Application of Markov chain and entropy analysis to lithologic succession — an example from the early Permian Barakar Formation,Bellampalli coalfield,Andhra Pradesh,India

A statistical approach by a modified Markov process model and entropy function is used to prove that the early Permian Barakar Formation of the Bellampalli coalfield developed distinct cyclicities during deposition. From results, the transition path of lithological states typical for the Bellampalli basin is as: coarse to medium-grained sandstone → interbedded fine-grained sandstone/shale → shale → coal and again shale. The majority of cycles are symmetrical but asymmetrical cycles are present as well. The chi-square stationarity test implies that these cycles are stationary in space and time. The cycles are interpreted in terms of in-channel, point bar and overbank facies association in a fluvial system. The randomness in the occurrence of facies within a cycle is evaluated in terms of entropy, which can be calculated from the Markov matrices. Two types of entropies are calculated for every facies state; entropy after deposition E(post) and entropy before deposition E(pre), which together form entropy set; the entropy for the whole system is also calculated. These values are plotted and compared with Hattori’s idealized plots, which indicate that the sequence is essentially a symmetrical cycle (type-B of Hattroi). The symmetrical cyclical deposition of early Permian Barakar Formation is explained by the lateral migration of stream channels in response to varying discharge and rate of deposition across the alluvial plain. In addition, the fining upward cycles in the upper part enclosing thick beds of fine clastics, as well as coal may represent differential subsidence of depositional basin.     

Transient three-dimensional modeling of riverbank filtration at Grind well field, Germany

Riverbank filtration (RBF) is a proven treatment step in a multi-barrier method of drinking-water supply at many sites. RBF wells induce a large amount of river water to infiltrate the river base and travel towards the wells, giving the opportunity for mixing of infiltrated surface water and groundwater. Assessment of raw water quality plays an important role in planning and operating a RBF well field. In this context, the determination of the catchment area (and land uses within the catchment) and the ratio of bank filtrate (BF) to raw groundwater (GW) are two prior steps. Transient model simulations were performed in order to study the hydraulic conditions at the RBF well field at Grind near Düsseldorf, Germany. The BF/GW ratio was determined to be 75/25. The flood events in winter, in particular, showed the BF/GW ratio to have high variation. Transient path lines in the well field were used for delineation of the catchment area.     

Effect of solar flare on the equatorial electrojet in eastern Brazil region

The effect of solar flare, sudden commencement of magnetic storm and of the disturbances ring current on the equatorial electrojet in the Eastern Brazil region, where the ground magnetic declination is as large as \(20^{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) is studied based on geomagnetic data with one minute resolution from Bacabal during November–December 1990. It is shown that the mean diurnal vector of the horizontal field was aligned along \(2{^{\circ }}\hbox {E}\) of north at Huancayo and \(30{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) of north at Bacabal during the month of December 1990. Number of solar flares that occurred on 30 December 1990 indicated the direction of solar flare related \(\Delta H\) vector to be aligned along \(5{^{\circ }}\hbox {E}\) of north at Huancayo and \(28{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) of north at Bacabal. This is expected as the solar flare effects are due to the enhanced conductivity in the ionosphere. The SC at 2230 UT on 26 November 1990 produced a positive impulse in \(\Delta X\) and negative impulse in \(\Delta Y\) at Bacabal with \(\Delta H\) vector aligned along \(27{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) of north. At Huancayo the \(\Delta H\) vector associated with SC is aligned along \(8{^{\circ }}\hbox {E}\) of north, few degrees east to the alignment of the diurnal vector of H. The magnetic storm that followed the SC had a minimum Dst index of –150 nT. The corresponding storm time disturbance in \(\Delta X\) at Huancayo as well as at Bacabal were about –250 nT but \(\Delta Y\) at Bacabal was about +70 nT and very small at Huancayo, that give the alignment of the H vector due to ring current about \(16{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) of north at Bacabal and almost along N–S at Huancayo. Thus alignment of the \(\Delta H\) vector due to ring current at Bacabal is \(14{^{\circ }}\hbox {E}\) of the mean direction of \(\Delta H\) vector during December 1990. This is consistent with the direction of ring current dependent on the dipole declination at the ring current altitude which is about \(5{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) of north over Bacabal and the deviation of declination due to the ring current during disturbed period given by the angle (\(\psi \)-D).     

On green-to-red line intensity ratio in the solar corona

An improved formula for the green-to-red line intensity ratio in the solar corona is proposed. The results are compared with those given by the previous expression.     

Biochemical chromophores and the interstellar extinction at ultraviolet wavelengths

Interstellar absorption observations at ultraviolet wavelengths are explained on the basis of chromophores in microbiological systems.     

Focal Mechanism of the Koyna, India Earthquake of 1967, December 10

One of the two alternate fault plane solutions determined in this study for the Koyna earthquake of 1967 December 10 shows a component of normal faulting. This possibility remained unnoticed in previous focal mechanism studies. Both solutions show left lateral motion along the nodal plane striking towards north-north-east. The origin of the tectonic stress causing the earthquake is believed to be related to the collision of Indian and Eurasian continents, following which the entire Indian Peninsula may be under a state of left lateral shear.     

