The International GLONASS Service – Pilot Project

The International GLONASS Service – Pilot Project (IGLOS-PP), a project of the International GPS Service, was launched in order to underscore the importance and benefits of integrating data from multiple systmes and techniques within IGS products. At first this article summarizes the contributing organizations and the available infrastructure. Later on the GLONASS related modeling techniques at the involved IGS Analysis Centers are described and we conclude with some remarks concerning the advantages for the expected user commmunity. ? 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Advances in interpretation of subsurface processes with time‐lapse electrical imaging

Electrical geophysical methods, including electrical resistivity, time‐domain induced polarization, and complex resistivity, have become commonly used to image the near subsurface. Here, we outline their utility for time‐lapse imaging of hydrological, geochemical, and biogeochemical processes, focusing on new instrumentation, processing, and analysis techniques specific to monitoring. We review data collection procedures, parameters measured, and petrophysical relationships and then outline the state of the science with respect to inversion methodologies, including coupled inversion. We conclude by highlighting recent research focused on innovative applications of time‐lapse imaging in hydrology, biology, ecology, and geochemistry, among other areas of interest. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A computational study of oxygen diffusion in olivine

Atomistic modelling techniques are used to study the rate-determining steps that limit diffusion of oxygen in forsterite. The activation energies for diffusion parallel to all three crystallographic axes by the vacancy and interstitial mechanisms are calculated. The activation energy for extrinsic vacancy diffusion is predicted to be isotropic with a barrier height of 119 kJ mol^–1. Conversely, in the interstitial case it is found to be anisotropic, with extrinsic activation energies that range between 94 and 178 kJ mol^–1. The effect of intrinsic defects and two typical impurities, iron and hydrogen, upon diffusion is also considered. We find that the migration energy is slightly higher in iron-rich fayalite compared with forsterite and that the presence of hydrogen defects will not affect the diffusion mechanism. These observations lead us to reinterpret existing experimental results on oxygen diffusion in natural olivine. We suggest that at low oxygen partial pressure the mechanism observed is a vacancy mechanism, while at high oxygen partial pressure the mechanism is interstitial. We believe that this change in mechanism is mediated by iron redox reactions. Taking this process into account, we derive activation energies in excellent agreement with those found experimentally in natural samples of olivine. The anisotropy of activation barriers and hence the change in diffusion rates with temperature could be used to distinguish between the two mechanisms in future experimental work.     

Ground-penetrating radar investigation of active faults along the Dead Sea Transform and implications for seismic hazards within the city of Aqaba, Jordan

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) was used in an effort to locate a major active fault that traverses Aqaba City, Jordan. Measurements over an exposed (trenched) cross fault outside of the city identify a radar signature consisting of linear events and horizontal offset/flexured reflectors both showing a geometric correlation with two known faults at a control site. The asymmetric linear events are consistent with dipping planar reflectors matching the known direction of dip of the faults. However, other observations regarding this radar signature render the mechanism generating these events more complex and uncertain.GPR measurements in Aqaba City were limited to vacant lots. Seven GPR profiles were conducted approximately perpendicular to the assumed strike of the fault zone, based on regional geological evidence. A radar response very similar to that obtained over the cross fault was observed on five of the profiles in Aqaba City, although the response is weaker than that obtained at the control site. The positions of the identified responses form a near straight line with a strike of 45°. Although subsurface verification of the fault by trenching within the city is needed, the geophysical evidence for fault zone location is strong. The location of the interpreted fault zone relative to emergency services, military bases, commercial properties, and residential areas is defined to within a few meters. This study has significant implications for seismic hazard analysis in this tectonically active and heavily populated region.     

Impurities and nonstoichiometry in the bulk and on the (101?4) surface of dolomite

Atomistic computer simulation methods have been used to model the nature of nonstoichiometry and impurity defects in the bulk and at the (101?4) surface of dolomite (MgCa(CO₃)₂). Calcium and Mg in the bulk and at the surface have been replaced with divalent Ni, Co, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cd. The results of these calculations indicate that in the bulk, these impurities will prefer to substitute at the Ca site rather than the Mg site. Ca excess in dolomite is most likely incorporated as basal stacking faults; this nonstoichiometry can influence the site distribution of impurities. The calculated surface segregation energies suggest that of all the impurities studied, only Cd will show a strong preference for the (101?4) surface of dolomite.     

Scenario Evaluator for Electrical Resistivity Survey Pre‐modeling Tool

Geophysical tools have much to offer users in environmental, water resource, and geotechnical fields; however, techniques such as electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) are often oversold and/or overinterpreted due to a lack of understanding of the limitations of the techniques, such as the appropriate depth intervals or resolution of the methods. The relationship between ERI data and resistivity is nonlinear; therefore, these limitations depend on site conditions and survey design and are best assessed through forward and inverse modeling exercises prior to field investigations. In this approach, proposed field surveys are first numerically simulated given the expected electrical properties of the site, and the resulting hypothetical data are then analyzed using inverse models. Performing ERI forward/inverse modeling, however, requires substantial expertise and can take many hours to implement. We present a new spreadsheet‐based tool, the Scenario Evaluator for Electrical Resistivity (SEER), which features a graphical user interface that allows users to manipulate a resistivity model and instantly view how that model would likely be interpreted by an ERI survey. The SEER tool is intended for use by those who wish to determine the value of including ERI to achieve project goals, and is designed to have broad utility in industry, teaching, and research.