Définition morphologique de la phase des composantes de l'écoulement en italie

Résumé Les moyennes mensuelles des débits mesurés à 229 stations de jaugeage des cours d'eau italiens ont permis le calcul de la composante annuelle et de la composante semi-annuelle par la méthode des combinaisons linéaires d'ordonnées de M. et MmeH. Labrouste. L'examen de la répartition géographique de la phase de chacune de ces composantes fait ressortir les différentes influences du relief continental et de la forme des côtes sur la mise en place dans le temps de ces deux fractions permanentes de l'écoulement.

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Summary The monthly average values of the run-off of italian rivers, measured in 229 gauging stations enabled the autors to calculate the annual component and the semi-annual component by the linear combinations of ordinates method (established by M. and MmeH. Labrouste). The geographical repartition of the phase of each component shows the different bearings of continental relief and coast outline on the time-distribution of these two permanent fractions of the flow.

     

Ancient mantle lithosphere beneath the Khanka massif in the Russian Far East: in situ Re–Os evidence

The Os‐isotope compositions of sulphides in mantle xenoliths hosted by Late Miocene alkali basalts from the Sviyaginsky volcano, Russian Far East, reveal the presence of Archaean–Proterozoic subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath the Khanka massif. Their T_MA and T_RD model ages reveal similar peaks at 1.1 and 0.8 Ga suggesting later thermotectonic events in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle, whereas T_RD model ages range back to 2.8 ± 0.5 (2σ) Ga. The events recognized in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle are consistent with those recorded in the crust of the Khanka massif. The sulphide Os‐isotope data show that the subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath the Khanka massif had formed at least by the Mesoproterozoic, and was subsequently metasomatized by juvenile crustal‐growth events related to the evolution of the Altaids. The Khanka massif is further proposed to have tectonic affinity to the Siberia Craton and should originate from it accordingly.     

确定深淡水湖泊的位温与密度

As a rule, the hydrodynamic modeling of processes in fresh waters is performed with the use of potential temperature θ and potential density ρ^*. However, the formulae of potential temperature for natural waters given by Phillips (1977), Gill (1982) and others take into account only adiabatic correction. They do not consider such important characteristics of natural waters as temperature of maximal density T_md (S,P) remoting of real temperatures T(S,P) in situ from T_md (T -T_md), changes of Tmd with decreasing of pressure P (depth Z), and the equation of water state. T_md=T_md(P) is the property of molecular structures of water (Horne, 1969). It is determined by the equation of water state:for example, for lacustrine waters in the form of Chen, Millero, (1986) ρ=ρ(S,T,P), where ρ,S are density and salinity natural water. There is given and discussed a new formula for the calculation of potential temperature. It is established that potential densities calculated according to the new formula suggested by us show the entire thermodynamic similarity of characteristics within T in situ. It is not observed while using the old formulae.     

Seismic characterization of vertical fractures described as general linear-slip interfaces

Fluid flow in many hydrocarbon reservoirs is controlled by aligned fractures which make the medium anisotropic on the scale of seismic wavelength. Applying the linear‐slip theory, we investigate seismic signatures of the effective medium produced by a single set of ‘general’ vertical fractures embedded in a purely isotropic host rock. The generality of our fracture model means the allowance for coupling between the normal (to the fracture plane) stress and the tangential jump in displacement (and vice versa). Despite its low (triclinic) symmetry, the medium is described by just nine independent effective parameters and possesses several distinct features which help to identify the physical model and estimate the fracture compliances and background velocities. For example, the polarization vector of the vertically propagating fast shear wave S₁ and the semi‐major axis of the S₁‐wave normal‐moveout (NMO) ellipse from a horizontal reflector always point in the direction of the fracture strike. Moreover, for the S₁‐wave both the vertical velocity and the NMO velocity along the fractures are equal to the shear‐wave velocity in the host rock. Analysis of seismic signatures in the limit of small fracture weaknesses allows us to select the input data needed for unambiguous fracture characterization. The fracture and background parameters can be estimated using the NMO ellipses from horizontal reflectors and vertical velocities of P‐waves and two split S‐waves, combined with a portion of the P‐wave slowness surface reconstructed from multi‐azimuth walkaway vertical seismic profiling (VSP) data. The stability of the parameter‐estimation procedure is verified by performing non‐linear inversion based on the exact equations.     

