Meso- and bathy-pelagic fish parasites at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR): Low host specificity and restricted parasite diversity

Seven meso- and bathy-pelagic fish species from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) were firstly studied for fish parasites and feeding ecology. With a total of seven parasite species, the 247 meso- and bathy-pelagic deep-sea fish specimens belonging to the families Melamphaidae (3 spp.), Myctophidae (3 spp.) and Stomiidae (1 sp.) revealed low parasite diversity. The genetically identified nematodes Anisakis simplex (s.s.) and Anisakis pegreffii from the body cavity, liver and muscles of Myctophum punctatum were the most abundant parasites, reaching a prevalence of 91.4% and mean intensity of 3.1 (1–14). Anisakis sp. (unidentified) infected Chauliodus sloani and Poromitra crassiceps. Bothriocephalidean and tetraphyllidean cestode larvae infected Benthosema glaciale, the latter also occurring in C. sloani and Scopelogadus beanii, at low prevalences. Adult parasites at low infection rates included the digenean Lethadena sp. (2.9%), and the two copepod species Sarcotretes scopeli (5.7%) and Tautochondria dolichoura (5.3–11.4%). The myctophid Lampanyctus macdonaldi and the melamphaid Scopelogadus mizolepis mizolepis were free of parasites. Analyses of the stomach contents revealed crustaceans, especially copepods and euphausiids for the myctophids and also amphipods for the melamphaids as predominant prey items. While all stomachs showing distinct content comprising often unidentified ‘tissue’ (possibly gelatinous zooplankton), only C. sloani preyed upon fish. Though this feeding habit would enable transfer of a variety of crustacean-transmitted parasites into the fish, the parasite fauna in the meso- and bathy-pelagic fish was species poor. All observed parasites showed low host specificity, demonstrating no distinct pattern of host–parasite co-evolution. The MAR is no barrier for the parasite distribution in the North Atlantic meso- and bathy-pelagial.     

Spectral Features of Photon Bubble Models of Ultraluminous X-ray Sources

The nature of Ultraluminous X-ray Sources – X-ray sources which exceed the Eddington luminosity for a ∼10 M _⊙ black hole – remains a mystery. One possible explanation is an inhomogeneous accretion disk around a solar mass black hole where photon transport through radiation-pressure dominated “photon bubbles” can lead to super-Eddington accretion. While previous studies of this model have focused primarily on its radiation-hydrodynamics aspects, here we explore some observational implications of such a model with a Monte Carlo–Fokker Planck radiation transport code.     

New estimates of rapid sea-floor spreading rates and the identification of young magnetic anomalies on the East Pacific rise, 6° and 11° S

Detailed surveys of the crest of the East Pacific Rise at 6° and 11°S form the basis for estimates of sea-floor spreading rates of 8.2 and 8.3 cm/yr, respectively. These estimates are significantly higher than previous ones of 6.5 to 7.5 cm/yr. The high quality of the magnetic profile at 6°S allows identification of shorter magnetic events such as the two Olduvai events of Cox. DSDP drill-hole data indicate that the present spreading rates have persisted throughout the Cenozoic.     

An earthquake catalogue for Turkey for the interval 1913–1970

An earthquake catalogue has been prepared for the whole area of Turkey (within latitudes 35.5° N to 42.5°N and longitudes 25.5°E to 45.0°E) for the years 1913 to 1970. By computer recalculation of all source parameters and by using a consistent system for magnitude determinations, we have aimed at the highest possible homogeneity and completeness within the limits given.     

Earthquake magnitude — recent research and current trends

The magnitude recommendations adopted by the IASPEI Assembly at Zürich in 1967 have had both a stabilizing and a stimulating effect on magnitude determinations and related research. From 1967 onwards, one magnitude research paper has appeared on the average almost every week, thus making this parameter the most studied one in seismology. New facilities and more accurate methods, e.g., concerning instrumental equipment and interpretation techniques, have made it possible to improve earlier achievements. The application of magnitude scales has been extended in all respects, e.g., with regard to epicentral distances, focal depths, wave types and wave periods. Magnitude—frequency relations have become the most investigated equations within seismology, observationally as well as theoretically. They have wide applications, e.g., for estimating the maximum magnitudes of future earthquakes — an important item in earthquake prediction. The magnitudes provide significant information on other source parameters, such as wave energy, fault length, seismic moment. Relations between different types of magnitude yield valuable information on source properties. For instance, relations between magnitudes based on body and surface waves are used for efficient discrimination between earthquakes and underground explosions. It is our purpose to review the magnitude development in the post-Zürich period (1967–1980), partly for geologists, tectonophysicists and engineers, who need an overview, partly for seismologists, who need an introduction to an overwhelmingly comprehensive literature.     

Fracture risk estimation for Swedish earthquakes

For Swedish earthquakes, the average magnitude increases gently with the focal depth, whereas the seismic wave energy exhibits significant maxima at 15, 23 and 28 km depth. The earthquake fracture risk is estimated to be about 10^?6 for an underground storage facility in a carefully selected site.     

Seismic energy mapping applied to Sweden

The release of seismic wave energy provides a dynamic seismicity parameter of general applicability. The moving-block method is used for the seismic energy mapping of Sweden. On this basis, some general problems connected with such mapping are discussed. Maps of this type may be useful for estimating other related quantities, e.g., the maximum magnitude to be expected at any point.     

Focal depth distribution of Swedish earthquakes

Instrumental and macroseismic focal depths of Swedish earthquakes show statistically a high degree of correlation. The majority of the earthquakes is located in the lower granite, probably associated with a low-velocity layer, whereas crustal discontinuities appear to be relatively less seismic.