Modeling Thermal Transport and Surface Deformation on Europa using Realistic Rheologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Linneman, D.; Lavier, L.; Becker, T. W.; Soderlund, K. M.

2017-12-01

Most existing studies of Europa's icy shell model the ice as a Maxwell visco-elastic solid or viscous fluid. However, these approaches do not allow for modeling of localized deformation of the brittle part of the ice shell, which is important for understanding the satellite's evolution and unique geology. Here, we model the shell as a visco-elasto-plastic material, with a brittle Mohr-Coulomb elasto-plastic layer on top of a convective Maxwell viscoelastic layer, to investigate how thermal transport processes relate to the observed deformation and topography on Europa's surface. We use Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua (FLAC) code, which employs an explicit time-stepping algorithm to simulate deformation processes in Europa's icy shell. Heat transfer drives surface deformation within the icy shell through convection and tidal dissipation due to its elliptical orbit around Jupiter. We first analyze the visco-elastic behavior of a convecting ice layer and the parameters that govern this behavior. The regime of deformation depends on the magnitude of the stress (diffusion creep at low stresses, grain-size-sensitive creep at intermediate stresses, dislocation creep at high stresses), so we calculate effective viscosity each time step using the constitutive stress-strain equation and a combined flow law that accounts for all types of deformation. Tidal dissipation rate is calculated as a function of the temperature-dependent Maxwell relaxation time and the square of the second invariant of the strain rate averaged over each orbital period. After we initiate convection in the viscoelastic layer by instituting an initial temperature perturbation, we then add an elastoplastic layer on top of the convecting layer and analyze how the brittle ice reacts to stresses from below and any resulting topography. We also take into account shear heating along fractures in the brittle layer. We vary factors such as total shell thickness and minimum viscosity, as these parameters are not well constrained, and determine how this affects the thickness and deformation of the brittle layer.

Gravitational-Wave Constraints on the Neutron-Star-Matter Equation of State

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Annala, Eemeli; Gorda, Tyler; Kurkela, Aleksi; Vuorinen, Aleksi

2018-04-01

The detection of gravitational waves originating from a neutron-star merger, GW170817, by the LIGO and Virgo Collaborations has recently provided new stringent limits on the tidal deformabilities of the stars involved in the collision. Combining this measurement with the existence of two-solar-mass stars, we generate a generic family of neutron-star-matter equations of state (EOSs) that interpolate between state-of-the-art theoretical results at low and high baryon density. Comparing the results to ones obtained without the tidal-deformability constraint, we witness a dramatic reduction in the family of allowed EOSs. Based on our analysis, we conclude that the maximal radius of a 1.4-solar-mass neutron star is 13.6 km, and that the smallest allowed tidal deformability of a similar-mass star is Λ (1.4 M⊙)=120 .

Global Earth Response to Loading by Ocean Tide Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Estes, R. H.; Strayer, J. M.

1979-01-01

Mathematical and programming techniques to numerically calculate Earth response to global semidiurnal and diurnal ocean tide models were developed. Global vertical crustal deformations were evaluated for M sub 2, S sub 2, N sub 2, K sub 2, K sub 1, O sub 1, and P sub 1 ocean tide loading, while horizontal deformations were evaluated for the M sub 2 tidal load. Tidal gravity calculations were performed for M sub 2 tidal loads, and strain tensor elements were evaluated for M sub 2 loads. The M sub 2 solution used for the ocean tide included the effects of self-gravitation and crustal loading.

DEM generation and tidal deformation detection for sulzberger ice shelf, West Antarctica using SAR interferometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Baek, S.; Kwoun, Oh-Ig; Bassler, M.; Lu, Z.; Shum, C.K.; Dietrich, R.

2004-01-01

In this study we generated a relative Digital Elevation Model (DEM) over the Sulzberger Ice Shelf, West Antarctica using ERS1/2 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry data. Four repeat pass differential interferograms are used to find the grounding zone and to classify the study area. An interferometrically derived DEM is compared with laser altimetry profile from ICESat. Standard deviation of the relative height difference is 5.12 m and 1.34 m in total length of the profile and at the center of the profile respectively. The magnitude and the direction of tidal changes estimated from interferogram are compared with those predicted tidal differences from four ocean tide models. Tidal deformation measured in InSAR is -16.7 cm and it agrees well within 3 cm with predicted ones from tide models.

Effect of the tiger stripes on the tidal deformation of Enceladus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soucek, Ondrej; Hron, Jaroslav; Behounkova, Marie; Cadek, Ondrej

2016-10-01

The south polar region of Saturn's moon Enceladus has been subjected to a thorough scientific scrutiny since the Cassini mission discovery of an enigmatic system of fractures informally known as "tiger stripes". This fault system is possibly connected to the internal water ocean and exhibits a striking geological activity manifesting itself in the form of active water geysers on the moon's surface.The effect of the faults on periodic tidal deformation of the moon has so far been neglected because of the difficulties associated with the implementation of fractures in continuum mechanics models. Employing an open source finite element FEniCS package, we provide a numerical estimate of the maximum possible impact of the tiger stripes on the tidal deformation and the heat production in Enceladus's ice shell by representing the faults as narrow zones with negligible frictional and bulk resistance passing vertically through the whole shell.For a uniform ice shell thickness of 25 km, consistent with the recent estimate of libration, and for linear elastic rheology, we demonstrate that the faults can dramatically change the distribution of stress and strain in Enceladus's south polar region, leading to a significant increase of the heat flux and to a complex deformation pattern in this area. We also present preliminary results studying the effects of (i) variable ice-shell thickness, based on the recent topography, gravity and libration inversion model by Čadek et al. (2016) and (ii) Maxwell viscoelastic rheology on the global tidal deformation of the ice shell.O.S. acknowledges support by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic through the project 15-14263Y.

Tidal deformation, Orbital Dynamics and JIMO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ratcliff, J. T.; Wu, X.; Williams, J. G.

2003-12-01

Observations of Europa, Ganymede and Callisto obtained from encounters by the Galileo spacecraft strongly suggest the possibility of liquid oceans under the icy shells of these Jovian satellites. The strong tidal environments in which these moons are found and the fact that a planetary body with internal fluid undergoes greater deformation than an otherwise solid body make a compelling case for using tidal observations as a method for ocean detection. Given the high degree of uncertainty in our knowledge of the interiors of these moons, a comprehensive geodetic program measuring different physical signatures related to tidal deformation and interior structure is preferred to using separate and various interior parameters that may not be as closely tied to actual measurable quantities. Potential and displacement tidal Love numbers, libration amplitudes of the surface ice shell and rocky mantle, static topography and gravity fields and other quantities should all be included in the measurement objectives. Many geodetic techniques rely heavily upon orbital positions of the spacecraft. Their accurate determination depend on factors such as the orbital configuration, the gravity fields of the icy moons, as well as the duration and geometry of tracking. Given the competing science, engineering and planetary protection demands, orbital accuracy subject to constraints has become a critical mission design issue. Orbit determination simulations and covariance analyses will be used to investigate the achievable accuracies of spacecraft position and geodetic signatures under different orbital and tracking scenarios.

Distinguishing boson stars from black holes and neutron stars from tidal interactions in inspiraling binary systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sennett, Noah; Hinderer, Tanja; Steinhoff, Jan; Buonanno, Alessandra; Ossokine, Serguei

2017-07-01

Binary systems containing boson stars—self-gravitating configurations of a complex scalar field—can potentially mimic black holes or neutron stars as gravitational-wave sources. We investigate the extent to which tidal effects in the gravitational-wave signal can be used to discriminate between these standard sources and boson stars. We consider spherically symmetric boson stars within two classes of scalar self-interactions: an effective-field-theoretically motivated quartic potential and a solitonic potential constructed to produce very compact stars. We compute the tidal deformability parameter characterizing the dominant tidal imprint in the gravitational-wave signals for a large span of the parameter space of each boson star model, covering the entire space in the quartic case, and an extensive portion of interest in the solitonic case. We find that the tidal deformability for boson stars with a quartic self-interaction is bounded below by Λmin≈280 and for those with a solitonic interaction by Λmin≈1.3 . We summarize our results as ready-to-use fits for practical applications. Employing a Fisher matrix analysis, we estimate the precision with which Advanced LIGO and third-generation detectors can measure these tidal parameters using the inspiral portion of the signal. We discuss a novel strategy to improve the distinguishability between black holes/neutrons stars and boson stars by combining tidal deformability measurements of each compact object in a binary system, thereby eliminating the scaling ambiguities in each boson star model. Our analysis shows that current-generation detectors can potentially distinguish boson stars with quartic potentials from black holes, as well as from neutron-star binaries if they have either a large total mass or a large (asymmetric) mass ratio. Discriminating solitonic boson stars from black holes using only tidal effects during the inspiral will be difficult with Advanced LIGO, but third-generation detectors should be able to distinguish between binary black holes and these binary boson stars.

Earth Tidal Controls on Basal Dynamics and Hydrology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulessa, B.; Hubbard, B. P.; Brown, G. H.; Becker, J.

2001-12-01

We appraise earth tidal forcing of coupled mechanical and hydrological processes beneath warm-based ice masses, which have to date been poorly documented but represent exciting phenomena that have important implications for future studies of glacier dynamics. Regular cycles in winter and early spring electrical self-potential (SP), water pressure (PW) and electrical conductivity (EC) were recorded at the bases of several boreholes drilled through Haut Glacier d'Arolla, Switzerland. Fourier power spectra of these data reflect the presence of diurnal and semi-diurnal cycles, and comparison with the earth tidal spectrum indicates that at least four components of the latter are visible in the borehole spectra: the luni-solar diurnal, the principal lunar diurnal, the principal solar semi-diurnal, and the principal lunar semi-diurnal. This correspondence suggests that earth tides exert a strong control over water flow at the bed of the glacier, at least during winter and early spring. We envisage a mechanism that involves earth-tide induced deformation of the bedrock and the unconsolidated sediments beneath the glacier, and to a certain extent probably also the overlying ice body. Basal water pockets, including those containing our sensors, located within these media are in turn also likely to be deformed periodically. We believe that PW gradients induced by such deformation may result in transient water flow and SPs in the pockets. Since PW and EC are typically out-of-phase, injection of waters of lower EC into the pockets during times of peak water flow is likely. Several lines of evidence suggest that such injection was caused by melting of the ice wall due to frictional heating, balancing creep closure which sustained some pockets through the winter. Further, the first annually-repeated post-winter reorganization event, termed the May event, may well be triggered by tidally-induced releases of waters from storage. This implies that the May event marks the opening of the subglacial drainage conditions at the start of the summer, and not the Spring event, as commonly assumed to date.

A Global Ocean Tide Model From TOPEX/POSEIDON Altimetry: GOT99.2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ray, Richard D.

1999-01-01

Goddard Ocean Tide model GOT99.2 is a new solution for the amplitudes and phases of the global oceanic tides, based on over six years of sea-surface height measurements by the TOPEX/POSEIDON satellite altimeter. Comparison with deep-ocean tide-gauge measurements show that this new tidal solution is an improvement over previous global models, with accuracies for the main semidiurnal lunar constituent M2 now below 1.5 cm (deep water only). The new solution benefits from use of prior hydrodynamic models, several in shallow and inland seas as well as the global finite-element model FES94.1. This report describes some of the data processing details involved in handling the altimetry, and it provides a comprehensive set of global cotidal charts of the resulting solutions. Various derived tidal charts are also provided, including tidal loading deformation charts, tidal gravimetric charts, and tidal current velocity (or transport) charts. Finally, low-degree spherical harmonic coefficients are computed by numerical quadrature and are tabulated for the major short-period tides; these are useful for a variety of geodetic and geophysical purposes, especially in combination with similar estimates from satellite laser ranging.

The lunar orbit as probe of relativistic gravity.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nordtvedt, K.

The author has analytically determined in a unified treament all general relativistic corrections to the Moon's orbit observable by present-day laser ranging data. Because the solar tidal deformation of the lunar orbit plays such a central role in altering the amplitudes and frequencies of lunar motion, the post-Newtonian equations of motion are solved using procedures similar to those Hill introduced into classical lunar theory and which treat the orbit's tidal deformation in a partially non-perturbative manner. The amplitudes of all perturbations of monthly period are found to be significantly amplified by interaction with the orbit's tidal deformation. In particular, this enhances the sensitivity of the lunar orbit as an observational probe of the gravitational to inertial mass ratio of the Earth (and Moon). The "evection" amplitude is altered by general relativity at an observationally significant level. Relativistic corrections to the perigee precession rate are found to include not only the "de Sitter" term, but also corrections from the solar tidal force which are 10% as large. Lunar laser ranging presently provides the most precise measurements of not only general relativity's "space geometry" and non-linear coupling structures, but also the comparison of free fall rates of two different bodies (Earth and Moon) toward a third body (Sun).

Enceladus's crust as a non-uniform thin shell: I tidal deformations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beuthe, Mikael

2018-03-01

The geologic activity at Enceladus's south pole remains unexplained, though tidal deformations are probably the ultimate cause. Recent gravity and libration data indicate that Enceladus's icy crust floats on a global ocean, is rather thin, and has a strongly non-uniform thickness. Tidal effects are enhanced by crustal thinning at the south pole, so that realistic models of tidal tectonics and dissipation should take into account the lateral variations of shell structure. I construct here the theory of non-uniform viscoelastic thin shells, allowing for depth-dependent rheology and large lateral variations of shell thickness and rheology. Coupling to tides yields two 2D linear partial differential equations of the fourth order on the sphere which take into account self-gravity, density stratification below the shell, and core viscoelasticity. If the shell is laterally uniform, the solution agrees with analytical formulas for tidal Love numbers; errors on displacements and stresses are less than 5% and 15%, respectively, if the thickness is less than 10% of the radius. If the shell is non-uniform, the tidal thin shell equations are solved as a system of coupled linear equations in a spherical harmonic basis. Compared to finite element models, thin shell predictions are similar for the deformations due to Enceladus's pressurized ocean, but differ for the tides of Ganymede. If Enceladus's shell is conductive with isostatic thickness variations, surface stresses are approximately inversely proportional to the local shell thickness. The radial tide is only moderately enhanced at the south pole. The combination of crustal thinning and convection below the poles can amplify south polar stresses by a factor of 10, but it cannot explain the apparent time lag between the maximum plume brightness and the opening of tiger stripes. In a second paper, I will study the impact of a non-uniform crust on tidal dissipation.

Tidal disruption of fuzzy dark matter subhalo cores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Xiaolong; Schwabe, Bodo; Niemeyer, Jens C.; Bürger, David

2018-03-01

We study tidal stripping of fuzzy dark matter (FDM) subhalo cores using simulations of the Schrödinger-Poisson equations and analyze the dynamics of tidal disruption, highlighting the differences with standard cold dark matter. Mass loss outside of the tidal radius forces the core to relax into a less compact configuration, lowering the tidal radius. As the characteristic radius of a solitonic core scales inversely with its mass, tidal stripping results in a runaway effect and rapid tidal disruption of the core once its central density drops below 4.5 times the average density of the host within the orbital radius. Additionally, we find that the core is deformed into a tidally locked ellipsoid with increasing eccentricities until it is completely disrupted. Using the core mass loss rate, we compute the minimum mass of cores that can survive several orbits for different FDM particle masses and compare it with observed masses of satellite galaxies in the Milky Way.

Effects of non-tidal atmospheric loading on a Kalman filter-based terrestrial reference frame

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbondanza, C.; Altamimi, Z.; Chin, T. M.; Collilieux, X.; Dach, R.; Heflin, M. B.; Gross, R. S.; König, R.; Lemoine, F. G.; MacMillan, D. S.; Parker, J. W.; van Dam, T. M.; Wu, X.

2013-12-01

The International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) adopts a piece-wise linear model to parameterize regularized station positions and velocities. The space-geodetic (SG) solutions from VLBI, SLR, GPS and DORIS global networks used as input in the ITRF combination process account for tidal loading deformations, but ignore the non-tidal part. As a result, the non-linear signal observed in the time series of SG-derived station positions in part reflects non-tidal loading displacements not introduced in the SG data reduction. In this analysis, the effect of non-tidal atmospheric loading (NTAL) corrections on the TRF is assessed adopting a Remove/Restore approach: (i) Focusing on the a-posteriori approach, the NTAL model derived from the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) surface pressure is removed from the SINEX files of the SG solutions used as inputs to the TRF determinations. (ii) Adopting a Kalman-filter based approach, a linear TRF is estimated combining the 4 SG solutions free from NTAL displacements. (iii) Linear fits to the NTAL displacements removed at step (i) are restored to the linear reference frame estimated at (ii). The velocity fields of the (standard) linear reference frame in which the NTAL model has not been removed and the one in which the model has been removed/restored are compared and discussed.

Mechanisms of Earth activity forsed by external celestial bodies:energy budjet and nature of cyclicity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barkin, Yu. V.; Ferrandiz, J. M.

2003-04-01

In given report we discuss tidal and non-tidal mechanisms of forced tectonic (endogenous) activity of the Earth caused by gravitational attraction of the Moon, Sun and the planets. On the base of the classical solution of the problem of elasticity for model of the Earth with concentric mass distribution the evaluations of the tidal energy and power of Earth lunar-solar deformations, including their joint effect, were obtained. Important role of the joint energetic effect of rotational deformation of the Earth with lunar and solar tides was illustrated. Gravitational interaction of the Moon and Sun with non-spherical, non-homogeneous shells of the Earth generates big additional mechanical forces and moments of the interaction of the neighboring shells (rigid core, liquid core, mantle, lithosphere and separate plates). Acting of these forces and moments in the different time scales on the corresponding sells generates cyclic perturbations of the tensional state of the shells, their deformations, small relative translational displacements and small relative rotational oscillations of the shells. In geological period of time it leads to a fundamental tectonic reconstruction of the Earth. These additional forces and moments of the cyclic celestial-mechanical nature produce cyclic deformations of the all layers of the body and organize and control practically all natural processes. The additional force between mantle and core is cyclic and characterized by the wide basis of frequencies typical for orbital motions (of the Sun, Moon and planets), for rotational motion of the Earth, Moon and Sun and for many from observed natural processes. The problem about small relative translatory-rotary motion of the two shells separated by the thin viscous-elastic layer is studied. The differential equations of motion were obtained and have been studied in particular cases (plane motion of system; case of two axisymmetrical interacting shells and oth.) by approximate methods of small parameter and methods of averaging. Some regimes of the relative translatory-rotary motions of the shells were described in analytical form. Wide set observed geodynamical and geophysical phenomena can be illustrated as results or as reflections of the small and slow relative displacements of the shells in corresponding time-scales. Barkin's work was accepted and financed by RFBR grant 02-05-64176 and by grant SAB2000-0235 of Ministry of Education of Spain (Secretaria de Estado de Educacion y Universidades).

Effect of Ice-Shell Thickness Variations on the Tidal Deformation of Enceladus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choblet, G.; Cadek, O.; Behounkova, M.; Tobie, G.; Kozubek, T.

2015-12-01

Recent analysis of Enceladus's gravity and topography has suggested that the thickness of the ice shell significantly varies laterally - from 30-40 km in the south polar region to 60 km elsewhere. These variations may influence the activity of the geysers and increase the tidal heat production in regions where the ice shell is thinned. Using a model including a regional or global subsurface ocean and Maxwell viscoelasticity, we investigate the impact of these variations on the tidal deformation of the moon and its heat production. For that purpose, we use different numerical approaches - finite elements, local application of 1d spectral method, and a generalized spectral method. Results obtained with these three approaches for various models of ice-shell thickness variations are presented and compared. Implications of a reduced ice shell thickness for the south polar terrain activity are discussed.

Tidal dissipation, surface heat flow, and figure of viscoelastic models of Io

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Segatz, M.; Spohn, T.; Ross, M. N.; Schubert, G.

1988-01-01

The deformation of Io, the tidal dissipation rate, and its interior spatial distribution are investigated by means of numerical simulations based on (1) a three-layer model (with dissipation in the mantle) or (2) a four-layer model (with dissipation in the asthenosphere). The mathematical derivation of the models is outlined; the selection of the input-parameter values is explained; the results are presented in extensive graphs and contour maps; and the constraints imposed on the models by observational data on the hot-spot distribution, tidal deformation, and gravity field are discussed in detail. It is found that both dissipation mechanisms may play a role on Io: model (2) is better able to explain the concentration of hot spots near the equator, while the presence of a large hot spot near the south pole (if confirmed by observations) would favor model (1).

Asymptotic co- and post-seismic displacements in a homogeneous Maxwell sphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, He; Sun, Wenke

2018-07-01

The deformations of the Earth caused by internal and external forces are usually expressed through Green's functions or the superposition of normal modes, that is, via numerical methods, which are applicable for computing both co- and post-seismic deformations. It is difficult to express these deformations in an analytical form, even for a uniform viscoelastic sphere. In this study, we present a set of asymptotic solutions for computing co- and post-seismic displacements; these solutions can be further applied to solving co- and post-seismic geoid, gravity and strain changes. Expressions are derived for a uniform Maxwell Earth by combining the reciprocity theorem, which links earthquake, tidal, shear and loading deformations, with the asymptotic solutions of these three external forces (tidal, shear and loading) and analytical inverse Laplace transformation formulae. Since the asymptotic solutions are given in a purely analytical form without series summations or extra convergence skills, they can be practically applied in an efficient way, especially when computing post-seismic deformations and glacial isotactic adjustments of the Earth over long timescales.

Asymptotic Co- and Post-seismic displacements in a homogeneous Maxwell sphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, He; Sun, Wenke

2018-05-01

The deformations of the Earth caused by internal and external forces are usually expressed through Green's functions or the superposition of normal modes, i.e. via numerical methods, which are applicable for computing both co- and post-seismic deformations. It is difficult to express these deformations in an analytical form, even for a uniform viscoelastic sphere. In this study, we present a set of asymptotic solutions for computing co- and post-seismic displacements; these solutions can be further applied to solving co- and post-seismic geoid, gravity, and strain changes. Expressions are derived for a uniform Maxwell Earth by combining the reciprocity theorem, which links earthquake, tidal, shear and loading deformations, with the asymptotic solutions of these three external forces (tidal, shear and loading) and analytical inverse Laplace transformation formulae. Since the asymptotic solutions are given in a purely analytical form without series summations or extra convergence skills, they can be practically applied in an efficient way, especially when computing post-seismic deformations and glacial isotactic adjustments of the Earth over long timescales.

Tidal deformability and I-Love-Q relations for gravastars with polytropic thin shells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uchikata, Nami; Yoshida, Shijun; Pani, Paolo

2016-09-01

The moment of inertia, the spin-induced quadrupole moment, and the tidal Love number of neutron-star and quark-star models are related through some relations which depend only mildly on the stellar equation of state. These "I-Love-Q" relations have important implications for astrophysics and gravitational-wave astronomy. An interesting problem is whether similar relations hold for other compact objects and how they approach the black hole limit. To answer these questions, here we investigate the deformation properties of a large class of thin-shell gravastars, which are exotic compact objects that do not possess an event horizon nor a spacetime singularity. Working in a small-spin and small-tidal field expansion, we calculate the moment of inertia, the quadrupole moment, and the (quadrupolar electric) tidal Love number of gravastars with a polytropic thin shell. The I-Love-Q relations of a thin-shell gravastar are drastically different from those of an ordinary neutron star. The Love number and quadrupole moment for less compact models have the opposite sign relative to those of ordinary neutron stars, and the I-Love-Q relations continuously approach the black hole limit. We consider a variety of polytropic equations of state for the matter shell and find no universality in the I-Love-Q relations. However, we cannot deny the possibility that, similarly to the neutron-star case, an approximate universality might emerge for a limited class of equations of state. Finally, we discuss how a measurement of the tidal deformability from the gravitational-wave detection of a compact-binary inspiral can be used to constrain exotic compact objects like gravastars.

Research Article. Towards a tidal loading model for the Argentine-German Geodetic Observatory (La Plata)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richter, A.; Müller, L.; Marderwald, E.; Mendoza, L.; Kruse, E.; Perdomo, R.; Scheinert, M.; Perdomo, S.

2017-02-01

We present a regionalized model of ocean tidal loading effects for the Argentine-German Geodetic Observatory in La Plata. It provides the amplitudes and phases of gravity variations and vertical deformation for nine tidal constituents to be applied as corrections to the observatory's future geodetic observation data. This model combines a global ocean tide model with a model of the tides in the Río de la Plata estuary. A comparison with conventional predictions based only on the global ocean tide model reveals the importance of the incorporation of the regional tide model. Tidal loading at the observatory is dominated by the tides in the Atlantic Ocean. An additional contribution of local tidal loading in channels and groundwater is examined. The magnitude of the tidal loading is also reviewed in the context of the effects of solid earth tides, atmospheric loading and non-tidal loads.

Seismites in a Proterozoic tidal succession, Singhbhum, Bihar, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharya, H. N.; Bandyopadhyay, Sandip

1998-08-01

Early Proterozoic metasediments of the Chaibasa Formation (Galudih-Ghatsila-Dhalbhumgarh region, Singhbhum, Bihar, India) comprise a number of cyclic fining-upward prograding successions of tidalites. The tidalites show indications for earthquakes in the form of synsedimentary deformation features, apart from the structures due to high-energy wave action. Deformed cross-bedding, convolute laminations, synsedimentary faults, graben-like structures, sandstone dykes, pseudonodules and slump folds record the seismic activity. A gradual decline in the frequency of seismites and tsunami-related depositional features, in combination with an upward increase in thickness of the tidal cycles, are attributed to gradual diminishing of tectonic activity within the basin.

Measuring neutron star tidal deformability with Advanced LIGO: black hole - neutron star binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Prayush; Pürrer, Michael; Pfeiffer, Harald

2017-01-01

The pioneering observations of gravitational waves (GW) by Advanced LIGO have ushered us into an era of observational GW astrophysics. Compact binaries remain the primary target sources for GW observations, of which black hole - neutron star (BHNS) binaries form an important subset. GWs from coalescing BHNS systems carry signatures of the tidal distortion of the neutron star by its companion black hole during inspiral, as well as of its disruption close to merger. In this talk, I will discuss how well we can measure tidal effects from individual and populations of LIGO observations of disruptive BHNS mergers. I will also talk about how our measurements of non-tidal parameters can get affected by ignoring tidal effects in BHNS parameter estimation.

Tidal Dissipation Within the Jupiter Moon Io - A Numerical Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steinke, Teresa; van der Wal, Wouter; Hu, Haiyang; Vermeersen, Bert

2017-04-01

Satellite images and recent Earth-based observations of the innermost of the Galilean moons reveal a conspicuous pattern of volcanic hotspots and paterae on its surface. This pattern is associated with the heat flux originating from tidal dissipation in Io's mantle and asthenosphere. As shown by many analytical studies [e.g. Segatz et al. 1988], the local heat flux pattern depends on the rheology and structure of the satellite's interior and therefore could reveal constraints on Io's present interior. However, non-linear processes, different rheologies, and in particular lateral variations arising from the spatial heating pattern are difficult to incorporate in analytical 1D models but might be crucial. This motivates the development of a 3D finite element model of a layered body disturbed by a tidal potential. As a first step of this project we present a 3D finite element model of a spherically stratified body of linear viscoelastic rheology. For validation, we compare the resulting tidal deformation and local heating patterns with the results obtained by analytical models. Numerical errors increase with lower values of the asthenosphere viscosity. Currently, the numerical model allows realistic simulation down to viscosities of 1018 Pa s. Furthermore, we investigate an adequate way to deal with the relaxation of false modes that arise at the onset of the periodic tidal potential series in the numerical approach. Segatz, M., Spohn, T., Ross, M. N., Schubert, G. (1988). Tidal dissipation, surface heat flow, and figure of viscoelastic models of Io. Icarus, 75(2), 187-206.

Anomalous tidal loading signals in South-West England and Brittany

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keshin, M.; Penna, N. T.; Clarke, P. J.; Bos, M. S.; Baker, T. F.

2010-05-01

The tidal deformation of the Earth, including ocean tide loading (OTL), sheds light on the Earth's internal structure. Uncertainties in the knowledge of this deformation may be a source of both direct and propagated periodic errors in GPS geodesy. The increasing number of global GPS stations with long histories of observations, as well as recent developments in precise GPS geodesy such as the availability of reprocessed satellite orbits, enables further study of these geophysical and geodetic phenomena. There are more than 10 worldwide regions where OTL displacement amplitudes exceed 25mm. In our work we considered one such region covering South-West England and stretching southward along the coasts of France, Spain and Portugal. Estimates of three-dimensional harmonic site motion at each of the principal diurnal (K1, O1, P1, Q1) and semi-diurnal (K2, M2, N2, S2) frequencies were obtained for 40 European stations with at least 2 year observation span, using the GIPSY-OASIS II software package with reprocessed precise satellite orbits from JPL. All GPS data available from 2002.0 to 2010.0 were considered. 34 stations were situated close to the Atlantic coast; a further 6 inland stations at similar latitudes were processed as a check on solid Earth tide models. Inter-model OTL displacement differences are small, especially for the inland sites; the problematic Bristol Channel area of South-West England was excluded. We validated the quality of our GPS estimates by using and comparing three different analysis strategies: (1) Harmonic estimation of total tidal displacement in 24-hour Precise Point Positioning (PPP) batch solutions: harmonic displacements are estimated per coordinate component for each of the eight principal tidal constituents. OTL is not modelled a priori, and nodal corrections are applied in post-processing after combination of the daily results; (2) Harmonic estimation of residual tidal displacement in 24-hour PPP batch solutions: OTL is modelled a priori using the FES2004 model in the reference frame of the whole Earth system (CM); the residual harmonic displacements are estimated per component per principal tidal constituent. Minor tidal harmonics are removed a priori using the routine "hardisp" by D. Agnew. Because of this, post-processing nodal corrections are not applied; (3) Amplitude and phase from kinematic PPP processing: kinematic GPS processing with a priori OTL modelling using FES2004 and hardisp as in (2); amplitude spectra are later estimated from the entire coordinate time series using the Lomb-Scargle periodogram method. We typically obtain excellent (0.3-0.7mm except for the K1 and K2 constituents) phasor agreement between all three strategies, comparable to the inter-model agreement between computed OTL displacements and suggesting that the GPS analysis strategy robustly detects actual tidal displacements. For sites in inland Europe where computed OTL displacements are less than 10mm with inter-model differences of less than 0.2mm, residual harmonic amplitudes are also at the 0.3-0.7mm level, confirming that solid Earth tides are modelled to at least this accuracy. For GPS stations located in South-West England and Brittany, onshore of the continental shelf, anomalous residual tidal signals were detected of about 2-3mm magnitude for the vertical M2 OTL constituent (10% of the expected signal). In contrast, sites in the Iberian Peninsula, with similar expected OTL magnitudes, have residuals at the expected 0.3-0.7mm level. Sites near to the Bay of Biscay show transitional behaviour between these regimes. Therefore at these locations, the different modern ocean tide models that agree very well must all either be systematically in error, or the difference in behaviour may be caused by errors in the displacement Green's functions applicable to loads on the nearby continental shelf.

Dissipation in a tidally perturbed body librating in longitude

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efroimsky, Michael

2018-05-01

Internal dissipation in a tidally perturbed librating body differs in several respects from the tidal dissipation in a steadily spinning rotator. First, libration changes the spectral distribution of tidal damping across the tidal modes, as compared to the case of steady spin. This changes both the tidal heating rate and the tidal torque. Second, while a non-librating rotator experiences alternating deformation only due to the potential force exerted on it by the perturber, a librating body is also subject to a toroidal force proportional to the angular acceleration. Third, while the centrifugal force in a steadily spinning body renders only a permanent deformation (which defines the oblateness when the body cools down), in a librating body this force contains two alternating components-one purely radial, another a degree-2 potential force. Both contribute to heating, as well as to the tidal torque and potential (and, thereby, to the orbital evolution). We develop a formalism needed to describe dissipation in a homogeneous terrestrial body performing small-amplitude libration in longitude. This formalism incorporates as its part a linear rheological law defining the response of the rotator's material to forcing. While the developed formalism can work with an arbitrary linear rheology, we consider a simple example of a Maxwell material. We demonstrate that, independent of the rheology, forced libration in longitude can provide a considerable and even leading-and sometimes overwhelming-input in the tidal heating. Based on the observed parameters, this input amounts to 52% in Phobos, 33% in Mimas, 23% in Enceladus, and 96% in Epimetheus. This supports the hypothesis by Makarov and Efroimsky (2014) that the additional tidal damping due to forced libration may have participated in the early heating up of some of the large moons. As one possibility, such a moon could have been chipped by collisions-whereby it acquired a higher permanent triaxiality and, therefore, a higher forced-libration magnitude and, consequently, a higher heating rate. After the moon warms up, its permanent triaxiality decreases, and so does the tidal heating rate.

Radial alignment of elliptical galaxies by the tidal force of a cluster of galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rong, Yu; Yi, Shu-Xu; Zhang, Shuang-Nan; Tu, Hong

2015-08-01

Unlike the random radial orientation distribution of field elliptical galaxies, galaxies in a cluster are expected to point preferentially towards the centre of the cluster, as a result of the cluster's tidal force on its member galaxies. In this work, an analytic model is formulated to simulate this effect. The deformation time-scale of a galaxy in a cluster is usually much shorter than the time-scale of change of the tidal force; the dynamical process of tidal interaction within the galaxy can thus be ignored. The equilibrium shape of a galaxy is then assumed to be the surface of equipotential that is the sum of the self-gravitational potential of the galaxy and the tidal potential of the cluster at this location. We use a Monte Carlo method to calculate the radial orientation distribution of cluster galaxies, by assuming a Navarro-Frenk-White mass profile for the cluster and the initial ellipticity of field galaxies. The radial angles show a single-peak distribution centred at zero. The Monte Carlo simulations also show that a shift of the reference centre from the real cluster centre weakens the anisotropy of the radial angle distribution. Therefore, the expected radial alignment cannot be revealed if the distribution of spatial position angle is used instead of that of radial angle. The observed radial orientations of elliptical galaxies in cluster Abell 2744 are consistent with the simulated distribution.

Diurnal polar motion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcclure, P.

1973-01-01

An analytical theory is developed to describe diurnal polar motion in the earth which arises as a forced response due to lunisolar torques and tidal deformation. Doodson's expansion of the tide generating potential is used to represent the lunisolar torques. Both the magnitudes and the rates of change of perturbations in the earth's inertia tensor are included in the dynamical equations for the polar motion so as to account for rotational and tidal deformation. It is found that in a deformable earth with Love's number k = 0.29, the angular momentum vector departs by as much as 20 cm from the rotation axis rather than remaining within 1 or 2 cm as it would in a rigid earth. This 20 cm separation is significant in the interpretation of submeter polar motion observations because it necessitates an additional coordinate transformation in order to remove what would otherwise be a 20 cm error source in the conversion between inertial and terrestrial reference systems.

Effect of the tiger stripes on the deformation of Saturn's moon Enceladus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Souček, Ondřej; Hron, Jaroslav; Běhounková, Marie; Čadek, Ondřej

2016-07-01

Enceladus is a small icy moon of Saturn with active jets of water emanating from fractures around the south pole, informally called tiger stripes, which might be connected to a subsurface water ocean. The effect of these features on periodic tidal deformation of the moon has so far been neglected because of the difficulties associated with implementation of faults in continuum mechanics models. Here we estimate the maximum possible impact of the tiger stripes on tidal deformation and heat production within Enceladus's ice shell by representing them as narrow zones with negligible frictional and bulk resistance passing vertically through the whole ice shell. Assuming a uniform ice shell thickness of 25 km, consistent with the recent estimate of libration, we demonstrate that the faults can dramatically change the distribution of stress and strain in Enceladus's south polar region, leading to a significant increase of the heat production in this area.

Fractures on Europa - Possible response of an ice crust to tidal deformation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Helfenstein, P.; Parmentier, E. M.

1980-01-01

The surface of Europa contains a planetwide system of low albedo lineaments which have been interpreted as fractures in an icy crust. The pattern of fractures on the surface consists of radial and concentric fractures having the general appearance of tension cracks within a region near the antipode of the sub-Jupiter point. Outside this region, linear fractures intersect at angles near 60 deg, suggesting that they are conjugate shear fractures. The orientation of this pattern on the surface suggests that a principal axis of the deformation that produced the fractures was approximately radial to Jupiter. Fracturing may thus be consistent with an origin due to cyclical tidal deformation resulting from orbital eccentricity. Orbital eccentricity related to a relatively recent establishment of orbital resonance among the Galilean satellites may explain the presence of fractures in a relatively young, lightly cratered planetary surface.

Tidal Love numbers and moment-Love relations of polytropic stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yip, Kenny L. S.; Leung, P. T.

2017-12-01

The physical significance of tidal deformation in astronomical systems has long been known. The recently discovered universal I-Love-Q relations, which connect moment of inertia, quadrupole tidal Love number and spin-induced quadrupole moment of compact stars, also underscore the special role of tidal deformation in gravitational wave astronomy. Motivated by the observation that such relations also prevail in Newtonian stars and crucially depend on the stiffness of a star, we consider the tidal Love numbers of Newtonian polytropic stars whose stiffness is characterized by a polytropic index n. We first perturbatively solve the Lane-Emden equation governing the profile of polytropic stars through the application of the scaled delta expansion method and then formulate perturbation series for the multipolar tidal Love number about the two exactly solvable cases with n = 0 and n = 1, respectively. Making use of these two series to form a two-point Padé approximant, we find an approximate expression of the quadrupole tidal Love number, whose error is less than 2.5 × 10-5 per cent (0.39 per cent) for n ∈ [0, 1] (n ∈ [0, 3]). Similarly, we also determine the mass moments for polytropic stars accurately. Based on these findings, we are able to show that the I-Love-Q relations are in general stationary about the incompressible limit irrespective of the equation of state of a star. Moreover, for the I-Love-Q relations, there is a secondary stationary point near n ≈ 0.4444, thus showing the insensitivity to n for n ∈ [0, 1]. Our investigation clearly tracks the universality of the I-Love-Q relations from their validity for stiff stars such as neutron stars to their breakdown for soft stars.

Localized tidal deformations and dissipation in Enceladus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beuthe, M.

2017-12-01

The geologic activity at Enceladus's south pole remains unexplained, though tidal deformations are probably the ultimate cause. Recent gravity and libration data indicate that Enceladus's icy crust floats on a global ocean, is rather thin, and has a strongly non-uniform thickness. Tidal effects are enhanced by crustal thinning at the south pole, so that realistic models of tidal tectonics and dissipation should include lateral variations of shell structure. I solve this problem with a new theory of non-uniform viscoelastic thin shells, allowing for large lateral variations of crustal thickness as well as large 3D variations of crustal rheology. The coupling to tidal forcing takes into account self-gravity, density stratification below the shell, core viscoelasticity, and crustal compressibility. The resulting tidal thin shell equations are two partial differential equations defined on the spherical surface, which can be solved numerically much faster than 3D Finite Element Methods. The error on tidal displacements is less than 5% if the thickness is less than 10% of the radius while the error on the deviatoric stress varies between 0 and 10%. If Enceladus's shell is conductive with isostatic thickness variations, crustal thinning increases surface stresses by 60% at the north pole and by a factor of more than 3 at the south pole. Similarly, the surface flux resulting from crustal dissipation increases by a factor of 3 at the south pole. If dissipation is an order of magnitude higher than predicted by the Maxwell model (as suggested by recent experimental data), the power dissipated in the crust could reach 50% of the total power required to maintain the crust in thermal equilibrium, and most of the surface flux variation could be explained by latitudinal variations of crustal dissipation. In all cases, a large part of the heat budget must be generated below the crust.

Relativistic theory of tidal Love numbers

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

Binnington, Taylor; Poisson, Eric

In Newtonian gravitational theory, a tidal Love number relates the mass multipole moment created by tidal forces on a spherical body to the applied tidal field. The Love number is dimensionless, and it encodes information about the body's internal structure. We present a relativistic theory of Love numbers, which applies to compact bodies with strong internal gravities; the theory extends and completes a recent work by Flanagan and Hinderer, which revealed that the tidal Love number of a neutron star can be measured by Earth-based gravitational-wave detectors. We consider a spherical body deformed by an external tidal field, and providemore » precise and meaningful definitions for electric-type and magnetic-type Love numbers; and these are computed for polytropic equations of state. The theory applies to black holes as well, and we find that the relativistic Love numbers of a nonrotating black hole are all zero.« less

Extensometric observation of Earth tides and local tectonic processes at the Vyhne station, Slovakia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brimich, Ladislav; Bednárik, Martin; Bezák, Vladimír; Kohút, Igor; Bán, Dóra; Eper-Pápai, Ildikó; Mentes, Gyula

2016-06-01

The Vyhne Tidal Station of the Earth Science Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences is located in the former mining gallery of St. Anthony of Padua in the Vyhne valley, Štiavnické vrchy Mts., Central Slovakia. It is equipped with a 20.5 metre long quartz-tube extensometer measuring Earth's tides, and long-term tectonic deformations of the Earth's crust. Data between 2001 and 2015 with some diverse gaps were digitally collected, processed and analysed. The effects of the local conditions, such as structure of the observatory, cavity effect, topography and geological features of the surrounding rocks, were investigated in detail and these effects were taken into consideration during the interpretation of the results of the data analysis. Tidal analysis of the extensometric data between 2005 and 2015 revealed that the measured tidal amplitudes are close to the theoretical values. The tidal transfer of the observatory was also investigated by coherence analysis between the theoretical and the measured extensometric data. The coherence is better than 0.9 both in the diurnal and semidiurnal band. The effect of the free core nutation resonance was also investigated in the case of the K1 and P1 tidal components. Since the K1/O1 ratio was about the theoretical value 0.8, than the P1/O1 was between 1.0 and 1.15 instead of the theoretical value of 0.9. The rate of the long-term strain rate was also investigated and the obtained -0.05 μstr/y shows a good agreement with the strain rate inferred from GPS measurements in the Central European GPS Reference Network.

Modeling Tidal Stresses on Satellites Using an Enhanced SatStressGUI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patthoff, D. A.; Pappalardo, R. T.; Li, J.; Ayton, B.; Kay, J.; Kattenhorn, S. A.

2015-12-01

Icy and rocky satellites of our solar system display a wide range of geological deformation on their surfaces. Some are old and heavily cratered while other are observed to be presently active. Many of the potential sources of stress which can deform satellites are tied to the tidal deformation the moons experience as they orbit their parent planets. Other plausible sources of global-scale stress include a change in orbital parameters, nonsynchronous rotation, or volume change induced by the melting or freezing of a subsurface layer. We turn to computer modeling to correlate observed geologic features to the possible stresses that created them. One model is the SatStress open-source program developed by Z. Selvans (Wahr et al.,2009) to compute viscoelastic diurnal and nonsynchronous rotation stresses using a four-layer viscoelastic satellite model. Kay and Katternhorn (2010) expanded on this work by developing SatStressGUI, which integrated SatStress's original features into a graphical user interface. SatStressGUI computes stress vectors and Love numbers, and generates stress plots and lineaments. We have expanded on SatStressGUI by adding features such as the ability to generate cycloid-style lineaments, calculate stresses resulting from obliquity, and more efficient batch the processing of data. Users may also define their own Love numbers to propagate through further calculations. Here we demonstrate our recent enhancements to SatStressGUI and its abilities, by comparing observed features on Enceladus and Europa to modeled diurnal, nonsynchronous, and obliquity stresses.

Measuring neutron star tidal deformability with Advanced LIGO: A Bayesian analysis of neutron star-black hole binary observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Prayush; Pürrer, Michael; Pfeiffer, Harald P.

2017-02-01

The pioneering discovery of gravitational waves (GWs) by Advanced LIGO has ushered us into an era of observational GW astrophysics. Compact binaries remain the primary target sources for GW observation, of which neutron star-black hole (NSBH) binaries form an important subset. GWs from NSBH sources carry signatures of (a) the tidal distortion of the neutron star by its companion black hole during inspiral, and (b) its potential tidal disruption near merger. In this paper, we present a Bayesian study of the measurability of neutron star tidal deformability ΛNS∝(R /M )NS5 using observation(s) of inspiral-merger GW signals from disruptive NSBH coalescences, taking into account the crucial effect of black hole spins. First, we find that if nontidal templates are used to estimate source parameters for an NSBH signal, the bias introduced in the estimation of nontidal physical parameters will only be significant for loud signals with signal-to-noise ratios greater than ≃30 . For similarly loud signals, we also find that we can begin to put interesting constraints on ΛNS (factor of 1-2) with individual observations. Next, we study how a population of realistic NSBH detections will improve our measurement of neutron star tidal deformability. For an astrophysically likely population of disruptive NSBH coalescences, we find that 20-35 events are sufficient to constrain ΛNS within ±25 %- 50 % , depending on the neutron star equation of state. For these calculations we assume that LIGO will detect black holes with masses within the astrophysical mass gap. In case the mass gap remains preserved in NSBHs detected by LIGO, we estimate that approximately 25% additional detections will furnish comparable ΛNS measurement accuracy. In both cases, we find that it is the loudest 5-10 events that provide most of the tidal information, and not the combination of tens of low-SNR events, thereby facilitating targeted numerical-GR follow-ups of NSBHs. We find these results encouraging, and recommend that an effort to measure ΛNS be planned for upcoming NSBH observations with the LIGO-Virgo instruments.

Campaign-Style Measurements of Vertical Seafloor Deformation in the Cascadia Subduction Zone Using an Absolute Self-Calibrating Pressure Recorder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cook, M. J.; Sasagawa, G. S.; Roland, E. C.; Schmidt, D. A.; Wilcock, W. S. D.; Zumberge, M. A.

2017-12-01

Seawater pressure can be used to measure vertical seafloor deformation since small seafloor height changes produce measurable pressure changes. However, resolving secular vertical deformation near subduction zones can be difficult due to pressure gauge drift. A typical gauge drift rate of about 10 cm/year exceeds the expected secular rate of 1 cm/year or less in Cascadia. The absolute self-calibrating pressure recorder (ASCPR) was developed to solve the issue of gauge drift by using a deadweight calibrator to make campaign-style measurements of the absolute seawater pressure. Pressure gauges alternate between observing the ambient seawater pressure and the deadweight calibrator pressure, which is an accurately known reference value, every 10-20 minutes for several hours. The difference between the known reference pressure and the observed seafloor pressure allows offsets and transients to be corrected to determine the true, absolute seafloor pressure. Absolute seafloor pressure measurements provide a great utility for geodetic deformation studies. The measurements provide instrument-independent, benchmark values that can be used far into the future as epoch points in long-term time series or as important calibration points for other continuous pressure records. The ASCPR was first deployed in Cascadia in 2014 and 2015, when seven concrete seafloor benchmarks were placed along a trench-perpendicular profile extending from 20 km to 105 km off the central Oregon coast. Two benchmarks have ASCPR measurements that span three years, one benchmark spans two years, and four benchmarks span one year. Measurement repeatability is currently 3 to 4 cm, but we anticipate accuracy on the order of 1 cm with improvements to the instrument metrology and processing tidal and non-tidal oceanographic signals.

The effect of meteorological data on atmospheric pressure loading corrections in VLBI data analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balidakis, Kyriakos; Glaser, Susanne; Karbon, Maria; Soja, Benedikt; Nilsson, Tobias; Lu, Cuixian; Anderson, James; Liu, Li; Andres Mora-Diaz, Julian; Raposo-Pulido, Virginia; Xu, Minghui; Heinkelmann, Robert; Schuh, Harald

2015-04-01

Earth's crustal deformation is a manifestation of numerous geophysical processes, which entail the atmosphere and ocean general circulation and tidal attraction, climate change, and the hydrological circle. The present study deals with the elastic deformations induced by atmospheric pressure variations. At geodetic sites, APL (Atmospheric Pressure Loading) results in displacements covering a wide range of temporal scales which is undesirable when rigorous geodetic/geophysical analysis is intended. Hence, it is of paramount importance that the APL signal are removed at the observation level in the space geodetic data analysis. In this study, elastic non-tidal components of loading displacements were calculated in the local topocentric frame for all VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry) stations with respect to the center-of-figure of the solid Earth surface and the center-of-mass of the total Earth system. The response of the Earth to the load variation at the surface was computed by convolving Farrell Green's function with the homogenized in situ surface pressure observations (in the time span 1979-2014) after the subtraction of the reference pressure and the S1, S2 and S3 thermal tidal signals. The reference pressure was calculated through a hypsometric adjustment of the absolute pressure level determined from World Meteorological Organization stations in the vicinity of each VLBI observatory. The tidal contribution was calculated following the 2010 International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service conventions. Afterwards, this approach was implemented into the VLBI software VieVS@GFZ and the entirety of available VLBI sessions was analyzed. We rationalize our new approach on the basis that the potential error budget is substantially reduced, since several common errors are not applicable in our approach, e.g. those due to the finite resolution of NWM (Numerical Weather Models), the accuracy of the orography model necessary for adjusting the former as well as the inconsistencies between them, and the interpolation scheme which yields the elastic deformations. Differences of the resulting TRF (Terrestrial Reference Frame) determinations and other products derived from VLBI analysis between the approach followed here and the one employing NWM's data for obtaining the input pressure fields, are illustrated. The providers of the atmospheric pressure loading models employed for our comparisons are GSFC/NASA, the University of Luxembourg, the University of Strasbourg, the Technical University of Vienna and GeoForschungsZentrum of Potsdam.

Ice-Shelf Flexure and Tidal Forcing of Bindschadler Ice Stream, West Antarctica

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, Ryan T.; Parizek, Bryron R.; Alley, Richard B.; Brunt, Kelly M.; Anandakrishnan, Sridhar

2014-01-01

Viscoelastic models of ice-shelf flexure and ice-stream velocity perturbations are combined into a single efficient flowline model to study tidal forcing of grounded ice. The magnitude and timing of icestream response to tidally driven changes in hydrostatic pressure and/or basal drag are found to depend significantly on bed rheology, with only a perfectly plastic bed allowing instantaneous velocity response at the grounding line. The model can reasonably reproduce GPS observations near the grounding zone of Bindschadler Ice Stream (formerly Ice Stream D) on semidiurnal time scales; however, other forcings such as tidally driven ice-shelf slope transverse to the flowline and flexurally driven till deformation must also be considered if diurnal motion is to be matched

Radial Alignment of Ellipitcal Galaxies by the Tidal Force of a Cluster of Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Shuang-Nan; Rong, Yu; Tu, Hong

2015-08-01

Unlike the random radial orientation distribution of field elliptical galaxies, galaxies in a cluster of galaxies are expected to point preferentially toward the center of the cluster, as a result of the cluster's tidal force on its member galaxies. In this work an analytic model is formulated to simulate this effect. The deformation time scale of a galaxy in a cluster is usually much shorter than the time scale of change of the tidal force; the dynamical process of the tidal interaction within the galaxy can thus be ignored. An equilibrium shape of a galaxy is then assumed to be the surface of equipotential, which is the sum of the self-gravitational potential of the galaxy and the tidal potential of the cluster at this location. We use a Monte-Carlo method to calculate the radial orientation distribution of these galaxies, by assuming the NFW mass profile of the cluster and the initial ellipticity of field galaxies. The radial angles show a single peak distribution centered at zero. The Monte-Carlo simulations also show that a shift of the reference center from the real cluster center weakens the anisotropy of the radial angle distribution. Therefore, the expected radial alignment cannot be revealed if the distribution of spatial position angle is used instead of that of radial angle. The observed radial orientations of elliptical galaxies in cluster Abell~2744 are consistent with the simulated distribution.

Radial Alignment of Elliptical Galaxies by the Tidal Force of a Cluster of Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Shuang-Nan; Rong, Yu; Tu, Hong

2015-08-01

Unlike the random radial orientation distribution of field elliptical galaxies, galaxies in a cluster of galaxies are expected to point preferentially toward the center of the cluster, as a result of the cluster's tidal force on its member galaxies. In this work an analytic model is formulated to simulate this effect. The deformation time scale of a galaxy in a cluster is usually much shorter than the time scale of change of the tidal force; the dynamical process of the tidal interaction within the galaxy can thus be ignored. An equilibrium shape of a galaxy is then assumed to be the surface of equipotential, which is the sum of the self-gravitational potential of the galaxy and the tidal potential of the cluster at this location. We use a Monte-Carlo method to calculate the radial orientation distribution of these galaxies, by assuming the NFW mass profile of the cluster and the initial ellipticity of field galaxies. The radial angles show a single peak distribution centered at zero. The Monte-Carlo simulations also show that a shift of the reference center from the real cluster center weakens the anisotropy of the radial angle distribution. Therefore, the expected radial alignment cannot be revealed if the distribution of spatial position angle is used instead of that of radial angle. The observed radial orientations of elliptical galaxies in cluster Abell~2744 are consistent with the simulated distribution.

Earthquake potential revealed by tidal influence on earthquake size-frequency statistics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ide, Satoshi; Yabe, Suguru; Tanaka, Yoshiyuki

2016-11-01

The possibility that tidal stress can trigger earthquakes is long debated. In particular, a clear causal relationship between small earthquakes and the phase of tidal stress is elusive. However, tectonic tremors deep within subduction zones are highly sensitive to tidal stress levels, with tremor rate increasing at an exponential rate with rising tidal stress. Thus, slow deformation and the possibility of earthquakes at subduction plate boundaries may be enhanced during periods of large tidal stress. Here we calculate the tidal stress history, and specifically the amplitude of tidal stress, on a fault plane in the two weeks before large earthquakes globally, based on data from the global, Japanese, and Californian earthquake catalogues. We find that very large earthquakes, including the 2004 Sumatran, 2010 Maule earthquake in Chile and the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake in Japan, tend to occur near the time of maximum tidal stress amplitude. This tendency is not obvious for small earthquakes. However, we also find that the fraction of large earthquakes increases (the b-value of the Gutenberg-Richter relation decreases) as the amplitude of tidal shear stress increases. The relationship is also reasonable, considering the well-known relationship between stress and the b-value. This suggests that the probability of a tiny rock failure expanding to a gigantic rupture increases with increasing tidal stress levels. We conclude that large earthquakes are more probable during periods of high tidal stress.

On the tidal effects in the motion of artificial satellites.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Musen, P.; Estes, R.

1972-01-01

The general perturbations in the elliptic and vectorial elements of a satellite as caused by the tidal deformations of the non-spherical Earth are developed into trigonometric series in the standard ecliptical arguments of Hill-Brown lunar theory and in the equatorial elements of the satellite. The integration of the differential equations for variation of elements of the satellite in this theory is easy because all arguments are linear or nearly linear in time. The trigonometrical expansion permits a judgment about the relative significance of the amplitudes and periods of different tidal 'waves' over a long period of time. Graphs are presented of the tidal perturbations in the elliptic elements of the BE-C satellite which illustrate long term periodic behavior. The tidal effects are clearly noticeable in the observations and their comparison with the theory permits improvement of the 'global' Love numbers for the Earth.

Gravity measurements in southeastern Alaska reveal negative gravity rate of change caused by glacial isostatic adjustment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, W.; Miura, S.; Sato, T.; Sugano, T.; Freymueller, J.; Kaufman, M.; Larsen, C. F.; Cross, R.; Inazu, D.

2010-12-01

For the past 300 years, southeastern Alaska has undergone rapid ice-melting and land uplift attributable to global warming. Corresponding crustal deformation (3 cm/yr) caused by the Little Ice Age retreat is detectable with modern geodetic techniques such as GPS and tidal gauge measurements. Geodetic deformation provides useful information for assessing ice-melting rates, global warming effects, and subcrustal viscosity. Nevertheless, integrated geodetic observations, including gravity measurements, are important. To detect crustal deformation caused by glacial isostatic adjustment and to elucidate the viscosity structure in southeastern Alaska, Japanese and U.S. researchers began a joint 3-year project in 2006 using GPS, Earth tide, and absolute gravity measurements. A new absolute gravity network was established, comprising five sites around Glacier Bay, near Juneau, Alaska. This paper reports the network's gravity measurements during 2006-2008. The bad ocean model in this area hindered ocean loading correction: Large tidal residuals remain in the observations. Accurate tidal correction necessitated on-site tidal observation. Results show high observation precision for all five stations: <1 μGal. The gravity rate of change was found to be -3.5 to -5.6 μGal/yr in the gravity network. Furthermore, gravity results obtained during the 3 years indicate a similar gravity change rate. These gravity data are anticipated for application in geophysical studies of southeastern Alaska. Using gravity and vertical displacement data, we constructed a quantity to remove viscoelastic effects. The observations are thus useful to constrain present-day ice thickness changes. A gravity bias of about -13.2 ± 0.1 mGal exists between the Potsdam and current FG5 gravity data.

Universality and stationarity of the I-Love relation for self-bound stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chan, T. K.; Chan, AtMa P. O.; Leung, P. T.

2016-01-01

The emergence of the I-Love-Q relations, revealing that the moment of inertia, the tidal Love number (deformability) and the spin-induced quadrupole moment of compact stars are, to high accuracy, interconnected in a universal way disregarding the wide variety of equations of state (EOSs) of dense matter, has attracted much interest recently. However, the physical origin of these relations is still a debatable issue. In the present paper, we focus on the I-Love relation for self-bound stars (SBSs) such as incompressible stars and quark stars. We formulate perturbative expansions for the moment of inertia, the tidal Love number (deformability) and the I-Love relation of SBSs. By comparing the respective I-Love relations of incompressible stars and a specific kind of SBSs, we show analytically that the I-Love relation is, to relevant leading orders in stellar compactness, stationary with respect to changes in the EOS about the incompressible limit. Hence, the universality of the I-Love relation is indeed attributable to the proximity of compact stars to incompressible stars, and the stationarity of the relation as unveiled here. We also discover that the moment of inertia and the tidal deformability of a SBS with finite compressibility are, to leading order in compactness, equal to their counterparts of an incompressible star with an adjusted compactness, thus leading to a novel explanation for the I-Love universal relation.

Detection of the lunar body tide by the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter.

PubMed

Mazarico, Erwan; Barker, Michael K; Neumann, Gregory A; Zuber, Maria T; Smith, David E

2014-04-16

The Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter instrument onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft collected more than 5 billion measurements in the nominal 50 km orbit over ∼10,000 orbits. The data precision, geodetic accuracy, and spatial distribution enable two-dimensional crossovers to be used to infer relative radial position corrections between tracks to better than ∼1 m. We use nearly 500,000 altimetric crossovers to separate remaining high-frequency spacecraft trajectory errors from the periodic radial surface tidal deformation. The unusual sampling of the lunar body tide from polar lunar orbit limits the size of the typical differential signal expected at ground track intersections to ∼10 cm. Nevertheless, we reliably detect the topographic tidal signal and estimate the associated Love number h 2 to be 0.0371 ± 0.0033, which is consistent with but lower than recent results from lunar laser ranging. Altimetric data are used to create radial constraints on the tidal deformationThe body tide amplitude is estimated from the crossover dataThe estimated Love number is consistent with previous estimates but more precise.

Estimating Tides from a Planetary Flyby Mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazarico, Erwan; Genova, Antonio; Smith, David; Zuber, Maria; Sun, Xiaoli

2014-05-01

Previous and current laser altimeter instruments (e.g. MOLA, NLR, LOLA, MLA) acquired measurements in orbit to provide global topography and study the surface and sub-surface properties of planetary bodies. We show that altimetric data from multiple flybys can make significant contributions to the geophysical understanding of the target body. In particular, the detection of the body tide (e.g. surface deformation due to the tides raised by the Sun or the parent body) and the estimation of its amplitude can yield critical information about the interior structure. We conduct a full simulation of a planetary flyby mission around Europa. We use the GEODYN II program developed and maintained at NASA GSFC to process altimetric and radiometric tracking data created using truth models. The data are processed in short two-day segments (arcs) centered on each closest approach. The initial trajectory is integrated using a priori (truth) models of the planetary ephemeris, the gravity field, the tidal Love numbers k2 and h2 (which describe the amplitudes of the time-variable tidal potential and the time-variable radial deformation respectively). The gravity field is constructed using a Kaula-like power law and scaling considerations from other planetary bodies. The global-scale static topography is also chosen to follow a power law, and higher-resolution local maps consistent with recent stereo-topography work are used to assess the expected variations along altimetric profiles. We assume realistic spacecraft orientation to drive a spacecraft macro-model and model the solar radiation pressure acceleration. Radiometric tracking data are generated from the truth trajectory accounting for geometry (occultations by Europa or Jupiter or the Sun), DSN visibility and scheduling (8h per day) and measurement noise (Ka-band quality, plasma noise). Doppler data have a 10-second integration step while Range data occur every 5 minutes. The altimetric data are generated using realistic instrument performance (frequency, maximum range, measurement noise) and an artificial topographic map of the surface. These simulated data are processed using perturbed initial states, and batched least-squares estimation yield estimated values and uncertainties for selected parameters. Preliminary results with Ka-band radiometric data alone suggest the Love number k2 can be recovered to about 1 percent with this flyby tour trajectory. Altimetric crossovers are to be constructed and used to constrain the deformational tidal Love number h2. The number, and impact, of available crossovers strongly depends on the capability of the laser altimeter, and we quantify how a larger maximum range can contribute to the recovery of the body tide.

Evaluation of High-Precision Sensors in Structural Monitoring

PubMed Central

Erol, Bihter

2010-01-01

One of the most intricate branches of metrology involves the monitoring of displacements and deformations of natural and anthropogenic structures under environmental forces, such as tidal or tectonic phenomena, or ground water level changes. Technological progress has changed the measurement process, and steadily increasing accuracy requirements have led to the continued development of new measuring instruments. The adoption of an appropriate measurement strategy, with proper instruments suited for the characteristics of the observed structure and its environmental conditions, is of high priority in the planning of deformation monitoring processes. This paper describes the use of precise digital inclination sensors in continuous monitoring of structural deformations. The topic is treated from two viewpoints: (i) evaluation of the performance of inclination sensors by comparing them to static and continuous GPS observations in deformation monitoring and (ii) providing a strategy for analyzing the structural deformations. The movements of two case study objects, a tall building and a geodetic monument in Istanbul, were separately monitored using dual-axes micro-radian precision inclination sensors (inclinometers) and GPS. The time series of continuous deformation observations were analyzed using the Least Squares Spectral Analysis Technique (LSSA). Overall, the inclinometers showed good performance for continuous monitoring of structural displacements, even at the sub-millimeter level. Static GPS observations remained insufficient for resolving the deformations to the sub-centimeter level due to the errors that affect GPS signals. With the accuracy advantage of inclination sensors, their use with GPS provides more detailed investigation of deformation phenomena. Using inclinometers and GPS is helpful to be able to identify the components of structural responses to the natural forces as static, quasi-static, or resonant. PMID:22163499

Research on Earth's rotation and the effect of atmospheric pressure on vertical deformation and sea level variability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wahr, John

1993-01-01

The work done under NASA grant NAG5-485 included modelling the deformation of the earth caused by variations in atmospheric pressure. The amount of deformation near coasts is sensitive to the nature of the oceanic response to the pressure. The PSMSL (Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level) data suggest the response is inverted barometer at periods greater than a couple months. Green's functions were constructed to describe the perturbation of the geoid caused by atmospheric and oceanic loading and by the accompanying load-induced deformation. It was found that perturbation of up to 2 cm are possible. Ice mass balance data was used for continental glaciers to look at the glacial contributions to time-dependent changes in polar motion, the lod, the earth's gravitational field, the position of the earth's center-of-mass, and global sea level. It was found that there can be lateral, non-hydrostatic structure inside the fluid core caused by gravitational forcing from the mantle, from the inner core, or from topography at the core/mantle or inner core/outer core boundaries. The nutational and tidal response of a non-hydrostatic earth with a solid inner core was modeled. Monthly, global tide gauge data from PSMSL was used to look at the 18.6-year ocean tide, the 14-month pole tide, the oceanic response to pressure, the linear trend and inter-annual variability in the earth's gravity field, the global sea level rise, and the effects of post glacial rebound. The effects of mantle anelasticity on nutations, earth tides, and tidal variation in the lod was modeled. Results of this model can be used with Crustal Dynamics observations to look at the anelastic dissipation and dispersion at tidal periods. The effects of surface topography on various components of crustal deformation was also modeled, and numerical models were developed of post glacial rebound.

Tidal controls on earthquake size-frequency statistics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ide, S.; Yabe, S.; Tanaka, Y.

2016-12-01

The possibility that tidal stresses can trigger earthquakes is a long-standing issue in seismology. Except in some special cases, a causal relationship between seismicity and the phase of tidal stress has been rejected on the basis of studies using many small events. However, recently discovered deep tectonic tremors are highly sensitive to tidal stress levels, with the relationship being governed by a nonlinear law according to which the tremor rate increases exponentially with increasing stress; thus, slow deformation (and the probability of earthquakes) may be enhanced during periods of large tidal stress. Here, we show the influence of tidal stress on seismicity by calculating histories of tidal shear stress during the 2-week period before earthquakes. Very large earthquakes tend to occur near the time of maximum tidal stress, but this tendency is not obvious for small earthquakes. Rather, we found that tidal stress controls the earthquake size-frequency statistics; i.e., the fraction of large events increases (i.e. the b-value of the Gutenberg-Richter relation decreases) as the tidal shear stress increases. This correlation is apparent in data from the global catalog and in relatively homogeneous regional catalogues of earthquakes in Japan. The relationship is also reasonable, considering the well-known relationship between stress and the b-value. Our findings indicate that the probability of a tiny rock failure expanding to a gigantic rupture increases with increasing tidal stress levels. This finding has clear implications for probabilistic earthquake forecasting.

Probing Planckian Corrections at the Horizon Scale with LISA Binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maselli, Andrea; Pani, Paolo; Cardoso, Vitor; Abdelsalhin, Tiziano; Gualtieri, Leonardo; Ferrari, Valeria

2018-02-01

Several quantum-gravity models of compact objects predict microscopic or even Planckian corrections at the horizon scale. We explore the possibility of measuring two model-independent, smoking-gun effects of these corrections in the gravitational waveform of a compact binary, namely, the absence of tidal heating and the presence of tidal deformability. For events detectable by the future space-based interferometer LISA, we show that the effect of tidal heating dominates and allows one to constrain putative corrections down to the Planck scale. The measurement of the tidal Love numbers with LISA is more challenging but, in optimistic scenarios, it allows us to constrain the compactness of a supermassive exotic compact object down to the Planck scale. Our analysis suggests that highly spinning, supermassive binaries at 1-20 Gpc provide unparalleled tests of quantum-gravity effects at the horizon scale.

Probing Planckian Corrections at the Horizon Scale with LISA Binaries.

PubMed

Maselli, Andrea; Pani, Paolo; Cardoso, Vitor; Abdelsalhin, Tiziano; Gualtieri, Leonardo; Ferrari, Valeria

2018-02-23

Several quantum-gravity models of compact objects predict microscopic or even Planckian corrections at the horizon scale. We explore the possibility of measuring two model-independent, smoking-gun effects of these corrections in the gravitational waveform of a compact binary, namely, the absence of tidal heating and the presence of tidal deformability. For events detectable by the future space-based interferometer LISA, we show that the effect of tidal heating dominates and allows one to constrain putative corrections down to the Planck scale. The measurement of the tidal Love numbers with LISA is more challenging but, in optimistic scenarios, it allows us to constrain the compactness of a supermassive exotic compact object down to the Planck scale. Our analysis suggests that highly spinning, supermassive binaries at 1-20 Gpc provide unparalleled tests of quantum-gravity effects at the horizon scale.

On the impact of reducing global geophysical fluid model deformations in SLR data processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weigelt, Matthias; Thaller, Daniela

2016-04-01

Mass redistributions in the atmosphere, oceans and the continental hydrology cause elastic loading deformations of the Earth's crust and thus systematically influence Earth-bound observation systems such as VLBI, GNSS or SLR. Causing non-linear station variations, these loading deformations have a direct impact on the estimated station coordinates and an indirect impact on other parameters of global space-geodetic solutions, e.g. Earth orientation parameters, geocenter coordinates, satellite orbits or troposphere parameters. Generally, the impact can be mitigated by co-parameterisation or by reducing deformations derived from global geophysical fluid models. Here, we focus on the latter approach. A number of data sets modelling the (non-tidal) loading deformations are generated by various groups. They show regionally and locally significant differences and consequently the impact on the space-geodetic solutions heavily depends on the available network geometry. We present and discuss the differences between these models and choose SLR as the speace-geodetic technique of interest in order to discuss the impact of atmospheric, oceanic and hydrological loading on the parameters of space-geodetic solutions when correcting for the global geophysical fluid models at the observation level. Special emphasis is given to a consistent usage of models for geometric and gravimetric corrections during the data processing. We quantify the impact of the different deformation models on the station coordinates and discuss the improvement in the Earth orientation parameters and the geocenter motion. We also show that a significant reduction in the RMS of the station coordinates can be achieved depending on the model of choice.

Extended I-Love relations for slowly rotating neutron stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gagnon-Bischoff, Jérémie; Green, Stephen R.; Landry, Philippe; Ortiz, Néstor

2018-03-01

Observations of gravitational waves from inspiralling neutron star binaries—such as GW170817—can be used to constrain the nuclear equation of state by placing bounds on stellar tidal deformability. For slowly rotating neutron stars, the response to a weak quadrupolar tidal field is characterized by four internal-structure-dependent constants called "Love numbers." The tidal Love numbers k2el and k2mag measure the tides raised by the gravitoelectric and gravitomagnetic components of the applied field, and the rotational-tidal Love numbers fo and ko measure those raised by couplings between the applied field and the neutron star spin. In this work, we compute these four Love numbers for perfect fluid neutron stars with realistic equations of state. We discover (nearly) equation-of-state independent relations between the rotational-tidal Love numbers and the moment of inertia, thereby extending the scope of I-Love-Q universality. We find that similar relations hold among the tidal and rotational-tidal Love numbers. These relations extend the applications of I-Love universality in gravitational-wave astronomy. As our findings differ from those reported in the literature, we derive general formulas for the rotational-tidal Love numbers in post-Newtonian theory and confirm numerically that they agree with our general-relativistic computations in the weak-field limit.

Viscoelastic tides: models for use in Celestial Mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ragazzo, C.; Ruiz, L. S.

