Power law or power flaw?

Since its introduction by Svensson in 1959, the power law curve y = ax^b (where x and y are horizontal and vertical direction, respectively) has been widely used in morphological analysis of glacial trough cross-profiles. The numerical constants a and b are obtained by a linear regression analysis of the logarithmic form of the power law curve (ln y = ln a + b ln x). The value b then gives a measure for the form of the cross-section. However, over the years this form of the power law has endured a lot of criticism. This criticism is well founded, since this particular form of the power law is not suitable for curve fitting in morphological analyses. In this paper a general power law is proposed, of the form y − y₀ = a|x − x₀|^b (where x₀, y₀ are the coordinates of the origin of the cross-profile). A unique and unbiased solution for this equation is obtained with a general least-squares method, thereby minimizing the error between the cross-profile data and the curve, and not between the logarithmic transform of the data and its regression line. This provides a robust way to characterize trough cross-section forms. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phase Changes in Linear Solar-Terrestrial Relationships and a Review of the Electrification Hypothesis

It appears that relatively strong linear relationships between solar activity and various weather phenomena are forthcoming only if the analyses relate to specific solar periods or are con ducted for specific geographic locations. Solar periods in this instance are defined according to the amplitude of the 11-year sunspot cycle. The sign for correlation coefficients between weather ele ments under investigation and solar activity often change according to solar amplitude. However, these phase changes may not weaken arguments in favor of sun-weather hypotheses.

Atmospheric teleconnection provides a logical explanation for phase changes over space within specific time frames, and variations in solar-amplitude relate to reversals in phase with space held constant. Previous research of large pressure systems in the tropics and mid-latitudes as well as re gional variations in annual precipitation outlined in this research indicate that a change in sign for the linear sun-weather relationship occurred between 1930 and 1940. Between 1930 and 1940, the amplitude of the solar cycle also changed. The incredibly complex nature of the climatic change equation along with the lack of an explicit physical link between solar-activity and the lower atmo sphere are serious deterrents for broad acceptance of a solar-weather connection. It is suggested, however, that recent research on a possible electrical stimulus might go far in establishing the solar hypothesis as a credible one.     

High-magnitude landslide events on a limestone-scarp in central Germany: morphometric characteristics and climatic controls

There are both internal and external controlling factors leading to slope instability and susceptibility to mass movement processes. This paper explores which external climatic variables of different temporal scales influence the occurrence of high-magnitude landslide events. The investigations were focused on the Wellenkalk-cuesta scarp in the Thuringia Basin (Thüringer Becken) in central Germany. The cuesta scarp is composed of a densely jointed limestone caprock (Wellenkalk), and impermeable mudstones and marls of the Upper Bunter Sandstone (Röt) in the lower part of the slope. Mass movements are a typical feature of the Wellenkalk-scarp. The entire scarp slope length (1000 km) has been systematically mapped and investigated in a comprehensive research project in order to provide reliable information on the spatial distribution and control of the mass movements. More than 20% of the scarp slope has been influenced by various types of Holocene mass movements with strong differences in spatial frequencies. Sixteen high-magnitude landslides (Sturzfließungen) were identified by field inspection and mapping of slope geomorphology. Information on locations, morphometric characteristics, stratigraphic positions and rainfall-related attributes of the scarp slopes affected by the large landslides is presented.Mean annual rainfall amounts decrease from more than 800 mm in the western part of the basin to less than 550 mm in the east. Meteorological statistics on the spatial distribution of heavy rainfall intensities of different durations and return periods show that greatest precipitation intensities in short events (1 h) are reached at the western margin. Differences in rainfall intensities between the western and eastern parts decrease with increasing duration of the events. Where available, event-related meteorological information was collected. The spatial distribution of the landslides is most closely mirrored in the pattern of mean annual precipitation, though this variable is generally not thought to be a satisfactory or reliable climatic controlling factor. No landslides occur below a threshold value of 700 mm. The empirical data show that some general level of average perennial water input into the slope system seems to be of decisive importance for the occurrence of high-magnitude mass movements. Only when the precondition of a more general hydrological disposition is fulfilled, a direct triggering of high-magnitude mass movements by a short-time intensive rainfall period or event can become effective.     

A REVIEW OF THE PALEO­HYDROLOGICAL AND GEOMORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTER OF LAKE NAM CO|SOUTH­CENTRAL TIBET

Department of Earth Sciences,Freie Universität Berlin,Malteserstraße 74－100,12249 Berlin,Germany)
The endorheic Lake Nam Co,south Eastern Tibetan Plateau,was selected to investigate the interrelation between drainage basin processes,especially post­glacial glacier decay,and lake level fluctuations. Landforms of the drainage basin are highly influenced by tectonics,superimposed by fluvial and periglacial processes,and locally by glacial and eolian processes. Thus,geomorphological features and hydrological characteristics were compiled for the lake­basin to provide an overview of the landscape character. Data show that during the Last Glacial Maximum melt water from the mountains accumulated fluvial deposits in the foreland. Concurrently,an increase of the lake level occurred which is presently shown by a cliff line all around Nam Co with its base approximately 29m above the present lake level. The Holocene decrease of the lake level is traced by beach ridges. As Nam Co is an endorheic lake post­glacial water loss has to be primarily explained by evaporation and moisture conditions. However,more detailed conclusions on quantitative and chronological patterns of both factors,melt­water input and evaporation output,still remain to be drawn.     

