Spectroscopic properties of Cr-doped and Cr,Li-doped synthetic forsterite crystals

Cr-droped and Cr,Li-doped forsterite crystals were grown and their optical properties were investigated. It was shown that when only Cr is doped, Cr³⁺ is substituted at the site of low crystal field, and the energy level ²E lie above the ⁴T₂ level, while ⁴T₂ is just above ²E when Cr and Li are codoped. The difference was rationalized by a deformation of the Cr substituted site with the introduction of Li.     

Verifying adequacy of the seismic deformation method by using real examples of earthquake damage

In a seismic design, the dynamic loads are generally dependent on the inertial interaction caused by earthquake. But for the foundations embedded in soil, the dynamic loads are influenced by both the inertial and kinematic interactions among superstructure, foundation and soil. Especially, when a foundation is embedded in soft surface ground, the effects due to the kinematic interaction increase and should be considered in seismic design. For this reason, a method called seismic deformation method (SDM), which is suitable for an intensive earthquake motion (level 2 earthquake motion), has been stipulated recently in a new design code called Seismic Design Code for railway structures (the Railway Code, drawn up by Railway Technical Research Institute, Japan, 1999) [Railway Technical Research Institute. Seismic Design Code for railway structures. Tokyo: Maruzen; 1999]. In order to grasp the suitability of the SDM to actual structures, pile foundations, which experienced the Hyogoken-Nanbu earthquake, were taken as the objects for investigations. Comparison studies between the SDM analysis and reconnaissance were conducted. As a result, the adequacy of the SDM to actual foundations was confirmed to prove good agreement between the two results from the viewpoint of engineering practice.In addition, determination of indices for seismic-performance evaluation and speculation of damage mechanism of the foundations are also discussed in this paper.     

Magma discharge variations during the 2011 eruptions of Shinmoe-dake volcano, Japan, revealed by geodetic and satellite observations

We present precise geodetic and satellite observation-based estimations of the erupted volume and discharge rate of magma during the 2011 eruptions of Kirishima-Shinmoe-dake volcano, Japan. During these events, the type and intensity of eruption drastically changed within a week, with three major sub-Plinian eruptions on January 26 and 27, and a continuous lava extrusion from January 29 to 31. In response to each eruptive event, borehole-type tiltmeters detected deflation of a magma chamber caused by migration of magma to the surface. These measurements enabled us to estimate the geodetic volume change in the magma chamber caused by each eruptive event. Erupted volumes and discharge rates were constrained during lava extrusion using synthetic aperture radar satellite imaging of lava accumulation inside the summit crater. Combining the geodetic volume change and the volume of lava extrusion enabled the determination of the erupted volume and discharge rate during each sub-Plinian event. These precise estimates provide important information about magma storage conditions in magma chambers and eruption column dynamics, and indicate that the Shinmoe-dake eruptions occurred in a critical state between explosive and effusive eruption.     

A water flow model of the active crater lake at Aso volcano,Japan: fluctuations of magmatic gas and groundwater fluxes from the underlying hydrothermal system

The first crater of Nakadake, peak of Aso volcano, Japan, contains a hot water lake that shows interesting variations in water level and temperature. These variations were discovered by precise, continuous observations of the lake independent of precipitation. We developed a numerical model of a hot crater lake and compared with observational data for the period from July 2006 to January 2009. The numerical model revealed seasonal changes in mass flux (75–132 kg/s) and enthalpy (1,840–3,030 kJ/kg) for the fluid supplied to the lake. The relation between the enthalpy and mass flux indicates that the bottom input fluid is a mixture of high- and low-temperature fluids. Assuming a mixture of high-temperature steam at 800°C and liquid water at 100°C, we evaluated the liquid and steam fluxes. The liquid water flux shows a seasonal increase lagging behind the rainy season by 2 months, suggesting that the liquid water is predominantly groundwater. The fluctuation pattern in the flux of the high-temperature steam shows a relation with the amplitude of volcanic tremor, suggesting that heating of the hydrothermal system drives the tremor. Consequently, precise observations of a hot crater lake represent a potential method of monitoring volcanic hydrothermal systems in the shallow parts of the volcanoes.     

Localization of VLF ionospheric exit point by comparison of multipoint ground-based observation with full-wave analysis