2017-05-01

This paper contains equations for the motion of linear viscoelastic bodies interacting under gravity. The equations are fully three dimensional and allow for the integration of the spin, the orbit, and the deformation of each body. The goal is to present good models for the tidal forces that take into account the possibly different rheology of each body. The equations are obtained within a finite dimension Lagrangian framework with dissipation function. The main contribution is a procedure to associate to each spring-dashpot model, which defines the rheology of a body, a potential and a dissipation function for the body deformation variables. The theory is applied to the Earth (solid part plus oceans) and a comparison between model and observation of the following quantities is made: norm of the Love numbers, rate of tidal energy dissipation, Chandler period, and Earth-Moon distance increase.

Solving the BM Camelopardalis puzzle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Teke, Mathias; Busby, Michael R.; Hall, Douglas S.

1989-01-01

BM Camelopardalis (=12 Cam) is a chromospherically active binary star with a relatively large orbital eccentricity. Systems with large eccentricities usually rotate pseudosynchronously. However, BM Cam has been a puzzle since its observed rotation rate is virtually equal to its orbital period indicating synchronization. All available photometry data for BM Cam have been collected and analyzed. Two models of modulated ellipticity effect are proposed, one based on equilibrium tidal deformation of the primary star and the other on a dynamical tidal effect. When the starspot variability is removed from the data, the dynamical tidal model was the better approximation to the real physical situation. The analysis indicates that BM Cam is not rotating pseudosynchronously but rotating in virtual synchronism after all.

The importance of weightlessness and tides in teaching gravitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galili, I.; Lehavi, Y.

2003-11-01

We examine the presentation of the weight, weightlessness, and tides in university-level physics textbooks. Introductory textbooks often do not discuss tidal forces even though their understanding would be useful for understanding weightlessness. The explanations of tides often miss the free gravitational motion of both interacting objects, which is essential for the symmetry of tidal deformation. The shortcomings in the explanations of weightlessness and tides as provided by students and teachers are compared to textbook discussions. We suggest that an explicit discussion of the different definitions of weight and a synergetic presentation of weightlessness and tides might lead to a better understanding of gravitation. Our approach is illustrated by examples of tidal effects appropriate for introductory courses.

Detection of the lunar body tide by the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter

PubMed Central

Mazarico, Erwan; Barker, Michael K; Neumann, Gregory A; Zuber, Maria T; Smith, David E

2014-01-01

The Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter instrument onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft collected more than 5 billion measurements in the nominal 50 km orbit over ∼10,000 orbits. The data precision, geodetic accuracy, and spatial distribution enable two-dimensional crossovers to be used to infer relative radial position corrections between tracks to better than ∼1 m. We use nearly 500,000 altimetric crossovers to separate remaining high-frequency spacecraft trajectory errors from the periodic radial surface tidal deformation. The unusual sampling of the lunar body tide from polar lunar orbit limits the size of the typical differential signal expected at ground track intersections to ∼10 cm. Nevertheless, we reliably detect the topographic tidal signal and estimate the associated Love number h2 to be 0.0371 ± 0.0033, which is consistent with but lower than recent results from lunar laser ranging. Key Points Altimetric data are used to create radial constraints on the tidal deformationThe body tide amplitude is estimated from the crossover dataThe estimated Love number is consistent with previous estimates but more precise PMID:26074646

Linking Europa's plume activity to tides, tectonics, and liquid water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rhoden, Alyssa Rose; Hurford, Terry A.; Roth, Lorenz; Retherford, Kurt

2015-06-01

Much of the geologic activity preserved on Europa's icy surface has been attributed to tidal deformation, mainly due to Europa's eccentric orbit. Although the surface is geologically young (30-80 Myr), there is little information as to whether tidally-driven surface processes are ongoing. However, a recent detection of water vapor near Europa's south pole suggests that it may be geologically active. Initial observations indicated that Europa's plume eruptions are time-variable and may be linked to its tidal cycle. Saturn's moon, Enceladus, which shares many similar traits with Europa, displays tidally-modulated plume eruptions, which bolstered this interpretation. However, additional observations of Europa at the same time in its orbit failed to yield a plume detection, casting doubt on the tidal control hypothesis. The purpose of this study is to analyze the timing of plume eruptions within the context of Europa's tidal cycle to determine whether such a link exists and examine the inferred similarities and differences between plume activity on Europa and Enceladus. To do this, we determine the locations and orientations of hypothetical tidally-driven fractures that best match the temporal variability of the plumes observed at Europa. Specifically, we identify model faults that are in tension at the time in Europa's orbit when a plume was detected and in compression at times when the plume was not detected. We find that tidal stress driven solely by eccentricity is incompatible with the observations unless additional mechanisms are controlling the eruption timing or restricting the longevity of the plumes. The addition of obliquity tides, and corresponding precession of the spin pole, can generate a number of model faults that are consistent with the pattern of plume detections. The locations and orientations of these hypothetical source fractures are robust across a broad range of precession rates and spin pole directions. Analysis of the stress variations across the fractures suggests that the plumes would be best observed earlier in the orbit (true anomaly ∼120°). Our results indicate that Europa's plumes, if confirmed, differ in many respects from the Enceladean plumes and that either active fractures or volatile sources are rare.

Effect of subseabed salt domes on Tidal Residual currents in the Persian Gulf

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mashayekh Poul, Hossein; Backhaus, Jan; Dehghani, Ali; Huebner, Udo

2016-05-01

Geological studies in the Persian Gulf (PG) have revealed the existence of subseabed salt-domes. With suitable filtering of a high-resolution PG seabed topography, it is seen that the domes leave their signature in the seabed, i.e., numerous hills and valleys with amplitudes of several tens of meters and radii from a few up to tens of kilometers. It was suspected that the "shark skin" of the PG seabed may affect the tidal residual flow. The interaction of tidal dynamics and these obstacles was investigated in a nonlinear hydrodynamic numerical tidal model of the PG. The model was first used to characterize flow patterns of residual currents generated by a tidal wave passing over symmetric, elongated and tilted obstacles. Thereafter it was applied to the entire PG. The model was forced at its open boundary by the four dominant tidal constituents residing in the PG. Each tidal constituent was simulated separately. Results, i.e., tidal residual currents in the PG, as depicted by Lagrangian trajectories reveal a stationary flow that is very rich in eddies. Each eddy can be identified with a topographic obstacle. This confirms that the tidal residual flow field is strongly influenced by the nonlinear interaction of the tidal wave with the bottom relief which, in turn, is deformed by salt-domes beneath the seabed. Different areas of maximum residual current velocities are identified for major tidal constituents. The pattern of trajectories indicates the presence of two main cyclonic gyres and several adjacent gyres rotating in opposite directions and a strong coastal current in the northern PG.

On the Possibility of Estimation of the Earth Crust's Properties from the Observations of Electric Field of Electrokinetic Origin, Generated by Tidal Deformation within the Fault Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alekseev, D. A.; Gokhberg, M. B.

2018-05-01

A 2-D boundary problem formulation in terms of pore pressure in Biot poroelasticity model is discussed, with application to a vertical contact model mechanically excited by a lunar-solar tidal deformation wave, representing a fault zone structure. A problem parametrization in terms of permeability and Biot's modulus contrasts is proposed and its numerical solution is obtained for a series of models differing in the values of the above parameters. The behavior of pore pressure and its gradient is analyzed. From those, the electric field of the electrokinetic nature is calculated. The possibilities of estimation of the elastic properties and permeability of geological formations from the observations of the horizontal and vertical electric field measured inside the medium and at the earth's surface near the block boundary are discussed.

Universal I-Love-Q and Multipole-Love Relations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yagi, Kent; Yunes, Nicolas

2014-03-01

One of largest uncertainties in nuclear physics is the equation of state (EoS) in nuclear and supra-nuclear densities. Neutron-star (NS) and quark-star (QS) observables such as the mass and radius depend strongly on the EoS. We find universal relations among the moment-of-inertia, quadrupole moment and various tidal deformabilities of a slowly-rotating NS and QS that are almost EoS-independent. Such unexpected relations have several interesting applications. On an observational astrophysical front, independent measurement of any two quantities automatically determines the others that are not easily accessible. On a gravitational-wave front, such relations allow us to break the degeneracy between the spins and quadrupole moment, or between various tidal deformabilities. On a fundamental physics front, any two independent measurements of the quantities allow for a model-independent and EoS-independent test of general relativity.

Tidal Modulation of Ice-shelf Flow: a Viscous Model of the Ross Ice Shelf

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brunt, Kelly M.; MacAyeal, Douglas R.

2014-01-01

Three stations near the calving front of the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica, recorded GPS data through a full spring-neap tidal cycle in November 2005. The data revealed a diurnal horizontal motion that varied both along and transverse to the long-term average velocity direction, similar to tidal signals observed in other ice shelves and ice streams. Based on its periodicity, it was hypothesized that the signal represents a flow response of the Ross Ice Shelf to the diurnal tides of the Ross Sea. To assess the influence of the tide on the ice-shelf motion, two hypotheses were developed. The first addressed the direct response of the ice shelf to tidal forcing, such as forces due to sea-surface slopes or forces due to sub-ice-shelf currents. The second involved the indirect response of ice-shelf flow to the tidal signals observed in the ice streams that source the ice shelf. A finite-element model, based on viscous creep flow, was developed to test these hypotheses, but succeeded only in falsifying both hypotheses, i.e. showing that direct tidal effects produce too small a response, and indirect tidal effects produce a response that is not smooth in time. This nullification suggests that a combination of viscous and elastic deformation is required to explain the observations.

The rotation and fracture history of Europa from modeling of tidal-tectonic processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rhoden, Alyssa Rose

Europa's surface displays a complex history of tectonic activity, much of which has been linked to tidal stress caused by Europa's eccentric orbit and possibly non-synchronous rotation of the ice shell. Cycloids are arcuate features thought to have formed in response to tidal normal stress while strike-slip motion along preexisting faults has been attributed to tidal shear stress. Tectonic features thus provide constraints on the rotational parameters that govern tidal stress, and can help us develop an understanding of the tidal-tectonic processes operating on ice covered ocean moons. In the first part of this work (Chapter 3), I test tidal models that include obliquity, fast precession, stress due to non-synchronous rotation (NSR), and physical libration by comparing how well each model reproduces observed cycloids. To do this, I have designed and implemented an automated parameter-searching algorithm that relies on a quantitative measure of fit quality to identify the best fits to observed cycloids. I apply statistical techniques to determine the tidal model best supported by the data and constrain the values of Europa's rotational parameters. Cycloids indicate a time-varying obliquity of about 1° and a physical libration in phase with the eccentricity libration, with amplitude >1°. To obtain good fits, cycloids must be translated in longitude, which implies non-synchronous rotation of the icy shell. However, stress from NSR is not well-supported, indicating that the rotation rate is slow enough that these stresses relax. I build upon the results of cycloid modeling in the second section by applying calculations of tidal stress that include obliquity to the formation of strike-slip faults. I predict the slip directions of faults with the standard formation model---tidal walking (Chapter 5)---and with a new mechanical model I have developed, called shell tectonics (Chapter 6). The shell tectonics model incorporates linear elasticity to determine slip and stress release on faults and uses a Coulomb failure criterion. Both of these models can be used to predict the direction of net displacement along faults. Until now, the tidal walking model has been the only model that reproduces the observed global pattern of strike-slip displacement; the shell tectonics model incorporates a more physical treatment of fault mechanics and reproduces this global pattern. Both models fit the regional patterns of observed strike-slip faults better when a small obliquity is incorporated into calculations of tidal stresses. Shell tectonics is also distinct from tidal walking in that it calculates the relative growth rates of displacements in addition to net slip direction. Examining these growth rates, I find that certain azimuths and locations develop offsets more quickly than others. Because faults with larger offsets are easier to identify, this may explain why observed faults cluster in azimuth in many regions. The growth rates also allow for a more sophisticated statistical comparison between the predictions and observations. Although the slip directions of >75% of faults are correctly predicted using shell tectonics and 1° of obliquity, a portion of these faults could be fit equally well with a random model. Examining these faults in more detail has revealed a region of Europa in which strike-slip faults likely formed through local extensional and compressional deformation rather than as a result of tidal shear stress. This approach enables a better understanding of the tectonic record, which has implications on Europa's rotation history.

Linking Europa’s Plume Activity to Tides, Tectonics, and Liquid Water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rhoden, Alyssa R.; Hurford, Terry; Roth, Lorenz; Retherford, Kurt

2014-11-01

Much of the geologic activity preserved on Europa’s icy surface has been attributed to tidal deformation, mainly due to Europa’s eccentric orbit. Although the surface is geologically young, evidence of ongoing tidally-driven processes has been lacking. However, a recent observation of water vapor near Europa’s south pole suggests that it may be geologically active. Non-detections in previous and follow-up observations indicate a temporal variation in plume visibility and suggests a relationship to Europa’s tidal cycle. Similarly, the Cassini spacecraft has observed plumes emanating from the south pole of Saturn’s moon, Enceladus, and variability in the intensity of eruptions has been linked to its tidal cycle. The inference that a similar mechanism controls plumes at both Europa and Enceladus motivates further analysis of Europa’s plume behavior and the relationship between plumes, tides, and liquid water on these two satellites.We determine the locations and orientations of hypothetical tidally-driven fractures that best match the temporal variability of the plumes observed at Europa. Specifically, we identify model faults that are in tension at the time in Europa’s orbit when a plume was detected and in compression at times when the plume was not detected. We find that tidal stress driven solely by eccentricity is incompatible with the observations unless additional mechanisms are controlling the eruption timing or restricting the longevity of the plumes. In contrast, the addition of obliquity tides, and corresponding precession of the spin pole, can generate a number of model faults that are consistent with the pattern of plume detections. The locations and orientations of the model faults are robust across a broad range of precession rates and spin pole directions. Analysis of the stress variations across model faults suggests that the plumes would be best observed earlier in Europa’s orbit. Our results indicate that Europa’s plumes, if confirmed, differ in many respects from the Enceladean plumes and that either active fractures or volatile sources are rare.

Tidal effects in differentiated viscoelastic bodies: a numerical approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walterová, M.; Běhounková, M.

2017-09-01

The majority of confirmed terrestrial exoplanets orbits close to their host stars and their evolution was likely altered by tidal interaction. Nevertheless, due to their viscoelastic properties on the tidal frequencies, their response cannot be described exactly by standardly employed constant-lag models. We therefore introduce a tidal model based on the numerical evaluation of a continuum mechanics problem describing the deformation of viscoelastic (Maxwell or Andrade) planetary mantles subjected to external force. We apply the method on a model Earth-size planet orbiting a low-mass star and study the effect of the orbital eccentricity, the mantle viscosity and the chosen rheology on the tidal dissipation, the complex Love numbers and the tidal torque. The number of stable spin states (i.e., zero tidal torque) grows with increasing mantle viscosity, similarly to the analytical model of Correia et al. (Astron Astrophys 571:A50, 2014) for homogeneous bodies. This behavior is only slightly influenced by the rheology used. Similarly, the Love numbers do not distinctly depend on the considered rheological model. The increase in viscosity affects the amplitude of their variations. The tidal heating described by the Maxwell rheology attains local minima associated with low spin-orbit resonances, with depth and shape depending on both the eccentricity and the viscosity. For the Andrade rheology, the minima at low resonances are very shallow and the tidal heating for all viscosities resembles a "fluid limit." The tidal heating is the quantity influenced the most by the rheology, having thus possible impact on the internal thermal evolution.

Multi-geodetic characterization of the seasonal signal at the CERGA geodetic reference station, France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mémin, Anthony; Viswanathan, Vishnu; Fienga, Agnes; Santamarìa-Gómez, Alvaro; Boy, Jean-Paul; Cavalié, Olivier; Deleflie, Florent; Exertier, Pierre; Bernard, Jean-Daniel; Hinderer, Jacques

2017-04-01

Crustal deformations due to surface-mass loading account for a significant part of the variability in geodetic time series. A perfect understanding of the loading signal observed by geodetic techniques should help in improving terrestrial reference frame (TRF) realizations. Yet, discrepancies between crustal motion estimates from models of surface-mass loading and observations are still too large so that no model is currently recommended by the IERS for reducing the observations. We investigate the discrepancy observed in the seasonal variations of the position at the CERGA station, South of France. We characterize the seasonal motions of the reference geodetic station CERGA from GNSS, SLR, LLR and InSAR. We investigate the consistency between the station motions deduced from these geodetic techniques and compare the observed station motion with that estimated using models of surface-mass change. In that regard, we compute atmospheric loading effects using surface pressure fields from ECMWF, assuming an ocean response according to the classical inverted barometer (IB) assumption, considered to be valid for periods typically exceeding a week. We also used general circulation ocean models (ECCO and GLORYS) forced by wind, heat and fresh water fluxes. The continental water storage is described using GLDAS/Noah and MERRA-land models. Using the surface-mass models, we estimate that the seasonal signal due to loading deformation at the CERGA station is about 8-9, 1-2 and 1-2 mm peak-to-peak in Up, North and East component, respectively. There is a very good correlation between GPS observations and non-tidal loading predicted deformation due to atmosphere, ocean and hydrology which is the main driver of seasonal signal at CERGA. Despite large error bars, LLR observations agree reasonably well with GPS and non-tidal loading predictions in Up component. Local deformation as observed by InSAR is very well correlated with GPS observations corrected for non-tidal loading. Finally, we estimate local mass changes using the absolute gravity measurement campaigns available at the station and the global models of surface-mass change. We compute the induced station motion that we compare with the local deformation observed by InSAR and GPS.

Contemporary crustal deformations in the Izu peninsula, Honshu, Japan and acceleration of plate bending in the northernmost part of the Philippine Sea plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujii, Yoichiro

1991-07-01

Since the beginning of the anomalous vertical crustal movement in the Izu peninsul, Honshu, Japan, many repeated precise levellings have been carried out by the Geographical Survey Institute. Trilaterations covering the entire Izu peninsula have also been carried out by the Geographical Survey Institute. A new technique is developed to adjust the results of levellings, because they had been carried out for different epochs along each levelling route and because of rapid vertical crustal movements. In conventional least-squares adjustment of levelling network, only corrections to the approximate height are assumed to be unknown, while in the present analysis a special model in which rates of vertical deformation at any bench marks are also assumed to be unknown, is adopted. In addition, tidal stations along the coast of the Izu peninsula yield the rate of vertical crustal movement from analysis of tidal data independent of levelling data. We select several special bench marks in which rates of vertical movement are determined by tidal analysis, thereafter special adjustment is applied according to the type of network. The results show that the peninsula is inclined to the south-west. Uplift in the northeastern part of the peninsula is accompanied by remarkable subsidence in the southwest. The rate of contemporary inclination is many times higher than the rate during the period from 1929 to 1972. The deformation is concentrated in the area where Nakamura (1979, 1980) pointed out the bending of the Philippine Sea plate. The mode and rate of the detected crustal deformation suggest the accelerated bending of the peninsula. There are some local “uplift” that deviate from the general pattern of deformation. The most remarkable land uplift was observed near Ito, a city within the peninsula, and the focus of this uplift migrated with time. The accelerated plate bending will produce an extension at the earth's surface and contraction in the deeper part of the subcrustal layer, additionally it triggered the intrusion of magma from the deeper part to the shallower. Moreover, the accelerated plate bending also triggered seismic swarms and destructive, earthquakes in and around the peninsula.

Modeling Tidal Stresses on Planetary Bodies Using an Enhanced SatStress GUI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patthoff, D. A.; Pappalardo, R. T.; Tang, L.; Kay, J.; Kattenhorn, S. A.

2014-12-01

Icy and rocky satellites of our solar system display a wide range of structural deformation on their surfaces. Some surfaces are old and heavily cratered showing little evidence for recent tectonism while other surfaces are sparsely cratered and young, with some moons showing geologically very recent or present-day activity. The young deformation can take the form of small cracks in the surface, large double ridges that can extend for thousands of km, and mountain ranges that can reach heights of several kilometers. Many of the potential sources of stress that can deform the surfaces are likely tied to the diurnal tidal deformation of the moons as they orbit their parent planets. Other secular sources of global-scale stress include: volume change induced by the melting or freezing of a subsurface liquid layer, change in the orbital parameters of the moon, or rotation of the outer shell of the satellite relative to the rest of the body (nonsynchronous rotation or true polar wander). We turn to computer modeling to correlate observed structural features to the possible stresses that created them. A variety of modeling programs exist and generally assume a thin ice shell and/or a multi-layered viscoelastic satellite. The program SatStress, which was developed by Zane Crawford and documented by Wahr et al. (2009), computes tidal and nonsynchronous rotation stresses on a satellite. It was later modified into a more user-friendly version with a graphical user interface (SatStress GUI) by Kay and Kattenhorn (2010). This implementation assumes a 4-layer viscoelastic body and is able to calculate stresses resulting from diurnal tides, nonsynchronous rotation, and ice shell thickening. Here we illustrate our recent enhancements to SatStress GUI and compare modeled stresses to example features observed on the surfaces of Ganymede, Europa, and Enceladus. Kay and Kattenhorn (2010) 41st LPSC, abs # 2046. Wahr et al. (2009) Icarus, 200, 188-206.

Diapir-induced reorientation of Saturn's moon Enceladus.

PubMed

Nimmo, Francis; Pappalardo, Robert T

2006-06-01

Enceladus is a small icy satellite of Saturn. Its south polar region consists of young, tectonically deformed terrain and has an anomalously high heat flux. This heat flux is probably due to localized tidal dissipation within either the ice shell or the underlying silicate core. The surface deformation is plausibly due to upwelling of low-density material (diapirism) as a result of this tidal heating. Here we show that the current polar location of the hotspot can be explained by reorientation of the satellite's rotation axis because of the presence of a low-density diapir. If the diapir is in the ice shell, then the shell must be relatively thick and maintain significant rigidity (elastic thickness greater than approximately 0.5 km); if the diapir is in the silicate core, then Enceladus cannot possess a global subsurface ocean, because the core must be coupled to the overlying ice for reorientation to occur. The reorientation generates large (approximately 10 MPa) tectonic stress patterns that are compatible with the observed deformation of the south polar region. We predict that the distribution of impact craters on the surface will not show the usual leading hemisphere-trailing hemisphere asymmetry. A low-density diapir also yields a potentially observable negative gravity anomaly.

Instrumental research of lithodynamic processes in estuaries of the White Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rimsky-Korsakov, Nikolai; Korotaev, Vladislav; Ivanov, Vadim

2017-04-01

The report provides a comparative analysis of morphological lithodynamic processes in estuaries and river deltas on the basis of 2013-2015 field geophysical and hydrographic surveys held by IO RAS and MSU. Studies performed using side scan sonar (Imagenex YellowFin SSS), bathymetric (FortXXI Scat Echo sounder) and navigation (DGPS/GLONASS Sigma Ashtek receiver) equipment. North Dvina modern delta can be classified as multi-arm delta estuary lagoon performance. Areas of modern river waters occupy a large accumulation of deltaic arms. It formed a young island with elevations of about 1 m. The islands are composed of river alluvium and annually flooded during the flood period. Onega river mouth area is unique due to the specific geological conditions. Short, wellhead site is the cause of the anomalous attenuation of the tidal wave and the limited range of penetration of salt water seashore only to Kokorinskogo threshold. Morphological lithodynamic processes in high tide Mezen estuaries (syzygy - 8.5 m) are caused by tidal currents, river runoff, wind waves and sediment longshore drift. Due to the movement of huge masses of sediment in the Mezen estuary occur intense deformation silty-sand banks, reshaping of the bottom channel trenches and displacement of navigable waterways. Thus, the specificity of the morphological lithodynamic processes in high tidal estuaries is a lack of modern delta, the development of mobile local sediment structures inside the estuary and the formation of a broad mouth bar on the open wellhead coast. In multi-arm deltas an intense process of increasing marine edge of the delta is observed due to wellhead delta arms elongation and the formation of small estuarine bars at the mouths of the underwater channel trenches coming out into the open coast. Simultaneously, the process of filling the river sediments of residual waters within the subaerial delta and the formation of marine coastal bars on the outer perimeter edge of the sea ground delta.

Multipolar universal relations between f -mode frequency and tidal deformability of compact stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chan, T. K.; Sham, Y.-H.; Leung, P. T.; Lin, L.-M.

2014-12-01

Though individual stellar parameters of compact stars usually demonstrate obvious dependence on the equation of state (EOS), EOS-insensitive universal formulas relating these parameters remarkably exist. In the present paper, we explore the interrelationship between two such formulas, namely the f -I relation connecting the f -mode quadrupole oscillation frequency ω2 and the moment of inertia I , and the I -Love-Q relations relating I , the quadrupole tidal deformability λ2, and the quadrupole moment Q , which have been proposed by Lau, Leung, and Lin [Astrophys. J. 714, 1234 (2010)] and Yagi and Yunes [Science 341, 365 (2013)], respectively. A relativistic universal relation between ωl and λl with the same angular momentum l =2 ,3 ,… , the so-called "diagonal f -Love relation" that holds for realistic compact stars and stiff polytropic stars, is unveiled here. An in-depth investigation in the Newtonian limit is further carried out to pinpoint its underlying physical mechanism and hence leads to a unified f -I -Love relation. We reach the conclusion that these EOS-insensitive formulas stem from a common physical origin—compact stars can be considered as quasiincompressible when they react to slow time variations introduced by f -mode oscillations, tidal forces and rotations.

Improving the detection of tectonic transients in Japan by accounting for Earth's deformation response to surface mass loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martens, H. R.; Simons, M.; Moore, A. W.; Owen, S. E.; Rivera, L. A.

2016-12-01

We explore the contributions of oceanic, atmospheric, and hydrologic mass loading to Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-inferred observations of surface displacements in Japan. Surface mass loading (SML) generates mm- to cm-level deformation of the solid Earth on time scales of hours to years, which exceeds the measurement uncertainties of most GNSS position estimates. By improving the efficiency and accuracy of the prediction and empirical estimation of SML response, we aim to reduce the variance of GNSS time series and therefore enhance the ability to resolve subtle tectonic signals, such as aseismic transients associated with subduction zone processes. Using the GIPSY software in precise point positioning mode, we estimate time series of sub-daily receiver positions for the GNSS Earth Observation Network System (GEONET) in Japan. We also model the Earth's elastic deformation response to a variety of surface mass loads, including loads of atmospheric (e.g., ECMWF) and oceanic (e.g., TPXO8-Atlas, ECCO2) origin. We extract periodic signals, such as the ocean tides and seasonal variations in hydrological loading, using harmonic analysis. Deformation caused by non-periodic loads, such as non-tidal oceanic and atmospheric loads, can be predicted and removed to further reduce the variance. We seek to streamline the workflow for estimating SML-induced surface displacements from a variety of sources in order to account for loading signals in routine GNSS data processing, thereby improving the ability to assess the mechanics of plate boundaries.

The tides of Titan.

PubMed

Iess, Luciano; Jacobson, Robert A; Ducci, Marco; Stevenson, David J; Lunine, Jonathan I; Armstrong, John W; Asmar, Sami W; Racioppa, Paolo; Rappaport, Nicole J; Tortora, Paolo

2012-07-27

We have detected in Cassini spacecraft data the signature of the periodic tidal stresses within Titan, driven by the eccentricity (e = 0.028) of its 16-day orbit around Saturn. Precise measurements of the acceleration of Cassini during six close flybys between 2006 and 2011 have revealed that Titan responds to the variable tidal field exerted by Saturn with periodic changes of its quadrupole gravity, at about 4% of the static value. Two independent determinations of the corresponding degree-2 Love number yield k(2) = 0.589 ± 0.150 and k(2) = 0.637 ± 0.224 (2σ). Such a large response to the tidal field requires that Titan's interior be deformable over time scales of the orbital period, in a way that is consistent with a global ocean at depth.

Hydrodynamical simulations of strong tides in astrophysical systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guillochon, James

2013-07-01

At the simplest level, gravitational sources are considered to be point-like and in solitude, with a radial force that falls off as r -2. In reality, all astrophysical objects aside from black holes are extended in space, and can be deformed by the tidal forces arising from the proximity of companion objects with large average densities. When these forces are weak, the response of an object to a tide can be through a decomposition into basis functions, but this approach fails when the tide is strong enough to deform an object by a distance equal to its own size. Under these circumstances, a hydrodynamical representation of the object is required to understand the true tidal response. In this thesis, we present a number of examples of physical systems in which tides dominate the dynamics. First, we consider the case of a star that encounters a supermassive black hole (SMBH) in a deeply penetrating encounter, resulting in a dramatic compression that produces shocks that would be observable in the X-ray. Second, we present the results of hydrodynamical simulations that demonstrate a new mechanism for igniting Type Ia supernovae from binary systems composed of two white dwarfs undergoing Roche-lobe overflow. Third, we investigate the survival prospects of giant planets that have been scattered into highly eccentricity orbits and are exposed to a strong tide applied by their parent star. Fourth, we systematically map the fallback rate resulting from the tidal disruptions of stars by SMBHs. Finally, we use what we have learned about the feeding rate to model determine the highest-likelihood model for an observed prototypical tidal disruption event.

Magnetic fields driven by tidal mixing in radiative stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vidal, Jérémie; Cébron, David; Schaeffer, Nathanaël; Hollerbach, Rainer

2018-04-01

Stellar magnetism plays an important role in stellar evolution theory. Approximatively 10 per cent of observed main sequence (MS) and pre-main-sequence (PMS) radiative stars exhibit surface magnetic fields above the detection limit, raising the question of their origin. These stars host outer radiative envelopes, which are stably stratified. Therefore, they are assumed to be motionless in standard models of stellar structure and evolution. We focus on rapidly rotating, radiative stars which may be prone to the tidal instability, due to an orbital companion. Using direct numerical simulations in a sphere, we study the interplay between a stable stratification and the tidal instability, and assess its dynamo capability. We show that the tidal instability is triggered regardless of the strength of the stratification (Brunt-Väisälä frequency). Furthermore, the tidal instability can lead to both mixing and self-induced magnetic fields in stably stratified layers (provided that the Brunt-Väisälä frequency does not exceed the stellar spin rate in the simulations too much). The application to stars suggests that the resulting magnetic fields could be observable at the stellar surfaces. Indeed, we expect magnetic field strengths up to several Gauss. Consequently, tidally driven dynamos should be considered as a (complementary) dynamo mechanism, possibly operating in radiative MS and PMS stars hosting orbital companions. In particular, tidally driven dynamos may explain the observed magnetism of tidally deformed and rapidly rotating Vega-like stars.

On the Origin of Quasi-Periodic Temperature Variations in Kun-1 Well (Kunashir Island)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demezhko, D. Yu.; Yurkov, A. K.

2017-12-01

The results of temperature monitoring in the 300-m kun-1 well (Kunashir Island) in 2011-2015 are considered. Quasi-periodic temperature variations with an amplitude of up to 0.3°C and a variation period of 14-26 h were added from November 2011 to the previously observed temperature variations caused by tidal deformations, free thermal convection, and deformation processes associated with the preparation and occurrence of tectonic earthquakes. Five cycles of such variations lasting from 2 to 6 months have been recorded. Each cycle was initiated by an earthquake with magnitude M > 2.5log( R), where R is the epicentral distance (km). According to their characteristics, the variations are unique and have not been described previously. Assumptions have been made about the possible connection of the registered variations with the inertial currents of the ocean or with hydrothermal processes in the Earth's subsurface. The phenomenon discovered requires further study not only as an object of fundamental science, but also as a feature of an earlier unknown type of geodynamic activity that can be a significant threat to the regional population.

Improvements on the interior structure of Mercury expected from geodesy measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rivoldini, A.; van Hoolst, T.; Verhoeven, O.

2008-09-01

ABSTRACT We assess the improvements on the interior structure of Mercury provided by expected data from geodesy experiments to be performed with the MESSENGER and BepiColombo orbiters. The observation of obliquity will allow estimating the moment of inertia, whereas measurements of libration will determine the moment of inertia of the silicate shell (mantle and crust). Tidal measurements will constrain the Love numbers that characterize the response of Mercury to the solar tidal forcing. Here, we construct depth-dependent interior structure models of Mercury for several plausible chemical compositions of the core and of the mantle using recent data on core and mantle materials. In particular we study the core structure for different mantle mineralogies and two different temperature profiles. We investigate the influence of the core light element concentration, temperature, and melting law on core state and inner core size. We compute libration amplitude, obliquity, tidal deformation, and tidal changes in the external potential for our models.

Internal processes affecting surfaces of low-density satellites - Ganymede and Callisto

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parmentier, E. M.; Head, J. W.

1979-01-01

Possible significant physical processes on low-density (icy) satellites, particularly Ganymede and Callisto, are outlined, and the relations of these interior processes to the formation and evolution of satellite surfaces are discussed. A variety of mechanisms is shown to lead to interior melting in early satellite history and a configuration characterized by a predominantly water ice lithosphere overlying a mantle containing liquid water. Physical processes capable of affecting the lithosphere of an ice-silicate body and thus creating observable surface features are assessed, including tectonic stresses from tidal deformation and volume changes, gravitational effects on density differences and water volcanism. The residence time of surface features on icy bodies produced by the outlined processes and by impact cratering is considered, and a tentative outline of the geologic history of Ganymede and Callisto is presented. Observations from Voyager and Galileo are expected to provide evidence on the evolution and geologic history of low-density satellites.

Lunar surface gravimeter experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Giganti, J. J.; Larson, J. V.; Richard, J. P.; Tobias, R. L.; Weber, J.

1977-01-01

The lunar surface gravimeter used the moon as an instrumented antenna to search for gravitational waves predicted by Einstein's general theory of relativity. Tidal deformation of the moon was measured. Gravitational radiation is a channel that is capable of giving information about the structure and evolution of the universe.

Hybrid Stars in the Light of GW170817

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nandi, Rana; Char, Prasanta

2018-04-01

We have studied the effect of the tidal deformability constraint given by the binary neutron star merger event GW170817 on the equations of state (EOS) of hybrid stars. The EOS are constructed by matching the hadronic EOS described by the relativistic mean-field model and parameter sets NL3, TM1, and NL3ωρ with the quark matter EOS described by the modified MIT bag model, via a Gibbs construction. It is found that the tidal deformability constraints along with the lower bound on the maximum mass (M max = 2.01 ± 0.04 M ⊙) significantly limits the bag model parameter space ({B}eff}1/4, a 4). We also obtain upper limits on the radius of 1.4 M ⊙ and 1.6 M ⊙ stars as R 1.4 ≤ 13.2–13.5 km and R 1.6 ≤ 13.2–13.4 km, respectively, for the different hadronic EOS considered here.

Love numbers for the long-period tides estimated by VLBI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krásná, Hana; Böhm, Johannes; Haas, Rüdiger; Schuh, Harald

2013-04-01

Love and Shida numbers are proportionality factors characterizing the deformation of the anelastic Earth which arises as a response to external forces from the Moon and Sun. The increasing precision and quality of the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) measurements allow determining those parameters. In particular, the long history of the VLBI data enables the estimation of Love and Shida numbers at the low frequencies of the tidal waves including the periods from 14 days to 18.6 years. In this study we analyse 27 years of VLBI measurements (1984.0 - 2011.0) following the recent IERS Conventions 2010. In several global solutions, we estimate the complex Love and Shida numbers of the solid Earth tides for the main long-period tidal waves. Furthermore, we determine the Love and Shida numbers of the rotational deformation due to polar motion, the so-called pole tide. We also focus on station displacement where still some deficiencies in the long-period signal modelling can be seen.

I-Love relations for incompressible stars and realistic stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chan, T. K.; Chan, AtMa P. O.; Leung, P. T.

2015-02-01

In spite of the diversity in the equations of state of nuclear matter, the recently discovered I-Love-Q relations [Yagi and Yunes, Science 341, 365 (2013), 10.1126/science.1236462], which relate the moment of inertia, tidal Love number (deformability), and the spin-induced quadrupole moment of compact stars, hold for various kinds of realistic neutron stars and quark stars. While the physical origin of such universality is still a current issue, the observation that the I-Love-Q relations of incompressible stars can well approximate those of realistic compact stars hints at a new direction to approach the problem. In this paper, by establishing recursive post-Minkowskian expansion for the moment of inertia and the tidal deformability of incompressible stars, we analytically derive the I-Love relation for incompressible stars and show that the so-obtained formula can be used to accurately predict the behavior of realistic compact stars from the Newtonian limit to the maximum mass limit.

Tidal interactions of a Maclaurin spheroid - II. Resonant excitation of modes by a close, misaligned orbit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braviner, Harry J.; Ogilvie, Gordon I.

2015-02-01

We model a tidally forced star or giant planet as a Maclaurin spheroid, decomposing the motion into the normal modes found by Bryan. We first describe the general prescription for this decomposition and the computation of the tidal power. Although this formalism is very general, forcing due to a companion on a misaligned, circular orbit is used to illustrate the theory. The tidal power is plotted for a variety of orbital radii, misalignment angles, and spheroid rotation rates. Our calculations are carried out including all modes of degree l ≤ 4, and the same degree of gravitational forcing. Remarkably, we find that for close orbits (a/R* ≈ 3) and rotational deformations that are typical of giant planets (e ≈ 0.4) the l = 4 component of the gravitational potential may significantly enhance the dissipation through resonance with surface gravity modes. There are also a large number of resonances with inertial modes, with the tidal power being locally enhanced by up to three orders of magnitude. For very close orbits (a/R* ≈ 3), the contribution to the power from the l = 4 modes is roughly the same magnitude as that due to the l = 3 modes.

Tidal Analysis and Arrival Process Mining Using Automatic Identification System (AIS) Data

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-01

elevation at the time of vessel movement and calculating the tidal dependence (TD) parameter to 23 U.S. port areas for the years 2012– 2014. Tidal prediction...predictions, obtained from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, are used to rank relative tidal dependence for arriving cargo and...sector traffic percentages and tidal dependence metric ............................. 11 Arrival process mining

Plume Activity and Tidal Deformation on Enceladus Influenced by Faults and Variable Ice Shell Thickness

PubMed Central

Souček, Ondřej; Hron, Jaroslav; Čadek, Ondřej

2017-01-01

Abstract We investigated the effect of variations in ice shell thickness and of the tiger stripe fractures crossing Enceladus' south polar terrain on the moon's tidal deformation by performing finite element calculations in three-dimensional geometry. The combination of thinning in the polar region and the presence of faults has a synergistic effect that leads to an increase of both the displacement and stress in the south polar terrain by an order of magnitude compared to that of the traditional model with a uniform shell thickness and without faults. Assuming a simplified conductive heat transfer and neglecting the heat sources below the ice shell, we computed the global heat budget of the ice shell. For the inelastic properties of the shell described by a Maxwell viscoelastic model, we show that unrealistically low average viscosity of the order of 1013 Pa s is necessary for preserving the volume of the ocean, suggesting the important role of the heat sources in the deep interior. Similarly, low viscosity is required to predict the observed delay of the plume activity, which hints at other delaying mechanisms than just the viscoelasticity of the ice shell. The presence of faults results in large spatial and temporal heterogeneity of geysering activity compared to the traditional models without faults. Our model contributes to understanding the physical mechanisms that control the fault activity, and it provides potentially useful information for future missions that will sample the plume for evidence of life. Key Words: Enceladus—Tidal deformation—Faults—Variable ice shell thickness—Tidal heating—Plume activity and timing. Astrobiology 17, 941–954. PMID:28816521

Assessing the impact of non-tidal atmospheric loading on a Kalman filter-based terrestrial reference frame

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbondanza, Claudio; Altamimi, Zuheir; Chin, Toshio; Collilieux, Xavier; Dach, Rolf; Gross, Richard; Heflin, Michael; König, Rolf; Lemoine, Frank; Macmillan, Dan; Parker, Jay; van Dam, Tonie; Wu, Xiaoping

2014-05-01

The International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) adopts a piece-wise linear model to parameterize regularized station positions and velocities. The space-geodetic (SG) solutions from VLBI, SLR, GPS and DORIS used as input in the ITRF combination process account for tidal loading deformations, but ignore the non-tidal part. As a result, the non-linear signal observed in the time series of SG-derived station positions in part reflects non-tidal loading displacements not introduced in the SG data reduction. In this analysis, we assess the impact of non-tidal atmospheric loading (NTAL) corrections on the TRF computation. Focusing on the a-posteriori approach, (i) the NTAL model derived from the National Centre for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) surface pressure is removed from the SINEX files of the SG solutions used as inputs to the TRF determinations; (ii) adopting a Kalman-filter based approach, two distinct linear TRFs are estimated combining the 4 SG solutions with (corrected TRF solution) and without the NTAL displacements (standard TRF solution). Linear fits (offset and atmospheric velocity) of the NTAL displacements removed during step (i) are estimated accounting for the station position discontinuities introduced in the SG solutions and adopting different weighting strategies. The NTAL-derived (atmospheric) velocity fields are compared to those obtained from the TRF reductions during step (ii). The consistency between the atmospheric and the TRF-derived velocity fields is examined. We show how the presence of station position discontinuities in SG solutions degrades the agreement between the velocity fields and compare the effect of different weighting structure adopted while estimating the linear fits to the NTAL displacements. Finally, we evaluate the effect of restoring the atmospheric velocities determined through the linear fits of the NTAL displacements to the single-technique linear reference frames obtained by stacking the standard SG SINEX files. Differences between the velocity fields obtained restoring the NTAL displacements and the standard stacked linear reference frames are discussed.

Earthquake Tidal Triggering Associated with the 2015 Eruption of Axial Seamount

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilcock, W. S. D.; Tolstoy, M.; Waldhauser, F.; Tan, Y. J.; Garcia, C.; Arnulf, A. F.; Crone, T. J.

2016-12-01

The Ocean Observatories Initiative's real time cabled observatory at Axial Seamount includes a seven station seismic network that spans the southern half of the summit caldera. The network has been in operation since late 2014 and, in conjunction with geodetic sensors on the observatory, has recorded an exceptional data set to characterize the dynamics of the caldera through the April 2015 eruption. Prior to the eruption, earthquake rates were high and double-difference locations show that the inflation of the volcano was accommodated by deformation on an outward dipping caldera ring fault. The onset of the eruption was marked by a seismic crisis on April 24 and rapid deflation of the volcano; the caldera ring fault accommodated deflation and guided a dike beneath the east rim of the caldera. The seismic crisis was followed by a steady decline in the rates of earthquakes and deflation. Numerous seafloor explosions document the timing and location of lava flows in the caldera and on the north rift of the seamount. They ceased after about a month when the volcano started to reinflate. Efforts are presently underway to improve the resolution of hypocenters both through the use of cross-correlation-based double-difference hypocenter locations (Tan et al., this meeting) and by the incorporation of three-dimensional velocity models that account for the heterogeneous structure of the volcano. One particularly interesting aspect of the seismicity is the tidal triggering. Prior to the eruption, when the volcano is critically stressed, the earthquakes show a strong tidal triggering signal with higher rates of seismicity near low tides when faults are unclamped. Earthquake rates at the lowest tides are about six times those at the highest tides. There are also noticeable temporo-spatial patterns in the earthquake swarms that occur at each low tide suggesting that the characteristics of tidal triggering may be spatial dependent. Following the eruption, only a weak tidal triggering signal remains. We will present the results of ongoing efforts to characterize the patterns of tidal triggering, relate them to prior observations on mid-ocean ridges, and understand the implications for earthquake nucleation, eruption forecasting, and hydrological processes.

Movimiento solo forzado del polo para una tierra elástica.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sevilla, M. J.; Romero, P.

The purpose of this paper is to obtain the motion of the Earth's axis of rotation in an Earth's fixed frame. The authors consider only the effect of the perturbations due to the external torque and also the elastic deformations produced by the lunisolar tidal force.

Tidal deformation of Enceladus' ice shell with variable thickness and Maxwell rheology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soucek, Ondrej; Behounkova, Marie; Cadek, Ondrej; Tobie, Gabriel; Choblet, Gael

2017-04-01

Tidal deformation of icy moons has been traditionally studied using the spectral approach which is very efficient for perfectly spherical bodies with radially dependent rheological structure. Measurements of Enceladus' topography (Nimmo et al., 2011) and low-degree gravity (Iess et al., 2014) indicate that the ice shell is significantly thinned in the southern hemisphere (Iess et al., 2014; McKinnon, 2015) and according to recent gravity, shape and libration inversion, it may be only a few kilometers thick at the south pole (Cadek et al., 2016). These variations may potentially have a significant effect on the amplitude and pattern of tidal deformation, stress and associated heating inside the shell, but cannot be straightforwardly incorporated into the existing spectral codes. In order to circumvent this difficulty and to quantify the effects of ice-shell thickness variations, we have developed a three-dimensional finite element code in the framework of FEniCS package (Alnaes et al., 2015). Using this numerical tool, we address the changes in tidally-induced deformation amplitude, stresses and tidal heating for structural models of Enceladus' ice shell of various complexity. Considering Maxwell viscoelastic rheology of the shell, we compare models with uniform thickness consistent with the libration data and with constant viscosity, synthetic models with analytically parameterized thinning in the south polar region and depth-dependent viscosity varying over several orders of magnitude, and finally, models with the shell topography and thickness based on the recent model of Cadek et al. (2016). We find that the thinning of the ice shell around the south pole may lead to amplification of the stress and displacement in this region region by a factor of up to 2 and 4, respectively, depending on the average ice shell thickness, the amplitude of thinning and the viscosity structure. Our results also suggest that lateral variations of ice thickness can induce significant anomalies of the surface heat flux and, together with other effects (e.g. Souček et al., 2016), may thus contribute to the hemispheric dichotomy observed on Enceladus. Alnaes, M. S., Blechta, J., Hake, J., Johansson, J., Kehlet, B., Logg, A., Richardson, C., Ring, J., Rognes, M. E.,Wells, G. N., 2015. The FEniCS Project Version 1.5. Archive of Numerical Software 3 (100), 9-23. Cadek, O., Tobie, G., van Hoolst, T., Masse, M., Choblet, G., Lefevre, A., Mitri, G., Baland, R.-M., Behounkova, M., Bourgeois, O., Trinh, A., 2016. Enceladus's internal ocean and ice shell constrained from Cassini gravity, shape, and libration data. Geophys. Res. Let. 46, 5653-5660. Iess, L., Stevenson, D. J., Parisi, M., Hemingway, D., Jacobson, R. A., Lunine, J. I., Nimmo, F., Armstrong, J. W., Asmar, S. W., Ducci, M., Tortora, P., Apr. 2014. The Gravity Field and Interior Structure of Enceladus. Science 344, 78-80. McKinnon, W. B., Apr. 2015. Effect of Enceladus's rapid synchronous spin on interpretation of Cassini gravity. Geophys. Res. Let. 42, 2137-2143. Nimmo, F., Bills, B. G., Thomas, P. C., 2011. Geophysical implications of the long-wavelength topography of the Saturnian satellites. J. Geophys. Res. 116 (E15), E11001. Soucek, O., Hron, J., Behounkova, M., Cadek, O., 2016. Effect of the tiger stripes on the deformation of Saturn's moon Enceladus. Geophys. Res. Let. 43, 7417-7423.

Gravitational waveforms for neutron star binaries from binary black hole simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barkett, Kevin; Scheel, Mark; Haas, Roland; Ott, Christian; Bernuzzi, Sebastiano; Brown, Duncan; Szilagyi, Bela; Kaplan, Jeffrey; Lippuner, Jonas; Muhlberger, Curran; Foucart, Francois; Duez, Matthew

2016-03-01

Gravitational waves from binary neutron star (BNS) and black-hole/neutron star (BHNS) inspirals are primary sources for detection by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory. The tidal forces acting on the neutron stars induce changes in the phase evolution of the gravitational waveform, and these changes can be used to constrain the nuclear equation of state. Current methods of generating BNS and BHNS waveforms rely on either computationally challenging full 3D hydrodynamical simulations or approximate analytic solutions. We introduce a new method for computing inspiral waveforms for BNS/BHNS systems by adding the post-Newtonian (PN) tidal effects to full numerical simulations of binary black holes (BBHs), effectively replacing the non-tidal terms in the PN expansion with BBH results. Comparing a waveform generated with this method against a full hydrodynamical simulation of a BNS inspiral yields a phase difference of < 1 radian over ~ 15 orbits. The numerical phase accuracy required of BNS simulations to measure the accuracy of the method we present here is estimated as a function of the tidal deformability parameter λ.

Tidal Love and Shida numbers estimated by geodetic VLBI.

PubMed

Krásná, Hana; Böhm, Johannes; Schuh, Harald

2013-10-01

Frequency-dependent Love and Shida numbers, which characterize the Earth response to the tidal forces, were estimated in a global adjustment of all suitable geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) sessions from 1984.0 to 2011.0. Several solutions were carried out to determine the Love and Shida numbers for the tidal constituents at periods in the diurnal band and in the long-period band in addition to values of the Love and Shida numbers common for all tides of degree two. Adding up all twelve diurnal tidal waves that were estimated, the total differences in displacement with respect to the theoretical conventional values of the Love and Shida numbers calculated from an Earth model reach 1.73 ± 0.29 mm in radial direction and 1.15 ± 0.15 mm in the transverse plane. The difference in the radial deformation following from the estimates of the zonal Love numbers is largest for the semi-annual tide S sa with 1.07 ± 0.19 mm.

Microfossil measures of rapid sea-level rise: Timing of response of two microfossil groups to a sudden tidal-flooding experiment in Cascadia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Horton, B.P.; Milker, Yvonne; Dura, T.; Wang, Kelin; Bridgeland, W.T.; Brophy, Laura S.; Ewald, M.; Khan, Nicole; Engelhart, S.E.; Nelson, Alan R.; Witter, Robert C.

2017-01-01

Comparisons of pre-earthquake and post-earthquake microfossils in tidal sequences are accurate means to measure coastal subsidence during past subduction earthquakes, but the amount of subsidence is uncertain, because the response times of fossil taxa to coseismic relative sea-level (RSL) rise are unknown. We measured the response of diatoms and foraminifera to restoration of a salt marsh in southern Oregon, USA. Tidal flooding following dike removal caused an RSL rise of ∼1 m, as might occur by coseismic subsidence during momentum magnitude (Mw) 8.1–8.8 earthquakes on this section of the Cascadia subduction zone. Less than two weeks after dike removal, diatoms colonized low marsh and tidal flats in large numbers, showing that they can record seismically induced subsidence soon after earthquakes. In contrast, low-marsh foraminifera took at least 11 months to appear in sizeable numbers. Where subsidence measured with diatoms and foraminifera differs, their different response times may provide an estimate of postseismic vertical deformation in the months following past megathrust earthquakes.

Tidal Love and Shida numbers estimated by geodetic VLBI☆

PubMed Central

Krásná, Hana; Böhm, Johannes; Schuh, Harald

2013-01-01

Frequency-dependent Love and Shida numbers, which characterize the Earth response to the tidal forces, were estimated in a global adjustment of all suitable geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) sessions from 1984.0 to 2011.0. Several solutions were carried out to determine the Love and Shida numbers for the tidal constituents at periods in the diurnal band and in the long-period band in addition to values of the Love and Shida numbers common for all tides of degree two. Adding up all twelve diurnal tidal waves that were estimated, the total differences in displacement with respect to the theoretical conventional values of the Love and Shida numbers calculated from an Earth model reach 1.73 ± 0.29 mm in radial direction and 1.15 ± 0.15 mm in the transverse plane. The difference in the radial deformation following from the estimates of the zonal Love numbers is largest for the semi-annual tide Ssa with 1.07 ± 0.19 mm. PMID:26523082

Stellar Death by Black Hole: How Tidal Disruption Events Unveil the High Energy Universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coughlin, Eric Robert

2017-08-01

When a star comes very close to a supermassive black hole, the tidal field of the hole can be strong enough to deform and stretch the star into a stream of debris. Half of this stellar debris stream returns to the black hole and forms an accretion disk, briefly lighting up the black hole and, in the most extreme cases, launching relativistic jets. These ``tidal disruption events,'' from the initial stellar destruction to the eventual jet production, are the focus of my thesis, and during this talk I will describe some of the theoretical advances we have made in understanding them. I will also discuss more recent work that shows how this relatively simple picture can be more complicated when the disrupting black hole is part of a binary system. Despite the added complexity, I will argue that there is a timescale over which one expects to see variation in the luminosity of a tidal disruption event from a binary supermassive black hole system. Using these predictions and a set of simulations, I will motivate such an interpretation for the superluminous supernova ASASSN-15lh.

Venusian k(sub 2) Tidal Love Number from Magellan and PVO Tracking Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Konopliv, A. S.; Yoder, C. F.

1996-01-01

The k(sub 2) potential ove number which scales the tidal deformation of Venus by the Sun has been estimated from Doppler tracking of Magellan and Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO) spacecraft data. The nominal range for k(sub 2) from theoretical models is 0.23(less than or equal to)k(sub 2)(less than or equal to)0.29 for a liquid iron core and about 0.17 if the iron core has solidified. Our best estimate of this parameter is k(sub 2) = 0.295 +/- 0.662 (2X formal {delta}) and supports the hypothesis that Venus core is solid.

The various contributions in Venus rotation rate and LOD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cottereau, L.; Rambaux, N.; Lebonnois, S.; Souchay, J.

2011-07-01

Context. Thanks to the Venus Express Mission, new data on the properties of Venus could be obtained, in particular concerning its rotation. Aims: In view of these upcoming results, the purpose of this paper is to determine and compare the major physical processes influencing the rotation of Venus and, more particularly, the angular rotation rate. Methods: Applying models already used for Earth, the effect of the triaxiality of a rigid Venus on its period of rotation are computed. Then the variations of Venus rotation caused by the elasticity, the atmosphere, and the core of the planet are evaluated. Results: Although the largest irregularities in the rotation rate of the Earth on short time scales are caused by its atmosphere and elastic deformations, we show that the irregularities for Venus are dominated by the tidal torque exerted by the Sun on its solid body. Indeed, as Venus has a slow rotation, these effects have a large amplitude of two minutes of time (mn). These variations in the rotation rate are greater than the one induced by atmospheric wind variations that can reach 25-50 s of time (s), depending on the simulation used. The variations due to the core effects that vary with its size between 3 and 20 s are smaller. Compared to these effects, the influence of the elastic deformation caused by the zonal tidal potential is negligible. Conclusions: As the variations in the rotation of Venus reported here are close to 3 mn peak to peak, they should influence past, present, and future observations, thereby providing further constraints on the planet's internal structure and atmosphere.

Geomorphology and Landscape Evolution Model for the natural and human-impacted regions of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, C.; Goodbred, S. L.; Wallace Auerbach, L.; Ahmed, K.; Paola, C.; Reitz, M. D.; Pickering, J.

2013-12-01

The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta (GBMD) in south Asia is generally considered a tide-dominated system, but much of the subaerial delta plain is geomorphically similar to river-dominated systems such as the Mississippi River delta, with a well-developed distributary network separated by low-lying, organic-rich interdistributary basins. By contrast, the lower GBMD is dominated by tidal processes and comprises a 100-km wide coastal plain with dense, interconnected tidal channels that are amalgamated to the seaward edge of the river-dominated portion of the delta. These distinct river- and tide-dominated geomorphic regions are simultaneously sustained by the enormous sediment load of the GBM rivers and its efficient dispersal via the distributary channel network and onshore advection by tides. Together these processes have resulted in the ability of the GBMD to keep pace with sea-level rise throughout the Holocene, with comparatively little shoreline transgression. However, topographic data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) highlight low-lying regions of the delta that are located at the interface of the river- and tide-dominated portions of the delta, where the transport energy of small distributaries and the upper tidal zone go to zero. As a result, these are the most sediment-starved regions of the delta and those most at risk to flooding by the summer monsoon and storm surges. Compounding the slow rates of sedimentation and high local organic content, these regions have been strongly affected by the construction of embankments (polders) that artificially de-water the soils and accelerate organic decomposition during the dry season, and further starve the land surface of sediment. Here, we present an integrated conceptual model for the geomorphic evolution of the GBMD that incorporates river- and tide-dominated regions in conjunction with channel-avulsion processes and delta-lobe construction. Each of these is also overprinted by tectonic deformation and human-landscape modifications. A key goal of this model is to explain the wide-scale distribution of coarse-grained river-borne sediment (predominantly sand) that forms the underlying architecture of the GBMD, with only localized preservation of fine-grained (silt and clay) deposits. Finally, analysis of the channel networks in the tidal delta plain reveal that constructed embankments have significantly decreased the density of naturally functioning tidal channels, inducing locally rapid bank migration and affiliated changes in sinuosity. These rapid landscape changes suggest that there has been a resultant change in hydrodynamics of the tidal delta plain following widespread construction of the embankments. With concern to assess landscape vulnerabilities to environmental change and renewed efforts to rehabilitate and stabilize the embankments, this information is needed to support the successful outcome of coastal defense initiatives.

Seasonal Mass Changes and Crustal Vertical Deformations Constrained by GPS and GRACE in Northeastern Tibet

PubMed Central

Pan, Yuanjin; Shen, Wen-Bin; Hwang, Cheinway; Liao, Chaoming; Zhang, Tengxu; Zhang, Guoqing

2016-01-01

Surface vertical deformation includes the Earth’s elastic response to mass loading on or near the surface. Continuous Global Positioning System (CGPS) stations record such deformations to estimate seasonal and secular mass changes. We used 41 CGPS stations to construct a time series of coordinate changes, which are decomposed by empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs), in northeastern Tibet. The first common mode shows clear seasonal changes, indicating seasonal surface mass re-distribution around northeastern Tibet. The GPS-derived result is then assessed in terms of the mass changes observed in northeastern Tibet. The GPS-derived common mode vertical change and the stacked Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mass change are consistent, suggesting that the seasonal surface mass variation is caused by changes in the hydrological, atmospheric and non-tidal ocean loads. The annual peak-to-peak surface mass changes derived from GPS and GRACE results show seasonal oscillations in mass loads, and the corresponding amplitudes are between 3 and 35 mm/year. There is an apparent gradually increasing gravity between 0.1 and 0.9 μGal/year in northeast Tibet. Crustal vertical deformation is determined after eliminating the surface load effects from GRACE, without considering Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA) contribution. It reveals crustal uplift around northeastern Tibet from the corrected GPS vertical velocity. The unusual uplift of the Longmen Shan fault indicates tectonically sophisticated processes in northeastern Tibet. PMID:27490550

A life-cycle model for wave-dominated tidal inlets along passive margin coasts of North America

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seminack, Christopher T.; McBride, Randolph A.

2018-03-01

A regional overview of 107 wave-dominated tidal inlets along the U.S. Atlantic coast, U.S. Gulf of Mexico coast, and Canadian Gulf of St. Lawrence coast yielded a generalized wave-dominated tidal inlet life-cycle model that recognized the rotational nature of tidal inlets. Tidal inlets are influenced by concurrently acting processes transpiring over two timescales: short-term, event-driven processes and long-term, evolutionary processes. Wave-dominated tidal inlets are classified into three rotational categories based on net longshore sediment transport direction and rotation direction along the landward (back-barrier) portion of the inlet channel: downdrift channel rotation, updrift channel rotation, or little-to-no channel rotation. Lateral shifting of the flood-tidal delta depocenter in response to available estuarine accommodation space appears to control inlet channel rotation. Flood-tidal delta deposits fill accommodation space locally within the estuary (i.e., creating bathymetric highs), causing the tidal-inlet channel to rotate. External influences, such as fluvial discharge, pre-existing back-barrier channels, and impeding salt marsh will also influence inlet-channel rotation. Storm events may rejuvenate the tidal inlet by scouring sediment within the flood-tidal delta, increasing local accommodation space. Wave-dominated tidal inlets are generally unstable and tend to open, concurrently migrate laterally and rotate, infill, and close. Channel rotation is a primary reason for wave-dominated tidal inlet closure. During rotation, the inlet channel lengthens and hydraulic efficiency decreases, thus causing tidal prism to decrease. Tidal prism, estuarine accommodation space, and sediment supply to the flood-tidal delta are the primary variables responsible for tidal inlet rotation. Stability of wave-dominated tidal inlets is further explained by: stability (S) = tidal prism (Ω) + estuarine accommodation space (V) - volume of annual sediment supply (Mt). Rotating wave-dominated tidal inlets follow a six-stage evolutionary model; whereas wave-dominated tidal inlets that exhibit little-to-no rotation follow a five-stage evolutionary model.

From micro to macro: the role of defects in the mechanical response of Earth and Planetary materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCarthy, Christine

2015-04-01

Microstructural features can greatly influence the bulk behavior of materials. Impurities, grain (and subgrain) size, dislocations, and partial melt can all affect the way that seismic waves are damped in the mantle, for instance, or how tidal energy is dissipated within an icy moon's outer shell. With proper scaling of the viscoelastic response, it is possible to use the attenuation signature -- for instance, the variation of Q with the micro/mesoscale evolution of deformation-induced strain (i.e. fabric) -- as a prospecting tool to determine active deformation structure within bodies of ice or rock at macroscopic (km) scale. In order to better interpret seismic data and provide better constraints for geophysical modeling, I design and perform laboratory experiments to directly measure the plastic and anelastic behaviours of various Earth and planetary materials, including polycrystalline ice. I will discuss findings from attenuation experiments, in particular results that suggest a coupling between deformation-induced microstructure effected by tectonics and attenuation behaviour. I will also discuss recent experiments that combine anelastic and frictional response using a custom-built biaxial friction apparatus. The experiments provide dynamic, frequency-dependent material properties of ice and ice on rock deformation at frequencies consistent with tidal forcing of Antarctic and Greenland glaciers. Such data can be used directly in models of glacier and ice stream flow and will inform our understanding of the complex glacier dynamics needed to improve predictions of sea level rise. Additionally, the experimental measurements can ultimately be compared with field observations to infer characteristics of the bed interface and the material composition of the bulk glacier.

75 FR 70224 - New York Tidal Energy Company; Notice Concluding Pre-Filing Process and Approving Process Plan...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-17

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 12665-003] New York Tidal... Tidal Energy Company. e. Name of Project: East River Tidal Energy Pilot Project. f. Location: In the.... Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 5.3 of the Commission's regulations. h. Applicant Contact: Daniel Power...

Folds on Europa: implications for crustal cycling and accommodation of extension.

PubMed

Prockter, L M; Pappalardo, R T

2000-08-11

Regional-scale undulations with associated small-scale secondary structures are inferred to be folds on Jupiter's moon Europa. Formation is consistent with stresses from tidal deformation, potentially triggering compressional instability of a region of locally high thermal gradient. Folds may compensate for extension elsewhere on Europa and then relax away over time.

Using neutron star observations to determine crust thicknesses, moments of inertia, and tidal deformabilities

DOE PAGES

Steiner, A. W.; Gandolfi, S.; Fattoyev, F. J.; ...

2015-01-13

Here, we perform a systematic assessment of models for the equation of state (EOS) of dense matter in the context of recent neutron star mass and radius measurements to obtain a broad picture of the structure of neutron stars. We demonstrate that currently available neutron star mass and radius measurements provide strong constraints on moments of inertia, tidal deformabilities, and crust thicknesses. Moreover, a measurement of the moment of inertia of PSR J0737-3039A with a 10% error, without any other information from observations, will constrain the EOS over a range of densities to within 50% 60%. We find tidal deformabilitiesmore » between 0.6 and 6 1036 g cm 2 s 2 (to 95% confidence) for M = 1.4 M ⊙ , and any measurement which constrains this range will provide an important constraint on dense matter. The crustal fraction of the moment of inertia can be as large as 10% for M = 1.4 M ⊙ permitting crusts to have a large enough moment of inertia reservoir to explain glitches in the Vela pulsar even with a large amount of superfluid entrainment. Finally, due to the uncertainty in the equation of state, there is at least a 40% variation in the thickness of the crust for a fixed mass and radius, which implies that future simulations of the cooling of a neutron star crust which has been heated by accretion will need to take this variation into account.« less

Tidal capture of stars by a massive black hole

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Novikov, I. D.; Pethick, C. J.; Polnarev, A. G.

1992-01-01

The processes leading to tidal capture of stars by a massive black hole and the consequences of these processes in a dense stellar cluster are discussed in detail. When the amplitude of a tide and the subsequent oscillations are sufficiently large, the energy deposited in a star after periastron passage and formation of a bound orbit cannot be estimated directly using the linear theory of oscillations of a spherical star, but rather numerical estimates must be used. The evolution of a star after tidal capture is discussed. The maximum ratio R of the cross-section for tidal capture to that for tidal disruption is about 3 for real systems. For the case of a stellar system with an empty capture loss cone, even in the case when the impact parameter for tidal capture only slightly exceeds the impact parameter for direct tidal disruption, tidal capture would be much more important than tidal disruption.

Parametric instability and wave turbulence driven by tidal excitation of internal waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Reun, Thomas; Favier, Benjamin; Le Bars, Michael

2018-04-01

We investigate the stability of stratified fluid layers undergoing homogeneous and periodic tidal deformation. We first introduce a local model which allows to study velocity and buoyancy fluctuations in a Lagrangian domain periodically stretched and sheared by the tidal base flow. While keeping the key physical ingredients only, such a model is efficient to simulate planetary regimes where tidal amplitudes and dissipation are small. With this model, we prove that tidal flows are able to drive parametric subharmonic resonances of internal waves, in a way reminiscent of the elliptical instability in rotating fluids. The growth rates computed via Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) are in very good agreement with WKB analysis and Floquet theory. We also investigate the turbulence driven by this instability mechanism. With spatio-temporal analysis, we show that it is a weak internal wave turbulence occurring at small Froude and buoyancy Reynolds numbers. When the gap between the excitation and the Brunt-V\\"ais\\"al\\"a frequencies is increased, the frequency spectrum of this wave turbulence displays a -2 power law reminiscent of the high-frequency branch of the Garett and Munk spectrum (Garrett & Munk 1979) which has been measured in the oceans. In addition, we find that the mixing efficiency is altered compared to what is computed in the context of DNS of stratified turbulence excited at small Froude and large buoyancy Reynolds numbers and is consistent with a superposition of waves.

Simulated recovery of Europa's global shape and tidal Love numbers from altimetry and radio tracking during a dedicated flyby tour

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazarico, Erwan; Genova, Antonio; Neumann, Gregory A.; Smith, David E.; Zuber, Maria T.

2015-05-01

The fundamental scientific objectives for future spacecraft exploration of Jupiter's moon Europa include confirmation of the existence of subsurface ocean beneath the surface ice shell and constraints on the physical properties of the ocean. Here we conduct a comprehensive simulation of a multiple-flyby mission. We demonstrate that radio tracking data can provide an estimate of the gravitational tidal Love number k2 with sufficient precision to confirm the presence of a liquid layer. We further show that a capable long-range laser altimeter can improve determination of the spacecraft position, improve the k2 determination (<1% error), and enable the estimation of the planetary shape and Love number h2 (3-4% error), which is directly related to the amplitude of the surface tidal deformation. These measurements, in addition to the global shape accurately constrained by the long altimetric profiles, can yield further constraints on the interior structure of Europa.

Tidal analysis and Arrival Process Mining Using Automatic Identification System (AIS) Data

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-01

files, organized by location. The data were processed using the Python programming language (van Rossum and Drake 2001), the Pandas data analysis...ER D C/ CH L TR -1 7- 2 Coastal Inlets Research Program Tidal Analysis and Arrival Process Mining Using Automatic Identification System...17-2 January 2017 Tidal Analysis and Arrival Process Mining Using Automatic Identification System (AIS) Data Brandan M. Scully Coastal and

Modeling In-stream Tidal Energy Extraction and Its Potential Environmental Impacts

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

Yang, Zhaoqing; Wang, Taiping; Copping, Andrea

In recent years, there has been growing interest in harnessing in-stream tidal energy in response to concerns of increasing energy demand and to mitigate climate change impacts. While many studies have been conducted to assess and map tidal energy resources, efforts for quantifying the associated potential environmental impacts have been limited. This paper presents the development of a tidal turbine module within a three-dimensional unstructured-grid coastal ocean model and its application for assessing the potential environmental impacts associated with tidal energy extraction. The model is used to investigate in-stream tidal energy extraction and associated impacts on estuarine hydrodynamic and biologicalmore » processes in a tidally dominant estuary. A series of numerical experiments with varying numbers and configurations of turbines installed in an idealized estuary were carried out to assess the changes in the hydrodynamics and biological processes due to tidal energy extraction. Model results indicated that a large number of turbines are required to extract the maximum tidal energy and cause significant reduction of the volume flux. Preliminary model results also indicate that extraction of tidal energy increases vertical mixing and decreases flushing rate in a stratified estuary. The tidal turbine model was applied to simulate tidal energy extraction in Puget Sound, a large fjord-like estuary in the Pacific Northwest coast.« less

Sedimentary fabrics of the macrotidal, mud-dominated, inner estuary to fluvio-tidal transition zone, Petitcodiac River estuary, New Brunswick, Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shchepetkina, Alina; Gingras, Murray K.; Zonneveld, John-Paul; Pemberton, S. George

2016-03-01

The study provides a detailed description of mud-dominated sedimentary fabrics and their application for the rock record within the inner estuary to the fluvial zone of the Petitcodiac River estuary, New Brunswick, Canada. Sedimentological characteristics and facies distributions of the clay- and silt-rich deposits are reported. The inner estuary is characterized by thick accumulations of interbedded silt and silty clay on intertidal banks that flank the tidally influenced channel. The most common sedimentary structures observed are parallel and wavy lamination, small-scale soft-sediment deformation with microfaults, and clay and silt current ripples. The tidal channel contains sandy silt and clayey silt with planar lamination, massive and convolute bedding. The fluvio-tidal transition zone is represented by interbedded trough cross-stratified sand and gravel beds with planar laminated to massive silty mud. The riverine, non-tidal reach of the estuary is characterized by massive, planar tabular and trough cross-stratified gravel-bed deposits. The absence of bioturbation within the inner estuary to the fluvio-tidal transition zone can be explained by the following factors: low water salinities (0-5 ppt), amplified tide and current speeds, and high concentrations of flocculated material in the water body. Notably, downstream in the middle and outer estuary, bioturbation is seasonally pervasive: in those locales the sedimentary conditions are similar, but salinity is higher. In this study, the sedimentological (i.e., grain size, bedding characters, sedimentary structures) differences between the tidal estuary and the fluvial setting are substantial, and those changes occur over only a few hundred meters. This suggests that the widely used concept of an extensive fluvio-tidal transition zone and its depositional character may not be a geographically significant component of fluvial or estuary deposits, which can go unnoticed in the study of the ancient rocks.

Consideration of permanent tidal deformation in the orbit determination and data analysis for the Topex/Poseidon mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rapp, Richard H.; Nerem, R. Steven; Shum, C. K.; Klosko, Steven M.; Williamson, Ronald G.

