Determination of Intraseasonal Variation of Precipitation Microphysics in the Southern Indian Ocean from Joss–Waldvogel Disdrometer Observation during the CINDY Field Campaign

To date, the intraseasonal variation of raindrop size distribution(DSD) in response to the Madden–Julian Oscillation(MJO) has been examined only over the Indonesian Maritime Continent, particularly in Sumatra. This paper presents the intraseasonal variation of DSD over the Indian Ocean during the Cooperative Indian Ocean experiment on Intraseasonal Variability in the Year 2011(CINDY 2011) field campaign. The DSDs determined using a Joss–Waldvogel disdrometer,which was installed on the roof of the anti-rolling system of the R/V Mirai during stationary observation(25 September to 30 November 2011) at(8°S, 80.5°E), were analyzed. The vertical structure of precipitation was revealed by Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Precipitation Radar(version 7) data. While the general features of vertical structures of precipitation observed during the CINDY and Sumatra observation are similar, the intraseasonal variation of the DSD in response to the MJO at each location is slightly different. The DSDs during the active phase of the MJO are slightly broader than those during the inactive phase, which is indicated by a larger mass-weighted mean diameter value. Furthermore, the radar reflectivity during the active MJO phase is greater than that during the inactive phase at the same rainfall rate. The microphysical processes that generate large-sized drops over the ocean appear to be more dominant during the active MJO phase, in contrast to the observations made on land(Sumatra). This finding is consistent with the characteristics of radar reflectivity below the freezing level, storm height, bright band height, cloud effective radius, and aerosol optical depth.     

Size distribution of urban blocks in the Tokyo Metropolitan Region: estimation by urban block density and road width on the basis of normative plane tessellation

The size distribution of urban blocks is important for the characterisation of urban block patterns and is known to follow several parametric statistical distributions. However, it has not previously been analysed on the basis of a normative plane tessellation and in terms of urban block density and mean road width. In this article, we formulate the size distribution of Voronoi cells using the gamma distribution estimated by urban block density and mean road width. We found that (1) both log-normal and gamma distributions can be good candidates for the size distribution of urban blocks at the scale of a region that consists of regular urban blocks and that has a uniform road width; and (2) the size distribution of urban blocks depends on the balance between pattern and width improvement effects. Based on one study region in Tokyo, if the pattern improvement effect is more prominent than the width improvement effect, the mode of urban block sizes tends to be larger than if it is not. These findings are expected to provide scientific support for urban planning (e.g. land readjustment projects).     

High-pressure and ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism at Komateri, northern Madurai Block, southern India

We report for the first time the evidence for prograde high-pressure (HP) metamorphism preceding a peak ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) event in the northernmost part of the Madurai Block in southern India. Mg–Al-rich Grt–Ged rocks from Komateri in Karur district contain poikiloblastic garnet with numerous multi-phase inclusions. Although most of the inclusion assemblages are composed of gedrite, quartz, and secondary biotite, rare staurolite + sapphirine and spinel + quartz are also present. The X_Mg (=Mg/[Fe+Mg]) of staurolite (0.45–0.49) is almost consistent with that reported previously from Namakkal district in the Palghat–Cauvery Shear Zone system (X_Mg = 0.51–0.52), north of the Madurai Block. The HP event was followed by peak UHT metamorphism at T = 880–1040 °C and P = 9.8–12.5 kbar as indicated by thermobarometric computations in the Grt–Ged rock and associated mafic granulite. Symplectic intergrowth of spinel (X_Mg = 0.50–0.59, ZnO < 1.7 wt.%) and quartz, a diagnostic indicator of UHT metamorphism, probably formed by decompression at UHT conditions. The rocks subsequently underwent retrograde metamorphism at T = 720–760 °C and P = 4.2–5.1 kbar. The P–T conditions and clockwise exhumation trajectory of the Komateri rocks, comparable to similar features recorded from the Palghat–Cauvery Shear Zone system, suggest that the Madurai Block and the Palghat–Cauvery Shear Zone system underwent similar HP and UHT metamorphic history probably related to the continent–continent collision during the final stage of amalgamation of Gondwana supercontinent.     

