Seismotectonic deformations related to the 2010 Maule earthquake at different stages of the seismic cycle from satellite geodetic observations

Doklady Earth Sciences - The interpretation of multiannual satellite geodetic observations after the 2010 Maule earthquake is given on the basis of the keyboard concept of the subduction region...     

Formation of a local atmospheric electric field

We have estimated the variations in the atmospheric electrostatic field (AEF, E _Z(0)) strength in the surface layer caused by variations in conductivity due to radon influences, cosmic ray intensity, changes in the balance of light and heavy ions during sunset and sunrise, and under the effect of the ionospheric electric current potential on the AEF potential. It is shown that the air conductivity varies due to ionization under the effect of radon emanations and is determined by the radon exhalation and turbulent diffusion of the surface air layer, while the cosmic ray intensity affects the surface air conductivity through changes in the ion recombination conditions. A decrease in the air conductivity due to a decrease in the cosmic ray intensity (Forbush decrease) also decreases E _Z(0), while a decrease in radon fluxes results in an increase in E _Z(0). We have estimated the effect of illumination conditions on the AEF due to variations in the relative concentration of heavy and light ions under the influence of photodetachment and photoattachment processes. The work has been done on the basis of data received from the Paratunka observatory (Kamchatka).     

Dynamical downscaling approach for wintertime seasonal-scale simulation over the Western Himalayas

The performance of RegCM4 for seasonal-scale simulation of winter circulation and associated precipitation over the Western Himalayas (WH) is examined. The model simulates the circulation features and precipitation in three distinct precipitation years reasonably well. It is found that the RMSE decreases and correlation coefficient increases in the precipitation simulations with the increase of model horizontal resolutions. The ETS and POD for the simulated precipitation also indicate that the performance of model is better at 30 km resolution than at 60 and 90 km resolutions. This improvement comes due to better representation of orography in the high-resolution model in which sharp orography gradient in the domain plays an important role in wintertime precipitation processes. A comparison of model-simulated precipitation with observed precipitation at 17 station locations has been carried out. Overall, the results suggest that 30 km model produced better skill in simulating the precipitation over the WH and this model is a useful tool for further regional downscaling studies.     

Using the optical and radar satellite images for the analysis of ecological conditions in the marine environment

Considered are the possibilities for detecting the zones of ecological problems of marine environment using the ocean color sensors data and the radar images. Presented are the peculiarities of satellite data interpretation and the experimental results indicating the spatial and temporal distribution of biogenic slicks and chlorophyll-a concentration as the indicators of ecological conditions in the marine environment. Proposed is the multiparameter correlation graph displaying the relationship between the ecological factors significant for studying the anthropogenic eutrophication.     

Brief Note on Estimating the Significance of a Correlation Coefficient

Summary A diagram is being designed showing the six times and four times values of the probable error of the correlation coefficients in function of the number of correlated pairs of values forn=10 ton=400. Thereby it is possible to estimate the significance of the correlation coefficients without further calculations.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird ein Diagramm entwickelt, das die sechs- bzw. vierfachen Werte der wahrscheinlichen Fehler der Korrelationskoeffizienten in Abhängigkeit von der Zahl der korrelierten Wertepaare fürn=10 bisn=400 zeigt und damit die Beurteilung der Signifikanz der Korrelationskoeffizienten in einfacher Weise ermöglicht.

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Résumé Etablissement d'un diagramme indiquant les montants resp. sextuples et quadruples des erreurs probables des coefficients de corrélation en fonction du nombre de paires de valeurs considérées, pourn=10 jusqu' àn=400. Ce diagramme permet donc d'estimer aisément dans quelle mesure un coefficient de corrélation est significatif.

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Impact of satellite observed microwave SST on the simulation of tropical cyclones

The impact of realistic representation of sea surface temperature (SST) on the numerical simulation of track and intensity of tropical cyclones formed over the north Indian Ocean is studied using the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model. We have selected two intense tropical cyclones formed over the Bay of Bengal for studying the SST impact. Two different sets of SSTs were used in this study: one from TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) satellite and other is the weekly averaged Reynold’s SST analysis from National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). WRF simulations were conducted using the Reynold’s and TMI SST as model boundary condition for the two cyclone cases selected. The TMI SST which has a better temporal and spatial resolution showed sharper gradient when compared to the Reynold’s SST. The use of TMI SST improved the WRF cyclone intensity prediction when compared to that using Reynold’s SST for both the cases studied. The improvements in intensity were mainly due to the improved prediction of surface latent and sensible heat fluxes. The use of TMI SST in place of Reynold’s SST improved cyclone track prediction for Orissa super cyclone but slightly degraded track prediction for cyclone Mala. The present modeling study supports the well established notion that the horizontal SST gradient is one of the major driving forces for the intensification and movement of tropical cyclones over the Indian Ocean.     