1991-01-01

The effects of the permanent tidal effects of the Sun and Moon with specific applications to satellite altimeter data reduction are reviewed in the context of a consistent definition of geoid undulations. Three situations are applicable not only for altimeter reduction and geoid definition, but also for the second degree zonal harmonic of the geopotential and the equatorial radius. A recommendation is made that sea surface heights and geoid undulations placed on the Topex/Poseidon geophysical data record should be referred to the mean Earth case (i.e., with the permanent effects of the Sun and Moon included). Numerical constants for a number of parameters, including a flattening and geoid geopotential, are included.

Schwarzschild, Karl (1873-1916)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murdin, P.

2000-11-01

Mathematical physicist, born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, at first worked on celestial mechanics, including POINCARÉ's theory of rotating bodies, the tidal deformation of moons and LAPLACE's origin of the solar system. He became professor at Göttingen and Potsdam. He wrote on relativity and quantum theory. He early on proposed that space was non-Euclidean, giving a lower limit for the radius of...

Unveiling the Universality of I-Love-Q Relations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sham, Y.-H.; Chan, T. K.; Lin, L.-M.; Leung, P. T.

2015-01-01

The recent discovery of the universal I-Love-Q relations connecting the moment of inertia, tidal deformability, and the spin-induced quadrupole moment of compact stars is intriguing and totally unexpected. In this paper, we provide numerical evidence showing that the universality can be attributed to the incompressible limit of the I-Love-Q relations. The fact that modern equations of state are stiff, with an effective adiabatic index larger than about two, above the nuclear density range is the key to establishing the universality for neutron stars and quark stars with typical compactness from about 0.1 to 0.3. On the other hand, the I-Love-Q relations of low-mass neutron stars near the minimum mass limit depend more sensitively on the underlying equation of state because these stars are composed mainly of softer matter at low densities. However, the I-Love-Q relations for low-mass quark stars can still be represented accurately by the incompressible limit. We also study the I-Love relation connecting the moment of inertia and tidal deformability analytically in Newtonian gravity and show why the I-Love-Q relation is weakly dependent on the underlying equation of state and can be attributed to its incompressible limit.

Glacier and Ice Shelves Studies Using Satellite SAR Interferometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rignot, Eric

1999-01-01

Satellite radar interferometry is a powerful technique to measure the surface velocity and topography of glacier ice. On ice shelves, a quadruple difference technique separates tidal motion from the steady creep flow deformation of ice. The results provide a wealth of information about glacier grounding lines , mass fluxes, stability, elastic properties of ice, and tidal regime. The grounding line, which is where the glacier detaches from its bed and becomes afloat, is detected with a precision of a few tens of meters. Combining this information with satellite radar altimetry makes it possible to measure glacier discharge into the ocean and state of mass balance with greater precision than ever before, and in turn provide a significant revision of past estimates of mass balance of the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets. Analysis of creep rates on floating ice permits an estimation of basal melting at the ice shelf underside. The results reveal that the action of ocean water in sub-ice-shelf cavities has been largely underestimated by oceanographic models and is the dominant mode of mass release to the ocean from an ice shelf. Precise mapping of grounding line positions also permits the detection of grounding line migration, which is a fine indicator of glacier change, independent of our knowledge of snow accumulation and ice melting. This technique has been successfully used to detect the rapid retreat of Pine Island Glacier, the largest ice stream in West Antarctica. Finally, tidal motion of ice shelves measured interferometrically provides a modern, synoptic view of the physical processes which govern the formation of tabular icebergs in the Antarctic.

Flicker Noise in GNSS Station Position Time Series: How much is due to Crustal Loading Deformations?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rebischung, P.; Chanard, K.; Metivier, L.; Altamimi, Z.

2017-12-01

The presence of colored noise in GNSS station position time series was detected 20 years ago. It has been shown since then that the background spectrum of non-linear GNSS station position residuals closely follows a power-law process (known as flicker noise, 1/f noise or pink noise), with some white noise taking over at the highest frequencies. However, the origin of the flicker noise present in GNSS station position time series is still unclear. Flicker noise is often described as intrinsic to the GNSS system, i.e. due to errors in the GNSS observations or in their modeling, but no such error source has been identified so far that could explain the level of observed flicker noise, nor its spatial correlation.We investigate another possible contributor to the observed flicker noise, namely real crustal displacements driven by surface mass transports, i.e. non-tidal loading deformations. This study is motivated by the presence of power-law noise in the time series of low-degree (≤ 40) and low-order (≤ 12) Stokes coefficients observed by GRACE - power-law noise might also exist at higher degrees and orders, but obscured by GRACE observational noise. By comparing GNSS station position time series with loading deformation time series derived from GRACE gravity fields, both with their periodic components removed, we therefore assess whether GNSS and GRACE both plausibly observe the same flicker behavior of surface mass transports / loading deformations. Taking into account GRACE observability limitations, we also quantify the amount of flicker noise in GNSS station position time series that could be explained by such flicker loading deformations.

Linking freshwater tidal hydrology to carbon cycling in bottomland hardwood wetlands

Treesearch

Carl C. Trettin; Brooke J. Czwartacki; Craig J. Allan; Devendra M. Amatya

2016-01-01

Hydrology is recognized as one of the principal factors regulating soil biogeochemical processes in forested wetlands. However, the consequences of tidally mediated hydrology are seldom considered within forested wetlands that occur along tidal water bodies. These tidal water bodies may be either fresh or brackish, and the tidal streams function as a reservoir to...

A method of smoothed particle hydrodynamics using spheroidal kernels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fulbright, Michael S.; Benz, Willy; Davies, Melvyn B.

1995-01-01

We present a new method of three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) designed to model systems dominated by deformation along a preferential axis. These systems cause severe problems for SPH codes using spherical kernels, which are best suited for modeling systems which retain rough spherical symmetry. Our method allows the smoothing length in the direction of the deformation to evolve independently of the smoothing length in the perpendicular plane, resulting in a kernel with a spheroidal shape. As a result the spatial resolution in the direction of deformation is significantly improved. As a test case we present the one-dimensional homologous collapse of a zero-temperature, uniform-density cloud, which serves to demonstrate the advantages of spheroidal kernels. We also present new results on the problem of the tidal disruption of a star by a massive black hole.

Development of integrated protocols to track the deposition and impacts of metal contaminants in tidal riverine environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roe, Helen M.; Patterson, R. Timothy; Nasser, Nawaf; Edwards, Robin J.; Graham, Conor

2016-04-01

Tidally-influenced rivers are particularly vulnerable to the effects of metal contamination, yet are amongst the most complex fluvial environments in terms of their sediment deposition and transport patterns. We present the results of an interdisciplinary study that aims to elucidate the fluxes and deposition of metal contaminants in a tidally-influenced river system in Northern Ireland, with a view to developing protocols that will have wide applicability for the monitoring and assessment of metal contaminants in similar environments in other regions. We employ a novel methodology that combines ICPMS analysis of sediments, ITRAX-based core analysis and the examination a important group of shelled protozoans (foraminifera), which occur widely in tidal riverine environments, and which are highly sensitive to metal contamination. The responses shown by the group vary between species and with different levels of contaminant exposure. Some species, for example, show increased relative abundances in proximity to discharge sources, whilst others develop chamber deformities. Application of our integrated multiproxy approach to the analysis of surface sediment samples and cores provides a framework for assessing both the spatial and temporal patterns of metal deposition and the impact of contaminants on the biota. Modern sediment samples (n=90) were collected at varying distances from a point contamination source (a former industrial site) in different morpho-sedimentary settings. The impact of 25 measured variables on the modern foraminiferal faunas was considered, including 20 metals, pH, conductivity, elevation and particle size. Channel sediments in close proximity to the contamination source and with the highest levels of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mg and As, yielded the sparsest foraminiferal faunas (Shannon Diversity Index values 0-1.5), whilst the highest prevalence of foraminiferids showing chamber deformities were observed in channel edge and levée bank sites. Kernal density plots showing metal loading and foraminiferal concentrations across the site aided in determining spatial trends. The sediment core data revealed that deformed foraminiferal specimens can extend >15 cm below the contemporary floodplain surface to horizons that pre-date the historical onset of the contamination, suggesting vertical mobilisation of sediment and/or infaunal migration. Etching of the foraminiferal tests in association with reduced pH conditions was also observed for some species. Biometric analysis of tests using SEM imagery further aided in the identification of deformities and the delimitation of graded responses to contaminants. The results of this study of core and surficial samples indicate that the adoption of integrated methodologies that combine established geochemical analysis techniques (e.g. ICPMS analysis) with the observed ecophenotypic response of key indicator microfossil groups (e.g. foraminifera) can provide invaluable data on habitat responses to environmental contamination. Such long-term habitat evaluation data is invaluable to policy makers and planners when prioritising management and remediation efforts.

The effect of lung deformation on the spatial distribution of pulmonary blood flow.

PubMed

Arai, Tatsuya J; Theilmann, Rebecca J; Sá, Rui Carlos; Villongco, Michael T; Hopkins, Susan R

2016-11-01

Pulmonary perfusion measurement using magnetic resonance imaging combined with deformable image registration enabled us to quantify the change in the spatial distribution of pulmonary perfusion at different lung volumes. The current study elucidated the effects of tidal volume lung inflation [functional residual capacity (FRC) + 500 ml and FRC + 1 litre] on the change in pulmonary perfusion distribution. Changes in hydrostatic pressure distribution as well as transmural pressure distribution due to the change in lung height with tidal volume inflation are probably bigger contributors to the redistribution of pulmonary perfusion than the changes in pulmonary vasculature resistance caused by lung tissue stretch. Tidal volume lung inflation results in structural changes in the pulmonary circulation, potentially affecting pulmonary perfusion. We hypothesized that perfusion is recruited to regions receiving the greatest deformation from a tidal breath, thus ensuring ventilation-perfusion matching. Density-normalized perfusion (DNP) magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained in healthy subjects (n = 7) in the right lung at functional residual capacity (FRC), FRC+500 ml, and FRC+1.0 l. Using deformable image registration, the displacement of a sagittal lung slice acquired at FRC to the larger volumes was calculated. Registered DNP images were normalized by the mean to estimate perfusion redistribution (nDNP). Data were evaluated across gravitational regions (dependent, middle, non-dependent) and by lobes (upper, RUL; middle, RML; lower, RLL). Lung inflation did not alter mean DNP within the slice (P = 0.10). The greatest expansion was seen in the dependent region (P < 0.0001: dependent vs non-dependent, P < 0.0001: dependent vs middle) and RLL (P = 0.0015: RLL vs RUL, P < 0.0001: RLL vs RML). Neither nDNP recruitment to RLL [+500 ml = -0.047(0.145), +1 litre = 0.018(0.096)] nor to dependent lung [+500 ml = -0.058(0.126), +1 litre = -0.023(0.106)] were found. Instead, redistribution was seen in decreased nDNP in the non-dependent [+500 ml = -0.075(0.152), +1 litre = -0.137(0.167)) and increased nDNP in the gravitational middle lung [+500 ml = 0.098(0.058), +1 litre = 0.093(0.081)] (P = 0.01). However, there was no significant lobar redistribution (P < 0.89). Contrary to our hypothesis, based on the comparison between gravitational and lobar perfusion data, perfusion was not redistributed to the regions of the most inflation. This suggests that either changes in hydrostatic pressure or transmural pressure distribution in the gravitational direction are implicated in the redistribution of perfusion away from the non-dependent lung. © 2016 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2016 The Physiological Society.

The effect of lung deformation on the spatial distribution of pulmonary blood flow

PubMed Central

Arai, Tatsuya J.; Theilmann, Rebecca J.; Sá, Rui Carlos; Villongco, Michael T.

2016-01-01

Key points Pulmonary perfusion measurement using magnetic resonance imaging combined with deformable image registration enabled us to quantify the change in the spatial distribution of pulmonary perfusion at different lung volumes.The current study elucidated the effects of tidal volume lung inflation [functional residual capacity (FRC) + 500 ml and FRC + 1 litre] on the change in pulmonary perfusion distribution.Changes in hydrostatic pressure distribution as well as transmural pressure distribution due to the change in lung height with tidal volume inflation are probably bigger contributors to the redistribution of pulmonary perfusion than the changes in pulmonary vasculature resistance caused by lung tissue stretch. Abstract Tidal volume lung inflation results in structural changes in the pulmonary circulation, potentially affecting pulmonary perfusion. We hypothesized that perfusion is recruited to regions receiving the greatest deformation from a tidal breath, thus ensuring ventilation–perfusion matching. Density‐normalized perfusion (DNP) magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained in healthy subjects (n = 7) in the right lung at functional residual capacity (FRC), FRC+500 ml, and FRC+1.0 l. Using deformable image registration, the displacement of a sagittal lung slice acquired at FRC to the larger volumes was calculated. Registered DNP images were normalized by the mean to estimate perfusion redistribution (nDNP). Data were evaluated across gravitational regions (dependent, middle, non‐dependent) and by lobes (upper, RUL; middle, RML; lower, RLL). Lung inflation did not alter mean DNP within the slice (P = 0.10). The greatest expansion was seen in the dependent region (P < 0.0001: dependent vs non‐dependent, P < 0.0001: dependent vs middle) and RLL (P = 0.0015: RLL vs RUL, P < 0.0001: RLL vs RML). Neither nDNP recruitment to RLL [+500 ml = −0.047(0.145), +1 litre = 0.018(0.096)] nor to dependent lung [+500 ml = −0.058(0.126), +1 litre = −0.023(0.106)] were found. Instead, redistribution was seen in decreased nDNP in the non‐dependent [+500 ml = −0.075(0.152), +1 litre = −0.137(0.167)) and increased nDNP in the gravitational middle lung [+500 ml = 0.098(0.058), +1 litre = 0.093(0.081)] (P = 0.01). However, there was no significant lobar redistribution (P < 0.89). Contrary to our hypothesis, based on the comparison between gravitational and lobar perfusion data, perfusion was not redistributed to the regions of the most inflation. This suggests that either changes in hydrostatic pressure or transmural pressure distribution in the gravitational direction are implicated in the redistribution of perfusion away from the non‐dependent lung. PMID:27273807

Noise-Based Seismic Measurements of Tidal-Induced Velocity Changes from Large-N Arrays at the Piton de la Fournaise Volcano

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, S.; Campillo, M.; van der Hilst, R. D.; Brenguier, F.; Stehly, L.; Hillers, G.

2016-12-01

We measure the relative seismic velocity changes due to the periodic tidal deformation of the crust at Piton de la Fournaise (PdF) Volcano, La Réunion, where the velocity is expected to be highly sensitive to stress changes because of the low effective pressure resulting from volcanic fluids. We use ambient noise data from the VolcArray experiment at PdF [Brenguier et al, 2016], which includes continuous records of three dense arrays for 30 days in July 2014. Each array consists of 7 x 7 grid points of vertical-component geophones with spacing of about 80 m. We compute hourly cross-correlations of the ambient seismic wavefield to recover the Green's functions, and apply the curvelet filter to improve the signal to noise ratio at high frequency. The travel time variations of multiple-scattered body waves are calculated by the doublet analysis. Taking advantage of the stack of over 1200 station pairs for each array, the relative velocity changes are obtained with a time resolution of up to 1 hour. We remove the long period velocity variations associated with precipitation and deformation related to magma migration using a polynomial interpolation. The remaining velocity fluctuations are of the order of 0.01%. We compare the temporal changes to the vertical accelerations recorded by the nearby very long period seismic station RER, and the simulations of the volumetric tidal strain by SPOTL [Agnew, 2012]. Dominant peaks at around 12 hours and 24 hours are found very consistent in the spectrums of all three series, while small peaks at higher frequency also appear. The phases of dv/v temporal variations match well with the tidal signals during periods of large amplitudes. This experiment shows the feasibility of continuous noise-based measurements of tidal-induced seismic velocity changes with hourly resolution. REFERENCE: [1] Brenguier, F., et al. (2016), Towards 4-D noise-based seismology: First results of a Large-N array experiment on Piton de la Fournaise volcano, Seismol. Res. Lett., 87(1), 15-25, doi:10.1785/0220150173. [2] Agnew, D. C. (2012). SPOTL: Some Programs for Ocean-Tide Loading, SIO Technical Report, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Recent scientific advances and their implications for sand management near San Francisco, California: the influences of the ebb tidal delta

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hanes, Daniel M.; Barnard, Patrick L.; Dallas, Kate; Elias, Edwin; Erikson, Li H.; Eshleman, Jodi; Hansen, Jeff; Hsu, Tian Jian; Shi, Fengyan

2011-01-01

Recent research in the San Francisco, California, U.S.A., coastal region has identified the importance of the ebb tidal delta to coastal processes. A process-based numerical model is found to qualitatively reproduce the equilibrium size and shape of the delta. The ebb tidal delta itself has been contracting over the past century, and the numerical model is applied to investigate the sensitivity of the delta to changes in forcing conditions. The large ebb tidal delta has a strong influence upon regional coastal processes. The prominent bathymetry of the ebb tidal delta protects some of the coast from extreme storm waves, but the delta also focuses wave energy toward the central and southern portions of Ocean Beach. Wave focusing likely contributes to a chronic erosion problem at the southern end of Ocean Beach. The ebb tidal delta in combination with non-linear waves provides a potential cross-shore sediment transport pathway that probably supplies sediment to Ocean Beach.

Variability of suspended-sediment concentration at tidal to annual time scales in San Francisco Bay, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Schoellhamer, D.H.

2002-01-01

Singular spectrum analysis for time series with missing data (SSAM) was used to reconstruct components of a 6-yr time series of suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) from San Francisco Bay. Data were collected every 15 min and the time series contained missing values that primarily were due to sensor fouling. SSAM was applied in a sequential manner to calculate reconstructed components with time scales of variability that ranged from tidal to annual. Physical processes that controlled SSC and their contribution to the total variance of SSC were (1) diurnal, semidiurnal, and other higher frequency tidal constituents (24%), (2) semimonthly tidal cycles (21%), (3) monthly tidal cycles (19%), (4) semiannual tidal cycles (12%), and (5) annual pulses of sediment caused by freshwater inflow, deposition, and subsequent wind-wave resuspension (13%). Of the total variance 89% was explained and subtidal variability (65%) was greater than tidal variability (24%). Processes at subtidal time scales accounted for more variance of SSC than processes at tidal time scales because sediment accumulated in the water column and the supply of easily erodible bed sediment increased during periods of increased subtidal energy. This large range of time scales that each contained significant variability of SSC and associated contaminants can confound design of sampling programs and interpretation of resulting data.

Titan's interior constrained from its obliquity and tidal Love number

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baland, Rose-Marie; Coyette, Alexis; Yseboodt, Marie; Beuthe, Mikael; Van Hoolst, Tim

2016-04-01

In the last few years, the Cassini-Huygens mission to the Saturn system has measured the shape, the obliquity, the static gravity field, and the tidally induced gravity field of Titan. The large values of the obliquity and of the k2 Love number both point to the existence of a global internal ocean below the icy crust. In order to constrain interior models of Titan, we combine the above-mentioned data as follows: (1) we build four-layer density profiles consistent with Titan's bulk properties; (2) we determine the corresponding internal flattening compatible with the observed gravity and topography; (3) we compute the obliquity and tidal Love number for each interior model; (4) we compare these predictions with the observations. Previously, we found that Titan is more differentiated than expected (assuming hydrostatic equilibrium), and that its ocean is dense and less than 100 km thick. Here, we revisit these conclusions using a more complete Cassini state model, including: (1) gravitational and pressure torques due to internal tidal deformations; (2) atmosphere/lakes-surface exchange of angular momentum; (3) inertial torque due to Poincaré flow. We also adopt faster methods to evaluate Love numbers (i.e. the membrane approach) in order to explore a larger parameter space.

Tides and lake-level variations in the great Patagonian lakes: Observations, modelling and geophysical implications.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marderwald, Eric; Richter, Andreas; Horwath, Martin; Hormaechea, Jose Luis; Groh, Andreas

2016-04-01

In Patagonia, the glacial-isostatic adjustment (GIA) to past ice-mass changes (Ivins & James 2004; Klemann et al. 2007) is of particular interest in the context of the determination of the complex regional rheology related to plate subduction in a triple-junction constellation. To further complicate the situation, GIA is overlaid with load deformation not only due to present ice mass changes but also due to water-level changes in the lakes surrounding the icefields and the ocean surrounding Patagonia. These elastic deformations affect the determination of glacial-isostatic uplift rates from GPS observations (Dietrich et al. 2010; Lange et al. 2014). Observations of lake tides and their comparison with the theoretical tidal signal have been used previously to validate predictions of ocean tidal loading and have revealed regional deviations from conventional global elastic earth models (Richter et al. 2009). In this work we investigate the tides and lake-level variations in Lago Argentino, Lago Viedma, Lago San Martín/O'Higgins and Lago Buenos Aires/General Carrera. This allows us to test, among other things, the validity of tidal loading models. We present pressure tide-gauge records from two sites in Lago Argentino extending over 2.5 years (Richter et al. 2015). These observations are complemented by lake-level records provided by the Argentine National Hydrometeorological Network. Based on these lake-level time series the principal processes affecting the lake level are identified and quantified. Lake-level changes reflecting variations in lake volume are dominated by a seasonal cycle exceeding 1 m in amplitude. Lake-volume changes occur in addition with a daily period in response to melt water influx from surrounding glaciers. In Lago Argentino sporadic lake-volume jumps are caused by bursting of the ice dam of Perito Moreno glacier. Water movements in these lakes are dominated by surface seiches reaching 20 cm in amplitude. A harmonic tidal analysis of the lake-level time series from Lagos Argentino and Viedma yields the amplitudes and phases of the lake tides for the four major tidal constituents M2, S2, O1 and K1. The maximum amplitude, corresponding to the semi-diurnal moon tide M2 in Lago Argentino, amounts to 3 mm. For the four lakes under investigation the theoretical amplitudes and phases of seven constituents (Q1, O1, P1, K1, N2, M2 and S2) are modelled accounting for the contributions of both the solid earth's body tides and the ocean tidal loading (Marderwald 2014). Both contributions involve a deformation of the earth surface and of the equipotential surfaces of the gravity field. For the load tide computation the global ocean tide model EOT11a (Savcenko and Bosch, 2012) and the Gutenberg-Bullen A earth model (Farrell, 1972) was applied and the conservation of water volume is taken into account. The comparison of the tidal signal extracted from the lake-level observations in Lagos Argentino and Viedma with the lake tide models indicates a phase shift which is most likely explained by an 1 hour phase lag of the employed global ocean tide model in the region of the highly fragmented Pacific coast. REFERENCES: Farrell, W. E., (1972). Deformation of the Earth by Surface Loads. Rev. Geophy. Space Phy., 10(3):761-797. Ivins, E., James, T., 2004. Bedrock response to Llanquihue Holocene and present-day glaciation in southernmost South America. Geophys. Res. Lett. 31 (L24613). Doi:10.1029/2004GL021500. Klemann, V., E. R. Ivins, Z. Martinec, and D. Wolf (2007), Models of active glacial isostasy roofing warm subduction: Case of the South Patagonian Ice Field, J. Geophys. Res., 112, B09405, doi: 10.1029/2006JB004818. Lange, H., Casassa, G., Ivins, E. R., Schröder, L., Fritsche, M., Richter, A., Groh, A., Dietrich, R., (2014). Observed crustal uplift near the Southern Patagonian Icefield constrains improved viscoelastic Earth models. Geophysical Research Letters, DOI: 10.1002/2013GL058419. Marderwald ER, 2014. Modelado de las mareas de grandes lagos patagónicos. Licenciatura thesis, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina. Richter, A., Marderwald, E., Hormaechea, J.L., Mendoza, L., Perdomo, R., Connon, G., Scheinert, M., Horwath, M., Dietrich, R. (2015): Lake-level variations and tides in Lago Argentino, Patagonia: insights from pressure tide gauge records. Journal of Limnology (accepted), doi:10.4081/jlimnol.2015.1189. Richter A, Hormaechea JL, Dietrich R, Perdomo R, Fritsche M, Del Cogliano D, Liebsch G, Mendoza L, 2009. Anomalous ocean load tide signal observed in lake-level variations in Tierra del Fuego. Geophys. Res. Lett. 36:L05305. Savcenko, R., and W. Bosch (2012), EOT11a - Empirical Ocean Tide Model from Multi-Mission Satellite Altimetry. Deutsches Geodätisches Forschungsinstitut (DGFI), Munich, Report Number 89.

ARRAY OPTIMIZATION FOR TIDAL ENERGY EXTRACTION IN A TIDAL CHANNEL – A NUMERICAL MODELING ANALYSIS

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

Yang, Zhaoqing; Wang, Taiping; Copping, Andrea

This paper presents an application of a hydrodynamic model to simulate tidal energy extraction in a tidal dominated estuary in the Pacific Northwest coast. A series of numerical experiments were carried out to simulate tidal energy extraction with different turbine array configurations, including location, spacing and array size. Preliminary model results suggest that array optimization for tidal energy extraction in a real-world site is a very complex process that requires consideration of multiple factors. Numerical models can be used effectively to assist turbine siting and array arrangement in a tidal turbine farm for tidal energy extraction.

Novel spirometry based on optical surface imaging

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

Li, Guang, E-mail: lig2@mskcc.org; Huang, Hailiang; Li, Diana G.

2015-04-15

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of using optical surface imaging (OSI) to measure the dynamic tidal volume (TV) of the human torso during free breathing. Methods: We performed experiments to measure volume or volume change in geometric and deformable phantoms as well as human subjects using OSI. To assess the accuracy of OSI in volume determination, we performed experiments using five geometric phantoms and two deformable body phantoms and compared the values with those derived from geometric calculations and computed tomography (CT) measurements, respectively. To apply this technique to human subjects, an institutional review board protocol was established and threemore » healthy volunteers were studied. In the human experiment, a high-speed image capture mode of OSI was applied to acquire torso images at 4–5 frames per second, which was synchronized with conventional spirometric measurements at 5 Hz. An in-house MATLAB program was developed to interactively define the volume of interest (VOI), separate the thorax and abdomen, and automatically calculate the thoracic and abdominal volumes within the VOIs. The torso volume change (TV C = ΔV{sub torso} = ΔV{sub thorax} + ΔV{sub abdomen}) was automatically calculated using full-exhalation phase as the reference. The volumetric breathing pattern (BP{sub v} = ΔV{sub thorax}/ΔV{sub torso}) quantifying thoracic and abdominal volume variations was also calculated. Under quiet breathing, TVC should equal the tidal volume measured concurrently by a spirometer with a conversion factor (1.08) accounting for internal and external differences of temperature and moisture. Another MATLAB program was implemented to control the conventional spirometer that was used as the standard. Results: The volumes measured from the OSI imaging of geometric phantoms agreed with the calculated volumes with a discrepancy of 0.0% ± 1.6% (range −1.9% to 2.5%). In measurements from the deformable torso/thorax phantoms, the volume differences measured using OSI imaging and CT imaging were 1.2% ± 2.1% (range −0.5% to 3.6%), with a linear regression fitting (slope = 1.02 and R{sup 2} = 0.999). In volunteers, the relative error in OSI tidal volume measurement was −2.2% ± 4.9% (range −9.2% to 4.8%) and a correlation of r = 0.98 was found with spirometric measurement. The breathing pattern values of the three volunteers were substantially different from each other (BP{sub v} = 0.15, 0.45, and 0.32). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using OSI to measure breathing tidal volumes and breathing patterns with adequate accuracy. This is the first time that dynamic breathing tidal volume as well as breathing patterns is measured using optical surface imaging. The OSI-observed movement of the entire torso could serve as a new respiratory surrogate in the treatment room during radiation therapy.« less

Surface Evolution from Orbital Decay on Phobos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hurford, Terry; Asphaug, Erik; Spitale, Joseph; Hemingway, Douglas; Rhoden, Alyssa; Henning, Wade; Bills, Bruce; Kattenhorn, Simon; Walker, Matthew

2015-11-01

Phobos, the innermost satellite of Mars, displays an extensive system of grooves that are mostly symmetric about its sub-Mars point. Phobos is steadily spiraling inward due to the tides it raises, and will suffer tidal disruption before colliding with Mars. We calculate the surface stress field of the de-orbiting satellite and show that the first signs of tidal disruption are already present on its surface. Most of Phobos’ prominent grooves have an excellent correlation with computed stress orientations. The model predicts an interior that has very low strength on the tidal evolution timescale, overlain by a ~10-100 m exterior shell that has elastic properties similar to lunar regolith.Shortly after the Viking spacecraft obtained the first geomorphic images of Phobos, it was proposed that stresses from orbital decay cause grooves. But, assuming a homogeneous Phobos, it proved impossible to account for the build-up of failure stress in the exterior regardless of the value assumed for Phobos’ rigidity. Hence, the tidal model languished. Here, we revisit the tidal origin of surface fractures with a more detailed treatment that shows the production of significant stress in a surface layer, with a very strong correlation to the geometry of grooves.Our model results applied to surface observations imply that Phobos has a rubble pile interior that is nearly strengthless. A lunar-like cohesive regolith outer layer overlays the rubble pile interior. This outer layer behaves elastically and can experience significant tidal stress at levels able to drive tensile failure. Fissures can develop as the global body deforms due to increasing tides related to orbital decay. Phobos may have an active and evolving surface; an exciting target for further exploration. The interior predictions of this model can be evaluated by future detailed studies performed by an orbiter or lander.

Computer algorithm for analyzing and processing borehole strainmeter data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Langbein, John O.

2010-01-01

The newly installed Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO) strainmeters record signals from tectonic activity, Earth tides, and atmospheric pressure. Important information about tectonic processes may occur at amplitudes at and below tidal strains and pressure loading. If incorrect assumptions are made regarding the background noise in the strain data, then the estimates of tectonic signal amplitudes may be incorrect. Furthermore, the use of simplifying assumptions that data are uncorrelated can lead to incorrect results and pressure loading and tides may not be completely removed from the raw data. Instead, any algorithm used to process strainmeter data must incorporate the strong temporal correlations that are inherent with these data. The technique described here uses least squares but employs data covariance that describes the temporal correlation of strainmeter data. There are several advantages to this method since many parameters are estimated simultaneously. These parameters include: (1) functional terms that describe the underlying error model, (2) the tidal terms, (3) the pressure loading term(s), (4) amplitudes of offsets, either those from earthquakes or from the instrument, (5) rate and changes in rate, and (6) the amplitudes and time constants of either logarithmic or exponential curves that can characterize postseismic deformation or diffusion of fluids near the strainmeter. With the proper error model, realistic estimates of the standard errors of the various parameters are obtained; this is especially critical in determining the statistical significance of a suspected, tectonic strain signal. The program also provides a method of tracking the various adjustments required to process strainmeter data. In addition, the program provides several plots to assist with identifying either tectonic signals or other signals that may need to be removed before any geophysical signal can be identified.

Observations of Near-Bed Deposition and Resuspension Processes at the Fluvial-Tidal Transition Using High Resolution Adcp, Adv, and Lisst

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haught, D. R.; Stumpner, P.

2012-12-01

Processes that determine deposition and resuspension of sediment in fluvial and tidal systems are complicated and difficult to predict because of turbulence-sediment interaction. In fluvial systems net sediment deposition rates near the bed are determined by shear stresses that occur when turbulence interacts with the bed and the entrained sediment above. In tidal systems, processes are driven primarily by the confounding factors of slack water and reversing flow. In this study we investigate near-bed sediment fluxes, settling velocities and sediment size distributions during a change from a fluvial signal to a tidal signal. In order to examine these processes a high resolution, high frequency ADCP, ADV, water quality sonde and LISST data were collocated at the fluvial-tidal transition in the Sacramento River at Freeport, CA. Data were collected at 15-30 minute increments for a month`. Data were dissevered into fluvial and tidal components. Acoustic backscatterence was used as a surrogate to sediment concentration and sediment flux () was calculated from the turbulence properties. Settling velocities were computed from the diffusion-advection equation assuming equilibrium of settling and re-suspension fluxes. Particle density was back-calculated from median particle diameter and calculated settling velocities (Reynolds number<0.5) using Stokes' law. Preliminary results suggest that during peak fluvial discharge that the diffusion-advection gives poor estimates of settling velocities as inferred from particle densities above 3500 kg/m3. During the transition from fluvial to tidal signal and throughout the tidal signal particle densities range from 2650 kg/m3 to 1000 kg/m3, suggesting that settling velocities were accurately estimated. Thus the equilibrium assumption appears poor during high fluvial discharge and reasonable during low fluvial discharge when tidal signal is dominant.

On the determination of the long period tidal perturbations in the elements of artificial earth satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Musen, P.; Felsentreger, T.

1972-01-01

The magnitude of the tidal effects depends upon the elastic properties of the earth as described by Love numbers. The Love numbers appear as the coefficients in the expansion of the exterior tidal potential in terms of spherical harmonics (in Maxwellian form). A single averaging process was performed only along the parallels of latitude. This process preserves additional long period tidal effects (with periods of a few days or more). It also eliminates the short period effects with periods of one day or less.

Field migration rates of tidal meanders recapitulate fluvial morphodynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finotello, Alvise; Lanzoni, Stefano; Ghinassi, Massimiliano; Marani, Marco; Rinaldo, Andrea; D'Alpaos, Andrea

2018-02-01

The majority of tidal channels display marked meandering features. Despite their importance in oil-reservoir formation and tidal landscape morphology, questions remain on whether tidal-meander dynamics could be understood in terms of fluvial processes and theory. Key differences suggest otherwise, like the periodic reversal of landscape-forming tidal flows and the widely accepted empirical notion that tidal meanders are stable landscape features, in stark contrast with their migrating fluvial counterparts. On the contrary, here we show that, once properly normalized, observed migration rates of tidal and fluvial meanders are remarkably similar. Key to normalization is the role of tidal channel width that responds to the strong spatial gradients of landscape-forming flow rates and tidal prisms. We find that migration dynamics of tidal meanders agree with nonlinear theories for river meander evolution. Our results challenge the conventional view of tidal channels as stable landscape features and suggest that meandering tidal channels recapitulate many fluvial counterparts owing to large gradients of tidal prisms across meander wavelengths.

Tides on Europa: The membrane paradigm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beuthe, Mikael

2015-03-01

Jupiter's moon Europa has a thin icy crust which is decoupled from the mantle by a subsurface ocean. The crust thus responds to tidal forcing as a deformed membrane, cold at the top and near melting point at the bottom. In this paper I develop the membrane theory of viscoelastic shells with depth-dependent rheology with the dual goal of predicting tidal tectonics and computing tidal dissipation. Two parameters characterize the tidal response of the membrane: the effective Poisson's ratio ν bar and the membrane spring constant Λ, the latter being proportional to the crust thickness and effective shear modulus. I solve membrane theory in terms of tidal Love numbers, for which I derive analytical formulas depending on Λ, ν bar , the ocean-to-bulk density ratio and the number k2∘ representing the influence of the deep interior. Membrane formulas predict h2 and k2 with an accuracy of a few tenths of percent if the crust thickness is less than one hundred kilometers, whereas the error on l2 is a few percents. Benchmarking with the thick-shell software SatStress leads to the discovery of an error in the original, uncorrected version of the code that changes stress components by up to 40%. Regarding tectonics, I show that different stress-free states account for the conflicting predictions of thin and thick shell models about the magnitude of tensile stresses due to nonsynchronous rotation. Regarding dissipation, I prove that tidal heating in the crust is proportional to Im (Λ) and that it is equal to the global heat flow (proportional to Im (k2)) minus the core-mantle heat flow (proportional to Im (k2∘)). As an illustration, I compute the equilibrium thickness of a convecting crust. More generally, membrane formulas are useful in any application involving tidal Love numbers such as crust thickness estimates, despinning tectonics or true polar wander.

Tidal notches, coastal landforms and relative sea-level changes during the Late Quaternary at Ustica Island (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furlani, Stefano; Antonioli, Fabrizio; Cavallaro, Danilo; Chirco, Pietro; Caldareri, Francesco; Martin, Franco Foresta; Morticelli, Maurizio Gasparo; Monaco, Carmelo; Sulli, Attilio; Quarta, Gianluca; Biolchi, Sara; Sannino, Gianmaria; de Vita, Sandro; Calcagnile, Lucio; Agate, Mauro

2017-12-01

In this paper we present and discuss data concerning the morphostructural evolution at Ustica Island (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) during Late Quaternary. New insights on the relative sea-level changes of Ustica are coming from data collected during a geomorphological field survey around the island, together with the bathymetric analysis of the surrounding seabed and 14C datings on samples of speleothems, flowstones and marine shells found inside three selected sea caves. The survey was mainly accomplished on June 2015 through the first complete snorkel investigation off the about 18 km-long volcanic coast of the island, which allowed to precisely define location, relationship and morphometric features of coastal landforms associated with modern sea level. This study highlights the occurrence, for the first time in the Mediterranean, of tidal notches in correspondence of carbonate inclusions in volcanic rocks. The elevation of the modern tidal notch suggests that no significant vertical deformations occurred in the southeastern and eastern sectors of Ustica in the last 100 years. However, the presence of pillow lavas along the coast demonstrates that Ustica was affected by a regional uplift since the Late Quaternary, as also confirmed by MIS5.5 deposits located at about 30 m a.s.l., which suggests an average uplift rate of 0.23 mm/y. Radiocarbon dating of fossil barnacles collected inside the Grotta Segreta cave indicate an age of 1823 ± 104 cal. BP. The difference in height with respect to living barnacles in the same site suggests that their present elevation could be related to stick-slip coseismic deformations caused by the four earthquake sequences (two of which with Mw = 4.63 ± 0.46) that strongly struck the island between 1906 and 1924.

Gravitational waveforms for neutron star binaries from binary black hole simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barkett, Kevin; Scheel, Mark A.; Haas, Roland; Ott, Christian D.; Bernuzzi, Sebastiano; Brown, Duncan A.; Szilágyi, Béla; Kaplan, Jeffrey D.; Lippuner, Jonas; Muhlberger, Curran D.; Foucart, Francois; Duez, Matthew D.

2016-02-01

Gravitational waves from binary neutron star (BNS) and black hole/neutron star (BHNS) inspirals are primary sources for detection by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory. The tidal forces acting on the neutron stars induce changes in the phase evolution of the gravitational waveform, and these changes can be used to constrain the nuclear equation of state. Current methods of generating BNS and BHNS waveforms rely on either computationally challenging full 3D hydrodynamical simulations or approximate analytic solutions. We introduce a new method for computing inspiral waveforms for BNS/BHNS systems by adding the post-Newtonian (PN) tidal effects to full numerical simulations of binary black holes (BBHs), effectively replacing the nontidal terms in the PN expansion with BBH results. Comparing a waveform generated with this method against a full hydrodynamical simulation of a BNS inspiral yields a phase difference of <1 radian over ˜15 orbits. The numerical phase accuracy required of BNS simulations to measure the accuracy of the method we present here is estimated as a function of the tidal deformability parameter λ .

Tidal inlet response to sediment infilling of the associated bay and possible implications of human activities: the Marennes-Oléron Bay and the Maumusson Inlet, France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bertin, Xavier; Chaumillon, Eric; Sottolichio, Aldo; Pedreros, Rodrigo

2005-06-01

Tidal inlet characteristics are controlled by wave energy, tidal range, tidal prism, sediment supply and direction and rates of sand delivered to the inlet. This paper deals with the relations between inlet and lagoon evolutions, linked by the tidal prism. Our study is focused on the Maumusson Inlet and the Marennes-Oléron Bay (first oyster farming area in Europe), located on the western coast of France. The tidal range (2-6 m) and wave climate (mean height: 1.5 m) place this tidal inlet system in the mixed energy (tide, waves), tide-dominated category. The availability of high-resolution bathymetric data since 1824 permits to characterise and quantify accurately morphological changes of both the inlet and the tidal bay. Since 1824, sediment filling of the tidal bay has led to a 20% decrease in its water volume, and a 35% reduction of the inlet throat section. Furthermore, the bay is subjected to a very high anthropic pressure, mainly related to oyster farming. Thus, both natural and human-related processes seem relevant to explain high sedimentation rates. Current measurements, hydrodynamic modelling and cross-sectional area of the inlet throat are used in order to quantify tidal prism changes since 1824. Both flood and ebb tidal prism decreased by 35%. Decrease in the Marennes-Oléron Bay water volume is inferred to be responsible for a part of tidal prism decrease at the inlet. Tidal prisms decrease may also be explained by an increase in frictional resistance to tidal wave propagation, due to a general shoaling and oyster farms in the bay. A conceptual model is proposed, taking into account natural and human-related sedimentation processes, and explaining tidal inlet response to tidal bay evolutions.

Borehole strainmeter measurements spanning the 2014, Mw6.0 South Napa Earthquake, California: The effect from instrument calibration

USGS Publications Warehouse

Langbein, John O.

2015-01-01

The 24 August 2014 Mw6.0 South Napa, California earthquake produced significant offsets on 12 borehole strainmeters in the San Francisco Bay area. These strainmeters are located between 24 and 80 km from the source and the observed offsets ranged up to 400 parts-per-billion (ppb), which exceeds their nominal precision by a factor of 100. However, the observed offsets of tidally calibrated strains differ by up to 130 ppb from predictions based on a moment tensor derived from seismic data. The large misfit can be attributed to a combination of poor instrument calibration and better modeling of the strain fit from the earthquake. Borehole strainmeters require in-situ calibration, which historically has been accomplished by comparing their measurements of Earth tides with the strain-tides predicted by a model. Although the borehole strainmeter accurately measure the deformation within the borehole, the long-wavelength strain signals from tides or other tectonic processes recorded in the borehole are modified by the presence of the borehole and the elastic properties of the grout and the instrument. Previous analyses of surface-mounted, strainmeter data and their relationship with the predicted tides suggest that tidal models could be in error by 30%. The poor fit of the borehole strainmeter data from this earthquake can be improved by simultaneously varying the components of the model tides up to 30% and making small adjustments to the point-source model of the earthquake, which reduces the RMS misfit from 130 ppb to 18 ppb. This suggests that relying on tidal models to calibrate borehole strainmeters significantly reduces their accuracy.

Water Stage Forecasting in Tidal streams during High Water Using EEMD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yen-Chang; Kao, Su-Pai; Su, Pei-Yi

2017-04-01

There are so many factors may affect the water stages in tidal streams. Not only the ocean wave but also the stream flow affects the water stage in a tidal stream. During high water, two of the most important factors affecting water stages in tidal streams are flood and tide. However the hydrological processes in tidal streams during high water are nonlinear and nonstationary. Generally the conventional methods used for forecasting water stages in tidal streams are very complicated. It explains the accurately forecasting water stages, especially during high water, in tidal streams is always a difficult task. The study makes used of Ensemble Empirical Model Decomposition (EEMD) to analyze the water stages in tidal streams. One of the advantages of the EEMD is it can be used to analyze the nonlinear and nonstationary data. The EEMD divides the water stage into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and a residual; meanwhile, the physical meaning still remains during the process. By comparing the IMF frequency with tidal frequency, it is possible to identify if the IMF is affected by tides. Then the IMFs is separated into two groups, affected by tide or not by tide. The IMFs in each group are assembled to become a factor. Therefore the water stages in tidal streams are only affected by two factors, tidal factor and flood factor. Finally the regression analysis is used to establish the relationship between the factors of the gaging stations in the tidal stream. The available data during 15 typhoon periods of the Tanshui River whose downstream reach is in estuary area is used to illustrate the accuracy and reliability of the proposed method. The results show that the simple but reliable method is capable of forecasting water stages in tidal streams.

Galactic Tidal Shocks Effects in Globular Clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cruz, F.; Aguilar, L.

2001-07-01

We present results of a set of N--Body simulations of 105--particle King models in the presence of a realistic Galactic tidal field. Tidal effects over a cluster are dominated by two processes, differentiated by the way they produc e mass loss in the system. The first one is the Roche lobe overflow, which depend s directly on the ratio of cluster to the Roche lobe size. The second process is tidal heating, produced by the time varying part of the Galactic tide, which injects energy directly on the orbits of the stars inside the cluster.

UNVEILING THE UNIVERSALITY OF I-LOVE-Q RELATIONS

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

Sham, Y.-H.; Lin, L.-M.; Leung, P. T.

The recent discovery of the universal I-Love-Q relations connecting the moment of inertia, tidal deformability, and the spin-induced quadrupole moment of compact stars is intriguing and totally unexpected. In this paper, we provide numerical evidence showing that the universality can be attributed to the incompressible limit of the I-Love-Q relations. The fact that modern equations of state are stiff, with an effective adiabatic index larger than about two, above the nuclear density range is the key to establishing the universality for neutron stars and quark stars with typical compactness from about 0.1 to 0.3. On the other hand, the I-Love-Qmore » relations of low-mass neutron stars near the minimum mass limit depend more sensitively on the underlying equation of state because these stars are composed mainly of softer matter at low densities. However, the I-Love-Q relations for low-mass quark stars can still be represented accurately by the incompressible limit. We also study the I-Love relation connecting the moment of inertia and tidal deformability analytically in Newtonian gravity and show why the I-Love-Q relation is weakly dependent on the underlying equation of state and can be attributed to its incompressible limit.« less

Study of seasonal and long-term vertical deformation in Nepal based on GPS and GRACE observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Tengxu; Shen, WenBin; Pan, Yuanjin; Luan, Wei

2018-02-01

Lithospheric deformation signal can be detected by combining data from continuous global positioning system (CGPS) and satellite observations from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE). In this paper, we use 2.5- to 19-year-long time series from 35 CGPS stations to estimate vertical deformation rates in Nepal, which is located in the southern side of the Himalaya. GPS results were compared with GRACE observations. Principal component analysis was conducted to decompose the time series into three-dimensional principal components (PCs) and spatial eigenvectors. The top three high-order PCs were calculated to correct common mode errors. Both GPS and GRACE observations showed significant seasonal variations. The observed seasonal GPS vertical variations are in good agreement with those from the GRACE-derived results, particularly for changes in surface pressure, non-tidal oceanic mass loading, and hydrologic loading. The GPS-observed rates of vertical deformation obtained for the region suggest both tectonic impact and mass decrease. The rates of vertical crustal deformation were estimated by removing the GRACE-derived hydrological vertical rates from the GPS measurements. Most of the sites located in the southern part of the Main Himalayan Thrust subsided, whereas the northern part mostly showed an uplift. These results may contribute to the understanding of secular vertical crustal deformation in Nepal.

Suspended-sediment trapping in the tidal reach of an estuarine tributary channel

USGS Publications Warehouse

Downing-Kunz, Maureen; Schoellhamer, David H.

2015-01-01

Evidence of decreasing sediment supply to estuaries and coastal oceans worldwide illustrates the need for accurate and updated estimates. In the San Francisco Estuary (Estuary), recent research suggests a decrease in supply from its largest tributaries, implying the increasing role of smaller, local tributaries in sediment supply to this estuary. Common techniques for estimating supply from tributaries are based on gages located above head of tide, which do not account for trapping processes within the tidal reach. We investigated the effect of a tidal reach on suspended-sediment discharge for Corte Madera Creek, a small tributary of the Estuary. Discharge of water (Q) and suspended-sediment (SSD) were observed for 3 years at two locations along the creek: upstream of tidal influence and at the mouth. Comparison of upstream and mouth gages showed nearly 50 % trapping of upstream SSD input within the tidal reach over this period. At the storm time scale, suspended-sediment trapping efficiency varied greatly (range −31 to 93 %); storms were classified as low- or high-yield based on upstream SSD. As upstream peak Q increased, high-yield storms exhibited significantly decreased trapping. Tidal conditions at the mouth—ebb duration and peak ebb velocity—during storms had a minor effect on sediment trapping, suggesting fluvial processes dominate. Comparison of characteristic fluvial and tidal discharges at the storm time scale demonstrated longitudinal differences in the regulating process for SSD. These results suggest that SSD from gages situated above head of tide overestimate sediment supply to the open waters beyond tributary mouths and thus trapping processes within the tidal reach should be considered.

Enceladus Plume Activity Consistent with Eruptions from Sources within a Thin Shell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hurford, Terry; Spitale, Joseph N.; Rhoden, Alyssa R.; Henning, Wade

2017-10-01

Enceladus is a small (radius 250 km) moon that orbits Saturn between the moons Mimas and Tethys with a period of 1.37 days. A 2:1 mean motion resonance with the moon Dione, which orbits just beyond Tethys, excites its orbital eccentricity to the observed value of 0.0047, which in turn produces periodic tidal stress on the surface.In 2005, Cassini detected the eruption of material from warm regions, which correlated with the large Tiger Stripe fractures near the south pole of Enceladus. A 2007 analysis of tidal stress postulated that the eruptive activity might be linked to tidal tension across these fractures and predicted that activity should vary on the orbital timescale such that greatest activity should be observed near apocenter (Hurford et al., 2007). In 2013, results from analysis of Cassini’s Visual and Infrared Map- ping Spectrometer (VIMS) data detected variability of the erupting material in the orbital cycle and qualitatively confirmed the predictions of variable activity from 2007 (Hedman et al., 2013; Hurford et al. 2007).Since then, work has been done to refine models for tidal control of plume activity. Nimmo et al. (2014) found that the plume activity could track the fraction of fractures under tension, but required a ~5 hr lag in Enceladus’ tidal response. This lag seemed plausible in a 24km ice shell. Behounkova et al. (2105) confirmed this result with a slightly improved model that linked tidal activity to normalize average tensile stress on the fracture.In this work, we illustrate how reservoir depth combines with a lag in tidal response to mimic larger delays in tidal activity. Taking into account the depth of the volatile reservoir, we find that the response of Enceladus to tidal deformation needs only be ~3 hrs and is more consistent with eruptions from a thin ice shell (≤10 km). This result is more consistent with recent revisions in ice shell thickness (Iess et al., 2014; Thomas et al., 2016).Hurford et al., 2007, Nature 447, 292-294. Hedman et al, 2013, Nature 500, 182-184. Nimmo et al, 2014, The Astronomical Journal 148. Behounkova et al., 2015, Nature Geoscience 8, 601-604. Iess et al., 2014, Science 344, 78-80. Thomas et al., 2016, Icarus 264, 37-47.

Combined Effects of Diurnal and Nonsynchronous Surface Stresses on Europa

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stempel, M. M.; Pappalardo, R. T.; Wahr, J.; Barr, A. C.

2004-01-01

To date, modeling of the surface stresses on Europa has considered tidal, nonsynchronous, and polar wander sources of stress. The results of such models can be used to match lineament orientations with candidate stress patterns. We present a rigorous surface stress model for Europa that will facilitate comparison of principal stresses to lineament orientation, and which will be available in the public domain. Nonsynchronous rotation and diurnal motion contribute to a stress pattern that deforms the surface of Europa. Over the 85-hour orbital period, the diurnal stress pattern acts on the surface, with a maximum magnitude of approximately 0.1 MPa. The nonsynchronous stress pattern sweeps over the surface due to differential rotation of the icy shell relative to the tidally locked interior of the moon. Nonsynchronous stress builds cumulatively with approximately 0.1 MPa per degree of shell rotation.

Multidimensional analysis and probabilistic model of volcanic and seismic activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedorov, V.

2009-04-01

A search for space and time regularities in volcanic and seismic events for the purpose of forecast method development seems to be of current concern, both scientifically and practically. The seismic and volcanic processes take place in the Earth's field of gravity which in turn is closely related to gravitational fields of the Moon, the Sun, and the planets of the Solar System. It is mostly gravity and tidal forces that exercise control over the Earth's configuration and relief. Dynamic gravitational interaction between the Earth and other celestial bodies makes itself evident in tidal phenomena and other effects in the geospheres (including the Earth's crust). Dynamics of the tidal and attractive forces is responsible for periodical changes in gravity force, both in value and direction [Darwin, 1965], in the rate of rotation and orbital speed; that implies related changes in the endogenic activity of the Earth. The Earth's rotation in the alternating gravitational field accounts to a considerable extent for regular pattern of crustal deformations and dislocations; it is among principal factors that control the Earth's form and structure, distribution of oceans and continents and, probably, continental drift [Peive, 1969; Khain, 1973; Kosygin, 1983]. The energy of gravitational interaction is transmitted through the tidal energy to planetary spheres and feeds various processes there, including volcanic and seismic ones. To determine degree, character and special features of tidal force contribution to the volcanic and seismic processes is of primary importance for understanding of genetic and dynamic aspects of volcanism and seismicity. Both volcanic and seismic processes are involved in evolution of celestial bodies; they are operative on the planets of the Earth group and many satellites [Essays…, 1981; Lukashov, 1996]. From this standpoint, studies of those processes are essential with a view to development of scenarios of the Earth's evolution as a celestial body, as well as to forecast of changes in its relief. As the volcanic and seismic processes are of cosmic nature and occurrence, it seems logical to investigate their chronological structure in terms of astronomical time reference system or in parameters of the Earth orbital movement. Gravitational interaction of the Earth with the moon, the Sun and planets of the Solar system forms the physical basis of this multidimensional system; it manifests itself in tidal deformations of the Earth's lithosphere and in periodical changes in the planet rotation and orbital speed. A search for chronological correlation between the Earth's volcanism and seismicity on one hand and the orbital parameters dynamic on the other shows a certain promise in relation to prognostic decisions. It should be kept in mind that the calculation of astronomical characteristics (Ephemerides), which is one of the main lines in theoretical astronomy, spans many years both in the past and in future. It seems appropriate therefore to apply the astronomical time reference system to investigations of chronological structure of volcanic and seismic processes from the methodical viewpoint, as well as for retrospective and prognostic analyses. To investigate temporal pattern of the volcanic and seismic processes and to find a degree of their dependence on tidal forces, we used the astronomical time reference system as related to the Earth's orbital movement. The system is based on substitution of calendar dates of eruption and earthquakes for corresponding values of known astronomical characteristics, such as the Earth to Sun and Earth to Moon distances, ecliptic latitude of the Moon, etc. In coordinates of astronomical parameters (JPL Planetary and Lunar Efemerides, 1997, as compiled by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, on the basis of DE 406 block developed by NASA), we analyzed massifs of information, both volcanological (Catalogue of the World volcanic eruptions by I.I. Gushchenko, 1979) and seismological (database of USGS/NEIC Significant Worldwide Earthquakes, 2150 B.C.- 1994 A.D.) information which displays dynamics of endogenic relief-forming processes over a period of 1900 to 1994. In the course of the analysis, a substitution of calendar variable by a corresponding astronomical one has been performed and the epoch superposition method was applied. In essence, the method consists in that the massifs of information on volcanic eruptions (over a period of 1900 to 1977) and seismic events (1900-1994) are differentiated with respect to value of astronomical parameters which correspond to the calendar dates of the known eruptions and earthquakes, regardless of the calendar year. The obtained spectra of volcanic eruptions and violent earthquake distribution in the fields of the Earth orbital movement parameters were used as a basis for calculation of frequency spectra and diurnal probability of volcanic and seismic activity. The objective of the proposed investigations is a probabilistic model development of the volcanic and seismic events, as well as GIS designing for monitoring and forecast of volcanic and seismic activities. In accordance with the stated objective, three probability parameters have been found in the course of preliminary studies; they form the basis for GIS-monitoring and forecast development. 1. A multidimensional analysis of volcanic eruption and earthquakes (of magnitude 7) have been performed in terms of the Earth orbital movement. Probability characteristics of volcanism and seismicity have been defined for the Earth as a whole. Time intervals have been identified with a diurnal probability twice as great as the mean value. Diurnal probability of volcanic and seismic events has been calculated up to 2020. 2. A regularity is found in duration of dormant (repose) periods has been established. A relationship has been found between the distribution of the repose period probability density and duration of the period. 3. Features of spatial distribution of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes of magnitude 7 were analyzed, and those related to the Earth rotation identified. Frequencies of their spatial distribution are calculated. Using those parameters as the base, a scheme (algorithm) of probabilistic monitoring (long-range forecast) has been developed for volcanic and seismic events. Refereces (in Russian): 1. Fedorov V.M. Gravitational factors and astronomy-based chronology of processes in geospheres. Moscow University Publishing House, 2000. 368 p. 2. Fedorov V.M. Comparison between chronology of the Earth volcanic activity and characteristics of its orbital motion // Vulkanologiya i seismologiya, № 5, 2001, p. 65-67. 3. Fedorov V.M. Specific features of latitudinal distribution of volcanic eruptions// Vulkanologiya i seismologiya, № 4, 2002, p.39-43. 4. Fedorov V.M. Specific features of latitudinal distribution of endogenic relief-forming processes and the rotation of the Earth // Geomorphologiya, № 1, 2003, p.3-9. 5. Fedorov V.M. Comparison between chronology of the Earth volcanic and seismic activity and characteristics of its orbital motion // Izvestiya RAS. Ser. Geogr. № 5, 2003, p.16-20. 6. Fedorov V.M. Chronological structure and probability of volcanic events as related to tidal deformation of lithosphere // Vulkanologiya i seismologiya, № 1, 2005, p.44-50. 7. Fedorov V.M. Multidimensional analysis and a probabilistic model of the activity of endogenic relief-forming processes // Geomorphology, № 2, 2007, p. 37 - 48. 8. Fedorov V.M. Multidimensional analysis - is a spatiotemporal structure of the geodynamic activity of Earth// Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta; Ser. 4. Geology, № 4, 2007, p. 24-31.

Tidal extension and sea-level rise: recommendations for a research agenda

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ensign, Scott H.; Noe, Gregory

2018-01-01

Sea-level rise is pushing freshwater tides upstream into formerly non-tidal rivers. This tidal extension may increase the area of tidal freshwater ecosystems and offset loss of ecosystem functions due to salinization downstream. Without considering how gains in ecosystem functions could offset losses, landscape-scale assessments of ecosystem functions may be biased toward worst-case scenarios of loss. To stimulate research on this concept, we address three fundamental questions about tidal extension: Where will tidal extension be most evident, and can we measure it? What ecosystem functions are influenced by tidal extension, and how can we measure them? How do watershed processes, climate change, and tidal extension interact to affect ecosystem functions? Our preliminary answers lead to recommendations that will advance tidal extension research, enable better predictions of the impacts of sea-level rise, and help balance the landscape-scale benefits of ecosystem function with costs of response.

The role of thermal stratification in tidal exchange at the mouth of San Diego Bay

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chadwick, D. B.; Largier, J. L.; Cheng, R.T.; Aubrey, D.G.; Friedrichs, C.T.; Aubrey, D.G.; Friedrichs, C.T.

1996-01-01

We have examined, from an observational viewpoint, the role of thermal stratification in the tidal exchange process at the mouth of San Diego Bay. In this region, we found that both horizontal and vertical exchange processes appear to be active. The vertical exchange in this case was apparently due to the temperature difference between the'bay water and ocean water. We found that the structure of the outflow and the nature of the tidal exchange process both appear to be influenced by thermal stratification. The tidal outflow was found to lift-off tan the bottom during the initial and later stages of the ebb flow when barotropic forcing was weak. During the peak ebb flow, the mouth section was flooded, and the outflow extended to the bottom. As the ebb flow weakened, a period of two-way exchange occurred, with the surface layer flowing seaward, and the deep layer flowing into the bay. The structure of the tidal-residual flow and the residual transport of a measured tracer were strongly influenced by this vertical exchange. Exchange appeared to occur laterally as well, in a manner consistent with the tidal-pumping mechanism described by Stommel and Farmer [1952]. Tidal cycle variations in shear and stratification were characterized by strong vertical shear and breakdown of stratification during the ebb, and weak vertical shear and build-up of stratification on the flood. Evaluation of multiple tidal-cycles from time-series records of flow and temperature indicated that the vertical variations of the flow and stratification observed during the cross-sectional measurements are a general phenomenon during the summer. Together, these observations suggest that thermal stratification can play an important role in regulating the tidal exchange of low-inflow estuaries.

Tidal downscaling from the open ocean to the coast: a new approach applied to the Bay of Biscay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toublanc, F.; Ayoub, N. K.; Lyard, F.; Marsaleix, P.; Allain, D. J.

2018-04-01

Downscaling physical processes from a large scale to a regional scale 3D model is a recurrent issue in coastal processes studies. The choice of boundary conditions will often greatly influence the solution within the 3D circulation model. In some regions, tides play a key role in coastal dynamics and must be accurately represented. The Bay of Biscay is one of these regions, with highly energetic tides influencing coastal circulation and river plume dynamics. In this study, three strategies are tested to force with barotropic tides a 3D circulation model with a variable horizontal resolution. The tidal forcings, as well as the tidal elevations and currents resulting from the 3D simulations, are compared to tidal harmonics extracted from satellite altimetry and tidal gauges, and tidal currents harmonics obtained from ADCP data. The results show a strong improvement of the M2 solution within the 3D model with a "tailored" tidal forcing generated on the same grid and bathymetry as the 3D configuration, compared to a global tidal atlas forcing. Tidal harmonics obtained from satellite altimetry data are particularly valuable to assess the performance of each simulation. Comparisons between sea surface height time series, a sea surface salinity database, and daily averaged 2D currents also show a better agreement with this tailored forcing.

Tidal characteristics of the gulf of Tonkin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minh, Nguyen Nguyet; Patrick, Marchesiello; Florent, Lyard; Sylvain, Ouillon; Gildas, Cambon; Damien, Allain; Van Uu, Dinh

2014-12-01

The Gulf of Tonkin, situated in the South China Sea, is a zone of strong ecological, touristic and economic interest. Improving our knowledge of its hydro-sedimentary processes is of great importance to the sustainable development of the area. The scientific objective of this study is to revisit the dominant physical processes that characterize tidal dynamics in the Gulf of Tonkin using a high-resolution model and combination of all available data. Particular attention is thus given to model-data cross-examination using tidal gauges and coastal satellite altimetry and to model calibration derived from a set of sensitivity experiments to model parameters. The tidal energy budget of the gulf (energy flux and dissipation) is then analyzed and its resonance properties are evaluated and compared with idealized models and observations. Then, the tidal residual flow in both Eulerian and Lagrangian frameworks is evaluated. Finally, the problem of tidal frontogenesis is addressed to explain the observed summer frontal structures in chlorophyll concentrations.

Tidal rhythmites infine-grained Carboniferous limestones, U.S.A.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Archer, A.W.; Feldman, H.R.

1994-01-01

Analyses of fine-grained limestones reveals that many exhibit fine-scale laminations. Laminations can be normally graded and consist of a coarser-grained lower part and a finer-grained upper part. The upper part can also contain finely disseminated organic material. Despite the similarities of such graded laminae to yearly varves and turbidites, it can be demonstrated by use of laminae-thickness periodicities that some graded laminae are reasonably interpreted as the product of tidal processes. Within siliciclastic systems, modern analogues of such processes are available for comparisons. In fine-grained facies of the Salem Limestone (Visean; Indiana, U.S.A.), periodicities observed within sequential-laminae thicknesses indicate a dominant control by neap-spring tidal processes. Similarly, laminae within limestones of the vertebrate-bearing Hamilton paleochannel (Stephanian; Kansas, U.S.) exhibit similar features, including fine-scale tidal bundles. This limestone is noted for the abundance of articulated fish fossils. Carbonates containing articulated fish from the Wild Cow Formation (Stephanian; New Mexico, U.S.), exhibit diffuse laminations; however, closely associated siliciclastic mudstones contain laminae that exhibit tidal periodicities. There are many similarities between tidal periodicities and patterns of lamination thicknesses of these rocks. A tidal interpretation for these rocks allows for localized, very rapid rates of deposition. Such rapid deposition may, in part, help to explain how articulated fish and other vertebrates can become preserved within such fine-grained limestones. ?? 1994.

A Measurement of Long-Term Tilt in Colorado and Wyoming.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-06-01

aligned with the axes of the tiltmeters . (It is exactly parallel to the sensitive axis of one sensor and hence is perpendicular to the sensitive axis of...Borehole tiltmeters aeconceptuallyatrciefrmnoigln-pid crustal deformation and the spatial variations of tidal tilt response due to crustal inhomogeneities...against a stainless steel casing section at the bottom of a hole cased with standard steel pipe. The capsule contains two tilt sensors on a leveling

Characteristics of Holocene sediments in the Gunsan Basin, central Yellow Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woo, H. J.; Huh, S.; Jeong, K. S.; Lee, J. H.; Ham, A.; Kang, J.

2016-12-01

The Gunsan Basin, in the eastern part of the South Yellow Sea Basin, is filled by terrestrial sedimentary rocks, maximally up to 8 km deep on the basement of metamorphic rocks that constitutes the Yangtze Platform. The uppermost sedimentary layer (generally less than 1 km) appears to have formed experiencing the repeated marine environments since the middle Miocene. This study is to investigate the characteristics of Holocene sediments in the Gunsan Basin, based on interpretation of core sediments and high-resolution shallow (Sparker and Chirp) seismic profiles. The surface sediments in the basin consist of sand (56.6% on the average), silt (18.4%), and clay (25.0%) with a mean grain size of 1.5 to 7.8 Ø. Sand is prevalent (63.8 to 98.3%) in and around the Yellow Sea Trough lying in the eastern part of the basin. The sandy sediments are regarded as relict sediments deposited in the last glacial maximum (LGM). The sedimentary environments are classified, based on the acoustic and morphological characters of high-resolution shallow (Sparker and Chirp) seismic profiles, into mud zone, deformed zone, and sand ridges with sand waves zone from the west to the east in the Gunsan Basin. The deformed zone in the central Yellow Sea is a mixing area of sediments derived from China and Korea, where there are a number of paleochannels and erosional surfaces in the direction of northwest-southeast. The deformed zone represents non-deposition or erosion in the central Yellow Sea during the Holocene. Tidal sand ridges and sand waves are well developed along the coast of Korea. Modern sand ridges are generally moving in the northeast-southwest direction, which coincide with dominant tidal current direction. Fifteen piston cores were collected in the basin to investigate the general geological characters of the marine sedimentary sequence. In comparison with three cores in the southern basin, the sand contents tend to increase in the direction of east. 14C dates from three cores near border of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Korea reveal that Holocene sediments have accumulated at the rate 6-18 cm/ka. The mud sediments sequentially change sandy mud to mud after the sea-level rise. In the Gunsan Basin, paleochannels played an important role in sedimentary processes during low sea-level periods of Quaternary.

Europan double ridge morphometry as a test of formation models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dameron, Ashley C.; Burr, Devon M.

2018-05-01

Double ridges on the Jovian satellite Europa consist of two parallel ridges with a central trough. Although these features are nearly ubiquitous on Europa, their formation mechanism(s) is (are) not yet well-understood. Previous hypotheses for their formation can be divided into two groups based on 1) the expected interior slope angles and 2) the magnitude of interior/exterior slope symmetry. The published hypotheses in the first ("fracture") group entail brittle deformation of the crust, either by diapirism, shear heating, or buckling due to compression. Because these mechanisms imply uplift of near-vertical fractures, their predicted interior slopes are steeper than the angle of repose (AOR) with shallower exterior slopes. The second ("flow") group includes cryosedimentary and cryovolcanic processes - explosive or effusive cryovolcanism and tidal squeezing -, which are predicted to form ridge slopes at or below the AOR. Explosive cryovolcanism would form self-symmetric ridges, whereas effusive cryolavas and cryo-sediments deposited during tidal squeezing would likely not exhibit slope symmetry. To distinguish between these two groups of hypothesized formation mechanisms, we derived measurements of interior slope angle and interior/exterior slope symmetry at multiple locations on Europa through analysis of data from the Galileo Solid State Imaging (SSI) camera. Two types of data were used: i) elevation data from five stereo-pair digital elevation models (DEMs) covering four ridges (580 individual measurements), and ii) ridge shadow length measurements taken on individual images over 40 ridges (200 individual measurements). Our results shows that slopes measured on our DEMs, located in the Cilix and Banded Plains regions, typically fall below the AOR, and slope symmetry is dominant. Two different shadow measurement techniques implemented to calculate interior slopes yielded slope angles that also fall below the AOR. The shallow interior slopes derived from both techniques weigh against brittle deformation mechanisms. Although shallow slopes could result from degradation, interior/exterior ridge symmetry weighs against ridge degradation as the sole reason for shallow interior slopes. Thus, our results suggest that, for the double ridges analyzed in this work, cryovolcanic or cryosedimentary formation is more likely than brittle deformation, and of those formation mechanisms, explosive cryovolcanism is the double ridge formation mechanism best supported on the basis of interior-exterior slope symmetry.

On Lateral Viscosity Contrast in the Mantle and the Rheology of Low-Frequency Geodynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ivins, Erik R.; Sammis, Charles G.

1995-01-01

Mantle-wide heterogeneity is largely controlled by deeply penetrating thermal convective currents. These thermal currents are likely to produce significant lateral variation in rheology, and this can profoundly influence overall material behaviour. How thermally related lateral viscosity variations impact models of glacio-isostatic and tidal deformation is largely unknown. An important step towards model improvement is to quantify, or bound, the actual viscosity variations that characterize the mantle. Simple scaling of viscosity to shear-wave velocity fluctuations yields map-views of long- wavelength viscosity variation. These give a general quantitative description and aid in estimating the depth dependence of rheological heterogeneity throughout the mantle. The upper mantle is probably characterized by two to four orders of magnitude variation (peak-to-peak). Discrepant time-scales for rebounding Holocene shorelines of Hudson Bay and southern Iceland are consistent with this characterization. Results are given in terms of a local average viscosity ratio, (Delta)eta(bar)(sub i), of volumetric concentration, phi(sub i). For the upper mantle deeper than 340 km the following reasonable limits are estimated for (delta)eta(bar) approx. equal 10(exp -2): 0.01 less than or equal to phi less than or equal to 0.15. A spectrum of ratios (Delta)eta(bar)(sub i) less than 0.1 at concentration level eta(sub i) approx. equal 10(exp -6) - 10(exp -1) in the lower mantle implies a spectrum of shorter time-scale deformational response modes for second-degree spherical harmonic deformations of the Earth. Although highly uncertain, this spectrum of spatial variation allows a purely Maxwellian viscoelastic rheology simultaneously to explain all solid tidal dispersion phenomena and long-term rebound-related mantle viscosity. Composite theory of multiphase viscoelastic media is used to demonstrate this effect.

4D-CT motion estimation using deformable image registration and 5D respiratory motion modeling.

