227 research outputs found
Source Spectra and Site Response from S Waves of Intermediate-Depth Vrancea, Romania, Earthquakes
Seismograms from 55 intermediate-depth Vrancea earthquakes (M 4:0–
7:1) recorded at 43 stations of an accelerometric network in Romania are used to
derive source spectra and site amplification functions from S waves in the frequency
range 0.5–20 Hz with the generalized inversion technique (GIT) (Castro et al., 1990).
Attenuation is taken into account using the nonparametric attenuation functions derived
by Oth et al. (2008) from the same dataset, and the attenuation-corrected data are
then split into source and site contributions. The source spectra follow the ω 2 model
(Brune, 1970, 1971) with high corner frequencies and a related Brune stress drop of
the order of 100 MPa. The site amplification functions are separately determined for
both horizontal and vertical components. Contrary to widespread expectation, the
vertical component shows significant amplification effects at high frequencies. The
H=Z ratios determined from the GIT results compare well with H=V ratios computed
directly from the S-wave window of the accelerograms (Lermo and Chávez-García,
1993). The basic assumption for the determination of site effects from H=V ratios is
that the vertical component is not or only little affected by site effects. For Vrancea
earthquakes, this assumption is incorrect; consequently, site effects should not be
estimated from H=V ratios. The reason for this peculiar fact is the geometry of
intermediate-depth seismicity that leads to almost vertical ray paths beneath the
stations
S-Wave Attenuation Characteristics beneath the Vrancea Region in Romania: New Insights from the Inversion of Ground-Motion Spectra
The S-wave attenuation characteristics beneath the Vrancea region in
Romania are analyzed from the spectra (frequency range 0.5–20 Hz) of more than
850 recordings at 43 accelerometric stations of 55 intermediate-depth earthquakes
(M 4:0–7:1) that occurred in the Vrancea seismogenic zone. The method commonly
chosen for this type of investigation in the case of crustal earthquakes is the generalized
inversion technique (GIT) (e.g., Andrews, 1986; Castro et al., 1990). Yet the
Vrancea dataset is entirely different from common crustal datasets. Because of the
strong clustering of the hypocenters within a very small focal volume, there are only
few crossing ray paths from sources to receivers. As a consequence, inhomogeneities
in the attenuation properties are not averaged out, which leads to unphysical results if
the standard GIT approach is adopted. The problem is discussed qualitatively by performing
tests with synthetic data and solved quantitatively by adapting the GIT technique
in view of these peculiarities.With the optimally adapted inversion scheme, it is
possible to unravel differences in the attenuation characteristics between two (or more)
sets of stations. The results show that the attenuation of seismic waves is roughly
comparable in the low frequency range (<4–5 Hz) but stronger by up to an order
of magnitude at higher frequencies within the Carpathian mountain arc as compared
with the foreland area. Modeling this strongly frequency-dependent lateral variation of
seismic attenuation by a significantly lower Q beneath Vrancea (1) provides a very
good fit of observed strong-motion characteristics, (2) sheds new light on the distribution
of intensities of the previous strong earthquakes, (3) will have strong implications
for future hazard assessment, and (4) is fully compatible with structural models
from deep seismic sounding, tomography, and teleseismic attenuation
Toward a cross-border early-warning system for central Asia
Rapidly expanding urban areas in Central Asia are increasingly vulnerable to seismic risk; but at present, no earthquake early warning (EEW) systems exist in the region despite their successful implementation in other earthquake-prone areas. Such systems aim to provide short (seconds to tens of seconds) warnings of impending disaster, enabling the first risk mitigation and damage control steps to be taken. This study presents the feasibility of a large scale cross-border regional system for Central Asian countries. Genetic algorithms are used to design efficient EEW networks, computing optimal station locations and trigger thresholds in recorded ground acceleration. Installation of such systems within 3 years aims to both reducing the endemic lack of strong motion data in Central Asia that is limiting the possibility of improving seismic hazard assessment, and at providing the first regional earthquake early warning system in the are
Designing efficient earthquake early warning systems: Case study of Almaty, Kazakhstan
Rapidly expanding urban areas in Central Asia are increasingly vulnerable to seismic risk; but at present, no earthquake early warning (EEW) systems exist in the region despite their successful implementation in other earthquake-prone areas. Such systems aim to provide short (seconds to tens of seconds) warnings of impending disaster, enabling the first risk mitigation and damage control steps to be taken. This study presents the feasibility of such a system for Almaty, Kazakhstan. Genetic algorithms are used to design efficient EEW networks, computing optimal station locations and trigger thresholds in recorded ground acceleration. Factors like the possibility of station failure, elevation and access difficulty to a potential site, and the potential usefulness of existing stations in the region are considered. We present a large set of possible efficient networks, to which further selection criteria can be applied by both the installation teams and the end user, such as authorities in Almaty
