Atmospheric Surface-Layer Processes During the Total Solar Eclipse Of 11 August 1999

The central path of the total solar eclipse (TSE) of 11 August 1999 mostly passedthrough a region of active monsoon in India, with the eclipse ending around localsunset. Measurements in the surface layer (SL) were carried out close to the eclipseaxis at Akola (20°42' N, 77°2' E) in central India. The globalradiation flux reaching the surface vanishes around totality at 1803:24 (LT), followedby a small recovery before again dipping to zero at sunset. The temperatures in the SL, and subsoil at 50-mm depth, show a local minimum with a lag of about 10 min after the second contact, whereas the lag appears to vanish when the temperature series is detrended. The SL exhibits near-neutral, though generally stable, conditions from about 1500 hr itself due to heavy cloud cover followed by the eclipse-induced cooling of the surface. The wind component across the eclipse axis vanishes at totality, the wind vector aligning with the azimuth of the traversing moon shadow. The deceleration of the mean flow can be due to the combined effect of the colder surface and downward heat flux, where the locally altered horizontal temperature gradients may cause, as in this instance, the cessation of the cross flow.The oscillations in temperature and wind that show significant peaks, around 90–100 min as well as the semi-period of the eclipse near 60 min, persist for several hours past the eclipse event. A fresh analysis of the published data on the TSE of 7 March 1970 shows spectral peaks in the temperature nearly coincident with those already reported from the surface pressure records. The oscillations in the SL fields during the two TSE events are very similar implying that the source mechanism is also likely to be the same in both the cases.     

Optimal design of passive energy dissipation systems based on H∞ and H2 performances

Passive energy dissipation devices (EDDs), such as viscous dampers, viscoelastic dampers, etc., have been used to effectively reduce the dynamic response of civil infrastructures, such as buildings and bridges, subject to earthquakes and strong winds. The design of these passive energy dissipation devices (EDDs) involves the determination of the optimal locations and the corresponding capacities. In this paper, we present two optimal design methodologies for passive EDDs based on active control theories, including H_∞ and H₂ performances, respectively. The optimal design methodologies presented are capable of determining the optimal locations and the corresponding capacities of EDDs. Emphasis is placed on the application of linear matrix inequality (LMI) for the effective design of passive EDDs using the popular MATLAB toolboxes. One important advantage of the proposed approaches is that the computation of the structural response is not needed in the design process. The proposed optimal design methodologies have been applied to: (i) a 10‐storey building and a 24‐storey building both subject to earthquake excitations, and (ii) a 76‐storey wind‐excited benchmark building, to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed design methodologies over the conventional equal capacity design. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

成像雷达干涉测量数据相关性与干旱-半干旱地区地表类型特征的关系

利用欧洲资源卫星1号和2号获取的重轨干涉测量雷达数据，首先进行干涉测量数据相关性估测，并结合干涉测量数据的振幅信息，开展新疆喀什试验区地表土地类型的识别与分类，区分和识别出裸土、盐碱地、灌丛、裸岩/戈壁、沼泽和水体 6类土地类型。最后通过对不同土地类型的后向散射特性和相关性的分析，探讨了干涉测量数据相关性与干旱-半干旱地区地表特征的关系。     

Variability of the photospheric radiation of active K-M dwarfs and their X-ray luminosities

Variability of the photospheric radiation of 40 (dKe-dMe) dwarfs in the solar neighborhood due to variations in the spottedness of their surfaces is analyzed based on the behavior of their mean annual brightnesses over long time intervals. The amplitudes and characteristic time scales of the variations of the mean annual brightness are taken to be indicators of photospheric activity and were used to infer the levels of photospheric activity in the stars studied. The influence of axial rotation on the development of cyclic activity in young red dwarfs and F-M main-sequence stars is analyzed. The durations and amplitudes of the photospheric variability of rapidly rotating (dK0e-dK5e) stars testifies to a higher level of photospheric activity among red dwarfs and solar-type stars. The X-ray luminosities of these stars grow with the amplitude of the variations of the mean annual brightness. However, this is not typical of rapidly rotating M dwarfs, for which the X-ray emission varies by more than two orders of magnitude, although their degrees of spottedness are all virtually the same. A linear relationship between the X-ray and bolometric luminosities is observed for young (dKe-dMe) stars, with their ratios log(L _x/L _bol) being about ?3. These properties can be used to determine whether a red dwarf is a young star or is already on the main sequence.     

Mudrocks from the Siberian Hypostratotype of the Riphean and Vendian: Chemistry,Sm–Nd Isotope Systematics of Sources,and Formation Stages

Lithology and Mineral Resources - The chemical composition and Nd isotope systematics were obtained for mudrocks (mudstones) from sections of the Siberian hypostratotype of the Riphean and Vendian...     

