Source mechanism of volcanic tremor: fluid-driven crack models and their application to the 1963 kilauea eruption

We propose a model for the mechanism of magma transport based on a fluid-filled tensile crack driven by the excess pressure of fluid. Such a transport mechanism can generate seismic waves by a succession of jerky crack extensions, if the fracture strength of rock varies in space, or if there is a difference between the dynamic and static values of the critical stress intensity factor. We also find that the opening and closing of a narrow channel connecting two fluid-filled cracks may be a source of seismic waves. Using the finite-difference method, we calculated the vibration of dry and fluid-filled cracks generated by: (1) a jerky extension at one end or at both ends and (2) a jerky opening of a narrow channel connecting two cracks. We then calculated the far-field and near-field radiation from these vibrating cracks. The spectra show peaked structures, but interestingly, most high-frequency peaks are only present in the near-field and cannot be transmitted to the far-field. The spectral features described above are often observed for volcanic tremors and in some cases for seismic signals associated with hydraulic fracturing experiments.We first consider as a model of volcanic tremor randomly occurring jerky crack extensions, and derive a formula relating the tremor amplitude to the excess pressure in the magma, the incremental area in each extension, and the frequency of extensions. These parameters are also constrained by other observations, such as the rate of magma flow.Our model was tested quantitatively against observations made in one of the best-described case histories of volcanic tremor: the October 5–6, 1963 Kilauea flank eruption. We found that a single, long crack extending from the summit to the eruptive site cannot explain the observations. The model of a steadily expanding crack ran into difficulties when quantitative comparisons were made with observations. The extension of crack area needed to explain the amplitude of volcanic tremor should accompany a large increase in tremor period which was not observed.Our second model is a chain of cracks connected by narrow channels which open and close. The length of each crack is around 1 km, the channel area connecting neighboring cracks is about 10³m², and the channel opens jerkily with the magmatic excess pressure of about 20 bars. The frequency of jerky opening of each channel is about once in 15 seconds. The channel is closed after each jerky opening, as soon as magma is moved through the channel.     

Is rainfall intensity significant in the rainfall–runoff process within tropical rainforests of northeast Queensland? The Hewlett regression analyses revisited

Following the statistical analyses of long‐term rainfall‐runoff records from research basins in humid temperate latitudes, Hewlett and co‐workers extended the global challenge to disprove their findings that rainfall intensity was non‐significant. This paper responds to Hewlett's challenge as no preceding analyses have involved forested basins in a tropical cyclone‐prone area. Based on a 7 year rainfall‐runoff record, quickflow (QF), peak flow (QP) and quickflow response ratios (QRR) were regressed as dependent variables against rainfall parameters (intensity, P_i, amount, P), storm duration, D and antecedent flow, I. These data sets were categorised into total streamflow (Q) classes and stratified into three seasons, (monsoon, post‐monsoon and dry) for forested and cleared catchments. Where rainfall variable collinearity met acceptable levels, the addition of P_i to regression models including P, D, I contributed up to 9% and 66% of the respective variations in quickflow and peak flow. For the highest Q storm classes (monsoon), P_i alone accounted for up to 67% and 91% of the variation in Q_F and Q_P respectively and was the dominant influence on Q_P for all seasons. The very high rainfall intensities experienced in the monsoon season is a causal factor why these results differ from those of other research drainage basins. Surprisingly, P_i continued to have a significant influence on Q_F for dry season classes when less‐intense rainfall occurs. Further the results were similar for both catchments across all seasons. P was the dominant independent variable affecting Q_F above a threshold Q of 50 mm (monsoon), as rainfall contributes directly to saturation overland flow and return flow under saturated conditions. Further although QRR increased with increasing Q for each season, the regression results for that parameter were poor possibly due to the non‐linearity of the rainfall‐runoff relationship. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

