Dynamic compaction properties of bentonite-based materials

Dynamic compaction tests of bentonite-based materials (BBMs) with 100, 70 and 50% bentonite contents have been performed using five powdery bentonites with different physicochemical properties to establish the simplified evaluation method for dynamic compaction properties of BBMs. For a given bentonite content and a total compaction energy condition, the maximum dry density, ρ_dmax, and the optimum water content, w_opt, which are well-known indexes of compaction properties, for BBMs were determined according to the type of bentonite used for BBMs. For evaluation of those values of BBMs derived in this study, the plastic limit of BBM, w_pbbm, was defined as the plastic limit that was measured using the sample pulverized to a maximum grain size of less than 425 μm in the case of BBM with sand having a maximum grain size of more than 425 μm and was measured using the powdery bentonite itself in the case of BBM without sand. This study proposed equations for evaluating ρ_dmax and w_opt of BBMs with more than 50% bentonite content under the total compaction energy conditions of 551–2755 kN-m/m³ using w_pbbm. Finally, we related the equations derived in this study to the equation for evaluating hydraulic properties of compacted BBMs proposed in previous work and proposed the preparation method of BBMs with more than 50% bentonite content for constructing BBM buffer by in-situ compaction method.     

On the high energy proton spectrum measurements

The steepening of the proton spectrum beyond 1000 GeV and the rise in inelastic cross sections between 20 and 600 GeV observed by the PROTON 1-2-3 satellite experiments may be explained by systematic effects of energy dependent albedo (back-scatter) from the calorimeter.

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Résumé L'accroissement avec l'énergie de l'albedo dû au calorimètre peut expliquer l'augmentation de la pente du spectre primaire de protons au-delà de 1000 GeV et la croissance des sections efficaces inélastiques entre 20 et 600 GeV observés lors des expériences en satellite PROTON 1, 2 et 3.

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On sabbatical leave at Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.     

Brightening phenomena in prominences at the center of the Hα line

Two examples of sudden brightenings in local regions of active prominences as observed at the center of the H line are described. The origin of the brightenings is discussed in terms of Doppler shifts along the line of sight, Doppler brightenings and intrinsic changes of physical conditions. It is shown that the two examples presented here have common characteristics and the origin may probably be attributed to intrinsic changes of physical conditions.Contributions from the Kwasan and Hida Observatories, University of Kyoto, No. 257.     

Seismological features of island arc crust as inferred from recent seismic expeditions in Japan

Crustal studies within the Japanese islands have provided important constraints on the physical properties and deformation styles of the island arc crust. The upper crust in the Japanese islands has a significant heterogeneity characterized by large velocity variation (5.5–6.1 km/s) and high seismic attenuation (Qp=100–400 for 5–15 Hz). The lateral velocity change sometimes occurs at major tectonic lines. In many cases of recent refraction/wide-angle reflection profiles, a “middle crust” with a velocity of 6.2–6.5 km/s is found in a depth range of 5–15 km. Most shallow microearthquakes are concentrated in the upper/middle crust. The velocity in the lower crust is estimated to be 6.6–7.0 km/s. The lower crust often involves a highly reflective zone with less seismicity, indicating its ductile rheology. The uppermost mantle is characterized by a low Pn velocity of 7.5–7.9 km/s. Several observations on PmP phase indicate that the Moho is not a sharp boundary with a distinct velocity contrast, but forms a transition zone from the upper mantle to the lower crust. Recent seismic reflection experiments revealed ongoing crustal deformations within the Japanese islands. A clear image of crustal delamination obtained for an arc–arc collision zone in central Hokkaido provides an important key for the evolution process from island arc to more felsic continental crust. In northern Honshu, a major fault system with listric geometry, which was formed by Miocene back arc spreading, was successfully mapped down to 12–15 km.     

