Lithosphere mantle density of the North China Craton based on gravity data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, B.; Artemieva, I. M.; Thybo, H.

2017-12-01

Based on gravity, seismic and thermal data we constrained the lithospheric mantle density at in-situ and STP condition. The gravity effect of topography, sedimentary cover, Moho and Lithosphere-Asthenosphere Boundary variation were removed from free-air gravity anomaly model. The sedimentary covers with density range from 1.80 g/cm3 with soft sediments to 2.40 g/cm3 with sandstone and limestone sediments. The average crustal density with values of 2.70 - 2.78 g/cm3 which corresponds the thickness and density of the sedimentary cover. Based on the new thermal model, the surface heat flow in original the North China Craton including western block is > 60 mW/m2. Moho temperature ranges from 450 - 600 OC in the eastern block and in the western block is 550 - 650 OC. The thermal lithosphere is 100 -140 km thick where have the surface heat flow of 60 - 70 mW/m2. The gravity effect of surface topography, sedimentary cover, Moho depth are 0 to +150 mGal, - 20 to -120 mGal and +50 to -200 mGal, respectively. By driving the thermal lithosphere, the gravity effect of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary ranges from 20 mGal to +200 mGal which shows strong correction with the thickness of the lithosphere. The relationship between the gravity effect of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary and the lithosphere thickness also for the seismic lithosphere, and the value of gravity effect is 0 to +220 mGal. The lithospheric mantle residual gravity which caused by lithospheric density variation range from -200 to +50 mGal by using the thermal lithosphere and from -250 to +100 mGal by driving the seismic lithosphere. For thermal lithosphere, the lithospheric mantle density with values of 3.21- 3.26 g/cm3 at in-situ condition and 3.33 - 3.38 g/cm3 at STP condition. Using seismic lithosphere, density of lithosphere ranges from 3.20 - 3.26 g/cm3 at in-situ condition and 3.31 - 3.41 g/cm3 at STP condition. The subcontinental lithosphere of the North China Craton is highly heterogeneous with Archean lithosphere at the southwestern of the Eastern Block, major the Trans-North China Orogen and western part of the Western Block. The lithospheric mantle beneath the northern part of the Eastern Block, central segment of the Trans-North China Craton and the eastern margin of the Western Block have experienced modification and replacement.

Gravity and geoid anomalies of the Philippine Sea: Evidence on the depth of compensation for the negative residual water depth anomaly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bowin, C.

1982-01-01

A negative free-air gravity anomaly which occurs in the central part of the Philippine Sea was examined to determine the distribution and nature of possible regional mass excesses or deficiencies. Geoid anomalies from GEOS-3 observation were positive. A negative residual geoid anomaly consistent with the area of negative free-air gravity anomalies were found. Theoretical gravity-topography and geoid-topography admittance functions indicated that high density mantle at about 60 km dept could account for the magnitudes of the gravity and residual geoid anomaly and the 1 km residual water depth anomaly in the Philippine Sea. The negative residual depth anomaly may be compensated for by excess density in the uppermost mantle, but the residual geoid and regional free-air gravity anomalies and a slow surface wave velocity structure might result from low-density warm upper mantle material lying beneath the zone of high-density uppermost mantle. From a horizontal disk approximation, the depth of the low-density warm mantle was estimated to be on the order of 200 km.

Gravity Change at the Summit of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaíi, during 2012-2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, S.; Poland, M. P.; Young, N. K.; Bagnardi, M.; Carbone, D.

2014-12-01

Monitoring of gravity change at a volcano is a valuable means of assessing mass change at depth and a good complement to other surveillance methods, like deformation and seismicity. At Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaíi, repeated gravity surveys of the summit region have been conducted since 1975, with hundreds of microgals of gravity increase measured at the center of the caldera but without the magnitude of surface uplift through 2008 that would be expected from the gravity increase. This gravity increase was attributed to magma accumulation in void space. Between 2009 and 2012, gravity increase and uplift were coincident, but the uplift was less than expected for the given gravity signal (assuming a basaltic magma density of 2500 kg/m3). The source of both deformation and gravity change was at 1.5 km depth beneath the east margin of Halemáumáu Crater, within Kīlauea Caldera, corresponding to the location of a known shallow magma reservoir. Densification of magma in this reservoir due to degassing through the open summit eruptive vent, active since 2008, is the preferred explanation of the observed gravity change and surface displacements. We conducted gravity surveys in 2013 and 2014 and found that both gravity change and surface displacements were negligible with respect to 2012. We interpret this lack of recent gravity change as an indication that the 1.5-km-depth magma reservoir has reached a steady-state density, where gas loss from the summit vent is compensated for by gas influx from below. Continued gravity surveys should identify any changes in this equilibrium that may presage changes in summit eruptive activity.

Determining the 3D Subsurface Density Structure of Taurus Littrow Valley Using Apollo 17 Gravity Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Urbancic, N.; Ghent, R.; Stanley, S,; Johnson, C. L.; Carroll, K. A.; Hatch, D.; Williamson, M. C.; Garry, W. B.; Talwani, M.

2016-01-01

Surface gravity surveys can detect subsurface density variations that can reveal subsurface geologic features. In 1972, the Apollo 17 (A17) mission conducted the Traverse Gravimeter Experiment (TGE) using a gravimeter that measured the local gravity field near Taurus Littrow Valley (TLV), located on the south-eastern rim of the Serenitatis basin. TLV is hypothesized to be a basaltfilled radial graben resulting from the impact that formed Mare Serenitatis. It is bounded by both the North and South Massifs (NM and SM) as well as other smaller mountains to the East that are thought to be mainly composed of brecciated highland material. The TGE is the first and only successful gravity survey on the surface of the Moon. Other more recent satellite surveys, such as NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission (2011- 2012), have produced the best global gravity field to date (approx. 13km resolution). However, these satellite surveys are not sensitive enough to detect fine-scale (<1km) lunar subsurface structures. This underscores the value of the data collected at the surface by A17. In the original analysis of the data a 2D forward-modelling approach was used to derive a thickness of the subsurface basalt layer of 1.0 km by assuming a simple flat-faced rectangular geometry and using densities derived from Apollo lunar samples. We are investigating whether modern 3D modelling techniques in combination with high-resolution topographical and image datasets can reveal additional fine-scale subsurface structure in TLV.

Geophysical investigation using gravity data in Kinigi geothermal field, northwest Rwanda

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uwiduhaye, Jean d.'Amour; Mizunaga, Hideki; Saibi, Hakim

2018-03-01

A land gravity survey was carried out in the Kinigi geothermal field, Northwest Rwanda using 184 gravity stations during August and September, 2015. The aim of the gravity survey was to understand the subsurface structure and its relation to the observed surface manifestations in the study area. The complete Bouguer Gravity anomaly was produced with a reduction density of 2.4 g/cm3. Bouguer anomalies ranging from -52 to -35 mGals were observed in the study area with relatively high anomalies in the east and northwest zones while low anomalies are observed in the southwest side of the studied area. A decrease of 17 mGals is observed in the southwestern part of the study area and caused by the low-density of the Tertiary rocks. Horizontal gradient, tilt angle and analytical signal methods were applied to the observed gravity data and showed that Mubona, Mpenge and Cyabararika surface springs are structurally controlled while Rubindi spring is not. The integrated results of gravity gradient interpretation methods delineated a dominant geological structure trending in the NW-SE, which is in agreement with the regional geological trend. The results of this gravity study will help aid future geothermal exploration and development in the Kinigi geothermal field.

On the generation of internal wave modes by surface waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harlander, Uwe; Kirschner, Ian; Maas, Christian; Zaussinger, Florian

2016-04-01

Internal gravity waves play an important role in the ocean since they transport energy and momentum and the can lead to mixing when they break. Surface waves and internal gravity waves can interact. On the one hand, long internal waves imply a slow varying shear current that modifies the propagation of surface waves. Surface waves generated by the atmosphere can, on the other hand, excite internal waves by nonlinear interaction. Thereby a surface wave packet consisting of two close frequencies can resonate with a low frequency internal wave (Phillips, 1966). From a theoretical point of view, the latter has been studied intensively by using a 2-layer model, i.e. a surface layer with a strong density contrast and an internal layer with a comparable weak density contrast (Ball, 1964; Craig et al., 2010). In the present work we analyse the wave coupling for a continuously stratified fluid using a fully non-linear 2D numerical model (OpenFoam) and compare this with laboratory experiments (see Lewis et al. 1974). Surface wave modes are used as initial condition and the time development of the dominant surface and internal waves are studied by spectral and harmonic analysis. For the simple geometry of a box, the results are compared with analytical spectra of surface and gravity waves. Ball, F.K. 1964: Energy transfer between external and internal gravity waves. J. Fluid Mech. 19, 465. Craig, W., Guyenne, P., Sulem, C. 2010: Coupling between internal and surface waves. Natural Hazards 57, 617-642. Lewis, J.E., Lake, B.M., Ko, D.R.S 1974: On the interaction of internal waves and surfacr gravity waves, J. Fluid Mech. 63, 773-800. Phillips, O.M. 1966: The dynamics of the upper ocean, Cambridge University Press, 336pp.

Titan's interior from Cassini-Huygens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tobie, G.; Baland, R.-M.; Lefevre, A.; Monteux, J.; Cadek, O.; Choblet, G.; Mitri, G.

2013-09-01

The Cassini-Huygens mission has brought many informations about Titan that can be used to infer its interior structure: the gravity field coefficients (up to degree 3, [1]), the surface shape (up to degree 6, [2]), the tidal Love number [1], the electric field [3], and the orientation of its rotation axis [4]. The measured obliquity and gravity perturbation due to tides, as well as the electric field, are lines of evidence for the presence of an internal global ocean beneath the ice surface of Titan [5,1,3]. The observed surface shape and gravity can be used to further constrain the structure of the ice shell above the internal ocean. The presence of a significant topography associated with weak gravity anomalies indicates that deflections of internal interface or lateral density variations may exist to compensate the topography. To assess the sources of compensation, we consider interior models including interface deflections and/or density variations, which reproduces simultaneously the surface gravity and long-wavelength topography data [6]. Furthermore, in order to test the long-term mechanical stability of the internal mass anomalies, we compute the relaxation rate of each internal interface in response to surface mass load. We show that the topography can be explained either by defections of the ocean/ice interface or by density variations in an upper crust [6]. For non-perfectly compensated models of the outer ice shell, the present-day structure is stable only for a conductive layer above a relatively cold ocean (for bottom viscosity > 1016 Pa.s, T < 250 K). For perfectly compensated models, a convective ice shell is stable (with a bottom viscosity lower than 1015 Pas) if the source of compensation is due to density variations in the upper crust (2-3 km below the surface). In this case, deep gravity anomalies are required to explain the observed geoid. Our calculations show that the high pressure ice layer cannot be the source of the residual gravity anomalies. The existence of mass anomalies in the rocky core is a most likely explanation. However, as the observed geoid and topography are mostly sensitive to the lateral structure of the outer ice shell, no information can be retrieved on the ice shell thickness, ocean density and/or size of the rocky core. Constraints on these internal parameters can be obtained from the tidal Love number and the obliquity. To derive the possible density profile, the obliquity is computed from a Cassini state model for a satellite with an internal liquid layer, each layer having an ellipsoidal shape consistent with the measured surface shape and gravity field [7]. We show that, once the observed surface flattening is taken into account, the measured obliquity can be reproduced only for internal models with a dense ocean (between 1275 and 1350 kg.m-3) above a differentiated interior with a full separation of rock and ice [7]. We obtain normalized moments of inertia between 0.31 and 0.33, significantly lower than the expected hydrostatic value (0.34). The tidal Love number is also found to be mostly sensitive to the ocean density and to a lesser extent the ice shell thickness. By combining obliquity and tidal Love number constraints, we show that the thickness of the outer ice shell is at least 40 km and the ocean thickness is less than 100 km, with an averaged density of 1275-1350 kg.m-3. Such a high density indicates that the ocean may contain a significant fraction of salts. Our calculations also imply that there is a significant difference of flattening between the surface and the ice/ocean interface. This is possible only if the ice layer is viscous enough to limit relaxation, as indicated above. This is also consistent with an ocean enriched in salts for which the crystallization point can be several tens of degree below the crystallization point of pure water system. The elevated density (> 3800 kg.m-3) found for the rocky core further suggests that Titan might have a differentiated iron core. The rocky core is likely fully dehydrated at present, suggesting warm conditions during most of its evolution. All the water contained in the deep interior has probably been expelled to the outer regions, thus potentially explaining the salt enrichments.

Density Of The Continental Roots: Compositional And Thermal Effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaban, M. K.; Schwintzer, P.; Artemieva, I.; Mooney, W. D.

We use gravity, thermal, and seismic data to examine how the density and composi- tion of lithospheric roots vary beneath the cratons. Our interpretation is based on the gravity anomalies calculated by subtracting the gravitational effects of bathymetry, to- pography, and the crust from the observed gravity field, and the residual topography that characterizes the isostatic state of the lithosphere. We distinguish the effects of temperature and compositional variations in producing lithospheric density anomalies using two independent temperature constrains: based on interpretation of the surface heat flow data and estimated from global seismic tomography data. We find that in situ lithospheric density differs significantly between individual cratons, with the most dense values found beneath Eurasia and the least dense values beneath South Africa. This demonstrates that there is not a simple compensation of thermal and composition effects. We present a new gravity anomaly map that was corrected for crustal density structure and lithospheric temperatures. This map reveals differences in lithospheric composition, that are the result of the petrologic processes that have formed and mod- ified the lithosphere. All significant negative gravity anomalies are found in cratonic regions. In contrast, positive gravity anomalies are found in two distinct regions: near ocean-continent and continent-continent subduction zones, and within some continen- tal interiors. The origin of the latter positive anomalies is uncertain.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ballouz, Ronald-Louis; Richardson, Derek C.; Morishima, Ryuji

We study the B ring’s complex optical depth structure. The source of this structure may be the complex dynamics of the Keplerian shear and the self-gravity of the ring particles. The outcome of these dynamic effects depends sensitively on the collisional and physical properties of the particles. Two mechanisms can emerge that dominate the macroscopic physical structure of the ring: self-gravity wakes and viscous overstability. Here we study the interplay between these two mechanisms by using our recently developed particle collision method that allows us to better model the inter-particle contact physics. We find that for a constant ring surfacemore » density and particle internal density, particles with rough surfaces tend to produce axisymmetric ring features associated with the viscous overstability, while particles with smoother surfaces produce self-gravity wakes.« less

The Dissolution of an Interfween Miscible Liquids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vlad, D.H.; Maher, J.V.

1999-01-01

The disappearance of the surface tension of the interface of a binary mixture, measured using the dynamic surface light scattering technique, is slower for a binary mixture of higher density contrast. A comparison with a naive diffusion model, expected to provide a lower limit for the speed of dissolution in the absence of gravity shows that the interfacial surface tension disappears much slower than even by diffusion with the effect becoming much more pronounced when density contrast between the liquid phases is increased. Thus, the factor most likely to be responsible for this anomalously slow dissolution is gravity. A mechanism could be based on the competition between diffusive relaxation and sedimentation at the dissolving interface.

Effects of gravity in folding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minkel, Donald Howe

Effects of gravity on buckle folding are studied using a Newtonian fluid finite element model of a single layer embedded between two thicker less viscous layers. The methods allow arbitrary density jumps, surface tension coefficients, resistance to slip at the interfaces, and tracking of fold growth to a large amplitudes. When density increases downward in two equal jumps, a layer buckles less and thickens more than with uniform density. When density increases upward in two equal jumps, it buckles more and thickens less. A low density layer with periodic thickness variations buckles more, sometimes explosively. Thickness variations form, even if not present initially. These effects are greater with; smaller viscosities, larger density jump, larger length scale, and slower shortening rate. They also depend on wavelength and amplitude, and these dependencies are described in detail. The model is applied to the explosive growth of the salt anticlines of the Paradox Basin, Colorado and Utah. There, shale (higher density) overlies salt (lower density). Methods for simulating realistic earth surface erosion and deposition conditions are introduced. Growth rates increase both with ease of slip at the salt-shale interface, and when earth surface relief stays low due to erosion and deposition. Model anticlines grow explosively, attaining growth rates and amplitudes close to those of the field examples. Fastest growing wavelengths are the same as seen in the field. It is concluded that a combination of partial-slip at the salt-shale interface, with reasonable earth surface conditions, promotes sufficiently fast buckling of the salt-shale interface due to density inversion alone. Neither basement faulting, nor tectonic shortening is required to account for the observed structures. Of fundamental importance is the strong tendency of gravity to promote buckling in low density layers with thickness variations. These develop, even if not present initially.

GOCE gravity gradient data for lithospheric modeling and geophysical exploration research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouman, Johannes; Ebbing, Jörg; Meekes, Sjef; Lieb, Verena; Fuchs, Martin; Schmidt, Michael; Fattah, Rader Abdul; Gradmann, Sofie; Haagmans, Roger

2013-04-01

GOCE gravity gradient data can improve modeling of the Earth's lithosphere and upper mantle, contributing to a better understanding of the Earth's dynamic processes. We present a method to compute user-friendly GOCE gravity gradient grids at mean satellite altitude, which are easier to use than the original GOCE gradients that are given in a rotating instrument frame. In addition, the GOCE gradients are combined with terrestrial gravity data to obtain high resolution grids of gravity field information close to the Earth's surface. We also present a case study for the North-East Atlantic margin, where we analyze the use of satellite gravity gradients by comparison with a well-constrained 3D density model that provides a detailed picture from the upper mantle to the top basement (base of sediments). We demonstrate how gravity gradients can increase confidence in the modeled structures by calculating the sensitvity of model geometry and applied densities at different observation heights; e.g. satellite height and near surface. Finally, this sensitivity analysis is used as input to study the Rub' al Khali desert in Saudi Arabia. In terms of modeling and data availability this is a frontier area. Here gravity gradient data help especially to set up the regional crustal structure, which in turn allows to refine sedimentary thickness estimates and the regional heat-flow pattern. This can have implications for hydrocarbon exploration in the region.

Density and lithospheric structure at Tyrrhena Patera, Mars, from gravity and topography data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grott, M.; Wieczorek, M. A.

2012-09-01

The Tyrrhena Patera highland volcano, Mars, is associated with a relatively well localized gravity anomaly and we have carried out a localized admittance analysis in the region to constrain the density of the volcanic load, the load thickness, and the elastic thickness at the time of load emplacement. The employed admittance model considers loading of an initially spherical surface, and surface as well as subsurface loading is taken into account. Our results indicate that the gravity and topography data available at Tyrrhena Patera is consistent with the absence of subsurface loading, but the presence of a small subsurface load cannot be ruled out. We obtain minimum load densities of 2960 kg m-3, minimum load thicknesses of 5 km, and minimum load volumes of 0.6 × 106 km3. Photogeological evidence suggests that pyroclastic deposits make up at most 30% of this volume, such that the bulk of Tyrrhena Patera is likely composed of competent basalt. Best fitting model parameters are a load density of 3343 kg m-3, a load thickness of 10.8 km, and a load volume of 1.7 × 106 km3. These relatively large load densities indicate that lava compositions are comparable to those at other martian volcanoes, and densities are comparable to those of the martian meteorites. The elastic thickness in the region is constrained to be smaller than 27.5 km at the time of loading, indicating surface heat flows in excess of 24 mW m-2.

Multilayer densities using a wavelet-based gravity method and their tectonic implications beneath the Tibetan Plateau

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Chuang; Luo, Zhicai; Sun, Rong; Zhou, Hao; Wu, Yihao

2018-06-01

Determining density structure of the Tibetan Plateau is helpful in better understanding of tectonic structure and development. Seismic method, as traditional approach obtaining a large number of achievements of density structure in the Tibetan Plateau except in the centre and west, is primarily inhibited by the poor seismic station coverage. As the implementation of satellite gravity missions, gravity method is more competitive because of global homogeneous gravity coverage. In this paper, a novel wavelet-based gravity method with high computation efficiency and excellent local identification capability is developed to determine multilayer densities beneath the Tibetan Plateau. The inverted six-layer densities from 0 to 150 km depth can reveal rich tectonic structure and development of study area: (1) The densities present a clockwise pattern, nearly east-west high-low alternating pattern in the west and nearly south-north high-low alternating pattern in the east, which is almost perpendicular to surface movement direction relative to the stable Eurasia from the Global Positioning System velocity field; (2) Apparent fold structure approximately from 10 to 110 km depth can be inferred from the multilayer densities, the deformational direction of which is nearly south-north in the west and east-west in the east; (3) Possible channel flows approximately from 30 to 110 km depth can also be observed clearly during the multilayer densities. Moreover, the inverted multilayer densities are in agreement with previous studies, which verify the correctness and effectiveness of our method.

Multilayer Densities Using a Wavelet-based Gravity Method and Their Tectonic Implications beneath the Tibetan Plateau

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Chuang; Luo, Zhicai; Sun, Rong; Zhou, Hao; Wu, Yihao

2018-03-01

Determining density structure of the Tibetan Plateau is helpful in better understanding tectonic structure and development. Seismic method, as traditional approach obtaining a large number of achievements of density structure in the Tibetan Plateau except in the center and west, is primarily inhibited by the poor seismic station coverage. As the implementation of satellite gravity missions, gravity method is more competitive because of global homogeneous gravity coverage. In this paper, a novel wavelet-based gravity method with high computation efficiency and excellent local identification capability is developed to determine multilayer densities beneath the Tibetan Plateau. The inverted 6-layer densities from 0 km to 150 km depth can reveal rich tectonic structure and development of study area: (1) The densities present a clockwise pattern, nearly east-west high-low alternating pattern in the west and nearly south-north high-low alternating pattern in the east, which is almost perpendicular to surface movement direction relative to the stable Eurasia from the Global Positioning System velocity field; (2) Apparent fold structure approximately from 10 km to 110 km depth can be inferred from the multilayer densities, the deformational direction of which is nearly south-north in the west and east-west in the east; (3) Possible channel flows approximately from 30 km to 110 km depth can be also observed clearly during the multilayer densities. Moreover, the inverted multilayer densities are in agreement with previous studies, which verify the correctness and effectiveness of our method.

3D joint inversion of gravity-gradient and borehole gravity data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geng, Meixia; Yang, Qingjie; Huang, Danian

2017-12-01

Borehole gravity is increasingly used in mineral exploration due to the advent of slim-hole gravimeters. Given the full-tensor gradiometry data available nowadays, joint inversion of surface and borehole data is a logical next step. Here, we base our inversions on cokriging, which is a geostatistical method of estimation where the error variance is minimised by applying cross-correlation between several variables. In this study, the density estimates are derived using gravity-gradient data, borehole gravity and known densities along the borehole as a secondary variable and the density as the primary variable. Cokriging is non-iterative and therefore is computationally efficient. In addition, cokriging inversion provides estimates of the error variance for each model, which allows direct assessment of the inverse model. Examples are shown involving data from a single borehole, from multiple boreholes, and combinations of borehole gravity and gravity-gradient data. The results clearly show that the depth resolution of gravity-gradient inversion can be improved significantly by including borehole data in addition to gravity-gradient data. However, the resolution of borehole data falls off rapidly as the distance between the borehole and the feature of interest increases. In the case where the borehole is far away from the target of interest, the inverted result can be improved by incorporating gravity-gradient data, especially all five independent components for inversion.

Fluid/gravity correspondence for massive gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Wen-Jian; Huang, Yong-Chang

2016-11-01

In this paper, we investigate the fluid/gravity correspondence in the framework of massive Einstein gravity. Treating the gravitational mass terms as an effective energy-momentum tensor and utilizing the Petrov-like boundary condition on a timelike hypersurface, we find that the perturbation effects of massive gravity in bulk can be completely governed by the incompressible Navier-Stokes equation living on the cutoff surface under the near horizon and nonrelativistic limits. Furthermore, we have concisely computed the ratio of dynamical viscosity to entropy density for two massive Einstein gravity theories, and found that they still saturate the Kovtun-Son-Starinets (KSS) bound.

GRAVITATIONAL CONTRACTION VERSUS SUPERNOVA DRIVING AND THE ORIGIN OF THE VELOCITY DISPERSION–SIZE RELATION IN MOLECULAR CLOUDS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ibáñez-Mejía, Juan C.; Mac Low, Mordecai-Mark; Klessen, Ralf S.

Molecular cloud (MC) observations show that clouds have non-thermal velocity dispersions that scale with the cloud size as σ ∝ R {sup 1/2} at a constant surface density, and for varying surface density scale with both the cloud’s size and surface density, σ {sup 2} ∝ R Σ. The energy source driving these chaotic motions remains poorly understood. We describe the velocity dispersions observed in a cloud population formed in a numerical simulation of a magnetized, stratified, supernova (SN)-driven, interstellar medium, including diffuse heating and radiative cooling, before and after we include the effects of the self-gravity of the gas.more » We compare the relationships between velocity dispersion, size, and surface density measured in the simulated cloud population to those found in observations of Galactic MCs. Our simulations prior to the onset of self-gravity suggest that external SN explosions alone do not drive turbulent motions of the observed magnitudes within dense clouds. On the other hand, self-gravity induces non-thermal motions as gravitationally bound clouds begin to collapse in our model, approaching the observed relations between velocity dispersion, size, and surface density. Energy conservation suggests that the observed behavior is consistent with the kinetic energy being proportional to the gravitational energy. However, the clouds in our model show no sign of reaching a stable equilibrium state at any time, even for strongly magnetized clouds. We conclude that gravitationally bound MCs are always in a state of gravitational contraction and their properties are a natural result of this chaotic collapse. In order to agree with observed star formation efficiencies, this process must be terminated by the early destruction of the clouds, presumably from internal stellar feedback.« less

High crustal density at Mafic Mound in South Pole-Aitken Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

James, P. B.; Kiefer, W. S.

2017-12-01

The bulk density of a planetary surface is dependent on the porosity and composition of the crust, which are quantities of interest for exploration as well as science. We present new methods for characterizing noise in gravity data, which allow us to include more high-degree data, reduce uncertainties, and resolve smaller features. We apply these methods to an enigmatic geologic complex in the lunar South Pole-Aitken basin called "Mafic Mound". We studied Mafic Mound using GRAIL gravity [1] and the predicted gravity from a LOLA lunar shape model ("gravity-from-topography"), and these datasets are tapered within a 50-km radius. We apply a spectral taper between spherical harmonic degrees l=150 and l=585; the lower limit is selected so as to limit sensitivity to the crust-mantle interface, and the upper limit corresponds to a 2:1 signal/noise ratio [2]. A weighted linear regression of filtered gravity and gravity-from-topography reveals a density of 3190 ± 110 kg/m3 at Mafic Mound. This is a remarkably high density: similar analyses at six adjacent terrains yield densities 400-610 kg/m3 less dense than Mafic Mound. However, two lines of evidence suggest that this high estimate for bulk density may be influenced by the internal structure of Mafic Mound. First, gravity has a weaker correlation with topography in Mafic Mound than in any of the surrounding terrains, as would be expected if subsurface mass concentrations contributed heavily to the gravity anomaly. Second, a high-pass filter (l > 300) of gravity yields a lower density estimate of 2760 ± 110 kg/m3, which is only about 110 kg/m3 denser than the surrounding terrains. Forward modeling reveals that approximately half of the high-pass gravity signal energy is produced by masses at depths shallower than 3 km. We conclude that Mafic Mound is underlain at several kilometers depth by high-density crust, caused by some combination of relatively low porosity and relatively high grain densities. While alternative interpretations exist, this is consistent with intrusive magmatism and suggests a volcanic origin for Mafic Mound. An integration of LOLA-derived topography indicates a volume of 1.4×103 cubic kilometers of intrusively and extrusively placed volcanic material. [1] Konopliv, A. S. et al. (2014), GRL 41, 1452-1458 [2] James, P. B. et al. (2017), LPSC 41 #2199

Temporal sea-surface gravity changes observed near the source area prior to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, T.; Tsuboi, S.

2013-12-01

Recent seismological studies suggested subsurface activities preceding the 2011 Tohoku earthquake; the occurrence of migration of seismicity (Kato et al., 2012) and slow slip events (Ito et al., 2013) in and around the source area one month before the mainshock. In this study, we investigated sea-surface gravity changes observed by the shipboard gravimeter mounted on research vessels before the mainshock. The vessels incidentally passed through the source area along almost the same cruise track twice, four months before and one month before the mainshock. Comparing the sea surface gravity in the former track with that in the latter after Bouguer correction, we find the gravity changes of approximately 7 mGal in coseismic slip areas near the trench axis during the three months. We find these gravity changes even in the crossing areas of the cruise tracks where seafloor topographies have no differences between the tracks. We also find that the topographic differences show positive changes but the gravity changes negative ones in other areas, which is a negative correlation inconsistent with the theoretical relationship between the topographic difference and the gravity change. These mean that the differences of seafloor topographies due to differences between the two cruise tracks are not main causes of the observed gravity changes there. The changes cannot also be explained by drifts of the gravimeter and geostrophic currents. Although we have not had any clear evidences, we speculate that the possible cause may be density increases around the seismogenic zone or uplifts of seafloor in order to explain the changes of this size. We estimate the density increases of 1.0 g/cm**3 in a disk with a radius of 40 km and a width of 200 m or the uplifts of several tens of meters in seafloor areas for the observed gravity changes. Our results indicate that sea-surface gravity observations may be one of valid approaches to monitor the approximate location of a possible great earthquake in offshore areas.

A high-order 3-D spectral-element method for the forward modelling and inversion of gravimetric data—Application to the western Pyrenees

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Roland; Chevrot, Sébastien; Komatitsch, Dimitri; Seoane, Lucia; Spangenberg, Hannah; Wang, Yi; Dufréchou, Grégory; Bonvalot, Sylvain; Bruinsma, Sean

2017-04-01

We image the internal density structure of the Pyrenees by inverting gravity data using an a priori density model derived by scaling a Vp model obtained by full waveform inversion of teleseismic P-waves. Gravity anomalies are computed via a 3-D high-order finite-element integration in the same high-order spectral-element grid as the one used to solve the wave equation and thus to obtain the velocity model. The curvature of the Earth and surface topography are taken into account in order to obtain a density model as accurate as possible. The method is validated through comparisons with exact semi-analytical solutions. We show that the spectral-element method drastically accelerates the computations when compared to other more classical methods. Different scaling relations between compressional velocity and density are tested, and the Nafe-Drake relation is the one that leads to the best agreement between computed and observed gravity anomalies. Gravity data inversion is then performed and the results allow us to put more constraints on the density structure of the shallow crust and on the deep architecture of the mountain range.

Band-limited Bouguer gravity identifies new basins on the Moon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Featherstone, W. E.; Hirt, C.; Kuhn, M.

2013-06-01

Spectral domain forward modeling is used to generate topography-implied gravity for the Moon using data from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter instrument operated on board the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission. This is subtracted from Selenological and Engineering Explorer (SELENE)-derived gravity to generate band-limited Bouguer gravity maps of the Moon so as to enhance the gravitational signatures of anomalous mass densities nearer the surface. This procedure adds evidence that two previously postulated basins on the lunar farside, Fitzgerald-Jackson (25°N, 191°E) and to the east of Debye (50°N, 180°E), are indeed real. When applied over the entire lunar surface, band-limited Bouguer gravity reveals the locations of 280 candidate basins that have not been identified when using full-spectrum gravity or topography alone, showing the approach to be of utility. Of the 280 basins, 66 are classified as distinct from their band-limited Bouguer gravity and topographic signatures, making them worthy of further investigation.

Gravity survey of the Nevada Test Site and vicinity, Nye, Lincoln, and Clark Counties, Nevada--interim report

USGS Publications Warehouse

Healy, D.L.; Miller, C.H.

1962-01-01

The gravity survey of the Nevada Test Site and contiguous areas of southern Nevada and southeastern California (fig. 1) has been made by the U.S. Geological Survey on behalf of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.The objective of this study is to delineate and interpret gravity anomalies and regional trends so that the configuration and depth of the buried erosional surface of the Paleozoic rocks may be determined. This buried surface is of utmost importance in understanding the geologic history of the Nevada Test Site region, the thickness and distribution of the overlying volcanic rocks and alluvium, and the movement of ground water. The Paleozoic rocks cause positive gravity anomalies where they outcrop or occur near the surface and negative anomalies where they are buried in valleys or capped by low-density Tertiary volcanic rocks. Gravity trends which extend over the entire area provide a basis for computing the regional gravity gradient. The regional gravity gradient must be removed from the data for geologic interpretation of the paleotopographic surface in any limited area. Knowledge of the thickness of low-density material overlying the paleotopographic surface is useful in several ways. Proposed underground test sites, such as drill holes and tunnels, may be evaluated in terms of rock unit thickness and alluvial cover requirements. Recent work by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey has demonstrated ground-water movement through the Paleozoic rocks in the vicinity of the Nevada Test Site. Therefore, knowledge of the position of buried Paleozoic rocks is important in evaluating (a) the rate and direction of flow of the ground water, (b) ground-water supplies for domestic and industrial uses, and (c) the possibility of radioactive contamination of ground water. Finally, regional gravity trends and paleotopography are useful in working out the structural history of the area in connection with geologic studies now in progress. The purpose of this interim report is to present the major part of the gravity data obtained as of December 31, 1961. The data are presented as a complete Bouguer gravity anomaly map. Although the gravity contours are somewhat generalized because the map has a scale of 1:250,000 and a contour interval of 5 milligals, the largest anomalies are adequately delineated. Preliminary results of this gravity survey have been reported by Wilmarth and others, 1960, and by Diment and others, 1959 and 1960.

Worldwide complete spherical Bouguer and isostatic anomaly maps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonvalot, S.; Balmino, G.; Briais, A.; Peyrefitte, A.; Vales, N.; Biancale, R.; Gabalda, G.; Reinquin, F.

2011-12-01

We present here a set of digital maps of the Earth's gravity anomalies (surface "free air", Bouguer and isostatic), computed at Bureau Gravimetric International (BGI) as a contribution to the Global Geodetic Observing Systems (GGOS) and to the global geophysical maps published by the Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW). The free air and Bouguer anomaly concept is extensively used in geophysical interpretation to investigate the density distributions in the Earth's interior. Complete Bouguer anomalies (including terrain effects) are usually computed at regional scales by integrating the gravity attraction of topography elements over and beyond a given area (under planar or spherical approximations). Here, we developed and applied a worldwide spherical approach aimed to provide a set of homogeneous and high resolution gravity anomaly maps and grids computed at the Earth's surface, taking into account a realistic Earth model and reconciling geophysical and geodetic definitions of gravity anomalies. This first version (1.0) has been computed by spherical harmonics analysis / synthesis of the Earth's topography-bathymetry up to degree 10800. The detailed theory of the spherical harmonics approach is given in Balmino et al., (Journal of Geodesy, submitted). The Bouguer and terrain corrections have thus been computed in spherical geometry at 1'x1' resolution using the ETOPO1 topography/bathymetry, ice surface and bedrock models from the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and taking into account precise characteristics (boundaries and densities) of major lakes, inner seas, polar caps and of land areas below sea level. Isostatic corrections have been computed according to the Airy Heiskanen model in spherical geometry for a constant depth of compensation of 30km. The gravity information given here is provided by the Earth Geopotential Model (EGM2008), developed at degree 2160 by the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) (Pavlis et al., 2008), which represents the best up-to-date global gravity model (including surface gravity measurements from land, marine and airborne surveys as well as gravity and altimetry satellite measurements). The surface gravity anomaly (free air) is computed at the Earth's surface in the context of Molodensky theory and includes corrections from the mass of the atmosphere. The way gravity anomalies are computed on a worldwide basis slightly differs from the classical usage, but meets modern concerns which tend to take the real Earth into account. The resulting anomaly maps and grids will be distributed for scientific and education purposes by the Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW) with support of UNESCO and other institutions. Upgraded versions might be done as soon as new global gravity model is available (including satellite GOCE and new surface measurements: ground, airborne). Visit / contact BGI (http://bgi.omp.obs-mip.fr) and CCMW (http://ccgm.free.fr) for more information.

3D Dynamics of the Near-Surface Layer of the Ocean in the Presence of Freshwater Influx

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dean, C.; Soloviev, A.

2015-12-01

Freshwater inflow due to convective rains or river runoff produces lenses of freshened water in the near surface layer of the ocean. These lenses are localized in space and typically involve both salinity and temperature anomalies. Due to significant density anomalies, strong pressure gradients develop, which result in lateral spreading of freshwater lenses in a form resembling gravity currents. Gravity currents inherently involve three-dimensional dynamics. The gravity current head can include the Kelvin-Helmholtz billows with vertical density inversions. In this work, we have conducted a series of numerical experiments using computational fluid dynamics tools. These numerical simulations were designed to elucidate the relationship between vertical mixing and horizontal advection of salinity under various environmental conditions and potential impact on the pollution transport including oil spills. The near-surface data from the field experiments in the Gulf of Mexico during the SCOPE experiment were available for validation of numerical simulations. In particular, we observed a freshwater layer within a few-meter depth range and, in some cases, a density inversion at the edge of the freshwater lens, which is consistent with the results of numerical simulations. In conclusion, we discuss applicability of these results to the interpretation of Aquarius and SMOS sea surface salinity satellite measurements. The results of this study indicate that 3D dynamics of the near-surface layer of the ocean are essential in the presence of freshwater inflow.

Modelisations et inversions tri-dimensionnelles en prospections gravimetrique et electrique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boulanger, Olivier

The aim of this thesis is the application of gravity and resistivity methods for mining prospecting. The objectives of the present study are: (1) to build a fast gravity inversion method to interpret surface data; (2) to develop a tool for modelling the electrical potential acquired at surface and in boreholes when the resistivity distribution is heterogeneous; and (3) to define and implement a stochastic inversion scheme allowing the estimation of the subsurface resistivity from electrical data. The first technique concerns the elaboration of a three dimensional (3D) inversion program allowing the interpretation of gravity data using a selection of constraints such as the minimum distance, the flatness, the smoothness and the compactness. These constraints are integrated in a Lagrangian formulation. A multi-grid technique is also implemented to resolve separately large and short gravity wavelengths. The subsurface in the survey area is divided into juxtaposed rectangular prismatic blocks. The problem is solved by calculating the model parameters, i.e. the densities of each block. Weights are given to each block depending on depth, a priori information on density, and density range allowed for the region under investigation. The present code is tested on synthetic data. Advantages and behaviour of each method are compared in the 3D reconstruction. Recovery of geometry (depth, size) and density distribution of the original model is dependent on the set of constraints used. The best combination of constraints experimented for multiple bodies seems to be flatness and minimum volume for multiple bodies. The inversion method is tested on real gravity data. The second tool developed in this thesis is a three-dimensional electrical resistivity modelling code to interpret surface and subsurface data. Based on the integral equation, it calculates the charge density caused by conductivity gradients at each interface of the mesh allowing an exact estimation of the potential. Modelling generates a huge matrix made of Green's functions which is stored by using the method of pyramidal compression. The third method consists to interpret electrical potential measurements from a non-linear geostatistical approach including new constraints. This method estimates an analytical covariance model for the resistivity parameters from the potential data. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Geologic structure of the Yucaipa area inferred from gravity data, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mendez, Gregory O.; Langenheim, V.E.; Morita, Andrew; Danskin, Wesley R.

2016-09-30

In the spring of 2009, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, began working on a gravity survey in the Yucaipa area to explore the three-dimensional shape of the sedimentary fill (alluvial deposits) and the surface of the underlying crystalline basement rocks. As water use has increased in pace with rapid urbanization, water managers have need for better information about the subsurface geometry and the boundaries of groundwater subbasins in the Yucaipa area. The large density contrast between alluvial deposits and the crystalline basement complex permits using modeling of gravity data to estimate the thickness of alluvial deposits. The bottom of the alluvial deposits is considered to be the top of crystalline basement rocks. The gravity data, integrated with geologic information from surface outcrops and 51 subsurface borings (15 of which penetrated basement rock), indicated a complex basin configuration where steep slopes coincide with mapped faults―such as the Crafton Hills Fault and the eastern section of the Banning Fault―and concealed ridges separate hydrologically defined subbasins.Gravity measurements and well logs were the primary data sets used to define the thickness and structure of the groundwater basin. Gravity measurements were collected at 256 new locations along profiles that totaled approximately 104.6 km (65 mi) in length; these data supplemented previously collected gravity measurements. Gravity data were reduced to isostatic anomalies and separated into an anomaly field representing the valley fill. The ‘valley-fill-deposits gravity anomaly’ was converted to thickness by using an assumed, depth-varying density contrast between the alluvial deposits and the underlying bedrock.To help visualize the basin geometry, an animation of the elevation of the top of the basement-rocks was prepared. The animation “flies over” the Yucaipa groundwater basin, viewing the land surface, geology, faults, and ridges and valleys of the shaded-relief elevation of the top of the basement complex.

Gravity is the Key Experiment to Address the Habitability of the Ocean in Jupiter's Moon Europa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sessa, A. M.; Dombard, A. J.

2013-12-01

Life requires three constituents: a liquid solvent (i.e., water), a chemical system that can form large molecules to record genetic information (e.g., carbon based) as well as chemical nutrients (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorous), and a chemical disequilibrium system that can provide metabolic energy. While it is believed that there is a saline water layer located between the rock and ice layers in Jupiter's moon Europa, which would satisfy the first requirement, it is unknown if the other conditions are currently met. The likelihood that Europa is a haven for life in our Solar System skyrockets, however, if there is currently active volcanism at the rock-water interface, much the same that volcanic processes enable the chemosynthetic life that forms the basis of deep sea-vent communities at the bottom of Earth's oceans. Exploring the volcanic activity on this interface is challenging, as direct observation via a submersible or high-resolution indirect observations via a dense global seismic network on the surface is at present technically (and fiscally!) untenable. Thus, gravity studies are the best way to explore currently the structure of this all-important interface. Though mostly a silicate body with only a relatively thin (~100 km) layer of water, Europa is different from the terrestrial planets in that this rock-water interface, and not the surface, represents the largest density contrast across the moon's near-surface layers, and thus topography on this interface could conceivably dominate the gravity. Here, we calculate the potential anomalies that arise from topography on the surface, the water-ice interface (at 20 km depth), and the rock-water interface, finding that the latter dominates the free-air gravity at the longest wavelengths (spherical harmonic degrees < 10) and the Bouguer gravity at intermediate wavelengths (degrees ~10-50), and only for the shortest wavelengths (degrees > 50) does the water-ice interface (and presumably mass-density anomalies within the ice shell) dominate the Bouguer gravity. Thus, gravity can be used to explore this interface. To test whether active volcanism can be detected, we scale gravity models for the terrestrial planets down to a body the size of Europa's silicate core and with a density contrast consistent with a rock-water interface. Here, Venus and Earth serve as proxies for volcanically active bodies, while the Moon and Mars are proxies for inactive bodies. Additionally, we create gravity from synthetic topography on the base of the ice shell. Maps of the Bouguer-gravity and geoid anomalies reveal that active volcanism is characterized by small amplitudes (a few mGal and a few meters). Large-scale topography on the base of the ice shell adds larger geoid anomalies (tens of meters) but still small gravity anomalies. The absence of volcanic activity on the rock-water interface is likely characterized by larger anomalies (tens of mGal and tens of meters), plausibly because the cooler thermal structure permits the rocky lithosphere to support larger mass-density anomalies. Thus, study of the gravity may illuminate the habitability of Europa, and gravity and topography experiments on any future mission (e.g., the Europa Clipper) should be given the highest scientific priority.

Power laws for gravity and topography of Solar System bodies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ermakov, A.; Park, R. S.; Bills, B. G.

2017-12-01

When a spacecraft visits a planetary body, it is useful to be able to predict its gravitational and topographic properties. This knowledge is important for determining the level of perturbations in spacecraft's motion as well as for planning the observation campaign. It has been known for the Earth that the power spectrum of gravity follows a power law, also known as the Kaula rule (Kaula, 1963; Rapp, 1989). A similar rule was derived for topography (Vening-Meinesz, 1951). The goal of this paper is to generalize the power law that can characterize the gravity and topography power spectra for bodies across a wide range of size. We have analyzed shape power spectra of the bodies that have either global shape and gravity field measured. These bodies span across five orders of magnitude in their radii and surface gravities and include terrestrial planets, icy moons and minor bodies. We have found that despite having different internal structure, composition and mechanical properties, the topography power spectrum of these bodies' shapes can be modeled with a similar power law rescaled by the surface gravity. Having empirically found a power law for topography, we can map it to a gravity power law. Special care should be taken for low-degree harmonic coefficients due to potential isostatic compensation. For minor bodies, uniform density can be assumed. The gravity coefficients are a linear function of the shape coefficients for close-to-spherical bodoes. In this case, the power law for gravity will be steeper than the power law of topography due to the factor (2n+1) in the gravity expansion (e.g. Eq. 10 in Wieczorek & Phillips, 1998). Higher powers of topography must be retained for irregularly shaped bodies, which breaks the linearity. Therefore, we propose the following procedure to derive an a priori constraint for gravity. First, a surface gravity needs to be determined assuming typical density for the relevant class of bodies. Second, the scaling coefficient of the power law can be found by rescaling the values known for other bodies. Third, an ensemble of synthetic shapes that follow the defined power law can be generated and gravity-from-shape can be found. The averaged power spectrum can be used as an a priori constraint for the gravity field and variance of power can be computed for individual degrees.

Studying unsaturated epikarst water storage properties by time lapse surface to depth gravity measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deville, S.; Champollion, C.; chery, J.; Doerflinger, E.; Le Moigne, N.; Bayer, R.; Vernant, P.

2011-12-01

The assessment of water storage in the unsaturated zone in karstic areas is particularly challenging. Indeed, water flow path and water storage occur in quite heterogeneous ways through small scale porosity, fractures, joints and large voids. Due to this large heterogeneity, it is therefore difficult to estimate the amount of water circulating in the vadose zone by hydrological means. One indirect method consists to measure the gravity variation associated to water storage and withdrawal. Here, we apply a gravimetric method in which the gravity is measured at the surface and at depth on different sites. Then the time variations of the surface to depth (STD) gravity differences are compared for each site. In this study we attempt to evaluate the magnitude of epikarstic water storage variation in various karst settings using a CG5 portable gravimeter. Surface to depth gravity measurements are performed two times a year since 2009 at the surface an inside caves at different depths on three karst aquifers in southern France : 1. A limestone site on the Larzac plateau with a vadose zone thickness of 300m On this site measurements are done on five locations at different depths going from 0 to 50 m; 2. A dolomitic site on the Larzac plateau (Durzon karst aquifer) with a vadose zone thickness of 200m; Measurements are taken at the surface and at 60m depth 3. A limestone site on the Hortus karst aquifer and "Larzac Septentrional karst aquifer") with a vadose zone thickness of only 35m. Measurements are taken at the surface and at 30m depth Therefore, our measurements are used in two ways : First, the STD differences between dry and wet seasons are used to estimate the capacity of differential storage of each aquifer. Surprisingly, the differential storage capacity of all the sites is relatively invariant despite their variable geological of hydrological contexts. Moreover, the STD gravity variations on site 1 show that no water storage variation occurs beneath 10m depth, suggesting that most of the differential storage is taken by the epikarst. Second, we use STD gravity differences to determine the effective density values for each site. These integrative density values are compared to measured grain densities from core samples in order to obtain the apparent porosity and saturation representative to the investigated volume. We then discuss the relation between the physical characteristic of each non-saturated zone and its water storage capacity. It seems that epikarst water storage variation is only weakly related to lithology. We also discuss the reasons for specific water storage in the epikarst. Because epikarst water storage has been claimed to be a general characteristic of karst system, a gravimetric approach appears to be a promising method to verify quantitatively this hypothesis.

Modeling of the Earth's gravity field using the New Global Earth Model (NEWGEM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Yeong E.; Braswell, W. Danny

1989-01-01

Traditionally, the global gravity field was described by representations based on the spherical harmonics (SH) expansion of the geopotential. The SH expansion coefficients were determined by fitting the Earth's gravity data as measured by many different methods including the use of artificial satellites. As gravity data have accumulated with increasingly better accuracies, more of the higher order SH expansion coefficients were determined. The SH representation is useful for describing the gravity field exterior to the Earth but is theoretically invalid on the Earth's surface and in the Earth's interior. A new global Earth model (NEWGEM) (KIM, 1987 and 1988a) was recently proposed to provide a unified description of the Earth's gravity field inside, on, and outside the Earth's surface using the Earth's mass density profile as deduced from seismic studies, elevation and bathymetric information, and local and global gravity data. Using NEWGEM, it is possible to determine the constraints on the mass distribution of the Earth imposed by gravity, topography, and seismic data. NEWGEM is useful in investigating a variety of geophysical phenomena. It is currently being utilized to develop a geophysical interpretation of Kaula's rule. The zeroth order NEWGEM is being used to numerically integrate spherical harmonic expansion coefficients and simultaneously determine the contribution of each layer in the model to a given coefficient. The numerically determined SH expansion coefficients are also being used to test the validity of SH expansions at the surface of the Earth by comparing the resulting SH expansion gravity model with exact calculations of the gravity at the Earth's surface.

On the Resolvability of Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage Reservoirs Using Time-Lapse Gravity Gradiometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elliott, E. Judith; Braun, Alexander

2017-11-01

Unconventional heavy oil resource plays are important contributors to oil and gas production, as well as controversial for posing environmental hazards. Monitoring those reservoirs before, during, and after operations would assist both the optimization of economic benefits and the mitigation of potential environmental hazards. This study investigates how gravity gradiometry using superconducting gravimeters could resolve depletion areas in steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) reservoirs. This is achieved through modelling of a SAGD reservoir at 1.25 and 5 years of operation. Specifically, the density change structure identified from geological, petrological, and seismic observations is forward modelled for gravity and gradients. Three main parameters have an impact on the resolvability of bitumen depletion volumes and are varied through a suitable parameter space: well pair separation, depth to the well pairs, and survey grid sampling. The results include a resolvability matrix, which identifies reservoirs that could benefit from time-lapse gravity gradiometry monitoring. After 1.25 years of operation, during the rising phase, the resolvable maximum reservoir depth ranges between the surface and 230 m, considering a well pair separation between 80 and 200 m. After 5 years of production, during the spreading phase, the resolvability of depletion volumes around single well pairs is greatly compromised as the depletion volume is closer to the surface, which translates to a larger portion of the gravity signal. The modelled resolvability matrices were derived from visual inspection and spectral analysis of the gravity gradient signatures and can be used to assess the applicability of time-lapse gradiometry to monitor reservoir density changes.

The inverse gravimetric problem in gravity modelling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sanso, F.; Tscherning, C. C.

1989-01-01

One of the main purposes of geodesy is to determine the gravity field of the Earth in the space outside its physical surface. This purpose can be pursued without any particular knowledge of the internal density even if the exact shape of the physical surface of the Earth is not known, though this seems to entangle the two domains, as it was in the old Stoke's theory before the appearance of Molodensky's approach. Nevertheless, even when large, dense and homogeneous data sets are available, it was always recognized that subtracting from the gravity field the effect of the outer layer of the masses (topographic effect) yields a much smoother field. This is obviously more important when a sparse data set is bad so that any smoothing of the gravity field helps in interpolating between the data without raising the modeling error, this approach is generally followed because it has become very cheap in terms of computing time since the appearance of spectral techniques. The mathematical description of the Inverse Gravimetric Problem (IGP) is dominated mainly by two principles, which in loose terms can be formulated as follows: the knowledge of the external gravity field determines mainly the lateral variations of the density; and the deeper the density anomaly giving rise to a gravity anomaly, the more improperly posed is the problem of recovering the former from the latter. The statistical relation between rho and n (and its inverse) is also investigated in its general form, proving that degree cross-covariances have to be introduced to describe the behavior of rho. The problem of the simultaneous estimate of a spherical anomalous potential and of the external, topographic masses is addressed criticizing the choice of the mixed collection approach.

On the mechanism of self gravitating Rossby interfacial waves in proto-stellar accretion discs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yellin-Bergovoy, Ron; Heifetz, Eyal; Umurhan, Orkan M.

2016-05-01

The dynamical response of edge waves under the influence of self-gravity is examined in an idealised two-dimensional model of a proto-stellar disc, characterised in steady state as a rotating vertically infinite cylinder of fluid with constant density except for a single density interface at some radius ?. The fluid in basic state is prescribed to rotate with a Keplerian profile ? modified by some additional azimuthal sheared flow. A linear analysis shows that there are two azimuthally propagating edge waves, kin to the familiar Rossby waves and surface gravity waves in terrestrial studies, which move opposite to one another with respect to the local basic state rotation rate at the interface. Instability only occurs if the radial pressure gradient is opposite to that of the density jump (unstably stratified) where self-gravity acts as a wave stabiliser irrespective of the stratification of the system. The propagation properties of the waves are discussed in detail in the language of vorticity edge waves. The roles of both Boussinesq and non-Boussinesq effects upon the stability and propagation of these waves with and without the inclusion of self-gravity are then quantified. The dynamics involved with self-gravity non-Boussinesq effect is shown to be a source of vorticity production where there is a jump in the basic state density In addition, self-gravity also alters the dynamics via the radial main pressure gradient, which is a Boussinesq effect. Further applications of these mechanical insights are presented in the conclusion including the ways in which multiple density jumps or gaps may or may not be stable.

Interplay between gravity and quintessence: a set of new GR solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chernin, Arthur D.; Santiago, David I.; Silbergleit, Alexander S.

2002-02-01

A set of new exact analytical general relativity (GR) solutions with time-dependent and spatially inhomogeneous quintessence demonstrate (1) a static non-empty space-time with a horizon-type singular surface; (2) time-dependent spatially homogeneous `spheres' which are completely different in geometry from the Friedmann isotropic models; (3) infinitely strong anti-gravity at a `true' singularity where the density is infinitely large. It is also found that (4) the GR solutions allow for an extreme `density-free' form of energy that can generate regular space-time geometries.

Calculated in situ rock density from gravity observations, UA-1 (Cannikin) emplacement hole, Amchitka Island, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Healey, D.L.

1971-01-01

Gravity observations were made on the ground surface and at a depth of 5,854 feet in drill hole UA-1. Two attempts to measure the free-air gradient utilizing the headframe over the drill hole were unsuccessful owing to mechanical vibrations in the structure. Because of the uncertainty in the measured free-air gradients these values were discarded and the average value (0.09406 mgal/ft) was used in the calculations. The calculated in situ bulk density is 2.36 g/cc. The weighted average bulk density determined from 47 core samples taken in the adjacent UAE-1 drill hole is also 2.36 g/cc. An analysis of selected portions of density logs provides an in situ bulk density of 2.37 g/cc.

Polyhedral shape model for terrain correction of gravity and gravity gradient data based on an adaptive mesh

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Zhikui; Chen, Chao; Tao, Chunhui

2016-04-01

Since 2007, there are four China Da yang cruises (CDCs), which have been carried out to investigate polymetallic sulfides in the southwest Indian ridge (SWIR) and have acquired both gravity data and bathymetry data on the corresponding survey lines(Tao et al., 2014). Sandwell et al. (2014) published a new global marine gravity model including the free air gravity data and its first order vertical gradient (Vzz). Gravity data and its gradient can be used to extract unknown density structure information(e.g. crust thickness) under surface of the earth, but they contain all the mass effect under the observation point. Therefore, how to get accurate gravity and its gradient effect of the existing density structure (e.g. terrain) has been a key issue. Using the bathymetry data or ETOPO1 (http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/global/global.html) model at a full resolution to calculate the terrain effect could spend too much computation time. We expect to develop an effective method that takes less time but can still yield the desired accuracy. In this study, a constant-density polyhedral model is used to calculate the gravity field and its vertical gradient, which is based on the work of Tsoulis (2012). According to gravity field attenuation with distance and variance of bathymetry, we present an adaptive mesh refinement and coarsening strategies to merge both global topography data and multi-beam bathymetry data. The local coarsening or size of mesh depends on user-defined accuracy and terrain variation (Davis et al., 2011). To depict terrain better, triangular surface element and rectangular surface element are used in fine and coarse mesh respectively. This strategy can also be applied to spherical coordinate in large region and global scale. Finally, we applied this method to calculate Bouguer gravity anomaly (BGA), mantle Bouguer anomaly(MBA) and their vertical gradient in SWIR. Further, we compared the result with previous results in the literature. Both synthetic model tests and field applications indicate that the adaptive terrain correction method can be adopted as a rapid and accurate tool of marine gravity data processing. References Davis, K. &Kass, M.A. & Li, Y., 2011. Rapid gravity and gravity gradiometry terrain corrections via an adaptive quadtree mesh discretization, EXPLOR GEOPHYS, 42, 88-97. Sandwell, D.T., Müller, R.D., Smith, W.H., Garcia, E. & Francis, R., 2014. New global marine gravity model from CryoSat-2 and Jason-1 reveals buried tectonic structure, SCIENCE, 346, 65-67. Tao, C., Li, H., Jin, X., Zhou, J., Wu, T., He, Y., Deng, X., Gu, C., Zhang, G. & Liu, W., 2014. Seafloor hydrothermal activity and polymetallic sulfide exploration on the southwest Indian ridge, CHINESE SCI BULL, 59, 2266-2276. Tsoulis, D., 2012. Analytical computation of the full gravity tensor of a homogeneous arbitrarily shaped polyhedral source using line integrals, GEOPHYSICS, 77, F1-F11.

Software Development for a Three-Dimensional Gravity Inversion and Application to Study of the Border Ranges Fault System, South-Central Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cardenas, R.; Doser, D. I.; Baker, M. R.

2011-12-01

Summary The Border Ranges Fault (BRFS) system bounds the Cook Inlet and Susitna Basins, an important petroleum province within south-central Alaska. An initial research goal is to test several plausible models of structure along the Border Ranges Fault System by developing a novel, 3D inversion software package. The inversion utilizes gravity data constrained with geophysical, borehole, and surface geological information. The novel inversion approach involves directly modeling known geology, initially free-air corrected data, and revising a priori uncertainties on the geologic model to allow comparisons to alternative interpretations. This technique to evaluate 3D structure in regions of highly complex geology can be applied in other studies of energy resources. The software reads an ASCII text file containing the latitude, longitude, elevation, and Free Air anomalies of each gravity station as well as gridded surface files of known topology. The contributions of each node in the grid are computed in order to compare the theoretical gravity calculations from a forward model to the gravity observations. The computation of solutions to the "linearized" inversion yields a range of plausible densities. The user will have the option of varying body proportions and dimensions to compare variations in density for changing depths of the gridded surface. Introduction Previous modeling of the BRFS using geophysical data has been limited due to the complexity of local geology and structure, both of shallow crustal features and the deeper subduction zone. Since the inversion is based on a sequence of gridded surfaces, it is feasible to develop software to help build these gridded geologic models. Without a way to modify grid surface elevations, density, and magnetic susceptibility in real time, the inversion process for the geologist would be highly nonlinear and poorly constrained, especially in structural geology this complex. Without a basic understanding of the geometry of the BRFS, its role in the formation and petroleum generation processes of the upper Cook Inlet and Susitna Basins is poorly understood. Model Generation The gravitational contributions are computed using a geophysics formulation, namely the vertical line element. g = πR2Gρ(x2+y2+z2)-1/2 Each line element is semi-infinite and extends from the top to the bottom of each structural layer. The user may define a three-dimensional body at a location on the surface. Each vertex of the body will be represented as separate nodes in the grid. The contribution of the body to the gravity value will be computed as a volume integral and added to the overall gravity contributions of other nodes on the surface. The user will also be able to modify the elevation and density of the defined body in real time. The most noted effectiveness of the software is in the user-defined a priori information facilitating real time interpretations and the computational efficiency of the model solution by using vertical line elements to address structural bodies with complex geometry.

Equation of state in the presence of gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Hyeong-Chan; Kang, Gungwon

2016-11-01

We investigate how an equation of state for matter is affected when a gravity is present. For this purpose, we consider a box of ideal gas in the presence of Newtonian gravity. In addition to the ordinary thermodynamic quantities, a characteristic variable that represents a weight per unit area relative to the average pressure is required in order to describe a macroscopic state of the gas. Although the density and the pressure are not uniform due to the presence of gravity, the ideal gas law itself is satisfied for the thermodynamic quantities when averaged over the system. Assuming that the system follows an adiabatic process further, we obtain a new relation between the averaged pressure and density, which differs from the conventional equation of state for the ideal gas in the absence of gravity. Applying our results to a small volume in a Newtonian star, however, we find that the conventional one is reliable for most astrophysical situations when the characteristic scale is small. On the other hand, gravity effects become significant near the surface of a Newtonian star.

World Gravity Map: a set of global complete spherical Bouguer and isostatic anomaly maps and grids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonvalot, S.; Balmino, G.; Briais, A.; Kuhn, M.; Peyrefitte, A.; Vales, N.; Biancale, R.; Gabalda, G.; Reinquin, F.

2012-04-01

We present here a set of digital maps of the Earth's gravity anomalies (surface free air, Bouguer and isostatic), computed at Bureau Gravimetric International (BGI) as a contribution to the Global Geodetic Observing Systems (GGOS) and to the global geophysical maps published by the Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW) with support of UNESCO and other institutions. The Bouguer anomaly concept is extensively used in geophysical interpretation to investigate the density distributions in the Earth's interior. Complete Bouguer anomalies (including terrain effects) are usually computed at regional scales by integrating the gravity attraction of topography elements over and beyond a given area (under planar or spherical approximations). Here, we developed and applied a worldwide spherical approach aimed to provide a set of homogeneous and high resolution gravity anomaly maps and grids computed at the Earth's surface, taking into account a realistic Earth model and reconciling geophysical and geodetic definitions of gravity anomalies. This first version (1.0) has been computed by spherical harmonics analysis / synthesis of the Earth's topography-bathymetry up to degree 10800. The detailed theory of the spherical harmonics approach is given in Balmino et al., (Journal of Geodesy, 2011). The Bouguer and terrain corrections have thus been computed in spherical geometry at 1'x1' resolution using the ETOPO1 topography/bathymetry, ice surface and bedrock models from the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and taking into account precise characteristics (boundaries and densities) of major lakes, inner seas, polar caps and of land areas below sea level. Isostatic corrections have been computed according to the Airy-Heiskanen model in spherical geometry for a constant depth of compensation of 30km. The gravity information given here is provided by the Earth Geopotential Model (EGM2008), developed at degree 2160 by the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) (Pavlis et al., 2008) and the DTU10 (Andersen, 2010) who represents the best up-to-date global gravity models (including surface gravity measurements from land, marine and airborne surveys as well as gravity and altimetry satellite measurements). The surface free-air anomaly is computed at the Earth's surface in the context of Molodensky theory and includes corrections from the mass of the atmosphere. The way gravity anomalies are computed on a worldwide basis slightly differs from the classical usage, but meets modern concerns which tend to take into account of the real Earth. The resulting anomaly maps and grids will be distributed for scientific and education purposes by the Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW) (http://ccgm.free.fr) and by the Bureau Gravimetrique International (BGI) (http://bgi.omp.obs-mip.fr). Upgraded versions might be done as soon as new global gravity model will be available (including satellite GOCE data for instance). Institutions who are interested to contribute with new datasets of surface gravity measurements (i.e. ground, marine or airborne gravity data) are also invited to contact BGI bgi@cnes.fr.

Gravity waves in Titan's atmosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Friedson, A. James

1994-01-01

Scintillations (high frequency variations) observed in the radio signal during the occultation of Voyager 1 by Titan (Hinson and Tyler, 1983) provide information concerning neutral atmospheric density fluctuations on scales on hundreds of meters to a few kilometers. Those seen at altitudes higher than 25 km above the surface were interpreted by Hinson and Tyler as being caused by linear, freely propagating (energy-conserving) gravity waves, but this interpretation was found to be inconsistent with the scintillation data below the 25-km altitude level. Here an attempt is made to interpret the entire scintillation profile between the surface and the 90-km altitude level in terms of gravity waves generated at the surface. Numerical calculations of the density fluctuations caused by two-dimensional, nonhydrostatic, finite-amplitude gravity waves propagating vertically through Titan's atmosphere are performed to produce synthetic scintillation profiles for comparison with the observations. The numerical model accurately treats the effects of wave transience, nonlinearity, and breakdown due to convective instability in the overturned part of the wave. The high-altitude scintillation data were accurately recovered with a freely propagating wave solution, confirming the analytic model of Hinson and Tyler. It is found that the low-altitude scintillation data can be fit by a model where a component of the gravity waves becomes convectively unstable and breaks near the 15 km level. The large-scale structure of the observed scintillation profile in the entire altitude range between 5 and 85 km can be simulated by a model where the freely propagating and breaking waves are forced at the surface simultaneously. Further analysis of the Voyager 1 Titan low-altitude scintillation data, using inversion theory appropriate for strong scattering, could potentially remove some of the ambiguities remaining in this analysis and allow a better determination of the strength and source of the waves.

Low degree Earth's gravity coefficients determined from different space geodetic observations and climate models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wińska, Małgorzata; Nastula, Jolanta

2017-04-01

Large scale mass redistribution and its transport within the Earth system causes changes in the Earth's rotation in space, gravity field and Earth's ellipsoid shape. These changes are observed in the ΔC21, ΔS21, and ΔC20 spherical harmonics gravity coefficients, which are proportional to the mass load-induced Earth rotational excitations. In this study, linear trend, decadal, inter-annual, and seasonal variations of low degree spherical harmonics coefficients of Earth's gravity field, determined from different space geodetic techniques, Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), satellite laser ranging (SLR), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Earth rotation, and climate models, are examined. In this way, the contribution of each measurement technique to interpreting the low degree surface mass density of the Earth is shown. Especially, we evaluate an usefulness of several climate models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) to determine the low degree Earth's gravity coefficients using GRACE satellite observations. To do that, Terrestrial Water Storage (TWS) changes from several CMIP5 climate models are determined and then these simulated data are compared with the GRACE observations. Spherical harmonics ΔC21, ΔS21, and ΔC20 changes are calculated as the sum of atmosphere and ocean mass effect (GAC values) taken from GRACE and a land surface hydrological estimate from the selected CMIP5 climate models. Low degree Stokes coefficients of the surface mass density determined from GRACE, SLR, GNSS, Earth rotation measurements and climate models are compared to each other in order to assess their consistency. The comparison is done by using different types of statistical and signal processing methods.

The Silent Canyon caldera complex: a three-dimensional model based on drill-hole stratigraphy and gravity inversion

USGS Publications Warehouse

McKee, Edwin H.; Hildenbrand, Thomas G.; Anderson, Megan L.; Rowley, Peter D.; Sawyer, David A.

1999-01-01

The structural framework of Pahute Mesa, Nevada, is dominated by the Silent Canyon caldera complex, a buried, multiple collapse caldera complex. Using the boundary surface between low density Tertiary volcanogenic rocks and denser granitic and weakly metamorphosed sedimentary rocks (basement) as the outer fault surfaces for the modeled collapse caldera complex, it is postulated that the caldera complex collapsed on steeply- dipping arcuate faults two, possibly three, times following eruption of at least two major ash-flow tuffs. The caldera and most of its eruptive products are now deeply buried below the surface of Pahute Mesa. Relatively low-density rocks in the caldera complex produce one of the largest gravity lows in the western conterminous United States. Gravity modeling defines a steep sided, cup-shaped depression as much as 6,000 meters (19,800 feet) deep that is surrounded and floored by denser rocks. The steeply dipping surface located between the low-density basin fill and the higher density external rocks is considered to be the surface of the ring faults of the multiple calderas. Extrapolation of this surface upward to the outer, or topographic rim, of the Silent Canyon caldera complex defines the upper part of the caldera collapse structure. Rock units within and outside the Silent Canyon caldera complex are combined into seven hydrostratigraphic units based on their predominant hydrologic characteristics. The caldera structures and other faults on Pahute Mesa are used with the seven hydrostratigraphic units to make a three-dimensional geologic model of Pahute Mesa using the "EarthVision" (Dynamic Graphics, Inc.) modeling computer program. This method allows graphic representation of the geometry of the rocks and produces computer generated cross sections, isopach maps, and three-dimensional oriented diagrams. These products have been created to aid in visualizing and modeling the ground-water flow system beneath Pahute Mesa.

Gravity current into an ambient fluid with an open surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ungarish, Marius

2017-11-01

Consider the steady-state gravity current of height h and density ρ1 that propagates into an ambient motionless fluid of height H and density ρ2 with an upper surface open to the atmosphere (open channel) at high Reynolds number. The current propagates with speed U and causes a depth decrease χ of the top surface. This is a significant extension of Benjamin's (1968) seminal solution for the fixed-top channel χ = 0 . Here the determination of χ is a part of the problem. The dimensionless parameters of the problem are a = h / H and r =ρ2 /ρ1 . We show that a control-volume analysis determines χ = χ / H and Fr = U / (g ' h)1/2 as functions of a , r , where g ' = (r-1 - 1) g is the reduced gravity. The system satisfies balance of volume and momentum (explicitly), and vorticity (implicitly). We present solutions. The predicted flows are in general dissipative, and thus physically valid only for a <=amax (r) 0.5 r where non-negative dissipation appears. The open-surface Fr (a , r) is smaller than Benjamin's Frb (a) , but the reduction is not dramatic, typically a few percent. In the Boussinesq r 1 case, χ << 1 while Fr and dissipation are close to Benjamin's values.

Constraining Saturn's interior density profile from precision gravity field measurement obtained during Grand Finale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Movshovitz, N.; Fortney, J. J.; Helled, R.; Hubbard, W. B.; Mankovich, C.; Thorngren, D.; Wahl, S. M.; Militzer, B.; Durante, D.

2017-12-01

The external gravity field of a planetary body is determined by the distribution of mass in its interior. Therefore, a measurement of the external field, properlyinterpreted, tells us about the interior density profile, ρ(r), which in turn can be used to constrain the composition in the interior and thereby learn about theformation mechanism of the planet. Recently, very high precision measurements of the gravity coefficients for Saturn have been made by the radio science instrument on the Cassini spacecraft during its Grand Finale orbits. The resulting coefficients come with an associated uncertainty. The task of matching a given density profile to a given set of gravity coefficients is relatively straightforward, but the question of how to best account for the uncertainty is not. In essentially all prior work on matching models to gravity field data inferences about planetary structure have rested on assumptions regarding the imperfectly known H/He equation of state and the assumption of an adiabatic interior. Here we wish to vastly expand the phase space of such calculations. We present a framework for describing all the possible interior density structures of a Jovian planet constrained by a given set of gravity coefficients and their associated uncertainties. Our approach is statistical. We produce a random sample of ρ(a) curves drawn from the underlying (and unknown) probability distribution of all curves, where ρ is the density on an interior level surface with equatorial radius a. Since the resulting set of density curves is a random sample, that is, curves appear with frequency proportional to the likelihood of their being consistent with the measured gravity, we can compute probability distributions for any quantity that is a function of ρ, such as central pressure, oblateness, core mass and radius, etc. Our approach is also Bayesian, in that it can utilize any prior assumptions about the planet's interior, as necessary, without being overly constrained by them. We apply this approach to produce a sample of Saturn interior models based on gravity data from Grand Finale orbits and discuss their implications.

Modeling the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia as an Equipotential Surface of Earth's Gravity Field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Borsa, Adrian; Bills, Bruce

2004-01-01

The salar de Uyuni is a massive dry salt lake that lies at the lowest point of an internal/drainage basin in the Bolivian Altiplano. Its topography is remarkable for its extraordinary flatness over almost a full degree of latitude and longitude. We surveyed a 54 x 45 km region of the salar with kinematic GPS in September, 2002 and found a topographic range of only 80 cm over the entire surveyed area. Furthermore, the survey revealed distinct surface features with several dominant wavelengths and orientations. Some of these appear to be aligned with orographic features that intersect the salar, leading us to conjecture that they are the surface expression of high-density mountains that have been buried by low-density basin sediments. Over the oceans, a similar correspondence between basin bathymetry and surface topography is exploited to map the seafloor using sea-surface satellite altimetry measurements, with the sea surface following geoid undulations due to the underwater mass distribution. On the salar, annual flooding creates a shallow lake whose surface also lies on a equipotential surface shaped by the distribution of underlying mass. The link to the actual salar surface is via the dissolution and redeposition of salt by the lake waters, which appears to push the system to an equilibrium of constant water depth and the coincidence of the shapes of the lake surface and bottom. To test our hypothesis about the origin of the surface features on the salar, we compare our GPS survey elevations with the equipotential surface generated from local gravity measurements in conjunction with gravity and potential values from the EGM96 global geopotential model. 50% of the variance of the GPS elevations can be explained by equipotential surface undulations from the EGM96 model alone, and an additional 40% is explained by the shorter-wavelength equipotential surface derived from local gravity. We examine the unexplained 10% of elevation variance from the standpoint of errors in the equipotential surface calculation and possible unmodelled surface processes.

First Gravity Traverse on the Martian Surface from the Curiosity Rover

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, K. W.; Peters, S. F.; Gonter, K. A.; Vasavada, A. R.

2016-12-01

Orbital gravity surveys have been a key tool in understanding planetary interiors and shallow crustal structure, exemplified by recent missions such as GRAIL and Juno. However, due to the loss of spatial resolution with altitude, airborne and ground-based survey methods are typically employed on the Earth. Previously, the Lunar Traverse Gravimeter experiment on the Apollo 17 mission has been the only attempt to collect surface gravity measurements on another planetary body. We will describe the results of the first gravity survey on the Martian surface, using data from the Curiosity rover over its >10 km traverse across the floor of Gale crater and lower slopes of Mount Sharp. These results enable us to estimate bulk rock density, and to search for potential subsurface density anomalies. To measure local gravitational acceleration, we use one of the two onboard Rover Inertial Measurement Units (RIMU-A), designed for rover position and fine attitude determination. The IMU contains three-axis micro-electromechanical (MEMS) accelerometers and fiber-optic gyros, and is used for gyrocompassing by integrating data for several minutes on sols with no drive or arm motions (roughly 50% of sols to date). Raw acceleration data are calibrated for biases induced by temperature effects and rover orientation, along with rover elevation over the course of the mission using multiple regression. We use the best fit linear relationship between topographic height and gravitational acceleration to estimate a Bouguer correction for the observed change in magnitude over the mission as the rover has ascended over 100 meters up the lower slopes of Mount Sharp. We find a relatively low best-fit density of 1600 +/- 500 kg/m^3 for the rocks of Mount Sharp, consistent with rover-based measurements of thermal inertial, and potentially indicating pervasive fracturing, high porosity and/or low compaction within the original sediments at least to depths of order 100 meters. Future measurements will further refine this estimate as Curiosity continues to gain elevation. Although not originally intended as a science instrument, these results highlight the scientific potential of surface gravity and topography surveys for future planetary exploration missions.

Simultaneous solution of the geoid and the surface density anomalies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ardalan, A. A.; Safari, A.; Karimi, R.; AllahTavakoli, Y.

