Since the beginning of the 21st century,major earthquakes have frequently occurred worldwide.To explore the impact of astronomical factors on earthquakes,in this study,the statistical analysis method of correlation is...Since the beginning of the 21st century,major earthquakes have frequently occurred worldwide.To explore the impact of astronomical factors on earthquakes,in this study,the statistical analysis method of correlation is used to systematically analyze the effects of astronomical factors,such as solar activity,Earth’s rotation,lunar declination angle,celestial tidal force,and other phenomena on M≥8 global earthquakes at the beginning of the 21st century.With regard to solar activity,this study focuses on the analysis of the 11-year and century cycles of solar activity.The causal relationship of the Earth’s rotation is not obvious in this work and previous works;in contrast,the valley period of the solar activity century cycle may be an important astronomical factor leading to the frequent occurrence of global earthquakes at the beginning of the 21st century.This topic warrants further study.展开更多
Spartina alterniflora Loisel, a species vegetating in intertidal flats along the eastern coast of the United States, was introduced in China almost 30 years ago and has become an urgent topic due to its invasiveness i...Spartina alterniflora Loisel, a species vegetating in intertidal flats along the eastern coast of the United States, was introduced in China almost 30 years ago and has become an urgent topic due to its invasiveness in the coastal zone of China. The impacts of this alien species S. alterniflora on intertidal ecosystem processes in the Jiangsu coastland were investigated by comparing the sediment nutrient availability and trace element concentration characteristics in a mud flat and those of a four-year old Spartina salt marsh that had earlier been a mudflat. At each study site, fifteen plots were sampled in different seasons to determine the sediment characteristics along the tidal flats. The results suggested that Spartina salt marsh sediments had significantly higher total N, available P, and water content, but lower pH and bulk density than mudflat sediments. Sediment salinity, water content, total N, organic C, and available P decreased along a seaward gradient in the Spartina salt marsh and increased with vegetation biomass. Furthermore, the concentrations of trace elements and some metal elements in the sediment were higher under Spartina although these increases were not significant. Also, in the Spartina marsh, some heavy metals were concentrated in the surface layer of the sediment. The Spartina salt marsh in this study was only four years old; therefore, it is suggested that further study of this allen species on a longer time frame in the Jiangsu coastland should be carried out.展开更多
A statistical analysis on the Wenchuan aftershock activity triggered by tidal forces is systematically studied based on Schusters test, including earthquakes triggered by tidal force, tidal stress and tidal coulomb fa...A statistical analysis on the Wenchuan aftershock activity triggered by tidal forces is systematically studied based on Schusters test, including earthquakes triggered by tidal force, tidal stress and tidal coulomb failure stress. The results show that a group of strong aftershocks which occurred at the end of July to early August in 2008 at the north of Wenchuan were obviously triggered by earth tide, the same conclusion is drawn by Schusters smooth test of the tidal force, tidal stress and tidal coulomb failure stress. In addition, the Wenchuan aftershock activity is obviously triggered by fortnight tide. In the north, the aftershocks happened more frequently in the first and last quarters of the moon, and in the south, the aftershocks happened more frequently in the first and last quarters of the moon and during the full moon.展开更多
Wavelet decomposition is used to analyze barometric fluctuation and earth tidal response in borehole water level changes. We apply wavelet analysis method to the decomposition of barometric fluctuation and earth tidal...Wavelet decomposition is used to analyze barometric fluctuation and earth tidal response in borehole water level changes. We apply wavelet analysis method to the decomposition of barometric fluctuation and earth tidal response into several temporal series in different frequency ranges. Barometric and tidal coefficients in different frequency ranges are computed with least squares method to remove barometric and tidal response. Comparing this method with general linear regression analysis method, we find wavelet analysis method can efficiently remove barometric and earth tidal response in borehole water level. Wavelet analysis method is based on wave theory and vibration theories. It not only considers the frequency characteristic of the observed data but also the temporal characteristic, and it can get barometric and tidal coefficients in different frequency ranges. This method has definite physical meaning.展开更多
A statistical analysis is done to study the spatio-temporai features of earthquake activity in the Tianshan seismic belt triggered by tide, based on Schuster＇s test. The data we choose is the ML ≥2. 0 earthquakes fr...A statistical analysis is done to study the spatio-temporai features of earthquake activity in the Tianshan seismic belt triggered by tide, based on Schuster＇s test. The data we choose is the ML ≥2. 0 earthquakes from January 1, 2010 to August 31, 2012 in eastern Tianshan, and the calculation is on tidal body stress. The results show that the p-value based on the time window smoothing of Schuster＇s test corresponds better with the strong earthquakes in the Tianshan seismic belt, especially for a long time before the November 1, 2011 Nilka Ms6. 0 earthquake, when the p-value of the Schuster＇s test was always lower than the threshold of 0. 05 for tidal trigger of earthquake, but after the Niika Ms6. 0 earthquake, that value was quickly restored to a high level, which reflects a close relationship between the Nilka Ms6. 0 earthquake and the Earth tide. According to the p-value based on the spatial window smoothing of Schuster＇s test, the Nilka Ms6. 0 earthquake was at or near the tidal triggering area. Thus we can see from the spatio-temporal results that the Nilka Ms6. 0 earthquake was obviously triggered by Earth fide.展开更多
