Rotation of the elastic Earth: the role of the angular-velocity-dependence of the elasticity-caused perturbation

We calculate the so-called convective term, which shows up in the expression for the angular velocity of the elastic Earth, within the Andoyer formalism. The term emerges due to the fact that the elasticity-caused perturbation depends not only on the instantaneous orientation of the Earth but also on its instantaneous angular velocity. We demonstrate that this term makes a considerable contribution into the overall angular velocity. At the same time the convective term turns out to be automatically included into the correction to the nutation series due to the elasticity, if the series is defined by the perturbation of the figure axis (and not of the rotational axis) in accordance with the current IAU resolution. Hence it is not necessary to take the effect of the convective term into consideration in the perturbation of the elastic Earth as far as the nutation is related to the motion of the figure axis.     

Experimental study of reaction between perovskite and molten iron to 146 GPa and implications for chemically distinct buoyant layer at the top of the core

Partitioning of oxygen and silicon between molten iron and (Mg,Fe)SiO₃ perovskite was investigated by a combination of laser-heated diamond-anvil cell (LHDAC) and analytical transmission electron microscope (TEM) to 146 GPa and 3,500 K. The chemical compositions of co-existing quenched molten iron and perovskite were determined quantitatively with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). The results demonstrate that the quenched liquid iron in contact with perovskite contained substantial amounts of oxygen and silicon at such high pressure and temperature (P–T). The chemical equilibrium between perovskite, ferropericlase, and molten iron at the P–T conditions of the core–mantle boundary (CMB) was calculated in Mg–Fe–Si–O system from these experimental results and previous data on partitioning of oxygen between molten iron and ferropericlase. We found that molten iron should include oxygen and silicon more than required to account for the core density deficit (<10%) when co-existing with both perovskite and ferropericlase at the CMB. This suggests that the very bottom of the mantle may consist of either one of perovskite or ferropericlase. Alternatively, it is also possible that the bulk outer core liquid is not in direct contact with the mantle. Seismological observations of a small P-wave velocity reduction in the topmost core suggest the presence of chemically-distinct buoyant liquid layer. Such layer physically separates the mantle from the bulk outer core liquid, hindering the chemical reaction between them.     

Diurnal Cycle of Sound Scatterers and Measurements of Turbidity Using ADCP in Beppu Bay

From September 20 to 22 in 1994, the vertical profiles of echo intensity and three-component velocities were measured with a bottom-mounted 300 kHz broadband acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) in Beppu Bay in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan. A very strong thermocline was observed from 50 to 60 m. A pronounced diurnal cycle of backscatter strength (BS) was found above the thermocline. However, it was not found under the thermocline where there was a lack of dissolved oxygen. We suggest that the diurnal cycle of BS is caused by the vertical migration of zooplankton. The downward and upward migration occurred in early morning and late afternoon, respectively. The migration speeds estimated from BS isopleth displacements were about 1 cm s^–1. Further, the contribution of turbidity (Tur) to BS was examined by separating out the effect of migrating zooplankton. There was a significant correlation between BS and turbidity under the thermocline. The maximum contributions of the Tur, migrating zooplankton and non-migrating plankton on BS were estimated at 3, 12, 25 dB, respectively. These data suggest that when using an ADCP to estimate Tur, it is very important to consider carefully the backscatter signal from zooplankton.     

A possible Caledonide arm through the Barents Sea imaged by OBS data

The assembly of the crystalline basement of the western Barents Sea is related to the Caledonian orogeny during the Silurian. However, the development southeast of Svalbard is not well understood, as conventional seismic reflection data does not provide reliable mapping below the Permian sequence. A wide-angle seismic survey from 1998, conducted with ocean bottom seismometers in the northwestern Barents Sea, provides data that enables the identification and mapping of the depths to crystalline basement and Moho by ray tracing and inversion. The four profiles modeled show pre-Permian basins and highs with a configuration distinct from later Mesozoic structural elements. Several strong reflections from within the crystalline crust indicate an inhomogeneous basement terrain. Refractions from the top of the basement together with reflections from the Moho constrain the basement velocity to increase from 6.3 km s⁻¹ at the top to 6.6 km s⁻¹ at the base of the crust. On two profiles, the Moho deepens locally into root structures, which are associated with high top mantle velocities of 8.5 km s⁻¹. Combined P- and S-wave data indicate a mixed sand/clay/carbonate lithology for the sedimentary section, and a predominantly felsic to intermediate crystalline crust. In general, the top basement and Moho surfaces exhibit poor correlation with the observed gravity field, and the gravity models required high-density bodies in the basement and upper mantle to account for the positive gravity anomalies in the area. Comparisons with the Ural suture zone suggest that the Barents Sea data may be interpreted in terms of a proto-Caledonian subduction zone dipping to the southeast, with a crustal root representing remnant of the continental collision, and high mantle velocities and densities representing eclogitized oceanic crust. High-density bodies within the crystalline crust may be accreted island arc or oceanic terrain. The mapped trend of the suture resembles a previously published model of the Caledonian orogeny. This model postulates a separate branch extending into central parts of the Barents Sea coupled with the northerly trending Svalbard Caledonides, and a microcontinent consisting of Svalbard and northern parts of the Barents Sea independent of Laurentia and Baltica at the time. Later, compressional faulting within the suture zone apparently formed the Sentralbanken High.     

