On the magnetic field diffusion in mhd modeling of the inner coma of comet halley

Abstract

Some approaches of one-dimensional time-dependent magneto-hydrodynamic modeling of the structure of the inner coma of comet Halley are considered. The influence of the magnetic field diffusion on this structure is studied. The solution of Cravens (1989) approach containing classic magnetic diffusion is compared with an approach containing a specific diffusion, caused by non-instantaneous mass-loading of new ions. A case with no magnetic field is also considered. Common features of all the solutions are obtained. Special attention is paid to the sharp velocity jump, synchronized with a local density pick. Some differences between two types of magnetic field diffusion are discussed. A possible connection is supposed between this consideration and the large-scale shock fitting modeling of the solar plasma-comet interaction.     

Convection in a rotating annulus having sidewalls of height-dependent thermal conductance

Abstract

Thermal convection in a vertically-mounted, rotating annulus of a particular design proposed by Davies and Walin (1977) is investigated. The annulus used in the present study differs from the conventional type in some important aspects: the sidewalls are finitely conducting, and the thermal conductance of the sidewalls is height-dependent. The theoretical model due to Davies and Walin is briefly recounted. The present study aims to verify the theoretical model; we have acquired numerical solutions to the governing Navier-Stokes equations. The numerical results are supportive of the theoretical contentions. The near-linear dependence of the isothermal slope on the parameter D, which is a function of Ω and ΔT, is corroborated within reasonable limits. New data on the vertical and radial structures of the meridional and azimuthal flows are presented. The numerical results also confirm that the shape of the sidewall thickness has a substantial influence on the meridional flow patterns. In the bulk of the interior flow field, the dominant azimuthal flow field and the temperature field are linked by the thermal wind relation.     

Constraining Holocene 10Be production rates in Greenland

The absence of a production rate calibration experiment on Greenland has limited the ability to link ¹⁰Be exposure dating chronologies of ice‐margin change to independent records of rapid climate change. We use radiocarbon age control on Holocene glacial features near Jakobshavn Isbræ, western Greenland, to investigate ¹⁰Be production rates. The radiocarbon chronology is inconsistent with the ¹⁰Be age calculations based on the current globally averaged ¹⁰Be production rate calibration data set, but is consistent with the ¹⁰Be production rate calibration data set from north‐eastern North America, which includes a calibration site nearby on north‐eastern Baffin Island. Based on the best‐dated feature available from the Jakobshavn Isbræ forefield, we derive a ¹⁰Be production rate value of 3.98 ± 0.24 atoms g a^?1, using the ‘St’ scaling scheme, which overlaps with recently published reference ¹⁰Be production rates. We suggest that these ¹⁰Be production rate data, or the very similar data from north‐eastern North America, are used on Greenland. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of FY-2C Cloud Drift Winds in a Mesoscale Numerical Model

Statistical tests and error analysis of cloud drift winds(CDWs) from the FY-2C satellite were made by using radiosonde observations.According to the error characteristics of the CDW,a bias correction using the thermal wind theory was applied in the data quality control.The CDW data were then assimilated into the GRAPES-meso model via the GRAPES-3DVar.A torrential rain event that occurred in northwestern China during 1-2 July 2005 was simulated.The results indicate that the CDW data were mainly distribute...     

Long waves due to a symmetrical wind stress on the surface of a rotating ocean

Abstract

The problem of unsteady long waves generated by any horizontal and symmetrically distributed, time-periodic surface wind on a rotating ocean is analysed for large times and distances. Uniform asymptotic estimates of the surface displacement in the unsteady state are obtained. The steady-state wave and velocity fields at any distance are also determined. Some characteristics of the unsteady and steady motions are described. Also noted are the features that distinguish the motion from its one-dimensional analogue for which a non-uniform analysis in the unsteady state along with a large-distance form of the surface elevation are already known.     