Mid-Holocene Hydrologic Model of the Shingobee Watershed, Minnesota

A hydrologic model of the Shingobee Watershed in north-central Minnesota was developed to reconstruct mid-Holocene paleo-lake levels for Williams Lake, a surface-water body located in the southern portion of the watershed. Hydrologic parameters for the model were first estimated in a calibration exercise using a 9-yr historical record (1990–1998) of climatic and hydrologic stresses. The model reproduced observed temporal and spatial trends in surface/groundwater levels across the watershed. Mid-Holocene aquifer and lake levels were then reconstructed using two paleoclimatic data sets: CCM1 atmospheric general circulation model output and pollen-transfer functions using sediment core data from Williams Lake.Calculated paleo-lake levels based on pollen-derived paleoclimatic reconstructions indicated a 3.5-m drop in simulated lake levels and were in good agreement with the position of mid-Holocene beach sands observed in a Williams Lake sediment core transect. However, calculated paleolake levels based on CCM1 climate forcing produced only a 0.05-m drop in lake levels. We found that decreases in winter precipitation rather than temperature increases had the largest effect on simulated mid-Holocene lake levels. The study illustrates how watershed models can be used to critically evaluate paleoclimatic reconstructions by integrating geologic, climatic, limnologic, and hydrogeologic data sets.     

Incorporating inflow uncertainty into risk assessment for reservoir operation

An attempt of using stochastic hydrologic technique to assess the intrinsic risk of reservoir operation is made in this study. A stochastic simulation model for reservoir operation is developed. The model consists of three components: synthetic generation model for streamflow and sediment sequences, one-dimensional delta deposit model for sediment transport processes in reservoirs, and simulation model for reservoir operation. This kind of integrated simulation model can be used to simulate not only the inflow uncertainty of streamflow and sedimentation, but also the variation in operation rules of reservoirs. It is herein used for the risk assessment of a reservoir, and the simulation is performed for different operation scenarios. Simulation for the 100-year period of sediment transport and deposition in the river-reservoir system indicates that the navigation risk is much higher than that of hydropower generation or sediment deposition in the reservoir. The risk of sediment deposition at the river-section near the backwater profile is also high thereby the navigation at the river-segment near this profile takes high risk because of inadequate navigation depth.     

Alteration and mass transfer inferred from the Hirabayashi GSJ drill penetrating the Nojima Fault, Japan

Abstract Mineralogical and geochemical studies on the fault rocks from the Nojima–Hirabayashi borehole, south-west Japan, are performed to clarify the alteration and mass transfer in the Nojima Fault Zone at shallow depths. A complete sequence from the hornblende–biotite granodiorite protolith to the fault core can be observed without serious disorganization by surface weathering. The parts deeper than 426.2 m are in the fault zone where rocks have suffered fault-related deformation and alteration. Characteristic alteration minerals in the fault zone are smectite, zeolites (laumontite, stilbite), and carbonate minerals (calcite and siderite). It is inferred that laumontite veins formed at temperatures higher than approximately 100°C during the fault activity. A reverse component in the movement of the Nojima Fault influences the distribution of zeolites. Zeolite is the main sealing mineral in relatively deep parts, whereas carbonate is the main sealing mineral at shallower depths. Several shear zones are recognized in the fault zone. Intense alteration is localized in the gouge zones. Rock chemistry changes in a different manner between different shear zones in the fault zone. The main shear zone (MSZ), which corresponds to the core of the Nojima Fault, shows increased concentration of most elements except Si, Al, Na, and K. However, a lower shear zone (LSZ-2), which is characterized by intense alteration rather than cataclastic deformation, shows a decreased concentration of most elements including Ti and Zr. A simple volume change analysis based on Ti and Zr immobility, commonly used to examine the changes in fault rock chemistry, cannot account fully for the different behaviors of Ti and Zr among the two gouge zones.     

Intermittent Phase Transitions in a Slider-block Model as a Mechanism for Earthquakes

— The aperiodic behavior of a two-dimensional stick-slip slider-block model of earthquakes is the subject of this study. The phenomenon of temporal phase transitions between creep and stick-slip motions is thoroughly analyzed and attributed to type-I intermittency. Asymmetry in the elastic forces is shown to play a key role in the emergence of complex behavior in the model. The unpredictability of chaotic bursts in the intermittent regime indicates potential difficulties for earthquake forecasting.