In order to estimate the dynamic structure of the VLF ionospheric exit point, we conducted multipoint ground-based observation of the natural VLF emissions at three unmanned sites: West Ongul (69°01′ S, 39°30′ E), Skallen (69°40′ S, 39°24′ E), and H100 (69°18′ S, 41°19′ E) around Japanese Syowa station, Antarctica, during a whole year of 2006. In this observation, we developed three sets of unmanned autonomous observation systems for natural VLF emissions. Each observation system consists of two crossed vertical loop antennas to pick-up North–South (NS) and East–West (EW) magnetic components, a multi-channel analyzer, and a data logger. The intensity and polarization of NS and EW magnetic components are obtained in 4 spaced frequency (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 6.0 kHz) channels by the multi-channel analyzer.The VLF emissions observed at the three sites exhibit an interesting difference in the wave intensity as well as the polarization that allows important information about the locations of their ionospheric exit point to be determined. Firstly, to find the distinct exit point, we have theoretically calculated the spatial distributions of the wave intensity and the polarization on the Earth for VLF whistler mode waves coming down from the magnetized ionosphere, by using the full-wave analysis. Then, we have compared the calculated results with the observed data, to evaluate the possible locations of the ionospheric exit point for the auroral hiss events.As an example, the direction of the estimated ionospheric exit point for the auroral hiss event at 31 March 2006 was found to be consistent with a bright aurora region. However, in this case, the estimated ionospheric exit point was located a few hundred kilometers equatorward of the associated aurora. This would suggest that the ray paths for the auroral hiss could be different from the directions of the geomagnetic field lines for auroral precipitation.     

Laboratory frost sorting by needle ice: a pilot experiment on the effects of stone size and extent of surface stone cover

Sorted patterned ground is ubiquitous where gravelly fine soil experiences freeze–thaw cycles, but experimental studies have rarely been successful in reproducing such patterns. This article reports an attempt to reproduce miniature sorted patterns by repeating needle‐ice formation, which simulates frost sorting in regions dominated by diurnal freeze–thaw cycles. Six full‐scale laboratory models were tested. They consisted of near‐saturated volcanic fine soil topped by small stones of uniform size; the models explored a range of stone size (~6, ~12, ~17 and ~22 mm) and surface abundance (20, 40 and 60% cover). The stones were placed in a grid on the surface. These models were subjected to 20–30 temperature excursions between 10 °C and ?5 °C in 12 hours. The evolution of surface patterns were visually traced by photogrammetry. A data logging system continuously monitored vertical soil displacements, soil temperatures and moistures at different depths. All experimental runs displayed needle‐ice formation (2–3 cm in height) and resulting displacement of stones. The soil domains tended to heave faster and higher than the stones, leading to outward movement of the former and concentration of the stones. In plan view, smaller stones showed relatively fast and long‐lasting movements, while larger stones stabilized after the first five cycles. The 20% stone cover produced stone islands, whereas the 40% cover resulted in sorted labyrinths (a circle‐island complex) that may represent incipient sorted circles. The average diameter or spacing of these forms are 12–13 cm, being comparable to those in the field. The experiments imply that needle‐ice activity promotes rapid formation of sorted patterns, although the formation of well‐defined sorted circles may require hundreds of diurnal frost heave cycles. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Landslides</Emphasis>: a review of achievements in the first 5 years (2004–2009)

The international journal Landslides was initiated in April 2004. It is the core project (IPL-C100) of the International Programme on Landslides, a joint initiative of the International Consortium on Landslides and the United Nations and other global organizations. The aims of Landslides are to promote landslide sciences, technology, and capacity building and strengthen global cooperation for landslide risk reduction within the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. This paper presents an analysis of the first 5 years of Landslides, the study methods employed, the types and major causes of landslides, the number of different contributors per country, and the “times cited” per issue and most frequently cited papers and briefly discusses some of these. Strategies for future development of the journal involve obtaining input and suggestion from researchers and readers worldwide.     

Observations of molecular clouds in nearby galaxies with ALMA

We present recent results of the observations of giant molecular clouds in nearby galaxies with the Nobeyama 45 m telescope and Millimeter Array. We give some brief comments about observations of GMCs in nearby galaxies with ALMA.     

High temperature infrared spectra of hydrous microcrystalline quartz

A series of in-situ high temperature infrared (IR) measurements of water in an agate sample and in a milky quartz has been conducted in order to understand the nature of water in silica at high temperatures (50–700?°C) and the dehydration behavior. IR absorption bands of water molecules trapped in the milky quartz showed a systematic decrease in intensities and a shift from 3425?cm^?1 at 50?°C toward 3590?cm^?1 at 700?°C without any loss of water. This indicates a change in IR absorption coefficients corresponding to different polymeric states of water at different temperatures. The broad 3430?cm^?1 band in the agate sample also showed a systematic decrease in IR intensity and a band shift toward higher frequency with increasing temperature (～700?°C). This indicates that the agate sample also contains fluid inclusion-like water. For this agate sample, a dehydration of loosely hydrogen-bonded molecular water occurred at lower temperatures (<200?°C). At higher temperatures (>400?°C), sharp bands around 3660 and 3725?cm^?1 (3740?cm^?1 at 50?°C) due to surface silanols, appeared. This indicates dehydration of H₂O molecules that are hydrogen bonded to surface silanols. SiOH species in the agate are divided into three groups, namely SiOH group located at structural defects, surface silanols hydrogen bonded to each other and free surface silanols. Former two dehydrate below 700?°C and the dehydration rate of the SiOH at structural defects is faster than the other. IR spectra show that SiOH species decrease continuously even after the dehydration of most of H₂O molecules. All these results provide realistic bases for the change in physicochemical states of different OH species in silica at high temperatures.