Epikarst hydrology and implications for stalagmite capture of climate changes at Grotta di Ernesto (NE Italy): results from long‐term monitoring

Grotta di Ernesto is a cave site well suited for palaeoclimate studies because it contains annually laminated stalagmites and was monitored from 1995 to the end of 2008 for microclimate, hydrology and hydrochemistry. Long‐term monitoring highlighted that cave drips show three different hydrological responses to rainfall and infiltration: (1) fast seasonal drips in the upper part of the cave, which are mostly fed by fractures, (2) slow seasonal drips, located at mid‐depth in the cave characterized by mixed feeding and (3) slow drips, mostly located in the deeper gallery, which are fed by seepage flow from bulk porosity with a minor fracture‐fed component. The slow drips display daily cycles during spring thaw. Monitoring also indicated that drip waters are only slightly modified by degassing within the soil zone and aquifer and by prior calcite precipitation. Hydrochemical studies show a clear seasonality in calcite saturation index, which results in most cave calcite precipitation occurring during late autumn and winter with similar amounts of precipitated calcite on most stalagmites, regardless of drip rate (discharge) differences. Drip rate, and drip rate variability, therefore, has a minor role in modulating the amount of annual calcite formation. In contrast, drip rate, when associated with moderate reduction in calcite saturation index, clearly influences stalagmite morphology. Increasing drip rate yields a passage from candle‐, to cone‐ to dome‐shaped stalagmites. Very high drip rates feed speleothems with flowstone morphology. In summary, monitoring provides information about the karst aquifer and how hydrology influences those physical and chemical characteristics of speleothems which are commonly used as climate proxies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Breach erosion of earthfill dams (BEED) model

A computer model has been developed for simulation of breach erosion of earthfill dams (BEED). The model incorporates the processes of surface erosion and slope sloughing to simulate breach enlargement. Depletion of reservoir water is approximated by a volume continuity equation while broad-crested weir hydraulics is utilized to describe flow over and through the breach. Due to the implicit form of these equations, an iterative solution is proposed with convergence achieved within only a few iterations. The BEED model is written in both FORTRAN 77 and BASIC computer languages. Testing of the model using historical data of the failures of Teton and Huaccoto dams showed that timing, shape, and magnitude of the predicted outflow hydrograph were adequately simulated by this model. The same is true for the dimensions of the terminal breach. A sensitivity analysis indicated that internal friction angle and the relation for surface erosion were the major factors affecting the model results.     

Seasonal cycle of surface circulation in the coastal North Indian Ocean

Monthly-mean winds and currents have been used to identify the driving mechanisms of seasonal coastal circulation in the North Indian Ocean. The main conclusions are: (i) the surface circulation off Arabia is typical of a wind-driven system with similar patterns of longshore current and wind stress; (ii) circulation off the west coast of India is consistent with the dynamics of a wind-driven eastern boundary current only during the southwest monsoon. During the northeast monsoon it is possible that the influence of the interior flow is important. (iii) There are at least three mechanisms that influence the surface circulation off the east coast of India: wind-stress, influence of fresh-water run off and contribution of the interior flow. It is difficult at present to assess the relative importance of these three processes.     

武汉市陆家街地面塌陷的形成机制

发生于武汉市陆家街的地面塌陷,是隐伏岩溶区的一种地质灾害,由于它与人类工程及社会经济活动有关,所以也是一种环境工程地质问题。用潜蚀机制解释这种现象较为合理,它是一个累进变形破坏过程。地面塌陷的发生与一定的地质、地貌条件密切相关。在搞清地面塌陷的形成机制、地质背景和发生条件的基础上,这种地质灾害是可以预测和防治的。     

陕西洛川不同时代黄土中的碳酸钙的沉积速率及其在地质年代测定中的意义

选择地处西北半干旱区、又具有代表性的黑木沟标准剖面,逐一测试其土层中的碳酸钙与干容重,进而由相关参数推算各土层的碳酸钙的沉积速率(V,下同),这是笔者的尝试。结果表明,该剖面中的碳酸钙的沉积速率,均有自下而上递增的趋势,各层总平均速率为0.20g/cm2·103a