Gravity and S-wave modelling across the Jan Mayen Ridge,North Atlantic; implications for crustal lithology

The horizontal components from fourteen Ocean Bottom Seismometers deployed along four profiles focused along the western margin of the Jan Mayen microcontinent, North Atlantic, have been modelled with regard to S-waves, based on P-wave models obtained earlier. The seismic models have furthermore been constrained by 2D gravity modelling. High V _p/V _s-ratios (2.3–7.9) within the Cenozoic sedimentary section are attributed to significant porosities, whereas V _p/V _s-ratios in the order of 1.9–2.2 for the Mesozoic and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks indicate shale-dominated lithology throughout the area. The eastern side of the Jan Mayen Ridge is interpreted as a passive, volcanic margin, based on relatively high crustal V _p/V _s-ratios (1.9), whereas lower V _p/V _s-ratios (1.75–1.8) suggest the presence of intermediate composition crust and non-volcanic margin on the western side of the ridge. In the westernmost part of the Jan Mayen Basin, slightly increased upper mantle V _p/V _s-ratios may indicate some degree of serpentization of upper mantle peridotites.     

2-D and 3-D modelling of wide-angle seismic data: an example from the Vøring volcanic passive margin

This study presents the modelling of 2-D and 3-D wide-angle seismic data acquired on the complex, volcanic passive margin of the Vøring Plateau, off Norway. Three wide-angle seismic profiles were shot and recorded simultaneously by 21 Ocean Bottom Seismometers, yielding a comprehensive 3-D data set, in addition to the three in-line profiles. Coincident multi-channel seismic profiles are used to better constrain the modelling, but the Mesozoic and deeper structures are poorly imaged due to the presence of flood basalts and sills. Velocity modelling reveals an unexpectedly large 30 km basement high hidden below the flood basalt. When interpreted as a 2-D structure, this basement high produces a modelled gravity anomaly in disagreement with the observed gravity. However, both the gravity and the seismic data suggest that the structure varies in all three directions. The modelling of the entire 3-D set of travel times leads to a coherent velocity structure that confirms the basement high; it also shows that the abrupt transition to the slower Cretaceous basin coincides in position and orientation with the fault system forming the Rån Ridge. The positive gravity anomaly over the Rån Ridge originates from the focussed and coincident elevation of the high velocity lower crust and pre-Cretaceous basement. Although the Moho is not constrained by the seismic data, the gravity modelled from the 3-D velocity model shows a better fit along the profiles. This study illustrates the interest of a 3-D acquisition of wide-angle seismic over complex structures and the benefit of the subsequent integrated interpretation of the seismic and gravity data.     

In situ measurement of incoming solar radiation by voluntary ships in the western Pacific

We have been performingin situ measurement of downward short wave radiation (solar radiation) in the western Pacific Ocean in cooperation with voluntary ships since autumn 1990 in order to obtain much more precise knowledge of downward short wave radiation at the sea's surface than before. Preliminary result of the observation from autumn 1990 through spring 1992 is shown in this paper. The comparison of observed daily mean downward short wave radiation with that estimated from observed cloudiness by using Reed (1977) formula is also presented to show the necessity ofin situ measurement in the study of the downward short wave radiation at the sea's surface.     

The Kyucho in the Bungo Channel,Japan —Periodic intrusion of oceanic warm water

Kyucho is a sudden and swift current which is usually accompanied by rise of water temperature. Several features of the Kyucho in the Bungo Channel, Japan, are presented through field observations. The Kyucho in the Bungo Channel is an intrusion of warm water from the Pacific Ocean into the eastern half of the Bungo Channel, being driven gravitationally and advancing along the eastern coast of the channel. The Kyucho occurs usually in summer and seldom occurs in winter. It occurs at neap tides showing the prominent spring-neap periodicity. The modulation of the vertical mixing intensity associated with the variations of tidal current, wind and surface heating etc. is supposed to be a main cause of springneap and seasonal periodicities.     

The ocean/continent transition along a profile through the Lofoten basin,Northern Norway

The Cenozoic margins of the Norwegian-Greenland Sea offer ideal conditions for passive margin studies. A series of structural elements, first observed on these margins, led to the concept of volcanic passive margins. Questions still remain about the development of such features and the location of the boundary between oceanic and continental crust. Despite the thin sediment cover of the margins, seismic reflection data are not able to image the deeper structures due to the occurrence of igneous rocks at shallow depth.This paper presents a 320-km long profile perpendicular to the strike of the main structural units of the Lofoten Margin in Northern Norway. A geological model is proposed, based on observations made with ocean bottom seismographs, which recorded seismic refraction data and wide angle reflections, along with a seismic reflection profile covering the same area. Ray-tracing was used to calculate a geophysical model from the shelf area into the Lofoten basin. The structures typical of a volcanic passive margin were found, showing that the Lofoten Margin was influenced by increased volcanic activity during its evolution. The ocean/continent transition is located in a 30-km wide zone landwards of the Vøring Plateau escarpment.The whole margin is underlain by a possibly underplated, high velocity layer. Evidence for a pre-rift sediment basin landwards of the escarpment, overlain by basalt flows, was seen. These structural features, related to extensive volcanism on the Lofoten Margin, are not as distinct as further south along the Norwegian Margin. Viewed in the light of the hot-spot theory of White and McKenzie (1989) the Lofoten Margin can be interpreted as a transitional type between volcanic and non-volcanic passive margin.     

