Testing tidal-torque theory – II. Alignment of inertia and shear and the characteristics of protohaloes

We investigate the cross-talk between the two key components of tidal-torque theory, the inertia ( I ) and shear ( T ) tensors, using a cosmological N -body simulation with thousands of well-resolved haloes. We find that the principal axes of I and T are strongly aligned , even though I characterizes the protohalo locally while T is determined by the large-scale structure. Thus, the resultant galactic spin, which plays a key role in galaxy formation, is only a residual due to ∼10 per cent deviations from the perfect alignment of T and I . The   T – I   correlation induces a weak tendency for the protohalo spin to be perpendicular to the major axes of T and I , but this correlation is erased by non-linear effects at late times, making the observed spins poor indicators of the initial shear field.
However, the   T – I   correlation implies that the shear tensor can be used for identifying the positions and boundaries of protohaloes in cosmological initial conditions – a missing piece in galaxy formation theory. The typical configuration is of a prolate protohalo lying perpendicular to a large-scale high-density ridge, with the surrounding voids inducing compression along the major and intermediate inertia axes of the protohalo. This leads to a transient sub-halo filament along the large-scale ridge, whose subclumps then flow along the filament and merge into the final halo.
The centres of protohaloes tend to lie in ∼1 σ overdensity regions, but their association with linear density maxima smoothed on galactic scales is vague: only ∼40 per cent of the protohaloes contain peaks. Several other characteristics distinguish protohaloes from density peaks, e.g. they tend to compress along two principal axes while many peaks compress along three axes.     

Cosmic and Galactic neutrino backgrounds from thermonuclear sources

We estimate energy spectra and fluxes at the Earth’s surface of the cosmic and Galactic neutrino backgrounds produced by thermonuclear reactions in stars. The extra-galactic component is obtained by combining the most recent estimates of the cosmic star formation history and the stellar initial mass function with accurate theoretical predictions of the neutrino yields all over the thermonuclear lifetime of stars of different masses. Models of the structure and evolution of the Milky Way are used to derive maps of the expected flux generated by Galactic sources as a function of sky direction. The predicted neutrino backgrounds depend only slightly on model parameters. In the relevant 50 keV–10 MeV window, the total flux of cosmic neutrinos ranges between 20 and 65 cm⁻² s⁻¹. Neutrinos reaching the Earth today have been typically emitted at redshift z2. Their energy spectrum peaks at E0.1–0.3 MeV. The energy and entropy densities of the cosmic background are negligible with respect to the thermal contribution of relic neutrinos originated in the early universe. In every sky direction, the cosmic background is outnumbered by the Galactic one, whose integrated flux amounts to 300–1000 cm⁻² s⁻¹. The emission from stars in the Galactic disk contributes more than 95% of the signal.     

The intracratonic Caraíbas–Itacarambi earthquake of December 09, 2007 (4.9 mb), Minas Gerais State,Brazil

On December 9, 2007, a 4.9 m_b earthquake occurred in the middle of the São Francisco Craton, in a region with no known previous activity larger than 4 m_b. This event reached intensity VII MM (Modified Mercalli) causing the first fatal victim in Brazil. The activity had started in May 25, 2007 with a 3.5 magnitude event and continued for several months, motivating the deployment of a local 6-station network. A three week seismic quiescence was observed before the mainshock. Initial absolute hypocenters were calculated with best fitting velocity models and then relative locations were determined with hypoDD. The aftershock distribution indicates a 3 km long rupture for the mainshock. The fault plane solution, based on P-wave polarities and hypocentral trend, indicates a reverse faulting mechanism on a N30°Ε striking plane dipping about 40° to the SE. The rupture depth extends from about 0.3 to 1.2 km only. Despite the shallow depth of the mainshock, no surface feature could be correlated with the fault plane. Aeromagnetic data in the epicentral area show short-wavelength lineaments trending NNE–SSW to NE–SW which we interpret as faults and fractures in the craton basement beneath the surface limestone layer. We propose that the Caraíbas–Itacarambi seismicity is probably associated with reactivation of these basement fractures and faults under the present E–W compressional stress field in this region of the South American Plate.     

A Moon-borne electromagnetic calorimeter

We discuss an electromagnetic sampling calorimeter for the detection of very high energy gamma-rays on the Moon, which is based on the use of scintillating cylinders and plates imbedded in the lunar soil. The use of lunar soil as a calorimeter radiator reduces the weight of the material to be transported to the Moon and minimises environmental impact. Plastic scintillator bars inserted into the regolith about 1.5 m are the active elements of this instrument: at the surface, each bar is terminated by a plastic scintillator plate to veto high energy charge particles. The readout system for the scintillator bars and plates are based on recently developed single photon solid state detectors (Silicon Photomultiplier, SiPM), extremely compact, sturdy and sensitive devices suited for detecting small light pulses in a space experiment. The performance of a regolith-scintillator calorimeter is evaluated and the relevant parameters are optimised using a GEANT4 simulation.     

Molecular beam study on BaO and SrO formation for clarifying interaction of metal-vapors with upper atmosphere oxygen

In crossed-beam experiments, reactive cross-sections for the oxidation of groundstate Ba and Sr atoms by oxygen molecules were determined over a wide range of relative collisional energies (0.1–1 eV). On the basis of rate constants, thus derived, it is shown that Ba oxidation in upper atmosphere releases proceeds predominantly via optically pumped metastable Ba states, whereas SrO concentrations will be too low to be seen, because an equilibrium unfavorable to oxide formation is established.     

