The origin of galactic magnetic fields

In this article it is argued that galactic magnetic fields are generated in the earliest moments of galaxy collapse. Our model proposes that provided, even if only briefly, a supermassive star is formed early on in the galaxy formation process, this star can produce a strong centrally localized magnetic field which may act as the seed field from which a galactic field can grow. In order to substantiate this model, detailed numerical calculations will be required.     

Tidal circularization in massive binaries

We consider the time-scale of orbital circularization for those massive binary systems that produce WR+C systems. Using the observation that such systems have acquired circular orbits on a time-scale of the order of the Main-Sequence lifetime of the initial secondary, we estimate the intrinsic time-scale of the tidal interaction ₀. We find that the tidal dissipation in such systems is very efficient and that, on the average, ₀ ~ 10³ yr.     

A fast technique for improved 3-dimensional mapping of the solar corona

To obtain improved maps of the coronal electron density distribution we have devised an iterative technique in which an approximation of the unknown distribution is successively modified to reduce discrepancies with the original data. With this technique we can now map the corona to a much finer resolution than shown in our previous papers, without greatly increasing the computational cost. The series representation of density may now contain more than 23 000 terms compared with previous limit of 128. This results in a fourfold increase in linear resolution, so that features about a tenth of a solar radius in width are now separated. The iteration algorithm can be adjusted to apply a mathematically optimal correction to a given approximation of the density. Although this correction minimizes noise levels, a cheaper version of the algorithm yields a better result.     

Mass motions associated with solar flares

Mass motions are a principal means by which components of solar flares can be distinguished. Typical patterns of mass motions in H are described for chromospheric flare ribbons, remote chromospheric flare patches, flare loops, flaring arches, surges, erupting filaments and some expanding coronal features. Interrelationships between these phenomena are discussed and illustrations of each are presented.     

The spatial stability of alcohol outlets and crime in post‐disaster Christchurch,New Zealand

The devastating Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 left an indelible mark on the city of Christchurch. The social and economic upheaval that immediately followed the Earthquakes has, in time, been replaced with a period of rebuild and transformation. In this study we investigate the effects that the Canterbury Earthquakes had on two important and inter‐related phenomena in the city: alcohol availability and crime. More specifically, we investigate how alcohol outlets and crime across six different categories changed in magnitude and spatial distribution pre‐ (end‐2009) and post‐ (end‐2014) earthquake. We do this using a variety of geospatial techniques including a relatively new method: the spatial point pattern test which allows for the identification of changes in spatial patterns at the local level. Results indicate that both alcohol outlets and crime have decreased in magnitude since the Canterbury Earthquakes. Using the spatial point pattern test we found statistically significant differences in spatial point patterns for both alcohol outlets and all crime types pre‐ to post‐earthquake. The similarity in the differences of the spatial distributions of alcohol outlets and crime provides a first empirical clue of their potential association in the city post‐earthquake.     

A curious case of agreement between conventional thermobarometry and phase equilibria modelling in granulites: New constraints on P–T estimates in the Antarctica segment of the Musgrave–Albany–Fraser–Wilkes Orogen

The Windmill Islands region in Wilkes Land, east Antarctica, preserves granulite facies metamorphic mineral assemblages that yield seemingly comparable P–T estimates from conventional thermobarometry and mineral equilibria modelling. This is uncommon in granulite facies terranes, where conventional thermobarometry and phase equilibria modelling generally produce conflicting P–T estimates because peak mineral compositions tend to be modified by retrograde diffusion processes. In situ U–Pb monazite geochronology and calculated metamorphic phase diagrams show that the Windmill Islands experienced two phases of high thermal gradient metamorphism during the Mesoproterozoic. The first phase of metamorphism is recorded by monazite ages in two widely separated samples and occurred at c. 1,305 Ma. This event was regional in extent, involved crustally derived magmatism and reached conditions of ~3.2–5 kbar and 690–770°C corresponding to very high thermal gradients of >150°C/kbar. The elevated thermal regime is interpreted to reflect a period of extension or increased extension in a back‐arc setting that existed prior to c. 1,330 Ma. The first metamorphic event was overprinted by granulite facies metamorphism at c. 1,180 Ma that was coeval with the intrusion of charnockite. This event involved peak temperatures of ~840–850°C and pressures of ~4–5 kbar. A phase of granitic magmatism at c. 1,250–1,210 Ma, prior to the intrusion of the charnockite, is interpreted to reflect a phase of compression within an overall back‐arc setting. Existing conventional thermobarometry suggests conditions of ~4 kbar and 750°C for M₁ and 4–7 kbar and 750–900°C for M₂. The apparent similarities between the phase equilibria modelling and existing conventional thermobarometry may suggest either that the terrane cooled relatively quickly, or that the P–T ranges obtained from conventional thermobarometry are sufficiently imprecise that they cover the range of P–T conditions obtained in this study. However, without phase equilibria modelling, the veracity of existing conventional P–T estimates cannot be evaluated. The calculated phase diagrams from this study allow the direct comparison of P–T conditions in the Windmill Islands with phase equilibria models from other regions in the Musgrave–Albany–Fraser–Wilkes Orogen. This shows that the metamorphic evolution of the Wilkes Land region is very similar to that of the eastern Albany–Fraser Orogen and Musgrave Province in Australia, and further demonstrates the remarkable consistency in the timing of metamorphism and the thermal gradients along the ~5,000 km strike length of this system.     

