Feasibility of joint 1D velocity model and event location inversion by the Neighbourhood algorithm

Using a set of synthetic P‐ and S‐wave onsets, computed in a 1D medium model from sources that mimic a distribution of microseismic events induced by hydrofrac treatment to a monitoring geophone array(s), we test the possibility to invert back jointly the model and events location. We use the Neighbourhood algorithm for data inversion to account for non‐linear effects of velocity model and grid search for event location. The velocity model used is composed of homogeneous layers, derived from sonic logging. Results for the case of one and two monitoring wells are compared. These results show that the velocity model can be obtained in the case of two monitoring wells, if they have optimal relative position. The use of one monitoring well fails due to the trade‐off between the velocity model and event locations.     

Exponential distance relations in planetary-like systems generated at random

It is often thought that the exponential distance relations that can be found amongst the distances of the planets and of the satellites of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus, of the form a _n = ⁿ , with a _n being the semi-major axis of the n ^th body, can be similarly represented by sequences of sorted random numbers generated with some constraints corresponding to certain physical processes. We give in this paper some indications showing that pure chance or random processes only cannot explain the planetary and satellite distance distributions, in particular the exponential spacings, by comparing the distance relations of the real systems to these of planetary-like systems generated at random.Exponential distance relations for the present planetary and satellites systems of Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus are described, considering the two cases without and with introduction of holes for the large spacings observed in the sequences of bodies.Random systems are created by generating distances at random following uniform, normal and exponential distributions, with no consideration for other orbital elements or masses as we are only interested in distance relations. Random systems without constraints are first compared to the real systems. In a following step, random systems with a corresponding number of bodies to that of the real systems and with the constraint of having a number of large spacings equivalent to that of the real systems are investigated. In a later step, we impose on the generation process the additional constraint of the closeness not too close condition, i.e. for the random systems to have distances between adjacent bodies greater than critical attraction distances calculated by considering the present masses of the real main planets and satellites.Comparisons of the regression coefficients means of the exponential distance relations of random systems to the characteristics of the real systems show that there are significant differences, in particular the coefficients of the random systems are on average smaller than for the corresponding real systems, except for some particular cases which are shown not to be significant.It is concluded that distance relations observed in the present real systems can not be compared to sequences of sorted random numbers. Furthermore, additional physical processes other than the closeness not too close, have to be considered to explain the observed distance relations and in particular the exponential spacings.     

Experimental pressure solution compaction of synthetic halite/calcite aggregates

Experimental observations are reported of weakening of sediment-like aggregates by addition of hard particles. Sieved mixtures of calcite and halite grains are experimentally compacted in drained pressure cells in the presence of a saturated aqueous solution. The individual halite grains deform easily by pressure solution creep whereas calcite grains act as hard objects and resist compaction. The fastest rate of compaction of the mixed aggregate is not obtained for a 100% halite aggregate but for a content of halite grains between 45% and 75%. We propose that this unusual compaction behavior reflects the competition between two mechanisms at the grain scale: intergranular pressure solution at grain contacts and grain boundary healing between halite grains that prevent further compaction.     

Testing an earthquake prediction algorithm

A test to evaluate earthquake prediction algorithms is being applied to a Russian algorithm known asM8 TheM8 algorithm makes intermediate term predictions for earthquakes to occur in a large circle, based on integral counts of transient seismicity in the circle. In a retroactive prediction for the period January 1, 1985 to July 1, 1991 the algorithm as configured for the forward test would have predicted eight of ten strong earthquakes in the test area. A null hypothesis, based on random assignment of predictions, predicts eight earthquakes in 2.87% of the trials. The forward test began July 1, 1991 and will run through December 31, 1997. As of July 1, 1995, the algorithm had forward predicted five out of nine earthquakes in the test area, which success ratio would have been achieved in 53% of random trials with the null hypothesis.     

