Simulated wind-generated inertial oscillations compared to current measurements in the northern North Sea

Measured current speed data show that episodes of wind-generated inertial oscillations dominate the current conditions in parts of the northern North Sea. In order to acquire current data of sufficient duration for robust estimation of joint metocean design conditions, such as wind, waves, and currents, a simple model for episodes of wind-generated inertial oscillations is adapted for the northern North Sea. The model is validated with and compared against measured current data at one location in the northern North Sea and found to reproduce the measured maximum current speed in each episode with considerable accuracy. The comparison is further improved when a small general background current is added to the simulated maximum current speeds. Extreme values of measured and simulated current speed are estimated and found to compare well. To assess the robustness of the model and the sensitivity of current conditions from location to location, the validated model is applied at three other locations in the northern North Sea. In general, the simulated maximum current speeds are smaller than the measured, suggesting that wind-generated inertial oscillations are not as prominent at these locations and that other current conditions may be governing. Further analysis of the simulated current speed and joint distribution of wind, waves, and currents for design of offshore structures will be presented in a separate paper.     

A chain regularization method for the few-body problem

A regularization method for integrating the equations of motion of small N-body systems is discussed. We select a chain of interparticle vectors in such a way that the critical interactions requiring regularization are included in the chain. The equations of motion for the chain vectors are subsequently regularized using the KS-variables and a time transformation. The method has been formulated for any number of bodies, but the most important application appears to be in the four-body problem which is therefore discussed in detail.     

A moderate melting model for the Vøring margin (Norway) based on structural observations and a thermo-kinematical modelling: Implication for the meaning of the lower crustal bodies

High P-wave velocities (7.1–7.8 km/s) lower crustal bodies (LCBs) imaged along volcanic margins are commonly interpreted as plume and breakup-related thick mafic underplating. This interpretation is partly challenged in this paper based on new seismic observations and modelling of the outer Vøring Basin (Norway). An exceptional strong amplitude reflection, the T Reflection, is particularly well defined below the North Gjallar Ridge (NGR) between 7and 8 s TWT. The T Reflection is located near the volcanic lava flows emplaced during the NE Atlantic breakup ( 55–54 Ma ago) and coincides with the top of the LCB, forming a mid-crustal dome. Based on structural and temporal relationships, we show that the dome clearly influences the structural development of the NGR and predates the continental breakup at least by 10–15 Ma. Using a thermo-kinematical model, we tried also to investigate and quantify the relationships between the extension, LCB and the magmatic production. Modelling suggests that significant Paleocene–Early Eocene magmatism can be produced without any temperature anomaly in the mantle if differential stretching occurs during the breakup initiation. The conclusion of 2D thermo-kinematical parametric analysis is that the magmatic model predicts, either little extension (β < 2) with no melting or high extension (β > 5) with significant melting along the outer Vøring Basin. We suggest that the continental part of the LCB could not necessarily be breakup-related and so magmatic, as has often been stated previously. It is concluded here that the continental part of the LCB observed beneath the outer Vøring Basin may be partly (or fully) attributed to inherited, high-pressure granulite/eclogite lower crustal rocks. The real amount of mafic material emplaced along the outer Vøring Basin could be 20–40% less than thought.     

High-Frequency Sequence Stratigraphy Using Syntactic Methods and Clustering Applied to the Upper Limestone Coal Group (Pendleian, E1) of the Kincardine Basin, United Kingdom

We define a distance between sedimentary successions to compare their dissimilarity formally. Distance definition is based on attributed syntactic representation. One-dimensional successions can be represented by a string of lithofacies symbols sequentially or vertically. Each symbol can also have a vector of attributes that can provide other information on lithofacies such as thickness. The distance of any two successions is then defined consisting of its syntactic and attribute subdistances. Syntactic distance measures difference of vertical lithofacies change between two successions and attribute distance measures difference of thickness of corresponding lithofacies. Clustering is used to test validity of distance definition and its potential application to analysis of cycle-dominated sedimentary successions. Example is from the Namurian-A succession in Kincardine basin, central Scotland. There are 56 cycles in intervals of about 300 m each in two boreholes. Recognition of intermediate cycles depends on correctly determining of types of these short cycles and their vertical stacking pattern. Intermediate cycles have better potential in high-resolution stratal correlation regionally. Syntactic clustering results show that 56 short cycles can be classified into four groups with distinctive geological interpretation, which further helps reveal hierarchical cyclic architecture of the whole succession.     