Flares From the Giant ar 9433 on 24 April 2001

We present H CCD observations of three small-to-medium-size two-ribbon flares observed in the giant AR 9433 on 24 April 2001. Flare observations at other associated wavelengths (e.g., soft X-rays (SXR), hard X-rays (HXR), microwaves (MW)) obtained from archives are also presented and compared. We have tested the Neupert effect for the most energetic third flare. The flare observations are in agreement with the thick-target model. In the case of this flare the HXR emitting electrons appears to be the heating source of SXR and H emissions. The flares are also studied in EUV and UV emissions using TRACE data. We discuss the complexity of the magnetic field using SOHO/MDI magnetograms. The flares are observed to occur in both (f/p) polarity regions in highly sheared magnetic field with emerging flux regions and MMFs.     

Tectonic significance of Eocene and Cretaceous radiolaria from South Andaman Island, northeast Indian Ocean

Abstract Eocene (Middle) and Cretaceous (Campanian) radiolarian faunas from the basement rocks of the southern part of South Andaman Island in the northeastern Indian Ocean affirm the sedimentological hiatus that encompassed part of the Paleocene to Early Eocene ages in these islands, and its extension northward to Indoburma region and south to the outer islands of the Sunda Arc.     

Seismicity,earthquake mechanisms and tectonics along the Himalayan mountain range and vicinity

The historical as well as recent seismicity data and the focal mechanism solutions for 48 earthquakes determined from the observations of world-wide standardized stations network (WWSSN) records, were used to investigate the tectonics of the Himalayan mountain system and vicinity. Seismicity maps of the region showing large earthquakes (magnitude 7.0 and above, and damaging earthquakes that caused fatalities) from the earliest time through 1976, and instrumentally located earthquakes for the period January 1963–March 1974 are presented. Eleven of these earthquakes are estimated to be of magnitude 8.0 and above. The earthquake epicenters generally follow the trend of the mountains with greatest concentrations of seismic activity occurring along the Hindu Kush and Pamir mountain ranges, and near the Quetta, Kashmir and Assam syntaxes. Throughout Tibet, however, the distribution of epicenters is rather irregular and no clear trends are apparent. Two aseismic lineaments, one west of the Sulaiman Range and the other in the Assam Valley, are identified. Also, seismic activity in the vicinity of the Counter Thrust (Indus-Tsangpo suture zone) is rather small. Based on the identification of these aseismic lineaments and from a consideration of the geometry and kinematics of the continental collision model, a hypothesis for the origin of the Himalayan syntaxes is presented.Focal mechanism solutions confirm northward underthrusting of the Indian Plate along the Main Boundary Thrust and Main Central Thrust system, and eastward underthrusting along the Burmese Arc. Fault-plane solutions indicate left-lateral motion along the Kirthar-Sulaiman Range, right-lateral motion along the Karakoram Fault, left-lateral motion along the eastern extremity of the Himalayan flank of the Assam syntaxis, and right-lateral motion along the northern part of the Naga Hill flank of the syntaxis. These observations are in agreement with the expected sense of lateral (parallel to the collision boundary) mass movement for the continental collision model. Focal mechanism solutions for three earthquakes in east Afghanistan show NW-SE compression. A near-vertical orientation of the axes of tension in the solutions for two earthquakes in the Hindu Kush region is consistent with the sinking of a remnant slab of oceanic lithospere. Normal fault-plane solutions showing NW-SE extension for two events near Gatok, Tibet, and for the recent Kinnaur earthquake are interpreted to indicate a possible subsurface northern continuation of the Aravalli Range of Peninsular India, and its involvement in the tectonic framework of the region. Focal mechanism solutions of three earthquakes near the southern edge of the Shillong Plateau suggest block uplift of the plateau as a horst along the Dauki Fault. The solution for one earthquake near the Yunnan Graben shows NE-SW extension.     

A rapid astronomical method of observation for geodetic azimuth and prime vertical deflection of the vertical

Zusammenfassung Es wird ein Versuch beschrieben, eine schnelle astronomische Methode der Bestimmung des geod?tischen Azimuts und der Lotabweichung im ersten Vertikal zustande zu bringen, indem man zwei Paare von Nord-Südsternen in der N?he des Meridians beobachtet, deren H?hen vornehmlich zwischen 40° und 50° liegen und indem man sich derselben Beobachtungspraxis bedient, wie bei der Zeitbestimmung mit Hilfe der Paare von Nord-Südsternen mit der M?glichkeit der üblichen Azimutkreisablesung in der N?he des Meridians. Der astronomische Azimut dient zur Kontrolle der Messung; die Lotabweichung im ersten Vertikale kombiniert mit der im Meridian, wie sie ganz unabh?ngig von der in [2, 3] beschriebenen modifizierten Talcott's Methode bestimmt worden ist, kann für die Bestimmung des Geoids durch die astronomische Nivellierung ausgenützt werden.

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