PubMed

Yang, Deshan; Lu, Wei; Low, Daniel A; Deasy, Joseph O; Hope, Andrew J; El Naqa, Issam

2008-10-01

Four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) imaging technology has been developed for radiation therapy to provide tumor and organ images at the different breathing phases. In this work, a procedure is proposed for estimating and modeling the respiratory motion field from acquired 4D-CT imaging data and predicting tissue motion at the different breathing phases. The 4D-CT image data consist of series of multislice CT volume segments acquired in ciné mode. A modified optical flow deformable image registration algorithm is used to compute the image motion from the CT segments to a common full volume 3D-CT reference. This reference volume is reconstructed using the acquired 4D-CT data at the end-of-exhalation phase. The segments are optimally aligned to the reference volume according to a proposed a priori alignment procedure. The registration is applied using a multigrid approach and a feature-preserving image downsampling maxfilter to achieve better computational speed and higher registration accuracy. The registration accuracy is about 1.1 +/- 0.8 mm for the lung region according to our verification using manually selected landmarks and artificially deformed CT volumes. The estimated motion fields are fitted to two 5D (spatial 3D+tidal volume+airflow rate) motion models: forward model and inverse model. The forward model predicts tissue movements and the inverse model predicts CT density changes as a function of tidal volume and airflow rate. A leave-one-out procedure is used to validate these motion models. The estimated modeling prediction errors are about 0.3 mm for the forward model and 0.4 mm for the inverse model.

Dispersion in tidally averaged transport equation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cheng, R.T.; Casulli, V.

1992-01-01

A general governing inter-tidal transport equation for conservative solutes has been derived without invoking the weakly nonlinear approximation. The governing inter-tidal transport equation is a convection-dispersion equation in which the convective velocity is a mean Lagrangian residual current, and the inter-tidal dispersion coefficient is defined by a dispersion patch. When the weakly nonlinear condition is violated, the physical significance of the Stokes' drift, as used in tidal dynamics, becomes questionable. For nonlinear problems, analytical solutions for the mean Lagrangian residual current and for the inter-tidal dispersion coefficient do not exist, they must be determined numerically. A rectangular tidal inlet with a constriction is used in the first example. The solutions of the residual currents and the computed properties of the inter-tidal dispersion coefficient are used to illuminate the mechanisms of the inter-tidal transport processes. Then, the present formulation is tested in a geometrically complex tidal estuary – San Francisco Bay, California. The computed inter-tidal dispersion coefficients are in the range between 5×104 and 5×106 cm2/sec., which are consistent with the values reported in the literature

Distribution of macroalgae and sediment chlorophyll A along salinity and elevation gradients in Oregon tidal marshes

EPA Science Inventory

Algae contribute to trophic and biogeochemical processes in tidal wetlands. We investigated patterns of sediment pigment content and macroalgal abundance and diversity in marshes in four Oregon estuaries representing a variety of vegetation types, salinity regimes, and tidal ele...

Modeling of In-stream Tidal Energy Development and its Potential Effects in Tacoma Narrows, Washington, USA

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

Yang, Zhaoqing; Wang, Taiping; Copping, Andrea E.

Understanding and providing proactive information on the potential for tidal energy projects to cause changes to the physical system and to key water quality constituents in tidal waters is a necessary and cost-effective means to avoid costly regulatory involvement and late stage surprises in the permitting process. This paper presents a modeling study for evaluating the tidal energy extraction and its potential impacts on the marine environment in a real world site - Tacoma Narrows of Puget Sound, Washington State, USA. An unstructured-grid coastal ocean model, fitted with a module that simulates tidal energy devices, was applied to simulate themore » tidal energy extracted by different turbine array configurations and the potential effects of the extraction at local and system-wide scales in Tacoma Narrows and South Puget Sound. Model results demonstrated the advantage of an unstructured-grid model for simulating the far-field effects of tidal energy extraction in a large model domain, as well as assessing the near-field effect using a fine grid resolution near the tidal turbines. The outcome shows that a realistic near-term deployment scenario extracts a very small fraction of the total tidal energy in the system and that system wide environmental effects are not likely; however, near-field effects on the flow field and bed shear stress in the area of tidal turbine farm are more likely. Model results also indicate that from a practical standpoint, hydrodynamic or water quality effects are not likely to be the limiting factor for development of large commercial-scale tidal farms. Results indicate that very high numbers of turbines are required to significantly alter the tidal system; limitations on marine space or other environmental concerns are likely to be reached before reaching these deployment levels. These findings show that important information obtained from numerical modeling can be used to inform regulatory and policy processes for tidal energy development.« less

Tidal current and tidal energy changes imposed by a dynamic tidal power system in the Taiwan Strait, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dai, Peng; Zhang, Jisheng; Zheng, Jinhai

2017-12-01

The Taiwan Strait has recently been proposed as a promising site for dynamic tidal power systems because of its shallow depth and strong tides. Dynamic tidal power is a new concept for extracting tidal potential energy in which a coast-perpendicular dike is used to create water head and generate electricity via turbines inserted in the dike. Before starting such a project, the potential power output and hydrodynamic impacts of the dike must be assessed. In this study, a two-dimensional numerical model based on the Delft3D-FLOW module is established to simulate tides in China. A dike module is developed to account for turbine processes and estimate power output by integrating a special algorithm into the model. The domain decomposition technique is used to divide the computational zone into two subdomains with grid refinement near the dike. The hydrodynamic processes predicted by the model, both with and without the proposed construction, are examined in detail, including tidal currents and tidal energy flux. The predicted time-averaged power yields with various opening ratios are presented. The results show that time-averaged power yield peaks at an 8% opening ratio. For semidiurnal tides, the flow velocity increases in front of the head of the dike and decreases on either side. For diurnal tides, these changes are complicated by the oblique incidence of tidal currents with respect to the dike as well as by bathymetric features. The dike itself blocks the propagation of tidal energy flux.

Continuous reorientation of synchronous terrestrial planets due to mantle convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leconte, Jérémy

2018-03-01

Many known rocky exoplanets are thought to have been spun down by tidal interactions to a state of synchronous rotation, in which a planet's period of rotation is equal to that of its orbit around its host star. Investigations into atmospheric and surface processes occurring on such exoplanets thus commonly assume that day and night sides are fixed with respect to the surface over geological timescales. Here we use an analytical model to show that true polar wander—where a planetary body's spin axis shifts relative to its surface because of changes in mass distribution—can continuously reorient a synchronous rocky exoplanet. As occurs on Earth, we find that even weak mantle convection in a rocky exoplanet can produce density heterogeneities within the mantle sufficient to reorient the planet. Moreover, we show that this reorientation is made very efficient by the slower rotation rate of a synchronous planet when compared with Earth, which limits the stabilizing effect of rotational and tidal deformations. Furthermore, a relatively weak lithosphere limits its ability to support remnant loads and stabilize against reorientation. Although uncertainties exist regarding the mantle and lithospheric evolution of these worlds, we suggest that the axes of smallest and largest moment of inertia of synchronous exoplanets with active mantle convection change continuously over time, but remain closely aligned with the star-planet and orbital axes, respectively.

Tidal coupling of a Schwarzschild black hole and circularly orbiting moon

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

Fang Hua; Lovelace, Geoffrey

2005-12-15

We describe the possibility of using the laser interferometer space antenna (LISA) 's gravitational-wave observations to study, with high precision, the response of a massive central body (e.g. a black hole or a soliton star) to the tidal gravitational pull of an orbiting, compact, small-mass object (a white dwarf, neutron star, or small-mass black hole). Motivated by this LISA application, we use first-order perturbation theory to study tidal coupling for a special, idealized case: a Schwarzschild black hole of mass M, tidally perturbed by a 'moon' with mass {mu}<>M with orbital angularmore » velocity {omega}. We investigate the details of how the tidal deformation of the hole gives rise to an induced quadrupole moment I{sub ij} in the hole's external gravitational field at large radii, including the vicinity of the moon. In the limit that the moon is static, we find, in Schwarzschild coordinates and Regge-Wheeler gauge, the surprising result that there is no induced quadrupole moment. We show that this conclusion is gauge dependent and that the static, induced quadrupole moment for a black hole is inherently ambiguous, and we contrast this with an earlier result of Suen, which gave, in a very different gauge, a nonzero static induced quadrupole moment with a sign opposite to what one would get for a fluid central body. For the orbiting moon and the central Schwarzschild hole, we find (in agreement with a recent result of Poisson) a time-varying induced quadrupole moment that is proportional to the time derivative of the moon's tidal field, I{sub ij}=(32/45)M{sup 6}E{sub ij} and that therefore is out of phase with the tidal field by a spatial angle {pi}/4 and by a temporal phase shift {pi}/2. This induced quadrupole moment produces a gravitational force on the moon that reduces its orbital energy and angular momentum at the same rate as the moon's tidal field sends energy and angular momentum into the hole's horizon. As a partial analog of a result derived long ago by Hartle for a spinning hole and a static distant companion, we show that the orbiting moon's tidal field induces a tidal bulge on the hole's horizon, and that the rate of change of the horizon shape (i.e. the horizon shear) leads the perturbing tidal field at the horizon by an angle 4M{omega}. We prefer to avoid introducing an ingoing null geodesic, as Hartle did in his definition of the phase shift, because the moon is in the central body's near zone (b<<1/{omega}) and thus should interact with the horizon instantaneously, not causally. We discuss the implications of these results for LISA's future observations of tidal coupling, including the inappropriateness of using the concepts of tidal polarizability and tidal lag or lead angle, for the massive central body, when discussing LISA's observations.« less

Evidence of tidal processes from the lower part of the Witwatersrand Supergroup, South Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eriksson, Kenneth A.; Turner, Brian R.; Vos, Richard G.

1981-08-01

A 1600-m succession of quartz arenites and associated shaley deposits comprising the Hospital Hill Subgroup at the base of the Witwatersrand Supergroup is considered to have been deposited largely under the influence of tidal processes. Facies analysis indicates that deposition occurred in the following environments: (1) marine shalf; (2) shallow subtidal to intertidal; (3) intertidal flat; and (4) tidal inlet. The presence of strong tidal currents implies that the Witwatersrand Basin was open to an ocean basin, at least during the early stages of its evolution. Palaeocurrent trends and isopach data suggest that this probably lay to the southwest, an area now occupied by the high grade Natal—Namaqua metamorphic belt. The contrast between the supermature quartz arenites of the Hospital Hill Subgroup and the overlying gold-bearing immature subgreywackes, feldspathic quartzites and conglomerates of fluvial origin is believed to be a function of tidal reworking of sediments.

Ridges on Europa: Origin by Incremental Ice-Wedging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melosh, H. J.; Turtle, E. P.

2004-01-01

The surface of Europa is covered by ridges that display a variety of morphologies . The most common type is characterized by a double ridge divided by an axial trough. These ridges are, in general, narrow (typically only a few km across) and remarkably linear. They are up to a few hundred meters high and the inner and outer slopes appear to stand at the angle of repose . A number of diverse mechanisms have been proposed to explain the formation of these ubiquitous features , although none can fully account for all of their observed characteristics. We propose a different formation theory in which accumulation of material within cracks that open during the extensional phase of the tidal cycle prevents complete closure of the cracks during the tidal cycle s compressional phase. This accumulation deforms the surrounding ice and, in time, results in the growth of a landform remarkably similar to the ridges observed on Europa.

Selected contributions from the 9th International Conference on Tidal Sedimentology, November 2015, Puerto Madryn, Patagonia, Argentina: an introduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scasso, Roberto A.; Cuitiño, José I.

2017-08-01

This special issue of Geo-Marine Letters presents selected contributions from the 9th International Conference on Tidal Sedimentology held on 17-19 November 2015 in Puerto Madryn, Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina. The guest editors are the conference organizers Roberto A. Scasso and José I. Cuitiño. Gerardo M. Perillo was the head of the Scientific Committee. The conferences on tidal sedimentology have been traditionally held every 4 years. However, only 3 years separated the last conference held in Caen (France, 2012) from this conference. Increasing numbers of contributions and the growing interest in tidal sedimentation have been the reasons for shortening the inter-conference period. The 2015 conference served as a discussion forum focusing on advances in modern and ancient tidal sedimentation at different locations worldwide. The papers presented in this Special Issue provide a selective view of the latest research results, the main topics dealing with tidal hydrodynamics and sediment transport, tidal coastal morphodynamics, modern and ancient tidal sedimentation, geotechnical processes in tidal environments, and tidal basins, facies and reservoirs.

Conditions for tidal bore formation in convergent alluvial estuaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonneton, Philippe; Filippini, Andrea Gilberto; Arpaia, Luca; Bonneton, Natalie; Ricchiuto, Mario

2016-04-01

Over the last decade there has been an increasing interest in tidal bore dynamics. However most studies have been focused on small-scale bore processes. The present paper describes the first quantitative study, at the estuary scale, of the conditions for tidal bore formation in convergent alluvial estuaries. When freshwater discharge and large-scale spatial variations of the estuary water depth can be neglected, tide propagation in such estuaries is controlled by three main dimensionless parameters: the nonlinearity parameter ε0 , the convergence ratio δ0 and the friction parameter ϕ0. In this paper we explore this dimensionless parameter space, in terms of tidal bore occurrence, from a database of 21 estuaries (8 tidal-bore estuaries and 13 non tidal-bore estuaries). The field data point out that tidal bores occur for convergence ratios close to the critical convergence δc. A new proposed definition of the friction parameter highlights a clear separation on the parameter plane (ϕ0,ε0) between tidal-bore estuaries and non tidal-bore estuaries. More specifically, we have established that tidal bores occur in convergent estuaries when the nonlinearity parameter is greater than a critical value, εc , which is an increasing function of the friction parameter ϕ0. This result has been confirmed by numerical simulations of the two-dimensional Saint Venant equations. The real-estuary observations and the numerical simulations also show that, contrary to what is generally assumed, tide amplification is not a necessary condition for tidal bore formation. The effect of freshwater discharge on tidal bore occurrence has been analyzed from the database acquired during three long-term campaigns carried out on the Gironde/Garonne estuary. We have shown that in the upper estuary the tidal bore intensity is mainly governed by the local dimensionless tide amplitude ε. The bore intensity is an increasing function of ε and this relationship does not depend on freshwater discharge. However, freshwater discharge damps the tidal wave during its propagation and thus reduces ε and consequently limits the tidal bore development in the estuary. To take into account this process in the tidal-bore scaling analysis, it is necessary to introduce a fourth external parameter, the dimensionless river discharge Q0 .

Computer Simulations of Deltas with Varying Fluvial Input and Tidal Forcing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, T.

2015-12-01

Deltas are important depositional systems because many large hydrocarbon reservoirs in the world today are found in delta deposits. Deltas form when water and sediments carried by fluvial channels are emptied to an open body of water, and form delta shaped deposits. Depending on the relative importance of the physical processes that controls the forming and the growth of deltas, deltas can often be classified into three different types, namely fluvial, tidal and wave dominated delta. Many previous works, using examples from modern systems, tank experiments, outcrops, and 2 and 3D seismic data sets, have studied the shape, morphology and stratigraphic architectures corresponding to each of the deltas' types. However, few studies have focused on the change of these properties as a function of the relative change of the key controls, and most of the studies are qualitative. Here, using computer simulations, the dynamics of delta evolutions under an increasing amount of tidal influences are studied. The computer model used is fully based on the physics of fluid flow and sediment transport. In the model, tidal influences are taken into account by setting proper boundary conditions that varies both temporally and spatially. The model is capable of capturing many important natural geomorphic and sedimentary processes in fluvial and tidal systems, such as channel initiation, formation of channel levees, growth of mouth bars, bifurcation of channels around channel mouth bars, and channel avulsion. By systematically varying tidal range and fluvial input, the following properties are investigated quantitatively: (1) the presence and the form of tidal beds as a function of tidal range, (2) change of stratigraphic architecture of distributary channel mouth bars or tidal bars as tidal range changes, (3) the transport and sorting of different grainsizes and the overall facie distributions in the delta with different tidal ranges, and (4) the conditions and locations of mud drapes with different magnitude of tidal forcing.

Collisional disruption of gravitational aggregates in the tidal environment

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

Hyodo, Ryuki; Ohtsuki, Keiji

2014-05-20

The degree of disruption in collisions in free space is determined by specific impact energy, and the mass fraction of the largest remnant is a monotonically decreasing function of impact energy. However, it has not been shown whether such a relationship is applicable to collisions under the influence of a planet's tidal force, which is important in ring dynamics and satellite accretion. Here we examine the collisional disruption of gravitational aggregates in the tidal environment by using local N-body simulations. We find that outcomes of such a collision largely depend on the impact velocity, the direction of impact, and themore » radial distance from the planet. In the case of a strong tidal field corresponding to Saturn's F ring, collisions in the azimuthal direction are much more destructive than those in the radial direction. Numerical results of collisions sensitively depend on the impact velocity, and a complete disruption of aggregates can occur even in impacts with velocity much lower than their escape velocity. In such low-velocity collisions, the deformation of colliding aggregates plays an essential role in determining collision outcomes, because the physical size of the aggregate is comparable to its Hill radius. On the other hand, the dependence of collision outcomes on impact velocity becomes similar to the case in free space when the distance from the planet is sufficiently large. Our results are consistent with Cassini observations of the F ring, which suggest ongoing creation and disruption of aggregates within the ring.« less

Intra-tidal variability of the vertical current structure in the western Dutch Wadden Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Vries, Jurre; Ridderinkhof, Herman; van Aken, Hendrik

2014-05-01

Long-term velocity measurements are presented which were collected during three different seasons at one single location in an estuarine basin of the western Dutch Wadden Sea. These data are used to investigate the processes that determine the variability of the vertical current structure in the western Dutch Wadden Sea, in combination with simplified model runs using the one-dimensional water column model GETM (http://www.getm.eu/). Jay and Musiak [1996] were the first to suggest that intra-tidal variations in the vertical current might be important in determining the residual circulation patterns. More research [e.g. Stacey et al., 2001; Burchard and Hetland, 2010] has supported this hypothesis. Recently, lateral processes have been shown to influence the vertical current structure of alongstream velocity and hence the residual circulation [e.g. Lerczak and Geyer, 2004; Burchard and Schuttelaars, 2012]. Therefore to better understand the tidal dynamics in the western Dutch Wadden Sea, it is crucial to understand the processes that determine the vertical current structure. The two main findings of this study are that the complex bathymetry at the study site seems to produce an intra-tidal asymmetry in near-bed velocities and secondly that cross-stream processes strongly modify the current structure during late flood. Near-bed velocity and the bed roughness are greater during ebb than during flood. The GETM simulations suggest that vertical mixing during ebb is sufficient to destroy vertical stratification generated by classical tidal straining. The cross-stream current during late flood generate vertical stratification and drive an early reversal of the flood current near the surface. Therefore, it is hypothesized that this processes might increase the residual estuarine circulation at the study site. References - Burchard, H., Hetland, R.D. (2010), Quantifying the contributions of tidal straining and gravitational circulation to residual circulation in periodically stratified tidal estuaries, Journal of Physical Oceanography, 40(6), 1243-1262 - Burchard, H., Schuttelaars, H.M. (2012), Analysis of tidal straining as driver for estuarine circulation in well-mixed estuaries, Journal of Physical Oceanography, 42(2), 261-271 - Jay, D.A., Musiak, J.D. (1996), Internal tidal asymmetry in channel flows' origins and consequences, Coastal and Estuarine Studies, 50, 211-249 - Stacey, M.T., Burau J.R., Monismith, S.G. (2001), Creation of residual flows in a partially stratified estuary, Journal of Physical Oceanography, 34, 1410-1428

Barrier island facies models and recognition criteria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulhern, J.; Johnson, C. L.

2017-12-01

Barrier island outcrops record transgressive shoreline motion at geologic timescales, providing integral clues to understanding how coastlines respond to rising sea levels. However, barrier island deposits are difficult to recognize. While significant progress has been made in understanding the modern coastal morphodynamics, this insight is not fully leveraged in existing barrier island facies models. Excellent outcrop exposures of the paralic Upper Cretaceous Straight Cliffs Formation of southern Utah provide an opportunity to revise facies models and recognition criteria for barrier island deposits. Preserved barrier islands are composed of three main architectural elements (shorefaces, tidal inlets, and tidal channels) which occur independently or in combination to create larger-scale barrier island deposits. Barrier island shorefaces record progradation, while barrier island tidal inlets record lateral migration, and barrier island tidal channels record aggradation within the tidal inlet. Four facies associations are used to describe and characterize these barrier island architectural elements. Barrier islands occur in association with backarrier fill and internally contain lower and upper shoreface, high-energy upper shoreface, and tidal channel facies. Barrier islands bound lagoons or estuaries, and are distinguished from other shoreface deposits by their internal facies and geometry, association with backbarrier facies, and position within transgressive successions. Tidal processes, in particular tidal inlet migration and reworking of the upper shoreface, also distinguish barrier island deposits. Existing barrier island models highlight the short term heterogeneous and dynamic nature of barrier island systems, yet overlook processes tied to geologic time scales, such as multi-directional motion, erosion, and reworking, and their expressions in preserved barrier island strata. This study uses characteristic outcrop expressions of barrier island successions to exemplify how modern morphodynamic concepts can be combined with geologic time-scale processes to update understanding of ancient barrier island motion and preservation.

A REVISED SOLAR TRANSFORMITY FOR TIDAL ENERGY RECEIVED BY THE EARTH AND DISSIPATED GLOBALLY: IMPLICATIONS FOR EMERGY ANALYSIS

EPA Science Inventory

Solar transformities for the tidal energy received by the earth and the tidal energy dissipated globally can be calculated because both solar energy and the gravitational attraction of the sun and moon drive independent processes that produce an annual flux of geopotential energy...

Impact of Tidal-Stream Turbines on the Generation of the Higher Tidal Harmonics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potter, Daniel; Ilic, Suzana; Folkard, Andrew

2016-04-01

The higher tidal harmonics result from the interaction of the astronomic tides with both themselves and each other through non-linear processes. In shallower waters such as those near the coast these non-linear processes become more significant and thus, so too do the higher tidal harmonics become more significant. The interaction of the tide with tidal-stream turbines (TSTs), through thrust and drag processes will be non-linear and as such will contribute to the generation of higher tidal harmonics, thus changing the nature of the tide downstream of the turbines. The change to the tide may potentially impact on the downstream energy resource (Robins et al. 2015) and sediment transport processes (Pingree & Griffiths 1979). This paper will present analytical results, which suggest that TSTs will impact on the generation of all higher harmonics but with odd overtides being impacted more than even overtides, the most important examples of which are the M6 and M4 tides respectively, which are the first odd and even overtides of the M2 tide. Change in phase and amplitude of the M6 tide by TSTs will distort the tide but will not cause an asymmetry between the flood and ebb of the tide. Change in the phase and amplitude of the M4 can not only distort the tide but also cause asymmetry. Hence any change to the M4 tide by the turbines is more significant, despite the magnitude of change to the M6 being greater. In order to gain a fuller understanding of the way in which TSTs change the tide downstream and the significance of any change for transport processes or energy resource, a numerical modelling study will be carried out, which will be presented in a future paper. Robins, P.E., Neill, S.P., Lewis, M. & Ward, S.L., 2015. Characterising the spatial and temporal variability of the tidal-stream energy resource over the northwest European shelf seas. Applied Energy, 147: 510-522. Pingree, R.D. & Griffiths, D.K., 1979. Sand transport paths around the British Isles resulting from M2 and M4 tidal interactions. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K., 59: 497-513

A reassessment of the role of tidal dispersion in estuaries and bays

USGS Publications Warehouse

Geyer, W. Rockwell; Signell, Richard P.

1992-01-01

The role of tidal dispersion is reassessed, based on a consideration of the relevant physical mechanisms, particularly those elucidated by numerical simulations of tide-induced dispersion. It appears that the principal influence of tidal currents on dispersion occurs at length scales of the tidal excursion and smaller; thus the effectiveness of tidal dispersion depends on the relative scale of the tidal excursion to the spacing between major bathymetric and shoreline features. In estuaries where the typical spacing of topographic features is less than the tidal excursion, tidal dispersion may contribute significantly to the overall flushing. In estuaries and embayments in which the typical spacing between major features is larger than the tidal excursion, the influence of tidal dispersion will be localized, and it will not markedly contribute to overall flushing. Tidal dispersion is most pronounced in regions of abrupt topographic changes such as headlands and inlets, where flow separation occurs. The strong strain rate in the region of flow separation tends to stretch patches of fluid into long filaments, which are subsequently rolled up and distorted by the transient eddy field. The dispersion process accomplished by the tides varies strongly as a function of position and tidal phase and thus does not lend itself to parameterization by an eddy diffusion coefficient.

Tides on Self-gravitating, Compressible Bodies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hurford, T. A.; Greenberg, R.

2001-11-01

Most modern derivations of tidal amplitude follow the approach presented by Love [1]. Love's analysis for a homogeneous sphere assumed an incompressible material, which required introduction of a non-rigorously justified pressure term. We have solved the more general case of arbitrary compressibility, which allows for a more straightforward derivation [2,3]. We find the h2 love number of a body of radius R, density ρ , by solving the deformation equation [4], μ ∇ 2 u = ρ ∇U - (λ + μ ) ∇ (∇ ṡ u) where μ is the rigidity of the body and λ the Lamé constant. The potential U is the sum of (a) the tide raising potential, (b) the potential of surface mass shifted above or below the spherical surface, (c) potential due to the internal density changes and (d) the change in potential of each bit of volume due to its displacement u. A self-consistent solution can be obtained with U = \\sum_{q=0}^{\\infty} b_{(2+2q)} r^{(2+2q)} ( {3}/{2} \\cos2 \\theta - {1}/{2} ). In [1] and [3] only the r2 term was considered, which was valid only if compressibility is small or elasticity governs deformation (i.e. ρ g R << (λ + 2 μ )). The solution with only the r2 term reduces to Love's [1] solution in the limit of zero compressibility (λ = ∞ ). However, for rock μ ~ λ [4], in which case h2 is enhanced by ~ 3 %, and solutions for greater compressibility give up to 8 % enhancement of tidal amplitude. If ρ g R is significant, higher order r(2q+2) terms are important and even greater corrections are required to the classical tidal amplitude. [1] Love, A.E.H., New York Dover Publications, 1944 [2] Hurford, T.A. and R. Greenberg, Lunar Plan. Sci. XXXII 1741, 2001 [3] Hurford, T.A. and R. Greenberg, 2001 DDA meeting, Bull. Amer. Astron. Soc. in press [4] Kaula, W.M., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1968

Continental-Margin Processes Recorded in Shelf and Canyon Sediments. Sediment Deposition, Erosion and Accumulation on a Tidal Flat Adjacent to a River Mouth

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

to the formation and preservation of sedimentary strata in the seabed. The goal of the tidal-flats project during the first year was to help plan ...publish the STRATAFORM Master Volume (results are summarized under Work Completed); and 3) help with planning the Tidal Flats DRI (results are... Plan (White Paper), negotiating with Korean scientists about a modified study in Korea, and helping to identify and explore US tidal flats for

Effects of De-spinning and Lithosphere Thickening on the Lunar Fossil Bulge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, S.; Qin, C.; Phillips, R. J.

2016-12-01

The Moon has abnormally large degree-2 anomalies in gravity and shape (or bulge). The degree-2 gravity coefficients C20 and C22 are, respectively, 22 and 7 times greater than expected from the Moon's current orbital and rotational states. One prevalent hypothesis, called the fossil bulge hypothesis, interprets the current degree-2 shape as a remnant of the bulge that froze in when the Moon was closer to the Earth with stronger tidal and rotational potentials. However, the dynamic feasibility of the freeze-in process has never been quantitatively examined. In this study, we explore, using numerical models of viscoelastic deformation with time-dependent rotational potential and lithospheric rheology, how the degree-2 bulge would evolve with time as the early Moon cools and migrates away from the Earth. Our model includes two competing effects: 1) a thickening lithosphere with time through cooling, which helps maintain the bulge, and 2) de-spinning through tidal locking, which tends to reduce the bulge. In our model, a strong lithosphere is represented by the topmost layer that is orders of magnitude more viscous than the mantle. The benchmark results show that our numerical model can compute the bulge size accurately. Our calculations start with a bulge size that is in hydrostatic equilibrium with the initial rotational rate. The bulge reduces with time as the Moon spins down, while the lithosphere can support certain amount of bulge as it thickens. We find that the final size of the bulge is controlled by the relative time scales of the two processes. At limiting cases, if the time scale of de-spinning were much larger than that of lithosphere thickening, the bulge size would be largely maintained. Conversely, the bulge size would be reduced significantly. We will consider more realistic time scales for these two processes, as well as effects of other subsequent processes after lunar magma ocean crystallization, such as large impacts and mare volcanism.

Geo-morphological changes of the Wanpingkou tidal system arising from the building of a sailing boat station in Rizhao of China.

PubMed

Bian, Shuhua; Zhang, Yuanzhi; Feng, Aiping; Chiu, Long; Wu, Sangyun; Hu, Zejian

2008-03-01

This paper examines a small tidal system in Wanpingkou, Rizhao of China. The tidal system was originally maintained by a balance of the natural interaction between tidal currents and waves. But this tidal system was diminishing by reclamation processes since the 1980s, especially in 2003 when a sailing boat station was built in the study area. To investigate the stability and development mechanism of the tidal system, its feasibility was evaluated before the sailing boat station was built. The erosion and deposition in and out of the tidal system was analyzed, forecasted and compared with the data from field monitoring. The results show that the tidal system would remain relatively stable, although its adjacent shoreline might change somewhat after the newly built sailing boat station. This change would also affect the coastal water and wetland environment in the study area. Further field monitoring in the area is still necessary.

A 4DCT imaging-based breathing lung model with relative hysteresis

PubMed Central

Miyawaki, Shinjiro; Choi, Sanghun; Hoffman, Eric A.; Lin, Ching-Long

2016-01-01

To reproduce realistic airway motion and airflow, the authors developed a deforming lung computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model based on four-dimensional (4D, space and time) dynamic computed tomography (CT) images. A total of 13 time points within controlled tidal volume respiration were used to account for realistic and irregular lung motion in human volunteers. Because of the irregular motion of 4DCT-based airways, we identified an optimal interpolation method for airway surface deformation during respiration, and implemented a computational solid mechanics-based moving mesh algorithm to produce smooth deforming airway mesh. In addition, we developed physiologically realistic airflow boundary conditions for both models based on multiple images and a single image. Furthermore, we examined simplified models based on one or two dynamic or static images. By comparing these simplified models with the model based on 13 dynamic images, we investigated the effects of relative hysteresis of lung structure with respect to lung volume, lung deformation, and imaging methods, i.e., dynamic vs. static scans, on CFD-predicted pressure drop. The effect of imaging method on pressure drop was 24 percentage points due to the differences in airflow distribution and airway geometry. PMID:28260811

A 4DCT imaging-based breathing lung model with relative hysteresis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyawaki, Shinjiro; Choi, Sanghun; Hoffman, Eric A.; Lin, Ching-Long

2016-12-01

To reproduce realistic airway motion and airflow, the authors developed a deforming lung computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model based on four-dimensional (4D, space and time) dynamic computed tomography (CT) images. A total of 13 time points within controlled tidal volume respiration were used to account for realistic and irregular lung motion in human volunteers. Because of the irregular motion of 4DCT-based airways, we identified an optimal interpolation method for airway surface deformation during respiration, and implemented a computational solid mechanics-based moving mesh algorithm to produce smooth deforming airway mesh. In addition, we developed physiologically realistic airflow boundary conditions for both models based on multiple images and a single image. Furthermore, we examined simplified models based on one or two dynamic or static images. By comparing these simplified models with the model based on 13 dynamic images, we investigated the effects of relative hysteresis of lung structure with respect to lung volume, lung deformation, and imaging methods, i.e., dynamic vs. static scans, on CFD-predicted pressure drop. The effect of imaging method on pressure drop was 24 percentage points due to the differences in airflow distribution and airway geometry.

Composition and functional diversity of microbial community across a mangrove-inhabited mudflat as revealed by 16S rDNA gene sequences.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaoying; Hu, Bill X; Ren, Hejun; Zhang, Jin

2018-08-15

The gradient distribution of microbial communities has been detected in profiles along many natural environments. In a mangrove seedlings inhabited mudflat, the microbes drive a variety of biogeochemical processes and are associated with a dramatically changed environment across the tidal zones of mudflat. A better understanding of microbial composition, diversity and associated functional profiles in relation to physicochemical influences could provide more insights into the ecological functions of microbes in a coastal mangrove ecosystem. In this study, the variation of microbial community along successive tidal flats inhabited by mangrove seedlings were characterized based on the 16S rDNA gene sequences, and then the factors that shape the bacterial and archaeal communities were determined. Results showed that the tidal cycles strongly influence the distribution of bacterial and archaeal communities. Dissimilarity and gradient distribution of microbial communities were found among high tidal flat, mid-low tidal flat and seawater. Discrepancies were also as well observed from the surface to subsurface layers specifically in the high tidal flat. For example, Alphaproteobacteria displayed an increasing trend from low tidal to high tidal flat and vice versa for Deltaproteobacteria; Cyanobacteria and Thaumarchaeota were more dominant in the surface layer than the subsurface. In addition, by classifying the microorganisms into metabolic functional groups, we were able to identify the biogeochemical pathway that was dominant in each zone. The (oxygenic) photoautotrophy and nitrate reduction were enhanced in the mangrove inhabited mid tidal flat. It revealed the ability of xenobiotic metabolism microbes to degrade, transform, or accumulate environmental hydrocarbon pollutants in seawater, increasing sulfur-related respiration from high tidal to low tidal flat. An opposite distribution was found for major nitrogen cycling processes. The shift of both composition and function of microbial communities were significantly related to light, oxygen availability and total dissolved nitrogen instead of sediment types or salinity. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Mercury-T code (Bolmont+, 2015)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolmont, E.; Raymond, S. N.; Leconte, J.; Hersant, F.; Correia, A. C. M.

2015-11-01

The major addition to Mercury provided in Mercury-T is the addition of the tidal forces and torques. But we also added the effect of general relativity and rotation-induced deformation. We explain in the following sections how these effects were incorporated in the code. We also give the planets and star/BD/Jupiter parameters which are implemented in the code. The link to this code and the manual can also be found here: http://www.emelinebolmont.com/research-interests (2 data files).

Lunar Surface Gravimeter Experiment. [characteristics of test equipment installed on lunar surface during Apollo 17 flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Giganti, J. J.; Larson, J. V.; Richard, J. P.; Weber, J.

1973-01-01

The lunar surface gravimeter which was emplaced on the moon by the Apollo 17 flight is described and a schematic diagram of the sensor is provided. The objective of the lunar surface gravimeter is to use the moon as an instrumented antenna to detect gravitational waves. Another objective is to measure tidal deformation of the moon. Samples of signals received during lunar sunrise activity and during quiet periods are presented in graph form based on power spectrum analysis

Storm surges and climate change implications for tidal marshes: Insight from the San Francisco Bay Estuary, California, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thorne, Karen M.; Buffington, Kevin J.; Swanson, Kathleen; Takekawa, John Y.

2013-01-01

Tidal marshes are dynamic ecosystems, which are influenced by oceanic and freshwater processes and daily changes in sea level. Projected sea-level rise and changes in storm frequency and intensity will affect tidal marshes by altering suspended sediment supply, plant communities, and the inundation duration and depth of the marsh platform. The objective of this research was to evaluate if regional weather conditions resulting in low-pressure storms changed tidal conditions locally within three tidal marshes. We hypothesized that regional storms will increase sea level heights locally, resulting in increased inundation of the tidal marsh platform and plant communities. Using site-level measurements of elevation, plant communities, and water levels, we present results from two storm events in 2010 and 2011 from the San Francisco Bay Estuary (SFBE), California, USA. The January 2010 storm had the lowest recorded sea level pressure in the last 30 years for this region. During the storm episodes, the duration of tidal marsh inundation was 1.8 and 3.1 times greater than average for that time of year, respectively. At peak storm surges, over 65% in 2010 and 93% in 2011 of the plant community was under water. We also discuss the implications of these types of storms and projected sea-level rise on the structure and function of the tidal marshes and how that will impact the hydro-geomorphic processes and marsh biotic communities.

Influence of changes in hydrodynamic conditions on cadmium transport in tidal river network of the Pearl River Delta, China.

PubMed

Dou, Ming; Zuo, Qiting; Zhang, Jinping; Li, Congying; Li, Guiqiu

2013-09-01

With rapid economic development, the Pearl River Delta (PRD) of China has experienced a series of serious heavy metal pollution events. Considering complex hydrodynamic and pollutants transport process, one-dimensional hydrodynamic model and heavy metal transport model were developed for tidal river network of the PRD. Then, several pollution emergency scenarios were designed by combining with the upper inflow, water quality and the lower tide level boundary conditions. Using this set of models, the temporal and spatial change process of cadmium (Cd) concentration was simulated. The influence of change in hydrodynamic conditions on Cd transport in tidal river network was assessed, and its transport laws were summarized. The result showed the following: Flow changes in the tidal river network were influenced remarkably by tidal backwater action, which further influenced the transport process of heavy metals; Cd concentrations in most sections while encountering high tide were far greater than those while encountering middle or low tides; and increased inflows from upper reaches could intensify water pollution in the West River (while encountering high tide) or the North River (while encountering middle or low tides).

Hard fight for scientific truth in EGU

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ostrihansky, Lubor

2014-05-01

Arthur Holmes and Harry Hess established a dogma about the mantle convection which for many decades is accepted as the motive force of plates in spite that it contradicts to reasonable sense and any observations. If a group of scientists tries to come out against it, always meet a strong resistance. Examples of such resistance manifest objections posted by specialists in geodynamics of EGU. Scientific public is convinced that tidal forces of semidiurnal and diurnal periods cannot move plates because triggering of earthquakes by the stress of these amplitudes give statistically insignificant results confirmed by many reports for more than 100 years. However the tidal forces act on 10 km Earth's rotation flattening and by periodic Earth's deformations resulting in earth's rotation variations giving strong forces energetically equivalent to energy of large earthquakes. Oceanic lithosphere older than 180 M.Y. drops down to the mantle by gravity and at that movement the released space facilitates the plate movement by tides. Hotspots firmly anchored in mantle show by tracks an exact movement of plates. Not Polfluchtkraft but Äquatorkraft force the tides create, which can move the large continent (for example Gondwana) far from equator as far ad the pole, where after decay the Antarctica remains being out of tidal forces actions.

Filtering methods in tidal-affected groundwater head measurements: Application of harmonic analysis and continuous wavelet transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sánchez-Úbeda, Juan Pedro; Calvache, María Luisa; Duque, Carlos; López-Chicano, Manuel

2016-11-01

A new methodology has been developed to obtain tidal-filtered time series of groundwater levels in coastal aquifers. Two methods used for oceanography processing and forecasting of sea level data were adapted for this purpose and compared: HA (Harmonic Analysis) and CWT (Continuous Wavelet Transform). The filtering process is generally comprised of two main steps: the detection and fitting of the major tide constituents through the decomposition of the original signal and the subsequent extraction of the complete tidal oscillations. The abilities of the optional HA and CWT methods to decompose and extract the tidal oscillations were assessed by applying them to the data from two piezometers at different depths close to the shoreline of a Mediterranean coastal aquifer (Motril-Salobreña, SE Spain). These methods were applied to three time series of different lengths (one month, one year, and 3.7 years of hourly data) to determine the range of detected frequencies. The different lengths of time series were also used to determine the fit accuracies of the tidal constituents for both the sea level and groundwater heads measurements. The detected tidal constituents were better resolved with increasing depth in the aquifer. The application of these methods yielded a detailed resolution of the tidal components, which enabled the extraction of the major tidal constituents of the sea level measurements from the groundwater heads (e.g., semi-diurnal, diurnal, fortnightly, monthly, semi-annual and annual). In the two wells studied, the CWT method was shown to be a more effective method than HA for extracting the tidal constituents of highest and lowest frequencies from groundwater head measurements.

On the tidal interaction between protoplanets and the primordial solar nebula. II - Self-consistent nonlinear interaction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, D. N. C.; Papaloizou, J.

1986-01-01

A method to analyze the full nonlinear response and physical processes associated with the tidal interaction between a binary system and a thin disk in the steady state is presented. Using this approach, density wave propagation, induced by tidal interaction, may be studied for a wide range of sound speeds and viscosities. The effect of self-gravity may also be incorporated. The results of several calculations relevant to the tidal interaction between a protoplanet and the primordial solar nebula are also presented.

76 FR 42122 - Ocean Renewable Power Company, LLC; Notice Concluding Pre-Filing Process and Approving Process...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-18

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 12711-003] Ocean Renewable.... e. Name of Project: Cobscook Bay Tidal Energy Project. f. Location: In Cobscook Bay, in Washington... a two-phased development approach for the Cobscook Bay Tidal Energy Project. The project would...

Effects of Contaminated Fluids on Complex Moduli in Porous Rocks; Lab and Field.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spetzler, H.; Snieder, R.; Zhang, J.

2006-12-01

The interaction between fluids and porous rocks has been measured in the laboratory and in a controlled field experiment. In the laboratory we measured the static and dynamic effect of various contaminated fluids on the wettability, capillary pressure and other flow properties on geometrically simple surfaces. The characteristics of the menisci were quantified by measuring the forces required to deform and move them. Rate dependent surface tension and contact angles describe the hysteresis of the contact line motion. Finally we used geometrically complex surfaces, i.e. real rocks, and observed similar behavior. Then we did a field experiment where we could controllably irrigate a test volume and observe changes in deformation. At low deformation rates, where viscous deformation of the fluid is negligible, the dynamic hystereses of menisci deformation become the dominant mechanism for changes in complex moduli of partially fluid saturated rocks. In the laboratory for contaminated samples we observe attenuation increasing from below 1 Hz to 1 mHz, the limit of our patience in making these measurements. In the field we used microseisms and solid Earth tides as low frequency deformation sources. In the case of the tides we compare changes in observed tilt with theoretical site specific tidal tilts. Preliminary theoretical modeling suggests that indeed small changes in the moduli should be observable in changes in tilt response. In this paper we present our laboratory results and the field data and analysis to date.

The anomalous amplification of M2 tide in the Taiwan Strait

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jan, Sen; Chern, Ching-Sheng; Wang, Joe; Chao, Shenn-Yu

2004-04-01

The complex tidal wave propagation pattern in the Taiwan Strait invites parochialism. Along the eastern (Taiwan) boundary of the strait, the anomalous amplification of M2 tide in the middle often led to the parochial view that two tidal waves coming from both ends of the strait collide in the middle, creating wave resonance. Along the western (China) boundary, one sees a southward progressive tidal wave and hence no wave collision. To reconcile, we examine a few solutions of a numerical tidal model below. Both realistic bottom bathymetry and idealized bottom topographies are used to identify dominant mechanism leading to the complex tidal wave propagation. Our process of elimination identifies the wave reflection of southward propagating tidal wave by the deep trench in the southern strait as the true cause responsible for the complex wave propagation pattern.

Tidal-Fluvial and Estuarine Processes in the Lower Columbia River: II. Water Level Models, Floodplain Wetland Inundation, and System Zones

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

Jay, David A.; Borde, Amy B.; Diefenderfer, Heida L.

Spatially varying water-level regimes are a factor controlling estuarine and tidal-fluvial wetland vegetation patterns. As described in Part I, water levels in the Lower Columbia River and estuary (LCRE) are influenced by tides, river flow, hydropower operations, and coastal processes. In Part II, regression models based on tidal theory are used to quantify the role of these processes in determining water levels in the mainstem river and floodplain wetlands, and to provide 21-year inundation hindcasts. Analyses are conducted at 19 LCRE mainstem channel stations and 23 tidally exposed floodplain wetland stations. Sum exceedance values (SEVs) are used to compare wetlandmore » hydrologic regimes at different locations on the river floodplain. A new predictive tool is introduced and validated, the potential SEV (pSEV), which can reduce the need for extensive new data collection in wetland restoration planning. Models of water levels and inundation frequency distinguish four zones encompassing eight reaches. The system zones are the wave- and current-dominated Entrance to river kilometer (rkm) 5; the Estuary (rkm-5 to 87), comprised of a lower reach with salinity, the energy minimum (where the turbidity maximum normally occurs), and an upper estuary reach without salinity; the Tidal River (rkm-87 to 229), with lower, middle, and upper reaches in which river flow becomes increasingly dominant over tides in determining water levels; and the steep and weakly tidal Cascade (rkm-229 to 234) immediately downstream from Bonneville Dam. The same zonation is seen in the water levels of floodplain stations, with considerable modification of tidal properties. The system zones and reaches defined here reflect geological features and their boundaries are congruent with five wetland vegetation zones« less

Implications of tidally-varying bed stress and intermittent estuarine stratification on fine-sediment dynamics through the Mekong's tidal river to estuarine reach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McLachlan, R. L.; Ogston, A. S.; Allison, M. A.

2017-09-01

River gauging stations are often located upriver of tidal propagation where sediment transport processes and storage are impacted by widely varying ratios of marine to freshwater influence. These impacts are not yet thoroughly understood. Therefore, sediment fluxes measured at these stations may not be suitable for predicting changes to coastal morphology. To characterize sediment transport dynamics in this understudied zone, flow velocity, salinity, and suspended-sediment properties (concentration, size, and settling velocity) were measured within the tidal Sông Hậu distributary of the lower Mekong River, Vietnam. Fine-sediment aggregation, settling, and trapping rates were promoted by seasonal and tidal fluctuations in near-bed shear stress as well as the intermittent presence of a salt wedge and estuary turbidity maximum. Beginning in the tidal river, fine-grained particles were aggregated in freshwater. Then, in the interface zone between the tidal river and estuary, impeded near-bed shear stress and particle flux convergence promoted settling and trapping. Finally, in the estuary, sediment retention was further encouraged by stratification and estuarine circulation which protected the bed against particle resuspension and enhanced particle aggregation. These patterns promote mud export ( 1.7 t s-1) from the entire study area in the high-discharge season when fluvial processes dominate and mud import ( 0.25 t s-1) into the estuary and interface zone in the low-discharge season when estuarine processes dominate. Within the lower region of the distributaries, morphological change in the form of channel abandonment was found to be promoted within minor distributaries by feedbacks between channel depth, vertical mixing, and aggregate trapping. In effect, this field study sheds light on the sediment trapping capabilities of the tidal river - estuary interface zone, a relatively understudied region upstream of where traditional concepts place sites of deposition, and predicts how fine-sediment dynamics and morphology of large tropical deltas such as the Mekong will respond to changing fluvial and marine influences in the future.

Impacts of Sea Level Rise and Morphological Changes on Tidal Hydrodynamics in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Passeri, D. L.; Hagen, S. C.; Plant, N. G.; Bilskie, M. V.

2014-12-01

Sea level rise (SLR) threatens coastal environments with increased erosion, inundation of wetlands, and changes in hydrodynamic patterns. Planning for the effects of SLR requires understanding the coupled response of SLR, geomorphic and hydrodynamic processes; this will provide crucial information for managers to make informed decisions for human and natural communities. Evaluating changes in tidal hydrodynamics under future scenarios is a key aspect for understanding the effects of SLR on coastal systems; tidal hydrodynamics influence inundation, circulation patterns, sediment transport processes, shoreline erosion, and productivity of marshes and other species. This study evaluates the dynamic effects of SLR and morphologic change on tidal hydrodynamics along the Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM) coast from Mississippi to the Florida panhandle. A large-scale hydrodynamic model is used to simulate astronomic tides under present (circa 2005), and future conditions (circa 2050 and 2100). The model is modified with specific SLR scenarios, morphology, and shorelines that represent the conditions at each of the time periods. Future sea levels for the years 2050 and 2100 are determined using the Parris et al. (2012) projections. To make projections of future morphology, a Bayesian Network (BN) is implemented. The BN is used to define relationships between forcing mechanisms and coastal responses based on long-term relative SLR, mean wave height, long-term shoreline change rates, mean tidal range, geomorphic setting and coastal slope. Probabilistic predictions of future shoreline positions and dune heights are developed for each SLR scenario for the years 2050 and 2100. The Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is then updated to reflect the future morphologic changes. Comparison of present and future conditions illustrates the hydrodynamic response of the system to the changing landscape. Changes in variables such as harmonic tidal constituents, tidal range, tidal prism, tidal datums, circulation patterns and inundation areas are examined. This provides a better understanding of the physical processes of the current state of the NGOM and gives insight into how future SLR and coastal landscape changes may affect hydrodynamics within the NGOM estuary systems.

Derivation of Delaware Bay tidal parameters from Space Shuttle photography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zheng, Quanan; Yan, Xiao-Hai; Klemas, Vic

1993-01-01

The tide-related parameters of the Delaware Bay are derived from Space Shuttle time-series photographs. The water areas in the bay are measured from interpretation maps of the photographs with a CALCOMP 9100 digitizer and ERDAS Image Processing System. The corresponding tidal levels are calculated using the exposure time annotated on the photographs. From these data, an approximate function relating the water area to the tidal level at a reference point is determined. Based on the function, the water areas of the Delaware Bay at mean high water (MHW) and mean low water (MLW), below 0 m, and for the tidal zone are inferred. With MHW and MLW areas and the mean tidal range, we calculate the tidal influx of the Delaware Bay, which is 2.76 x 10 exp 9 cu m. The velocity of flood tide at the bay mouth is determined using the tidal flux and an integral of the velocity distribution function at the cross section between Cape Henlopen and Cape May. The result is 132 cm/s, which compares well with the data on tidal current charts.

Spin Dependence in Tidal Disruption Events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kesden, Michael; Stone, Nicholas; van Velzen, Sjoert

2018-01-01

A supermassive black hole (SBH) can tidally disrupt stars when its tidal field overwhelms the stars’ self-gravity. The stellar debris produced in such tidal disruption events (TDEs) evolves into tidal streams that can self-intersect. These inelastic stream collisions dissipate orbital energy, both circularizing the tidal stream and contributing to the emission observed during the TDE. Once circularized into a disk, the stellar debris can be viscously accreted by the SBH powering additional luminous emission. We explore how SBH spin can affect the tidal disruption process. Tidal forces are spin dependent, as is the minimum orbital angular momentum below which stars are directly captured by the SBH. This implies that the TDE rate will be spin dependent, particularly for more massive SBHs for which relativistic effects are more significant. SBH spin also affects TDE light curves through the initial debris orbits, the nature of the stream collisions, the viscous evolution of the accretion disk, and the possibility of launching jets. We explore the spin dependence of these phenomena to identify promising signatures for upcoming surveys expected to discover hundreds of TDE candidates in the next decade.

Temporal variation of velocity and turbulence characteristics at a tidal energy site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gunawan, B.; Neary, V. S.; Colby, J.

2013-12-01

This study examines the temporal variability, frequency, direction and magnitude of the mean current, turbulence, hydrodynamic force and tidal power availability at a proposed tidal energy site in a tidal channel located in East River, NY, USA. The channel has a width of 190 m, a mean water level of 9.8 m and a mean tidal range of 1.3 m. A two-month velocity measurement was conducted at the design hub-height of a tidal turbine using an acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV). The site has semi-diurnal tidal characteristics with tidal current pattern resembles that of sinusoidal function. The five-minute mean currents at the site varied between 0 and 2.4 m s-1. Flood current magnitudes were typically higher that the ebb current magnitudes, which skewed the tidal energy production towards the flood period. The effect of small-scale turbulence on the computed velocity, hydrodynamic load and power densities timeseries were investigated. Excluding the small-scale turbulence may lead to a significant underestimation of the mean and the maximum values of the analyzed variable. Comparison of hydrodynamic conditions with other tidal energy sites indicates that the key parameters for tidal energy site development are likely to be site-specific, which highlight the need to develop a classification system for tidal energy sites. Such a classification system would enable a direct comparison of key parameters between potential project locations and ultimately help investors in the decision making process. Turbulence intensity vs. mean current magnitude

Statistical characterization of wind-wave induced sediment resuspension events in shallow tidal basins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Alpaos, A.; Carniello, L.; Rinaldo, A.

2013-12-01

Wind-wave induced erosion processes play a critical role on the morphodynamic evolution of shallow tidal landscapes. Both in the horizontal and in the vertical planes, patterns of wind-induced bottom shear stresses contribute to control the morphological and biological features of the tidal landscape, through the erosion of tidal-flat surfaces and of salt-marsh margins, the disruption of the polymeric microphytobenthic biofilm, and the increase in suspended sediment concentration which affects the stability of intertidal ecosystems. Towards the goal of developing a synthetic theoretical framework to represent wind wave-induced resuspension events and account for their erosional effects on the long-term biomorphodynamic evolution of tidal systems, we have employed a complete, coupled finite element model accounting for the role of wind waves and tidal currents on the hydrodynamic circulation in shallow basins. Our analysis of the characteristics of combined current and wave-induced exceedances in bottom shear stress over a given threshold for erosion, suggest that wind wave-induced resuspension events can be modeled as a marked Poisson process. Moreover, the analysis of wind-wave induced resuspension events for different historical configurations of the Venice Lagoon shows that the interarrival times of erosion events have decreased through the last two centuries, whereas the intensities of erosion events have increased. This allows us to characterize the threatening erosion and degradation processes that the Venice Lagoon has been experiencing since the beginning of the last century.

Understanding processes controlling sediment transports at the mouth of a highly energetic inlet system (San Francisco Bay, CA)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Elias, Edwin P.L.; Hansen, Jeff E.; Barnard, P.L.; Jaffee, B.E.; Schoellhamer, D.H.

2013-01-01

San Francisco Bay is one of the largest estuaries along the U.S. West Coast and is linked to the Pacific Ocean through the Golden Gate, a 100 m deep bedrock inlet. A coupled wave, flow and sediment transport model is used to quantify the sediment linkages between San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate, and the adjacent open coast. Flow and sediment transport processes are investigated using an ensemble average of 24 climatologically derived wave cases and a 24.8 h representative tidal cycle. The model simulations show that within the inlet, flow and sediment transport is tidally dominated and driven by asymmetry of the ebb and flood tides. Peak ebb velocities exceed the peak flood velocities in the narrow Golden Gate channel as a result of flow convergence and acceleration. Persistent flow and sediment gyres at the headland tips are formed that limit sediment transfer from the ebb-tidal delta to the inlet and into the bay. The residual transport pattern in the inlet is dominated by a lateral segregation with a large ebb-dominant sediment transport (and flow) prevailing along the deeper north side of the Golden Gate channel, and smaller flood dominant transports along the shallow southern margin. The seaward edge of the ebb-tidal delta largely corresponds to the seaward extent of strong tidal flows. On the ebb-tidal delta, both waves and tidal forcing govern flow and sediment transport. Wave focusing by the ebb-tidal delta leads to strong patterns of sediment convergence and divergence along the adjacent Ocean Beach.

Plume Activity and Tidal Deformation on Enceladus Influenced by Faults and Variable Ice Shell Thickness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Běhounková, Marie; Souček, Ondřej; Hron, Jaroslav; Čadek, Ondřej

2017-09-01

We investigated the effect of variations in ice shell thickness and of the tiger stripe fractures crossing Enceladus' south polar terrain on the moon's tidal deformation by performing finite element calculations in three-dimensional geometry. The combination of thinning in the polar region and the presence of faults has a synergistic effect that leads to an increase of both the displacement and stress in the south polar terrain by an order of magnitude compared to that of the traditional model with a uniform shell thickness and without faults. Assuming a simplified conductive heat transfer and neglecting the heat sources below the ice shell, we computed the global heat budget of the ice shell. For the inelastic properties of the shell described by a Maxwell viscoelastic model, we show that unrealistically low average viscosity of the order of 10^{13} Pa s is necessary for preserving the volume of the ocean, suggesting the important role of the heat sources in the deep interior. Similarly, low viscosity is required to predict the observed delay of the plume activity, which hints at other delaying mechanisms than just the viscoelasticity of the ice shell. The presence of faults results in large spatial and temporal heterogeneity of geysering activity compared to the traditional models without faults. Our model contributes to understanding the physical mechanisms that control the fault activity, and it provides potentially useful information for future missions that will sample the plume for evidence of life.

Broad timescale forcing and geomorphic mediation of tidal marsh flow and temperature dynamics

USGS Publications Warehouse

Enwright, Christopher; Culberson, Steven; Burau, Jon R.

2013-01-01

Tidal marsh functions are driven by interactions between tides, landscape morphology, and emergent vegetation. Less often considered are the diurnal pattern of tide extremes and seasonal variation of solar insolation in the mix of tidal marsh driver interactions. This work demonstrates how high-frequency hydroperiod and water temperature variability emerges from disparate timescale interactions between tidal marsh morphology, tidal harmonics, and meteorology in the San Francisco Estuary. We compare the tidal and residual flow and temperature response of neighboring tidal sloughs, one possessing natural tidal marsh morphology, and one that is modified for water control. We show that the natural tidal marsh is tuned to lunar phase and produces tidal and fortnight water temperature variability through interacting tide, meteorology, and geomorphic linkages. In contrast, temperature variability is dampened in the modified slough where overbank marsh plain connection is severed by levees. Despite geomorphic differences, a key finding is that both sloughs are heat sinks in summer by latent heat flux-driven residual upstream water advection and sensible and long-wave heat transfer. The precession of a 335-year tidal harmonic assures that these dynamics will shift in the future. Water temperature regulation appears to be a key function of natural tidal sloughs that depends critically on geomorphic mediation. We investigate approaches to untangling the relative influence of sun versus tide on residual water and temperature transport as a function of system morphology. The findings of this study likely have ecological consequences and suggest physical process metrics for tidal marsh restoration performance.

Morphologic and stratigraphic evolution of muddy ebb-tidal deltas along a subsiding coast: Barataria Bay, Mississippi River delta

USGS Publications Warehouse

FitzGerald, D.M.; Kulp, M.; Penland, S.; Flocks, J.; Kindinger, J.

2004-01-01

The Barataria barrier coast formed between two major distributaries of the Mississippi River delta: the Plaquemines deltaic headland to the east and the Lafourche deltaic headland to the west. Rapid relative sea-level rise (1??03 cm year-1) and other erosional processes within Barataria Bay have led to substantial increases in the area of open water (> 775 km2 since 1956) and the attendant bay tidal prism. Historically, the increase in tidal discharge at inlets has produced larger channel cross-sections and prograding ebb-tidal deltas. For example, the ebb delta at Barataria Pass has built seaward > 2??2 km since the 1880s. Shoreline erosion and an increasing bay tidal prism also facilitated the formation of new inlets. Four major lithofacies characterize the Barataria coast ebb-tidal deltas and associated sedimentary environments. These include a proximal delta facies composed of massive to laminated, fine grey-brown to pale yellow sand and a distal delta facies consisting of thinly laminated, grey to pale yellow sand and silty sand with mud layers. The higher energy proximal delta deposits contain a greater percentage of sand (75-100%) compared with the distal delta sediments (60-80%). Associated sedimentary units include a nearshore facies consisting of horizontally laminated, fine to very fine grey sand with mud layers and an offshore facies that is composed of grey to dark grey, laminated sandy silt to silty clay. All facies coarsen upwards except the offshore facies, which fines upwards. An evolutionary model is presented for the stratigraphic development of the ebb-tidal deltas in a regime of increasing tidal energy resulting from coastal land loss and tidal prism growth. Ebb-tidal delta facies prograde over nearshore sediments, which interfinger with offshore facies. The seaward decrease in tidal current velocity of the ebb discharge produces a gradational contact between proximal and distal tidal delta facies. As the tidal discharge increases and the inlet grows in dimensions, the proximal and distal tidal delta facies prograde seawards. Owing to the relatively low gradient of the inner continental shelf, the ebb-tidal delta lithosome is presently no more than 5 m thick and is generally only 2-3 m in thickness. The ebb delta sediment is sourced from deepening of the inlet and the associated channels and from the longshore sediment transport system. The final stage in the model envisages erosion and segmentation of the barrier chain, leading to a decrease in tidal discharge through the former major inlets. This process ultimately results in fine-grained sedimentation seaward of the inlets and the encasement of the ebb-tidal delta lithosome in mud. The ebb-tidal deltas along the Barataria coast are distinguished from most other ebb deltas along sand-rich coasts by their muddy content and lack of large-scale stratification produced by channel cut-and-fills and bar migration. ?? 2004 International Association of Sedimentologists.

About mechanisms of tetonic activity of the satellites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barkin, Yu. V.

2003-04-01

ABOUT MECHANISMS OF TECTONIC ACTIVITY OF THE SATELLITES Yu.V. Barkin Sternberg Astronomical Institute, Moscow, Russia, barkin@sai.msu.ru Due to attraction of the central planet and others external bodies satellite is subjected by tidal and non-tidal deformations. Elastic energy is changed in dependence from mutual position and motion of celestial bodies and as result the tensional state of satellite and its tectonic (endogenous) activity also is changed. Satellites of the planets have the definite shell’s structure and due to own rotation these shells are characterized by different oblatenesses. Gravitational interaction of the satellite and its mother planet generates big additional mechanical forces (and moments) between the neighboring non-spherical shells of the satellite (mantle, core and crust). These forces and moments are cyclic functions of time, which are changed in the different time-scales. They generate corresponding cyclic perturbations of the tensional state of the shells, their deformations, small relative transnational displacements and slow rotation of the shells and others. In geological period of time it leads to a fundamental tectonic reconstruction of the body. Definite contribution to discussed phenomena are caused by classical tidal mechanism. of planet-satellite interaction. But in this report we discuss in first the new mechanisms of endogenous activity of celestial bodies. They are connected with differential gravitational attraction of non-spherical satellite shells by the external celestial bodies which leads: 1) to small relative rotation (nutations) of the shells; 2) to small relative translational motions of the shells (displacements of their center of mass); 3) to relative displacements and rotations of the shells due to eccentricity of their center of mass positions; 4) to viscous elastic deformations of the shells and oth. (Barkin, 2001). For higher evaluations of the power of satellite endogenous activities were obtained analytical formulae. Obtained theoretical evaluations of the force and power characteristics are in good agreement with observational date and in particular they explain some from the well known problems of planetology. The following phenomena obtain an explanation: 1. Higher endogenous activity of Io; 2. Europe crack systems; 3. high endogenous activity of Ganimede, Titan, Miranda, Enceladus, Ariel. Well known relations of tectonic activity between satellites: Ariel and Umbriel, Reiha and Diona, Titania and Oberon have been explained in terms of numerical values of force and energy characteristics. Conclusion about high endogenous activity of Titan also presents important interest. The work was accepted and financed by RFBR grant N 02-05-64176 and by grant SAB2000-0235 of Ministry of Education of Spain (Secretaria de Estado de Educacion y Universidades).

Soft-sediment deformation structures interpreted as seismites in the uppermost Aptian to lowermost Albian transgressive deposits of the Chihuahua basin (Mexico)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Blanc, E.J.-P.; Blanc-Aletru, M. -C.; Mojon, P.-O.

1997-01-01

Several levels of soft-sediment deformation structures (s.-s.d.s.) cut by synsedimentary normal faults have been observed in the transition beds between the "Las Vigas" and "La Virgen" formations (Cretaceous) in the northeastern part of the Chihuahua basin in Mexico. These structures consisted of four kinds of motifs (floating breccias, flame-like structures, large pillow structures, and wavy structures). They are restricted to five "stratigraphic" levels (??1-??5) and surrounded by undeformed beds in fluvio-lacustrine and tidal deposits and can be traced over a distance of several hundred meters. This deformation is interpreted to have resulted from the combined effects of liquidization and shear stress in soft-sediments due to local earthquakes in the area which could have been generated during the rifting stage of the Chihuahua basin. New constraints placed on the age of the "Las Vigas" Formation (bracketed by Late Aptian charophytes at the bottom and colomiellids of late Aptian to earliest Albian age at the top) suggest that this synrift tectonism lasted at least until the end of the Aptian.

Critical bifurcation of shallow microtidal landforms in tidal flats and salt marshes

PubMed Central

Fagherazzi, Sergio; Carniello, Luca; D'Alpaos, Luigi; Defina, Andrea

2006-01-01

Shallow tidal basins are characterized by extensive tidal flats and salt marshes that lie within specific ranges of elevation, whereas intermediate elevations are less frequent in intertidal landscapes. Here we show that this bimodal distribution of elevations stems from the characteristics of wave-induced sediment resuspension and, in particular, from the reduction of maximum wave height caused by dissipative processes in shallow waters. The conceptual model presented herein is applied to the Venice Lagoon, Italy, and demonstrates that areas at intermediate elevations are inherently unstable and tend to become either tidal flats or salt marshes. PMID:16707583

Focal mechanisms and tidal modulation for tectonic tremors in Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ide, S.; Yabe, S.; Tai, H. J.; Chen, K. H.

2015-12-01

Tectonic tremors in Taiwan have been discovered beneath the southern Central Range, but their hosting structure has been unknown. Here we constrain the focal mechanism of underground deformation related to tremors, using moment tensor inversion in the very low frequency band and tidal stress analysis. Three types of seismic data are used for two analysis steps: detection of tremors and the moment tensor inversion. Short-period seismograms from CWBSN are used for tremor detection. Broadband seismograms from BATS and the TAIGER project are used for both steps. About 1000 tremors were detected using an envelope correlation method in the high frequency band (2-8 Hz). Broadband seismograms are stacked relative to the tremor timing, and inverted for a moment tensor in the low frequency band (0.02-0.05 Hz). The best solution was obtained at 32 km depth, as a double-couple consistent with a low-angle thrust fault dipping to the east-southeast, or a high-angle thrust with a south-southwest strike. Almost all tremors occur when tidal shear stress is positive and normal stress is negative (clamping). Since the clamping stress is high for a high-angle thrust fault, the low-angle thrust fault is more likely to be the fault plane. Tremor rate increases non-linearly with increasing shear stress, suggesting a velocity strengthening friction law. The high tidal sensitivity is inconsistent with horizontal slip motion suggested by previous studies, and normal faults that dominates regional shallow earthquakes. Our results favor thrust slip on a low-angle fault dipping to the east-southeast, consistent with the subduction of the Eurasian plate. The tremor region is characterized by a deep thermal anomaly with decrease normal stress. This region has also experienced enough subduction to produce metamorphic fluids. A large amount of fluid and low vertical stress may explain the high tidal sensitivity.

Tidal-Fluvial and Estuarine Processes in the Lower Columbia River: I. Along-channel Water Level Variations, Pacific Ocean to Bonneville Dam

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

Jay, D. A.; Leffler, K.; Diefenderfer, Heida L.

This two-part paper provides comprehensive time and frequency domain analyses and models of along-channel water level variations in the 234km-long Lower Columbia River and Estuary (LCRE) and documents the response of floodplain wetlands thereto. In Part I, power spectra, continuous wavelet transforms, and harmonic analyses are used to understand the influences of tides, river flow, upwelling and downwelling, and hydropower operations ("power-peaking") on the water level regime. Estuarine water levels are influenced primarily by astronomical tides and coastal processes, and secondarily by river flow. The importance of coastal and tidal influences decreases in the landward direction, and water levels aremore » increasingly controlled by river flow variations at periods from ≤1 day to years. Water level records are only slightly non-stationary near the ocean, but become increasingly irregular upriver. Although astronomically forced tidal constituents decrease above the estuary, tidal fortnightly and overtide variations increase for 80-200km landward, both relative to major tidal constituents and in absolute terms.« less

Quantification of Saturn and Enceladus tidal dissipation by astrometry after Cassini

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lainey, V.

2017-12-01

Enceladus is the smallest moon known today harboring a global ocean under its crust. While the existence of liquid water in high quantity for such a small object is exciting from an exobiological perspective, the existence and maintenance of such an ocean over time has been very debated. The discovery of strong, largely unexpected, tidal dissipation inside Saturn has turned out to be a major actor for sustaining Enceladus ocean and geysers activity. In particular, interior evolution of Enceladus and Saturn appear closely related. In this talk we will present the way tidal mechanisms occurring inside Saturn are currently tested using astrometry. Since tidal friction may occur both inside the core and the atmosphere, looking at the frequency dependence of tidal parameters is required to assess the magnitude of both processes. Expected results using the whole Cassini data, including the possible global quantification of Enceladus tidal dissipation, will be discussed.

Nonlinearity in rock - Evidence from earth tides

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agnew, D. C.

1981-01-01

The earth is sinusoidally stressed by tidal forces; if the stress-strain relation for rock is nonlinear, energy should appear in an earth tide record at frequencies which are multiples of those of the larger tidal lines. An examination of the signals to be expected for different nonlinear deformation laws shows that for a nonlinear response without dissipation, the largest anomalous signal should occur at twice the forcing frequency, whereas for nonlinear laws involving dissipation (cusped hysteresis loops) the anomalous signal will be greatest at three times this frequency. The size of the signal in the dissipative case depends on the amount by which dissipation affects the particular response being measured. For measurements of strain tides this depends on whether dissipation is assumed to be present throughout the earth or localized around the point of measurement. An analysis of 5.7 years of strain tide records from Pinon Flat, California, shows a small signal at twice the frequency of the largest (M2) tide.

A diurnal resonance in the ocean tide and in the earth's load response due to the resonant free 'core nutation'

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wahr, J. M.; Sasao, T.

1981-01-01

The effects of the oceans, which are subject to a resonance due to a free rotational eigenmode of an elliptical, rotating earth with a fluid outer core having an eigenfrequency of (1 + 1/460) cycle/day, on the body tide and nutational response of the earth to the diurnal luni-tidal force are computed. The response of an elastic, rotating, elliptical, oceanless earth with a fluid outer core to a given load distribution on its surface is first considered, and the tidal sea level height for equilibrium and nonequilibrium oceans is examined. Computations of the effects of equilibrium and nonequilibrium oceans on the nutational and deformational responses of the earth are then presented which show small but significant perturbations to the retrograde 18.6-year and prograde six-month nutations, and more important effects on the earth body tide, which is also resonant at the free core notation eigenfrequency.

A Comparison of Vertical Deformations Derived from Space-based Gravimetry, Ground-based Sensors, and Model-based Hydrologic Loading over the Western United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, G.; Forman, B. A.; Loomis, B. D.; Luthcke, S. B.

