 and 2, jH_sol decreases as a function of X_An, but increases in region 3 as a consequence of the C1¥MI1¥ ordering reaction. Therefore, it is not a mixing effect but a compositionally restricted ordering effect which causes the excess enthalpies, jH^ex, to be positive in the plagioclase binary as a whole. Neglecting the existence of phase transitions at X_An=0.2 and X_An=0.7, jH^ex can be approximated by a two-parameter Margules model yielding W^H_AnAb=14Dž kJ/mol and W^H_AbAn=40Dž kJ/mol. jH_sol values of I1¥ plagioclases (X_An>0.7) can be "corrected" for the C1¥MI1¥ ordering effect (Carpenter 1992a). When combining the corrected values with the jH_sol data which were actually measured on the C1¥ plagioclases (X_An<0.7), negative excess enthalpies are generated in the plagioclase binary. This may be expected when C1¥ ordering occurs relative to topochemically monoclinic reference states of analbite and hypothetical anorthite devoid of I1¥ order. The solution experiments on the K-plagioclases resulted in similar characteristics as those found for the plagioclases. However, in addition to the ordering effects observed in the plagioclase binary, volume mismatch effects contribute to jH^ex in the K-plagioclase series. jH^ex can be represented by a Margules model with W^H_AnOr=60ᆞ kJ/mol and W^H_OrAn=91ᆢ kJ/mol when the phase transitions at X_An=0.2 and X_An=0.7 are again neglected. The contribution of the volume mismatch effect to jH^ex is considerable, as appears from the large difference between the K-plagioclase and the plagioclase Margules parameters. Their difference corresponds to a practically symmetrical dependence of jH^ex_volmism on composition, with W^H_volmism=48ᆡ kJ/mol.     

The development of new analytic elements for transient flow and multiaquifer flow

We deal in this paper with an ongoing development of the analytic element method. We present in outline new analytic line elements that are suitable to model general flow fields, i.e., flow fields that possess a continuously varying areal inflow or outflow. These elements are constructed specifically to model the leakage through leaky layers that separate aquifers in leaky systems and to model transient effects. The leakage or release from storage underneath linear features is modeled precisely by the new elements; the singularity in leakage is matched exactly by the approximate solution. Applications are given for a problem involving leakage and for a case of transient flow. We note that the analytic elements can be used also to reproduce the effect of continuously varying aquifer properties, e.g., the hydraulic conductivity or the elevation of the base of the aquifer. In the latter case, the elements would reproduce the rotation of the flow field caused by the variation in properties, rather than the divergence as for the case of leakage.     

Geophysical and geodetic observations in the messina straits

The present note is intended as a contribution to the clarification of the collision process, generally assumed to be active between the African and the Eurasian plates in the area of the Messina Straits.For this purpose detailed analyses are made of the surveys carried out in the Straits of Messina in order to investigate the 1908 earthquake. The magnitude and intensity are established; limits are set for the linear dimension of the fault and of the dislocation that gave rise to the earthquake and an estimate is then given of these parameters. The results are then set out of the investigation into the focal mechanism of the earthquake of 1908. The results are also studied of geodetic surveys carried out at the time for the purpose of measuring the variations in height that occurred during the earthquake.A study is also made of the results of geodetic surveys (some of which are still under way) designed to measure the horizontal movements of Sicily with respect to Calabria in order to study locally the continental collision process in the area of the Messina Straits.It is found that the old and recent geodetic measurements as well as the fault-plane solution of the old and recent earthquakes of that area and the slips associated with those earthquakes indicate a motion towards the north of Sicily with respect to Calabria.