The southern cape conductive belt (South Africa): Its composition, origin and tectonic significance

Magnetometer array studies have led to the discovery and mapping of the Southern Cape Conductive Belt (SCCB) crossing the southern tip of Africa from west to southeast coasts. The SCCB lies just south of the Namaqua-Natal Belt of cratonic rocks remobilized about 1000 m.y. B.P. It is shown that it coincides with a zone of weakness which has been exploited by three major geosynclinal accumulations over some 600 m.y. Relationships between the SCCB and the basement geochronology, geology and tectonics are considered in detail. These relationships support the view that the conductive belt was formed by an accumulation of marine sediments and oceanic lithosphere at the top of a Proterozoic subduction which stopped about 1000 to 800 m.y. B.P. Associated with this subduction we propose a Proterozoic range of Andean mountains, whose roots are now exposed in the Namaqua-Natal Belt. Later subduction further south, near the present south coast, is proposed to account for the intrusion, between the south coast and the SCCB, of the Cape Granites in the time interval 600-500 m.y. B.P. There is some evidence for a third, yet more distant, subduction episode off Permian Gondwanaland. After outlining this tectonic history, the paper turns to a closer examination of the hypothesis that the Southern Cape Conductive Belt consists of partly serpentinized basalt accumulated at the top of a Proterozoic subduction. A large static magnetic anomaly, which correlates with the SCCB over most of its length, is well fitted by a model which strongly supports this hypothesis. Bouguer gravity anomalies along western and central profiles likewise support the hypothesis. A discussion follows of the process of formation of the proposed block of serpentinized marine rocks, beginning with serpentinization of the crust near oceanic ridges by reaction of warm, porous, newly-extruded basalt with seawater convecting through it. The serpentinized basalt is stable at crustal temperatures and pressures and so is transported in the seafloor until it reaches a subduction, where it accumulates because of its low density. Examples of such accumulations are cited. Finally, it is shown that any iron in the olivine and pyroxene in the original basalt precipitates, when these silicates are hydrated to serpentine, as magnetite which is the dominant mineral conferring high electrical conductivity and high magnetic susceptibility on serpentinites. In particular the Beattie static magnetic anomaly requires, in our model calculation, a very high susceptibility readily attainable in basalt at 15–20% serpentinization. The authors know of no other rock able to provide this high susceptibility. A similar percentage of serpentinization provides the density required to model the gravity anomalies.     

Conceptual models for carbonate aquifers. 1969

The very diverse types of ground‐water behavior in carbonate terrains can be classified by relating the flow type to a particular hydrogeologic environment each exhibiting a characteristic cave morphology. The ground water may move by diffuse flow, by retarded flow, or by free flow. Diffuse flow occurs in less soluble rocks such as extremely shaley limestones or crystalline dolomites. Integrated conduits are rare. Caves tend to be small, irregular, and often little more than solutionally widened joints. Retarded flows occur in artesian environments and in situations where unfavorable stratigraphy forces ground water to be confined to relatively thin beds. Network cave patterns are characteristic since hydrodynamic forces are damped by the external controls. Solution occurs along many available joints. Free flowing aquifers are those in which solution has developed a subsurface drainage system logically regarded as an underground extension of surface streams. These streams may have fully developed surface tributaries as well as recharge from sinkholes and general infiltration. Characteristic cave patterns are those of integrated conduit systems which are often truncated into linear, angulate, and branchwork caves. Free Flow aquifers may be further subdivided into Open aquifers lying beneath karst plains and Capped aquifers in which significant parts of the drainage net lie beneath an insoluble cap rock. Other geologic factors such as structure, detailed lithology, relief, and locations of major streams, control the details of cave morphology and orientation of the drainage network.     

Experience of using a dynamic stochastic approach for solving the problem of very short-range forecasting of state parameters of the atmospheric boundary layer

Discussed are the results of applying a dynamic stochastic method based on the use of the two-dimensional model and the Kalman filtering algorithm for solving the problem of the very short-range (from 0.5 to 6 hours) fore cast of air temperature and orthogonal components of the wind speed in the atmospheric boundary layer realized using the data of radio metric, sodar, and in creased-frequency radiosonde measurements. It is demonstrated that the pro posed technique and the appropriate algorithm give a rather high ac cu racy of very short-range fore casting of temperature and wind within the lead time range under consideration.