Convective-conductive transitions and sensitivity of a convecting ice shell to perturbations in heat flux and tidal-heating rate: Implications for Europa

We investigate the response of conductive and convective ice shells on Europa to variations of heat flux and interior tidal-heating rate. We present numerical simulations of convection in Europa's ice shell with Newtonian, temperature-dependent viscosity and tidal heating. Modest variations in the heat flux supplied to the base of a convective ice shell, ΔF, can cause large variations of the ice-shell thickness Δδ. In contrast, for a conductive ice shell, large ΔF involves relatively small Δδ. We demonstrate that, for a fluid with temperature-dependent viscosity, the heat flux undergoes a finite-amplitude jump at the critical Rayleigh number Racr. This jump implies that, for a range of heat fluxes relevant to Europa, two equilibrium states—corresponding to a thin, conductive shell and a thick, convective shell—exist for a given heat flux. We show that, as a result, modest variations in heat flux near the critical Rayleigh number can force the ice shell to switch between the thin, conductive and thick, convective configurations over a ∼10⁷-year interval, with thickness changes of up to ∼10-30 km. Depending on the orbital and thermal history, such switches might occur repeatedly. However, existing evolution models based on parameterized-convection schemes have to date not allowed these transitions to occur. Rapid thickening of the ice shell would cause radial expansion of Europa, which could produce extensional tectonic features such as fractures or bands. Furthermore, based on interpretations for how features such as chaos and ridges are formed, several authors have suggested that Europa's ice shell has recently undergone changes in thickness. Our model provides a mechanism for such changes to occur.     

Corrections to Solar Thermal Structure when a Turbulent Magnetic Field is Included

Correction of non-ideal effect due to a magnetic fluctuating tensor is derived from the ideal MHD equations. The inclusion of a magnetic turbulent field leads to modifications of the hydrostatic equilibrium equation and thermodynamical variables such as the temperature T, the adiabatic exponent γ, the adiabatic temperature gradient △↓ad and the temperature gradient △↓. In particular, the modifications in the adiabatic and radiative temperature gradients will result in a change in the Schwarzchild criterion, hence in the location of the base of the convective zone. Incorporating the modifications, we construct a modified thermodynamical equilibrium structure of the Sun.     

An analytical assessment on the impact of covers on the onset of air convection in mine wastes

If a mine waste pile is left open, an active chemical reaction of oxidation is often found due to the commonly high content of pyritic materials. The oxidation of pyrites is an exothermic process and the released heat will promote the flow of fresh oxygen from the surrounding atmosphere into the waste dump. As a result, oxidation reaction will accelerate and temperature within the dump can increase to as high as 60°C above the ambient temperature. The oxidation process also releases sulphuric acid and hydrogen ions into ground water to cause water contamination. Low‐permeability covers such as clay liners have been recently proposed to abate the oxidation process in mine wastes. The effectiveness of using low‐permeability materials to cover mine wastes in order to suppress the pyrite oxidation is examined. By conducting the theoretical analysis of the onset of convective air flow within waste rocks, the conditions under which soil gas flow is significant are identified. By comparing the results with previous field measurements and theoretical analysis for the uncovered conditions, it is shown that low‐permeability covers can effectively suppress soil gas flow and slow down the pyrite oxidation process in mine wastes. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Neutron Stars with a Quark Core. II. Basic Integral and Structural Parameters

A broad sample of computed realistic equations of state of superdense matter with a quark phase transition is used to construct a series of models of neutron stars with a strange quark core. The integral characteristics of the stellar configurations are obtained: gravitational mass, rest mass, radius, relativistic moment of inertia, and red shift from the star's surface, as well as the mass and radius of the quark core within the allowable range of values for the central pressure. The parameters of some of the characteristic configurations of the calculated series are also given and these are studied in detail. It is found that a new additional region of stability for neutron stars with strange quark cores may exist for some models of the equation of state.     

低部主序恒星锂和铍的衰减

根据化学非均匀恒星的非局部对流理论,计算了质量为0．7-1．15M(?)恒星主序演化模型锂和铍的衰减,并将理论和不同年龄疏散星团锂丰度的观测进行了比较．结果表明,贯穿对流混合能重现温度低于6400 K的晚型主序星锂丰度观测的一般性质．贯穿对流混合可能是晚型矮星锂衰减的一种重要机制．     

The late Quaternary tephrostratigraphical record of the San Gregorio Magno basin (southern Italy)

Twenty‐one primary pyroclastic layers were found embedded in the lacustrine sediments of the San Gregorio Magno basin (Southern Apennines). These sand‐sized layers were characterised by a noticeable juvenile fragments content and by a sharp basal contact with the underlying clay and silt sediments. The tephra layers have been correlated with terrestrial counterparts from well‐known eruptive events of the Campanian volcanic area, or with reference layers from deep sea sediment cores and from the Monticchio maar sequence. The investigation of the San Gregorio Magno tephra layers made it possible to deduce that lacustrine sedimentation at San Gregorio Magno basin began before 170k yr BP and lasted at least until the emplacement of the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff, which occurred about 15k yr BP. The tephrochronology allowed determination of the varying sedimentation rate that occurred in the basin. Correlation of the lacustrine record with marine sequences has allowed development of a late Quaternary tephrostratotype for southern Italy. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Meteoric water-rock interaction in the lower plate of the Whipple Mountain metamorphic core complex, California

Oxygen isotope ratios, whole rock major and trace element compositions, and petrological characteristics of 52 samples from nine distinct igneous lithologies in the lower plate of the Whipple Mountain metamorphic core complex of south-eastern California indicate that both mylonitic and non-mylonitic lithologies underwent exchange with surface-derived meteoric waters. Broadly granodioritic lithologies are characterized by whole rock δ¹⁸O values that range from 10.6 to 2.6‰. Isotopic compositions of quartz and feldspar mineral separates indicate that quartz has largely retained original igneous compositions but that feldspar has undergone variable and often large ¹⁸O-depletions (up to 6.5‰). Over 4 km of structural relief is exposed in lower plate gneisses below the Whipple detachment fault including non-mylonitic lithologies at shallow structural levels above the mylonite front, and mylonitic gneisses at intermediate to deep levels below the mylonite front. Coupled δ¹⁸O_qtz - δ¹⁸O_Fsp systematics of non-mylonitic and mylonitic andesite to rhyolite dykes from shallow and intermediate structural levels of the lower plate document two episodes of hydrothermal alteration: a high-temperature (>c.600d?C) episode involving a metamorphic or magmatic fluid with δ¹⁸O values ～ 7‰ and a low-temperature (c.350d?C) episode involving low-δ¹⁸O meteoric fluids. All the dykes that document exchange with meteoric fluids are non-mylonitic. Coupled δ¹⁸O_Fsp systematics of non-mylonitic and mylonitic granodioritic gneisses from above and below the mylonite front also document low-temperature (c. 350d? C) exchange with meteoric fluids. The data indicate that infiltration of meteoric fluids occurred as lower plate lithologies were juxtaposed against the base of the faulted upper plate. High-angle normal faults in the upper plate served as the conduits for the downward circulation of surface-derived fluids. Meteoric fluids were able to penetrate across the detachment fault into the lower plate. Uplift rates coupled with independent cooling rates indicate that surface-derived fluids penetrated to a depth of c.4km and possibly as deep as c.8km. Penetration of surface-derived fluid into the ductile deformation regime is not required to explain the low δ¹⁸O values observed in lower plate lithologies of the Whipple Mountain metamorphic core complex.