2012-04-01

The main application of the land gravity data in geodesy is "local geoid" or "local gravity field" modeling, whereas the same data could play a vital role for the anomalous mass-density modeling in geophysical explorations. In the realm of local geoid computations based on Geodetic Boundary Value Problems (GBVP), it is needed that the effect of the topographic (or residual terrain) masses be removed via application of the Newton integral in order to perform the downward continuation in a harmonic space. However, harmonization of the downward continuation domain may not be perfectly possible unless accurate information about the mass-density of the topographic masses be available. On the other hand, from the exploration point of view the unwanted topographical masses within the aforementioned procedure could be regarded as the signal. In order to overcome the effect of the remaining masses within the remove step of the GBVP, which cause uncertainties in mathematical modeling of the problem, here we are proposing a methodology for simultaneous solution of the geoid and residual surface density modeling In other words, a new mathematical model will be offered which both provides the needed harmonic space for downward continuation and at the same time accounts for the non-harmonic terms of gravitational field and makes use of it for residual mass density modeling within the topographic region. The presented new model enjoys from uniqueness of the solution, opposite to the inverse application of the Newton integral for mass density modeling which is non-unique, and only needs regularization to remove its instability problem. In this way, the solution of the model provides both the incremental harmonic gravitational potential on surface of the reference ellipsoid as the gravity field model and the lateral surface mass-density variations via the second derivatives of the non harmonic terms of gravitational field. As the case study and accuracy verification, the proposed methodology is applied for identification of the salt geological structures as well as geoid computations within the northern coasts of Persian Gulf.

An analysis of gravity data in Area 12, Nevada Test Site

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wahl, R.R.

1969-01-01

The gravity data available from Healey and Miller (1963a) were augmented by new observations along three profiles through two new drill holes in Area 12; UEI2t #1 and UEI2p #1. The data were interpreted to allow evaluation of the geologic structure prior to the planning and excavation of two proposed tunnel complexes, Ul2t and Ul2p. Density values for each of six rock units were determined to allow a two-dimensional analysis of the gravity data along the above-mentioned profiles. The surficial rocks of Quaternary and Tertiary age and the Tertiary volcanic rocks have a weighted average density of 1.86 gm/cc. The density of the caprock at Rainier and Aqueduct Mesas ranges from 2.17 gm/cc at UEI2p #1 to 2.27 gm/cc at UEI2t #1. The Gold Meadows stock and the associated Precambrian quartzite have an arithmetic average density of 2.60 gm/cc for all samples measured. The middle Paleozoic dolomite in Area 12 has an arithmetic average density of 2.75 gm/cc. The clastic rocks of Paleozoic age have an arithmetic average density of 2.60 gm/cc. Interpretation of the residual gravity data indicates a maximum thickness of about 2,800 feet for all Tertiary volcanic rocks. A normal fault striking N. 30 ? E. disrupts the pre-Cenozoic surface at UEI2p #1 and 0.4 mile east of UEI2t #1. The throw within rock of Paleozoic age is about 400-500 feet. Another normal fault that strikes about N. 20 ? E. is located about 1.5 miles east of UEI2p #1. The throw of this fault is at least 1,100 feet in rocks of pre-Cenozoic age. Elevation contours representing the pre-Cenozoic surface in Area 12 show a maximum relief of about 2,000 feet.

Ultrasonic hydrometer. [Specific gravity of electrolyte

DOEpatents

Swoboda, C.A.

1982-03-09

The disclosed ultrasonic hydrometer determines the specific gravity (density) of the electrolyte of a wet battery, such as a lead-acid battery. The hydrometer utilizes a transducer that when excited emits an ultrasonic impulse that traverses through the electrolyte back and forth between spaced sonic surfaces. The transducer detects the returning impulse, and means measures the time t between the initial and returning impulses. Considering the distance d between the spaced sonic surfaces and the measured time t, the sonic velocity V is calculated with the equation V = 2d/t. The hydrometer also utilizes a thermocouple to measure the electrolyte temperature. A hydrometer database correlates three variable parameters including sonic velocity in and temperature and specific gravity of the electrolyte, for temperature values between 0 and 40/sup 0/C and for specific gravity values between 1.05 and 1.30. Upon knowing two parameters (the calculated sonic velocity and the measured temperature), the third parameter (specific gravity) can be uniquely found in the database. The hydrometer utilizes a microprocessor for data storage and manipulation.

Analysis of gravity and topography in the GLIMPSE study region: Isostatic compensation and uplift of the Sojourn and Hotu Matua Ridge systems

USGS Publications Warehouse

Harmon, N.; Forsyth, D.W.; Scheirer, D.S.

2006-01-01

The Gravity Lieations Intraplate Melting Petrologic and Seismic Expedition (GLIMPSE) Experiment investigated the formation of a series of non-hot spot, intraplate volcanic ridges in the South Pacific and their relationship to cross-grain gravity lineaments detected by satellite altimetry. Using shipboard gravity measurements and a simple model of surface loading of a thin elastic plate, we estimate effective elastic thicknesses ranging from ???2 km beneath the Sojourn Ridge to a maximum of 10 km beneath the Southern Cross Seamount. These elastic thicknesses are lower than predicted for the 3-9 Ma seafloor on which the volcanoes lie, perhaps due to reheating and thinning of the plate during emplacement. Anomalously low apparent densities estimated for the Matua and Southern Cross seamounts 2050 and 2250 kg m-3, respectively, probably are artifacts caused by the assumption of only surface loading, ignoring the presence of subsurface loading in the form of underplated crust and/or low-density mantle. Using satellite free-air gravity and shipboard bathymetry, we calculate the age-detrended, residual mantle Bouguer anomaly (rMBA). The rMBA corrects the free-air anomaly for the direct effects of topography, including the thickening of the crust beneath the seamounts and volcanic ridges due to surface loading of the volcanic edifices. There are broad, negative rMBA anomalies along the Sojourn and Brown ridges and the Hotu Matua seamount chain that extend nearly to the East Pacific Rise. These negative rMBA anomalies connect to negative free-air anomalies in the western part of the study area that have been recognized previously as the beginnings of the cross-grain gravity lineaments. Subtracting the topographic effects of surface loading by the ridges and seamounts from the observed topography reveals that the ridges are built on broad bands of anomalously elevated seafloor. This swell topography and the negative rMBA anomalies contradict the predictions of lithospheric cracking models for the origin of gravity lineaments and associated volcanic ridges, favoring models with a dynamic mantle component such as small-scale convection or channelized asthenospheric return flow. Copyright 2006 by the American Geophysical Union.

Coseismic Gravity and Displacement Signatures Induced by the 2013 Okhotsk Mw8.3 Earthquake.

PubMed

Zhang, Guoqing; Shen, Wenbin; Xu, Changyi; Zhu, Yiqing

2016-09-01

In this study, Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) RL05 data from January 2003 to October 2014 were used to extract the coseismic gravity changes induced by the 24 May 2013 Okhotsk Mw8.3 deep-focus earthquake using the difference and least square fitting methods. The gravity changes obtained from GRACE data agreed well with those from dislocation theory in both magnitude and spatial pattern. Positive and negative gravity changes appeared on both sides of the epicenter. The positive signature appeared on the western side, and the peak value was approximately 0.4 microgal (1 microgal = 10(-8) m/s²), whereas on the eastern side, the gravity signature was negative, and the peak value was approximately -1.1 microgal. It demonstrates that deep-focus earthquakes Mw ≤ 8.5 are detectable by GRACE observations. Moreover, the coseismic displacements of 20 Global Positioning System (GPS) stations on the Earth's surface were simulated using an elastic dislocation theory in a spherical earth model, and the results are consistent with the GPS results, especially the near-field results. We also estimated the gravity contributions from the coseismic vertical displacements and density changes, analyzed the proportion of these two gravity change factors (based on an elastic dislocation theory in a spherical earth model) in this deep-focus earthquake. The gravity effect from vertical displacement is four times larger than that caused by density redistribution.

Effect of surface tension on the dynamical behavior of bubble in rotating fluids under low gravity environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, R. J.; Tsao, Y. D.; Leslie, Fred W.; Hong, B. B.

1988-01-01

Time dependent evolutions of the profile of free surface (bubble shapes) for a cylindrical container partially filled with a Newtonian fluid of constant density, rotating about its axis of symmetry, have been studied. Numerical computations of the dynamics of bubble shapes have been carried out with the following situations: (1) linear functions of spin-up and spin-down in low and microgravity environments, (2) linear functions of increasing and decreasing gravity enviroment in high and low rotating cylidner speeds, (3) step functions of spin-up and spin-down in a low gravity environment, and (4) sinusoidal function oscillation of gravity environment in high and low rotating cylinder speeds. The initial condition of bubble profiles was adopted from the steady-state formulations in which the computer algorithms have been developed by Hung and Leslie (1988), and Hung et al. (1988).

Dynamical behavior of surface tension on rotating fluids in low and microgravity environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, R. J.; Tsao, Y. D.; Hong, B. B.; Leslie, F. W.

1989-01-01

Consideration is given to the time-dependent evolutions of the free surface profile (bubble shapes) of a cylindrical container, partially filled with a Newtonian fluid of constant density, rotating about its axis of symmetry in low and microgravity environments. The dynamics of the bubble shapes are calculated for four cases: linear time-dependent functions of spin-up and spin-down in low and microgravity, linear time-dependent functions of increasing and decreasing gravity at high and low rotating cylinder speeds, time-dependent step functions of spin-up and spin-down in low gravity, and sinusoidal function oscillation of the gravity environment in high and low rotating cylinder speeds. It is shown that the computer algorithms developed by Hung et al. (1988) may be used to simulate the profile of time-dependent bubble shapes under variations of centrifugal, capillary, and gravity forces.

Imaging the density distributions at the regional scale using full waveform and gravity data inversion - Application to the Pyrenees

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Roland; Chevrot, Sébastien; Wang, Yi; Spangenberg, Hannah; Goubet, Marie; Monteiller, Vadim; Komatitsch, Dimitri; Seoane, Lucia; Dufréchou, Grégory

2017-04-01

We present a hybrid inversion method that allows us to image density distributions at the regional scale using both seismic and gravity data. One main goal is to obtain densities and seismic wave velocities (P and S) in the lithosphere with a fine resolution to get important constraints on the mineralogic composition and thermal state of the lithosphere. In the context of the Pyrenees (located between Spain and France), accurate Vp and Vs seismic velocity models are computed first on a 3D spectral element grid at the scale of the Pyrenees by inverting teleseismic full waveforms. In a second step, Vp velocities are mapped to densities using empirical relations to build an a priori density model. BGI and BRGM Bouguer gravity anomaly data sets are then inverted on the same 3D spectral element grid as the Vp model at a resolution of 1-2 km by using high-order numerical integration formulae. Solutions are compared to those obtained using classical semi-analytical techniques. This procedure opens the possibility to invert both teleseismic and gravity data on the same finite-element grid. It can handle topography of the free surface in the same spectral-element distorted mesh that is used to solve the wave equation, without performing extra interpolations between different grids and models. WGS84 curvature, SRTM or ETOPO1 topographies are used.

Transport equations for linear surface waves with random underlying flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bal, Guillaume; Chou, Tom

1999-11-01

We define the Wigner distribution and use it to develop equations for linear surface capillary-gravity wave propagation in the transport regime. The energy density a(r, k) contained in waves propagating with wavevector k at field point r is given by dota(r,k) + nabla_k[U_⊥(r,z=0) \\cdotk + Ω(k)]\\cdotnabla_ra [13pt] \\: hspace1in - (nabla_r\\cdotU_⊥)a - nabla_r(k\\cdotU_⊥)\\cdotnabla_ka = Σ(δU^2) where U_⊥(r, z=0) is a slowly varying surface current, and Ω(k) = √(k^3+k)tanh kh is the free capillary-gravity dispersion relation. Note that nabla_r\\cdotU_⊥(r,z=0) neq 0, and that the surface currents exchange energy density with the propagating waves. When an additional weak random current √\\varepsilon δU(r/\\varepsilon) varying on the scale of k-1 is included, we find an additional scattering term Σ(δU^2) as a function of correlations in δU. Our results can be applied to the study of surface wave energy transport over a turbulent ocean.

Detailed gravity survey to help seismic microzonation: Mapping the thickness of unconsolidated deposits in Ottawa, Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamontagne, M.; Thomas, M.; Silliker, J.; Jobin, D.

2011-11-01

In this study, measurements of gravity were made to map and model the thickness of Quaternary deposits (sand and clay) overlying Ordovician limestones in a suburb of Ottawa (Orléans, Ontario). Because ground motion amplification is partly related to the thickness of unconsolidated deposits, this work helps refine the assessment of the earthquake damage potential of the area. It also helps the mapping of clay basins, which can locally exceed 100 m in thickness, where ground motion amplification can occur. Previous work, including well log data and seismic methods, have yielded a wealth of information on near-surface geology in Orléans, thereby providing the necessary constraints to test the applicability of gravity modeling in other locations where other methods cannot always be used. Some 104 gravity stations were occupied in an 8 × 12 km test area in the Orléans. Stations were accurately located with differential GPS that provided centimetric accuracy in elevation. Densities of the unconsolidated Quaternary deposits (Champlain Sea clay) determined on core samples and densities determined on limestone samples from outcrops were used to constrain models of the clay layer overlying the higher density bedrock formations (limestone). The gravity anomaly map delineates areas where clay basins attain > 100 m depth. Assuming a realistic density for the Champlain Sea clays (1.9-2.1 g/cm 3), the thickness over the higher density bedrock formations (Ordovician carbonate rocks) was modeled and compared with well logs and two seismic reflection profiles. The models match quite well with the information determined from well logs and seismic methods. It was found that gravity and the thickness of unconsolidated deposits are correlated but the uncertainties in both data sets preclude the definition of a direct correlation between the two. We propose that gravity measurements at a local scale be used as an inexpensive means of mapping the thickness of unconsolidated deposits in low-density urban areas. To obtain meaningful results, three conditions must exist. Firstly, elevations of gravity stations must be measured accurately using differential GPS; secondly, that the regional gravity field must be well defined, and thirdly, that the local geology be simple enough to be realistically represented with a two-layer model.

3D Structure of Iran and Surrounding Areas From The Simultaneous Inversion of Complementary Geophysical Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ammon, C. J.; Maceira, M.; Cleveland, M.

2010-12-01

We present a three-dimensional seismic-structure model of the Arabian-Eurasian collision zone obtained via simultaneous, joint inversion of surface-wave dispersion measurements, teleseismic P-wave receiver functions, and gravity observations. We use a simple, approximate relationship between density and seismic velocities so that the three data sets may be combined in a single inversion. The sensitivity of the different data sets are well known: surface waves provide information on the smooth variations in elastic properties, receiver functions provide information on abrupt velocity contrasts, and gravity measurements provide information on broad-wavenumber shallow density variations and long-wavenumber components of deeper density structures. The combination of the data provides improved resolution of shallow-structure variations, which in turn help produce the smooth features at depth with less contamination from the strong heterogeneity often observed in the upper crust. We also explore geologically based smoothness constraints to help resolve sharp features in the underlying shallow 3D structure. Our focus is on the region surrounding Iran from east Turkey and Iraq in the west, to Pakistan and Afghanistan in the east. We use Bouguer gravity anomalies derived from the global gravity model extracted from the GRACE satellite mission. Surface-wave dispersion velocities in the period range between 7 and 150 s are taken from previously published tomographic maps for the region. Preliminary results show expected strong variations in the Caspian region as well as the deep sediment regions of the Persian Gulf. Regions constrained with receiver-function information generally show sharper crust-mantle boundary structure than that obtained by inversion of the surface waves alone (with thin layers and smoothing constraints). Final results of the simultaneous inversion will help us to better understand one of the most prominent examples of continental collision. Such models also provide an important starting model for time-consuming and fully 3D inversions.

Forward calculation of gravity and its gradient using polyhedral representation of density interfaces: an application of spherical or ellipsoidal topographic gravity effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yi; Chen, Chao

2018-02-01

A density interface modeling method using polyhedral representation is proposed to construct 3-D models of spherical or ellipsoidal interfaces such as the terrain surface of the Earth and applied to forward calculating gravity effect of topography and bathymetry for regional or global applications. The method utilizes triangular facets to fit undulation of the target interface. The model maintains almost equal accuracy and resolution at different locations of the globe. Meanwhile, the exterior gravitational field of the model, including its gravity and gravity gradients, is obtained simultaneously using analytic solutions. Additionally, considering the effect of distant relief, an adaptive computation process is introduced to reduce the computational burden. Then features and errors of the method are analyzed. Subsequently, the method is applied to an area for the ellipsoidal Bouguer shell correction as an example and the result is compared to existing methods, which shows our method provides high accuracy and great computational efficiency. Suggestions for further developments and conclusions are drawn at last.

Refined gravity determination at small bodies through landing probes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bellerose, J.

2012-02-01

Very small objects of the near-Earth population have not been visited to date, and may be among the next targets for human exploration. As density is a strong indication of the body origin and intrinsic properties, determining the mass is one of the most important goals. The past missions to Eros and Itokawa resulted in mass and density estimates to less than five percent error, allowing precise mission planning while giving new insights on the body structure. Current mass determination techniques have limitations in the low gravity regime, and spacecraft tracking at very small asteroids is challenging. We investigate the constraints on measuring the mass at very small near-Earth objects, and their consequences on proximity operation planning. An alternative option to spacecraft radio tracking is to use surface probes. The near-surface and landing dynamics can be observed and tracked by the host spacecraft, providing higher resolution measurements of the NEA gravity pull. We show analytical methods to estimate the performance of given proximity operations, and simulations of spacecraft and probe dynamics at NEAs less than 100 m in diameter.

Low-g simulation testing of propellant systems using neutral buoyancy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balzer, D. L.; Lake, R. J., Jr.

1972-01-01

A two liquid, neutral buoyancy technique is being used to simulate propellant behavior in a weightless environment. By equalizing the density of two immiscible liquids within a container (propellant tank), the effect of gravity at the liquid interface is balanced. Therefore the surface-tension forces dominate to control the liquid/liquid system configuration in a fashion analogous to a liquid/gas system in a zero gravity environment.

Gravity Acceleration and Gravity Paradox

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hanyongquan, Han; Yuteng, Tang

2017-10-01

The magnitude of the gravitational acceleration of the earth is derived from low of universal gravitation. If the size and mass of the gravitational force are proportional to any situation, then the celestial surface gravity is greater than the celestial center near the gravity, and objective facts do not match. Specific derivation method, F = GMm / R2 = mg, g = GM/R2 . c / Ú, G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the earth, and finally the g = 9.8 m/s 2 is obtained. We assume that the earth is a standard positive sphere, the earth's volume V = 4 ΠR3/3, assuming that the earth's density is ρ, then M = ρ 4 ΠR3/3 .. c / Ú, the c / Ú into c / Ú get: g = G ρ4 ΠR / 3 .. c / Û, the density of the earth is constant. Careful analysis of the formula c / Û The result of this calculation, we can reach conclusion the gravity acceleration g and the radius of the earth is proportional. In addition to the radius of the Earth c / U the right is constant, That is, the Earth's Gravity acceleration of the outer layer of the earth is greater than the Earth's Gravity acceleration of Inner layer. We are in High School, Huairou District, Beijing, China Author: hanyongquan tangyuteng TEL: 15611860790, 15810953809.

U.S.A. National Surface Rock Density Map - Part 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winester, D.

2016-12-01

A map of surface rock densities over the USA has been developed by the NOAA-National Geodetic Survey (NGS) as part of its Gravity for the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum (GRAV-D) Program. GRAV-D is part of an international effort to generate a North American gravimetric geoid for use as the vertical datum reference surface. As a part of modeling process, it is necessary to eliminate from the observed gravity data the topographic and density effects of all masses above the geoid. However, the long-standing tradition in geoid modeling, which is to use an average rock density (e.g. 2.67 g/cm3), does not adequately represent the variety of lithologies in the USA. The U.S. Geological Survey has assembled a downloadable set of surface geologic formation maps (typically 1:100,000 to 1:500, 000 scale in NAD27) in GIS format. The lithologies were assigned densities typical of their rock type (Part 1) and these variety of densities were then rasterized and averaged over one arc-minute areas. All were then transformed into WGS84 datum. Thin layers of alluvium and some water bodies (interpreted to be less than 40 m thick) have been ignored in deference to underlying rocks. Deep alluvial basins have not been removed, since they represent significant fraction of local mass. The initial assumption for modeling densities will be that the surface rock densities extend down to the geoid. If this results in poor modeling, variable lithologies with depth can be attempted. Initial modeling will use elevations from the SRTM DEM. A map of CONUS densities is presented (denser lithologies are shown brighter). While a visual map at this scale does show detailed features, digital versions are available upon request. Also presented are some pitfalls of using source GIS maps digitized from variable reference sources, including the infamous `state line faults.'

Constraining the interior density profile of a Jovian planet from precision gravity field data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Movshovitz, Naor; Fortney, Jonathan J.; Helled, Ravit; Hubbard, William B.; Thorngren, Daniel; Mankovich, Chris; Wahl, Sean; Militzer, Burkhard; Durante, Daniele

2017-10-01

The external gravity field of a planetary body is determined by the distribution of mass in its interior. Therefore, a measurement of the external field, properly interpreted, tells us about the interior density profile, ρ(r), which in turn can be used to constrain the composition in the interior and thereby learn about the formation mechanism of the planet. Planetary gravity fields are usually described by the coefficients in an expansion of the gravitational potential. Recently, high precision measurements of these coefficients for Jupiter and Saturn have been made by the radio science instruments on the Juno and Cassini spacecraft, respectively.The resulting coefficients come with an associated uncertainty. And while the task of matching a given density profile with a given set of gravity coefficients is relatively straightforward, the question of how best to account for the uncertainty is not. In essentially all prior work on matching models to gravity field data, inferences about planetary structure have rested on imperfect knowledge of the H/He equation of state and on the assumption of an adiabatic interior. Here we wish to vastly expand the phase space of such calculations. We present a framework for describing all the possible interior density structures of a Jovian planet, constrained only by a given set of gravity coefficients and their associated uncertainties. Our approach is statistical. We produce a random sample of ρ(a) curves drawn from the underlying (and unknown) probability distribution of all curves, where ρ is the density on an interior level surface with equatorial radius a. Since the resulting set of density curves is a random sample, that is, curves appear with frequency proportional to the likelihood of their being consistent with the measured gravity, we can compute probability distributions for any quantity that is a function of ρ, such as central pressure, oblateness, core mass and radius, etc. Our approach is also bayesian, in that it can utilize any prior assumptions about the planet's interior, as necessary, without being overly constrained by them.We demonstrate this approach with a sample of Jupiter interior models based on recent Juno data and discuss prospects for Saturn.

Time-dependent dynamical behavior of surface tension on rotating fluids under microgravity environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, R. J.; Tsao, Y. D.; Hong, B. B.; Leslie, F. W.

1988-01-01

Time dependent evolutions of the profile of free surface (bubble shapes) for a cylindrical container partially filled with a Newtonian fluid of constant density, rotating about its axis of symmetry, have been studied. Numerical computations of the dynamics of bubble shapes have been carried out with the following situations: (1) linear functions of spin-up and spin-down in low and microgravity environments, (2) step functions of spin-up and spin-down in a low gravity environment, and (3) sinusoidal function oscillation of gravity environment in high and low rotating cylinder speeds.

Gravity Gradient Tensor of Arbitrary 3D Polyhedral Bodies with up to Third-Order Polynomial Horizontal and Vertical Mass Contrasts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Zhengyong; Zhong, Yiyuan; Chen, Chaojian; Tang, Jingtian; Kalscheuer, Thomas; Maurer, Hansruedi; Li, Yang

2018-03-01

During the last 20 years, geophysicists have developed great interest in using gravity gradient tensor signals to study bodies of anomalous density in the Earth. Deriving exact solutions of the gravity gradient tensor signals has become a dominating task in exploration geophysics or geodetic fields. In this study, we developed a compact and simple framework to derive exact solutions of gravity gradient tensor measurements for polyhedral bodies, in which the density contrast is represented by a general polynomial function. The polynomial mass contrast can continuously vary in both horizontal and vertical directions. In our framework, the original three-dimensional volume integral of gravity gradient tensor signals is transformed into a set of one-dimensional line integrals along edges of the polyhedral body by sequentially invoking the volume and surface gradient (divergence) theorems. In terms of an orthogonal local coordinate system defined on these edges, exact solutions are derived for these line integrals. We successfully derived a set of unified exact solutions of gravity gradient tensors for constant, linear, quadratic and cubic polynomial orders. The exact solutions for constant and linear cases cover all previously published vertex-type exact solutions of the gravity gradient tensor for a polygonal body, though the associated algorithms may differ in numerical stability. In addition, to our best knowledge, it is the first time that exact solutions of gravity gradient tensor signals are derived for a polyhedral body with a polynomial mass contrast of order higher than one (that is quadratic and cubic orders). Three synthetic models (a prismatic body with depth-dependent density contrasts, an irregular polyhedron with linear density contrast and a tetrahedral body with horizontally and vertically varying density contrasts) are used to verify the correctness and the efficiency of our newly developed closed-form solutions. Excellent agreements are obtained between our solutions and other published exact solutions. In addition, stability tests are performed to demonstrate that our exact solutions can safely be used to detect shallow subsurface targets.

Simulation gravity modeling to spacecraft-tracking data - Analysis and application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Phillips, R. J.; Sjogren, W. L.; Abbott, E. A.; Zisk, S. H.

1978-01-01

It is proposed that line-of-sight gravity measurements derived from spacecraft-tracking data can be used for quantitative subsurface density modeling by suitable orbit simulation procedures. Such an approach avoids complex dynamic reductions and is analogous to the modeling of conventional surface gravity data. This procedure utilizes the vector calculations of a given gravity model in a simplified trajectory integration program that simulates the line-of-sight gravity. Solutions from an orbit simulation inversion and a dynamic inversion on Doppler observables compare well (within 1% in mass and size), and the error sources in the simulation approximation are shown to be quite small. An application of this technique is made to lunar crater gravity anomalies by simulating the complete Bouguer correction to several large young lunar craters. It is shown that the craters all have negative Bouguer anomalies.

PROBLEM ON IRREGULAR 3-DIMENSIONAL DENSITY DISCONTINUITY SURFACES.

DTIC Science & Technology

method. The result is used to analyze the relation of linear correlation between the crustal thickness and the local Bouguer gravity anomaly, and good agreement is obtained in comparison with the actual statistical data. (Author)

Coseismic Gravity and Displacement Signatures Induced by the 2013 Okhotsk Mw8.3 Earthquake

PubMed Central

Zhang, Guoqing; Shen, Wenbin; Xu, Changyi; Zhu, Yiqing

2016-01-01

In this study, Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) RL05 data from January 2003 to October 2014 were used to extract the coseismic gravity changes induced by the 24 May 2013 Okhotsk Mw8.3 deep-focus earthquake using the difference and least square fitting methods. The gravity changes obtained from GRACE data agreed well with those from dislocation theory in both magnitude and spatial pattern. Positive and negative gravity changes appeared on both sides of the epicenter. The positive signature appeared on the western side, and the peak value was approximately 0.4 microgal (1 microgal = 10−8 m/s2), whereas on the eastern side, the gravity signature was negative, and the peak value was approximately −1.1 microgal. It demonstrates that deep-focus earthquakes Mw ≤ 8.5 are detectable by GRACE observations. Moreover, the coseismic displacements of 20 Global Positioning System (GPS) stations on the Earth’s surface were simulated using an elastic dislocation theory in a spherical earth model, and the results are consistent with the GPS results, especially the near-field results. We also estimated the gravity contributions from the coseismic vertical displacements and density changes, analyzed the proportion of these two gravity change factors (based on an elastic dislocation theory in a spherical earth model) in this deep-focus earthquake. The gravity effect from vertical displacement is four times larger than that caused by density redistribution. PMID:27598158

Gravity and the membrane-solution interface: theoretical investigations.

PubMed

Schatz, A; Linke-Hommes, A

1989-01-01

The theory of concentration and potential variations at interfaces is applied to the membrane-solution interface to calculate density variations. The theory is modified to take care of the finite ion volumes in electrolytes. Our model is a phospholipid membrane with a surface charge density of -4.824*10(-6)(As/cm2) in contact with solutions of KCl, NaCl, CaCl2, and mixtures. Maximal density variations of about 4*10(-2)(G/cm3) were found in surface layers between the membrane and the solutions. The extension of the layers is in the range of 1 to 6 nm.

Constraints on Ceres' Internal Structure and Evolution From Its Shape and Gravity Measured by the Dawn Spacecraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ermakov, A. I.; Fu, R. R.; Castillo-Rogez, J. C.; Raymond, C. A.; Park, R. S.; Preusker, F.; Russell, C. T.; Smith, D. E.; Zuber, M. T.

2017-11-01

Ceres is the largest body in the asteroid belt with a radius of approximately 470 km. In part due to its large mass, Ceres more closely approaches hydrostatic equilibrium than major asteroids. Pre-Dawn mission shape observations of Ceres revealed a shape consistent with a hydrostatic ellipsoid of revolution. The Dawn spacecraft Framing Camera has been imaging Ceres since March 2015, which has led to high-resolution shape models of the dwarf planet, while the gravity field has been globally determined to a spherical harmonic degree 14 (equivalent to a spatial wavelength of 211 km) and locally to 18 (a wavelength of 164 km). We use these shape and gravity models to constrain Ceres' internal structure. We find a negative correlation and admittance between topography and gravity at degree 2 and order 2. Low admittances between spherical harmonic degrees 3 and 16 are well explained by Airy isostatic compensation mechanism. Different models of isostasy give crustal densities between 1,200 and 1,400 kg/m3 with our preferred model giving a crustal density of 1,287+70-87 kg/m3. The mantle density is constrained to be 2,434+5-8 kg/m3. We compute isostatic gravity anomaly and find evidence for mascon-like structures in the two biggest basins. The topographic power spectrum of Ceres and its latitude dependence suggest that viscous relaxation occurred at the long wavelengths (>246 km). Our density constraints combined with finite element modeling of viscous relaxation suggests that the rheology and density of the shallow surface are most consistent with a rock, ice, salt and clathrate mixture.

Structure of the southern Rio Grande rift from gravity interpretation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daggett, P. H.; Keller, G. R.; Wen, C.-L.; Morgan, P.

1986-01-01

Regional Bouguer gravity anomalies in southern New Mexico have been analyzed by two-dimensional wave number filtering and poly-nomial trend surface analysis of the observed gravity field. A prominent, regional oval-shaped positive gravity anomaly was found to be associated with the southern Rio Grande rift. Computer modeling of three regional gravity profiles suggests that this anomaly is due to crustal thinning beneath the southern Rio Grande rift. These models indicate a 25 to 26-km minimum crustal thickness within the rift and suggest that the rift is underlain by a broad zone of anomalously low-density upper mantle. The southern terminus of the anomalous zone is approximately 50 km southwest of El Paso, Texas. A thinning of the rifted crust of 2-3 km relative to the adjacent Basin and Range province indicates an extension of about 9 percent during the formation of the modern southern Rio Grande rift. This extension estimate is consistent with estimates from other data sources. The crustal thinning and anomalous mantle is thought to result from magmatic activity related to surface volcanism and high heat flow in this area.

Liquid phase sintered compacts in space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mookherji, T. K.; Mcanelly, W. B.

1974-01-01

A model that will explain the effect of gravity on liquid phase sintering was developed. Wetting characteristics and density segregation which are the two important phenomena in liquid phase sintering are considered in the model development. Experiments were conducted on some selected material combinations to study the gravity effects on liquid phase sintering, and to verify the validity of the model. It is concluded that: (1) The surface tension forces acting on solid particles in a one-g environment are not appreciably different from those anticipated in a 0.00001g/g sub 0 (or lower) environment. (2) The capillary forces are dependent on the contact angle, the quantity of the liquid phase, and the distance between solid particles. (3) The pores (i.e., bubbles) do not appear to be driven to the surface by gravity-produced buoyancy forces. (4) The length of time to produce the same degree of settling in a low-gravity environment will be increased significantly. (5) A low gravity environment would appear to offer a unique means of satisfactorily infiltrating a larger and/or complex shaped compact.

Mars - Crustal structure inferred from Bouguer gravity anomalies.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Phillips, R. J.; Saunders, R. S.; Conel, J. E.

1973-01-01

Bouguer gravity has been computed for the equatorial region of Mars by differencing free air gravity and the gravity predicted from topographic variations. The free air gravity was generated from an eighth-order set of spherical harmonic coefficients. The gravity from topographic variations was generated by integrating a two-dimensional Green's function over each contour level. The Bouguer gravity indicates crustal inhomogeneities on Mars that are postulated to be variations in crustal thickness. The Tharsis ridge is a region of thick continental type crust. The gravity data, structural patterns, topography, and surface geology of this region lead to the interpretation of the Tharsis topographic high as a broad crustal upwarp possibly associated with local formation of lower-density crustal material and subsequent rise of a thicker crust. The Amazonis region is one of several basins of relatively thin crust, analogous to terrestrial ocean basins. The Libya and Hellas basins, which are probable impact features, are also underlain by thin crust and are possible regions of mantle upwelling.

3-D density modeling of Mt. Paekdu (N Korea/China) stratovolcano and its evolution by a combination of EGM2008/terrestrial gravity field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Götze, Hans-Jürgen; Choi, Sungchan

2015-04-01

We combined the global gravity dataset EGM2008 and a local terrestrial gravity data survey to conduct constrained 3-D crustal density modeling of a strato-volcanic complex and the surrounding area located close to the border of North Korea and China. The independent geophysical (seismic, seismology, geochemistry) and petrological constraints will be presented together with the preprocessing of data base by curvature analysis and Euler deconvolution. The multiple data base is used to assist a general interpretation of the investigated area, and the 3D density model (modelled by the in-house IGMAS+ software). Mt. Paekdu is characterized by a low of Bouguer anomaly of some -110 × 10-5 m/s2, which is caused by the combined gravity effects of (1) Moho depth of about 40 km, (2) a zone with both lower P-wave velocity and density than the surrounding, (3) low density volcanic rocks at the surface, and (4) the presence of a magma chamber that has not previously been identified. The terrestrial gravity field measured along the seismic profile shows a remarkable anomaly descending from the southern- to the northern flank of the Mt. Paekdu volcano, which should be a typical anomaly pattern generally observed over the active volcanic area in the world (e.g. the Yellow Stone volcano). The trend is interpreted to be caused by a prominent density difference between a serious of high density mid crustal sill beneath the southern flank and a predicted partial melted zone locating in the northern flank. With the help of several geoscientific observations (seismic, electromagnetic, gravity and geochemistry) and the 3D density model we conclude that a high density sill was formed in Pliocene and early Pleistocene after pre-shield plateau-forming eruption. Since the Pliocene, volcanic activity in the Mt. Paekdu region might be migrated from the southeastern of North Korea to the northwest, following the path of NW-SE-trending faults. Recently observed seismic tremors can be explained by the vertical movement of the partial melted magma chamber beneath the northern part of the Mt. Baekdu volcanic area, which is confirmed by vertical stress change calculation.

3-D Density Modeling of the Combined EGM2008/Terrestrial Gravity Field over the Mt. Paekdu (N Korea/China) Stratovolcano and Its Evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goetze, H. J.; Choi, S.

2014-12-01

In the presentation we get use of the global gravity dataset EGM2008 and a local terrestrial gravity data survey for a constrained 3-D crustal density modeling of a stratovolcano and its surrounding area located close to the border of North Korea and China. The independent geophysical (seismic, seismology, geochemistry) and petrological constraints will be presented together with the preprocessing of data base by curvature analysis and Euler deconvolution. The multiple data base is used to assist a general interpretation of the investigated area in time, and the 3D density model (modelled by the inhouse IGMAS+ software). Mt. Paekdu is characterized by a low of Bouguer anomaly of some -110 ´ 10-5 m/s2, which is caused by the combined gravity effects of (1) Moho depth of about 40 km, (2) a zone with both lower P-wave velocity and density than the surrounding, (3) low density volcanic rocks at the surface, and (4) the presence of a magma chamber that has not previously been identified. The terrestrial gravity field measured along the seismic profile shows a remarkable anomaly descending from the southern- to the northern flank of the Mt. Paekdu volcano, which should be a typical anomaly pattern generally obsered over the active volcanic area in the world (e.g. the Yellow Stone volcano). The trend is interpreted to be caused by a prominent density difference between a serious of high density mid crustal sill beneath the southern flank and a predicted partial melted zone locating in the northern flank. With the help of several geoscientific observations (seismic, electromagnetic, gravity and geochemistry) and the 3D density model we conclude that a high density sill was formed in Pliocene and early Pleistocene after pre-shield plateau-forming eruption. Since the Pliocene, volcanic activity in the Mt. Paekdu region might be migrated from the southeastern of North Korea to the northwest, following the path of NW-SE-trending faults. Recently observed seismic tremors can be explained by the vertical movement of the partial melted magma chamber beneath the northern part of the Mt. Baekdu volcanic area, which is confirmed by vertical stress calculation.

Combining GOCE and in-situ gravity data for precise gravity field determination and geophysical applications around the Japanese Antarctic station, Syowa, in Antarctica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuda, Y.; Nogi, Y.; Matsuzaki, K.

2012-12-01

Syowa is the Japanese Antarctic wintering station in Lützow-Holm Bay, East Antarctica. The area around the station is considered to be a key for investigating the formation of Gondwana, because reconstruction models suggest a junction of the continents locates in the area. It is also important from a glaciological point of view, because there locates the Shirase Glacier, one of the major glaciers in Antarctica, near the station. Therefore the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) has been conducting in-situ gravity measurements in the area for a long period. The data sets accumulated are land gravity data since 1967, surface ship data since 1985, and airborne gravity data in 2006. However these in-situ gravity data usually suffered from the effects of instrumental drifts and lack of reference points, their accuracies are decreasing toward the longer wavelength more than several tens km. In particular in Antarctica where very few gravity reference points are available, the long wavelength accuracy and/or consistency among the data sets are quite limited. GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer) satellite launched in March 2009 by ESA (European Space Agency) aims at improving static gravity fields, in particular at short wavelengths. In addition to its low-altitude orbit (250km), the sensitive gravity gradiometer installed is expected to reveal 1 mgal gravity anomalies at the spatial resolution of 100km (half wavelength). Actually recently released GOCE EGMs (Earth Gravity Models) have improved the accuracy of the static gravity filed tremendously. These EGMs are expected to serve as the long wavelength references for the in-situ gravity data. Thus, firstly, we aims at determining an improved gravity fields around Syowa by combining the JARE gravity data and the recent EGMs. And then, using the gravity anomalies, we determine the subsurface density structures. We also evaluated the impacts of the EGMs for estimating the density structures.

An electric current associated with gravity sensing in maize roots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bjorkman, T.; Leopold, A. C.

1987-01-01

The study of gravisensing would be greatly enhanced if physiological events associated with gravity sensing could be detected separately from subsequent growth processes. This report presents a means to discriminate sensing from the growth processes. By using a vibrating probe, we have found an electric current generated by the gravity sensing region of the root cap of maize (Zea mays cv Merit) in response to gravistimulation. On the upper surface of the root cap, the change from the endogenous current has a density of 0.55 microampere per square centimeter away from gravity. The onset of the current shift has a characteristic of lag of three to four minutes after gravistimulation, which corresponds to the presentation time for gravity sensing in this tissue. A description of the current provides some information about the sensing mechanism, as well as being a valuable means to detect gravity sensing independently of differential growth.

Gravity Changes and Internal Processes: Some Results Obtained from Observations at Three Volcanoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jentzsch, Gerhard; Weise, Adelheid; Rey, Carlos; Gerstenecker, Carl

Temporal gravity changes provide information about mass and/or density variations within and below the volcano edifice. Three active volcanoes have been under investigation; each of them related to a plate boundary: Mayon/Luzon/Philippines, Merapi/Java/Indonesia, and Galeras/Colombia. The observed gravity changes are smaller than previously expected but significant. For the three volcanoes under investigation, and within the observation period, mainly the increase of gravity is observed, ranging from 1,000 nm-2 to 1,600 nms-2. Unexpectedly, the gravity increase is confined to a rather small area with radii of 5 to 8 km around the summit. At Mayon and Merapi the parallel GPS measurements yield no significant elevation changes. This is crucial for the interpretation, as the internal pressure variations do not lead to significant deformation at the surface. Thus the classical Mogi-model for a shallow extending magma reservoir cannot apply. To confine the possible models, the attraction due to changes of groundwater level or soil moisture is estimated along the slope of Merapi exemplarily by 2-D modelling. Mass redistribution or density changes were evaluated within the vent as well as deeper fluid processes to explain the gravity variations; the results are compared to the model incorporating the additional effect of elastic deformation.

The planet Mercury (1971)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The physical properties of the planet Mercury, its surface, and atmosphere are presented for space vehicle design criteria. The mass, dimensions, mean density, and orbital and rotational motions are described. The gravity field, magnetic field, electromagnetic radiation, and charged particles in the planet's orbit are discussed. Atmospheric pressure, temperature, and composition data are given along with the surface composition, soil mechanical properties, and topography, and the surface electromagnetic and temperature properties.

Preliminary Correlations of Gravity and Topography from Mars Global Surveyor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zuber, M. T.; Tyler, G. L.; Smith, D. E.; Balmino, G. S.; Johnson, G. L.; Lemoine, F. G.; Neumann, G. A.; Phillips, R. J.; Sjogren, W. L.; Solomon, S. C.

1999-01-01

The Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft is currently in a 400-km altitude polar mapping orbit and scheduled to begin global mapping of Mars in March of 1999. Doppler tracking data collected in this Gravity Calibration Orbit prior to the nominal mapping mission combined with observations from the MGS Science Phasing Orbit in Spring - Summer 1999 and the Viking and mariner 9 orbiters has led to preliminary high resolution gravity fields. Spherical harmonic expansions have been performed to degree and order 70 and are characterized by the first high spatial resolution coverage of high latitudes. Topographic mapping by the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter on MGS is providing measurements of the height of the martian surface with sub-meter vertical resolution and 5-30 m absolute accuracy. Data obtained during the circular mapping phase are expected to provide the first high resolution measurements of surface heights in the southern hemisphere. The combination of gravity and topography measurements provides information on the structure of the planetary interior, i.e. the rigidity and distribution of internal density. The observations can also be used to address the mechanisms of support of surface topography. Preliminary results of correlations of gravity and topography at long planetary wavelengths will be presented and the implications for internal structure will be addressed.

The 5'×5' global geoid model GGM2016

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, WenBin; Han, Jiancheng

2016-04-01

We provide an updated 5'×5' global geoid model GGM2016, which is determined based on the shallow layer method (Shen 2006). We choose an inner surface S below the EGM2008 geoid, and the layer bounded by the inner surface S and the Earth's geographical surface E is referred to as the shallow layer. The Earth's geographical surface E is determined by the digital topographic model DTM2006.0 combining with the DNSC2008 mean sea surface. We determine the 3D shallow layer model (SLM) using the refined crust density model CRUST1.0-5min, which is an improved 5'×5' density model of the CRUST1.0 with taking into account the corrections of the areas covered by ice sheets and the land-ocean crossing regions. Based on the SLM and the gravity field EGM2008 defined outside the Earth's geographical surface E, we determine the gravity field EGM2008S defined in the region outside the inner surface S, extending the gravity field's definition domain from the domain outside E to the domain outside S. Based on the geodetic equation W(P)=W0, where W0 is the geopotential constant on the geoid, we determine a 5'×5' global geoid model GGM2016, which provides both the 5'×5' grid values and spherical harmonic coefficient expressions. Comparisons show that the GGM2016 fits the globally available GPS/leveling points better than the EGM2008 geoid. This study is supported by National 973 Project China (grant Nos. 2013CB733301 and 2013CB733305), NSFC (grant Nos. 41174011, 41210006, 41429401, 41128003, 41021061).

Stability of Fluvial and Gravity-flow Antidunes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedele, J. J.; Hoyal, D. C. J. D.; Demko, T. M.

2017-12-01

Antidunes develop as a consequence of interface (free surface) deformation and sediment transport feedback in supercritical flows. Fluvial (open-channel flow) antidunes have been studied extensively in the laboratory and the field, and recognized in ancient sedimentary deposits. Experiments on gravity flow (turbidity and density currents) antidunes indicate that they are more stable and long-lived than their fluvial counterpart but the mechanism controlling this stability is poorly understood. Sea floor bathymetric and subsurface data suggest that large-scale, antidune-like sediment waves are extremely common in deep-water, found in a wide range of settings and sediment characteristics. While most of these large features have been interpreted as cyclic steps, the term has been most likely overused due to the lack of recognition criteria and basic understanding on the differences between antidunes and cyclic steps formed under gravity flows. In principle, cyclic steps should be more common in confined or channel-lobe transition settings where flows tend to be more energetic or focused, while antidunes should prevail in regions of less confinement, under sheet-like or expanding flows. Using published, fluvial stable-antidune data, we show that the simplified 1D, mechanical-energy based analysis of flow over a localized fixed obstacle (Long, 1954; Baines, 1995; Kubo and Yokokawa, 2001) is inaccurate for representing flow over antidunes and their stability. Instead, a more detailed analysis of a flow along a long-wavelength (in relation to flow thickness) wavy bed that also considers the interactions between flow and sediment transport is used to infer conditions of antidune stability and the breaking of surface waves. In particular, the position of the surface wave crest in relation to the bedform crest, along with the role of average flow velocity, surface velocity, and surface wave celerity appear relevant in determining antidune instability. The analysis is extended to the case of gravity flow antidunes to explain differences with subaerial antidunes on the basis of the particularities of both velocity and density profiles in these flows. Laboratory experimental data on gravity flow antidunes are used to compare with the theory presented.

3D interactive forward and inversion gravity modelling at different scales: From subduction zone modelling to cavity detection.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Götze, Hans-Jürgen; Schmidt, Sabine

2014-05-01

Modern geophysical interpretation requires an interdisciplinary approach, particularly when considering the available amount of 'state of the art' information. A combination of different geophysical surveys employing seismic, gravity and EM, together with geological and petrological studies, can provide new insights into the structures and tectonic evolution of the lithosphere, natural deposits and underground cavities. Interdisciplinary interpretation is essential for any numerical modelling of these structures and the processes acting on them Interactive gravity and magnetic modeling can play an important role in the depth imaging workflow of complex projects. The integration of the workflow and the tools is important to meet the needs of today's more interactive and interpretative depth imaging workflows. For the integration of gravity and magnetic models the software IGMAS+ can play an important role in this workflow. For simplicity the focus is on gravity modeling, but all methods can be applied to the modeling of magnetic data as well. Currently there are three common ways to define a 3D gravity model. Grid based models: Grids define the different geological units. The densities of the geological units are constant. Additional grids can be introduced to subdivide the geological units, making it possible to represent density depth relations. Polyhedral models: The interfaces between different geological units are defined by polyhedral, typically triangles. Voxel models: Each voxel in a regular cube has a density assigned. Spherical Earth modeling: Geophysical investigations may cover huge areas of several thousand square kilometers. The depression of the earth's surface due to the curvature of the Earth is 3 km at a distance of 200 km and 20 km at a distance of 500 km. Interactive inversion: Inversion is typically done in batch where constraints are defined beforehand and then after a few minutes or hours a model fitting the data and constraints is generated. As examples I show results from the Central Andes and the North Sea. Both gravity and geoid of the two areas were investigated with regard to their isostatic state, the crustal density structure and rigidity of the Lithosphere. Modern satellite measurements of the recent ESA campaigns are compared to ground observations in the region. Estimates of stress and GPE (gravitational potential energy) at the western South American margin have been derived from an existing 3D density model. Here, sensitivity studies of gravity and gravity gradients indicate that short wavelength lithospheric structures are more pronounced in the gravity gradient tensor than in the gravity field. A medium size example of the North Sea underground demonstrates how interdisciplinary data sets can support aero gravity investigations. At the micro scale an example from the detection of a crypt (Alversdorf, Northern Germany) is shown.

Using Gravity and Topography to Map Mars' Crustal Thickness

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-21

Newly detailed mapping of local variations in Mars' gravitational pull on orbiters (center), combined with topographical mapping of the planet's mountains and valleys (left) yields the best-yet mapping of Mars' crustal thickness (right). These three views of global mapping are centered at 90 degrees west longitude, showing portions of the planet that include tall volcanoes on the left and the deep Valles Marineris canyon system just right of center. Additional views of these global maps are available at http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/goto?4436. The new map of Mars' gravity (center) results from analysis of the planet's gravitational effects on orbiters passing over each location on the globe. The data come from many years of using NASA's Deep Space Network to track positions and velocities of NASA's Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. If Mars were a perfectly smooth sphere of uniform density, the gravity experienced by the spacecraft would be exactly the same everywhere. But like other rocky bodies in the solar system, including Earth, Mars has both a bumpy surface and a lumpy interior. As the spacecraft fly in their orbits, they experience slight variations in gravity caused by both of these irregularities, variations which show up as small changes in the velocity and altitude of the three spacecraft. The "free-air" gravity map presents the results without any adjustment for the known bumpiness of Mars' surface. Local gravitational variations in acceleration are expressed in units called gals or galileos. The color-coding key beneath the center map indicates how colors on the map correspond to mGal (milligal) values. The map on the left shows the known bumpiness, or topography, of the Martian surface, using data from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) instrument on Mars Global Surveyor. Mars has no actual "sea level," but does have a defined zero elevation level. The color-coding key beneath this map indicates how the colors correspond to elevations above or below zero, in kilometers. Analysis that subtracts effects of the surface topography from the free-air gravity mapping, combined with an assumption that crust material has a uniform density, leads to the derived mapping of crustal thickness -- or subsurface "lumpiness" -- on the right. Highs in gravity indicate places where the denser mantle material beneath the crust is closer to the surface, and hence where the crust is thinner. The color-coding key for this map indicates how the colors on the map correspond to the thickness of the crust, in kilometers. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA20277

Gravity changes and deformation at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, associated with summit eruptive activity, 2009-2012

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bagnardi, Marco; Poland, Michael P.; Carbone, Daniele; Baker, Scott; Battaglia, Maurizio; Amelung, Falk

2014-01-01

Analysis of microgravity and surface displacement data collected at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii (USA), between December 2009 and November 2012 suggests a net mass accumulation at ~1.5 km depth beneath the northeast margin of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, within Kīlauea Caldera. Although residual gravity increases and decreases are accompanied by periods of uplift and subsidence of the surface, respectively, the volume change inferred from the modeling of interferometric synthetic aperture radar deformation data can account for only a small portion (as low as 8%) of the mass addition responsible for the gravity increase. We propose that since the opening of a new eruptive vent at the summit of Kīlauea in 2008, magma rising to the surface of the lava lake outgasses, becomes denser, and sinks to deeper levels, replacing less dense gas-rich magma stored in the Halema‘uma‘u magma reservoir. In fact, a relatively small density increase (<200 kg m−3) of a portion of the reservoir can produce the positive residual gravity change measured during the period with the largest mass increase, between March 2011 and November 2012. Other mechanisms may also play a role in the gravity increase without producing significant uplift of the surface, including compressibility of magma, formation of olivine cumulates, and filling of void space by magma. The rate of gravity increase, higher than during previous decades, varies through time and seems to be directly correlated with the volcanic activity occurring at both the summit and the east rift zone of the volcano.

Clumping in the Cassini Division and C Ring: Constraints from Stellar Occultations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colwell, J. E.; Jerousek, R. G.; Esposito, L. W.

2014-12-01

Particles in Saturn's rings are engaged in a constant tug-of-war between interparticle gravitational and adhesive forces that lead to clumping, on the one hand, and Keplerian shear that inhibits accretion on the other. Depending on the surface mass density of the rings and the local orbital velocity, ephemeral clumps or self-gravity wakes can form, giving the rings granularity on the scale of the most-unstable length scale against gravitational collapse. The A ring and many regions of the B ring are dominated by self-gravity wakes with a typical radial wavelength of ~50-100 m. A characteristic of self-gravity wakes is that they can effectively shadow the relatively empty spaces in between them, depending on viewing geometry. This leads to geometry-dependent measurements of optical depth in occultations of the rings. The C ring and Cassini Division have significantly lower surface mass densities than the A and B ring such that in most of these regions the most-unstable wavelength is comparable to the size of the ring particles (~1 m) so that self-gravity wake formation is not expected nor have its characteristics in various measurements been observed. Here we present measurements of the optical depth of the C ring and Cassini Division with the Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) showing variations with viewing geometry in the "ramp" regions and the Cassini Division "triple band". These variations are characteristic of self-gravity wakes. We place limits on clumping in other regions of the C ring and Cassini Division.

Gravity dependency of the gramicidin A channel conductivity. A model for gravity perception on the cellular level.

PubMed

Schatz, A; Linke-Hommes, A; Neubert, J

1996-01-01

Theoretical investigations involving the membrane-solution interface have revealed that the density of the solution varies appreciably within interfacial layers adjacent to charged membrane surfaces. The hypothesis that gravity interacts with this configuration and modifies transport rates across horizontal and vertical membranes differently was supported by initial experiments with gramicidin A channels in phosphatidylserine (PS) membranes in 0.1 M KCl. Channel conductivity was found to be about 1.6 times higher in horizontal membranes than in vertical membranes. Here we present the results of further experiments with gramicidin A channels (incorporated into charged PS- and uncharged phosphatidylcholine (PC) membranes in KCl- and CsCl-solutions) to demonstrate that the hypothesis is more generally applicable. Again, channel conductivity was found to be higher in horizontal PS membranes by a factor of between 1.20 and 1.75 in 0.1 M CsCl. No difference in channel conductivity was found for uncharged PC membranes in 0.1 M KCl and in 0.1 M CsCl. However, for PC membranes in 0.05 M KCl the channel conductivity was significantly higher in horizontal membranes by a factor of between 1.07 and 1.14. These results are consistent with the results of our model calculations of layer density and extension, which showed that the layer formation is enhanced by increasing membrane surface charge and decreasing electrolyte ion concentration. The mechanism of gravity interaction with membrane transport processes via interface reactions might be utilized by biological systems for orientational behaviour in the gravity field, which has been observed even for cellular systems.

Isostatic gravity map of the Nevada Test Site and vicinity, Nevada

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ponce, D.A.; Harris, R.N.; Oliver, H.W.

1988-12-31

The isostatic gravity map of the Nevada Test Site (NTS) and vicinity is based on about 16,000 gravity stations. Principal facts of the gravity data were listed by Harris and others (1989) and their report included descriptions of base stations, high-precision and absolute gravity stations, and data accuracy. Observed gravity values were referenced to the International Gravity Standardization Net 1971 gravity datum described by Morelli (1974) and reduced using the Geodetic Reference System 1967 formula for the normal gravity on the ellipsoid (International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, 1971). Free-air, Bouguer, curvature, and terrain corrections for a standard reduction densitymore » of 2.67 g/cm{sup 3} were made to compute complete Bouguer anomalies. Terrain corrections were made to a radial distance of 166.7 km from each station using a digital elevation model and a computer procedure by Plouff (1977) and, in general, include manually estimated inner-zone terrain corrections. Finally, isostatic corrections were made using a procedure by Simpson and others (1983) based on an Airy-Heiskanen model with local compensation (Heiskanen and Moritz, 1967) with an upper-crustal density of 2.67 g/cm{sup 3}, a crustal thickness of 25 km, and a density contrast between the lower-crust and upper-mantle of 0.4 g/cm{sup 3}. Isostatic corrections help remove the effects of long-wavelength anomalies related to topography and their compensating masses and, thus, enhance short- to moderate-wavelength anomalies caused by near surface geologic features. 6 refs.« less

Ultrasonic hydrometer

DOEpatents

Swoboda, Carl A.

1984-01-01

The disclosed ultrasonic hydrometer determines the specific gravity (density) of the electrolyte of a wet battery, such as a lead-acid battery. The hydrometer utilizes a transducer that when excited emits an ultrasonic impulse that traverses through the electrolyte back and forth between spaced sonic surfaces. The transducer detects the returning impulse, and means measures the time "t" between the initial and returning impulses. Considering the distance "d" between the spaced sonic surfaces and the measured time "t", the sonic velocity "V" is calculated with the equation "V=2d/t". The hydrometer also utilizes a thermocouple to measure the electrolyte temperature. A hydrometer database correlates three variable parameters including sonic velocity in and temperature and specific gravity of the electrolyte, for temperature values between 0.degree. and 40.degree. C. and for specific gravity values between 1.05 and 1.30. Upon knowing two parameters (the calculated sonic velocity and the measured temperature), the third parameter (specific gravity) can be uniquely found in the database. The hydrometer utilizes a microprocessor for data storage and manipulation. The disclosed modified battery has a hollow spacer nub on the battery side wall, the sonic surfaces being on the inside of the nub and the electrolyte filling between the surfaces to the exclusion of intervening structure. An accessible pad exposed on the nub wall opposite one sonic surface allows the reliable placement thereagainst of the transducer.

High-Precision Simulation of the Gravity Field of Rapidly-Rotating Barotropes in Hydrostatic Equilibrium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hubbard, W. B.

2013-12-01

The so-called theory of figures (TOF) uses potential theory to solve for the structure of highly distorted rotating liquid planets in hydrostatic equilibrium. TOF is noteworthy both for its antiquity (Maclaurin 1742) and its mathematical complexity. Planned high-precision gravity measurements near the surfaces of Jupiter and Saturn (possibly detecting signals ~ microgal) will place unprecedented requirements on TOF, not because one expects hydrostatic equilibrium to that level, but because nonhydrostatic components in the surface gravity, at expected levels ~ 1 milligal, must be referenced to precise hydrostatic-equilibrium models. The Maclaurin spheroid is both a useful test of numerical TOF codes (Hubbard 2012, ApJ Lett 756:L15), and an approach to an efficient TOF code for arbitrary barotropes of variable density (Hubbard 2013, ApJ 768:43). For the latter, one trades off vertical resolution by replacing a continuous barotropic pressure-density relation with a stairstep relation, corresponding to N concentric Maclaurin spheroids (CMS), each of constant density. The benefit of this trade-off is that two-dimensional integrals over the mass distributions at each interface are reduced to one-dimensional integrals, quickly and accurately evaluated by Gaussian quadrature. The shapes of the spheroids comprise N level surfaces within the planet and at its surface, are gravitationally coupled to each other, and are found by self-consistent iteration, relaxing to a final configuration to within the computer's precision limits. The angular and radial variation of external gravity (using the usual geophysical expansion in multipole moments) can be found to the limit of typical floating point precision (~ 1.e-14), much better than the expected noise/signal for either the Juno or Cassini gravity experiments. The stairstep barotrope can be adjusted to fit a prescribed continuous or discontinuous interior barotrope, and can be made to approximate it to any required precision by increasing N. One can insert a higher density of CMSs toward the surface of an interior model in order to more accurately model high-order gravitational moments. The magnitude of high-order moments predicted by TOF declines geometrically with order number, and falls below the magnitude of expected non-hydrostatic terms produced by interior dynamics at ~ order 10 and above. Juno's sensitivity is enough to detect tidal gravity signals from Galilean satellites. The CMS method can be generalized to predict tidal zonal and tesseral terms consistent with an interior model fitted to measured zonal harmonics. For this purpose, two-dimensional Gaussian quadrature is necessary at each CMS interface. However, once the model is relaxed to equilibrium, one need not refit the model to the average zonal harmonics because of the smallness of the tidal terms. I will describe how the CMS method has been validated through comparisons with standard TOF models for which fully or partially analytic solutions exist, as well as through consistency checks. At this stage in software development in preparation for Jupiter orbit, we are focused on increasing the speed of the code in order to more efficiently search the parameter space of acceptable Jupiter interior models, as well as to interface it with advanced hydrogen-helium equations of state.

An integrated geophysical study of north African and Mediterranean lithospheric structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dial, Paul Joseph

1998-07-01

This dissertation utilizes gravity and seismic waveform modeling techniques to: (1) determine models of lithospheric structure across northern African through gravity modeling and (2) determine lithospheric and crustal structure and seismic wave propagation characteristics across northern Africa and the Mediterranean region. The purpose of the gravity investigation was to construct models of lithospheric structure across northern Africa through the analysis of gravity data constrained by previous geological and geophysical studies. Three lithospheric models were constructed from Bouguer gravity data using computer modeling, and the gravity data was wavelength-filtered to investigate the relative depth and extent of the structures associated with the major anomalies. In the Atlas Mountains area, the resulting earth models showed slightly greater crustal thickness than those of previous studies if a low density mantle region is not included in the models. However, if a low density mantle region (density = 3.25 g/cm3) was included beneath the Atlas, the earth models showed little crustal thickening (38 km), in accord with previous seismic studies. The second portion of the research consisted of seismic waveform modeling of regional and teleseismic events to determine crustal and lithospheric structure across northern Africa and the Mediterranean. A total of 174 seismograms (145 at regional distances (200--1400 km) and 29 with epicentral distances exceeding 1900 km) were modeled using 1-D velocity models and a reflectivity code. At regional distances from four stations surrounding the western Mediterranean basin (MAL, TOL, PTO and AQU) and one station near the Red Sea (HLW), 1-D velocity models can satisfactorily model the relative amplitudes of both the Pnl and surface wave portions of the seismograms. Modeling of propagation paths greater than 1900 km was also conducted across northern Africa and the Mediterranean. The results indicate that the S-wave velocity model of Corchete et al. (1995) is more appropriate for the Iberian Peninsula, southwestern Mediterranean basin and northwest African coast than the other models tested. This model was better able to predict both the timing and amplitudes of the observed Sn and surface wave components on the observed seismograms. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Two-frequency /Delta k/ microwave scatterometer measurements of ocean wave spectra from an aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, J. W.; Jones, W. L.; Weissman, D. E.

1981-01-01

A technique for remotely sensing the large-scale gravity wave spectrum on the ocean surface using a two frequency (Delta k) microwave scatterometer has been demonstrated from stationary platforms and proposed from moving platforms. This measurement takes advantage of Bragg type resonance matching between the electromagnetic wavelength at the difference frequency and the length of the large-scale surface waves. A prominent resonance appears in the cross product power spectral density (PSD) of the two backscattered signals. Ku-Band aircraft scatterometer measurements were conducted by NASA in the North Sea during the 1979 Maritime Remote Sensing (MARSEN) experiment. Typical examples of cross product PSD's computed from the MARSEN data are presented. They demonstrate strong resonances whose frequency and bandwidth agree with the surface characteristics and the theory. Directional modulation spectra of the surface reflectivity are compared to the gravity wave spectrum derived from surface truth measurements.

Information theory lateral density distribution for Earth inferred from global gravity field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rubincam, D. P.

1981-01-01

Information Theory Inference, better known as the Maximum Entropy Method, was used to infer the lateral density distribution inside the Earth. The approach assumed that the Earth consists of indistinguishable Maxwell-Boltzmann particles populating infinitesimal volume elements, and followed the standard methods of statistical mechanics (maximizing the entropy function). The GEM 10B spherical harmonic gravity field coefficients, complete to degree and order 36, were used as constraints on the lateral density distribution. The spherically symmetric part of the density distribution was assumed to be known. The lateral density variation was assumed to be small compared to the spherically symmetric part. The resulting information theory density distribution for the cases of no crust removed, 30 km of compensated crust removed, and 30 km of uncompensated crust removed all gave broad density anomalies extending deep into the mantle, but with the density contrasts being the greatest towards the surface (typically + or 0.004 g cm 3 in the first two cases and + or - 0.04 g cm 3 in the third). None of the density distributions resemble classical organized convection cells. The information theory approach may have use in choosing Standard Earth Models, but, the inclusion of seismic data into the approach appears difficult.

Gravity anomaly and density structure of the San Andreas fault zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Chi-Yuen; Rui, Feng; Zhengsheng, Yao; Xingjue, Shi

1986-01-01

A densely spaced gravity survey across the San andreas fault zone was conducted near Bear Valley, about 180 km south of San Francisco, along a cross-section where a detailed seismic reflection profile was previously made by McEvilly (1981). With Feng and McEvilly's velocity structure (1983) of the fault zone at this cross-section as a constraint, the density structure of the fault zone is obtained through inversion of the gravity data by a method used by Parker (1973) and Oldenburg (1974). Although the resulting density picture cannot be unique, it is better constrained and contains more detailed information about the structure of the fault than was previously possible. The most striking feature of the resulting density structure is a deeply seated tongue of low-density material within the fault zone, probably representing a wedge of fault gouge between the two moving plates, which projects from the surface to the base of the seismogenic zone. From reasonable assumptions concerning the density of the solid grains and the state of saturation of the fault zone the average porosity of this low-density fault gouge is estimated as about 12%. Stress-induced cracks are not expected to create so much porosity under the pressures in the deep fault zone. Large-scaled removal of fault-zone material by hydrothermal alteration, dissolution, and subsequent fluid transport may have occurred to produce this pronounced density deficiency. In addition, a broad, funnel-shaped belt of low density appears about the upper part of the fault zone, which probably represents a belt of extensively shattered wall rocks.

A harmonic analysis of lunar topography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bills, B. G.; Ferrari, A. J.

1977-01-01

A global lunar topographic map has been derived from existing earth-based and orbital observations supplemented in areas without data by a linear autocovariance predictor. Of 2592 bins, each 5 deg square, 1380 (64.7% by area) contain at least one measurement. A spherical harmonic analysis to degree 12 yields a mean radius of 1737.53 plus or minus 0.03 km (formal standard error) and an offset of the center of figure of 1.98 plus or minus 0.06 km toward (19 plus or minus 2) deg S, (194 plus or minus 1) deg E. A Bouguer gravity map, derived from a 12-degree free-air gravity model and the present topography data, is presented for an elevation of 100 km above the mean surface. It is confirmed that the low-degree gravity harmonics are determined primarily by surface height variations and only secondarily by lateral density variations.

Local fragmentation of thin disks in Eddington-inspired gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roshan, Mahmood; Kazemi, Ali; De Martino, Ivan

2018-06-01

We find the generalized version of the Toomre's criterion for the stability of a rotating thin disk in the context of Eddington inspired Born-Infeld (EiBI) gravity which possesses one free parameter χ. To do so we use the weak field limit of the theory and find the dispersion relation for the propagation of matter density waves on the surface of a self-gravitating and differentially rotating disk. Finally we find a new version of Toomre's stability criterion for thin disks. We show that EiBI gravity with negative χ destabilizes all the rotating thin disks. On the other hand EiBI with positive χ substantially can suppress the local fragmentation, and has stabilizing effects against axi-symmetric perturbations. More specifically, we show that only an annulus remains unstable on the surface of the disk. The width of the annulus directly depends on the magnitude of χ.

Density and Specific Gravity Metrics in Biomass Research

Treesearch

Micheal C. Wiemann; G. Bruce Williamson

2012-01-01

Following the 2010 publication of Measuring Wood Specific Gravity… Correctly in the American Journal of Botany, readers contacted us to inquire about application of wood density and specific gravity to biomass research. Here we recommend methods for sample collection, volume measurement, and determination of wood density and specific gravity for...

Estimating Crustal Properties Directly from Satellite Tracking Data by Using a Topography-based Constraint

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goossens, S. J.; Sabaka, T. J.; Genova, A.; Mazarico, E. M.; Nicholas, J. B.; Neumann, G. A.; Lemoine, F. G.

2017-12-01

The crust of a terrestrial planet is formed by differentiation processes in its early history, followed by magmatic evolution of the planetary surface. It is further modified through impact processes. Knowledge of the crustal structure can thus place constraints on the planet's formation and evolution. In particular, the average bulk density of the crust is a fundamental parameter in geophysical studies, such as the determination of crustal thickness, studies of the mechanisms of topography support, and the planet's thermo-chemical evolution. Yet even with in-situ samples available, the crustal density is difficult to determine unambiguously, as exemplified by the results for the Gravity and Recovery Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission, which found an average crustal density for the Moon that was lower than generally assumed. The GRAIL results were possible owing to the combination of its high-resolution gravity and high-resolution topography obtained by the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), and high correlations between the two datasets. The crustal density can be determined by its contribution to the gravity field of a planet, but at long wavelengths flexure effects can dominate. On the other hand, short-wavelength gravity anomalies are difficult to measure, and either not determined well enough (other than at the Moon), or their power is suppressed by the standard `Kaula' regularization constraint applied during inversion of the gravity field from satellite tracking data. We introduce a new constraint that has infinite variance in one direction, called xa . For constraint damping factors that go to infinity, it can be shown that the solution x becomes equal to a scale factor times xa. This scale factor is completely determined by the data, and we call our constraint rank-minus-1 (RM1). If we choose xa to be topography-induced gravity, then we can estimate the average bulk crustal density directly from the data (assuming uncompensated topography). We validate our constraint with pre-GRAIL lunar data, showing that we obtain the same bulk density from data, of much lower resolution than GRAIL's. We will present the results of our new methodology applied to the case of Mars. We will discuss the results, namely an average crustal density lower than generally assumed.

Helical flow couplets in submarine gravity underflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Imran, Jasim; Ashraful Islam, Mohammad; Huang, Heqing; Kassem, Ahmed; Dickerson, John; Pirmez, Carlos; Parker, Gary

2007-07-01

Active and relic meandering channels are common on the seafloor adjacent to continental margins. These channels and their associated submarine fan deposits are products of the density-driven gravity flows known as turbidity currents. The tie between channel curvature and its effects on these gravity flows has been an enigma. This paper records the results of both large-scale laboratory measurements and a numerical simulation that captures the three-dimensional flow field of a gravity underflow at a channel bend. These findings reveal that channel curvature drives two helical flow cells, one stacked upon the other. The lower cell forms near the channel bed surface and has a circulation pattern similar to that observed in fluvial channels, i.e., with a near-bed flow directed inward. The other circulation cell forms in the upper part of the gravity flow and has a streamwise vorticity with the opposite sense of the lower cell.

Density interface topography recovered by inversion of satellite gravity gradiometry observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramillien, G. L.

2017-08-01

A radial integration of spherical mass elements (i.e. tesseroids) is presented for evaluating the six components of the second-order gravity gradient (i.e. second derivatives of the Newtonian mass integral for the gravitational potential) created by an uneven spherical topography consisting of juxtaposed vertical prisms. The method uses Legendre polynomial series and takes elastic compensation of the topography by the Earth's surface into account. The speed of computation of the polynomial series increases logically with the observing altitude from the source of anomaly. Such a forward modelling can be easily applied for reduction of observed gravity gradient anomalies by the effects of any spherical interface of density. An iterative least-squares inversion of measured gravity gradient coefficients is also proposed to estimate a regional set of juxtaposed topographic heights. Several tests of recovery have been made by considering simulated gradients created by idealistic conical and irregular Great Meteor seamount topographies, and for varying satellite altitudes and testing different levels of uncertainty. In the case of gravity gradients measured at a GOCE-type altitude of ˜ 300 km, the search converges down to a stable but smooth topography after 10-15 iterations, while the final root-mean-square error is ˜ 100 m that represents only 2 % of the seamount amplitude. This recovery error decreases with the altitude of the gravity gradient observations by revealing more topographic details in the region of survey.

Evidence for a Low Bulk Crustal Density for Mars from Gravity and Topography.

PubMed

Goossens, Sander; Sabaka, Terence J; Genova, Antonio; Mazarico, Erwan; Nicholas, Joseph B; Neumann, Gregory A

2017-08-16

Knowledge of the average density of the crust of a planet is important in determining its interior structure. The combination of high-resolution gravity and topography data has yielded a low density for the Moon's crust, yet for other terrestrial planets the resolution of the gravity field models has hampered reasonable estimates. By using well-chosen constraints derived from topography during gravity field model determination using satellite tracking data, we show that we can robustly and independently determine the average bulk crustal density directly from the tracking data, using the admittance between topography and imperfect gravity. We find a low average bulk crustal density for Mars, 2582 ± 209 kg m -3 . This bulk crustal density is lower than that assumed until now. Densities for volcanic complexes are higher, consistent with earlier estimates, implying large lateral variations in crustal density. In addition, we find indications that the crustal density increases with depth.

Normal-mode and free-Air gravity constraints on lateral variations in velocity and density of Earth's mantle

PubMed

Ishii; Tromp

1999-08-20

With the use of a large collection of free-oscillation data and additional constraints imposed by the free-air gravity anomaly, lateral variations in shear velocity, compressional velocity, and density within the mantle; dynamic topography on the free surface; and topography on the 660-km discontinuity and the core-mantle boundary were determined. The velocity models are consistent with existing models based on travel-time and waveform inversions. In the lowermost mantle, near the core-mantle boundary, denser than average material is found beneath regions of upwellings centered on the Pacific Ocean and Africa that are characterized by slow shear velocities. These anomalies suggest the existence of compositional heterogeneity near the core-mantle boundary.

Study of density distribution in a near-critical simple fluid (19-IML-1)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Michels, Teun

1992-01-01

This experiment uses visual observation, interferometry, and light scattering techniques to observe and analyze the density distribution in SF6 above and below the critical temperature. Below the critical temperature, the fluid system is split up into two coexisting phases, liquid and vapor. The spatial separation of these phases on earth, liquid below and vapor above, is not an intrinsic property of the fluid system; it is merely an effect of the action of the gravity field. At a fixed temperature, the density of each of the coexisting phases is in principle fixed. However, near T sub c where the fluid is strongly compressible, gravity induced hydrostatic forces will result in a gradual decrease in density with increasing height in the sample container. This hydrostatic density profile is even more pronounced in the one phase fluid at temperatures slightly above T sub c. The experiment is set up to study the intrinsic density distributions and equilibration rates of a critical sample in a small container. Interferometry will be used to determine local density and thickness of surface and interface layers. The light scattering data will reveal the size of the density fluctuations on a microscopic scale.

Gravity data inversion for 3D topography of the Moho discontinuity by separation of sources in Taiwan region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lo, Y. T.; Yen, H. Y.

2012-04-01

Taiwan is located at a complex juncture between the Eurasian and Philippine Sea plates. The mountains in Taiwan are very young, formed as a result of the collision between an island arc system and the Asian continental margin. To separate sources of gravity field in depth, a method is suggested, based on upward and downward continuation. Both new methods are applied to isolate the contribution of the Moho interface to the total field and to find its 3D topography. At the first stage, we separate near surface and deeper sources. At the next stage, we isolate the effect of very deep sources. After subtracting this field from the total effect of deeper sources, we obtain the contribution of the Moho interface. We make inversion separately for the area. In this study, we use the detail gravity data around this area to investigate the reliable subsurface density structure. First, we combine with land and marine gravity data to obtain gravity anomaly. Second, considering the geology, tomography and other constrains, we simulate the 3D density structure. The main goal of our study is to understand the Moho topography and sediment-crustal boundary in Taiwan area. We expect that our result can consistent with previous studies.

Isostatic models and isostatic gravity anomalies of the Arabian plate and surroundings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaban, Mikhail K.; El Khrepy, Sami; Al-Arifi, Nassir

2015-04-01

Isostaic anomalies represent one of the most useful "geological" reduction of the gravity field. With the isostatic correction it is possible to remove a significant part of the effect of deep density heterogeneity, which dominates in the Bouguer gravity anomalies. This correction is based on the fact that a major part of the near-surface load is compensated by variations of the lithosphere boundaries (chiefly the Moho and LAB) and by density variations within the crust and upper mantle. It is usually supposed that it is less important to a first order, what is the actual compensation model when reducing the effect of compensating masses, since their total weight is exactly opposite to the near-surface load. We compare several compensating models for the Arabian plate and surrounding area. The Airy model gives very significant regional isostatic anomalies, which can not be explained by the upper crust structure or disturbances of the isostatic equilibrium. Also the predicted "isostatic" Moho is very different from the existing observations. The second group of the isostatic models includes the Moho, which is based on existing seismic determinations. Additional compensation is provided by density variations within the lithosphere (chiefly in the upper mantle). In this way we minimize regional anomalies over the Arabian plate. The residual local anomalies well correspond to tectonic structure of the plate. Still very significant anomalies are associated with the Zagros fold belt, the collision zone of the Arabian and Eurasian plates.

