Report to cross sections related to plasma-planetary atmosphere interaction processes

As a recent trend, the continuous increase of new technologies for space observations of new missions to Mars, Venus, and Titan, has stimulated vigorous experimental and theoretical studies on the collision process induced by interactions between plasma and planetary atmosphere. In order to facilitate the comprehension of these processes, this brief paper chose a collection of cross section data not always easily accessible. With the purpose of making a useful collection of such data we have collected both experimental and theoretical estimate for most of the expected collisions processes.     

Thin elastic shells with variable thickness for lithospheric flexure of one-plate planets

Planetary topography can either be modelled as a load supported by the lithosphere, or as a dynamic effect due to lithospheric flexure caused by mantle convection. In both cases the response of the lithosphere to external forces can be calculated with the theory of thin elastic plates or shells. On one-plate planets the spherical geometry of the lithospheric shell plays an important role in the flexure mechanism. So far the equations governing the deformations and stresses of a spherical shell have only been derived under the assumption of a shell of constant thickness. However, local studies of gravity and topography data suggest large variations in the thickness of the lithosphere. In this paper, we obtain the scalar flexure equations governing the deformations of a thin spherical shell with variable thickness or variable Young's modulus. The resulting equations can be solved in succession, except for a system of two simultaneous equations, the solutions of which are the transverse deflection and an associated stress function. In order to include bottom loading generated by mantle convection, we extend the method of stress functions to include loads with a toroidal tangential component. We further show that toroidal tangential displacement always occurs if the shell thickness varies, even in the absence of toroidal loads. We finally prove that the degree-one harmonic components of the transverse deflection and of the toroidal tangential displacement are independent of the elastic properties of the shell and are associated with translational and rotational freedom. While being constrained by the static assumption, degree-one loads can deform the shell and generate stresses. The flexure equations for a shell of variable thickness are useful not only for the prediction of the gravity signal in local admittance studies, but also for the construction of stress maps in tectonic analysis.     

Plate generation and two-phase damage theory in a model of mantle convection

The formation of narrow, rapidly deforming plate boundaries separating strong plate interiors are integral components of the generation of plate tectonics from mantle convection. The development of narrow plate boundaries requires the interaction of a non-linear rheology and convection. One such non-linear rheology is two-phase damage theory which employs a non-equilibrium relation between interfacial surface energy, pressure and viscous deformation, thereby forming a theoretical model for void generation. Two-phase damage theory was recently extended to allow for deformational work to increase the fineness (reduce the grain size) of the matrix phase. We present results testing two-phase damage theory in a 2-D convectively driven system where we allow for (1) pure void-generating damage, (2) pure fineness-generating damage and (3) combined void- and fineness-generating damage. Pure void-generating damage is found to be unsuccessful at producing plate-like features. Fineness-generating damage is successful at inducing plate-like behaviour in certain circumstances, including increasing viscosity sensitivity to fineness and certain regimes of damage input and healing rate. Cases with combined void- and fineness-generating damage produce significantly more localization than the end-members due to the apparent increase of deformational work input into fineness generation. The interaction of microcracks and grain size reduction in two-phase damage theory suggests a rheological model for shear localization necessary for the formation of plate tectonic boundaries.     

Effect of a uniform magnetic field on nonlinear magnetocenvection in a rotating fluid spherical shell

Abstract

Dynamic interaction between magnetic field and fluid motion is studied through a numerical experiment of nonlinear three-dimensional magnetoconvection in a rapidly rotating spherical fluid shell to which a uniform magnetic field parallel to its spin axis is applied. The fluid shell is heated by internal heat sources to maintain thermal convection. The mean value of the magnetic Reynolds number in the fluid shell is 22.4 and 10 pairs of axially aligned vortex rolls are stably developed. We found that confinement of magnetic flux into anti-cyclonic vortex rolls was crucial on an abrupt change of the mode of magnetoconvection which occurred at Δ = 1 ～ 2, where A is the Elsasser number. After the mode change, the fluid shell can store a large amount of magnetic flux in itself by changing its convection style, and the magnetostrophic balance among the Coriolis, Lorentz and pressure forces is established. Furthermore, the toroidal/poloidal ratio of the induced magnetic energy becomes less than unity, and the magnetized anti-cyclones are enlarged due to the effect of the magnetic force. Using these key ideas, we investigated the causes of the mode change of magnetoconvection. Considering relatively large magnetic Reynolds number and a rapid rotation rate of this model, we believe that these basic ideas used to interpret the present numerical experiment can be applied to the dynamics in the Earth's and other planetary cores.     

Dark side of the planet: hidden dimensions of urban agglomeration

ABSTRACT

This intervention probes the hidden, political dimensions of planetary urbanization. Drawing on political theory, it approaches its analysis through the analytic of ‘the political,’ the dimension in which antagonism performs a constitutive function in the social order. In doing so the intervention throws into relief the ways in which group-based differentiation, conflict, and exclusion establish the conditions of possibility for ongoing transformations of urban agglomeration. It then develops a case for further exploring intersections of the political and capitalist agglomeration to generate new knowledge about current mutations in urban economies of space.     

基于ERA40资料的边界层厚度气候特征分析

为了解边界层厚度的大尺度分布及其气候循环特征,基于逐日ERA 40 再分析边界层厚度资料,采用统计学方法计算边界层厚度分4个时次的季节循环、年较差等气候特征场,对全球边界层厚度分布及其季节演变特征进行了研究。结果表明：全球较厚的边界层分布与大地形、沙漠等下垫面的分布有直接联系;陆地强边界层分布存在“08时”现象,即陆地较厚边界层中心分布在当地时间08时经线附近;在大洋上南北纬30°~40°两条纬度带内边界层厚度的月尺度内变率较大,与大气强斜压性的天气系统活跃区一致;月平均日较差的年循环特征存在着季节性南北进退的现象。研究结果对于全面认识和科学利用ERA 40逐日边界层再分析资料有一定帮助。     

2011～2012年冬季欧亚大陆低温严寒事件与平流层北极涛动异常下传的影响

利用NCEP-NCAR 再分析资料分析了2011～2012 年冬季发生在欧亚大陆的一次异常低温严寒事件的大气环流演变过程以及可能的成因。这次低温事件,主要出现在2012 年1 月下旬至2 月上旬,持续大约3 周左右,非常强的低温异常覆盖了几乎整个欧洲以及东亚的西伯利亚、蒙古国和我国东北、华北等地。这次低温事件的演变与对流层北极涛动(AO)由正位相转变为负位相的时间相匹配,意味着AO 可能发挥重要作用。进一步分析表明,前期行星波的异常上传导致平流层发生爆发性增温现象,极夜急流减弱,AO 位相首先在平流层由正变负;在2～3 周左右的时间内,平流层AO 异常信号逐渐下传,使得对流层AO 也转为负位相;随后,乌拉尔山阻塞高压异常发展,极区的冷空气不断向南爆发,先后在东亚和欧洲造成剧烈的降温,导致低温严寒事件。因此,考虑平流层环流的异常可能有助于提高欧亚大陆冬季低温严寒事件的预测能力。     

夏季乌拉尔地区大气环流持续异常的形成与维持

从天气尺度瞬变涡旋与时间平均基本气流双向相互作用建立异常型的角度，研究了夏季乌拉尔地区大气环流持续异常的形成与维持，首先基于合成分析，研究了持续异常期间的天气尺度瞬变波活动情况，结果表明：正异常时，在上游地区，从北大西洋中部到西欧沿岸，瞬变活动明显增强。负异常过程时相反，该地区瞬变活动减弱。利用线性正压原始方程模式，研究了在合成正异常基本流及7月气候基本流等两种基本流下，正异常时上游异常瞬变活动对异常建立的贡献。结果表明：正异常时，上游增强的瞬变波活动有利于正异常的建立与维持。利用基于线性正压原始方程模式设计的风暴轴模式，研究了时间平均基本流在组织与调控瞬变活动中所起的作用。结果表明：当乌拉尔地区高压脊发展时，有利于瞬变在上游的北大西洋中部到西欧沿岸地区组织起来。脊发展越强，越有利。结合上述两方面的结果，提出了瞬变与行星波双向相互作用的乌拉尔持续正异常形成和自维持机制。     

A Study On Atmospheric Boundary-Layer Characteristics At Anand, India Using Lsp Experimental Data Sets

An attempt is made to study the planetary boundary layer (PBL) characteristics during the winter period at Anand (22.4°N, 72.6°E), a semi-arid region, which is located in the western part of India. A one-dimensional turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) closure model is used for the study. The structure of the PBL,which consists of profiles of zonal and meridional components of wind,potential temperature and specific humidity, is simulated. A one-dimensional soil heat and moisture transport parameterization scheme is incorporated for the accurate representation of the energy exchange processes at the soil-atmosphere interface. The diurnal variation of fluxes of sensible heat, latent heat, shortwave radiation, net radiation and soil flux, soil temperature at different depths, Richardson number and TKE at the height of the constant flux layer is studied. The model predictions are compared with the available observations obtained from a special Land Surface Processes (LSP) experiment.     

青藏高原地区地-气系统的辐射平衡特征

本文利用1982年8月—1983年7月青藏高原热源野外考察期间的Nimbus7卫星观测资料,分析了高原及其邻近地区行星反照率、大气顶的射出长波辐射和地-气系统辐射平衡的区域分布及季节变化特征以及它们对天气气候的影响。同时配合同期的地面辐射观测资料,讨论了卫星资料与地面实测资料间的相互关系,为探索卫星资料的应用等作了尝试。