Relationships between textural and photoluminescence spectral features of carbonado (natural polycrystalline diamond) and implications for its origin

Field Emission SEM (FESEM) textural observations, crystal size distribution (CSD) analyses, UV-excited luminescence imaging, and photoluminescence (PL) microspectroscopy excited by 488 nm laser were conducted on two texturally contrasting samples of carbonado, a kind of natural polycrystalline diamond from the Central African Republic (CAR). The investigated carbonado samples A and B show extremely different textures: sample A is made up of faceted crystals accompanied by abundant, small rectangular pores, whereas sample B has a granular texture with coarser crystals and scarce, large pores. Diamond crystals smaller than 2–3 µm are enriched in sample A but depleted in sample B. These textural features indicate that sample B diamonds were annealed under thermodynamically stable P–T conditions. The pore characteristics indicate that fluid permeability was higher for sample A than sample B. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra indicate that samples A and B correspond to Group A and B carbonados in the classification of Kagi et al. (1994), respectively, so that sample A reveals emissions from the H3 center without any N–V⁰ derived emission at 575 nm, whereas sample B shows emissions from the 3H center and the N–V⁰ defect. In addition, UV-excited luminescence images and photoluminescence spectra for sample B indicate that the rims of diamond crystals within several microns of a pore show luminescence features similar to those of Group AB carbonados (Kagi et al., 1994), indicating that this Group AB material was formed from Group B by irradiation from pore-filling, radioactive-element-bearing materials at a low temperature. The extent of the low-temperature irradiation is considered to depend on fluid permeability, and the Group A material was strongly irradiated due to its permeable texture whereas the Group B material was not significantly irradiated due to its less permeable granular texture. These results indicate that Group B carbonados have retained their original PL spectral features produced under high pressures and temperatures at mantle depths.     

Distribution pattern and morphochemical relationships of manganese nodules from the Central Indian Basin

In the Central Indian Basin manganese nodule abundance was variable in all sediment types. Mean abundance varied from 1.5 in calcareous ooze to 10.2 kg/m² in terrigenous-siliceous ooze sediments. Nodule grade and growth rates are positively correlated only up to 10 mm/My (million years), and grade shows no distinct relationship with abundance. Relationships between the morphochemical characteristics of the nodules and host sediment types are subtle. Both hydrogenetic and diagenetic nodules (with smooth and rough surfaces respectively) occur on almost all sediments, but in variable proportions. Thus, the overall distribution pattern shows that small nodules (<4-cm diameters) of lower grade (average value Ni+Cu+Co=1.21%) with smooth surfaces are more common on red clay, terrigenous, and terrigenous-siliceous ooze transition-zone sediments. By contrast, large nodules (>4-cm diameters) of higher grade (average value Ni+Cu+Co=1.80%) with rough surfaces are more prevalent on siliceous ooze, siliceous ooze-red clay, and calcareous ooze-red clay transition-zone sediments. This implies an enhanced supply of trace metals from pore waters to rough-surface nodules during early diagenesis.     

A numerical study of a tide with four harmonic constituents at the open boundary

The tidal current in Kagoshima Bay is simulated by the two-dimensional subdomain finite-element method. At the open boundary, the sea level is forced to be oscillatory with a linear combination of the four harmonic constituents (M2, S2, K1, O1) of the tide. A calculation having only M2 sea level at the open boundary is also performed and the harmonic constants of M2 are compared with those calculated by the four components.In the calculated velocity vector, a large difference between the two maxima or the two minima in one day appears when the vector is directed to the open sea. On the other hand, when it is directed into the bay, the two extreme velocities are almost equal. In tide-killer residual flow, the flow pattern is almost independent of the tidal age; however, the absolute value of the current velocity depends on the tidal age. The pattern is nearly the same as that calculated by giving only M2 sea level at the open boundary.In relation to the nonlinear interaction, the kinetic energy ratio KER is defined by the ratio of kinetic energy of the induced harmonic components to that of harmonic constituents given at the open boundary. KER is large where the tidal current is disturbed by obstacles,e.g. along the west coast at the mouth of the bay and in the southern sea of Mt. Sakurajima. The distribution of KER seems to be independent of the number of harmonic constituents (one or four) given at the open boundary. The difference of kinetic energy of the M2 tidal constituent between the two calculations.i.e. with the open boundary conditions of four components (M2, S2, K1, O1) and of a single component (M2), is found to be large where the current velocity is large.     

Spatial and temporal distributions of water temperature in aSargassum forest

The present study examined the influence of aSargassum forest on the spatial and temporal distributions of water temperature in a small cove on a time scale of the order of hours. Water temperature and algal density were measured along a fixed transect at the cove for almost 2 days. The measurements were carried out in May 1977 during the season of luxuriant seaweed growth, and in August during the season of little growth. The average standing crop per unit volume, named the spatial algal density, was employed as a means of expressing the growth condition of the seaweed forest along the transect. Using the spatial algal density and by analyzing water temperature distribution the following facts were revealed. The diurnal fluctuation of water temperature was influenced by theSargassum forest during the season of luxuriant growth, and the seaweed forest delayed the ascent and descent of water temperature, especially under its canopy, on a time scale of the order of hours, i.e., the temperature distribution patterns were influenced by the heights and densities of theSargassum forest during its season of luxuriant growth. It is thought that these phenomena are brought about by two effects: one is the absorption by the seaweed forest of short-wave radiation passing through the sea surface, and the other is the suppression of convection by the seaweed.