This work focuses on variations of the Earth tidal factor and phase lag derived from groundwater observations before and after major earthquakes.It is based on an analysis of the data from four observational wells at ...This work focuses on variations of the Earth tidal factor and phase lag derived from groundwater observations before and after major earthquakes.It is based on an analysis of the data from four observational wells at boundaries between distinct active blocks of China mainland.These wells are also situated on several active fault zones and have exhibited considerable responses to the Wenchuan Ms8.0 earthquake of 2008 in China.We collected hourly records of water levels of these wells from 2007to 2009 and processed these data for analysis.The tidal factors,phase lags,and phase-difference changes of tidal residuals of each well were calculated.We found that when the Wenchuan quake happened,the tidal factors of the 4 wells were changing rapidly,while their phase lags and phase differences of tidal residuals declined swiftly,which may reflect the stress and strain changes of the well-aquifer system during the seismic generation.展开更多
In situ observations and numerical simulations of turbulence are essential to understanding vertical mixing processes and their dynamical controls on both physical and biogeochemical processes in coastal embayments. U...In situ observations and numerical simulations of turbulence are essential to understanding vertical mixing processes and their dynamical controls on both physical and biogeochemical processes in coastal embayments. Using in situ data collected by bottom-mounted acoustic Doppler current profilers(ADCPs) and a free-falling microstructure profiler, as well as numerical simulations with a second-moment turbulence closure model, we studied turbulence and mixing in the Xiamen Bay, a freshwater-influenced tidal bay located at the west coast of the Taiwan Strait. Dynamically, the bay is driven predominantly by the M2 tide, and it is under a significant influence of the freshwater discharged from the Jiulong River. It is found that turbulence quantities such as the production and dissipation rates of the turbulent kinetic energy(TKE) were all subject to significant tidal variations, with a pronounced ebb-flood asymmetry. Turbulence was stronger during flood than ebb. During the flooding period, the whole water column was nearly well mixed with the depth-averaged TKE production rate and vertical eddy viscosity being up to 5?10?6 W kg?1 and 2?10?2 m2 s?1, respectively. In contrast, during the ebb strong turbulence was confined only to a 5?8 m thick bottom boundary layer, where turbulence intensity generally decreases with distance from the seafloor. Diagnosis of the potential energy anomaly showed that the ebb-flood asymmetry in turbulent dissipation and mixing was due mainly to tidal straining process as a result of the interaction between vertically shared tidal currents and horizontal density gradients. The role of vertical mixing in generating the asymmetry was secondary. A direct comparison of the modeled and observed turbulence quantities confirmed the applicability of the second-moment turbulence closure scheme in modeling turbulent processes in this weakly stratified tidally energetic environment, but also pointed out the necessity of further refinements of the model.展开更多
The parameters, i.e. the Period and the Quality factor, of the Earth's free core nutation (FCN) are closely related to the dissipative coupling between the core and the mantle. Based on the FCN parameters obtained...The parameters, i.e. the Period and the Quality factor, of the Earth's free core nutation (FCN) are closely related to the dissipative coupling between the core and the mantle. Based on the FCN parameters obtained from the actual observations and theoretical simulation, significantly constrained in this study were several key parameters near the core-mantle boundary (CMB), related to the core and mantle coupling, including viscosity at the top of liquid core, conductivity at the bottom of the mantle, and dynamic ellipticity of the CMB. In order to choose high quality observations from global stations of the superconducting gravimeters (SG) on the Global Geodynamics Project (GGP) network, we adopted two criteria, the standard deviations of harmonic analysis on tidal observations and the quality of the FCN parameters calculated with the observations from single station. After the mean ocean tidal effects of the recent ocean tidal models were removed, the FCN parameters were retrieved by stacking the tidal gravity observations from the GGP network. The results were in a good agreement with those in the recent research by using the SG and/or the VLBI observations. Combined with an FCN theoretical model deduced by angular momentum method, the viscous and electromagnetic coupling parameters near the CMB were evaluated. Numerical results indicated that the viscosity at the top of the liquid core was in the range from 6.6×102 to 2.6×103 Pa·s, which was in good agreement with those obtained from the Earth's nutation, the FCN and variations in the length of day (LOD). The conductivity at the bottom of the mantle should be as large as 2.6×106-1.0×107 S m-1 to match the FCN quality factors from the actual observations. The dissipative coupling had a little influence of 1-2 sidereal days for the FCN period.展开更多
文摘Since the beginning of the 21st century,major earthquakes have frequently occurred worldwide.To explore the impact of astronomical factors on earthquakes,in this study,the statistical analysis method of correlation is used to systematically analyze the effects of astronomical factors,such as solar activity,Earth’s rotation,lunar declination angle,celestial tidal force,and other phenomena on M≥8 global earthquakes at the beginning of the 21st century.With regard to solar activity,this study focuses on the analysis of the 11-year and century cycles of solar activity.The causal relationship of the Earth’s rotation is not obvious in this work and previous works;in contrast,the valley period of the solar activity century cycle may be an important astronomical factor leading to the frequent occurrence of global earthquakes at the beginning of the 21st century.This topic warrants further study.
