A high resolution (3–8 km grid), 3D numerical ocean model of the West Caribbean Sea (WCS) is used to investigate the variability
and the forcing of flows near the Meso-American Barrier Reef System (MBRS) which runs along the coasts of Mexico, Belize,
Guatemala and Honduras. Mesoscale variations in velocity and temperature along the reef were found in seasonal model simulations
and in observations; these variations are associated with meandering of the Caribbean current (CC) and the propagation of
Caribbean eddies. Diagnostic calculations and a simple assimilation technique are combined to infer the dynamically adjusted
flow associated with particular eddies. The results demonstrate that when a cyclonic eddy (negative sea surface height anomaly
(SSHA)) is found near the MBRS the CC shifts offshore, the cyclonic circulation in the Gulf of Honduras (GOH) intensifies,
and a strong southward flow results along the reef. However, when an anticyclonic eddy (positive SSHA) is found near the reef,
the CC moves onshore and the flow is predominantly westward across the reef. The model results help to explain how drifters
are able to propagate in a direction opposite to the mean circulation when eddies cause a reversal of the coastal circulation.
The effect of including the Meso-American Lagoon west of the Belize Reef in the model topography was also investigated, to
show the importance of having accurate coastal topography in determining the variations of transports across the MBRS. The
variations found in transports across the MBRS (on seasonal and mesoscale time scales) may have important consequences for
biological activities along the reef such as spawning aggregations; better understanding the nature of these variations will
help ongoing efforts in coral reef conservation and maintaining the health of the ecosystem in the region. 相似文献
The study covered by this paper was focused on the historical case of the Calitri landslide, which was repeatedly reactivated by earthquakes, as reported since 1694. The town of Calitri (Southern Italy) is located on a ridge whose southern slope, from its top to the Ofanto river valley floor, has been historically affected by major landsliding. The last record of recurrence of the Calitri landslide leads back to the 1980 Irpinia earthquake, which caused significant damage to the town and had pervasive and visible ground effects. Based on a detailed historical reconstruction of landsliding and seismicity at Calitri, the study analysed the current static and dynamic stability of the landsliding slope by means of a finite-difference numerical analysis, taking into account the various factors of landslide initiation and kinematics. The results of the numerical analysis: (i) were consistent with the roto-translational mechanism observed upon the latest reactivation of the landslide; (ii) demonstrated that excess pore pressure redistribution caused a lag between the seismic trigger and the initiation of landsliding; and (iii) showed the impact of seismic input frequency on propagation and depth of slope instability. 相似文献
Basin formation dynamics of the Tertiary Piedmont Basin (TPB) are here investigated by means of cross-section numerical modelling. Previous works hypothesised that basin subsidence occurred due first to extension (Oligocene) and then to subsequent loading due to back-thrusting (Miocene). However, structural evidence shows that the TPB was mainly under contraction from Oligocene until post Pliocene time while extension played a minor role. Furthermore, thermal indicators strongly call for a cold (flexure-induced) mechanism but are strictly inconsistent with a hot (thermally induced) mechanism. Our new modelling shows that the TPB stratigraphic features can be reproduced by flexure of a visco-elastic plate loaded by back-thrusts active in the Western Alps in Oligo-Miocene times. Far-field compression contributed to the TPB subsidence and controlled the basin infill geometry by enhancing basin tilting, forebulge uplift and erosion of the southern margin of the basin. These results suggest that the TPB subsidence is the result of a combination of mechanisms including thrust loading and far-field compressional stresses. 相似文献
This paper presents the findings from a study on gravity-induced slope deformations along the northern slope of Mt. Nuria (Rieti-Italy). The slope extends from the village of Pendenza to the San Vittorino plain and hosts the Peschiera River springs, i.e. the most important springs of the Central Apennines (average discharge: about 18 m3/s).
Detailed geological-geomorphological and geomechanical surveys, supported by a site stress-strain monitoring system and laboratory tests, led us to define the main evolutionary features of the studied phenomena. Based on the collected data, a “geological-evolutionary model” was developed with a view to identifying a spatio-temporal correlation between relief forms, jointing of the rock mass and its stress conditions. The geological-evolutionary model was expected to improve numerical simulations and to test our assumptions.
The numerical model also allowed us to simulate changes in the stress-strain conditions of the rock mass and correlate them with jointing, seepage, as well as with site-detected and site-monitored forms and deformations. In particular, significant relations between seepage, tensile stresses within the rock mass, karst solution and collapse of cavities were identified. 相似文献
A universal particle velocity based algorithm for simulating hydraulic fractures, previously proposed for Newtonian fluids, is extended to the class of shear-thinning fluids. The scheme is not limited to any particular elasticity operator or crack propagation regime. The computations are based on two dependent variables: the crack opening and the reduced particle velocity. The application of the latter facilitates utilization of the local condition of Stefan type (speed equation) to trace the fracture front. The condition is given in a general explicit form which relates the crack propagation speed (and the crack length) to the solution tip asymptotics. The utilization of a modular structure, and the adaptive character of its basic blocks, result in a flexible numerical scheme. The computational accuracy of the proposed algorithm is validated against a number of analytical benchmark solutions. 相似文献
An alternative modelling for flexible membranes anchored to the ground for soil slope stabilisation is presented using Smoothed-Particle Hydrodynamics to model the unstable ground mass in a soil slope, employing a dynamic solve engine. A regression model of pressure normal to the ground, qsim, and also membrane deflection, fsim, have been developed using Design of Experiment. Finally, a comparison between the pressure obtained from numerical simulation and from a limit equilibrium analysis considering infinite slope has been carried out, showing differences in the results, mainly due to the membrane stiffness. 相似文献
This study is devoted to application of the fourth-order compact MacCormack scheme to spatial differencing of the conservative form of two-dimensional and non-hydrostatic equation of a dry atmosphere. To advance the solution in time a four-stage Runge–Kutta method is used. To perform the simulations, two test cases including evolution of a warm bubble and a cold bubble in a neutral atmosphere with open and rigid boundaries are employed. In addition, the second-order MacCormack and the standard fourth-order compact MacCormack schemes are used to perform the simulations. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of the numerical results for different test cases exhibit the superiority of the fourth-order compact MacCormack scheme on the second-order method. 相似文献
本文利用NCAR开发的CAM5.1(Community Atmosphere Model Version 5.1)模式,针对我国东部大规模城市下垫面发展对南海夏季风爆发的影响进行了数值模拟研究。结果表明我国东部大规模城市群发展可能使得南海夏季风提前1候爆发;机理分析表明:在南海夏季风爆发之前,中国东部城市群发展引起的陆面增温,使得南海及其附近地区南北温差提前逆转、中国东部区域海平面气压降低,导致中南半岛到南海地区西南气流加强,中南半岛到南海地区降水增加,而凝结潜热垂直变化强迫出的异常环流,促进了南亚高压的加强及提前北跳,相伴随的高层抽吸作用有助于季风对流的建立和西太平洋副高的减弱东撤,从而形成了有利于南海夏季风爆发的高低层环流条件,导致南海夏季风提前爆发。另外,观测结果表明1993年之后南海夏季风爆发的日期相对上一个年代明显提前约2候,城市化快速发展阶段与南海夏季风爆发的年代际变化存在时间段的吻合,表明城市下垫面发展可能是南海夏季风提前爆发的原因之一。 相似文献