Parametrization of the precipitation in the Northern Hemisphere and its verification in Mexico

To improve results in monthly rainfall prediction, a parametrization of precipitation has been developed. The thermodynamic energy equation used in the Adem thermodynamic model (ATM) and the Clausius and Clapeyron equation, were used to obtain a linear parametrization of the precipitation anomalies as a function of the surface temperature and the 700 mb temperature anomalies. The observed rainfall in Mexico over 36 months, from January 1981 to December 1983, was compared with the results obtained of the heat released by condensation, which is proportional to precipitation, using our theoretical formula, and those obtained using a statistical formula, which was derived for the ATM using 12 years of hemispheric real data. The verification using our formula in Mexico, showed better results than the one using the statistical formula.     

Petrology and geochronology of basalt breccia from the 1996 earthquake swarm of Loihi seamount, Hawaii: magmatic history of its 1996 eruption

 Samples of basalt were collected during the Rapid Response cruise to Loihi seamount from a breccia that was probably created by the July to August 1996 Loihi earthquake swarm, the largest swarm ever recorded from a Hawaiian volcano. ²¹⁰Po–²¹⁰Pb dating of two fresh lava blocks from this breccia indicates that they were erupted during the first half of 1996, making this the first documented historical eruption of Loihi. Sonobuoys deployed during the August 1996 cruise recorded popping noises north of the breccia site, indicating that the eruption may have been continuing during the swarm. All of the breccia lava fragments are tholeiitic, like the vast majority of Loihi's most recent lavas. Reverse zoning at the rim of clinopyroxene phenocrysts, and the presence of two chemically distinct olivine phenocryst populations, indicate that the magma for the lavas was mixed just prior to eruption. The trace element geochemistry of these lavas indicates there has been a reversal in Loihi's temporal geochemical trend. Although the new Loihi lavas are similar isotopically and geochemically to recent Kilauea lavas and the mantle conduits for these two volcanoes appear to converge at depth, distinct trace element ratios for their recent lavas preclude common parental magmas for these two active volcanoes. The mineralogy of Loihi's recent tholeiitic lavas signify that they crystallized at moderate depths (∼8–9 km) within the volcano, which is approximately 1 km below the hypocenters for earthquakes from the 1996 swarm. Taken together, the petrological and seismic evidence indicates that Loihi's current magma chamber is considerably deeper than the shallow magma chamber (∼3–4 km) in the adjoining active shield volcanoes. Received: 21 August 1997 / Accepted: 15 February 1998     

Interplay of tectonics and neogene post-collisional magmatism in the intracarpathian region

Distribution of the Neogene calc-alkaline magmatism of the Carpathian arc is directly related in space and time to the kinematics of the two major terranes of the Intracarpathian area (Alcapa, Tisia-Getia) along the south-eastern border of the European plate. In the West Carpathians and adjacent areas, the volcanic activity occurred between 20–11 Ma, with large volumes of both acidic and intermediate rocks, generally distributed randomly, sometimes transversally to the orogenic belt and as rare small occurrences along the Flysch belt. In the East Carpathians, the volcanic rocks are distributed along the northern margin of the Zemplin block, the north–easternmost part of the Alcapa and eastward along the front of the Getic block, at the contact with European plate. Between Tokaj-Slanské-Vihorlat up to northern Cãlimani Mountains, the magmatism occurred between 14–9 Ma, and along the Cãlimani-Harghita chain between 9–0.2 Ma. The calc-alkaline magmatic rocks of the Apuseni Mountains are located in the interior of the Tisia block and occurred between 14–9 Ma. The generation of the calc-alkaline magmatism is considered here as the result of complex interplay between plate roll-back and lithospheric detachment tectonic processes and the break-off of the subducted plate, mostly in a post-collisional setting. (1) The magmatites of the Western Carpathians and the Pannonian basin were generated in direct relation to subduction roll-back processes, over the downgoing slab, during the period of lateral extrusion and back-arc extension. In this area, characterized by maximum crustal shortening, we can infer further delamination processes to explain the generation of magmas. (2) The magmatic rocks from the northern sector of the East Carpathians (Tokaj-Slanské-Vihorlat up to the Northern Cãlimani Mountains), resulted after subduction roll-back processes and an almost simultaneous break-off of the descending plate all along the arc segment during main clockwise rotation of the Intracarpathian terranes. (3) In the eastern sector of the East Carpathians (Cãlimani up to Harghita Mountains), the magmatic rocks were generated through partial melting of the subducted slab followed by gradual break-off of the subducted plate along strike (north to south). (4) The Apuseni Mts. magmatic activity resulted in transtensional tectonic regime by decompressional melting of lithospheric mantle, during the translation and rotation of Tisia-Getia block.     

Ground-based optical measurements of daytime auroral emissions: A new means of investigating space-weather related processes

The first optical signatures of plasmapause associated processes were gleaned from the daytime auroral emissions monitored from Maitri, the Indian station in Antarctica, using the newly built, ground-based, Multiwavelength Daytime Photometer (MWDPM). The plasmapause boundary inferred from these measurements conforms well with the known empirical relationship with the geomagnetic indexKp. The measurements made at 391.4, 486.1, 557.7 and 630.0 nm emissions revealed significant day-to-day variations in their spatial and temporal extents. These preliminary results are presented and discussed.     

