Rock‐Magnetic and Archaeointensity Investigation of Pottery and a Burned Floor at the Tzintzuntzan Archaeological Site,Western Mexico

We report a detailed rock‐magnetic and archaeointensity analysis of four pottery fragments and a burned floor recovered from the Tzintzuntzan archaeological site in western Mexico. Results from rock‐magnetic experiments (x‐T curves and first‐order reversal curves [FORC] diagrams) indicate the suitability of most of these materials as faithful geomagnetic field recorders. Potsherds were archaeomagnetically dated by comparing their mean intensity values against the paleosecular variation curve CALS3k, suggesting A.D. 600–941 as the most probable age range. This is younger than ¹⁴C‐dated charcoal from the same burned floor (A.D. 1294–1426). More precise age estimates will require the use of the full geomagnetic vector (declination, inclination, and intensity). Multiple reheatings of the ceramic pieces, evidenced as secondary components in Zijderveld plots, could reflect multiple heating of these objects, perhaps from use as incense burners. Our study demonstrates the potential of archaeomagnetic analysis to both date burned ceramics recovered in situ and provide insight into their use‐history.     

A review of Markov Chain Monte Carlo and information theory tools for inverse problems in subsurface flow

Parameter identification is one of the key elements in the construction of models in geosciences. However, inherent difficulties such as the instability of ill-posed problems or the presence of multiple local optima may impede the execution of this task. Regularization methods and Bayesian formulations, such as the maximum a posteriori estimation approach, have been used to overcome those complications. Nevertheless, in some instances, a more in-depth analysis of the inverse problem is advisable before obtaining estimates of the optimal parameters. The Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods used in Bayesian inference have been applied in the last 10 years in several fields of geosciences such as hydrology, geophysics or reservoir engineering. In the present paper, a compilation of basic tools for inference and a case study illustrating the practical application of them are given. Firstly, an introduction to the Bayesian approach to the inverse problem is provided together with the most common sampling algorithms with MCMC chains. Secondly, a series of estimators for quantities of interest, such as the marginal densities or the normalization constant of the posterior distribution of the parameters, are reviewed. Those reduce the computational cost significantly, using only the time needed to obtain a sample of the posterior probability density function. The use of the information theory principles for the experimental design and for the ill-posedness diagnosis is also introduced. Finally, a case study based on a highly instrumented well test found in the literature is presented. The results obtained are compared with the ones computed by the maximum likelihood estimation approach.     

Scaling up point-in-space heat tracing of seepage flux using bed temperatures as a quantitative proxy

It is challenging to quantify reach-scale surface-water–groundwater interactions, while maintaining the fine-scale spatial resolution required in hyporheic studies. One-dimensional heat-transport modeling was used to simulate streambed fluxes at discrete points using time-series temperature records. A predictive relationship was then developed between point-in-time streambed temperature and modeled flux rates. Flux was mapped at high spatial resolution by applying the predictive relationship to mapped streambed temperatures, which allowed for high-resolution quantification of flux by proxy. Inferred patterns of flux are consistent with morphology and yielded a net flux to a 30-m stream reach of 1.0?L s^–1. Discharge of saline groundwater (5.7?g L^–1 Cl^–) allowed for comparison between the temperature proxy method and geochemical variability. Maximum upwelling locations (>35 cm day^–1) were spatially coincident with areas of high conductance at the bed interface (5–25?mS cm^–1). Differences between gross flux estimates from heat and geochemical methods are attributed to differences in the spatial extent over which estimates were derived and limited sensitivity of the temperature-as-proxy method. When bed temperatures are near their inherent limits (groundwater and stream-water temperatures) the flux magnitude can be underestimated. Caution must be used when determining gross, reach-scale fluxes from temperature-as-proxy methods when flux rates are outside the sensitivity limits.     

Tsunami impact to Washington and northern Oregon from segment ruptures on the southern Cascadia subduction zone

This paper explores the size and arrival of tsunamis in Oregon and Washington from the most likely partial ruptures of the Cascadia subduction zone (CSZ) in order to determine (1) how quickly tsunami height declines away from sources, (2) evacuation time before significant inundation, and (3) extent of felt shaking that would trigger evacuation. According to interpretations of offshore turbidite deposits, the most frequent partial ruptures are of the southern CSZ. Combined recurrence of ruptures extending ~490 km from Cape Mendocino, California, to Waldport, Oregon (segment C) and ~320 km from Cape Mendocino to Cape Blanco, Oregon (segment D), is ~530 years. This recurrence is similar to frequency of full-margin ruptures on the CSZ inferred from paleoseismic data and to frequency of the largest distant tsunami sources threatening Washington and Oregon, ~M _w 9.2 earthquakes from the Gulf of Alaska. Simulated segment C and D ruptures produce relatively low-amplitude tsunamis north of source areas, even for extreme (20 m) peak slip on segment C. More than ~70 km north of segments C and D, the first tsunami arrival at the 10-m water depth has an amplitude of <1.9 m. The largest waves are trapped edge waves with amplitude ≤4.2 m that arrive ≥2 h after the earthquake. MM V–VI shaking could trigger evacuation of educated populaces as far north as Newport, Oregon for segment D events and Grays Harbor, Washington for segment C events. The NOAA and local warning systems will be the only warning at greater distances from sources.     

