To illustrate the spatial resolution of measurements of Mercury's surface elemental composition by the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer on the MESSENGER spacecraft after one year of orbital observations, we have simulated a global coverage map of the 846-keV iron gamma-ray count rate. The simulated map suggests that distinct geologic units larger than 800 km in horizontal dimension will be discernable when the difference in Fe abundance between adjacent geologic units exceeds 4 wt%. These results imply that the MESSENGER Gamma-Ray Spectrometer dataset will provide useful information for regional geological studies of the surface of Mercury. 相似文献
A total of 205 dust devils were detected in 23 High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) images taken between January 2004 and July 2006 with the ESA Mars Express orbiter, in which average dust devil heights were ∼660 m and average diameters were ∼230 m. For the first time, dust devil velocities were directly measured from orbit, and range from 1 to 59 m/s. The observed dust devil directions of motion are consistent with data derived from a General Circulation Model (GCM). In some respects HRSC dust devil properties agree favorably with data from the NASA Mars Exploration Rover Spirit dust devil analyses. The spatial distribution of the active dust devils detected by HRSC supports the conjecture that the ascending branch of the Hadley circulation is responsible for the increase in dust devil activity, especially observed during southern summer between 50° and 60° S latitude. Combining the dust-lifting rate of 19 kg/km2/sol derived from the Spirit observations with the fewer in number but larger in size dust devils from various other locations observed by HRSC, we suggest that dust devils make a significant contribution to the dust entrainment into the atmosphere and to the martian dust cycle. 相似文献
Oxygen transfer in the capillary fringe (CF) is of primary importance for a wide variety of biogeochemical processes occurring in shallow groundwater systems. In case of a fluctuating groundwater table two distinct mechanisms of oxygen transfer within the capillary zone can be identified: vertical predominantly diffusive mass flux of oxygen, and mass transfer between entrapped gas and groundwater. In this study, we perform a systematic experimental sensitivity analysis in order to assess the influence of different parameters on oxygen transfer from entrapped air within the CF to underlying anoxic groundwater. We carry out quasi two‐dimensional flow‐through experiments focusing on the transient phase following imbibition to investigate the influence of the horizontal flow velocity, the average grain diameter of the porous medium, as well as the magnitude and the speed of the water table rise. We present a numerical flow and transport model that quantitatively represents the main mechanisms governing oxygen transfer. Assuming local equilibrium between the aqueous and the gaseous phase, the partitioning process from entrapped air can be satisfactorily simulated. The different experiments are monitored by measuring vertical oxygen concentration profiles at high spatial resolution with a noninvasive optode technique as well as by determining oxygen fluxes at the outlet of the flow‐through chamber. The results show that all parameters investigated have a significant effect and determine different amounts of oxygen transferred to the oxygen‐depleted groundwater. Particularly relevant are the magnitude of the water table rise and the grain size of the porous medium. 相似文献
Photogrammetric analysis of aerial photographs is used to investigate morphological changes in two large landslides located adjacent to the active Marathias normal fault along the Gulf of Corinth, Greece. This E–W trending fault intersects at almost right angles a series of west-verging and east-dipping thrust faults, and has a clear geomorphic expression. The fault's structural signature, such as the trace length, displacement, segmentation, and scarp freshness resembles other normal faults within the Gulf of Corinth. Along this fault we mapped a series of landslides that are mainly concentrated at the near tip areas. Two of them are hosted in the damage zone formed by the intersecting normal and reverse faults. The Marathias and Sergoula landslides show a significant geomorphic evolution on aerial photographs from 1945 to 1991.
Evolution of landslides in the study area appears to be correlated with two earthquake clusters that drive mass wasting in the order of 106 m3, significant drainage adjustment, and triggering of post-landslide river incision. We infer the following process sequence for these presumably earthquake-triggered landslides in the region: eroded material in Marathias landslide and reactivation of movement within the main body of the Sergoula landslide were observed in 1969 aerial photographs. Both landslides are deep-seated rotational rockslides. Obstruction or abandonment of channels due to the landslides establishes river incision and a dramatic increase of the rate of fan-delta progradation in the order of 1 m/yr. These large landslides are related to strong (M > 6.5) earthquakes concentrated along faults, and their reactivation period is almost a century, based on seismological or paleoseismological analyses. 相似文献
The Cheb Basin, located in the western Eger (Ohře) Rift, is part of the European Cenozoic Rift system. Although presently
non-volcanic, it is the most active area within the European Rift with signs of recent geodynamic activity like emanations
of mantle derived CO2, and the repeated occurrence of swarm earthquakes, which are common features in active volcanic regions. It is assumed that
the fluids, uprising in permeable channels, play a key role for the genesis of these earthquake swarms. 相似文献
Water resources availability is one of the main concerns for policy makers around the world in present and future management plans. In the Mediterranean basin, this concern is increased given the extreme variability in climate and the intrinsic aridity conditions. Water resources in the Mediterranean region depend mainly on surface and subsurface supply from mountain areas. Because evapotranspiration comprises a substantial portion of the water budget, recent land cover changes due to cropland abandonment may change transpiration (TRANS) and water supply. Therefore, land management plans must account for these potential hydrologic changes to guarantee water availability in the upcoming decades. Short-term changes to water yield have been shown to follow afforestation or natural revegetation, the main management strategies in abandoned cropland areas. Studies comparing long-term trends of these management practices, however, are scarce due to the lack of long-term hydrological data. In this study, we use the regional hydro-ecological simulation system (RHESSys), to analyse long-term changes and annual and seasonal trends in streamflow (STR) and transpiration following management of abandoned cropland areas. Annual mean values show significant differences between the three management scenarios for both streamflow and transpiration, while differences between climate scenarios are not significant. The Mann Kendall trend analysis shows significant changes to water yield compared to the situation before management. Depending on the total afforested area, afforestation could significantly decrease annual streamflow between 2.3%·decade−1 and 5.9%·decade−1 and increase annual transpiration between 1.1%·decade−1 and 3.5%·decade−1. These trends are attributed to changes during the first 30 years after management, while during the fourth and fifth decade, changes to water yield tend to stabilize or decrease. These results are substantial to optimize land management plans, ensuring sustainable hydrological and ecological ecosystem services. 相似文献