1–4 GHz type II-like radio bursts and pinch processes near the transition region

Analyzing 205 radio bursts observed by the Ondejov radiospectrograph in the 1–4 GHz frequency range during 1992 and 1993, we found 6 examples of type II-like radio bursts coinciding with impulsive phases of solar flares. These bursts were interpreted as radio manifestations of MHD (shock) waves generated during impulsive phases of flares in the vicinity of the transition region. Assuming a magnetic-field perturbation origin of these waves, we studied pinch processes in the current sheet near the transition region. In the 2-D MHD numerical model of this current sheet we demonstrated that 2-D pinch processes induced by radiative losses can trigger the impulsive phase of some flares and so generate the observed high-frequency type II-like radio bursts.     

Upstream waves and field line resonances: simultaneous presence and alternation in Pc3 pulsation events

Based on a detailed study of Pc3 events at an array between L = 1.5 and 3 in Central Europe, the authors found quick changes between upstream waves (UW, i.e. pulsation directly driven by UW) and field line resonance (FLR, i.e. azimuthal oscillations of geomagnetic field lines). The alternation of the two types is especially characteristic (and the UW part stronger) if the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is highly variable. Events due to field line resonance may have a structure consisting of multiple lines with frequencies differing by about 10%, corresponding to neighbouring shells of field lines separated by about 100 km at the surface. This coincides with previous findings (about 10% at a meridional distance of 80 km). The frequency of the UW type is well correlated with the frequency of waves in the interplanetary medium. Additionally, there are signals of unidentified origin which also seem to be influenced by IMF.     

Fuzzy logic model of lake water level fluctuations in Lake Van, Turkey

Summary Lake Van is one of the largest terminal lakes in the world. In recent years, significant lake level fluctuations have occurred and can be related to global climatic change. This fluctuation sometimes exhibits abrupt shifts. Floods originating from the lake can cause considerable damage and loss in agriculture and urban areas. Therefore, water level forecasting plays a significant role in planning and design. This study is aimed at predicting future lake levels from past rainfall amounts and water level records. A dynamical change of the lake level is evaluated by the fuzzy approach. The fuzzy inference system has the ability to use fuzzy membership functions that include the uncertainties of the concerned event. This method is applied for Lake Van, in east Turkey. Furthermore, model capabilities are compared with ARMAX model. It is shown that lower absolute errors are obtained with the Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy approach than with the ARMAX model.     

A New Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis for the Vrancea (Romania) Seismogenic Zone

In this paper we apply a probabilistic methodology to map specific seismic hazard induced by the Vrancea Seismogenic Zone, which represents the uttermost earthquake danger to Romania as well as its surroundings. The procedure is especially suitable for the estimation of seismic hazard at an individual site, and seismic hazard maps can be created by applying it repeatedly to grid points covering larger areas. It allows the use of earthquake catalogues with incompletely reported historical and complete instrumental parts. When applying themethodology, special attention was given to the effect of hypocentral depth and the variation of attenuation according to azimuth. Hazard maps specifying a 10% chance of exceedance of the given peak ground acceleration value for an exposure time of 50 years were prepared for three different characteristic depths of earthquakes in the Vrancea area. These maps represent a new realistic contribution to the mitigation of the earthquake risk caused by the Vrancea Seismogenic Zone in terms of: (1) input data (consistent, reliable, and the most complete earthquake catalogue), (2) appropriate and specific attenuation relationships (considering both azimuthal and depth effects); and (3) a new and versatile methodology.     

南天山中央地块的厘定与古气候事件

古气候变化与地质构造演化有着一定联系 ,构造活动的结果将引起地球表面海陆分布、陆地古纬度、火山活动、山脉形成以及地形地貌的巨大变化 ,是直接影响古气候的重要因素。根据志留—泥盆纪构造古地理再造、深部层次变形、基底时代、深部构造特征、构造混杂带研究 ,在确定南天山中央地块构造演化的基础上 ,探讨泥盆纪南天山构造火山作用与古气候及层孔虫绝灭事件的关系     

天山西段岩石圈深部结构及其与南北盆地构造关系

根据深部地球物理资料 ,将天山造山带划分为三个不同的构造单元 ,各构造区岩石圈结构表现各异。天山西段岩石圈深部广泛存在低速 (高导 )层 ,它是构成天山地壳“扇状”构造样式的物理基础。天山的软流圈深度浅于南北两侧 ,它具有较高密度的上地幔物质和较深山根。它与南北盆地的深部构造关系为陆内俯冲关系 ,天山岩石圈的深部结构特征 ,与其所处地球动力学环境和中亚地壳组成不均一性有关     

Improved bora wind simulation using a nested Eta Model

Summary In connection with a number of recent publications on anomalous (excessive) absorption of shortwave radiation (SWR) by clouds, the data of aircraft observations of spectral and total SWR vertical profiles in the troposphere obtained within the CAENEX, GAAREX and FGGE programmes have been discussed. These data demonstrated persuasively the existence of substantial SWR absorption by clouds in the visible wavelength region. In this context, the results of simulation numerical medelling of the SWR transfer in clouds have been considered. These show a significant enhancement of the SWR absorption by clouds due to an increase of the mean free path of photons under an impact of multiple scattering in clouds. Another important consideration may be the impact of SWR-absorbing pollutants in clouds, especially soot aerosols.With 4 Figures     

On some new statistical characteristics of the wind “Koshava”

Summary Koshava is a gusty wind of moderate to strong intensity, blowing from the south-eastern direction, over the area of the Republic of Serbia. It is caused by the interaction between the synoptic circulation and the orography of the Carpathian and the Balkan mountains. The Koshava wind can damage buildings, factories and industrial plants or city infrastructure. Therefore it is important to estimate its gust and the gustiness factor on the basis of the measured data.This paper discusses a statistical analysis of wind data in the maximum influence area of the Koshava wind in the periods of maximum duration of Koshava. The focus of the paper is the examination of urban and suburban effects on Koshava wind and the correlation between the instantaneous maximum wind speed and the hourly mean wind speed. The best fitting with various empirical distributions is proposed.With 10 Figures