2017-12-01

Vertical deformation of the Earth's crust due to the movement and redistribution of terrestrial freshwater can be studied using satellite measurements, ground-based sensors, hydrologic models, or a combination thereof. This current study explores the relationship between vertical deformation estimates derived from mass concentrations (mascons) from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), vertical deformation from ground-based Global Positioning System (GPS) observations collected from the Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO), and hydrologic loading estimates based on model output from the NASA Catchment Land Surface Model (Catchment). A particular focus is made to snow-dominated basins where mass accumulates during the snow season and subsequently runs off during the ablation season. The mean seasonal cycle and the effects of atmospheric loading, non-tidal ocean loading, and glacier isostatic adjustment (GIA) are removed from the GPS observations in order to derive the vertical displacement caused predominately by hydrological processes. A low-pass filter is applied to GPS observations to remove high frequency noise. Correlation coefficients between GRACE- and GPS-based estimates at all PBO sites are calculated. GRACE-derived and Catchment-derived displacements are subtracted from the GPS height variations, respectively, in order to compute the root mean square (RMS) reduction as a means of studying the consistency between the three different methods. Results show that in most sites, the three methods exhibit good agreement. Exceptions to this generalization include the Central Valley of California where extensive groundwater pumping is witnessed in the GRACE- and GPS-based estimates, but not in the Catchment-based estimates because anthropogenic groundwater pumping activities are not included in the Catchment model. The relatively good agreement between GPS- and GRACE-derived vertical crustal displacements suggests that ground-based GPS has tremendous potential for a Bayesian merger with GRACE-based estimates in order to provide a higher resolution (in space and time) of terrestrial water storage.

Tidal disruption of inviscid protoplanets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boss, Alan P.; Cameron, A. G. W.; Benz, W.

1991-01-01

Roche showed that equilibrium is impossible for a small fluid body synchronously orbiting a primary within a critical radius now termed the Roche limit. Tidal disruption of orbitally unbound bodies is a potentially important process for planetary formation through collisional accumulation, because the area of the Roche limit is considerably larger then the physical cross section of a protoplanet. Several previous studies were made of dynamical tidal disruption and different models of disruption were proposed. Because of the limitation of these analytical models, we have used a smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) code to model the tidal disruption process. The code is basically the same as the one used to model giant impacts; we simply choose impact parameters large enough to avoid collisions. The primary and secondary both have iron cores and silicate mantles, and are initially isothermal at a molten temperature. The conclusions based on the analytical and numerical models are summarized.

Estimation of river pollution index in a tidal stream using kriging analysis.

PubMed

Chen, Yen-Chang; Yeh, Hui-Chung; Wei, Chiang

2012-08-29

Tidal streams are complex watercourses that represent a transitional zone between riverine and marine systems; they occur where fresh and marine waters converge. Because tidal circulation processes cause substantial turbulence in these highly dynamic zones, tidal streams are the most productive of water bodies. Their rich biological diversity, combined with the convenience of land and water transports, provide sites for concentrated populations that evolve into large cities. Domestic wastewater is generally discharged directly into tidal streams in Taiwan, necessitating regular evaluation of the water quality of these streams. Given the complex flow dynamics of tidal streams, only a few models can effectively evaluate and identify pollution levels. This study evaluates the river pollution index (RPI) in tidal streams by using kriging analysis. This is a geostatistical method for interpolating random spatial variation to estimate linear grid points in two or three dimensions. A kriging-based method is developed to evaluate RPI in tidal streams, which is typically considered as 1D in hydraulic engineering. The proposed method efficiently evaluates RPI in tidal streams with the minimum amount of water quality data. Data of the Tanshui River downstream reach available from an estuarine area validate the accuracy and reliability of the proposed method. Results of this study demonstrate that this simple yet reliable method can effectively estimate RPI in tidal streams.

Analytical models for the groundwater tidal prism and associated benthic water flux

USGS Publications Warehouse

King, Jeffrey N.; Mehta, Ashish J.; Dean, Robert G.

2010-01-01

The groundwater tidal prism is defined as the volume of water that inundates a porous medium, forced by one tidal oscillation in surface water. The pressure gradient that generates the prism acts on the subterranean estuary. Analytical models for the groundwater tidal prism and associated benthic flux are presented. The prism and flux are shown to be directly proportional to porosity, tidal amplitude, and the length of the groundwater wave; flux is inversely proportional to tidal period. The duration of discharge flux exceeds the duration of recharge flux over one tidal period; and discharge flux continues for some time following low tide. Models compare favorably with laboratory observations and are applied to a South Atlantic Bight study area, where tide generates an 11-m3 groundwater tidal prism per m of shoreline, and drives 81 m3 s −1 to the study area, which describes 23% of an observational estimate. In a marine water body, the discharge component of any oscillatory benthic water flux is submarine groundwater discharge. Benthic flux transports constituents between groundwater and surface water, and is a process by which pollutant loading and saltwater intrusion may occur in coastal areas.

Statistical Analysis of Acoustic Signal Propagating Through the South China Sea Basin

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-01

internal tidal constituents are observed in both spectra, and the diurnal (D) and semidiurnal (SD) internal waves ’ energy are strong. The spectrum is...bandwidths were utilized during the frequency smoothing process to ensure the reliability of the spectra in the meso-, tidal and internal wave scale...mooring temperature sensors capture the internal waves ’ energy, and six high amplitude peaks are observed in the spectra in the internal tidal band

Processes Controlling Transfer of Fine-Grained Sediment in Tidal Systems Spanning a Range of Fluvial Influence

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-30

understand how the delicate balance of ebb and flood sediment fluxes is maintained to create tidal flat and mangrove complexes, and distributary shoals and...and the subaqueous delta on the inner continental shelf, and sediment sinks within vegetated/ mangrove shoreline complexes. Our overall hypothesis...on Mangrove /Vegetated Intertidal Areas. Along the main stem tidal river and in the offshore banks may be shorelines lined with vegetation ( mangroves

A coupled geomorphic and ecological model of tidal marsh evolution.

PubMed

Kirwan, Matthew L; Murray, A Brad

2007-04-10

The evolution of tidal marsh platforms and interwoven channel networks cannot be addressed without treating the two-way interactions that link biological and physical processes. We have developed a 3D model of tidal marsh accretion and channel network development that couples physical sediment transport processes with vegetation biomass productivity. Tidal flow tends to cause erosion, whereas vegetation biomass, a function of bed surface depth below high tide, influences the rate of sediment deposition and slope-driven transport processes such as creek bank slumping. With a steady, moderate rise in sea level, the model builds a marsh platform and channel network with accretion rates everywhere equal to the rate of sea-level rise, meaning water depths and biological productivity remain temporally constant. An increase in the rate of sea-level rise, or a reduction in sediment supply, causes marsh-surface depths, biomass productivity, and deposition rates to increase while simultaneously causing the channel network to expand. Vegetation on the marsh platform can promote a metastable equilibrium where the platform maintains elevation relative to a rapidly rising sea level, although disturbance to vegetation could cause irreversible loss of marsh habitat.

Relativistic theory of surficial Love numbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landry, Philippe; Poisson, Eric

2014-06-01

A relativistic theory of surficial Love numbers, which characterize the surface deformation of a body subjected to tidal forces, was initiated by Damour and Nagar. We revisit this effort in order to extend it, clarify some of its aspects, and simplify its computational implementation. First, we refine the definition of surficial Love numbers proposed by Damour and Nagar and formulate it directly in terms of the deformed curvature of the body's surface, a meaningful geometrical quantity. Second, we develop a unified theory of surficial Love numbers that applies equally well to material bodies and black holes. Third, we derive a compactness-dependent relation between the surficial and (electric-type) gravitational Love numbers of a perfect-fluid body and show that it reduces to the familiar Newtonian relation when the compactness is small. And fourth, we simplify the tasks associated with the practical computation of the surficial and gravitational Love numbers for a material body.

Extracting equation of state parameters from black hole-neutron star mergers: Aligned-spin black holes and a preliminary waveform model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lackey, Benjamin D.; Kyutoku, Koutarou; Shibata, Masaru; Brady, Patrick R.; Friedman, John L.

2014-02-01

Information about the neutron-star equation of state is encoded in the waveform of a black hole-neutron star system through tidal interactions and the possible tidal disruption of the neutron star. During the inspiral this information depends on the tidal deformability Λ of the neutron star, and we find that the best-measured parameter during the merger and ringdown is consistent with Λ as well. We performed 134 simulations where we systematically varied the equation of state as well as the mass ratio, neutron star mass, and aligned spin of the black hole. Using these simulations we develop an analytic representation of the full inspiral-merger-ringdown waveform calibrated to these numerical waveforms; we use this analytic waveform and a Fisher matrix analysis to estimate the accuracy to which Λ can be measured with gravitational-wave detectors. We find that although the inspiral tidal signal is small, coherently combining this signal with the merger-ringdown matter effect improves the measurability of Λ by a factor of ˜3 over using just the merger-ringdown matter effect alone. However, incorporating correlations between all the waveform parameters then decreases the measurability of Λ by a factor of ˜3. The uncertainty in Λ increases with the mass ratio, but decreases as the black hole spin increases. Overall, a single Advanced LIGO detector can only marginally measure Λ for mass ratios Q =2-5, black hole spins JBH/MBH2=-0.5-0.75, and neutron star masses MNS=1.2M⊙-1.45M⊙ at an optimally oriented distance of 100 Mpc. For the proposed Einstein Telescope, however, the uncertainty in Λ is an order of magnitude smaller.

Seafloor tilt induced by ocean tidal loading inferred from broadband seismometer data from the Cascadia subduction zone and Juan de Fuca Ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Earl E.; Heesemann, Martin; Lambert, Anthony; He, Jianheng

2017-04-01

Mass-balancing voltages from four buried broadband seismometers connected to the NEPTUNE Canada seafloor cable are being recorded at 24-bit resolution. Sites are located on the Vancouver Island continental shelf, the nearby Cascadia accretionary prism, the eastern flank of the Juan de Fuca Ridge, and the western flank close to the Juan de Fuca Ridge axis. Tidal variations are present throughout the records. Variations in vertical acceleration at three of the sites match predicted gravitational attraction variations very well; those at the fourth site show a small residual that is probably caused by sensitivity to tilt resulting from sensor inclination. Horizontal accelerations, which at tidal periods are sensitive primarily to tilt, are anomalously large relative to standard-earth model results. After removal of predicted tidal body and ocean attraction and loading terms, the residuals are seen to follow ocean pressure variations. Responses range from 0.4 μrad dbar-1 (0.04 μrad kPa-1) at 10° true (down under positive load) at the continental shelf site, to 0.6 μrad dbar-1 at 243° at the Cascadia prism, 0.4 μrad dbar-1 at 90° at the eastern Juan de Fuca Ridge flank, and 0.2 μrad dbar-1 at 116° true on the western ridge flank. Except at the continental shelf site, tilts are roughly perpendicular to structural strike. The tilt observations can be explained by loading-induced deformation in the presence of local lithologic gradients or by the influence of faults or structurally controlled anisotropic elastic properties. The observations highlight the utility of using mass position data from force-feedback broad-band seismometers for geodynamic studies.

Early pictures of global climate change impact to the coastal area (North West of Demak Central Java Indonesia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreas, Heri; Pradipta, Dhota; Abidin, Hasanuddin Z.; Sarsito, Dina A.

2017-07-01

In the last several decades we have been realized for the Global Climate Change situation. Some indicators are worldwide increasing temperature, decreasing volume of ice in Antarctica, and the sea level rise. Relating to the decreased of ice volume and the sea level rise, this situation has been predicted to endanger the living at the coastal area in the future. Prediction models have shown some coastal cities area would suffer flood by tidal inundation and even permanent flooding. Coincidently, today in the North West of Demak District Central Java Indonesia we literally can see the early picture of Global Climate Change impact to the coastal areas as mention. The occurrence of tidal inundation in this area was recognized at least in the early 2000 and even earlier, and in the recent years the tidal inundation comes not only at a high tide but even at the regular tide, and in fact some of this area are obviously sinking to the sea through times. This early picture is truly showing a disaster. Adaptation has been made in facing the disaster such as increasing the house and infrastructures, and built dyke. We have been done some investigations to this area by field observations (mapping the flooded area, interviewing people and seeing the adaptations, conduct GPS measurement to see deformation, etc.), gather information from digital media and also using remotely time series of high resolution satellite image data to mapping the tidal inundation in this area. We noted people increased their house and the local goverment elevated the road and the bridge, etc. regulary over less decade periode. Our conclusions said that the adaptation only made temporaly since the sea level keep rising worsening by the land subsidence significantly.

Towards a population synthesis model of objects formed by self-gravitating disc fragmentation and tidal downsizing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forgan, Duncan; Rice, Ken

2013-07-01

Recently, the gravitational instability (GI) model of giant planet and brown dwarf formation has been revisited and recast into what is often referred to as the `tidal downsizing' hypothesis. The fragmentation of self-gravitating protostellar discs into gravitationally bound embryos - with masses of a few to tens of Jupiter masses, at semimajor axes above 30-40 au - is followed by a combination of grain sedimentation inside the embryo, radial migration towards the central star and tidal disruption of the embryo's upper layers. The properties of the resultant object depends sensitively on the time-scales upon which each process occurs. Therefore, GI followed by tidal downsizing can theoretically produce objects spanning a large mass range, from terrestrial planets to giant planets and brown dwarfs. Whether such objects can be formed in practice, and what proportions of the observed population they would represent, requires a more involved statistical analysis. We present a simple population synthesis model of star and planet formation via GI and tidal downsizing. We couple a semi-analytic model of protostellar disc evolution to analytic calculations of fragmentation, initial embryo mass, grain growth and sedimentation, embryo migration and tidal disruption. While there are key pieces of physics yet to be incorporated, it represents a first step towards a mature statistical model of GI and tidal downsizing as a mode of star and planet formation. We show results from four runs of the population synthesis model, varying the opacity law and the strength of migration, as well as investigating the effect of disc truncation during the fragmentation process. We find that a large fraction of disc fragments are completely destroyed by tidal disruption (typically 40 per cent of the initial population). The tidal downsizing process tends to prohibit low-mass embryos reaching small semimajor axis. The majority of surviving objects are brown dwarfs without solid cores of any kind. Around 40 per cent of surviving objects form solid cores of the order of 5-10 M⊕, and of this group a few do migrate to distances amenable to current exoplanet observations. Over a million disc fragments were simulated in this work, and only one resulted in the formation of a terrestrial planet (i.e. with a core mass of a few Earth masses and no gaseous envelope). These early results suggest that GI followed by tidal downsizing is not the principal mode of planet formation, but remains an excellent means of forming gas giant planets, brown dwarfs and low-mass stars at large semimajor axes.

Short-term effects of tidal flooding on soil nitrogen mineralization in a Chinese tidal salt marsh

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Haifeng; Bai, Junhong; Deng, Xiaoya; Lu, Qiongqiong; Ye, Xiaofei

2018-02-01

Tidal flooding is an important control of nitrogen biogeochemistry in wetland ecosystems of Yellow River Delta, China. Variations in hydrology could change soil redox dynamics and conditions for microorganisms living. A tidal simulation experiment was designed to extract tidal flooding effect on nitrogen mineralization of salt marsh soil. Inorganic nitrogen and relevant enzyme were measured during the 20-day incubation period. Considering the variation of both inorganic N and enzymes, nitrogen mineralization process in tidal salt marsh could be divided into 2 phases of short term response and longtime adaption by around 12th incubation day as the inflection point. Soil ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) and volatilized ammonia (NH3) occupied the mineralization process since nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) was not detected over whole incubation period. NH4+-N varied fluctuant and increased significantly after 12 day's incubation. Released NH3 reached to peak value of 14.24 mg m-2 d-1 at the inflection point and declined thereafter. Inorganic nitrogen released according to net nitrogen mineralization rate (RM) under the tidal flooding condition without plant uptake except first 2 days. However, during the transitional period of 6-12 days, RM decreased notably to almost 0 and increased again after inflection point with the value of 0.182 mg kg-1 d-1. It might be due to the change of microbial composition and function when soil shifted from oxic to anoxic, which were reflected by arylamidase, urease and fluorescein diacetate. Fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis and arylamidase had the similar variation of U style with decreasing activities before 12 days' incubation. All the enzymes measured in this experiment increased after inflection point. Whereas, urease activity kept constant from 2 to 12 days. Alternant oxidation reduction condition would increase N loss through denitrification and ammonia volatilization during the transitional period, while more inorganic nitrogen would be available in reductive environment of long-term tidal flooding. Therefore, hydrological process regulation has great influence on nitrogen cycling and further influence on wetland productivity.

Testing strong-field gravity with tidal Love numbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cardoso, Vitor; Franzin, Edgardo; Maselli, Andrea; Pani, Paolo; Raposo, Guilherme

2017-04-01

The tidal Love numbers (TLNs) encode the deformability of a self-gravitating object immersed in a tidal environment and depend significantly both on the object's internal structure and on the dynamics of the gravitational field. An intriguing result in classical general relativity is the vanishing of the TLNs of black holes. We extend this result in three ways, aiming at testing the nature of compact objects: (i) we compute the TLNs of exotic compact objects, including different families of boson stars, gravastars, wormholes, and other toy models for quantum corrections at the horizon scale. In the black-hole limit, we find a universal logarithmic dependence of the TLNs on the location of the surface. (ii) We compute the TLNs of black holes beyond vacuum general relativity, including Einstein-Maxwell, Brans-Dicke, and Chern-Simons gravity. (iii) We assess the ability of present and future gravitational-wave detectors to measure the TLNs of these objects, including the first analysis of TLNs with LISA. Both LIGO, ET, and LISA can impose interesting constraints on boson stars, while LISA is able to probe even extremely compact objects. We argue that the TLNs provide a smoking gun of new physics at the horizon scale and that future gravitational-wave measurements of the TLNs in a binary inspiral provide a novel way to test black holes and general relativity in the strong-field regime.

Modeling Approaches in Planetary Seismology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weber, Renee; Knapmeyer, Martin; Panning, Mark; Schmerr, Nick

2014-01-01

Of the many geophysical means that can be used to probe a planet's interior, seismology remains the most direct. Given that the seismic data gathered on the Moon over 40 years ago revolutionized our understanding of the Moon and are still being used today to produce new insight into the state of the lunar interior, it is no wonder that many future missions, both real and conceptual, plan to take seismometers to other planets. To best facilitate the return of high-quality data from these instruments, as well as to further our understanding of the dynamic processes that modify a planet's interior, various modeling approaches are used to quantify parameters such as the amount and distribution of seismicity, tidal deformation, and seismic structure on and of the terrestrial planets. In addition, recent advances in wavefield modeling have permitted a renewed look at seismic energy transmission and the effects of attenuation and scattering, as well as the presence and effect of a core, on recorded seismograms. In this chapter, we will review these approaches.

Global-change effects on early-stage decomposition processes in tidal wetlands - implications from a global survey using standardized litter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mueller, Peter; Schile-Beers, Lisa M.; Mozdzer, Thomas J.; Chmura, Gail L.; Dinter, Thomas; Kuzyakov, Yakov; de Groot, Alma V.; Esselink, Peter; Smit, Christian; D'Alpaos, Andrea; Ibáñez, Carles; Lazarus, Magdalena; Neumeier, Urs; Johnson, Beverly J.; Baldwin, Andrew H.; Yarwood, Stephanie A.; Montemayor, Diana I.; Yang, Zaichao; Wu, Jihua; Jensen, Kai; Nolte, Stefanie

2018-05-01

Tidal wetlands, such as tidal marshes and mangroves, are hotspots for carbon sequestration. The preservation of organic matter (OM) is a critical process by which tidal wetlands exert influence over the global carbon cycle and at the same time gain elevation to keep pace with sea-level rise (SLR). The present study assessed the effects of temperature and relative sea level on the decomposition rate and stabilization of OM in tidal wetlands worldwide, utilizing commercially available standardized litter. While effects on decomposition rate per se were minor, we show strong negative effects of temperature and relative sea level on stabilization, as based on the fraction of labile, rapidly hydrolyzable OM that becomes stabilized during deployment. Across study sites, OM stabilization was 29 % lower in low, more frequently flooded vs. high, less frequently flooded zones. Stabilization declined by ˜ 75 % over the studied temperature gradient from 10.9 to 28.5 °C. Additionally, data from the Plum Island long-term ecological research site in Massachusetts, USA, show a pronounced reduction in OM stabilization by > 70 % in response to simulated coastal eutrophication, confirming the potentially high sensitivity of OM stabilization to global change. We therefore provide evidence that rising temperature, accelerated SLR, and coastal eutrophication may decrease the future capacity of tidal wetlands to sequester carbon by affecting the initial transformations of recent OM inputs to soil OM.

Dancing with the Tides: Fluctuations of Coastal Phytoplankton Orchestrated by Different Oscillatory Modes of the Tidal Cycle

PubMed Central

Blauw, Anouk N.; Benincà, Elisa; Laane, Remi W. P. M.; Greenwood, Naomi; Huisman, Jef

2012-01-01

Population fluctuations are often driven by an interplay between intrinsic population processes and extrinsic environmental forcing. To investigate this interplay, we analyzed fluctuations in coastal phytoplankton concentration in relation to the tidal cycle. Time series of chlorophyll fluorescence, suspended particulate matter (SPM), salinity and temperature were obtained from an automated measuring platform in the southern North Sea, covering 9 years of data at a resolution of 12 to 30 minutes. Wavelet analysis showed that chlorophyll fluctuations were dominated by periodicities of 6 hours 12 min, 12 hours 25 min, 24 hours and 15 days, which correspond to the typical periodicities of tidal current speeds, the semidiurnal tidal cycle, the day-night cycle, and the spring-neap tidal cycle, respectively. During most of the year, chlorophyll and SPM fluctuated in phase with tidal current speed, indicative of alternating periods of sinking and vertical mixing of algal cells and SPM driven by the tidal cycle. Spring blooms slowly built up over several spring-neap tidal cycles, and subsequently expanded in late spring when a strong decline of the SPM concentration during neap tide enabled a temporary “escape” of the chlorophyll concentration from the tidal mixing regime. Our results demonstrate that the tidal cycle is a major determinant of phytoplankton fluctuations at several different time scales. These findings imply that high-resolution monitoring programs are essential to capture the natural variability of phytoplankton in coastal waters. PMID:23166639

Dancing with the tides: fluctuations of coastal phytoplankton orchestrated by different oscillatory modes of the tidal cycle.

PubMed

Blauw, Anouk N; Benincà, Elisa; Laane, Remi W P M; Greenwood, Naomi; Huisman, Jef

2012-01-01

Population fluctuations are often driven by an interplay between intrinsic population processes and extrinsic environmental forcing. To investigate this interplay, we analyzed fluctuations in coastal phytoplankton concentration in relation to the tidal cycle. Time series of chlorophyll fluorescence, suspended particulate matter (SPM), salinity and temperature were obtained from an automated measuring platform in the southern North Sea, covering 9 years of data at a resolution of 12 to 30 minutes. Wavelet analysis showed that chlorophyll fluctuations were dominated by periodicities of 6 hours 12 min, 12 hours 25 min, 24 hours and 15 days, which correspond to the typical periodicities of tidal current speeds, the semidiurnal tidal cycle, the day-night cycle, and the spring-neap tidal cycle, respectively. During most of the year, chlorophyll and SPM fluctuated in phase with tidal current speed, indicative of alternating periods of sinking and vertical mixing of algal cells and SPM driven by the tidal cycle. Spring blooms slowly built up over several spring-neap tidal cycles, and subsequently expanded in late spring when a strong decline of the SPM concentration during neap tide enabled a temporary "escape" of the chlorophyll concentration from the tidal mixing regime. Our results demonstrate that the tidal cycle is a major determinant of phytoplankton fluctuations at several different time scales. These findings imply that high-resolution monitoring programs are essential to capture the natural variability of phytoplankton in coastal waters.

Phobos laser ranging: Numerical Geodesy experiments for Martian system science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dirkx, D.; Vermeersen, L. L. A.; Noomen, R.; Visser, P. N. A. M.

2014-09-01

Laser ranging is emerging as a technology for use over (inter)planetary distances, having the advantage of high (mm-cm) precision and accuracy and low mass and power consumption. We have performed numerical simulations to assess the science return in terms of geodetic observables of a hypothetical Phobos lander performing active two-way laser ranging with Earth-based stations. We focus our analysis on the estimation of Phobos and Mars gravitational, tidal and rotational parameters. We explicitly include systematic error sources in addition to uncorrelated random observation errors. This is achieved through the use of consider covariance parameters, specifically the ground station position and observation biases. Uncertainties for the consider parameters are set at 5 mm and at 1 mm for the Gaussian uncorrelated observation noise (for an observation integration time of 60 s). We perform the analysis for a mission duration up to 5 years. It is shown that a Phobos Laser Ranging (PLR) can contribute to a better understanding of the Martian system, opening the possibility for improved determination of a variety of physical parameters of Mars and Phobos. The simulations show that the mission concept is especially suited for estimating Mars tidal deformation parameters, estimating degree 2 Love numbers with absolute uncertainties at the 10-2 to 10-4 level after 1 and 4 years, respectively and providing separate estimates for the Martian quality factors at Sun and Phobos-forced frequencies. The estimation of Phobos libration amplitudes and gravity field coefficients provides an estimate of Phobos' relative equatorial and polar moments of inertia with an absolute uncertainty of 10-4 and 10-7, respectively, after 1 year. The observation of Phobos tidal deformation will be able to differentiate between a rubble pile and monolithic interior within 2 years. For all parameters, systematic errors have a much stronger influence (per unit uncertainty) than the uncorrelated Gaussian observation noise. This indicates the need for the inclusion of systematic errors in simulation studies and special attention to the mitigation of these errors in mission and system design.

Towards a Population Synthesis Model of Objects formed by Self-Gravitating Disc Fragmentation and Tidal Downsizing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forgan, Duncan; Rice, Ken

2013-07-01

Recently, the gravitational instability (GI) model of giant planet and brown dwarf formation has been revisited and recast into what is often referred to as the "tidal downsizing" hypothesis. The fragmentation of self-gravitating protostellar discs into gravitationally bound embryos - with masses of a few to tens of Jupiter masses, at semi major axes above 30 - 40 AU - is followed by a combination of grain sedimentation inside the embryo, radial migration towards the central star and tidal disruption of the embryo's upper layers. The properties of the resultant object depends sensitively on the timescales upon which each process occurs. Therefore, GI followed by tidal downsizing can theoretically produce objects spanning a large mass range, from terrestrial planets to giant planets and brown dwarfs. Whether such objects can be formed in practice, and what proportions of the observed population they would represent, requires a more involved statistical analysis. We present a simple population synthesis model of star and planet formation via GI and tidal downsizing. We couple a semi-analytic model of protostellar disc evolution to analytic calculations of fragmentation, initial embryo mass, grain growth and sedimentation, embryo migration and tidal disruption. While there are key pieces of physics yet to be incorporated, it represents a first step towards a mature statistical model of GI and tidal downsizing as a mode of star and planet formation. We show results from four runs of the population synthesis model, varying the opacity law and the strength of migration, as well as investigating the effect of disc truncation during the fragmentation process.

Land Use in Korean Tidal Wetlands: Impacts and Management Strategies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Sun-Kee; Koh, Chul-Hwan; Harris, Richard R.; Kim, Jae-Eun; Lee, Jeom-Sook; Ihm, Byung-Sun

2010-05-01

The coastal landscapes in southwestern Korea include a diverse array of tidal wetlands and salt marshes. These coastal zones link the ecological functions of marine tidal wetlands and freshwater ecosystems with terrestrial ecosystems. They are rich in biological diversity and play important roles in sustaining ecological health and processing environmental pollutants. Korean tidal wetlands are particularly important as nurseries for economically important fishes and habitats for migratory birds. Diking, draining, tourism, and conversion to agricultural and urban uses have adversely affected Korean tidal wetlands. Recent large development projects have contributed to further losses. Environmental impact assessments conducted for projects affecting tidal wetlands and their surrounding landscapes should be customized for application to these special settings. Adequate environmental impact assessments will include classification of hydrogeomorphic units and consideration of their responses to biological and environmental stressors. As is true worldwide, Korean laws and regulations are changing to be more favorable to the conservation and protection of tidal wetlands. More public education needs to be done at the local level to build support for tidal wetland conservation. Some key public education points include the role of tidal wetlands in maintaining healthy fish populations and reducing impacts of nonpoint source pollution. There is also a need to develop procedures for integrating economic and environmental objectives within the overall context of sustainable management and land uses.

Land use in Korean tidal wetlands: impacts and management strategies.

PubMed

Hong, Sun-Kee; Koh, Chul-Hwan; Harris, Richard R; Kim, Jae-Eun; Lee, Jeom-Sook; Ihm, Byung-Sun

2010-05-01

The coastal landscapes in southwestern Korea include a diverse array of tidal wetlands and salt marshes. These coastal zones link the ecological functions of marine tidal wetlands and freshwater ecosystems with terrestrial ecosystems. They are rich in biological diversity and play important roles in sustaining ecological health and processing environmental pollutants. Korean tidal wetlands are particularly important as nurseries for economically important fishes and habitats for migratory birds. Diking, draining, tourism, and conversion to agricultural and urban uses have adversely affected Korean tidal wetlands. Recent large development projects have contributed to further losses. Environmental impact assessments conducted for projects affecting tidal wetlands and their surrounding landscapes should be customized for application to these special settings. Adequate environmental impact assessments will include classification of hydrogeomorphic units and consideration of their responses to biological and environmental stressors. As is true worldwide, Korean laws and regulations are changing to be more favorable to the conservation and protection of tidal wetlands. More public education needs to be done at the local level to build support for tidal wetland conservation. Some key public education points include the role of tidal wetlands in maintaining healthy fish populations and reducing impacts of nonpoint source pollution. There is also a need to develop procedures for integrating economic and environmental objectives within the overall context of sustainable management and land uses.

Volcanism on Jupiter's moon Io and its relation to interior processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamilton, Christopher

2013-04-01

Jupiter's moon Io is the most volcanically active body in the Solar System and offers insight into processes of tidal heating, melt generation, and magma ascent. Investigating these processes contributes to a better understanding of Io's geologic history, internal structure, and tidal dissipation mechanisms, as well as to understanding similar processes operating on other tidally-heated worlds (e.g., Europa, Enceladus, and some exoplanets). Four recent developments provide new observational constraints that prompt re-examination of the relationships between Io's surficial geology and interior structure. These developments include: (1) completion of the first 1:15,000,000 scale geologic map of Io based on a synthesis of Voyager and Galileo data; (2) re-interpretation of Galileo magnetometer data, which suggests that Io has a globally continuous subsurface magma ocean; (3) new global surveys of the power output from volcanic centers on Io; and (4) identification of an offset between volcano concentrations and surface heat flux maxima predicted by solid body tidal heating models. In this study, the spatial distributions of volcanic hotspots and paterae on Io are characterized using distance-based clustering techniques and nearest neighbor statistics. Distance-based clustering results support a dominant role for asthenospheric heating within Io, but show a 30-60° eastward offset in volcano concentrations relative to locations of predicted surface heat flux maxima. The observed asymmetry in volcano concentrations, with respect to the tidal axis, cannot be explained by existing solid body tidal heating models. However, identification of a global magma ocean within Io raises the intriguing possibility that a fluid tidal response—analogous to the heating of icy satellites by fluid tidal dissipation in their liquid oceans—may modify Io's thermal budget and locations of enhanced volcanism. The population density of volcanoes is greatest near the equator, which also agrees with predictions from asthensopheric-dominated tidal heating models, but the nearest neighbor analysis of hotspots (i.e., sites of active volcanism) and paterae (i.e., caldera-like volcano-tectonic depressions) reveals a random to uniform spatial organization. This suggests that Io may have an extensive subsurface magma reservoir with vigorous mantle convection, and/or a deep-mantle heating component, which reduces the amplitude of surface heat flux variations that would otherwise favor clustering. The tendency toward uniformity among volcanic systems may reflect their interaction through a process of magmatic lensing that focuses rising magma and inhibits volcanism in the surrounding capture zone. In summary, the distribution of volcanism on Io generally supports the presence of a globally extensive asthenosphere with local interactions occurring between volcanic systems, but a 30-60° eastward offset in the location of enhanced volcanism relative to predicted surface heat flux maxima cannot be explained by existing solid body tidal heating models. This may imply faster than synchronous rotation, state of stress controls on the locations of magma ascent, and/or a missing component in models of Io's interior, such as fluid tides generated within a globally extensive layer of interconnected partial melt.

A flow-simulation model of the tidal Potomac River

USGS Publications Warehouse

Schaffranek, Raymond W.

1987-01-01

A one-dimensional model capable of simulating flow in a network of interconnected channels has been applied to the tidal Potomac River including its major tributaries and embayments between Washington, D.C., and Indian Head, Md. The model can be used to compute water-surface elevations and flow discharges at any of 66 predetermined locations or at any alternative river cross sections definable within the network of channels. In addition, the model can be used to provide tidal-interchange flow volumes and to evaluate tidal excursions and the flushing properties of the riverine system. Comparisons of model-computed results with measured watersurface elevations and discharges demonstrate the validity and accuracy of the model. Tidal-cycle flow volumes computed by the calibrated model have been verified to be within an accuracy of ? 10 percent. Quantitative characteristics of the hydrodynamics of the tidal river are identified and discussed. The comprehensive flow data provided by the model can be used to better understand the geochemical, biological, and other processes affecting the river's water quality.

Biologically-controlled multiple equilibria of tidal landforms and the fate of the Venice lagoon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marani, Marco; D'Alpaos, Andrea; Lanzoni, Stefano; Carniello, Luca; Rinaldo, Andrea

2007-06-01

Looking across a tidal landscape, can one foresee the signs of impending shifts among different geomorphological structures? This is a question of paramount importance considering the ecological, cultural and socio-economic relevance of tidal environments and their worldwide decline. In this Letter we argue affirmatively by introducing a model of the coupled tidal physical and biological processes. Multiple equilibria, and transitions among them, appear in the evolutionary dynamics of tidal landforms. Vegetation type, disturbances of the benthic biofilm, sediment availability and marine transgressions or regressions drive the bio-geomorphic evolution of the system. Our approach provides general quantitative routes to model the fate of tidal landforms, which we illustrate in the case of the Venice lagoon (Italy), for which a large body of empirical observations exists spanning at least five centuries. Such observations are reproduced by the model, which also predicts that salt marshes in the Venice lagoon may not survive climatic changes in the next century if IPCC's scenarios of high relative sea level rise occur.

Sedimentary environment and facies of St Lucia Estuary Mouth, Zululand, South Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wright, C. I.; Mason, T. R.

The St. Lucia Estuary is situated on the subtropical, predominantly microtidal Zululand coast. Modern sedimentary environments within the estuary fall into three categories: (1) barrier environments; (2) abandoned channel environments; and (3) estuarine/lagoonal environments. The barrier-associated environment includes tidal inlet channel, inlet beach face, flood-tidal delta, ebb-tidal delta, spit, backspit and aeolian dune facies. The abandoned channel environment comprises washover fan, tidal creek tidal creek delta and back-barrier lagoon facies. The estuarine/lagoonal environment includes subtidal estuarine channel, side-attached bar, channel margin, mangrove fringe and channel island facies. Each sedimentary facies is characterised by sedimentary and biogenic structures, grain-size and sedimentary processes. Vertical facies sequences produced by inlet channel migration and lagoonal infilling are sufficiently distinct to be recognized in the geological record and are typical of a prograding shoreline.

Intertidal biological indicators of coseismic subsidence during the Mw 7.8 Haida Gwaii, Canada, earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Haeussler, Peter J.; Witter, Robert C.; Wang, Kelin

2015-01-01

The 28 October 2012 Mw 7.8 Haida Gwaii earthquake was a megathrust earthquake along the very obliquely convergent Queen Charlotte margin of British Columbia, Canada. Coseismic deformation is not well constrained by geodesy, with only six Global Positioning System (GPS) sites and two tide gauge stations within 250 km of the rupture area. To better constrain vertical coseismic deformation, we measured the upper growth limits of two sessile intertidal organisms, which are controlled by physical conditions, relative to sea level at 25 sites 5 months after the earthquake. We measured the positions of rockweed (Fucus distichus, 617 observations) and the common acorn barnacle (Balanus balanoides, 686 observations). The study focused on the western side of the islands where rupture models indicated that the greatest amount of vertical displacement, but we also investigated sites well away from the inferred rupture area to provide a control on the upper limit of the organisms unaffected by vertical displacement. We also made 322 measurements of sea level to relate the growth limits to a tidal datum using the TPXO7.2 tidal model, rather than ellipsoid heights determined by GPS. Three methods of examining the data all indicate 0.4–0.6 m subsidence along the western coast of Moresby Island as a result of the 28 October 2012 Haida Gwaii earthquake. Our data are, within the errors, consistent with data from two campaign GPS sites along the west coast of Haida Gwaii and with rupture models that indicate megathrust rupture offshore, but not beneath, the islands.

Combined Constraints on the Equation of State of Dense Neutron-rich Matter from Terrestrial Nuclear Experiments and Observations of Neutron Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Nai-Bo; Li, Bao-An; Xu, Jun

2018-06-01

Within the parameter space of the equation of state (EOS) of dense neutron-rich matter limited by existing constraints mainly from terrestrial nuclear experiments, we investigate how the neutron star maximum mass M max > 2.01 ± 0.04 M ⊙, radius 10.62 km < R 1.4 < 12.83 km and tidal deformability Λ1.4 ≤ 800 of canonical neutron stars together constrain the EOS of dense neutron-rich nucleonic matter. While the 3D parameter space of K sym (curvature of nuclear symmetry energy), J sym, and J 0 (skewness of the symmetry energy and EOS of symmetric nuclear matter, respectively) is narrowed down significantly by the observational constraints, more data are needed to pin down the individual values of K sym, J sym, and J 0. The J 0 largely controls the maximum mass of neutron stars. While the EOS with J 0 = 0 is sufficiently stiff to support neutron stars as massive as 2.37 M ⊙, supporting the hypothetical ones as massive as 2.74 M ⊙ (composite mass of GW170817) requires J 0 to be larger than its currently known maximum value of about 400 MeV and beyond the causality limit. The upper limit on the tidal deformability of Λ1.4 = 800 from the recent observation of GW170817 is found to provide upper limits on some EOS parameters consistent with but far less restrictive than the existing constraints of other observables studied.

Pre-processing and post-processing in group-cluster mergers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vijayaraghavan, R.; Ricker, P. M.

2013-11-01

Galaxies in clusters are more likely to be of early type and to have lower star formation rates than galaxies in the field. Recent observations and simulations suggest that cluster galaxies may be `pre-processed' by group or filament environments and that galaxies that fall into a cluster as part of a larger group can stay coherent within the cluster for up to one orbital period (`post-processing'). We investigate these ideas by means of a cosmological N-body simulation and idealized N-body plus hydrodynamics simulations of a group-cluster merger. We find that group environments can contribute significantly to galaxy pre-processing by means of enhanced galaxy-galaxy merger rates, removal of galaxies' hot halo gas by ram pressure stripping and tidal truncation of their galaxies. Tidal distortion of the group during infall does not contribute to pre-processing. Post-processing is also shown to be effective: galaxy-galaxy collisions are enhanced during a group's pericentric passage within a cluster, the merger shock enhances the ram pressure on group and cluster galaxies and an increase in local density during the merger leads to greater galactic tidal truncation.

Semi-isolated, flat-topped carbonate platform (Oligo-Miocene, Sardinia, Italy): Sedimentary architecture and processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreucci, Stefano; Pistis, Marco; Funedda, Antonio; Loi, Alfredo

2017-11-01

The Chattian-Aquitanian carbonate system of Isili sub-basin (SE Sardinia, Italy) were studied to better understand the hydrodynamic processes controlling the formation of landward-downlapping, rhodolith-rich, giant clinoforms. The studied flat-topped platform was attached to an island (semi-isolated) and migrated onshore (landward) over a shallow marine, protected embayment. The depositional profile is characterized by four, sea to land, zones: seaward slope, flat-topped platform (submerged flat), landward slope and mixed siliciclastic-carbonate embayment. In particular, these zones record different levels, from high to moderate, of hydrodynamic energy and persistency. The paleodepth of the studied succession, based on T/D test on Amphistegina specimens, red-algal genera and geometric reconstruction of the overall system, ranges from - 10 to - 30 m for the platform up to around - 40 m for the landward slope base. Thus, the flat-topped platform was permanently submerged and an extensive carbonate (sea grass, algal and bryozoan-algal) factory along with oyster framestones developed. The widespread presence in the barren zones of rhodolith-to-shell rich small to very small compound dunes (high-energy zone) suggests that the flat-topped platform was periodically swept by unidirectional, landward-directed currents. These currents allow the formation of large-scale, rhodolith-rich clinobeds along the landward slope (washover fan-like system). The presence of rodolith pavements developed along the flat-topped platform at or slightly below the fairweather wave base suggests that clinobeds were formed in a nearshore, shallow subtidal setting. Finally, the shallow marine, protected embayment (moderate-energy zone) represents the widening distal reaches of the currents flowing or along the clinoforms or from the coast basinward (river floods and/or ebb tidal currents). Despite few tidal-related sedimentary structures such as bi-directional ripples and small compound dunes separated by finer-grained ;drapes; or reactivation surfaces were observed, the prevailing processes acting over the platform are unidirectional, landward-directed currents possibly associated with longshore currents and/or wave actions. However, the resultant migration of the whole system onshore (landward) cannot be easily explained with storm or wind-related processes. Thus the studied flat-topped platform seems to be controlled by long term tidal regulation within a meso to macro tidal regime. In particular, such meso/macro tidal environments experience multiannual to multidecennial phases of stronger/weaker tidal range fluctuations resembling periods of relatively sea highs and lows with respect to the mean sea level (0 m). All the (wind, storm, wave and tidal) currents sweeping the flat-topped platform were maxima during phases of strong tidal fluctuations generating erosion and sediment transportation over the flat and accumulation on the landward slope (clinobeds). Conversely, during phases of weaker tidal range fluctuations overall currents were minima, clinoforms did not develop and factories widespread re-colonized the submerged flat. Therefore, the studied platform developed in a current-dominated and tidal modulated setting. Finally, the studied carbonates of Sardinia suggest that the Sardinian seaway and the incipient Provençal basin during the Chattian-Aquitanian were, locally, capable to generate meso to macro tidal conditions.

Tectonics of Europa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kattenhorn, S. A.; Hurford, T. A.

2007-12-01

This review of Europan tectonics previews a chapter of the forthcoming text "Europa". After the Voyager flyby of the icy moon Europa in 1979, models were developed that attributed pervasive surface fracturing to the effects of tidal forcing due to the gravitational pull of Jupiter. The late 1990s Galileo mission returned high resolution coverage of the surface, allowing a diverse range of tectonic features to be identified. Subsequent description, interpretation, and modeling of these features has resulted in significant developments in five key themes: (1) What drives the tectonics? (2) What are the formation mechanisms of the various types of tectonic features? (3) What are the implications for a subsurface ocean? (4) What is the nature and thickness of the ice shell? (5) Is Europa currently tectonically active? We highlight key developments pertaining to these fundamental issues, focusing on the following elements: (1) Many fracture patterns can be correlated with theoretical stress fields induced by diurnal tidal forcing and long-term effects of nonsynchronous rotation of the ice shell; however, these driving mechanisms alone cannot explain all fracturing. The tectonic fabric has likely been affected by additional contributing effects: tidal despinning, orbital evolution, interior differentiation, polar wander, finite obliquity, stresses due to shell thickening, endogenic forcing by convection and diapirism, and secondary effects driven by strike-slip faulting and plate flexure. (2) Due to the prevalence of global tension, a low lithostatic gradient, and the inherent weakness of ice, tectonic features likely have predominantly extensional primary formation mechanisms (e.g. surface fractures, ridges, and normal faults). There has been no categorical documentation of fracture development by compressive shearing. Even so, the constantly changing nature of the tidal stress field results in shearing reactivation of cracks being important for the morphologic and mechanical development of tectonic features. Hence, strike-slip faults are relatively common. Also, frictional shearing and heating has likely contributed to the construction of edifices along crack margins (i.e., ridges). If Europa has not recently expanded, crustal convergence (although elusive in Galileo images) is required to balance out new surface material created at spreading bands and may be accommodated locally along ridges or convergence bands. (3) Chains of concatenated curved cracks called cycloids provide convincing evidence of a subsurface ocean in that they must be the result of diurnal forcing of sufficient tidal amplitude to break the ice during a large portion of the Europan orbit, suggesting a tidally responding ocean beneath the ice shell. (4) Fracture mechanics reveals that the brittle portion of the ice shell is likely no more than a few km thick, but convection driven diapirism and crater morphologies necessitate a thicker shell overall (up to about 30 km). It is not known if fractures are able to penetrate this entire shell thickness. The brittle layer acts as a stagnant lid to plastic deformation in the ductile portion of the ice shell, resulting in localized brittle deformation. (5) Tectonic resurfacing has dominated the <70 my of visible geologic history. No evidence exists that Europa is currently tectonically active; however, this may be more a failing of the current state of the science rather than a lack of probability. A tectonically based answer to this question lies in a thorough analysis of geologically young surface fractures but would benefit from far more extensive coverage of the surface via a return mission to Europa.

Intradaily variability of water quality in a shallow tidal lagoon: Mechanisms and implications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lucas, L.V.; Sereno, D.M.; Burau, J.R.; Schraga, T.S.; Lopez, C.B.; Stacey, M.T.; Parchevsky, K.V.; Parchevsky, V.P.

2006-01-01

Although surface water quality and its underlying processes vary over time scales ranging from seconds to decades, they have historically been studied at the lower (weekly to interannual) frequencies. The aim of this study was to investigate intradaily variability of three water quality parameters in a small freshwater tidal lagoon (Mildred Island, California). High frequency time series of specific conductivity, water temperature, and chlorophyll a at two locations within the habitat were analyzed in conjunction with supporting hydrodynamic, meteorological, biological, and spatial mapping data. All three constituents exhibited large amplitude intradaily (e.g., semidiurnal tidal and diurnal) oscillations, and periodicity varied across constituents, space, and time. Like other tidal embayments, this habitat is influenced by several processes with distinct periodicities including physical controls, such as tides, solar radiation, and wind, and biological controls, such as photosynthesis, growth, and grazing. A scaling approach was developed to estimate individual process contributions to the observed variability. Scaling results were generally consistent with observations and together with detailed examination of time series and time derivatives, revealed specific mechanisms underlying the observed periodicities, including interactions between the tidal variability, heating, wind, and biology. The implications for monitoring were illustrated through subsampling of the data set. This exercise demonstrated how quantities needed by scientists and managers (e.g., mean or extreme concentrations) may be misrepresented by low frequency data and how short-duration high frequency measurements can aid in the design and interpretation of temporally coarser sampling programs. The dispersive export of chlorophyll a from the habitat exhibited a fortnightly variability corresponding to the modulation of semidiurnal tidal currents with the diurnal cycle of phytoplankton variability, demonstrating how high frequency interactions can govern long-term trends. Process identification, as through the scaling analysis here, can help us anticipate changes in system behavior and adapt our own interactions with the system. ?? 2006 Estuarine Research Federation.

On tide-induced Lagrangian residual current and residual transport: 2. Residual transport with application in south San Francisco Bay, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Feng, Shizuo; Cheng, Ralph T.; Pangen, Xi

1986-01-01

The transports of solutes and other tracers are fundamental to estuarine processes. The apparent transport mechanisms are convection by tidal current and current-induced shear effect dispersion for processes which take place in a time period of the order of a tidal cycle. However, as emphasis is shifted toward the effects of intertidal processes, the net transport is mainly determined by tide-induced residual circulation and by residual circulation due to other processes. The commonly used intertidal conservation equation takes the form of a convection-dispersion equation in which the convective velocity is the Eulerian residual current, and the dispersion terms are often referred to as the phase effect dispersion or, sometimes, as the “tidal dispersion.” The presence of these dispersion terms is merely the result of a Fickian type hypothesis. Since the actual processes are not Fickian, thus a Fickian hypothesis obscures the physical significance of this equation. Recent research results on residual circulation have suggested that long-term transport phenomena are closely related to the Lagrangian residual current or the Lagrangian residual transport. In this paper a new formulation of an intertidal conservation equation is presented and examined in detail. In a weakly nonlinear tidal estuary the resultant intertidal transport equation also takes the form of a convection-dispersion equation without the ad hoc introduction of phase effect dispersion in a form of dispersion tensor. The convective velocity in the resultant equation is the first-order Lagrangian residual current (the sum of the Eulerian residual current and the Stokes drift). The remaining dispersion terms are important only in higher-order solutions; they are due to shear effect dispersion and turbulent mixing. There exists a dispersion boundary layer adjacent to shoreline boundaries. An order of magnitude estimate of the properties in the dispersion boundary layer is given. The present treatment of intertidal transport processes is illustrated by an analytical solution for an amphidromic system and by a numerical application in South San Francisco Bay, California. The present formulation reveals that the mechanism for long-term transport of solutes is mainly convection due to the Lagrangian residual current in the interior of a tidal estuary. This result also points out the weakness in the tidal dispersion formulation, and explains the large variability of the observed values for tidal dispersion coefficients. Further research on properties of the dispersion boundary layer is needed.

Linking channel hydrology with riparian wetland accretion in tidal rivers

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ensign, Scott H.; Noe, Gregory B.; Hupp, Cliff R.

2014-01-01

The hydrologic processes by which tide affects river channel and riparian morphology within the tidal freshwater zone are poorly understood, yet are fundamental to predicting the fate of coastal rivers and wetlands as sea level rises. We investigated patterns of sediment accretion in riparian wetlands along the non-tidal through oligohaline portion of two coastal plain rivers in Maryland, U.S.A., and how flow velocity, water level, and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in the channel may have contributed to those patterns. Sediment accretion was measured over a one year period using artificial marker horizons, channel hydrology was measured over a one month period using acoustic Doppler current profilers, and SSC was predicted from acoustic backscatter. Riparian sediment accretion was lowest at the non-tidal sites (mean and standard deviation = 8 ± 8 mm yr-1), highest at the upstream tidal freshwater forested wetlands (TFFW) (33 ± 28 mm yr-1), low at the midstream TFFW (12 ± 9 mm yr-1), and high at the oligohaline (fresh-to-brackish) marshes (19 ± 8 mm yr-1). Channel maximum flood and ebb velocity was 2-fold faster at the oligohaline than tidal freshwater zone on both tidal rivers, corresponding with the differences in in-channel SSC: the oligohaline zone's SSC was more than double the tidal freshwater zone's, and was greater than historical SSC at the non-tidal gages. The tidal wave characteristics differed between rivers, leading to significantly greater in-channel SSC during floodplain inundation in the weakly convergent than the strongly convergent tidal river. Overall sediment accretion was higher in the embayed river likely due to a single storm discharge and associated sedimentation.

Temporal variability in the importance of hydrologic, biotic, and climatic descriptors of dissolved oxygen dynamics in a shallow tidal-marsh creek

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelson, N.; Munoz-Carpena, R.; Neale, P.; Tzortziou, M.; Megonigal, P.

2017-12-01

Due to strong abiotic forcing, dissolved oxygen (DO) in shallow tidal creeks often disobeys the conventional explanation of general aquatic DO cycling as biologically-regulated. In the present work, we seek to quantify the relative importance of abiotic (hydrologic and climatic), and biotic (primary productivity as represented by chlorophyll-a) descriptors of tidal creek DO. By fitting multiple linear regression models of DO to hourly chlorophyll-a, water quality, hydrology, and weather data collected in a tidal creek of a Chesapeake Bay marsh (Maryland, USA), temporal shifts (summer - early winter) in the relative importance of tidal creek DO descriptors were uncovered. Moreover, this analysis identified an alternative approach to evaluating tidal stage as a driver of DO by dividing stage into two DO-relevant variables: stage above and below bankfull depth. Within the hydrologic variable class, stage below bankfull depth dominated as an important descriptor, thus highlighting the role of pore water drainage and mixing as influential processes forcing tidal creek DO. Study findings suggest that tidal creek DO dynamics are explained by a balance of hydrologic, climatic, and biotic descriptors during warmer seasons due to many of these variables (i.e., chlorophyll-a, water temperature) acting as tracers of estuarine-marsh water mixing; conversely, in early winter months when estuarine and marsh waters differ less distinctly, hydrologic variables increase in relative importance as descriptors of tidal creek DO. These findings underline important distinctions in the underlying mechanisms dictating DO variability in shallow tidal marsh-creek environments relative to open water estuarine systems.

Temporal variability in the importance of hydrologic, biotic, and climatic descriptors of dissolved oxygen dynamics in a shallow tidal-marsh creek

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelson, Natalie G.; Muñoz-Carpena, Rafael; Neale, Patrick J.; Tzortziou, Maria; Megonigal, J. Patrick

2017-08-01

Due to strong abiotic forcing, dissolved oxygen (DO) in shallow tidal creeks often disobeys the conventional explanation of general aquatic DO cycling as biologically regulated. In the present work, we seek to quantify the relative importance of abiotic (hydrologic and climatic), and biotic (primary productivity as represented by chlorophyll-a) descriptors of tidal creek DO. By fitting multiple linear regression models of DO to hourly chlorophyll-a, water quality, hydrology, and weather data collected in a tidal creek of a Chesapeake Bay marsh (Maryland, USA), temporal shifts (summer-early winter) in the relative importance of tidal creek DO descriptors were uncovered. Moreover, this analysis identified an alternative approach to evaluating tidal stage as a driver of DO by dividing stage into two DO-relevant variables: stage above and below bankfull depth. Within the hydrologic variable class, stage below bankfull depth dominated as an important descriptor, thus highlighting the role of pore water drainage and mixing as influential processes forcing tidal creek DO. Study findings suggest that tidal creek DO dynamics are explained by a balance of hydrologic, climatic, and biotic descriptors during warmer seasons due to many of these variables (i.e., chlorophyll-a, water temperature) acting as tracers of estuarine-marsh water mixing; conversely, in early winter months when estuarine and marsh waters differ less distinctly, hydrologic variables increase in relative importance as descriptors of tidal creek DO. These findings underline important distinctions in the underlying mechanisms dictating DO variability in shallow tidal marsh-creek environments relative to open water estuarine systems.

Effects of tidal inundation on benthic macrofauna associated with the eelgrass Zostera muelleri

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicastro, Andrea; Bishop, Melanie J.

2013-01-01

Processes, such as sea level rise, that alter tidal inundation regimes have the potential to modify the structure of seagrasses and their dense and diverse faunal communities. This study tested the hypothesis that seagrass-dwelling invertebrate communities would vary across a tidal inundation gradient as a result of direct effects of tidal inundation and indirect effects, arising from changes in seagrass morphology across this gradient. First, we conducted mensurative sampling across tidal inundation gradients to assess how above- and below-ground seagrass biomass, and epi- and infaunal invertebrate communities co-varied with depth. Second, we ran a manipulative field experiment, utilising artificial seagrass rhizomes of varying morphologies, to separate out direct effects of tidal inundation on infaunal communities from indirect effects arising from changes in seagrass root morphology. Mensurative sampling revealed that the abundance and taxon richness of seagrass epi- and infauna, and the above- and below-ground biomass of seagrass each increased with depth across a tidal elevation gradient extending from the high intertidal to the shallow subtidal. The manipulative experiment revealed that the relative importance of direct and indirect effects of tidal inundation in determining the distribution and abundance of infauna were taxon-specific. In general, however, the facilitative effects of rhizome structure were more evident at the intertidal compared to the subtidal elevation. Our results indicate that changes to tidal inundation regime will affect seagrass-dwelling macroinvertebrates through a combination of direct and indirect effects. Therefore, future changes in tidal inundation should be taken into account in developing conservation plans for protecting seagrasses and the biodiversity they sustain.

Modulation of Gravity Waves by Tides as Seen in CRISTA Temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Preusse, P.; Eckermann, S. D.; Oberheide, J.; Hagan, M. E.; Offermann, D.

2001-01-01

During shuttle missions STS-66 (November, 1994) and STS-85 (August, 1997) the Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmosphere (CRISTA) acquired temperature data with very high spatial resolution. These are analyzed for gravity waves (GW). The altitude range spans the whole middle atmosphere from the tropopause up to the mesopause. In the upper mesosphere tidal amplitudes exceed values of 10 K. Modulation of GW activity by the tides is observed and analyzed using CRISTA temperatures and tidal predictions of the Global Scale Wave Model (GSWM). The modulation process is identified as a tidally-induced change of the background buoyancy frequency. The findings agree well with the expectations for saturated GW and are the first global scale observations of this process.

On inter-tidal transport equation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cheng, Ralph T.; Feng, Shizuo; Pangen, Xi

1989-01-01

The transports of solutes, sediments, nutrients, and other tracers are fundamental to the interactive physical, chemical, and biological processes in estuaries. The characteristic time scales for most estuarine biological and chemical processes are on the order of several tidal cycles or longer. To address the long-term transport mechanism meaningfully, the formulation of an inter-tidal conservation equation is the main subject of this paper. The commonly used inter-tidal conservation equation takes the form of a convection-dispersion equation in which the convection is represented by the Eulerian residual current, and the dispersion terms are due to the introduction of a Fickian hypothesis, unfortunately, the physical significance of this equation is not clear, and the introduction of a Fickian hypothesis is at best an ad hoc approximation. Some recent research results on the Lagrangian residual current suggest that the long-term transport problem is more closely related to the Lagrangian residual current than to the Eulerian residual current. With the aid of additional insight of residual current, the inter-tidal transport equation has been reformulated in this paper using a small perturbation method for a weakly nonlinear tidal system. When tidal flows can be represented by an M2 system, the new intertidal transport equation also takes the form of a convective-dispersion equation without the introduction of a Fickian hypothesis. The convective velocity turns out to be the first order Lagrangian residual current (the sum of the Eulerian residual current and the Stokes’ drift), and the correlation terms take the form of convection with the Stokes’ drift as the convective velocity. The remaining dispersion terms are perturbations of lower order solution to higher order solutions due to shear effect and turbulent mixing.

WASP-12b and Its Possible Fiery Demise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohler, Susanna

2017-07-01

Jupiter-like planets on orbits close to their hosts are predicted to spiral ever closer to their hosts until they meet their eventual demise and yet weve never observed orbital decay. Could WASP-12b provide the first evidence?Undetected PredictionsSince the discovery of the first hot Jupiter more than 20 years ago, weve studied a number of these peculiar exoplanets. Despite our many observations, two phenomena predicted of hot Jupiters have not yet been detected, due to the long timescales needed to identify them:Tidal orbital decayTidal forces should cause a hot Jupiters orbit to shrink over time, causing the planet to eventually spiral into its host star. This phenomenon would explain a number of statistical properties of observed star-planet systems (for instance, the scarcity of gas giants with periods less than a day).An illustration of apsidal precession. [Mpfiz]Apsidal precessionThe orbits of hot Jupiters should be apsidally precessing on timescales of decades, as long as they are at least slightly eccentric. Since the precession rate depends on the planets tidally deformed mass distribution, measuring this would allow us to probe the interior of the planet.A team of scientists led by Kishore Patra (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) think that the hot Jupiter WASP-12b may be our first chance to study one of these two phenomena. The question is, which one?WASP-12bWASP-12b has orbital period of 1.09 days one of the shortest periods observed for a giant planet and weve monitored it for a decade, making it a great target to test for both of these long-term effects.Timing residuals for WASP-12b. Squares show the new data points, circles show previous data from the past decade. The data are better fit by the decay model than the precession model, but both are still consistent. [Patra et al. 2017]Patra and collaborators made transit observations with the 1.2-m telescope at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory in Arizona and occultation observations with the Spitzer Space Telescope. These two new sets of observations, combined with the decade of previous observations, allowed the authors to fit models to WASP-12bs orbit over time.The results show that a constant period for WASP-12b is firmly ruled out this planets orbit is definitely changing over time. The observations are best fit by a model in which the planets orbit is tidally decaying, but a 14-year apsidal precession cycle cant be definitively ruled out.Future ProspectsPossible futures for WASP-12bs orbit, based on the decay model (red) and the precession model (blue). We should be able to differentiate between these models with a few more years of observations. [Patra et al. 2017]If the planets orbit is decaying, then the authors show that its period will shrink to zero within 3.2 million years, suggesting that were currently witnessing the last 0.2% of the planets lifetime. Supporting the orbital-decay hypothesis are independent observations that suggest WASP-12b is approaching a point of tidal disruption it appears to have an extended and escaping exosphere, for instance.While we cant yet state for certain that WASP-12bs orbit is decaying, the authors argue that we should be able to tell conclusively with a few more years of observations. Either of the two outcomes above orbital decay or apsidal precession would have exciting scientific implications, however: if WASP-12bs orbit is decaying, we can measure the tidal dissipation rate of the star. If its orbit is apsidally precessing, we may be able to measure the tidal deformability of an exoplanet. Future observations of this hot Jupiter should prove interesting!CitationKishore C. Patra et al 2017 AJ 154 4. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aa6d75

The Effects of Core-Mantle Interactions on Earth Rotation, Surface Deformation, and Gravity Changes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watkins, A.; Gross, R. S.; Fu, Y.

2017-12-01

The length-of-day (LOD) contains a 6-year signal, the cause of which is currently unknown. The signal remains after removing tidal and surface fluid effects, thus the cause is generally believed to be angular momentum exchange between the mantle and core. Previous work has established a theoretical relationship between pressure variations at the core-mantle boundary (CMB) and resulting deformation of the overlying mantle and crust. This study examines globally distributed GPS deformation data in search of this effect, and inverts the discovered global inter-annual component for the CMB pressure variations. The geostrophic assumption is then used to obtain fluid flow solutions at the edge of the core from the CMB pressure variations. Taylor's constraint is applied to obtain the flow deeper within the core, and the equivalent angular momentum and LOD changes are computed and compared to the known 6-year LOD signal. The amplitude of the modeled and measured LOD changes agree, but the degree of period and phase agreement is dependent upon the method of isolating the desired component in the GPS position data. Implications are discussed, and predictions are calculated for surface gravity field changes that would arise from the CMB pressure variations.

A comparison of hydrological deformation using GPS and global hydrological model for the Eurasian plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zhen; Yue, Jianping; Li, Wang; Lu, Dekai; Li, Xiaogen

2017-08-01

The 0.5° × 0.5° gridded hydrological loading from Global Land Surface Discharge Model (LSDM) mass distributions is adopted for 32 GPS sites on the Eurasian plate from January 2010 to January 2014. When the heights of these sites that have been corrected for the effects of non-tidal atmospheric and ocean loading are adjusted by the hydrological loading deformation, more than one third of the root-mean-square (RMS) values of the GPS height variability become larger. After analyzing the results by continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and wavelet transform coherence (WTC), we confirm that hydrological loading primarily contributes to the annual variations in GPS heights. Further, the cross wavelet transform (XWT) is used to investigate the relative phase between the time series of GPS heights and hydrological deformation, and it is indicated that the annual oscillations in the two time series are physically related for some sites; other geophysical effect, GPS systematic errors and hydrological modeling errors could result in the phase asynchrony between GPS and hydrological loading signals for the other sites. Consequently, the phase asynchrony confirms that the annual fluctuations in GPS observations result from a combination of geophysical signals and systematic errors.

Soft-sediment deformation structures interpreted as seismites in the uppermost Aptian to lowermost Albian transgressive deposits of the Chihuahua basin (Mexico)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Blanc, E.J.-P.; Blanc-Aletru, M. -C.; Mojon, P.-O.

1998-01-01

Several levels of soft-sediment deformation structures (s.-s.d.s.) cut by synsedimentary normal faults have been observed in the transition beds between the "Las Vigas" and "La Virgen" formations (Cretaceous) in the northeastern part of the Chihuahua basin in Mexico. These structures consisted of four kinds of motifs (floating breccias, flame-like structures, large pillow structures, and wavy structures). They are restricted to five "stratigraphie" levels (Z1-Z5) and surrounded by undeformed beds in fluvio-lacustrine and tidal deposits and can be traced over a distance of several hundred meters. This deformation is interpreted to have resulted from the combined effects of liquidization and shear stress in soft-sediments due to local earthquakes in the area which could have been generated during the rifting stage of the Chihuahua basin. New constraints placed on the age of the "Las Vigas" Formation (bracketed by Late Aptian charophytes at the bottom and colomiellids of late Aptian to earliest Albian age at the top) suggest that this synrift tectonism lasted at least until the end of the Aptian. ?? Springer-Verlag 1998.

Tidal Energy Available for Deep Ocean Mixing: Bounds from Altimetry Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Egbert, Gary D.; Ray, Richard D.

1999-01-01

Maintenance of the large-scale thermohaline circulation has long presented a problem to oceanographers. Observed mixing rates in the pelagic ocean are an order of magnitude too small to balance the rate at which dense bottom water is created at high latitudes. Recent observational and theoretical work suggests that much of this mixing may occur in hot spots near areas of rough topography (e.g., mid-ocean ridges and island arcs). Barotropic tidal currents provide a very plausible source of energy to maintain these mixing processes. Topex/Poseidon (T/P) satellite altimetry data have made precise mapping of open ocean tidal elevations possible for the first time. We can thus obtain empirical, spatially localized, estimates of barotropic tidal dissipation. These provide an upper bound on the amount of tidal energy that is dissipated in the deep ocean, and hence is available for deep mixing. We will present and compare maps of open ocean tidal energy flux divergence, and estimates of tidal energy flux into shallow seas, derived from T/P altimetry data using both formal data assimilation methods and empirical approaches. With the data assimilation methods we can place formal error bars on the fluxes. Our results show that 20-25% of tidal energy dissipation occurs outside of the shallow seas, the traditional sink for tidal energy. This suggests that up to 1 TW of energy may be available from the tides (lunar and solar) for mixing the deep ocean. The dissipation indeed appears to be concentrated over areas of rough topography.

Tidal Energy Available for Deep Ocean Mixing: Bounds From Altimetry Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Egbert, Gary D.; Ray, Richard D.

1999-01-01

Maintenance of the large-scale thermohaline circulation has long presented a problem to oceanographers. Observed mixing rates in the pelagic ocean are an order of magnitude too small to balance the rate at which dense bottom water is created at high latitudes. Recent observational and theoretical work suggests that much of this mixing may occur in hot spots near areas of rough topography (e.g., mid-ocean ridges and island arcs). Barotropic tidal currents provide a very plausible source of energy to maintain these mixing processes. Topex/Poseidon satellite altimetry data have made precise mapping of open ocean tidal elevations possible for the first time. We can thus obtain empirical, spatially localized, estimates of barotropic tidal dissipation. These provide an upper bound on the amount of tidal energy that is dissipated in the deep ocean, and hence is available for deep mixing. We will present and compare maps of open ocean tidal energy flux divergence, and estimates of tidal energy flux into shallow seas, derived from T/P altimetry data using both formal data assimilation methods and empirical approaches. With the data assimilation methods we can place formal error bars on the fluxes. Our results show that 20-25% of tidal energy dissipation occurs outside of the shallow seas, the traditional sink for tidal energy. This suggests that up to 1 TW of energy may be available from the tides (lunar and solar) for mixing the deep ocean. The dissipation indeed appears to be concentrated over areas of rough topography.

Tidal Energy Available for Deep Ocean Mixing: Bounds from Altimetry Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ray, Richard D.; Egbert, Gary D.

1999-01-01

Maintenance of the large-scale thermohaline circulation has long presented an interesting problem. Observed mixing rates in the pelagic ocean are an order of magnitude too small to balance the rate at which dense bottom water is created at high latitudes. Recent observational and theoretical work suggests that much of this mixing may occur in hot spots near areas of rough topography (e.g., mid-ocean ridges and island arcs). Barotropic tidal currents provide a very plausible source of energy to maintain these mixing processes. Topex/Poseidon satellite altimetry data have made precise mapping of open ocean tidal elevations possible for the first time. We can thus obtain empirical, spatially localized, estimates of barotropic tidal dissipation. These provide an upper bound on the amount of tidal energy that is dissipated in the deep ocean, and hence is available for deep mixing. We will present and compare maps of open ocean tidal energy flux divergence, and estimates of tidal energy flux into shallow seas, derived from T/P altimetry data using both formal data assimilation methods and empirical approaches. With the data assimilation methods we can place formal error bars on the fluxes. Our results show that 20-25% of tidal energy dissipation occurs outside of the shallow seas, the traditional sink for tidal energy. This suggests that up to 1 TW of energy may be available from the tides (lunar and solar) for mixing the deep ocean. The dissipation indeed appears to be concentrated over areas of rough topography.

Modeling tidal exchange and dispersion in Boston Harbor

USGS Publications Warehouse

Signell, Richard P.; Butman, Bradford

1992-01-01

Tidal dispersion and the horizontal exchange of water between Boston Harbor and the surrounding ocean are examined with a high-resolution (200 m) depth-averaged numerical model. The strongly varying bathymetry and coastline geometry of the harbor generate complex spatial patterns in the modeled tidal currents which are verified by shipboard acoustic Doppler surveys. Lagrangian exchange experiments demonstrate that tidal currents rapidly exchange and mix material near the inlets of the harbor due to asymmetry in the ebb/flood response. This tidal mixing zone extends roughly a tidal excursion from the inlets and plays an important role in the overall flushing of the harbor. Because the tides can only efficiently mix material in this limited region, however, harbor flushing must be considered a two step process: rapid exchange in the tidal mixing zone, followed by flushing of the tidal mixing zone by nontidal residual currents. Estimates of embayment flushing based on tidal calculations alone therefore can significantly overestimate the flushing time that would be expected under typical environmental conditions. Particle-release simulations from point sources also demonstrate that while the tides efficiently exchange material in the vicinity of the inlets, the exact nature of dispersion from point sources is extremely sensitive to the timing and location of the release, and the distribution of particles is streaky and patchlike. This suggests that high-resolution modeling of dispersion from point sources in these regions must be performed explicitly and cannot be parameterized as a plume with Gaussian-spreading in a larger scale flow field.

Spatial Shifts in Tidal-Fluvial Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dykstra, S. L.; Dzwonkowski, B.

2017-12-01

Fresh water discharge damps tidal propagation and increases the phase lag, which has important impacts on system-wide sediment transport process and ecological structure. Here, the role of discharge on spatial variability in the dynamics of tidal rivers is investigated in Mobile Bay and Delta, a microtidal diurnal system where discharge ranges multiple orders of magnitude. Long-term observations at 7 velocity stations and 20 water level stations, ranging over 260km along the system, were analyzed. Observations of the tidal extinguishing point in both velocity and water level were highly variable with significant shifts in location covering a distance over 140km. The velocity stations also allowed for measuring the extent of flood (i.e. point where tidal flow is arrested by discharge) shifting 100km. With increased discharge, flow characteristics at station locations can transition from an estuary (i.e. bidirectional tidal flow) to a tidal river to a traditional fluvial environment. This revealed systematic discharge induced damping and an increase in phase lag. Interestingly, before damping occurs, the tide amplifies ( 15%) seaward of the extent of flood. Another consistent pattern is the higher sensitivity of the velocity signal to discharge than water level. This causes the velocity to lag more and create progressive tides. In a microtidal diurnal system, the signal propagates further inland than a semidiurnal tide due to its lower frequency but is easily damped due to the small amplitude, creating large shifts. Previous research has focused on environments dominated by semidiurnal tides with similar magnitudes to discharge using water level observations. For example, the well studied Columbia and the St. Lawrence rivers have small shifts in their tidal extinguishing point O(10km) (Jay 2016, Matte 2014). These shifts are not large enough to observe process like discharge-induced amplification and damping at the same site like in the Mobile system, but they may indicate a decoupling of the water level and velocity signal by discharge. Throughout the world, shifts in tidal rivers are created by seasonal discharge patterns, but large storms can quickly disrupt a system and move it over 140km in a few days.

