An Overview of Thunderstorm-Related Research on the Atmospheric Electric Field, Schumann Resonances, Sprites, and the Ionosphere at Sopron, Hungary

This paper gives a resume of the papers written in English which (a) describe some of the recording instruments in use at the Nagycenk Observatory (NCK) since the International Geophysical Year (IGY 1957–1958) and up to the present time, (b) summarise the most important and different types of observations associated with thunderstorms which have been made there, and (c) discuss their various geophysical interpretations. The paper describes the main results which have been obtained in four areas of thunderstorm associated atmospheric and geospace science within the context of Earth system science. These relate to the following parameters of atmospheric electricity: the vertical electric potential gradient just above the Earth’s surface and the air–Earth current as well as the point discharge current, Schumann resonance (SR) signals of the Earth-ionosphere cavity at 8, 14 and 20 Hz, transient luminous events (TLEs), and some aspects of the behaviour of the ionosphere. Deductions from these data sets are concerned with the global lightning activity and the conductivity of the air, with diurnal, seasonal, annual and long-term variations of the SR amplitudes and resonant frequencies in terms of migrating thunderstorm centres, with transient SR excitations and with sprites and other TLEs, and with ionospheric disturbances. The paper closes with some thoughts on future research directions based on the observations at NCK and Sopron and the results achieved since the IGY.     

Numerical investigation of the orbit of Interball‐1

We investigated the motion of the Earth's artificial satellite Interball‐1 by using a method suitable for the computation of large eccentricity orbits. Though the measured and the computed orbital elements differ from each other within the measured error bound, we found a slight tendency for secular decreasing in the semi‐major axis, caused probably by electromagnetic drag. We analysed the dominant role of the Moon in the variations of the orbital eccentricity, leading to zero perigee height and the end of the lifetime of the satellite. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Oligo-Miocene granitic magmatism in central Vietnam and implications for continental deformation in Indochina

Two granitoid intrusions within the Bu Khang extensional complex in central Vietnam have been dated by U–Pb and Rb–Sr geochronology. A monazite U–Pb age of 26.0 ± 0.2 (2σ) Myr was obtained for the Bu Khang pluton and 23.7 + 1.6/–1.7 Myr for monazite, allanite and zircon from the Dai Loc intrusion. These ages date crystallization of magmas previously assigned Precambrian to Devonian. Rb–Sr analyses of K-feldspar and biotite fractions from the samples yield ages of 19.8 ± 0.6 (2σ) Myr and 19.6 ± 0.5 Myr, respectively. The thermal history recorded by the different geochronometers implies an average exhumation rate of ∼2 mm yr⁻¹ corresponding to ∼9 km of unroofing. Magmatism was either (i) induced passively by lithospheric thinning driven by changes in regional tectonic stresses, or (ii) triggered actively by an ascending plume. Tertiary exhumation and magmatism documented elsewhere in Indochina (e.g. Ailao Shan-Red River and Wang Chao shear zones) favours a regional tectonic cause for extension and granitoid magmatism in the Bu Khang complex. On the other hand, the presence of an upwelling thermal anomaly since at least 35 Ma, causing mantle melting below Indochina, is supported by shear-wave velocity variations in the mantle, and source geochemistry of both the Bu Khang plutons and the Red River belt intrusions. In either case, Tertiary exhumation of the Bu Khang complex can account for previously undocumented NE–SW-directed extension, which is required in northern Vietnam to account for structural changes related to the opening of the South China Sea.     

Propagation of pressure shocks in radiating fluids with variable transport coefficients

The propagation of pressure shocks in a viscous, heat-conducting, and radiating magnetofluid of finite electric conductivity is studied. The equilibrium diffusion approximation of the radiation field is applied. After determining the velocity of the wave front, a differential equation governing the shock strength during propagation is derived. The effects of radiation pressure, radiation flux, and variation of the transport coefficients on the propagation are examined.     

Reaction pathways for quartz dissolution determined by statistical and graphical analysis of macroscopic experimental data

In light of recent work on the reactivity of specific sites on large (hydr)oxo-molecules and the evolution of surface topography during dissolution, we examined the ability to extract molecular-scale reaction pathways from macroscopic dissolution and surface charge measurements of powdered minerals using an approach that involved regression of multiple datasets and statistical graphical analysis of model fits. The test case (far-from-equilibrium quartz dissolution from 25 to 300 °C, pH 1-12, in solutions with [Na⁺] ? 0.5 M) avoids the objections to this goal raised in these recent studies. The strategy was used to assess several mechanistic rate laws, and was more powerful in distinguishing between models than the statistical approaches employed previously. The best-fit model included three mechanisms—two involving hydrolysis of Si centers by H₂O next to neutral (>Si-OH⁰) and deprotonated (>Si-O⁻) silanol groups, and one involving hydrolysis of Si centers by OH⁻. The model rate law is

     

Local geoid computation from gravity using the fast fourier transform technique

Model computations were performed for the study of numerical errors which are interjected into local geoid computations byFFT. The gravity field model was generated through the attractions of granitic prisms derived from actual geology. Changes in sampling interval introduced only0.3 cm variation in geoid heights. Although zero padding alone provided an improvement of more than5 cm in theFFT generated geoid, the combination of spectral windowing (tapering) and padding further reduced numerical errors. For theGPS survey of Franklin County, Ohio, the parameters selected as a result of model computations, allow large reduction in local data requirements while still retaining the centimeter accuracy when tapering and padding is applied.     

Amino acids derived from Titan tholins

An organic heteropolymer (Titan tholin) was produced by continuous dc discharge through a 0.9 N2/0.1 CH4 gas mixture at 0.2 mbar pressure, roughly simulating the cloudtop atmosphere of Titan. Treatment of this tholin with 6N HCl yielded 16 amino acids by gas chromatography after derivatization of N-trifluroacetyl isopropyl esters on two different capillary columns. Identifications were confirmed by GC/MS. Glycine, aspartic acid, and alpha- and beta-alanine were produced in greatest abundance; the total yield of amino acids was approximately 10(-2), approximately equal to the yield of urea. The presence of "nonbiological" amino acids, the absence of serine, and the fact that the amino acids are racemic within experimental error together indicate that these molecules are not due to microbial or other contamination, but are derived from the tholin. In addition to the HCN, HC2CN, and (CN)2 found by Voyager, nitriles and aminonitriles should be sought in the Titanian atmosphere and, eventually, amino acids on the surface. These results suggest that episodes of liquid water in the past or future of Titan might lead to major further steps in prebiological organic chemistry on that body.