Seafloor environmental changes resulting from nineteenth century reclamation in Mishou Bay, Bungo Channel, Southwest Japan

This study reconstructed environmental changes to the seafloor associated with reclamation in Mishou Bay, Bungo Channel, Japan, based on measurements of sediment grain size, organic matter and sulfur contents of surface sediments and data from sediment cores. Grain size within sediment cores from the middle of Mishou Bay decreased from the beginning of the 1800s to the 1900s. In contrast, a grain size profile from the river mouth shows a gradual increase in grain size up through the sediment core. These changes in grain size indicate a decrease in tidal current velocity within the middle of the bay and that the delta system is gradually prograding from the river mouth. Records of organic matter composition and sulfur contents indicate that the effect of the river on seafloor sedimentation became stronger during the nineteenth century. These changes are related to reclamation during the late 1700s and 1800s. The decrease in sea area resulting from reclamation probably led to a decrease in tidal prism and current velocity. It is likely that the increasing effect of river water on sedimentation is associated with reclamation-related progradation of the river delta system.     

Mössbauer spectra and magnetic features of ilvaites

Ilvaite samples from six different localities in Japan are found to be members of a solid-solution series varying from Ca(Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺)₂Fe²⁺(OH)O Si₂O₇ to approaximately Ca(Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺)₂Fe _0.5 ²⁺ Mn _0.5 ²⁺ (OH)O Si₂O₇, and have been studied by Mössbauer spectrometry and magnetic measurements. The variation in intensity of Mössbauer doublets confirms that Mn substitutes for Fe²⁺ in the M(B) cation site. An temperatures decreasing from 300 K to 4K, an abrupt change in the reciprocal mass magnetic susceptibility, 1/x _g, occurs about 120 K; 1/x _g depends linearly upon temperature above 120 K. This change, which is characterized by an unusual mode of decrease in 1/x _g, has been interpreted based on Mössbauer spectra at 80 K: the spectra of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in the M(A) site show Zeeman splitting, whereas those of Fe²⁺ in the M(B) site do not show the effect. This Mössbauer evidence suggests that magnetic spins of Fe in M(A) are in an ordered state, very likely of antiparallel coupling, whereas those of Fe in M(B) are randomly oriented, showing that below 120 K ilvaite has two different magnetic states for Fe ions. As there is a line of evidence that the spins of Fe in M(B) would take an ordered state at extremely low temperatures, ilvaite magnetism may be regarded as basically antiferromagnetic. The magnetic spins of Fe in M(A) and M(B) undergo magnetic transitions at different specific temperatures, thus giving as a whole unusual features of magnetism.     

Integrated vegetation classification and mapping using remote sensing and GIS techniques

1INTRODUCTIONResearchonglobalenvironmentalchange,especiallyglobalvegetationchange,hasbeenmoreandmoreemphasizedbyscientistsandgovernments.HoWever,theinvestigationofvegetationcoveredinlargeareaneedagreatdealoffundandlaal.Asthesatelliteremotesensingdatahavebeenavailablesinceearly1980s,thesedataarebeingemployedtowardstOtheimprovementofvegetationclassification.NOAA--AVHRRdatahavebeenmoreandmoreusedbyscientistsbecauseOfitsshorttemPOralrefution,largescope,inexpensivecostandbreadwavebands.On…     

Letter to the editor Complete maps of the aspect sensitivity of VHF atmospheric radar echoes

Using the MU radar at Shigaraki, Japan (34.85°N, 136.10°E), we measure the power distribution pattern of VHF radar echoes from the mid-troposphere. The large number of radar beam-pointing directions (320) allows the mapping of echo power from 0° to 40° from zenith, and also the dependence on azimuth, which has not been achieved before at VHF wavelengths. The results show how vertical shear of the horizontal wind is associated with a definite skewing of the VHF echo power distribution, for beam angles as far as 30° or more from zenith, so that aspect sensitivity cannot be assumed negligible at any beam-pointing angle that most existing VHF radars are able to use. Consequently, the use of VHF echo power to calculate intensity of atmospheric turbulence, which assumes only isotropic backscatter at large beam zenith angles, will sometimes not be valid.     

Gravity wave intensity and momentum fluxes in the mesosphere over Shigaraki, Japan (35°N, 136°E) during 1986–1997

Averaged seasonal variations of wind perturbation intensities and vertical flux of horizontal momentum produced by internal gravity waves (IGWs) with periods 0.2/1 h and 1/6 h are studied at the altitudes 65/80 km using the MU radar measurement data from the middle and upper atmosphere during 1986/1997 at Shigaraki, Japan (35°N, 136°E). IGW intensity has maxima in winter and summer, winter values having substantial interannual variations. Mean wave momentum flux is directed to the west in winter and to the east in summer, opposite to the mean wind in the middle atmosphere. Major IGW momentum fluxes come to the mesosphere over Shigaraki from the Pacific direction in winter and continental Asia in summer.