Crustal structure in high deformation zones: Insights from gravimetric and magnetometric studies in the Guacha Corral shear zone (Eastern Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radice, Stefania; Lince Klinger, Federico; Maffini, M. Natalia; Pinotti, Lucio P.; Demartis, Manuel; D´Eramo, Fernando J.; Giménez, Mario; Coniglio, Jorge E.

2018-03-01

The Guacha Corral shear zone (GCSZ) is represented by mylonites that were developed under amphibolites facies conditions from migmatitic protoliths. In this contribution, geophysical, petrological and structural data were combined to determine the 3D geometry of the GCSZ. New gravimetric, magnetometric and structural studies, along an E-W profile, were integrated with existing magnetotelluric and seismological data from a representative regional database of the Eastern Sierras Pampeanas. The zonation of different fabrics across the GCSZ suggests that the pre-existing heterogeneities of the protoliths played a key role in governing the degree of metamorphism of different regions. The low gravity anomalies observed in the GCSZ suggest a transitional boundary zone between the migmatitic and mylonitic domains, where highly deformed shear bands are interspersed with undeformed rocks, presenting gradual contacts. The mylonites in this shear zone show a considerably reduced density when compared to the migmatite protoliths. The density of the rocks gradually increases with depth until it reaches that of the protolith. These changes in the gravity values in response to density changes allowed us to infer a listric geometry at depth of the GCSZ. Low gravity anomalies in the profiles, in regions where high density rocks (migmatites) outcrop at the surface, modeled as buried granitic plutons.

Ring faults and ring dikes around the Orientale basin on the Moon.

PubMed

Andrews-Hanna, Jeffrey C; Head, James W; Johnson, Brandon; Keane, James T; Kiefer, Walter S; McGovern, Patrick J; Neumann, Gregory A; Wieczorek, Mark A; Zuber, Maria T

2018-08-01

The Orientale basin is the youngest and best-preserved multiring impact basin on the Moon, having experienced only modest modification by subsequent impacts and volcanism. Orientale is often treated as the type example of a multiring basin, with three prominent rings outside of the inner depression: the Inner Rook Montes, the Outer Rook Montes, and the Cordillera. Here we use gravity data from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission to reveal the subsurface structure of Orientale and its ring system. Gradients of the gravity data reveal a continuous ring dike intruded into the Outer Rook along the plane of the fault associated with the ring scarp. The volume of this ring dike is ~18 times greater than the volume of all extrusive mare deposits associated with the basin. The gravity gradient signature of the Cordillera ring indicates an offset along the fault across a shallow density interface, interpreted to be the base of the low-density ejecta blanket. Both gravity gradients and crustal thickness models indicate that the edge of the central cavity is shifted inward relative to the equivalent Inner Rook ring at the surface. Models of the deep basin structure show inflections along the crust-mantle interface at both the Outer Rook and Cordillera rings, indicating that the basin ring faults extend from the surface to at least the base of the crust. Fault dips range from 13-22° for the Cordillera fault in the northeastern quadrant, to 90° for the Outer Rook in the northwestern quadrant. The fault dips for both outer rings are lowest in the northeast, possibly due to the effects of either the direction of projectile motion or regional gradients in pre-impact crustal thickness. Similar ring dikes and ring faults are observed around the majority of lunar basins.

The Density of the North Polar Layered Deposit from Gravity and Topography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ojha, L.; Lewis, K. W.

2017-12-01

The North Polar Layered Deposit (NPLD) of Mars is a vast reservoir of water ice with a volume of 1.14 million km3. Radar data indicates that the ice in the NPLD is extremely pure with dust content between 5 % to 10 %, however the radar data has not been able to put a direct constraint on the density of the NPLD. Here, we localize the gravity and topography signature of the NPLD and place a direct constraint on its density. We performed a grid search by generating admittance spectrum at each latitude and longitude between 75° N to 90° N and 0° E to 360° E, using a spherical cap of angular radius () of 7°, and a harmonic-bandwidth of the localization window Lwin of 37°. A region between Gemina Lingula and Planum Boreum was found to possesss an adequate correlation between gravity and topography. The estimated admittance spectra were compared with synthetic admittance spectra to constrain the load-density and the elastic thickness of the lithosphere. We constructed forward models by assuming that the lithosphere is a thin shell that deforms elastically in response to surface loads. We find that the bulk density of the NPLD ranges between 1000 to 1100 kg.m-3. Assuming a grain density of 3000 kg.m-3 for dust, the NPLD region within our localized window can contain dust content between 3 - 8 %, which is in an excellent agreement with the radar data.

Density of Mars' south polar layered deposits.

PubMed

Zuber, Maria T; Phillips, Roger J; Andrews-Hanna, Jeffrey C; Asmar, Sami W; Konopliv, Alexander S; Lemoine, Frank G; Plaut, Jeffrey J; Smith, David E; Smrekar, Suzanne E

2007-09-21

Both poles of Mars are hidden beneath caps of layered ice. We calculated the density of the south polar layered deposits by combining the gravity field obtained from initial results of radio tracking of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter with existing surface topography from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter on the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft and basal topography from the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding on the Mars Express spacecraft. The results indicate a best-fit density of 1220 kilograms per cubic meter, which is consistent with water ice that has approximately 15% admixed dust. The results demonstrate that the deposits are probably composed of relatively clean water ice and also refine the martian surface-water inventory.

Earth Observation

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-06-24

ISS036-E-011843 (24 June 2013) --- Gravity waves and sunglint on Lake Superior are featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 36 crew member on the International Space Station. From the vantage point of the space station, crew members frequently observe Earth atmospheric and surface phenomena in ways impossible to view from the ground. Two such phenomena?gravity waves and sunglint?are illustrated in this photograph of northeastern Lake Superior. The Canadian Shield of southern Ontario (bottom) is covered with extensive green forest canopy typical of early summer. Offshore, and to the west and southwest of Pukaskwa National Park several distinct sets of parallel cloud bands are visible. Gravity waves are produced when moisture-laden air encounters imbalances in air density, such as might be expected when cool air flows over warmer air; this can cause the flowing air to oscillate up and down as it moves, causing clouds to condense as the air rises (cools) and evaporate away as the air sinks (warms). This produces parallel bands of clouds oriented perpendicular to the wind direction. The orientation of the cloud bands visible in this image, parallel to the coastlines, suggests that air flowing off of the land surfaces to the north is interacting with moist, stable air over the lake surface, creating gravity waves. The second phenomenon?sunglint?effects the water surface around and to the northeast of Isle Royale (upper right). Sunglint is caused by light reflection off a water surface; some of the reflected light travels directly back towards the observer, resulting in a bright mirror-like appearance over large expanses of water. Water currents and changes in surface tension (typically caused by presence of oils or surfactants) alter the reflective properties of the water, and can be highlighted by sunglint. For example, surface water currents are visible to the east of Isle Royale that are oriented similarly to the gravity waves ? suggesting that they too are the product of winds moving off of the land surface.

Geophysical study of the San Juan Mountains batholith complex, southwestern Colorado

USGS Publications Warehouse

Drenth, Benjamin J.; Keller, G. Randy; Thompson, Ren A.

2012-01-01

One of the largest and most pronounced gravity lows over North America is over the rugged San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado (USA). The mountain range is coincident with the San Juan volcanic field (SJVF), the largest erosional remnant of a widespread mid-Cenozoic volcanic field that spanned much of the southern Rocky Mountains. A buried, low-density silicic batholith complex related to the volcanic field has been the accepted interpretation of the source of the gravity low since the 1970s. However, this interpretation was based on gravity data processed with standard techniques that are problematic in the SJVF region. The combination of high-relief topography, topography with low densities, and the use of a common reduction density of 2670 kg/m3produces spurious large-amplitude gravity lows that may distort the geophysical signature of deeper features such as a batholith complex. We applied an unconventional processing procedure that uses geologically appropriate densities for the uppermost crust and digital topography to mostly remove the effect of the low-density units that underlie the topography associated with the SJVF. This approach resulted in a gravity map that provides an improved representation of deeper sources, including reducing the amplitude of the anomaly attributed to a batholith complex. We also reinterpreted vintage seismic refraction data that indicate the presence of low-velocity zones under the SJVF. Assuming that the source of the gravity low on the improved gravity anomaly map is the same as the source of the low seismic velocities, integrated modeling corroborates the interpretation of a batholith complex and then defines the dimensions and overall density contrast of the complex. Models show that the thickness of the batholith complex varies laterally to a significant degree, with the greatest thickness (∼20 km) under the western SJVF, and lesser thicknesses (<10 km) under the eastern SJVF. The largest group of nested calderas on the surface of the SJVF, the central caldera cluster, is not correlated with the thickest part of the batholith complex. This result is consistent with petrologic interpretations from recent studies that the batholith complex continued to be modified after cessation of volcanism and therefore is not necessarily representative of synvolcanic magma chambers. The total volume of the batholith complex is estimated to be 82,000–130,000 km3. The formation of such a large felsic batholith complex would inevitably involve production of a considerably greater volume of residuum, which could be present in the lower crust or uppermost mantle. The interpreted vertically averaged density contrast (–60 to –110 kg/m3), density (2590–2640 kg/m3), and seismic expression of the batholith complex are consistent with results of geophysical studies of other large batholiths in the western United States.

Basement structure based on gravity anomaly in the northern Noto peninsula, Central Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mizubayashi, T.; Sawada, A.; Hamada, M.; Hiramatsu, Y.; Honda, R.

2012-12-01

Upper crustal block structures are usually defined by using surface information, such as geological and morphological data. The northern Noto Peninsula, central Japan, is divided into four geological block structures from tectonic geomorphologic perspectives (Ota and Hirakawa, 1979). This division is based on the surface crustal movement. To image the geological blocks three-dimensionally, it is necessary to construct a subsurface structure model. Gravity survey can clarify the detailed subsurface structure with dense gravity measurement. From the detailed Bouguer anomalies in the northwestern Noto Peninsula, Honda et al. (2008) suggested that the rupture size of the 2007 Noto Hanto earthquake was constrained by the geological block structures. Hiramatsu et al. (2008) also suggested the active faults on the seafloor, such as the source fault of the 2007 Noto Hanto earthquake plays a major role for the formation of the geological block structures. In this study, we analyze subsurface density structure based on the Bouguer anomaly and estimate the distribution of basement depth in the northern Noto Peninsula. We focus the relationship among the basement depth, the block structures and the active faults on the seafloor and discuss the block movement in the northern Noto Peninsula. We compiled the data measured and published previously (Gravity Database of Southwest Japan, 2001; Geological survey of Japan, 2004; Geographical survey institute of Japan, 2006; The Gravity Research Group in Southwest Japan, 2001; Komazawa and Okuma, 2010; Hokuriku electric power Co. Ltd., undisclosed) and calculated Bouguer anomaly in the northern Noto Peninsula. Based on this Bouguer anomaly, we analyzed subsurface density structures along 13 northeastern-southwestern profiles and 35 northwestern-southeastern profiles with the interval of 2 km using the two dimensional Talwani's method (Talwani et al., 1959). In the analysis, we assumed a density structure with four layers: basement (density is 2670kg/m3), Neocene volcanic rock (density is 2400kg/m3, or 2550kg/m3), Neocene sedimentary rock (density is 2200kg/m3), and Quaternary sedimentary rock (density is 1800kg/m3, or 1500kg/m3) (Honda et al., 2008). To compare our basement model to the geological block structures, we focus on a transition zone of the basement depth. We recognize that two of three geological block boundaries correspond to the transition zones. These boundaries also correspond to the boundary of active fault segments on the seafloor. Therefore, based on the relationship between the source fault of the 2007 Noto Hanto earthquake and the geological block, we suggest that the movement of those geological blocks is possibly controlled by the corresponding active fault segments. However, we find that the other block boundary doesn't correspond to the transition zone.

Analysis of Lithospheric Stresses Using Satellite Gravimetry: Hypotheses and Applications to North Atlantic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minakov, A.; Medvedev, S.

2017-12-01

Analysis of lithospheric stresses is necessary to gain understanding of the forces that drive plate tectonics and intraplate deformations and the structure and strength of the lithosphere. A major source of lithospheric stresses is believed to be in variations of surface topography and lithospheric density. The traditional approach to stress estimation is based on direct calculations of the Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE), the depth integrated density moment of the lithosphere column. GPE is highly sensitive to density structure which, however, is often poorly constrained. Density structure of the lithosphere may be refined using methods of gravity modeling. However, the resulted density models suffer from non-uniqueness of the inverse problem. An alternative approach is to directly estimate lithospheric stresses (depth integrated) from satellite gravimetry data. Satellite gravity gradient measurements by the ESA GOCE mission ensures a wealth of data for mapping lithospheric stresses if a link between data and stresses or GPE can be established theoretically. The non-uniqueness of interpretation of sources of the gravity signal holds in this case as well. Therefore, the data analysis was tested for the North Atlantic region where reliable additional constraints are supplied by both controlled-source and earthquake seismology. The study involves comparison of three methods of stress modeling: (1) the traditional modeling approach using a thin sheet approximation; (2) the filtered geoid approach; and (3) the direct utilization of the gravity gradient tensor. Whereas the first two approaches (1)-(2) calculate GPE and utilize a computationally expensive finite element mechanical modeling to calculate stresses, the approach (3) uses a much simpler numerical treatment but requires simplifying assumptions that yet to be tested. The modeled orientation of principal stresses and stress magnitudes by each of the three methods are compared with the World Stress Map.

Unfolding the atmospheric and deep internal flows on Jupiter and Saturn using the Juno and Cassini gravity measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galanti, Eli; Kaspi, Yohai

2016-10-01

In light of the first orbits of Juno at Jupiter, we discuss the Juno gravity experiment and possible initial results. Relating the flow on Jupiter and Saturn to perturbations in their density field is key to the analysis of the gravity measurements expected from both the Juno (Jupiter) and Cassini (Saturn) spacecraft during 2016-17. Both missions will provide latitude-dependent gravity fields, which in principle could be inverted to calculate the vertical structure of the observed cloud-level zonal flow on these planets. Current observations for the flow on these planets exists only at the cloud-level (0.1-1 bar). The observed cloud-level wind might be confined to the upper layers, or be a manifestation of deep cylindrical flows. Moreover, it is possible that in the case where the observed wind is superficial, there exists deep interior flow that is completely decoupled from the observed atmospheric flow.In this talk, we present a new adjoint based inverse model for inversion of the gravity measurements into flow fields. The model is constructed to be as general as possible, allowing for both cloud-level wind extending inward, and a decoupled deep flow that is constructed to produce cylindrical structures with variable width and magnitude, or can even be set to be completely general. The deep flow is also set to decay when approaching the upper levels so it has no manifestation there. The two sources of flow are then combined to a total flow field that is related to the density anomalies and gravity moments via a dynamical model. Given the measured gravitational moments from Jupiter and Saturn, the dynamical model, together with the adjoint inverse model are used for optimizing the control parameters and by this unfolding the deep and surface flows. Several scenarios are examined, including cases in which the surface wind and the deep flow have comparable effects on the gravity field, cases in which the deep flow is dominating over the surface wind, and an extreme case where the deep flow can have an unconstrained pattern. The method enables also the calculation of the uncertainties associated with each solution. We discuss the physical limitations to the method in view of the measurement uncertainties.

Global surface density of water mass variations by using a two-step inversion by cumulating daily satellite gravity information

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramillien, Guillaume; Frappart, Frédéric; Seoane, Lucia

2016-04-01

We propose a new method to produce time series of global maps of surface mass variations by progressive integration of daily geopotential variations measured by orbiting satellites. In the case of the GRACE mission, these geopotential variations can be determined from very accurate inter-satellite K-Band Range Rate (KBRR) measurements of 5-second daily orbits. In particular, the along-track gravity contribution of hydrological mass changes is extracted by removing de-aliasing models for static field, atmosphere, oceans mass variations (including periodical tides), as well as polar movements. Our determination of surface mass sources is composed of two successive dependent Kalman filter stages. The first one consists of reducing the satellite-based potential anomalies by adjusting the longest spatial wavelengths (i.e., low-degree spherical harmonics lower than 2). In the second stage, the residual potential anomalies from the previous stage are used to recover surface mass density changes - in terms of Equivalent-Water Height (EWH) - over a global network of juxtaposed triangular elements. These surface tiles of ~100,000 km x km (or equivalently 330 km by 330 km) are defined to be of equal areas over the terrestrial sphere. However they can be adapted to the local geometry of the surface mass. Our global approach was tested by inverting geopotential data, and successfully applied to estimate time-varying surface mass densities from real GRACE-based residuals. This strategy of combined Kalman filter-type inversions can also be useful for exploring the possibility of improving time and space resolutions for ocean and land studies that would be hopefully brought by future low altitude geodetic missions.

Gravity study through the Tualatin Mountains, Oregon: Understanding crustal structure and earthquake hazards in the Portland urban area

USGS Publications Warehouse

Blakely, R.J.; Beeson, M.H.; Cruikshank, K.; Wells, R.E.; Johnson, Aaron H.; Walsh, K.

2004-01-01

A high-resolution gravity survey through the Tualatin Mountains (Portland Nills) west of downtown Portland exhibits evidence of faults previously identified from surface geologic and aeromagnetic mapping. The gravity survey was conducted in 1996 along the 4.5-km length of a twin-bore tunnel, then under construction and now providing light-rail service between downtown Portland and communities west of the Portland Hills. Gravitational attraction gradually increases from west to east inside the tunnel, which reflects the tunnel's location between low-density sedimentary deposits of the Tualatin basin to the west and high-density, mostly concealed Eocene basalt to the east. Superimposed on this gradient are several steplike anomalies that we interpret as evidence for faulted contacts between rocks of contrasting density. The largest of these anomalies occurs beneath Sylvan Creek, where a fault had previously been mapped inside the tunnel. Another occurs 1200 m from the west portal, at the approximate intersection of the tunnel with an aeromagnetic anomaly associated with the Sylvan fault (formerly called the Oatfield fault). Lithologic cross sections based on these gravity data show that the steplike anomalies are consistent with steeply dipping reverse faults, although strike-slip displacements also may be important. Three gravity lows correspond with topographic lows directly overhead and may reflect zones of shearing. Several moderate earthquakes (M ??? 3.5) occurred near the present-day location of the tunnel in 1991, suggesting that some of these faults or other faults in the Portland Hills fault zone are seismically active.

Normal gravity field in relativistic geodesy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopeikin, Sergei; Vlasov, Igor; Han, Wen-Biao

2018-02-01

Modern geodesy is subject to a dramatic change from the Newtonian paradigm to Einstein's theory of general relativity. This is motivated by the ongoing advance in development of quantum sensors for applications in geodesy including quantum gravimeters and gradientometers, atomic clocks and fiber optics for making ultra-precise measurements of the geoid and multipolar structure of the Earth's gravitational field. At the same time, very long baseline interferometry, satellite laser ranging, and global navigation satellite systems have achieved an unprecedented level of accuracy in measuring 3-d coordinates of the reference points of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame and the world height system. The main geodetic reference standard to which gravimetric measurements of the of Earth's gravitational field are referred is a normal gravity field represented in the Newtonian gravity by the field of a uniformly rotating, homogeneous Maclaurin ellipsoid of which mass and quadrupole momentum are equal to the total mass and (tide-free) quadrupole moment of Earth's gravitational field. The present paper extends the concept of the normal gravity field from the Newtonian theory to the realm of general relativity. We focus our attention on the calculation of the post-Newtonian approximation of the normal field that is sufficient for current and near-future practical applications. We show that in general relativity the level surface of homogeneous and uniformly rotating fluid is no longer described by the Maclaurin ellipsoid in the most general case but represents an axisymmetric spheroid of the fourth order with respect to the geodetic Cartesian coordinates. At the same time, admitting a post-Newtonian inhomogeneity of the mass density in the form of concentric elliptical shells allows one to preserve the level surface of the fluid as an exact ellipsoid of rotation. We parametrize the mass density distribution and the level surface with two parameters which are intrinsically connected to the existence of the residual gauge freedom, and derive the post-Newtonian normal gravity field of the rotating spheroid both inside and outside of the rotating fluid body. The normal gravity field is given, similarly to the Newtonian gravity, in a closed form by a finite number of the ellipsoidal harmonics. We employ transformation from the ellipsoidal to spherical coordinates to deduce a more conventional post-Newtonian multipolar expansion of scalar and vector gravitational potentials of the rotating spheroid. We compare these expansions with that of the normal gravity field generated by the Kerr metric and demonstrate that the Kerr metric has a fairly limited application in relativistic geodesy as it does not match the normal gravity field of the Maclaurin ellipsoid already in the Newtonian limit. We derive the post-Newtonian generalization of the Somigliana formula for the normal gravity field measured on the surface of the rotating spheroid and employed in practical work for measuring Earth's gravitational field anomalies. Finally, we discuss the possible choice of the gauge-dependent parameters of the normal gravity field model for practical applications and compare it with the existing EGM2008 model of a gravitational field.

Microgravity: Teacher's guide with activities for physical science

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vogt, Gregory L.; Wargo, Michael J.; Rosenberg, Carla B. (Editor)

1995-01-01

This guide is an educational tool for teachers of grades 5 through 12. It is an introduction to microgravity and its application to spaceborne laboratory experiments. Specific payloads and missions are mentioned with limited detail, including Spacelab, the International Microgravity Laboratory, and the United States Microgravity Laboratory. Activities for students demonstrate chemistry, mathematics, and physics applications of microgravity. Activity objectives include: modeling how satellites orbit Earth; demonstrating that free fall eliminates the local effects of gravity; measuring the acceleration environments created by different motions; using a plasma sheet to observe acceleration forces that are experienced on board a space vehicle; demonstrating how mass can be measured in microgravity; feeling how inertia affects acceleration; observing the gravity-driven fluid flow that is caused by differences in solution density; studying surface tension and the fluid flows caused by differences in surface tension; illustrating the effects of gravity on the burning rate of candles; observing candle flame properties in free fall; measuring the contact angle of a fluid; illustrating the effects of gravity and surface tension on fiber pulling; observing crystal growth phenomena in a 1-g environment; investigating temperature effects on crystal growth; and observing crystal nucleation and growth rate during directional solidification. Each activity includes a background section, procedure, and follow-up questions.

Optimization of a Time-Lapse Gravity Network for Carbon Sequestration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Appriou, D.; Strickland, C. E.; Ruprecht Yonkofski, C. M.

2017-12-01

The objective of this study is to evaluate what could be a comprehensive and optimal state of the art gravity monitoring network that would meet the UIC class VI regulation and insure that 90% of the CO2 injected remain underground. Time-lapse gravity surveys have a long history of effective applications of monitoring temporal density changes in the subsurface. For decades, gravity measurements have been used for a wide range of applications. The interest of time-lapse gravity surveys for monitoring carbon sequestration sites started recently. The success of their deployment in such sites depends upon a combination of favorable conditions, such as the reservoir geometry, depth, thickness, density change over time induced by the CO2 injection and the location of the instrument. In most cases, the density changes induced by the CO2 plume in the subsurface are not detectable from the surface but the use of borehole gravimeters can provide excellent results. In the framework of the National Assessment and Risk Partnership (NRAP) funded by the Department of Energy, the evaluation of the effectiveness of the gravity monitoring of a CO2 storage site has been assessed using multiple synthetic scenarios implemented on a community model developed for the Kimberlina site (e.g., fault leakage scenarios, borehole leakage). The Kimberlina carbon sequestration project was a pilot project located in southern San Joaquin Valley, California, aimed to safely inject 250,000 t CO2/yr for four years. Although the project was cancelled in 2012, the site characterization efforts resulted in the development of a geologic model. In this study, we present the results of the time-lapse gravity monitoring applied on different multiphase flow and reactive transport models developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (i.e., no leakage, permeable fault zone, wellbore leakage). Our monitoring approach considers an ideal network, consisting of multiple vertical and horizontal instrumented boreholes that could be used to track the CO2 plume and potential leaks. A preliminary cost estimate will also be provided.

New Interpretations of the Rayn Anticlines in the Arabian Basin Inferred from Gravity Modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

AlMogren, S. M.; Mukhopadhyay, M.

2014-12-01

The Ryan Anticlines comprise of a regularly-spaced set of super-giant anticlines oriented NNW, developed due to E-W compression in the Arabian Basin. Most prominent of these being: the Ghawar Anticline, followed by the Summan, Khurais Anticlines and Qatar Arch. Gravity anomaly is largely characteristic for both Ryan Anticlines and its smaller size version the Jinadriah Anticline in the Riyadh Salt Basin. It displays a bipolar gravity field - a zone of gravity high running along the fold axis that is flanked by asymmetric gravity lows. Available structural models commonly infer structural uplift for the median gravity high but ignore the flanking lows. Here we interpret the bipolar gravity anomaly due primarily to such anticline structures, while, the flanking gravity lows are due to greater sediment thickness largely compacted and deformed over the basement depressions. Further complexities are created due to the salt layer and its migration at the lower horizons of sediment strata. Such diagnostic gravity anomaly pattern is taken here as an evidence for basement tectonics due to prevailing crustal dynamics in the Arabian Basin. Density inversion provides details on the subsurface density variation due to the folding and structural configuration for the sediment layers, including the salt layer, affected by basement deformation. This interpretation is largely supported by gravity forward and inversion models given in the present study what is partly constrained by the available seismic, MT and deep resistivity lines and surface geologic mapping. Most of the oil-gas fields in this part of the Arabian Basin are further known for salt diapirism. In this study the gravity interpretation help in identification of salt diapirism directly overlying the basement is firstly given here for Jinadriah Anticline; that is next extended to a regional geologic cross-section traversing the Ryan Anticlines to infer probable subsurface continuation of salt diapirs directly overlying the metamorphosed basement, sediment deformation pattern skirting the anticlines as well as their relationship of faulting to basement tectonics.

Estimating gravity changes caused by crustal strain: application to the Tibetan Plateau

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Zhi; Xu, Caijun

2017-08-01

Temporal gravimetry is an efficient tool for monitoring mass transfers, but distinguishing the contribution of each process to the measured signals is challenging. Few effective methods have been developed to estimate the changes in gravity caused by crustal strain for large-scale geophysical problems. To fill this research gap, we proposed a formula that describes a negative linear correlation between changes in gravity and crustal dilatational strain. Surface observations of gravity changes and dilatational strains were simulated using PSGRN/PSCMP, which is a numerical code used to calculate the surface response to fault dislocations, and the accuracy of the formula was quantitatively verified. Four parameters are required for this formula: the crustal dilatational strain, the crustal density, the Moho depth, and a coefficient that characterizes the degree of crust-mantle coupling. To illustrate the application of this new method to a natural case study, including specifying the values of the necessary parameters, the crustal strain-caused gravity changes (CSGCs) were calculated at 1° × 1° grid nodes over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). The CSGC model shows that most of the crust of the TP is undergoing extension, which generates negative gravity signals. The magnitude of the Tibetan CSGC model is approximately 0.2 μGal yr-1, which is similar to the results obtained from numerical modelling of the crustal tectonics of the Taiwanese Orogen. To evaluate the reliability of the Tibetan CSGC model, the uncertainties in the crustal dilatational strain, crustal density, Moho depth, and crust-mantle coupling factor were evaluated and then used to estimate the CSGC uncertainty by applying the error propagation law. The CSGC model was used to analyse the mass transfers of the TP. The results suggest that a significant mass accumulation process may be occurring beneath the crust of the northern TP.

Gravity Field and Interior Structure of Saturn from Cassini Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, J. D.; Schubert, G.

2007-05-01

We discuss the sources for a determination of Saturn's external gravitational potential, beginning with a Pioneer 11 flyby in September 1979, two Voyager flybys in November 1980 for Voyager 1 and August 1981 for Voyager 2, four useful close approaches by the Cassini orbiter in May and June 2005, and culminating in an extraordinary close approach for Radio Science in September 2006. Results from the 2006 data are not yet available, but even without them, Cassini offers improvements in accuracy over Pioneer and Voyager by a factor of 37 in the zonal coefficient J2, a factor of 14 in J4, and a factor of 5 in J6. These improvements are important to our understanding of the internal structure of Saturn in particular, and to solar and extrasolar giant planets in general. Basically, Saturn can be modeled as a rapidly rotating planet in hydrostatic equilibrium. Consistent with the limited data available, we express the density distribution as a polynomial of fifth degree in the normalized mean radius β = r/R over the real interval zero to one, where R is the radius of a sphere with density equal to the mean density of Saturn. Then the six coefficients of the polynomial are adjusted by nonlinear least squares until they match the measured even zonal gravity coefficients J2,J4,J6 within a fraction of a standard deviation. The gravity coefficients are computed from the density distribution by the method of level surfaces to the third order in the rotational smallness parameter. Two degrees of freedom are removed by applying the constraints that (1)~the derivative of the density distribution is zero at the center, and (2)~the density is zero at the surface. Further, a unique density distribution is obtained by the method of singular value decomposition truncated at rank three. Given this unique density distribution, the internal pressure can be obtained by numerical integration of the equation of hydrostatic equilibrium, expressed in terms of the single independent parameter β. By means of this technique, a pressure of 3~Mbar is indicated at about half the distance to the surface, consistent with a phase transition from molecular to metallic hydrogen at 50% depth. However, a similar integration of the mass continuity equation does not use up all the mass. Mathematically this results in a point- mass core of about 10 Earth masses, although in reality the core must be sufficiently large to have a physically reasonable mean density. Our results are robust against the relatively large uncertainty in Saturn's rotation period.

Mass Redistribution in the Core and Time-varying Gravity at the Earth's Surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuang, Wei-Jia; Chao, Benjamin F.; Fang, Ming

2003-01-01

The Earth's liquid outer core is in convection, as suggested by the existence of the geomagnetic field in much of the Earth's history. One consequence of the convection is the redistribution of mass resulting from relative motion among fluid parcels with slightly different densities. This time dependent mass redistribution inside the core produces a small perturbation on the gravity field of the Earth. With our numerical dynamo solutions, we find that the mass redistribution (and the resultant gravity field) symmetric about the equator is much stronger than that anti-symmetric about the equator. In particular, J(sub 2) component is the strongest. In addition, the gravity field variation increases with the Rayleigh number that measures the driving force for the geodynamo in the core. With reasonable scaling from the current dynamo solutions, we could expect that at the surface of the Earth, the J(sub 2) variation from the core is on the order of l0(exp -16)/year relative to the mean (i.e. spherically symmetric) gravity field of the Earth. The possible shielding effect due to core-mantle boundary pressure variation loading is likely much smaller and is therefore negligible. Our results suggest that time-varying gravity field perturbation due to core mass redistribution may be measured with modem space geodetic observations, which will result a new means of detecting dynamical processes in the Earth's deep interior.

Spectral decomposition of internal gravity wave sea surface height in global models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savage, Anna C.; Arbic, Brian K.; Alford, Matthew H.; Ansong, Joseph K.; Farrar, J. Thomas; Menemenlis, Dimitris; O'Rourke, Amanda K.; Richman, James G.; Shriver, Jay F.; Voet, Gunnar; Wallcraft, Alan J.; Zamudio, Luis

2017-10-01

Two global ocean models ranging in horizontal resolution from 1/12° to 1/48° are used to study the space and time scales of sea surface height (SSH) signals associated with internal gravity waves (IGWs). Frequency-horizontal wavenumber SSH spectral densities are computed over seven regions of the world ocean from two simulations of the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) and three simulations of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model (MITgcm). High wavenumber, high-frequency SSH variance follows the predicted IGW linear dispersion curves. The realism of high-frequency motions (>0.87 cpd) in the models is tested through comparison of the frequency spectral density of dynamic height variance computed from the highest-resolution runs of each model (1/25° HYCOM and 1/48° MITgcm) with dynamic height variance frequency spectral density computed from nine in situ profiling instruments. These high-frequency motions are of particular interest because of their contributions to the small-scale SSH variability that will be observed on a global scale in the upcoming Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite altimetry mission. The variance at supertidal frequencies can be comparable to the tidal and low-frequency variance for high wavenumbers (length scales smaller than ˜50 km), especially in the higher-resolution simulations. In the highest-resolution simulations, the high-frequency variance can be greater than the low-frequency variance at these scales.

Understanding spatial-temporal urban expansion pattern (1990-2009) using impervious surface data and landscape indexes: a case study in Guangzhou (China)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Fenglei; Fan, Wei

2014-01-01

A new viewpoint for understanding the urban expansion using impervious surface information, which is obtained using remote sensing imagery is presented. The purpose of this study is to understand and describe the urban expansion pattern with the view of impervious surfaces instead of the conventional view of land use/land cover. Six years' worth of impervious surface data (1990-2009) of Guangzhou are extracted via linear spectral unmixing analysis methods and spatial and temporal characteristics are discussed in detail. The area, density, and gravity centers changes of the impervious surfaces are analyzed to explain internal/external urban expansion. Meanwhile, five landscape indexes, such as patch density, edge density, mean patch size, area-weighted, and fragmentation index, are utilized to describe landscape changes of Guangzhou in past 20 years, which are influenced deeply by the impervious surface expansion. In order to detail landscape changes, two transects corresponding to the two urban expansion directions are designed and five landscape metrics in these two transects are reported. Conclusions can be drawn and shown as following: (1) temporally, the area of impervious surfaces increases from 12,998 to 59,911 ha from 1990 to 2009. The amount of impervious surface varies in different periods. The annual growth rates of impervious surface area during 1990-1995, 1995-1998, and 1998-2000 are 10.16%, 11.61%, and 10.78%, respectively; (2) annual growth rates decrease from 10.78% (1998-2000) to 5.67% (2000-2003). Nevertheless, from 2003-2009, the annual growth rate has a slight increase compared to a former period. The rate is 5.91% (3) spatially, gravity centers of medium and high percentage impervious surfaces migrate slightly; and (4) according to the gradient analysis in the two transects, it can be observed that the high percentage of impervious surface increases gradually in new city districts (from west to east and from south to north).

Fast inversion of gravity data using the symmetric successive over-relaxation (SSOR) preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Zhaohai; Li, Fengting; Xu, Xuechun; Huang, Danian; Zhang, Dailei

2017-02-01

The subsurface three-dimensional (3D) model of density distribution is obtained by solving an under-determined linear equation that is established by gravity data. Here, we describe a new fast gravity inversion method to recover a 3D density model from gravity data. The subsurface will be divided into a large number of rectangular blocks, each with an unknown constant density. The gravity inversion method introduces a stabiliser model norm with a depth weighting function to produce smooth models. The depth weighting function is combined with the model norm to counteract the skin effect of the gravity potential field. As the numbers of density model parameters is NZ (the number of layers in the vertical subsurface domain) times greater than the observed gravity data parameters, the inverse density parameter is larger than the observed gravity data parameters. Solving the full set of gravity inversion equations is very time-consuming, and applying a new algorithm to estimate gravity inversion can significantly reduce the number of iterations and the computational time. In this paper, a new symmetric successive over-relaxation (SSOR) iterative conjugate gradient (CG) method is shown to be an appropriate algorithm to solve this Tikhonov cost function (gravity inversion equation). The new, faster method is applied on Gaussian noise-contaminated synthetic data to demonstrate its suitability for 3D gravity inversion. To demonstrate the performance of the new algorithm on actual gravity data, we provide a case study that includes ground-based measurement of residual Bouguer gravity anomalies over the Humble salt dome near Houston, Gulf Coast Basin, off the shore of Louisiana. A 3D distribution of salt rock concentration is used to evaluate the inversion results recovered by the new SSOR iterative method. In the test model, the density values in the constructed model coincide with the known location and depth of the salt dome.

Study of the origin and structure of a nocturnal atmospheric density current from observations and numerical simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ander Arrillaga, Jon; Yagüe, Carlos; Román-Cascón, Carlos; Sastre, Mariano

2016-04-01

Density currents are flows generated when a dense fluid passes through a less dense surrounding, under the influence of gravity. They usually appear as a consequence of sea-breeze circulations, thunderstorm outflows or katabatic flows. Density currents acquire a particular relevance during nocturnal stable situations, as their onset causes a significant turbulence increase (both from buoyancy and shear) and they occasionally produce turbulence intermittency through the formation of gravity waves. In this work, the arrival of a density current on 23 September 2015 is analysed in the CIBA site (Spain), which is located in the Spanish Northern Plateau, approximately 200 km away from the sea and 100 km away from the closest mountain ranges. Previous studies at this location associated similar nocturnal events with daytime sea breeze in the eastern Cantabrian coast [1]. Micrometeorological measurements from sonic anemometers and different sensors at multiple levels up to 100 m agl provide a solid database. In this specific case, the outbreak of the density current occurs 2 hours after sunset, causing an abrupt increase of the wind speed and a significant weakening of the surface-based thermal inversion. Besides, turbulent parameters and fluxes such as the friction velocity, the sensible heat flux and the Turbulent Kinetic Energy (TKE) are sharply altered with its arrival. The latter, indeed, increases by two orders of magnitude and the Multi Resolution Flux Decomposition (MRFD) of this and other turbulent variables gives the approximate size of the contributing eddies. Furthermore, simulations with the WRF model, which is tested for different Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) schemes and the topo_wind option for complex topography [2], give meaningful information about the vertical structure and origin of this density current. [1] Udina, M., Soler, M.R., Viana, S. & Yagüe, C. (2013). Model simulation of gravity waves triggered by a density current. Q J R Meteorol Soc, 139, 701-714. [2] Jiménez, P.A., Dudhia, J., González-Rouco, J.F., Navarro, J., Montávez, J.P., García-Bustamante, E. (2012). A revised scheme for the wrf surface layer formulation. Mon Weather Rev, 140, 898-918.

Bodily Tides Near Spin-Orbit Resonances

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

radial term may cause an equipotential - surface variation of about 10 cm. This magnitude is large enough to be observed by future missions and should...U (r) = ∞∑ l=2 Ul(r) = ∞∑ l=2 kl ( R r )l+1 Wl(R, r∗), (2) R now being the mean equatorial radius of the primary, R = (R, φ, λ) being a surface point...rheology. For a homogeneous incompressible spherical primary of density ρ, surface gravity g, and rigidity μ, the static Love number of degree l is

Lunar Gravity Studies from the Lunar Prospector Line-of-Sight Acceleration Data: Isostatic Compensation of Medium Sized Craters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugano, T.; Heki, K.

2002-12-01

Direct estimation of mass distribution on the lunar nearside surface using the Lunar Prospector (LP) line-of-sight (LOS) acceleration data has several merits over conventional methods to estimate Stokes' coefficients of the lunar gravity field, such as (1) high resolution gravity anomaly recovery without introducing Kaula's constraint, (2) fast inversion calculation by stepwise estimation of parameter sets enabled by small correlation between parameters sets. Resolution of the lunar free-air gravity anomaly map obtained here, is as high as a gravity model complete to degree/order 225, and yet less noisy than the recent models. Next we performed terrain correction for the raw LOS acceleration data using lunar topography model from the Clementine laser altimetry data and the average crustal density of 2.9 g/cm3. By conducting the same inversion for the data after the correction, we obtained the map of Bouguer gravity anomaly that mainly reflects the MOHO topography. By comparing maps we notice that signatures of medium-sized (80-300 km in diameter) craters visible as topographic depression and negative free air anomaly, disappear in the Bouguer anomaly. The absence of mass deficits in the Bouguer anomaly suggests that the MOHO beneath them is flat. Generally speaking, longer wavelength topographic features have to be supported by MOHO topography (Airy isostatic compensation) while small scale topographic features are supported by lithospheric strength. The boundary between these two modes constrains the lithosphere thickness, and hence thermal structure near the surface. Larger craters are known to have become Mascons; mantle plugs and high-density mare basalts cause positive gravity anomalies there. The smallest Mascon has diameters a little larger than 300 km (e.g. Schiller-Zuccius), and the boundary between the two compensation status seems to lie around 300 km. Thermal evolution history of the Moon suggests temporally increasing thickness of lithosphere over its entire history, and the lithosphere as thick as 50-100 km around 4.0 Ga. This is consistent with the isostatic compensation status of the craters studied here, and a model describing the degree of lithospheric supports for various wavelength topographies.

Ancient igneous intrusions and early expansion of the Moon revealed by GRAIL gravity gradiometry.

PubMed

Andrews-Hanna, Jeffrey C; Asmar, Sami W; Head, James W; Kiefer, Walter S; Konopliv, Alexander S; Lemoine, Frank G; Matsuyama, Isamu; Mazarico, Erwan; McGovern, Patrick J; Melosh, H Jay; Neumann, Gregory A; Nimmo, Francis; Phillips, Roger J; Smith, David E; Solomon, Sean C; Taylor, G Jeffrey; Wieczorek, Mark A; Williams, James G; Zuber, Maria T

2013-02-08

The earliest history of the Moon is poorly preserved in the surface geologic record due to the high flux of impactors, but aspects of that history may be preserved in subsurface structures. Application of gravity gradiometry to observations by the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission results in the identification of a population of linear gravity anomalies with lengths of hundreds of kilometers. Inversion of the gravity anomalies indicates elongated positive-density anomalies that are interpreted to be ancient vertical tabular intrusions or dikes formed by magmatism in combination with extension of the lithosphere. Crosscutting relationships support a pre-Nectarian to Nectarian age, preceding the end of the heavy bombardment of the Moon. The distribution, orientation, and dimensions of the intrusions indicate a globally isotropic extensional stress state arising from an increase in the Moon's radius by 0.6 to 4.9 kilometers early in lunar history, consistent with predictions of thermal models.

Seasonal gravity change at Yellowstone caldera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poland, M. P.; de Zeeuw-van Dalfsen, E.

2017-12-01

The driving forces behind Yellowstone's dynamic deformation, vigorous hydrothermal system, and abundant seismicity are usually ascribed to "magmatic fluids," which could refer to magma, water, volatiles, or some combination. Deformation data alone cannot distinguish the relative importance of these fluids. Gravity measurements, however, provide an indication of mass change over time and, when combined with surface displacements, can constrain the density of subsurface fluids. Unfortunately, several decades of gravity surveys at Yellowstone have yielded ambiguous results. We suspect that the difficulty in interpreting Yellowstone gravity data is due to seasonal variations in environmental conditions—especially surface and ground water. Yellowstone gravity surveys are usually carried out at the same time of year (generally late summer) to minimize the impact of seasonality. Nevertheless, surface and subsurface water levels are not likely to be constant from year to year, given annual differences in precipitation. To assess the overall magnitude of seasonal gravity changes, we conducted gravity surveys of benchmarks in and around Yellowstone caldera in May, July, August, and October 2017. Our goal was to characterize seasonal variations due to snow melt/accumulation, changes in river and lake levels, changes in groundwater levels, and changes in hydrothermal activity. We also hope to identify sites that show little variation in gravity over the course of the 2017 surveys, as these locations may be less prone to seasonal changes and more likely to detect small variations due to magmatic processes. Preliminary examination of data collected in May and July 2017 emphasizes the importance of site location relative to sources of water. For example, a site on the banks of the Yellowstone River showed a gravity increase of several hundred microgals associated with a 50 cm increase in the river level. A high-altitude site far from rivers and lakes, in contrast, showed a relatively small gravity increase ( 25 microgals) over the same time period, despite the presence of 1 m of snow during the first survey and none during the second. Reinterpretation of past data collected at sites such as this one, where seasonal variations may be minor, could provide a clearer indication of mass changes in Yellowstone's magmatic system.

Simulation of an oil film at the sea surface and its radiometric properties in the SWIR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwenger, Frédéric; Van Eijk, Alexander M. J.

2017-10-01

The knowledge of the optical contrast of an oil layer on the sea under various surface roughness conditions is of great interest for oil slick monitoring techniques. This paper presents a 3D simulation of a dynamic sea surface contaminated by a floating oil film. The simulation considers the damping influence of oil on the ocean waves and its physical properties. It calculates the radiance contrast of the sea surface polluted by the oil film in relation to a clean sea surface for the SWIR spectral band. Our computer simulation combines the 3D simulation of a maritime scene (open clear sea/clear sky) with an oil film at the sea surface. The basic geometry of a clean sea surface is modeled by a composition of smooth wind driven gravity waves. Oil on the sea surface attenuates the capillary and short gravity waves modulating the wave power density spectrum of these waves. The radiance of the maritime scene is calculated in the SWIR spectral band with the emitted sea surface radiance and the specularly reflected sky radiance as components. Wave hiding and shadowing, especially occurring at low viewing angles, are considered. The specular reflection of the sky radiance at the clean sea surface is modeled by an analytical statistical bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of the sea surface. For oil at the sea surface, a specific BRDF is used influenced by the reduced surface roughness, i.e., the modulated wave density spectrum. The radiance contrast of an oil film in relation to the clean sea surface is calculated for different viewing angles, wind speeds, and oil types characterized by their specific physical properties.

Observation of `third sound' in superfluid 3He

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schechter, A. M. R.; Simmonds, R. W.; Packard, R. E.; Davis, J. C.

1998-12-01

Waves on the surface of a fluid provide a powerful tool for studying the fluid itself and the surrounding physical environment. For example, the wave speed is determined by the force per unit mass at the surface, and by the depth of the fluid: the decreasing speed of ocean waves as they approach the shore reveals the changing depth of the sea and the strength of gravity. Other examples include propagating waves in neutron-star oceans and on the surface of levitating liquid drops. Although gravity is a common restoring force, others exist, including the electrostatic force which causes a thin liquid film to adhere to a solid. Usually surface waves cannot occur on such thin films because viscosity inhibits their motion. However, in the special case of thin films of superfluid 4He, surface waves do exist and are called `third sound'. Here we report the detection of similar surface waves in thin films of superfluid 3He. We describe studies of the speed of these waves, the properties of the surface force, and the film's superfluid density.

Gravity data inversion to determine 3D topographycal density contrast of Banten area, Indonesia based on fast Fourier transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Windhari, Ayuty; Handayani, Gunawan

2015-04-01

The 3D inversion gravity anomaly to estimate topographical density using a matlab source code from gridded data provided by Parker Oldenburg algorithm based on fast Fourier transform was computed. We extend and improved the source code of 3DINVERT.M invented by Gomez Ortiz and Agarwal (2005) using the relationship between Fourier transform of the gravity anomaly and the sum of the Fourier transform from the topography density. We gave density contrast between the two media to apply the inversion. FFT routine was implemented to construct amplitude spectrum to the given mean depth. The results were presented as new graphics of inverted topography density, the gravity anomaly due to the inverted topography and the difference between the input gravity data and the computed ones. It terminates when the RMS error is lower than pre-assigned value used as convergence criterion or until maximum of iterations is reached. As an example, we used the matlab program on gravity data of Banten region, Indonesia.

Joint Tomographic Imaging of 3-­-D Density Structure Using Cosmic Ray Muons and High-­-Precision Gravity Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rowe, C. A.; Guardincerri, E.; Roy, M.; Dichter, M.

2015-12-01

As part of the CO2 reservoir muon imaging project headed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboraory (PNNL) under the U.S. Department of Energy Subsurface Technology and Engineering Research, Development, and Demonstration (SubTER) iniative, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the University of New Mexico (UNM) plan to leverage the recently decommissioned and easily accessible Tunnel Vault on LANL property to test the complementary modeling strengths of muon radiography and high-precision gravity surveys. This tunnel extends roughly 300 feet into the hillside, with a maximum depth below the surface of approximately 300 feet. We will deploy LANL's Mini Muon Tracker (MMT), a detector consisting of 576 drift tubes arranged in alternating parallel planes of orthogonally oriented tubes. This detector is capable of precise determination of trajectories for incoming muons with angular resolution of a few milliradians. We will deploy the MMT at several locations within the tunnel, to obtain numerous crossing muon trajectories and permit a 3D tomographic image of the overburden to be built. In the same project, UNM will use a Scintrex digital gravimeter to collect high-precision gravity data from a dense grid on the hill slope above the tunnel as well as within the tunnel itself. This will provide both direct and differential gravity readings for density modeling of the overburden. By leveraging detailed geologic knowledge of the canyon and the lithology overlying the tunnel, as well as the structural elements, elevations and blueprints of the tunnel itself, we will evaluate the muon and gravity data both independently and in a simultaneous, joint inversion to build a combined 3D density model of the overburden.

Three-dimensional Crustal Structure beneath the Tibetan Plateau Revealed by Multi-scale Gravity Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, C.; Luo, Z.; Sun, R.; Li, Q.

2017-12-01

The Tibetan Plateau, the largest and highest plateau on Earth, was uplifted, shorten and thicken by the collision and continuous convergence of the Indian and Eurasian plates since 50 million years ago, the Eocene epoch. Fine three-dimensional crustal structure of the Tibetan Plateau is helpful in understanding the tectonic development. At present, the ordinary method used for revealing crustal structure is seismic method, which is inhibited by poor seismic station coverage, especially in the central and western plateau primarily due to the rugged terrain. Fortunately, with the implementation of satellite gravity missions, gravity field models have demonstrated unprecedented global-scale accuracy and spatial resolution, which can subsequently be employed to study the crustal structure of the entire Tibetan Plateau. This study inverts three-dimensional crustal density and Moho topography of the Tibetan Plateau from gravity data using multi-scale gravity analysis. The inverted results are in agreement with those provided by the previous works. Besides, they can reveal rich tectonic development of the Tibetan Plateau: (1) The low-density channel flow can be observed from the inverted crustal density; (2) The Moho depth in the west is deeper than that in the east, and the deepest Moho, which is approximately 77 km, is located beneath the western Qiangtang Block; (3) The Moho fold, the directions of which are in agreement with the results of surface movement velocities estimated from Global Positioning System, exists clearly on the Moho topography.This study is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41504015), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. 2015M572146), and the Surveying and Mapping Basic Research Programme of the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation (Grant No. 15-01-08).

Statistical analysis of the 70 meter antenna surface distortions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kiedron, K.; Chian, C. T.; Chuang, K. L.

1987-01-01

Statistical analysis of surface distortions of the 70 meter NASA/JPL antenna, located at Goldstone, was performed. The purpose of this analysis is to verify whether deviations due to gravity loading can be treated as quasi-random variables with normal distribution. Histograms of the RF pathlength error distribution for several antenna elevation positions were generated. The results indicate that the deviations from the ideal antenna surface are not normally distributed. The observed density distribution for all antenna elevation angles is taller and narrower than the normal density, which results in large positive values of kurtosis and a significant amount of skewness. The skewness of the distribution changes from positive to negative as the antenna elevation changes from zenith to horizon.

The role of topography in geodetic gravity field modelling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Forsberg, R.; Sideris, M. G.

1989-01-01

Masses associated with the topography, bathymetry, and its isostatic compensation are a dominant source of gravity field variations, especially at shorter wavelengths. On global scales the topographic/isostatic effects are also significant, except for the lowest harmonics. In practice, though, global effects need not be taken into account as such effects are included in the coefficients of the geopotential reference fields. On local scales, the short-wavelength gravity variations due to the topography may, in rugged terrain, be an order of magnitude larger than other effects. In such cases, explicit or implicit terrain reduction procedures are mandatory in order to obtain good prediction results. Such effects may be computed by space-domain integration or by fast Fourier transformation (FFT) methods. Numerical examples are given for areas of the Canadian Rockies. In principle, good knowledge of the topographic densities is required to produce the smoothest residual field. Densities may be determined from sample measurements or by gravimetric means, but both are somewhat troublesome methods in practice. The use of a standard density, e.g., 2.67 g/cu cm, may often yield satisfactory results and may be put within a consistent theoretical framework. The independence of density assumptions is the key point of the classical Molodensky approach to the geodetic boundary value problem. The Molodensky solutions take into account that land gravity field observations are done on a non-level surface. Molodensky's problem may be solved by integral expansions or more effective FFT methods, but the solution should not be intermixed with the use of terrain reductions. The methods are actually complimentary and may both be required in order to obtain the smoothest possible signal, least prone to aliasing and other effects coming from sparse data coverage, typical of rugged topography.

Petrophysical Properties (Density and Magnetization) of Rocks from the Suhbaatar-Ulaanbaatar-Dalandzadgad Geophysical Profile in Mongolia and Their Implications

PubMed Central

Gao, Jintian; Gu, Zuowen; Dagva, Baatarkhuu; Tserenpil, Batsaikhan

2013-01-01

Petrophysical properties of 585 rock samples from the Suhbaatar-Ulaanbaatar-Dalandzadgad geophysical profile in Mongolia are presented. Based on the rock classifications and tectonic units, petrophysical parameters (bulk density, magnetic susceptibility, intensity of natural remanent magnetization, and Köenigsberger ratio) of these rocks are summarized. Results indicate that (1) significant density contrast of different rocks would result in variable gravity anomalies along the profile; (2) magnetic susceptibility and natural remanent magnetization of all rocks are variable, covering 5-6 orders of magnitude, which would make a variable induced magnetization and further links to complex magnetic anomalies in ground surface; (3) the distribution of rocks with different lithologies controls the pattern of lithospheric magnetic anomaly along the profile. The petrophysical database thus provides not only one of the keys to understand the geological history and structure of the profile, but also essential information for analysis and interpretation of the geophysical (e.g., magnetic and gravity) survey data. PMID:24324382

Petrophysical properties (density and magnetization) of rocks from the Suhbaatar-Ulaanbaatar-Dalandzadgad geophysical profile in Mongolia and their implications.

PubMed

Yang, Tao; Gao, Jintian; Gu, Zuowen; Dagva, Baatarkhuu; Tserenpil, Batsaikhan

2013-01-01

Petrophysical properties of 585 rock samples from the Suhbaatar-Ulaanbaatar-Dalandzadgad geophysical profile in Mongolia are presented. Based on the rock classifications and tectonic units, petrophysical parameters (bulk density, magnetic susceptibility, intensity of natural remanent magnetization, and Köenigsberger ratio) of these rocks are summarized. Results indicate that (1) significant density contrast of different rocks would result in variable gravity anomalies along the profile; (2) magnetic susceptibility and natural remanent magnetization of all rocks are variable, covering 5-6 orders of magnitude, which would make a variable induced magnetization and further links to complex magnetic anomalies in ground surface; (3) the distribution of rocks with different lithologies controls the pattern of lithospheric magnetic anomaly along the profile. The petrophysical database thus provides not only one of the keys to understand the geological history and structure of the profile, but also essential information for analysis and interpretation of the geophysical (e.g., magnetic and gravity) survey data.

Quantification of gravity-induced skin strain across the breast surface.

PubMed

Sanchez, Amy; Mills, Chris; Haake, Steve; Norris, Michelle; Scurr, Joanna

2017-12-01

Quantification of the magnitude of skin strain in different regions of the breast may help to estimate possible gravity-induced damage whilst also being able to inform the selection of incision locations during breast surgery. The aim of this study was to quantify static skin strain over the breast surface and to estimate the risk of skin damage caused by gravitational loading. Fourteen participants had 21 markers applied to their torso and left breast. The non-gravity breast position was estimated as the mid-point of the breast positions in water and soybean oil (higher and lower density than breast respectively). The static gravity-loaded breast position was also measured. Skin strain was calculated as the percentage extension between adjacent breast markers in the gravity and non-gravity loaded conditions. Gravity induced breast deformation caused peak strains ranging from 14 to 75% across participants, with potentially damaging skin strain (>60%) in one participant and skin strains above 30% (skin resistance zone) in a further four participants. These peak strain values all occurred in the longitudinal direction in the upper region of the breast skin. In the latitudinal direction, smaller-breasted participants experienced greater strain on the outer (lateral) breast regions and less strain on the inner (medial) breast regions, a trend which was reversed in the larger breasted participants (above size 34D). To reduce tension on surgical incisions it is suggested that preference should be given to medial latitudinal locations for smaller breasted women and lateral latitudinal locations for larger breasted women. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

New Mars free-air and Bouguer gravity: Correlation with topography, geology and large impact basins

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frey, Herbert; Bills, Bruce G.; Kiefer, Walter S.; Nerem, R. Steven; Roark, James H.; Zuber, Maria T.

1993-01-01

Free-air and Bouguer gravity anomalies from a 50x50 field (MGM635), derived at the Goddard Space Flight Center, with global topography, geology, and the distribution of large impact basins was compared. The free-air gravity anomalies were derived from re-analysis of Viking Orbiter and Mariner 9 tracking data and have a spatial resolution of 250-300 km. Bouguer anomalies were calculated using a 50x50 expansion of the current Mars topography and the GSFC degree 50 geoid as the equipotential reference surface. Rotational flattening was removed using a moment of inertia of 0.365 and the corrections from Table B2 of Sleep and Phillips. Crustal density and mean density were assumed to be 2.9 and 3.93 gm/cm(sup 3). The spherical harmonic topography used has zero mean elevation, and differs from the USGS maps by about 2 km. Comparisons with global geology use a simplified map with about 1/3 the number of units on the current maps. For correlation with impact basins, the recent compilation by Schultz and Frey was used.

Crustal thickness of Antarctica estimated using data from gravimetric satellites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Llubes, Muriel; Seoane, Lucia; Bruinsma, Sean; Rémy, Frédérique

2018-04-01

Computing a better crustal thickness model is still a necessary improvement in Antarctica. In this remote continent where almost all the bedrock is covered by the ice sheet, seismic investigations do not reach a sufficient spatial resolution for geological and geophysical purposes. Here, we present a global map of Antarctic crustal thickness computed from space gravity observations. The DIR5 gravity field model, built from GOCE and GRACE gravimetric data, is inverted with the Parker-Oldenburg iterative algorithm. The BEDMAP products are used to estimate the gravity effect of the ice and the rocky surface. Our result is compared to crustal thickness calculated from seismological studies and the CRUST1.0 and AN1 models. Although the CRUST1.0 model shows a very good agreement with ours, its spatial resolution is larger than the one we obtain with gravimetric data. Finally, we compute a model in which the crust-mantle density contrast is adjusted to fit the Moho depth from the CRUST1.0 model. In East Antarctica, the resulting density contrast clearly shows higher values than in West Antarctica.

Quasi-Lagrangian measurements of density surface fluctuations and power spectra in the stratosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Quinn, Elizabeth P.; Holzworth, Robert H.

1987-01-01

Pressure and temperature data from eight superpressure balloon flights at 26 km in the southern hemisphere stratosphere are analyzed. The balloons, which float on a constant density surface, travel steadily westward during summer and eastward during winter, as expected from local climatology. Two types of fluctuations are observed: neutral buoyancy oscillations (NBO) of around 4 min, and 0.1- to 1-hour oscillations that are characterized as small-amplitude density surface fluctuations. Lapse rates and densities are calculated and found to agree well with the expected values. Examples of wave damping and simultaneous fluctuation at two nearby balloons are presented. Spectral analysis is performed clearly showing the NBO and that the majority of the power is in the mesoscale range. Spectral slopes of power versus frequency are measured to be on the average -2.18 + or - 0.24 for pressure and -1.72 + or - 0.24 for temperature. These slopes are compared to the predictions of turbulence theories and the theory of a universal gravity wave spectrum.

Finite-Difference Modeling of Acoustic and Gravity Wave Propagation in Mars Atmosphere: Application to Infrasounds Emitted by Meteor Impacts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garcia, Raphael F.; Brissaud, Quentin; Rolland, Lucie; Martin, Roland; Komatitsch, Dimitri; Spiga, Aymeric; Lognonné, Philippe; Banerdt, Bruce

2017-10-01

The propagation of acoustic and gravity waves in planetary atmospheres is strongly dependent on both wind conditions and attenuation properties. This study presents a finite-difference modeling tool tailored for acoustic-gravity wave applications that takes into account the effect of background winds, attenuation phenomena (including relaxation effects specific to carbon dioxide atmospheres) and wave amplification by exponential density decrease with height. The simulation tool is implemented in 2D Cartesian coordinates and first validated by comparison with analytical solutions for benchmark problems. It is then applied to surface explosions simulating meteor impacts on Mars in various Martian atmospheric conditions inferred from global climate models. The acoustic wave travel times are validated by comparison with 2D ray tracing in a windy atmosphere. Our simulations predict that acoustic waves generated by impacts can refract back to the surface on wind ducts at high altitude. In addition, due to the strong nighttime near-surface temperature gradient on Mars, the acoustic waves are trapped in a waveguide close to the surface, which allows a night-side detection of impacts at large distances in Mars plains. Such theoretical predictions are directly applicable to future measurements by the INSIGHT NASA Discovery mission.

Terrain Classification on Venus from Maximum-Likelihood Inversion of Parameterized Models of Topography, Gravity, and their Relation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eggers, G. L.; Lewis, K. W.; Simons, F. J.; Olhede, S.

2013-12-01

Venus does not possess a plate-tectonic system like that observed on Earth, and many surface features--such as tesserae and coronae--lack terrestrial equivalents. To understand Venus' tectonics is to understand its lithosphere, requiring a study of topography and gravity, and how they relate. Past studies of topography dealt with mapping and classification of visually observed features, and studies of gravity dealt with inverting the relation between topography and gravity anomalies to recover surface density and elastic thickness in either the space (correlation) or the spectral (admittance, coherence) domain. In the former case, geological features could be delineated but not classified quantitatively. In the latter case, rectangular or circular data windows were used, lacking geological definition. While the estimates of lithospheric strength on this basis were quantitative, they lacked robust error estimates. Here, we remapped the surface into 77 regions visually and qualitatively defined from a combination of Magellan topography, gravity, and radar images. We parameterize the spectral covariance of the observed topography, treating it as a Gaussian process assumed to be stationary over the mapped regions, using a three-parameter isotropic Matern model, and perform maximum-likelihood based inversions for the parameters. We discuss the parameter distribution across the Venusian surface and across terrain types such as coronoae, dorsae, tesserae, and their relation with mean elevation and latitudinal position. We find that the three-parameter model, while mathematically established and applicable to Venus topography, is overparameterized, and thus reduce the results to a two-parameter description of the peak spectral variance and the range-to-half-peak variance (in function of the wavenumber). With the reduction the clustering of geological region types in two-parameter space becomes promising. Finally, we perform inversions for the JOINT spectral variance of topography and gravity, in which the INITIAL loading by topography retains the Matern form but the FINAL topography and gravity are the result of flexural compensation. In our modeling, we pay explicit attention to finite-field spectral estimation effects (and their remedy via tapering), and to the implementation of statistical tests (for anisotropy, for initial-loading process correlation, to ascertain the proper density contrasts and interface depth in a two-layer model), robustness assessment and uncertainty quantification, as well as to algorithmic intricacies related to low-dimensional but poorly scaled maximum-likelihood inversions. We conclude that Venusian geomorphic terrains are well described by their 2-D topographic and gravity (cross-)power spectra, and the spectral properties of distinct geologic provinces on Venus are worth quantifying via maximum-likelihood-based methods under idealized three-parameter Matern distributions. Analysis of fitted parameters and the fitted-data residuals reveals natural variability in the (sub)surface properties on Venus, as well as some directional anisotropy. Geologic regions tend to cluster according to terrain type in our parameter space, which we analyze to confirm their shared geologic histories and utilize for guidance in ongoing mapping efforts of Venus and other terrestrial bodies.

Insights into shallow magmatic processes at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaíi, from a multiyear continuous gravity time series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poland, Michael P.; Carbone, Daniele

2016-07-01

Continuous gravity data collected near the summit eruptive vent at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaíi, during 2011-2015 show a strong correlation with summit-area surface deformation and the level of the lava lake within the vent over periods of days to weeks, suggesting that changes in gravity reflect variations in volcanic activity. Joint analysis of gravity and lava level time series data indicates that over the entire time period studied, the average density of the lava within the upper tens to hundreds of meters of the summit eruptive vent remained low—approximately 1000-1500 kg/m3. The ratio of gravity change (adjusted for Earth tides and instrumental drift) to lava level change measured over 15 day windows rose gradually over the course of 2011-2015, probably reflecting either (1) a small increase in the density of lava within the eruptive vent or (2) an increase in the volume of lava within the vent due to gradual vent enlargement. Superimposed on the overall time series were transient spikes of mass change associated with inflation and deflation of Kīlauea's summit and coincident changes in lava level. The unexpectedly strong mass variations during these episodes suggest magma flux to and from the shallow magmatic system without commensurate deformation, perhaps indicating magma accumulation within, and withdrawal from, void space—a process that might not otherwise be apparent from lava level and deformation data alone. Continuous gravity data thus provide unique insights into magmatic processes, arguing for continued application of the method at other frequently active volcanoes.

Analytic Expressions for the Gravity Gradient Tensor of 3D Prisms with Depth-Dependent Density

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Li; Liu, Jie; Zhang, Jianzhong; Feng, Zhibing

2017-12-01

Variable-density sources have been paid more attention in gravity modeling. We conduct the computation of gravity gradient tensor of given mass sources with variable density in this paper. 3D rectangular prisms, as simple building blocks, can be used to approximate well 3D irregular-shaped sources. A polynomial function of depth can represent flexibly the complicated density variations in each prism. Hence, we derive the analytic expressions in closed form for computing all components of the gravity gradient tensor due to a 3D right rectangular prism with an arbitrary-order polynomial density function of depth. The singularity of the expressions is analyzed. The singular points distribute at the corners of the prism or on some of the lines through the edges of the prism in the lower semi-space containing the prism. The expressions are validated, and their numerical stability is also evaluated through numerical tests. The numerical examples with variable-density prism and basin models show that the expressions within their range of numerical stability are superior in computational accuracy and efficiency to the common solution that sums up the effects of a collection of uniform subprisms, and provide an effective method for computing gravity gradient tensor of 3D irregular-shaped sources with complicated density variation. In addition, the tensor computed with variable density is different in magnitude from that with constant density. It demonstrates the importance of the gravity gradient tensor modeling with variable density.

Wave turbulence in a two-layer fluid: Coupling between free surface and interface waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Falcon, Eric; Issenmann, Bruno; Laroche, Claude

2017-11-01

We experimentally study gravity-capillary wave turbulence on the interface between two immiscible fluids of close density with free upper surface. We locally measure the wave height at the interface between both fluids by means of a highly sensitive laser Doppler vibrometer. We show that the inertial range of the capillary wave turbulence regime is significantly extended when the upper fluid depth is increased: The crossover frequency between the gravity and capillary wave turbulence regimes is found to decrease whereas the dissipative cut-off frequency of the spectrum is found to increase. We explain these observations by the progressive decoupling between waves propagating at the interface and the ones at the free surface, using the full dispersion relation of gravity-capillary waves in a two-layer fluid of finite depths. The cut-off evolution is due to the disappearance of parasitic capillaries responsible for the main wave dissipation for a single fluid. B. Issenmann, C. Laroche & E. Falcon, EPL 116, 64005 (2016) published online 16 feb. 2017. This work has been partially supported by CNRS (1-year postdoctoral funding), ANR Turbulon 12-BS04-0005, and ANR Dysturb 2017.

Dark energy and extended dark matter halos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chernin, A. D.; Teerikorpi, P.; Valtonen, M. J.; Dolgachev, V. P.; Domozhilova, L. M.; Byrd, G. G.

2012-03-01

The cosmological mean matter (dark and baryonic) density measured in the units of the critical density is Ωm = 0.27. Independently, the local mean density is estimated to be Ωloc = 0.08-0.23 from recent data on galaxy groups at redshifts up to z = 0.01-0.03 (as published by Crook et al. 2007, ApJ, 655, 790 and Makarov & Karachentsev 2011, MNRAS, 412, 2498). If the lower values of Ωloc are reliable, as Makarov & Karachentsev and some other observers prefer, does this mean that the Local Universe of 100-300 Mpc across is an underdensity in the cosmic matter distribution? Or could it nevertheless be representative of the mean cosmic density or even be an overdensity due to the Local Supercluster therein. We focus on dark matter halos of groups of galaxies and check how much dark mass the invisible outer layers of the halos are able to host. The outer layers are usually devoid of bright galaxies and cannot be seen at large distances. The key factor which bounds the size of an isolated halo is the local antigravity produced by the omnipresent background of dark energy. A gravitationally bound halo does not extend beyond the zero-gravity surface where the gravity of matter and the antigravity of dark energy balance, thus defining a natural upper size of a system. We use our theory of local dynamical effects of dark energy to estimate the maximal sizes and masses of the extended dark halos. Using data from three recent catalogs of galaxy groups, we show that the calculated mass bounds conform with the assumption that a significant amount of dark matter is located in the invisible outer parts of the extended halos, sufficient to fill the gap between the observed and expected local matter density. Nearby groups of galaxies and the Virgo cluster have dark halos which seem to extend up to their zero-gravity surfaces. If the extended halo is a common feature of gravitationally bound systems on scales of galaxy groups and clusters, the Local Universe could be typical or even an overdense region, with a low density contrast ~1.

Landing instrument packages on regolith in micro gravity: point designs for passive, self-righting landers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Movshovitz, N.; Asphaug, E. I.

2012-12-01

A small asteroid is likely to be the target of the next human exploration mission. Undoubtedly, a robotic mission will precede, whose main objective will be to characterize the target; this would have to include deployment of sensory instruments on the surface. The surface properties of small bodies are largely unknown, and this makes it essential to have detailed models for package deployment. We evaluate low cost, low risk, lander designs by considering 'pods' that have no moving parts, no guidance or thrust, that are designed to be thrown to the surface from the orbiting spacecraft. The design goal is to "encourage" the pods to land upright regardless of surface properties. With no need for guidance or articulation, these pods can be made and deployed to the surface at low cost and low risk. The challenge, of course, is to design the pods to land right-side-up, consistently, in a low gravity environment. In such an environment a body may experience cohesive forces comparable to its weight. These forces will effectively modify the physical parameters controlling a mechanical system, primarily the coefficients of friction and restitution. To make things worse, gravity will not always be pointing "down", as the presence of mass concentrations will tilt the gravity acceleration vector in unpredictable directions. We consider three point designs: (1) a weighted ellipsoidal shape, the bottom several times as dense as the top, analogous to the children's toy; (2) a pod with one side elastic and the other side inelastic; and (3) a combination of both weight distribution and material properties. We have used a discrete element model based on NVIDIA's PhysX library to design a simulation software suitable for modeling astrophysical rubble (Movshovitz, Asphaug and Korycansky, submitted). We then deploy different pod designs onto a numerical regolith testbed. Initial studies are very promising, although to date we have not included forces such as cohesion, and the effect of much smaller grain sizes than can be resolved in our simulations. We study the effect of bulk density, the velocity of deployment, and the effects of a tumbling or spinning deployment to the comet or asteroid surface. We are able to model the utility of internal actuators (vibrators, thumpers) that can rearrange or pods on the surface, or serve to embed them into a bed of loose soil. The size of the pods we are studying is ~30 cm average diameter. The key variables are shape, density distribution, and elastic properties, modeled by a coefficient of restitution. Our models benefit from asynchronous, parallel execution of the gravity module on a GPU, while the rigid-body dynamics module executes on a multi-threaded CPU for maximum performance.

High-resolution airborne gravity imaging over James Ross Island (West Antarctica)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jordan, T.A.; Ferraccioli, F.; Jones, P.C.; Smellie, J.L.; Ghidella, M.; Corr, H. F. J.; Zakrajsek, A.F.

2007-01-01

James Ross Island (JRI) exposes a Miocene-Recent alkaline basaltic volcanic complex that developed in a back-arc, east of the northern Antarctic Peninsula. JRI has been the focus of several geological studies because it provides a window on Neogene magmatic processes and paleoenvironments. However, little is known about its internal structure. New airborne gravity data were collected as part of the first high-resolution aerogeophysical survey flown over the island and reveal a prominent negative Bouguer gravity anomaly over Mt Haddington. This is intriguing as basaltic volcanoes are typically associated with positive Bouguer anomalies, linked to underlying mafic intrusions. The negative Bouguer anomaly may be associated with a hitherto unrecognised low-density sub-surface body, such as a breccia-filled caldera, or a partially molten magma chamber.

3D free-air gravity anomaly modeling for the Southeast Indian Ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Girolami, Chiara; Heyde, Ingo; Rinaldo Barchi, Massimiliano; Pauselli, Cristina

2016-04-01

In this study we analyzed the free-air gravity anomalies measured on the northwestern part of the Southeast Indian Ridge (hereafter SEIR) during the BGR cruise INDEX2012 with RV FUGRO GAUSS. The survey area covered the ridge from the Rodriguez Triple Junction along about 500 km towards the SSE direction. Gravity and magnetic data were measured along 65 profiles with a mean length of 60 km running approximately perpendicular to the ridge axis. The final gravity data were evaluated every 20 seconds along each profile. This results in a sampling interval of about 100 m. The mean spacing of the profiles is about 7 km. Together with the geophysical data also the bathymetry was measured along all profiles with a Kongsberg Simrad EM122 multibeam echosounder system. Previous studies reveal that the part of the ridge covered by the high resolution profiles is characterized by young geologic events (the oldest one dates back to 1 Ma) and that the SEIR is an intermediate spreading ridge. We extended the length of each profile to the area outside the ridge, integrating INDEX2012 high resolution gravity and bathymetric data with low resolution data derived from satellite radar altimeter measurements. The 3D forward gravity modeling made it possible to reconstruct a rough crustal density model for an extended area (about 250000 km2) of the SEIR. We analyzed the gravity signal along those 2D sections which cross particular geological features (uplifted areas, accommodation zones, hydrothermal fields and areas with hints for extensional processes e.g. OCCs) in order to establish a correlation between the gravity anomaly signal and the surface geology. We started with a simple "layer-cake" geologic model consisting of four density bodies which represent the sea, upper oceanic crust, lower oceanic crust and the upper mantle. Considering that in the study area the oceanic crust is young, we did not include the sediment layer. We assumed the density values of these bodies considering the relation between the density and the seismic P-wave velocity VP. We choose the velocity data from the scientific literature. We found that the "layer-cake" model does not explain the measured anomalies satisfyingly and lateral density changes have to be considered for the area beneath the ridge axis. Accordingly we reduced the density values of the lower crust and the upper mantle beneath the axial ridge introducing in the model two additional bodies called partial melted crust and anomalous mantle. Finally we present isobaths maps of the anomalous mantle which highlight the lateral heterogeneity of the oceanic crust beneath the ridge axis. In particular there are areas characterized by crustal thickening related to magmatic accretion and areas of crustal thinning related to depleted accretion of the mantle which can lead to the exposure of OCCs.

A gravity study along a profile across the Sichuan Basin, the Qinling Mountains and the Ordos Basin (central China): Density, isostasy and dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yongqian; Teng, Jiwen; Wang, Qianshen; Lü, Qingtian; Si, Xiang; Xu, Tao; Badal, José; Yan, Jiayong; Hao, Zhaobing

2017-10-01

In order to investigate the structure of the crust beneath the Middle Qinling Mountains (MQL) and neighboring areas in the North China Block and South China Block, a north-south gravity profile from Yuquan in the Sichuan Basin to Yulin in the Ordos Basin was conducted in 2011. The Bouguer gravity anomaly is determined from a high-quality gravity dataset collected between 31°N and 36°N of latitude, and varies between -200 and -110 mGal in the study region. Using accredited velocity density relationships, an initial crust-mantle density model is constructed for MQL and adjacent areas, which is later refined interactively to simulate the observed gravity anomaly. The present study reveals the features of the density and Bouguer gravity with respect to the tectonic units sampled by the profile. The lithosphere density model shows typical density values that depict a layered structure and allow differentiate the blocks that extend along the reference profile. The gravity field calculated by forward modeling from the final density distribution model correlates well with the measured gravity field within a standard deviation of 1.26 mGal. The density in the crystalline crust increases with depth from 2.65 g/cm3 up to the highest value of 2.95 g/cm3 near the bottom of the crust. The Conrad interface is identified as a density jump of about 0.05 g/cm3. The average density of the crust in MQL is clearly lower than the density in the formations on both sides. Starting from a combined Airy-Pratt isostatic compensation model, a partly compensated crust is found below MQL, suggesting future growth of the crust, unlike the Ordos and Sichuan basins that will remain stable. On the basis of the density and isostatic state of the crust and additional seismological research, such as the P-wave velocity model and Poisson's ratio, it is concluded that the lower crust delamination is a reasonable interpretation for the geophysical characteristics below the Qinling Orogen.

