Optimization of the shape of Gaussian beams

The applicability and accuracy of the Gaussian beam method depend on the proper choice of the shape of beams. Gaussian beams become inaccurate solutions of the elastodynamic equation if the velocity field changes considerably within the beam width. We present a procedure of determining the optimum initial shape of Gaussian beams based on minimizing the average squared widths of Gaussian beams and smoothing the distribution of the optimum parameters of Gaussian beams on the Hamiltonian hypersurface in the phase-space. The original method of smoothing represents an essential part of the algorithm, which is designed particularly for the optimization of the shape of Gaussian beams for Gaussian beam or packet migrations.     

Special Contribution: An Overview of Recent Seismic Refraction Experiments in Central Europe

Studia Geophysica et Geodaetica -     

Heat flow in the upper-silesian coal basin: Re-evaluation of data with special attention to the lithology

Summary The area of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin was characterized by generally high heat flow ranging from 60 to 120 mWm^–2, mean 82±16 mWm^–2, which has been difficult to explain. Therefore all published data on the heat flow in this region (n=37) were summarized and re-evaluated. Special attention was paid to the detailed assessment of the lithological structure and the contribution of the individual rock types to the characteristic in-situ thermal conductivity. Also the thermal conductivity of the coal bearing layers was estimated and its effect on the temperature-depth distribution was investigated. The application of the data obtained for the representative thermal conductivity profiles of the whole drilled section considerably reduced the mean heat flow to 70±8 mWm^–2. The latter value is fully compatible with the tectonic structure of the northern part of the Carpathian Frontal Foredeep. Slightly increased geothermal activity compared with the heat flow field of the adjacent part of the Bohemian Massif corresponds to certain deep geological rejuvenation during the creation of the Western Carpathians.

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a -uu aa aamum nu uuau mn nma (m 60 ¶rt; 120 m.^–2 nu ¶rt; 82±16 m. ^–2), m ¶rt;a ¶rt u. m u u nm a nua ¶rt;a mn nma (n=37) ¶rt; ¶rt;a ua. ua ¶rt; ¶rt;ma aau umuu aa u u mnn¶rt;mu in situ ¶rt; a¶rt; muna n¶rt;. a a mnn¶rt;m m, a ma, a ma u¶rt;aa an¶rt;u mnam nu. nau n mam ¶rt; nuau mnn¶rt;mu m u amu aa nu am uum ¶rt;u mn nm ¶rt; 70±8 m.^–2. a uua n mam mmu u amu anam a nua. m uumu amumu n au mn n nuaa amu aua mmmmuuau amuuauu nu uauu um ana¶rdt; anam.

     

Landslide databases in the Geological Surveys of Europe

Landslides are one of the most widespread geohazards in Europe, producing significant social and economic impacts. Rapid population growth in urban areas throughout many countries in Europe and extreme climatic scenarios can considerably increase landslide risk in the near future. Variability exists between European countries in both the statutory treatment of landslide risk and the use of official assessment guidelines. This suggests that a European Landslides Directive that provides a common legal framework for dealing with landslides is necessary. With this long-term goal in mind, this work analyzes the landslide databases from the Geological Surveys of Europe focusing on their interoperability and completeness. The same landslide classification could be used for the 849,543 landslide records from the Geological Surveys, from which 36% are slides, 10% are falls, 20% are flows, 11% are complex slides, and 24% either remain unclassified or correspond to another typology. Most of them are mapped with the same symbol at a scale of 1:25,000 or greater, providing the necessary information to elaborate European-scale susceptibility maps for each landslide type. A landslide density map was produced for the available records from the Geological Surveys (LANDEN map) showing, for the first time, 210,544 km² landslide-prone areas and 23,681 administrative areas where the Geological Surveys from Europe have recorded landslides. The comparison of this map with the European landslide susceptibility map (ELSUS 1000 v1) is successful for most of the territory (69.7%) showing certain variability between countries. This comparison also permitted the identification of 0.98 Mkm² (28.9%) of landslide-susceptible areas without records from the Geological Surveys, which have been used to evaluate the landslide database completeness. The estimated completeness of the landslide databases (LDBs) from the Geological Surveys is 17%, varying between 1 and 55%. This variability is due to the different landslide strategies adopted by each country. In some of them, landslide mapping is systematic; others only record damaging landslides, whereas in others, landslide maps are only available for certain regions or local areas. Moreover, in most of the countries, LDBs from the Geological Surveys co-exist with others owned by a variety of public institutions producing LDBs at variable scales and formats. Hence, a greater coordination effort should be made by all the institutions working in landslide mapping to increase data integration and harmonization.     