Nodular Fraction of Phosphatic Sand from the Namibia Shelf

Morphology, microstructure, and chemical composition of the nodular fraction of phosphatic sand from the outer Namibia shelf are considered. The nodules are divided into three varieties: concretions, phosphatic casts of shells pelecipod and gastropod, and phosphatized sea lion coprolites. A part of nodules shows massive homogeneous structure, whereas other nodules contain sand-size phosphatic grains derived from the host phosphatic sand. All nodules display the same spectrum of microstructures, including colloform, granular-globular, and crystallomorphic ones. The crystallomorphic nodules are composed of scattered and aggregated crystallites of isometric, rod-shaped, and dumbbell-shaped forms, as well as crystallized shells on grains incorporated into nodules. Phosphatized remains of diatoms, foraminifers, and embryonic gastropods, as well as vermicular and filamentous bacterial forms occur among biogenic components of the nodules. Framboidal pyrite is present in all nodules. In terms of phosphate microstructure, character of organic remains, and chemical composition, the nodules are similar to phosphate grains of the host sand, recent phosphorites from the inner Namibia shelf, and some ancient phosphorites.     

Comparing Reservoir and Outcrop Specimens for Mixed Mode I–II Fracture Toughness of a Limestone Rock Formation at Various Conditions

Summary A fracture toughness study was conducted on a limestone rock formation from a petroleum reservoir in Saudi Arabia, and results were compared with those for outcrop specimens from the same geological formation. The objective was to investigate the possibility of using outcrop specimens to estimate the fracture toughness behavior of reservoir rock at in-situ conditions of temperature and confining pressure. The study was made on reservoir specimens from a depth of about 3.5 km, at both ambient and reservoir conditions. Mixed mode I–II fracture toughness at reservoir conditions of high temperature and confining pressure was studied using straight notched Brazilian disk (SNBD) specimens under diametrical compression. Tests were conducted at ambient conditions, at an effective confining pressure (σ₃) of 28 MPa (4000 psi), and at a temperature of 116^°C. The results showed a substantial increase in fracture toughness under confining pressure. Under σ₃=28 MPa, the pure mode-I fracture toughness (K _IC), increased by a factor of about 3.2, and the pure mode-II fracture toughness (K _IIC) increased by a factor of 4.4, compared to those under ambient conditions. On the other hand, K _IC at 116^°C was only 25% more than that at ambient conditions. These results were compared with recent results for outcrop specimens from the same geological formation. The results reveal that outcrop specimens can be successfully used to predict the fracture behavior of reservoir specimens at in-situ conditions, in spite of some differences at ambient conditions. Additionally, fracture toughness envelopes were obtained for reservoir specimens at ambient and high pressure conditions, in both positive and negative regions. Received September 14, 2000; accepted February 22, 2002 Published online September 2, 2002     

The Mw = 6.0, 7 September 1999 Athens Earthquake

On 7 September 1999 at 11:56 GMT a destructive earthquake (M_w = 6.0) occurred close to Athens (Greece). The rupture process is examined using data from the Cornet local permanent network, as well as teleseismic recordings. Data recorded by a temporary seismological network were analyzed to study the aftershock sequence. The mainshock was relocated at 38.105°N, 23.565°E, about 20 km northwest of Athens. Four foreshocks were also relocated close to the mainshock. The modeling of teleseismic P and SH waves provides a well-constrained focal mechanism of the mainshock (strike = 105°, dip = 55° and rake = -80°) at a depth of 8 km and a seismic moment M₀ = 1.010²⁵ dyn·cm. The obtained fault plane solution represents normal faulting indicating an almost north-south extension. More than 3500 aftershocks were located, 1813 of which present RMS < 0.1 s and ERH, ERZ < 1.0 km. Two main clusters were distinguished, while the depth distribution is concentrated between 2 and 11 km. Over 1000 fault plane solutions of aftershocks were constrained, the majority of which also correspond to N–S extension. No surface breaks were observed but the fault plane solution of the mainshock is in agreement with the tectonics of the area and with the focal mechanisms obtained by aftershocks. The hypocenter of the mainshock is located on the deep western edge of the fault plane. The relocated epicenter coincides with the fringe that represents the highest deformation observed on the differential interferometric image. The calculated source duration is 5 sec, while the estimated dimensions of the fault are 15 km length and 10 km width. The source process is characterized by unilateral eastward rupture propagation, towards the city of Athens. An evident stop phase observed in the recordings of the Cornet local stations is interpreted as a barrier caused by the Aegaleo Mountain.