Turbulent behaviour within a coastal boundary layer,observations and modelling at the Isola del Giglio

The hydrodynamics of coastal areas is characterized by the interaction among phenomena occurring at different spatial and temporal scales, such as the interaction of a large-scale ocean current with the local bathymetry and coastline, and local forcing conditions. In order to take into account all relevant phenomena, the study of the hydrodynamics of coastal zones requires a high-spatial and temporal resolution for both observations and simulation of local currents. This resolution can be obtained by using X-band radar, which allows simultaneous measurement of waves and currents in a range of 1–3 miles from the coastline, as well as high-resolution numerical models implemented in the area and configured through multiple nesting techniques in order to reach resolutions comparable to such coastal observations. Such an integrated monitoring system was implemented at the Isola del Giglio in 2012, after the accident of the Costa Concordia ship. Results can be used as a cross-validation of data produced independently by radar observations and numerical models. In addition, results give some important insights on the dynamics of the coastal boundary layer, both for what concerns the attenuation in the profile of the depth-averaged velocities which typically occur in turbulent boundary layers, as well as for the production, detachment and evolution of vorticity produced by the interaction of large-scale ocean currents with the coastline and the subsequent time evolution of such boundary layer. This transition between large-scale regional currents and the coastal boundary layer is often neglected in regional forecasting systems, but it has an important role in the ocean turbulence processes.     

Simulating geophysical models through fractal algorithms

I present an algorithm, borrowed from the computer graphics industry, that is able to efficiently and effectively simulate pseudo‐realistic topographies and three‐dimensional geophysical models. It has been widely exploited in the movie industry for generating artificial landscapes and for simulating the surface of planets. The geophysical applications are manifold: simulation for testing inversion algorithms, interpolation, and upscaling are only some of the possibilities.     

Flow resistance equation for rills

In this paper, a new flow resistance equation for rill flow was deduced applying dimensional analysis and self‐similarity theory. At first, the incomplete self‐similarity hypothesis was used for establishing the flow velocity distribution whose integration gives the theoretical expression of the Darcy–Weisbach friction factor. Then the deduced theoretical resistance equation was tested by some measurements of flow velocity, water depth, cross section area, wetted perimeter, and bed slope carried out in 106 reaches of some rills shaped on an experimental plot. A relationship between the velocity profile, the channel slope, and the flow Froude number was also established. The analysis showed that the Darcy–Weisbach friction factor can be accurately estimated by the proposed theoretical approach based on a power–velocity profile.     

From flood risk mapping toward reducing vulnerability: the case of Addis Ababa

Natural Hazards - Flood risk maps for the built environment can be obtained by integrating geo-spatial information on hazard, vulnerability and exposure. They provide precious support for strategic...     

Intercomparison and Evaluation of Precipitation Forecasts for MAP Seasons 1995 and 1996

Summary  The precipitation forecasts of four operational numerical weather prediction models over the Alpine region are evaluated and intercompared for two periods of interest to the Mesoscale Alpine Programme (MAP). The new analysis of Alpine rainfall of Frei and Scha?r (1998) is used to validate the models. It is found that the models have a tendency to overestimate the total precipitation and the frequency of intense rain events over high orography. The skill scores show good consistency between models, except for the ability to forecast light rain or heavy rain events. The partition between convective and stratiform rainfall is rather variable between the models. Received March 15, 1999/Revised July 12, 1999     

Polymorphism in sapphirine

Sapphirine-1Tc, a polymorph of sapphirine, was found in granulites near Wilson Lake, Labrador. It is triclinic with unit cell data: a=10.04, b=10.38, c=8.65 Å, =107°33, =95°07, =123°55. The X-ray diffraction patterns of several crystals of sapphirine from Wilson Lake were investigated and evidence was found of solid state reactions that lead from the ordered polymorph-1Tc to a disordered arrangement of domains with the structure of sapphirine-2M, that is normal sapphirine.     

Thermal behaviour of davyne-group minerals

The thermal behaviour of microsommite (MC), davyne from Vesuvius (DV) and from Zabargad (DZ) was determined by X-ray single crystal data obtained employing a microfurnace connected to a four-circle diffractometer. Upon heating, the a parameter increased linearly, with similar thermal expansion rates for the three samples: the mean linear expansion coefficients, _a , were 10.2(3)·10^-6, 13.4(7)·10^-6, 15.1(8)·10^-1 K^-1 for MC, DV and DZ respectively.At about 473 K both MC and DZ showed a discontinuity in the expansion of the c parameter. The mean linear expansion coefficient, _c , changed abruptly from 16(4)·10^-6 K^-1 for both minerals below the discontinuity to 2(1)·10^-6 and 3(1)·10^-6 K^-1 for MC and DZ, respectively, above the discontinuity. In DV, however, the _c coefficient was constant between 293 und 827 K and equal to 1(2)·10^-6 K^-1.