Showing papers in "Surveys in Geophysics in 2007"

A decade of the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN): scientific achievements, new techniques and future directions

Abstract: The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) has been operating as an international co-operative organization for over 10 years. The network has now grown so that the fields of view of its 18 radars cover the majority of the northern and southern hemisphere polar ionospheres. SuperDARN has been successful in addressing a wide range of scientific questions concerning processes in the magnetosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere, and mesosphere, as well as general plasma physics questions. We commence this paper with a historical introduction to SuperDARN. Following this, we review the science performed by SuperDARN over the last 10 years covering the areas of ionospheric convection, field-aligned currents, magnetic reconnection, substorms, MHD waves, the neutral atmosphere, and E-region ionospheric irregularities. In addition, we provide an up-to-date description of the current network, as well as the analysis techniques available for use with the data from the radars. We conclude the paper with a discussion of the future of SuperDARN, its expansion, and new science opportunities.

Near Surface Electrical Characterization of Hydraulic Conductivity: From Petrophysical Properties to Aquifer Geometries—A Review

Abstract: This paper reviews the recent geophysical literature addressing the estimation of saturated hydraulic conductivity (K) from static low frequency electrical measurements (electrical resistivity, induced polarization (IP) and spectral induced polarization (SIP)). In the first part of this paper, research describing how petrophysical relations between electrical properties and effective (i.e. controlling fluid transport) properties of (a) the interconnected pore volumes and interconnected pore surfaces, have been exploited to estimate K at both the core and field scale is reviewed. We start with electrical resistivity measurements, which are shown to be inherently limited in K estimation as, although resistivity is sensitive to both pore volume and pore surface area properties, the two contributions cannot be separated. Efforts to utilize the unique sensitivity of IP and SIP measurements to physical parameters that describe the interconnected pore surface area are subsequently introduced and the incorporation of such data into electrical based Kozeny–Carman type models of K estimation is reviewed. In the second part of this review, efforts to invert geophysical datasets for spatial patterns of K variability (e.g. aquifer geometries) at the field-scale are considered. Inversions, based on the conversion of an image of a geophysical property to a hydrological property assuming a valid petrophysical relationship, as well as joint/constrained inversion methods, whereby multiple geophysical and hydrological data are inverted simultaneously, are briefly covered. This review demonstrates that there currently exists an opportunity to link, (1) the petrophysics relating low frequency electrical measurements to effective hydraulic properties, with (2) the joint inversion strategies developed in recent years, in order to obtain more meaningful estimates of spatial patterns of K variability than previously reported.

Cosmic Rays and Climate

Abstract: Among the most puzzling questions in climate change is that of solar-climate variability, which has attracted the attention of scientists for more than two centuries. Until recently, even the existence of solar-climate variability has been controversial—perhaps because the observations had largely involved correlations between climate and the sunspot cycle that had persisted for only a few decades. Over the last few years, however, diverse reconstructions of past climate change have revealed clear associations with cosmic ray variations recorded in cosmogenic isotope archives, providing persuasive evidence for solar or cosmic ray forcing of the climate. However, despite the increasing evidence of its importance, solar-climate variability is likely to remain controversial until a physical mechanism is established. Although this remains a mystery, observations suggest that cloud cover may be influenced by cosmic rays, which are modulated by the solar wind and, on longer time scales, by the geomagnetic field and by the galactic environment of Earth. Two different classes of microphysical mechanisms have been proposed to connect cosmic rays with clouds: firstly, an influence of cosmic rays on the production of cloud condensation nuclei and, secondly, an influence of cosmic rays on the global electrical circuit in the atmosphere and, in turn, on ice nucleation and other cloud microphysical processes. Considerable progress on understanding ion-aerosol-cloud processes has been made in recent years, and the results are suggestive of a physically-plausible link between cosmic rays, clouds and climate. However, a concerted effort is now required to carry out definitive laboratory measurements of the fundamental physical and chemical processes involved, and to evaluate their climatic significance with dedicated field observations and modelling studies.