Estimating the hydraulic properties of an aquitard from in situ pore pressure measurements

A workflow is described to estimate specific storage (S _s) and hydraulic conductivity (K) from a profile of vibrating wire piezometers embedded into a regional aquitard in Australia. The loading efficiency, compressibility and S _s were estimated from pore pressure response to atmospheric pressure changes, and K was estimated from the earliest part of the measurement record following grouting. Results indicate that S _s and K were, respectively, 8.8?×?10^?6 to 1.2?×?10^?5 m^?1 and 2?×?10^?12 m s^?1 for a claystone/siltstone, and 4.3?×?10^?6 to 9.6?×?10^?6 m^?1 and 1?×?10^?12 to 5?×?10^?12 m s^?1 for a thick mudstone. K estimates from the pore pressure response are within one order of magnitude when compared to direct measurement in a laboratory and inverse modelled flux rates determined from natural tracer profiles. Further analysis of the evolution and longevity of the properties of borehole grout (e.g. thermal and chemical effects) may help refine the estimation of formation hydraulic properties using this workflow. However, the convergence of K values illustrates the benefit of multiple lines of evidence to support aquitard characterization. An additional benefit of in situ pore pressure measurement is the generation of long-term data to constrain groundwater flow models, which provides a link between laboratory scale data and the formation scale.     

Characterizing snowmelt anomalies in hydrochemographs of a karst spring,Cumberland Valley,Pennsylvania (USA): evidence for multiple recharge pathways

Conductivity, water level, air temperature, and depth of snowpack were monitored during a 26-day melt period of 88-cm-deep snowpack at a karst spring to characterize internal runoff and diffuse infiltration. Chloride from road salt provided a tracer and the snowpack a recharge source during the melt period. The melt period was divided into phases based on air temperature and chemograph pattern. For the first and third phases, mean air temperatures were below freezing, but above freezing during the second and fourth phases. During the first phase when the temperature peaked above freezing, conductivity typically spiked 10–50 μS/cm, suggesting input of road salt from conduits. When the snowpack continuously melted, conductivity and water-level trends were upward with smaller daily spikes in conductivity indicating infiltration from the dilute snowpack. This pattern suggests that road salt input continued when snowmelt recharged through the epikarst, but at lower concentrations than the conduit input. Refreezing of the snowpack and shallow subsurface for a brief period interrupted the recharge, and there was no longer a sawtooth pattern of conductivity. It is apparent that frozen conditions did not cease recharge because a dual recharge process was evident. While dual recharge from internal runoff and diffuse infiltration occurred, the portions varied because of changing melting rates. Observed patterns indicated internal runoff dominated during frozen periods because recharge water moved as overland flow across a frozen surface to focused pathways. Diffuse infiltration became available during warmer periods because subsurface thawing allowed the snowmelt to penetrate the epikarst. Results of snowmelt monitoring in spring discharge indicated the transient nature of karst recharge.     

Apparent diameters of 172 B5V-A5V stars of the Catalogue of Geneva Observatory

The spectrophotometric method for computing the apparent stellar diameters, proposed by Chalonge and Divan (1950) and modified by Fracassini and Pasinetti (1967) has been applied to 172 B5V-A5V stars (single and belonging to galactic clusters) of the Catalogue of Geneva Observatory (Rufener, 1971). In the straight line diagrams log vsm, drawn for the stars of the same spectral type, it is possible to identify some peculiar stars (with peculiarities in the diameter or monochromatic brightness). The agreement with the values of the apparent diameters of Leo, Ori, Lyr and CMa, obtained by Hanbury Brownet al. (1967), is very good. The comparison with the diagramss _v vs (B-V)₀,R vs (B-V)₀ deduced by Wesselink (1969), seems satisfactory. The comparison with the results obtained by other authors and the great number of stars which will be observed in the photometric system in seven colors of Geneva, demonstrate the wide possibilities of this spectrophotometric method for determining the apparent stellar diameters.

---

Sommario Il metodo spettrofotometrico di Chalonge e Divan (1950) per il calcolo dei diametri stellari apparenti, modificato da Fracassini e Pasinetti (1967), è stato applicato a 172 stelle B5V-A5V (isolate e in ammassi galattici) del Catalogo dell'Osservatorio di Ginevra (Rufener, 1971). Costruiti i diagrammi lineari log -m _v per i vari gruppi di stelle dello stesso tipo spettrale, è possibile identificare alcune stelle peculiari con diametri e brillanze monochromatiche anomale. Il confronto con i diametti apparenti di Leo, Ori, Lyr e CMa determinati da Hanbury Brownet al. (1967) mostra un accordo molto buono. Il confronto con le relazionis _v -(B-V)₀eR-(B-V) ₀ ottenute da Wesselink (1969) appare soddisfacente. Il confronto con i risultati ottenuti da altri autori e il grande numero di stelle che saranno osservate nel sistema fotometrico in sette colori di Ginevra, dimostrano le ampie possibilità di questo metodo spettrofotometrico per la determinazione dei diametri stellari apparenti.

---

---

Thesis for the degree on Applied Physics.     

Dynamics of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> fluxes and concentrations during a shallow subsurface CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> release

A field facility located in Bozeman, Montana provides the opportunity to test methods to detect, locate, and quantify potential CO₂ leakage from geologic storage sites. From 9 July to 7 August 2008, 0.3 t CO₂ day⁻¹ were injected from a 100-m long, ~2.5-m deep horizontal well. Repeated measurements of soil CO₂ fluxes on a grid characterized the spatio-temporal evolution of the surface leakage signal and quantified the surface leakage rate. Infrared CO₂ concentration sensors installed in the soil at 30 cm depth at 0–10 m from the well and at 4 cm above the ground at 0 and 5 m from the well recorded surface breakthrough of CO₂ leakage and migration of CO₂ leakage through the soil. Temporal variations in CO₂ concentrations were correlated with atmospheric and soil temperature, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, and CO₂ injection rate.