Issues in radiocarbon and U-series dating of corals from the last glacial period

Radiocarbon calibration beyond the extent of tree-ring records depends on U-series dating of fossil corals or speleothem, both of which can provide independent calendar ages. Less direct methods rely on layer counting and comparison with other well-dated records. In spite of considerable effort to provide a reliable radiocarbon calibration curve beyond 25,000 years, the majority of the data show large atmospheric radiocarbon peaks which are inconsistent both in magnitude and timing between different determinations. The results of the most recent work [Chiu, T.-C., Fairbanks, R.G., Mortlock, R.A., Bloom, A.L., 2005. Extending the radiocarbon calibration beyond 26,000 years before present using fossil corals. Quaternary Science Reviews 24 (16–17), 1797–1808], from Araki Island fossil corals, indicate a monotonic variation from about 33 to 49 ka, with no radiocarbon peaks, but with some gaps in the data. The difference between this and previous results, from fossil corals, has been attributed to selection of better-quality samples and rigorous analytical methods. However, previous results from Huon Peninsula [Yokoyama, Y., Esat, T.M., Lambeck, K., Fifield, L.K., 2000. Last ice age millennial scale climate changes recorded in Huon Peninsula corals. Radiocarbon 42 (3), 383–401; Cutler, K.B., Gray, S.C., Burr, G.S., Edwards, R.L., Taylor, F.W., Cabioch, G., Beck, J.W., Cheng, H., Moore, J., 2004. Radiocarbon calibration and comparison to 50 kyr BP with paired ¹⁴C and ²³⁰Th dating of corals from Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. Radiocarbon 46 (3), 1127–1160] show radiocarbon peaks exclusively located within the gaps in the Araki data. The timing of the gaps are not random, but appear to be related to severe climate and sea-level variations associated with Heinrich events initiated in the North Atlantic. We propose that the Huon and Araki data sets are complementary rather than exclusive and that the absence of coral growth at Araki Island during Heinrich events presumably reflect local adverse conditions for coral growth.     

Influence of seismic input mechanisms and radiation damping on arch dam response

In this study, two different earthquake input models are introduced, i.e. massless foundation model and viscous-spring boundary input model considering radiation damping. Linear elastic and nonlinear contraction joint opening analyses of the 210 m high Dagangshan arch dam under construction in China are performed using the two different earthquake input models. First, the responses of the three-dimensional (3-D) canyon without the dam are analyzed, respectively, with massless-truncated foundation and with viscous-spring boundary; second, linear and nonlinear analyses of the dam–foundation system are performed and compared by using the two input models. Hydrodynamic effects are considered using finite element discretization for incompressible reservoir fluid. It is concluded that stresses and displacements and contraction joint opening in the dam are significantly reduced both in linear and nonlinear analyses when using viscous-spring boundary model. Interestingly, in the case of linear analysis of the Dagangshan, the massless foundation input model with a relatively higher damping ratio of 10% leads to a comparable response of the dam to that using viscous-spring boundary model. In addition, the maximum tensile stresses from nonlinear analysis are 10–25% larger than that of the corresponding linear cases due to a partial release of the arch action.     

内蒙古自治区东部两次Ms5．9地震前后长波辐射时序特征分析

以卫星对地遥测长波辐射(OLR)信息为基础,分析了2003年8月16日巴林左旗MS5.9地震和2004年3月24日东乌珠穆沁MS5.9地震前后震中附近的45°N,120°E点位长波辐射的时序特征。结果表明,在这两次MS5.9地震前后,位于45°N,120°E点位上长波辐射(OLR)月平均值、月距平值异常特征比较明显,这种基于不同点位上的时序特征分析对地震监视和预报具体孕震区具有一定的实际意义。     

青藏高原地表温度的比较分析

利用青藏高原改则、甘孜、拉萨和那曲气象站的地面水银温度计观测的地面0 cm温度和地面向上、大气向下长波辐射观测资料,计算和比较分析了地面水银表温度与地表辐射温度的差异.分析表明,由于地面水银温度计接触式测温方法的局限性,使得气象台站观测场地的地面水银表温度存在较大的误差：在裸露地表,夏季白天的正偏差可达4℃以上,夜间的负偏差在-2℃左右;在稠密植被地表,白天正偏差最高可达16℃以上,夜间的负偏差可达-3℃.由于偏差的不均衡性和离散性,即使对地面水银表温度作简单平均或积分平均处理,其代表性仍然很差.在对地表温度准确性要求较高的定量化研究与应用中,应避免直接采用地面水银表温度资料,即使由于资料缺乏而以其代之,也应对其采取适当的订正补偿等处理措施.随着科学研究对地表温度准确性的更高要求,推广使用地表辐射测温的观测方法是必要的.     

