Phase velocity of semi-diurnal internal waves at Ocean Weather Station T

Phase velocity of semi-diurnal internal waves is determined from differences between phases at three stations which were situated to form a triangle in the vicinity of sta. T (29N, 135E). The wave phases are estimated from temporal variations in depths of isotherms obtained from serial measurements of vertical temperature profiles at these stations. The measurements were carried out in cooperative operation of two vessels, the R. V.Tansei-maru and theNojima, during the period from 30 July to 1 August 1965. Wave propagation with the speed of about 2 m/s in the direction from east to west is obtained as an average over several isotherms of temperature from 19C to 23C. The area of measurement is to the west of Izu-Mariana ridge and the distance from the ridge to the station is about 500 km, which would be about 5 times as large as the wave length of the internal waves under consideration, and so it is possible to suppose that the internal waves observed generated at the ridge and propagated to the area without being subjected to serious refraction, scattering, reflection and decay.     

The Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter with the Weather Research and Forecasting Model: Experiments with Real Observations

The local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF) is implemented with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, and real observations are assimilated to assess the newly-developed WRF-LETKF system. The WRF model is a widely-used mesoscale numerical weather prediction model, and the LETKF is an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) algorithm particularly efficient in parallel computer architecture. This study aims to provide the basis of future research on mesoscale data assimilation using the WRF-LETKF system, an additional testbed to the existing EnKF systems with the WRF model used in the previous studies. The particular LETKF system adopted in this study is based on the system initially developed in 2004 and has been continuously improved through theoretical studies and wide applications to many kinds of dynamical models including realistic geophysical models. Most recent and important improvements include an adaptive covariance inflation scheme which considers the spatial and temporal inhomogeneity of inflation parameters. Experiments show that the LETKF successfully assimilates real observations and that adaptive inflation is advantageous. Additional experiments with various ensemble sizes show that using more ensemble members improves the analyses consistently.     

Use of Statistical Models to Analyze Periodic Seismicity Observed for Clusters in the Kanto Region, Central Japan

—A periodic pattern of seismicity has been reported for the Kinugawa cluster in the Kanto region, where several earthquake clusters are observed at depths between 40 and 90 km. To analyze this periodicity, statistical studies are performed for the Kinugawa cluster together with eight other clusters. Hypocentral parameters of the earthquakes with magnitudes 4.5 and larger for the period between 1950 and 1995 are taken from the JMA catalogue. The simple sinusoidal function, the exponential of sinusoidal function and the stress release model are applied as the intensity function. Model parameters are determined by the maximum likelihood method and the best model for each cluster is selected by using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). In six cases the sinusoidal model or the exponential of the sinusoidal model is selected as the best option and achieves AIC reductions of values between 2.4 and 13.2 units from the simple Poisson model. The stress release model is selected for two clusters. The three clusters, the Kinugawa, Kasumigaura, and Choshi clusters, have a similar optimal period of about 10 years, and align in the northwest–southeast direction at a similar depth range of 40 to 70 km. A model modified from the stress release model is applied to the three clusters so to analyze the relationship among them. In the modified model, an earthquake occurrence in one zone increases the stress in the other zone, which is different from the original stress release model which assumes a linear increase with time. Applying the modified model to the Kinugawa cluster, an AIC reduction from the Poisson model is significantly larger than the value obtained with the sinusoidal model. This suggests that the periodic seismicity observed for the Kinugawa cluster can be explained with the more comprehensive model than the sinusoidal model.     

Time Distribution of Immediate Foreshocks Obtained by a Stacking Method

—We apply a stacking method to investigate the time distribution of foreshock activity immediately before a mainshock. The foreshocks are searched for events with M≥ 3.0 within a distance of 50 km and two days from each mainshock with M≥ 5.0, in the JMA catalog from 1977 through 1997/9/30. About 33% of M≥ 5.0 earthquakes are preceded by foreshocks, and 50–70% in some areas. The relative location and time of three types of representative foreshocks, that is, the largest one, the nearest one to the mainshock in distance, and the nearest one in time, are stacked in reference to each mainshock. The statistical test for stacked time distribution of foreshocks within 30km from and two days before mainshocks shows that the inverse power-law type of a probability density time function is a significantly better fit than the exponential one for all three types of representative foreshocks. Two explanations possibly interpret the results. One is that foreshocks occur as a result of a stress change in the region, and the other one is that a foreshock is the cause of a stress change in the region and it triggers a mainshock. The second explanation is compatible with the relationship between a mainshock and aftershocks, when an aftershock happens to become larger than the mainshock. However the values of exponent of the power law obtained for stacked foreshocks are significantly smaller than those for similarly stacked aftershocks. Therefore the foreshock–mainshock relation should not be explained as a normal aftershock activity. Probably an increase of stress during foreshock activity results in apparently smaller values of the exponent, if the second explanation is the case.     