3D geophysical insights into the Ciomadu volcano

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Besutiu, Lucian; Zlagnean, Luminita

2017-04-01

RATIONALE Located at the south easternmost end of the Neogene to Quaternary volcanic chain of East Carpathians, the Ciomadu volcano (last erupted approx 30 ka ago) seems to represent the latest volcanic manifestation within the Carpatho-Pannonian region. Based on the interpretation of some large-scale electromagnetic and seismological surveys, the hypothesis of the in depth (8 -15 km) existence of a magma reservoir raises the volcanic hazard in the region. The close neighbourhood of the Vrancea active geodynamic zone, where intermediate-depth seismicity occurs within full intra-continental environment makes the study of the Ciomadu volcano of higher interest. METHOD During the time numerous geological investigations have been conducted in the area, but except for the previously mentioned large-scale electromagnetic and seismological approaches geophysical tools have been less employed. Relatively recent, within the frame of the INSTEC project, funded through a CNCS-UEFISCDI (Romanian Science Foundation) grant, the area has been subject to an integrated gravity and geomagnetic survey accompanied by outcrops sampling and lab determinations on rock physics. Field data have been highly processed and models of their sources have been constructed through 3D inversion techniques. RESULTS Overall, the potential fields have revealed a large gravity low covering the whole volcano area associating a residual geomagnetic anomaly with local effects mainly bordering the gravity anomaly. 3D inversion of the gravity data provided an intriguing image on the mass distribution within the volcanic structure, with underground densities much bellow the figures provided by the lab determinations on rock samples collected at the surface. The geometry of the revealed gravity source clearly suggests an andesitic/dacitic intrusion acceding to the surface along a deep fault that seems to belong to the alpine overthrust system of East Carpathians. Attempts to interpret the low value densities in the numerical model through the presence of a liquid phase in the underground failed due to the relatively shallow position of the gravity source (approx 2 km beneath the Sf. Ana lake) which should imply significant thermal manifestations at the surface (e.g. geysers), not known in the area. Consequently, the unusual lowering of density in the inner part of the magmatic body might be due to the fissuring and late circulation of hot hydrothermal solutions. Located within geothermal fields volcanic rocks (like andesites and dacites that dominate the Ciomadu structure) interact with thermal water and intensity of alteration depends on the water temperature. The development of smectite-filled micro-cracks may decrease density from 2.6 to 2.1 g/cm3, and the total transformation may provide a significant density change, especially in the inner (hotter) part of the assumed intrusive body, in full agreement with figures provided by numerical modelling: from 2.5-2.6 g/cm3 (fresh andesites) down to 1.1-1.0 g/cm3 (clays). The assumption is strongly supported by the geothermal setting of the area. Temperature determinations in some wells laterally located have indicated high value geothermal gradients (up to 250-400 °C/km). Acknowledgement. Data processing and modelling benefited the IT infrastructure CYBERDYN achieved through the grant POS CCE O 2.1.2. ID 593 (contract 182/2010)

Constraints on Enceladus' Interior from Cassini Observations - Requirements for Future Geophysical Investigations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castillo-Rogez, J. C.; Matson, D. L.; Johnson, T. V.; Lunine, J. I.

2006-12-01

We review the constraints on Enceladus' interior inferred from multi-instrument observations by the Cassini Orbiter. Available surface temperature mapping, shape data and geological imaging indicate that the body presents large lateral variations in internal viscoelastic properties, which makes it greatly non-hydrostatic. We will present geophysical evidence that the satellite is differentiated and that there cannot be a global ocean inside Enceladus, but that most probably liquid is located under young surfaces only. Temperature measurements and geyser modeling indicate that the water ice melting point could be reached a few tens meters under the South pole surface (Spencer et al. 2006; Porco et al. 2006). However, this is not enough to conclude that there is a liquid layer immediately below the surface. Water ice could be at the melting point. Different models in development show that a hotspot localized under the South pole, at a temperature close to the water ice melting point may be able to explain the power radiated from the "South pole area" (e.g., Tobie and Cadek, Europlanet Conference 2006; Castillo et al., submitted) and why this exceptional region is located at the South pole (Nimmo and Pappalardo, Nature 441, 614, 2006). The models provide a basis for specifying measurements needed for further investigation of Enceladus' interior from an orbiter and/or a lander. Gravity measurements from Doppler tracking and ranging are necessary to provide information on the distribution of density. The degree-two component J¬2 ranges from 5.2x10e-3 to 7.8x10e-3 as a function of the degree of differentiation and the silicate density, assuming the satellite is in hydrostatic equilibrium. The dynamical term of the degree-two gravity component (function of the potential tidal Love number k2) is ~10e-7. If Enceladus' shape deviates from hydrostatic equilibrium by 1 or 2 km, it is going to make gravity observations difficult to interpret. Assuming that the South pole is relaxed (because its mechanical lithosphere is expected to be thin) it would be the best place to fly over in order to get information on the deep interior from gravity measurements. Coupled gravity and altimetric measurements with a high spatial resolution are then necessary to better constrain the internal dynamics of the satellite. Full surface temperature coverage, especially during nighttime, is crucial to better assess the distribution of heat sources total heat flow. This work was carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory-California Institute of Technology, under contract to NASA.

Experimental and numerical simulation of three-dimensional gravity currents on smooth and rough bottom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

La Rocca, Michele; Adduce, Claudia; Sciortino, Giampiero; Pinzon, Allen Bateman

2008-10-01

The dynamics of a three-dimensional gravity current is investigated by both laboratory experiments and numerical simulations. The experiments take place in a rectangular tank, which is divided into two square reservoirs with a wall containing a sliding gate of width b. The two reservoirs are filled to the same height H, one with salt water and the other with fresh water. The gravity current starts its evolution as soon as the sliding gate is manually opened. Experiments are conducted with either smooth or rough surface on the bottom of the tank. The bottom roughness is created by gluing sediment material of different diameters to the surface. Five diameter values for the surface roughness and two salinity conditions for the fluid are investigated. The mathematical model is based on shallow-water theory together with the single-layer approximation, so that the model is strictly hyperbolic and can be put into conservative form. Consequently, a finite-volume-based numerical algorithm can be applied. The Godunov formulation is used together with Roe's approximate Riemann solver. Comparisons between the numerical and experimental results show satisfactory agreement. The behavior of the gravity current is quite unusual and cannot be interpreted using the usual model framework adopted for two-dimensional and axisymmetric gravity currents. Two main phases are apparent in the gravity current evolution; during the first phase the front velocity increases, and during the second phase the front velocity decreases and the dimensionless results, relative to the different densities, collapse onto the same curve. A systematic discrepancy is seen between the numerical and experimental results, mainly during the first phase of the gravity current evolution. This discrepancy is attributed to the limits of the mathematical formulation, in particular, the neglect of entrainment in the mathematical model. An interesting result arises from the influence of the bottom surface roughness; it both reduces the front velocity during the second phase of motion and attenuates the differences between the experimental and numerical front velocities during the first phase of motion.

Gravity waves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fritts, David

1987-01-01

Gravity waves contributed to the establishment of the thermal structure, small scale (80 to 100 km) fluctuations in velocity (50 to 80 m/sec) and density (20 to 30%, 0 to peak). Dominant gravity wave spectrum in the middle atmosphere: x-scale, less than 100 km; z-scale, greater than 10 km; t-scale, less than 2 hr. Theorists are beginning to understand middle atmosphere motions. There are two classes: Planetary waves and equatorial motions, gravity waves and tidal motions. The former give rise to variability at large scales, which may alter apparent mean structure. Effects include density and velocity fluctuations, induced mean motions, and stratospheric warmings which lead to the breakup of the polar vortex and cooling of the mesosphere. On this scale are also equatorial quasi-biennial and semi-annual oscillations. Gravity wave and tidal motions produce large rms fluctuations in density and velocity. The magnitude of the density fluctuations compared to the mean density is of the order of the vertical wavelength, which grows with height. Relative density fluctuations are less than, or of the order of 30% below the mesopause. Such motions may cause significant and variable convection, and wind shear. There is a strong seasonal variation in gravity wave amplitude. Additional observations are needed to address and quantify mean and fluctuation statistics of both density and mean velocity, variability of the mean and fluctuations, and to identify dominant gravity wave scales and sources as well as causes of variability, both temporal and geographic.

Mars Gravity Field and Upper Atmosphere from MGS, Mars Odyssey, and MRO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Genova, A.; Goossens, S. J.; Lemoine, F. G.; Mazarico, E.; Neumann, G. A.; Smith, D. E.; Zuber, M. T.

2015-12-01

The NASA orbital missions Mars Global Surveyor (MGS), Mars Odyssey (ODY), and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) have been exploring and monitoring the planet Mars since 1997. MGS executed its mapping mission between 1999 and 2006 in a frozen sun-synchronous, near-circular, polar orbit with the periapsis altitude at ~370 km and the dayside equatorial crossing at 2 pm Local Solar Time (LST). The spacecraft was equipped with onboard instrumentation to acquire radio science data and to measure spacecraft ranges to the Martian surface (Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter). These measurements resulted in static and time-varying gravity field and high-resolution global topography of the planet. ODY and MRO are still orbiting about Mars in two different sun-synchronous orbits, providing radio tracking data that indirectly measure both the static and time-varying gravity field and the atmospheric density. The orbit of ODY has its periapsis at ~390 km altitude and descending node at 4-5 pm LST. However, the spacecraft also collected measurements at lower altitudes (~220 km) in 2002 prior to the mapping phase. Since November 2006, MRO is in a low-altitude orbit with a periapsis altitude of 255 km and descending node at 3 pm LST. Radio data from MRO help improve the resolution of the static gravity field and measure the mass distribution of the polar caps, but the atmospheric drag at those altitudes may limit the benefits of these radio tracking observations. We present a combined solution of the Martian gravity field to degree and order 110 and atmospheric density profiles with radio tracking data from MGS, ODY and MRO. The gravity field solution is combined with the MOLA topography yielding an updated map of Mars crustal thickness. We also show our solution of the Love number k2 and time-variable gravity zonal harmonics (C20 and C30, in particular). The recovered atmospheric density profiles may be used in atmospheric models to constrain the long-term variability of the constituents in the upper atmosphere.

Joint-inversion of gravity data and cosmic ray muon flux to detect shallow subsurface density structure beneath volcanoes: Testing the method at a well-characterized site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, M.; Lewis, M.; George, N. K.; Johnson, A.; Dichter, M.; Rowe, C. A.; Guardincerri, E.

2016-12-01

The joint-inversion of gravity data and cosmic ray muon flux measurements has been utilized by a number of groups to image subsurface density structure in a variety of settings, including volcanic edifices. Cosmic ray muons are variably-attenuated depending upon the density structure of the material they traverse, so measuring muon flux through a region of interest provides an independent constraint on the density structure. Previous theoretical studies have argued that the primary advantage of combining gravity and muon data is enhanced resolution in regions not sampled by crossing muon trajectories, e.g. in sensing deeper structure or structure adjacent to the region sampled by muons. We test these ideas by investigating the ability of gravity data alone and the joint-inversion of gravity and muon flux to image subsurface density structure, including voids, in a well-characterized field location. Our study area is a tunnel vault located at the Los Alamos National Laboratory within Quaternary ash-flow tuffs on the Pajarito Plateau, flanking the Jemez Volcano in New Mexico. The regional geology of the area is well-characterized (with density measurements in nearby wells) and the geometry of the tunnel and the surrounding terrain is known. Gravity measurements were made using a Lacoste and Romberg D meter and the muon detector has a conical acceptance region of 45 degrees from the vertical and track resolution of several milliradians. We obtain individual and joint resolution kernels for gravity and muon flux specific to our experimental design and plan to combine measurements of gravity and muon flux both within and above the tunnel to infer density structure. We plan to compare our inferred density structure against the expected densities from the known regional hydro-geologic framework.

Non-Newtonian gravity or gravity anomalies?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rubincam, David P.; Chao, B. Fong; Schatten, Kenneth H.; Sager, William W.

1988-01-01

Geophysical measurements of G differ from laboratory values, indicating that gravity may be non-Newtonian. A spherical harmonic formulation is presented for the variation of (Newtonian) gravity inside the Earth. Using the GEM-10B Earth Gravitational Field Model, it is shown that long-wavelength gravity anomalies, if not corrected, may masquerade as non-Newtonian gravity by providing significant influences on experimental observation of delta g/delta r and G. An apparent contradiction in other studies is also resolved: i.e., local densities appear in equations when average densities of layers seem to be called for.

Global surface mass time variations by using a two-step inversion for cumulating daily satellite gravity information

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramillien, Guillaume; Frappart, Frappart; Seoane, Lucia

2015-04-01

We propose a new method to produce time series of global maps of surface mass variations by progressive integration of daily geopotential variations measured by orbiting satellites. In the case of the GRACE mission (2002 - 2012), these geopotential variations can be determined from very accurate inter-satellite K-Band Range Rate (KBRR) measurements of 5-second daily orbits. In particular, the along-track gravity contribution of hydrology is extracted by removing de-aliasing models for static field, atmosphere, oceans mass variations (including periodical tides), as well as polar movements. Our determination of surface mass sources consists of two successive dependent Kalman filter stages. The first one consists of reducing the satellite-based potential anomalies by adjusting the longest spatial wavelengths (i.e., low-degree spherical harmonics less than 5-6). In the second stage, the residual potential anomalies from the previous stage are used to recover surface mass density changes - in terms of Equivalent-Water Height (EWH) - over a global network of juxtaposed triangular elements. These surface tiles of ~40,000 km x km are imposed to be identical and homogeneously-distributed over the terrestrial sphere, however they can be adapted to the local geometry of the surface mass. Our global approach was tested by inverting simulated hydrology-related geopotential data, and successfully applied to estimate time-varying surface mass densities from real GRACE-based residuals. This strategy of combined Kalman filter-type inversions can also be useful for exploring the possibility of reaching better time and space resolutions for hydrology, that would be hopefully brought by future low altitude geodetic missions.

Influence of World and Gravity Model Selection on Surface Interacting Vehicle Simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Madden, Michael M.

2007-01-01

A vehicle simulation is surface-interacting if the state of the vehicle (position, velocity, and acceleration) relative to the surface is important. Surface-interacting simulations perform ascent, entry, descent, landing, surface travel, or atmospheric flight. Modeling of gravity is an influential environmental factor for surface-interacting simulations. Gravity is the free-fall acceleration observed from a world-fixed frame that rotates with the world. Thus, gravity is the sum of gravitation and the centrifugal acceleration due to the world s rotation. In surface-interacting simulations, the fidelity of gravity at heights above the surface is more significant than gravity fidelity at locations in inertial space. A surface-interacting simulation cannot treat the gravity model separately from the world model, which simulates the motion and shape of the world. The world model's simulation of the world's rotation, or lack thereof, produces the centrifugal acceleration component of gravity. The world model s reproduction of the world's shape will produce different positions relative to the world center for a given height above the surface. These differences produce variations in the gravitation component of gravity. This paper examines the actual performance of world and gravity/gravitation pairs in a simulation using the Earth.

Joint Analysis of GOCE Gravity Gradients Data with Seismological and Geodynamic Observations to Infer Mantle Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Metivier, L.; Greff-Lefftz, M.; Panet, I.; Pajot-Métivier, G.; Caron, L.

2014-12-01

Joint inversion of the observed geoid and seismic velocities has been commonly used to constrain the viscosity profile within the mantle as well as the lateral density variations. Recent satellite measurements of the second-order derivatives of the Earth's gravity potential give new possibilities to understand these mantle properties. We use lateral density variations in the Earth's mantle based on slab history or deduced from seismic tomography. The main uncertainties are the relationship between seismic velocity and density -the so-called density/velocity scaling factor- and the variation with depth of the density contrast between the cold slabs and the surrounding mantle, introduced here as a scaling factor with respect to a constant value. The geoid, gravity and gravity gradients at the altitude of the GOCE satellite (about 255 km) are derived using geoid kernels for given viscosity depth profiles. We assume a layered mantle model with viscosity and conversion factor constant in each layer, and we fix the viscosity of the lithosphere. We perform a Monte Carlo search for the viscosity and the density/velocity scaling factor profiles within the mantle which allow to fit the observed geoid, gravity and gradients of gravity. We test a 2-layer, a 3-layer and 4-layer mantle. For each model, we compute the posterior probability distribution of the unknown parameters, and we discuss the respective contributions of the geoid, gravity and gravity gradients in the inversion. Finally, for the best fit, we present the viscosity and scaling factor profiles obtained for the lateral density variations derived from seismic velocities and for slabs sinking into the mantle.

MarsSedEx I: feasibility test for sediment settling experiments under Martian gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuhn, Nikolaus J.

2013-04-01

Gravity has a non-linear effect on the settling velocity of sediment particles in liquids and gases. However, StokeśLaw, the common way of estimating the terminal velocity of a particle moving in a gas of liquid assumes a linear relationship between terminal velocity and gravity. For terrestrial applications, this "error" is not relevant, but it may strongly influence the terminal velocity achieved by settling particles in the Martian atmosphere or water bodies. In principle, the effect of gravity on settling velocity can also be achieved by reducing the difference in density between particle and gas or liquid. However, the use of analogues simulating the lower gravity on Mars on Earth is difficult because the properties and interaction of the liquids and materials differ from those of water and sediment, .i.e. the viscosity of the liquid or the interaction between charges surfaces and liquid molecules. An alternative for measuring the actual settling velocities of particles under Martian gravity, on Earth, is offered by placing a settling tube on a reduced gravity flight and conduct settling tests within the 20 to 25 seconds of Martian gravity that can be simulated during such a flight. In this presentation we report on the feasibility of such a test based on an experiment conducted during a reduced gravity flight in November 2012.

Geologic and geophysical investigations of the Zuni-Bandera volcanic field, New Mexico

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ander, M.E.; Heiken, G.; Eichelberger, J.

1981-05-01

A positive, northeast-trending gravity anomaly, 90 km long and 30 km wide, extends southwest from the Zuni uplift, New Mexico. The Zuni-Bandera volcanic field, an alignment of 74 basaltic vents, is parallel to the eastern edge of the anomaly. Lavas display a bimodal distribution of tholeiitic and alkalic compositions, and were erupted over a period from 4 Myr to present. A residual gravity profile taken perpendicular to the major axis of the anomaly was analyzed using linear programming and ideal body theory to obtain bounds on the density contrast, depth, and minimum thickness of the gravity body. Two-dimensionality was assumed.more » The limiting case where the anomalous body reaches the surface gives 0.1 g/cm/sup 3/ as the greatest lower bound on the maximum density contrast. If 0.4 g/cm/sup 3/ is taken as the geologically reasonable upper limit on the maximum density contrast, the least upper bound on the depth of burial is 3.5 km and minimum thickness is 2 km. A shallow mafic intrusion, emplaced sometime before Laramide deformation, is proposed to account for the positive gravity anomaly. Analysis of a magnetotelluric survey suggests that the intrusion is not due to recent basaltic magma associated with the Zuni-Bandera volcanic field. This large basement structure has controlled the development of the volcanic field; vent orientations have changed somewhat through time, but the trend of the volcanic chain followed the edge of the basement structure. It has also exhibited some control on deformation of the sedimentary section.« less

Interactions between gravity waves and cold air outflows in a stably stratified uniform flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Yuh-Lang; Wang, Ting-An; Weglarz, Ronald P.

1993-01-01

Interactions between gravity waves and cold air outflows in a stably stratified uniform flow forced by various combinations of prescribed heat sinks and sources are studied using a hydrostatic two-dimensional nonlinear numerical model. The formation time for the development of a stagnation point or reversed flow at the surface is not always directly proportional to the Froude number when wave reflections exist from upper levels. A density current is able to form by the wave-otuflow interaction, even though the Froude number is greater than a critical value. This is the result of the wave-outflow interaction shifting the flow response to a different location in the characteristic parameter space. A density current is able to form or be destroyed due to the wave-outflow interaction between a traveling gravity wave and cold air outflow. This is proved by performing experiments with a steady-state heat sink and an additional transient heat source. In a quiescent fluid, a region of cold air, convergence, and upward motion is formed after the collision between two outflows produced by two prescribed heat sinks. After the collision, the individual cold air outflows lose their own identity and merge into a single, stationary, cold air outflow region. Gravity waves tend to suppress this new stationary cold air outflow after the collision. The region of upward motion associated with the collision is confined to a very shallow layer. In a moving airstream, a density current produced by a heat sink may be suppressed or enhanced nonlinearly by an adjacent heat sink due to the wave-outflow interaction.

Optimization schemes for the inversion of Bouguer gravity anomalies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zamora, Azucena

Data sets obtained from measurable physical properties of the Earth structure have helped advance the understanding of its tectonic and structural processes and constitute key elements for resource prospecting. 2-Dimensional (2-D) and 3-D models obtained from the inversion of geophysical data sets are widely used to represent the structural composition of the Earth based on physical properties such as density, seismic wave velocities, magnetic susceptibility, conductivity, and resistivity. The inversion of each one of these data sets provides structural models whose consistency depends on the data collection process, methodology, and overall assumptions made in their individual mathematical processes. Although sampling the same medium, seismic and non-seismic methods often provide inconsistent final structural models of the Earth with varying accuracy, sensitivity, and resolution. Taking two or more geophysical data sets with complementary characteristics (e.g. having higher resolution at different depths) and combining their individual strengths to create a new improved structural model can help achieve higher accuracy and resolution power with respect to its original components while reducing their ambiguity and uncertainty effects. Gravity surveying constitutes a cheap, non-invasive, and non-destructive passive remote sensing method that helps to delineate variations in the gravity field. These variations can originate from regional anomalies due to deep density variations or from residual anomalies related to shallow density variations [41]. Since gravity anomaly inversions suffer from significant non-uniqueness (allowing two or more distinct density structures to have the same gravity signature) and small changes in parameters can highly impact the resulting model, the inversion of gravity data represents an ill-posed mathematical problem. However, gravity studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of this method to trace shallow subsurface density variations associated with structural changes [16]; therefore, it complements those geophysical methods with the same depth resolution that sample a different physical property (e.g. electromagnetic surveys sampling electric conductivity) or even those with different depth resolution sampling an alternative physical property (e.g. large scale seismic reflection surveys imaging the crust and top upper mantle using seismic velocity fields). In order to improve the resolution of Bouguer gravity anomalies, and reduce their ambiguity and uncertainty for the modeling of the shallow crust, we propose the implementation of primal-dual interior point methods for the optimization of density structure models through the introduction of physical constraints for transitional areas obtained from previously acquired geophysical data sets. This dissertation presents in Chapter 2 an initial forward model implementation for the calculation of Bouguer gravity anomalies in the Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum (Cu-Mo) Copper Flat Mine region located in Sierra County, New Mexico. In Chapter 3, we present a constrained optimization framework (using interior-point methods) for the inversion of 2-D models of Earth structures delineating density contrasts of anomalous bodies in uniform regions and/or boundaries between layers in layered environments. We implement the proposed algorithm using three different synthetic gravitational data sets with varying complexity. Specifically, we improve the 2-dimensional density structure models by getting rid of unacceptable solutions (geologically unfeasible models or those not satisfying the required constraints) given the reduction of the solution space. Chapter 4 shows the results from the implementation of our algorithm for the inversion of gravitational data obtained from the area surrounding the Porphyry Cu-Mo Cooper Flat Mine in Sierra County, NM. Information obtained from previous induced polarization surveys and core samples served as physical constraints for the inversion parameters. Finally, in order to achieve higher resolution, Chapter 5 introduces a 3-D theoretical framework for the joint inversion of Bouguer gravity anomalies and surface wave dispersion using interior-point methods. Through this work, we expect to contribute to the creation of additional tools for the development of 2- and 3-D models depicting the Earth's geological processes and to the widespread use of constrained optimization techniques for the inversion of geophysical data sets.

The dynamics of superclusters - Initial determination of the mass density of the universe at large scales

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ford, H. C.; Ciardullo, R.; Harms, R. J.; Bartko, F.

1981-01-01

The radial velocities of cluster members of two rich, large superclusters have been measured in order to probe the supercluster mass densities, and simple evolutionary models have been computed to place limits upon the mass density within each supercluster. These superclusters represent true physical associations of size of about 100 Mpc seen presently at an early stage of evolution. One supercluster is weakly bound, the other probably barely bound, but possibly marginally unbound. Gravity has noticeably slowed the Hubble expansion of both superclusters. Galaxy surface-density counts and the density enhancement of Abell clusters within each supercluster were used to derive the ratio of mass densities of the superclusters to the mean field mass density. The results strongly exclude a closed universe.

The effect of the external medium on the gravity-induced polarity of cytoplasmic streaming in Chara corallina (Characeae).

PubMed

Staves, M P; Wayne, R; Leopold, A C

1997-11-01

Gravity induces a polarity of cytoplasmic streaming in vertical internodal cells of Chara such that the downwardly directed stream moves faster than the upwardly directed stream. In order to determine whether the statolith theory (in which intracellular sedimenting particles are responsible for gravity sensing) or the gravitational pressure theory (in which the entire protoplast acts as the gravity sensor) best explain the gravity response in Chara internodal cells, we controlled the physical properties of the external medium, including density and osmolarity, with impermeant solutes and examined the effect on the polarity of cytoplasmic streaming. As the density of the external medium is increased, the polarity of cytoplasmic streaming decreases and finally disappears when the density of the external medium is equal to that of the cell (1015 kg/m3). A further increase in the density of the external medium causes a reversal of the gravity response. These results are consistent with the gravitational pressure theory of gravity sensing since the buoyancy of the protoplast is dependent on the difference between the density of the protoplast and the external medium, and are inconsistent with the statolith theory since the buoyancy of intracellular particles are unaffected by changes in the external medium.

The effect of the external medium on the gravity-induced polarity of cytoplasmic streaming in Chara corallina (Characeae)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Staves, M. P.; Wayne, R.; Leopold, A. C.

1997-01-01

Gravity induces a polarity of cytoplasmic streaming in vertical internodal cells of Chara such that the downwardly directed stream moves faster than the upwardly directed stream. In order to determine whether the statolith theory (in which intracellular sedimenting particles are responsible for gravity sensing) or the gravitational pressure theory (in which the entire protoplast acts as the gravity sensor) best explain the gravity response in Chara internodal cells, we controlled the physical properties of the external medium, including density and osmolarity, with impermeant solutes and examined the effect on the polarity of cytoplasmic streaming. As the density of the external medium is increased, the polarity of cytoplasmic streaming decreases and finally disappears when the density of the external medium is equal to that of the cell (1015 kg/m3). A further increase in the density of the external medium causes a reversal of the gravity response. These results are consistent with the gravitational pressure theory of gravity sensing since the buoyancy of the protoplast is dependent on the difference between the density of the protoplast and the external medium, and are inconsistent with the statolith theory since the buoyancy of intracellular particles are unaffected by changes in the external medium.

Evidence for active hotspots on Venus from analysis of Magellan gravity data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smrekar, Suzanne E.

1994-01-01

The 500-Myr average crater retention age for Venus has raised questions about the present-day level of tectonic activity. In this study we examine the relationship between the gravity and topography of four large volcanic swells, Beta, Atla, Bell, and Western Eistla Regiones, for clues about their stage evolution. The Magellan line-of-sight gravity data are inverted using a point mass model of the anomalous mass to solve for the local vertical gravity field. Spectral admittance calculated from both the local gravity inversions and a spherical harmonic model is compared to three models of compensation: local compensation, a 'flexural' model with local and regional compensation of surface and subsurface loads, and a 'hotspot' model of compensation that includes top loading by volcanoes and subsurface loading due to a deep, low density mass anomaly. The coherence is also calculated in each region, but yields an elastic thickness estimate only at Bell Regio. In all models, the long wavelengths are compensated locally. Our results may indicate a relatively old, possibly inactive plume.

The Kummer tensor density in electrodynamics and in gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baekler, Peter; Favaro, Alberto; Itin, Yakov; Hehl, Friedrich W.

2014-10-01

Guided by results in the premetric electrodynamics of local and linear media, we introduce on 4-dimensional spacetime the new abstract notion of a Kummer tensor density of rank four, K. This tensor density is, by definition, a cubic algebraic functional of a tensor density of rank four T, which is antisymmetric in its first two and its last two indices: T=-T=-T. Thus, K∼T3, see Eq. (46). (i) If T is identified with the electromagnetic response tensor of local and linear media, the Kummer tensor density encompasses the generalized Fresnel wave surfaces for propagating light. In the reversible case, the wave surfaces turn out to be Kummer surfaces as defined in algebraic geometry (Bateman 1910). (ii) If T is identified with the curvature tensor R of a Riemann-Cartan spacetime, then K∼R3 and, in the special case of general relativity, K reduces to the Kummer tensor of Zund (1969). This K is related to the principal null directions of the curvature. We discuss the properties of the general Kummer tensor density. In particular, we decompose K irreducibly under the 4-dimensional linear group GL(4,R) and, subsequently, under the Lorentz group SO(1,3).

KSC-2011-6775

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, evening showers create the right conditions for the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket that will launch NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission to be reflected on the surface of the pad. Preparations are under way to roll the mobile service tower away from the rocket. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. Launch is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT Sept. 8. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Numerical investigation of split flows by gravity currents into two-layered stratified water bodies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cortés, A.; Wells, M. G.; Fringer, O. B.; Arthur, R. S.; Rueda, F. J.

2015-07-01

The behavior of a two-dimensional (2-D) gravity current impinging upon a density step in a two-layered stratified basin is analyzed using a high-resolution Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes model. The gravity current splits at the density step, and the portion of the buoyancy flux becoming an interflow is largely controlled by the vertical distribution of velocity and density within the gravity current and the magnitude of the density step between the two ambient layers. This is in agreement with recent laboratory observations. The strongest changes in the ambient density profiles occur as a result of the impingement of supercritical currents with strong density contrasts, for which a large portion of the gravity current detaches from the bottom and becomes an interflow. We characterize the current partition process in the simulated experiments using the densimetric Froude number of the current (Fr) across the density step (upstream and downstream). When underflows are formed, more supercritical currents are observed downstream of the density step compared to upstream (Fru < Frd), and thus, stronger mixing of the current with the ambient water downstream. However, when split flows and interflows are formed, smaller Fr values are identified after the current crosses the density step (Fru > Frd), which indicates lower mixing between the current and ambient water after the impingement due to the significant stripping of interfacial material at the density step.

Holographic non-Fermi-liquid fixed points.

PubMed

Faulkner, Tom; Iqbal, Nabil; Liu, Hong; McGreevy, John; Vegh, David

2011-04-28

Techniques arising from string theory can be used to study assemblies of strongly interacting fermions. Via this 'holographic duality', various strongly coupled many-body systems are solved using an auxiliary theory of gravity. Simple holographic realizations of finite density exhibit single-particle spectral functions with sharp Fermi surfaces, of a form distinct from those of the Landau theory. The self-energy is given by a correlation function in an infrared (IR) fixed-point theory that is represented by a two-dimensional anti de Sitter space (AdS(2)) region in the dual gravitational description. Here, we describe in detail the gravity calculation of this IR correlation function.

Surface topography estimated by inversion of satellite gravity gradiometry observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramillien, Guillaume

2015-04-01

An integration of mass elements is presented for evaluating the six components of the 2-order gravity tensor (i.e., second derivatives of the Newtonian mass integral for the gravitational potential) created by an uneven sphere topography consisting of juxtaposed vertical prisms. The method is based on Legendre polynomial series with the originality of taking elastic compensation of the topography by the Earth's surface into account. The speed of computation of the polynomial series increases logically with the observing altitude from the source of anomaly. Such a forward modelling can be easily used for reduction of observed gravity gradient anomalies by the effects of any spherical interface of density. Moreover, an iterative least-square inversion of the observed gravity tensor values Γαβ is proposed to estimate a regional set of topographic heights. Several tests of recovery have been made by considering simulated gradiometry anomaly data, and for varying satellite altitudes and a priori levels of accuracy. In the case of GOCE-type gradiometry anomalies measured at an altitude of ~300 km, the search converges down to a stable and smooth topography after 20-30 iterations while the final r.m.s. error is ~100 m. The possibility of cumulating satellite information from different orbit geometries is also examined for improving the prediction.

Role of gas vesicles and intra-colony spaces during the process of algal bloom formation.

PubMed

Zhang, Yongsheng; Zheng, Binghui; Jiang, Xia; Zheng, Hao

2013-06-01

Aggregation morphology, vertical distribution, and algal density were analyzed during the algal cell floating process in three environments. The role of gas vesicles and intra-colony spaces was distinguished by algal blooms treated with ultrasonic waves and high pressure. Results demonstrated that the two buoyancy providers jointly provide buoyancy for floating algal cells. The results were also confirmed by force analysis. In the simulation experiment, the buoyancy acting on algal cells was greater than its gravity at sample ports 2 and 3 of a columnar-cultivated cell vessel, and intra-colony spaces were not detected. In Taihu Lake, gas vesicle buoyancy was notably less than total algal cell gravity. Buoyancy provided by intra-colony spaces exceeded total algal cell gravity at the water surface, but not at other water depths. In the Daning River, total buoyancies provided by the two buoyancy providers were less than total algal cell gravity at different water depths.

Insights into shallow magmatic processes at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaiʻi, from a multiyear continuous gravity time series

USGS Publications Warehouse

Poland, Michael P.; Carbone, Daniele

2016-01-01

Continuous gravity data collected near the summit eruptive vent at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaiʻi, during 2011–2015 show a strong correlation with summit-area surface deformation and the level of the lava lake within the vent over periods of days to weeks, suggesting that changes in gravity reflect variations in volcanic activity. Joint analysis of gravity and lava level time series data indicates that over the entire time period studied, the average density of the lava within the upper tens to hundreds of meters of the summit eruptive vent remained low—approximately 1000–1500 kg/m3. The ratio of gravity change (adjusted for Earth tides and instrumental drift) to lava level change measured over 15 day windows rose gradually over the course of 2011–2015, probably reflecting either (1) a small increase in the density of lava within the eruptive vent or (2) an increase in the volume of lava within the vent due to gradual vent enlargement. Superimposed on the overall time series were transient spikes of mass change associated with inflation and deflation of Kīlauea's summit and coincident changes in lava level. The unexpectedly strong mass variations during these episodes suggest magma flux to and from the shallow magmatic system without commensurate deformation, perhaps indicating magma accumulation within, and withdrawal from, void space—a process that might not otherwise be apparent from lava level and deformation data alone. Continuous gravity data thus provide unique insights into magmatic processes, arguing for continued application of the method at other frequently active volcanoes.

Velocity Structure of the Iran Region Using Seismic and Gravity Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syracuse, E. M.; Maceira, M.; Phillips, W. S.; Begnaud, M. L.; Nippress, S. E. J.; Bergman, E.; Zhang, H.

2015-12-01

We present a 3D Vp and Vs model of Iran generated using a joint inversion of body wave travel times, Rayleigh wave dispersion curves, and high-wavenumber filtered Bouguer gravity observations. Our work has two main goals: 1) To better understand the tectonics of a prominent example of continental collision, and 2) To assess the improvements in earthquake location possible as a result of joint inversion. The body wave dataset is mainly derived from previous work on location calibration and includes the first-arrival P and S phases of 2500 earthquakes whose initial locations qualify as GT25 or better. The surface wave dataset consists of Rayleigh wave group velocity measurements for regional earthquakes, which are inverted for a suite of period-dependent Rayleigh wave velocity maps prior to inclusion in the joint inversion for body wave velocities. We use gravity anomalies derived from the global gravity model EGM2008. To avoid mapping broad, possibly dynamic features in the gravity field intovariations in density and body wave velocity, we apply a high-pass wavenumber filter to the gravity measurements. We use a simple, approximate relationship between density and velocity so that the three datasets may be combined in a single inversion. The final optimized 3D Vp and Vs model allows us to explore how multi-parameter tomography addresses crustal heterogeneities in areas of limited coverage and improves travel time predictions. We compare earthquake locations from our models to independent locations obtained from InSAR analysis to assess the improvement in locations derived in a joint-inversion model in comparison to those derived in a more traditional body-wave-only velocity model.

Particle Image Velocimetry Study of Density Current Fronts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martin, Juan Ezequiel

2009-01-01

Gravity currents are flows that occur when a horizontal density difference causes fluid to move under the action of gravity; density currents are a particular case, for which the scalar causing the density difference is conserved. Flows with a strong effect of the horizontal density difference, even if only partially driven by it--such as the…

A Multiscale Nested Modeling Framework to Simulate the Interaction of Surface Gravity Waves with Nonlinear Internal Gravity Waves

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-30

We aim at understanding the impact of tidal , seasonal, and mesoscale variability of the internal wave field and how it influences the surface waves ...Interaction of Surface Gravity Waves with Nonlinear Internal Gravity Waves Lian Shen St. Anthony Falls Laboratory and Department of Mechanical...on studying surface gravity wave evolution and spectrum in the presence of surface currents caused by strongly nonlinear internal solitary waves

Respiratory Particle Deposition Probability Due to Sedimentation with Variable Gravity and Electrostatic Forces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haranas, Ioannis; Gkigkitzis, Ioannis; Zouganelis, George D.; Haranas, Maria K.; Kirk, Samantha

2014-11-01

In this chapter, we study Sedimentation -- the effects of the acceleration gravity on the sedimentation deposition probability, as well as the aerosol deposition rate on the surface of the Earth and Mars, but also aboard a spacecraft in orbit around Earth and Mars as well for particles with density ρ p = 1,300 kg/m3, diameters d p = 1, 3, 5 μm, and residence times t = 0.0272, 0.2 s, respectively. For particles of diameter 1 μm we find that, on the surface of Earth and Mars the deposition probabilities are higher at the poles when compared to the ones at the equator. Similarly, on the surface of the Earth we find that the deposition probabilities exhibit 0.5 and 0.4 % higher percentage difference at the poles when compared to that of the equator, for the corresponding residence times. Moreover in orbit equatorial orbits result to higher deposition probabilities when compared to polar ones. For both residence times particles with the diameters considered above in circular and elliptical orbits around Mars, the deposition probabilities appear to be the same for all orbital inclinations. Sedimentation probability increases drastically with particle diameter and orbital eccentricity of the orbiting spacecraft. Finally, as an alternative framework for the study of interaction and the effect of gravity in biology, and in particular gravity and the respiratory system we introduce is the term information in a way Shannon has introduced it, considering the sedimentation probability as a random variable. This can be thought as a way in which gravity enters the cognitive processes of the system (processing of information) in the cybernetic sense.

Respiratory particle deposition probability due to sedimentation with variable gravity and electrostatic forces.

PubMed

Haranas, Ioannis; Gkigkitzis, Ioannis; Zouganelis, George D; Haranas, Maria K; Kirk, Samantha

2015-01-01

In this chapter, we study the effects of the acceleration gravity on the sedimentation deposition probability, as well as the aerosol deposition rate on the surface of the Earth and Mars, but also aboard a spacecraft in orbit around Earth and Mars as well for particles with density ρ p = 1,300 kg/m³, diameters d p = 1, 3, 5 μm, and residence times t = 0.0272, 0.2 , respectively. For particles of diameter 1 μm we find that, on the surface of Earth and Mars the deposition probabilities are higher at the poles when compared to the ones at the equator. Similarly, on the surface of the Earth we find that the deposition probabilities exhibit 0.5 and 0.4 % higher percentage difference at the poles when compared to that of the equator, for the corresponding residence times. Moreover in orbit equatorial orbits result to higher deposition probabilities when compared to polar ones. For both residence times particles with the diameters considered above in circular and elliptical orbits around Mars, the deposition probabilities appear to be the same for all orbital inclinations. Sedimentation probability increases drastically with particle diameter and orbital eccentricity of the orbiting spacecraft. Finally, as an alternative framework for the study of interaction and the effect of gravity in biology, and in particular gravity and the respiratory system we introduce is the term information in a way Shannon has introduced it, considering the sedimentation probability as a random variable. This can be thought as a way in which gravity enters the cognitive processes of the system (processing of information) in the cybernetic sense.

A random-walk algorithm for modeling lithospheric density and the role of body forces in the evolution of the Midcontinent Rift

USGS Publications Warehouse

Levandowski, William Brower; Boyd, Oliver; Briggs, Richard; Gold, Ryan D.

2015-01-01

We test this algorithm on the Proterozoic Midcontinent Rift (MCR), north-central U.S. The MCR provides a challenge because it hosts a gravity high overlying low shear-wave velocity crust in a generally flat region. Our initial density estimates are derived from a seismic velocity/crustal thickness model based on joint inversion of surface-wave dispersion and receiver functions. By adjusting these estimates to reproduce gravity and topography, we generate a lithospheric-scale model that reveals dense middle crust and eclogitized lowermost crust within the rift. Mantle lithospheric density beneath the MCR is not anomalous, consistent with geochemical evidence that lithospheric mantle was not the primary source of rift-related magmas and suggesting that extension occurred in response to far-field stress rather than a hot mantle plume. Similarly, the subsequent inversion of normal faults resulted from changing far-field stress that exploited not only warm, recently faulted crust but also a gravitational potential energy low in the MCR. The success of this density modeling algorithm in the face of such apparently contradictory geophysical properties suggests that it may be applicable to a variety of tectonic and geodynamic problems. 

Improvement of density models of geological structures by fusion of gravity data and cosmic muon radiographies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jourde, K.; Gibert, D.; Marteau, J.

2015-04-01

This paper examines how the resolution of small-scale geological density models is improved through the fusion of information provided by gravity measurements and density muon radiographies. Muon radiography aims at determining the density of geological bodies by measuring their screening effect on the natural flux of cosmic muons. Muon radiography essentially works like medical X-ray scan and integrates density information along elongated narrow conical volumes. Gravity measurements are linked to density by a 3-D integration encompassing the whole studied domain. We establish the mathematical expressions of these integration formulas - called acquisition kernels - and derive the resolving kernels that are spatial filters relating the true unknown density structure to the density distribution actually recovered from the available data. The resolving kernels approach allows to quantitatively describe the improvement of the resolution of the density models achieved by merging gravity data and muon radiographies. The method developed in this paper may be used to optimally design the geometry of the field measurements to perform in order to obtain a given spatial resolution pattern of the density model to construct. The resolving kernels derived in the joined muon/gravimetry case indicate that gravity data are almost useless to constrain the density structure in regions sampled by more than two muon tomography acquisitions. Interestingly the resolution in deeper regions not sampled by muon tomography is significantly improved by joining the two techniques. The method is illustrated with examples for La Soufrière of Guadeloupe volcano.

Critical heat flux maxima during boiling crisis on textured surfaces

PubMed Central

Dhillon, Navdeep Singh; Buongiorno, Jacopo; Varanasi, Kripa K.

2015-01-01

Enhancing the critical heat flux (CHF) of industrial boilers by surface texturing can lead to substantial energy savings and global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, but fundamentally this phenomenon is not well understood. Prior studies on boiling crisis indicate that CHF monotonically increases with increasing texture density. Here we report on the existence of maxima in CHF enhancement at intermediate texture density using measurements on parametrically designed plain and nano-textured micropillar surfaces. Using high-speed optical and infrared imaging, we study the dynamics of dry spot heating and rewetting phenomena and reveal that the dry spot heating timescale is of the same order as that of the gravity and liquid imbibition-induced dry spot rewetting timescale. Based on these insights, we develop a coupled thermal-hydraulic model that relates CHF enhancement to rewetting of a hot dry spot on the boiling surface, thereby revealing the mechanism governing the hitherto unknown CHF enhancement maxima. PMID:26346098

An analytical solution for the elastic response to surface loads imposed on a layered, transversely isotropic and self-gravitating Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, E.; Chen, J. Y.; Bevis, M.; Bordoni, A.; Barletta, V. R.; Molavi Tabrizi, A.

2015-12-01

We present an analytical solution for the elastic deformation of an elastic, transversely isotropic, layered and self-gravitating Earth by surface loads. We first introduce the vector spherical harmonics to express the physical quantities in the layered Earth. This reduces the governing equations to a linear system of equations for the expansion coefficients. We then solve for the expansion coefficients analytically under the assumption (i.e. approximation) that in the mantle, the density in each layer varies as 1/r (where r is the radial coordinate) while the gravity is constant and that in the core the gravity in each layer varies linearly in r with constant density. These approximations dramatically simplify the subsequent mathematical analysis and render closed-form expressions for the expansion coefficients. We implement our solution in a MATLAB code and perform a benchmark which shows both the correctness of our solution and the implementation. We also calculate the load Love numbers (LLNs) of the PREM Earth for different degrees of the Legendre function for both isotropic and transversely isotropic, layered mantles with different core models, demonstrating for the first time the effect of Earth anisotropy on the LLNs.

A Computational Study of the Mechanics of Gravity-induced Torque on Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haranas, Ioannis; Gkigkitis, Ioannis; Zouganelis, George D.

2013-10-01

In this paper, we study the effects of the acceleration gravity on the sedimentation deposition probability, as well as the aerosol deposition rate on the surface of the Earth and Mars, but also aboard a spacecraft in orbit around Earth and Mars as well. For particles with density ?p = 1300 kg/m3, diameters dp = 1, 10, 30 μm and residence times t = 0.0272, 0.2 s respectively, we find that, on the surface of Earth and Mars the deposition probabilities are higher at the poles when compared to the ones at the equator. Similarly, when in orbit around Earth we find that the deposition probabilities exhibit 0.0001 % higher percentage difference in equatorial circular and elliptical orbits when compared to polar ones. For both residence times particles with the diameters considered above in circular and elliptical orbits around Mars, the deposition probabilities appear to be the same for all orbital inclinations. Sedimentation probability increases drastically with particle diameter and orbital eccentricity of the orbiting spacecraft. Finally, as an alternative framework for the study of interaction and the effect of gravity in biology, and in particular gravity and the respiratory system we introduce is the term information in a way Shannon has introduced it, considering the sedimentation probability as a random variable. This can be thought as a way in which gravity enters the cognitive processes of the system (processing of information) in the cybernetic sense.

Calculation of gravity and magnetic anomalies along profiles with end corrections and inverse solutions for density and magnetization

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cady, John W.

1977-01-01

A computer program is presented which performs, for one or more bodies, along a profile perpendicular to strike, both forward calculations for the magnetic and gravity anomaly fields and independent gravity and magnetic inverse calculations for density and susceptibility or remanent magnetization.

Planetesimal formation in self-gravitating discs - the effects of particle self-gravity and back-reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gibbons, P. G.; Mamatsashvili, G. R.; Rice, W. K. M.

2014-07-01

We study particle dynamics in self-gravitating gaseous discs with a simple cooling law prescription via two-dimensional simulations in the shearing sheet approximation. It is well known that structures arising in the gaseous component of the disc due to a gravitational instability can have a significant effect on the evolution of dust particles. Previous results have shown that spiral density waves can be highly efficient at collecting dust particles, creating significant local overdensities of particles. The degree of such concentrations has been shown to be dependent on two parameters: the size of the dust particles and the rate of gas cooling. We expand on these findings, including the self-gravity of dust particles, to see how these particle overdensities evolve. We use the PENCIL code to solve the local shearing sheet equations for gas on a fixed grid together with the equations of motion for solids coupled to the gas through an aerodynamic drag force. We find that the enhancements in the surface density of particles in spiral density wave crests can reach levels high enough to allow the solid component of the disc to collapse under its own self-gravity. This produces many gravitationally bound collections of particles within the spiral structure. The total mass contained in bound structures appears nearly independent of the cooling time, suggesting that the formation of planetesimals through dust particle trapping by self-gravitating density waves may be possible at a larger range of radii within a disc than previously thought. So, density waves due to gravitational instabilities in the early stages of star formation may provide excellent sites for the rapid formation of many large, planetesimal-sized objects.

Weighted density fields as improved probes of modified gravity models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Llinares, Claudio; McCullagh, Nuala

2017-11-01

When it comes to searches for extensions to general relativity, large efforts are being dedicated to accurate predictions for the power spectrum of density perturbations. While this observable is known to be sensitive to the gravitational theory, its efficiency as a diagnostic for gravity is significantly reduced when Solar system constraints are strictly adhered to. We show that this problem can be overcome by studying weighted density fields. We propose a transformation of the density field for which the impact of modified gravity on the power spectrum can be increased by more than a factor of three. The signal is not only amplified, but the modified gravity features are shifted to larger scales that are less affected by baryonic physics. Furthermore, the overall signal-to-noise ratio increases, which in principle makes identifying signatures of modified gravity with future galaxy surveys more feasible. While our analysis is focused on modified gravity, the technique can be applied to other problems in cosmology, such as the detection of neutrinos, the effects of baryons or baryon acoustic oscillations.

Subsurface Density Structure of Taurus Littrow Valley Using Apollo 17 Gravity Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urbancic, N.; Ghent, R. R.; Johnson, C.; Stanley, S.; Hatch, D.; Carroll, K. A.; Williamson, M. C.; Garry, W. B.; Talwani, M.

2016-12-01

The Traverse Gravimeter Experiment (TGE) from the Apollo 17 mission was the first and only successful gravity survey on the surface of the Moon, revealing the local gravity field at Taurus Littrow Valley (TLV). Satellite surveys are resolution-limited due to their altitudes, making the TGE dataset a novel tool to probe the near-surface, fine-scale (<1 km) subsurface density structure of the Moon. TLV is hypothesized to be a basalt-filled graben oriented radial to Serenitatis basin. Talwani et al. [Apollo 17 Preliminary Science Report, 13 (1973)] used 2D correction and modelling techniques to derive a 1 km thickness for the subsurface basalt, assuming a rectangular geometry and densities derived from Apollo samples. We used modern 3D correction and modelling techniques and recent high-resolution Lunar Reconnaisance Orbiter topographic and image datasets to reinvestigate the subsurface structure of TLV, assuming a trapezoidal geometry for the valley. Updated topographic maps led to significant improvements in the accuracy of free-air, Bouguer and terrain corrections applied to the data. To determine the underlying geometry for TLV, we tested a range of possible thicknesses (T), dips (θ) and positions for the graben fill. We found that the thickness and position used by Talwani et al. represent the best fit to the data, but with walls that dip 30°. From sensitivity analyses we quantified the effect that different noise levels have on determining the correct model parameters. We found that less than 4 mgal noise in the gravity measurements is required to determine the valley position to within 1 km. At the noise level from the TGE data of ˜3.1 mgal, for an input model with θ=90° and a T=1 km, there will be a range in model dips and thicknesses, with θ=45-90° and T=0.9-1.1 km. Even for noise levels of 1 mgal, the range in parameters is θ=72-90° and T=0.95-1.05 km. These noise constraints are crucial for informing the design of future lunar gravimetry experiments.

High Sensitivity Gravity Measurements in the Adverse Environment of Oil Wells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pfutzner, Harold

2014-03-01

Bulk density is a primary measurement within oil and gas reservoirs and is the basis of most reserves calculations by oil companies. The measurement is performed with a gamma-ray source and two scintillation gamma-ray detectors from within newly drilled exploration and production wells. This nuclear density measurement, while very precise is also very shallow and is therefore susceptible to errors due to any alteration of the formation and fluids in the vicinity of the borehole caused by the drilling process. Measuring acceleration due to gravity along a well provides a direct measure of bulk density with a very large depth of investigation that makes it practically immune to errors from near-borehole effects. Advances in gravity sensors and associated mechanics and electronics provide an opportunity for routine borehole gravity measurements with comparable density precision to the nuclear density measurement and with sufficient ruggedness to survive the rough handling and high temperatures experienced in oil well logging. We will describe a borehole gravity meter and its use under very realistic conditions in an oil well in Saudi Arabia. The density measurements will be presented. Alberto Marsala (2), Paul Wanjau (1), Olivier Moyal (1), and Justin Mlcak (1); (1) Schlumberger, (2) Saudi Aramco.

A Least Squares Collocation Approach with GOCE gravity gradients for regional Moho-estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rieser, Daniel; Mayer-Guerr, Torsten

2014-05-01

The depth of the Moho discontinuity is commonly derived by either seismic observations, gravity measurements or combinations of both. In this study, we aim to use the gravity gradient measurements of the GOCE satellite mission in a Least Squares Collocation (LSC) approach for the estimation of the Moho depth on regional scale. Due to its mission configuration and measurement setup, GOCE is able to contribute valuable information in particular in the medium wavelengths of the gravity field spectrum, which is also of special interest for the crust-mantle boundary. In contrast to other studies we use the full information of the gradient tensor in all three dimensions. The problem outline is formulated as isostatically compensated topography according to the Airy-Heiskanen model. By using a topography model in spherical harmonics representation the topographic influences can be reduced from the gradient observations. Under the assumption of constant mantle and crustal densities, surface densities are directly derived by LSC on regional scale, which in turn are converted in Moho depths. First investigations proofed the ability of this method to resolve the gravity inversion problem already with a small amount of GOCE data and comparisons with other seismic and gravitmetric Moho models for the European region show promising results. With the recently reprocessed GOCE gradients, an improved data set shall be used for the derivation of the Moho depth. In this contribution the processing strategy will be introduced and the most recent developments and results using the currently available GOCE data shall be presented.

Paramagnetic Liquid Bridge in a Gravity-Compensating Magnetic Field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mahajan, Milind P.; Tsige, Mesfin; Taylor, P. L.; Rosenblatt, Charles

1999-01-01

Magnetic levitation was used to stabilize cylindrical columns of a paramagnetic liquid in air between two solid supports. The maximum achievable length to diameter ratio R(sub max) was approx. (3.10 +/- 0.07), very close to the Rayleigh-Plateau limit of pi. For smaller R, the stability of the column was measured as a function of the Bond number, which could be continuously varied by adjusting the strength of the magnetic field. Liquid bridges supported by two solid surfaces have been attracting scientific attention since the time of Rayleigh and Plateau. For a cylindrical bridge of length L and diameter d, it was shown theoretically that in zero gravity the maximum slenderness ratio R (identically = L/d) is pi. The stability and ultimate collapse of such bridges is of interest because of their importance in a number of industrial processes and their potential for low gravity applications. In the presence of gravity, however, the cylindrical shape of an axisymmetric bridge tends to deform, limiting its stability and decreasing the maximum achievable value of R. Theoretical studies have discussed the stability and possible shapes of axisymmetric bridges. Experiments typically are performed in either a Plateau tank, in which the bridge is surrounded by a density-matched immiscible fluid, or in a space-borne microgravity environment. It has been shown, for example, that the stability limit R can be pushed beyond pi by using flow stabilization, by acoustic radiation pressure, or by forming columns in the presence of an axial electric field. In this work, magnetic levitation was used to simulate a low gravity environment and create quasi-cylindrical liquid columns in air. Use of a magnetic field permits us to continuously vary the Bond number B identically equal to (g)(rho)d(exp 2)/4(sigma), where g is the gravitational acceleration, rho is the density of the liquid, and sigma is the surface tension of the liquid in air. The dimensionless Bond number represents the relative importance of external forces acting on the liquid column to those due to surface tension. Our central result is that in a large magnetic field gradient we could create and stabilize columns of mixtures of water and paramagnetic manganese chloride tetrahydrate (MnCl2.4H2O), achieving a length to diameter ratio very close to pi.

Gravity study of the Middle Aterno Valley

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

di Nezza, Maria; di Filippo, Michele; Cesi, Claudio; Ferri, Fernando

2010-05-01

A gravity study was carried out to identify the geological and structural features of the Middle Aterno Valley, and intramontane depression in the central Appennines, which was targeted to assess the seismic hazard of the city of L'Aquila and surrounding areas, after the Abruzzo 2009 earthquake. Gravity anomalies have been used for the construction of a 3D model of the area, and gravity data for the construction of Bouguer and residual anomaly maps. These data, together with geological surface data allowed for the understanding of the Plio-quaternary tectonic setting of the basins. The study area has been differentiated into different domains with respect to structural and morphological features of different styles of faults. Geology and gravity data show that the local amplification phenomena are due to the fact that the historical center of L'Aquila was built on a coarse breccias (debris-flow deposits with decameter scale limestone blocks) overlying sandy and clayey lacustrine sediments. As these sediments have a low density, gravity prospecting very easily identifies them. Residual anomalies, showing a relative gravity low corresponding to the historical center of L'Aquila, and surrounding areas, indicated that these sediments are up to 250 m-thick. Gravity prospecting also revealed the uprooting of the reliefs which outcrop in the area of Coppito. These reliefs, practically outcrop in the middle of the basin. Here, the gravity anomalies are negative and not positive as would be expected from outcropping geological bedrock.

Constraint on dark matter central density in the Eddington inspired Born-Infeld (EiBI) gravity with input from Weyl gravity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Potapov, Alexander A.; Mikolaychuk, Olga; Mikolaychuk, Nikolay

Recently, Harko et al. (2014) derived an approximate metric of the galactic halo in the Eddington inspired Born-Infeld (EiBI) gravity. In this metric, we show that there is an upper limit ρ {sub 0}{sup upper} on the central density ρ {sub 0} of dark matter such that stable circular orbits are possible only when the constraint ρ {sub 0}≤ ρ {sub 0}{sup upper} is satisfied in each galactic sample. To quantify different ρ {sub 0}{sup upper} for different samples, we follow the novel approach of Edery and Paranjape (1998), where we use as input the geometric halo radius R{sub WR} from Weyl gravity and equate itmore » with the dark matter radius R{sub DM} from EiBI gravity for the same halo boundary. This input then shows that the known fitted values of ρ {sub 0} obey the constraint ρ {sub 0}≤ ρ {sub 0}{sup upper}∝  (R{sub WR}){sup −2}. Using the mass-to-light ratios giving α , we shall also evaluate ρ {sub 0}{sup lower} ∝  (α −1)M{sub lum}R{sub WR}{sup −3} and the average dark matter density  ( ρ ) {sup lower}. Quantitatively, it turns out that the interval ρ {sub 0}{sup lower} ≤ ρ {sub 0}≤  ρ {sub 0}{sup upper} verifies reasonably well against many dark matter dominated low surface brightness (LSB) galaxies for which values of ρ {sub 0} are independently known. The interval holds also in the case of Milky Way galaxy. Qualitatively, the existence of a stability induced upper limit  ρ {sub 0}{sup upper} is a remarkable prediction of the EiBI theory.« less

A Foamy Lava Lake at Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poland, M. P.; Carbone, D.

2012-12-01

Kilauea Volcano, in Hawai`i, is currently erupting from two locations simultaneously: along the east rift zone and at the summit. The east rift zone eruption began in 1983 and is characterized by lava effusion from the Pu`u `O`o and nearby vents, while the summit eruptive vent, which opened in 2008, persistently emits gas and small amounts of ash while hosting a lava lake. On March 5, 2011, a dike initiated from the east rift zone magma conduit and reached the surface, resulting in the 4.5-day-long Kamoamoa fissure eruption just uprift of Pu`u `O`o. The eruption was accompanied by summit deflation as magma withdrew from subsurface reservoirs to feed the fissure eruption. The level of the summit lava lake dropped as the summit deflated. A continuously recording gravimeter located at Kilauea's summit (about 150 m east of the center of the summit eruptive vent, 80 m above the vent rim, and about 140 m above the highest level reached by the lava lake) measured a gravity decrease of about 150 μGal during the lava level drop, after taking into account corrections for the solid Earth tide. The gravity signal is caused by a combination of three processes. First, subsidence of 15 cm due to summit deflation moved the gravimeter closer to the center of the Earth, resulting in a gravity increase. Second, mass removal from the subsurface magma reservoir at a depth of 1.4 km (based on a model from GPS and InSAR data) caused a gravity decrease. Third, the drop in the level of the lava lake, which reached a maximum of about 150 m, led to a gravity decrease. Assuming a simple point source of pressure change and a typical density for basaltic magma (2.3-2.7 g/cm3), the first two processes can only explain a small percent of the observed gravity decrease, which must therefore be mainly due to the drop in the level of the lava lake. We developed a numerical model of the summit eruptive vent that takes into account its complex geometry (as deduced from geological observations). Using the change in lava level over time (data courtesy of Matt Patrick), we estimated that a lava density of about 0.8 g/cm3 is required to fit the gravity time series. Gravity results, therefore, argue that the upper part of the vent is occupied by a low-density lava foam (in agreement with models of Kilauea's summit eruption from seismic, gas, and geologic data by Tim Orr and Matt Patrick) and provide the only means of quantifying the lava lake density.

Cosmic Blasting Zone

NASA Image and Video Library

2005-12-06

Saturn's impact-pummeled Hyperion stares back at Cassini in this six-image mosaic taken during the spacecraft’s close approach on Sept. 26, 2005. This up-close view shows a low density body blasted by impacts over the eons. Scientists originally believed that the spongy appearance of Hyperion is caused by a phenomenon called thermal erosion, in which dark materials accumulating on crater floors are warmed by sunlight and melt deeper into the surface, allowing surrounding ice to vaporize away. Cassini scientists now think that Hyperion’s unusual appearance can be attributed to the fact that it has an unusually low density for such a large object, giving it weak surface gravity and high porosity. These characteristics help preserve the original shapes of Hyperion’s craters by limiting the amount of impact ejecta coating the moon’s surface. Impactors tend to make craters by compressing the surface material, rather than blasting it out. Further, Hyperion’s weak gravity, and correspondingly low escape velocity, means that what little ejecta is produced has a good chance of escaping the moon altogether. At 280 kilometers, (174 miles) across, Hyperion’s impact-shaped morphology makes it the largest of Saturn's irregularly-shaped moons. Six, clear-filter images were combined to create this mosaic. Images were taken by the Cassini spacecraft narrow-angle camera at a mean distance of about 33,000 kilometers (20,500 miles) from Hyperion and at a sun-Hyperion-spacecraft, or phase, angle of 51 degrees. Image scale is 197 meters per pixel. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA07761

Imaging subsurface density structure in Luynnier volcanic field, Saudi Arabia, using 3D gravity inversion technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aboud, Essam; El-shrief, Adel; Alqahtani, Faisal; Mogren, Saad

2017-04-01

On 19 May, 2009, an earthquake of magnitude (M=5.4) shocked the most volcanically active recent basaltic fields, Luynnier volcanic field, northwestern Saudi Arabia. This event was the largest recorded one since long time ago. Government evacuated the surrounding residents around the epicenter for over 3 months away from any future volcanic activity. The seismic event caused damages to buildings in the village around the epicenter and resulted in surface fissure trending in NNW-SSE direction with about 8 km length. Seismologists from Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) worked out on locating the epicenter and the cause of this earthquake. They collected seismic data from Saudi Geological Surveys Station Network as well as installed broadband seismic stations around the region of the earthquake. They finally concluded that the main cause of the M=5.4 event is dike intrusion at depth of about 5 km (not reached to the surface). In the present work, we carried out detailed ground/airborne gravity survey around the surficial fissure to image the subsurface volcanic structure where about 380 gravity stations were recorded covering the main fissure in an area of 600 km2. Gravity data was analyzed using CET edge detection tools and 3D inversion technique. The results revealed that, there is a magma chamber/body beneath the surface at 5-20 km depth and the main reason for the M=5.4 earthquake is tectonic settings of the Red Sea. Additionally, the area is characterized by set of faults trending in NW direction, parallel to the Red Sea, and most of the volcanic cones were located on faults/contacts implying that, they are structurally controlled. The 8-km surficial crack is extended SE underneath the surface.

Detecting Batholithic Structures That Influence Seismogenic Processes in the North Chile Seismic Gap With Seismological and Gravity Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sobiesiak, M.; Schaller, T.; Götze, H. J.; Gutknecht, B. D.

2016-12-01

Ever since the occurrence of the last M9 event in 1877 defining the North Chile Seismic Gap, a great earthquake of M≥9 has been expected to happen. Still, this great event has not yet taken place. Instead, the entire area was repeatedly ruptured through major earthquakes like the 2007 Mw 7.9 Tocopilla earthquake and the 2014 Pisagua/ Iquique earthquake sequence of Mw 8.3 and Mw 7.6, leaving large parts of the North Chile Seismic Gap undisturbed. The question remains if the remaining parts will rupture in a relatively small event or if a large event rupturing the entire gap will occur.To answer this question, we study the interplay between geological structure, tectonic setting and the stress/ strain fields, which result in the observed patterns of past seismic events in this area. We will show results of a pilot study of the 1995 Mw 8.1 Antofagasta earthquake occurring directly adjacent to the North Chile Seismic Gap as well as a case study of the area around the Pisagua/ Iquique earthquake sequence using seismological data (b-value map, source time function, moment release), the gravity isostatic residual anomaly field, vertical stress load and subsurface density modeling. These studies show a strong spatial correlation between the seismological parameters characterizing these earthquakes and the distribution of maxima and minima of the gravity isostatic residual and corresponding stress anomaly fields. Thus, we postulate a common cause being high density bodies situated in the crust of the South American plate. This theory is supported by gravity inferred density modeling and surface geology.

The support of long wavelength loads on Venus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benerdt, W. B.; Saunders, R. S.

1985-04-01

One of the great surprises of the Pioneer Venus mission was the high degree of correlation between topography and gravity found at all wavelengths. This implies a close relationship between topography and lateral subsurface density anomalies, such as those due to passive or dynamic compensation. Sleep-Phillips type compensation model with a variable crustal thickness and a variable upper mantle density was developed. The thin shell theory was used to investigate three end member cases: (1) loading by topographic construction, resulting in a downward deflection of the surface (no mantle support); (2) completely compensated support of a constructional load (no surface deflection); and (3) topography due entirely to upward deflection of the surface supported by a low density upper mantle (no surface load). In general, the models imply relatively thick crust and dense upper mantle for Ishtar Terra and Ovda Regio (western Aphrodite), thinned crust and buoyant upper mantle for Tethus Regio and regions near Sappho and Alpha Regio, and a nearly uniform crust with a buoyant upper mantle for Beta Regio and Atla Regio (eastern Aphrodite).

The Support of Long Wavelength Loads on Venus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Benerdt, W. B.; Saunders, R. S.

1985-01-01

One of the great surprises of the Pioneer Venus mission was the high degree of correlation between topography and gravity found at all wavelengths. This implies a close relationship between topography and lateral subsurface density anomalies, such as those due to passive or dynamic compensation. Sleep-Phillips type compensation model with a variable crustal thickness and a variable upper mantle density was developed. The thin shell theory was used to investigate three end member cases: (1) loading by topographic construction, resulting in a downward deflection of the surface (no mantle support); (2) completely compensated support of a constructional load (no surface deflection); and (3) topography due entirely to upward deflection of the surface supported by a low density upper mantle (no surface load). In general, the models imply relatively thick crust and dense upper mantle for Ishtar Terra and Ovda Regio (western Aphrodite), thinned crust and buoyant upper mantle for Tethus Regio and regions near Sappho and Alpha Regio, and a nearly uniform crust with a buoyant upper mantle for Beta Regio and Atla Regio (eastern Aphrodite).

The evolution of a localized nonlinear wave of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability with gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orazzo, Annagrazia; Hoepffner, Jérôme

2012-11-01

At the interface between two fluids of different density and in the presence of gravity, there are well known periodic surface waves which can propagate for long distances with little attenuation, as it is for instance the case at the surface of the sea. If wind is present, these waves progressively accumulate energy as they propagate and grow to large sizes—this is the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. On the other hand, we show in this paper that for a given wind strength, there is potential for the growth of a localized nonlinear wave. This wave can reach a size such that the hydrostatic pressure drop from top to bottom equals the stagnation pressure of the wind. This process for the disruption of the flat interface is localized and nonlinear. We study the properties of this wave using numerical simulations of the Navier-Stokes equations.

Gravity modeling finds a large magma body in the deep crust below the Gulf of Naples, Italy.

PubMed

Fedi, M; Cella, F; D'Antonio, M; Florio, G; Paoletti, V; Morra, V

2018-05-29

We analyze a wide gravity low in the Campania Active Volcanic Area and interpret it by a large and deep source distribution of partially molten, low-density material from about 8 to 30 km depth. Given the complex spatial-temporal distribution of explosive volcanism in the area, we model the gravity data consistently with several volcanological and petrological constraints. We propose two possible models: one accounts for the coexistence, within the lower/intermediate crust, of large amounts of melts and cumulates besides country rocks. It implies a layered distribution of densities and, thus, a variation with depth of percentages of silicate liquids, cumulates and country rocks. The other reflects a fractal density distribution, based on the scaling exponent estimated from the gravity data. According to this model, the gravity low would be related to a distribution of melt pockets within solid rocks. Both density distributions account for the available volcanological and seismic constraints and can be considered as end-members of possible models compatible with gravity data. Such results agree with the general views about the roots of large areas of ignimbritic volcanism worldwide. Given the prolonged history of magmatism in the Campania area since Pliocene times, we interpret the detected low-density body as a developing batholith.

Global detailed gravimetric geoid. [based on gravity model derived from satellite tracking and surface gravity data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vincent, S.; Marsh, J. G.

1973-01-01

A global detailed gravimetric geoid has been computed by combining the Goddard Space Flight Center GEM-4 gravity model derived from satellite and surface gravity data and surface 1 deg-by-1 deg mean free air gravity anomaly data. The accuracy of the geoid is + or - 2 meters on continents, 5 to 7 meters in areas where surface gravity data are sparse, and 10 to 15 meters in areas where no surface gravity data are available. Comparisons have been made with the astrogeodetic data provided by Rice (United States), Bomford (Europe), and Mather (Australia). Comparisons have also been carried out with geoid heights derived from satellite solutions for geocentric station coordinates in North America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Australia.

Improvement of density models of geological structures by fusion of gravity data and cosmic muon radiographies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jourde, K.; Gibert, D.; Marteau, J.

2015-08-01

This paper examines how the resolution of small-scale geological density models is improved through the fusion of information provided by gravity measurements and density muon radiographies. Muon radiography aims at determining the density of geological bodies by measuring their screening effect on the natural flux of cosmic muons. Muon radiography essentially works like a medical X-ray scan and integrates density information along elongated narrow conical volumes. Gravity measurements are linked to density by a 3-D integration encompassing the whole studied domain. We establish the mathematical expressions of these integration formulas - called acquisition kernels - and derive the resolving kernels that are spatial filters relating the true unknown density structure to the density distribution actually recovered from the available data. The resolving kernel approach allows one to quantitatively describe the improvement of the resolution of the density models achieved by merging gravity data and muon radiographies. The method developed in this paper may be used to optimally design the geometry of the field measurements to be performed in order to obtain a given spatial resolution pattern of the density model to be constructed. The resolving kernels derived in the joined muon-gravimetry case indicate that gravity data are almost useless for constraining the density structure in regions sampled by more than two muon tomography acquisitions. Interestingly, the resolution in deeper regions not sampled by muon tomography is significantly improved by joining the two techniques. The method is illustrated with examples for the La Soufrière volcano of Guadeloupe.

Small-scale density variations in the lunar crust revealed by GRAIL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jansen, J. C.; Andrews-Hanna, J. C.; Li, Y.; Lucey, P. G.; Taylor, G. J.; Goossens, S.; Lemoine, F. G.; Mazarico, E.; Head, J. W.; Milbury, C.; Kiefer, W. S.; Soderblom, J. M.; Zuber, M. T.

2017-07-01

Data from the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission have revealed that ∼98% of the power of the gravity signal of the Moon at high spherical harmonic degrees correlates with the topography. The remaining 2% of the signal, which cannot be explained by topography, contains information about density variations within the crust. These high-degree Bouguer gravity anomalies are likely caused by small-scale (10‧s of km) shallow density variations. Here we use gravity inversions to model the small-scale three-dimensional variations in the density of the lunar crust. Inversion results from three non-descript areas yield shallow density variations in the range of 100-200 kg/m3. Three end-member scenarios of variations in porosity, intrusions into the crust, and variations in bulk crustal composition were tested as possible sources of the density variations. We find that the density anomalies can be caused entirely by changes in porosity. Characteristics of density anomalies in the South Pole-Aitken basin also support porosity as a primary source of these variations. Mafic intrusions into the crust could explain many, but not all of the anomalies. Additionally, variations in crustal composition revealed by spectral data could only explain a small fraction of the density anomalies. Nevertheless, all three sources of density variations likely contribute. Collectively, results from this study of GRAIL gravity data, combined with other studies of remote sensing data and lunar samples, show that the lunar crust exhibits variations in density by ± 10% over scales ranging from centimeters to 100‧s of kilometers.

Small-Scale Density Variations in the Lunar Crust Revealed by GRAIL

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jansen, J. C.; Andrews-Hanna, J. C.; Li, Y.; Lucey, P. G.; Taylor, G. J.; Goossens, S.; Lemoine, F. G.; Mazarico, E.; Head, J. W., III; Milbury, C.;

Mercury's lithospheric thickness and crustal density, as inferred from MESSENGER observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

James, P. B.; Mazarico, E.; Genova, A.; Smith, D. E.; Neumann, G. A.; Solomon, S. C.

2015-12-01

The gravity field and topography of Mercury measured by the MESSENGER spacecraft have provided insights into the thickness of the planet's elastic lithosphere, Te. We localized the HgM006 free-air gravity anomaly and gtmes_125v03 shape datasets to search for theoretical elastic thickness solutions that best fit a variety of localized coherence spectra between Bouguer gravity anomaly and topography. We adopted a crustal density of ρcrust =2700 kg m-3 for the Bouguer gravity correction, but density uncertainty did not markedly affect the elastic thickness estimates. A best-fit solution in the northern smooth plains (NSP) gives an elastic thickness of Te =30-60 km at the time of formation of topography for a range of ratios of top to bottom loading from 1 to 5. For a mechanical lithosphere with a thickness of ~2Te and a temperature of 1600 °C at the base, this solution is consistent with a geothermal gradient of 9-18 K km-1. A similar coherence analysis exterior to the NSP produces an elastic thickness estimate of Te =20-50 km, albeit with a poorer fit. Coherence in the northern hemisphere as a whole does not approach zero at any wavelength, because of the presence of variations in crustal thickness that are unassociated with elastic loading. The ratios and correlations of gravity and topography at intermediate wavelengths (harmonic degree l between 30 and 50) also constrain regional crustal densities. We localized gravity and topography with a moving Slepian taper and calculated regionally averaged crustal densities with the approximation ρcrust=Zl/(2πG), where Zl is the localized admittance and G is the gravitational constant. The only regional density estimates greater than 2000 kg m-3 for l=30 correspond to the NSP. Density estimates outside of the NSP were unreasonably low, even for highly porous crust. We attribute these low densities to the confounding effects of crustal thickness variations and Kaula filtering of the gravity dataset at the highest harmonic degrees, both of which tend to introduce a downward bias to crustal density estimation. An alternative analysis—which corrected for crustal thickness variability and was restricted to regions with gravity/topography coherence greater than 0.6—yielded an aggregate crustal density of ρcrust=2602 ± 470 kg m-3 for Mercury's high northern latitudes.

