A method of simultaneous analysis of wind and temperature profile data over the water surface by use of the method of least squares

Priestley’s 1959 discussion concerning the estimations of momentum flux and of heat flux from profile observations of wind and temperature, stating that the closeness of the curve fitting is deceptive, is first critically re-examined. Then a method is proposed to estimate vertical flux of momentum and heat over the water surface, from the combined data of of wind speed and temperature are assumed to have similar log-linear profiles, and the most probable profiles are determined by applying the method of least squares simultaneously to wind and temperature data. Consequently, the most probable values of vertical flux of momentum and heat may be estimated to satisfy as much as possible observed data of both wind and temperature simultaneously. The coefficient of the linear term of the log-linear profile, which is treated as an indeterminate coefficient in this method, may be determined from each observed data as a function of stability length. By tentatively applying the method to Rider’s 1954 data it is found that the coefficient shows a characteristic behavior with the stability length.     

Spin rates of fast-rotating asteroids and fragments in impact disruption

We present a new experimental result of fragment spin-rate in impact disruption, using a thin glass plate. A cylindrical projectile impacts on a side (edge) of the plate. Dispersed fragments are observed using a high-speed camera and the spin rates of fragments are measured. We find that the measured fragment spin-rate decreases with increasing size. Assuming that the rotational energy of fragments is supplied from the residual stress, the spin rate ω decreases with increasing fragment size r as ω∼r−1, which explains the above experimental results. This size-dependence is similar to that of the observed spin rates of small fast-rotating asteroids. Our results suggest that spin rates of fragments of small asteroids immediately after disruption may have a similar size-dependence, and can provide constraints on the subsequent spin-state evolution of small asteroids due to thermal torques.     

Long-term climato-limnological cycles found in a 3.5-million-year continental record

Analysis of physical properties in long sediment cores (BDP96) from Academician Ridge in Lake Baikal indicates that major climato-limnological changes during the past 3.5 Myr occurred at about 2.5–2.8, 1.7–1.9, and 0.9–1.2 Ma, which were close to times of major geomagnetic polarity reversals (Matuyama/Gauss, Olduvai, Jaramillo + Matuyama/Brunhes). The principal climato-limnological oscillation has a long-term period of nearly 1,000 kyr, which corresponds to the periodicity of fluctuation in solar insolation. It also seems to be related to geomagnetic field intensity. Other long-term period of 400 kyr corresponds to Milankovitch parameters of eccentricity. These results suggest that changes in solar insolation were closely related to long-term environmental variations in the deep continental interior.     

Configuring high frequency radar observations in the Southern Chukchi Sea

In recent years, monitoring offshore surface circulation in the Arctic Ocean with high frequency radars has become an issue of increasing practical importance. In this study, radar positions are optimized by minimizing the reconstruction errors of the surface currents in the Southeastern Chukchi Sea. By means of an adjoint sensitivity technique it is shown that in the case of a pair of radars, their optimal (i.e. most favorable) location is at Kivalina, a settlement near the strongest outflow of the Alaskan Coastal Current from the monitored domain. The least favorable location is at Shishmaref, a settlement near relatively weak inflow into the region as observed from the coast. However, if two pairs of radars are available, the best locations are Kivalina and Shishmaref. The results are verified using observational system simulation experiments (OSSEs) performed in the framework of a 4-dimensional variational assimilation of simulated radar observations into a numerical model. It is shown that correct specification of the first guess solution is of primary importance for obtaining realistic results from both adjoint sensitivity analysis and OSSEs. This emphasizes the necessity of obtaining accurate high resolution climatologies for future ice-free offshore regions in the Arctic.     

Dynamical rupture process on a three-dimensional fault with non-uniform frictions and near-field seismic waves

Summary. Dynamical rupture process on the fault is investigated in a quasi-three-dimensional faulting model with non-uniform distributions of static frictions or the fracture strength under a finite shearing pre-stress. The displacement and stress time functions on the fault are obtained by solving numerically the equations of motion with a finite stress—fracture criterion, using the finite difference method.
If static frictions are homogeneous or weakly non-uniform, the rupture propagates nearly elliptically with a velocity close to that of P waves along the direction of pre-stress and with a nearly S wave velocity in the direction perpendicular to it. The rise time of the source function and the final displacements are larger around the centre of the fault. In the case when the static frictions are heavily non-uniform and depend on the location, the rupture propagation becomes quite irregular with appreciably decreased velocities, indicating remarkable stick-slip phenomena. In some cases, there remain unruptured regions where fault slip does not take place, and high stresses remain concentrated up to the final stage. These regions could be the source of aftershocks at a next stage.
The stick—slip faulting and irregular rupture propagation radiate high-frequency seismic waves, and the near-field spectral amplitudes tend to show an inversely linear frequency dependence over high frequencies for heavily non-uniform frictional faults.     