The Origins of Yakutian Eclogite Xenoliths

Owing to the association with diamonds, eclogite xenoliths havereceived disproportionate attention given their low abundancein kimberlites. Several hypotheses have been advanced for theorigin of eclogite xenoliths, from the subduction and high-pressuremelting of oceanic crust, to cumulates and liquids derived fromthe upper mantle. We have amassed a comprehensive data set,including major- and trace-element mineral chemistry, carbonisotopes in diamonds, and Rb–Sr, Sm–Nd, Re–Os,and oxygen isotopes in ultrapure mineral and whole-rock splitsfrom eclogites of the Udachnaya kimberlite pipe, Yakutia, Russia.Furthermore, eclogites from two other Yakutian kimberlite pipes,Mir and Obnazhennaya, have been studied in detail and offercontrasting images of eclogite protoliths. Relative to eclogitesfrom southern Africa and other Yakutian localities, Udachnayaeclogites are notable in the absence of chemical zoning in mineralgrains, as well as the degree of light rare earth element (LREE)depletion and unradiogenic Sr; lack of significant oxygen, sulfur,and carbon isotopic variation relative to the mantle; and intermineralradiogenic isotopic equilibration. Several of these eclogitescould be derived from ancient, recycled, oceanic crust, butmany others exhibit no evidence for an oceanic crustal protolith.The apparent lack of stable-isotope variation in the Udachnayaeclogites could be due to the antiquity of the samples and consequentlack of deep oceanic and biogenically diverse environments atthat time. Those eclogites that are interpreted to be non-recycledhave compositions characteristic of Group A eclogites from otherlocalities that also have been interpreted as being directlyfrom the mantle. At least two separate and diverse isotopicreservoirs are suggested by Nd isotopic whole-rock reconstructions.Most samples were derived from typical depleted mantle. However,two groups of three samples each indicate both enriched mantleand possible ultra-depleted mantle present beneath Yakutia duringthe late Archean and early Proterozoic. The vast majority ofeclogites studied from the Obnazhennaya pipe also exhibit characteristicsof Group A eclogites and are probably derived directly fromthe mantle. However, the eclogites from the Mir kimberlite aremore typical of other eclogites world-wide and show convincingevidence of a recycled, oceanic crustal affinity. We concurwith the late Ted Ringwood that eclogites can be formed in avariety of ways, both within the mantle and from oceanic crustalresidues. KEY WORDS: diamonds; eclogite xenoliths; isotopic composition; REE; Yakutia     

Detection of the Long-Term Microwave `Darkening' Before the 14 July 2000 Flare

The latitudinal distribution of sunspot groups over a solar cycle is investigated. Although individual sunspot groups of a solar cycle emerge randomly at any middle and low latitude, the whole latitudinal distribution of sunspot groups of the cycle is not stochastic and, in fact, can be represented by a probability density function of the distribution having maximum probability at about 15.5°. The maximum amplitude of a solar cycle is found to be positively correlated against the number of sunspot groups at high latitude (35°) over the cycle, as well as the mean latitude. Also, the relation between the asymmetry of sunspot groups and its latitude is investigated, and a pattern of the N-S asymmetry in solar activity is suggested.     