Tidal atmospheric and ocean loading in VLBI analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Girdiuk, Anastasiia; Schindelegger, Michael; Böhm, Johannes

2016-04-01

In VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry) analysis, reductions for tidal atmospheric and ocean loading are commonly used according to the IERS Conventions. In this presentation we examine such loading corrections from contemporary geophysical models within routine VLBI processing and discuss the internal consistency of the applied corrections for various effects. In detail, two gravitational ocean tide models, FES2004 and the recent FES2012 atlas with a much finer horizontal resolution and an improved description of hydrodynamic processes, are employed. Moreover, the contribution of atmospheric tidal loading is also re-considered based on data taken from two providers of station displacements, Goddard Space Flight Center and the TU Wien group. Those two models differ in terms of the underlying meteorological data, which can be a reason for inconsistency of VLBI reductions and may lead to systematics in the VLBI products at tidal frequencies. We validate this assumption in terms of Earth rotation parameters, by a tidal analysis of diurnal and semi-diurnal universal time and semi-diurnal polar motion variations as determined with the Vienna VLBI Software. Applying the loading models in a consistent way still leads to unexplained residuals at about 4-5 μas in the diurnal polar motion band, thus limiting the possibility of assessing geophysical models at this particular frequency.

Critical role of wind-wave induced erosion on the morphodynamic evolution of shallow tidal basins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Alpaos, Andrea; Carniello, Luca; Rinaldo, Andrea

2014-05-01

Wind-wave induced erosion processes are among the chief processes which govern the morphodynamic evolution of shallow tidal basins, both in the vertical and in the horizontal plane. Wind-wave induced bottom shear stresses can promote the disruption of the polymeric microphytobenthic biofilm and lead to the erosion of tidal-flat surfaces and to the increase in suspended sediment concentration which affects the stability of intertidal ecosystems. Moreover, the impact of wind-waves on salt-marsh margins can lead to the lateral erosion of marsh boundaries thus promoting the disappearance of salt-marsh ecosystems. Towards the goal of developing a synthetic theoretical framework to represent wind wave-induced resuspension events and account for their erosional effects on the long-term biomorphodynamic evolution of tidal systems, we have employed a complete, coupled finite element model accounting for the role of wind waves and tidal currents on the hydrodynamic circulation in shallow basins. Our analyses of the characteristics of combined current and wave-induced exceedances in bottom shear stress over a given threshold for erosion, suggest that wind wave-induced resuspension events can be modeled as a marked Poisson process. The interarrival time of wave-induced erosion events is, in fact, an exponentially distributed random variable, as well as the duration and intensity of overthreshold events. Moreover, the analysis of wind-wave induced resuspension events for different historical configurations of the Venice Lagoon from the 19th to the 21st century, shows that the interarrival times of erosion events have dramatically decreased through the last two centuries, whereas the intensities of erosion events have experienced a surprisingly high increase. This allows us to characterize the threatening erosion and degradation processes that the Venice Lagoon has been experiencing since the beginning of the last century.

Spatio-temporal Variations in Slow Earthquakes along the Mexican Subduction Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ide, S.; Maury, J.; Cruz-Atienza, V. M.; Kostoglodov, V.

2017-12-01

Slow earthquakes in Mexico have been investigated independently in different areas. Here, we review differences in tremor behavior and slow slip events along the entire subduction zone to improve our understanding of its segmentation. Some similarities are observed between the Guerrero and Oaxaca areas. By combining our improved tremor detection capabilities with previous results, we suggest that there is no gap in tremor between Guerrero and Oaxaca. However some differences between Michoacan and Guerrero are seen (e.g., SSE magnitude, tremor zone width, tremor rate), suggesting that these two areas behave differently. Tremor initiation shows clear tidal sensitivity along the entire subduction zone. Tremor in Guerrero is sensitive to small tidal normal stress as well as shear stress suggesting the subduction plane may include local variations in dip. Estimation of the energy rate shows similar values along the subduction zone interface. The scaled tremor energy estimates are similar to those calculated in Nankai and Cascadia, suggesting a common mechanism. Along-strike differences in slow deformation may be related to variations in the subduction interface that yield different geometrical and temperature profiles.

Anelastic tidal dissipation in multi-layer planets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Remus, F.; Mathis, S.; Zahn, J.-P.; Lainey, V.

2012-09-01

Earth-like planets have anelastic mantles, whereas giant planets may have anelastic cores. As for the fluid parts of a body, the tidal dissipation of such solid regions, gravitationally perturbed by a companion body, highly depends on its internal friction, and thus on its internal structure. Therefore, modelling this kind of interaction presents a high interest to provide constraints on planets interiors, whose properties are still quite uncertain. Here, we examine the equilibrium tide in the solid part of a planet, taking into account the presence of a fluid envelope. We derive the different Love numbers that describe its deformation and discuss the dependence of the quality factor Q on the chosen anelastic model and the size of the core. Taking plausible values for the anelastic parameters, and discussing the frequency-dependence of the solid dissipation, we show how this mechanism may compete with the dissipation in fluid layers, when applied to Jupiter- and Saturn-like planets. We also discuss the case of the icy giants Uranus and Neptune. Finally, we present the way to implement the results in the equations that describe the dynamical evolution of planetary systems.

Spatiotemporal Variations in Slow Earthquakes Along the Mexican Subduction Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maury, J.; Ide, S.; Cruz-Atienza, V. M.; Kostoglodov, V.

2018-02-01

Slow earthquakes in Mexico have been investigated independently in different areas. Here we review differences in tremor behavior and slow slip events along the entire subduction zone to improve our understanding of its segmentation. Some similarities are observed between the Guerrero and Oaxaca areas. By combining our improved tremor detection capabilities with previous results, we suggest that there is no gap in tremor between Guerrero and Oaxaca. However, some differences between Michoacan and Guerrero are seen (e.g., SSE magnitude, tremor zone width, and tremor rate), suggesting that these two areas behave differently. Tremor initiation shows clear tidal sensitivity along the entire subduction zone. Tremor in Guerrero is sensitive to small tidal normal stress as well as shear stress, suggesting that the subduction plane may include local variations in dip. Estimation of the energy rate shows similar values along the subduction zone interface. The scaled tremor energy estimates are similar to those calculated in Nankai and Cascadia, suggesting a common mechanism. Along-strike differences in slow deformation may be related to variations in the subduction interface that yield different geometrical and temperature profiles.

Relevance of Tidal Heating on Large TNOs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saxena, Prabal; Renaud, Joe P.; Henning, Wade G.; Jutzi, Martin; Hurford, Terry A.

2017-01-01

We examine the relevance of tidal heating for large Trans-Neptunian Objects, with a focus on its potential to melt and maintain layers of subsurface liquid water. Depending on their past orbital evolution, tidal heating may be an important part of the heat budget for a number of discovered and hypothetical TNO systems and may enable formation of, and increased access to, subsurface liquid water. Tidal heating induced by the process of despinning is found to be particularly able to compete with heating due to radionuclide decay in a number of different scenarios. In cases where radiogenic heating alone may establish subsurface conditions for liquid water, we focus on the extent by which tidal activity lifts the depth of such conditions closer to the surface. While it is common for strong tidal heating and long lived tides to be mutually exclusive, we find this is not always the case, and highlight when these two traits occur together. We find cases where TNO systems experience tidal heating that is a significant proportion of, or greater than radiogenic heating for periods ranging from100 s of millions to a billion years. For subsurface oceans that contain a small antifreeze component, tidal heating due to very high initial spin states may enable liquid water to be preserved right up to the present day. Of particular interest is the Eris-Dysnomia system, which in those cases may exhibit extant cryovolcanism.

Relevance of tidal heating on large TNOs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saxena, Prabal; Renaud, Joe P.; Henning, Wade G.; Jutzi, Martin; Hurford, Terry

2018-03-01

We examine the relevance of tidal heating for large Trans-Neptunian Objects, with a focus on its potential to melt and maintain layers of subsurface liquid water. Depending on their past orbital evolution, tidal heating may be an important part of the heat budget for a number of discovered and hypothetical TNO systems and may enable formation of, and increased access to, subsurface liquid water. Tidal heating induced by the process of despinning is found to be particularly able to compete with heating due to radionuclide decay in a number of different scenarios. In cases where radiogenic heating alone may establish subsurface conditions for liquid water, we focus on the extent by which tidal activity lifts the depth of such conditions closer to the surface. While it is common for strong tidal heating and long lived tides to be mutually exclusive, we find this is not always the case, and highlight when these two traits occur together. We find cases where TNO systems experience tidal heating that is a significant proportion of, or greater than radiogenic heating for periods ranging from100‧s of millions to a billion years. For subsurface oceans that contain a small antifreeze component, tidal heating due to very high initial spin states may enable liquid water to be preserved right up to the present day. Of particular interest is the Eris-Dysnomia system, which in those cases may exhibit extant cryovolcanism.

The effect of lagoons on Adriatic Sea tidal dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferrarin, Christian; Maicu, Francesco; Umgiesser, Georg

2017-11-01

In this study the effects that lagoons exert on the barotropic tidal dynamics of a regional sea, the Adriatic Sea, were numerically explored. This semi-enclosed basin is one of the places with the highest tidal range in the Mediterranean Sea and is characterised by the presence of several lagoons in its northern part. The tidal dynamics of a system comprising the whole Adriatic Sea and the lagoons of Venice, Marano-Grado and Po Delta were investigated using an unstructured hydrodynamic model. Numerical experiments with and without lagoons reveal that even if the considered shallow water bodies represent only the 0.5 and 0.002% of the Adriatic Sea surface and volume, respectively, they significantly affect the entire Northern Adriatic Sea tidal dynamics by enhancing tidal range (by 5%) and currents (by 10%). The inclusion of lagoons in the computation improved the model performance by 25% in reproducing tidal constituents in the Adriatic Sea. The back-effect of the lagoons on the open-sea tide is due to the waves radiating from the co-oscillating lagoons into the adjacent sea. This is the first time these processes are shown to be relevant for the Adriatic Sea, thus enhancing the understanding of the tidal dynamics in this regional sea. These findings may also apply to other coastal seas with connections to lagoons, bays and estuaries.

Predicting tidal marsh survival or submergence to sea-level rise using Holocene data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horton, B.; Shennan, I.; Bradley, S.; Cahill, N.; Kirwan, M. L.; Kopp, R. E.; Shaw, T.

2017-12-01

Rising sea level threatens to permanently submerge tidal marsh environments if they cannot accrete faster than the rate of relative sea-level rise (RSLR). But regional and global model simulations of the future ability of marshes to maintain their elevation with respect to the tidal frame are uncertain. The compilation of empirical data for tidal marsh vulnerability is, therefore, essential to address disparities across these simulations. A hitherto unexplored source of empirical data are Holocene records of tidal marsh evolution. In particular, the marshes of Great Britain have survived and submerged while RSLR varied between -7.7 and 15.2 mm/yr, primarily because of the interplay between global ice-volume changes and regional isostatic processes. Here, we reveal the limits to marsh vulnerability are revealed through the analysis of over 400 reconstructions of tidal marsh submergence and conversion to tidal mud flat or open water from 54 regions in Great Britain during the Holocene. Holocene records indicate a 90% probability of tidal marsh submergence at sites with RSLR exceeding 7.3 mm/yr (95% CI: 6.6-8.6 mm/yr). Although most modern tidal marshes in Great Britain have not yet reached these sea-level rise limits, our empirical data suggest widespread concern over their ability to survive rates of sea-level rise in the 21st century under high emission scenarios. Integrating over the uncertainties in both sea-level rise predictions and the response of tidal marshes to sea-level rise, all of Great Britain has a >80% probability of marsh submergence under RCP 8.5 by 2100, with areas of south and eastern England, where the rate of RSLR is increased by glacio-isostatic subsidence, achieving this probability by 2040.

Airway Strain during Mechanical Ventilation in an Intact Animal Model

PubMed Central

Sinclair, Scott E.; Molthen, Robert C.; Haworth, Steve T.; Dawson, Christopher A.; Waters, Christopher M.

2007-01-01

Rationale: Mechanical ventilation with large tidal volumes causes ventilator-induced lung injury in animal models. Little direct evidence exists regarding the deformation of airways in vivo during mechanical ventilation, or in the presence of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Objectives: To measure airway strain and to estimate airway wall tension during mechanical ventilation in an intact animal model. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated with tidal volumes of 6, 12, and 25 cm3/kg with and without 10–cm H2O PEEP. Real-time tantalum bronchograms were obtained for each condition, using microfocal X-ray imaging. Images were used to calculate circumferential and longitudinal airway strains, and on the basis of a simplified mathematical model we estimated airway wall tensions. Measurements and Main Results: Circumferential and longitudinal airway strains increased with increasing tidal volume. Levels of mechanical strain were heterogeneous throughout the bronchial tree. Circumferential strains were higher in smaller airways (less than 800 μm). Airway size did not influence longitudinal strain. When PEEP was applied, wall tensions increased more rapidly than did strain levels, suggesting that a “strain limit” had been reached. Airway collapse was not observed under any experimental condition. Conclusions: Mechanical ventilation results in significant airway mechanical strain that is heterogeneously distributed in the uninjured lung. The magnitude of circumferential but not axial strain varies with airway diameter. Airways exhibit a “strain limit” above which an abrupt dramatic rise in wall tension is observed. PMID:17626911

I-Love-Q relations for gravastars and the approach to the black-hole limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pani, Paolo

2015-12-01

The multipole moments and the tidal Love numbers of neutron stars and quark stars satisfy certain relations which are almost insensitive to the star's internal structure. A natural question is whether the same relations hold for different compact objects and how they possibly approach the black-hole limit. Here we consider "gravastars," which are hypothetical compact objects sustained by their internal vacuum energy. Such solutions have been proposed as exotic alternatives to the black-hole paradigm because they can be as compact as black holes and exist in any mass range. By constructing slowly rotating, thin-shell gravastars to quadratic order in the spin, we compute the moment of inertia I , the mass quadrupole moment Q , and the tidal Love number λ in exact form. The I -λ -Q relations of a gravastar are dramatically different from those of an ordinary compact star, but the black-hole limit is continuous; i.e., these quantities approach their Kerr counterparts when the compactness is maximum. Therefore, such relations can be used to discern a gravastar from an ordinary compact star but not to break the degeneracy with the black-hole case. Based on these results, we conjecture that the full multipolar structure and the tidal deformability of a spinning, ultracompact gravastar are identical to those of a Kerr black hole. The approach to the black-hole limit is nonpolynomial, thus differing from the critical behavior recently found for strongly anisotropic neutron stars.

Nitrogen dynamics in the tidal freshwater Potomac River, Maryland and Virginia, water years 1979-81: A water-quality study of the tidal Potomac River and estuary

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

Shutz, D.J.

1989-01-01

On an annual basis, river supplied nitrate is the predominant form of N supplied to the tidal Potomac River from external sources. Much of the nitrate is associated with high flows that have rapid transit times through the tidal river. After the fall of 1980, initiation of advanced wastewater treatment at the Blue Plains Sewage Treatment Plant (STPP) reduced ammonia loading to the river by 90% and increased nitrate loading by a similar percentage. As a result, concentrations of ammonia during the 1981 low flow period were < 0.20 mg/L as N at alexandria, while nitrate concentrations were > 1.50more » mg/L as N. Despite the reduced availability of ammonia, 15-N uptake studies showed that phytoplankton preferred ammonia to nitrate unless ammonia concentrations were < 0.10 mg/L as N. Nitrification studies during 1981 using a 14-C uptake technique indicate that rates did not vary with sample location, except for one sample from the head of the tidal river, where the rates were much higher. Process models were used in conjunction with mass-balance determinations and individual process studies to estimate rates of processes that were not directly measured. It is estimated that denitrification removed 10 times as much nitrate from the water column during the summer of 1981 as during the summer of 1980. Sedimentation of particulate N is estimated to be the largest sink for N from the water column and was approximately equal to the external annual loading of all N constituents on a daily basis. In summer, when river flows usually are low, the tidal Potomac River appears to be a partially closed system rather than one dominated by transport. Nitrogen constituents, primarily from point sources, are taken up by phytoplankton converted to organic matter, and sedimented from the water column. Some of this N eventually becomes available again by means of benthic exchange. Removal, by transport, out of the tidal river is significant only during winter. 70 refs., 20 figs., 10 tabs.« less

Depositional and tectonic setting of the Archean Moodies Group, Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heubeck, C.; Lowe, D. R.

1994-01-01

The 3.22-3.10 Ga old Moodies Group, uppermost unit of the Swaziland Supergroup in the Barberton Greenstone Belt (BGB), is the oldest exposed, well-preserved quartz-rich sedimentary sequence on earth. It is preserved in structurally separate blocks in a heavily deformed fold-and-thrust belt. North of the Inyoka Fault, Moodies strata reach up to 3700 m in thickness. Detailed mapping, correlation of measured sections, and systematic analysis of paleocurrents show that the lower Moodies Group north of the Inyoka Fault forms a deepening- and fining-upward sequence from a basal alluvial conglomerate through braided fluvial, tidal, and deltaic sandstones to offshore sandy shelf deposits. The basal conglomerate and overlying fluvial facies were derived from the north and include abundant detritus eroded from underlying Fig Tree Group dacitic volcanic rocks. Shoreline-parallel transport and extensive reworking dominate overlying deltaic, tidal, and marine facies. The lithologies and arrangement of Moodies Group facies, sandstone petrology, the unconformable relationship between Moodies strata and older deformed rocks, presence of at least one syndepositional normal fault, and presence of basaltic flow rocks and airfall fall tuffs interbedded with the terrestrial strata collectively suggest that the lower Moodies Group was deposited in one or more intramontane basins in an extensional setting. Thinner Moodies sections south of the Inyoka Fault, generally less than 1000 m thick, may be correlative with the basal Moodies Group north of the Inyoka Fault and were probably deposited in separate basins. A northerly derived, southward-thinning fan-delta conglomerate in the upper part of the Moodies Group in the central BGB overlies lower strata with an angular unconformity. This and associated upper Moodies conglomerates mark the beginning of basin shortening by south- to southeast-directed thrust faulting along the northern margin of the BGB and suggest that the upper Moodies Group was deposited in a foreland basin. Timing, orientation, and style of shortening suggest that this deformation eventually incorporated most of the BGB into a major fold-and-thrust belt.

Methodology for classification of geographical features with remote sensing images: Application to tidal flats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Revollo Sarmiento, G. N.; Cipolletti, M. P.; Perillo, M. M.; Delrieux, C. A.; Perillo, Gerardo M. E.

2016-03-01

Tidal flats generally exhibit ponds of diverse size, shape, orientation and origin. Studying the genesis, evolution, stability and erosive mechanisms of these geographic features is critical to understand the dynamics of coastal wetlands. However, monitoring these locations through direct access is hard and expensive, not always feasible, and environmentally damaging. Processing remote sensing images is a natural alternative for the extraction of qualitative and quantitative data due to their non-invasive nature. In this work, a robust methodology for automatic classification of ponds and tidal creeks in tidal flats using Google Earth images is proposed. The applicability of our method is tested in nine zones with different morphological settings. Each zone is processed by a segmentation stage, where ponds and tidal creeks are identified. Next, each geographical feature is measured and a set of shape descriptors is calculated. This dataset, together with a-priori classification of each geographical feature, is used to define a regression model, which allows an extensive automatic classification of large volumes of data discriminating ponds and tidal creeks against other various geographical features. In all cases, we identified and automatically classified different geographic features with an average accuracy over 90% (89.7% in the worst case, and 99.4% in the best case). These results show the feasibility of using freely available Google Earth imagery for the automatic identification and classification of complex geographical features. Also, the presented methodology may be easily applied in other wetlands of the world and perhaps employing other remote sensing imagery.

Lagrangian trajectories, residual currents and rectification process in the Northern Gulf of California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodríguez, Pablo Alonso; Carbajal, Noel; Rodríguez, Juan Heberto Gaviño

2017-07-01

Considering a semi-implicit approximation of the Coriolis terms, a numerical solution of the vertically integrated equations of motion is proposed. To test the two-dimensional numerical model, several experiments for the calculation of Euler, Stokes and Lagrange residual currents in the Gulf of California were carried out. To estimate the Lagrangian residual current, trajectories of particles were also simulated. The applied tidal constituents were M2, S2, K2, N2, K1, P1 and O1. At spring tides, strong tidal velocities occur in the northern half of the gulf. In this region of complex geometry, depths change from a few meter in the northern shelf zone to more than 3000 m in the southern part. In the archipelago region, the presence of islands alters amplitude and direction of tidal currents producing a rectification process which is reflected in a clockwise circulation around Tiburón Island in the Lagrangian residual current. The rectification process is explained by the superposition of the Euler and Stokes residual currents. Residual current patterns show several cyclonic and anticyclonic gyres in the Northern Gulf of California. Numerical experiments for individual and combinations of several tidal constituents revealed a large variability of Lagrangian trajectories.

Can barrier islands survive sea level rise? Tidal inlets versus storm overwash

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nienhuis, J.; Lorenzo-Trueba, J.

2017-12-01

Barrier island response to sea level rise depends on their ability to transgress and move sediment to the back barrier, either through flood-tidal delta deposition or via storm overwash. Our understanding of these processes over decadal to centennial timescales, however, is limited and poorly constrained. We have developed a new barrier inlet environment (BRIE) model to better understand the interplay between tidal dynamics, overwash fluxes, and sea-level rise on barrier evolution. The BRIE model combines existing overwash and shoreface formulations [Lorenzo-Trueba and Ashton, 2014] with alongshore sediment transport, inlet stability [Escoffier, 1940], inlet migration and flood-tidal delta deposition [Nienhuis and Ashton, 2016]. Within BRIE, inlets can open, close, migrate, merge with other inlets, and build flood-tidal delta deposits. The model accounts for feedbacks between overwash and inlets through their mutual dependence on barrier geometry. Model results suggest that when flood-tidal delta deposition is sufficiently large, barriers require less storm overwash to transgress and aggrade during sea level rise. In particular in micro-tidal environments with asymmetric wave climates and high alongshore sediment transport, tidal inlets are effective in depositing flood-tidal deltas and constitute the majority of the transgressive sediment flux. Additionally, we show that artificial inlet stabilization (via jetty construction or maintenance dredging) can make barrier islands more vulnerable to sea level rise. Escoffier, F. F. (1940), The Stability of Tidal Inlets, Shore and Beach, 8(4), 114-115. Lorenzo-Trueba, J., and A. D. Ashton (2014), Rollover, drowning, and discontinuous retreat: Distinct modes of barrier response to sea-level rise arising from a simple morphodynamic model, J. Geophys. Res. Earth Surf., 119(4), 779-801, doi:10.1002/2013JF002941. Nienhuis, J. H., and A. D. Ashton (2016), Mechanics and rates of tidal inlet migration: Modeling and application to natural examples, J. Geophys. Res. Earth Surf., 121(11), 2118-2139, doi:10.1002/2016JF004035.

Sedimentation, bioturbation, and sedimentary fabric evolution on a modern mesotidal mudflat: A multi-tracer study of processes, rates, and scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bentley, Samuel J.; Swales, Andrew; Pyenson, Benjamin; Dawe, Justin

2014-03-01

A study of muddy tidal-flat sedimentation and bioturbation was undertaken in the Waitetuna Arm of Raglan Harbor, New Zealand, to evaluate the physical and biological processes that control cycling of sediment between the intertidal seabed and sediment-water interface, and also the formation of tidal flat sedimentary fabric and fine-scale stratigraphy. Cores were collected along an intertidal transect, and analyzed for sedimentary fabric, 210Pb and 7Be radiochemical distributions, and grain size. At the same locations, a new approach for time-series core-X-radiography study was undertaken (spanning 191 days), using magnetite-rich sand as a tracer for sedimentation and bioturbation processes in shallow tidal flat sediments. Sedimentary fabric consists of a shallow stratified layer overlying a deeper zone of intensely bioturbated shelly mud. Bioadvection mixes the deeper zone and contributes fine sediment to the surface stratified layer, via biodeposition. Physical resuspension and deposition of surface muds by wave and tidal flow are also likely contributors to formation of the surficial stratified layer, but physical stratification is not observed below this depth. The deliberate tracer study allowed calculation of bioadvection rates that control strata formation, and can be used to model diagenetic processes. Results suggest that the upper ˜15 cm of seabed can be fully mixed over timescales <1.75 y. Such mixing will erase pre-existing sedimentary fabric and transport buried sediment and chemical compounds back to the tidal-flat surface. Shallow biodiffusion also exists, but produces much slower and shallower mass transport. Best fits for 210Pb profiles using a diagenetic bioadvection/sedimentation model and independently measured tiered bioadvection rates suggest that sediment accumulation rates (SARs) on the tidal flat are ˜0.25 cm/y, near the low end of contemporary New Zealand muddy intertidal SARs. Frequent deposition and erosion of the surface layer demonstrates that long-term sediment accumulation captures only a small fraction of sediment deposited at any one time. Model results also suggest that our magnetite tracer method may slightly underestimate short-term shallow mixing rates (demonstrated by 7Be profiles), and slightly overestimate longer-term, deeper bioturbation rates (demonstrated by 210Pb profiles).

Two-body problem in scalar-tensor theories as a deformation of general relativity: An effective-one-body approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Julié, Félix-Louis; Deruelle, Nathalie

2017-06-01

In this paper we address the two-body problem in massless scalar-tensor (ST) theories within an effective-one-body (EOB) framework. We focus on the first building block of the EOB approach, that is, mapping the conservative part of the two-body dynamics onto the geodesic motion of a test particle in an effective external metric. To this end, we first deduce the second post-Keplerian (2PK) Hamiltonian of the two-body problem from the known 2PK Lagrangian. We then build, by means of a canonical transformation, a ST deformation of the general relativistic EOB Hamiltonian that allows us to incorporate the scalar-tensor (2PK) corrections to the currently best available general relativity EOB results. This EOB-ST Hamiltonian defines a resummation of the dynamics that may provide information on the strong-field regime, in particular, the ISCO location and associated orbital frequency, and can be compared to, other, e.g., tidal, corrections.

On the motion of a body whose dynamical structure is variable

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolbut, V. R.

1982-02-01

Abul'naga and Barkin (1980) have considered the problem of the particular solutions for the translational-rotational motion of two rigid bodies, taking into account the third harmonics in the force function of their Newtonian interaction. Attention is given to the Hamiltonian of the problem, the distinctive motion of a body whose dynamical structure is variable, and the introduction of a known function of an independent variable. The solutions may be written in the form of a series. In the stationary case the solutions are the same as those provided by Abul'naga and Barkin. The variation in the dynamical structure of a constant-mass body may occur either because of changes in the density asymmetry or through redistribution of mass within the body. This last case is relevant to the analysis of effects arising from deformation of the body. One instance of a small distortion of this kind would be the tidal deformation of the earth.

Frequency-Dependent Tidal Triggering of Low Frequency Earthquakes Near Parkfield, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, L.; Burgmann, R.; Shelly, D. R.

2017-12-01

The effect of small periodic stress perturbations on earthquake generation is not clear, however, the rate of low-frequency earthquakes (LFEs) near Parkfield, California has been found to be strongly correlated with solid earth tides. Laboratory experiments and theoretical analyses show that the period of imposed forcing and source properties affect the sensitivity to triggering and the phase relation of the peak seismicity rate and the periodic stress, but frequency-dependent triggering has not been quantitatively explored in the field. Tidal forcing acts over a wide range of frequencies, therefore the sensitivity to tidal triggering of LFEs provides a good probe to the physical mechanisms affecting earthquake generation. In this study, we consider the tidal triggering of LFEs near Parkfield, California since 2001. We find the LFEs rate is correlated with tidal shear stress, normal stress rate and shear stress rate. The occurrence of LFEs can also be independently modulated by groups of tidal constituents at semi-diurnal, diurnal and fortnightly frequencies. The strength of the response of LFEs to the different tidal constituents varies between LFE families. Each LFE family has an optimal triggering frequency, which does not appear to be depth dependent or systematically related to other known properties. This suggests the period of the applied forcing plays an important role in the triggering process, and the interaction of periods of loading history and source region properties, such as friction, effective normal stress and pore fluid pressure, produces the observed frequency-dependent tidal triggering of LFEs.

Coastal Water Quality Modeling in Tidal Lake: Revisited with Groundwater Intrusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, C.

2016-12-01

A new method for predicting the temporal and spatial variation of water quality, with accounting for a groundwater effect, has been proposed and applied to a water body partially connected to macro-tidal coastal waters in Korea. The method consists of direct measurement of environmental parameters, and it indirectly incorporates a nutrients budget analysis to estimate the submarine groundwater fluxes. Three-dimensional numerical modeling of water quality has been used with the directly collected data and the indirectly estimated groundwater fluxes. The applied area is Saemangeum tidal lake that is enclosed by 33km-long sea dyke with tidal openings at two water gates. Many investigations of groundwater impact reveal that 10 50% of nutrient loading in coastal waters comes from submarine groundwater, particularly in the macro-tidal flat, as in the west coast of Korea. Long-term monitoring of coastal water quality signals the possibility of groundwater influence on salinity reversal and on the excess mass outbalancing the normal budget in Saemangeum tidal lake. In the present study, we analyze the observed data to examine the influence of submarine groundwater, and then a box model is demonstrated for quantifying the influx and efflux. A three-dimensional numerical model has been applied to reproduce the process of groundwater dispersal and its effect on the water quality of Saemangeum tidal lake. The results show that groundwater influx during the summer monsoon then contributes significantly, 20% more than during dry season, to water quality in the tidal lake.

Breaking Ice 2: A rift system on the Ross Ice Shelf as an analog for tidal tectonics on icy moons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brunt, K. M.; Hurford, T., Jr.; Schmerr, N. C.; Sauber, J. M.; MacAyeal, D. R.

2016-12-01

Ice shelves are the floating regions of the polar ice sheets. Outside of the influence of the narrow region of their grounding zone, they are fully hydrostatic and strongly influenced by the ocean tides. Recent observational and modeling studies have assessed the effect of tides on ice shelves, including: the tidal influence on the ice-shelf surface height, which changes by as much as 6 to 7 m on the southern extreme of the Ronne-Filchner Ice Shelf; the tidal modulation of the ice-shelf horizontal flow velocities, which changes the mean ice-flow rate by as much as two fold on the Ross Ice Shelf; and the tidal contribution to fracture and rift propagation, which eventually leads to iceberg calving. Here, we present the analysis of 16 days of continuous GPS data from a rift system near the front of the Ross Ice Shelf. While the GPS sites were installed for a different scientific investigation, and not optimized to assess tidal rifting mechanics, they provide a first-order sense of the tidal evolution of the rift system. These analyses can be used as a terrestrial analog for tidal activity on icy satellites, such as Europa and Enceladus, moons of Jupiter and Saturn, respectively. Using remote sensing and modeling of the Ross Ice Shelf rift system, we can investigate the geological processes observed on icy satellites and advance modeling efforts of their tidal-tectonic evolution.

Tidal triggering of earthquakes suggests poroelastic behavior on the San Andreas Fault

DOE PAGES

Delorey, Andrew A.; van der Elst, Nicholas J.; Johnson, Paul Allan

2016-12-28

Tidal triggering of earthquakes is hypothesized to provide quantitative information regarding the fault's stress state, poroelastic properties, and may be significant for our understanding of seismic hazard. To date, studies of regional or global earthquake catalogs have had only modest successes in identifying tidal triggering. We posit that the smallest events that may provide additional evidence of triggering go unidentified and thus we developed a technique to improve the identification of very small magnitude events. We identify events applying a method known as inter-station seismic coherence where we prioritize detection and discrimination over characterization. Here we show tidal triggering ofmore » earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault. We find the complex interaction of semi-diurnal and fortnightly tidal periods exposes both stress threshold and critical state behavior. Lastly, our findings reveal earthquake nucleation processes and pore pressure conditions – properties of faults that are difficult to measure, yet extremely important for characterizing earthquake physics and seismic hazards.« less

Multi-criteria decision-making on assessment of proposed tidal barrage schemes in terms of environmental impacts.

PubMed

Wu, Yunna; Xu, Chuanbo; Ke, Yiming; Chen, Kaifeng; Xu, Hu

2017-12-15

For tidal range power plants to be sustainable, the environmental impacts caused by the implement of various tidal barrage schemes must be assessed before construction. However, several problems exist in the current researches: firstly, evaluation criteria of the tidal barrage schemes environmental impact assessment (EIA) are not adequate; secondly, uncertainty of criteria information fails to be processed properly; thirdly, correlation among criteria is unreasonably measured. Hence the contributions of this paper are as follows: firstly, an evaluation criteria system is established from three dimensions of hydrodynamic, biological and morphological aspects. Secondly, cloud model is applied to describe the uncertainty of criteria information. Thirdly, Choquet integral with respect to λ-fuzzy measure is introduced to measure the correlation among criteria. On the above bases, a multi-criteria decision-making decision framework for tidal barrage scheme EIA is established to select the optimal scheme. Finally, a case study demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed framework. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tidal triggering of earthquakes suggests poroelastic behavior on the San Andreas Fault

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

Delorey, Andrew A.; van der Elst, Nicholas J.; Johnson, Paul Allan

Tidal triggering of earthquakes is hypothesized to provide quantitative information regarding the fault's stress state, poroelastic properties, and may be significant for our understanding of seismic hazard. To date, studies of regional or global earthquake catalogs have had only modest successes in identifying tidal triggering. We posit that the smallest events that may provide additional evidence of triggering go unidentified and thus we developed a technique to improve the identification of very small magnitude events. We identify events applying a method known as inter-station seismic coherence where we prioritize detection and discrimination over characterization. Here we show tidal triggering ofmore » earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault. We find the complex interaction of semi-diurnal and fortnightly tidal periods exposes both stress threshold and critical state behavior. Lastly, our findings reveal earthquake nucleation processes and pore pressure conditions – properties of faults that are difficult to measure, yet extremely important for characterizing earthquake physics and seismic hazards.« less

Tidal triggering of earthquakes suggests poroelastic behavior on the San Andreas Fault

USGS Publications Warehouse

Delorey, Andrew; Van Der Elst, Nicholas; Johnson, Paul

2017-01-01

Tidal triggering of earthquakes is hypothesized to provide quantitative information regarding the fault's stress state, poroelastic properties, and may be significant for our understanding of seismic hazard. To date, studies of regional or global earthquake catalogs have had only modest successes in identifying tidal triggering. We posit that the smallest events that may provide additional evidence of triggering go unidentified and thus we developed a technique to improve the identification of very small magnitude events. We identify events applying a method known as inter-station seismic coherence where we prioritize detection and discrimination over characterization. Here we show tidal triggering of earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault. We find the complex interaction of semi-diurnal and fortnightly tidal periods exposes both stress threshold and critical state behavior. Our findings reveal earthquake nucleation processes and pore pressure conditions – properties of faults that are difficult to measure, yet extremely important for characterizing earthquake physics and seismic hazards.

High-resolution numerical modelling of the barotropic tides in the Gulf of Gabes, eastern Mediterranean Sea (Tunisia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Othmani, Achref; Béjaoui, Béchir; Chevalier, Cristèle; Elhmaidi, Dalila; Devenon, Jean-Luc; Aleya, Lotfi

2017-05-01

A high-resolution 2D barotropic tidal model was developed for the Gulf of Gabes and used to characterise hydrodynamic processes and tidal dynamics. The model is based on the Regional Ocean Modelling System. It is forced at the open boundaries by the semidiurnal M2 and S2 astronomical components while meteorological forcing has been neglected. The model results show good agreement with observations confirming that it reproduces the gulf's main tidal characteristics reasonably well. In fact, the simulated semidiurnal tidal components M2 and S2 generate important sea level variations and coastal currents. Tidal propagation is directed to the gulf's western sector while tidal resonance occurs in its inner sector where the M2 and S2 amplitudes are about 50 and 36 cm, respectively. Phase maxima (170°-185°) are located inside Boughrara Lagoon for both the simulated M2 and S2 tides. The strongest currents are found in shallow coastal regions and at the lagoon's western inlet. During spring tides, currents are around 10-20 cm s-1 in the gulf center and up to 50 cm s-1 inside the lagoon.

Variability of tidal signals in the Brent Delta Front: New observations on the Rannoch Formation, northern North Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Xiaojie; Steel, Ronald J.; Ravnås, Rodmar; Jiang, Zaixing; Olariu, Cornel; Li, Zhiyang

2016-04-01

Detailed observations on the Rannoch Formation in several deep Viking Graben wells indicate that the 'classical' wave-dominated Brent delta-front shows coupled storm-tide processes. The tidal signals are of three types: I): alternations of thick cross-laminated sandstone and thin mud-draped sandstone, whereby double mud drapes are prominent but discretely distributed, II): a few tidal bundles within bottomsets and foresets of up to 10 cm-thick sets cross-strata, and III): dm-thick heterolithic lamination showing multiple, well-organized sand-mud couplets. During progradation of the Brent Delta, the Rannoch shoreline system passed upward from 1) a succession dominated by clean-water, storm-event sets and cosets frequently and preferentially interbedded with type I tidal beds, and occasional types II and III tidal deposits, toward 2) very clean storm-event beds less frequently separated by types II and III tidal beds, and then into 3) a thin interval showing muddier storm-event beds mainly alternating with type II tidal beds. It is likely that those variations in preservation bias of storm and tidal beds in each facies succession result from combined effects of 1) the frequency and duration of storms; 2) river discharge; and 3) the absolute and relative strength of tides. Tidal deposits are interpreted as inter-storm, fair-weather deposits, occurred preferentially in longer intermittent fair-weather condition and periods of lower river discharge, and well-pronounced in the distal-reach of delta-front. The formation and preservation of tidal signals between storm beds, indicate that the studied Rannoch Formation was most likely a storm-dominated, tide-influenced delta front 1) near the mouth of a large Brent river, where a significant tidal prism and high tidal range might be expected, and 2) in a setting where there were relatively high sedimentation rates associated with high local subsidence rates, so that the storm waves did not completely rework the inter-storm deposits. The documentation of the unconventional Rannoch Formation contributes to our understanding of mixed-energy coastal systems.

A Conceptual Framework and Classification for the Fluvial-Backwater-Marine Transition in Coastal Rivers Globally

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howes, N. C.; Georgiou, I. Y.; Hughes, Z. J.; Wolinsky, M. A.

2012-12-01

Channels in fluvio-deltaic and coastal plain settings undergo a progressive series of downstream transitions in hydrodynamics and sediment transport, which is consequently reflected in their morphology and stratigraphic architecture. Conditions progress from uniform fluvial flow to backwater conditions with non-uniform flow, and finally to bi-directional tidal flow or estuarine circulation at the ocean boundary. While significant attention has been given to geomorphic scaling relationships in purely fluvial settings, there have been far fewer studies on the backwater and tidal reaches, and no systematic comparisons. Our study addresses these gaps by analyzing geometric scaling relationships independently in each of the above hydrodynamic regimes and establishes a comparison. To accomplish this goal we have constructed a database of planform geometries including more than 150 channels. In terms of hydrodynamics studies, much of the work on backwater dynamics has concentrated on the Mississippi River, which has very limited tidal influence. We will extend this analysis to include systems with appreciable offshore tidal range, using a numerical hydrodynamic model to study the interaction between backwater dynamics and tides. The database is comprised of systems with a wide range of tectonic, climatic, and oceanic forcings. The scale of these systems, as measured by bankfull width, ranges over three orders of magnitude from the Amazon River in Brazil to the Palix River in Washington. Channel centerlines are extracted from processed imagery, enabling continuous planform measurements of bankfull width, meander wavelength, and sinuosity. Digital terrain and surface models are used to estimate floodplain slopes. Downstream tidal boundary conditions are obtained from the TOPEX 7.1 global tidal model, while upstream boundary conditions such as basin area, relief, and discharge are obtained by linking the databases of Milliman and Meade (2011) and Syvitski (2005). Backwater and tidal length-scales are computed from published data as well as from numerical simulations. An analysis of the database combined with numerical hydrodynamic simulations allows us to organize the results into a process-based classification of coastal rivers. The classification describes the scale, shape, and flow field transitions of coastal rivers as a function of discharge, floodplain slope, and offshore tidal range.

Spatial patterns of composition in tidal wetland plant and algal assemblages in Oregon: Implications for wetland vulnerability to sea-level rise

EPA Science Inventory

Plants and algae mediate important ecosystem processes in coastal marshes and swamps. These assemblages are structured in part by estuarine environmental gradients such as tidal elevation and salinity. Such gradients are likely to change with sea-level rise (SLR) due to global cl...

Aliased tidal errors in TOPEX/POSEIDON sea surface height data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schlax, Michael G.; Chelton, Dudley B.

1994-01-01

Alias periods and wavelengths for the M(sub 2, S(sub 2), N(sub 2), K(sub 1), O(sub 1), and P(sub 1) tidal constituents are calculated for TOPEX/POSEIDON. Alias wavelenghts calculated in previous studies are shown to be in error, and a correct method is presented. With the exception of the K(sub 1) constituent, all of these tidal aliases for TOPEX/POSEIDON have periods shorter than 90 days and are likely to be confounded with long-period sea surface height signals associated with real ocean processes. In particular, the correspondence between the periods and wavelengths of the M(sub 2) alias and annual baroclinic Rossby waves that plagued Geosat sea surface height data is avoided. The potential for aliasing residual tidal errors in smoothed estimates of sea surface height is calculated for the six tidal constituents. The potential for aliasing the lunar tidal constituents M(sub 2), N(sub 2) and O(sub 1) fluctuates with latitude and is different for estimates made at the crossovers of ascending and descending ground tracks than for estimates at points midway between crossovers. The potential for aliasing the solar tidal constituents S(sub 2), K(sub 1) and P(sub 1) varies smoothly with latitude. S(sub 2) is strongly aliased for latitudes within 50 degress of the equator, while K(sub 1) and P(sub 1) are only weakly aliased in that range. A weighted least squares method for estimating and removing residual tidal errors from TOPEX/POSEIDON sea surface height data is presented. A clear understanding of the nature of aliased tidal error in TOPEX/POSEIDON data aids the unambiguous identification of real propagating sea surface height signals. Unequivocal evidence of annual period, westward propagating waves in the North Atlantic is presented.

Numerical study on inter-tidal transports in coastal seas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Xinyan; Jiang, Wensheng; Zhang, Ping; Feng, Shizuo

2016-06-01

Inter-tidal (subtidal) transport processes in coastal sea depend on the residual motion, turbulent dispersion and relevant sources/sinks. In Feng et al. (2008), an updated Lagrangian inter-tidal transport equation, as well as new concept of Lagrangian inter-tidal concentration (LIC), has been proposed for a general nonlinear shallow water system. In the present study, the LIC is numerically applied for the first time to passive tracers in idealized settings and salinity in the Bohai Sea, China. Circulation and tracer motion in the three idealized model seas with different topography or coastline, termed as `flat-bottom', `stairs' and `cape' case, respectively, are simulated. The dependence of the LIC on initial tidal phase suggests that the nonlinearities in the stairs and cape cases are stronger than that in the flat-bottom case. Therefore, the `flat-bottom' case still meets the convectively weakly nonlinear condition. For the Bohai Sea, the simulation results show that most parts of it still meet the weakly nonlinear condition. However, the dependence of the LIS (Lagrangian inter-tidal salinity) on initial tidal phase is significant around the southern headland of the Liaodong Peninsula and near the mouth of the Yellow River. The nonlinearity in the former region is mainly related to the complicated coastlines, and that in the latter region is due to the presence of the estuarine salinity front.

Wave-induced Maintenance of Suspended Sediment Concentration during Slack in a Tidal Channel on a Sheltered Macro-tidal Flat, Gangwha Island, Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Guan-hong; Kang, KiRyong

2018-05-01

A field campaign was conducted to better understand the influence of wave action, in terms of turbulence and bed shear stress, on sediment resuspension and transport processes on a protected tidal flat. An H-frame was deployed in a tidal channel south of Gangwha Island for 6 tidal cycles during November 2006 with instrumentation including an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter, an Acoustic Backscatter System, and an Optical Backscatter Sensor. During calm conditions, the current-induced shear was dominant and responsible for suspending sediments during the accelerating phases of flood and ebb. During the high-tide slack, both bed shear stress and suspended sediment concentration were reduced. The sediment flux was directed landward due to the scour-lag effect over a tidal cycle. On the other hand, when waves were stronger, the wave-induced turbulence appeared to keep sediments in suspension even during the high-tide slack, while the current-induced shear remained dominant during the accelerating phases of flood and ebb. The sediment flux under strong waves was directed offshore due to the sustained high suspended sediment concentration during the high-tide slack. Although strong waves can induce offshore sediment flux, infrequent events with strong waves are unlikely to alter the long-term accretion of the protected southern Gangwha tidal flats.

On the extended stellar structure around NGC 288

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piatti, Andrés E.

2018-01-01

We report on observational evidence of an extra-tidal clumpy structure around NGC 288 from homogeneous coverage of a large area with the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) PS1 data base. The extra-tidal star population has been disentangled from that of the Milky Way (MW) field by using a cleaning technique that successfully reproduces the stellar density, luminosity function and colour distributions of MW field stars. We have produced the cluster stellar density radial profile and a stellar density map from independent approaches, and we found the results to be in excellent agreement - the feature extends up to 3.5 times further than the cluster tidal radius. Previous works based on shallower photometric data sets have speculated on the existence of several long tidal tails, similar to that found in Pal 5. The present outcome shows that NGC 288 could hardly have such tails, but it favours the notion that the use of interactions with the MW tidal field has been a relatively inefficient process for stripping stars off the cluster. These results point to the need for a renewed overall study of the external regions of Galactic globular clusters (GGCs) in order to reliably characterize them. It will then be possible to investigate whether there is any connection between detected tidal tails, extra-tidal stellar populations and extended diffuse halo-like structures, and the dynamical histories of GGCs in the Galaxy.

Lower thermospheric-enhanced sodium layers observed at low latitude and possible formation: Case studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, X. H.; Dou, X. K.; Lei, J.; Chen, J. S.; Ding, Z. H.; Li, T.; Gao, Q.; Tang, W. W.; Cheng, X. W.; Wei, K.

2013-05-01

We report two lower thermospheric-enhanced sodium layer (TeSL) cases observed at a low-latitude station, Lijiang, China (26.7°N, 100.0°E), on 10 March and 10 April 2012, respectively. The TeSLs in the two cases were located at altitudes near 122 and 112 km, respectively. In addition, strong sporadic sodium layers (SSLs) near 100 km accompanied the TeSL observed on 10 March 2012. Both the TeSLs and SSLs exhibited tidal-induced downward motion. The adjacent ground-based and space-borne ionospheric radio observations showed strong Es layers before the appearance of the TeSLs, suggesting an " Es- TeSLs (SSLs)" chain formed through the tidal wind shear mechanism. Assuming that the vertical tidal wavelengths remain unchanged, it is found that in different regions caused by the tidal wind shear, different TeSLs evolution processes are expected: (1) in a tidal-convergence region, a TeSL/SSL with a downward propagation phase is enhanced due to a rapid decrease in the Na+lifetime at the lower altitude; (2) in an ion convergence-divergence interface region, a TeSL/SSL will still follow the tidal downward phase progression, but sodium density does not exhibit evident enhancement; and (3) when a TeSL/SSL enters into a tidal wind-divergence zone, the layer density tends to decrease.

Joint Calibration of Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) with Tidal Pumping: Modeling Variable-density Groundwater Flow in Unconfined Coastal Aquifer of Apalachee Bay, Gulf of Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, X.; Hu, B.; Burnett, W.; Santos, I.

2008-05-01

Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) as an unseen phenomenon is now recognized as an important pathway between land and sea. These discharges typically display significant spatial and temporal variability making quantification difficult. Groundwater seepage is patchy, diffuse, and temporally variable, and thus makes the estimation of its magnitude and components is a challenging enterprise. A two-dimensional hydrogeological model is developed to the near-shore environment of an unconfined aquifer at a Florida coastal area in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Intense geological survey and slug tests are set to investigate the heterogeneity of this layered aquifer. By applying SEAWAT2000, considering the uncertainties caused by changes of boundary conditions, a series of variable-density-flow models incorporates the tidal-influenced seawater recirculation and the freshwater-saltwater mixing zone under the dynamics of tidal pattern, tidal amplitude and variation of water table. These are thought as the contributing factors of tidal pumping and hydraulic gradient which are the driven forces of SGD. A tidal-influenced mixing zone in the near-shore aquifer shows the importance of tidal mechanism to flow and salt transport in the process of submarine pore water exchange. Freshwater ratio in SGD is also analyzed through the comparison of Submarine Groundwater Recharge and freshwater inflow. The joint calibration with other methods (natural tracer model and seepage meter) is also discussed.

Tides and deltaic morphodynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plink-Bjorklund, Piret

2016-04-01

Tide-dominated and tide-influenced deltas are not widely recognized in the ancient record, despite the numerous modern and Holocene examples, including eight of the twelve modern largest deltas in the world, like the Ganges-Brahmaputra, Amazon, Chang Jiang, and Irrawadi. Furthermore, tide-dominated or tide-influenced deltas are suggested to be more common in inner-shelf or embayment settings rather than close to or at a shelf edge, primarily because wave energy is expected to be higher and tidal energy lower in outer shelf and shelf-edge areas. Thus, most shelf-edge deltas are suggested to be fluvial or wave dominated. However, there are ancient examples of tide-influenced shelf-edge deltas, indicating that the controls on tidal morphodynamics in deltas are not yet well understood. This paper asks the following questions: (1) How do tides influence delta deposition, beyond creating recognizable tidal facies? (2) Does tidal reworking create specific geometries in delta clinoforms? (3) Does tidal reworking change progradation rates of deltas? (4) Is significant tidal reworking of deltas restricted to inner-shelf deltas only? (5) What are the conditions at which deltas may be tidally influenced or tide-dominated in outer-shelf areas or at the shelf edge? (6) What are the main morphodynamic controls on the degree of tidal reworking of deltas? The paper utilizes a dataset of multiple ancient and modern deltas, situated both on the shelf and shelf edge. We show that beyond the commonly recognized shore-perpendicular morphological features and the recognizable tidal facies, the main effects of tidal reworking of deltas are associated with delta clinoform morphology, morphodynamics of delta lobe switching, delta front progradation rates, and the nature of the delta plain. Strong tidal influence is here documented to promote subaqueous, rapid progradation of deltas, by efficiently removing sediment from river mouth and thus reducing mouth bar aggradation and fluvial delta plain construction rates. Such subaqueous progradation of the delta front is decoupled from shoreline progradation. The delta plain of such tide-dominated deltas consists of a few distributary channels and tidal flats on top of the emerged tidal bars. The delta front clinoforms become gentler and longer, as ebb tidal currents together with river effluent efficiently transport sediment to the basin. Tide-dominated deltas tend to maintain a funnel shape and show low lobe switching rates, compared to fluvial-dominated and tide-influenced deltas. The funnel and thus river mouth position is further stabilized by fine-grained sediment accumulation on marginal tidal flats due to the flood current sediment transport. However, all these effect weaken as the deltas prograde to the shelf edge, due to the loss of vertical (and lateral) restriction and tidal amplification. Here significant tidal reworking tends to be restricted to topographic irregularities, caused by incision, delta-lobe or mouth bar deposition and avulsions, or tectonic processes. The role of such topographic restrictions is twofold, by reducing wave energy and amplifying tidal energy.

Seasonal sedimentary processes of the macrotidal flat in Gomso Bay, west coast of Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woo, H.; Kang, J.; Choi, J.

2012-12-01

The tidal flats on the west coast of Korea have broad zones with gentle slopes and a macrotidal setting with 4 to 10 meters of tidal ranges. They are directly influenced by monsoons and heavily affected by waves in winter and tidal currents in summer. As a result, most western tidal flats show the seasonal changes of sedimentary features comprising sedimentation and/or erosion of sediments. Gomso bay in the mid-west of Korea is a funnel-shaped embayment with a wide entrance to the west. Tides are semidiurnal and macrotidal, with a mean tidal range of 433.8 cm. Digital elevation model (DEM) showed that the landward inner bay had mainly high elevations and the seaward outer bay had relatively low elevations. In particular, there are considerable gradients in the outer bay from area of high-water line to area of low-water line. The sedimentary analysis and monitoring short-term sedimentation rates were investigated to understand seasonal sedimentary processes of tidal flats in Gomso bay. The surface sediments in the bay were classified into five sedimentary facies in spring 2011. Generally, sandy sediments were dominated in the outer bay, whereas sandy mud sediments were distributed on the inner bay. The middle bay mainly consisted of muddy sand sediments. The percentages of sand decreased from outer to inner bay. The short-term sedimentation rates were obtained from three lines by burying a plate at sub-bottom depth and periodically measuring the changing sediment depth from February 2011 to February 2012. In the tidal flat at inner bay (KB- Line), the annual sedimentation rates were ranged -8.87 to 74.69 mm/year with the net deposition rate of 40.90 mm/year. The deposition occurred on KB-Line in spring, autumn and winter. The erosion was dominated on the tidal flats at middle (KH-Line) and outer bay (KM-Line) during autumn and winter with an annual erosion rate of -29.86 mm/year and -9.92 mm/year, respectively. The seasonal variations of sedimentation on these tidal flats showed that the deposition occurred with an inflow of muddy sediments in summer, whereas the erosion was dominated in autumn and winter. In August 2011, the distribution patterns of rare earth elements (REEs) relative to the upper continental crust (UCC) showed the enrichment of light REEs (LREEs: La-Nd), together with an apparent depletion of Eu in the KH- and KM-Lines. This pattern was more pronounced in the middle bay sediments (KH-Line) due to influence of muddy sediment transport from Jujin Stream during the rainy period (July and August). On the other hand, the outer bay sediments in the KM-Line were reflected more inflow of second sediment source, the Geum River. The major control factors for seasonal variations of sediments on the tidal flat could be heavy rainfall and tidal currents during summer and strong waves during winter. The net sedimentation showed that the deposition occurred in the inner tidal flat and erosion occurred in the middle and outer tidal flat of the bay.

Tidal-bundle sequences in the Jordan Sandstone (Upper Cambrian), southeastern Minnesota, U.S.A.: Evidence for tides along inboard shorelines of the Sauk Epicontinental Sea

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tape, C.H.; Cowan, Clinton A.; Runkel, Anthony C.

2003-01-01

This study documents for the first time tidal bundling in a lower Paleozoic sheet sandstone from the cratonic interior of North America, providing insights into the hydrodynamics of ancient epicontinental seas. The Jordan Sandstone (Upper Cambrian) in the Upper Mississippi Valley contains large-scale planar tabular cross-sets with tidal-bundle sequences, which were analyzed in detail at an exceptional exposure. Tidal-bundle sequences (neap-spring-neap cycles) were delineated by foreset thickening-thinning patterns and composite shale drapes, the latter of which represent accumulations of mud during the neap tides of neap-spring-neap tidal cycles. Fourier analysis of the bundle thickness data from the 26 measurable bundle sequences revealed cycles ranging from 15 to 34 bundles per sequence, which suggests a semidiurnal or mixed tidal system along this part of the Late Cambrian shoreline. We extend the tidal interpretation to widespread occurrences of the same facies in outcrops of lesser quality, where the facies is recognizable but too few bundles are exposed for tidal cycles to be measured. By doing so, this study shows that tidally generated deposits have a significant geographic and temporal extent in Upper Cambrian strata of central mid-continent North America. The deposition and preservation of tidal facies was related to the intermittent development of shoreline embayments during transgressions. The tidally dominated deposits filled ravined topographies that were repeatedly developed on the updip parts of the shoreface. Resulting coastal geomorphologies, accompanied perhaps by larger-scale changes in basinal conditions and/or configuration, led to changes in depositional conditions from wave-dominated to tide-dominated. Outcrops of the Jordan Sandstone tidal facies in the Upper Mississippi Valley represent the farthest inboard recorded transmission of ocean-generated tides in the Laurentian epicontinental seas, demonstrating that tidal currents were significant agents in the transport of sand along the far cratonic interior shorelines of Cambrian North America. The results of this study improve the facies-level understanding of the genesis of sheet sandstones. Furthermore, tidalites documented here occur in a specific position within a sequence stratigraphic architecture for the Jordan Sandstone. This provides a framework to compare these ancient deposits and processes to younger (e.g., Carboniferous) epicontinental systems where stratal and sediment dynamics are better documented. ?? 2003, SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology).

Site Selection Appraisal for Tidal Turbine Development in the River Mersey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kelly, C. L.; Blanco-Davis, E.; Michailides, C.; Davies, P. A.; Wang, J.

2018-03-01

This paper used a specialist software package to produce a detailed model of the River Mersey estuary, which can be subjected to a range of simulated tidal conditions. The aim of this research was to use the validated model to identify the optimal location for the positioning of a tidal turbine. Progress was made identifying a new optimal site for power generation using velocity data produced from simulations conducted using the MIKE 3 software. This process resulted in the identification of site 8, which sits mid-river between the Morpeth Dock and the Albert Dock, being identified as the favoured location for tidal power generation in the River Mersey. Further analysis of the site found that a 17.2-m diameter single rota multidirectional turbine with a 428-kW-rated capacity could produce 1.12 GWh annually.

The impact of ice I rheology on interior models of Ganymede: The elastic vs. the visco-elastic case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steinbrügge, Gregor; Hussmann, Hauke; Sohl, Frank; Oberst, Jürgen

2015-04-01

Many investigations on key processes of icy satellites are driven by the rheological behavior of planetary ices. Future missions to Jupiter's icy moons (e.g. JUICE / Europa clipper) aimed at constraining the thickness of the outer ice shell using radio science and/or laser altimetry will have to address this problem. We investigate for the case of Ganymede under which conditions the ice I viscosity could be constrained by measuring the phase-lag of the tidal response using laser altimetry. In the absence of seismic data, interior structure models are constrained by the satellite's mean density and mean moment-of-inertia factor. One key observable to reduce the ambiguity of the corresponding structural models is the measurement of the dynamic response of the satellite's outer ice shells to tidal forces exerted by Jupiter and characterized by the body tide surface Love numbers h2 and k2. The Love number k2 measures the variation of the gravitational potential due to tidally induced internal redistribution of mass and can be inferred from radio science experiments. The Love number h2 is a measure for the tide-induced radial displacement of the satellite's surface. It is an advantage that Ganymede's surface displacement Love number h2 can be expected to be measured with a high accuracy using laser altimetry (Steinbrügge et al., 2014). However, the determination of the resulting ice thickness further depends on the possible existence of a liquid subsurface water ocean and on the tidally effective rheology of the outer ice shell (Moore and Schubert, 2003). Here, we distinguish between an elastic, visco-elastic or even fluid behavior in the sense of the Maxwell model and alternative rheological models. In the case of Ganymede the fluid case would imply high ice temperatures which are at odds with thermal equilibrium models calculated by Spohn and Schubert (2003). However the visco-elastic case is still possible. Laboratory measurements of ice I (e.g. Sotin et al., 1998) suggest that the rigidity can be constrained and the ambiguity left by the structural model can be recovered by the simultaneous determination of the linear combination 1+k2-h2 (Wahr et al., 2006). However, the less well known viscosity can play a major role when inferring the thickness of the outer ice shell. Limits for measurements by laser altimetry will be discussed. References: Moore, W.B. and Schubert, G., "The tidal response of Ganymede and Callisto with and without liquid water oceans", Icarus, vol. 16, p. 223-226, 2003 Sotin, C., Grasset, O. and Beauchesne, S., "Thermodynamic properties of high pressure ices: Implications for the dynamics and internal structure of large icy satellites" in "Solar system ices", p. 79-96, Springer Netherlands, 1998, doi:10.1007/97894-011-5252-54 Spohn, T. and Schubert, G., "Oceans in the icy Galilean satellites of Jupiter?", Icarus, vol. 161, p. 456-467, 2003, doi: 10.1016/S0019-1035(02)00048-9 Steinbrügge, G., Hussmann, H., Stark, A., and Oberst, J., "Measuring Ganymede's tidal deformation by laser altimetry: application to the GALA Experiment", EGU General Assembly 2014, Abstract 3761 Wahr, J. M., Zuber, M. T., Smith, D. E., and Lunine, J. I., "Tides on Europa, and the thickness of Europa's icy shell" Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, vol. 11, 2006. doi: 10.1029/2006JE002729

Time scales of circulation and mixing processes of San Francisco Bay waters

USGS Publications Warehouse

Walters, R.A.; Cheng, R.T.; Conomos, T.J.

1985-01-01

Conceptual models for tidal period and low-frequency variations in sea level, currents, and mixing processes in the northern and southern reaches of San Francisco Bay describe the contrasting characteristics and dissimilar processes and rates in these embayments: The northern reach is a partially mixed estuary whereas the southern reach (South Bay) is a tidally oscillating lagoon with density-driven exchanges with the northern reach. The mixed semidiurnal tides are mixtures of progressive and standing waves. The relatively simple oscillations in South Bay are nearly standing waves, with energy propagating down the channels and dispersing into the broad shoal areas. The tides of the northern reach have the general properties of a progressive wave but are altered at the constriction of the embayments and gradually change in an upstream direction to a mixture of progressive and standing waves. The spring and neap variations of the tides are pronounced and cause fortnightly varying tidal currents that affect mixing and salinity stratification in the water column. Wind stress on the water surface, freshwater inflow, and tidal currents interacting with the complex bay configuration are the major local forcing mechanisms creating low-frequency variations in sea level and currents. These local forcing mechanisms drive the residual flows which, with tidal diffusion, control the water-replacement rates in the estuary. In the northern reach, the longitudinal density gradient drives an estuarine circulation in the channels, and the spatial variation in tidal amplitude creates a tidally-driven residual circulation. In contrast, South Bay exhibits a balance between wind-driven circulation and tidally-driven residual circulation for most of the year. During winter, however, there can be sufficient density variations to drive multilayer (2 to 3) flows in the channel of South Bay. Mixing models (that include both diffusive and dispersive processes) are based on time scales associated with salt variations at the boundaries and those associated with the local forcing mechanisms, while the spatial scales of variations are dependent upon the configuration of the embayments. In the northern reach, where the estuarine circulation is strong, the salt flux is carried by the mean advection of the mean salt field. Where large salinity gradients are present, the tidal correlation part of the salt flux is of the same order as the advective part. Our knowledge of mixing and exchange rates in South Bay is poor. As this embayment is nearly isohaline, the salt flux is dominated entirely by the mean advection of the mean salt field. During and after peaks in river discharge, water mixing becomes more dynamic, with a strong density-driven current creating a net exchange of both water mass and salt. These exchanges are stronger during neap tides. Residence times of the water masses vary seasonally and differ between reaches. In the northern reach, residence times are on the order of days for high winter river discharge and of months for summer periods. The residence times for South Bay are fairly long (on the order of several months) during summer, and typically shorter (less than a month) during winter when density-driven exchanges occur. ?? 1985 Dr W. Junk Publishers.

Tidal dissipation in the Moon. Learning from the "incorrect" frequency dependence measured by the LLR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efroimsky, M.

2012-09-01

It was demonstrated back in 2001 that fitting of the LLR data results in the quality factor Q of the Moon scaling as the frequency ξ to a negative power [8]: Q ˜ ξp , where p = -0.19 . (1) At the same time, numerous measurements by various seismological teams agree on the exponent being positive, not negative [4]. The positive sign of the exponent stems also from geodetic measurements [1], and it finds its explanation within the theory of friction in minerals [5]. On all these grounds, the aforementioned finding by the LLR team appears to be implausible and to disagree with the conventional wisdom of solid state mechanics and seismology. A later reexamination in [9] rendered a less upsetting value, p = -0.09 , which was still negative and still seemed to contradict our knowledge of microphysical processes in solids. The authors later wrote [10]: "There is a weak dependence of tidal specific dissipation Q on period. The Q increases from ˜ 30 at a month to ˜ 35 at one year. Q for rock is expected to have a weak dependence on tidal period, but it is expected to decrease with period rather than increase. The frequency dependence of Q deserves further attention and should be improved." A possible explanation of this paradox comes from the observation that the LLR measurements provided information on the tidal and not seismic dissipation. The difference between these two processes comes from self-gravitation of the celestial body. To address the problem accurately, one has to calculate the tidal factors kl sin ɛl showing up in the Darwin-Kaula expansion for the tidal torque or force. Here kl is the degree-l Love number, while ɛl is the appropriate tidal lag. Sometimes sin ɛl is denoted with 1/Q , which is not recommended, because this notation does not distinguish between the tidal reaction appropriate to harmonics of different degree. This notation also puts one at risk of confusing the tidal damping with the seismic damping, two process that have much in common but are nevertheless different [2, 3]. The factors kl sin ɛl are functions of the tidal modes ωlmpq , where lmpq are integers used to number the modes. (The tidal modes can be either positive or negative, while the appropriate tidal forcing frequencies in the mantle, ξlmpq = | ωlmpq | , are positively defined.) So the lmpq term in the expansion of tide is proportional to kl(ωlmpq) sin ɛl(ωlmpq) . An accurate calculation demonstrates that for realistic rheologies the tidal factors kl sin ɛl have a maximum at a frequency, which is (for not too large bodies) about the inverse Maxwell time [2, 3]. In the zerofrequency limit, the factors go smoothly through nil and change their sign, a natural behaviour saving the theory from an infinite torque or force at a resonance crossing. As the small negative exponent was derived from LLR observations over periods of a month to a year, we see that the appropriate frequencies were close to or slightly below the frequency at which the factor k2 sin ɛ2 has its peak. Taken that the said frequency is not very different from the inverse Maxwell time, we estimate the typical viscosity η of the Lunar mantle as2 Such a low viscosity may indicate that the lower lunar mantle contains a high percentage of partial melt. This interpretation goes along with the model developed in [6] and advocated later in [8] and [10]. It also agrees with the recent model offered in [7].

Dark Matter in Ultra-diffuse Galaxies in the Virgo Cluster from Their Globular Cluster Populations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toloba, Elisa; Lim, Sungsoon; Peng, Eric; Sales, Laura V.; Guhathakurta, Puragra; Mihos, J. Christopher; Côté, Patrick; Boselli, Alessandro; Cuillandre, Jean-Charles; Ferrarese, Laura; Gwyn, Stephen; Lançon, Ariane; Muñoz, Roberto; Puzia, Thomas

2018-04-01

We present Keck/DEIMOS spectroscopy of globular clusters (GCs) around the ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) VLSB‑B, VLSB‑D, and VCC615 located in the central regions of the Virgo cluster. We spectroscopically identify 4, 12, and 7 GC satellites of these UDGs, respectively. We find that the three UDGs have systemic velocities (V sys) consistent with being in the Virgo cluster, and that they span a wide range of velocity dispersions, from ∼16 to ∼47 km s‑1, and high dynamical mass-to-light ratios within the radius that contains half the number of GCs ({407}-407+916, {21}-11+15, {60}-38+65, respectively). VLSB‑D shows possible evidence for rotation along the stellar major axis and its V sys is consistent with that of the massive galaxy M84 and the center of the Virgo cluster itself. These findings, in addition to having a dynamically and spatially (∼1 kpc) off-centered nucleus and being extremely elongated, suggest that VLSB‑D could be tidally perturbed. On the contrary, VLSB‑B and VCC615 show no signs of tidal deformation. Whereas the dynamics of VLSB‑D suggest that it has a less massive dark matter halo than expected for its stellar mass, VLSB‑B and VCC615 are consistent with a ∼1012 M ⊙ dark matter halo. Although our samples of galaxies and GCs are small, these results suggest that UDGs may be a diverse population, with their low surface brightnesses being the result of very early formation, tidal disruption, or a combination of the two.

A Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography Comparison of Healthy vs. Asthmatic Human Lungs

PubMed Central

Jahani, Nariman; Choi, Sanghun; Choi, Jiwoong; Haghighi, Babak; Hoffman, Eric A.; Comellas, Alejandro P.; Kline, Joel N.; Lin, Ching-Long

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to explore new insights in non-linearity, hysteresis and ventilation heterogeneity of asthmatic human lungs using four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) image data acquired during tidal breathing. Volumetric image data were acquired for 5 non-severe and one severe asthmatic volunteers. Besides 4D-CT image data, function residual capacity and total lung capacity image data during breath-hold were acquired for comparison with dynamic scans. Quantitative results were compared with the previously reported analysis of five healthy human lungs. Using an image registration technique, local variables such as regional ventilation and anisotropic deformation index (ADI) were estimated. Regional ventilation characteristics of non-severe asthmatic subjects were similar to those of healthy subjects, but different from the severe asthmatic subject. Lobar airflow fractions were also well correlated between static and dynamic scans (R2 > 0.84). However, local ventilation heterogeneity significantly increased during tidal breathing in both healthy and asthmatic subjects relative to that of breath-hold perhaps because of airway resistance present only in dynamic breathing. ADI was used to quantify non-linearity and hysteresis of lung motion during tidal breathing. Nonlinearity was greater on inhalation than exhalation among all subjects. However, exhalation nonlinearity among asthmatic subjects was greater than healthy subjects and the difference diminished during inhalation. An increase of non-linearity during exhalation in asthmatic subjects accounted for lower hysteresis relative to that of healthy ones. Thus, assessment of nonlinearity differences between healthy and asthmatic lungs during exhalation may provide quantitative metrics for subject identification and outcome assessment of new interventions. PMID:28372795

How does a tidal embayment morphodynamically react on sea level rise?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Wegen, Mick

2010-05-01

Conditions for (assumed) equilibrium in tidal embayments have been studied extensively in the past years with morphodynamic 1D models (Van Dongeren and De Vriend, 1994; Schuttelaars and de Swart, 1996, 2000; Lanzoni and Seminara, 2002) and 2D models (Hibma et al. [2003], Van der Wegen and Roelvink [2008]) Van der Wegen et al 2008). The current research addresses the impact of sea level rise on tidal embayments. Although effects of sea level rise may only become apparent after decades, the character of the embayment can change considerably. Examples are the (dis)appearance or re-allocation of intertidal flats, increased tidal resonance, shift from sediment export to import, deepening of channel area and other related (ecological) parameters. The research applies a 2D morphodynamic model (Delft3D) in an idealized environment. The model is based on the 2 D shallow water equations, the Engelund -Hansen transport formula and includes bed slope effects, drying and flooding procedures and an advanced morphodynamic update scheme (Roelvink 2006). The initial condition of the bathymetry is generated by 3000 years of morphodynamic calculations in a 80 km long and 2.5 km wide rectangular tidal embayment under constant M2 tidal forcing conditions (Van der Wegen and Roelvink [2008]). After this period sea level rise gradually developing towards a rate of 0.4 m/century is added to the boundary conditions. Model results describe development towards less intertidal area and a transition from an exporting system to a importing system. Model results are evaluated in terms of M2, M4 and M6 tidal constituents as well as against Vs/Vc (shoal volume over channel volume) versus a/h (amplitude over water depth) relationship as proposed by Friedrichs and Aubrey (1988). Although the model describes morphodynamic development in a strongly idealized environment the results can provide an excellent tool to systematically study the impact of sea level rise in tidal embayments as well as the time scales of dominant underlying resulting transport mechanisms and processes. DISSANAYAKE, D.M.P.K; RANASINGHE, R. and ROELVINK, J.A., 2009. Effect of Sea Level Rise in tidal inlet evolution: a numerical modelling approach. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 56 (Proceedings of the 10th International Coastal Symposium), pg - pg. Lisbon, Portugal. Friedrichs, C. T., and D. G. Aubrey (1988), Non-linear tidal distortion in shallow well mixed estuaries: A synthesis, Estuarine Coastal Shelf Sci.,27, 521- 545, doi:10.1016/0272-7714(88)90082-0. Hibma, A., H.M. Schuttelaars, and H. J. de Vriend (2003b), Initial formation and long-term evolution of channel-shoal patterns in estuaries, in Proc. 3rd RCEM conf.edited by A. Sánchez -Acrilla and A. Bateman, pp. 740-760, IAHR., Barcelona, Spain. Lanzoni, S., and G. Seminara (2002), Long-term evolution and morphodynamic equilibrium of tidal channels, J. Geophys. Res., 107(C1), 3001, doi:10.1029/2000JC000468. Roelvink, J. A. (2006), Coastal morphodynamic evolution techniques, J. Coastal Eng., 53, 177-187. Schuttelaars, H. M., and H. E. De Swart (1996), An idealized long termmorphodynamic model of a tidal embayment, Eur. J. Mech. B Fluids, 15(1), 55-80. Schuttelaars, H. M., and H. E. De Swart (2000), Multiple morphodynamic equilibria in tidal embayments, J. Geophys. Res., 105(C10), 24,105 - 24,118. Van Dongeren, A. D., and H. J. De Vriend (1994), A model of morphological behaviour of tidal basins, Coastal Eng., 22, 287- 310. van der Wegen, M., and J. A. Roelvink (2008), Long-term morphodynamic evolution of a tidal embayment using a twodimensional, process-based model, J. Geophys. Res., 113, C03016, doi:10.1029/2006JC003983 van der Wegen, M., Z. B. Wang, H. H. G. Savenije, and J. A. Roelvink (2008), Long-term morphodynamic evolution and energy dissipation in a coastal plain, tidal embayment, J. Geophys. Res., 113, F03001, doi:10.1029/2007JF000898

Seismic source characteristics of the intraslab 2017 Chiapas-Mexico earthquake (Mw8.2)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiménez, César

2018-07-01

Inversion of the parameters characterising the seismic source of the instraslab 2017 Chiapas Mexico earthquake (Mw 8.2) shows a simple rupture process with a unidirectional propagation and directivity towards the North-West and a duration of the rupture process around 75 s. The initial point source values of strike, dip and rake are 316°, 80° and -91° respectively. The focal mechanism indicates a normal fault type within the oceanic Cocos plate, with an almost vertical fault plane for a focal depth of 59 km. The seismic data was obtained from 51 seismic stations of the global seismic network IRIS for the epicentral distances between 30° and 90°. In the finite-fault inversion, 75 seismic signals between P and SH waves were used. The epicenter is on the southeast margin of the large slip zone which extends 75 km to the northwest, this large slip zone is located to the south of the city of Arriaga. The scalar seismic moment was estimated at 2.55 ×1021Nm , equivalent to a moment magnitude of Mw 8.2. The maximum dislocation or slip is 14.5 m. As a coseismic effect, a local tsunami was generated, recorded by several tidal gauges and offshore buoys. The deformation pattern shows a coastal uplift and subsidence.

GIAnT - Generic InSAR Analysis Toolbox

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agram, P.; Jolivet, R.; Riel, B. V.; Simons, M.; Doin, M.; Lasserre, C.; Hetland, E. A.

2012-12-01

We present a computing framework for studying the spatio-temporal evolution of ground deformation from interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data. Several open-source tools including Repeat Orbit Interferometry PACkage (ROI-PAC) and InSAR Scientific Computing Environment (ISCE) from NASA-JPL, and Delft Object-oriented Repeat Interferometric Software (DORIS), have enabled scientists to generate individual interferograms from raw radar data with relative ease. Numerous computational techniques and algorithms that reduce phase information from multiple interferograms to a deformation time-series have been developed and verified over the past decade. However, the sharing and direct comparison of products from multiple processing approaches has been hindered by - 1) absence of simple standards for sharing of estimated time-series products, 2) use of proprietary software tools with license restrictions and 3) the closed source nature of the exact implementation of many of these algorithms. We have developed this computing framework to address all of the above issues. We attempt to take the first steps towards creating a community software repository for InSAR time-series analysis. To date, we have implemented the short baseline subset algorithm (SBAS), NSBAS and multi-scale interferometric time-series (MInTS) in this framework and the associated source code is included in the GIAnT distribution. A number of the associated routines have been optimized for performance and scalability with large data sets. Some of the new features in our processing framework are - 1) the use of daily solutions from continuous GPS stations to correct for orbit errors, 2) the use of meteorological data sets to estimate the tropospheric delay screen and 3) a data-driven bootstrapping approach to estimate the uncertainties associated with estimated time-series products. We are currently working on incorporating tidal load corrections for individual interferograms and propagation of noise covariance models through the processing chain for robust estimation of uncertainties in the deformation estimates. We will demonstrate the ease of use of our framework with results ranging from regional scale analysis around Long Valley, CA and Parkfield, CA to continental scale analysis in Western South America. We will also present preliminary results from a new time-series approach that simultaneously estimates deformation over the complete spatial domain at all time epochs on a distributed computing platform. GIAnT has been developed entirely using open source tools and uses Python as the underlying platform. We build on the extensive numerical (NumPy) and scientific (SciPy) computing Python libraries to develop an object-oriented, flexible and modular framework for time-series InSAR applications. The toolbox is currently configured to work with outputs from ROI-PAC, ISCE and DORIS, but can easily be extended to support products from other SAR/InSAR processors. The toolbox libraries include support for hierarchical data format (HDF5) memory mapped files, parallel processing with Python's multi-processing module and support for many convex optimization solvers like CSDP, CVXOPT etc. An extensive set of routines to deal with ASCII and XML files has also been included for controlling the processing parameters.

The Tidal Model: developing an empowering, person-centred approach to recovery within psychiatric and mental health nursing.

PubMed

Barker, P

2001-06-01

Nursing theories and nursing models have a low profile within psychiatric and mental health nursing in the United Kingdom. This paper describes the philosophical and theoretical background of the Tidal Model, which emerged from a 5-year study of the 'need for psychiatric nursing'. The Tidal Model extends and develops some of the traditional assumptions concerning the centrality of interpersonal relations within nursing practice. The model also integrates discrete processes for re-empowering the person who is disempowered by mental distress or psychiatric services or both. The paper reports briefly on the ongoing evaluation of the model in practice.

Dynamical evolution of globular-cluster systems in clusters of galaxies

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

Muzzio, J.C.

1987-04-01

The dynamical processes that affect globular-cluster systems in clusters of galaxies are analyzed. Two-body and impulsive approximations are utilized to study dynamical friction, drag force, tidal stripping, tidal radii, globular-cluster swapping, tidal accretion, and galactic cannibalism. The evolution of galaxies and the collision of galaxies are simulated numerically; the steps involved in the simulation are described. The simulated data are compared with observations. Consideration is given to the number of galaxies, halo extension, location of the galaxies, distribution of the missing mass, nonequilibrium initial conditions, mass dependence, massive central galaxies, globular-cluster distribution, and lost globular clusters. 116 references.

Understanding coastal processes to assist with coastal erosion management in Darwin Harbour, Northern Territory, Australia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tonyes, S. G.; Wasson, R. J.; Munksgaard, N. C.; Evans, K. G.; Brinkman, R.; Williams, D. K.

2017-02-01

Sand transport pathways in Darwin Harbour, Northern Territory, Australia, are being investigated to assist with coastal management. Coastal erosion, which threatens public and private infrastructure, is one of the major problems along the harbour beaches. A study of sediment transport is essential to identify the challenges encountered by the stakeholders in coastal management. Darwin Harbour, located in the tropical, cyclone prone area of Australia, was, until recently, considered a near pristine estuary. A semi-diurnal macro-tidal embayment, the tidal variation in the harbour reaches up to 8 m with a mean tidal range of 3.7 m. The beach morphology consists of sandy pocket beaches between coastal cliffs, sandbars, rocky shore platforms, tidal flats and mangrove fringes. A two-dimensional depth averaged finite-element hydrodynamic model (RMA-2), coupled with a sediment transport model (RMA-11) from Resource Modelling Associates, has been used to infer the sources and the depositional areas of sand in the harbour. Grain size distributions and geochemical analysis are also used to characterize the sand and its source(s). Initial results show that the beach sand is mostly of offshore origin with small sand input from the rivers. Potential supplementary sand sources are the eroded materials from the shore platforms and the rocky cliffs. Due to the rapid development in Darwin Harbour, this study is fundamental in understanding coastal processes to support decision making in coastal management, particularly in a macro-tidal, tropical estuary.

Crustal displacements due to continental water loading

USGS Publications Warehouse

Van Dam, T.; Wahr, J.; Milly, P.C.D.; Shmakin, A.B.; Blewitt, G.; Lavallee, D.; Larson, K.M.

2001-01-01

The effects of long-wavelength (> 100 km), seasonal variability in continental water storage on vertical crustal motions are assessed. The modeled vertical displacements (??rM) have root-mean-square (RMS) values for 1994-1998 as large as 8 mm, with ranges up to 30 mm, and are predominantly annual in character. Regional strains are on the order of 20 nanostrain for tilt and 5 nanostrain for horizontal deformation. We compare ??rM with observed Global Positioning System (GPS) heights (??rO) (which include adjustments to remove estimated effects of atmospheric pressure and annual tidal and non-tidal ocean loading) for 147 globally distributed sites. When the ??rO time series are adjusted by ??rM, their variances are reduced, on average, by an amount equal to the variance of the ??rM. Of the ??rO time series exhibiting a strong annual signal, more than half are found to have an annual harmonic that is in phase and of comparable amplitude with the annual harmonic in the ??rM. The ??rM time series exhibit long-period variations that could be mistaken for secular tectonic trends or post-glacial rebound when observed over a time span of a few years.

Low-mass neutron stars: universal relations, the nuclear symmetry energy and gravitational radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O. Silva, Hector; Berti, Emanuele; Sotani, Hajime

2016-03-01

Compact objects such as neutron stars are ideal astrophysical laboratories to test our understanding of the fundamental interactions in the regime of supranuclear densities, unachievable by terrestrial experiments. Despite recent progress, the description of matter (i.e., the equation of state) at such densities is still debatable. This translates into uncertainties in the bulk properties of neutron stars, masses and radii for instance. Here we will consider low-mass neutron stars. Such stars are expected to carry important information on nuclear matter near the nuclear saturation point. It has recently been shown that the masses and surface redshifts of low-mass neutron stars smoothly depend on simple functions of the central density and of a characteristic parameter η associated with the choice of equation of state. Here we extend these results to slowly-rotating and tidally deformed stars and obtain empirical relations for various quantities, such as the moment of inertia, quadrupole moment and ellipticity, tidal and rotational Love numbers, and rotational apsidal constants. We discuss how these relations might be used to constrain the equation of state by future observations in the electromagnetic and gravitational-wave spectra.

Spin-orbit coupling for tidally evolving super-Earths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodríguez, A.; Callegari, N.; Michtchenko, T. A.; Hussmann, H.

2012-12-01

We investigate the spin behaviour of close-in rocky planets and the implications for their orbital evolution. Considering that the planet rotation evolves under simultaneous actions of the torque due to the equatorial deformation and the tidal torque, both raised by the central star, we analyse the possibility of temporary captures in spin-orbit resonances. The results of the numerical simulations of the exact equations of motions indicate that, whenever the planet rotation is trapped in a resonant motion, the orbital decay and the eccentricity damping are faster than the ones in which the rotation follows the so-called pseudo-synchronization. Analytical results obtained through the averaged equations of the spin-orbit problem show a good agreement with the numerical simulations. We apply the analysis to the cases of the recently discovered hot super-Earths Kepler-10 b, GJ 3634 b and 55 Cnc e. The simulated dynamical history of these systems indicates the possibility of capture in several spin-orbit resonances; particularly, GJ 3634 b and 55 Cnc e can currently evolve under a non-synchronous resonant motion for suitable values of the parameters. Moreover, 55 Cnc e may avoid a chaotic rotation behaviour by evolving towards synchronization through successive temporary resonant trappings.

Evidence for a subsurface ocean on Europa.

PubMed

Carr, M H; Belton, M J; Chapman, C R; Davies, M E; Geissler, P; Greenberg, R; McEwen, A S; Tufts, B R; Greeley, R; Sullivan, R; Head, J W; Pappalardo, R T; Klaasen, K P; Johnson, T V; Kaufman, J; Senske, D; Moore, J; Neukum, G; Schubert, G; Burns, J A; Thomas, P; Veverka, J

1998-01-22

Ground-based spectroscopy of Jupiter's moon Europa, combined with gravity data, suggests that the satellite has an icy crust roughly 150 km thick and a rocky interior. In addition, images obtained by the Voyager spacecraft revealed that Europa's surface is crossed by numerous intersecting ridges and dark bands (called lineae) and is sparsely cratered, indicating that the terrain is probably significantly younger than that of Ganymede and Callisto. It has been suggested that Europa's thin outer ice shell might be separated from the moon's silicate interior by a liquid water layer, delayed or prevented from freezing by tidal heating; in this model, the lineae could be explained by repetitive tidal deformation of the outer ice shell. However, observational confirmation of a subsurface ocean was largely frustrated by the low resolution (>2 km per pixel) of the Voyager images. Here we present high-resolution (54 m per pixel) Galileo spacecraft images of Europa, in which we find evidence for mobile 'icebergs'. The detailed morphology of the terrain strongly supports the presence of liquid water at shallow depths below the surface, either today or at some time in the past. Moreover, lower-resolution observations of much larger regions suggest that the phenomena reported here are widespread.

Evidence for a subsurface ocean on Europa

USGS Publications Warehouse

Carr, M.H.; Belton, M.J.S.; Chapman, C.R.; Davies, M.E.; Geissler, P.; Greenberg, R.; McEwen, A.S.; Tufts, B.R.; Greeley, R.; Sullivan, R.; Head, J.W.; Pappalardo, R.T.; Klaasen, K.P.; Johnson, T.V.; Kaufman, J.; Senske, D.; Moore, J.; Neukum, G.; Schubert, G.; Burns, J.A.; Thomas, P.; Veverka, J.

1998-01-01

Ground-based spectroscopy of Jupiter's moon Europa, combined with gravity data, suggests that the satellite has an icy crust roughly 150 km thick and a rocky interior. In addition, images obtained by the Voyager spacecraft revealed that Europa's surface is crossed by numerous intersecting ridges and dark bands (called lineae) and is sparsely cratered, indicating that the terrain is probably significantly younger than that of Ganymede and Callisto. It has been suggested that Europa's thin outer ice shell might be separated from the moon's silicate interior by a liquid water layer, delayed or prevented from freezing by tidal heating; in this model, the lineae could be explained by repetitive tidal deformation of the outer ice shell. However, observational confirmation of a subsurface ocean was largely frustrated by the low resolution (>2 km per pixel) of the Voyager images. Here we present high-resolution (54 m per pixel) Galileo spacecraft images of Europa, in which we find evidence for mobile 'icebergs'. The detailed morphology of the terrain strongly supports the presence of liquid water at shallow depths below the surface, either today or at some time in the past. Moreover, lower- resolution observations of much larger regions suggest that the phenomena reported here are widespread.

Time series analysis for the estimation of tidal fluctuation effect on different aquifers in a small coastal area of Saijo plain, Ehime prefecture, Japan.

PubMed

Kumar, Pankaj; Tsujimura, Maki; Nakano, Takanori; Minoru, Tokumasu

2013-04-01

Considering the current poor understanding of the seawater-freshwater (SW-FW) interaction pattern at dynamic hydro-geological boundary of coastal aquifers, this work strives to study tidal effect on groundwater quality using chemical tracers combined with environmental isotopes. In situ measurement data of electrical conductivity and groundwater level along with laboratory measurement data of hydro-chemical species were compared with tidal level data measured by Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department, Saijo City, Japan for time series analysis. Result shows that diurnal tides have significant effect on groundwater level as well as its chemical characteristics; however, the magnitude of effect is different in case of different aquifers. Various scatter diagrams were plotted in order to infer mechanisms responsible for water quality change with tidal phase, and results show that cations exchange, selective movement and local SW-FW mixing were likely to be the main processes responsible for water quality changes. It was also found that geological structure of the aquifers is the most important factor affecting the intensity of tidal effect on water quality.

Evidence for tidal triggering on the earthquakes of the Hellenic Arc, Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vergos, G.; Arabelos, D. N.; Contadakis, M. E.

2015-12-01

In this paper we investigate the tidal triggering evidence on the earthquakes of the seismic area of the Hellenic Arc using the Hist(ogram)Cum(mulation) method. We analyze the series of the earthquakes occurred in the area which is confined by the longitudes 22° and 28°E and latitudes 34° and 36°N in the time period from 1964 to 2012. In this time period 16,137 shallow and of intermediate depth earthquakes with ML up to 6.0 and 1,482 deep earthquakes with ML up to 6.2 occurred. The result of the this analysis indicate that the monthly variation of the frequencies of earthquake occurrence is in accordance with the period of the tidal lunar monthly variations, and the same happens with the corresponding daily variations of the frequencies of earthquake occurrence with the diurnal luni-solar (K1) and semidiurnal solar (S2) tidal variations. These results are in favor of a tidal triggering process on earthquakes when the stress in the focal area is near the critical level.

Tidal evolution of the Moon from a high-obliquity, high-angular-momentum Earth.

PubMed

Ćuk, Matija; Hamilton, Douglas P; Lock, Simon J; Stewart, Sarah T

2016-11-17

In the giant-impact hypothesis for lunar origin, the Moon accreted from an equatorial circum-terrestrial disk; however, the current lunar orbital inclination of five degrees requires a subsequent dynamical process that is still unclear. In addition, the giant-impact theory has been challenged by the Moon's unexpectedly Earth-like isotopic composition. Here we show that tidal dissipation due to lunar obliquity was an important effect during the Moon's tidal evolution, and the lunar inclination in the past must have been very large, defying theoretical explanations. We present a tidal evolution model starting with the Moon in an equatorial orbit around an initially fast-spinning, high-obliquity Earth, which is a probable outcome of giant impacts. Using numerical modelling, we show that the solar perturbations on the Moon's orbit naturally induce a large lunar inclination and remove angular momentum from the Earth-Moon system. Our tidal evolution model supports recent high-angular-momentum, giant-impact scenarios to explain the Moon's isotopic composition and provides a new pathway to reach Earth's climatically favourable low obliquity.

On tide-induced Lagrangian residual current and residual transport: 1. Lagrangian residual current

USGS Publications Warehouse

Feng, Shizuo; Cheng, Ralph T.; Pangen, Xi

1986-01-01

Residual currents in tidal estuaries and coastal embayments have been recognized as fundamental factors which affect the long-term transport processes. It has been pointed out by previous studies that it is more relevant to use a Lagrangian mean velocity than an Eulerian mean velocity to determine the movements of water masses. Under weakly nonlinear approximation, the parameter k, which is the ratio of the net displacement of a labeled water mass in one tidal cycle to the tidal excursion, is assumed to be small. Solutions for tides, tidal current, and residual current have been considered for two-dimensional, barotropic estuaries and coastal seas. Particular attention has been paid to the distinction between the Lagrangian and Eulerian residual currents. When k is small, the first-order Lagrangian residual is shown to be the sum of the Eulerian residual current and the Stokes drift. The Lagrangian residual drift velocity or the second-order Lagrangian residual current has been shown to be dependent on the phase of tidal current. The Lagrangian drift velocity is induced by nonlinear interactions between tides, tidal currents, and the first-order residual currents, and it takes the form of an ellipse on a hodograph plane. Several examples are given to further demonstrate the unique properties of the Lagrangian residual current.

High-Accuracy Tidal Flat Digital Elevation Model Construction Using TanDEM-X Science Phase Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Seung-Kuk; Ryu, Joo-Hyung

2017-01-01

This study explored the feasibility of using TanDEM-X (TDX) interferometric observations of tidal flats for digital elevation model (DEM) construction. Our goal was to generate high-precision DEMs in tidal flat areas, because accurate intertidal zone data are essential for monitoring coastal environment sand erosion processes. To monitor dynamic coastal changes caused by waves, currents, and tides, very accurate DEMs with high spatial resolution are required. The bi- and monostatic modes of the TDX interferometer employed during the TDX science phase provided a great opportunity for highly accurate intertidal DEM construction using radar interferometry with no time lag (bistatic mode) or an approximately 10-s temporal baseline (monostatic mode) between the master and slave synthetic aperture radar image acquisitions. In this study, DEM construction in tidal flat areas was first optimized based on the TDX system parameters used in various TDX modes. We successfully generated intertidal zone DEMs with 57-m spatial resolutions and interferometric height accuracies better than 0.15 m for three representative tidal flats on the west coast of the Korean Peninsula. Finally, we validated these TDX DEMs against real-time kinematic-GPS measurements acquired in two tidal flat areas; the correlation coefficient was 0.97 with a root mean square error of 0.20 m.

Bacterial community structure and function shift along a successional series of tidal flats in the Yellow River Delta

PubMed Central

Lv, Xiaofei; Ma, Bin; Yu, Junbao; Chang, Scott X.; Xu, Jianming; Li, Yunzhao; Wang, Guangmei; Han, Guangxuan; Bo, Guan; Chu, Xiaojing

2016-01-01

Coastal ecosystems play significant ecological and economic roles but are threatened and facing decline. Microbes drive various biogeochemical processes in coastal ecosystems. Tidal flats are critical components of coastal ecosystems; however, the structure and function of microbial communities in tidal flats are poorly understood. Here we investigated the seasonal variations of bacterial communities along a tidal flat series (subtidal, intertidal and supratidal flats) and the factors affecting the variations. Bacterial community composition and diversity were analyzed over four seasons by 16S rRNA genes using the Ion Torrent PGM platform. Bacterial community composition differed significantly along the tidal flat series. Bacterial phylogenetic diversity increased while phylogenetic turnover decreased from subtidal to supratidal flats. Moreover, the bacterial community structure differed seasonally. Canonical correspondence analysis identified salinity as a major environmental factor structuring the microbial community in the sediment along the successional series. Meanwhile, temperature and nitrite concentration were major drivers of seasonal microbial changes. Despite major compositional shifts, nitrogen, methane and energy metabolisms predicted by PICRUSt were inhibited in the winter. Taken together, this study indicates that bacterial community structure changed along the successional tidal flat series and provides new insights on the characteristics of bacterial communities in coastal ecosystems. PMID:27824160

Bacterial community structure and function shift along a successional series of tidal flats in the Yellow River Delta.

PubMed

Lv, Xiaofei; Ma, Bin; Yu, Junbao; Chang, Scott X; Xu, Jianming; Li, Yunzhao; Wang, Guangmei; Han, Guangxuan; Bo, Guan; Chu, Xiaojing

2016-11-08

Coastal ecosystems play significant ecological and economic roles but are threatened and facing decline. Microbes drive various biogeochemical processes in coastal ecosystems. Tidal flats are critical components of coastal ecosystems; however, the structure and function of microbial communities in tidal flats are poorly understood. Here we investigated the seasonal variations of bacterial communities along a tidal flat series (subtidal, intertidal and supratidal flats) and the factors affecting the variations. Bacterial community composition and diversity were analyzed over four seasons by 16S rRNA genes using the Ion Torrent PGM platform. Bacterial community composition differed significantly along the tidal flat series. Bacterial phylogenetic diversity increased while phylogenetic turnover decreased from subtidal to supratidal flats. Moreover, the bacterial community structure differed seasonally. Canonical correspondence analysis identified salinity as a major environmental factor structuring the microbial community in the sediment along the successional series. Meanwhile, temperature and nitrite concentration were major drivers of seasonal microbial changes. Despite major compositional shifts, nitrogen, methane and energy metabolisms predicted by PICRUSt were inhibited in the winter. Taken together, this study indicates that bacterial community structure changed along the successional tidal flat series and provides new insights on the characteristics of bacterial communities in coastal ecosystems.

A Long-Term Space Astrophysics Research Program. An X-Ray Perspective of the Components and Structure of Galaxies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fabbiano, G.

1998-01-01

We present optical and archival X-ray data on the disturbed morphology radio elliptical NGC 1316 (Fornax A) that displays numerous low surface brightness shells, loops and tails. An extended (81x27 min or 9x3 kpc) emission line region (EELR) at a projected distance of 35 kpc from the nucleus has been discovered in a approximately 9Ox35 kpc, approximately 3.Ox1O(solar luminosity(B)) tidal tail. The position and extreme size of the EELR suggest it is related to the merger process. We suggest that the ionization mechanism of the EELR is shock excitation, and the gas is remnant from the merger progenitor. X-ray emission is detected near two tidal tails. Hot, approximately 5 x 10(exp 6)K gas is probably the predominant gas component in the tidal tail ISM. However based on the current tidal tail (cold + warm + hot) gas mass, a large fraction of the tidal tail progenitor gas may already reside in the nucleus of NGC 1316. The numerous and varied tidal tail system suggests that a disk-disk or disk-E merger could have taken place greater than or equal to 1 Gyr ago, whilst a low mass, gas rich galaxy started to merge approximately 0.5 Gyr ago.

Evolution of Deformation Studies on Active Hawaiian Volcanoes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Decker, Robert W.; Okamura, Arnold; Miklius, Asta; Poland, Michael

2008-01-01

Everything responds to pressure, even rocks. Deformation studies involve measuring and interpreting the changes in elevations and horizontal positions of the land surface or sea floor. These studies are variously referred to as geodetic changes or ground-surface deformations and are sometimes indexed under the general heading of geodesy. Deformation studies have been particularly useful on active volcanoes and in active tectonic areas. A great amount of time and energy has been spent on measuring geodetic changes on Kilauea and Mauna Loa Volcanoes in Hawai`i. These changes include the build-up of the surface by the piling up and ponding of lava flows, the changes in the surface caused by erosion, and the uplift, subsidence, and horizontal displacements of the surface caused by internal processes acting beneath the surface. It is these latter changes that are the principal concern of this review. A complete and objective review of deformation studies on active Hawaiian volcanoes would take many volumes. Instead, we attempt to follow the evolution of the most significant observations and interpretations in a roughly chronological way. It is correct to say that this is a subjective review. We have spent years measuring and recording deformation changes on these great volcanoes and more years trying to understand what makes these changes occur. We attempt to make this a balanced as well as a subjective review; the references are also selective rather than exhaustive. Geodetic changes caused by internal geologic processes vary in magnitude from the nearly infinitesimal - one micron or less, to the very large - hundreds of meters. Their apparent causes also are varied and include changes in material properties and composition, atmospheric pressure, tidal stress, thermal stress, subsurface-fluid pressure (including magma pressure, magma intrusion, or magma removal), gravity, and tectonic stress. Deformation is measured in units of strain or displacement. For example, tilt of the ground surface on the rim of Kilauea Caldera is measured in microradians, a strain unit that gives the change in angle from some reference. The direction in which the tilt is measured must be defined - north or south, or some direction normal to the maximum changes. For displacements related to surface faulting, the changes are normally given in linear measures of offset. Changes in the diameter of a caldera can be given in either displacements or strain units. In the later case, the displacement divided by the 'original' diameter gives the strain ratio. Strains are dimensionless numbers; displacements have the dimensions of length. Vectors commonly are used to show the direction and amount of displacements in plan view. Strain results from stress. It can be elastic strain, when the strain is linearly related to stress and is recoverable; it can be viscous strain, where the rate of strain is proportional to the stress and is not recoverable; or it can be plastic strain that is often some complex stress-strain relationship, for example, elastic up to some yield strength and viscous beyond. Volcanic rocks are brittle when cold and under near-surface pressures but plastic to viscous under higher temperature and pressure regimes. It is important in deformation studies to try to define the nature of the strain and the rheology of the rocks being deformed. A good text on rheology is 'The Structure and Rheology of Complex Fluids' by R.G. Larson, 1999. Under changing tensional or compressional stresses, tiny cracks in brittle rocks may open or close, causing a quasielastic strain response. If the stresses exceed the breaking strength of the rock, brittle failure occurs, and the stress-strain relationship breaks down. This is generally the situation with near-field deformation related to earthquakes. Stresses change in complex patterns in both the near- and far-fields of the fracture, and the near-fiel

Geological Implications of a Physical Libration on Enceladus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hurford, T. A.; Bills, B. G.; Helfenstein, P.; Greenberg, R.; Hoppa, G. V.; Hamilton, D. P.

2008-01-01

Given the non-spherical shape of Enceladus (Thomas et al., 2007), the satellite will experience gravitational torques that will cause it to physically librate as it orbits Saturn. Physical libration would produce a diurnal oscillation in the longitude of Enceladus tidal bulge which, could have a profound effect on the diurnal stresses experienced by the surface of the satellite. Although Cassini ISS has placed an observational upper limit on Enceladus libration amplitude of F < 1.5deg (Porco et al., 2006), smaller amplitudes can still have geologically significant consequences. Here we present the first detailed description of how physical libration affects tidal stresses and how those stresses then might affect geological processes including crack formation and propagation, south polar eruption activity, and tidal heating. Our goal is to provide a framework for testing the hypothesis that geologic features on Enceladus are produced by tidal stresses from diurnal physical and optical librations of the satellite.

The ocean response at multiple space and time scales to tidal stream energy extraction by a large-scale turbine array.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Dominicis, Michela; O'Hara Murray, Rory; Wolf, Judith

2017-04-01

A comprehensive assessment of the tidal energy resource realistically available for electricity generation and the study of the potential environmental impacts associated with its extraction in the Pentland Firth (Scottish Waters, UK) are presented. In order to examine both local (< 100 km) and region-wide (>100 km) spatial scales, the Scottish Shelf Model (SSM), an unstructured grid three-dimensional FVCOM (Finite Volume Community Ocean Model) model implementation has been used, since it covers the entire NW European Shelf, with a high resolution where the tidal stream energy is extracted. A large theoretical array of tidal stream turbines has been designed and implemented in the model using the momentum sink approach, in which a momentum sink term represents the loss of momentum due to tidal energy extraction. The estimate of the maximum available power for electricity generation from the Pentland Firth is 1.64 GW, which requires thousands of turbines to be deployed. This estimate takes into account the tidal stream energy extraction feedbacks on the flow and considers, for the first time, the realistic operation of a generic tidal stream turbine, which is limited to operate in a range of flow velocities due to technological constraints. The ocean response to the extraction of 1.64 GW of energy has been examined by comparing a typical annual cycle of the NW European Shelf hydrodynamics reproduced by the SSM with the same period perturbed by tidal stream energy extraction. The changes were analysed at the temporal scale of a spring-neap tidal cycle and, for the first time, on longer term seasonal timescales. Tidal elevation mainly increases in the vicinity of the tidal farm, while far-field effects show a decrease in the mean spring tidal range of the order of 2 cm along the whole east coast of the UK, possibly counteracting some part of the predicted sea level rise due to climate change. Marine currents, both tidal and residual flows, are also affected. They can slow down due to the turbines action or speed up due to flow diversion processes, on both a local and regional scale. The strongest signal in tidal velocities is an overall reduction, which can in turn decrease the energy of tidal mixing and perturb the seasonal stratification on the NW European Shelf. Although the strength of summer water stratification has been found to slightly increase, the extent of the stratified region does not greatly change, thus suggesting the enhanced biological and pelagic biodiversity hotspots, e.g. tidal mixing front locations, are not displaced. Such large scale tidal stream energy extraction is unlikely to occur in the near future, but such potential changes should be considered when planning future tidal energy exploitation. It is likely that large scale developments around the NW European shelf will interact and could, for example, intensify or weaken the changes predicted here, or even be used as mitigation measures (e.g. coastal defence) for other changes (e.g. climate change).

The role of ocean tides on groundwater-surface water exchange in a mangrove-dominated estuary: Shark River Slough, Florida Coastal Everglades, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Smith, Christopher G.; Price, René M.; Swarzenski, Peter W.; Stalker, Jeremy C.

2016-01-01

Low-relief environments like the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE) have complicated hydrologic systems where surface water and groundwater processes are intimately linked yet hard to separate. Fluid exchange within these lowhydraulic-gradient systems can occur across broad spatial and temporal scales, with variable contributions to material transport and transformation. Identifying and assessing the scales at which these processes operate is essential for accurate evaluations of how these systems contribute to global biogeochemical cycles. The distribution of 222Rn and 223,224,226Ra have complex spatial patterns along the Shark River Slough estuary (SRSE), Everglades, FL. High-resolution time-series measurements of 222Rn activity, salinity, and water level were used to quantify processes affecting radon fluxes out of the mangrove forest over a tidal cycle. Based on field data, tidal pumping through an extensive network of crab burrows in the lower FCE provides the best explanation for the high radon and fluid fluxes. Burrows are irrigated during rising tides when radon and other dissolved constituents are released from the mangrove soil. Flushing efficiency of the burrows—defined as the tidal volume divided by the volume of burrows— estimated for the creek drainage area vary seasonally from 25 (wet season) to 100 % (dry season) in this study. The tidal pumping of the mangrove forest soil acts as a significant vector for exchange between the forest and the estuary. Processes that enhance exchange of O2 and other materials across the sediment-water interface could have a profound impact on the environmental response to larger scale processes such as sea level rise and climate change. Compounding the material budgets of the SRSE are additional inputs from groundwater from the Biscayne Aquifer, which were identified using radium isotopes. Quantification of the deep groundwater component is not obtainable, but isotopic data suggest a more prevalent signal in the dry season. These findings highlight the important role that both tidal- and seasonal-scale forcings play on groundwater movement in low-gradient hydrologic systems.

The development of the Ganges-Brahmaputra tidal delta plain: construction to maintenance phase changes in platform and channel morphology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, C.; Goodbred, S. L., Jr.; Hale, R. P.; Bain, R. L.

2016-12-01

The lower Ganges-Brahmaputra (G-B) delta can be divided into the fluvial-tidal river mouth and distributaries under active construction by the G-B rivers, and the distal tidally maintained deltaplain. In the active river-mouth, distributaries have constructed 5,000 km2 of large, coalescing islands that define the prograding coastline and subaerial-delta front. Although seasonal riverbank erosion is common, the area as a whole has gained land, primarily via horizontal and vertical accretion of intertidal mudflats and seaward progradation of emergent, tidally-elongated sandy channel-mouth bars. An analysis of historical imagery within the active river mouth shows larger and higher order channels form as merging bars and shoal-islands constrict distributary channels, while lower order creeks emerge secondarily, presumably as flow on shoaling intertidal mudflats becomes channelized and mangrove vegetation takes hold. With waning fluvial input (occurring from major distributary migration or avulsion), tidal and marine processes exhibit a stronger control on sediment transport and distribution, as is happening in the downdrift areas of the G-B tidal delta plain. The relatively pristine Sundarbans mangrove forest covers 4,100 km2 along the coast, while 11,200 km2 of the lower tidal delta plain is densely inhabited (population density up to 1,000/km2) and embanked for agricultural purposes. Although considered moribund or abandoned from direct fluvial sediment input, distal portions of the tidal delta are connected to the sediment transport system by its dense network of tidal channels. The subaerial landscape that was initially constructed by the point-sourced input of coarser-grained fluvial sediment from the mainstem rivers is thereafter maintained predominantly by onshore tidal sediment transport of finer-grained silt, and we observe accretion rates as high as 2-4 cm/y supported on the mangrove platform during the monsoon season. The tidal channels show evidence of some migration since the mid-1800s (Allison, 1998); however, there appears to be little evidence of net infilling or widening in coastal areas (<50 km from the Bay of Bengal). In contrast, we show interior areas have chronic siltation over the past 50 years due to anthropogenically modified changes in the tidal prism from poldering.

Tidal alignment of galaxies

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

Blazek, Jonathan; Vlah, Zvonimir; Seljak, Uroš

We develop an analytic model for galaxy intrinsic alignments (IA) based on the theory of tidal alignment. We calculate all relevant nonlinear corrections at one-loop order, including effects from nonlinear density evolution, galaxy biasing, and source density weighting. Contributions from density weighting are found to be particularly important and lead to bias dependence of the IA amplitude, even on large scales. This effect may be responsible for much of the luminosity dependence in IA observations. The increase in IA amplitude for more highly biased galaxies reflects their locations in regions with large tidal fields. We also consider the impact ofmore » smoothing the tidal field on halo scales. We compare the performance of this consistent nonlinear model in describing the observed alignment of luminous red galaxies with the linear model as well as the frequently used "nonlinear alignment model," finding a significant improvement on small and intermediate scales. We also show that the cross-correlation between density and IA (the "GI" term) can be effectively separated into source alignment and source clustering, and we accurately model the observed alignment down to the one-halo regime using the tidal field from the fully nonlinear halo-matter cross correlation. Inside the one-halo regime, the average alignment of galaxies with density tracers no longer follows the tidal alignment prediction, likely reflecting nonlinear processes that must be considered when modeling IA on these scales. Finally, we discuss tidal alignment in the context of cosmic shear measurements.« less

Tidal alignment of galaxies

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

Blazek, Jonathan; Vlah, Zvonimir; Seljak, Uroš, E-mail: blazek@berkeley.edu, E-mail: zvlah@stanford.edu, E-mail: useljak@berkeley.edu

We develop an analytic model for galaxy intrinsic alignments (IA) based on the theory of tidal alignment. We calculate all relevant nonlinear corrections at one-loop order, including effects from nonlinear density evolution, galaxy biasing, and source density weighting. Contributions from density weighting are found to be particularly important and lead to bias dependence of the IA amplitude, even on large scales. This effect may be responsible for much of the luminosity dependence in IA observations. The increase in IA amplitude for more highly biased galaxies reflects their locations in regions with large tidal fields. We also consider the impact ofmore » smoothing the tidal field on halo scales. We compare the performance of this consistent nonlinear model in describing the observed alignment of luminous red galaxies with the linear model as well as the frequently used 'nonlinear alignment model,' finding a significant improvement on small and intermediate scales. We also show that the cross-correlation between density and IA (the 'GI' term) can be effectively separated into source alignment and source clustering, and we accurately model the observed alignment down to the one-halo regime using the tidal field from the fully nonlinear halo-matter cross correlation. Inside the one-halo regime, the average alignment of galaxies with density tracers no longer follows the tidal alignment prediction, likely reflecting nonlinear processes that must be considered when modeling IA on these scales. Finally, we discuss tidal alignment in the context of cosmic shear measurements.« less

Lineament Azimuths on Europa: Implications for Evolution of the Europan Ice Shell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kachingwe, M.; Rhoden, A.; Lekic, V.; Hurford, T., Jr.; Henning, W. G.

2016-12-01

Tectonic activity on Europa has been linked to tidal stress caused by its eccentric orbit, finite obliquity, and possibly non-synchronous rotation of the icy shell. Cycloids and other lineaments are thought to form in response to tidal normal stress while strike-slip motion along preexisting faults has been attributed to tidal shear stress. Tectonic features can thus provide constraints on the rotational parameters that govern tidal stress and insight into the tidal-tectonic processes operating on ice-covered ocean bodies. Past lineament azimuth predictions based on stress models accounting for either spin pole precession or longitude translation yielded distributions that varied with location on Europa (e.g. Hurford, 2005; Fig. 16 of Rhoden and Hurford, 2013). Until now, these predicted azimuths have only been tested on a few spatially restricted regions. Additionally, these predictions were made using a thin shell approximation, which neglects the viscoelastic response of Europa's ice shell. Here, we present new measurements of lineament azimuths across geographically diverse regions of Europa, focusing on locations where lineament azimuths have never before been measured but which have been imaged at better than 250 km/pixel resolution. We focus on lineaments that do not exhibit substantial curvature, and we quantify deviations in azimuth observed along each lineament. We quantitatively compare the observed distributions against published predictions as well as new predictions made with a viscoelastic tidal stress model. These results have implications for Europa's interior and the evolution of tidal stress over time.

Tidal synchronization of an anelastic multi-layered body: Titan's synchronous rotation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Folonier, Hugo A.; Ferraz-Mello, Sylvio

2017-12-01

Tidal torque drives the rotational and orbital evolution of planet-satellite and star-exoplanet systems. This paper presents one analytical tidal theory for a viscoelastic multi-layered body with an arbitrary number of homogeneous layers. Starting with the static equilibrium figure, modified to include tide and differential rotation, and using the Newtonian creep approach, we find the dynamical equilibrium figure of the deformed body, which allows us to calculate the tidal potential and the forces acting on the tide generating body, as well as the rotation and orbital elements variations. In the particular case of the two-layer model, we study the tidal synchronization when the gravitational coupling and the friction in the interface between the layers is added. For high relaxation factors (low viscosity), the stationary solution of each layer is synchronous with the orbital mean motion ( n) when the orbit is circular, but the rotational frequencies increase if the orbital eccentricity increases. This behavior is characteristic in the classical Darwinian theories and in the homogeneous case of the creep tide theory. For low relaxation factors (high viscosity), as in planetary satellites, if friction remains low, each layer can be trapped in different spin-orbit resonances with frequencies n/2,n,3n/2,2n,\\ldots . When the friction increases, attractors with differential rotations are destroyed, surviving only commensurabilities in which core and shell have the same velocity of rotation. We apply the theory to Titan. The main results are: (i) the rotational constraint does not allow us to confirm or reject the existence of a subsurface ocean in Titan; and (ii) the crust-atmosphere exchange of angular momentum can be neglected. Using the rotation estimate based on Cassini's observation (Meriggiola et al. in Icarus 275:183-192, 2016), we limit the possible value of the shell relaxation factor, when a deep subsurface ocean is assumed, to γ _s≲ 10^{-9} s^{-1}, which corresponds to a shell's viscosity η _s≳ 10^{18} Pa s, depending on the ocean's thickness and viscosity values. In the case in which a subsurface ocean does not exist, the maximum shell relaxation factor is one order of magnitude smaller and the corresponding minimum shell's viscosity is one order higher.

Lunar recession encoded in tidal rhythmites: a selective overview with examples from Argentina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Azarevich, Vanina L. López; Azarevich, Miguel B.

2017-08-01

The study of tides from the sedimentary record of tidal rhythmites, applying fast Fourier transform analysis, contributes to the understanding of the surficial evolution of our highly dynamic planet, and of the astronomical cycles that influenced the ancient tidal systems. This overview of lunar retreat rates, which includes examples from Argentina, displays a generalized pattern of nonlinear, progressively extended lunar cycles up to the present day. The lunar retreat calculated at different stages of the Earth's history identifies three time spans of extremely high recession rates, amounting to almost twice that of the present day: Archean-Paleoproterozoic (6.93 cm/year), Neoproterozoic I-Ediacaran (7.01 cm/year) and Ediacaran-early Cambrian (6.48 cm/year). Older comparable recession rates are difficult to recognize because of the lack of tidal rhythmic sequences. The maximum lunar retreat rate is registered after the Copernican meteor bombardment event on the Moon at 900 Ma, and the time span coincides with the continental dispersal of Rodinia. Every acceleration of the lunar retreat rate coincides with two main processes: (1) meteorite impacts on the Earth or Moon, and (2) reconfiguration of landmasses accompanied by earthquakes that generated changes in the rotational axis of the Earth, inundation surfaces, and glaciation/deglaciation processes. The simultaneous occurrence of such processes makes it difficult to distinguish the causes and effects of each individual process, but its conjunction would have promoted the destabilization of the Earth-Moon system in terms of moment of inertia that was transferred to the Moon rotation.

Biogeochemicl and surface elevation controls over tidally influenced freshwater forested wetlands as they transition to marsh

Treesearch

William Conner; Ken W. Krauss; Gregory B. Noe; Jamie A. Duberstein; Nicole Cormier; Camille L. Stagg

2016-01-01

Many coastal ecosystems along the south Atlantic are transitioning from forested wetlands to marsh due to increasing tidal inundation and saltwater intrusion primarily attributed to global climate change processes. In 2004, we established long-term research sites in Georgia, South Carolina, and Louisiana to understand how climate factors (temperature, precipitation, ...

A numerical study of the barotropic tides and tidal energy distribution in the Indonesian seas with the assimilated finite volume coastal ocean model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Yang; Bao, Xianwen; Yu, Huaming; Kuang, Liang

2012-04-01

The tides and tidal energetics in the Indonesian seas are simulated using a three-dimensional finite volume coastal ocean model. The high-resolution coastline-fitted model is configured to better resolve the hydrodynamic processes around the numerous barrier islands. A large model domain is adopted to minimize the uncertainty adjacent to open boundaries. The model results with elevation assimilation based on a simple nudge scheme faithfully reproduced the general features of the barotropic tides in the Indonesian Seas. The mean root-mean-square errors between the observed and simulated tidal constants are 2.3, 1.1, 2.4, and 1.5 cm for M2, S2, K1, and O1, respectively. Analysis of the model solutions indicates that the semidiurnal tides in the Indonesian Seas are primarily dominated by the Indian Ocean, whereas the diurnal tides in this region are mainly influenced by the Pacific Ocean, which is consistent with previous studies. Examinations of tidal energy transport reveal that the tidal energy for both of the simulated tidal constituents are transported from the Indian Ocean into the IS mainly through the Lombok Strait and the Timor Sea, whereas only M2 energy enters the Banda Sea and continues northward. The tidal energy dissipates the most in the passages on both sides of Timor Island, with the maximum M2 and K1 tidal energy transport reaching about 750 and 650 kW m-1, respectively. The total energy losses of the four dominant constituents in the IS are nearly 338 GW, with the M2 constituent dissipating 240.8 GW. It is also shown that the bottom dissipation rate for the M2 tide is about 1-2 order of magnitudes larger than that of the other three tidal components in the Indonesian seas.

Extraction of tidal channel networks from airborne scanning laser altimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mason, David C.; Scott, Tania R.; Wang, Hai-Jing

Tidal channel networks are important features of the inter-tidal zone, and play a key role in tidal propagation and in the evolution of salt marshes and tidal flats. The study of their morphology is currently an active area of research, and a number of theories related to networks have been developed which require validation using dense and extensive observations of network forms and cross-sections. The conventional method of measuring networks is cumbersome and subjective, involving manual digitisation of aerial photographs in conjunction with field measurement of channel depths and widths for selected parts of the network. This paper describes a semi-automatic technique developed to extract networks from high-resolution LiDAR data of the inter-tidal zone. A multi-level knowledge-based approach has been implemented, whereby low-level algorithms first extract channel fragments based mainly on image properties then a high-level processing stage improves the network using domain knowledge. The approach adopted at low level uses multi-scale edge detection to detect channel edges, then associates adjacent anti-parallel edges together to form channels. The higher level processing includes a channel repair mechanism. The algorithm may be extended to extract networks from aerial photographs as well as LiDAR data. Its performance is illustrated using LiDAR data of two study sites, the River Ems, Germany and the Venice Lagoon. For the River Ems data, the error of omission for the automatic channel extractor is 26%, partly because numerous small channels are lost because they fall below the edge threshold, though these are less than 10 cm deep and unlikely to be hydraulically significant. The error of commission is lower, at 11%. For the Venice Lagoon data, the error of omission is 14%, but the error of commission is 42%, due partly to the difficulty of interpreting channels in these natural scenes. As a benchmark, previous work has shown that this type of algorithm specifically designed for extracting tidal networks from LiDAR data is able to achieve substantially improved results compared with those obtained using standard algorithms for drainage network extraction from Digital Terrain Models.

Tidally driven water column hydro-geochemistry in a remediating acidic wetland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnston, Scott G.; Keene, Annabelle F.; Bush, Richard T.; Sullivan, Leigh A.; Wong, Vanessa N. L.

2011-10-01

SummaryManaged tidal inundation is a newly evolved technique for remediating coastal acid sulphate soil (CASS) wetlands. However, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the hydro-geochemical pathways and spatiotemporal dynamics of residual H + and metal(loid) mobilisation into the tidal fringe surface waters of these uniquely iron-rich landscapes. Here, we examine the hydrology and water column chemistry across the intertidal slope of a remediating CASS wetland during several tide cycles. There was extreme spatial and temporal dynamism in water column chemistry, with pH fluctuating by ˜3 units (˜3.5-6.5) during a single tide cycle. Acute acidity was spatially confined to the upper intertidal slope, reflecting surface sediment properties, and tidal overtopping is an important pathway for mobilisation of residual H + and Al 3+ to the water column. Marine derived HCO3- was depleted from surface waters migrating across the intertidal slope and a strong gradient in HCO3- was observed from the tidal fringe to the adjacent tributary channel and nearby estuary. Tidal forcing generated oscillating hydraulic gradients in the shallow fringing aquifer, favouring ebb-tide seepage and driving rapid, heterogeneous advection of groundwater on the lower intertidal slope via surface connected macropores. A combination of diffusive and advective flux across the sediment-water interface led to persistent, elevated surface water Fe 2+ (˜10-1000 μM). The geochemical processes associated with Fe 2+ mobilisation displayed distinct spatial zonation, with low pH, proton-promoted desorption occurring on the upper intertidal slope, whilst circum-neutral pH, Fe(III)-reducing processes dominated the lower intertidal slope. Arsenic was also mobilised into surface waters on the lower intertidal slope under moderate pH (˜6.0) conditions and was strongly positively correlated with Fe 2+. Saturation index values for aragonite were substantially depressed (-1 to -5) and significantly negatively correlated with elevation, thereby presenting a barrier to re-colonisation of the upper intertidal slope by calcifying benthic organisms. These findings highlight the spatially complex hydrological and geochemical controls on surface water quality that can occur in tidally inundated acid sulphate soil environments.

Evolution of the Parnaíba Delta (NE Brazil) during the late Holocene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szczygielski, Agata; Stattegger, Karl; Schwarzer, Klaus; da Silva, André Giskard Aquino; Vital, Helenice; Koenig, Juliane

2015-04-01

Sedimentary processes and the evolution of the wave- and tide-dominated, asymmetric Parnaíba Delta during the late Holocene were investigated based on geochemical and sedimentological analyses of sediment cores collected in 2010, as well as satellite images and historical maps. This is a rare case of pristine deltas essentially unaffected by human activities worldwide. The lowermost part of the main Parnaíba River distributary exhibits several low-sinuosity bends and several anastomosing bifurcation patterns in the east, whereas three NW-SE-oriented tidal channels drain a large mangrove area in the west. Dating of various materials in sediment cores from the tidal flats, tidal channels and supratidal marshes revealed that the oldest sediment (4,853 to 4,228 cal. years BP) is paleo-mangrove soil from the main river distributary. Present-day mangroves and marshes up to 200 years old exhibit high sedimentation rates reaching 3.4 cm/year. The asymmetry of the delta is explained not only by the wind- and wave-induced westward-directed longshore drift but also by neotectonic processes, as revealed by satellite images. Faulting and eastward tilting may have triggered delta lobe switching from west to east. This would explain the erosional character and unusual updrift orientation of the main river-mouth channel. Consistent with existing knowledge on mangrove ecosystems worldwide, sediment carbon and nitrogen signatures lie in the range of freshwater or marine dissolved organic carbon and C3 terrestrial plants. In the western tidal channels, the low Corg/Ntot ratios (16-21) of young mangrove soil (deposited in the last 16 years) reflect a stronger influence of marine plants compared to older mangroves (1,390-1,525 cal. years BP; ratios of 20-37). Thus, there would have been a greater influence of the Parnaíba River on tidal-channel sedimentology 1,400 to 1,500 years ago, entailing a natural connection between the present-day tidal channels and the river in ancient times, which was abandoned later during delta lobe switching. This is substantiated by historical maps that indeed show this connection between the main distributary and the tidal-channel system.

Radii and Orbits of Hot Jupiters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yanqin

2011-09-01

Hot jupiters suffer extreme external (stellar) and internal (tidal, Ohmic and wind-power) heating. These lead to peculiar thermal evolution, which is potentially self-destrutive. For instance, the amount of energy deposited during tidal dissipation far exceeds the planets' binding energy. If this energy is mostly deposited in shallow layers, it does little damage to the planet. However, the presence of stellar insolation changes the picture, and Ohmic/wind-power heating further modifies the subsequent evolution of these jupiters. A diversity of planetary sizes results. We tie these thermodynamical processes together with the migration history of hot jupiters to explain the orbital distribution and physical radii of hot jupiters. Moreover, we constrain the location of tidal heating inside the planet.

Comparison of GPS and GRACE hydrological loading signatures in Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Materna, K.; Feng, L.; Lindsey, E. O.; Hill, E.; Burgmann, R.

2017-12-01

The elastic response of the lithosphere to surface mass redistributions produces significant deformation that can be observed in geodetic time series. This deformation is especially pronounced in Southeast Asia, where the annual monsoon produces large-amplitude hydrological loads. The MIBB network of 20 continuous GPS stations in Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, operational since 2012, provides an opportunity to study the earth's response to these loads. In this study, we use GRACE gravity products as an estimate of surface water distribution, and input these estimates into an elastic loading calculation. We compare the predicted deformation with that observed with GPS. We find that elastic loading from the GRACE gravity field is able to explain the phase and the peak-to-peak amplitude (typically 2-3 cm) of the vertical GPS oscillations in northeast India and central Myanmar. GRACE-based corrections reduce the RMS scatter of the GPS data by 30%-45% in these regions. However, this approach does not capture all of the variation in central Bangladesh and southern Myanmar. Local hydrological effects, non-tidal ocean loads, poroelastic deformation, or differences in elastic properties may explain discrepancies between the GPS and GRACE signals in these places. The results of our calculations have practical implications for campaign GPS measurements in Myanmar, which make up the majority of geodetic measurements at this point. We may be able to reduce errors in campaign measurements and increase the accuracy of velocity estimates by correcting for hydrologic signals with GRACE data. The results also have potential implications for crustal rheology in Southeast Asia.

A 4DCT imaging-based breathing lung model with relative hysteresis

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

Miyawaki, Shinjiro; Choi, Sanghun; Hoffman, Eric A.

To reproduce realistic airway motion and airflow, the authors developed a deforming lung computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model based on four-dimensional (4D, space and time) dynamic computed tomography (CT) images. A total of 13 time points within controlled tidal volume respiration were used to account for realistic and irregular lung motion in human volunteers. Because of the irregular motion of 4DCT-based airways, we identified an optimal interpolation method for airway surface deformation during respiration, and implemented a computational solid mechanics-based moving mesh algorithm to produce smooth deforming airway mesh. In addition, we developed physiologically realistic airflow boundary conditions for bothmore » models based on multiple images and a single image. Furthermore, we examined simplified models based on one or two dynamic or static images. By comparing these simplified models with the model based on 13 dynamic images, we investigated the effects of relative hysteresis of lung structure with respect to lung volume, lung deformation, and imaging methods, i.e., dynamic vs. static scans, on CFD-predicted pressure drop. The effect of imaging method on pressure drop was 24 percentage points due to the differences in airflow distribution and airway geometry. - Highlights: • We developed a breathing human lung CFD model based on 4D-dynamic CT images. • The 4DCT-based breathing lung model is able to capture lung relative hysteresis. • A new boundary condition for lung model based on one static CT image was proposed. • The difference between lung models based on 4D and static CT images was quantified.« less

Inferring Enceladus' ice shell strength and structure from Tiger Stripe formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rhoden, A.; Hurford, T., Jr.; Spitale, J.; Henning, W. G.

2017-12-01

The tiger stripe fractures (TSFs) of Enceladus are four, roughly parallel, linear fractures that correlate with plume sources and high heat flows measured by Cassini. Diurnal variations of plume eruptions along the TSFs strongly suggest that tides modulate the eruptions. Several attempts have been made to infer Enceladus' ice shell structure, and the mechanical process of plume formation, by matching variations in the plumes' eruptive output with tidal stresses for different interior models. Unfortunately, the many, often degenerate, unknowns make these analyses non-unique. Tidal-interior models that best match the observed plume variability imply very low tidal stresses (<14 kPa), much lower than the 1 MPa tensile strength of ice implied by lab experiments or the 100 kPa threshold inferred for Europa's ice. In addition, the interior models that give the best matches are inconsistent with the constraints from observed librations. To gain more insight into the interior structure and rheology of Enceladus and the role of tidal stress in the development of the south polar terrain, we utilize the orientations of the TSFs themselves as observational constraints on tidal-interior models. While the initial formation of the TSFs has previously been attributed to tidal stress, detailed modeling of their formation has not been performed until now. We compute tidal stresses for a suite of rheologically-layered interior models, consistent with Enceladus' observed librations, and apply a variety of failure conditions. We then compare the measured orientations at 6391 points along the TSFs with the predicted orientations from the tidal models. Ultimately, we compute the likelihood of forming the TSFs with tidal stresses for each model and failure condition. We find that tidal stresses are a good match to the observed orientations of the TSFs and likely led to their formation. We also find that the model with the highest likelihood changes depending on the failure criterion applied. We will discuss the implications of our model results on the structure and strength of Enceladus's ice shell and the evolution of the SPT.

Inertial Wave Turbulence Driven by Elliptical Instability.

PubMed

Le Reun, Thomas; Favier, Benjamin; Barker, Adrian J; Le Bars, Michael

2017-07-21

The combination of elliptical deformation of streamlines and vorticity can lead to the destabilization of any rotating flow via the elliptical instability. Such a mechanism has been invoked as a possible source of turbulence in planetary cores subject to tidal deformations. The saturation of the elliptical instability has been shown to generate turbulence composed of nonlinearly interacting waves and strong columnar vortices with varying respective amplitudes, depending on the control parameters and geometry. In this Letter, we present a suite of numerical simulations to investigate the saturation and the transition from vortex-dominated to wave-dominated regimes. This is achieved by simulating the growth and saturation of the elliptical instability in an idealized triply periodic domain, adding a frictional damping to the geostrophic component only, to mimic its interaction with boundaries. We reproduce several experimental observations within one idealized local model and complement them by reaching more extreme flow parameters. In particular, a wave-dominated regime that exhibits many signatures of inertial wave turbulence is characterized for the first time. This regime is expected in planetary interiors.

Inertial Wave Turbulence Driven by Elliptical Instability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Reun, Thomas; Favier, Benjamin; Barker, Adrian J.; Le Bars, Michael

2017-07-01

The combination of elliptical deformation of streamlines and vorticity can lead to the destabilization of any rotating flow via the elliptical instability. Such a mechanism has been invoked as a possible source of turbulence in planetary cores subject to tidal deformations. The saturation of the elliptical instability has been shown to generate turbulence composed of nonlinearly interacting waves and strong columnar vortices with varying respective amplitudes, depending on the control parameters and geometry. In this Letter, we present a suite of numerical simulations to investigate the saturation and the transition from vortex-dominated to wave-dominated regimes. This is achieved by simulating the growth and saturation of the elliptical instability in an idealized triply periodic domain, adding a frictional damping to the geostrophic component only, to mimic its interaction with boundaries. We reproduce several experimental observations within one idealized local model and complement them by reaching more extreme flow parameters. In particular, a wave-dominated regime that exhibits many signatures of inertial wave turbulence is characterized for the first time. This regime is expected in planetary interiors.

Distribution of iron- and sulfate-reducing bacteria across a coastal acid sulfate soil (CASS) environment: implications for passive bioremediation by tidal inundation.

PubMed

Ling, Yu-Chen; Bush, Richard; Grice, Kliti; Tulipani, Svenja; Berwick, Lyndon; Moreau, John W

2015-01-01

Coastal acid sulfate soils (CASS) constitute a serious and global environmental problem. Oxidation of iron sulfide minerals exposed to air generates sulfuric acid with consequently negative impacts on coastal and estuarine ecosystems. Tidal inundation represents one current treatment strategy for CASS, with the aim of neutralizing acidity by triggering microbial iron- and sulfate-reduction and inducing the precipitation of iron-sulfides. Although well-known functional guilds of bacteria drive these processes, their distributions within CASS environments, as well as their relationships to tidal cycling and the availability of nutrients and electron acceptors, are poorly understood. These factors will determine the long-term efficacy of "passive" CASS remediation strategies. Here we studied microbial community structure and functional guild distribution in sediment cores obtained from 10 depths ranging from 0 to 20 cm in three sites located in the supra-, inter- and sub-tidal segments, respectively, of a CASS-affected salt marsh (East Trinity, Cairns, Australia). Whole community 16S rRNA gene diversity within each site was assessed by 454 pyrotag sequencing and bioinformatic analyses in the context of local hydrological, geochemical, and lithological factors. The results illustrate spatial overlap, or close association, of iron-, and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in an environment rich in organic matter and controlled by parameters such as acidity, redox potential, degree of water saturation, and mineralization. The observed spatial distribution implies the need for empirical understanding of the timing, relative to tidal cycling, of various terminal electron-accepting processes that control acid generation and biogeochemical iron and sulfur cycling.

Nested high resolution models for the coastal areas of the North Indian Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wobus, Fred; Shapiro, Georgy

2017-04-01

Oceanographic processes at coastal scales require much higher horizontal resolution from both ocean models and observations as compared to deep water oceanography. Aside from a few exceptions such as land-locked seas, the hydrodynamics of coastal shallow waters is strongly influenced by the tides, which in turn control the mixing, formation of temperature fronts and other phenomena. The numerical modelling of the coastal domains requires good knowledge of the lateral boundary conditions. The application of lateral boundary conditions to ocean models is a notoriously tricky task, but can only be avoided with global ocean models. Smaller scale regional ocean models are typically nested within global models, and even smaller-scale coastal models may be nested within regional models, creating a nesting chain. However a direct nesting of a very high resolution coastal model into a coarse resolution global model results in degrading of the accuracy of the outputs due to the large difference between the model resolutions. This is why a nesting chain has to be applied, so that every increase in resolution is kept within a reasonable minimum (typically by a factor of 3 to 5 at each step). Global models are traditionally non-tidal, so at some stage of the nesting chain the tides need to be introduced. This is typically done by calculating the tidal constituents from a dedicated tidal model (e.g. TPXO) for all boundary points of a nested model. The tidal elevation at each boundary location can then be calculated from the harmonics at every model time step and the added to the parent model non-tidal SSH. This combination of harmonics-derived tidal SSH and non-tidal parent model SSH is typically applied to the nested domain using the Flather condition, together with the baroclinic velocities from the parent model. The harmonics-derived SSH cannot be added to an SSH signal that is already tidal, so the parent model SSH has to be either detided or taken from a non-tidal model. Due to the lack of effective detiding methods and the prevailing view that harmonics-derived SSH provide a cleaner tidal signal over the SSH taken from a tidal parent model it has traditionally only been the last model in a nesting chain that is tidal. But to our knowledge these assumptions haven't been sufficiently tested and need to be re-visited. Furthermore, the lack of tides in the larger-scale regional models limits their capability and we would like to push for a nesting chain where all regional models (including the intermediate ones) are tidal. In this study we have conducted a number of numerical experiments where we have tested whether a tidal regional model can effectively force a tidal nested model without resorting to detiding techniques and the use of a dedicated tidal model such as TPXO. We have tested whether it's possible to use a tidal parent model and use the total SSH (combined geostrophic SSH and tidal component) to force the child model at the boundary. We call this strategy "tidal nesting" as opposed to TPXO tidal forcing which is used in "traditional nesting". For our experiments we have developed 2 models based on the same NEMO 3.6 codebase. The medium resolution AS20 model covers the Arabian Sea at 1/20 ̊ with 50 layers using a hybrid s-on-top-of-z vertical discretisation scheme (Shapiro et al., 2013); and the high resolution AG60 model covers the Arabian/Persian Gulf at 1/60 ̊ with 50 layers. The AS20 model is "traditionally" nested within the UK Met Office non-tidal large-scale Indian Ocean model at 1/12 ̊ resolution and tidal constituents at the boundary are taken from the TPXO7.2 Global Tidal Solution. Our "tidal nesting" experiments use different forcing frequencies at which the tidal SSH is fed from the larger-scale AS20 into the smaller-scale AG60 model. These strategies are compared with "traditional nesting" where the inner AG60 uses boundary conditions from a non-tidal AS20 parent model and tides are computed from TPXO harmonics. The results reveal an optimal tidal nesting strategy which forces tidal SSH from the parent model at 1-hourly intervals whilst non-tidal parameters are forced at 24-hourly intervals. The analysis includes comparisons with tidal gauges in the Gulf of Oman and inside the Arabian Gulf. The accuracy of tides inside the Gulf is inhibited by the narrow Straits of Hormuz, and tidal nesting doesn't achieve the same level of agreement with observation as traditional nesting. We also found that a further increase in the SSH forcing frequency to 30 minutes does not further improve the results. The forcing at intervals of 1h/24h for tidal/non-tidal parameters shows that a 2-step tidal nesting chain is viable and thus tides can be represented in more than just the last model of a nesting chain. References: Shapiro, G., Luneva, M., Pickering, J., and Storkey, D.: The effect of various vertical discretization schemes and horizontal diffusion parameterization on the performance of a 3-D ocean model: the Black Sea case study, Ocean Sci., 9, 377-390, doi:10.5194/os-9-377-2013, 2013.

Formation of massive black holes in galactic nuclei: runaway tidal encounters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stone, Nicholas C.; Küpper, Andreas H. W.; Ostriker, Jeremiah P.

2017-06-01

Nuclear star clusters (NSCs) and supermassive black holes (SMBHs) both inhabit galactic nuclei, coexisting in a range of bulge masses, but excluding each other in the largest or smallest galaxies. We propose that the transformation of NSCs into SMBHs occurs via runaway tidal captures, once NSCs exceed a certain critical central density and velocity dispersion. The bottleneck in this process is growing the first e-fold in black hole mass. The growth of a stellar mass black hole past this bottleneck occurs as tidally captured stars are consumed in repeated episodes of mass transfer at pericentre. Tidal captures may deactivate as a growth channel once the black hole mass ≳102-3 M⊙, but tidal disruption events will continue and can grow the seed SMBH to larger sizes. The runaway slows (becomes subexponential) once the seed SMBH consumes the core of its host NSC. While most of the cosmic mass density in SMBHs is ultimately produced by episodic gaseous accretion in very massive galaxies, the smallest SMBHs have probably grown from strong tidal encounters with NSC stars. SMBH seeds that grow for a time t entirely through this channel will follow simple power-law relations with the velocity dispersion, σ, of their host galaxy. In the simplest regime, it is M_\\bullet ˜ σ ^{3/2}√{M_\\star t / G} ˜ 106 M_{⊙} (σ / 50 {km s}^{-1})^{3/2}(t/10^{10} yr)^{1/2}, but the exponents and pre-factor can differ slightly depending on the details of loss cone refilling. Current tidal disruption event rates predicted from this mechanism are consistent with observations.

TIDAL FRICTION AND TIDAL LAGGING. APPLICABILITY LIMITATIONS OF A POPULAR FORMULA FOR THE TIDAL TORQUE

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

Efroimsky, Michael; Makarov, Valeri V., E-mail: michael.efroimsky@usno.navy.mil, E-mail: vvm@usno.navy.mil

Tidal torques play a key role in rotational dynamics of celestial bodies. They govern these bodies' tidal despinning and also participate in the subtle process of entrapment of these bodies into spin-orbit resonances. This makes tidal torques directly relevant to the studies of habitability of planets and their moons. Our work begins with an explanation of how friction and lagging should be built into the theory of bodily tides. Although much of this material can be found in various publications, a short but self-consistent summary on the topic has been lacking in the hitherto literature, and we are filling themore » gap. After these preparations, we address a popular concise formula for the tidal torque, which is often used in the literature, for planets or stars. We explain why the derivation of this expression, offered in the paper by Goldreich and in the books by Kaula (Equation (4.5.29)) and Murray and Dermott (Equation (4.159)), implicitly sets the time lag to be frequency independent. Accordingly, the ensuing expression for the torque can be applied only to bodies having a very special (and very hypothetical) rheology which makes the time lag frequency independent, i.e., the same for all Fourier modes in the spectrum of tide. This expression for the torque should not be used for bodies of other rheologies. Specifically, the expression cannot be combined with an extra assertion of the geometric lag being constant, because at finite eccentricities the said assumption is incompatible with the constant-time-lag condition.« less

Modeling tides and their influence on the circulation in Prince William Sound, Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xiaochun; Chao, Yi; Zhang, Hongchun; Farrara, John; Li, Zhijin; Jin, Xin; Park, Kyungeen; Colas, Francois; McWilliams, James C.; Paternostro, Chris; Shum, C. K.; Yi, Yuchan; Schoch, Carl; Olsson, Peter

2013-07-01

In the process of developing a real-time data-assimilating coastal ocean forecasting system for Prince William Sound, Alaska, tidal signal was added to a three-domain nested model for the region. The model, which is configured from the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS), has 40 levels in the vertical direction and horizontal resolutions of 10.6km, 3.6km and 1.2km for its three nested domains, respectively. In the present research, the ROMS tidal solution was validated using data from coastal tide gauges, satellite altimeters, high-frequency coastal radars, and Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) current surveys. The error of barotropic tides, as measured by the total root mean square discrepancy of eight major tidal constituents is 5.3cm, or 5.6% of the tidal sea surface height variability in the open ocean. Along the coastal region, the total discrepancy is 9.6cm, or 8.2% of the tidal sea surface height variability. Model tidal currents agree reasonably well with the observations. The influence of tides on the circulation was also investigated using numerical experiments. Besides tides, other types of forcing fields (heat flux, wind stress, evaporation minus precipitation, and freshwater discharge) were also included in the model. Our results indicate that tides play a significant role in shaping the mean circulation of the region. For the summer months, the tidal residual circulation tends to generate a cyclonic gyre in the central Sound. The net transport into the Sound through Hinchinbrook Entrance is reduced. Tides also increase the mixed layer depth in the Sound, especially during the winter months.