Continental and oceanic magnetic anomalies: Enhancement through GRM

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vonfrese, R. R. B.; Hinze, W. J.

1985-01-01

In contrast to the POGO and MAGSAT satellites, the Geopotential Research Mission (GRM) satellite system will orbit at a minimum elevation to provide significantly better resolved lithospheric magnetic anomalies for more detailed and improved geologic analysis. In addition, GRM will measure corresponding gravity anomalies to enhance our understanding of the gravity field for vast regions of the Earth which are largely inaccessible to more conventional surface mapping. Crustal studies will greatly benefit from the dual data sets as modeling has shown that lithospheric sources of long wavelength magnetic anomalies frequently involve density variations which may produce detectable gravity anomalies at satellite elevations. Furthermore, GRM will provide an important replication of lithospheric magnetic anomalies as an aid to identifying and extracting these anomalies from satellite magnetic measurements. The potential benefits to the study of the origin and characterization of the continents and oceans, that may result from the increased GRM resolution are examined.

KSC-2011-6804

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission is readied for liftoff aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket from Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. Launch is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT Sept. 8. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA

KSC-2011-6871

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket lifted off at 9:08 a.m. EDT Sept. 10 from Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida carrying NASA’s twin Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission to the moon. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6869

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Surrounded by an early morning sky, the United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket sits on Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida as it waits to launch NASA’s twin Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission to the moon. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6807

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Media representatives prepare to photograph the launch of NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission at Press Site 1 near Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Liftoff aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KSC-2011-6812

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The countdown to launch of the United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket for NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission nears T-0 at Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Liftoff is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KSC-2011-6802

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Launch preparations are under way as dawn breaks at Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. Launch is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT Sept. 8. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA

KSC-2011-6867

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Surrounded by an early morning sky, the United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket sits on Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida as it waits to launch NASA’s twin Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission to the moon. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6868

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Bathed in light against an early morning sky, the United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket sits on Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida as it waits to launch NASA’s twin Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission to the moon. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6870

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A U.S. Air Force helicopter flies overhead as the United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket sits on Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida waiting to launch NASA’s twin Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission to the moon. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6805

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The countdown to launch of the United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket for NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission is winding down at Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Liftoff is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

2006 Compilation of Alaska Gravity Data and Historical Reports

USGS Publications Warehouse

Saltus, Richard W.; Brown, Philip J.; Morin, Robert L.; Hill, Patricia L.

2008-01-01

Gravity anomalies provide fundamental geophysical information about Earth structure and dynamics. To increase geologic and geodynamic understanding of Alaska, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has collected and processed Alaska gravity data for the past 50 years. This report introduces and describes an integrated, State-wide gravity database and provides accompanying gravity calculation tools to assist in its application. Additional information includes gravity base station descriptions and digital scans of historical USGS reports. The gravity calculation tools enable the user to reduce new gravity data in a consistent manner for combination with the existing database. This database has sufficient resolution to define the regional gravity anomalies of Alaska. Interpretation of regional gravity anomalies in parts of the State are hampered by the lack of local isostatic compensation in both southern and northern Alaska. However, when filtered appropriately, the Alaska gravity data show regional features having geologic significance. These features include gravity lows caused by low-density rocks of Cenozoic basins, flysch belts, and felsic intrusions, as well as many gravity highs associated with high-density mafic and ultramafic complexes.

Isostatic Gravity Anomalies, Flexure and the Origin of Seaward Dipping Reflectors at Volcanic Rifted Margins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morgan, R. L.; Watts, A. B.

2016-12-01

Seaward Dipping Reflectors (SDRs) are ubiquitous features of volcanic rifted continental margins where they comprise characteristic wedge-shaped packages of mainly extrusive lava flows. However, their origin has been disputed with some workers suggesting they form by progressive subsidence of extended crust while others propose they are accommodated within the crust by one or more continent-dipping normal faults. We present here a simple model in which SDRs are formed by successive dykes, which intrude and load the crust causing a surface flexure which is subsequently infilled and then loaded by volcanic material, including lava flows. The model explains the arcuate shape, limited offlap geometries and down-dip thickening of SDRs as observed in seismic reflection profiles. By comparing observed and calculated dips we have been able to constrain the elastic plate model type and the effective elastic thickness of rifted lithosphere, Te. Results suggest a broken rather than continuous plate model and Te in the range 3-15 km. The thickness of the resulting SDR package increases with decreasing Te and decreasing compensation density. Decreasing the Tefor successive loads as rifting progresses produces offlap of sub-packages. We have verified our results using process-oriented gravity modelling, in which the gravity effect of surface volcanic infill loads is calculated and combined with the gravity effect of buried dyke loads. Results show good general agreement between observed Airy isostatic anomalies and calculated gravity anomalies. This suggests that the steep gradient that is often observed in the Airy isostatic gravity anomaly at rifted margins is a useful proxy for the landward edge of the dykes that intrude the crust prior to seafloor spreading, rather than a change in basement elevation at the boundary between oceanic and continental crust, as proposed by previous workers.

Study of gravity waves propagation in the thermosphere of Mars based on MAVEN/NGIMS density measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vals, M.

2017-09-01

We use MAVEN/NGIMS CO2 density measurements to analyse gravity waves in the thermosphere of Mars. In particular the seasonal/latitudinal variability of their amplitude is studied and interpreted. Key background parameters controlling the activity of gravity waves are analysed with the help of the Mars Climate Database (MCD). Gravity waves activity presents a good anti-correlation to the temperature variability retrieved from the MCD. An analysis at pressure levels is ongoing.

Heterogeneity of the North Atlantic oceanic lithosphere based on integrated analysis of GOCE satellite gravity and geological data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barantseva, Olga; Artemieva, Irina; Thybo, Hans; Herceg, Matija

2015-04-01

We present the results from modelling the gravity and density structure of the upper mantle for the off-shore area of the North Atlantic region. The crust and upper mantle of the region is expected to be anomalous: Part of the region affected by the Icelandic plume has an anomalously shallow bathymetry, whereas the northern part of the region is characterized by ultraslow spreading. In order to understand the links between deep geodynamical processes that control the spreading rate, on one hand, and their manifestations such as oceanic floor bathymetry and heat flow, on the other hand, we model the gravity and density structure of the upper mantle from satellite gravity data. The calculations are based on interpretation of GOCE gravity satellite data for the North Atlantics. To separate the gravity signal responsible for density anomalies within the crust and upper mantle, we subtract the lower harmonics caused by deep density structure of the Earth (the core and the lower mantle). The gravity effect of the upper mantle is calculated by subtracting the gravity effect of the crust for two crustal models. We use a recent regional seismic model for the crustal structure (Artemieva and Thybo, 2013) based om seismic data together with borehole data for sediments. For comparison, similar results are presented for the global CRUST 1.0 model as well (Laske, 2013). The conversion of seismic velocity data for the crustal structure to crustal density structure is crucial for the final results. We use a combination of Vp-to-density conversion based on published laboratory measurements for the crystalline basement (Ludwig, Nafe, Drake, 1970; Christensen and Mooney, 1995) and for oceanic sediments and oceanic crust based on laboratory measurements for serpentinites and gabbros from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Kelemen et al., 2004). Also, to overcome the high degree of uncertainty in Vp-to-density conversion, we account for regional tectonic variations in the Northern Atlantics as constrained by numerous published seismic profiles and potential-field models across the Norwegian off-shore crust (e.g. Breivik et al., 2005, 2007). The results demonstrate the presence of strong gravity and density heterogeneity of the upper mantle in the North Atlantic region. In particular, there is a sharp contrast at the continent-ocean transition, which also allows for recognising mantle gravity anomalies associated with continental fragments and with anomalous oceanic lithosphere.

Density response of the mesospheric sodium layer to gravity wave perturbations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shelton, J. D.; Gardner, C. S.; Sechrist, C. F., Jr.

1980-01-01

Lidar observations of the mesospheric sodium layer often reveal wavelike features moving through the layer. It is often assumed that these features are a layer density response to gravity waves. Chiu and Ching (1978) described the approximate form of the linear response of atmospheric layers to gravity waves. In this paper, their results are used to predict the response of the sodium layer to gravity waves. These simulations are compared with experimental observations and a good correlation is found between the two. Because of the thickness of the sodium layer and the density gradients found in it, a linear model of the layer response is not always adequate to describe gravity wave-sodium layer interactions. Inclusion of nonlinearities in the layer response is briefly discussed. Experimental data is seen to contain features consistent with the predicted nonlinearities.

Satellite Gravity Drilling the Earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

vonFrese, R. R. B.; Potts, L. V.; Leftwich, T. E.; Kim, H. R.; Han, S.-H.; Taylor, P. T.; Ashgharzadeh, M. F.

2005-01-01

Analysis of satellite-measured gravity and topography can provide crust-to-core mass variation models for new insi@t on the geologic evolution of the Earth. The internal structure of the Earth is mostly constrained by seismic observations and geochemical considerations. We suggest that these constraints may be augmented by gravity drilling that interprets satellite altitude free-air gravity observations for boundary undulations of the internal density layers related to mass flow. The approach involves separating the free-air anomalies into terrain-correlated and -decorrelated components based on the correlation spectrum between the anomalies and the gravity effects of the terrain. The terrain-decorrelated gravity anomalies are largely devoid of the long wavelength interfering effects of the terrain gravity and thus provide enhanced constraints for modeling mass variations of the mantle and core. For the Earth, subcrustal interpretations of the terrain-decorrelated anomalies are constrained by radially stratified densities inferred from seismic observations. These anomalies, with frequencies that clearly decrease as the density contrasts deepen, facilitate mapping mass flow patterns related to the thermodynamic state and evolution of the Earth's interior.

Deconstructing the shallow internal structure of the Moon using GRAIL gravity and LOLA topography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zuber, M. T.

2015-12-01

Globally-distributed, high-resolution gravity and topography observations of the Moon from the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission and Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) instrument aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft afford the unprecedented opportunity to explore the shallow internal structure of the Moon. Gravity and topography can be combined to produce Bouguer gravity that reveals the distribution of mass in the subsurface, with high degrees in the spherical harmonic expansion of the Bouguer anomalies sensitive to shallowest structure. For isolated regions of the lunar highlands and several basins we have deconstructed the gravity field and mapped the subsurface distribution of density anomalies. While specified spherical harmonic degree ranges can be used to estimate contributions at different depths, such analyses require considerable caution in interpretation. A comparison of filtered Bouguer gravity with forward models of disk masses with plausible densities illustrates the interdependencies of the gravitational power of density anomalies with depth and spatial scale. The results have implications regarding the limits of interpretation of lunar subsurface structure.

Forward modeling of gravity data using geostatistically generated subsurface density variations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Phelps, Geoffrey

2016-01-01

Using geostatistical models of density variations in the subsurface, constrained by geologic data, forward models of gravity anomalies can be generated by discretizing the subsurface and calculating the cumulative effect of each cell (pixel). The results of such stochastically generated forward gravity anomalies can be compared with the observed gravity anomalies to find density models that match the observed data. These models have an advantage over forward gravity anomalies generated using polygonal bodies of homogeneous density because generating numerous realizations explores a larger region of the solution space. The stochastic modeling can be thought of as dividing the forward model into two components: that due to the shape of each geologic unit and that due to the heterogeneous distribution of density within each geologic unit. The modeling demonstrates that the internally heterogeneous distribution of density within each geologic unit can contribute significantly to the resulting calculated forward gravity anomaly. Furthermore, the stochastic models match observed statistical properties of geologic units, the solution space is more broadly explored by producing a suite of successful models, and the likelihood of a particular conceptual geologic model can be compared. The Vaca Fault near Travis Air Force Base, California, can be successfully modeled as a normal or strike-slip fault, with the normal fault model being slightly more probable. It can also be modeled as a reverse fault, although this structural geologic configuration is highly unlikely given the realizations we explored.

Theoretical and lidar studies of the density response of the mesospheric sodium layer to gravity wave perturbations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shelton, J. D.; Gardner, C. S.

1981-01-01

The density response of atmospheric layers to gravity waves is developed in two forms, an exact solution and a perturbation series solution. The degree of nonlinearity in the layer density response is described by the series solution whereas the exact solution gives insight into the nature of the responses. Density perturbation in an atmospheric layer are shown to be substantially greater than the atmospheric density perturbation associated with the propagation of a gravity wave. Because of the density gradients present in atmospheric layers, interesting effects were observed such as a phase reversal in the linear layer response which occurs near the layer peak. Once the layer response is understood, the sodium layer can be used as a tracer of atmospheric wave motions. A two dimensional digital signal processing technique was developed. Both spatial and temporal filtering are utilized to enhance the resolution by decreasing shot noise by more han 10 dB. Many of the features associated with a layer density response to gravity waves were observed in high resolution density profiles of the mesospheric sodium layer. These include nonlinearities as well as the phase reversal in the linear layer response.

Precise Determination of the Zero-Gravity Surface Figure of a Mirror without Gravity-Sag Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bloemhof, Eric E.; Lam, Jonathan C.; Feria, V. Alfonso; Chang, Zensheu

2007-01-01

The zero-gravity surface figure of optics used in spaceborne astronomical instruments must be known to high accuracy, but earthbound metrology is typically corrupted by gravity sag. Generally, inference of the zero-gravity surface figure from a measurement made under normal gravity requires finite-element analysis (FEA), and for accurate results the mount forces must be well characterized. We describe how to infer the zero-gravity surface figure very precisely using the alternative classical technique of averaging pairs of measurements made with the direction of gravity reversed. We show that mount forces as well as gravity must be reversed between the two measurements and discuss how the St. Venant principle determines when a reversed mount force may be considered to be applied at the same place in the two orientations. Our approach requires no finite-element modeling and no detailed knowledge of mount forces other than the fact that they reverse and are applied at the same point in each orientation. If mount schemes are suitably chosen, zero-gravity optical surfaces may be inferred much more simply and more accurately than with FEA.

Unscreening Modified Gravity in the Matter Power Spectrum.

PubMed

Lombriser, Lucas; Simpson, Fergus; Mead, Alexander

2015-06-26

Viable modifications of gravity that may produce cosmic acceleration need to be screened in high-density regions such as the Solar System, where general relativity is well tested. Screening mechanisms also prevent strong anomalies in the large-scale structure and limit the constraints that can be inferred on these gravity models from cosmology. We find that by suppressing the contribution of the screened high-density regions in the matter power spectrum, allowing a greater contribution of unscreened low densities, modified gravity models can be more readily discriminated from the concordance cosmology. Moreover, by variation of density thresholds, degeneracies with other effects may be dealt with more adequately. Specializing to chameleon gravity as a worked example for screening in modified gravity, employing N-body simulations of f(R) models and the halo model of chameleon theories, we demonstrate the effectiveness of this method. We find that a percent-level measurement of the clipped power at k<0.3h/Mpc can yield constraints on chameleon models that are more stringent than what is inferred from Solar System tests or distance indicators in unscreened dwarf galaxies. Finally, we verify that our method is also applicable to the Vainshtein mechanism.

The importance of bulk density determination in gravity data processing for structure interpretation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wildan, D.; Akbar, A. M.; Novranza, K. M. S.; Sobirin, R.; Permadi, A. N.; Supriyanto

2017-07-01

Gravity method use rock density variation for determining subsurface lithology and geological structure. In the "green area" where measurement of rock density has not been done, an attemp to find density is usually performed by calculating using Parasnis method, or by using using the average of rock density in the earth's crust (2,67 gr/cm3) or by using theoritical value of dominant rock density in the survey area (2,90 gr/cm3). Those three values of densities are applied to gravity data analysis in the hilly "X" area. And we have compared all together in order to observed which value has represented the structure better. The result showed that the higher value of rock density, the more obvious structure in the Bouguer anomaly profile. It is due to the contrast of maximum and minimum value of Bouguer anomaly that will affect the exageration in distance vs Bouguer anomaly graphic.

Regional models of the gravity field from terrestrial gravity data of heterogeneous quality and density

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Talvik, Silja; Oja, Tõnis; Ellmann, Artu; Jürgenson, Harli

2014-05-01

Gravity field models in a regional scale are needed for a number of applications, for example national geoid computation, processing of precise levelling data and geological modelling. Thus the methods applied for modelling the gravity field from surveyed gravimetric information need to be considered carefully. The influence of using different gridding methods, the inclusion of unit or realistic weights and indirect gridding of free air anomalies (FAA) are investigated in the study. Known gridding methods such as kriging (KRIG), least squares collocation (LSCO), continuous curvature (CCUR) and optimal Delaunay triangulation (ODET) are used for production of gridded gravity field surfaces. As the quality of data collected varies considerably depending on the methods and instruments available or used in surveying it is important to somehow weigh the input data. This puts additional demands on data maintenance as accuracy information needs to be available for each data point participating in the modelling which is complicated by older gravity datasets where the uncertainties of not only gravity values but also supplementary information such as survey point position are not always known very accurately. A number of gravity field applications (e.g. geoid computation) demand foran FAA model, the acquisition of which is also investigated. Instead of direct gridding it could be more appropriate to proceed with indirect FAA modelling using a Bouguer anomaly grid to reduce the effect of topography on the resulting FAA model (e.g. near terraced landforms). The inclusion of different gridding methods, weights and indirect FAA modelling helps to improve gravity field modelling methods. It becomes possible to estimate the impact of varying methodical approaches on the gravity field modelling as statistical output is compared. Such knowledge helps assess the accuracy of gravity field models and their effect on the aforementioned applications.

Comparison of accelerometer data calibration methods used in thermospheric neutral density estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vielberg, Kristin; Forootan, Ehsan; Lück, Christina; Löcher, Anno; Kusche, Jürgen; Börger, Klaus

2018-05-01

Ultra-sensitive space-borne accelerometers on board of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are used to measure non-gravitational forces acting on the surface of these satellites. These forces consist of the Earth radiation pressure, the solar radiation pressure and the atmospheric drag, where the first two are caused by the radiation emitted from the Earth and the Sun, respectively, and the latter is related to the thermospheric density. On-board accelerometer measurements contain systematic errors, which need to be mitigated by applying a calibration before their use in gravity recovery or thermospheric neutral density estimations. Therefore, we improve, apply and compare three calibration procedures: (1) a multi-step numerical estimation approach, which is based on the numerical differentiation of the kinematic orbits of LEO satellites; (2) a calibration of accelerometer observations within the dynamic precise orbit determination procedure and (3) a comparison of observed to modeled forces acting on the surface of LEO satellites. Here, accelerometer measurements obtained by the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) are used. Time series of bias and scale factor derived from the three calibration procedures are found to be different in timescales of a few days to months. Results are more similar (statistically significant) when considering longer timescales, from which the results of approach (1) and (2) show better agreement to those of approach (3) during medium and high solar activity. Calibrated accelerometer observations are then applied to estimate thermospheric neutral densities. Differences between accelerometer-based density estimations and those from empirical neutral density models, e.g., NRLMSISE-00, are observed to be significant during quiet periods, on average 22 % of the simulated densities (during low solar activity), and up to 28 % during high solar activity. Therefore, daily corrections are estimated for neutral densities derived from NRLMSISE-00. Our results indicate that these corrections improve model-based density simulations in order to provide density estimates at locations outside the vicinity of the GRACE satellites, in particular during the period of high solar/magnetic activity, e.g., during the St. Patrick's Day storm on 17 March 2015.

Constraining mass anomalies in the interior of spherical bodies using Trans-dimensional Bayesian Hierarchical inference.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izquierdo, K.; Lekic, V.; Montesi, L.

2017-12-01

Gravity inversions are especially important for planetary applications since measurements of the variations in gravitational acceleration are often the only constraint available to map out lateral density variations in the interiors of planets and other Solar system objects. Currently, global gravity data is available for the terrestrial planets and the Moon. Although several methods for inverting these data have been developed and applied, the non-uniqueness of global density models that fit the data has not yet been fully characterized. We make use of Bayesian inference and a Reversible Jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo (RJMCMC) approach to develop a Trans-dimensional Hierarchical Bayesian (THB) inversion algorithm that yields a large sample of models that fit a gravity field. From this group of models, we can determine the most likely value of parameters of a global density model and a measure of the non-uniqueness of each parameter when the number of anomalies describing the gravity field is not fixed a priori. We explore the use of a parallel tempering algorithm and fast multipole method to reduce the number of iterations and computing time needed. We applied this method to a synthetic gravity field of the Moon and a long wavelength synthetic model of density anomalies in the Earth's lower mantle. We obtained a good match between the given gravity field and the gravity field produced by the most likely model in each inversion. The number of anomalies of the models showed parsimony of the algorithm, the value of the noise variance of the input data was retrieved, and the non-uniqueness of the models was quantified. Our results show that the ability to constrain the latitude and longitude of density anomalies, which is excellent at shallow locations (<200 km), decreases with increasing depth. With higher computational resources, this THB method for gravity inversion could give new information about the overall density distribution of celestial bodies even when there is no other geophysical data available.

Analytical characterization of selective benthic flux components in estuarine and coastal waters

USGS Publications Warehouse

King, Jeffrey N.

2011-01-01

Benthic flux is the rate of flow across the bed of a water body, per unit area of bed. It is forced by component mechanisms, which interact. For example, pressure gradients across the bed, forced by tide, surface gravity waves, density gradients, bed–current interaction, turbulence, and terrestrial hydraulic gradients, drive an advective benthic flux of water and constituents between estuarine and coastal waters, and surficial aquifers. Other mechanisms also force benthic flux, such as chemical gradients, bioturbation, and dispersion. A suite of component mechanisms force a total benthic flux at any given location, where each member of the suite contributes a component benthic flux. Currently, the types and characteristics of component interactions are not fully understood. For example, components may interact linearly or nonlinearly, and the interaction may be constructive or destructive. Benthic flux is a surface water–groundwater interaction process. Its discharge component to a marine water body is referred to, in some literature, as submarine groundwater discharge. Benthic flux is important in characterizing water and constituent budgets of estuarine and coastal systems. Analytical models to characterize selective benthic flux components are reviewed. Specifically, these mechanisms are for the component associated with the groundwater tidal prism, and forced by surface gravity wave setup, surface gravity waves on a plane bed, and the terrestrial hydraulic gradient. Analytical models are applied to the Indian River Lagoon, Florida; Great South Bay, New York; and the South Atlantic Bight in South Carolina and portions of North Carolina.

Understanding the destabilizing role for surface tension in planar shear flows in terms of wave interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biancofiore, L.; Heifetz, E.; Hoepffner, J.; Gallaire, F.

2017-10-01

Both surface tension and buoyancy force in stable stratification act to restore perturbed interfaces back to their initial positions. Hence, both are intuitively considered as stabilizing agents. Nevertheless, the Taylor-Caulfield instability is a counterexample in which the presence of buoyancy forces in stable stratification destabilize shear flows. An explanation for this instability lies in the fact that stable stratification supports the existence of gravity waves. When two vertically separated gravity waves propagate horizontally against the shear, they may become phase locked and amplify each other to form a resonance instability. Surface tension is similar to buoyancy but its restoring mechanism is more efficient at small wavelengths. Here, we show how a modification of the Taylor-Caulfield configuration, including two interfaces between three stably stratified immiscible fluids, supports interfacial capillary gravity whose interaction yields resonance instability. Furthermore, when the three fluids have the same density, an instability arises solely due to a pure counterpropagating capillary wave resonance. The linear stability analysis predicts a maximum growth rate of the pure capillary wave instability for an intermediate value of surface tension corresponding to We-1=5 , where We denotes the Weber number. We perform direct numerical nonlinear simulation of this flow and find nonlinear destabilization when 2 ≤We-1≤10 , in good agreement with the linear stability analysis. The instability is present also when viscosity is introduced, although it is gradually damped and eventually quenched.

First test of Verlinde's theory of emergent gravity using weak gravitational lensing measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brouwer, Margot M.; Visser, Manus R.; Dvornik, Andrej; Hoekstra, Henk; Kuijken, Konrad; Valentijn, Edwin A.; Bilicki, Maciej; Blake, Chris; Brough, Sarah; Buddelmeijer, Hugo; Erben, Thomas; Heymans, Catherine; Hildebrandt, Hendrik; Holwerda, Benne W.; Hopkins, Andrew M.; Klaes, Dominik; Liske, Jochen; Loveday, Jon; McFarland, John; Nakajima, Reiko; Sifón, Cristóbal; Taylor, Edward N.

2017-04-01

Verlinde proposed that the observed excess gravity in galaxies and clusters is the consequence of emergent gravity (EG). In this theory, the standard gravitational laws are modified on galactic and larger scales due to the displacement of dark energy by baryonic matter. EG gives an estimate of the excess gravity (described as an apparent dark matter density) in terms of the baryonic mass distribution and the Hubble parameter. In this work, we present the first test of EG using weak gravitational lensing, within the regime of validity of the current model. Although there is no direct description of lensing and cosmology in EG yet, we can make a reasonable estimate of the expected lensing signal of low-redshift galaxies by assuming a background Lambda cold dark matter cosmology. We measure the (apparent) average surface mass density profiles of 33 613 isolated central galaxies and compare them to those predicted by EG based on the galaxies' baryonic masses. To this end, we employ the ˜180 deg2 overlap of the Kilo-Degree Survey with the spectroscopic Galaxy And Mass Assembly survey. We find that the prediction from EG, despite requiring no free parameters, is in good agreement with the observed galaxy-galaxy lensing profiles in four different stellar mass bins. Although this performance is remarkable, this study is only a first step. Further advancements on both the theoretical framework and observational tests of EG are needed before it can be considered a fully developed and solidly tested theory.

Calculation of the 3D density model of the Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piskarev, A.; Butsenko, V.; Poselov, V.; Savin, V.

2009-04-01

The study of the Earth's crust is a part of investigation aimed at extension of the Russian Federation continental shelf in the Sea of Okhotsk Gathered data allow to consider the Sea of Okhotsk' area located outside the exclusive economic zone of the Russian Federation as the natural continuation of Russian territory. The Sea of Okhotsk is an Epi-Mesozoic platform with Pre-Cenozoic heterogeneous folded basement of polycyclic development and sediment cover mainly composed of Paleocene - Neocene - Quaternary deposits. Results of processing and complex interpretation of seismic, gravity, and aeromagnetic data along profile 2-DV-M, as well as analysis of available geological and geophysical information on the Sea of Okhotsk region, allowed to calculate of the Earth crust model. 4 layers stand out (bottom-up) in structure of the Earth crust: granulite-basic (density 2.90 g/cm3), granite-gneiss (limits of density 2.60-2.76 g/cm3), volcanogenic-sedimentary (2.45 g/cm3) and sedimentary (density 2.10 g/cm3). The last one is absent on the continent; it is observed only on the water area. Density of the upper mantle is taken as 3.30 g/cm3. The observed gravity anomalies are mostly related to the surface relief of the above mentioned layers or to the density variations of the granite-metamorphic basement. So outlining of the basement blocks of different constitution preceded to the modeling. This operation is executed after Double Fourier Spectrum analysis of the gravity and magnetic anomalies and following compilation of the synthetic anomaly maps, related to the basement density and magnetic heterogeneity. According to bathymetry data, the Sea of Okhotsk can be subdivided at three mega-blocks. Taking in consideration that central Sea of Okhotsk area is aseismatic, i.e. isostatic compensated, it is obvious that Earth crust structure of these three blocks is different. The South-Okhotsk depression is characteristics by 3200-3300 m of sea depths. Moho surface in this area is at the depth 15-17 km and intracrustal Konrad surface - at the depth 8-9 km. Thickness of sediment cover in the South-Okhotsk depression is up to 4-6 km. Type of the Earth's crust in the South-Okhotsk depression has to be defined as suboceanic. Steep slope with the more than 1.5 km depth difference separates South-Okhotsk depression from mega-block including Academy of Sciences and Institute of Oceanology Uplifts and Central Okhotsk and Deryugin Depression. Sea depths in this area are alterating mostly between 1000 and 1500 m. Moho surface in this mega-block is at the depth 23-25 km and intracrustal Konrad surface - at the depth 13-14 km with the exception of Deryugin Depression (10 km). Thickness of sediment cover varies up to 2-4 km and only in the Deryugin Depression reaches 9 km. Type of the Earth's crust in this mega-block has to be defined as continental. Northern and north-eastern parts of the Sea of Okhotsk is characteristics by 200-300 m sea depths (with the exclusion of the Tinro depression). Moho surface in this area is at the depth 28-32 km and intracrustal Konrad surface - at the depth 13-18 km with the exception of Tinro Depression (10 km). Thickness of sediment cover is minimal and only in the Tinro Depression reaches 8-9 km. Complete similarity of the potential field anomaly distribution in this region and in the western Kamchatka region is remarkable. The distribution of the potential field anomalies and features of the constructed Earth's crust density model give us evidences of Pre-Late Cretaceous consolidation of basement in northern and north-eastern parts of the Sea of Okhotsk as well as in the Russian territory of western Kamchatka peninsula.

Inviscid linear stability analysis of two fluid columns of different densities subject to gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prathama, Aditya; Pantano, Carlos

2017-11-01

We investigate the inviscid linear stability of vertical interface between two fluid columns of different densities under the influence of gravity. In this flow arrangement, the two free streams are continuously accelerating, in contrast to the canonical Kelvin-Helmholtz or Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities whose base flows are stationary (or weakly time dependent). In these classical cases, the temporal evolution of the interface can be expressed as Fourier or Laplace solutions in time. This is not possible in our case; instead, we employ the initial value problem method to solve the equations analytically. The results, expressed in terms of the well-known parabolic cylinder function, indicate that the instability grows as the exponential of a quadratic function of time. The analysis shows that in this accelerating Kelvin-Helmholtz configuration, the interface is unconditionally unstable at all wave modes, despite the presence of surface tension. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration (Award No. DE-NA0002382) and the California Institute of Technology.

Global stability of self-gravitating discs in modified gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghafourian, Neda; Roshan, Mahmood

2017-07-01

Using N-body simulations, we study the global stability of a self-gravitating disc in the context of modified gravity (MOG). This theory is a relativistic scalar-tensor-vector theory of gravity and it is presented to address the dark matter problem. In the weak field limit, MOG possesses two free parameters α and μ0, which have already been determined using the rotation curve data of spiral galaxies. The evolution of a stellar self-gravitating disc and, more specifically, the bar instability in MOG are investigated and compared to a Newtonian case. Our models have exponential and Mestel-like surface densities as Σ ∝ exp (-r/h) and Σ ∝ 1/r. It is found that, surprisingly, the discs are more stable against the bar mode in MOG than in Newtonian gravity. In other words, the bar growth rate is effectively slower than the Newtonian discs. Also, we show that both free parameters (I.e. α and μ0) have stabilizing effects. In other words, an increase in these parameters will decrease the bar growth rate.

A simple algorithm for sequentially incorporating gravity observations in seismic traveltime tomography

USGS Publications Warehouse

Parsons, T.; Blakely, R.J.; Brocher, T.M.

2001-01-01

The geologic structure of the Earth's upper crust can be revealed by modeling variation in seismic arrival times and in potential field measurements. We demonstrate a simple method for sequentially satisfying seismic traveltime and observed gravity residuals in an iterative 3-D inversion. The algorithm is portable to any seismic analysis method that uses a gridded representation of velocity structure. Our technique calculates the gravity anomaly resulting from a velocity model by converting to density with Gardner's rule. The residual between calculated and observed gravity is minimized by weighted adjustments to the model velocity-depth gradient where the gradient is steepest and where seismic coverage is least. The adjustments are scaled by the sign and magnitude of the gravity residuals, and a smoothing step is performed to minimize vertical streaking. The adjusted model is then used as a starting model in the next seismic traveltime iteration. The process is repeated until one velocity model can simultaneously satisfy both the gravity anomaly and seismic traveltime observations within acceptable misfits. We test our algorithm with data gathered in the Puget Lowland of Washington state, USA (Seismic Hazards Investigation in Puget Sound [SHIPS] experiment). We perform resolution tests with synthetic traveltime and gravity observations calculated with a checkerboard velocity model using the SHIPS experiment geometry, and show that the addition of gravity significantly enhances resolution. We calculate a new velocity model for the region using SHIPS traveltimes and observed gravity, and show examples where correlation between surface geology and modeled subsurface velocity structure is enhanced.

Three-dimensional Gravity Modeling of Ocean Core Complexes at the Central Indian Ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, S. S.; Chandler, M. T.; Pak, S. J.; Son, S. K.

2017-12-01

The spatial distribution of ocean core complexes (OCCs) on mid-ocean ridge flanks can indicate the variation of magmatism and tectonic extension at a given spreading center. A recent study revealed 11 prominent OCCs developed along the middle portion of the Central Indian Ridge (CIR) based on the high-resolution shipboard bathymetry. The CIR is located between the Carlsberg Ridge and the Indian Ocean triple junction. The detailed morphotectonic interpretations from the recent study suggested that the middle ridge segments of the CIR were mainly developed through tectonic extension with little magmatism. Furthermore, the OCCs exposed by detachment faults appear to the main host for active off-axis hydrothermal circulations. Here we form a three-dimensional gravity model to investigate the crustal structures of OCCs developed between 12oS and 14oS at the CIR. These OCCs exhibit domal topographic highs with corrugated surface. The rock samples from these areas include deep-seated rocks such as serpentinized harzburgite and gabbro. A typical gravity study on mid-ocean ridges assumes a constant density contrast along the water-crust interface and constant crustal thickness and removes its gravitational contributions and thermal effects of lithospheric cooling from the free-air gravity anomaly. This approach is effective to distinguish anomalous regions that deviate from the applied crustal and thermal models. The oceanic crust around the OCCs, however, tends to be thinned due to detachment faulting and tectonic extension. In this study, we include multi-layers with different density contrast and variable thickness to approximate gravity anomalies resulting from the OCCs. In addition, we aim to differentiate the geophysical characteristics of the OCCs from the nearby ridge segments and infer tectonic relationship between the OCCs and ridges.

Gravity in a Mine Shaft.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hall, Peter M.; Hall, David J.

1995-01-01

Discusses the effects of gravity, local density compared to the density of the earth, the mine shaft, centrifugal force, and air buoyancy on the weight of an object at the top and at the bottom of a mine shaft. (JRH)

The Earth's Gravity and Its Geological Significance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cook, A. H.

1980-01-01

Discussed is the earth's gravity and its geological significance. Variations of gravity around the earth can be produced by a great variety of possible distributions of density within the earth. Topics discussed include isostasy, local structures, geological exploration, change of gravity in time, and gravity on the moon and planets. (DS)

The effect of the external medium on the gravitropic curvature of rice (Oryza sativa, Poaceae) roots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Staves, M. P.; Wayne, R.; Leopold, A. C.

1997-01-01

The roots of rice seedlings, growing in artificial pond water, exhibit robust gravitropic curvature when placed perpendicular to the vector of gravity. To determine whether the statolith theory (in which intracellular sedimenting particles are responsible for gravity sensing) or the gravitational pressure theory (in which the entire protoplast acts as the gravity sensor) best accounts for gravity sensing in rice roots, we changed the physical properties of the external medium with impermeant solutes and examined the effect on gravitropism. As the density of the external medium is increased, the rate of gravitropic curvature decreases. The decrease in the rate of gravicurvature cannot be attributed to an inhibition of growth, since rice roots grown in 100 Osm/m3 (0.248 MPa) solutions of different densities all support the same root growth rate but inhibit gravicurvature increasingly with increasing density. By contrast, the sedimentation rate of amyloplasts in the columella cells is unaffected by the external density. These results are consistent with the gravitational pressure theory of gravity sensing, but cannot be explained by the statolith theory.

The dynamical simulation of transient three-dimensional cryogenic liquid sloshing oscillations under low-gravity and microgravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chi, Yong Mann

A numerical simulation model has been developed for the dynamical behavior of spacecraft propellant, both during the draining and the closing of the tank outlet at the onset of suction dip affected by the asymmetric combined gravity gradient and gravity jitter accelerations. In particular the effect of the surface tension of the fluids in the partially filled dewar (applicable to the Gravity Probe-B spacecraft dewar tank and fuel tanks for a liquid rocket) with rotation has been simulated and investigated. Two different cases of accelerations, one with gravity jitter dominated and the other equally weighted between gravity gradient and gravity jitter accelerations, are studied. In the development of this numerical simulation model, the NASA-VOF3D has been used as a supplement to the numerical program of this dissertation. The NASA-VOF3D code has been used for performing the three-dimensional incompressible flows with free surface. This is also used for controlling liquid sloshing inside the tank when the spacecraft is orbiting. To keep track of the location of the liquid, the fractional volume of fluid (VOF) technique was used. The VOF is based on the indicator function of the region occupied by the liquid with an Eulerian approach to solve the free surface phenomena between liquid and gas phases. For the calculation of surface tension force, the VOF model is also used. The newly developed simulation model is used to investigate the characteristics of liquid hydrogen draining in terms of the residual amount of trapped liquid at the onset of the suction dip and residual liquid volume at the time the dip of the liquid-vapor interface formed. This investigation simulates the characteristics of liquid oscillations due to liquid container outlet shut-off at the onset of suction dip. These phenomena checked how these mechanisms affected the excitation of slosh waves during the course of liquid draining and after shut-off tank outlet. In the present study, the dynamical evolution of sloshing dynamics excited by fluid stress forces, fluid stress moments, and the arm of fluid moment exerted on the dewar container, is considered. This excitation was driven by the combined gravity gradient and gravity jitter acceleration inside the tank during the draining process and closing the tank outlet. The time evolution of the liquid-vapor interface profiles and the bubble mass center fluctuation, as well as liquid mass center and fluctuations of angular momentum caused by slosh wave excitations with 0.1 rpm in a reduced gravity, are also investigated and simulated. Force, angular momentum, and torque vector time histories and Power Spectral Density (PSD) are also plotted and discussed. The results of this investigation may be applied to determine the magnitude and nature of control forces and torques needed to minimize influence of slosh on the dynamics of liquid fueled vehicles in near earth orbit. Results show that induced fluid forces (or angular momentum) exerted on the container wall along x and y-axes, which are non-existent at the beginning, are introduced by the slosh waves excited by asymmetric gravity gradient and the gravity jitter acceleration.

Comparison of entrainment in constant volume and constant flux dense currents over sloping bottoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhaganagar, K.; Nayamatullah, M.; Cenedese, C.

2014-12-01

Three dimensional high resolution large eddy simulations (LES) are employed to simulate lock-exchange and constant flux dense flows over inclined surface with the aim of investigating, visualizing and describing the turbulent structure and the evolution of bottom-propagating compositional density current at the channel bottom. The understanding of dynamics of density current is largely determined by the amount of interfacial mixing or entrainment between the ambient and dense fluids. No previous experimental or numerical studies have been done to estimate entrainment in classical lock-exchange system. The differences in entrainment between the lock-exchange and constant flux are explored. Comparing the results of flat bed with inclined surface results, flow exhibits significant differences near the leading edge or nose of the front of the density currents due to inclination of surface. Further, the instabilities are remarkably enhanced resulting Kelvin-Helmholtz and lobe-cleft type of instabilities arises much earlier in time. In this study, a brief analysis of entrainment on lock-exchange density current is presented using different bed slopes and a set of reduced gravity values (g'). We relate the entrainment value with different flow parameters such as Froude number (Fr) and Reynolds number (Re).

Potential fields modeling of the Serdán Oriental basin, Eastern Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alvarez, Román; Yutsis, Vsevolod V.

2017-12-01

In the eastern portion of the Trans-Mexican Neovolcanic Belt a group maars, rhyolitic domes, and cinder cones are scattered within the Oriental-Serdán basin. They are flanked by large polygenetic volcanoes. We use aeromagnetic and gravimetric fields to infer and model the main anomalies in the region, with the objective of identifying and characterizing the sub-surface sources of the volcanic activity. A large, positive magnetic anomaly overlaps the principal area of volcanic activity; it coincides with the main, positive gravimetric anomaly in the area. Both 2-D and 3-D gravity, as well as magnetic models confirm the existence of a large, dense, and magnetized intrusion body nearly reaching the surface, inferred to be the source of the observed anomalies. The intrusion is flanked to the south by rhyolitic domes. Three independently modeled cross-sections coincide in correlating the presence of maars with upward projections of the main intrusion; these projections we interpret as diatreme-type structures, although the modeling scale does not allow for individual identifications. The conduit that supplied magma for the emplacement of the rhyolitic domes of Las Derrumbadas is also identified to depths of four kilometers. A gravity inversion shows in 3-D space the density distribution at various density ranges.

Isostatic gravity map of the Point Sur 30 x 60 quadrangle and adjacent areas, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Watt, J.T.; Morin, R.L.; Langenheim, V.E.

2011-01-01

This isostatic residual gravity map is part of a regional effort to investigate the tectonics and water resources of the central Coast Range. This map serves as a basis for modeling the shape of basins and for determining the location and geometry of faults in the area. Local spatial variations in the Earth's gravity field (after removing variations caused by instrument drift, earth-tides, latitude, elevation, terrain, and deep crustal structure), as expressed by the isostatic anomaly, reflect the distribution of densities in the mid- to upper crust, which in turn can be related to rock type. Steep gradients in the isostatic gravity field often indicate lithologic or structural boundaries. Gravity highs reflect the Mesozoic granitic and Franciscan Complex basement rocks that comprise both the northwest-trending Santa Lucia and Gabilan Ranges, whereas gravity lows in Salinas Valley and the offshore basins reflect the thick accumulations of low-density alluvial and marine sediment. Gravity lows also occur where there are thick deposits of low-density Monterey Formation in the hills southeast of Arroyo Seco (>2 km, Marion, 1986). Within the map area, isostatic residual gravity values range from approximately -60 mGal offshore in the northern part of the Sur basin to approximately 22 mGal in the Santa Lucia Range.

Specific gravity, moisture content, and density relationship for wood

Treesearch

W. T. Simpson

1993-01-01

This report reviews the basis for determining values for the density of wood as it depends on moisture content and specific gravity. The data are presented in several ways to meet the needs of a variety of users.

Gravity and magnetic anomalies used to delineate geologic features associated with earthquakes and aftershocks in the central Virginia seismic zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shah, A. K.; Horton, J.; McNamara, D. E.; Spears, D.; Burton, W. C.

2013-12-01

Estimating seismic hazard in intraplate environments can be challenging partly because events are relatively rare and associated data thus limited. Additionally, in areas such as the central Virginia seismic zone, numerous pre-existing faults may or may not be candidates for modern tectonic activity, and other faults may not have been mapped. It is thus important to determine whether or not specific geologic features are associated with seismic events. Geophysical and geologic data collected in response to the Mw5.8 August 23, 2011 central Virginia earthquake provide excellent tools for this purpose. Portable seismographs deployed within days of the main shock showed a series of aftershocks mostly occurring at depths of 3-8 km along a southeast-dipping tabular zone ~10 km long, interpreted as the causative fault or fault zone. These instruments also recorded shallow (< 4 km) aftershocks clustered in several areas at distances of ~2-15 km from the main fault zone. We use new airborne geophysical surveys (gravity, magnetics, radiometrics, and LiDAR) to delineate the distribution of various surface and subsurface geologic features of interest in areas where the earthquake and aftershocks took place. The main (causative fault) aftershock cluster coincides with a linear, NE-trending gravity gradient (~ 2 mgal/km) that extends over 20 km in either direction from the Mw5.8 epicenter. Gravity modeling incorporating seismic estimates of Moho variations suggests the presence of a shallow low-density body overlying the main aftershock cluster, placing it within the upper 2-4 km of the main-fault hanging wall. The gravity, magnetic, and radiometric data also show a bend in generally NE-SW orientation of anomalies close to the Mw5.8 epicenter. Most shallow aftershock clusters occur near weaker short-wavelength gravity gradients of one to several km length. In several cases these gradients correspond to geologic contacts mapped at the surface. Along the gravity gradients, the aftershocks appear to cluster near areas with cross-cutting geologic features such as Jurassic diabase dikes. These associations suggest that local variations in rock density and/or rheology may have contributed to modifications of local stress regimes in a manner encouraging localized seismicity associated with the Mw5.8 event and its aftershocks. Such associations are comparable to results of previous studies recognizing correspondences between seismicity and features such as intrusive bodies and failed rifts in the New Madrid seismic zone and elsewhere. To explore whether similar correspondences may have occurred in the past, we use regional gravity and magnetic data to consider possible relations between historical earthquakes and comparable geologic features elsewhere in the central Virginia seismic zone.

Simplified model of statistically stationary spacecraft rotation and associated induced gravity environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fichtl, G. H.; Holland, R. L.

1978-01-01

A stochastic model of spacecraft motion was developed based on the assumption that the net torque vector due to crew activity and rocket thruster firings is a statistically stationary Gaussian vector process. The process had zero ensemble mean value, and the components of the torque vector were mutually stochastically independent. The linearized rigid-body equations of motion were used to derive the autospectral density functions of the components of the spacecraft rotation vector. The cross-spectral density functions of the components of the rotation vector vanish for all frequencies so that the components of rotation were mutually stochastically independent. The autospectral and cross-spectral density functions of the induced gravity environment imparted to scientific apparatus rigidly attached to the spacecraft were calculated from the rotation rate spectral density functions via linearized inertial frame to body-fixed principal axis frame transformation formulae. The induced gravity process was a Gaussian one with zero mean value. Transformation formulae were used to rotate the principal axis body-fixed frame to which the rotation rate and induced gravity vector were referred to a body-fixed frame in which the components of the induced gravity vector were stochastically independent. Rice's theory of exceedances was used to calculate expected exceedance rates of the components of the rotation and induced gravity vector processes.

Crater modification by gravity - A mechanical analysis of slumping. [on moon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melosh, H. J.

1977-01-01

An analysis of the stability of a crater from a mechanical point of view indicates that the observed slumping of lunar craters requires a perfectly plastic constitutive relation for the lunar surface rock. The angle of internal friction of this material must be less than a few degrees. The evidence for a perfectly plastic constitutive relation is described, and a simplified model of a crater in a perfectly plastic medium is used to investigate the nature of its collapse. Crater stability is found to depend principally upon a dimensionless parameter equal to the product of the density, acceleration of gravity, and depth divided by the yield strength. Criteria for stability, 'slope failures', and 'floor failures' are reported.

Hybrid gravity survey to search for submarine ore deposit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Araya, A.; Kanazawa, T.; Fujimoto, H.; Shinohara, M.; Yamada, T.; Mochizuki, K.; Iizasa, K.; Ishihara, T.; Omika, S.

2011-12-01

Along with seismic surveys, gravity survey is a useful method to profile the underground density structure. We propose a hybrid gravity survey using gravimeters and gravity gradiometers to detect submarine ore deposits as density anomalies by towing the instruments using an AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) or an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle). Gravimeters measure the regional density structure below the seafloor, whereas gravity gradiometers are sensitive to localized mass distribution. A gravity gradiometer comprises two accelerometers arranged with a vertical separation, and a gravity gradient can be obtained from the acceleration difference. Compared to gravimeters, gravity gradiometers are insensitive to common disturbances such as parallel acceleration, thermal drift, and apparent gravity effect (Eötvös effect). We made two accelerometers using astatic pendulums, and obtained common acceleration reduction more than two orders of magnitude. With these pendulums of 500-mm separation, resolution of 7E (=7x10^{-9}(1/s^2)), enough to detect a typical ore deposit buried 50m below the seafloor, was evaluated. During measurements using a submersible mobile object, instrument orientation is required to be controlled to keep verticality and to reduce centrifugal force associated with rotation of the instrument. Using a gyro and a tiltmeter, angular rotation was shown to be controlled within 0.001deg/s which corresponds to 0.3E in effective gravity gradient due to the centrifugal force. In this paper, target of this research, details of the instruments and their performance, and development for the submarine gravity survey using an AUV will be presented.

A Study of Terrain Reductions, Density Anomalies and Geophysical Inversion Methods in Gravity Field Modelling

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-04-01

5.15) where a is a positive constant and 11 IIH the Hilbert space norm associated with the chosen covariance function K. The constant a is arbitrary...Density Anomalies 14 5. Unknown Densities - Geophysical Inversion 16 6. Density Modelling Using Rectangular Prisms 24 6.1 Space Domain 24 6.2 Frequency...theory: to calculate the gravity potential and its derivatives in space due to 6 • given density distributions. When the prime interest is in "external

On Calculating the Zero-Gravity Surface Figure of a Mirror

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bloemhof, Eric E.

2010-01-01

An analysis of the classical method of calculating the zero-gravity surface figure of a mirror from surface-figure measurements in the presence of gravity has led to improved understanding of conditions under which the calculations are valid. In this method, one measures the surface figure in two or more gravity- reversed configurations, then calculates the zero-gravity surface figure as the average of the surface figures determined from these measurements. It is now understood that gravity reversal is not, by itself, sufficient to ensure validity of the calculations: It is also necessary to reverse mounting forces, for which purpose one must ensure that mountingfixture/ mirror contacts are located either at the same places or else sufficiently close to the same places in both gravity-reversed configurations. It is usually not practical to locate the contacts at the same places, raising the question of how close is sufficiently close. The criterion for sufficient closeness is embodied in the St. Venant principle, which, in the present context, translates to a requirement that the distance between corresponding gravity-reversed mounting positions be small in comparison to their distances to the optical surface of the mirror. The necessity of reversing mount forces is apparent in the behavior of the equations familiar from finite element analysis (FEA) that govern deformation of the mirror.

Formulation and performance test of palm-based foaming agent concentrate for fire extinguisher application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rivai, M.; Hambali, E.; Suryani, A.; Fitria, R.; Firmansyah, S.; Pramuhadi, G.

2018-03-01

The utilization of foaming agent for fire extinguisher application improves the efficiency of water as a fire extinguishing agent, lowers surface tension, and acts as a foaming agent. The formed foam cools the fire down and covers the burned material to avoid it from further contact with oxygen which may reignite the fire. This study aimed to produce and assess the performance of foaming agent concentrate from palm oil as a fire extinguisher agent. In the performance test, measurements were taken on foam stability, foaming ability, surface tension, interfacial tension, viscosity, contact angle, density, and specific gravity. The formulation was conducted by using the best produced potassium palmitate, potassium methyl ester, and sodium lauric combined with diluents, chelating agent, and other additives at various composition comparisons. The produced foaming agent concentrate was found to be in a rather paste and liquid form with viscosity of 2.34 – 253 cP. It was also found that the resulted foaming agent concentrate dissolved in water at the concentration rate of 1% had a foam stability level of 30-91%, foaming ability of 288 – 503%, surface tension of 19.68 – 25.05 dyne/cm, interfacial tension of 0.54 – 4,20 dyne/cm, viscosity of 1.00 – 1.05 cP, contact angles of 53.75 – 63.79° at 0 minute and 11.84 – 22.42 ° at minute 10, density of 0.99586 – 0.99612 g/cm3, and a specific gravity of 1.00021 – 1.00046. Based on foam stability, foaming ability, and surface tension parameters, it was concluded that NF5 and NF17 were the best formulas.Compared to the other formulas, NF5 formula had the best droplet diameter (minimum 0.14 mm) and droplet density (maximum 3056 droplets/cm2).

Integrated Geophysical Analysis at a Legacy Test Site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, X.; Mellors, R. J.; Sweeney, J. J.; Sussman, A. J.

2015-12-01

We integrate magnetic, electromagnetic (EM), gravity, and seismic data to develop a unified and consistent model of the subsurface at the U20ak site on Pahute Mesa at the Nevada National Nuclear Security Site (NNSS). The 1985 test, conducted in tuff at a depth of approximately 600 m did not collapse to the surface or produce a crater. The purpose of the geophysical measurements is to characterize the subsurface above and around the presumed explosion cavity. The magnetic data are used to locate steel borehole casings and pipes and are correlated with surface observations. The EM data show variation in lithology at depth and clear signatures from borehole casings and surface cables. The gravity survey detects a clear gravity low in the area of the explosion. The seismic data indicates shallow low velocity zone and indications of a deeper low velocity zones. In this study, we conduct 2D inversion of EM data for better characterization of site geology and use a common 3D density model to jointly interpret both the seismic and gravity data along with constraints on lithology boundaries from the EM. The integration of disparate geophysical datasets allows improved understanding of the non-prompt physical signatures of an underground nuclear explosion (UNE). LLNL Release Number: LLNL-ABS-675677. The authors express their gratitude to the National Nuclear Security Administration, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development, and the Comprehensive Inspection Technologies and UNESE working group, a multi-institutional and interdisciplinary group of scientists and engineers. This work was performed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory under award number DE-AC52-06NA25946.

Frozen-wave instability in near-critical hydrogen subjected to horizontal vibration under various gravity fields.

PubMed

Gandikota, G; Chatain, D; Amiroudine, S; Lyubimova, T; Beysens, D

2014-01-01

The frozen-wave instability which appears at a liquid-vapor interface when a harmonic vibration is applied in a direction tangential to it has been less studied until now. The present paper reports experiments on hydrogen (H2) in order to study this instability when the temperature is varied near its critical point for various gravity levels. Close to the critical point, a liquid-vapor density difference and surface tension can be continuously varied with temperature in a scaled, universal way. The effect of gravity on the height of the frozen waves at the interface is studied by performing the experiments in a magnetic facility where effective gravity that results from the coupling of the Earth's gravity and magnetic forces can be varied. The stability diagram of the instability is obtained. The experiments show a good agreement with an inviscid model [Fluid Dyn. 21 849 (1987)], irrespective of the gravity level. It is observed in the experiments that the height of the frozen waves varies weakly with temperature and increases with a decrease in the gravity level, according to a power law with an exponent of 0.7. It is concluded that the wave height becomes of the order of the cell size as the gravity level is asymptotically decreased to zero. The interface pattern thus appears as a bandlike pattern of alternate liquid and vapor phases, a puzzling phenomenon that was observed with CO2 and H2 near their critical point in weightlessness [Acta Astron. 61 1002 (2007); Europhys. Lett. 86 16003 (2009)].

Applications of acoustic-gravity waves numerical modeling to tsunami signals observed by gravimetry satellites in very low orbit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brissaud, Q.; Garcia, R.; Sladen, A.; Martin, R.; Komatitsch, D.

2016-12-01

Acoustic and gravity waves propagating in planetary atmospheres have been studied intensively as markers of specific phenomena (tectonic events, explosions) or as contributors to atmosphere dynamics. To get a better understanding of the physics behind these dynamic processes, both acoustic and gravity waves propagation should be modeled in an attenuating and windy 3D atmosphere from the ground all the way to the upper thermosphere. Thus, in order to provide an efficient numerical tool at the regional or global scale we introduce a high-order finite-difference time domain (FDTD) approach that relies on the linearized compressible Navier-Stokes equations with spatially non constant physical parameters (density, viscosities and speed of sound) and background velocities (wind). We present applications of these simulations to the propagation of gravity waves generated by tsunamis for realistic cases for which atmospheric models are extracted from empirical models including variations with altitude of atmospheric parameters, and tsunami forcing at the ocean surface is extracted from shallow water simulations. We describe the specific difficulties induced by the size of the simulation, the boundary conditions and the spherical geometry and compare the simulation outputs to data gathered by gravimetric satellites crossing gravity waves generated by tsunamis.

Geological Implications From Complete Gondwana GOCE- Products Reconstructions and Link to Lithospheric Roots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braitenberg, Carla; Mariani, Patrizia

2015-03-01

The GOCE gravity field is globally homogeneous at the resolution of about 80km or better allowing for the first time to analyze tectonic structures at continental scale. Geologic correlation studies propose to continue the tectonic lineaments across continents to the pre-breakup position. Tectonic events that induce density changes, as metamorphic events and magmatic events, should then show up in the gravity field. Applying geodynamic plate reconstructions to the GOCE gravity field places today’s observed field at the pre-breakup position. The same reconstruction can be applied to the seismic velocity models, to allow a joint gravity-velocity analysis. The geophysical fields allow to control the likeliness of the hypothesized continuation of lineations based on sparse surface outcrops. Total absence of a signal, makes the cross-continental continuation of the lineament improbable, as continental-wide lineaments are controlled by rheologic and compositional differences of lithospheric mantle. It is found that the deep lithospheric roots as those found below cratons control the position of the positive gravity values. The explanation is that the deep lithospheric roots focus asthenospheric upwelling outboard of the root protecting the overlying craton from magmatic intrusions. The study is carried out over the African and South American continents.

The Shape of Enceladus' Core: Predictions for Degree-2 Nonhydrostatic Gravity, and Role in Survival of the Subsurface Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKinnon, W. B.

2011-10-01

The global shape of Enceladus is not consistent with a simultaneously hydrostatic and fully differentiated body, but hypotheses that Enceladus is either undifferentiated or preserves a globally unrelaxed figure from an earlier position closer to Saturn are implausible. Enceladus' geophysical activity (and surface) is best understood in the context of a differentiated (rock separated from ice) interior. Topographic profiles indicate that Enceladus' surface conforms to a triaxial shape, consistent with relaxation to a global geoid. Enceladus' rocky core need not be hydrostatic, however. A modestly "lumpy" core, either in terms of topography or density, and dynamically aligned, will act to enhance the global geoid. Explaining the global shape of Enceladus requires ~12 km of excess core polar ellipticity and ~5 km of excess core equatorial ellipticity, for a uniform density core. The stresses in Enceladus' core associated with this modest level of dynamically excess topography can be sustained indefinitely. Enceladus' icy shell should be isostatic with respect to the satellite's degree-2 gravity, but because the rocky core is not hydrostatic, Enceladus' degree-2 gravity coefficients J2 and C22 should not conform to the hydrostatic ratio of 10/3. The moments-of-inertia implied also indicate that Enceladus could be near a low-order spin-orbit librational resonance, and thus tidal heating associated with this resonance type could have contributed to the moon's phenomenal heat flow. Finally, the core c-axis will be depressed by some 8 km with respect to a hydrostatic shape. This true topographic variation can help preserve polar ocean remnants against freezing (and grounding elsewhere) during epochs of low tidal heating.

Correcting the spectroscopic surface gravity using transits and asteroseismology. No significant effect on temperatures or metallicities with ARES and MOOG in local thermodynamic equilibrium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mortier, A.; Sousa, S. G.; Adibekyan, V. Zh.; Brandão, I. M.; Santos, N. C.

2014-12-01

Context. Precise stellar parameters (effective temperature, surface gravity, metallicity, stellar mass, and radius) are crucial for several reasons, amongst which are the precise characterization of orbiting exoplanets and the correct determination of galactic chemical evolution. The atmospheric parameters are extremely important because all the other stellar parameters depend on them. Using our standard equivalent-width method on high-resolution spectroscopy, good precision can be obtained for the derived effective temperature and metallicity. The surface gravity, however, is usually not well constrained with spectroscopy. Aims: We use two different samples of FGK dwarfs to study the effect of the stellar surface gravity on the precise spectroscopic determination of the other atmospheric parameters. Furthermore, we present a straightforward formula for correcting the spectroscopic surface gravities derived by our method and with our linelists. Methods: Our spectroscopic analysis is based on Kurucz models in local thermodynamic equilibrium, performed with the MOOG code to derive the atmospheric parameters. The surface gravity was either left free or fixed to a predetermined value. The latter is either obtained through a photometric transit light curve or derived using asteroseismology. Results: We find first that, despite some minor trends, the effective temperatures and metallicities for FGK dwarfs derived with the described method and linelists are, in most cases, only affected within the errorbars by using different values for the surface gravity, even for very large differences in surface gravity, so they can be trusted. The temperatures derived with a fixed surface gravity continue to be compatible within 1 sigma with the accurate results of the infrared flux method (IRFM), as is the case for the unconstrained temperatures. Secondly, we find that the spectroscopic surface gravity can easily be corrected to a more accurate value using a linear function with the effective temperature. Tables 1 and 2 are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

Preliminary appraisal of gravity and magnetic data of Syncline Ridge, western Yucca Flat, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ponce, David A.; Hanna, William F.

1982-01-01

A gravity and magnetic study of the Syncline Ridge area was conducted as part of an investigation of argillite rocks of the Eleana Formation under consideration as a medium for the possible storage of high-level radioactive waste. Bouguer gravity anomaly data, viewed in light of densities obtained by gamma-gamma logs and previous work of D. L. Healey (1968), delineate two regions of steep negative gradient where Cenozoic rocks and sediments are inferred to abruptly thicken: (1) the western third of the study area where Tertiary volcanic rocks are extensively exposed and (2) the northeast corner of the area where Quaternary alluvium is exposed and where volcanic rocks are inferred to occur at depth. In the remainder of the area, a region extending contiguously from Mine Mountain northwestward through Syncline Ridge to the Eleana Range, the gravity data indicate that the Eleana Formation, where not exposed, is buried at depths of less than about 200 m, except in a limited area of exposed older Paleozoic rocks on Mine Mountain. Quaternary alluvium and Tertiary volcanic rocks are inferred to occur in this region as veneers or shallow dishes of deposit on Tippipah Limestone or Eleana Formation. Low-level aeromagnetic anomaly data, covering the western two-thirds of the study area, delineate relatively magnetic tuff units within the Tertiary volcanic rocks and provide a very attractive means for distinguishing units of normal polarization from units of reversed polarization. If used in conjunction with results of previous magnetization studies of G. D. Bath (1968), the low-level survey may prove to be an effective tool for mapping specific tuff members in the volcanic terrane. The important question of the feasibility of discriminating high-quartz argillite from low-quartz argillite of the Eleana Formation using surface gravity data remains unresolved. If the more highly competent, denser, high-quartz phase should occur as stratigraphic units many tens of meters thick, closely spaced gravity data may reliably detect these units. If the high-quartz phase occurs only as relatively thin units, interbedded with low-quartz phase, borehole gravity surveying can be used much more effectively than equivalent surface gravity surveying.

The OSIRIS-REx Radio Science Experiment at Bennu

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McMahon, J. W.; Scheeres, D. J.; Hesar, S. G.; Farnocchia, D.; Chesley, S.; Lauretta, D.

2018-02-01

The OSIRIS-REx mission will conduct a Radio Science investigation of the asteroid Bennu with a primary goal of estimating the mass and gravity field of the asteroid. The spacecraft will conduct proximity operations around Bennu for over 1 year, during which time radiometric tracking data, optical landmark tracking images, and altimetry data will be obtained that can be used to make these estimates. Most significantly, the main Radio Science experiment will be a 9-day arc of quiescent operations in a 1-km nominally circular terminator orbit. The pristine data from this arc will allow the Radio Science team to determine the significant components of the gravity field up to the fourth spherical harmonic degree. The Radio Science team will also be responsible for estimating the surface accelerations, surface slopes, constraints on the internal density distribution of Bennu, the rotational state of Bennu to confirm YORP estimates, and the ephemeris of Bennu that incorporates a detailed model of the Yarkovsky effect.

Gravity investigation of the Manson impact structure, Iowa

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Plescia, J. B.

1993-01-01

The Manson crater, of probable Cretaceous/Tertiary age, is located in northwestern Iowa (center at 42 deg. 34.44 min N; 94 deg. 33.60 min W). A seismic reflection profile along an east west line across the crater and drill hole data indicate a crater about 35 km in diameter having the classic form for an impact crater, an uplifted central peak composed of uplifted Proterozoic crystalline bedrock, surrounded by a 'moat' filled with impact produced breccia and a ring graben zone composed of tilted fault blocks of the Proterozoic and Paleozoic country rocks. The structure has been significantly eroded. This geologic structure would be expected to produce a significant gravity signature and study of that signature would shed additional light on the details of the crater structure. A gravity study was undertaken to better resolve the crustal structure. The regional Bouguer gravity field is characterized by a southeastward decreasing field. To first order, the Bouguer gravity field can be understood in the context of the geology of the Precambrian basement. The high gravity at the southeast corner is associated with the mid-continent gravity high; the adjacent low to the northwest results from a basin containing low-density clastic sediments shed from the basement high. Modeling of a simple basin and adjacent high predicts much of the observed Bouguer gravity signature. A gravity signature due to structure associated with the Manson impact is not apparent in the Bouguer data. To resolve the gravity signature of the impact, a series of polynomial surfaces were fit to the Bouguer gravity field to isolate the small wavelength residual anomalies. The residual gravity obtained after subtracting a 5th- or 6th-order polynomial seems to remove most of the regional effects and isolate local anomalies. The pattern resolved in the residual gravity is one of a gravity high surrounded by gravity lows and in turn surrounded by isolated gravity highs. The central portion of the crater is characterized by two positive anomalies having amplitudes of about plus 4 mGal separated by a gentle saddle located approximately at the crater center.

Gravity receptors in a microcrustacean water flea - Sensitivity of antennal-socket setae in Daphnia magna

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyers, D. G.; Farmer, J. M.

1982-01-01

Gravity receptors of Dephnia magna were discovered on the basal segment of the swimming antennae and were shown to respond to upward water currents that pass the animal as it sinks between swimming strokes. Sensitivity of the gravity perceiving mechanism was tested by subjecting daphnids to a series of five decreasingly dense aqueous solutions (neutral density to water) in darkness (to avoid visual cues). Three-dimensional, video analysis of body position (pitch, yaw and roll) and swimming path (hop and sink, vertical and horizontal patterns) revealed a gradual threshold that occurred near a density difference between the animal and its environment of less than 0.25%. Because daphnids do not sink but continue to slide after stroking in the increased density solutions, gravity perception appears to occur during a vertical swing of the longitudinal body axis to the vertical plane, about their center of gravity, and, thereby, implies a multidirectional sensitivity for the antennal-socket setae.

Methods for Combination of GRACE Gravimetry and ICESat Altimetry over Antarctica on Monthly Timescales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hardy, R. A.; Nerem, R. S.; Wiese, D. N.

2017-12-01

Gravity and surface elevation change data altimetry provide different perspectives on mass variability in Antarctica. In anticipation of the concurrent operation of the successors of GRACE and ICESat, GRACE Follow-On and ICESat-2, we approach the problem of combining these data for enhanced spatial resolution and disaggregation of Antarctica's major mass transport processes. Using elevation changes gathered from over 500 million overlapping ICESat laser shot pairs between 2003 and 2009, we construct gridded models of Antarctic elevation change for each ICESat operational period. Comparing these elevation grids with temporally registered JPL RL05M mascon solutions, we exploit the relationship between surface mass flux and elevation change to inform estimates of effective surface density. These density estimates enable solutions for glacial isostatic adjustment and monthly estimates of surface mass change. These are used alongside spatial statistics from both the data and models of surface mass balance to produce enhanced estimates of Antarctic mass balance. We validate our solutions by modeling the effects of elastic loading and GIA from these solutions on the vertical motion of Antarctica's GNSS sites.

Gravimetric effects of petroleum accumulations--A preliminary summary

USGS Publications Warehouse

McCulloh, Thane Hubert

1966-01-01

Negative gravity anomalies of very local extent and with amplitudes of 1.2 milligals or less have been observed over some known petroleum and natural gas fields in southern California and South Dagestan, U.S.S.R. Field evidence, laboratory measurements, and theory indicate that these anomalies are mainly the result of hydrocarbon pore fluids of densities significantly lower than that of water. Gravity meters already available have the precision necessary to detect some of these anomalies from surface measurements. In addition, a high-precision borehole gravity meter has been developed, by the industrial firm of LaCoste and Romberg, Inc., that can be used in wells with a casing 7 inches or more in diameter and at temperatures below 100?C. Field tests indicate that the prototype attains a precision in wells of ? 0.015 milligal for a single measurement. These observations and the new gravimeter should aid in the search for new petroleum fields and for new reservoirs in known fields that are incompletely explored.

KSC-2011-6765

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – – Maria Zuber, GRAIL principal investigator with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, participates in the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission science briefing in the NASA Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. GRAIL is scheduled to launch Sept. 8 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Models of collapsing and expanding anisotropic gravitating source in f( R, T) theory of gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbas, G.; Ahmed, Riaz

2017-07-01

In this paper, we have formulated the exact solutions of the non-static anisotropic gravitating source in f( R, T) gravity which may lead to expansion and collapse. By assuming there to be no thermal conduction in gravitating source, we have determined parametric solutions in f( R, T) gravity with a non-static spherical geometry filled using an anisotropic fluid. We have examined the ranges of the parameters for which the expansion scalar becomes negative and positive, leading to collapse and expansion, respectively. Further, using the definition of the mass function, the conditions for the trapped surface have been explored, and it has been investigated that there exists a single horizon in this case. The impact of the coupling parameter λ has been discussed in detail in both cases. For the various values of the coupling parameter λ , we have plotted the energy density, anisotropic pressure and anisotropy parameter in the cases of collapse and expansion. The physical significance of the graphs has been explained in detail.

Crystal nucleation and glass formation in metallic alloy melts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spaepen, F.

1984-01-01

Homogeneous nucleation, containerless solidification, and bulk formation of metallic glasses are discussed. Homogeneous nucleation is not a limiting factor for metallic glass formation at slow cooling rates if the reduced glass transition temperature is high enough. Such glasses can be made in bulk if heterogeneous nucleants are removed. Containerless processing eleminates potential sources of nucleants, but as drop tube experiments on the Pd-Si alloys show, the free surface may still be a very effective heterogeneous nucleant. Combination of etching and heating in vacuum or fluxing can be effective for cleaning fairly large ingots of nucleants. Reduced gravity processing has a potentially useful role in the fluxing technique, for example to keep large metallic ingots surrounded by a low density, low fluidity flux if this proved difficult under ground conditions. For systems where heterogeneous nucleants in the bulk of the ingot need gravity to segregate to the flux-metal interface, reduced gravity processing may not be appropriate for bulk glass formation.

KSC-2011-6746

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-06

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Tim Dunn, NASA launch director for the agency’s Launch Services Program, participates in the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) prelaunch news conference in the NASA Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. GRAIL is scheduled to launch Sept. 8 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6771

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket that will launch NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission is ready for launch. Preparations are under way to roll the mobile service tower away from the rocket. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. Launch is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT Sept. 8. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6779

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, view of the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket that will launch NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission is unobstructed as the mobile service tower rolls away. The "rollback" began at about 11:20 p.m. EDT. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. Launch is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT Sept. 8. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6810

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Media representatives check the lighting at Press Site 1 near Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station during preparations to photograph the launch of NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission. Liftoff aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KSC-2011-6750

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-06

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Joel Tumbiolo, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., participates in the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) prelaunch news conference in the NASA Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. GRAIL is scheduled to launch Sept. 8 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6748

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-06

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – David Lehman, GRAIL project manager, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, participates in the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) prelaunch news conference in the NASA Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. GRAIL is scheduled to launch Sept. 8 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6786

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket that will launch NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission undergoes final preparations for launch. The "rollback" of the mobile service tower began at about 11:20 p.m. EDT Sept. 7. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. Launch is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT Sept. 8. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6764

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Robert Fogel, NASA’s GRAIL program scientist, participates in the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission science briefing in the NASA Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. GRAIL is scheduled to launch Sept. 8 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6751

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-06

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – John Henk, GRAIL program manager, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver, Colo., participates in the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) prelaunch news conference in the NASA Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. GRAIL is scheduled to launch Sept. 8 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6770

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, preparations are under way to roll the mobile service tower away from the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket that will launch NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. Launch is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT Sept. 8. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6878

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An early morning sky illuminates the United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket that will launch NASA’s twin Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission from Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is scheduled for 9:08:52 a.m. EDT Sept.10. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/ Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6749

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-06

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Ed Weiler, NASA associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, participates in the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) prelaunch news conference in the NASA Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. GRAIL is scheduled to launch Sept. 8 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6875

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – With a clear blue sky for a background, the United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket is propelled skyward after lifting off at 9:08 a.m. EDT Sept. 10 from Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The Delta II is carrying NASA’s twin Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission to the moon. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6809

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Television satellite trucks raise their antennas at Press Site 1 near Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station during preparations to broadcast the launch of NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission. Liftoff aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

The role of disk self-gravity on gap formation of the HL Tau proto-planetary disk

DOE PAGES

Li, Shengtai; Li, Hui

2016-05-31

Here, we use extensive global hydrodynamic disk gas+dust simulations with embedded planets to model the dust ring and gap structures in the HL Tau protoplanetary disk observed with the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA). Since the HL Tau is a relatively massive disk, we find the disk self-gravity (DSG) plays an important role in the gap formation induced by the planets. Our simulation results demonstrate that DSG is necessary in explaining of the dust ring and gap in HL Tau disk. The comparison of simulation results shows that the dust rings and gap structures are more evident when the fullymore » 2D DSG (non-axisymmetric components are included) is used than if 1D axisymmetric DSG (only the axisymetric component is included) is used, or the disk self-gravity is not considered. We also find that the couple dust+gas+planet simulations are required because the gap and ring structure is different between dust and gas surface density.« less

Hydrostatic factors affect the gravity responses of algae and roots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Staves, Mark P.; Wayne, Randy; Leopold, A. C.

1991-01-01

The hypothesis of Wayne et al. (1990) that plant cells perceive gravity by sensing a pressure differential between the top and the bottom of the cell was tested by subjecting rice roots and cells of Caracean algae to external solutions of various densities. It was found that increasing the density of the external medium had a profound effect on the polar ratio (PR, the ratio between velocities of the downwardly and upwardly streaming cytoplasm) of the Caracean algae cells. When these cells were placed in solutions of denser compound, the PR decreased to less than 1, as the density of the external medium became higher than that of the cell; thus, the normal gravity-induced polarity was reversed, indicating that the osmotic pressure of the medium affects the cell's ability to respond to gravity. In rice roots, an increase of the density of the solution inhibited the rate of gravitropism. These results agree with predictions of a hydrostatic model for graviperception.

Sediment basin modeling through GOCE gradients controlled by thermo-isostatic constraints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pivetta, Tommaso; Braitenberg, Carla

2015-04-01

Exploration of geodynamic and tectonic structures through gravity methods has experienced an increased interest in the recent years thank's to the possibilities offered by satellite gravimetry (e.g. GOCE). The main problem with potential field methods is the non-uniqueness of the underground density distributions that satisfy the observed gravity field. In terrestrial areas with scarce geological and geophysical information, valid constraints to the density model could be obtained from the application of geodynamic models. In this contribution we present the study of the gravity signals associated to the thermo-isostatic McKenzie-model (McKenzie, 1978) that predicts the development of sedimentary basins from the stretching of lithosphere. This model seems to be particularly intriguing for gravity studies as we could obtain estimates of densities and thicknesses of crust and mantle before and after a rifting event and gain important information about the time evolution of the sedimentary basin. The McKenzie-model distinguishes the rifting process into two distinct phases: a syn-rift phase that occurs instantly and is responsible of the basin formation, the thinning of lithosphere and the upwelling of hot asthenosphere. Then a second phase (post-rift), that is time dependent, and predicts further subsidence caused by the cooling of mantle and asthenosphere and subsequently increase in rock density. From the application of the McKenzie-model we have derived density underground distributions for two scenarios: the first scenario involves the lithosphere density distribution immediately after the stretching event; the second refers to the density model when thermal equilibrium between stretched and unstretched lithospheres is achieved. Calculations of gravity anomalies and gravity gradient anomalies are performed at 5km height and at the GOCE mean orbit quota (250km). We have found different gravity signals for syn-rift (gravimetric maximum) and post-rift (gravimetric minimum) scenarios and that satellite measurements are sufficiently precise to discriminate between them. The McKenzie-model is then applied to a real basin in Africa, the Benue Trough, which is an aborted rift that seems to be particularly adapt to be studied with satellite gravity techniques. McKenzie D., 1978, Some remarks on the development of sedimentary basins, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 40, 25-32

Possible correlation between annual gravity change and shallow background seismicity rate at subduction zone by surface load

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitsui, Yuta; Yamada, Kyohei

2017-12-01

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) has monitored global gravity changes since 2002. Gravity changes are considered to represent hydrological water mass movements around the surface of the globe, although fault slip of a large earthquake also causes perturbation of gravity. Since surface water movements are expected to affect earthquake occurrences via elastic surface load or pore-fluid pressure increase, correlation between gravity changes and occurrences of small (not large) earthquakes may reflect the effects of surface water movements. In the present study, we focus on earthquakes smaller than magnitude 7.5 and examine the relation between annual gravity changes and earthquake occurrences at worldwide subduction zones. First, we extract amplitudes of annual gravity changes from GRACE data for land. Next, we estimate background seismicity rates in the epidemic-type aftershock sequence model from shallow seismicity data having magnitudes of over 4.5. Then, we perform correlation analysis of the amplitudes of the annual gravity changes and the shallow background seismicity rates, excluding source areas of large earthquakes, and find moderate positive correlation. It implies that annual water movements can activate shallow earthquakes, although the surface load elastostatic stress changes are on the order of or below 1 kPa, as small as a regional case in a previous study. We speculate that periodic stress perturbation is amplified through nonlinear responses of frictional faults.[Figure not available: see fulltext.