Have applications of continuous rainfall–runoff simulation realized the vision for process‐based flood frequency analysis?

Keith Beven was amongst the first to propose and demonstrate a combination of conceptual rainfall–runoff modelling and stochastically generated rainfall data in what is known as the ‘continuous simulation’ approach for flood frequency analysis. The motivations included the potential to establish better links with physical processes and to avoid restrictive assumptions inherent in existing methods applied in design flood studies. Subsequently, attempts have been made to establish continuous simulation as a routine method for flood frequency analysis, particularly in the UK. The approach has not been adopted universally, but numerous studies have benefitted from applications of continuous simulation methods. This paper asks whether industry has yet realized the vision of the pioneering research by Beven and others. It reviews the generic methodology and illustrates applications of the original vision for a more physically realistic approach to flood frequency analysis through a set of practical case studies, highlighting why continuous simulation was useful and appropriate in each case. The case studies illustrate how continuous simulation has helped to offer users of flood frequency analysis more confidence about model results by avoiding (or exposing) bad assumptions relating to catchment heterogeneity, inappropriateness of assumptions made in (UK) industry‐standard design event flood estimation methods, and the representation of engineered or natural dynamic controls on flood flows. By implementing the vision for physically realistic analysis of flood frequency through continuous simulation, each of these examples illustrates how more relevant and improved information was provided for flood risk decision‐making than would have been possible using standard methods. They further demonstrate that integrating engineered infrastructure into flood frequency analysis and assessment of environmental change are also significant motivations for adopting the continuous simulation approach in practice. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Field theoretical techniques in statistical fluid dynamics: With application to nonlinear wave dynamics

Abstract

A derivation of two-point Markovian closure is presented in classical statistical field theory formalism. It is emphasized that the procedures used in this derivation are equivalent to those employed in the quantum statistical field theory derivation of the Boltzmann equation. Application of these techniques to the study of two-dimensional flow on a β-plane yields a quasi-homogeneous, quasi-stationary transport equation and a renormalized dispersion relation for Rossby waves     

Developments in budget remote sensing for the geosciences

Acquiring outcrop, landform or other surface topography data in the field for the geosciences has always been challenging. Accessibility is often a problem, time is usually limited and an ideal spatial and temporal coverage often has to be compromised to be more manageable. However, emerging technologies, and some re-inventions of rather older ones, can overcome many of these constraints in a very exciting and budget-friendly manner. This article briefly introduces and reviews four major recent developments in budget remote sensing, specifically the use of blimps, kites, drones or UAVs (including quadcopters), and structure from motion (SFM) software. Both scientific and applied case studies are given and some possibilities for future studies are highlighted. Overall, the potential for these technologies to revolutionise the geosciences is clear and should be opportunistically embraced by scientists, resource and hazard managers and educators alike.     

Reducing vertical acceleration in ballast layers of railways to mitigate geometrical disorders in high‐speed lines

According to field feedbacks from high‐speed lines (HSL), the increase of train operating speeds is responsible for unusual fast evolving geometrical disorders in ballasted tracks. This paper deals with the search of solutions applicable at the design stage to mitigate these disorders. The starting point of the present work relies on the assumption, comforted by the literature, of a strong correlation between disorders and vertical accelerations in the ballast layer induced by the train passages. This led us focus herein on the calculation and the analysis of accelerations in the railway structure. The vertical accelerations (γ_z) are computed using the in‐house developed numerical program ViscoRail and on the basis of a reference HSL. These are shown to increase strongly with the train speed attesting to the link between the train speed and the geometrical disorders in ballast. Then, other simulations are run varying some structural parameters to evaluate their impact on the acceleration field γ_z. In that way, we show that decreasing the stiffness of the mechanical connection between the rails and the ballast, increasing the moment of inertia of the rails or the Young modulus of the sub‐ballast layer, leads to a decrease of γ_z and could provide solutions for the design of future HSL. The solution consisting in the incorporation of an asphalt sub‐ballast layer, as already experimented on sites, is finally examined in more details. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.