Application of226Ra,228Ra,223Ra, and224Ra in coastal waters to assessing coastal mixing rates and groundwater discharge to oceans

The fate of dissolved material delivered to the coastal ocean depends on its reactivity and the rate at which it is mixed offshore. To measure the rate of exchange of coastal waters, we employ two short-lived radium isotopes,²²³Ra and²²⁴Ra. Along the coast of South Carolina, shore-perpendicular profiles of²²³Ra and²²⁴Ra in surface waters show consistent gradients which may be modeled to yield eddy diffusion coefficients of 350–540 m²s⁻¹. Coupling the exchange rate with offshore concentration gradients yields estimates of offshore fluxes of dissolved materials. For systems in steady state, the offshore fluxes must be balanced by new inputs from rivers, groundwater, sewers or other sources. Two tracers that show promise in evaluating groundwater input are barium and²²⁶Ra. These tracers have high relative concentrations in the fluids and low-reactivity in the coastal ocean. Applying the eddy diffusion coefficients to the offshore gradient of²²⁶Ra concentration provides an estimate of the offshore flux of²²⁶Ra. Measuring the concentrations of²²⁶Ra in subsurface fluids provides an estimate of the fluid flux necessary to provide the²²⁶Ra. These estimates indicate that the volume of groundwater required to support these fluxes is of the order of 40% of the surface water flow.     

Molecular hydrogen line emission from the reflection nebula Parsamyan 18

The newly commissioned University of New South Wales Infrared Fabry–Perot (UNSWIRF) has been used to image molecular hydrogen emission at 2.12 and 2.25 μm in the reflection nebula Parsamyan 18. P 18 is known to exhibit low values of the (1–0)/(2–1) S(1) ratio, suggestive of UV-pumped fluorescence rather than thermal excitation by shocks. Our line ratio mapping reveals the full extent of this fluorescent emission from extended arc-like features, as well as a more concentrated thermal component in regions closer to the central exciting star. We show that the emission morphology, line fluxes and gas density are consistent with the predictions of photodissociation region (PDR) theory. Those regions with the highest intrinsic 1–0 S(1) intensities also tend to show the highest (1–0)/(2–1) S(1) line ratios. Furthermore, variations in the line ratio can be attributed to intrinsic fluctuations in the incident radiation field and/or the gas density, through the self-shielding action of H₂. An isolated knot of emission discovered just outside P 18, and having both an unusually high (1–0)/(2–1) S(1) ratio and relative velocity, provides additional evidence for an outflow source associated with P 18.     

Effects of large organic material on channel form and fluvial processes

Stream channel development in forested areas is profoundly influenced by large organic debris (logs, limbs and rootwads greater than 10 cm in diameter) in the channels. In low gradient meandering streams large organic debris enters the channel through bank erosion, mass wasting, blowdown, and collapse of trees due to ice loading. In small streams large organic debris may locally influence channel morphology and sediment transport processes because the stream may not have the competency to redistribute the debris. In larger streams flowing water may move large organic debris, concentrating it into distinct accumulations (debris jams). Organic debris may greatly affect channel form and process by: increasing or decreasing stability of stream banks; influencing development of midchannel bars and short braided reaches; and facilitating, with other favourable circumstances, development of meander cutoffs. In steep gradient mountain streams organic debris may enter the channel by all the processes mentioned for low gradient streams. In addition, considerable debris may also enter the channel by way of debris avalanches or debris torrents. In small to intermediate size mountain streams with steep valley walls and little or no floodplain or flat valley floor, the effects of large organic debris on the fluvial processes and channel form may be very significant. Debris jams may locally accelerate or retard channel bed and bank erosion and/or deposition; create sites for significant sediment storage; and produce a stepped channel profile, herein referred to as ‘organic stepping’, which provides for variable channel morphology and flow conditions. The effect of live or dead trees anchored by rootwads into the stream bank may not only greatly retard bank erosion but also influence channel width and the development of small scour holes along the channel beneath tree roots. Once trees fall into the stream, their influence on the channel form and process may be quite different than when they were defending the banks, and, depending on the size of the debris, size of the stream, and many other factors, their effects range from insignificant to very important.     

赤道太平洋对流活动异常对我国夏季降水和气温的影响

利用月平均ＯＬＲ、降水和气温资料,研究了ＥＮＳＯ期间赤道太平洋对流活动与我国夏季降水和气温的关系。结果表明：春季、夏季中、西太平洋对流活动异常与我国夏季江淮地区的降水有密切关系;春季和前一年冬季西太平洋对流活动异常与东北地区夏季降水有显著相关。前一年冬季中、西太平洋对流活动异常与我国降水的显著相关区是不同的,前者为华南、西南地区,后者为东北至内蒙古一带。气温与同期中、西太平洋对流活动的相关不显著。     

MESO-α-SCALE CONVECTIVE SYSTEMS OVER CHINA DURING 1995

There were 102 meso-α-scale convective systems(MαCSs)generated over China and theneighboring sea during June—August 1995.Those MαCSs were concentrated in three major areas:the west of South China,Sichuan Basin,and the middle and lower reaches of the Changjiang andthe Huanghe River Basin.Six cases of MαCS in different regions are given to show the variety ofthe MαCS genesis and development by the distributions of their cold-cloud-shield black bodytemperature.     

中尺度对流复合体的热力学特征分析

用合成分析方法探讨ＭＣＣ热力学结构的演变规律,结果表明：ＭＣＣ整个生命史里,对流层中下部为正涡度区,２００ｈＰａ以上为负涡度区;发展时刻辐合区突然抬升;ＭＣＣ前期的垂直上升速度最大中心高度低于后期的;ＭＣＣ的高低空的冷心、中层暖心的温度结构在成熟期以后不明显