Hydrodynamic Instability in an Extended Landau/Levich Model of Liquid-Propellant Combustion at Normal and Reduced Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Margolis, Stephen B.

1998-01-01

The classical Landau/Levich models of liquid-propellant combustion, despite their relative simplicity, serve as seminal examples that correctly describe the onset of hydrodynamic instability in reactive systems. Recently, these two separate models have been combined and extended to account for a dynamic dependence, absent in the original formulations, of the local burning rate on the local pressure and temperature fields. The resulting model admits an extremely rich variety of both hydrodynamic and reactive/diffusive instabilities that can be analyzed either numerically or analytically in various limiting parameter regimes. In the present work, a formal asymptotic analysis, based on the realistic smallness of the gas-to-liquid density ratio, is developed to investigate the combined effects of gravity and other parameters on the hydrodynamic instability of the propagating liquid/gas interface. In particular, an analytical expression is derived for the neutral stability boundary A(sub p)(k), where A(sub p) is the pressure sensitivity of the burning rate and k is the wavenumber of the disturbance. The results demonstrate explicitly the stabilizing effect of gravity on long-wave disturbances, the stabilizing effect of viscosity (both liquid and gas) and surface tension on short-wave perturbations, and the instability associated with intermediate wavenumbers for critical negative values of A(sub p). In the limiting case of weak gravity, it is shown that hydrodynamic instability in liquid-propellant combustion is a long-wave instability phenomenon, whereas at normal gravity, this instability is first manifested through O(1) wavenumber disturbances. It is also demonstrated that, in general, surface tension and the viscosity of both the liquid and gas phases each produce comparable stabilizing effects in the large-wavenumber regime, thereby providing important modifications to previous analyses in which one or more of these effects were neglected.

Hydrodynamic Instability in an Extended Landau/Levich Model of Liquid-Propellant Combustion at Normal and Reduced Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Margolis, S. B.

1997-01-01

The classical Landau/Levich models of liquid-propellant combustion, despite their relative simplicity, serve as seminal examples that correctly describe the onset of hydrodynamic instability in reactive systems. Recently, these two separate models have been combined and extended to account for a dynamic dependence, absent in the original formulations, of the local burning rate on the local pressure and temperature fields. The resulting model admits an extremely rich variety of both hydrodynamic and reactive/diffusive instabilities that can be analyzed either numerically or analytically in various limiting parameter regimes. In the present work, a formal asymptotic analysis, based on the realistic smallness of the gas-to-liquid density ratio, is developed to investigate the combined effects of gravity and other parameters on the hydrodynamic instability of the propagating liquid/gas interface. In particular, an analytical expression is derived for the neutral stability boundary A(p)(k), where A(p) is the pressure sensitivity of the burning rate and k is the wavenumber of the disturbance. The results demonstrate explicitly the stabilizing effect of gravity on long-wave disturbances, the stabilizing effect of viscosity (both liquid and gas) and surface tension on short-wave perturbations, and the instability associated with intermediate wavenumbers for negative values of A(p). In the limiting case of weak gravity, it is shown that hydrodynamic instability in liquid-propellant combustion is a long-wave instability phenomenon, whereas at normal gravity, this instability is first manifested through O(1) wavenumber disturbances. it is also demonstrated that, in general, surface tension and the viscosity of both the liquid and gas phases each produce comparable stabilizing effects in the long-wavenumber regime, thereby providing important modifications to previous analyses in which one or more of these effects were neglected.

Gravity, aeromagnetic and rock-property data of the central California Coast Ranges

USGS Publications Warehouse

Langenheim, V.E.

2014-01-01

Gravity, aeromagnetic, and rock-property data were collected to support geologic-mapping, water-resource, and seismic-hazard studies for the central California Coast Ranges. These data are combined with existing data to provide gravity, aeromagnetic, and physical-property datasets for this region. The gravity dataset consists of approximately 18,000 measurements. The aeromagnetic dataset consists of total-field anomaly values from several detailed surveys that have been merged and gridded at an interval of 200 m. The physical property dataset consists of approximately 800 density measurements and 1,100 magnetic-susceptibility measurements from rock samples, in addition to previously published borehole gravity surveys from Santa Maria Basin, density logs from Salinas Valley, and intensities of natural remanent magnetization.

Effect of inhibitors of auxin transport and of calmodulin on a gravisensing-dependent current in maize roots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bjorkman, T.; Leopold, A. C.

1987-01-01

Some characteristics of the gravity sensing mechanism in maize root caps were investigated using a bioelectric current as an indicator of gravity sensing. This technique involves the measurement of a change in the current density which arises at the columella region coincidently with the presentation time. Two inhibitors of auxin transport, triiodobenzoic acid and naphthylphthalamic acid, blocked gravitropic curvature but not the change in current density. Two inhibitors of calmodulin activity, compound 48/80 and calmidazolium, blocked both curvature and gravity-induced current. The results suggest that auxin transport is not a component of gravity sensing in the root cap. By contrast, the results suggest that calmodulin plays an intrinsic role in gravity sensing.

A simple Bouguer gravity anomaly map of southwestern Saudi Arabia and an initial interpretation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gettings, M.E.

1983-01-01

Approximately 2,200 gravity stations on a 10-km2 grid were used to construct a simple Bouguer gravity anomaly map at 1:2,000,000 scale along a 150-km-wide by 850-km-long strip of the Arabian Peninsula from Sanam, southwest of Ar Riyad, through the Farasan Islands and including offshore islands, the coastal plain, and the Hijaz-Asir escarpment from Jiddah to the Yemen border. On the Precambrian Arabian Shield, local positive gravity anomalies are associated with greenstone belts, gneiss domes, and the Najd fault zones. Local negative gravity anomalies correlate with granitic plutonic rocks. A steep gravity gradient of as much as 4 mgal-km-1 marks the continental margin on the coastal plain near the southwestern end of the strip. Bouguer gravity anomaly values range from -10 to +40 mgal southwest of this gradient and from -170 to -100 mgal in a 300-km-wide gravity minimum northeast of the gradient. Farther northeast, the minimum is terminated by a regional gradient of about 0.1 mgal-km-1 that increases toward the Arabian Gulf. The regional gravity anomaly pattern has been modeled by using seismic refraction and Raleigh wave studies, heat-flow measurements, and isostatic considerations as constraints. The model is consistent with the hypothesis of upwelling of hot mantle material beneath the Red Sea and lateral mantle flow beneath the Arabian plate. The model yields best-fitting average crustal densities of 2.80 g-cm-3 (0-20 km depth) and 3.00 g-cm-3 (20-40 km depth) southwest of the Nabitah suture zone and 2.74 g-cm-3 (0-20 km depth) and 2.94 g-cm-3 (20-40 km depth) northeast of the suture zone. The gravity model requires that the crust be about 20 km thick at the continental margin and that the lower crust between the margin and Bishah (lat 20? N., long 42.5? E.) be somewhat denser than the lower crust to the northeast. Detailed correlations between 1:250,000- and 1:500,000-scale geologic maps and the gravity anomaly map suggest that the greenstone belts associated with gravity highs contain a large proportion of gabbroic and dioritic intrusive rocks and that the bulk density of the upper crust associated with some of the batholithic complexes has been lowered by the large-scale intrusion of granitic material at depth, as well as by that exposed at the surface. A comparison of known base and precious metals occurrences with the Bouguer gravity anomaly field shows, in some cases, a correlation between such occurrences and the features of the gravity anomaly map. Several areas were identified between known mineral occurrences along gravity-defined structures that may contain mineral deposits if the lithologic environment is favorable.

Interpretation of gravity anomalies in the northwest Adirondack lowlands, northern New York

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Revetta, F.A.; O'Brian, B.

1993-03-01

Twelve hundred gravity measurements were made in the Adirondack Highlands and northwest Adirondack Lowlands, New York between 44[degree]15 minutes and 44[degree]30 minutes N. Latitude and 75[degree]00 minutes W. Longitude. A Bouguer gravity map constructed from the gravity measurements includes the Carthage-Colton Mylonite Zone, a major structural boundary between the highlands and lowlands. The gravity map indicates the gravity contours trend parallel to the CCMZ along most of its length however in some areas the contours cross the boundary. No clear-cut relationships exists between the CCMZ and gravity contours. The Bouguer gravity map shows several prominent gravity anomalies which correlate withmore » the geology seismicity and mineral deposits in the area. Gravity lows of 20 to 30 g.u. are centered over the Gouverneur, Hyde and Payne Lake Alaskite gneiss bodies. A gravity high of 20 g.u. occurs over the Pleasant Lake gabbro pluton. Gravity highs of 35 and 100 g.u. occur over the Sylvia Lake Zinc District and marble just north of the district. A gravity high at Russell, N.Y. coincides with a cluster of nine earthquake epicenters. Finally a steep gravity gradient separates high density rocks from lower density rocks along the Black Lake fault. Two-dimensional computer modeling of the geologic features is underway and quantitative models of the structures will be presented.« less

Isostatic gravity map with simplified geology of the Los Angeles 30 x 60 minute quadrangle

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wooley, R.J.; Yerkes, R.F.; Langenheim, V.E.; Chuang, F.C.

2003-01-01

This isostatic residual gravity map is part of the Southern California Areal Mapping Project (SCAMP) and is intended to promote further understanding of the geology in the Los Angeles 30 x 60 minute quadrangle, California, by serving as a basis for geophysical interpretations and by supporting both geological mapping and topical (especially earthquake) studies. Local spatial variations in the Earth's gravity field (after various corrections for elevation, terrain, and deep crustal structure explained below) reflect the lateral variation in density in the mid- to upper crust. Densities often can be related to rock type, and abrupt spatial changes in density commonly mark lithologic boundaries. The map shows contours of isostatic gravity overlain on a simplified geology including faults and rock types. The map is draped over shaded-relief topography to show landforms.

Satellite gravity field derivatives for identifying geological boundaries.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alvarez, O.; Gimenez, M.; Braitenberg, C.; Folguera, A.

2012-04-01

The Pampean flat slab zone developed in the last 17 Ma between 27° and 33°S, and has denuded an intricate collage of crustal blocks amalgamated during the Pampean, Famatinian and San Rafael deformational stages, that is far of being completely understood. For potential field studies these amalgamations have the effect of defining important compositional and density heterogeneities. Geophysical data from different studies show a sharp boundary between the two adjacent and contrasting crusts of Pampia and the Cuyania terrane. Recent aeromagnetic surveys have inferred a mafic and ultramafic belt interpreted as a buried ophiolitic suite hosted in the corresponding suture. This boundary coincides locally with basement exposures of high to medium grade metamorphic rocks developed in close association with the Famatinian orogen of Early to Middle Ordovician age. Lower crustal rocks are exposed along this first order crustal discontinuity. The Río de la Plata basement crops out from southern Uruguay to eastern-center Argentina with an approximate surface of 20,000 km2. Oldest rocks have been dated in 2,200 and 1,700 Ma, indicating that they constituted a different block to Pampia. The boundary between Pampia and the Rio de la Plata craton is not exposed. However, a strong gravimetric anomaly identified in the central part of the foothills of the Sierras de Córdoba indicates a first order crustal discontinuity that has been related to their collision in Neoproterozoic times. This work focuses on the determination of mass heterogeneities over the Pampean flat slab zone using gravity anomaly and vertical gravity gradient, with the aim to determine discontinuities in the pattern of terrain amalgamation that conformed the basement. Satellite gravimetry is highly sensitive to these variations. Recent satellite missions, (CHAMP, GRACE, and GOCE) have introduced an extraordinary improvement in the global mapping of the gravity field. We control the quality of the terrestrial data entering the EGM2008 by a comparison analysis with the satellite only gravitational model of GOCE up to degree N=250. Using the global model EGM2008, the vertical gravity gradient and the gravity anomaly for South Central Andes are calculated. We correct the observations for the topographic effect using tesseroids by using a 1-arc minute global relief model of earth's surface. Results are compared to a schematic geological map of the South Central Andes region, which includes main geological features with regional dimensions presumably accompanied by crustal density variations. We clearly depict the geological structures and delineation of significant terrains such as Pampia, Cuyania, and Chilenia terranes. Of great interest is the contact between the Rio de la Plata craton and the Pampia Terrain, a boundary that has not been clearly defined till now. Our work aims to highlight the potential of this new tool of satellite gravimetry, with the addition of topographic correction, to achieve tectonic interpretation of medium to long wavelength of a determined study region. We demonstrate that the new gravity fields can be used for identifying geological boundaries related to density differences, in a regional dimension and thus are a new useful tool in geophysical exploration.

Continuous gravity measurements reveal a low-density lava lake at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i

USGS Publications Warehouse

Carbone, Daniele; Poland, Michael P.; Patrick, Matthew R.; Orr, Tim R.

2013-01-01

On 5 March 2011, the lava lake within the summit eruptive vent at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i, began to drain as magma withdrew to feed a dike intrusion and fissure eruption on the volcanoʼs east rift zone. The draining was monitored by a variety of continuous geological and geophysical measurements, including deformation, thermal and visual imagery, and gravity. Over the first ∼14 hours of the draining, the ground near the eruptive vent subsided by about 0.15 m, gravity dropped by more than 100 μGal, and the lava lake retreated by over 120 m. We used GPS data to correct the gravity signal for the effects of subsurface mass loss and vertical deformation in order to isolate the change in gravity due to draining of the lava lake alone. Using a model of the eruptive vent geometry based on visual observations and the lava level over time determined from thermal camera data, we calculated the best-fit lava density to the observed gravity decrease — to our knowledge, the first geophysical determination of the density of a lava lake anywhere in the world. Our result, 950 +/- 300 kg m-3, suggests a lava density less than that of water and indicates that Kīlaueaʼs lava lake is gas-rich, which can explain why rockfalls that impact the lake trigger small explosions. Knowledge of such a fundamental material property as density is also critical to investigations of lava-lake convection and degassing and can inform calculations of pressure change in the subsurface magma plumbing system.

Plasma Disks and Rings with ``High'' Magnetic Energy Densities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coppi, B.; Rousseau, F.

2006-04-01

The nonlinear theory of rotating axisymmetric thin structures in which the magnetic field energy density is comparable with the thermal plasma energy density is formulated. The only flow velocity included in the theory is the velocity of rotation around a central object whose gravity is dominant. The periodic sequence, in the radial direction, of pairs of opposite current channels that can form is shown to lead to relatively large plasma density and pressure modulations, while the relevant magnetic surfaces can acquire a ``crystal structure.'' A new class of equilibria consisting of a series of plasma rings is identified, in the regimes where the plasma pressure is comparable to the magnetic pressure associated with the fields produced by the internal currents. The possible relevance of this result to the formation of dusty plasma rings is pointed out.

Test Operations Procedure (TOP) 02-2-603A Vehicle Fuel Consumption

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-10

API) Hydrometer . The API Hydrometer is used for accurate determination of the density, relative density (specific gravity), or API gravity of... Hydrometer Method. 5. TOP 02-2-505, Inspection and Preliminary Operation of Vehicles, 4 February 1987. 6. TOP 02-1-003, Hybrid Electric

The role of collective self-gravity in the nonlinear evolution of viscous overstability in Saturn's rings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lehmann, M.; Schmidt, J.; Salo, H.

2017-09-01

Observational evidence for the presence of axisymmetric periodic micro-structure on length scales of 100m - 200m in Saturn's A and B rings was revealed by several instruments onboard the Cassini mission to Saturn. The structure was seen in radio occultations performed by the Radio Science Subsystem (RSS) (Thomson et al. (2007)) and stellar occultations carried out with the Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) (Colwell et al. (2007)), and the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) (Hedman et al. (2014)). Up to date, this micro-structure is best explained by the viscous overstability, which arises as a spontaneous oscillatory instability in a dense ring, if certain conditions are met, leading to the formation of axisymmetric density waves with wavelengths on the order of 100m. We investigate the influence of collective self-gravity forces on the nonlinear, large scale evolution of the viscous overstability in Saturn's rings. To this end we numerically solve the nonlinear hydrodynamic model equations for a dense ring, including radial self-gravity and employing values for the transport coefficients (such as the ring's viscosity and heat conductivity) derived by salo et al. (2001). We concentrate on ring optical depths of order unity, which are appropriate to model Saturn's dense rings. Furthermore, local N-body simulations, incorporating vertical and radial collective self-gravity forces are performed. Direct particle-particle forces are omitted, which prevents small scale gravitational instabilities (self-gravity wakes) from forming, an approximation that allows us to study long radial scales of some 10 kilometers and to compare directly the hydrodynamic model and the N-body simulations. Our hydrodynamic model results, in the limit of vanishing self-gravity, compare very well with the studies of Latter & Ogilvie (2010) and Rein & Latter (2013). In contrast, for rings with non-vanishing radial self-gravity we find that the wavelengths of saturated overstable wave trains tend to settle close to the frequency minimum of the nonlinear dispersion relation, i.e. the saturation wavelengths decrease with increasing surface mass density of the ring. Good agreement between hydrodynamics and N-body simulations is found for disks with strong radial self-gravity, while the largest deviations occur in the limit of weak self-gravity. The resulting saturation wavelengths of the viscous overstability for moderate and strong radial self-gravity (100m-300m) agree reasonably well with the length scale of the axisymmetric periodic micro structure in Saturn's inner A ring and the B ring, as found by Cassini.

Spherical harmonic modelling to ultra-high degree of Bouguer and isostatic anomalies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balmino, G.; Vales, N.; Bonvalot, S.; Briais, A.

2012-07-01

The availability of high-resolution global digital elevation data sets has raised a growing interest in the feasibility of obtaining their spherical harmonic representation at matching resolution, and from there in the modelling of induced gravity perturbations. We have therefore estimated spherical Bouguer and Airy isostatic anomalies whose spherical harmonic models are derived from the Earth's topography harmonic expansion. These spherical anomalies differ from the classical planar ones and may be used in the context of new applications. We succeeded in meeting a number of challenges to build spherical harmonic models with no theoretical limitation on the resolution. A specific algorithm was developed to enable the computation of associated Legendre functions to any degree and order. It was successfully tested up to degree 32,400. All analyses and syntheses were performed, in 64 bits arithmetic and with semi-empirical control of the significant terms to prevent from calculus underflows and overflows, according to IEEE limitations, also in preserving the speed of a specific regular grid processing scheme. Finally, the continuation from the reference ellipsoid's surface to the Earth's surface was performed by high-order Taylor expansion with all grids of required partial derivatives being computed in parallel. The main application was the production of a 1' × 1' equiangular global Bouguer anomaly grid which was computed by spherical harmonic analysis of the Earth's topography-bathymetry ETOPO1 data set up to degree and order 10,800, taking into account the precise boundaries and densities of major lakes and inner seas, with their own altitude, polar caps with bedrock information, and land areas below sea level. The harmonic coefficients for each entity were derived by analyzing the corresponding ETOPO1 part, and free surface data when required, at one arc minute resolution. The following approximations were made: the land, ocean and ice cap gravity spherical harmonic coefficients were computed up to the third degree of the altitude, and the harmonics of the other, smaller parts up to the second degree. Their sum constitutes what we call ETOPG1, the Earth's TOPography derived Gravity model at 1' resolution (half-wavelength). The EGM2008 gravity field model and ETOPG1 were then used to rigorously compute 1' × 1' point values of surface gravity anomalies and disturbances, respectively, worldwide, at the real Earth's surface, i.e. at the lower limit of the atmosphere. The disturbance grid is the most interesting product of this study and can be used in various contexts. The surface gravity anomaly grid is an accurate product associated with EGM2008 and ETOPO1, but its gravity information contents are those of EGM2008. Our method was validated by comparison with a direct numerical integration approach applied to a test area in Morocco-South of Spain (Kuhn, private communication 2011) and the agreement was satisfactory. Finally isostatic corrections according to the Airy model, but in spherical geometry, with harmonic coefficients derived from the sets of the ETOPO1 different parts, were computed with a uniform depth of compensation of 30 km. The new world Bouguer and isostatic gravity maps and grids here produced will be made available through the Commission for the Geological Map of the World. Since gravity values are those of the EGM2008 model, geophysical interpretation from these products should not be done for spatial scales below 5 arc minutes (half-wavelength).

Gravity model for the North Atlantic ocean mantle: results, uncertainties and links to regional geodynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barantsrva, O.; Artemieva, I. M.; Thybo, H.

2015-12-01

We present the results of gravity modeling for the North Atlantic region based on interpretation of GOCE gravity satellite data. First, to separate the gravity signal caused by density anomalies within the crust and the upper mantle, we subtract the lower harmonics in the gravity field, which are presumably caused by deep density structure of the Earth (the core and the lower mantle). Next, the gravity effect of the upper mantle is calculated by subtracting the gravity effect of the crustal model. Our "basic model" is constrained by a recent regional seismic model EUNAseis for the crustal structure (Artemieva and Thybo, 2013); for bathymetry and topography we use a global ETOPO1 model by NOAA. We test sensitivity of the results to different input parameters, such as bathymetry, crustal structure, and gravity field. For bathymetry, we additionally use GEBCO data; for crustal correction - a global model CRUST 1.0 (Laske, 2013); for gravity - EGM2008 (Pavlis, 2012). Sensitivity analysis shows that uncertainty in the crustal structure produces the largest deviation from "the basic model". Use of different bathymetry data has little effect on the final results, comparable to the interpolation error. The difference in mantle residual gravity models based on GOCE and EMG2008 gravity data is 5-10 mGal. The results based on two crustal models have a similar pattern, but differ significantly in amplitude (ca. 250 mGal) for the Greenland-Faroe Ridge. The results demonstrate the presence of a strong gravity and density heterogeneity in the upper mantle in the North Atlantic region. A number of mantle residual gravity anomalies are robust features, independent of the choice of model parameters. This include (i) a sharp contrast at the continent-ocean transition, (ii) positive mantle gravity anomalies associated with continental fragments (microcontinents) in the North Atlantic ocean; (iii) negative mantle gravity anomalies which mark regions with anomalous oceanic mantle and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. To understand better a complex geodynamics mosaic in the region, we compare our results with regional geochemical data (Korenaga and Klemen, 2000), and find that residual mantle gravity anomalies are well correlated with anomalies in epsilon-Nd and iron-depletion.

Assembly of Nanowire Arrays: Exploring Interparticle Interactions, Particle Orientation, and Mixed Particle Arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirby, David J.

This dissertation explores the fundamental interparticle and particle-substrate forces that contribute to nanowire assembly. Nanowires have a large aspect ratio which has made them favorable materials for applications in energy and sensing technologies. However, this anisotropy means that nanowires must be positioned and oriented during an assembly process. Within this work, the roles of gravity, van der Waals (VDW) attractions, and electrostatic repulsions are explored when different nanowire assemblies are created. Particles were synthesized by the template electrodeposition process so that stripes of different materials and therefore different VDW interactions could be patterned along the particle length. Electrostatic repulsions were provided by a small molecule coating or a porous silica shell to prevent aggregation during the assembly process. Chapters 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8 all used particles whose asymmetry was further adjusted by removal of a sacrificial segment to leave a partially etched nanowire (PEN), a rigid silica shell partially filled with a metal core. For these particles, the role of gravity was amplified due to the drastic density differences between the two segments. Topographic and high VDW surface interactions were patterned onto assembly substrates using photolithographic processing. These forces served as a passive template to direct nanowire assembly. The segment anisotropy of PENs allowed gravity to drive their sedimentation with the long axis perpendicular to the surface. The density difference between the two ends allowed them to convert between the horizontal and vertical orientation as they diffused on the substrate. Vertical arrays formed as particle concentrations increased while VDW attractions from neighboring PENs or the physical barrier of a microwell wall supported this structure. While vertical arrays were typically PENs, microwell walls were also able to enforce a vertical orientation on solid Au nanowires. These particles typically formed horizontal arrays on planar surfaces, but careful design of the microwell and nanowire dimensions enabled these particles to take on the vertical orientation. Solid nanowires and PENs with greater segment symmetry aligned parallel to the surface as gravity did not allow a conversion to the vertical orientation. When concentrated, these particles formed smectic row arrangements which were previously shown to originate from a balance of VDW attractions and electrostatic repulsions. Within rows of segmented particles, a preference was observed for like orientation of nearest neighbor particles (Chapter 6). With the aid of Monte Carlo simulations, it was determined that this observation was the result of small differences in VDW attractions between the two nanowire ends. Differences in VDW attraction were also applied to patterned surfaces (Chapter 7). Stripes of high VDW material (Au) were placed on a silica surface (a low VDW material). When relatively low surface concentrations were used, the high VDW regions collected Au nanowires and organized them into rows that were reminiscent of those observed on un-patterned surfaces at high particle concentrations. VDW and the gravitational force were explored as they combined to influence array orientation in binary PEN mixtures. Depending on the geometries of the particles combined, the contributions of gravity and interparticle interactions exhibited different balance in creating the final array. VDW and gravitational forces could also act as a force for reconfigurable nanowire assembly. In chapter 8, fluid flow was used to concentrate PENs and force them into horizontal arrangements. When fluid flow was stopped, van der Waals forces and gravity were responsible for a reorientation of the assembled particles into a standing array. These studies represent early steps into the future of nanowire assembly methods. I conclude this dissertation by discussing the implications of my work and providing perspective on their importance to the scientific community. I also offer suggestions for future work in nanowire assembly. These areas focus on the development of assembled nanowire devices, mixed nanowire assembly techniques, and potential stimuli responsive reconfigurable assemblies.

An Inversion of Gravity and Topography for Mantle and Crustal Structure on Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kiefer, Walter S.; Bills, Bruce G.; Nerem, R. Steven

1996-01-01

Analysis of the gravity and topography of Mars presently provides our primary quantitative constraints on the internal structure of Mars. We present an inversion of the long-wavelength (harmonic degree less than or equal to 10) gravity and topography of Mars for lateral variations of mantle temperature and crustal thickness. Our formulation incorporates both viscous mantle flow (which most prior studies have neglected) and isostatically compensated density anomalies in the crust and lithosphere. Our nominal model has a 150-km-thick high-viscosity surface layer over an isoviscous mantle, with a core radius of 1840 km. It predicts lateral temperature variations of up to a few hundred degrees Kelvin relative to the mean mantle temperature, with high temperature under Tharsis and to a lesser extent under Elysium and cool temperatures elsewhere. Surprisingly, the model predicts crustal thinning beneath Tharsis. If correct, this implies that thinning of the crust by mantle shear stresses dominates over thickening of the crust by volcanism. The major impact basins (Hellas, Argyre, Isidis, Chryse, and Utopia) are regions of crustal thinning, as expected. Utopia is also predicted to be a region of hot mantle, which is hard to reconcile with the surface geology. An alternative model for Utopia treats it as a mascon basin. The Utopia gravity anomaly is consistent with the presence of a 1.2 to 1.6 km thick layer of uncompensated basalt, in good agreement with geologic arguments about the amount of volcanic fill in this area. The mantle thermal structure is the dominant contributor to the observed geoid in our inversion. The mantle also dominates the topography at the longest wavelengths, but shorter wavelengths (harmonic degrees greater than or equal to 4) are dominated by the crustal structure. Because of the uncertainty about the appropriate numerical values for some of the model's input parameters, we have examined the sensitivity of the model results to the planetary structural model (core radius and core and mantle densities), the mantle's viscosity stratification, and the mean crustal thickness. The model results are insensitive to the specific thickness or viscosity contrast of the high-viscosity surface layer and to the mean crustal thickness in the range 25 to 100 km. Models with a large core radius or with an upper mantle low-viscosity zone require implausibly large lateral variations in mantle temperature.

The density-magnetic field relation in the atomic ISM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gazol, A.; Villagran, M. A.

2018-07-01

We present numerical experiments aimed to study the correlation between the magnetic field strength, B, and the density, n, in the cold atomic interstellar medium (CNM). We analyse 24 magnetohydrodynamic models with different initial magnetic field intensities (B0 = 0.4, 2.1, 4.2, and 8.3 μG) and/or mean densities (2, 3, and 4 cm-3), in the presence of driven and decaying turbulence, with and without self-gravity, in a cubic computational domain with 100 pc by side. Our main findings are as follows: (i) For forced simulations that reproduce the main observed physical conditions of the CNM in the solar neighbourhood, a positive correlation between B and n develops for all the B0 values. (ii) The density at which this correlation becomes significant (≲30 cm-3) depends on B0 but is not sensitive to the presence of self-gravity. (iii) The effect of self-gravity, when noticeable, consists of producing a shallower correlation at high densities, suggesting that, in the studied regime, self-gravity induces motions along the field lines. (iv) Self-gravitating decaying models where the CNM is subsonic and sub-Alfvénic with β ≲ 1 develop a high-density positive correlation whose slopes are consistent with a constant β(n). (v) Decaying models where the low-density CNM is subsonic and sub-Alfvénic with β > 1 show a negative correlation at intermediate densities, followed by a high-density positive correlation.

The Density-Magnetic Field Relation in the Atomic ISM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gazol, A.; Villagran, M. A.

2018-04-01

We present numerical experiments aimed to study the correlation between the magnetic field strength, B, and the density, n, in the cold atomic interstellar medium (CNM). We analyze 24 magneto-hydrodynamic models with different initial magnetic field intensities (B0 =0.4, 2.1, 4.2, and 8.3 μG) and/or mean densities (2, 3, and 4 cm-3), in the presence of driven and decaying turbulence, with and without self-gravity, in a cubic computational domain with 100 pc by side. Our main findings are: i) For forced simulations, which reproduce the main observed physical conditions of the CNM in the Solar neighborhood, a positive correlation between B and n develops for all the B0 values. ii) The density at which this correlation becomes significant (≲ 30 cm-3) depends on B0 but is not sensitive to the presence of self-gravity. iii) The effect of self-gravity, when noticeable, consists of producing a shallower correlation at high densities, suggesting that, in the studied regime, self-gravity induces motions along the field lines. iv) Self-gravitating decaying models where the CNM is subsonic and sub-Alfvénic with β ≲ 1 develop a high density positive correlation whose slopes are consistent with a constant β(n). v) Decaying models where the low density CNM is subsonic and sub-Alfvénic with β > 1 show a negative correlation at intermediate densities, followed by a high density positive correlation.

Free-Air Gravity Map of the Moon

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-06-27

This still image features a free-air gravity map of the Moon's southern latitudes developed by S. Goossens et al. from data returned by the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission. If the Moon were a perfectly smooth sphere of uniform density, the gravity map would be a single, featureless color, indicating that the force of gravity at a given elevation was the same everywhere. But like other rocky bodies in the solar system, including Earth, the Moon has both a bumpy surface and a lumpy interior. Spacecraft in orbit around the Moon experience slight variations in gravity caused by both of these irregularities. The free-air gravity map shows deviations from the mean gravity that a cueball Moon would have. The deviations are measured in milliGals, a unit of acceleration. On the map, purple is at the low end of the range, at around -400 mGals, and red is at the high end near +400 mGals. Yellow denotes the mean. The map shown here extends from the south pole of the Moon up to 50°S and reveals the gravity for that region in even finer detail than the global gravity maps published previously. The image illustrates the very good correlation between the gravity map and topographic features such as peaks and craters, as well as the mass concentration lying beneath the large Schrödinger basin in the center of the frame. The terrain in the image is based on Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) altimeter and camera data. Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Decomposing Worldwide Complete Spherical Bouguer Gravity Anomaly Using 2-D Empirical Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Firdaus, Ruhul; Mey Ekawati, Gestin

2017-04-01

Currently available worldwide gravity anomaly data provides a high-resolution (2’×2’) of Complete Spherical Bouguer Anomaly (CSBA) based on the available information of the Earth gravity field from surface and satellite measurements. The data has not only been provided and processed thoroughly but it also has been claimed to be appropriate for various geophysical applications. Therefore, the analysis of gravity anomaly is becoming increasingly significant for the earth sciences as a whole and assisting both shallow and deep geological problems. Earth gravity anomaly has to be analyzed carefully as it has very complex data due to anomaly mixing of the density masses spread over the Earth horizontally and vertically. The bigger the spatial coverage of data (e.g. global scale data), the more severe the data from anomaly mixing due to various wavelength. BEMD is an empirical method supposedly suitable with highly oscillation-mixing data. It can effectively isolate each local anomaly in details and is analogized as successively reverse moving average with local windowing. BEMD is designed to reduce multi-component, non-linear gravity field data to a series of single local anomaly contributions. Anomaly from a single body was assumed as a mono-component signal. The main advantage of BEMD processing techniques is to present the subtle details in the data which are not clearly identified in anomaly maps, without specifying any prior information about the nature of the source bodies. As the result, we have identified regional anomalies due to the drift of continental and oceanic masses considered as crust-regional anomaly (CRA). We remove the CRA from the CBA to provide surface-residual anomaly (SRA) where shallow geologic bodies reveal. Meanwhile, the CRA itself can be used as reference to reduce this high magnitude anomaly from any measurement data to exhibit only shallow body anomaly. Further analysis can be carried out to build a general understanding of the details and parameters of the shallower or deeper causative body distributions.

Integration of 3D geological modeling and gravity surveys for geothermal prospection in an Alpine region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guglielmetti, L.; Comina, C.; Abdelfettah, Y.; Schill, E.; Mandrone, G.

2013-11-01

Thermal sources are common manifestations of geothermal energy resources in Alpine regions. The up-flow of the fluid is well-known to be often linked to cross-cutting fault zones providing a significant volume of fractures. Since conventional exploration methods are challenging in such areas of high topography and complicated logistics, 3D geological modeling based on structural investigation becomes a useful tool for assessing the overall geology of the investigated sites. Geological modeling alone is, however, less effective if not integrated with deep subsurface investigations that could provide a first order information on geological boundaries and an imaging of geological structures. With this aim, in the present paper the combined use of 3D geological modeling and gravity surveys for geothermal prospection of a hydrothermal area in the western Alps was carried out on two sites located in the Argentera Massif (NW Italy). The geothermal activity of the area is revealed by thermal anomalies with surface evidences, such as hot springs, at temperatures up to 70 °C. Integration of gravity measurements and 3D modeling investigates the potential of this approach in the context of geothermal exploration in Alpine regions where a very complex geological and structural setting is expected. The approach used in the present work is based on the comparison between the observed gravity and the gravity effect of the 3D geological models, in order to enhance local effects related to the geothermal system. It is shown that a correct integration of 3D modeling and detailed geophysical survey could allow a better characterization of geological structures involved in geothermal fluids circulation. Particularly, gravity inversions have successfully delineated the continuity in depth of low density structures, such as faults and fractured bands observed at the surface, and have been of great help in improving the overall geological model.

Free-Air Gravity Map of the Moon

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

If the Moon were a perfectly smooth sphere of uniform density, the gravity map would be a single, featureless color, indicating that the force of gravity at a given elevation was the same everywhere. But like other rocky bodies in the solar system, including Earth, the Moon has both a bumpy surface and a lumpy interior. Spacecraft in orbit around the Moon experience slight variations in gravity caused by both of these irregularities. The free-air gravity map shows deviations from the mean, the gravity that a cueball Moon would have. The deviations are measured in milliGals, a unit of acceleration. On the map, dark purple is at the low end of the range, at around -400 mGals, and red is at the high end near +400 mGals. Yellow denotes the mean. These views show a part of the Moon's surface that's never visible from Earth. They are centered on lunar coordinates 29°N 142°E. The large, multi-ringed impact feature near the center is Mare Moscoviense. The crater Mendeleev is south of this. The digital elevation model for the terrain is from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter laser altimeter (LOLA). Merely for plausibility, the sun angle and starry background are accurate for specific dates (December 21, 2012, 0:00 UT and January 8, 2013, 14:00 UT, respectively). To see or download more views go to: svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/goto?4041 Credit: NASA's Goddard Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Analyses on Origin of positive gravity anomalies of sedimentary basins of the Ross Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Jinyao; Yang, Chunguo; Ji, Fei; Wang, Wei; Shen, Zhongyan

2017-04-01

We have adopted gridded products describing surface elevation, ice-thickness and the sea floor and subglacial bed elevation south of 60◦ S from Bedmap2 and north of 60◦ S from JGP95E to calculate Bouguer and isostatic gravity anomaly of the Ross Sea region based on the DTU10 free-air gravity anomaly.Taking a view of the free-air, Bouguer and isostatic gravity anomalies, it is unusual that high values overlay the Victoria Land Basin, Central Trough, Northern Basin and Northern Central Trough while basement highs are associated with low value. A number of studies have attributed the high gravity anomalies across the depocenters to high-density volcanics deep within the basins or magmatic intrusions within the region of the thinned crust or upper mantle (e. g., Edwards et al., 1987). According to the conclusion from Karner et al. (2005), the anticorrelation of gravity anomalies with sediment basement can be reproduced if the flexural strength of the lithosphere during the late Cretaceous rifting is significantly lower than the flexural strength of the lithosphere at the Oligocene and Neogene time of sedimentation. We note that the isostatic gravity anomalies are higher than the free-air gravity anomalies adjacent to the Transantarctic Mountains, and vice versa away from the Transantarctic Mountains. We may ignore the constraints offered by the tranditional isostasy in the local gravity studies of the Ross Sea basins, especially advancing the concept of high density material in the lower crust or upper mantle. In particular, the modeled gravity does not laterally integrate to zero, due to the existence of unbalanced forces induced by mantle. Along the outer shelf uplift zone surrouding Antarctica, the positive gravity belt has higher values in free-air gravity anomalies than those in isostatic gravity anomalies. Meanwhile, the positive gravity belt of isostatic gravity anomalies almost disappears in the background anomalies of 20 mGal to 10 mGal facing the Pacific ocean between 105°E and 70°W. Moreover, the lithosphere of Ross Sea and offshore Wilkes Land near the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge are intensively broken by transform faults, its strength becomes weak, and this favors a local equilibrium adjustment with the Airy isostatic model. Within the Ross Sea sector area, including its outer ocean, isostatic gravity anomalies are smoothly lowest in the entire region. These transform faults may cut through lithosphere to induce the mantle thermal turbulence, which further reduces the lithospheric strength and brings about an over-compensation phenomenon. If both the Ross Sea and the outer shelf uplift zone, the Transantartic Mountains or the Antarctic Ice Sheet are treated as one system, we may get rid of this dilemma. As the outer shelf uplift zone had been broken and the Transantartic Mountaisn or the Antarctic Ice Sheet had been developing, the local crust would gradually subside and its underlying anthenosphere would flow outwards. Along weak belts or faults at the depocenters or edges of basins of the Ross Sea, compressed magma were likely to upwell, stretching the crust and uplifting the Moho with high gravity anomalies in basins.

Bouguer gravity anomaly and isostatic residual gravity maps of the Tonopah 1 degree by 2 degrees Quadrangle, central Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Plouff, Donald

1992-01-01

A residual isostatic gravity map (sheet 2) was prepared so that the regional effect of isostatic compensation present on the Bouguer gravity anomaly map (sheet 1) would be minimized. Isostatic corrections based on the Airy-Heiskanen system (Heiskanen and Vening Meinesz, 1958, p. 135-137) were estimated by using 3-minute topographic digitization and applying the method of Jachens and Roberts (1981). Parameters selected for the isostatic model were 25 km for the normal crustal thickness at sea level, 2.67 g/cm3 for the density of the crust, and 0.4 g/cm3 for the contrast in density between the crust and the upper mantle. These parameters were selected so that the isostatic residual gravity map would be consistent with isostatic residual gravity maps of the adjacent Walker Lake quadrangle (Plouff, 1987) and the state of Nevada (Saltus, 1988c).

3D inversion of full gravity gradient tensor data in spherical coordinate system using local north-oriented frame

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yi; Wu, Yulong; Yan, Jianguo; Wang, Haoran; Rodriguez, J. Alexis P.; Qiu, Yue

2018-04-01

In this paper, we propose an inverse method for full gravity gradient tensor data in the spherical coordinate system. As opposed to the traditional gravity inversion in the Cartesian coordinate system, our proposed method takes the curvature of the Earth, the Moon, or other planets into account, using tesseroid bodies to produce gravity gradient effects in forward modeling. We used both synthetic and observed datasets to test the stability and validity of the proposed method. Our results using synthetic gravity data show that our new method predicts the depth of the density anomalous body efficiently and accurately. Using observed gravity data for the Mare Smythii area on the moon, the density distribution of the crust in this area reveals its geological structure. These results validate the proposed method and potential application for large area data inversion of planetary geological structures.[Figure not available: see fulltext.

A Geophysical Model for the Origin of Volcano Vent Clusters in a Colorado Plateau Volcanic Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Fanghui; Connor, Charles B.; Malservisi, Rocco; Connor, Laura J.; White, Jeremy T.; Germa, Aurelie; Wetmore, Paul H.

2017-11-01

Variation in spatial density of Quaternary volcanic vents, and the occurrence of vent clusters, correlates with boundaries in Proterozoic crust in the Springerville volcanic field (SVF), Arizona, USA. Inverse modeling using 538 gravity measurements shows that vent clusters correlate with gradients in the gravity field due to lateral variation in crustal density. These lateral discontinuities in the crustal density can be explained by boundaries in the North American crust formed during Proterozoic accretion. Spatial density of volcanic vents is low in regions of high-density Proterozoic crust, high in areas of relatively low density Proterozoic crust, and is greatest adjacent to crustal boundaries. Vent alignments parallel these boundaries. We have developed 2-D and 3-D numerical models of magma ascent through the crust to simulate long-term, average magma migration that led to the development of vent clusters in the SVF, assuming that a viscous fluid flow through a porous media is statistically equivalent to magma migration averaged over geological time in the full field scale. The location and flux from the uniform magma source region are boundary conditions of the model. Changes in model diffusivity, associated with changes in the bulk properties of the lithosphere, can simulate preferential magma migration paths and alter estimated magma flux at the surface, implying that large-scale crustal structures, such as inherited tectonic block boundaries, influence magma ascent and clustering of volcanic vents. Probabilistic models of volcanic hazard for distributed volcanic fields can be improved by identifying crustal structures and assessing their impact on volcano distribution with the use of numerical models.

Comparision between crustal density and velocity variations in Southern California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Langenheim, V.E.; Hauksson, E.

2001-01-01

We predict gravity from a three-dimensional Vp model of the upper crust and compare it to the observed isostatic residual gravity field. In general this comparison shows that the isostatic residual gravity field reflects the density variations in the upper to middle crust. Both data sets show similar density variations for the upper crust in areas such as the Peninsular Ranges and the Los Angeles basin. Both show similar variations across major faults, such as the San Andreas and Garlock faults in the Mojave Desert. The difference between the two data sets in regions such as the Salton Trough, the Eastern California Shear Zone, and the eastern Ventura basin (where depth to Moho is <30 km), however, suggests high-density middle to lower crust beneath these regions. Hence the joint interpretation of these data sets improves the depth constraints of crustal density variations.

Is it possible that a gravity increase of 20 μGal yr-1 in southern Tibet comes from a wide-range density increase?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yi, Shuang; Wang, Qiuyu; Sun, Wenke

2016-02-01

With absolute gravimetric observations from 2010 to 2013 in the southern Tibet, Chen et al. (2016) reported a gravity increase of up to 20 μGal/yr and concluded that it is possible if there was a density increase in a disk range of 580 km in diameter. Here we used observations from the gravity satellites Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) over 12 years to evaluate whether the model was practical, because a mass accumulation in such a large spatial range is well within the detectability ability of GRACE. The gravity trend based on their model is orders of magnitude larger than the GRACE observation, thus negating its conclusions. We then evaluated contributions from seasonal variation, lakes, glaciers, rivers, precipitation, and snowfall and concluded that these factors cannot cause such a large gravity signal. Finally, we discussed some possible explanations for the gravity increase of 40 μGal in two years.

Compact stars in the non-minimally coupled electromagnetic fields to gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sert, Özcan

2018-03-01

We investigate the gravitational models with the non-minimal Y(R)F^2 coupled electromagnetic fields to gravity, in order to describe charged compact stars, where Y( R) denotes a function of the Ricci curvature scalar R and F^2 denotes the Maxwell invariant term. We determine two parameter family of exact spherically symmetric static solutions and the corresponding non-minimal model without assuming any relation between energy density of matter and pressure. We give the mass-radius, electric charge-radius ratios and surface gravitational redshift which are obtained by the boundary conditions. We reach a wide range of possibilities for the parameters k and α in these solutions. Lastly we show that the models can describe the compact stars even in the more simple case α =3.

Continuous Gravity and Tilt Reveal Anomalous Pressure and Density Changes Associated With Gas Pistoning Within the Summit Lava Lake of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai`i

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poland, Michael P.; Carbone, Daniele

2018-03-01

Gas piston events within the summit eruptive vent of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai`i, are characterized by increases in lava level and by decreases in seismic energy release, spattering, and degassing. During 2010-2011, gas piston events were especially well manifested, with lava level rises of tens of meters over the course of several hours, followed by a sudden drop to preevent levels. The changes in lava level were accompanied by directly proportional changes in gravity, but ground deformation determined from tilt was anticorrelative. The small magnitude of the gravity changes, compared to the large changes in volume within the vent during gas pistons, suggests that pistoning involves the accumulation of a very low-density (100-200 kg/m3) foam at the top of the lava column. Co-event ground tilt indicates that rise in lava level is paradoxically associated with deflation (the opposite is usually true), which can be modeled as an increase in the gas content of the magma column between the source reservoir and the surface. Gas pistoning behavior is therefore associated with not only accumulation of a shallow magmatic foam but also more bubbles within the feeder conduit, probably due to the overall decrease in gas emissions from the lava lake during piston events.

Continuous gravity and tilt reveal anomalous pressure and density changes associated with gas pistoning within the summit lava lake of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaiʻi

USGS Publications Warehouse

Poland, Michael; Carbone, Daniele

2018-01-01

Gas piston events within the summit eruptive vent of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i, are characterized by increases in lava level and by decreases in seismic energy release, spattering, and degassing. During 2010–2011, gas piston events were especially well manifested, with lava level rises of tens of meters over the course of several hours, followed by a sudden drop to preevent levels. The changes in lava level were accompanied by directly proportional changes in gravity, but ground deformation determined from tilt was anticorrelative. The small magnitude of the gravity changes, compared to the large changes in volume within the vent during gas pistons, suggests that pistoning involves the accumulation of a very low‐density (100–200 kg/m3) foam at the top of the lava column. Co‐event ground tilt indicates that rise in lava level is paradoxically associated with deflation (the opposite is usually true), which can be modeled as an increase in the gas content of the magma column between the source reservoir and the surface. Gas pistoning behavior is therefore associated with not only accumulation of a shallow magmatic foam but also more bubbles within the feeder conduit, probably due to the overall decrease in gas emissions from the lava lake during piston events.

Exploring seismicity using geomagnetic and gravity data - a case study for Bulgaria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trifonova, P.; Simeonova, S.; Solakov, D.; Metodiev, M.

2012-04-01

Seismicity exploration certainly requires comprehensive analysis of location, orientation and length distribution of fault and block systems with a variety of geophysical methods. In the present research capability of geomagnetic and gravity anomalous field data are used for revealing of buried structures inside the earth's upper layers. Interpretation of gravity and magnetic data is well known and often applied to delineate various geological structures such as faults, flexures, thrusts, borders of dislocated blocks etc. which create significant rock density contrast in horizontal planes. Study area of the present research covers the territory of Bulgaria which is part of the active continental margin of the Eurasian plate. This region is a typical example of high seismic risk area. The epicentral map shows that seismicity in the region is not uniformly distributed in space. Therefore the seismicity is described in distributed geographical zones (seismic source zones). Each source zone is characterized by its specific tectonic, seismic, and geological particulars. From the analysis of the depth distribution it was recognized that the earthquakes in the region occurred in the Earth's crust. Hypocenters are mainly located in the upper crust, and only a few events are related to the lower crust. The maximum depth reached is about 50 km in southwestern Bulgaria; outside, the foci affect only the surficial 30-35 km. Maximum density of seismicity involves the layer between 5 and 25 km. This fact determines the capability of potential fields data to reveal crustal structures and to examine their parameters as possible seismic sources. Results showed that a number of geophysically interpreted structures coincide with observed on the surface dislocations and epicenter clusters (well illustrated in northern Bulgaria) which confirms the reliability of the applied methodology. The complicated situation in southern Bulgaria is demonstrated by mosaics structure of geomagnetic field, complex configuration of gravity anomalies and spatial seismicity distribution. Well defined (confirmed by geophysical, geological and seismological data) are the known earthquake source zones (such as Sofia, Kresna, Maritsa, Yambol ) in this part of the territory of Bulgaria. Worth while are the results where no surface structures are present (e.g. Central Rhodope zone and East Rhodope zone, where the 2006 Kurdzhali earthquake sequence is realized). In those cases, gravity and magnetic interpretations proved to be a suitable enough technique which allows determining of position and parameters of the geological structures in depth.

Inverse gravity modeling for depth varying density structures through genetic algorithm, triangulated facet representation, and switching routines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

King, Thomas Steven

A hybrid gravity modeling method is developed to investigate the structure of sedimentary mass bodies. The method incorporates as constraints surficial basement/sediment contacts and topography of a mass target with a quadratically varying density distribution. The inverse modeling utilizes a genetic algorithm (GA) to scan a wide range of the solution space to determine initial models and the Marquardt-Levenberg (ML) nonlinear inversion to determine final models that meet pre-assigned misfit criteria, thus providing an estimate of model variability and uncertainty. The surface modeling technique modifies Delaunay triangulation by allowing individual facets to be manually constructed and non-convex boundaries to be incorporated into the triangulation scheme. The sedimentary body is represented by a set of uneven prisms and edge elements, comprised of tetrahedrons, capped by polyhedrons. Each underlying prism and edge element's top surface is located by determining its point of tangency with the overlying terrain. The remaining overlying mass is gravitationally evaluated and subtracted from the observation points. Inversion then proceeds in the usual sense, but on an irregular tiered surface with each element's density defined relative to their top surface. Efficiency is particularly important due to the large number of facets evaluated for surface representations and the many repeated element evaluations of the stochastic GA. The gravitation of prisms, triangular faceted polygons, and tetrahedrons can be formulated in different ways, either mathematically or by physical approximations, each having distinct characteristics, such as evaluation time, accuracy over various spatial ranges, and computational singularities. A decision tree or switching routine is constructed for each element by combining these characteristics into a single cohesive package that optimizes the computation for accuracy and speed while avoiding singularities. The GA incorporates a subspace technique and parameter dependency to maintain model smoothness during development, thus minimizing creating nonphysical models. The stochastic GA explores the solution space, producing a broad range of unbiased initial models, while the ML inversion is deterministic and thus quickly converges to the final model. The combination allows many solution models to be determined from the same observed data.

Evidence of partial melting beneath a continental margin: case of Dhofar, in the Northeast Gulf of Aden (Sultanate of Oman)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basuyau, C.; Tiberi, C.; Leroy, S.; Stuart, G.; Al-Lazki, A.; Al-Toubi, K.; Ebinger, C.

2010-02-01

Gravity data and P-wave teleseismic traveltime residuals from 29 temporary broad-band stations spread over the northern margin of the Gulf of Aden (Dhofar region, Oman) were used to image lithospheric structure. We apply a linear relationship between density and velocity to provide consistent density and velocity models from mid-crust down to about 250 km depth. The accuracy of the resulting models is investigated through a series of synthetic tests. The analysis of our resulting models shows: (1) crustal heterogeneities that match the main geological features at the surface; (2) the gravity edge effect and disparity in anomaly depth locations for layers at 20 and 50 km; (3) two low-velocity anomalies along the continuation of Socotra-Hadbeen and Alula-Fartak fracture zones between 60 and 200 km depth; and (4) evidence for partial melting (3-6 per cent) within these two negative anomalies. We discuss the presence of partial melting in terms of interaction between the Sheba ridge melts and its along-axis segmentation.

Atmospheric gravity waves with small vertical-to-horizotal wavelength ratios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, I. S.; Jee, G.; Kim, Y. H.; Chun, H. Y.

2017-12-01

Gravity wave modes with small vertical-to-horizontal wavelength ratios of an order of 10-3 are investigated through the systematic scale analysis of governing equations for gravity wave perturbations embedded in the quasi-geostrophic large-scale flow. These waves can be categorized as acoustic gravity wave modes because their total energy is given by the sum of kinetic, potential, and elastic parts. It is found that these waves can be forced by density fluctuations multiplied by the horizontal gradients of the large-scale pressure (geopotential) fields. These theoretical findings are evaluated using the results of a high-resolution global model (Specified Chemistry WACCM with horizontal resolution of 25 km and vertical resolution of 600 m) by computing the density-related gravity-wave forcing terms from the modeling results.

Upper atmospheric planetary-wave and gravity-wave observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Justus, C. G.; Woodrum, A.

1973-01-01

Previously collected data on atmospheric pressure, density, temperature and winds between 25 and 200 km from sources including Meteorological Rocket Network data, ROBIN falling sphere data, grenade release and pitot tube data, meteor winds, chemical release winds, satellite data, and others were analyzed by a daily-difference method, and results on the magnitude of atmospheric perturbations interpreted as gravity waves and planetary waves are presented. Traveling planetary-wave contributions in the 25-85 km range were found to have significant height and latitudinal variation. It was found that observed gravity-wave density perturbations and wind are related to one another in the manner predicted by gravity-wave theory. It was determined that, on the average, gravity-wave energy deposition or reflection occurs at all altitudes except the 55-75 km region of the mesosphere.

New insights on intraplate volcanism in French Polynesia from wavelet analysis of GRACE, CHAMP, and sea surface data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panet, I.; Chambodut, A.; Diament, M.; Holschneider, M.; Jamet, O.

2006-09-01

In this paper, we discuss the origin of superswell volcanism on the basis of representation and analysis of recent gravity and magnetic satellite data with wavelets in spherical geometry. We computed a refined gravity field in the south central Pacific based on the GRACE satellite GGM02S global gravity field and the KMS02 altimetric grid, and a magnetic anomaly field based on CHAMP data. The magnetic anomalies are marked by the magnetic lineation of the seafloor spreading and by a strong anomaly in the Tuamotu region, which we interpret as evidence for crustal thickening. We interpret our gravity field through a continuous wavelet analysis that allows to get a first idea of the internal density distribution. We also compute the continuous wavelet analysis of the bathymetric contribution to discriminate between deep and superficial sources. According to the gravity signature of the different chains as revealed by our analysis, various processes are at the origin of the volcanism in French Polynesia. As evidence, we show a large-scale anomaly over the Society Islands that we interpret as the gravity signature of a deeply anchored mantle plume. The gravity signature of the Cook-Austral chain indicates a complex origin which may involve deep processes. Finally, we discuss the particular location of the Marquesas chain as suggesting that the origin of the volcanism may interfere with secondary convection rolls or may be controlled by lithospheric weakness due to the regional stress field, or else related to the presence of the nearby Tuamotu plateau.

MarsSedEx I and II: Experimental investigation of gravity effects on sedimentation on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuhn, N. J.; Kuhn, B.; Gartmann, A.

2014-12-01

Sorting of sedimentary rocks is a proxy for the environmental conditions at the time of deposition, in particular the runoff that moved and deposited the material forming the rocks. Settling of sediment is strongly influenced by the gravity of a planetary body. As a consequence, sorting of a sedimentary rock varies with gravity for a given depth and velocity of surface runoff. Theoretical considerations for spheres indicate that sorting is less uniform on Mars than on Earth for runoff of identical depth. The effects of gravity on flow hydraulics limit the use of common, semi-empirical models developed to simulate particle settling in terrestrial environments, on Mars. Assessing sedimentation patterns on Mars, aimed at identifying strata potentially hosting traces of life, is potentially affected by such uncertainties. Using first-principle approaches, e.g. through Computational Fluid Dynamics, for calculating settling velocities on other planetary bodies requires a large effort and is limited by the values of boundary conditions, e.g. the shape of the particle. The degree of uncertainty resulting from the differences in gravity on Earth and Mars was therefore tested during three reduced-gravity flights, the MarsSedEx I and II missions, conducted in November 2012 and 2013. Nine types of sediment, ranging in size, shape and density were tested in custom-designed settling tubes during parabolas of Martian gravity lasting 20 to 25 seconds. Based on the observed settling velocities, the uncertainties of empirical relationships developed on Earth to assess particle settling on Mars are discussed. In addition, the potential effects of reduced gravity on patterns of erosion, transport and sorting of sediment, including the implications for identifying strata bearing traces of past life on are examined.

Bubble Formation at a Submerged Orifice in Reduced Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buyevich, Yu A.; Webbon, Bruce W.

1994-01-01

The dynamic regime of gas injection through a circular plate orifice into an ideally wetting liquid is considered, when successively detached bubbles may be regarded as separate identities. In normal gravity and at relatively low gas flow rates, a growing bubble is modeled as a spherical segment touching the orifice perimeter during the whole time of its evolution. If the flow rate exceeds a certain threshold value, another stage of the detachment process takes place in which an almost spherical gas envelope is connected with the orifice by a nearly cylindrical stem that lengthens as the bubble rises above the plate. The bubble shape resembles then that of a mushroom and the upper envelope continues to grow until the gas supply through the stem is completely cut off. Such a stage is always present under conditions of sufficiently low gravity, irrespective of the flow rate. Two major reasons make for bubble detachment: the buoyancy force and the force due to the momentum inflow into the bubble with the injected gas. The former force dominates the process at normal gravity whereas the second one plays a key role under negligible gravity conditions. It is precisely this fundamental factor that conditions the drastic influence on bubble growth and detachment that changes in gravity are able to cause. The frequency of bubble formation is proportional to and the volume of detached bubbles is independent of the gas flow rate in sufficiently low gravity, while at normal and moderately reduced gravity conditions the first variable slightly decreases and the second one almost linearly increases as the flow rate grows. Effects of other parameters, such as the orifice radius, gas and liquid densities, and surface tension are discussed.

Design of Superconducting Gravity Gradiometer Cryogenic System for Mars Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, X.; Lemoine, F. G.; Paik, H. J.; Zagarola, M.; Shirron, P. J.; Griggs, C. E.; Moody, M. V.; Han, S.-C.

2016-01-01

Measurement of a planet's gravity field provides fundamental information about the planet's mass properties. The static gravity field reveals information about the internal structure of the planet, including crustal density variations that provide information on the planet's geological history and evolution. The time variations of gravity result from the movement of mass inside the planet, on the surface, and in the atmosphere. NASA is interested in a Superconducting Gravity Gradiometer (SGG) with which to measure the gravity field of a planet from orbit. An SGG instrument is under development with the NASA PICASSO program, which will be able to resolve the Mars static gravity field to degree 200 in spherical harmonics, and the time-varying field on a monthly basis to degree 20 from a 255 x 320 km orbit. The SGG has a precision two orders of magnitude better than the electrostatic gravity gradiometer that was used on the ESA's GOCE mission. The SGG operates at the superconducting temperature lower than 6 K. This study developed a cryogenic thermal system to maintain the SGG at the design temperature in Mars orbit. The system includes fixed radiation shields, a low thermal conductivity support structure and a two-stage cryocooler. The fixed radiation shields use double aluminized polyimide to emit heat from the warm spacecraft into the deep space. The support structure uses carbon fiber reinforced plastic, which has low thermal conductivity at cryogenic temperature and very high stress. The low vibration cryocooler has two stages, of which the high temperature stage operates at 65 K and the low temperature stage works at 6 K, and the heat rejection radiator works at 300 K. The study also designed a second option with a 4-K adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) and two-stage 10-K turbo-Brayton cooler.

Design of Superconducting Gravity Gradiometer Cryogenic System for Mars Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, X.; Lemoine, F. G.; Shirron, P. J.; Paik, H. J.; Griggs, C. E.; Moody, M. V.; Han, S. C.; Zagarola, M.

2016-01-01

Measurement of a planets gravity field provides fundamental information about the planets mass properties. The static gravity field reveals information about the internal structure of the planet, including crustal density variations that provide information on the planets geological history and evolution. The time variations of gravity result from the movement of mass inside the planet, on the surface, and in the atmosphere. NASA is interested in a Superconducting Gravity Gradiometer (SGG) with which to measure the gravity field of a planet from orbit. An SGG instrument is under development with the NASA PICASSO program, which will be able to resolve the Mars static gravity field to degree 200 in spherical harmonics, and the time-varying field on a monthly basis to degree 20 from a 255 x 320 km orbit. The SGG has a precision two orders of magnitude better than the electrostatic gravity gradiometer that was used on the ESAs GOCE mission. The SGG operates at the superconducting temperature lower than 6 K. This study developed a cryogenic thermal system to maintain the SGG at the design temperature in Mars orbit. The system includes fixed radiation shields, a low thermal conductivity support structure and a two-stage cryocooler. The fixed radiation shields use double aluminized polyimide to emit heat from the warm spacecraft into the deep space. The support structure uses carbon fiber reinforced plastic, which has low thermal conductivity at cryogenic temperature and very high stress. The low vibration cryocooler has two stages, of which the high temperature stage operates at 65 K and the low temperature stage works at 6 K, and the heat rejection radiator works at 300 K. The study also designed a second option with a 4-K adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) and two-stage 10-K turbo-Brayton cooler.

AN ADJOINT-BASED METHOD FOR THE INVERSION OF THE JUNO AND CASSINI GRAVITY MEASUREMENTS INTO WIND FIELDS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Galanti, Eli; Kaspi, Yohai, E-mail: eli.galanti@weizmann.ac.il

2016-04-01

During 2016–17, the Juno and Cassini spacecraft will both perform close eccentric orbits of Jupiter and Saturn, respectively, obtaining high-precision gravity measurements for these planets. These data will be used to estimate the depth of the observed surface flows on these planets. All models to date, relating the winds to the gravity field, have been in the forward direction, thus only allowing the calculation of the gravity field from given wind models. However, there is a need to do the inverse problem since the new observations will be of the gravity field. Here, an inverse dynamical model is developed tomore » relate the expected measurable gravity field, to perturbations of the density and wind fields, and therefore to the observed cloud-level winds. In order to invert the gravity field into the 3D circulation, an adjoint model is constructed for the dynamical model, thus allowing backward integration. This tool is used for the examination of various scenarios, simulating cases in which the depth of the wind depends on latitude. We show that it is possible to use the gravity measurements to derive the depth of the winds, both on Jupiter and Saturn, also taking into account measurement errors. Calculating the solution uncertainties, we show that the wind depth can be determined more precisely in the low-to-mid-latitudes. In addition, the gravitational moments are found to be particularly sensitive to flows at the equatorial intermediate depths. Therefore, we expect that if deep winds exist on these planets they will have a measurable signature by Juno and Cassini.« less

Experimental investigation of gravity effects on sediment sorting on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuhn, Nikolaus J.; Kuhn, Brigitte; Gartmann, Andres

2014-05-01

Sorting of sedimentary rocks is a proxy for the environmental conditions at the time of deposition, in particular the runoff that moved and deposited the material forming the rocks. Settling of sediment is strongly influenced by the gravity of a planetary body. As a consequence, sorting of a sedimentary rock varies with gravity for a given depth and velocity of surface runoff. Theoretical considerations for spheres indicate that sorting is more uniform on Mars than on Earth for runoff of identical depth. In reality, such considerations have to be applied with great caution because the shape of a particle strongly influences drag. Drag itself can only be calculated directly for an irregularly shaped particle with great computational effort, if at all. Therefore, even for terrestrial applications, sediment settling velocities are often determined directly, e.g. by measurements using settling tubes. In this study the results of settling tube tests conducted under reduced gravity during three experimental flights conducted in November 2012 and 2013 are presented. Nine types of sediment, ranging in size, shape and density were tested in custom-designed settling tubes during parabolas of Martian gravity lasting 20 to 25 seconds. Based on the observed settling velocities, the applicability of empirical relationships developed on Earth to assess particle settling on Mars are discussed. In addition, the potential effects of reduced gravity on the sorting of sedimentary rocks and their use as a proxy for runoff and thus environmental conditions on Mars are examined.

Effect of difference of cupula and endolymph densities on the dynamics of semicircular canal.

PubMed

Kondrachuk, A V; Sirenko, S P; Boyle, R

2008-01-01

The effect of different densities of a cupula and endolymph on the dynamics of the semicircular canals is considered within the framework of a simplified one-dimensional mathematical model where the canal is approximated by a torus. If the densities are equal, the model is represented by Steinhausen's phenomenological equation. The difference of densities results in the complex dynamics of the cupulo-endolymphatic system, and leads to a dependence on the orientation of both the gravity vector relative to the canal plane and the axis of rotation, as well as on the distance between the axis of rotation and the center of the semicircular canal. Our analysis focused on two cases of canal stimulation: rotation with a constant velocity and a time-dependent (harmonically oscillating) angular velocity. Two types of spatial orientation of the axis of rotation, the axis of canal symmetry, and the vector of gravity were considered: i) the gravity vector and axis of rotation lie in the canal plane, and ii) the axis of rotation and gravity vector are normal to the canal plane. The difference of the cupula and endolymph densities reveals new features of cupula dynamics, for instance--a shift of the cupula to a new position of equilibrium that depends on the gravity vector and the parameters of head rotation, and the onset of cupula oscillations with multiple frequencies that results in the distortion of cupula dynamics relative to harmonic stimulation. Factors that might influence the density difference effects and the conditions under which these effects occur are discussed.

Gravity at sea--A memoir of a marine geophysicist.

PubMed

Tomoda, Yoshibumi

2010-01-01

A history of studies on the gravity measurements at sea in Japan is reviewed with an emphasis on the contribution of the author. The first successful measurements at sea were made in 1923 by Vening Meinesz in the Netherlands using the pendulum apparatus installed in a submarine. However, the gravity measurements using a submarine are not convenient because the access to a submarine is limited. Professor Chuji Tsuboi made a number of unsuccessful attempts at developing a gravity meter that can be operated on a normal surface ship by reducing the noise by minimizing the motion of the gravity meter through a mechanical design. I have chosen a new approach toward the measurements of gravity on a surface ship by simplifying the mechanical part using a string gravity meter that was installed directly on a vertical gyroscope in combination with the numerical and/or electronic reduction of noises. With this gravity meter TSSG (Tokyo Surface Ship Gravity Meter), we firstly succeeded in measuring gravity at sea onboard a surface ship in July 1961 and the measurements have been extended to the northwestern Pacific and beyond. The results reveal the fine structures of gravity field in and around trenches that provide important clues as to a number of geodynamic issues including the nature of the trench-trench interaction and the interaction of trenches with seamounts.

Gravity at sea —A memoir of a marine geophysicist—

PubMed Central

TOMODA, Yoshibumi

2010-01-01

A history of studies on the gravity measurements at sea in Japan is reviewed with an emphasis on the contribution of the author. The first successful measurements at sea were made in 1923 by Vening Meinesz in the Netherlands using the pendulum apparatus installed in a submarine. However, the gravity measurements using a submarine are not convenient because the access to a submarine is limited. Professor Chuji Tsuboi made a number of unsuccessful attempts at developing a gravity meter that can be operated on a normal surface ship by reducing the noise by minimizing the motion of the gravity meter through a mechanical design. I have chosen a new approach toward the measurements of gravity on a surface ship by simplifying the mechanical part using a string gravity meter that was installed directly on a vertical gyroscope in combination with the numerical and/or electronic reduction of noises. With this gravity meter TSSG (Tokyo Surface Ship Gravity Meter), we firstly succeeded in measuring gravity at sea onboard a surface ship in July 1961 and the measurements have been extended to the northwestern Pacific and beyond. The results reveal the fine structures of gravity field in and around trenches that provide important clues as to a number of geodynamic issues including the nature of the trench-trench interaction and the interaction of trenches with seamounts. PMID:20948173

Gravity evidence for a shallow intrusion under Medicine Lake volcano, California.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Finn, C.; Williams, D.L.

1982-01-01

A positive gravity anomaly is associated with Medicine Lake volcano, California. Trials with different Bouguer reduction densities indicate that this positive anomaly cannot be explained by an inappropriate choice of Bouguer reduction density but must be caused by a subvolcanic body. After separating the Medicine Lake gravity high from the regional field, we were able to fit the 27mgal positive residual anomaly with a large, shallow body of high density contrast (+0.41g/cm3) and a thickness of 2.5km. We interpret this body to be an intrusion of dense material emplaced within the several-kilometres-thick older volcanic layer that probably underlies Medicine Lake volcano.-Authors

Lateral density anomalies and the earth's gravitational field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lowrey, B. E.

1978-01-01

The interpretation of gravity is valuable for understanding lithospheric plate motion and mantle convection. Postulated models of anomalous mass distributions in the earth and the observed geopotential as expressed in the spherical harmonic expansion are compared. In particular, models of the anomalous density as a function of radius are found which can closely match the average magnitude of the spherical harmonic coefficients of a degree. These models include: (1) a two-component model consisting of an anomalous layer at 200 km depth (below the earth's surface) and at 1500 km depth (2) a two-component model where the upper component is distributed in the region between 1000 and 2800 km depth, and(3) a model with density anomalies which continuously increase with depth more than an order of magnitude.

Further Investigations of Gravity Modeling on Surface-Interacting Vehicle Simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Madden, Michael M.

2009-01-01

A vehicle simulation is "surface-interacting" if the state of the vehicle (position, velocity, and acceleration) relative to the surface is important. Surface-interacting simulations perform ascent, entry, descent, landing, surface travel, or atmospheric flight. The dynamics of surface-interacting simulations are influenced by the modeling of gravity. Gravity is the sum of gravitation and the centrifugal acceleration due to the world s rotation. Both components are functions of position relative to the world s center and that position for a given set of geodetic coordinates (latitude, longitude, and altitude) depends on the world model (world shape and dynamics). Thus, gravity fidelity depends on the fidelities of the gravitation model and the world model and on the interaction of the gravitation and world model. A surface-interacting simulation cannot treat the gravitation separately from the world model. This paper examines the actual performance of different pairs of world and gravitation models (or direct gravity models) on the travel of a subsonic civil transport in level flight under various starting conditions.

Gravity Modeling Effects on Surface-Interacting Vehicles in Supersonic Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Madden, Michael M.

2010-01-01

A vehicle simulation is "surface-interacting" if the state of the vehicle (position, velocity, and acceleration) relative to the surface is important. Surface-interacting simulations per-form ascent, entry, descent, landing, surface travel, or atmospheric flight. The dynamics of surface-interacting simulations are influenced by the modeling of gravity. Gravity is the sum of gravitation and the centrifugal acceleration due to the world s rotation. Both components are functions of position relative to the world s center and that position for a given set of geodetic coordinates (latitude, longitude, and altitude) depends on the world model (world shape and dynamics). Thus, gravity fidelity depends on the fidelities of the gravitation model and the world model and on the interaction of these two models. A surface-interacting simulation cannot treat gravitation separately from the world model. This paper examines the actual performance of different pairs of world and gravitation models (or direct gravity models) on the travel of a supersonic aircraft in level flight under various start-ing conditions.

a method of gravity and seismic sequential inversion and its GPU implementation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, G.; Meng, X.

2011-12-01

In this abstract, we introduce a gravity and seismic sequential inversion method to invert for density and velocity together. For the gravity inversion, we use an iterative method based on correlation imaging algorithm; for the seismic inversion, we use the full waveform inversion. The link between the density and velocity is an empirical formula called Gardner equation, for large volumes of data, we use the GPU to accelerate the computation. For the gravity inversion method , we introduce a method based on correlation imaging algorithm,it is also a interative method, first we calculate the correlation imaging of the observed gravity anomaly, it is some value between -1 and +1, then we multiply this value with a little density ,this value become the initial density model. We get a forward reuslt with this initial model and also calculate the correaltion imaging of the misfit of observed data and the forward data, also multiply the correaltion imaging result a little density and add it to the initial model, then do the same procedure above , at last ,we can get a inversion density model. For the seismic inveron method ,we use a mothod base on the linearity of acoustic wave equation written in the frequency domain,with a intial velociy model, we can get a good velocity result. In the sequential inversion of gravity and seismic , we need a link formula to convert between density and velocity ,in our method , we use the Gardner equation. Driven by the insatiable market demand for real time, high-definition 3D images, the programmable NVIDIA Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) as co-processor of CPU has been developed for high performance computing. Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) is a parallel programming model and software environment provided by NVIDIA designed to overcome the challenge of using traditional general purpose GPU while maintaining a low learn curve for programmers familiar with standard programming languages such as C. In our inversion processing, we use the GPU to accelerate our gravity and seismic inversion. Taking the gravity inversion as an example, its kernels are gravity forward simulation and correlation imaging, after the parallelization in GPU, in 3D case,the inversion module, the original five CPU loops are reduced to three,the forward module the original five CPU loops are reduced to two. Acknowledgments We acknowledge the financial support of Sinoprobe project (201011039 and 201011049-03), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2010ZY26 and 2011PY0183), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41074095) and the Open Project of State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources (GPMR0945).

Gravity: first measurement on the lunar surface.

PubMed

Nance, R L

1969-10-17

The gravity at the landing site of the first lunar-landing mission has been determined to be 162,821.680 milligals from data telemetered to earth by the lunar module on the lunar surface. The gravity was measured with a pulsed integrating pendulous accelerometer. These measurements were used to compute the gravity anomaly and radius at the landing site.

3D Gravimetric Modeling of the Spreading System North and Southeast of the Rodriguez Triple Junction (Indian Ocean)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heyde, I.; Girolami, C.; Barckhausen, U.; Freitag, R.

2017-12-01

Hydrothermal vent fields along mid-ocean ridges can be metal-rich and thus of great importance for the industries in the future. By order of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and in coordination with the International Seabed Authority (ISA), BGR explores potential areas of the active spreading system in the Indian Ocean. A main goal is the identification of inactive seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) with the aid of modern exploration techniques. Important contributions could be expected from bathymetric, magnetic, and gravity datasets, which can be acquired simultaneously time from the sea surface within relatively short ship time. The area of interest is located between 21°S and 28°S and includes the southern Central Indian Ridge (CIR) and the northern Southeast Indian Ridge (SEIR). In this study we analyzed the marine gravity and bathymetric data acquired during six research cruises. The profiles running perpendicular to the ridge axis have a mean length of 60 km. Magnetic studies reveal that the parts of the ridges covered are geologically very young with the oldest crust dating back to about 1 Ma. To extend the area outside the ridges, the shipboard data were complemented with data derived from satellite radar altimeter measurements. We analyzed the gravity anomalies along sections which cross particular geologic features (uplifted areas, accommodation zones, hydrothermal fields, and areas with hints for extensional processes e.g. oceanic core complexes) to establish a correlation between the gravity anomalies and the surface geology. Subsequently, for both ridge segments 3D density models were developed. We started with simple horizontally layered models, which, however, do not explain the measured anomalies satisfyingly. The density values of the crust and the upper mantle in the ridge areas had to be reduced. Finally, the models show the lateral heterogeneity and the variations in the thickness of the oceanic crust. There are areas characterized by crustal thickening related to magmatic accretion and areas of crustal thinning related to depleted accretion and exposure of OCCs.

