Revision of lunar Rb-Sr ages

Becalibration of ‘spikes’ using stoichiometric Rb and Sr salts recently issued by the National Bureau of Standards shows that our determinations of the ratio ${}^{87}\text{Rb}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ in lunar samples have been low by 1.8 per cent, which we attribute to non-stoichiometry of the salts previously used for calibration, particularly RbCl. As a result, our lunar age-determinations must be decreased by this amount.     

Volcanology and petrology of the Assab Range (Ethiopia)

The results of petrological and volcanological investigations of the Assab area (Ethiopia) are reported. Fissure activity — which produced basaltic lava flows and several spatter cones — and central activity — represented by a cumulus dome and two explosive craters — have been recognized. The area is characterized by E-W and NE-SW tectonic trends, whereas the NNW-SSE « Eritrean trend » is absent. Transverse tectonics is limited to the blocks bordering the Danakil Depression, and never extends into the Depression itself. Mineralogical composition and chemical data point to an alkaline nature of the Assab lavas, which have been classified as: picritic basalts tending to ankaramites; alkali olivine basalts; hawaiites; and all the rock types ranging from mugearites to trachytes. Two rock groups have been identified which could be due to crystal fractionation processes controlled by different degree of oxidation. The petrological difference between the rocks from Afar proper and those from the Danakil block (unquestionably alkaline rock types in the Danakil block, and transitional rock types in Afar) is emphasized.     

Disturbances due to time-dependent body forces in a non-isotropic elastic medium

Summary In this paper, the disturbances produced due to time-dependent body forces in an anisotropic elastic medium resting on a semi-infinite non-isotropic layer have been discussed.     

On the wave propagation in inhomogeneous non-isotropic media

Summary FollowingEason, we have discussed here the propagation of elastic waves in non-homogeneous spheres and cylinders when the curved surface is given a uniform normal loading. The material is assumed to be transversely isotropic with respect to a direction of symmetry, the stress and displacement components within the body may be assumed to depend on one space co-ordinate and time alone. The particular case in which the elastic parameters are proportional to (radius) ⁿ has been considered.     

Problem on the vibrations of plates

Summary In this paper, the problem on the vibrations of rectangular, elliptical and circular plates of non-isotropic material have been solved by using Galerkin's method. With the help of this method, the same problem for an isotropic circular plate has also been considered at the end.     

On love waves in heterogeneous media

Summary Love waves in a half space with one homogeneous elastic layer overlying a semiinfinite medium having elastic properties varying with depth has been considered. The frequency equation for small wave lengths has been obtained, considering general variation, and has been shown to involve the first three derivatives of the rigidity of the heterogeneous medium at its interface with the homogeneous layer.     

The efficiency of the conversion of solar energy into wind energy by means of Hadley cells

Summary In the present paper, we apply endoreversible thermodynamics in order to calculate the upper bound for the fraction of solar energy absorbed by the Earth, that can be converted into the mechanical energy present in the atmosphere. We assume the presence of six Hadley cells in the Earth's wind system and find an upper limit of 1.17%. For Mars we assume a single Hadley cell and find an upper limit of 0.87%.With 10 Figures     

Ground deformations in collapsed caldera structures

A method is presented to analyze the effect of stress-strain discontinuities on the ground deformations generated by a pressure source. This is meant to simulate the effects due to caldera structures, likely to present fractured zones at the borders of the collapsed area. A method originally developed by Crouch (1976) to solve plane-strain problems has been used to simulate deformation curves for several source and discontinuity geometries. The main result is that the location of the discontinuities controls the extension of the deformed zone, and always reduces it with respect to a continuous medium. With respect to a homogeneous medium the presence of lateral discontinuities also acts towards lowering the overpressure required to produce a given amount of deformation. These results indicate that, when analyzing ground deformations in calderas, the use of classical methods involving continuous media should be avoided, or at least taken with caution. These methods, in fact, assume that the extension of the deformed zone is only linked to the source depth.Some examples of ground deformations in active calderas have been analyzed in the framework of the results obtained from theoretical modeling. Four calderas recently affected by ground deformations have been considered: Rabaul (New Guinea), Campi Flegrei (Italy), Long Valley and Yellowstone (U.S.A.). The effects of collapsed structures on the deformation field are possibly evidenced for all the four calderas. At Rabaul and Campi Flegrei, the fracture systems mainly affecting the ground deformations probably represent younger, innermost collapses and are well evidenced by seismicity studies. Ground deformations are here concentrated in an area much smaller than the one enclosed by geologically visible caldera rims. In particular, at Rabaul, the effect of the innermost collapse can explain the high concentration of the uplift in the period 1971–1985, previously modeled by a very shallow source (1–3 km) in terms of overpressure in the main magma chamber, probably located at 4–5 km of depth.