Kema terrane: A fragment of a back-arc basin of the early Cretaceous Moneron–Samarga island-arc system, East Sikhote–Alin range, Russian Far East

Abstract The Kema terrane is a suite of Barremian(?)–Aptian to Albian volcano-sedimentary rocks of Sikhote–Alin that are interpreted as deposits of the back-arc basin of the Moneron–Samarga island-arc system. Compositional features of the different-type deposits indicate a near-slope depositional environment influenced by volcanic processes. Studies of slump fold orientation testify to the accumulation of material from southeast to northwest by gravitational sliding. Compositional characteristics of terrigenous rocks suggest the major provenance for detrital material was an ensialic volcanic island arc. Petrochemical characteristics of basaltic rocks indicate that the formations studied were confined to the back part of the arc.     

Barents Sea upstream events impact the properties of Atlantic water inflow into the Arctic Ocean: Evidence from 2005 to 2006 downstream observations

Inflow of Atlantic water (AW) from Fram Strait and the Barents Sea into the Arctic Ocean conditions the intermediate (100–1000 m) waters of the Arctic Ocean Eurasian margins. While over the Siberian margin the Fram Strait AW branch (FSBW) has exhibited continuous dramatic warming beginning in 2004, the tendency of the Barents Sea AW branch (BSBW) has remained poorly known. Here we document the contrary cooling tendency of the BSBW through the analysis of observational data collected from the icebreaker Kapitan Dranitsyn over the continental slope of the Eurasian Basin in 2005 and 2006. The CTD data from the R.V. Polarstern cruise in 1995 were used as a reference point for evaluating external atmospheric and sea-ice forcing and oxygen isotope analysis. Our data show that in 2006 the BSBW core was saltier (by ～0.037), cooler (by ～0.41 °C), denser (by ～0.04 kg/m³), deeper (by 150–200 m), and relatively better ventilated (by 7–8 μmol/kg of dissolved oxygen, or by 1.1–1.7% of saturation) compared with 2005. We hypothesize that the shift of the meridional wind from off-shore to on-shore direction during the BSBW translation through the Barents and northern Kara seas results in longer surface residence time for the BSBW sampled in 2006 compared with samples from 2005. The cooler, more saline, and better-ventilated BSBW sampled in 2006 may result from longer upstream translation through the Barents and northern Kara seas where the BSBW was modified by sea-ice formation and interaction with atmosphere. The data for stable oxygen isotopes from 1995 and 2006 reveals amplified brine modification of the BSBW core sampled downstream in 2006, which supports the assumption of an increased upstream residence time as indicated by wind patterns and dissolved oxygen values.     

An atlas of ground UV spectra of selected stars

We present a spectral atlas of 4 B and A stars containing spectra in a poorly studied spectral range of 305–452 nm. The atlas is based on high resolution (R=60 000) spectra obtained with the 6 meter telescope (SAO, Russia) combined with the NES-spectrograph. The procedure of spectral lines identification and compilation of the atlas is discussed in detail. Using the spectral data we thoroughly investigated the velocity field in expanding atmospheres and envelopes of hot evolved stars β Ori, α Cyg and supergiant KS Per with the extreme hydrogen deficiency. The complete atlas and list of the identified spectral lines will be available via the astronomical database SIMBAD.     

On the modeling of ground-motion field for assessment of multiple-location hazard,damage, and loss: example of estimation of electric network performance during scenario earthquake

Consideration of within-earthquake ground-motion correlation is essential for the estimation of seismic hazards, damage, and loss for spatially distributed systems. In many seismically active regions, the strong motion data of real engineering significance are completely unavailable or very scarce. The absence of necessary data does not allow developing regional empirical correlation models, and the models obtained for other regions should be used with correspondent sensitivity analysis. The level of within-earthquake correlation may vary in broad range; therefore, development of correspondent criteria for selection from available models is important. In this paper, we analyzed the performance of a system of critical elements of electric power network (substations) depending on variations in within-earthquake correlation. The performance is described as probability of different levels of non-functionality, i.e., percentage of area suffering power outage, and probability of expected number of customers without power. We have shown that the proper choice of the within-earthquake correlation model is critical in comprehensive estimations of functionality of substations in electrical power system. Skipping the ground-motion variability and within-earthquake correlation may lead to unreliable results. Relevance of geology-based within-earthquake correlation models has been demonstrated, and a scheme, which allows reducing uncertainty in the choice of realistic correlation, has been proposed.