Precise Positioning of Ocean Bottom Seismometer by Using Acoustic Transponder and CTD

We have obtained precise estimates of the position of Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBS) on the sea bottom. Such estimates are usually uncertain due to their free falling deployment. This uncertainty is small enough, or is correctable, with OBS spacing of more than 10 km usually employed in crustal studies. But, for example, if the spacing is only 200 m for OBS reflection studies, estimates of the position with an accuracy of the order of 10 m or more is required.The determination was carried out with the slant range data, ship position data and a 1D acoustic velocity structure calculated from Conductivity–Temperature–Depth (CTD) data, if they are available. The slant range data were obtained by an acoustic transponder system designed for the sinker releasing of the OBS or travel time data of direct water wave arrivals by airgun shooting. The ship position data was obtained by a single GPS or DGPS. The method of calculation was similar to those used for earthquake hypocenter determination.The results indicate that the accuracy of determined OBS positions is enough for present OBS experiments, which becomes order of 1 m by using the DGPS and of less than 10 m by using the single GPS, if we measure the distance from several positions at the sea surface by using a transponder system which is not designed for the precise ranging. The geometry of calling positions is most important to determine the OBS position, even if we use the data with larger error, such as the direct water wave arrival data. The 1D acoustic velocity structure should be required for the correct depth of the OBS. Although it is rare that we use a CTD, even an empirical velocity structure works well.     

Distribution of Phyllosoma Larvae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palinuridae,Scyllaridae and Synaxidae) in the Western North Pacific

Phyllosoma larvae were identified and their distribution was examined, based on the larvae in ichthyoplankton samples collected in the Japanese Eel Expedition to the spawning area of A. japonica in the western North Pacific from August 30 to September 13, 1986 (Leg. 1), and from September 22 to 25, 1986 (Leg. 2), on board the R/V Hakuho-maru. Phyllosoma larvae belonged to 3 families (Scyllaridae, Palinuridae and Synaxidae) representing 6 genera and 14 species. A total of 336 palinurid and synaxid phyllosoma larvae were collected, of which 233 larvae (about 70%) were identical with P. longipes s. l, while a total of 362 scyllarid phyllosoma larvae were collected, of which 274 larvae (about 76%) were identical with S. cultrifer. Phyllosoma larvae of P. longipes s. l and S. cultrifer showed a similar distribution to each other. The larvae were abundant in the water close to Mariana Islands, although late stage examples were abundant in waters of Luzon and eastern Taiwan. Distributions of these larvae may be related intimately with the North Equatorial Current existing along 15°N. The North Equatorial Current approaches the eastern coast of the Philippines and then separates into two branches of northward and southward flows. The northward flow contributes to generating the Kuroshio Current while the southward flow goes to generate the Mindanao Current. Judging from distributions of phyllosoma larvae in the present study, it is assumed that the larvae of the above two species may have been released in Mariana Islands and transported westward from there through the North Equatorial Current. These larvae may then be transported to eastern Taiwanese waters.     

Simple monitoring method for precaution of landslides watching tilting and water contents on slopes surface

A low-cost and simple monitoring method for early warning of landslides is proposed. To detect abnormal deformation of a slope, this method employs a tilt sensor in place of an extensometer on the slope surface. In order to examine the relevance of measuring rotation angle on a slope surface by tilt sensor, model tests were conducted, and rotation on the slope surface was observed together with slide displacement along the surface. The rotation data responded 30 min before failure in a model test, which could be useful as a signal for early warning. However, the behavior of rotation before failure varies from case to case, and thus, criteria to issue warning should be defined more carefully. For a model slope made of uniform loose sand, measurement of slide displacement along the slope surface is sensitive to failure at the toe, while the measurement of rotation on the slope surface is useful to detect the development of progressive failure upward along the slope. Wireless sensor units with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) tilt sensor and volumetric water content sensor were also examined on a real slope in Kobe City, and a long-term monitoring was attempted. A simple but possible way to define the criteria of judgment to issue warning can be proposed based on combination of data obtained by the tilt sensors and volumetric water content sensors.