Modelling Internal Solitary Waves in the Coastal Ocean

Abstract: In the coastal oceans, the interaction of currents (such as the barotropic tide) with topography can generate large-amplitude, horizontally propagating internal solitary waves. These waves often occur in regions where the waveguide properties vary in the direction of propagation. We consider the modelling of these waves by nonlinear evolution equations of the Korteweg–de Vries type with variable coefficients, and we describe how these models are used to describe the shoaling of internal solitary waves over the continental shelf and slope. The theories are compared with various numerical simulations.

MT+, Integrating Magnetotellurics to Determine Earth Structure, Physical State, and Processes

Abstract: As one of the few deep-earth imaging techniques, magnetotellurics provides information on both the structure and physical state of the crust and upper mantle. Magnetotellurics is sensitive to electrical conductivity, which varies within the earth by many orders of magnitude and is modified by a range of earth processes. As with all geophysical techniques, magnetotellurics has a non-unique inverse problem and has limitations in resolution and sensitivity. As such, an integrated approach, either via the joint interpretation of independent geophysical models, or through the simultaneous inversion of independent data sets is valuable, and at times essential to an accurate interpretation. Magnetotelluric data and models are increasingly integrated with geological, geophysical and geochemical information. This review considers recent studies that illustrate the ways in which such information is combined, from qualitative comparisons to statistical correlation studies to multi-property inversions. Also emphasized are the range of problems addressed by these integrated approaches, and their value in elucidating earth structure, physical state, and processes.

How is the European Lithosphere Imaged by Magnetotellurics

Abstract: I review recent investigations on the electrical conductivity of the lithosphere and asthenosphere in Europe. The principal method in the reviewed studies is the magnetotelluric method, but in many cases other electromagnetic methods (e.g., magnetovariational profilings and geomagnetic depth soundings) have provided additional information on subsurface conductivity or have been the primary method. The review shows that the magnetotelluric method has been used, and is being used, in all kinds of environments and for many different processes shaping the crust and lithosphere. The crust is very heterogeneous, both with respect to the scale of conductive/resistive features and interpretations: research targets vary from Archaean palaeostructures to ongoing processes. The European database of the depth to the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) in Europe is updated, and a new map showing lateral variations of the depth of LAB is provided. The compilation shows that (1) the Phanerozoic European lithosphere, with considerable variations (45–150 km), is much thinner than the Precambrian European lithosphere, (2) the Trans-European Suture Zone is a major electrical border in Europe separating electrically (as well as geophysically and geologically in general) two quite different settings, (3) the thinnest lithosphere is found under the extensional Pannonian Basin (45–90 km), (4) in most of the East European Craton there are no indications of a high conductivity zone in upper mantle. In many regions there is no information at all on upper mantle conductivity, which calls for pan-European projects to operate arrays of simultaneously recording instruments with long recording periods (2–8 months) and dense spatial sampling (20–50 km).

EM Monitoring of Crustal Processes Including the Use of the Network-MT Observations

Abstract: There are several kinds of coupling mechanisms which can convert mechanical, chemical or thermal energies due to seismic or volcanic activities into electromagnetic energies. As a result of concentrated efforts in laboratory and theoretical research, the basic relationship between the intensity of electromagnetic sources and changes in mechanical, chemical and thermal state is becoming established. Also with the progress of the electromagnetic simulation techniques, it has been possible to evaluate in situ sensitivity. Based on this progress and also due to extensive improvement in measuring techniques, many field experiments have been performed to elucidate subsurface geophysical processes underlying the preparation stage, onset, and subsequent healing stage of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In volcanic studies, many studies have reported the measurement of electromagnetic signals which were successfully interpreted in terms of various driving mechanisms. Although there have been numerous reports about the existence of precursory electromagnetic signals in seismic studies, only a few of them could be successfully explained by the proposed mechanisms, whereas coseismic phenomena are often consistent with those mechanisms including the absence of detectable signals. In many cases, one or two orders of higher sensitivity were required, especially for precursory signals. Generally, electromagnetic methods are more sensitive to near-surface phenomena. It will be necessary to discriminate electromagnetic signals due to these near-surface sources, which often possess no relationship with the crustal activities. Further efforts to enhance in situ sensitivity through improvements in observation techniques and in data processing techniques are recommended. At the same time, multi-disciplinary confirmation against the validity of electromagnetic phenomena will inevitably be necessary. A Network-MT observation technique has been developed to determine large-scale deep electrical conductivity structure. In the method, a telephone line network or purpose-built long baseline cables are utilized to measure voltage differences with long electrode separations. Because of the averaging effect of the electric fields, static shift problems due to small-scale, near-surface lateral heterogeneities can be alleviated. Several field experiments revealed regional scale deep electrical conductivity structures related to slab subduction or its stagnation, which enable us to elucidate underlying physical processes caused by the slab motion. The technique can also be applied to monitor the electric potential field related to crustal activities. The annual variation of the potential field and electrical conductivity in the French Alps were interpreted to be caused by the annual variation of lake water level. The method was also used to monitor the regional scale spatio-temporal variation of the SP field and electrical conductivity before and at the onset of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Shear Wave Velocity Structure of the Sinai Peninsula from Rayleigh Wave Analysis