Dynamics of carbohydrates in the Norwegian Sea inferred from monthly profiles collected during 3 years at 66°N, 2°E

Water samples were collected monthly for 3 years at 66°N, 2°E in the Norwegian Sea, 250 nautical miles off the Norwegian coast. Concentrations of mono- and polysaccharides were measured with the 2,4,6-tripyridyl-s-triazine (TPTZ) spectroscopic method. Total dissolved carbohydrates varied from 3.4 to 28.2 μM C of all samples and the ratio of carbohydrate to dissolved organic C (DOC) varied from an average of 14% at 0–25 m depth to 11% at 800–2000 m depth. This indicates that dissolved carbohydrates were a significant constituent of DOC in the Norwegian Sea. Polysaccharides varied from 0.4 to 21.5 μM C and monosaccharides from 0.7 to 11.7 μM C at all depths. The level of monosaccharides was relatively constant at 2.8–3.2 μM C below the euphotic zone, whereas polysaccharides showed more varying concentrations. Dissolved carbohydrates accumulated during the productive season, reaching maximum concentrations during summer although interannual differences were observed. A significant positive correlation between Chl a and soluble carbohydrate was found in one growing season with nutrient analyses. Average values for total carbohydrates were highest in the surface – 0 to 25 m – with 13.3 μM C and decreased to 8.4 μM C at 800–2000 m depth. The ratio of monosaccharides to polysaccharides exhibited a marked seasonal variation, increased from January to a maximum in June of 1.1, and declined to 0.5 in July.     

Star Cluster Simulations: the State of the Art

This paper concentrates on four key tools for performing star cluster simulations developed during the last decade which are sufficient to handle all the relevant dynamical aspects. First we discuss briefly the Hermite integration scheme which is simple to use and highly efficient for advancing the single particles. The main numerical challenge is in dealing with weakly and strongly perturbed hard binaries. A new treatment of the classical Kustaanheimo-Stiefel two-body regularization has proved to be more accurate for studying binaries than previous algorithms based on divided differences or Hermite integration. This formulation employs a Taylor series expansion combined with the Stumpff functions, still with one force evaluation per step, which gives exact solutions for unperturbed motion and is at least comparable to the polynomial methods for large perturbations. Strong interactions between hard binaries and single stars or other binaries are studied by chain regularization which ensures a non-biased outcome for chaotic motions. A new semi-analytical stability criterion for hierarchical systems has been adopted and the long-term effects on the inner binary are now treated by averaging techniques for cases of interest. These modifications describe consistent changes of the orbital variables due to large Kozai cycles and tidal dissipation. The range of astrophysical processes which can now be considered by N-body simulations include tidal capture, circularization, mass transfer by Roche-lobe overflow as well as physical collisions, where the masses and radii of individual stars are modelled by synthetic stellar evolution. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Emplacement mechanisms of sill complexes: Information from the geochemical architecture of the Golden Valley Sill Complex,South Africa

The well-exposed Golden Valley Sill Complex, Karoo basin, South Africa, consists of four large sills (ca. 100 m thick; long axes: 13–24 km), one small sill (55–80 m thick; long axis: 4 km; forming an appendix to one of the large sills), and two large dykes (15–20 m thick; 25 and 70 km long), plus some minor intrusions. Field mapping shows physical connections between the small sill and one of the large sills, but no other connection between the large sills, or connections between the sills and the large dykes.     