Some problems related to the origin of methane on Mars

The following problems related to the origin of methane on Mars have been considered. (1) Laboratory simulations of the impact phenomena confirm effective heterogeneous chemistry between the products of the fireball. This chemistry lowers the fireball freezing temperature from 2000 to 750 K for methane and to 1100 K for CO/CO₂. Production of methane on Mars by cometary impacts is 0.8% of the total production. A probability that the observed methane on Mars came from impact of a single comet is 0.0011. (2) The PFS observations of variations of methane on Mars require a very effective heterogeneous loss of methane. Heterogeneous effect of dust is half that of the surface rocks. Thermochemical equilibrium requires production, not loss, of methane. Existing kinetic data show a very low efficiency of heterogeneous reactions of methane. Highly reactive superoxide ions generated by the solar UV photons on the martian rocks cannot remove methane. The required efficiency of heterogeneous loss of methane on Mars is higher than that on Earth by a factor of ?1000, although the expected efficiency on Earth is stronger than that on Mars because of the liquid ocean and the abundant oxygen. All these inconsistencies may be removed if variations of the rock reflectivity contribute to the PFS observations of methane on Mars. The PFS data on H₂CO, HCl, HF, and HBr also raise doubts. (3) Although geologic sources of methane are possible, the lack of current volcanism, hydrothermal activity, hot spots, and very low seepage of gases from the interior are not favorable for geologic methane. Any proposed geological source of methane on Mars should address these problems. Some weak points in the suggested geologic sources are discussed. (4) Measurements of ¹³C/¹²C and D/H in methane would be difficult because of the low methane abundance. These ratios are mostly sensitive to a temperature of methane formation and cannot distinguish between biogenic and low-temperature geologic sources. Their analysis requires the carbon isotope ratio in CO₂ on Mars, which is known with the insufficient accuracy, and D/H in water, which is different in the atmosphere, polar caps, regolith and interior. Therefore, the stable isotope ratios may not give a unique answer on the origin of methane. (5) Ethane and propane react with OH much faster than methane. If their production relative to methane is similar to that on Earth, then their expected abundances on Mars are of a few parts per trillion. (6) Loss of SO₂ in the reaction with peroxide on ice is smaller than its gas-phase loss by an order of magnitude. The overall results strengthen the biogenic origin of martian methane and its low variability.     

Small observatories for the UV

We describe concepts for small space telescopes that are able to provide significant UV science and can be realized with small (but realistic) budgets. The concepts are based on nano-satellites carrying small optics, with no redundancy, without producing intermediate models prior to flight model, and using COTS (custom off-the-shelf) components. We describe a few concepts of deployable optics that could provide large collecting areas and high angular resolution while packaged in the small volume of a nano-satellite. We point out areas where technological development is still required.     

Tidal and residual circulations in coupled restricted and leaky lagoons

Finite element numerical modelling based on field data is used to study the tidal and tidally induced residual circulation dynamics of a coupled “restricted” and “leaky” coastal lagoon system located in the Magdalen Islands, Gulf of Saint-Lawrence. Havre-aux-Maisons Lagoon (HML) is of a “restricted” nature with a neutral inlet in terms of tidal asymmetry. Grande-Entrée Lagoon (GEL) is of a “leaky” nature with a marked ebb dominance at the inlet due to direct interactions between the main astronomical tidal constituents. The imbalance caused by the different tidal filtering characteristics of both inlets combines with the internal morphological asymmetries of the system to produce a residual throughflow from HML to GEL. The residual circulation is also characterized by strongest values at both inlets, very weak residual currents in HML deep basin and a dipole of residual eddies over the deeper areas of GEL. Further investigations including numerical tracer experiments will be necessary to achieve a full understanding of the long term circulation of this lagoonal system.     

Extended Self-Similarity in Geophysical and Geological Applications

In this paper we demonstrate application of the Extended Self-Similarity (ESS) concept, recently developed in turbulence physics, for geological and geophysical phenomena. The theoretical background is discussed first and then the ESS properties in fluvial turbulence, sand wave dynamics, Martian topography, river morphometry, gravel-bed mobility, and atmospheric barometric pressure are explored. The main attention is paid to fluvial turbulence and sand waves, while other examples are presented to support the generality of the ESS concept in earth sciences. The results show that the ESS properties of the considered phenomena are remarkably similar to those reported for turbulence, in spite of different underlying mechanisms. This suggests that a general rule should exist which governs a wide class of complex natural phenomena.