The bias field of dark matter haloes

Accepted 1998 January 26. Received 1998 January 26; in original form 1997 August 13This paper presents a stochastic approach to the clustering evolution of dark matter haloes in the Universe. Haloes, identified by a Press–Schechter-type algorithm in Lagrangian space, are described in terms of 'counting fields', acting as non-linear operators on the underlying Gaussian density fluctuations. By ensemble-averaging these counting fields, the standard Press–Schechter mass function as well as analytic expressions for the halo correlation function and corresponding bias factors of linear theory are obtained, extending the recent results by Mo & White. The non-linear evolution of our halo population is then followed by solving the continuity equation, under the sole hypothesis that haloes move by the action of gravity. This leads to an exact and general formula for the bias field of dark matter haloes, defined as the local ratio between their number density contrast and the mass density fluctuation. Besides being a function of position and 'observation' redshift, this random field depends upon the mass and formation epoch of the objects and is both non-linear and non-local. The latter features are expected to leave a detectable imprint on the spatial clustering of galaxies, as described, for instance, by statistics like the bispectrum and the skewness. Our algorithm may have several interesting applications, among which is the possibility of generating mock halo catalogues from low-resolution N -body simulations.     

Excursion set approach to the clustering of dark matter haloes in Lagrangian space

We present a stochastic approach to the spatial clustering of dark matter haloes in Lagrangian space. Our formalism is based on a local formulation of the 'excursion set' approach by Bond et al., which automatically accounts for the 'cloud-in-cloud' problem in the identification of bound systems. Our method allows us to calculate correlation functions of haloes in Lagrangian space using either a multidimensional Fokker–Planck equation with suitable boundary conditions, or an array of Langevin equations with spatially correlated random forces. We compare the results of our method with theoretical predictions for the halo autocorrelation function considered in the literature, and find good agreement with the results recently obtained within a treatment of halo clustering in terms of 'counting fields' by Catelan et al. Finally, the possible effect of spatial correlations on numerical simulations of halo merger trees is discussed.     

Comment on “Structural controls on a carbon dioxide-driven mud volcano field in the Northern Apennines (Pieve Santo Stefano, Italy): Relations with pre-existing steep discontinuities and seismicity”

Bonini (2009, Structural controls on a carbon dioxide-driven mud volcano field in the Northern Apennines (Pieve Santo Stefano, Italy): relations with pre-existing steep discontinuities and seismicity. Journal of Structural Geology 31, 44–54) presents a 2D mechanical analysis to infer the failure conditions responsible for the seismicity distribution during an M_w = 4.6 seismic sequence nucleating during 2001 in the Northern Apennines. In my view the mechanical analysis presented in this paper has some weakness or is not well constrained, in particular: 1) the assumption of a dip angle of 50°, is not consistent with the activated structures; 2) the P_f = σ₃ condition, difficult to be attained along a cohesionless fault dipping at 50°; 3) the isotropic stress state, i.e. σ₂ = σ₃, that is not consistent with the active or recent stress field in the area.     

Metamorphism and exhumation of basement gneiss domes in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero:Two stage dome-and-keel evolution?

The presence of dome-and-keel provinces in Archean cratons has been connected with the initiation of plate tectonics on Earth as these features are most commonly observed in Archean rocks.The Quadrilátero Ferrífero in Brazil has been identified as a Paleoproterozoic dome-and-keel province for more than three decades.The prevailing model suggests that it formed during the Rhyacian Transamazonian orogeny,making it unique among dome-and-keel provinces.However,a lack of appropriate lithologies,datable minerals and the metamorphic overprint of later orogenesis has resulted in a cryptic metamorphic record for the formation of this dome-and-keel province.A clinopyroxene-bearing migmatite from the core of the Ba??o dome has peak P-T conditions of 5-7 kbar and 700-750 ℃ and a published age of ca.2730 Ma based on U-Pb ages of zircon from leucosomes,suggesting that this age represents the migmatisation event.A fine-grained epidote-albite-titanite assemblage overprints the coarse-grained clinopyroxene and amphibole,giving P-7 conditions of 8-9 kbar and 550 ℃ with an associated titanite age of ca.2050 Ma.A garnet-bearing amphibolite sample also from the core of the dome has peak P-T conditions of 7-8 kbar and 650-700 ℃,and texturally late titanite from this sample produces an age of ca.2060 Ma.Three additional samples were collected from the edges of the dome.A garnet-gedrite bearing felsic schist produces peak P-T conditions of 8-9 kbar and 650-700℃ on a clockwise P-T evolution.This sample has a U-Pb zircon age of ca.2775 Ma,which could date metamorphism or be the age of its volcaniclastic protolith.Texturally unconstrained titanite from the sample gives an age of ca.2040 Ma.A garnet-bearing amphibolite that occurs as a boudin within the felsic schist gives both zircon and titanite ages of ca.2050 Ma and has peak P-T conditions of 5-6 kbar and 650-700 ℃ on a near isobaric P-T path.An amphibolite dike,observed to cross-cut the felsic schist produces a zircon U-Pb age of ca.2760 Ma.Altogether this data suggests that the samples were metamorphosed in the Archean(ca.2775-2730 Ma)and again during the Transamazonian event.The most plausible explanation for this data is that dome-and-keel formation occurred in the Archean with migmatisation and high-temperature metamorphism occurring at this time.The Paleoproterozoic event is interpreted as a reactivation of the dome-and-keel formation structures,with Paleoproterozoic keels crosscutting Archean keels and producing metamorphic aureoles.The high radiogenic heat production and the presence of dense sedimentary successions in Archean terranes make dome-and-keel provinces a uniquely Archean feature,but they are susceptible to reworking,resulting in an enigmatic record of formation.