Structural control of monogenetic volcanism in the Garrotxa volcanic field (Northeastern Spain) from gravity and self-potential measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barde-Cabusson, S.; Gottsmann, J.; Martí, J.; Bolós, X.; Camacho, A. G.; Geyer, A.; Planagumà, Ll.; Ronchin, E.; Sánchez, A.

2014-01-01

We report new geophysical observations on the distribution of subsurface structures associated with monogenetic volcanism in the Garrotxa volcanic field (Northern Spain). As part of the Catalan Volcanic Zone, this Quaternary volcanic field is associated with the European rifts system. It contains the most recent and best preserved volcanic edifices of the Catalan Volcanic Zone with 38 monogenetic volcanoes identified in the Garrotxa Natural Park. We conducted new gravimetric and self-potential surveys to enhance our understanding of the relationship between the local geology and the spatial distribution of the monogenetic volcanoes. The main finding of this study is that the central part of the volcanic field is dominated by a broad negative Bouguer anomaly of around -0.5 mGal, within which a series of gravity minima are found with amplitudes of up to -2.3 mGal. Inverse modelling of the Bouguer data suggests that surficial low-density material dominates the volcanic field, most likely associated with effusive and explosive surface deposits. In contrast, an arcuate cluster of gravity minima to the NW of the Croscat volcano, the youngest volcano of this zone, is modelled by vertically extended low-density bodies, which we interpret as a complex ensemble of fault damage zones and the roots of young scoria cones. A ground-water infiltration zone identified by a self-potential anomaly is associated with a steep horizontal Bouguer gravity gradient and interpreted as a fault zone and/or magmatic fissure, which fed the most recent volcanic activity in the Garrotxa. Gravimetric and self-potential data are well correlated and indicate a control on the locations of scoria cones by NNE-SSW and NNW-SSE striking tectonic features, which intersect the main structural boundaries of the study area to the north and south. Our interpretation of the data is that faults facilitated magma ascent to the surface. Our findings have major implications for understanding the relationship between subsurface structures and potential future volcanic activity in the Garrotxa volcanic field.

Survey of specific gravity of eight Maine conifers

Treesearch

Harold E. Wahlgren; Gregory Baker; Robert R. Maeglin; Arthur C. Hart

1968-01-01

This analysis of a mass increment core sampling of eight coniferous species of Maine characterizes specific gravity for each of the species. No clear-cut relationships of specific gravity to forest type, stand density class, height class, or tree diameter at breast height were found. Included in the data are the species average specific gravity and the range. These...

Fast Nonlinear Generalized Inversion of Gravity Data with Application to the Three-Dimensional Crustal Density Structure of Sichuan Basin, Southwest China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jun; Meng, Xiaohong; Li, Fang

2017-11-01

Generalized inversion is one of the important steps in the quantitative interpretation of gravity data. With appropriate algorithm and parameters, it gives a view of the subsurface which characterizes different geological bodies. However, generalized inversion of gravity data is time consuming due to the large amount of data points and model cells adopted. Incorporating of various prior information as constraints deteriorates the above situation. In the work discussed in this paper, a method for fast nonlinear generalized inversion of gravity data is proposed. The fast multipole method is employed for forward modelling. The inversion objective function is established with weighted data misfit function along with model objective function. The total objective function is solved by a dataspace algorithm. Moreover, depth weighing factor is used to improve depth resolution of the result, and bound constraint is incorporated by a transfer function to limit the model parameters in a reliable range. The matrix inversion is accomplished by a preconditioned conjugate gradient method. With the above algorithm, equivalent density vectors can be obtained, and interpolation is performed to get the finally density model on the fine mesh in the model domain. Testing on synthetic gravity data demonstrated that the proposed method is faster than conventional generalized inversion algorithm to produce an acceptable solution for gravity inversion problem. The new developed inversion method was also applied for inversion of the gravity data collected over Sichuan basin, southwest China. The established density structure in this study helps understanding the crustal structure of Sichuan basin and provides reference for further oil and gas exploration in this area.

Cratonic roots under North America are shifted by basal drag: new evidence from gravity and geodynamic modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaban, M. K.; Petrunin, A.; Mooney, W. D.

2013-12-01

The impact of basal drag on the long-lived cratonic roots has been debated since the discovering of plate tectonics. Previously, evidence for a shifted mantle structure under North America was postulated from a comparison of the surface expression of the Great Meteor hotspot track versus its location at 200 km depth as inferred from seismic tomography (Eaton and Frederiksen, 2007). We present new results that are based on the integrative modeling of gravity and seismic data. The starting point is the residual gravity anomaly and residual topography, which are computed by removing of the crustal effect and of the effect of temperature variations in the upper mantle from the observed fields (Mooney and Kaban, 2010). After the temperature correction both residual fields chiefly reflect compositional density heterogeneity of the upper mantle. The residual gravity and topography are jointly inverted to determine the 3D density structure of the upper mantle. The inversion technique accounts for the fact that although these parameters are controlled by the same factors, the effect depends on depth and wavelength. Therefore, we can resolve the vertical distribution of density more reliable than by interpreting only one parameter. We found a strong negative anomaly under the North American craton, as expected for a depleted mantle. However, starting from a depth of about 200 km the depleted root is shifted west-southwest. The maximal shift reaches about 1000 km at a depth of 300 km. The direction agrees with the North American plate movement and with the anisotropy pattern in the upper mantle (e.g. Bokelmann, 2002). The results of the gravity modeling are confirmed by geodynamic modeling. The mantle flow is estimated from the density and temperature distribution derived from seismic tomography models. A 3D viscosity model is supplemented with weak boundaries based on an integrated model of plate boundary deformations. The calculated plate velocities are in a good agreement with the GPS-based models. We found a vertical gradient of the horizontal mantle flow velocity under the North American craton that relates to shear stresses deforming the cratonic root. The lateral velocity within the lowermost part of the lithosphere is about 2 mm/y faster than the overlying plate velocity. If we extrapolate this value to the past, the observed shift of the cratonic root could be achieved in about 500 Ma. Bokelmann GHR, (2002) Convection-driven motion of the North American craton: Evidence from P-wave anisotropy, Geoph. J. Int., 148, 278-287. Eaton DW and Frederiksen A, (2007) Seismic evidence for convection-driven motion of the North American plate, Nature 446, 428-431. Mooney WD, Kaban, MK., (2010). The North American Upper Mantle: Density, Composition, and Evolution, J. Geophys. Res., 115, B12424.

A new insight on magma generation environment beneath Jeju (Cheju) volcanic island

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Y.; CHOI, K.; Koh, J.; Yun, S.; Nakamura, E.; Na, S.

2011-12-01

We present a Moho undulation model from gravity inversion that gives a new insight on the magma generation environment beneath Jeju (Cheju) volcanic island, Korea. The island is an intra-plate volcanic island located behind Ryukyu Trench, the collisional boundary between Eurasian plate and Philippine plate. Jeju island is a symmetrical shield volcano of oval shape (74 km by 32 km) whose peak is Hallasan (Mt. Halla: 1950m). The landform, which is closely related to the volcanism, can be divided topographically into the lava plateau, the shield-shaped Halla volcanic edifice and the monogenetic cinder cones, which numbers over 365. The basement rock mainly consists of Precambrian gneiss, Mesozoic granite and volcanic rocks. Unconsolidated sedimentary rock is found between basement rock and lava. The lava plateau is composed of voluminous basaltic lava flows, which extend to the coast region with a gentle slope. Based on volcanic stratigraphy, paleontology and geochronology, the Jeju basalts range from the early Pleistocene to Holocene in age. The mean density of the island is estimated to be very low, 2390 kg/cubic cm from gravity data analysis, which reflects the abundant unconsolidated pyroclastic sediments below the surface lava. The mean Moho depth is estimated to be 29.5 km from power spectral density of gravity anomaly, which means it has continental crust. It is noticeable that the gravity inversion indicates the island is developed above and along a swelled-up belt (ridge), several hundred meters higher than the surrounding area. The structure is also shows positive correlation with high magnetic anomaly distribution that could indicate existence of volcanic rocks. We interpret the Moho structure has a key to the magma generation: 1) the high gravity anomaly belt is formed by folding/buckling process under compressional environment, 2) it causes decrease of pressure beneath the lithosphere along the belt, and 3) it accelerates melting of basaltic magma in addition to the hot thermal structure widely distributed behind the collisional boundary.

Preliminary isostatic gravity map of the Grouse Creek and east part of the Jackpot 30 by 60 quadrangles, Box Elder County, Utah, and Cassia County, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Langenheim, Victoria; Willis, H.; Athens, N.D.; Chuchel, Bruce A.; Roza, J.; Hiscock, H.I.; Hardwick, C.L.; Kraushaar, S.M.; Knepprath, N.E.; Rosario, Jose J.

2013-01-01

A new isostatic residual gravity map of the northwest corner of Utah is based on compilation of preexisting data and new data collected by the Utah and United States Geological Surveys. Pronounced gravity lows occur over Junction, Grouse Creek, and upper Raft River Valleys, indicating significant thickness of low-density Tertiary sedimentary rocks and deposits. Gravity highs coincide with exposures of dense pre-Cenozoic rocks in the Raft River Mountains. Higher values in the eastern part of the map may be produced in part by deeper crustal density variations or crustal thinning. Steep linear gravity gradients coincide with mapped Neogene normal faults near Goose Creek and may define basin-bounding faults concealed beneath Junction and Upper Raft River Valleys.

A surface spherical harmonic expansion of gravity anomalies on the ellipsoid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Claessens, S. J.; Hirt, C.

2015-10-01

A surface spherical harmonic expansion of gravity anomalies with respect to a geodetic reference ellipsoid can be used to model the global gravity field and reveal its spectral properties. In this paper, a direct and rigorous transformation between solid spherical harmonic coefficients of the Earth's disturbing potential and surface spherical harmonic coefficients of gravity anomalies in ellipsoidal approximation with respect to a reference ellipsoid is derived. This transformation cannot rigorously be achieved by the Hotine-Jekeli transformation between spherical and ellipsoidal harmonic coefficients. The method derived here is used to create a surface spherical harmonic model of gravity anomalies with respect to the GRS80 ellipsoid from the EGM2008 global gravity model. Internal validation of the model shows a global RMS precision of 1 nGal. This is significantly more precise than previous solutions based on spherical approximation or approximations to order or , which are shown to be insufficient for the generation of surface spherical harmonic coefficients with respect to a geodetic reference ellipsoid. Numerical results of two applications of the new method (the computation of ellipsoidal corrections to gravimetric geoid computation, and area means of gravity anomalies in ellipsoidal approximation) are provided.

High-Resolution Gravity Field Modeling for Mercury to Estimate Crust and Lithospheric Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goossens, S.; Mazarico, E.; Genova, A.; James, P. B.

2018-05-01

We estimate a gravity field model for Mercury using line-of-sight data to improve the gravity field model at short wavelengths. This can be used to infer crustal density and infer the support mechanism of the lithosphere.

ASTEROSEISMIC-BASED ESTIMATION OF THE SURFACE GRAVITY FOR THE LAMOST GIANT STARS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Chao; Wu, Yue; Deng, Li-Cai

2015-07-01

Asteroseismology is one of the most accurate approaches to estimate the surface gravity of a star. However, most of the data from the current spectroscopic surveys do not have asteroseismic measurements, which is very expensive and time consuming. In order to improve the spectroscopic surface gravity estimates for a large amount of survey data with the help of the small subset of the data with seismic measurements, we set up a support vector regression (SVR) model for the estimation of the surface gravity supervised by 1374 Large Sky Area Multi-object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) giant stars with Kepler seismic surfacemore » gravity. The new approach can reduce the uncertainty of the estimates down to about 0.1 dex, which is better than the LAMOST pipeline by at least a factor of 2, for the spectra with signal-to-noise ratio higher than 20. Compared with the log g estimated from the LAMOST pipeline, the revised log g values provide a significantly improved match to the expected distribution of red clump and red giant branch stars from stellar isochrones. Moreover, even the red bump stars, which extend to only about 0.1 dex in log g, can be discriminated from the new estimated surface gravity. The method is then applied to about 350,000 LAMOST metal-rich giant stars to provide improved surface gravity estimates. In general, the uncertainty of the distance estimate based on the SVR surface gravity can be reduced to about 12% for the LAMOST data.« less

The behavior of surface tension on steady-state rotating fluids in the low gravity environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, R. J.; Leslie, Fred W.

1987-01-01

The effect of surface tension on steady-state rotating fluids in a low gravity environment is studied. All the values of the physical parameters used in these calculations, except in the low gravity environments, are based on the measurements carried out by Leslie (1985) in the low gravity environment of a free-falling aircraft. The profile of the interface of two fluids is derived from Laplace's equation relating the pressure drop across an interface to the radii of curvature which has been applied to a low gravity rotating bubble that contacts the container boundary. The interface shape depends on the ratio of gravity to surface tension forces, the ratio of centrifugal to surface tension forces, the contact radius of the interface to the boundary, and the contact angle. The shape of the bubble is symmetric about its equator in a zero-gravity environment. This symmetry disappears and gradually shifts to parabolic profiles as the gravity environment becomes non-zero. The location of the maximum radius of the bubble moves upward from the center of the depth toward the top boundary of the cylinder as gravity increases. The contact radius of interface to the boundary r0 at the top side of cylinder increases and r0 at the bottom side of the cylinder decreases as the gravity environment increases from zero to 1 g.

On a self-consistent representation of earth models, with an application to the computing of internal flattening

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denis, C.; Ibrahim, A.

Self-consistent parametric earth models are discussed in terms of a flexible numerical code. The density profile of each layer is represented as a polynomial, and figures of gravity, mass, mean density, hydrostatic pressure, and moment of inertia are derived. The polynomial representation also allows computation of the first order flattening of the internal strata of some models, using a Gauss-Legendre quadrature with a rapidly converging iteration technique. Agreement with measured geophysical data is obtained, and algorithm for estimation of the geometric flattening for any equidense surface identified by its fractional radius is developed. The program can also be applied in studies of planetary and stellar models.

From Germany to Antarctica: Airborne geodesy and geophysics and the utilization of the research aircraft HALO (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scheinert, M.; Barthelmes, F.; Foerste, C.; Heyde, I.

2013-12-01

The geoid as an equipotential surface of the gravity potential plays a crucial role for the realiziation of the Global Geodetic Observation System (GGOS) of IAG (International Association of Geodesy). It is the major reference surface for physical height systems. The gravity potential is needed to precisely predict the orbits of artificial satellites of the earth. A precise static solution enters analyses of temporal changes of the gravity field due to mass transport processes between the different subsystems of the earth. However, also in neighbouring disciplines the geoid is applied. In oceanography, for example, the geoid serves as a reference surface for the determination of the mean sea-surface topography (MSST). In glaciology, it enters analyses of the thickness of ice bodies floating in polar waters, based on freeboard heights and the equilibrium supposition. To come up with high resolution global gravity field models, satellite observations - preferably of the dedicated satellite gravity missions - have to be combined with surface gravity data. Although the majority of the continental surface is captured by ground-based or near-surface gravity measurements - and gravity over the oceans is determined by satellite altimetry - still large gaps in surface gravity data exist. In this respect it is the Antarctic continent which suffers large data gaps, not only in surface gravity but also due to the polar gap of GOCE satellite gravimetry. Chairing the IAG Subcommission 2.4f 'Gravity and Geoid in Antarctica' (AntGG) the author will discuss the current status of gravity surveys in Antarctica. Especially airborne gravimetry has been and is being widely applied as the only reasonable method to survey large areas in this vast and hostile environment. As a novel application the German research aircraft HALO was utilized for a geodetic-geophysical flight mission. Measurements were realized to acquire data of the gravity and magnetic fields, of GNSS remote sensing and of laser altimetry over Italy and adjacent (Tyrrhenian, Adriatic and Ionian) seas. This so-called GEOHALO flight mission was carried out in the time period from June 2 to 12, 2012. The flights comprised seven parallel profiles directing from north-west to south-east, in a height of about 3,500 m, with a length of about 1,000 km each and a line spacing of about 40 km. These long profiles were complemented by four crossing profiles and a profile at an altitude of approx. 10 km along the same track as the center long profile. Special focus will be given to the results of airborne gravimetry and laser altimetry to further investigate the gravity field and the sea-surface topography in the Mediterranean. Furthermore, the status of HALO and future plans to utilize HALO for an Antarctic flight mission will be discussed. Applications of airborne gravimetry to investigate geodetic problems in Antarctica shall be shortly discussed, together with an outlook of AntGG.

Geological Corrections in Gravimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mikuška, J.; Marušiak, I.

2015-12-01

Applying corrections for the known geology to gravity data can be traced back into the first quarter of the 20th century. Later on, mostly in areas with sedimentary cover, at local and regional scales, the correction known as gravity stripping has been in use since the mid 1960s, provided that there was enough geological information. Stripping at regional to global scales became possible after releasing the CRUST 2.0 and later CRUST 1.0 models in the years 2000 and 2013, respectively. Especially the later model provides quite a new view on the relevant geometries and on the topographic and crustal densities as well as on the crust/mantle density contrast. Thus, the isostatic corrections, which have been often used in the past, can now be replaced by procedures working with an independent information interpreted primarily from seismic studies. We have developed software for performing geological corrections in space domain, based on a-priori geometry and density grids which can be of either rectangular or spherical/ellipsoidal types with cells of the shapes of rectangles, tesseroids or triangles. It enables us to calculate the required gravitational effects not only in the form of surface maps or profiles but, for instance, also along vertical lines, which can shed some additional light on the nature of the geological correction. The software can work at a variety of scales and considers the input information to an optional distance from the calculation point up to the antipodes. Our main objective is to treat geological correction as an alternative to accounting for the topography with varying densities since the bottoms of the topographic masses, namely the geoid or ellipsoid, generally do not represent geological boundaries. As well we would like to call attention to the possible distortions of the corrected gravity anomalies. This work was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract APVV-0827-12.

Detection of traveling ionospheric disturbances induced by atmospheric gravity waves using the global positioning system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bassiri, Sassan; Hajj, George A.

1993-01-01

Natural and man-made events like earthquakes and nuclear explosions launch atmospheric gravity waves (AGW) into the atmosphere. Since the particle density decreases exponentially with height, the gravity waves increase exponentially in amplitude as they propagate toward the upper atmosphere and ionosphere. As atmospheric gravity waves approach the ionospheric heights, the neutral particles carried by gravity waves collide with electrons and ions, setting these particles in motion. This motion of charged particles manifests itself by wave-like fluctuations and disturbances that are known as traveling ionospheric disturbances (TID). The perturbation in the total electron content due to TID's is derived analytically from first principles. Using the tilted dipole magnetic field approximation and a Chapman layer distribution for the electron density, the variations of the total electron content versus the line-of-sight direction are numerically analyzed. The temporal variation associated with the total electron content measurements due to AGW's can be used as a means of detecting characteristics of the gravity waves. As an example, detection of tsunami generated earthquakes from their associated atmospheric gravity waves using the Global Positioning System is simulated.

Tidal disruption of viscous bodies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sridhar, S.; Tremaine, S.

1992-01-01

Tidal disruptions are investigated in viscous-fluid planetesimals whose radius is small relative to the distance of closest (parabolic-orbit) approach to a planet. The planetesimal surface is in these conditions always ellipsoidal, facilitating treatment by coupled ODEs which are solvable with high accuracy. While the disrupted planetesimals evolve into needlelike ellipsoids, their density does not decrease. The validity of viscous fluid treatment holds for solid (ice or rock) planetesimals in cases where tidal stresses are greater than material strength, but integrity is maintained by self-gravity.

Investigating gravity waves evidences in the Venus upper atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Migliorini, Alessandra; Altieri, Francesca; Shakun, Alexey; Zasova, Ludmila; Piccioni, Giuseppe; Bellucci, Giancarlo; Grassi, Davide

2014-05-01

We present a method to investigate gravity waves properties in the upper mesosphere of Venus, through the O2 nightglow observations acquired with the imaging spectrometer VIRTIS on board Venus Express. Gravity waves are important dynamical features that transport energy and momentum. They are related to the buoyancy force, which lifts air particles. Then, the vertical displacement of air particles produces density changes that cause gravity to act as restoring force. Gravity waves can manifest through fluctuations on temperature and density fields, and hence on airglow intensities. We use the O2 nightglow profiles showing double peaked structures to study the influence of gravity waves in shaping the O2 vertical profiles and infer the waves properties. In analogy to the Earth's and Mars cases, we use a well-known theory to model the O2 nightglow emissions affected by gravity waves propagation. Here we propose a statistical discussion of the gravity waves characteristics, namely vertical wavelength and wave amplitude, with respect to local time and latitude. The method is applied to about 30 profiles showing double peaked structures, and acquired with the VIRTIS/Venus Express spectrometer, during the mission period from 2006-07-05 to 2008-08-15.

Preliminary isostatic residual gravity map of the Tremonton 30' x 60' quadrangle, Box Elder and Cache Counties, Utah, and Franklin and Oneida Counties, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Langenheim, Victoria; Oaks, R.Q.; Willis, H.; Hiscock, A.I.; Chuchel, Bruce A.; Rosario, Jose J.; Hardwick, C.L.

2014-01-01

A new isostatic residual gravity map of the Tremonton 30' x 60' quadrangle of Utah is based on compilation of preexisting data and new data collected by the Utah and U.S. Geological Surveys. Pronounced gravity lows occur over North Bay, northwest of Brigham City, and Malad and Blue Creek Valleys, indicating significant thickness of low-density Tertiary sedimentary rocks and deposits. Gravity highs coincide with exposures of dense pre-Cenozoic rocks in the Promontory, Clarkston, and Wellsville Mountains. The highest gravity values are located in southern Curlew Valley and may be produced in part by deeper crustal density variations or crustal thinning. Steep, linear gravity gradients coincide with Quaternary faults bounding the Wellsville and Clarkston Mountains. Steep gradients also coincide with the margins of the Promontory Mountains, Little Mountain, West Hills, and the eastern margin of the North Promontory Mountains and may define concealed basin-bounding faults.

Preliminary Isostatic Gravity Map of Joshua Tree National Park and Vicinity, Southern California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Langenheim, V.E.; Biehler, Shawn; McPhee, D.K.; McCabe, C.A.; Watt, J.T.; Anderson, M.L.; Chuchel, B.A.; Stoffer, P.

2007-01-01

This isostatic residual gravity map is part of an effort to map the three-dimensional distribution of rocks in Joshua Tree National Park, southern California. This map will serve as a basis for modeling the shape of basins beneath the Park and in adjacent valleys and also for determining the location and geometry of faults within the area. Local spatial variations in the Earth's gravity field, after accounting for variations caused by elevation, terrain, and deep crustal structure, reflect the distribution of densities in the mid- to upper crust. Densities often can be related to rock type, and abrupt spatial changes in density commonly mark lithologic or structural boundaries. High-density basement rocks exposed within the Eastern Transverse Ranges include crystalline rocks that range in age from Proterozoic to Mesozoic and these rocks are generally present in the mountainous areas of the quadrangle. Alluvial sediments, usually located in the valleys, and Tertiary sedimentary rocks are characterized by low densities. However, with increasing depth of burial and age, the densities of these rocks may become indistinguishable from those of basement rocks. Tertiary volcanic rocks are characterized by a wide range of densities, but, on average, are less dense than the pre-Cenozoic basement rocks. Basalt within the Park is as dense as crystalline basement, but is generally thin (less than 100 m thick; e.g., Powell, 2003). Isostatic residual gravity values within the map area range from about 44 mGal over Coachella Valley to about 8 mGal between the Mecca Hills and the Orocopia Mountains. Steep linear gravity gradients are coincident with the traces of several Quaternary strike-slip faults, most notably along the San Andreas Fault bounding the east side of Coachella Valley and east-west-striking, left-lateral faults, such as the Pinto Mountain, Blue Cut, and Chiriaco Faults (Fig. 1). Gravity gradients also define concealed basin-bounding faults, such as those beneath the Chuckwalla Valley (e.g. Rotstein and others, 1976). These gradients result from juxtaposing dense basement rocks against thick Cenozoic sedimentary rocks.

Genesis of the largest Amazonian wetland in northern Brazil inferred by morphology and gravity anomalies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossetti, Dilce de Fátima; Cassola Molina, Eder; Cremon, Édipo Henrique

2016-08-01

The Pantanal Setentrional (PS) is the second largest wetland in Brazil, occurring in a region of northern Amazonia previously regarded as part of the intracratonic Solimões Basin. However, while Paleozoic to Neogene strata are recorded in this basin, the PS constitutes a broad region with an expressive record of only Late Pleistocene and Holocene deposits. The hypothesis investigated in the present work is if these younger deposits were formed within a sedimentary basin having a geological history separated from the Solimões Basin. Due to the location in a remote region of low accessibility, the sedimentary fill of the PS wetland remains largely unknown in subsurface. In the present work, we combine geomorphological and gravity data acquired on a global basis by several satellite gravity missions to approach the geological context of this region. The results revealed a wetland characterized in surface by a low-lying terrain with wedge shape and concave-up geometry that is in sharp contact with highland areas of Precambrian rocks of the Guiana Shield. Such contact is defined by a series of mainly NE- or NW-trending straight lineaments that eventually extend into both the Guiana Shield and the PS wetland. Also of relevance is that a great part of the PS wetland sedimentary cover consists of dominantly sandy deposits preserved as residual paleo-landforms with triangular shapes previously related to megafan depositional systems. These are distributed radially at the northern margin of the PS, with axis toward basement rocks and fringes toward the wetland's center, the latter containing the largest megafan landform. The analysis of gravity anomaly data revealed a main NNE-trending chain ∼500 km in length defined by high gravity values (i.e., up to 60 mGal); these are bounded by negative anomalies as low as -90 mGal. The chain with positive gravity anomaly marks the center of a subsiding area having a geological evolution that differs from the adjacent intracratonic Solimões Basin. Deep rifting associated with the rise of high-density material from the mantle in replacement of low-density continental crust is hypothesized as the most likely load-driving mechanism responsible for the subsidence of the PS sedimentary basin. Alternatively, this might be a shallow basin formed during the Late Quaternary due to mild subsidence of a high-density basement. This process would have been caused by tectonic reactivations of NE-trending strike-slip faults along a zone of low elastic thickness of the lithosphere that characterizes this region of South American platform.

Gravity investigations of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, south-central Oklahoma

USGS Publications Warehouse

Scheirer, Daniel S.; Scheirer, Allegra Hosford

2006-01-01

The geological configuration of the Arbuckle Uplift in the vicinity of Chickasaw National Recreation Area in south-central Oklahoma plays a governing role in the distribution of fresh and mineral springs within the park and in the existence of artesian wells in and around the park. A confining layer of well-cemented conglomerate lies immediately below the surface of the recreation area, and groundwater migrates from an area of meteoric recharge where rocks of the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer crop out as close as two kilometers to the east of the park. Prominent, Pennsylvanian-aged faults are exposed in the aquifer outcrop, and two of the fault traces project beneath the conglomerate cover toward two groups of springs within the northern section of the park. We conducted gravity fieldwork and analysis to investigate the subsurface extensions of these major faults beneath Chickasaw National Recreation Area. By defining gravity signatures of the faults where they are exposed, we infer that the Sulphur and Mill Creek Faults bend to the south-west where they are buried. The South Sulphur Fault may project westward linearly if it juxtaposes rocks that have a density contrast opposite that of that fault's density configuration in the Sulphur Syncline area. The Sulphur Syncline, whose eastern extent is exposed in the outcrop area of the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer, does not appear to extend beneath Chickasaw National Recreation Area nor the adjacent City of Sulphur. The South Sulphur Fault dips steeply northward, and its normal sense of offset suggests that the Sulphur Syncline is part of a graben. The Mill Creek Fault dips vertically, and the Reagan Fault dips southward, consistent with its being mapped as a thrust fault. The Sulphur and Mill Creek Synclines may have formed as pull-apart basins in a left-lateral, left-stepping strike-slip environment. The character of the gravity field of Chickasaw National Recreation Area is different from the lineated gravity field in the area of Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer outcrop. This change in character is not due to the presence of the overlying conglomerate layer, which is quite thin (<100 m) in the area of the park with the springs. The presence of relatively high-density Precambrian basement rocks in a broader region suggests that significant gravity anomalies may arise from variations in basement topography. Understanding of the geological configuration of Chickasaw National Recreation Area can be improved by expanding the study area and by investigating complementary geophysical and borehole constraints of the subsurface.

Structure of the Lithosphere and Asthenosphere beneath the Western US from Simultaneous Multi-Parameter Inversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steck, L.; Maceira, M.; Ammon, C. J.; Herrmann, R. B.

2013-12-01

Joint inversion of multiple datasets should produce more realistic images of Earth structure. Here we simultaneously invert surface wave dispersion, receiver functions, and gravity to determine structure of the crust and upper mantle of the western United States. Our target region is comprised of a one-degree grid that spans latitudes from 30 to 50 degrees North and longitudes from 95 to 125 degrees West. Receiver functions come from the Earthscope Automated Receiver system, and are stacked to produce an average model for each cell. Rayleigh and Love dispersion data come from multiple filter analysis of regional earthquakes, while the gravity observations are extracted from the EGM2008 model. Our starting model is comprised of an oceanic PREM model west of the Pacific coast, a western US model between that and the eastern front of the Rocky Mountains, and a continental PREM model east of the Rocky Mountain Front. Several different velocity/density relationships have been tested and all result in very similar models. Our inversion reduces RMS surface wave residuals by 58% and receiver function misfits by about 18%. Gravity residuals are reduced by more than 90%. While the reduction in residuals for receiver functions is not as profound as for surface waves or gravity, they are meaningful and produce sharper boundaries for the observed crustal anomalies. The addition of gravity produces subtle changes to the final model. Our final results are consistent with numerous previous studies in the region. In general, the craton exhibits higher velocities than the tectonically active regions to its west. We see high mid-crustal velocities under the Snake River Plain and the Colorado Plateau. In the lower crust we observe lowest velocities in the western Basin and Range and under the Colorado Mineral Belt. At 80km depth we see broad low velocities fanning out from the Snake River Plain associated with the mantle plume feeding Yellowstone Caldera. Additionally we see high and low velocity anomalies along the west coast that reflect ongoing subduction processes beneath the western US, including the subducting slab and slab window.

Acoustic-gravity waves, theory and application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kadri, Usama; Farrell, William E.; Munk, Walter

2015-04-01

Acoustic-gravity waves (AGW) propagate in the ocean under the influence of both the compressibility of sea water and the restoring force of gravity. The gravity dependence vanishes if the wave vector is normal to the ocean surface, but becomes increasingly important as the wave vector acquires a horizontal tilt. They are excited by many sources, including non-linear surface wave interactions, disturbances of the ocean bottom (submarine earthquakes and landslides) and underwater explosions. In this introductory lecture on acoustic-gravity waves, we describe their properties, and their relation to organ pipe modes, to microseisms, and to deep ocean signatures by short surface waves. We discuss the generation of AGW by underwater earthquakes; knowledge of their behaviour with water depth can be applied for the early detection of tsunamis. We also discuss their generation by the non-linear interaction of surface gravity waves, which explains the major role they play in transforming energy from the ocean surface to the crust, as part of the microseisms phenomenon. Finally, they contribute to horizontal water transport at depth, which might affect benthic life.

Crystal Growth of ZnSe and Related Ternary Compound Semiconductors by Vapor Transport

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Su, Ching-Hua; Brebrick, Robert F.; Volz, Martin P.; Burger, Arnold; Dudley, Michael; Matyi, Richard J.; Ramachandran, Narayanan; Sha, Yi-Gao; Volz, Martin P.; Shih, Hung-Dah

2001-01-01

Crystal growth by vapor transport has several distinct advantages over melt growth techniques. Among various potential benefits from material processing in reduced gravity the followings two are considered to be related to crystal growth by vapor transport: (1) elimination of the crystal weight and its influence on the defect formation and (2) reduction of natural buoyancy-driven convective flows arising from thermally and/ or solutally induced density gradient in fluids. The previous results on vapor crystal growth of semiconductors showed the improvements in surface morphology, crystalline quality, electrical properties and dopant distribution of the crystals grown in reduced gravity as compared to the crystals grown on Earth. But the mechanisms, which are responsible for the improvements and cause the gravitational effects on the complicated and coupled processes of vapor mass transport and growth kinetics, are not well understood.

Chameleon vector bosons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nelson, Ann E.; Instituto de Fisica Teorica UAM/CSIC, Facultad de Ciencias, C-XVI Universidad Autonoma de Madrid Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049; Walsh, Jonathan

2008-05-01

We show that for a force mediated by a vector particle coupled to a conserved U(1) charge, the apparent range and strength can depend on the size and density of the source, and the proximity to other sources. This chameleon effect is due to screening from a light charged scalar. Such screening can weaken astrophysical constraints on new gauge bosons. As an example we consider the constraints on chameleonic gauged B-L. We show that although Casimir measurements greatly constrain any B-L force much stronger than gravity with range longer than 0.1 {mu}m, there remains an experimental window for a long-rangemore » chameleonic B-L force. Such a force could be much stronger than gravity, and long or infinite range in vacuum, but have an effective range near the surface of the earth which is less than a micron.« less

imaging volcanos with gravity and muon tomography measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jourde, Kevin; Gibert, Dominique; Marteau, Jacques; Deroussi, Sébastien; Dufour, Fabrice; de Bremond d'Ars, Jean; Ianigro, Jean-Christophe; Gardien, Serge; Girerd, Claude

2015-04-01

Both muon tomography and gravimetry are geohysical methods that provide information on the density structure of the Earth's subsurface. Muon tomography measures the natural flux of cosmic muons and its attenuation produced by the screening effect of the rock mass to image. Gravimetry generally consists in measurements of the vertical component of the local gravity field. Both methods are linearly linked to density, but their spatial sensitivity is very different. Muon tomography essentially works like medical X-ray scan and integrates density information along elongated narrow conical volumes while gravimetry measurements are linked to density by a 3-dimensional integral encompassing the whole studied domain. We show that gravity data are almost useless to constrain the density structure in regions sampled by more than two muon tomography acquisitions. Interestingly the resolution in deeper regions not sampled by muon tomography is significantly improved by joining the two techniques. Examples taken from field experiments performed on La Soufrière of Guadeloupe volcano are discussed.

Definition of Physical Height Systems for Telluric Planets and Moons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tenzer, Robert; Foroughi, Ismael; Sjöberg, Lars E.; Bagherbandi, Mohammad; Hirt, Christian; Pitoňák, Martin

2018-01-01

In planetary sciences, the geodetic (geometric) heights defined with respect to the reference surface (the sphere or the ellipsoid) or with respect to the center of the planet/moon are typically used for mapping topographic surface, compilation of global topographic models, detailed mapping of potential landing sites, and other space science and engineering purposes. Nevertheless, certain applications, such as studies of gravity-driven mass movements, require the physical heights to be defined with respect to the equipotential surface. Taking the analogy with terrestrial height systems, the realization of height systems for telluric planets and moons could be done by means of defining the orthometric and geoidal heights. In this case, however, the definition of the orthometric heights in principle differs. Whereas the terrestrial geoid is described as an equipotential surface that best approximates the mean sea level, such a definition for planets/moons is irrelevant in the absence of (liquid) global oceans. A more natural choice for planets and moons is to adopt the geoidal equipotential surface that closely approximates the geometric reference surface (the sphere or the ellipsoid). In this study, we address these aspects by proposing a more accurate approach for defining the orthometric heights for telluric planets and moons from available topographic and gravity models, while adopting the average crustal density in the absence of reliable crustal density models. In particular, we discuss a proper treatment of topographic masses in the context of gravimetric geoid determination. In numerical studies, we investigate differences between the geodetic and orthometric heights, represented by the geoidal heights, on Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Moon. Our results reveal that these differences are significant. The geoidal heights on Mercury vary from - 132 to 166 m. On Venus, the geoidal heights are between - 51 and 137 m with maxima on this planet at Atla Regio and Beta Regio. The largest geoid undulations between - 747 and 1685 m were found on Mars, with the extreme positive geoidal heights under Olympus Mons in Tharsis region. Large variations in the geoidal geometry are also confirmed on the Moon, with the geoidal heights ranging from - 298 to 461 m. For comparison, the terrestrial geoid undulations are mostly within ± 100 m. We also demonstrate that a commonly used method for computing the geoidal heights that disregards the differences between the gravity field outside and inside topographic masses yields relatively large errors. According to our estimates, these errors are - 0.3/+ 3.4 m for Mercury, 0.0/+ 13.3 m for Venus, - 1.4/+ 125.6 m for Mars, and - 5.6/+ 45.2 m for the Moon.

Investigation of the deep structure of the Sivas Basin (innereast Anatolia, Turkey) with geophysical methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Onal, K. Mert; Buyuksarac, Aydin; Aydemir, Attila; Ates, Abdullah

2008-11-01

Sivas Basin is the easternmost and third largest basin of the Central Anatolian Basins. In this study, gravity, aeromagnetic and seismic data are used to investigate the deep structure of the Sivas Basin, together with the well seismic velocity data, geological observations from the surface and the borehole data of the Celalli-1 well. Basement depth is modeled three-dimensionally (3D) using the gravity anomalies, and 2D gravity and magnetic models were constructed along with a N-S trending profile. Densities of the rock samples were obtained from the distinct parts of the basin surface and in-situ susceptibilities were also measured and evaluated in comparison with the other geophysical and geological data. Additionally, seismic sections, in spite of their low resolution, were used to define the velocity variation in the basin in order to compare depth values and geological cross-section obtained from the modeling studies. Deepest parts of the basin (12-13 km), determined from the 3D model, are located below the settlement of Hafik and to the south of Zara towns. Geometry, extension and wideness of the basin, together with the thickness and lithologies of the sedimentary units are reasonably appropriate for further hydrocarbon exploration in the Sivas Basin that is still an unexplored area with the limited number of seismic lines and only one borehole.

Potential-field sounding using Euler's homogeneity equation and Zidarov bubbling

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cordell, Lindrith

1994-01-01

Potential-field (gravity) data are transformed into a physical-property (density) distribution in a lower half-space, constrained solely by assumed upper bounds on physical-property contrast and data error. A two-step process is involved. The data are first transformed to an equivalent set of line (2-D case) or point (3-D case) sources, using Euler's homogeneity equation evaluated iteratively on the largest residual data value. Then, mass is converted to a volume-density product, constrained to an upper density bound, by 'bubbling,' which exploits circular or radial expansion to redistribute density without changing the associated gravity field. The method can be developed for gravity or magnetic data in two or three dimensions. The results can provide a beginning for interpretation of potential-field data where few independent constraints exist, or more likely, can be used to develop models and confirm or extend interpretation of other geophysical data sets.

Mars - Hellas Planitia gravity analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sjogren, W. L.; Wimberley, R. N.

1981-01-01

Doppler radio tracking data from Viking Orbiter 1 has provided new detailed observations of gravity variations over Hellas Planitia. Line-of-sight Bouguer gravity definitely indicates that isostatic adjustment has occurred. Two theoretical models were tested to obtain fits to the gravity data. Results for a surface deficit model, and a model with a surface deficit and a mass excess at depth are displayed. The mass-at-depth model produced very marked improvement in the data fit as compared to the surface deficit model. The optimum depth for the mass excess is 130 km.

Improvement of the Earth's gravity field from terrestrial and satellite data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rapp, Richard H.

1992-01-01

The determination of the Earth's gravitational potential can be done through the analysis of satellite perturbations, the analysis of surface gravity data, or both. The combination of the two data types yields a solution that combines the strength of each method: the longer wavelength strength in the satellite analysis with the better high frequency information from surface gravity data. Since 1972, Ohio State has carried out activities that have provided surface gravity data to a number of organizations who have developed combination potential coefficient models that describe the Earth's gravitational potential.

Forward modelling of global gravity fields with 3D density structures and an application to the high-resolution ( 2 km) gravity fields of the Moon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Šprlák, M.; Han, S.-C.; Featherstone, W. E.

2017-12-01

Rigorous modelling of the spherical gravitational potential spectra from the volumetric density and geometry of an attracting body is discussed. Firstly, we derive mathematical formulas for the spatial analysis of spherical harmonic coefficients. Secondly, we present a numerically efficient algorithm for rigorous forward modelling. We consider the finite-amplitude topographic modelling methods as special cases, with additional postulates on the volumetric density and geometry. Thirdly, we implement our algorithm in the form of computer programs and test their correctness with respect to the finite-amplitude topography routines. For this purpose, synthetic and realistic numerical experiments, applied to the gravitational field and geometry of the Moon, are performed. We also investigate the optimal choice of input parameters for the finite-amplitude modelling methods. Fourth, we exploit the rigorous forward modelling for the determination of the spherical gravitational potential spectra inferred by lunar crustal models with uniform, laterally variable, radially variable, and spatially (3D) variable bulk density. Also, we analyse these four different crustal models in terms of their spectral characteristics and band-limited radial gravitation. We demonstrate applicability of the rigorous forward modelling using currently available computational resources up to degree and order 2519 of the spherical harmonic expansion, which corresponds to a resolution of 2.2 km on the surface of the Moon. Computer codes, a user manual and scripts developed for the purposes of this study are publicly available to potential users.

Ground testing of bioconvective variables such as morphological characterizations and mechanisms which regulate macroscopic patterns

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Adriel D.

1992-01-01

Conditions simulating low- and high-gravity, reveal changes in macroscopic pattern formation in selected microorganisms, but whether these structures are gravity dependent is not clear. Two theories have been identified in the fluid dynamics community which support macroscopic pattern formation. The first one is gravity dependent (fluid density models) where small concentrated regions of organisms sink unstably, and the second is gravity independent (wave reinforcement theory) where organisms align their movements in concert, such that either their swimming strokes beat in phase or their vortices entrain neighbors to follow parallel paths. Studies have shown that macroscopic pattern formation is consistent with the fluid density models for protozoa and algae and wave reinforcement hypothesis for caprine spermatozoa.

Parabolic flights as Earth analogue for surface processes on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuhn, Nikolaus J.

2017-04-01

The interpretation of landforms and environmental archives on Mars with regards to habitability and preservation of traces of life requires a quantitative understanding of the processes that shaped them. Commonly, qualitative similarities in sedimentary rocks between Earth and Mars are used as an analogue to reconstruct the environments in which they formed on Mars. However, flow hydraulics and sedimentation differ between Earth and Mars, requiring a recalibration of models describing runoff, erosion, transport and deposition. Simulation of these processes on Earth is limited because gravity cannot be changed and the trade-off between adjusting e.g. fluid or particle density generates other mismatches, such as fluid viscosity. Computational Fluid Dynamics offer an alternative, but would also require a certain degree of calibration or testing. Parabolic flights offer a possibility to amend the shortcomings of these approaches. Parabolas with reduced gravity last up to 30 seconds, which allows the simulation of sedimentation processes and the measurement of flow hydraulics. This study summarizes the experience gathered during four campaigns of parabolic flights, aimed at identifying potential and limitations of their use as an Earth analogue for surface processes on Mars.

Structural interpretation of El Hierro (Canary Islands) rifts system from gravity inversion modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sainz-Maza, S.; Montesinos, F. G.; Martí, J.; Arnoso, J.; Calvo, M.; Borreguero, A.

2017-08-01

Recent volcanism in El Hierro Island is mostly concentrated along three elongated and narrow zones which converge at the center of the island. These zones with extensive volcanism have been identified as rift zones. The presence of similar structures is common in many volcanic oceanic islands, so understanding their origin, dynamics and structure is important to conduct hazard assessment in such environments. There is still not consensus on the origin of the El Hierro rift zones, having been associated with mantle uplift or interpreted as resulting from gravitational spreading and flank instability. To further understand the internal structure and origin of the El Hierro rift systems, starting from the previous gravity studies, we developed a new 3D gravity inversion model for its shallower layers, gathering a detailed picture of this part of the island, which has permitted a new interpretation about these rifts. Previous models already identified a main central magma accumulation zone and several shallower high density bodies. The new model allows a better resolution of the pathways that connect both levels and the surface. Our results do not point to any correspondence between the upper parts of these pathways and the rift identified at the surface. Non-clear evidence of progression toward deeper parts into the volcanic system is shown, so we interpret them as very shallow structures, probably originated by local extensional stresses derived from gravitational loading and flank instability, which are used to facilitate the lateral transport of magma when it arrives close to the surface.

Lovelock action with nonsmooth boundaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cano, Pablo A.

2018-05-01

We examine the variational problem in Lovelock gravity when the boundary contains timelike and spacelike segments nonsmoothly glued. We show that two kinds of contributions have to be added to the action. The first one is associated with the presence of a boundary in every segment and it depends on intrinsic and extrinsic curvatures. We can think of this contribution as adding a total derivative to the usual surface term of Lovelock gravity. The second one appears in every joint between two segments and it involves the integral along the joint of the Jacobson-Myers entropy density weighted by the Lorentz boost parameter, which relates the orthonormal frames in each segment. We argue that this term can be straightforwardly extended to the case of joints involving null boundaries. As an application, we compute the contribution of these terms to the complexity of global anti-de Sitter space in Lovelock gravity by using the "complexity =action " proposal and we identify possible universal terms for arbitrary values of the Lovelock couplings. We find that they depend on the charge a* controlling the holographic entanglement entropy and on a new constant that we characterize.

KSC-2011-6853

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Actress Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura on Star Trek) signs autographs for a guest at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida during activities for the agency’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission (GRAIL). Nichols was on hand to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the first airing of the Star Trek television series. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is hosting “Star Trek: The Exhibition” to show visitors where “science fiction meets science fact.” GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

DYNAMICS OF SELF-GRAVITY WAKES IN DENSE PLANETARY RINGS. I. PITCH ANGLE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Michikoshi, Shugo; Kokubo, Eiichiro; Fujii, Akihiko

2015-10-20

We investigate the dynamics of self-gravity wakes in dense planetary rings. In particular, we examine how the pitch angles of self-gravity wakes depend on ring parameters using N-body simulations. We calculate the pitch angles using the two-dimensional autocorrelation function of the ring surface density. We obtain the pitch angles for the inner and outer parts of the autocorrelation function separately. We confirm that the pitch angles are 15°–30° for reasonable ring parameters, which are consistent with previous studies. We find that the inner pitch angle increases with the Saturnicentric distance, while it barely depends on the optical depth and themore » restitution coefficient of ring particles. The increase of the inner pitch angle with the Saturnicentric distance is consistent with the observations of the A ring. The outer pitch angle does not have a clear dependence on any ring parameters and is about 10°–15°. This value is consistent with the pitch angle of spiral arms in collisionless systems.« less

KSC-2011-6782

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket that will launch NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission towers over the U.S. flag painted on the pad's structure. The mobile service tower has been rolled away from the vehicle for launch. The "rollback" began at about 11:20 p.m. EDT Sept. 7. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. Launch is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT Sept. 8. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-6846

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the United Launch Alliance Delta II heavy rocket that will launch NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory spacecraft is rolled back around to the mobile service tower after the first launch attempt was scrubbed due to upper-level winds. GRAIL is scheduled for another launch attempt Sept.10 at 8:29:45 a.m. EDT. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KSC-2011-6851

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the United Launch Alliance Delta II heavy rocket that will launch NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory spacecraft is rolled back around to the mobile service tower after the first launch attempt was scrubbed due to upper-level winds. GRAIL is scheduled for another launch attempt Sept.10 at 8:29:45 a.m. EDT. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KSC-2011-6799

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Tweetup participants ask questions during prelaunch activities for NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Participants toured NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and got a close-up view of Space Launch Complex 17B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon’s gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon’s crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon’s internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon’s gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. Launch is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT Sept. 8. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Gianni Woods

KSC-2011-6884

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At KARS Park 1 on Merritt Island in Florida, a group of Tweetup participants take pictures and watch excitedly as a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket lifts off at 9:08 a.m. EDT Sept. 10 from Space Launch Complex 17B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission to the moon. The tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

KSC-2011-6844

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – News media photograph the United Launch Alliance Delta II heavy rocket carrying NASA’s twin Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory spacecraft at Launch Complex 17B as the mobile service tower is rolled back around to the vehicle after the first launch attempt was scrubbed due to upper-level winds. GRAIL is scheduled for another launch attempt Sept.10 at 8:29:45 a.m. EDT. at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KSC-2011-6850

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the United Launch Alliance Delta II heavy rocket that will launch NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory spacecraft is rolled back around to the mobile service tower after the first launch attempt was scrubbed due to upper-level winds. GRAIL is scheduled for another launch attempt Sept.10 at 8:29:45 a.m. EDT. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KSC-2011-6845

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the United Launch Alliance Delta II heavy rocket that will launch NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory spacecraft is rolled back around to the mobile service tower after the first launch attempt was scrubbed due to upper-level winds. GRAIL is scheduled for another launch attempt Sept.10 at 8:29:45 a.m. EDT. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

KSC-2011-6882

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At KARS Park 1 on Merritt Island in Florida, a group of Tweetup participants watch as a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket lifts off at 9:08 a.m. EDT Sept. 10 from Space Launch Complex 17B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission to the moon. The tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

KSC-2011-6847

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A worker stands nearby as the United Launch Alliance Delta II heavy rocket at Space Launch Complex 17B, carrying NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory spacecraft, is rolled back around to the mobile service tower after the first launch attempt was scrubbed due to upper-level winds. GRAIL is scheduled for another launch attempt Sept.10 at 8:29:45 a.m. EDT at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

Droplet evaporation on a horizontal substrate under gravity field by mesoscopic modeling.

PubMed

Xie, Chiyu; Zhang, Jianying; Bertola, Volfango; Wang, Moran

2016-02-01

The evaporation of water drop deposited on a horizontal substrate is investigated using a lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) for multiphase flows with a large-density ratio. To account for the variation of evaporation flux distribution along the drop interface, a novel evaporation scheme is introduced into the LBM framework, and validated by comparison with experimental data. We aim at discovering the effect of gravity on the evaporating drop in detail, and various evaporation conditions are considered as well as different wetting properties of the substrates. An effective diameter is introduced as an indicator of the critical drop size under which gravity is negligible. Our results show that such critical diameter is much smaller than the capillary length, which has been widely accepted as the critical size in previous and current works. The critical diameter is found to be almost independent of the evaporation conditions and the surface wettability. A correlation between this critical diameter and the capillary length is also proposed for easy use in applications. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Impact of infrasound atmospheric noise on gravity detectors used for astrophysical and geophysical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fiorucci, Donatella; Harms, Jan; Barsuglia, Matteo; Fiori, Irene; Paoletti, Federico

2018-03-01

Density changes in the atmosphere produce a fluctuating gravity field that affects gravity strainmeters or gravity gradiometers used for the detection of gravitational waves and for geophysical applications. This work addresses the impact of the atmospheric local gravity noise on such detectors, extending previous analyses. In particular we present the effect introduced by the building housing the detectors, and we analyze local gravity-noise suppression by constructing the detector underground. We present also new sound spectra and correlation measurements. The results obtained are important for the design of future gravitational-wave detectors and gravity gradiometers used to detect prompt gravity perturbations from earthquakes.

Subglacial sedimentary basin characterization of Wilkes Land, East Antarctica via applied aerogeophysical inverse methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frederick, B. C.; Gooch, B. T.; Richter, T.; Young, D. A.; Blankenship, D. D.; Aitken, A.; Siegert, M. J.

2013-12-01

Topography, sediment distribution and heat flux are all key boundary conditions governing the stability of the East Antarctic ice sheet (EAIS). Recent scientific scrutiny has been focused on several large, deep, interior EAIS basins including the submarine basal topography characterizing the Aurora Subglacial Basin (ASB). Numerical ice sheet models require accurate deformable sediment distribution and lithologic character constraints to estimate overall flow velocities and potential instability. To date, such estimates across the ASB have been derived from low-resolution satellite data or historic aerogeophysical surveys conducted prior to the advent of GPS. These rough basal condition estimates have led to poorly-constrained ice sheet stability models for this remote 200,000 sq km expanse of the ASB. Here we present a significantly improved quantitative model characterizing the subglacial lithology and sediment in the ASB region. The product of comprehensive ICECAP (2008-2013) aerogeophysical data processing, this sedimentary basin model details the expanse and thickness of probable Wilkes Land subglacial sedimentary deposits and density contrast boundaries indicative of distinct subglacial lithologic units. As part of the process, BEDMAP2 subglacial topographic results were improved through the additional incorporation of ice-penetrating radar data collected during ICECAP field seasons 2010-2013. Detailed potential field data pre-processing was completed as well as a comprehensive evaluation of crustal density contrasts based on the gravity power spectrum, a subsequent high pass data filter was also applied to remove longer crustal wavelengths from the gravity dataset prior to inversion. Gridded BEDMAP2+ ice and bed radar surfaces were then utilized to establish bounding density models for the 3D gravity inversion process to yield probable sedimentary basin anomalies. Gravity inversion results were iteratively evaluated against radar along-track RMS deviation and gravity and magnetic depth to basement results. This geophysical data processing methodology provides a substantial improvement over prior Wilkes Land sedimentary basin estimates yielding a higher resolution model based upon iteration of several aerogeophysical datasets concurrently. This more detailed subglacial sedimentary basin model for Wilkes Land, East Antarctica will not only contribute to vast improvements on EAIS ice sheet model constraints, but will also provide significant quantifiable controls for subglacial hydrologic and geothermal flux estimates that are also sizable contributors to the cold-based, deep interior basal ice dynamics dominant in the Wilkes Land region.

Unimodular Einstein-Cartan gravity: Dynamics and conservation laws

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonder, Yuri; Corral, Cristóbal

2018-04-01

Unimodular gravity is an interesting approach to address the cosmological constant problem, since the vacuum energy density of quantum fields does not gravitate in this framework, and the cosmological constant appears as an integration constant. These features arise as a consequence of considering a constrained volume element 4-form that breaks the diffeomorphisms invariance down to volume preserving diffeomorphisms. In this work, the first-order formulation of unimodular gravity is presented by considering the spin density of matter fields as a source of spacetime torsion. Even though the most general matter Lagrangian allowed by the symmetries is considered, dynamical restrictions arise on their functional dependence. The field equations are obtained and the conservation laws associated with the symmetries are derived. It is found that, analogous to torsion-free unimodular gravity, the field equation for the vierbein is traceless; nevertheless, torsion is algebraically related to the spin density as in standard Einstein-Cartan theory. The particular example of massless Dirac spinors is studied, and comparisons with standard Einstein-Cartan theory are shown.

Results from Radio Tracking the Rosetta Spacecraft: Gravity, Internal Structure and Nucleus Composition of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hahn, M.; Andert, T.; Asmar, S.; Bird, M. K.; Häusler, B.; Peter, K.; Tellmann, S.; Weissman, P. R.; Barriot, J. P.; Sierks, H.

2017-12-01

When Rosetta arrived at its target comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko it first performed a series of distant flybys (100 - 30 km). During this mission phase the mass of the comets nucleus could be determined by analyzing the RSI radio tracking data. In combination with the volume from images of the OSIRIS camera this resulted in a precise bulk density determination. That already gave first insights into the comets interior structure. The nucleus appears to be a low-density, highly porous dusty body. From bound orbits with distances below 30 km the low degree and order gravity field coefficients could be derived. The gravity field coefficients strongly depend on the nucleus irregular shape and on the interior mass distribution. The shape is very well reconstructed from of the OSIRIS camera images. Various models of the interior nucleus structure and density distributions are used to compute simulated values of the gravity field coefficients. A comparison with the observed coefficients yields the feasibility of the theoretical interior structure. Thus, the gravity field helps constraining models of the internal structure, the composition and also of the origin and formation of the comets nucleus.

Venus spherical harmonic gravity model to degree and order 60

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Konopliv, Alex S.; Sjogren, William L.

1994-01-01

The Magellan and Pioneer Venus Orbiter radiometric tracking data sets have been combined to produce a 60th degree and order spherical harmonic gravity field. The Magellan data include the high-precision X-band gravity tracking from September 1992 to May 1993 and post-aerobraking data up to January 5, 1994. Gravity models are presented from the application of Kaula's power rule for Venus and an alternative a priori method using surface accelerations. Results are given as vertical gravity acceleration at the reference surface, geoid, vertical Bouguer, and vertical isostatic maps with errors for the vertical gravity and geoid maps included. Correlation of the gravity with topography for the different models is also discussed.

A simulation for gravity fine structure recovery from low-low GRAVSAT SST data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Estes, R. H.; Lancaster, E. R.

1976-01-01

Covariance error analysis techniques were applied to investigate estimation strategies for the low-low SST mission for accurate local recovery of gravitational fine structure, considering the aliasing effects of unsolved for parameters. A 5 degree by 5 degree surface density block representation of the high order geopotential was utilized with the drag-free low-low GRAVSAT configuration in a circular polar orbit at 250 km altitude. Recovery of local sets of density blocks from long data arcs was found not to be feasible due to strong aliasing effects. The error analysis for the recovery of local sets of density blocks using independent short data arcs demonstrated that the estimation strategy of simultaneously estimating a local set of blocks covered by data and two "buffer layers" of blocks not covered by data greatly reduced aliasing errors.

MODTOHAFSD — A GUI based JAVA code for gravity analysis of strike limited sedimentary basins by means of growing bodies with exponential density contrast-depth variation: A space domain approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chakravarthi, V.; Sastry, S. Rajeswara; Ramamma, B.

2013-07-01

Based on the principles of modeling and inversion, two interpretation methods are developed in the space domain along with a GUI based JAVA code, MODTOHAFSD, to analyze the gravity anomalies of strike limited sedimentary basins using a prescribed exponential density contrast-depth function. A stack of vertical prisms all having equal widths, but each one possesses its own limited strike length and thickness, describes the structure of a sedimentary basin above the basement complex. The thicknesses of prisms represent the depths to the basement and are the unknown parameters to be estimated from the observed gravity anomalies. Forward modeling is realized in the space domain using a combination of analytical and numerical approaches. The algorithm estimates the initial depths of a sedimentary basin and improves them, iteratively, based on the differences between the observed and modeled gravity anomalies within the specified convergence criteria. The present code, works on Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern, reads the Bouguer gravity anomalies, constructs/modifies regional gravity background in an interactive approach, estimates residual gravity anomalies and performs automatic modeling or inversion based on user specification for basement topography. Besides generating output in both ASCII and graphical forms, the code displays (i) the changes in the depth structure, (ii) nature of fit between the observed and modeled gravity anomalies, (iii) changes in misfit, and (iv) variation of density contrast with iteration in animated forms. The code is used to analyze both synthetic and real field gravity anomalies. The proposed technique yielded information that is consistent with the assumed parameters in case of synthetic structure and with available drilling depths in case of field example. The advantage of the code is that it can be used to analyze the gravity anomalies of sedimentary basins even when the profile along which the interpretation is intended fails to bisect the strike length.

Development of a large support surface for an air-bearing type zero-gravity simulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glover, K. E.

1976-01-01

The methods used in producing a large, flat surface to serve as the supporting surface for an air-bearing type zero-gravity simulator using low clearance, thrust-pad type air bearings are described. Major problems encountered in the use of self-leveled epoxy coatings in this surface are discussed and techniques are recommended which proved effective in overcoming these problems. Performance requirements of the zero-gravity simulator vehicle which were pertinent to the specification of the air-bearing support surface are also discussed.

Dark Energy and Key Physical Parameters of Clusters of Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chernin, A. D.; Bisnovatyi-Kogan, G. S.

We discuss the physics of clusters of galaxies embedded in the cosmic dark energy background and show that 1) the halo cut-off radius of a cluster like the Virgo cluster is practically, if not exactly, equal to the zero-gravity radius at which the dark matter gravity is balanced by the dark energy antigravity; 2) the halo averaged density is equal to two densities of dark energy; 3) the halo edge (cut-off) density is the dark energy density with a numerical factor of the unity order slightly depending on the halo profile.

New Views on Dark Matter from Emergent Gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Sichun; Zhang, Yun-Long

2018-01-01

We discuss a scenario that apparent dark matter comes from the induced gravity in the (3+1)- dimensional spacetime, which can be embedded into one higher dimensional flat spacetime. The stress tensor of dark energy and dark matter is identified with the Brown-York stress tensor on the hypersurface, and we find an interesting constraint relation between the dark matter and dark energy density parameter and baryonic density parameter. Our approach may show a new understanding for Verlinde's emergent gravity from higher dimensions. We also comment on some phenomenological implications, including gravitational wave solutions and MOND limit.

Preliminary isostatic gravity map of the Sonoma volcanic field and vicinity, Sonoma and Napa Counties, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Langenheim, V.E.; Roberts, C.W.; McCabe, C.A.; McPhee, D.K.; Tilden, J.E.; Jachens, R.C.

2006-01-01

This isostatic residual gravity map is part of a three-dimensional mapping effort focused on the subsurface distribution of rocks of the Sonoma volcanic field in Napa and Sonoma counties, northern California. This map will serve as a basis for modeling the shapes of basins beneath the Santa Rosa Plain and Napa and Sonoma Valleys, and for determining the location and geometry of faults within the area. Local spatial variations in the Earth's gravity field (after accounting for variations caused by elevation, terrain, and deep crustal structure explained below) reflect the distribution of densities in the mid to upper crust. Densities often can be related to rock type, and abrupt spatial changes in density commonly mark lithologic boundaries. High-density basement rocks exposed within the northern San Francisco Bay area include those of the Mesozoic Franciscan Complex and Great Valley Sequence present in the mountainous areas of the quadrangle. Alluvial sediment and Tertiary sedimentary rocks are characterized by low densities. However, with increasing depth of burial and age, the densities of these rocks may become indistinguishable from those of basement rocks. Tertiary volcanic rocks are characterized by a wide range in densities, but, on average, are less dense than the Mesozoic basement rocks. Isostatic residual gravity values within the map area range from about -41 mGal over San Pablo Bay to about 11 mGal near Greeg Mountain 10 km east of St. Helena. Steep linear gravity gradients are coincident with the traces of several Quaternary strike-slip faults, most notably along the West Napa fault bounding the west side of Napa Valley, the projection of the Hayward fault in San Pablo Bay, the Maacama Fault, and the Rodgers Creek fault in the vicinity of Santa Rosa. These gradients result from juxtaposing dense basement rocks against thick Tertiary volcanic and sedimentary rocks.

Development of new experimental platform 'MARS'-Multiple Artificial-gravity Research System-to elucidate the impacts of micro/partial gravity on mice.

PubMed

Shiba, Dai; Mizuno, Hiroyasu; Yumoto, Akane; Shimomura, Michihiko; Kobayashi, Hiroe; Morita, Hironobu; Shimbo, Miki; Hamada, Michito; Kudo, Takashi; Shinohara, Masahiro; Asahara, Hiroshi; Shirakawa, Masaki; Takahashi, Satoru

2017-09-07

This Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency project focused on elucidating the impacts of partial gravity (partial g) and microgravity (μg) on mice using newly developed mouse habitat cage units (HCU) that can be installed in the Centrifuge-equipped Biological Experiment Facility in the International Space Station. In the first mission, 12 C57BL/6 J male mice were housed under μg or artificial earth-gravity (1 g). Mouse activity was monitored daily via downlinked videos; μg mice floated inside the HCU, whereas artificial 1 g mice were on their feet on the floor. After 35 days of habitation, all mice were returned to the Earth and processed. Significant decreases were evident in femur bone density and the soleus/gastrocnemius muscle weights of μg mice, whereas artificial 1 g mice maintained the same bone density and muscle weight as mice in the ground control experiment, in which housing conditions in the flight experiment were replicated. These data indicate that these changes were particularly because of gravity. They also present the first evidence that the addition of gravity can prevent decreases in bone density and muscle mass, and that the new platform 'MARS' may provide novel insights on the molecular-mechanisms regulating biological processes controlled by partial g/μg.

High-accuracy 3D Fourier forward modeling of gravity field based on the Gauss-FFT technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Guangdong; Chen, Bo; Chen, Longwei; Liu, Jianxin; Ren, Zhengyong

2018-03-01

The 3D Fourier forward modeling of 3D density sources is capable of providing 3D gravity anomalies coincided with the meshed density distribution within the whole source region. This paper firstly derives a set of analytical expressions through employing 3D Fourier transforms for calculating the gravity anomalies of a 3D density source approximated by right rectangular prisms. To reduce the errors due to aliasing and imposed periodicity as well as edge effects in the Fourier domain modeling, we develop the 3D Gauss-FFT technique to the 3D gravity anomalies forward modeling. The capability and adaptability of this scheme are tested by simple synthetic models. The results show that the accuracy of the Fourier forward methods using the Gauss-FFT with 4 Gaussian-nodes (or more) is comparable to that of the spatial modeling. In addition, the "ghost" source effects in the 3D Fourier forward gravity field due to imposed periodicity of the standard FFT algorithm are remarkably depressed by the application of the 3D Gauss-FFT algorithm. More importantly, the execution times of the 4 nodes Gauss-FFT modeling are reduced by two orders of magnitude compared with the spatial forward method. It demonstrates that the improved Fourier method is an efficient and accurate forward modeling tool for the gravity field.

Reconstruction of cosmological matter perturbations in modified gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonzalez, J. E.

2017-12-01

The analysis of perturbative quantities is a powerful tool to distinguish between different dark energy models and gravity theories degenerated at the background level. In this work, we generalize the integral solution of the matter density contrast for general relativity gravity [V. Sahni and A. Starobinsky, Int. J. Mod. Phys. D 15, 2105 (2006)., 10.1142/S0218271806009704, U. Alam, V. Sahni, and A. A. Starobinsky, Astrophys. J. 704, 1086 (2009)., 10.1088/0004-637X/704/2/1086] to a wide class of modified gravity (MG) theories. To calculate this solution, it is necessary to have prior knowledge of the Hubble rate, the density parameter at the present epoch (Ωm 0), and the functional form of the effective Newton's constant that characterizes the gravity theory. We estimate in a model-independent way the Hubble expansion rate by applying a nonparametric reconstruction method to model-independent cosmic chronometer data and high-z quasar data. In order to compare our generalized solution of the matter density contrast, using the nonparametric reconstruction of H (z ) from observational data, with a purely theoretical one, we choose a parametrization of the screened modified gravity and the Ωm 0 from WMAP-9 Collaborations. Finally, we calculate the growth index for the analyzed cases, finding very good agreement between theoretical values and the obtained ones using the approach presented in this work.

Gravity wave and tidal structures between 60 and 140 km inferred from space shuttle reentry data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fritts, David C.; Wang, Ding-Yi; Blanchard, Robert C.

1993-01-01

This study presents an analysis of density measurements made using high-resolution accelerometers aboard several space shuttles at altitudes from 60 to 140 km during reentry into the earth's atmosphere. The observed density fluctuations are interpreted in terms of gravity waves and tides and provide evidence of the importance of such motions well into the thermosphere. Height profiles of fractional density variance reveal that wave amplitudes increase at a rate consistent with observations at lower levels up to about 90 km. The rate of amplitude growth decreases at greater heights, however, and appears to cease above about 110 km. Wave amplitudes are nevertheless large at these heights and suggest that gravity waves may play an important role in forcing of the lower thermosphere.

The relativistic gravity train

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seel, Max

2018-05-01

The gravity train that takes 42.2 min from any point A to any other point B that is connected by a straight-line tunnel through Earth has captured the imagination more than most other applications in calculus or introductory physics courses. Brachystochron and, most recently, nonlinear density solutions have been discussed. Here relativistic corrections are presented. It is discussed how the corrections affect the time to fall through Earth, the Sun, a white dwarf, a neutron star, and—the ultimate limit—the difference in time measured by a moving, a stationary and the fiducial observer at infinity if the density of the sphere approaches the density of a black hole. The relativistic gravity train can serve as a problem with approximate and exact analytic solutions and as numerical exercise in any introductory course on relativity.

The response of plasma density to breaking inertial gravity wave in the lower regions of ionosphere

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tang, Wenbo, E-mail: Wenbo.Tang@asu.edu; Mahalov, Alex, E-mail: Alex.Mahalov@asu.edu

2014-04-15

We present a three-dimensional numerical study for the E and lower F region ionosphere coupled with the neutral atmosphere dynamics. This model is developed based on a previous ionospheric model that examines the transport patterns of plasma density given a prescribed neutral atmospheric flow. Inclusion of neutral dynamics in the model allows us to examine the charge-neutral interactions over the full evolution cycle of an inertial gravity wave when the background flow spins up from rest, saturates and eventually breaks. Using Lagrangian analyses, we show the mixing patterns of the ionospheric responses and the formation of ionospheric layers. The correspondingmore » plasma density in this flow develops complex wave structures and small-scale patches during the gravity wave breaking event.« less

Predicting gravity and sediment thickness in Afghanistan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, W.; Brozena, J.; Peters, M.

2013-02-01

The US Naval Research Laboratory conducted comprehensive high-altitude (7 km above mean sea level) aero-geophysical surveys over Afghanistan in 2006 (Rampant Lion I). The surveys were done in collaboration with the US Geological Survey and upon the request of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ministry of Mines. In this study, we show that a best fitting admittance between topography and airborne gravity in western Afghanistan can be used to predict airborne gravity for the no-data area of eastern Afghanistan where the mountains are too high to conduct airborne surveys, due to the threat of ground fire. The differences between the airborne and the predicted gravity along a tie-track through the no-data area were found to be within ±12 mGal range with rms difference 7.3 mGal, while those between the predicted gravity from a simple Airy model (with compensation depth of 32 km and crustal density of 2.67 g cm-3) and the airborne gravity were within ±22 mGal range with rms difference 10.3 mGal. A combined airborne free-air anomaly has been constructed by merging the predicted gravity with the airborne data. We also demonstrate that sediment thickness can be estimated for basin areas where surface topography and airborne free-air anomaly profiles do not show a correlation presumably because of thick sediments. In order to estimate sediment thickness, we first determine a simple linear relationship from a scatter plot of the airborne gravity points and the interpolated Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) topography along the Rampant Lion I tracks, and computed corresponding quasi-topography tracks by multiplying the linear relationship with the airborne free-air anomalies. We then take the differences between the SRTM and quasi-topography as a first-order estimate of sediment thickness. A global gravity model (GOCO02S), upward continued to the same altitude (7 km above mean sea level) as the data collection, was compared with the low-pass filtered (with cutoff wavelength 132 km which is approximately equivalent to the reported safe degree and order 250 of GOCO02S at 34º N) combined airborne free-air anomalies. The rms difference between the two data sets was 12.4 mGal. The observed admittance in the western Afghanistan mountains appears to be best fit to a theoretical elastic plate compensation model (with an effective elastic thickness of 5 km and crustal thickness of 22 km) where the ratio between surface load and subsurface load is equal.

Hydrodynamic Instability in an Extended Landau/Levich Model of Liquid-Propellant Combustion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Margolis, Stephen B.; Sackesteder, Kurt (Technical Monitor)

1998-01-01

The classical Landau/Levich models of liquid propellant combustion, which serve as seminal examples of hydrodynamic instability in reactive systems, have been combined and extended to account for a dynamic dependence, absent in the original formulations, of the local burning rate on the local pressure and/or temperature fields. The resulting model admits an extremely rich variety of both hydrodynamic and reactive/diffusive instabilities that can be analyzed in various limiting parameter regimes. In the present work, a formal asymptotic analysis, based on the realistic smallness of the gas-to-liquid density ratio, is developed to investigate the combined effects of gravity, surface tension and viscosity on the hydrodynamic instability of the propagating liquid/gas interface. In particular, a composite asymptotic expression, spanning three distinguished wavenumber regimes, is derived for both cellular and pulsating hydrodynamic neutral stability boundaries A(sub p)(k), where A(sub p) is the pressure sensitivity of the burning rate and k is the disturbance wavenumber. For the case of cellular (Landau) instability, the results demonstrate explicitly the stabilizing effect of gravity on long-wave disturbances, the stabilizing effect of viscosity and surface tension on short-wave perturbations, and the instability associated with intermediate wavenumbers for critical negative values of A(sub p). In the limiting case of weak gravity, it is shown that cellular hydrodynamic instability in this context is a long-wave instability phenomenon, whereas at normal gravity, this instability is first manifested through O(l) wavenumber disturbances. It is also demonstrated that, in the large wavenumber regime, surface tension and both liquid and gas viscosity all produce comparable stabilizing effects in the large-wavenumber regime, thereby providing significant modifications to previous analyses of Landau instability in which one or more of these effects were neglected. In contrast, the pulsating hydrodynamic stability boundary is found to be insensitive to gravitational and surface-tension effects, but is more sensitive to the effects of liquid viscosity, which is a significant stabilizing effect for O(l) and higher wavenumbers. Liquid-propellant combustion is predicted to be stable (i.e., steady and planar) only for a range of negative pressure sensitivities that lie between the two types of hydrodynamic stability boundaries.

Trapped surfaces and emergent curved space in the Bose-Hubbard model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caravelli, Francesco; Hamma, Alioscia; Markopoulou, Fotini; Riera, Arnau

2012-02-01

A Bose-Hubbard model on a dynamical lattice was introduced in previous work as a spin system analogue of emergent geometry and gravity. Graphs with regions of high connectivity in the lattice were identified as candidate analogues of spacetime geometries that contain trapped surfaces. We carry out a detailed study of these systems and show explicitly that the highly connected subgraphs trap matter. We do this by solving the model in the limit of no back-reaction of the matter on the lattice, and for states with certain symmetries that are natural for our problem. We find that in this case the problem reduces to a one-dimensional Hubbard model on a lattice with variable vertex degree and multiple edges between the same two vertices. In addition, we obtain a (discrete) differential equation for the evolution of the probability density of particles which is closed in the classical regime. This is a wave equation in which the vertex degree is related to the local speed of propagation of probability. This allows an interpretation of the probability density of particles similar to that in analogue gravity systems: matter inside this analogue system sees a curved spacetime. We verify our analytic results by numerical simulations. Finally, we analyze the dependence of localization on a gradual, rather than abrupt, falloff of the vertex degree on the boundary of the highly connected region and find that matter is localized in and around that region.

An Approach to the Crustal Thickness Inversion Problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Marchi, F.; Di Achille, G.

2017-12-01

We describe a method to estimate the crustal thickness of a planet and we apply it to Venus. As in the method of (Parker, 1972), modified by (Wieczorek & Phillips, 1998), the gravity field anomalies of a planet are assumed to be due to the combined effect of topography and relief on the crust-mantle interface. No assumptions on isostasy are necessary. In our case, rather than using the expansion of the powers of the relief in Taylor series, we model the gravitational field of topography/relief by means of a large number of prism-shaped masses covering the whole surface of the planet. Under the hypothesis that crustal and mantle densities are the same everywhere, we solve for the relief depths on the crust-mantle interface by imposing that observed and modeled gravity field at a certain reference spherical surface (external to the planet) must be equal. This method can be extended to the case of non-uniform densities. Finally, we calculate a map of the crustal thickness of Venus and compare our results with those predicted by previous work and with the global distribution of main geological features (e.g. rift zones, tesserae, coronae). We discuss the agremeent between our results and the main geodynamical and crustal models put forth to explain the origin of such features and the applicability of this method in the context of the mission VOX (Venus Origins Explore), proposed for NASA's NF4 call.