高压输电系统引起的空间电磁扰动

随着全球工业化进程的大力推进,高压输电系统逐渐成为电磁环境监测的主要人为干扰源之一。本文总结了以法国DEMETER卫星电磁场数据为主开展的高压电力线辐射研究的最新成果,对电力线产生的各类空间电磁扰动现象及其时空分布特征进行了归纳分析,其中包括电力线谐振辐射(PLHR)、磁层线辐射(MLR)、ELF/VLF辐射、高能粒子沉降等,并对与其耦合机制相关的电磁波传播及波粒相互作用模型进行了总结讨论,旨在对中国电磁监测试验卫星(CSES-1)数据处理方法、干扰识别和地震弱信号提取分析提供更多的参考信息。     

2015年阿拉善左旗5.8级地震前长波辐射异常研究*

通过涡度、距平、小波变换和时频分析等方法,研究了2015年4月15日阿拉善左旗5.8级地震前,震区(37.50°~43.50°N,103.50°~109.50°E)长波辐射(OLR)时空分布特征。结果显示:①2015年4月去除背景值之后的OLR涡度场在震中附近存在明显高值异常区;② 震中附近格点(39.50°N,105.50°E)和(40.50°N,107.50°E)OLR涡度日值超过二倍均方差频次在震前非线性增加;③ 基于自适应最优核的时频分析方法获得的上述两个格点OLR涡度时频分布图显示震前存在高能量密度区域;④ 本文获得的现象和汶川8.0级地震等震例结果相类似,值得深入研究。     

A way of estimating the characteristic slip displacement

During the ruptures of an earthquake,the strain energy.△E,.will be transferred into,at least,three parts,i.e..the seismic radiation energy(E_s),fracture energy(E_g),and frictional energy(E_f),that is,△E = E_s + E_g + E_f.Friction,which is represented by a velocity- and state-dependent friction law by some researchers,controls the three parts.One of the main parameters of the law is the characteristic slip displacement.D_c.It is significant and necessary to evaluate the reliable value of D_c from observed and inverted seismic data.Since D_c controls the radiation efficiency.η_R = E_s/(E_s+ E_g),the value of η_r is a good constraint of estimating D_c.Integrating observed data and inverted results of source parameters from recorded seismograms.the values of E_s and E_g of an earthquake can be measured,thus leading to the value of η_R.The constraint used to estimate the reliable value of D_c will be described in this work.An example of estimates of D_c.based on the observed and inverted values of source parameters of the September 20,1999 M_S 7.6 Chi-Chi(Ji-Ji).Taiwan region,earthquake will be presented.     

Experimental study of wave loads on a small vehicle in close proximity to a large vessel

Operations involving the launch or recovery of a smaller vessel from a larger one are extremely dangerous in high sea states and, therefore, they are normally carried out in low to moderate sea states. However, this can be severely restrictive and in some situations, carrying out such operations in high sea states is unavoidable. Here we report on a detailed investigation of the interaction between two vessels of different size in order to characterise their hydrodynamic interaction under different conditions and to provide insight for operational purposes. Model experiments were conducted to investigate the hydrodynamic interaction between two vessels in close proximity in waves. Previous studies into this interaction have focused on two vessels with comparable size/displacement. This study focused on the interaction between vessels of very different sizes, a platform supply vessel and a lifeboat, at various separation distances between the two models and wave headings. It is found that the effect of the hydrodynamic interaction on the wave loads on the lifeboat model is substantial. The load responses show a strong non-linearity (high order harmonic components). In head waves, the effect of the hydrodynamic interaction on the wave loads is greater in the transverse modes (sway, roll and yaw) than in the longitudinal modes (surge, heave and pitch). The sheltering effects of the larger model on the lifeboat model were also evident from the experiments. The results of this investigation may be used to inform the planning of marine operations, such as the launch and recovery of a lifeboat or an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) from a mothership and the transfer of equipment or personnel between vessels. The data will also provide a useful resource for validation of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes and other numerical simulations, and can be used to better understand the limitations and potential widening of the operational weather windows and to ensure that operations are carried out safely.     

Hydrodynamic characteristics of a cylindrical bottom-pivoted wave energy absorber

A parametric study was carried out to investigate the hydrodynamics of a cylindrical wave energy absorber. Established methods of hydrodynamic analysis were applied to the case of a damped vertically oriented cylinder pivoted near the sea floor in intermediate depth water. The simple geometry provides a canonical reference for more complex structure shapes and configurations that may be considered for either wave energy conversion or wave energy absorption. The study makes use of the relative velocity Morison equation, with force coefficients derived from radiation and diffraction theory. Viscous effects were accounted for by including a drag term with an empirically derived coefficient, C_D. A non-linear first-order formulation was used to calculate the cylinder motion response in regular waves. It was found that the non-linear drag term, which is often neglected in studies on wave energy conversion, has a large effect on performance. Results from the study suggest a set of design criteria based on Keulegan–Carpenter (KC) number, ratio of cylinder radius to water depth (a/h), and ratio of water depth to wavelength (h/L). Respectively, these parameters account for viscous, wave radiation, and water depth effects, and optimal ranges are provided.     

一次华东地区大范围持续雾过程的诊断分析

利用地面观测资料、高空探测资料以及NCEP/NCAR再分析资料,分析了2009年1月30日～2月10日华东地区大范围持续雾形成过程的特点、性质及环流背景;诊断分析了该雾过程中的水汽、动力等条件;同时还对比分析了该过程与2008年1月上旬我国中东部地区雾霾过程的差异。结果表明,该过程雾的性质主要为辐射雾,每天05：00～...