The moment tensors,focal mechanisms,and stresses on Sakhalin Island

We report determinations of the focal mechanisms for Sakhalin earthquakes during 2006 through 2015 by two different methods: the polarity of first motions using the FOCMEC program and the inversion of waveforms using the ISOLA program. We show that the resulting moment tensor solutions fairly well fit the tectonic crustal stresses for Sakhalin as determined by previous workers. We have examined the component of the moment tensor that involves a linear dipole. This is at its maximum in areas of active mud volcanism and industrial activities in oil-and-gas fields.     

Analysis of daily rainfall processes in lower extremadura (Spain) and homogenization of the data

Summary In this paper we analyze, from the point of view of stochastic processes, daily rainfall data recorded at the Badajoz Observatory (Southwestern Spain) since the beginning of the century. We attempt to identify any periodicities or trends in the daily rainfall occurrences and their dependence structure, and attempt to select the appropriate point stochastic model for the daily rainfall series.Standard regression analysis, graphical methods and the Cramer statistic show a rise in the number of cases of light rain (between 0.1 and 5 mm/d) and a decline in the number of cases of moderate to heavy rain (> 5 mm/d) in the daily rainfall at least at the 5% significance level.That the homogenization process was satisfactory is shown by the mean interarrival time of the homogenized series and the test of the rate of homogenized daily rainfall occurrences. Our analysis also shows that the behavior of the spectra of the homogenized daily rainfall counts is completely different from that of a Poisson process, so that the hypothesis of a non-homogeneous Poisson process is rejected.With 7 Figures     

Evidence for sinistral strike-slip deformation in The Solomon Island arc

During the SOPACMAPS 2 crusie carried out by IFREMER (Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer) and ORSTOM (Institut Français de Recherche Scientifique pour le dévelopement en Coopération) on theR/V L'Atalante, in the Central Solomon Arc area, multibeam bathymetric and imagery data and single-channel seismic reflection profiles were collected from an area of about 3500 km², to evaluate regional tectonics. Structural data geophysical profiles interpretation provide evidence for left-lateral transtensional tectonics on the southern edge of the Central Solomon Trough. This transtensional deformation is represented by faulting, block tilting, and rhombohedral deformation. The regional geology and the analysis of the sedimentary cover allow us to demonstrate that this tectonic occurred in two different phases during Oligocene to Miocene and Pliocene to Pleistocene times.     

Characteristics of surface ozone in Agra,a sub-urban site in Indo-Gangetic Plain

In the present study, measurements of surface ozone (\(\hbox {O}_{3}\)) and its precursors (NO and \(\hbox {NO}_{2}\)) were carried out at a sub-urban site of Agra (\(27{^{\circ }}10'\hbox {N}\), \(78{^{\circ }}05'\hbox {E}\)), India during May 2012–May 2013. During the study period, average concentrations of \(\hbox {O}_{3}\), NO, and \(\hbox {NO}_{2}\) were \(39.6 \pm 25.3\), \(0.8 \pm 0.8\) and \(9.1 \pm 6.6 \, \hbox {ppb}\), respectively. \(\hbox {O}_{3}\) showed distinct seasonal variation in peak value of diurnal variation: summer \({>}\) post-monsoon \({>}\) winter \({>}\) monsoon. However, \(\hbox {NO}_{2}\) showed highest levels in winter and lowest in monsoon. The average positive rate of change of \(\hbox {O}_{3}\) (08:00–11:00 hr) was highest in April (16.3 ppb/hr) and lowest in August (1.1 ppb/hr), while average negative rate of change of \(\hbox {O}_{3}\) (17:00–19:00 hr) was highest in December (–13.2 ppb/hr) and lowest in July (–1.1 ppb/hr). An attempt was made to identify the \(\hbox {VOC--NO}_{\mathrm{x}}\) sensitivity of the site using \(\hbox {O}_{3}/\hbox {HNO}_{3}\) ratio as photochemical indicator. Most of the days this ratio was above the threshold value (12–16), which suggests \(\hbox {NO}_{\mathrm{x}}\) sensitivity of the site. The episodic event of ozone was characterized through meteorological parameters and precursors concentration. Fine particles (\(\hbox {PM}_{2.5}\)) cause loss of ozone through heterogeneous reactions on their surface and reduction in solar radiation. In the study, statistical analyses were used to estimate the amount of ozone loss.     

A study on the adsorption of chromium on laterite from Guizhou Province,China

The adsorption behaviors of Cr(VI) on laterite from Guizhou Province were studied in this paper, and the adsorption mechanism was discussed as well. Results showed that different mineral compositions in the laterite would cause differences in the capacity of laterite to absorb Cr(VI). Gibbsite, iron oxide minerals and non-crystalloids are the main contributors to enhancing the capacity of laterite to absorb Cr(VI). The pH of the solution is an important factor affecting the adsorption of Cr(VI) on laterite. Acidic environment (pH=2–5) is favorable to the adsorption of Cr(VI). The amount of adsorbed Cr(VI) decreases with increasing pH of the solution. With increasing initial concentrations of Cr(VI), the amount of adsorbed Cr(VI) increases first, and then decreases. The optimal adsorption concentration of Cr(VI) on laterite is 250 μg/mL. The adsorption of Cr(VI) on laterite is a rapid process, about 80% Cr(VI) will be adsorbed within 2 hours. And the adsorption of Cr(VI) on kaolinite is a slow process.     

The population of cosmic voids

We consider the main population of cosmic voids in a heirarchical clustering model. Based on the Press-Schechter formalism modified for regions in the Universe with reduced or enhanced matter densities, we construct the mass functions for gravitationally bound objects of dark matter occupying voids or superclusters. We show that the halo mass functions in voids and superclusters differ substantially. In particular, the spatial density of massive (M ～ 10¹² M _⊙) halos is appreciably lower in voids than in superclusters, with the difference in the mass functions being greater for larger masses. According to our computations, an appreciable fraction of the mass of matter in voids should be preserved to the present epoch in the form of primordial gravitationally bound objects (POs) with modest masses (to 10% for M _PO < 10⁹ M _⊙) keeping baryons. These primordial objects represent “primary blocks” in the heirarchical clustering model. We argue that the oldest globular clusters in the central regions of massive galaxies are the stellar remnants of these primordial objects: they can form in molecular clouds in these objects, only later being captured in the central regions of massive galaxies in the process of gravitational clustering. Primordial objects in voids can be observed as weak dwarf galaxies or Lyα absorption systems.