The 3D facies architecture and petrophysical properties of hyaloclastite delta deposits: An integrated photogrammetry and petrophysical study from southern Iceland

Hyaloclastites develop where lava interacts with water resulting in deposits that have a unique and often complex range of petrophysical properties. A combination of eruptive style and emplacement environment dictates the size, geometry and distribution of different hyaloclastite facies and their associated primary physical properties such as porosity, permeability and velocity. To date, links between the 3D facies variability within these systems and their petrophysical properties remain poorly understood. Hjörleifshöfði in southern Iceland presents an exceptional outcrop exposure of an emergent hyaloclastite sequence >1 km wide by >200 m high and enables an investigation of the distribution of the hyaloclastite deposits at seismic scale. Within this study we present a photogrammetry-based 3D model from part of this recent hyaloclastite delta and incorporate previous work by Watton et al. (Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2013, 250, 19) to undertake detailed facies interpretation and quantification. Laboratory petrophysical analyses were performed on 34 core plugs cut from key field facies samples, including P- and S-wave velocity, density, porosity and permeability at both ambient and confining pressure. Integration of the 3D model with the petrophysical data has enabled the production of pseudo-wireline logs and property distribution maps which demonstrate the variability of physical properties within hyaloclastite sequences at outcrop to seismic scale. Through comparison of our data with examples of older buried hyaloclastite sequences we demonstrate that the wide-ranging properties of young hyaloclastites become highly uniform in older sequences making their identification by remote geophysical methods for similar facies variations more challenging. Our study provides an improved understanding of the petrophysical property distribution within hyaloclastite sequences and forms a valuable step towards improving the understanding of similar subsurface sequences and their implications for imaging and fluid flow.     

Nested intrashelf platform clinoforms—Evidence of shelf platform growth exemplified by Lower Cretaceous strata in the Barents Sea

Two nested clinoform set types of different scales and steepness are mapped and analysed from high-resolution seismic data. Restoration of post-depositional faulting reveals a persistent pattern of small-scale, high-angle clinoforms contained within platform-scale, low-angle clinothems, showing a combined overall progradational depositional system. The large clinoforms lack a well-defined platform edge, and show a gradual increase in dip from topset to foreset. A consistent recurring stratal pattern is evident from the architecture, and is considered a result of interplay between relative sea-level change and autocyclic switching of sediment delivery focal points that brought sediment to the platform edge. This un-interrupted succession records how intra-shelf platforms prograde. Quantitative clinoform analysis may assist in determining the most influential depositional factors. Post-depositional uplift and erosion requires restoration with re-burial to maximum burial depth. Backstripping, decompaction and isostatic correction was performed assuming a range of lithologic compositions, as no wells test the lithology. Nearby wells penetrate strata basinward of the clinoforms, proving mudstone content above 50%, which in turn guide restoration values. Typical restored platform heights are 250–300 m, with correspondingly sized platform-scale clinoform heights. Typical large-scale clinoform foreset dip values are 1.3°–2.4°. Small-scale clinothems are typically 100 m thick, with restored foreset dip angles at 4.4° - > 10°. The results suggest that intrashelf platform growth occurs in pulses interrupted by draping of strata over its clinoform profile. The resultant architecture comprises small-scale clinoforms nested within platform-scale clinothems.     

Climate change: impacts on electricity markets in Western Europe

This paper studies some impacts of climate change on electricity markets, focusing on three climate effects. First, demand for electricity is affected because of changes in the temperature. Second, changes in precipitation and temperature have impact on supply of hydro electric production through a shift in the inflow of water. Third, plant efficiency for thermal generation will decrease because the temperature of water used to cool equipment increases. To find the magnitude of these partial effects, as well as the overall effects, on Western European energy markets, we use the multi-market equilibrium model LIBEMOD. We find that each of the three partial effects changes the average electricity producer price by less than 2%, while the net effect is an increase of only 1%. The partial effects on total electricity supply are small, and the net effect is a decrease of 4%. The greatest effects are found for Nordic countries with a large market share for reservoir hydro. In these countries, annual production of electricity increases by 8%, reflecting more inflow of water, while net exports doubles. In addition, because of lower inflow in summer and higher in winter, the reservoir filling needed to transfer water from summer to winter is drastically reduced in the Nordic countries.