Seismic velocities - density relationship for the Earth's crust: effects of chemical compositions, amount of water, and implications on gravity and topography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guerri, Mattia; Cammarano, Fabio

2014-05-01

Seismic velocities - density relationship for the Earth's crust: effects of chemical compositions, amount of water, and implications on gravity and topography Mattia Guerri and Fabio Cammarano Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Section of Geology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. A good knowledge of the Earth's crust is not only important to understand its formation and dynamics, but also essential to infer mantle seismic structure, dynamic topography and location of seismic events. Global and local crustal models available (Bassin et al., 2000; Nataf & Ricard, 1996; Molinari & Morelli, 2011) are based on VP-density empirical relationships that do not fully exploit our knowledge on mineral phases forming crustal rocks and their compositions. We assess the effects of various average crustal chemical compositions on the conversion from seismic velocities to density, also testing the influence of water. We consider mineralogies at thermodynamic equilibrium and reference mineral assemblages at given P-T conditions to account for metastability. Stable mineral phases at equilibrium have been computed with the revised Holland and Powell (2002) EOS and thermodynamic database implemented in PerpleX (Connolly 2005). We have computed models of physical properties for the crust following two approaches, i) calculation of seismic velocities and density by assuming the same layers structure of the model CRUST 2.0 (Bassin et al., 2000) and a 3-D thermal structure based on heat-flow measurements; ii) interpretation of the Vp model reported in CRUST 2.0 to obtain density and shear wave velocity for the crustal layers, using the Vp-density relations obtained with the thermodynamic modeling. The obtained density models and CRUST 2.0 one have been used to calculate isostatic topography and gravity field. Our main results consist in, i) phase transitions have a strong effect on the physical properties of crustal rocks, in particular on seismic velocities; ii) models based on different crustal chemical compositions show strong variations on both seismic properties and density; iii) the amount of water is a main factor in determining the physical properties of crustal rocks, drastically changing the phase stability in the mineralogical assemblages; iii) the differences between the various density models that we obtained, and the variations between them and CRUST2.0, translate into strong effects for the calculated isostatic topography and gravity field. Our approach, dealing directly with chemical compositions, is suitable to quantitatively investigate compositional heterogeneity in the Earth's crust. References - Bassin, C., Laske, G. & Masters, G., 2000. The current limits of resolution for surface wave tomography in North America, EOS, Trans. Am. Geophys. Un., 81, F897. - Nataf, H. & Ricard, Y., 1996. 3SMAC: an a priori tomographic model of the upper mantle based on geophysical modeling, Phys. Earth planet. Inter., 95(1-2), 101-122. - Molinari, I. & Morelli, A., 2011. Epcrust: a reference crustal model for the European Plate, Gepohys. J. Int., 185, 352-364. - Connolly JAD (2005) Computation of phase equilibria by linear programming: a tool for geodynamic modeling and its application to subduction zone decarbonation. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 236:524-541.

Numerical Study on the Effects of Gravity and Surface Tension on Condensation Process in Square Minichannel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Panpan; Chen, Zhenqian; Shi, Juan

2018-02-01

A volume of fluid (VOF) method is adopted to simulate the condensation of R134a in a horizontal single square minichannel with 1 mm side length. The effect of gravity, surface tension and gas-liquid interfacial shear stress are taken into account. The result denotes that condensation is first appeared at the corner of channel, and then the condensation is stretched at the effect of surface tension until the whole channel boundary covered. The effect of gravity on the distribution of the liquid film depends on the channel length. In short channel, the gravity shows no significant effect, the distribution shape of steam in the cross section of the channel is approximately circular. In long channel, due to the influence of gravity, the liquid converges at the bottom under the effect of gravity, and the thickness of the liquid film at the bottom is obviously higher than that of the upper part of the channel. The effect of surface tension on condensation is also analysed. The surface tension can enhance the condensation heat transfer significantly when the inlet mass flux is low. Whilst, at high mass flux, the enhancement of surface tension on heat transfer is unobvious and can be neglected.

Gravity model improvement using GEOS-3 (GEM 9 and 10)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lerch, F. J.; Klosko, S. M.; Laubscher, R. E.; Wagner, C. A.

1977-01-01

The use of collocation permitted GEM 9 to be a larger field than previous derived satellite models, GEM 9 having harmonics complete to 20 x 20 with selected higher degree terms. The satellite data set has approximately 840,000 observations, of which 200,000 are laser ranges taken on 9 satellites equipped with retroreflectors. GEM 10 is complete to 22 x 22 with selected higher degree terms out to degree and order 30 amounting to a total of 592 coefficients. Comparisons with surface gravity and altimeter data indicate a substantial improvement in GEM 9 over previous satellite solutions; GEM 9 is in even closer agreement with surface data than the previously published GEM 6 solution which contained surface gravity. In particular the free air gravity anomalies calculated from GEM 9 and a surface gravity solution are in excellent agreement for the high degree terms.

Gravity darkening in late-type stars. I. The Coriolis effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raynaud, R.; Rieutord, M.; Petitdemange, L.; Gastine, T.; Putigny, B.

2018-02-01

Context. Recent interferometric data have been used to constrain the brightness distribution at the surface of nearby stars, in particular the so-called gravity darkening that makes fast rotating stars brighter at their poles than at their equator. However, good models of gravity darkening are missing for stars that posses a convective envelope. Aim. In order to better understand how rotation affects the heat transfer in stellar convective envelopes, we focus on the heat flux distribution in latitude at the outer surface of numerical models. Methods: We carry out a systematic parameter study of three-dimensional, direct numerical simulations of anelastic convection in rotating spherical shells. As a first step, we neglect the centrifugal acceleration and retain only the Coriolis force. The fluid instability is driven by a fixed entropy drop between the inner and outer boundaries where stress-free boundary conditions are applied for the velocity field. Restricting our investigations to hydrodynamical models with a thermal Prandtl number fixed to unity, we consider both thick and thin (solar-like) shells, and vary the stratification over three orders of magnitude. We measure the heat transfer efficiency in terms of the Nusselt number, defined as the output luminosity normalised by the conductive state luminosity. Results: We report diverse Nusselt number profiles in latitude, ranging from brighter (usually at the onset of convection) to darker equator and uniform profiles. We find that the variations of the surface brightness are mainly controlled by the surface value of the local Rossby number: when the Coriolis force dominates the dynamics, the heat flux is weakened in the equatorial region by the zonal wind and enhanced at the poles by convective motions inside the tangent cylinder. In the presence of a strong background density stratification however, as expected in real stars, the increase of the local Rossby number in the outer layers leads to uniformisation of the surface heat flux distribution.

3D depth-to-basement and density contrast estimates using gravity and borehole data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barbosa, V. C.; Martins, C. M.; Silva, J. B.

2009-05-01

We present a gravity inversion method for simultaneously estimating the 3D basement relief of a sedimentary basin and the parameters defining the parabolic decay of the density contrast with depth in a sedimentary pack assuming the prior knowledge about the basement depth at a few points. The sedimentary pack is approximated by a grid of 3D vertical prisms juxtaposed in both horizontal directions, x and y, of a right-handed coordinate system. The prisms' thicknesses represent the depths to the basement and are the parameters to be estimated from the gravity data. To produce stable depth-to-basement estimates we impose smoothness on the basement depths through minimization of the spatial derivatives of the parameters in the x and y directions. To estimate the parameters defining the parabolic decay of the density contrast with depth we mapped a functional containing prior information about the basement depths at a few points. We apply our method to synthetic data from a simulated complex 3D basement relief with two sedimentary sections having distinct parabolic laws describing the density contrast variation with depth. Our method retrieves the true parameters of the parabolic law of density contrast decay with depth and produces good estimates of the basement relief if the number and the distribution of boreholes are sufficient. We also applied our method to real gravity data from the onshore and part of the shallow offshore Almada Basin, on Brazil's northeastern coast. The estimated 3D Almada's basement shows geologic structures that cannot be easily inferred just from the inspection of the gravity anomaly. The estimated Almada relief presents steep borders evidencing the presence of gravity faults. Also, we note the existence of three terraces separating two local subbasins. These geologic features are consistent with Almada's geodynamic origin (the Mesozoic breakup of Gondwana and the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean) and they are important in understanding the basin evolution and in detecting structural oil traps.

Relative density of urine: methods and clinical significance.

PubMed

Pradella, M; Dorizzi, R M; Rigolin, F

1988-01-01

The physical properties and chemical composition of urine are highly variable and are determined in large measure by the quantity and the type of food consumed. The specific gravity is the ratio of the density to that of water, and it is dependent on the number and weight of solute particles and on the temperature of the sample. The weight of solute particles is constituted mainly of urea (73%), chloride (5.4%), sodium (5.1%), potassium (2.4%), phosphate (2.0%), uric acid (1.7%), and sulfate (1.3%). Nevertheless, urine osmolality depends only on the number of solute particles. The renal production of maximally concentrated urine and formation of dilute urine may be reduced to two basic elements: (1) generation and maintenance of a renal medullary solute concentration hypertonic to plasma and (2) a mechanism for osmotic equilibration between the inner medulla and the collecting duct fluid. The interaction of the renal medullary countercurrent system, circulating levels of antidiuretic hormone, and thirst regulates water metabolism. Renin, aldosterone, prostaglandins, and kinins also play a role. Clinical estimation of the concentrating and diluting capacity can be performed by relatively simple provocative tests. However, urinary specific gravity after taking no fluids for 12 h overnight should be 1.025 or more, so that the second urine in the morning is a useful sample for screening purposes. Many preservation procedures affect specific gravity measurements. The concentration of solids (or water) in urine can be measured by weighing, hydrometer, refractometry, surface tension, osmolality, a reagent strip, or oscillations of a capillary tube. These measurements are interrelated, not identical. Urinary density measurement is useful to assess the disorders of water balance and to discriminate between prerenal azotemia and acute tubular necrosis. The water balance regulates the serum sodium concentration, therefore disorders are revealed by hypo- and hypernatremia. The disturbances are due to renal and nonrenal diseases, mainly liver, cardiovascular, intestinal, endocrine, and iatrogenic. Fluid management is an important topic of intensive care medicine. Moreover, the usefulness of specific gravity measurement of urine lies in interpreting other findings of urinalysis, both chemical and microscopical.

Snake River Plain Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis - Phase 1 Raster Files

DOE Data Explorer

John Shervais

2015-10-09

Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis - Phase 1 CRS Raster Files. This dataset contains raster files created in ArcGIS. These raster images depict Common Risk Segment (CRS) maps for HEAT, PERMEABILITY, AND SEAL, as well as selected maps of Evidence Layers. These evidence layers consist of either Bayesian krige functions or kernel density functions, and include: (1) HEAT: Heat flow (Bayesian krige map), Heat flow standard error on the krige function (data confidence), volcanic vent distribution as function of age and size, groundwater temperature (equivalue interval and natural breaks bins), and groundwater T standard error. (2) PERMEABILTY: Fault and lineament maps, both as mapped and as kernel density functions, processed for both dilational tendency (TD) and slip tendency (ST), along with data confidence maps for each data type. Data types include mapped surface faults from USGS and Idaho Geological Survey data bases, as well as unpublished mapping; lineations derived from maximum gradients in magnetic, deep gravity, and intermediate depth gravity anomalies. (3) SEAL: Seal maps based on presence and thickness of lacustrine sediments and base of SRP aquifer. Raster size is 2 km. All files generated in ArcGIS.

Results of Gravity Fieldwork Conducted in March 2008 in the Moapa Valley Region of Clark County, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Scheirer, Daniel S.; Andreasen, Arne Dossing

2008-01-01

In March 2008, we collected gravity data along 12 traverses across newly-mapped faults in the Moapa Valley region of Clark County, Nevada. In areas crossed by these faults, the traverses provide better definition of the gravity field and, thus, the density structure, than prior gravity observations. Access problems prohibited complete gravity coverage along all of the planned gravity traverses, and we added and adjusted the locations of traverses to maximize our data collection. Most of the traverses exhibit isostatic gravity anomalies that have gradients characteristic of exposed or buried faults, including several of the newly-mapped faults.

Normal Isocurvature Surfaces and Special Isocurvature Circles (SIC)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manoussakis, Gerassimos; Delikaraoglou, Demitris

2010-05-01

An isocurvature surface of a gravity field is a surface on which the value of the plumblines' curvature is constant. Here we are going to study the isocurvature surfaces of the Earth's normal gravity field. The normal gravity field is a symmetric gravity field therefore the isocurvature surfaces are surfaces of revolution. But even in this case the necessary relations for their study are not simple at all. Therefore to study an isocurvature surface we make special assumptions to form a vector equation which will hold only for a small coordinate patch of the isocurvature surface. Yet from the definition of the isocurvature surface and the properties of the normal gravity field is possible to express very interesting global geometrical properties of these surfaces without mixing surface differential calculus. The gradient of the plumblines' curvature function is vertical to an isocurvature surface. If P is a point of an isocurvature surface and "Φ" is the angle of the gradient of the plumblines' curvature with the equatorial plane then this direction points to the direction along which the curvature of the plumbline decreases / increases the most, and therefore is related to the strength of the normal gravity field. We will show that this direction is constant along a line of curvature of the isocurvature surface and this line is an isocurvature circle. In addition we will show that at each isocurvature surface there is at least one isocurvature circle along which the direction of the maximum variation of the plumblines' curvature function is parallel to the equatorial plane of the ellipsoid of revolution. This circle is defined as a Special Isocurvature Circle (SIC). Finally we shall prove that all these SIC lye on a special surface of revolution, the so - called SIC surface. That is to say, a SIC is not an isolated curve in the three dimensional space.

Inversion of Density Interfaces Using the Pseudo-Backpropagation Neural Network Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiaohong; Du, Yukun; Liu, Zhan; Zhao, Wenju; Chen, Xiaocheng

2018-05-01

This paper presents a new pseudo-backpropagation (BP) neural network method that can invert multi-density interfaces at one time. The new method is based on the conventional forward modeling and inverse modeling theories in addition to conventional pseudo-BP neural network arithmetic. A 3D inversion model for gravity anomalies of multi-density interfaces using the pseudo-BP neural network method is constructed after analyzing the structure and function of the artificial neural network. The corresponding iterative inverse formula of the space field is presented at the same time. Based on trials of gravity anomalies and density noise, the influence of the two kinds of noise on the inverse result is discussed and the scale of noise requested for the stability of the arithmetic is analyzed. The effects of the initial model on the reduction of the ambiguity of the result and improvement of the precision of inversion are discussed. The correctness and validity of the method were verified by the 3D model of the three interfaces. 3D inversion was performed on the observed gravity anomaly data of the Okinawa trough using the program presented herein. The Tertiary basement and Moho depth were obtained from the inversion results, which also testify the adaptability of the method. This study has made a useful attempt for the inversion of gravity density interfaces.

Stratified flows in complex terrain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Retallack, Charles

The focus of this dissertation is the study of stratified atmospheric flows in the presence of complex terrain. Two large-scale field study campaigns were carried out, each with a focus on a specific archetypal terrain. Each field study involved the utilization of remote and in-situ atmospheric monitoring devices to collect experimental data. The first of the two field studies focused on pollution transport mechanisms near an escarpment. The analysis aimed to determine the combined effect of the escarpment and ambient density stratification on the flow and aerosol pollution transport. It was found that under specific atmospheric conditions, the escarpment prompted the channeling, down-mixing, and trapping of aerosol pollutant plumes. The objective of the second field campaign was the study of stratified flows in a mountain valley. Analysis revealed that buoyancy driven katabatic currents originating on the surrounding valley slopes created a scenario in which a down-slope gravity current transitioned into an intrusive gravity current. The intrusive gravity current propagated near the interface of a density stratified lower ambient layer and a non-stratified upper ambient layer. A combination of shallow water theory and energy arguments is used to produce a model for the propagation of a gravity current moving along the interface of a homogeneous ambient layer and a linearly stratified layer. It is found that the gravity current propagating entirely within the homogeneous layer travels at the greatest speed. As the relative density of the gravity current is increased, the gravity current begins to slump below the interface of the two layers and the propagation speed decreases.

Fallon, Nevada FORGE Gravity and Magnetics Data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Blankenship, Doug; Witter, Jeff; Carpenter, Thomas

This package contains principal facts for new gravity data collected September - November 2017 in support of the Fallon FORGE project. Also included are rock core density and magnetic susceptibility data for key core intervals, used in modeling 2D and 3D gravity inversions. Individual metadata summaries are provided as .pdf within each attached archive.

Principal facts for gravity stations in the vicinity of San Bernardino, Southern California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Anderson, Megan L.; Roberts, Carter W.; Jachens, Robert C.

2000-01-01

New gravity measurements in the vicinity of San Bernardino, California were collected to help define the characteristics of the Rialto-Colton fault. The data were processed using standard reduction formulas and parameters. Rock properties such as lithology, magnetic susceptibility and density also were measured at several locations. Rock property measurements will be helpful for future modeling and density inversion calculations from the gravity data. On both the Bouguer and isostatic gravity maps, a prominent, 13-km long (8 mi), approximately 1-km (0.62 mi) wide gradient with an amplitude of 7 mGal, down to the northeast, is interpreted as the gravity expression of the Rialto-Colton fault. The gravity gradient strikes in a northwest direction and runs from the San Jacinto fault zone at its south end to San Sevine Canyon at the foot of the San Gabriel mountains at its north end. The Rialto-Colton fault has experienced both right-lateral strike-slip and normal fault motion that has offset basement rocks; therefore it is interpreted as a major, through-going fault.

Ice-coupled wave propagation across an abrupt change in ice rigidity, density, or thickness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barrett, Murray D.; Squire, Vernon A.

1996-09-01

The model of Fox and Squire [1990, 1991, 1994], which discusses the oblique propagation of surface gravity waves from the open sea into an ice sheet of constant thickness and properties, is augmented to include propagation across an abrupt transition of properties within a continuous ice sheet or across two dissimilar ice sheets that abut one another but are free to move independently. Rigidity, thickness, and/or density may change across the transition, allowing, for example, the modeling of ice-coupled waves into, across, and out of refrozen leads and polynyas, across cracks, and through coherent pressure ridges. Reflection and transmission behavior is reported for various changes in properties under both types of transition conditions.

Surface Gravities for 228 M, L, and T Dwarfs in the NIRSPEC Brown Dwarf Spectroscopic Survey

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Martin, Emily C.; Mace, Gregory N.; McLean, Ian S.

2017-03-20

We combine 131 new medium-resolution ( R ∼ 2000) J -band spectra of M, L, and T dwarfs from the Keck NIRSPEC Brown Dwarf Spectroscopic Survey (BDSS) with 97 previously published BDSS spectra to study surface-gravity-sensitive indices for 228 low-mass stars and brown dwarfs spanning spectral types M5–T9. Specifically, we use an established set of spectral indices to determine surface gravity classifications for all of the M6–L7 objects in our sample by measuring the equivalent widths (EW) of the K i lines at 1.1692, 1.1778, and 1.2529 μ m, and the 1.2 μ m FeH{sub J} absorption index. Our resultsmore » are consistent with previous surface gravity measurements, showing a distinct double peak—at ∼L5 and T5—in K i EW as a function of spectral type. We analyze the K i EWs of 73 objects of known ages and find a linear trend between log(Age) and EW. From this relationship, we assign age ranges to the very low gravity, intermediate gravity, and field gravity designations for spectral types M6–L0. Interestingly, the ages probed by these designations remain broad, change with spectral type, and depend on the gravity-sensitive index used. Gravity designations are useful indicators of the possibility of youth, but current data sets cannot be used to provide a precise age estimate.« less

A simulation for gravity fine structure recovery from high-low GRAVSAT SST data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Estes, R. H.; Lancaster, E. R.

1976-01-01

Covariance error analysis techniques were applied to investigate estimation strategies for the high-low SST mission for accurate local recovery of gravitational fine structure, considering the aliasing effects of unsolved for parameters. Surface density blocks of 5 deg x 5 deg and 2 1/2 deg x 2 1/2 deg resolution were utilized to represent the high order geopotential with the drag-free GRAVSAT configured in a nearly circular polar orbit at 250 km. altitude. GEOPAUSE and geosynchronous satellites were considered as high relay spacecraft. It is demonstrated that knowledge of gravitational fine structure can be significantly improved at 5 deg x 5 deg resolution using SST data from a high-low configuration with reasonably accurate orbits for the low GRAVSAT. The gravity fine structure recoverability of the high-low SST mission is compared with the low-low configuration and shown to be superior.

A novel consistent and well-balanced algorithm for simulations of multiphase flows on unstructured grids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patel, Jitendra Kumar; Natarajan, Ganesh

2017-12-01

We discuss the development and assessment of a robust numerical algorithm for simulating multiphase flows with complex interfaces and high density ratios on arbitrary polygonal meshes. The algorithm combines the volume-of-fluid method with an incremental projection approach for incompressible multiphase flows in a novel hybrid staggered/non-staggered framework. The key principles that characterise the algorithm are the consistent treatment of discrete mass and momentum transport and the similar discretisation of force terms appearing in the momentum equation. The former is achieved by invoking identical schemes for convective transport of volume fraction and momentum in the respective discrete equations while the latter is realised by representing the gravity and surface tension terms as gradients of suitable scalars which are then discretised in identical fashion resulting in a balanced formulation. The hybrid staggered/non-staggered framework employed herein solves for the scalar normal momentum at the cell faces, while the volume fraction is computed at the cell centroids. This is shown to naturally lead to similar terms for pressure and its correction in the momentum and pressure correction equations respectively, which are again treated discretely in a similar manner. We show that spurious currents that corrupt the solution may arise both from an unbalanced formulation where forces (gravity and surface tension) are discretised in dissimilar manner and from an inconsistent approach where different schemes are used to convect the mass and momentum, with the latter prominent in flows which are convection-dominant with high density ratios. Interestingly, the inconsistent approach is shown to perform as well as the consistent approach even for high density ratio flows in some cases while it exhibits anomalous behaviour for other scenarios, even at low density ratios. Using a plethora of test problems of increasing complexity, we conclusively demonstrate that the consistent transport and balanced force treatment results in a numerically stable solution procedure and physically consistent results. The algorithm proposed in this study qualifies as a robust approach to simulate multiphase flows with high density ratios on unstructured meshes and may be realised in existing flow solvers with relative ease.

Rayleigh-Bénard-Marangoni convection in a weakly non-Boussinesq fluid layer with a deformable surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyubimov, D. V.; Lyubimova, T. P.; Lobov, N. I.; Alexander, J. I. D.

2018-02-01

The influence of surface deformations on the Rayleigh-Bénard-Marangoni instability of a uniform layer of a non-Boussinesq fluid heated from below is investigated. In particular, the stability of the conductive state of a horizontal fluid layer with a deformable surface, a flat isothermal rigid lower boundary, and a convective heat transfer condition at the upper free surface is considered. The fluid is assumed to be isothermally incompressible. In contrast to the Boussinesq approximation, density variations are accounted for in the continuity equation and in the buoyancy and inertial terms of the momentum equations. Two different types of temperature dependence of the density are considered: linear and exponential. The longwave instability is studied analytically, and instability to perturbations with finite wavenumber is examined numerically. It is found that there is a decrease in stability of the system with respect to the onset of longwave Marangoni convection. This result could not be obtained within the framework of the conventional Boussinesq approximation. It is also shown that at Ma = 0 the critical Rayleigh number increases with Ga (the ratio of gravity to viscous forces or Galileo number). At some value of Ga, the Rayleigh-Bénard instability vanishes. This stabilization occurs for each of the density equations of state. At small values of Ga and when deformation of the free surface is important, it is shown that there are significant differences in stability behavior as compared to results obtained using the Boussinesq approximation.

Migration And Entrapment Of Mercury In The Subsurface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

M, D.; Nambi, I. M.

2009-12-01

Elemental mercury is an immiscible liquid with high density and high surface tension. The movement of mercury in the saturated subsurface region is therefore considered a case of two phase flow involving mercury and water and is expected to be governed by gravity, viscous and capillary forces. Fundamental investigation into the migration and capillary entrapment of mercury in the subsurface was done by controlled laboratory capillary pressure saturation experiments using mercury and water as non wetting and wetting fluid respectively. Residual mercury saturation and van Genuchten’s capillary entrapment parameters were determined independently for different sizes of porous media. Based on the experimental data, theoretical investigations were done on the role of the three predominant forces and their influence on mercury migration and entrapment. The effects of fluid density and interfacial tension and the influence of Capillary and Bond number on mercury entrapment were analyzed with the help of similar capillary pressure - saturation experiments using Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-water fluid pair. Mercury-water systems exhibited a low residual saturation of 0.02 and 0.07 as compared to 0.16 and 0.27 for PCE-water systems. Less residual mercury saturation, lack of apparent hysteresis in capillary pressure saturation curves and large variation in van Genuchten’s parameters 'α'(inverse of displacement pressure) and ‘n’ (pore size distribution index) for mercury-water systems compared to PCE-water systems were observed. These anomalies between the two systems elucidate that the capillary trapping is equally dependent on the fluid characteristics especially for high density immiscible fluids. Gravity force nevertheless a predominant controlling factor in the migration of highly dense mercury, is counteracted by not less trivial capillary force which was 1.22x104 times higher than gravity force. The capillary forces thus surmount the gravity forces and cause entrapment of mercury in the soil pores even in homogeneous porous medium system. Bond number (Bond number relates gravity and capillary forces) for mercury-water system was found to 2.5 times higher than PCE-water systems. Large density differences between mercury and water lead to high Bond number and thus less residual saturation. Capillary number (Capillary number relates viscous and capillary forces) was found to be less for mercury-water systems. Literature review unveils that low Capillary number does not influence non wetting residual saturation. But for high density mercury with natural infiltration, even low Capillary number influences residual saturation. With the alarming increase in number of mercury spill sites, results of this study showed a better understanding of the capillary entrapment phenomena and the extent of influence of each predominant force during displacement of highly dense mercury. The fundamental inputs to NAPL entrapment models were generated in this study for mercury for the first time. This data will be used to assess the distribution of mercury in contaminated sites and design suitable remedial alternatives.

Preliminary isostatic residual gravity anomaly map of Paso Robles 30 x 60 minute quadrangle, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

McPhee, D.K.; Langenheim, V.E.; Watt, J.T.

2011-01-01

This isostatic residual gravity map is part of an effort to map the three-dimensional distribution of rocks in the central California Coast Ranges and will serve as a basis for modeling the shape of basins and for determining the location and geometry of faults within the Paso Robles quadrangle. Local spatial variations in the Earth\\'s gravity field, after accounting for variations caused by elevation, terrain, and deep crustal structure reflect the distribution of densities in the mid- to upper crust. Densities often can be related to rock type, and abrupt spatial changes in density commonly mark lithological or structural boundaries. High-density rocks exposed within the central Coast Ranges include Mesozoic granitic rocks (exposed northwest of Paso Robles), Jurassic to Cretaceous marine strata of the Great Valley Sequence (exposed primarily northeast of the San Andreas fault), and Mesozoic sedimentary and volcanic rocks of the Franciscan Complex [exposed in the Santa Lucia Range and northeast of the San Andreas fault (SAF) near Parkfield, California]. Alluvial sediments and Tertiary sedimentary rocks are characterized by low densities; however, with increasing depth of burial and age, the densities of these rocks may become indistinguishable from those of older basement rocks.

A PORTRAIT OF COLD GAS IN GALAXIES AT 60 pc RESOLUTION AND A SIMPLE METHOD TO TEST HYPOTHESES THAT LINK SMALL-SCALE ISM STRUCTURE TO GALAXY-SCALE PROCESSES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Leroy, Adam K.; Hughes, Annie; Schruba, Andreas

2016-11-01

The cloud-scale density, velocity dispersion, and gravitational boundedness of the interstellar medium (ISM) vary within and among galaxies. In turbulent models, these properties play key roles in the ability of gas to form stars. New high-fidelity, high-resolution surveys offer the prospect to measure these quantities across galaxies. We present a simple approach to make such measurements and to test hypotheses that link small-scale gas structure to star formation and galactic environment. Our calculations capture the key physics of the Larson scaling relations, and we show good correspondence between our approach and a traditional “cloud properties” treatment. However, we argue thatmore » our method is preferable in many cases because of its simple, reproducible characterization of all emission. Using, low- J {sup 12}CO data from recent surveys, we characterize the molecular ISM at 60 pc resolution in the Antennae, the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), M31, M33, M51, and M74. We report the distributions of surface density, velocity dispersion, and gravitational boundedness at 60 pc scales and show galaxy-to-galaxy and intragalaxy variations in each. The distribution of flux as a function of surface density appears roughly lognormal with a 1 σ width of ∼0.3 dex, though the center of this distribution varies from galaxy to galaxy. The 60 pc resolution line width and molecular gas surface density correlate well, which is a fundamental behavior expected for virialized or free-falling gas. Varying the measurement scale for the LMC and M31, we show that the molecular ISM has higher surface densities, lower line widths, and more self-gravity at smaller scales.« less

A gravitational test of wave reinforcement versus fluid density models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Jacqueline Umstead

1990-01-01

Spermatozoa, protozoa, and algae form macroscopic patterns somewhat analogous to thermally driven convection cells. These bioconvective patterns have attracted interest in the fluid dynamics community, but whether in all cases these waves were gravity driven was unknown. There are two conflicting theories, one gravity dependent (fluid density model), the other gravity independent (wave reinforcement theory). The primary objectives of the summer faculty fellows were to: (1) assist in sample collection (spermatozoa) and preparation for the KC-135 research airplane experiment; and (2) to collaborate on ground testing of bioconvective variables such as motility, concentration, morphology, etc., in relation to their macroscopic patterns. Results are very briefly given.

Dark energy and key physical parameters of clusters of galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bisnovatyi-Kogan, G. S.; Chernin, A. D.

2012-04-01

We study physics of clusters of galaxies embedded in the cosmic dark energy background. Under the assumption that dark energy is described by the cosmological constant, we show that the dynamical effects of dark energy are strong in clusters like the Virgo cluster. Specifically, the key physical parameters of the dark mater halos in clusters are determined by dark energy: (1) the halo cut-off radius is practically, if not exactly, equal to the zero-gravity radius at which the dark matter gravity is balanced by the dark energy antigravity; (2) the halo averaged density is equal to two densities of dark energy; (3) the halo edge (cut-off) density is the dark energy density with a numerical factor of the unity order slightly depending on the halo profile. The cluster gravitational potential well in which the particles of the dark halo (as well as galaxies and intracluster plasma) move is strongly affected by dark energy: the maximum of the potential is located at the zero-gravity radius of the cluster.

AN ANALYTIC PARAMETERIZATION OF SELF-GRAVITY WAKES IN SATURN'S RINGS, WITH APPLICATION TO OCCULTATIONS AND PROPELLERS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tiscareno, Matthew S.; Hedman, Matthew M.; Burns, Joseph A.

2010-02-15

We have developed a semianalytic method of parameterizing N-body simulations of self-gravity wakes in Saturn's rings, describing their photometric properties by means of only six numbers: three optical depths and three weighting factors. These numbers are obtained by fitting a sum of three Gaussians to the results of a density-estimation procedure that finds the frequencies of various values of local density within a simulated ring patch. Application of our parameterization to a suite of N-body simulations implies that rings dominated by self-gravity wakes appear to be mostly empty space, with more than half of their surface area taken up bymore » local optical depths around 0.01. Such regions will be photometrically inactive for all viewing geometries. While this result might be affected by our use of identically sized particles, we believe the general result that the distribution of local optical depths is trimodal, rather than bimodal as previous authors have assumed, is robust. The implications of this result for the analysis of occultation data are more conceptual than practical, as we find that occultations can only distinguish between bimodal and trimodal models at very low opening angles. Thus, the only adjustment needed in existing analyses of occultation data is that the model parameter {tau}{sub gap} should be interpreted as representing the area-weighted average optical depth within the gaps (or inter-wake regions), keeping in mind the possibility that the optical depth within those inter-wake regions may vary significantly. The most significant consequence of our results applies to the question of why 'propeller' structures observed in the mid-A ring are seen as relative-bright features, even though the most prominent features of simulated propellers are regions of relatively low density. Our parameterization of self-gravity wakes lends preliminary quantitative support to the hypothesis that propellers would be bright if they involve a local and temporary disruption of self-gravity wakes. Even though the overall local density is lower within the propeller-shaped structure surrounding an embedded central moonlet, disruption of the wakes would flood these same regions with more 'photometrically active' material (i.e., material that can contribute to the rings' local optical depth), raising their apparent brightnesses in agreement with observations. We find for a wide range of input parameters that this mechanism indeed can plausibly make propellers brighter than the wake-dominated background, though it is also possible for propellers to blend in with the background or even to remain dark. We suggest that this mechanism be tested by future detailed numerical models.« less

Using voids to unscreen modified gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Falck, Bridget; Koyama, Kazuya; Zhao, Gong-Bo; Cautun, Marius

2018-04-01

The Vainshtein mechanism, present in many models of gravity, is very effective at screening dark matter haloes such that the fifth force is negligible and general relativity is recovered within their Vainshtein radii. Vainshtein screening is independent of halo mass and environment, in contrast to e.g. chameleon screening, making it difficult to test. However, our previous studies have found that the dark matter particles in filaments, walls, and voids are not screened by the Vainshtein mechanism. We therefore investigate whether cosmic voids, identified as local density minima using a watershed technique, can be used to test models of gravity that exhibit Vainshtein screening. We measure density, velocity, and screening profiles of stacked voids in cosmological N-body simulations using both dark matter particles and dark matter haloes as tracers of the density field. We find that the voids are completely unscreened, and the tangential velocity and velocity dispersion profiles of stacked voids show a clear deviation from Λ cold dark matter at all radii. Voids have the potential to provide a powerful test of gravity on cosmological scales.

Gravitational Effects on Near Field Flow Structure of Low Density Gas Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yep, Tze-Wing; Agrawal, Ajay K.; Griffin, DeVon; Salzman, Jack (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Experiments were conducted in Earth gravity and microgravity to acquire quantitative data on near field flow structure of helium jets injected into air. Microgravity conditions were simulated in the 2.2-second drop tower at NASA Glenn Research Center. The jet flow was observed by quantitative rainbow schlieren deflectometry, a non-intrusive line of site measurement technique for the whole field. The flow structure was characterized by distributions of angular deflection and helium mole percentage obtained from color schlieren images taken at 60 Hz. Results show that the jet flow was significantly influenced by the gravity. The jet in microgravity was up to 70 percent wider than that in Earth gravity. The jet flow oscillations observed in Earth gravity were absent in microgravity, providing direct experimental evidence that the flow instability in the low density jet was buoyancy induced. The paper provides quantitative details of temporal flow evolution as the experiment undergoes a change in gravity in the drop tower.

Gravity data from the San Pedro River Basin, Cochise County, Arizona

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kennedy, Jeffrey R.; Winester, Daniel

2011-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey, Arizona Water Science Center in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Geodetic Survey has collected relative and absolute gravity data at 321 stations in the San Pedro River Basin of southeastern Arizona since 2000. Data are of three types: observed gravity values and associated free-air, simple Bouguer, and complete Bouguer anomaly values, useful for subsurface-density modeling; high-precision relative-gravity surveys repeated over time, useful for aquifer-storage-change monitoring; and absolute-gravity values, useful as base stations for relative-gravity surveys and for monitoring gravity change over time. The data are compiled, without interpretation, in three spreadsheet files. Gravity values, GPS locations, and driving directions for absolute-gravity base stations are presented as National Geodetic Survey site descriptions.

Upper crustal densities derived from sea floor gravity measurements: Northern Juan De Fuca Ridge

USGS Publications Warehouse

Holmes, Mark L.; Johnson, H. Paul

1993-01-01

A transect of sea floor gravity stations has been analyzed to determine upper crustal densities on the Endeavour segment of the northern Juan de Fuca Ridge. Data were obtained using ALVIN along a corridor perpendicular to the axis of spreading, over crustal ages from 0 to 800,000 years. Calculated elevation factors from the gravity data show an abrupt increase in density with age (distance) for the upper 200 m of crust. This density change is interpreted as a systematic reduction in bulk porosity of the upper crustal section, from 23% for the axial ridge to 10% for the off-axis flanking ridges. The porosity decrease is attributed to the collapse and filling of large-scale voids as the abyssal hills move out of the crustal formation zone. Forward modeling of a plausible density structure for the near-axis region agrees with the observed anomaly data only if the model includes narrow, along-strike, low-density regions adjacent to both inner and outer flanks of the abyssal hills. The required low density zones could be regions of systematic upper crustal fracturing and faulting that were mapped by submersible observers and side-scan sonar images, and whose presence was suggested by the distribution of heat flow data in the same area.

Estimating Small-Body Gravity Field from Shape Model and Navigation Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Park, Ryan S.; Werner, Robert A.; Bhaskaran, Shyam

2008-01-01

This paper presents a method to model the external gravity field and to estimate the internal density variation of a small-body. We first discuss the modeling problem, where we assume the polyhedral shape and internal density distribution are given, and model the body interior using finite elements definitions, such as cubes and spheres. The gravitational attractions computed from these approaches are compared with the true uniform-density polyhedral attraction and the level of accuracies are presented. We then discuss the inverse problem where we assume the body shape, radiometric measurements, and a priori density constraints are given, and estimate the internal density variation by estimating the density of each finite element. The result shows that the accuracy of the estimated density variation can be significantly improved depending on the orbit altitude, finite-element resolution, and measurement accuracy.

The role of viscous magma mush spreading in volcanic flank motion at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i

USGS Publications Warehouse

Plattner, C.; Amelung, F.; Baker, S.; Govers, R.; Poland, M.

2013-01-01

Multiple mechanisms have been suggested to explain seaward motion of the south flank of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i. The consistency of flank motion during both waxing and waning magmatic activity at Kīlauea suggests that a continuously acting force, like gravity body force, plays a substantial role. Using finite element models, we test whether gravity is the principal driver of long-term motion of Kīlauea's flank. We compare our model results to geodetic data from Global Positioning System and interferometric synthetic aperture radar during a time period with few magmatic and tectonic events (2000-2003), when deformation of Kīlauea was dominated by summit subsidence and seaward motion of the south flank. We find that gravity-only models can reproduce the horizontal surface velocities if we incorporate a regional décollement fault and a deep, low-viscosity magma mush zone. To obtain quasi steady state horizontal surface velocities that explain the long-term seaward motion of the flank, we find that an additional weak zone is needed, which is an extensional rift zone above the magma mush. The spreading rate in our model is mainly controlled by the magma mush viscosity, while its density plays a less significant role. We find that a viscosity of 2.5 × 1017–2.5 × 1019 Pa s for the magma mush provides an acceptable fit to the observed horizontal surface deformation. Using high magma mush viscosities, such as 2.5 × 1019 Pa s, the deformation rates remain more steady state over longer time scales. These models explain a significant amount of the observed subsidence at Kīlauea's summit. Some of the remaining subsidence is probably a result of magma withdrawal from subsurface reservoirs

Advanced Multivariate Inversion Techniques for High Resolution 3D Geophysical Modeling (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maceira, M.; Zhang, H.; Rowe, C. A.

2009-12-01

We focus on the development and application of advanced multivariate inversion techniques to generate a realistic, comprehensive, and high-resolution 3D model of the seismic structure of the crust and upper mantle that satisfies several independent geophysical datasets. Building on previous efforts of joint invesion using surface wave dispersion measurements, gravity data, and receiver functions, we have added a fourth dataset, seismic body wave P and S travel times, to the simultaneous joint inversion method. We present a 3D seismic velocity model of the crust and upper mantle of northwest China resulting from the simultaneous, joint inversion of these four data types. Surface wave dispersion measurements are primarily sensitive to seismic shear-wave velocities, but at shallow depths it is difficult to obtain high-resolution velocities and to constrain the structure due to the depth-averaging of the more easily-modeled, longer-period surface waves. Gravity inversions have the greatest resolving power at shallow depths, and they provide constraints on rock density variations. Moreover, while surface wave dispersion measurements are primarily sensitive to vertical shear-wave velocity averages, body wave receiver functions are sensitive to shear-wave velocity contrasts and vertical travel-times. Addition of the fourth dataset, consisting of seismic travel-time data, helps to constrain the shear wave velocities both vertically and horizontally in the model cells crossed by the ray paths. Incorporation of both P and S body wave travel times allows us to invert for both P and S velocity structure, capitalizing on empirical relationships between both wave types’ seismic velocities with rock densities, thus eliminating the need for ad hoc assumptions regarding the Poisson ratios. Our new tomography algorithm is a modification of the Maceira and Ammon joint inversion code, in combination with the Zhang and Thurber TomoDD (double-difference tomography) program.

Surface singularities in Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld gravity.

PubMed

Pani, Paolo; Sotiriou, Thomas P

2012-12-21

Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld gravity was recently proposed as an alternative to general relativity that offers a resolution of spacetime singularities. The theory differs from Einstein's gravity only inside matter due to nondynamical degrees of freedom, and it is compatible with all current observations. We show that the theory is reminiscent of Palatini f(R) gravity and that it shares the same pathologies, such as curvature singularities at the surface of polytropic stars and unacceptable Newtonian limit. This casts serious doubt on its viability.

Ocean gravity and geoid determination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kahn, W. D.; Siry, J. W.; Brown, R. D.; Wells, W. T.

1977-01-01

Gravity anomalies have been recovered in the North Atlantic and the Indian Ocean regions. Comparisons of 63 2 deg x 2 deg mean free air gravity anomalies recovered in the North Atlantic area and 24 5 deg x 5 deg mean free air gravity anomalies in the Indian Ocean area with surface gravimetric measurements have shown agreement to + or - 8 mgals for both solutions. Geoids derived from the altimeter solutions are consistent with altimetric sea surface height data to within the precision of the data, about + or - 2 meters.

Feeling Gravity's Pull: Gravity Modeling. The Gravity Field of Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lemoine, Frank; Smith, David; Rowlands, David; Zuber, Maria; Neumann, G.; Chinn, Douglas; Pavlis, D.

2000-01-01

Most people take the constant presence of gravitys pull for granted. However, the Earth's gravitational strength actually varies from location to location. This variation occurs because mass, which influences an object's gravitational pull, is not evenly distributed within the planet. Changes in topography, such as glacial movement, an earthquake, or a rise in the ocean level, can subtly affect the gravity field. An accurate measurement of the Earth's gravity field helps us understand the distribution of mass beneath the surface. This insight can assist us in locating petroleum, mineral deposits, ground water, and other valuable substances. Gravity mapping can also help notice or verify changes in sea surface height and other ocean characteristics. Such changes may indicate climate change from polar ice melting and other phenomena. In addition, gravity mapping can indicate how land moves under the surface after earthquakes and other plate tectonic processes. Finally, changes in the Earth's gravity field might indicate a shift in water distribution that could affect agriculture, water supplies for population centers, and long-term weather prediction. Scientists can map out the Earth's gravity field by watching satellite orbits. When a satellite shifts in vertical position, it might be passing over an area where gravity changes in strength. Gravity is only one factor that may shape a satellite's orbital path. To derive a gravity measurement from satellite movement, scientists must remove other factors that might affect a satellite's position: 1. Drag from atmospheric friction. 2. Pressure from solar radiation as it heads toward Earth and. as it is reflected off the surface of the Earth 3. Gravitational pull from the Sun, the Moon, and other planets in the Solar System. 4. The effect of tides. 5. Relativistic effects. Scientists must also correct for the satellite tracking process. For example, the tracking signal must be corrected for refraction through the atmosphere of the Earth. Supercomputers can calculate the effect of gravity for specific locations in space following a mathematical process known as spherical harmonics, which quantifies the gravity field of a planetary body. The process is based on Laplace's fundamental differential equation of gravity. The accuracy of a spherical harmonic solution is rated by its degree and order. Minute variations in gravity are measured against the geoid, a surface of constant gravity acceleration at mean sea level. The geoid reference gravity model strength includes the central body gravitational attraction (9.8 m/sq s) and a geopotential variation in latitude partially caused by the rotation of the Earth. The rotational effect modifies the shape of the geoid to be more like an ellipsoid, rather than a perfect, circle. Variations of gravity strength from the ellipsoidal reference model are measured in units called milli-Galileos (mGals). One mGal equals 10(exp -5) m/sq s. Research projects have also measured the gravity fields of other planetary bodies, as noted in the user profile that follows. From this information, we may make inferences about our own planet's internal structure and evolution. Moreover, mapping the gravity fields of other planets can help scientists plot the most fuel-efficient course for spacecraft expeditions to those planets.

Uniformly rotating, axisymmetric, and triaxial quark stars in general relativity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Enping; Tsokaros, Antonios; Rezzolla, Luciano; Xu, Renxin; Uryū, Kōji

2018-01-01

Quasiequilibrium models of uniformly rotating axisymmetric and triaxial quark stars are computed in a general-relativistic gravity scenario. The Isenberg-Wilson-Mathews (IWM) formulation is employed and the Compact Object Calculator (cocal) code is extended to treat rotating stars with finite surface density and new equations of state (EOSs). Besides the MIT bag model for quark matter which is composed of deconfined quarks, we examine a new EOS proposed by Lai and Xu that is based on quark clustering and results in a stiff EOS that can support masses up to 3.3 M⊙ in the case we considered. We perform convergence tests for our new code to evaluate the effect of finite surface density in the accuracy of our solutions and construct sequences of solutions for both small and high compactness. The onset of secular instability due to viscous dissipation is identified and possible implications are discussed. An estimate of the gravitational wave amplitude and luminosity based on quadrupole formulas is presented and comparison with neutron stars is discussed.

Role of gravity in the formation of bacterial colonies with a hydrophobic surface layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puzyr, A. P.; Tirranen, L. K.; Krylova, T. Y.; Borodina, E. V.

A simple technique for determining hydrophobic-hydrophilic properties of bacterial colonies surface, which involves putting a drop of liquid with known properties (e.g. water, oil) on their surface, has been described. This technique allows quick estimate of wettability of bacterial colony surface, i.e. its hydrophobic-hydrophilic properties. The behaviour of water drops on colonies of bacteria Bacillus five strains (of different types) has been studied. It was revealed that 1) orientation in the Earth gravity field during bacterial growth can define the form of colonies with hydrophobic surface; 2) the form and size of the colony are dependent on the extention ability, most probably, of the hydrophobic layer; 3) the Earth gravity field (gravity) serves as a 'pump' providing and keeping water within the colony. We suppose that at growing colonies on agar media the inflow of water-soluble nutrient materials takes place both due to diffusion processes and directed water current produced by the gravity. The revealed effect probably should be taken into consideration while constructing the models of colonies growing on dense nutrient media. The easily determined hydrophobic properties of colonies surface can become a systematic feature after collecting more extensive data on the surface hydrophobic-hydrophilic properties of microorganism colonies of other types and species.

Marangoni Effects in the Boiling of Binary Fluid Mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahmed, Sayeed; Carey, Van P.; Motil, Brian

1996-01-01

Results of very recent experimental studies indicate that during nucleate boiling in some binary mixture, Marangoni effects augment the gravity driven flow of liquid towards the heated surface. With gravity present, it is impossible to separate the two effects. The reduced gravity environment gives an unique opportunity to explore th role of Marangoni effects on the boiling mechanisms free of gravitational body forces that obscure the role of such effects. However, recent experimental results suggest that under reduced gravity conditions, Marangoni effects is the dominant mechanism of vapor-liquid exchange at the surface for some binary mixture. To further explore such effects, experiments have been conducted with water/2-propanol mixtures at three different concentrations under normal gravity with different orientations of the heater surface and under reduce gravity aboard the DC-9 aircraft at NASA Lewis Research Center. The system pressure was sub atmospheric (approx. 8 kP at 1g(n)) and the bulk liquid temperature varied from low subcooling to near saturation. The molar concentrations of 2-propanol tested were 0.015, 0.025, and 0.1. Boiling curves were obtained both for high gravity (approx. 2g(n)) and reduce gravity (approx. 0.01g(n)). For each concentration of 2-propanol, the critical heat flux has been determined in the flight experiments only for reduced gravity conditions. Comparison of boiling curves and CHF obtained under l-g(n) an reduced gravity indicates that boiling mechanism in this mixtures is nearly independent of gravity. The results also indicate that the Marangoni mechanism is strong enough in these mixtures to sustain the boiling under reduced gravity conditions.

Gravity anomaly and crustal density structure in Jilantai rift zone and its adjacent region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Guiju; Shen, Chongyang; Tan, Hongbo; Yang, Guangliang

2016-08-01

This paper deals with the interpretation of Bouguer gravity anomalies measured along a 250 km long Suhaitu-Etuokeqi gravity profile located at the transitional zone of the Alxa and Ordos blocks where geophysical characteristics are very complex. The analysis is carried out in terms of the ratio of elevation and Bouguer gravity anomaly, the normalized full gradient of a section of the Bouguer gravity anomaly ( G h ) and the crustal density structure reveal that (1) the ratio of highs and lows of elevation and Bouguer gravity anomaly is large between Zhengyiguan fault (F4) and Helandonglu fault (F6), which can be explained due to crustal inhomogeneities related to the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet block in the northeast; (2) the main active faults correspond to the G h contour strip or cut the local region, and generally show strong deformation characteristics, for example the Bayanwulashan mountain front fault ( F1) or the southeast boundary of Alxa block is in accord with the western change belt of G h , a belt about 10 km wide that extends to about 30 km; (3) Yinchuan-Pingluo fault ( F8) is the seismogenic structure of the Pingluo M earthquake, and its focal depth is about 15 km; (4) the Moho depth trend and Bouguer gravity anomaly variation indicates that the regional gravity field is strongly correlated with the Moho discontinuity.

Influence of the Density Structure of the Caribbean Plate Forearc on the Static Stress State and Asperity Distribution along the Costa Rican Seismogenic Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lücke, O. H.; Gutknecht, B. D.

2014-12-01

Most of the forearc region along the Central American Subduction Zone shows a series of trench-parallel, positive gravity anomalies with corresponding gravity lows along the trench and toward the coast. These features extend from Guatemala to northern Nicaragua. However, the Costa Rican segment of the forearc does not follow this pattern. In this region, the along-trench gravity low is segmented, the coastal low is absent, and the forearc gravity high is located onshore at the Nicoya Peninsula which overlies the seismogenic zone. Geodetic and seismological studies along the Costa Rican Subduction Zone suggest the presence of coupled areas beneath the Nicoya Peninsula prior to the 2012, magnitude Mw 7.6 earthquake. These areas had previously been associated with asperities. Previous publications have proposed a mechanical model for the generation of asperities along the Chilean convergent margin based on the structure of the overriding plate above the seismogenic zone in which dense igneous bodies disturb the state of stress on the seismogenic zone and may influence seismogenic processes. In Costa Rica, surface geology and gravity data indicate the presence of dense basalt/gabbro crust overlying the seismogenic zone where the coupling is present. Bouguer anomaly values in this region reach up to 120×10-5 m/s2, which are the highest for Costa Rica. In this work, the state of stress on the Cocos-Caribbean plate interface is calculated based on the geometry and mass distribution of a 3D density model of the subduction zone as interpreted from gravity data from combined geopotential models. Results show a correlation between the coupled areas at the Nicoya Peninsula and the presence of stress anomalies on the plate interface. The stress anomalies are calculated for the normal component of the vertical stress on the seismogenic zone and are interpreted as being generated by the dense material which makes up the forearc in the area. The dense material of the Nicoya Complex mafic rocks and the topographic load of the peninsula on the seismogenic zone may play a role in the distribution of coupled areas and the seismic behavior of the region since the anomalous normal stress on the plate interface may increase the shear stress threshold for rupture.

Hierarchical clustering in chameleon f(R) gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hellwing, Wojciech A.; Li, Baojiu; Frenk, Carlos S.; Cole, Shaun

2013-11-01

We use a suite of high-resolution state-of-the-art N-body dark matter simulations of chameleon f(R) gravity to study the higher order volume-averaged correlation functions overline{ξ _n} together with the hierarchical nth-order correlation amplitudes S_n=overline{ξ }_n/overline{ξ }_2^{n-1} and density distribution functions (PDF). We show that under the non-linear modifications of gravity the hierarchical scaling of the reduced cumulants is preserved. This is however characterized by significant changes in the values of both overline{ξ _n} and Sn and their scale dependence with respect to General Relativity gravity (GR). In addition, we measure a significant increase of the non-linear σ8 parameter reaching 14, 5 and 0.5 per cent in excess of the GR value for the three flavours of our f(R) models. We further note that the values of the reduced cumulants up to order n = 9 are significantly increased in f(R) gravity for all our models at small scales R ≲ 30 h-1 Mpc. In contrast, the values of the hierarchical amplitudes, Sn, are smaller in f(R) indicating that the modified gravity density distribution functions are deviating from the GR case. Furthermore, we find that the redshift evolution of relative deviations of the f(R) hierarchical correlation amplitudes is fastest at high and moderate redshifts 1 ≤ z ≤ 4. The growth of these deviations significantly slows down in the low-redshift universe. We also compute the PDFs and show that for scales below ˜20 h-1 Mpc, they are significantly shifted in f(R) gravity towards the low densities. Finally, we discuss the implications of our theoretical predictions for measurements of the hierarchical clustering in galaxy redshift surveys, including the important problems of the galaxy biasing and redshift space distortions.

Sodium Lidar-observed Strong Inertia-gravity Wave Activities in the Mesopause Region over Fort Collins, Colorado (41 deg N, 105 deg W)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Tao; She, C. -Y.; Liu, Han-Li; Leblanc, Thierry; McDermid, I. Stuart

2007-01-01

In December 2004, the Colorado State University sodium lidar system at Fort Collins, Colorado (41 deg N, 105 deg W), conducted an approximately 80-hour continuous campaign for the simultaneous observations of mesopause region sodium density, temperature, and zonal and meridional winds. This data set reveals the significant inertia-gravity wave activities with a period of approximately 18 hours, which are strong in both wind components since UT day 338 (second day of the campaign), and weak in temperature and sodium density. The considerable variability of wave activities was observed with both wind amplitudes growing up to approximately 40 m/s at 95-100 km in day 339 and then decreasing dramatically in day 340. We also found that the sodium density wave perturbation is correlated in phase with temperature perturbation below 90 km, and approximately 180 deg out of phase above. Applying the linear wave theory, we estimated the wave horizontal propagation direction, horizontal wavelength, and apparent horizontal phase speed to be approximately 25 deg south of west, approximately 1800 +/- 150 km, and approximately 28 +/- 2 m/s, respectively of wave intrinsic period, intrinsic phase speed, and vertical wavelength were also estimated. While the onset of enhanced inertia-gravity wave amplitude in the night of 338 was observed to be in coincidence with short-period gravity wave breaking via convective instability, the decrease of inertia-gravity wave amplitude after noon of day 339 was also observed to coincide with the development of atmospheric dynamical instability layers with downward phase progression clearly correlated with the 18-hour inertia-gravity wave, suggesting likely breaking of this inertia-gravity wave via dynamical (shear) instability.

Fast nonlinear gravity inversion in spherical coordinates with application to the South American Moho

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uieda, Leonardo; Barbosa, Valéria C. F.

2017-01-01

Estimating the relief of the Moho from gravity data is a computationally intensive nonlinear inverse problem. What is more, the modelling must take the Earths curvature into account when the study area is of regional scale or greater. We present a regularized nonlinear gravity inversion method that has a low computational footprint and employs a spherical Earth approximation. To achieve this, we combine the highly efficient Bott's method with smoothness regularization and a discretization of the anomalous Moho into tesseroids (spherical prisms). The computational efficiency of our method is attained by harnessing the fact that all matrices involved are sparse. The inversion results are controlled by three hyperparameters: the regularization parameter, the anomalous Moho density-contrast, and the reference Moho depth. We estimate the regularization parameter using the method of hold-out cross-validation. Additionally, we estimate the density-contrast and the reference depth using knowledge of the Moho depth at certain points. We apply the proposed method to estimate the Moho depth for the South American continent using satellite gravity data and seismological data. The final Moho model is in accordance with previous gravity-derived models and seismological data. The misfit to the gravity and seismological data is worse in the Andes and best in oceanic areas, central Brazil and Patagonia, and along the Atlantic coast. Similarly to previous results, the model suggests a thinner crust of 30-35 km under the Andean foreland basins. Discrepancies with the seismological data are greatest in the Guyana Shield, the central Solimões and Amazonas Basins, the Paraná Basin, and the Borborema province. These differences suggest the existence of crustal or mantle density anomalies that were unaccounted for during gravity data processing.

Skylab M551 metals melting experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poorman, R. M.

1975-01-01

The objectives of the M551 Metals Melting Experiment were to: (1) study behavior of molten metal, (2) characterize metals melted and solidified in the low gravity space environment compared to one-gravity of earth, and (3) determine feasibility of joining metals in space. The experiment used the electron beam (EB) and chamber of the M512 apparatus to make a dwell puddle and a melt in a rotating disc of varying thickness. Hence, the EB performed cut-through, full and partial penetration melts, in addition to a resolidified button. The three disc materials were aluminum 2219-T87, 304 stainless steel, and pure tantalum to provide a wide range of density and melting conditions. Observations to date include the proof that EB welding, cutting, and melting can be done successfully in low gravity. Earlier, some welding authorities had postulated that without gravity the EB would force the molten puddle out of contact. However, the experiment proved that surface tension forces predominate. From the viewpoint of cast-solidification, small, equiaxed grains in Skylab specimens compared to large, elongated grains in ground based specimens were observed. The former are thought to be associated with constitutional supercooling and nucleation where the latter are associated with dendritic solidification. In further support of the more equiaxed grain growth in Skylab, symmetric subgrain patterns were frequently observed where there was much less symmetry in ground based specimens.

The analysis of the wavefront aberration caused by the gravity of the tunable-focus liquid-filled membrane lens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Wei; Liu, Pengfei; Wei, Xiaona; Zhuang, Songlin; Yang, Bo

2010-11-01

Liquid lens is a novel optical device which can implement active zooming. With liquid lens, zoom camera can be designed with more miniature size and simpler structure than before. It is thought that the micro zoom system with liquid lens has a very wide potential applications in many fields, in which the volume and weight of the system are critically limited, such as endoscope, mobile, PDA and so on. There are mainly three types of tunable-focus liquid lens: liquid crystal lens, electrowetting effect based liquid lens and liquid-filled membrane lens. Comparing with the other two kinds of liquid lens, the liquid-filled membrane lens has the advantages of simple structure, flexible aperture and high zooming efficiency. But its membrane surface will have an initial shape deformation caused by the gravity when the aperture of the lens is at large size, which will lead to the wave front aberration and the imaging quality impairing. In this paper, the initial deformation of the lens caused by the gravity was simulated based on the theory of Elastic Mechanics, which was calculated by the Finite Element Analysis method. The relationship between the diameter of the lens and the wave front aberration caused by the gravity was studied. And the Optical path difference produced by different liquid density was also analyzed.

Structure of the Tucson Basin, Arizona from gravity and aeromagnetic data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rystrom, Victoria Louise

2003-01-01

Interpretation of gravity and high-resolution aeromagnetic data reveal the three-dimensional geometry of the Tuscson Basin, Arizona and the lithology of its basement. Limited drill hole and seismic data indicate that the maximum depth to the crystalline basement is approximately 3600 meters and that the sedimentary sequences in the upper ~2000 m of the basin were deposited during the most recent extensional episode that commenced about 13 Ma. The negative density contrasts between these upper Neogene and Quaternary sedimentary sequences and the adjacent country rock produce a Bouguer residual gravity low, whose steep gradients clearly define the lateral extent of the upper ~2000m of the basin. The aeromagnetic maps show large positive anomalies associated with deeply buried, late Cretaceous-early Tertiary and mid-Tertiary igneous rocks at and below the surface of the basin. These magnetic anomalies provide insight into the older (>13 Ma) and deeper structures of the basin. Simultaneous 2.5-dimensional modeling of both gravity and magnetic anomalies constrained by geologic and seismic data delineates the thickness of the basin and the dips of the buried faults that bound the basin. This geologic-based forward modeling approach to using geophysical data is shown to result in more information about the geologic and tectonic history of the basin as well as more accurate depth to basement determinations than using generalized geophysical inversion techniques.

Subsurface density structure of Taurus-Littrow Valley using Apollo 17 gravity data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urbancic, N.; Ghent, R.; Johnson, C. L.; Stanley, S.; Hatch, D.; Carroll, K. A.; Garry, W. B.; Talwani, M.

2017-06-01

The Traverse Gravimeter Experiment (TGE) from the Apollo 17 mission was the first and only successful gravity survey on the surface of the Moon, revealing the local gravity field at Taurus-Littrow Valley (TLV). TLV is hypothesized to be a basalt-filled graben, oriented radial to Serenitatis basin. We implemented modern 3-D modeling techniques using recent high-resolution Lunar Reconnaisance Orbiter topography and image data sets to reinvestigate the subsurface structure of TLV and constrain the volcanic and tectonic history of the region. Updated topography led to significant improvements in the accuracy of free-air, Bouguer, and terrain corrections. To determine the underlying geometry for TLV, we tested a range of possible thicknesses, dips, and wall positions for the graben fill. We found that the thickness and position previously determined by Talwani et al. (1973) represent our preferred model for the data, but with walls with dips of 30°, rather than 90°. We found large model misfits due to unmodeled 3-D structure and density anomalies, as well as parameter trade-offs. We performed a sensitivity analysis to quantify the parameter trade-offs in an ideal future survey, assuming dominantly 2-D geological structure. At the TGE survey noise level (2.5 mGal), the fill thickness was constrained to ±150 m, the wall angle to ±5∘20∘ and the wall positions to ±1 km of the preferred model. This information can be used to inform the design of future lunar gravimetry experiments in regions similar to TLV.

Gravity anomaly map of Mars and Moon and analysis of Venus gravity field: New analysis procedures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1984-01-01

The technique of harmonic splines allows direct estimation of a complete planetary gravity field (geoid, gravity, and gravity gradients) everywhere over the planet's surface. Harmonic spline results of Venus are presented as a series of maps at spacecraft and constant altitudes. Global (except for polar regions) and local relations of gravity to topography are described.

Gravity signals from the lithosphere in the Central European Basin System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yegorova, T.; Bayer, U.; Thybo, H.; Maystrenko, Y.; Scheck-Wenderoth, M.; Lyngsie, S. B.

2007-01-01

We study the gravity signals from different depth levels in the lithosphere of the Central European Basin System (CEBS). The major elements of the CEBS are the Northern and Southern Permian Basins which include the Norwegian-Danish Basin (NDB), the North-German Basin (NGB) and the Polish Trough (PT). An up to 10 km thick sedimentary cover of Mesozoic-Cenozoic sediments, hides the gravity signal from below the basin and masks the heterogeneous structure of the consolidated crust, which is assumed to be composed of domains that were accreted during the Paleozoic amalgamation of Europe. We performed a three-dimensional (3D) gravity backstripping to investigate the structure of the lithosphere below the CEBS. Residual anomalies are derived by removing the effect of sediments down to the base of Permian from the observed field. In order to correct for the influence of large salt structures, lateral density variations are incorporated. These sediment-free anomalies are interpreted to reflect Moho relief and density heterogeneities in the crystalline crust and uppermost mantle. The gravity effect of the Moho relief compensates to a large extent the effect of the sediments in the CEBS and in the North Sea. Removal of the effects of large-scale crustal inhomogeneities shows a clear expression of the Variscan arc system at the southern part of the study area and the old crust of Baltica further north-east. The remaining residual anomalies (after stripping off the effects of sediments, Moho topography and large-scale crustal heterogeneities) reveal long wavelength anomalies, which are caused mainly by density variations in the upper mantle, though gravity influence from the lower crust cannot be ruled out. They indicate that the three main subbasins of the CEBS originated on different lithospheric domains. The PT originated on a thick, strong and dense lithosphere of the Baltica type. The NDB was formed on a weakened Baltica low-density lithosphere formed during the Sveco-Norwegian orogeny. The major part of the NGB is characterized by high-density lithosphere, which includes a high-velocity lower crust (relict of Baltica passive margin) overthrusted by the Avalonian terrane. The short wavelength pattern of the final residuals shows several north-west trending gravity highs between the Tornquist Zone and the Elbe Fault System. The NDB is separated by a gravity low at the Ringkøbing-Fyn high from a chain of positive anomalies in the NGB and the PT. In the NGB these anomalies correspond to the Prignitz (Rheinsberg anomaly), the Glueckstadt and Horn Graben, and they continue further west into the Central Graben, to join with the gravity high of the Central North Sea.

GOCE observations for Mineral exploration in Africa and across continents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braitenberg, Carla

2014-05-01

The gravity anomaly field over the whole Earth obtained by the GOCE satellite is a revolutionary tool to reveal geologic information on a continental scale for the large areas where conventional gravity measurements have yet to be made (e.g. Alvarez et al., 2012). It is, however, necessary to isolate the near-surface geologic signal from the contributions of thickness variations in the crust and lithosphere and the isostatic compensation of surface relief (e.g. Mariani et al., 2013) . Here Africa is studied with particular emphasis on selected geological features which are expected to appear as density inhomogeneities. These include cratons and fold belts in the Precambrian basement, the overlying sedimentary basins and magmatism, as well as the continental margins. Regression analysis between gravity and topography shows coefficients that are consistently positive for the free air gravity anomaly and negative for the Bouguer gravity anomaly (Braitenberg et al., 2013; 2014). The error and scatter on the regression is smallest in oceanic areas, where it is a possible tool for identifying changes in crustal type. The regression analysis allows the large gradient in the Bouguer anomaly signal across continental margins to be removed. After subtracting the predicted effect of known topography from the original Bouguer anomaly field, the residual field shows a continent-wide pattern of anomalies that can be attributed to regional geological structures. A few of these are highlighted, such as those representing Karoo magmatism, the Kibalian foldbelt, the Zimbabwe Craton, the Cameroon and Tibesti volcanic deposits, the Benue Trough and the Luangwa Rift. A reconstruction of the pre-break up position of Africa, South and North America is made for the residual GOCE gravity field obtaining today's gravity field of the plates forming West Gondwana. The reconstruction allows the positive and negative anomalies to be compared across the continental fragments, and so helps identify common geologic units that extend across both the now-separate continents. Tracing the geologic units is important for mineral exploration, which is demonstrated with the analysis of correlations of the gravity signal with selected classes of mineral occurrences, for instance those associated to Greenstone belts. Alvarez, O., Gimenez M., Braitenberg C., Folguera, A. (2012) GOCE Satellite derived Gravity and Gravity gradient corrected for topographic effect in the South Central Andes Region. Geophysical Journal International, 190, 941-959, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2012.05556.x Braitenberg C., Mariani P., De Min A. (2013) The European Alps and nearby orogenic belts sensed by GOCE, Boll. Bollettino di Geofisica Teorica ed Applicata, doi:10.4430/bgta0105 Braitenberg C. (2014) Exploration of tectonic structures with GOCE in Africa and across-continents, J.of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation (in Review). Mariani P., Braitenberg C., Ussami N. (2013). Explaining the thick crust in Parana' basin, Brazil, with satellite GOCE-gravity observations. Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 45, 209-223, doi:10.1016/j.jsames.2013.03.008.

Investigation of geological structures with a view to HLRW disposal, as revealed through 3D inversion of aeromagnetic and gravity data and the results of CSAMT exploration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

An, Zhiguo; Di, Qingyun

2016-12-01

The Alxa area in Inner Mongolia has been selected as a possible site for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLRW). Based on results of a previous study on crustal stability, the Tamusu rock mass has been chosen as the target. To determine the geological structure of this rock mass, aeromagnetic and gravity data are collected and inverted. Three-dimensional (3D) inversion horizontal slices show that the internal density of the rock mass and the distribution of magnetic properties are not uniform, with fractures and fragmentation being present. To confirm this result, the controlled source audio-frequency magnetotelluric method (CSAMT) was applied to explore the geological structures, the typical CSAMT sounding curve was analyzed, and the response characteristics of the geological structure and surrounding rock are distinguished. The original data were processed and interpreted in combination with data from surface geology and drilling and logging data. It is found that the CSAMT results were consistent with those from 3D inversion of the gravity and magnetic data, confirming the existence of fractures and fragmentation in the exploration area.

Isostatic Compensation of the Lunar Highlands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sori, Michael M.; James, Peter B.; Johnson, Brandon C.; Soderblom, Jason M.; Solomon, Sean C.; Wieczorek, Mark A.; Zuber, Maria T.

2018-02-01

The lunar highlands are isostatically compensated at large horizontal scales, but the specific compensation mechanism has been difficult to identify. With topographic data from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter and gravity data from the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory, we investigate support of highland topography. Poor correlation between crustal density and elevation shows that Pratt compensation is not important in the highlands. Using spectrally weighted admittance, we compared observed values of geoid-to-topography ratio (GTR) with those predicted by isostatic models. Observed GTRs are 25.8+7.5-5.7 m/km for the nearside highlands and 39.3+5.7-6.2 m/km for the farside highlands. These values are not consistent with flexural compensation of long-wavelength topography or Airy isostasy defined under an assumption of equal mass in crustal columns. Instead, the observed GTR values are consistent with models of Airy compensation in which isostasy is defined under a requirement of equal pressures at equipotential surfaces at depth. The gravity and topography data thus reveal that long-wavelength topography on the Moon is most likely compensated by variations in crustal thickness, implying that highland topography formed early in lunar history before the development of a thick elastic lithosphere.

KSC-2011-6854

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Actress Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura on Star Trek) signs autographs for a guest at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida during activities for the agency’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission (GRAIL). Nichols was on hand to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the first airing of the Star Trek television series. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is hosting “Star Trek: The Exhibition” to show visitors where “science fiction meets science fact.” GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

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NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Maria Zuber, GRAIL principal investigator at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, speaks to a group of Tweetup participants at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida during prelaunch activities for NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission. Participants toured NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and got a close-up view of Space Launch Complex 17B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon’s gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon’s crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon’s internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon’s gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. Launch is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT Sept. 8. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Gianni Woods

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NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – – A Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission science briefing is held in the NASA Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left are DC Agle, NASA Public Affairs; Robert Fogel, NASA’s GRAIL program scientist; Maria Zuber, GRAIL principal investigator with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Sami Asmar, GRAIL deputy project scientist, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory; and Leesa Hubbard, teacher in residence, Sally Ride Science, San Diego. GRAIL is scheduled to launch Sept. 8 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

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NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – – A Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission science briefing is held in the NASA Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left are Robert Fogel, NASA’s GRAIL program scientist; Maria Zuber, GRAIL principal investigator with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Sami Asmar, GRAIL deputy project scientist, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory; and Leesa Hubbard, teacher in residence, Sally Ride Science, San Diego. GRAIL is scheduled to launch Sept. 8 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

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NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Over a group of trees and bushes, the United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket carrying NASA’s twin Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission launches off Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The spacecraft launched at 9:08:52 a.m. EDT Sept. 10. GRAIL-A will separate from the second stage of the rocket at about one hour, 21 minutes after liftoff, followed by GRAIL-B at 90 minutes after launch. The spacecraft are embarking on a three-month journey to reach the moon. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/George Roberts

Using nonlinear programming to correct leakage and estimate mass change from GRACE observation and its application to Antarctica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Jingshi; Cheng, Haowen; Liu, Lin

2012-11-01

The Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission has been providing high quality observations since its launch in 2002. Over the years, fruitful achievements have been obtained and the temporal gravity field has revealed the ongoing geophysical, hydrological and other processes. These discoveries help the scientists better understand various aspects of the Earth. However, errors exist in high degree and order spherical harmonics, which need to be processed before use. Filtering is one of the most commonly used techniques to smooth errors, yet it attenuates signals and also causes leakage of gravity signal into surrounding areas. This paper reports a new method to estimate the true mass change on the grid (expressed in equivalent water height or surface density). The mass change over the grid can be integrated to estimate regional or global mass change. This method assumes the GRACE-observed apparent mass change is only caused by the mass change on land. By comparing the computed and observed apparent mass change, the true mass change can be iteratively adjusted and estimated. The problem is solved with nonlinear programming (NLP) and yields solutions which are in good agreement with other GRACE-based estimates.

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NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At ignition, flames from the engines begin liftoff of the United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket carrying NASA’s twin Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission off Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The spacecraft launched at 9:08:52 a.m. EDT Sept. 10. GRAIL-A will separate from the second stage of the rocket at about one hour, 21 minutes after liftoff, followed by GRAIL-B at 90 minutes after launch. The spacecraft are embarking on a three-month journey to reach the moon. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Don Kight

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NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Plumes of smoke surround of the United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket carrying NASA’s twin Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission off Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station In Florida. The spacecraft launched at 9:08:52 a.m. EDT Sept. 10. GRAIL-A will separate from the second stage of the rocket at about one hour, 21 minutes after liftoff, followed by GRAIL-B at 90 minutes after launch. The spacecraft are embarking on a three-month journey to reach the moon. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Don Kight

KSC-2011-6889

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Overlooking the Central Florida coast, engine ignition begins liftoff of the United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket carrying NASA’s twin Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission off Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The spacecraft launched at 9:08:52 a.m. EDT Sept. 10. GRAIL-A will separate from the second stage of the rocket at about one hour, 21 minutes after liftoff, followed by GRAIL-B at 90 minutes after launch. The spacecraft are embarking on a three-month journey to reach the moon. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Don Kight

KSC-2011-6789

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden shares a humorous moment with a group of Tweetup participants at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida during prelaunch activities for the agency’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission. Participants toured NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and got a close-up view of Space Launch Complex 17B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon’s gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon’s crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon’s internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon’s gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. Launch is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT Sept. 8. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Gianni Woods

KSC-2011-6893

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Flames and smoke from the engines surround the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket at liftoff carrying NASA’s twin Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission off Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The spacecraft launched at 9:08:52 a.m. EDT Sept. 10. GRAIL-A will separate from the second stage of the rocket at about one hour, 21 minutes after liftoff, followed by GRAIL-B at 90 minutes after launch. The spacecraft are embarking on a three-month journey to reach the moon. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Don Kight

KSC-2011-6864

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Fire and smoke light up the sky as a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy rocket propels NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission into space. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida was at 9:08:52 a.m. EDT Sept.10. GRAIL-A will separate from the second stage of the rocket at about one hour, 21 minutes after liftoff, followed by GRAIL-B at 90 minutes after launch. The spacecraft are embarking on a three-month journey to reach the moon. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon's gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon's crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon's internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Darrell McCall

KSC-2011-6813

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-09-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A Tweetup participant searches for the right photo angle along the NASA Causeway launch viewing area at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida during prelaunch activities for the agency’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission. Participants toured the center and got a close-up view of Space Launch Complex 17B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem around the moon to precisely measure and map variations in the moon’s gravitational field. The mission will provide the most accurate global gravity field to date for any planet, including Earth. This detailed information will reveal differences in the density of the moon’s crust and mantle and will help answer fundamental questions about the moon’s internal structure, thermal evolution, and history of collisions with asteroids. The aim is to map the moon’s gravity field so completely that future lunar vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. Launch is scheduled for 8:37:06 a.m. EDT Sept. 8. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett