Tectonic Interpretation of the Earthquake Distribution in the Contiguous Continent of the United States

Abstract With increasing high-quality geological and geophysical data it becomes clear that seismicity of the continents is characterized by linear patterns which are closely associated with tectonic features. The aim of this paper is to give reasonable interpretation for the earthquake distribution in the contiguous continent of the United States. Seismic lines and earthquake concentrated zones are defined, which reflect the characteristics of the continental seismotectonics. Similarities and differences in seismotectonics between the continental part of China and the contiguous continent of US are analysed. It is demonstrated that the spatial distribution of earthquakes can provide the information of the active structures in the earth's crust. The authors consider that the patterns of continental seismotectonics are not only controlled by the pre—existing tectonic frameworks and the current boundary dynamic conditions, but also possibly affected by dynamic factors of global tectonics at a higher level.     

Hydrogen absorption lines in the cosmic microwave background spectrum

We have calculated the intensities of the subordinate hydrogen lines formed during the recombination epoch at redshifts 800?z?1600. We show that an allowance for the angular momentum splitting of hydrogen atomic energy levels and the dipole transition selection rules can reveal absorption features in the cosmic microwave background recombination spectrum in the submillimeter wavelength range.     

Variations of microwave emission from solar active regions

Based on observational data obtained with the RT-22 Crimean Astrophysical Observatory radio telescope at frequencies of 8.6 and 15.4 GHz, we investigate the quasi-periodic variations of microwave emission from solar active regions with periods T_p<10 min. As follows from our wavelet analysis, the oscillations with periods of 3–5 min and 10–40 s have the largest amplitudes in the dynamic power spectra, while there are virtually no oscillations with T_p<10 s. Our analysis shows that acoustic modes with T_p?1 min strongly dissipate in the lower solar corona due to thermal conduction losses. The oscillations with T_p=10–40 s are associated with Alfvén disturbances. We analyze the influence of acoustic and Alfvén oscillations on the thermal mechanisms of microwave emission in terms of the homogeneous model. We discuss the probable coronal heating sources.     

西部山区交通线路的泥石流灾害及减灾对策

全面总结了西部山区交通线路的泥石流问题,探讨了交通线路泥石流的特点、分布及其危害现状。在掌握了泥石流特征的基础上,进一步探讨了既有线路、在建线路和拟建线路所采取的不同防灾减灾对策,并提出了山区交通线路泥石流防灾工程建设应该进一步深入研究的问题,为西部山区线路建设中的防灾、减灾工作指明了方向。     

Examining the aerosol indirect effect over China using an SO2 emission inventory

The relationship between SO₂ emissions and the effective particle radius of low-level water clouds (r_e) over China was investigated to determine anthropogenic effects on clouds. Sulfur dioxide emission values were obtained from a statistical inventory, and r_e origins were retrieved by satellite remote sensing on a 0.5° grid. Comparisons between annual mean SO₂ emissions and r_e showed generally decreasing r_e values, explained by the Twomey effect. The existence of the Twomey effect is supported by comparisons with simulated aerosol optical depths. Results further suggest that clouds over land show sensitivity to the Twomey effect as well as clouds over the ocean.     

Seismic and field evidence for selective inversion of Cretaceous normal faults, Salta rift, northwest Argentina

Northwestern Argentina was the site of the continental Salta rift in Cretaceous to Paleogene time. The Salta rift had a complex geometry with several subbasins of different trends and subsidence patterns surrounding a central high. Fault trends in the rift were extremely variable. There is evidence of normal and/or transfer faults trending N, NE, E and SE. It is not clear if all these faults were active at the same time, indicating a poorly defined extension direction, or if they formed in different, non-coaxial extension phases. In either case, their trends were very likely influenced by preexisting fault systems. Beginning in early Eocene time, the rift basins were superseded by Andean foreland basins and later became caught in the Andean thrust deformation propagating eastward, resulting in the inversion of rift faults. Due to their different orientations, not all faults were equally prone to reactivation as thrusts. N to NNE trending faults were apparently most strongly inverted, probably often to a degree where the traces of their normal fault origin have become obliterated. We present seismic evidence of moderately inverted N trending faults in the Tres Cruces basin and field examples of preserved E trending normal faults. However, reactivation sometimes also affects faults trending approximately parallel to the main Neogene shortening direction, indicating short-term deviations from the general pattern of Neogene thrust deformation. These pulses of orogen-parallel contraction may be linked to the intermittent activity of oblique transfer zones.     

Mercury emission from the indigenous mercury smelting in Wuchuan mercury mining areas, Guizhou Province, China

Mercury smelting is one of the important anthropogenic atmospheric mercury emission sources. Small-scale mercury smelting activities with indigenous method which is considered illegal and forbidden by local government always extensively existed in the Wuchuan area, northeastern Guizhou Province, China. Because of the simple processes without any environmental protection, a large amount of mercury vapor released to the ambient air during the processing of cinnabar roasting. By determining mercury concentrations in mercury ore and smelting slag samples, a mass balance method was used to calculate mercury emission factors and annual mercury emission from indigenous mercury smelting in Wuchuan mercury mining areas, Guizhou Province, China. The mercury emission factors ranged from 6.9% to 32.1% with the recovery from 78.4% to 93.6% and the annual mercury emission was up to 3.7-9.6 metric tons. The results highlighted that the indigenous mercury smelting was one of the most important anthropogenic atmospheric mercury emission sources in this region.     

Thorite versus huttonite: stability, electronic properties and X-ray emission spectra from first-principle calculations

The structural, electronic properties and stability of thorium orthosilicate ThSiO₄ polymorphs: thorite and huttonite are investigated by means of the full-potential linearized augmented-plane-wave method with the generalized gradient approximation for the exchange-correlation potential (FLAPW-GGA). The forbidden gaps of thorite and huttonite are estimated at about 7.8 and 7.6 eV, respectively. It is found that Th5f states in ThSiO₄ partially overlap with occupied O2p bands. The data obtained showed that thorite is more stable than huttonite; in turn both ThSiO₄ polymorphs are unstable with respect to their constituent binary oxides (thorianite ThO₂ and α-quartz SiO₂) in agreement with the experiments. The theoretical shapes of X-ray emission (XES) (Si,O)Kα,β spectra for thorite, huttonite as well as for SiO₂ and ThO₂ are calculated and discussed. We show that the XES spectroscopy near the (Si,O)K edge may be very useful technique not only for detailed investigation of the bulk-electronic structure of Th silicates but also for the phase analysis of complex mineral samples containing these species.     

Open burning of wastes as the source of environmental contamination by POPs

In the paper the procedure for and results of a test study of a few persistent organic pollutants - polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon （PAH）, polychlorinated biphenyls （PCB） and hexachlorobenzene （HCB） emission from the open burning of different types of wastes （domestic wastes, agricultural debris, landscape cleating debris, etc.） are discussed. The open burning of agricultural debris and landscape-clearing debris is widely applied in rural areas and small towns and in allotment gardens for the recovery of that part of wastes that can not be utilized for compost preparation. This process is most typical during the autumn season and to a lesser degree during spring. Burning occurs usually in bon fires. Burning modes differ depending on the volume of material burnt, the waste moisture content, the weather conditions, etc. During this process part of domestic wastes （polluted wood, paper, chipboard, films, plastics, etc.） are burned also. Investigations included the collection and preparation of combustible material, the simulation of open burning processes, particulate and gas emission sampling, chemical analysis of sample and data processing. Sampling procedures and sample preparation were agreeable to the emission sampling standards. The aerosol and vapour phases of POPs were collected by ordinary sampling train with pumping of waste gases through filter and solid sorbent （polyurethane foam）. For the measurements of PAH in emission, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry were used which make it possible to identify and determine 16 PAH compounds in the samples; this method was used for HCB determination also. Gas chromatography with ECD detector was used for PCB measurement. It was detected that the levels of PAH emission from wastes uncontrolled burning of wastes vary greatly. Influencing factors are composition and properties of refuse, temperature and mode of burning, level air supply. Generally, the increase of content of wood leads to the increase of PAH in emission. PAH emission also increased with increasing temperature of burning. The highest PAH values are characteristic of emissions from domestic refuse burning. Practically, all naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene （from 60% to 100% of their total mass） and fluorene （14%-99%） were emitted in gaseous form.     

基于Beamlet变换的直线特征提取

提出了一种基于Beamlet变换的算法,克服了图像中的各种干扰及噪声,试验结果表明其具有较好的实用价值。