Coupling behavior of shear deformation and end rotation of elastomeric seismic isolation bearings

This paper presents a mechanical model for predicting the behavior of elastomeric seismic isolation bearings subject to combined end rotations and shear deformation. The mechanical model consists of a series of axial springs at the top, mid‐height and bottom of the bearing to vertically reproduce asymmetric bending moment distribution in the bearings. The model can take into account end rotations of the bearing, and the overall rotational stiffness includes the effect of the variation of vertical load on the bearing and the imposed shear deformation. Static bending tests under various combinations of vertical load and shear deformation were performed to identify the mechanical characteristics of bearings. The test results indicate that bearing rotational stiffness increases with increasing vertical load but decreases with increasing shear deformation. Simulation analyses were conducted to validate the new mechanical model. The results of analyses using the new model show very good agreement with experimental observations. A series of seismic response analyses were performed to demonstrate the dynamic behavior of top‐of‐column isolated structures, a configuration where the end rotations of isolation bearings are typically expected to be larger. The results suggest that the end rotations of elastomeric bearings used in practical top‐of‐column isolated structures do not reduce the stability limit of isolation system. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Horizontal distribution and population dynamics of the dominant mysid Hyperacanthomysis longirostris along a temperate macrotidal estuary (Chikugo River estuary, Japan)

The estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) that develops in the lower salinity areas of macrotidal estuaries has been considered as an important nursery for many fish species. Mysids are one of the dominant organisms in the ETM, serving as a key food source for juvenile fish. To investigate the horizontal distribution and population dynamics of dominant mysids in relation to the fluctuation of physical conditions (temperature, salinity, turbidity, and freshwater discharge), we conducted monthly sampling (hauls of a ring net in the surface water) along the macrotidal Chikugo River estuary in Japan from May 2005 to December 2006. Hyperacanthomysis longirostris was the dominant mysid in the estuary, usually showing peaks of density and biomass in or close to the ETM (salinity 1–10). In addition, intra-specific differences (life-cycle stage, sex, and size) in horizontal distribution were found along the estuary. Larger males and females, particularly gravid females, were distributed upstream from the center of distribution where juveniles were overwhelmingly dominant. Juveniles increased in size toward the sea in marked contrast with males and females. The findings suggest a possible system of population maintenance within the estuary; gravid females release juveniles in the upper estuary, juveniles grow during downstream transport, young males and females mature during the upstream migration. Density and biomass were primarily controlled by seasonal changes of temperature, being high at intermediate temperatures (ca. 15–25 °C in late spring and fall) and being low at the extreme temperatures (ca. 10 °C in midwinter and 30 °C in midsummer). High density (up to 666 ind. m⁻³) and biomass (up to 168 mg dry weight m⁻³) of H. longirostris were considered to be comparable with those of copepods in the estuary.     

Palaeotemperature curve for the Late Cretaceous of the northwestern circum-Pacific

In the northwestern circum-Pacific, two main trends in Late Cretaceous temperatures can be recognized. (1) In general, a recurrent warming trend is thought to have begun in the Turonian–Campanian, reaching temperature maxima in the early Late Santonian and early Late Campanian, and temperature minima in the earliest Santonian and perhaps early Campanian. (2) During the Maastrichtian, temperatures dropped sharply, with only a slight warming in the early Late Maastrichtian. The existence of a thermal maximum at the Coniacian–Santonian transition has previously been expected, but is not confirmed by new isotopic results.     

Duplex of metamorphic units including ultramafic rocks in the central region of Tokunoshima,Southwest Japan

Geological observations in the central part of Tokunoshima in the Amami Islands, Southwest Japan, reveal that discrete layers of serpentinite, dioritic gneiss, and amphibolite are intercalated into pelitic schist and these rock bodies form a northwest‐dipping tectonic stack. A subhorizontal psammitic schist layer overlies them. These rocks underwent ductile deformation that is denoted by penetrative foliation and mineral lineation. Microstructures of the sheared metamorphic rocks and serpentinite indicate top‐to‐the‐east, ‐southeast or ‐south (hanging‐wall up) displacements. The en echelon array of rock bodies is interpreted as a duplex with the psammitic schist layer on its top and the pelitic schist layer on its bottom. It is inferred that the serpentinite‐bearing duplex was formed due to the tectonic erosion and the subsequent accretionary growth operated in a Cretaceous or older subduction zone. Tokunoshima has been considered to belong to the Shimanto Belt. However, regional low‐pressure and high‐temperature type amphibolite‐facies metamorphism and related ductile deformation have not been recognized in the other areas of the Shimanto Belt. There is no metamorphic rock occurrence comparable to that of Tokunoshima in the neighboring islands. The metamorphic rocks in Tokunoshima can be correlated to any of low‐pressure/temperature type metamorphic regions in Kyushu.