Abstract: The lithospheric structure of the Sinai Peninsula is shown by means of nine shear velocity profiles for depths ranging from zero to 50 km, determined from the Rayleigh wave analysis. The traces of 30 earthquakes, which occurred from 1992 to 1999 in and around the study area, have been used to obtain Rayleigh wave dispersion. These earthquakes were registered by a broadband station located in Egypt (KEG station). The dispersion curves were obtained for periods between 3 and 40 s, by digital filtering with a combination of MFT and TVF filtering techniques. After that, all seismic events were grouped in source zones to obtain a dispersion curve for each source-station path. These dispersion curves were inverted according to generalized inversion theory, to obtain shear wave velocity models for each source-station path, which is the main goal of this study. The shear velocity structure obtained for the Sinai Peninsula is shown through the shear velocity distributions with depth. These results agree well with the geology and other geophysical results, previously obtained from seismic and gravity data. The obtained velocity models suggest the existence of lateral and vertical heterogeneity. The shear velocity increases generally with depth for all paths analyzed in the study area. Nevertheless, in some paths a small low velocity channel in the upper or lower crust occurs. Along these profiles, it is found that the crustal structure of the Sinai Peninsula consists of three principal layers: upper crust with a sedimentary layer and lower crust. The upper crust has a sedimentary cover of 2 km thick with an average S-velocity of 2.53 km/s. This upper crust has a variable thickness ranging from 12 to 18 km, with S-wave velocity ranging from 3.24 to 3.69 km/s. The Moho discontinuity is located at a depth of 30 km, which is reflected by a sharp increase in the S-velocity values that jump from 3.70–4.12 to 4.33–4.61 km/s.

Spatial Analysis of Airborne Geophysical Data Applied to Geological Mapping and Mineral Prospecting in the Serra Leste Region, Carajás Mineral Province, Brazil

Abstract: The Serra Leste region, located in the northeast portion of Carajas Mineral Province (PA), hosts important chrome-PGE, Au–Pd–Pt, Cu–Mo–Au, iron, and manganese deposits and occurrences related to different geological settings. We present a regional prospective model with focus on PGE mineralizations based on airborne geophysics (magnetometry, gamma-ray spectrometry and time domain electromagnetometry) and geological data. Geological and geophysics data analysis indicate a plausible correspondence between areas with meta-mafic–ultramafic rocks and low values in gamma spectrometry, mainly for the thorium channel. The meta-ultramafic units of the complexes, the main host rock of the PGE mineralization, are well defined by analytic signal from the anomalous magnetic field and by the apparent conductance anomalies derived from the GEOTEM system. The combination of the derivative products with updated geological data of the Serra Leste region and PGE-Luanga deposit enable to establish a regional prospective model for PGE and the identification of new targets within the studied area.

Forensic seismology revisited

Abstract: The first technical discussions, held in 1958, on methods of verifying compliance with a treaty banning nuclear explosions, concluded that a monitoring system could be set up to detect and identify such explosions anywhere except underground: the difficulty with underground explosions was that there would be some earthquakes that could not be distinguished from an explosion. The development of adequate ways of discriminating between earthquakes and underground explosions proved to be difficult so that only in 1996 was a Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) finally negotiated. Some of the important improvements in the detection and identification of underground tests—that is in forensic seismology—have been made by the UK through a research group at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE). The paper describes some of the advances made in identification since 1958, particularly by the AWE Group, and the main features of the International Monitoring System (IMS), being set up to verify the Test Ban.