洞穴形态量计解析

洞穴形态量计的最基本参数是长度、深度、高度和坡度,借助洞穴专业软件可进行洞穴的投影面积、洞道空间体积、洞道极点投影面积、洞道极点岩体体积等其它基本参数的量计,以及洞穴扩展参数包括洞道的比容积、网密度、面密度和体密度的量计。利用这些形态参数,可以对洞穴进行更科学的统计、形态特征分析、开发利用价值评估。通过选取深峰丛洼地区、中等深度峰丛洼地区和浅峰丛洼地区以及峰林平原区的地下河洞穴进行量计,并对量计结果进行相关分析,发现洞穴的比容积与洞穴的流域面积、石峰的相对高度具有良好的正相关性,而洞穴的网密度、面密度,尤其体密度与洞穴深度有着明显的负相关性。      

Trends in Year-To-Year Fluctuations in Surface Air Temperature,Canadian Arctic

The northwest portion of the Tekonsha Moraine has traditionally been considered to be a product of, and composed of sediments from, the Lake Michigan Lobe. A recent study has also correlated till from the moraine with an exposure (Ganges till) along the shore of Lake Michigan. The results of this paper contradict those interpretations. Multiple lines of evidence—till fabrics, 7-Å/10-Å peak height ratios of clay minerals, indicator stones, morphology, and elevation relationships—indicate a Saginaw Lobe origin for the till and glaciofluvial sediments. Moreover, aerial photographs reveal the presence of ice-stagnation topography. The moraine is herein reinterpreted as a hummocky and pitted (collapsed) outwash plain/kame moraine. Given that this feature has long been considered a moraine, similar landforms in Michigan and elsewhere may be more common than heretofore recognized. [Key words: glacial geomorphology, Michigan, Quaternary, Tekonsha Moraine.]     

GIS approach to scale issues of perimeter-based shape indices for drainage basins

Abstract

Shape indices have been in use for several decades to describe the characteristics and hydrological properties of drainage basins. Due to the fractal behaviour of the basin boundary, perimeter-based shape indices depend on the scale at which they are determined. Therefore, these indices cannot objectively compare drainage basins across a range of scales and basin sizes. This paper presents an objective GIS-based methodology for determining scale-dependent shape indices from gridded drainage basin representations. The scale effect is addressed by defining a representative scale at which the indices should be determined, based on a threshold symmetric difference between two grids representing the drainage basin at different resolutions.     

Morphometric analysis of aeolian bedforms in the Namib Sand Sea using ASTER data

The ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) has made elevation data at 30 m spatial resolution freely available, enabling reinvestigation of morphometric relationships derived from limited field data using much larger sample sizes. These data are used to analyse a range of morphometric relationships derived for dunes (between dune height, spacing, and equivalent sand thickness) in the Namib Sand Sea, which was chosen because there are a number of extant studies that could be used for comparison with the results. The relative accuracy of GDEM for capturing dune height and shape was tested against multiple individual ASTER DEM scenes and against field surveys, highlighting the smoothing of the dune crest and resultant underestimation of dune height, and the omission of the smallest dunes, because of the 30 m sampling of ASTER DEM products. It is demonstrated that morphometric relationships derived from GDEM data are broadly comparable with relationships derived by previous methods, across a range of different dune types. The data confirm patterns of dune height, spacing and equivalent sand thickness mapped previously in the Namib Sand Sea, but add new detail to these patterns. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Karst depressions in a time context

A study of karst depression enlargement through time on the Western Highland Rim (physiographic province), based on two sets of aerial photography (1937, 1972) and field work, indicates that areal growth rates (dA/dt, m²/a) depend upon the surficial geologic setting. Areal growth rates were calculated from rates of long axis (dL/dt) and mean width (dW/dt) enlargement assuming an elliptical plan shape. Areal growth rates averaged 40, 70, and 100 m²/century for loessial, clayey residual, and silty colluvial surficial material, respectively. Estimates of average apparent age of karst depressions in each of the three surficial materials, based on linear growth rates, varied from 25,000 to 65,000 years B.P. An occurrence of mastodon (Mammut americanum) and ground sloth (Megalonyx jeffersoni) from the Darks Mill depression as well as a pollen record from another depression dating from the Late Wisconsin glacial maximum in the same geomorphic setting yielded dates compatible with estimates of depression age.