Existence of a rotating wave pattern in a disk for a wave front interaction model
[[abstract]]We study the rotating wave patterns in an excitable medium in a disk. This wave pattern is rotating along the given disk boundary with a constant angular speed. To study this pattern we use the wave front interaction model proposed by Zykov in 2007. This model is derived from the FitzHugh-Nagumo equation and it can be described by two systems of ordinary differential equations for wave front and wave back respectively. Using a delicate shooting argument with the help of the comparison principle, we derive the existence and uniqueness of rotating wave patterns for any admissible angular speed with convex front in a given disk.[[incitationindex]]SCI[[booktype]]紙本[[booktype]]電子
Seismic evidence for thermal runaway during intermediate-depth earthquake rupture
Intermediate-depth earthquakes occur at depths where temperatures and pressures exceed those at which brittle failure is expected. There are two leading candidates for the physical mechanism behind these earthquakes: dehydration embrittlement and self-localizing thermal shear runaway. A complete energy budget for a range of earthquake sizes can help constrain whether either of these mechanisms might play a role in intermediate-depth earthquake rupture. The combination of high stress drop and low radiation efficiency that we observe for M[subscript w] 4–5 earthquakes in the Bucaramanga Nest implies a temperature increase of 600–1000°C for a centimeter-scale layer during earthquake failure. This suggests that substantial shear heating, and possibly partial melting, occurs during intermediate-depth earthquake failure. Our observations support thermal shear runaway as the mechanism for intermediate-depth earthquakes, which would help explain differences in their behavior compared to shallow earthquakes.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant EAR-1045684
Global Monitoring of Volcanic SO2 Degassing Using Sentinel-5 Precursor Tropomi
We present here the TROPOMI SO 2 product, which is publicly available since April 2018. We describe the capabilities and limitations of the product for the monitoring of volcanic SO 2 degassing. With several examples, we illustrate the benefit of a small satellite pixel of 3.5 x 5.5 km 2 . Owing to its improved detection limit, the data can be used to generate time series of SO 2 mass over number of volcanoes, with a large range of SO 2 emissions. We use Nyiragongo as a show case and correlate the SO 2 mass data with lava lake level estimates and local measurements of the seismicity. This paper also presents on-going developments to further improve the performance of the product for weak SO 2 loadings using a new algorithm, COBRA
Health-related factors correlate with behavior trends in physical activity level in old age: longitudinal results from a population in São Paulo, Brazil
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Physical inactivity in leisure time is common among elderly in Brazil and this finding is particularly alarming considering that this population is greatly affected by chronic diseases. The identification of health factors that influence physical activity level (PAL) will help in the development of strategies for increasing PAL older adults. The current research aimed to identify variables that independently affect behavior trends in PAL over the course of two years among elderly.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A survey entitled the Epidoso Project ("Epidemiology of aging") studied 1,667 community-based older individuals in São Paulo city, Brazil over the course of two years. Physical activity level was determined through questions about frequency and duration of physical activities. Body Mass Index was calculated; functional capacity was assessed through the ADL (activities of daily living) scale; cognition was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination; and mental health was assessed through the Dysthymia Screening. Experiences of falls and fractures were also assessed. Subjects were divided into three groups according to their self-report of Physical Activity Level: a - Regularly Active; b - Insufficiently Active and c - Physically Inactive. Behavior trends in PAL were also measured after two years. Multivariate regression model methodology was used to test associations longitudinally.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Results from the final model demonstrated that the risk of a not favorable behavior trend in PAL, which included the group who remained physically inactive and the group that displayed decreased PAL, in this cohort of older adults was significantly increased if the individual was female (OR = 2.50; 95% CI = 1.60-3.89; <it>P < 0.01</it>), older (80 y vs. 65 y, OR = 6.29, 95% CI = 2.69-14.67; <it>P < 0.01</it>), dependent on help from others for activities in the ADL scale (moderate-severe = 4-7+ vs. 0 ADLs) (OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.20-4.21; <it>P < 0.011</it>) or had experienced a history of falls with consequences (OR = 6.88, 95% CI = 0.91-52.01; <it>P < 0.062</it>).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Age, gender, ADL scores and falls were associated with a not favorable behavior trend in PAL. Promotion programs should target these factors, reducing barriers to achieve desired changes in PAL.</p
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