Suspended sediment transport trough a large fluvial-tidal channel network

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wright, Scott A.; Morgan-King, Tara L.

2015-01-01

The confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, CA, forms a large network of interconnected channels, referred to as the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (the Delta). The Delta comprises the transition zone from the fluvial influences of the upstream rivers and tidal influences of San Francisco Bay downstream. Formerly an extensive tidal marsh, the hydrodynamics and geomorphology of Delta have been substantially modified by humans to support agriculture, navigation, and water supply. These modifications, including construction of new channels, diking and draining of tidal wetlands, dredging of navigation channels, and the operation of large pumping facilities for distribution of freshwater from the Delta to other parts of the state, have had a dramatic impact on the physical and ecological processes within the Delta. To better understand the current physical processes, and their linkages to ecological processes, the USGS maintains an extensive network of flow, sediment, and water quality gages in the Delta. Flow gaging is accomplished through use of the index-velocity method, and sediment monitoring uses turbidity as a surrogate for suspended-sediment concentration. Herein, we present analyses of the transport and dispersal of suspended sediment through the complex network of channels in the Delta. The primary source of sediment to the Delta is the Sacramento River, which delivers pulses of sediment primarily during winter and spring runoff events. Upon reaching the Delta, the sediment pulses move through the fluvial-tidal transition while also encountering numerous channel junctions as the Sacramento River branches into several distributary channels. The monitoring network allows us to track these pulses through the network and document the dominant transport pathways for suspended sediment. Further, the flow gaging allows for an assessment of the relative effects of advection (the fluvial signal) and dispersion (from the tides) on the sediment pulses as they move through the system. Herein, we present analyses of the “first flush” sediment pulse that occurred on the Sacramento River in December 2012, documenting the transport pathways as well as the effects of advection and dispersion on the sediment as it moved through the fluvial-tidal transition in the Delta. The analyses identified an important transport pathway through the interior of the Delta toward the large pumping facilities in the south Delta, which has important implications for native fish (because their movements are triggered by sediment/turbidity). The results also reveal the dramatic transition from fluvial-dominated transport (advection) to tidal-dominated transport (dispersion) as the sediment pulse approaches the estuary.

The Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document for Tidal Corrections

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fricker, Helen A.; Ridgway, Jeff R.; Minster, Jean-Bernard; Yi, Donghui; Bentley, Charles R.`

2012-01-01

This Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document deals with the tidal corrections that need to be applied to range measurements made by the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS). These corrections result from the action of ocean tides and Earth tides which lead to deviations from an equilibrium surface. Since the effect of tides is dependent of the time of measurement, it is necessary to remove the instantaneous tide components when processing altimeter data, so that all measurements are made to the equilibrium surface. The three main tide components to consider are the ocean tide, the solid-earth tide and the ocean loading tide. There are also long period ocean tides and the pole tide. The approximate magnitudes of these components are illustrated in Table 1, together with estimates of their uncertainties (i.e. the residual error after correction). All of these components are important for GLAS measurements over the ice sheets since centimeter-level accuracy for surface elevation change detection is required. The effect of each tidal component is to be removed by approximating their magnitude using tidal prediction models. Conversely, assimilation of GLAS measurements into tidal models will help to improve them, especially at high latitudes.

Tidal pulsing alters nitrous oxide fluxes in a temperate intertidal mudflat.

PubMed

Vieillard, A M; Fulweiler, R W

2014-07-01

Environmental pulses, or sudden, marked changes to the conditions within an ecosystem, can be important drivers of resource availability in many systems. In this study, we investigated the effect of tidal pulsing on the fluxes of nitrous oxide (N2O), a powerful greenhouse gas, from a marine intertidal mudflat on the north shore of Massachusetts, USA. We found these tidal flat sediments to be a sink of N2O at low tide with an average uptake rate of -6.7 +/- 2 micromol x m(-2) x h(-1). Further, this N20 sink increased the longer sediments were tidally exposed. These field measurements, in conjunction with laboratory nutrient additions, revealed that this flux appears to be driven primarily by sediment denitrification. Additionally, N2O uptake was most responsive to dissolved inorganic nitrogen with phosphorus (DIN + DIP) addition, suggesting that the N2O consumption process may be P limited. Furthermore, nutrient addition experiments suggest that dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) releases N20 at the highest levels of nitrate fertilization. Our findings indicate that tidal flats are important sinks of N2O, potentially capable of offsetting the release of this potent greenhouse gas by other, nearby ecosystems.

Large spatial variability in lifetime egg production in an intertidal Baltic tellin (Macoma balthica) population

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Meer, Jaap; Beukema, Jan; Dekker, Rob

2002-12-01

The extent to which it pays settling larvae of marine benthic organisms to actively select the habitat where they will spend the rest of their life can only be fully appreciated if the fitness consequences of such habitat selection processes are known. We estimated the lifetime egg production of the tellinid bivalve Macoma balthica at 11 sites over a tidal gradient in the western Wadden Sea, using a 30-year data series. The difference in individual lifetime egg production between the best sites in the lower tidal zone and the poorest sites on the high tidal flats was about a factor 10. The differences in lifetime egg production were related to differences in growth and, more importantly, survival. We argue that the large observed differences in reproductive output do not necessarily imply a lack of active habitat selection. As most animals start their last migration before final settlement from the high tidal flats, the choice may be one between a long and risky migration with a low chance of reaching the good habitat versus a more certain but poor existence on the high tidal flats.

Large spatial variability in lifetime egg production in an intertidal Baltic tellin (Macoma balthica) population

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Meer, Jaap; Beukema, Jan J.; Dekker, Rob

2003-01-01

The extent to which it pays settling larvae of marine benthic organisms to actively select the habitat where they will spend the rest of their life can only be fully appreciated if the fitness consequences of such habitat selection processes are known. We estimated the lifetime egg production of the tellinid bivalve Macoma balthica at 11 sites over a tidal gradient in the western Wadden Sea, using a 30-year data series. The difference in individual lifetime egg production between the best sites in the lower tidal zone and the poorest sites on the high tidal flats was about a factor 10. The differences in lifetime egg production were related to differences in growth and, more importantly, survival. We argue that the large observed differences in reproductive output do not necessarily imply a lack of active habitat selection. As most animals start their last migration before final settlement from the high tidal flats, the choice may be one between a long and risky migration with a low chance of reaching the good habitat versus a more certain but poor existence on the high tidal flats.

ACS Imaging of beta Pic: Searching for the origin of rings and asymmetry in planetesimal disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalas, Paul

2003-07-01

The emerging picture for planetesimal disks around main sequence stars is that their radial and azimuthal symmetries are significantly deformed by the dynamical effects of either planets interior to the disk, or stellar objects exterior to the disk. The cause of these structures, such as the 50 AU cutoff of our Kuiper Belt, remains mysterious. Structure in the beta Pic planetesimal disk could be due to dynamics controlled by an extrasolar planet, or by the tidal influence of a more massive object exterior to the disk. The hypothesis of an extrasolar planet causing the vertical deformation in the disk predicts a blue color to the disk perpendicular to the disk midplane. The hypothesis that a stellar perturber deforms the disk predicts a globally uniform color and the existence of ring-like structure beyond 800 AU radius. We propose to obtain deep, multi-color images of the beta Pic disk ansae in the region 15"-220" {200-4000 AU} radius with the ACS WFC. The unparalleled stability of the HST PSF means that these data are uniquely capable of delivering the color sensitivity that can distinguish between the two theories of beta Pic's disk structure. Ascertaining the cause of such structure provide a meaningful context for understanding the dynamical history of our early solar system, as well as other planetesimal systems imaged around main sequence stars.

Subsurface flow and vegetation patterns in tidal environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ursino, Nadia; Silvestri, Sonia; Marani, Marco

2004-05-01

Tidal environments are characterized by a complex interplay of hydrological, geomorphic, and biological processes, and their understanding and modeling thus require the explicit description of both their biotic and abiotic components. In particular, the presence and spatial distribution of salt marsh vegetation (a key factor in the stabilization of the surface soil) have been suggested to be related to topographic factors and to soil moisture patterns, but a general, process-based comprehension of this relationship has not yet been achieved. The present paper describes a finite element model of saturated-unsaturated subsurface flow in a schematic salt marsh, driven by tidal fluctuations and evapotranspiration. The conditions leading to the establishment of preferentially aerated subsurface zones are studied, and inferences regarding the development and spatial distribution of salt marsh vegetation are drawn, with important implications for the overall ecogeomorphological dynamics of tidal environments. Our results show that subsurface water flow in the marsh induces complex water table dynamics, even when the tidal forcing has a simple sinusoidal form. The definition of a space-dependent aeration time is then proposed to characterize root aeration. The model shows that salt marsh subsurface flow depends on the distance from the nearest creek or channel and that the subsurface water movement near tidal creeks is both vertical and horizontal, while farther from creeks, it is primarily vertical. Moreover, the study shows that if the soil saturated conductivity is relatively low (10-6 m s-1, values quite common in salt marsh areas), a persistently unsaturated zone is present below the soil surface even after the tide has flooded the marsh; this provides evidence of the presence of an aerated layer allowing a prolonged presence of oxygen for aerobic root respiration. The results further show that plant transpiration increases the extent and persistence of the aerated layer, thereby introducing a strong positive feedback: Pioneer plants on marsh edges have the effect of increasing soil oxygen availability, thus creating the conditions for the further development of other plant communities.

A modeling approach to establish environmental flow threshold in ungauged semidiurnal tidal river

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akter, A.; Tanim, A. H.

2018-03-01

Due to shortage of flow monitoring data in ungauged semidiurnal river, 'environmental flow' (EF) determination based on its key component 'minimum low flow' is always difficult. For EF assessment this study selected a reach immediately after the Halda-Karnafuli confluence, a unique breeding ground for Indian Carp fishes of Bangladesh. As part of an ungauged tidal river, EF threshold establishment faces challenges in changing ecological paradigms with periodic change of tides and hydrologic alterations. This study describes a novel approach through modeling framework comprising hydrological, hydrodynamic and habitat simulation model. The EF establishment was conceptualized according to the hydrologic process of an ungauged semi-diurnal tidal regime in four steps. Initially, a hydrologic model coupled with a hydrodynamic model to simulate flow considering land use changes effect on streamflow, seepage loss of channel, friction dominated tidal decay as well as lack of long term flow characteristics. Secondly, to define hydraulic habitat feature, a statistical analysis on derived flow data was performed to identify 'habitat suitability'. Thirdly, to observe the ecological habitat behavior based on the identified hydrologic alteration, hydraulic habitat features were investigated. Finally, based on the combined habitat suitability index flow alteration and ecological response relationship was established. Then, the obtained EF provides a set of low flow indices of desired regime and thus the obtained discharge against maximum Weighted Usable Area (WUA) was defined as EF threshold for the selected reach. A suitable EF regime condition was obtained within flow range 25-30.1 m3/s i.e., around 10-12% of the mean annual runoff of 245 m3/s and these findings are within researchers' recommendation of minimum flow requirement. Additionally it was observed that tidal characteristics are dominant process in semi-diurnal regime. However, during the study period (2010-2015) the validated model with those reported observations can provide guidance for the decision support system (DSS) to maintain EF range in an ungauged tidal river.

Asteroid Geophysics through a Tidal-BYORP Equilibrium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacobson, S. A.; Scheeres, D. J.

2012-12-01

There exists a long-term stable orbital equilibrium for singly synchronous binary asteroids balancing the contractive BYORP (binary Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack) effect and the expansive tidal torque from the secondary onto the primary [Jacobson & Scheeres 2011]. Observations of 1996 FG3 determined that this object is consistent with occupying the predicted equilibrium [Scheirich, et al., 2012]. From the torque balance, the important tidal parameters of the primary and BYORP coefficient of the secondary can be directly determined for the first time, albeit degenerately. Singly synchronous systems consist of a rapidly spinning primary and a tidally locked secondary. Two torques evolve the mutual orbit of the system. First, the secondary raises a tidal torque on the primary, and this process expands the semi-major axis of the mutual orbit according to two parameters. The tidal Love number k is related to the strength (rigidity) of the body. The tidal dissipation number Q describes the mechanical energy dissipation. Second, the BYORP torque is the summed torques from all of the incident and exigent photons on the secondary acting on the barycenter of the system. Unless there is a spin-orbit resonance, the torques sum to zero. McMahon & Scheeres [2010] showed that showed that to first order in eccentricity the evolution of the semi-major axis and eccentricity depends only upon a single constant coefficient B determined by the shape of the secondary (size-independent). The BYORP torque can either contract or expand the mutual orbit, however it evolves the eccentricity with the opposite sign. Jacobson & Scheeres [2011] determined that when the BYORP torque is contractive, it can balance the expansive tidal torque. The system evolves to an equilibrium semi-major axis that is stable in eccentricity due to tidal decay overcoming BYORP excitation. If the singly synchronous population occupies this equilibrium, then the three unknown (i.e. unobserved) parameters: Bs Qp/k_p, as shown in the figure. Since the BYORP coefficient is defined to be size independent, the tidal parameters Qp/k_p ∝ Rp. This inverse dependence is different than the predicted dependencies of the classical tidal Love number kp ∝ Rp2 and the ``rubble-pile'' tidal Love number predicted in Goldreich & Sari [2009] kp ∝ Rp. Calculated Bs Qp/ kp for each observed singly synchronous binary asteroid system. The circled system is 1996 FG3. The solid line is the fit Bs Qp/k_p = 2557 Rp and the dashed lines are a facto r of 10 and a factor of 0.01 different.

Dynamics of Tidally Locked, Ultrafast Rotating Atmospheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Xianyu; Showman, Adam P.

2017-10-01

Tidally locked gas giants, which exhibit a novel regime of day-night thermal forcing and extreme stellar irradiation, are typically in several-day orbits, implying slow rotation and a modest role for rotation in the atmospheric circulation. Nevertheless, there exist a class of gas-giant, highly irradiated objects - brown dwarfs orbiting white dwarfs in extremely tight orbits - whose orbital and hence rotation periods are as short as 1-2 hours. Spitzer phase curves and other observations have already been obtained for this fascinating class of objects, which raise fundamental questions about the role of rotation in controlling the circulation. So far, most modeling studies have investigated rotation periods exceeding a day, as appropriate for typical hot Jupiters. In this work we investigate the dynamics of tidally locked atmospheres in shorter rotation periods down to about two hours. With increasing rotation rate (decreasing rotation period), we show that the width of the equatorial eastward jet decreases, consistent with the narrowing of wave-mean-flow interacting region due to decrease of the equatorial deformation radius. The eastward-shifted equatorial hot spot offset decreases accordingly, and the westward-shifted hot regions poleward of the equatorial jet associated with Rossby gyres become increasingly distinctive. At high latitudes, winds becomes weaker and more geostrophic. The day-night temperature contrast becomes larger due to the stronger influence of rotation. Our simulated atmospheres exhibit small-scale variability, presumably caused by shear instability. Unlike typical hot Jupiters, phase curves of fast-rotating models show an alignment of peak flux to secondary eclipse. Our results have important implications for phase curve observations of brown dwarfs orbiting white dwarfs in ultra tight orbits.

Do Europa's Mountains Have Roots? Erosion of Topography at the Ice-Water Interface via the "Ice Pump"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goodman, J. C.

2016-12-01

Are topographic features on the surface of Europa and other icy worlds isostatically compensated by variations in shell thickness (Airy isostasy)? This is only possible if variations in shell thickness can remain stable over geologic time. Here we show that melting and freezing driven by the pressure dependence of the melting point of water - the "ice pump" - can rapidly erase topography at the ice/water interface. We consider ice pumps driven by both tidal action and buoyancy-driven flow. We first show that as tidal action drives the ocean up and down along a sloping interface, ice will be melted from areas where it's thickest and deposited where the ice is thinnest. We show that this process causes the ice interface topography to relax according to a simple "diffusion" linear partial differential equation. We estimate that a 10-km-wide topographic feature would be erased by the tidal ice pump in 3000 years if Europa's tidal current amplitude is 1 cm/s; however, this timescale is inversely proportional to the cube of the tidal velocity! Next, we consider an ice pump powered by ascent of meltwater along a sloping ice-water interface. We consider layer-averaged budgets for heat, mass, and momentum, along with turbulent mixing of the meltwater layer with underlying seawater via a Richardson number dependent entrainment process, and use these to estimate the thickness and mass flux of the meltwater layer. From this we estimate the rate of melting and freezing at the interface. These two ice pump processes combine with the glacial flow of warm basal ice to rapidly flatten out any variations in the height of the ice-water interface: Europa's ice/water interface may be perfectly flat! If so, topography at Europa's surface can only be supported by variations in density of the shell or the strength of the brittle surface ice.

Impacts of salt marsh plants on tidal channel initiation and inheritance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwarz, Christian; Ye, Qinghua; van der Wal, Daphne; Zhang, Liquan; Ysebaert, Tom; Herman, Peter MJ

2013-04-01

Tidal channel networks are the most prominent and striking features visible in tidal wetlands. They serve as major pathways for the exchange of water, sediments, nutrients and contaminants between the wetland and the adjacent open water body. Previous studies identified topography guided sheet flows, as the predominate process for tidal channel initiation. Guided through differences in local topography, sheet flows are able to locally exceed bottom shear stress thresholds, initiating scouring and incision of tidal channels, which then further grow through head ward erosion. The fate of these channels after plant colonization is described in literature as being inherited into the salt marsh through vegetation induced bank stabilization (further referred to as vegetation stabilized channel inheritance). In this study we present a combination of flume experiments and modelling simulations elucidating the impact of vegetation on tidal channel initiation. We first studied the impact of plant properties (stiff: Spartina alterniflora versus flexible: Scirpus mariqueter) on local sediment transport utilizing a flume experiment. Then a coupled hydrodynamic morphodynamic plant growth model was set up to simulate plant colonization by these two different species in the pioneer zone at the mudflat - salt marsh transition. Based on the model we investigated the ramifications of interactions between vegetation, sediment and flow on tidal channel initiation. We specifically compared the effect of vegetation properties (such as stiffness, growth velocity and stress tolerance) on emerging channel patterns, hypothesizing that vegetation mediated channel incision (vegetation induced flow routing and differential sedimentation/erosion patterns leading to tidal channel incision) plays an active role in intertidal landscape evolution. We finally extended our model simulation by imposing pre-existing mudflat channels with different maximum depths, to investigate the impact of existing channels on vegetation mediated channel incision. This simulated landscape development was then compared to aerial photographs from the Scheldt estuary (the Netherlands) and the Yangtze estuary (China). Our results suggest a significant impact of plant properties on tidal channel network emergence, specifically in respect to network drainage density and channel width. This emphasizes the repercussions of vegetation mediated channel incision on estuarine landscape development. Further do our results point to the existence of a threshold in pre-existing mudflat channel depth favoring either vegetation stabilized channel inheritance or vegetation mediated channel incision processes. Increasing depth in mudflat channels favors flow routing via these channels, leaving less flow and momentum remaining for the interaction between vegetation, sediment and flow and therefore vegetation mediated channel incision. This threshold will be influenced by field specific parameters such as hydrodynamics (tidal range, waves, and flow), sediments and predominant plant species. Hence our study not only demonstrates to importance of plant properties on landscape development it also shows that vegetation stabilized channel inheritance or vegetation mediated channel incision are two occurring mechanisms depending on ecosystem properties, adding important information for salt marsh management and conservation.

A Tidal Disruption Event in Arp299B

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-06-15

An image of the galaxy Arp299B, which is undergoing a merging process with Arp299A (the galaxy to the left), captured by NASA's Hubble space telescope. The inset features an artist's illustration of a tidal disruption event (TDE), which occurs when a star passes fatally close to a supermassive black hole. A TDE was recently observed near the center of Arp299B. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22356

Anomaly Detection Techniques for the Condition Monitoring of Tidal Turbines

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-29

particularly beneficial to this industry. This paper explores the use of the CRISP - DM data mining process model for identifying key trends within...within tidal turbines with limited historical data. Using the CRISP - DM data mining methodology (Wirth & Hipp, 2000), key relationships between...indicate a change in the response of the system, indicating the possible onset of a fault. 1.2.1. CRISP - DM The CRISP - DM (Cross-Industry Standard

A comparison of two finite element models of tidal hydrodynamics using a North Sea data set

USGS Publications Warehouse

Walters, R.A.; Werner, F.E.

1989-01-01

Using the region of the English Channel and the southern bight of the North Sea, we systematically compare the results of two independent finite element models of tidal hydrodynamics. The model intercomparison provides a means for increasing our understanding of the relevant physical processes in the region in question as well as a means for the evaluation of certain algorithmic procedures of the two models. ?? 1989.

Pacific deep circulation and ventilation controlled by tidal mixing away from the sea bottom.

PubMed

Oka, Akira; Niwa, Yoshihiro

2013-01-01

Vertical mixing in the ocean is a key driver of the global ocean thermohaline circulation, one of the most important factors controlling past and future climate change. Prior observational and theoretical studies have focused on intense tidal mixing near the sea bottom (near-field mixing). However, ocean general circulation models that employ a parameterization of near-field mixing significantly underestimate the strength of the Pacific thermohaline circulation. Here we demonstrate that tidally induced mixing away from the sea bottom (far-field mixing) is essential in controlling the Pacific thermohaline circulation. Via the addition of far-field mixing to a widely used tidal parameterization, we successfully simulate the Pacific thermohaline circulation. We also propose that far-field mixing is indispensable for explaining the presence of the world ocean's oldest water in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. Our findings suggest that far-field mixing controls ventilation of the deep Pacific Ocean, a process important for ocean carbon and biogeochemical cycles.

Historical evolution of a micro-tidal lagoon simulated by a 2-D schematic model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonaldo, D.; Di Silvio, G.

2013-11-01

Coastal transitional environments such as estuaries, coastal inlets and tidal lagoons are the result of the interaction of several exogenous forcing factors (e.g. tidal regime, local wind and wave climate, sea-level rise, sediment supply) many of which are, in principle, variable in time over historical and geological timescales. Besides the natural variability of the external constraints, human interventions in some components of the system can either directly or indirectly affect long-term sediment dynamics in the whole system. In this paper the evolution of a schematic tidal basin, with non-uniform sediments and subject to geological and anthropogenic processes, is reproduced by means of a two dimensional morphodynamic model and qualitatively compared to the events which historically took place in the Venice Lagoon during the last four centuries; the trend for the next 200 years is also investigated. In particular, the effect on both morphology and bottom composition of river diversion, jetty construction, human-induced subsidence and channel dredging are presented and discussed.

Tidal fluctuations influence E. coli concentrations in urban estuaries.

PubMed

Jovanovic, Dusan; Coleman, Rhys; Deletic, Ana; McCarthy, David T

2017-06-15

This study investigated the influence of water level and velocity on Escherichia coli levels over multiple tidal cycles in an urban microtidal estuary in Melbourne, Australia. Over 3,500 E. coli samples and high resolution water level and velocity measurements from two locations within the estuary were used for the analysis. E. coli negatively correlated with water level in the upper estuary which was proposed to be linked to increased resuspension of estuarine sediments during low tide. No relationship was found in the lower estuary, likely due to wet weather inputs dwarfing subtler tidal-related processes. Removal of wet weather data enabled significant relationships to emerge in the lower estuary: 1) positive with water level (when a 9-h shift applied corresponding to the phase shift between water levels and velocities) and; 2) positive with velocity (no shift applied). This supports a link between increased E. coli levels and tidal-related resuspension. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ocean bottom pressure observations near the source of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inazu, D.; Hino, R.; Suzuki, S.; Osada, Y.; Ohta, Y.; Iinuma, T.; Tsushima, H.; Ito, Y.; Kido, M.; Fujimoto, H.

2011-12-01

A Mw9.0 earthquake occurred off Miyagi, northeast Japan, on 11 March 2011 (hereafter mainshock). An earthquake of M7.3, considered to be the largest foreshock of the mainshock, occurred on 9 March 2011 near the mainshock hypocenter. A suite of seismic and geodetic variations related to these earthquakes was observed by autonomous, ocean bottom pressure (OBP) gauges at multiple sites (4 sites at present) near the sources within a distance of about 100 km. This paper presents the OBP records with a focus on the earthquakes. Thanks to correcting tides, instrumental drifts, and non-tidal oceanic variations, we can detect OBP signals of tsunamis and vertical seafloor deformation of the order of centimeters with timescales of less than months. In the following we review the detected signals and how to correct the OBP data. The coseismic seafloor displacement and the tsunami accompanied by the mainshock were of the order of meters and large enough to be distinctly identified (Ito et al., 2011, GRL). Co- and post-seismic seafloor displacement and tsunami accompanied by the foreshock were of the order of centimeters which is difficult to be identified from the raw OBP records. The first evident pulses of these tsunamis in the deep sea have durations (periods) of ~20 minutes and ~10 minutes, for the mainshock and the foreshock, respectively. Amounts of seafloor vertical displacement due to post-mainshock deformation reached a few tens of centimeters in two months. It is worth noting that elevation and depression of seafloor were detected at rates of a couple of centimeters in a day after the largest foreshock. The seafloor displacement of centimeters between the largest foreshock and the mainshock can be reasonably identified after correcting non-tidal oceanic variations. The oceanic variations are simulated by a barotropic ocean model driven by atmospheric disturbances (Inazu et al., 2011, Ann. Rep. Earth Simulator Center 2011). The model enables residual OBP time series of non-tidal oceanic variations off Miyagi to be reduced by less than 2 cm. In order to accurately detect signals of centimeters, detiding had better be carefully done analyzing in-situ data rather than using existing ocean tide models such as NAO.99Jb and FES2004. A BAYTAP-G program was used in the present study. Instrumental drifts are modeled by a popularly used, linear and exponential form (Watts and Kontoyiannis, 1990, J. Atmos. Oceanic Tech.). Seismological interpretations of the detected OBP signals of the seafloor displacement and the tsunamis will be demonstrated in the separate papers presented in this meeting.

Subfossil mammalian tracks (Flandrian) in the Severn Estuary, S. W. Britain: mechanics of formation, preservation and distribution

PubMed Central

Allen, J. R. L.

1997-01-01

Mammalian tracks and trackways are widely preserved at all stratigraphical levels in the Flandrian sediments of tidal mudflat and marsh origins which formed over the last 8000–9000 years on the marginal wetlands of the inner Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary. The fauna recorded in this way, however, is less diverse than that known from the few, small assemblages of skeletal remains, including some from archaeological sites, so far assessed. Missing or rarely represented in terms of tracks are the smaller of the large mammals. Humans are represented by tracks throughout the Flandrian deposits. In the earlier Flandrian, they were accompanied by deer and aurochs which gave way, in the later Flandrian, to domesticated cattle and sheep/goat; there are sporadic indications of the presence of horse. Wolf/dog, represented by just two records, is the only smaller large mammal so far recorded as a track. The tracks were made, modified, and eventually preserved under a wide variety of sedimentological conditions on the margins of the estuary. Those environmental conditions constrained the quality of the anatomical evidence preserved in the tracks but can be inferred from the character of the tracks. Field experiments suggest that the moisture content of the sediment at the time was crucial to the general nature of the tracks. The mudflat–marsh silts which received the tracks varied from semi-liquid to firm, depending on tidal and seasonal factors and on the elevation of the sedimentary surface relative to the tidal frame. Some tracks were made in marsh peats which offered little resistance. Deep tracks preserving little detail were produced in weak sediments of high moisture content; tracks formed in strong, firm muds retained full anatomical detail. Referring to mechanical theory, and to a series of laboratory experiments using plasticine, the act of making a track is shown to be similar in character and effect to the indentation of an ideal elastic–plastic material by a punch. The punch represents the descending limb of the animal, the face of the punch the sole of the animal's foot, and the elastic–plastic material the sediment which is pierced and deformed by the downward action of the limb. The character of the experimental tracks, and the range and relative size of the deformation structures they include, is qualitatively similar to what is recorded from the field. Many of the tracks recorded from the field were variously modified in a changeable and dynamic environment before final burial and preservation.

Bend-Twist Coupled Carbon-Fiber Laminate Beams: Fundamental Behavior and Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Babuska, Pavel

Material-induced bend-twist coupling in laminated composite beams has seen applications in engineered structures for decades, ranging from airplane wings to turbine blades. Symmetric, unbalanced, carbon fiber laminates which exhibit bend-twist coupling can be difficult to characterize and exhibit unintuitive deformation states which may pose challenges to the engineer. In this thesis, bend-twist coupled beams are investigated comprehensively, by experimentation, numerical modeling, and analytical methods. Beams of varying fiber angle and amount of coupling were manufactured and physically tested in both linear and nonlinear static and dynamic settings. Analytical mass and stiffness matrices were derived for the development of a beam element to use in the stiffness matrix analysis method. Additionally, an ABAQUS finite element model was used in conjunction with the analytical methods to predict and further characterize the behavior of the beams. The three regimes, experimental, analytical, and numerical, represent a full-field characterization of bend-twist coupling in composite beams. A notable application of bend-twist coupled composites is for passively adaptive turbine blades whereby the deformation coupling can be built into the blade structure to simultaneously bend and twist, thus pitching the blade into or away from the fluid flow, changing the blade angle of attack. Passive pitch adaptation has been implemented successfully in wind turbine blades, however, for marine turbine blades, the technology is still in the development phase. Bend-twist coupling has been shown numerically to be beneficial to the tidal turbine performance, however little validation has been conducted in the experimental regime. In this thesis, passively adaptive experiment scale tidal turbine blades were designed, analyzed, manufactured, and physically tested, validating the foundational numerical work. It was shown that blade forces and root moments as well as turbine thrust and power coefficients can be manipulated by inclusion of passive pitch adaption by bend-twist coupling.

Tidal Forces as Drivers of Collisional Evolution

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Asphaug, E.; Agnor, C.; Williams, Q.

2005-01-01

Planetary collisions are usually understood as shock-related phenomena, analogous to impact cratering. But at large scales, where the impact timescale is comparable to the gravitational timescale, collisions can be dominated by gravitational torques and disruptive tides. Shock physics fares poorly, in many respects, in explaining asteroid and meteorite genesis. Melts, melt residues, welded agglomerates and hydrous and gasrich phases among meteorites lead to an array of diverse puzzles whose solution might be explained, in part, by the thermomechanics of tidal unloading. Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 disrupted in a process that is common in the present and ancestral solar system, so here we consider specific effects tidal disruption had on the evolution of asteroids, comets and meteorites the unaccreted residues of planet formation.

Core rotational dynamics and geological events

PubMed

Greff-Lefftz; Legros

1999-11-26

A study of Earth's fluid core oscillations induced by lunar-solar tidal forces, together with tidal secular deceleration of Earth's axial rotation, shows that the rotational eigenfrequency of the fluid core and some solar tidal waves were in resonance around 3.0 x 10(9), 1.8 x 10(9), and 3 x 10(8) years ago. The associated viscomagnetic frictional power at the core boundaries may be converted into heat and would destabilize the D" thermal layer, leading to the generation of deep-mantle plumes, and would also increase the temperature at the fluid core boundaries, perturbing the core dynamo process. Such phenomena could account for large-scale episodes of continental crust formation, the generation of flood basalts, and abrupt changes in geomagnetic reversal frequency.

Improvement of Europa's Gravity and Body Tides and Shape with a Laser Altimeter during a Flyby Tour

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazarico, E.; Genova, A.; Smith, D. E.; Zuber, M. T.

2014-12-01

Laser altimeters have been primarily utilized with orbiter spacecraft. Recently, the Mercury Laser Altimeter on MESSENGER successfully operated at Mercury during two flybys and thousands of highly-elliptical orbits, and contributed greatly towards improved understanding of the innermost planet. We show that a laser altimeter instrument on a flyby tour mission such as the planned NASA Europa Clipper can constrain key geophysical parameters when supported by variable-frequency altimetric measurements over repeated ~145°-long arcs across the surface. Previous work by Park et al. (2011, GRL) showed through covariance analysis that a similar trajectory could yield the gravity tidal Love number k2 to good accuracy (0.05). Here, we conduct a full simulation of a 45-flyby trajectory in the Jupiter system with Europa as primary target. We consider reasonable tracking coverage and noise level (dominated by plasma noise), as well as gravity (degree 50) and topography (200m resolution supplemented by realistic fractal noise at shorter wavelengths), informed by relevant existing data (Galileo, Cassini). The simulation is initialized at pessimistic values, with C20, C22, k2, and h2 in error of 90%, 90%, 50%, and 50%, respectively. All other gravity coefficients up to degree 3 have zero a priori values. Assumed altimetric data sampling and noise are derived from the tour trajectory and the instrument performance described by Smith et al. (this meeting). This variable-frequency laser altimeter can greatly improve the surface coverage (for shape recovery) and the number of altimetric crossovers, the best measurement type to constrain the tidal surface deformation. We find from our simulation that the addition of altimetry data significantly improves the determination of the gravity tidal Love number k2 and enables the recovery of the body tidal Love number h2. Low-degree gravity and topography are most important to constrain the interior structure of Europa. Scientific objectives of a mission such as Europa Clipper can be made more robust and even furthered with a laser altimeter.

Finite element simulation of the T-shaped ECAP processing of round samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaban Ghazani, Mehdi; Fardi-Ilkhchy, Ali; Binesh, Behzad

2018-05-01

Grain refinement is the only mechanism that increases the yield strength and toughness of the materials simultaneously. Severe plastic deformation is one of the promising methods to refine the microstructure of materials. Among different severe plastic deformation processes, the T-shaped equal channel angular pressing (T-ECAP) is a relatively new technique. In the present study, finite element analysis was conducted to evaluate the deformation behavior of metals during T-ECAP process. The study was focused mainly on flow characteristics, plastic strain distribution and its homogeneity, damage development, and pressing force which are among the most important factors governing the sound and successful processing of nanostructured materials by severe plastic deformation techniques. The results showed that plastic strain is localized in the bottom side of sample and uniform deformation cannot be possible using T-ECAP processing. Friction coefficient between sample and die channel wall has a little effect on strain distributions in mirror plane and transverse plane of deformed sample. Also, damage analysis showed that superficial cracks may be initiated from bottom side of sample and their propagation will be limited due to the compressive state of stress. It was demonstrated that the V shaped deformation zone are existed in T-ECAP process and the pressing load needed for execution of deformation process is increased with friction.

Temporal and spatial variabilities in the surface moisture content of a fine-grained beach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Namikas, S. L.; Edwards, B. L.; Bitton, M. C. A.; Booth, J. L.; Zhu, Y.

2010-01-01

This study examined spatial and temporal variations in the surface moisture content of a fine-grained beach at Padre Island, Texas, USA. Surface moisture measurements were collected on a 27 × 24 m grid that extended from the dune toe to the upper foreshore. The grid was surveyed at 2 to 4 h intervals for two tidal cycles, generating 17 maps of the spatial distribution of surface moisture. Simultaneous measurements of air temperature and humidity, wind speed and direction, tidal elevation, and water table elevation were used to interpret observed changes in surface moisture. It was found that the spatial distribution of surface moisture was broadly characterized by a cross-shore gradient of high to low content moving landward from the swash zone. The distribution of surface moisture was conceptualized in terms of three zones: saturated (> 25%), intermediate or transitional (5-25%), and dry (< 5%). The position of the saturated zone corresponded to the uppermost swash zone and therefore shifted in accordance with tidal elevation. Moisture contents in the intermediate and dry zones were primarily related to variation in water table depth (which was in turn controlled by tidal elevation) and to a lesser extent by evaporation. Signals associated with atmospheric processes such as evaporation were muted by the minimal degree of variation in atmospheric parameters experienced during most of the study period, but were apparent for the last few hours. The observed spatial and temporal variations in moisture content correspond reasonably well with observations of key controlling processes, but more work is needed to fully characterize this process suite.

Monotonous and stepwise character of deformation accumulation as a hierarchically organized process under high-temperature deformation of aluminum-magnesium alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makarov, S. V.; Plotnikov, V. A.; Lysikov, M. V.

2017-12-01

Stepwise kinetics of deformation accumulation and monotonous and pulsed acoustic emission bear witness to the active role of acoustic emission in deformation processes. A standing acoustic wave in the region of deformation localization determines the effect of self-organization of dislocations on macroscopic scales around the natural resonator of the system.

Settlement, mortality and growth of the asari clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) for a collapsed population on a tidal flat in Nakatsu, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tezuka, Naoaki; Kamimura, Satomi; Hamaguchi, Masami; Saito, Hajime; Iwano, Hideki; Egashira, Junichi; Fukuda, Yuichi; Tawaratsumida, Takahiko; Nagamoto, Atsushi; Nakagawa, Koichi

2012-04-01

Although fluctuation and decline in bivalve populations have been reported worldwide, the underlying processes are not yet fully understood. This lack of understanding is partly due to an absence of demographic information for the early post-settlement period. This is the case particularly for annual production of the asari clam (also commonly known as the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum) in Japan, which has greatly decreased in recent years. A remarkable decrease has been observed in the Nakatsu tidal flat, where current yields are less than 0.02% of the maximum yield. Possible explanations for this decline are: 1. limitation on recruitment due to overfishing; and 2. the demographic processes of growth and mortality have been altered by environmental changes, such as rise in seawater temperature or decrease in phytoplankton abundance. However, because of a lack of demographic information (e.g., the initial densities of larval settlement and mortality and growth rates post-settlement), the reasons for the decline, and the relative importance of each period in the life cycle in determining population abundance, remain unclear. Despite the decline, we observed high levels of recruitment of 0-year-class clams on the Nakatsu tidal flat in spring 2005, where more than 10,000 individuals m- 2 3-5 mm in shell length, estimated to have settled during the previous autumn, were observed. To obtain demographic information on the Nakatsu clams, we investigated two factors. First, we investigated the distribution of the 0-year-class clams and their rate of change in density as a combination of mortality, emigration and immigration on the whole tidal flat after a year. Second, we investigated the rate of change in the density and growth of clams after settlement in the center of the flat for 3 years. The rate of decrease in the density of the 0-year-class clams over the whole tidal flat after a year was greater at the stations where the initial density was higher. This suggests that density-dependent processes such as predation or competition may affect population levels. In the center of the flat, the initial density of settlement was more stable than the rate of decrease after settlement. These results suggest that the clam population on this tidal flat is probably suppressed by variable but high mortality rates after settlement, not by recruitment limitation.

White willow sexual regeneration capacity under estuarine conditions in times of climate change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Markus-Michalczyk, Heike; Hanelt, Dieter; Denstorf, Julian; Jensen, Kai

2016-10-01

Tidal wetlands provide both habitats for coastal populations and wildlife, and ecosystem services for human welfare. Building with nature regarding cost-effective coastal protection is of increasing interest. Much research has been carried out on plant reproduction capacities in mangroves and salt marshes, but less is known on this issue in tidal freshwater wetlands. Willows are being successfully used for bank stabilization in riverine habitats, however, today white willow softwood forests in tidal wetlands are highly fragmented, and restoration is required e.g. by the European Habitats Directive. Recently, tolerance to increasing salinity and tidal flooding was found for vegetative propagules of floodplain willows. However, the establishment of autochthonous sexual recruits is necessary to conserve the genetic diversity of local populations, and thus may be preferable in restoration. The germination and early seedling establishment of Salix alba (white willow) was experimentally studied under simulated estuarine conditions. The species tolerance to increasing salinity (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2) was tested in a climate chamber, and its tolerance to flooding at different tidal treatments (control, spring tide, daily tide 15 min and 2 h flooding) in the greenhouse. Germination was neither affected by increasing salinity nor by tidal flooding. Salix seedlings established up to salinity 1.5, but cotyledon performance and radicle growth was largely reduced at salinity 2. Under tidal flooding, seedling growth was similar in all treatments. However, in the treatments with daily tides seedling anchorage in the substrate took more than two weeks, and fewer seedlings reached a suitable length to approach the high water line. We assess S. alba sexual regeneration under estuarine conditions as generally possible. Further studies are needed on the effects of sedimentation-erosion processes on willow establishment in the field, especially on feedbacks between Salix survival and tidal wetland evolution.

Tidal analysis of surface currents in the Porsanger fjord in northern Norway

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stramska, Malgorzata; Jankowski, Andrzej; Cieszyńska, Agata

2016-04-01

In this presentation we describe surface currents in the Porsanger fjord (Porsangerfjorden) located in the European Arctic in the vicinity of the Barents Sea. Our analysis is based on data collected in the summer of 2014 using High Frequency radar system. Our interest in this fjord comes from the fact that this is a region of high climatic sensitivity. One of our long-term goals is to develop an improved understanding of the undergoing changes and interactions between this fjord and the large-scale atmospheric and oceanic conditions. In order to derive a better understanding of the ongoing changes one must first improve the knowledge about the physical processes that create the environment of the fjord. The present study is the first step in this direction. Our main objective in this presentation is to evaluate the importance of tidal forcing. Tides in the Porsanger fjord are substantial, with tidal range on the order of about 3 meters. Tidal analysis attributes to tides about 99% of variance in sea level time series recorded in Honningsvåg. The most important tidal component based on sea level data is the M2 component (amplitude of ~90 cm). The S2 and N2 components (amplitude of ~ 20 cm) also play a significant role in the semidiurnal sea level oscillations. The most important diurnal component is K1 with amplitude of about 8 cm. Tidal analysis lead us to the conclusion that the most important tidal component in observed surface currents is also the M2 component. The second most important component is the S2 component. Our results indicate that in contrast to sea level, only about 10 - 20% of variance in surface currents can be attributed to tidal currents. This means that about 80-90% of variance can be credited to wind-induced and geostrophic currents. This work was funded by the Norway Grants (NCBR contract No. 201985, project NORDFLUX). Partial support for MS comes from the Institute of Oceanology (IO PAN).

Spatial patterns in salt marsh porewater dissolved organic matter over a spring-neap tidal cycle: insight to the impact of hydrodynamics on lateral carbon fluxes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guimond, J. A.; Yu, X.; Duque, C.; Michael, H. A.

2016-12-01

Salt marshes are a hydrologically complex ecosystem. Tides deliver saline surface water to salt marshes via tidal creeks, and freshwater is introduced through lateral groundwater flow and vertical infiltration from precipitation. Locally, sediment heterogeneity, tides, weather, and topography introduce spatial and temporal complexities in groundwater-surface water interactions, which, in turn, can have a large impact on salt marsh biogeochemistry and the lateral fluxes of nutrients and carbon between the marsh platform and tidal creek. In this study, we investigate spatial patterns of porewater fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM) and redox potential over a spring-neap tidal cycle in a mid-latitude tidal salt marsh in Dover, Delaware. Porewater samplers were used in conjunction with a peristaltic pump and YSI EXO Sonde to measure porewater fDOM, electrical conductivity, redox potential and pH from 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.3 meters deep, as well as surface water from the creek and marsh platform. Eh was also measured continuously every 15 minutes with multi-level in-situ redox sensors at 0, 3, and 5m from the tidal creek, and water level and salinity were measured every 15 minutes continuously in 6 wells equipped with data loggers. Preliminary analyses indicate porewater salinity is dependent on the slope of the marsh platform, the elevation of the sample location, and the distance from a tidal creek. Near-creek redox analyses show tidal oscillations up to 300 mV; redox oscillations in the marsh interior show longer timescale changes. The observed redox oscillations coincide with the water level fluctuations at these locations. Therefore, lateral transport of carbon is determined by both hydrologic flow and biogeochemical processes. Results from this study provide insight into the timescales over which salt marsh hydrology impacts porewater biogeochemistry and the mechanisms controlling regional carbon cycling.

Tidal tomography constrains Earth's deep-mantle buoyancy.

PubMed

Lau, Harriet C P; Mitrovica, Jerry X; Davis, James L; Tromp, Jeroen; Yang, Hsin-Ying; Al-Attar, David

2017-11-15

Earth's body tide-also known as the solid Earth tide, the displacement of the solid Earth's surface caused by gravitational forces from the Moon and the Sun-is sensitive to the density of the two Large Low Shear Velocity Provinces (LLSVPs) beneath Africa and the Pacific. These massive regions extend approximately 1,000 kilometres upward from the base of the mantle and their buoyancy remains actively debated within the geophysical community. Here we use tidal tomography to constrain Earth's deep-mantle buoyancy derived from Global Positioning System (GPS)-based measurements of semi-diurnal body tide deformation. Using a probabilistic approach, we show that across the bottom two-thirds of the two LLSVPs the mean density is about 0.5 per cent higher than the average mantle density across this depth range (that is, its mean buoyancy is minus 0.5 per cent), although this anomaly may be concentrated towards the very base of the mantle. We conclude that the buoyancy of these structures is dominated by the enrichment of high-density chemical components, probably related to subducted oceanic plates or primordial material associated with Earth's formation. Because the dynamics of the mantle is driven by density variations, our result has important dynamical implications for the stability of the LLSVPs and the long-term evolution of the Earth system.

Sub-radian-accuracy gravitational waveforms of coalescing binary neutron stars in numerical relativity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiuchi, Kenta; Kawaguchi, Kyohei; Kyutoku, Koutarou; Sekiguchi, Yuichiro; Shibata, Masaru; Taniguchi, Keisuke

2017-10-01

Extending our previous studies, we perform high-resolution simulations of inspiraling binary neutron stars in numerical relativity. We thoroughly carry through a convergence study in our currently available computational resources with the smallest grid spacing of ≈63 - 86 meter for the neutron-star radius 10.9-13.7 km. The estimated total error in the gravitational-wave phase is of order 0.1 rad for the total phase of ≳210 rad in the last ˜15 - 16 inspiral orbits. We then compare the waveforms (without resolution extrapolation) with those calculated by the latest effective-one-body formalism (tidal SEOBv2 model referred to as TEOB model). We find that for any of our models of binary neutron stars, the waveforms calculated by the TEOB formalism agree with the numerical-relativity waveforms up to ≈3 ms before the peak of the gravitational-wave amplitude is reached: For this late inspiral stage, the total phase error is ≲0.1 rad . Although the gravitational waveforms have an inspiral-type feature for the last ˜3 ms , this stage cannot be well reproduced by the current TEOB formalism, in particular, for neutron stars with large tidal deformability (i.e., lager radius). The reason for this is described.

Crustal Displacements Due to Continental Water Loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

vanDam, T.; Wahr, J.; Milly, P. C. D.; Shmakin, A. B.; Blewitt, G.; Lavallee, D.; Larson, K. M.

2001-01-01

The effects of long-wavelength (> 100 km), seasonal variability in continental water storage on vertical crustal motions are assessed. The modeled vertical displacements (delta-r(sub M)) have root-mean-square (RMS) values for 1994-1998 as large as 8 mm with ranges up to 30 mm, and are predominantly annual in character. Regional strains are on the order of 20 nanostrain for tilt and 5 nanostrain for horizontal deformation. We compare delta-r(sub M) with observed Global Positioning System (GPS) heights (delta-r(sub O)) (which include adjustments to remove estimated effects of atmospheric pressure and annual tidal and non-tidal ocean loading) for 147 globally distributed sites. When the delta-r(sub O) time series are adjusted by delta-r(sub M), their variances are reduced, on average, by an amount equal to the variance of the delta-r(sub M). Of the delta-r(sub O) time series exhibiting a strong annual signal, more than half are found to have an annual harmonic that is in phase and of comparable amplitude with the annual harmonic in the delta-r(sub M). The delta-r(sub M) time series exhibit long-period variations that could be mistaken for secular tectonic trends or post-glacial rebound when observed over a time span of a few years.

Astrobiological and Geological Implications of Convective Transport in Icy Outer Planet Satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pappalardo, Robert T.; Zhong, Shi-Jie; Barr, Amy

2005-01-01

The oceans of large icy outer planet satellites are prime targets in the search for extraterrestrial life in our solar system. The goal of our project has been to develop models of ice convection in order to understand convection as an astrobiologically relevant transport mechanism within icy satellites, especially Europa. These models provide valuable constraints on modes of surface deformation and thus the implications of satellite surface geology for astrobiology, and for planetary protection. Over the term of this project, significant progress has been made in three areas: (1) the initiation of convection in large icy satellites, which we find probably requires tidal heating; (2) the relationship of surface features on Europa to internal ice convection, including the likely role of low-melting-temperature impurities; and (3) the effectiveness of convection as an agent of icy satellite surface-ocean material exchange, which seems most plausible if tidal heating, compositional buoyancy, and solid-state convection work in combination. Descriptions of associated publications include: 3 published papers (including contributions to 1 review chapter), 1 manuscript in revision, 1 manuscript in preparation (currently being completed under separate funding), and 1 published popular article. A myriad of conference abstracts have also been published, and only those from the past year are listed.

Effects of hydrogeological properties on sea-derived benzene transport in unconfined coastal aquifers.

PubMed

Li, Wei-Ci; Ni, Chuen-Fa; Tsai, Chia-Hsing; Wei, Yi-Ming

2016-05-01

This paper presents numerical investigations on quantifying the hydrodynamic effects of coastal environment factors, including tidal fluctuations, beach slopes, hydraulic conductivity, and hydraulic gradients on sea-derived benzene transport in unconfined coastal aquifers. A hydrologic transport and mixed geochemical kinetic/equilibrium reactions in saturated-unsaturated media model was used to simulate the spatial and temporal behaviors of the density flow and benzene transport for various hydrogeological conditions. Simulation results indicated that the tidal fluctuations lead to upper saline plumes (USPs) near the groundwater and seawater interfaces. Such local circulation zones trapped the seaward benzene plumes and carried them down in aquifers to the depth depending on the tide amplitudes and beach slopes across the coastal lines. Comparisons based on different tidal fluctuations, beach slopes, hydraulic conductivity, and hydraulic gradient were systematically conducted and quantified. The results indicated that areas with USPs increased with the tidal amplitude and decreased with the increasing beach slope. However, the variation of hydraulic conductivity and hydraulic gradient has relatively small influence on the patterns of flow fields in the study. The increase of the USP depths was linearly correlated with the increase of the tidal amplitudes. The benzene reactive transport simulations revealed that the plume migrations are mainly controlled by the local flow dynamics and constrained in the USP circulation zones. The self-cleaning process of a coastal aquifer is time-consuming, typically requiring double the time of the contamination process that the benzene plume reach the bottom of a USP circulation zone. The presented systematic analysis can provide useful information for rapidly evaluating seaward contaminants along a coastal line with available hydrogeological properties.

On the generation and evolution of internal solitary waves in the southern Red Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Daquan; Zhan, Peng; Kartadikaria, Aditya; Akylas, Triantaphyllos; Hoteit, Ibrahim

2015-04-01

Satellite observations recently revealed the existence of trains of internal solitary waves in the southern Red Sea between 16.0°N and 16.5°N, propagating from the centre of the domain toward the continental shelf [Da silva et al., 2012]. Given the relatively weak tidal velocity in this area and their generation in the central of the domain, Da Silva suggested three possible mechanisms behind the generation of the waves, namely Resonance and disintegration of interfacial tides, Generation of interfacial tides by impinging, remotely generated internal tidal beams and for geometrically focused and amplified internal tidal beams. Tide analysis based on tide stations data and barotropic tide model in the Red Sea shows that tide is indeed very weak in the centre part of the Red Sea, but it is relatively strong in the northern and southern parts (reaching up to 66 cm/s). Together with extreme steep slopes along the deep trench, it provides favourable conditions for the generation of internal solitary in the southern Red Sea. To investigate the generation mechanisms and study the evolution of the internal waves in the off-shelf region of the southern Red Sea we have implemented a 2-D, high-resolution and non-hydrostatic configuration of the MIT general circulation model (MITgcm). Our simulations reproduce well that the generation process of the internal solitary waves. Analysis of the model's output suggests that the interaction between the topography and tidal flow with the nonlinear effect is the main mechanism behind the generation of the internal solitary waves. Sensitivity experiments suggest that neither tidal beam nor the resonance effect of the topography is important factor in this process.

Analysis of Preferred Directions in Phase Space for Tidal Measurements at Europa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boone, D.; Scheeres, D. J.

2012-12-01

The NASA Jupiter Europa Orbiter mission requires a circular, near-polar orbit to measure Europa's Love numbers, geophysical coefficients which give insight into whether a liquid ocean exists. This type of orbit about planetary satellites is known to be unstable. The effects of Jupiter's tidal gravity are seen in changes in Europa's gravity field and surface deformation, which are sensed through doppler tracking over time and altimetry measurements respectively. These two measurement types separately determine the h and k Love numbers, a combination of which bounds how thick the ice shell of Europa is and whether liquid water is present. This work shows how the properties of an unstable periodic orbit about Europa generate preferred measurement directions in position and velocity phase space for the orbit determination process. We generate an error covariance over seven days for the orbiter state and science parameters using a periodic orbit and then disperse the orbit initial conditions in a Monte Carlo simulation according to this covariance. The dispersed orbits are shown to have a bias toward longer lifetimes and we discuss this as an effect of the stable and unstable manifolds of the periodic orbit. Using an epoch formulation of a square-root information filter, measurements aligned with the unstable manifold mapped back in time add more information to the orbit determination process than measurements aligned with the stable manifold. This corresponds to a contraction in the uncertainty of the estimate of the desired parameters, including the Love numbers. We demonstrate this mapping mathematically using a representation of the State Transition Matrix involving its eigenvectors and eigenvalues. Then using the properties of left and right eigenvectors, we show how measurements in the orbit determination process are mapped in time leading to a concentration of information at epoch. We present examples of measurements taken on different time schedules to show the effect of preferred phase space directions in the estimation process. Manifold coordinate decomposition is applied to the orbit initial conditions as well as measurement partials in the filter to show the alignment of each with the stable and unstable manifolds of the periodic orbit. The connection between orbit lifetime and regions of increased information density in phase space is made using the properties of these manifolds. Low altitude, near-polar periodic orbits with these characteristics are discussed along with the estimation results for the Love numbers, orbiter state, and orbit lifetime. Different measurement schedules and the resulting estimation performance are presented along with an analysis of information content for single measurements with respect to manifold alignment. These results allow more sensitive estimation of the tidal Love numbers and may allow measurements to be taken less frequently or compensate for corrupted data arcs. Other measurement types will be mapped in the same way using the State Transition matrix and have increased information density at epoch if aligned with the unstable manifold. In the same way, these results are applicable to planetary satellite orbiters about Enceladus or Dione since they share the governing equations of motion and properties of unstable periodic orbits.

Patterns, drivers and implications of dissolved oxygen dynamics in tropical mangrove forests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mattone, Carlo; Sheaves, Marcus

2017-10-01

Estuarine mangrove forests regulate and facilitate many ecological processes, and provide nursery ground for many commercially important species. However, mangroves grow in sediments with high carbon loading and high respiration rates which can potentially influencing the dissolved oxygen (DO) dynamics of tidal water flowing into mangrove forests, as bacteria strip DO from the incoming water to carry out metabolic functions. In turn this is likely to influence the way nekton and other aquatic organisms utilize mangrove forests. Despite these possibilities, previous work has focused on looking at DO dynamics within mangrove creeks, with little research focusing on understanding DO dynamics within the mangrove forests themselves during tidal inundation or of DO levels of pools within the forest remaining once the tide has ebbed. The present study investigates the pattern in DO at various distances within an estuarine Rhizophora stylosa forest in tropical north Queensland. DO levels were recorded at 5 min interval over 2 days and multiple tidal cycles, data were collected between 2013 and 2014 for a total of 32 tidal cycles encompassing multiples seasons and tidal amplitudes. There were substantial fluctuations in DO, often varying from normoxic to hypoxic within the same tidal cycle. A range of factors influenced DO dynamics, in particular: tidal height, amount of sunlight, tidal phase, and distance from the outer edge of the mangrove forest. In fact, spring tides tend to have high DO saturation, particularly during the flooding phase, however as the tide starts ebbing, DO depletes rapidly especially in areas further inside the forest. Moreover during tidal disconnection the remnant pools within the forest quickly became anoxic. These variations in DO suggest that the use of mangrove forests by animals is likely to be constrained by their ability to withstand low DO levels, and provides a plausible explanation for the apparent paucity of benthic organism observed inside similar mangrove forest in previous studies of South Pacific mangroves. Low DO levels coupled with low densities of benthic prey also provides a likely explanation for the limited utilisation of landwards areas of these forests by fish and other nekton.

Hydrologically mediated iron reduction/oxidation fluctuations and dissolved organic carbon exports in tidal wetlands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guimond, J. A.; Seyfferth, A.; Michael, H. A.

2017-12-01

Salt marshes are biogeochemical hotspots where large quantities of carbon are processed and stored. High primary productivity and deposition of carbon-laden sediment enable salt marsh soils to accumulate and store organic carbon. Conversely, salt marshes can laterally export carbon from the marsh platform to the tidal channel and eventually the ocean via tidal pumping. However, carbon export studies largely focus on tidal channels, missing key physical and biogeochemical mechanisms driving the mobilization of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) within the marsh platform and limiting our understanding of and ability to predict coastal carbon dynamics. We hypothesize that iron redox dynamics mediate the mobilization/immobilization of DOC in the top 30 cm of salt marsh sediment near tidal channels. The mobilized DOC can then diffuse into the flooded surface water or be advected to tidal channels. To elucidate DOC dynamics driven by iron redox cycles, we measured porewater DOC, Fe(II), total iron, total sulfate, pH, redox potential, and electrical conductivity (EC) beside the creek, at the marsh levee, and in the marsh interior in a mid-latitude tidal salt marsh in Dover, Delaware. Samples were collected at multiple tide stages during a spring and neap tide at depths of 5-75cm. Samples were also collected from the tidal channel. Continuous Eh measurements were made using in-situ electrodes. A prior study shows that DOC and Fe(II) concentrations vary spatially across the marsh. Redox conditions near the creek are affected by tidal oscillations. High tides saturate the soil and decrease redox potential, whereas at low tide, oxygen enters the sediment and increases the Eh. This pattern is always seen in the top 7-10cm of sediment, with more constant low Eh at depth. However, during neap tides, this signal penetrates deeper. Thus, between the creek and marsh levee, hydrology mediates redox conditions. Based on porewater chemistry, if DOC mobilization can be linked to redox cycles, then hydrologic oscillations can be tied to DOC dynamics and predicted with hydrologic models. By elucidating the mechanisms driving the mobilization of DOC, we can begin to better understand, quantify, and forecast coastal carbon dynamics.

Tidal pumping as a driver of groundwater discharge to a back barrier salt marsh ecosystem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carter, M. L.; Viso, R. F.; Peterson, R. N.; Hill, J. C.

2013-12-01

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) typically consists of both terrestrial groundwater and recirculated seawater and has been shown to be a significant pathway of dissolved substances to the coastal zone. The fresh and saline water mixture in the subsurface creates a salinity gradient that can impact biogeochemical processes. Located along the South Atlantic Bight, Georgia's coastline is an approximately 100-mile stretch of complex primary and secondary barrier islands resulting from geologic interactions driven by long-term sea level rise and retreat, accretion, seasonal tidal events, storm overwash, and wave driven erosion. Our study site is located in the Duplin River near Sapelo Island, GA and is part of the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long Term Ecosystem Research (GCE-LTER) program. This area is considered mesotidal (2-4m) and tidal pumping may be a dominating process in controlling SGD rates. The Duplin River is connected to the Atlantic Ocean through Doboy Sound to the south. To the north, the river terminates in extensive salt marsh and therefore has no overland freshwater input. Previous studies show a salinity gradient within the Duplin River indicating that SGD must be present as a source of brackish water. To place constraints on SGD processes, we employ a combination of geochemical and geophysical techniques to determine the magnitude of SGD in the Duplin River. Together these techniques permit a more complete understanding of the groundwater system. Three time series stations at the upper, mid and lower reaches of the Duplin River were deployed in June of 2013 to measure groundwater influences during daily and fortnightly tidal cycles. At each station, continuous radon-222 measurements were conducted at 30 minute intervals along with measurements of water level, temperature and conductivity using standard hydrological data loggers. During this period, eight time series resistivity profiles using a 56 electrode (110m long) cable were recorded to provide detailed imagery of fluid interactions at the ground/surface water interface during a tidal cycle. The resistivity profiles are presented as color contoured tomograms representing the shallow aquifer system to depths exceeding 20 meters. Measurements took place during a series of large precipitation events, including immediately before and after a tropical storm, as well as during relatively dry conditions. Taking into account the metrological variability, our initial results indicate that the SGD process is most strongly influenced by tidal pumping. Radon analysis and resistivity measurements reveal strong inverse relationships with water level. Percent difference resistivity models indicate substantial tidally controlled pore fluid flushing and mixing within the shallow aquifer system. These measurements will be further used to construct a water budget within the Duplin River and to delineate the extent of variability in salinity of shallow marsh sediments. In addition, these measurements will provide accurate rates and flow geometries useful as constraints on ongoing reactive transport modeling efforts.

Constraints on deep moonquake focal mechanisms through analyses of tidal stress

USGS Publications Warehouse

Weber, R.C.; Bills, B.G.; Johnson, C.L.

2009-01-01

[1] A relationship between deep moonquake occurrence and tidal forcing is suggested by the monthly periodicities observed in the occurrence times of events recorded by the Apollo Passive Seismic Experiment. In addition, the typically large S wave to P wave arrival amplitude ratios observed on deep moonquake seismograms are indicative of shear failure. Tidal stress, induced in the lunar interior by the gravitational influence of the Earth, may influence moonquake activity. We investigate the relationship between tidal stress and deep moonquake occurrence by searching for a linear combination of the normal and shear components of tidal stress that best approximates a constant value when evaluated at the times of moonquakes from 39 different moonquake clusters. We perform a grid search at each cluster location, computing the stresses resolved onto a suite of possible failure planes, to obtain the best fitting fault orientation at each location. We find that while linear combinations of stresses (and in some cases stress rates) can fit moonquake occurrence at many clusters quite well; for other clusters, the fit is not strongly dependent on plane orientation. This suggests that deep moonquakes may occur in response to factors other than, or in addition to, tidal stress. Several of our inferences support the hypothesis that deep moonquakes might be related to transformational faulting, in which shear failure is induced by mineral phase changes at depth. The occurrence of this process would have important implications for the lunar interior. Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.

Behavioral tradeoff in estuarine larvae favors seaward migration over minimizing visibility to predators

PubMed Central

Morgan, Steven G.; Anastasia, Jean R.

2008-01-01

The ability of microscopic larvae to control their fate and replenish populations in dynamic marine environments has been a long-running topic of debate of central importance to understanding the ecology and evolution of life in the sea and managing resources in a changing global environment. After decades of research documenting behaviors that keep larvae close to natal populations, it is becoming apparent that larval behaviors in a broader spectrum of species promote long-distance migrations to offshore nursery grounds. Larvae must exert considerable control over their movements. We now show that larval emigration from estuaries is favored even over minimizing visibility to predators. An endogenous tidal vertical migration that would expedite seaward migration of Uca pugilator larvae was maintained experimentally across two tidal regimes. The periodicity of the rhythm doubled to match the local tidal regime, but larvae ascended to the surface during the daytime rather than at night. This process would conserve larval emigration but increase the visibility to predators across part of the species range. The periodicity of tidal vertical migration by Sesarma cinereum larvae failed to double and was inappropriately timed relative to both environmental cycles in the absence of a diel cycle. The timing system regulating tidally timed behaviors in these two species of crabs evidently differed. Phenotypic plasticity can conserve larval transport of both species when tidal and diel cycles are present. It may be widespread in the sea where diverse habitats are encountered across extensive species ranges. PMID:18172217

Behavioral tradeoff in estuarine larvae favors seaward migration over minimizing visibility to predators.

PubMed

Morgan, Steven G; Anastasia, Jean R

2008-01-08

The ability of microscopic larvae to control their fate and replenish populations in dynamic marine environments has been a long-running topic of debate of central importance to understanding the ecology and evolution of life in the sea and managing resources in a changing global environment. After decades of research documenting behaviors that keep larvae close to natal populations, it is becoming apparent that larval behaviors in a broader spectrum of species promote long-distance migrations to offshore nursery grounds. Larvae must exert considerable control over their movements. We now show that larval emigration from estuaries is favored even over minimizing visibility to predators. An endogenous tidal vertical migration that would expedite seaward migration of Uca pugilator larvae was maintained experimentally across two tidal regimes. The periodicity of the rhythm doubled to match the local tidal regime, but larvae ascended to the surface during the daytime rather than at night. This process would conserve larval emigration but increase the visibility to predators across part of the species range. The periodicity of tidal vertical migration by Sesarma cinereum larvae failed to double and was inappropriately timed relative to both environmental cycles in the absence of a diel cycle. The timing system regulating tidally timed behaviors in these two species of crabs evidently differed. Phenotypic plasticity can conserve larval transport of both species when tidal and diel cycles are present. It may be widespread in the sea where diverse habitats are encountered across extensive species ranges.

A water-quality study of the tidal Potomac River and Estuary: An overview

USGS Publications Warehouse

Callendar, Edward; Carter, Virginia; Hahl, D.C.; Hitt, Kerie; Schultz, Barbara I.

1984-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey began a 5-year interdisciplinary study of the tidal Potomac River and Estuary in October of 1977. The objectives of the study are: (1) to provide a basic understanding of physical, chemical, and biological processes; (2) to develop flow and transport models to predict the movement and fate of nutrients and algaes and (3) to develop efficient techniques for the study of tidal rivers and estuaries. The ultimate goal is to aid water-quality decision-making for the tidal Potomac River and Estuary. The study is being conducted by scientists from many disciplines involved in 14 interrelated studies. These scientists are addressing five major problem areas: nutrient enrichment, algal blooms, dissolved oxygen, sedimentation, and effects of water quality on living resources. Preliminary results show that treatment of sewage has reduced the concentration load of organic carbon and phosphorus below that of the 1960's and 1970's, and changed the form of dissolved nitrogen in the tidal river. Concentrations of chlorophyll a during the study period were lower than those experienced during the massive algal blooms of the 1960's. Dissolved oxygen concentrations fluctuate in response to changes in algal populations, but remain above the Environmental Protection Agency limits during the summer low-flow period. Sedimentation rates have accelerated during the past 50-70 years due to urbanization and farming. Asian clams have recently invaded the tidal river; submersed aquatic vegetation has declined since the early 1900's, but conditions may now favor its return.

Modelling Watershed and Estuarine Controls on Salt Marsh Distributions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yousefi Lalimi, F.; Marani, M.; Murray, A. B.; D'Alpaos, A.

2017-12-01

The formation and evolution of tidal platforms have been extensively studied through observations and models, describing landform dynamics as a result of the local interactions and feedbacks among hydrodynamics, vegetation, and sediment transport. However, existing work mainly focuses on individual marsh platforms and, possibly, their immediate surrounding, such that the influence and controls on marsh dynamics of inland areas (through fluvial inputs) and of exchanges with the ocean have not been comprehensively and simultaneously accounted for. Here, we develop and use a process-based model to evaluate the relative role of watershed, estuarine, and ocean controls on salt marsh accretionary and depositional/erosional dynamics and define how these factors interact to determine salt marsh resilience to environmental change at the whole-estuary scale. Our results, in line with previous work, show that no stable equilibrium exists for the erosional dynamics of the marsh/tidal flat boundary. In addition, we find that under some circumstances, vertical accretion/erosion dynamics can lead to transitions between salt marsh and tidal flat equilibrium states that occur much more rapidly than marsh/tidal flat boundary erosion or accretion could. We further define, in the multidimensional space of estuarine-scale morphodynamic forcings, the basins of attractions leading to marsh-dominated and tidal-flat-dominated estuaries. The relatively slow dynamics asymptotically leading to marsh- or tidal-flat- dominance in many cases suggest that estuaries are likely to be found, at any given time, in a transition state dictated by temporal variations in environmental forcings.

Tsunami Wave Run-up on a Vertical Wall in Tidal Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Didenkulova, Ira; Pelinovsky, Efim

2018-04-01

We solve analytically a nonlinear problem of shallow water theory for the tsunami wave run-up on a vertical wall in tidal environment. Shown that the tide can be considered static in the process of tsunami wave run-up. In this approximation, it is possible to obtain the exact solution for the run-up height as a function of the incident wave height. This allows us to investigate the tide influence on the run-up characteristics.

Galaxy disruption in a halo of dark matter.

PubMed

Forbes, Duncan A; Beasley, Michael A; Bekki, Kenji; Brodie, Jean P; Strader, Jay

2003-08-29

The relics of disrupted satellite galaxies have been found around the Milky Way and Andromeda, but direct evidence of a satellite galaxy in the early stages of disruption has remained elusive. We have discovered a dwarf satellite galaxy in the process of being torn apart by gravitational tidal forces as it merges with a larger galaxy's dark matter halo. Our results illustrate the morphological transformation of dwarf galaxies by tidal interaction and the continued buildup of galaxy halos.

The effect of ilmenite viscosity on the dynamics and evolution of an overturned lunar cumulate mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Nan; Dygert, Nick; Liang, Yan; Parmentier, E. M.

2017-07-01

Lunar cumulate mantle overturn and the subsequent upwelling of overturned mantle cumulates provide a potential framework for understanding the first-order thermochemical evolution of the Moon. Upwelling of ilmenite-bearing cumulates (IBCs) after the overturn has a dominant influence on the dynamics and long-term thermal evolution of the lunar mantle. An important parameter determining the stability and convective behavior of the IBC is its viscosity, which was recently constrained through rock deformation experiments. To examine the effect of IBC viscosity on the upwelling of overturned lunar cumulate mantle, here we conduct three-dimensional mantle convection models with an evolving core superposed by an IBC-rich layer, which resulted from mantle overturn after magma ocean solidification. Our modeling shows that a reduction of mantle viscosity by 1 order of magnitude, due to the presence of ilmenite, can dramatically change convective planform and long-term lunar mantle evolution. Our model results suggest a relatively stable partially molten IBC layer that has surrounded the lunar core to the present day.