U–Pb and Th–Pb dating of apatite by LA-ICPMS

Apatite is a common U- and Th-bearing accessory mineral in igneous and metamorphic rocks, and a minor but widespread detrital component in clastic sedimentary rocks. U–Pb and Th–Pb dating of apatite has potential application in sedimentary provenance studies, as it likely represents first cycle detritus compared to the polycyclic behavior of zircon. However, low U, Th and radiogenic Pb concentrations, elevated common Pb and the lack of a U–Th–Pb apatite standard remain significant challenges in dating apatite by LA-ICPMS, and consequently in developing the chronometer as a provenance tool.This study has determined U–Pb and Th–Pb ages for seven well known apatite occurrences (Durango, Emerald Lake, Kovdor, Mineville, Mud Tank, Otter Lake and Slyudyanka) by LA-ICPMS. Analytical procedures involved rastering a 10 μm spot over a 40 × 40 μm square to a depth of 10 μm using a Geolas 193 nm ArF excimer laser coupled to a Thermo ElementXR single-collector ICPMS. These raster conditions minimized laser-induced inter-element fractionation, which was corrected for using the back-calculated intercept of the time-resolved signal. A Tl–U–Bi–Np tracer solution was aspirated with the sample into the plasma to correct for instrument mass bias. External standards (Ple?ovice and 91500 zircon, NIST SRM 610 and 612 silicate glasses and STDP5 phosphate glass) along with Kovdor apatite were analyzed to monitor U–Pb, Th–Pb, U–Th and Pb–Pb ratiosCommon Pb correction employed the ²⁰⁷Pb method, and also a ²⁰⁸Pb correction method for samples with low Th/U. The ²⁰⁷Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb corrections employed either the initial Pb isotopic composition or the Stacey and Kramers model and propagated conservative uncertainties in the initial Pb isotopic composition. Common Pb correction using the Stacey and Kramers (1975) model employed an initial Pb isotopic composition calculated from either the estimated U–Pb age of the sample or an iterative approach. The age difference between these two methods is typically less than 2%, suggesting that the iterative approach works well for samples where there are no constraints on the initial Pb composition, such as a detrital sample. No ²⁰⁴Pb correction was undertaken because of low ²⁰⁴Pb counts on single collector instruments and ²⁰⁴Pb interference by ²⁰⁴Hg in the argon gas supply.Age calculations employed between 11 and 33 analyses per sample and used a weighted average of the common Pb-corrected ages, a Tera–Wasserburg Concordia intercept age and a Tera–Wasserburg Concordia intercept age anchored through common Pb. The samples in general yield ages consistent (at the 2σ level) with independent estimates of the U–Pb apatite age, which demonstrates the suitability of the analytical protocol employed. Weighted mean age uncertainties are as low as 1–2% for U- and/or Th-rich Palaeozoic–Neoproterozoic samples; the uncertainty on the youngest sample, the Cenozoic (31.44 Ma) Durango apatite, ranges from 3.7–7.6% according to the common Pb correction method employed. The accurate and relatively precise common Pb-corrected ages demonstrate the U–Pb and Th–Pb apatite chronometers are suitable as sedimentary provenance tools. The Kovdor carbonatite apatite is recommended as a potential U–Pb and Th–Pb apatite standard as it yields precise and reproducible ²⁰⁷Pb-corrected, ²³²Th–²⁰⁸Pb, and common Pb-anchored Tera–Wasserburg Concordia intercept ages.     

钙华体次生有机体系的界面结晶作用研究

本文总结了钙华体次生有机体系中生物群落特征和界面结晶行为,根据生物在碳酸盐沉积中的角色,将钙华体中次生有机体系的界面结晶矿化类型分为生物控制矿化沉积和生物诱导矿化沉积。分述了碳酸钙沉积矿化相关的五种生物代谢活动,讨论了生物胞外聚合物（EPS）对碳酸钙矿物晶型和形貌的影响。针对目前钙华研究中存在的问题,今后应深入研究生物体主要构成元素、生物小分子和生物体内部组织在钙华形成或退化中的作用,进一步厘清钙华体与次生有机体系的多界面溶化方式,为钙华保护修复及钙华退化治理措施提供科学依据。      

Airborne MSS for land cover classification II

A basic methodology for land cover classification using airborne multispectral scanner (MSS) imagery is outlined. This includes waveband selection and radiometric calibration; correction for scan angle and atmosphere; training and classification and accuracy assessment. Refinements to this basic methodology include per‐field sampling and the addition of low‐pass filtering, image texture, prior probabilities and two dates of imagery.

For a study area in upland England, eight land covers were classified with a mean accuracy of 52.6 percent using the basic methodology. This was increased to 79.0 percent by using a suitability refined methodology. Per‐field sampling accounted for the largest proportion of this increase.     

First record of the Australian ascidian Eudistoma elongatum in northern New Zealand

A colonial ascidian was first reported by marine farmers in Houhora Harbour, Northland, New Zealand in early 2005 and subsequently found on oyster racks in Parengarenga Harbour and the Bay of Islands. The Northland ascidian was identified with a combination of morphological characters and DNA cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequence data, as Eudistoma elongatum, a species native to Australia, where it is found from northern New South Wales to Northern Queensland, and distinguished from Eudistoma circumvallatum, the only reported species in this genus from New Zealand. Ascidian larvae are weak dispersers and long distance dispersal of E. elongatum is likely to be enhanced by vectors such as oyster barges and/or movement of cultured oysters. In its native range, E. elongatum is restricted to areas with a minimum winter sea temperature of 16°C. Assuming similar biological limitations apply in New Zealand, the spread of E. elongatum might be restricted to northern New Zealand (north of latitude 37°S).     

Tropospheric methane in the mid-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere

Results of more than 800 new measurements of methane (CH₄) concentrations in the Southern Hemisphere troposphere (34–41° S, 130–150° E) are reported. These were obtained between September 1980 and March 1983 from the surface at Cape Grim, Tasmania, through the middle (3.5–5.5 km) to the upper troposphere (7–10 km). The concentration of CH₄ increased throughout the entire troposphere over the measurement period, adding further support to the view that CH₄ concentrations are currently increasing on a global scale. For data averaged vertically through the troposphere the rate of increase found was 20 ppbv/yr or 1.3%/yr at December 1981. In the surface CH₄ data a seasonal cycle with a peak to peak amplitude of approximately 28 ppbv is seen, with the minimum concentration occurring in March and the maximum in September–October. A cycle with the same phase as that seen at the surface, but with a significantly decreased amplitude, is apparent in the mid troposphere but no cycle is detected in the upper tropospheric data. The phase and amplitude of the cycle are qualitatively in agreement with the concept that the major sink for methane is oxidation by hydroxyl radicals. Also presented is evidence of a positive vertical gradient in methane, with a suggestion that the magnitude of this gradient has changed over the period of measurements.