Application of a fluorescent technique to the study of the weathering process

Processes and rates of weathering in representative tuff obtained from a Green Tuff region were directly examined using a new fluorescent approach. This approach was developed to visualize microscopically the microcracks and micropores that contribute to deterioration. The following observations were made. Progression of tuff weathering is caused by a delicate balance between chemical alteration and physical disintegration. Weathering occurs in many hidden microcracks and micropores not detected under natural light, but which can be clearly visualized under ultraviolet light. Water pathways, such as microcracks and cavities, accelerated the chemical alteration by increasing the effective surface area of rocks in contact with water. As the reaction proceeds, the constituent materials loosen and alteration products become widespread in the matrix. Secondary amorphous to poorly crystallized materials, such as iron hydroxide and aluminosilicate, precipitate on the fracture surfaces, slowing the progress of weathering. At the ultimate stage of weathering in tuff, all cracks and most of the micropores are filled with secondary materials. These observations on a microscopic scale during tuff weathering agree with the assessment of weathering obtained by measuring porosity, P-wave velocity and tensile strength.     

Global distributions of storm-time ionospheric currents as seen in geomagnetic field variations

To investigate temporal and spatial evolution of global geomagnetic field variations from high-latitude to the equator during geomagnetic storms, we analyzed ground geomagnetic field disturbances from high latitudes to the magnetic equator. The daytime ionospheric equivalent current during the storm main phase showed that twin-vortex ionospheric currents driven by the Region 1 field-aligned currents （R1 FACs） are intensified significantly and expand to the low-latitude region of-30~ magnetic latitude. Centers of the currents were located around 70~ and 65~ in the morning and afternoon, respectively. Corresponding to intensification of the R1 FACs, an enhancement of the eastward/westward equatorial electrojet occurred at the daytime/nighttime dip equator. This signature suggests that the enhanced convection electric field penetrates to both the daytime and nighttime equa- tor. During the recovery phase, the daytime equivalent current showed that two new pairs of twin vortices, which are different from two-cell ionospheric currents driven by the R1 FACs, appear in the polar cap and mid latitude. The former led to enhanced north- ward Bz （NBZ） FACs driven by lobe reconnection tailward of the cusps, owing to the northward interplanetary magnetic field （IMF）. The latter was generated by enhanced Region 2 field-aligned currents （R2 FACs）. Associated with these magnetic field variations in the mid-latitudes and polar cap, the equatorial magnetic field variation showed a strongly negative signature, produced by the westward equatorial electrojet current caused by the dusk-to-dawn electric field.     

Iodine in the surface water of the ocean

Iodine in sea water of the Pacific was determined with special interest in the relation between iodide and iodate in the surface water of the ocean. The result was discussed with reference to the mechanism of iodide formation proposed byTsunogai andSase. The concentration of iodide varies widely from the lower value than the detection limit to 0.21g at./l, while the concentration of total iodine is nearly constant and the mean value is 0.41g at./l. The vertical profile of iodide often shows the maximum in the surface layer. In the surface layer, the concentration of iodide is higher in warm water (0,10g at./l on the average) than that in cold water of lower temperature than 20° C (0.03g at/l). The highest concentration of iodide among the warm waters is found in the surface water of the equatorial area (0.13g at./l) where the biological productivity is also high. Iodide is generally more enriched in the water having higher biological activity even in the cold water. These results are considered to be compatible with the mechanism of iodide formation proposed.     

International survey on the distribution of stranded and buried litter on beaches along the Sea of Japan

The distribution and abundance of marine litter on 26 beaches along the Sea of Japan were investigated from September to November 2000. The mean concentration of stranded litter in Japan and Russia was 2144 and 1344 g/100 m(2), respectively. The mean number of pieces of stranded litter in Japan and Russia was 341 and 20.7/100 m(2), respectively. The most abundant type of stranded litter was plastic, which accounted for 40-80 % of the total items in terms of weight and number. The mean concentration of buried litter in Japan and Russia was 9.03 and 2.70 g/m(2), respectively. The total weight ratio of buried litter to stranded litter in the samples was 0.65, suggesting the significance of buried litter when evaluating the status of litter on beaches. Resin pellets were found on 12 Japanese beaches, but on none of the Russian beaches.