Elimination of the gravitational singularities within the framework of Einstein's general theory of relativity

In this paper two examples are given, showing that the existence of black holes in the Universe violates, in its consequences, the principle of causality. The solution presented is based on the idea that the primordial black holes have zero-mass-energy and consequently zero-radius of the event horizon. Despite the existence of the surface of last influence, gravitational collapse does not produce black holes during a finite time interval as measured by an external observer. The only singularity, possible to accept (if any), is the initial and final cosmological singularity.     

Area of polar coronal holes and sunspot activity: Years 1939–1993

The correlation between the size of polar coronal holes and sunspot numbers has been investigated for the last five solar cycles. The area of polar coronal holes over the period from 1939 to 1993 was derived from ground-based observations of the green coronal line at 530.3 nm (Fe xiv). Correlation analysis revealed that there is no general shift in the maxima of the curves of these two solar indices. The analysis showed the same shift in months in cycles 21 and 22 when the best correlation between the indices is reached; the time shift found in cycle 20 is slightly different from that in cycle 18; in cycle 19, there is found a shift with a value between the values in cycles 18, 20 and 21, 22. The time between succesive peaks of smoothed polar hole size and smoothed sunspot number is different in each cycle.     

The Košice meteorite fall: Atmospheric trajectory,fragmentation, and orbit

The Ko?ice meteorite fall occurred in eastern Slovakia on February 28, 2010, 22:25 UT. The very bright bolide was imaged by three security video cameras from Hungary. Detailed bolide light curves were obtained through clouds by radiometers on seven cameras of the European Fireball Network. Records of sonic waves were found on six seismic and four infrasonic stations. An atmospheric dust cloud was observed the next morning before sunrise. After careful calibration, the video records were used to compute the bolide trajectory and velocity. The meteoroid, of estimated mass of 3500 kg, entered the atmosphere with a velocity of 15 km s^?1 on a trajectory with a slope of 60° to the horizontal. The largest fragment ceased to be visible at a height of 17 km, where it was decelerated to 4.5 km s^?1. A maximum brightness of absolute stellar magnitude about ?18 was reached at a height of 36 km. We developed a detailed model of meteoroid atmospheric fragmentation to fit the observed light curve and deceleration. We found that Ko?ice was a weak meteoroid, which started to fragment under the dynamic pressure of only 0.1 MPa and fragmented heavily under 1 MPa. In total, 78 meteorites were recovered in the predicted fall area during official searches. Other meteorites were found by private collectors. Known meteorite masses ranged from 0.56 g to 2.37 kg. The meteorites were classified as ordinary chondrites of type H5 and shock stage S3. The heliocentric orbit had a relatively large semimajor axis of 2.7 AU and aphelion distance of 4.5 ± 0.5 AU. Backward numerical integration of the preimpact orbit indicates possible large variations of the orbital elements in the past due to resonances with Jupiter.     

The significance of spatial curvature for energy output of remote quasars

There is a brightening effect of quasar outputs due to the positive curvature of space in the static Universe, if we use the right expression of distance as an arc³r=R , and not the corrected luminosity distance ofr=Rsin.     

Solar Origin of the Radio Attributes of a Complex Type III Burst Observed on 11 April 2001

We report here on the solar origin of distinctive radiation characteristics observed for a decametric type III solar radio burst that was associated with a major solar flare and CME on 11 April 2001. The associated decimeter (Ond?ejov) and meter (Potsdam) wavelength emissions, as well as the GOES soft X-ray lightcurve, suggest that there were two successive events of energy release and electron acceleration associated with this solar eruption. The Nançay radioheliograph images and additional evidence of plasmoid propagation suggest that the second event of electron acceleration resulted from coronal reconfigurations, likely caused by the erupting CME. These observational analyses provide new insights into the physical origin of the distinguishing characteristics of complex type III-like radio emissions that are typically observed at decameter wavelengths during major solar eruptive events.