基金Project supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No.JSNSF 20050307)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.NSFC 30470326).
文摘Spartina alterniflora Loisel, a species vegetating in intertidal flats along the eastern coast of the United States, was introduced in China almost 30 years ago and has become an urgent topic due to its invasiveness in the coastal zone of China. The impacts of this alien species S. alterniflora on intertidal ecosystem processes in the Jiangsu coastland were investigated by comparing the sediment nutrient availability and trace element concentration characteristics in a mud flat and those of a four-year old Spartina salt marsh that had earlier been a mudflat. At each study site, fifteen plots were sampled in different seasons to determine the sediment characteristics along the tidal flats. The results suggested that Spartina salt marsh sediments had significantly higher total N, available P, and water content, but lower pH and bulk density than mudflat sediments. Sediment salinity, water content, total N, organic C, and available P decreased along a seaward gradient in the Spartina salt marsh and increased with vegetation biomass. Furthermore, the concentrations of trace elements and some metal elements in the sediment were higher under Spartina although these increases were not significant. Also, in the Spartina marsh, some heavy metals were concentrated in the surface layer of the sediment. The Spartina salt marsh in this study was only four years old; therefore, it is suggested that further study of this allen species on a longer time frame in the Jiangsu coastland should be carried out.
基金sponsored by the National Key Technology R&D Program,China(2008BAC38B03)
文摘A statistical analysis on the Wenchuan aftershock activity triggered by tidal forces is systematically studied based on Schusters test, including earthquakes triggered by tidal force, tidal stress and tidal coulomb failure stress. The results show that a group of strong aftershocks which occurred at the end of July to early August in 2008 at the north of Wenchuan were obviously triggered by earth tide, the same conclusion is drawn by Schusters smooth test of the tidal force, tidal stress and tidal coulomb failure stress. In addition, the Wenchuan aftershock activity is obviously triggered by fortnight tide. In the north, the aftershocks happened more frequently in the first and last quarters of the moon, and in the south, the aftershocks happened more frequently in the first and last quarters of the moon and during the full moon.
基金The research was jointly supported by National NatureScience Foundation of China (40374019)the research subject entitled"Research on the Digital Data Analysis and Application of Underground Fluid" under the 11th Five-Year Program of China Earthquake Administration(2006BAC01B02-03-02)
文摘Wavelet decomposition is used to analyze barometric fluctuation and earth tidal response in borehole water level changes. We apply wavelet analysis method to the decomposition of barometric fluctuation and earth tidal response into several temporal series in different frequency ranges. Barometric and tidal coefficients in different frequency ranges are computed with least squares method to remove barometric and tidal response. Comparing this method with general linear regression analysis method, we find wavelet analysis method can efficiently remove barometric and earth tidal response in borehole water level. Wavelet analysis method is based on wave theory and vibration theories. It not only considers the frequency characteristic of the observed data but also the temporal characteristic, and it can get barometric and tidal coefficients in different frequency ranges. This method has definite physical meaning.
基金jointly sponsored by the Earthquake Situation Tracking Task of China Earthquake Administration(2013020119)the Earthquake Science Foundation of the Youth of Earthquake Administration of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China(201304)
文摘A statistical analysis is done to study the spatio-temporai features of earthquake activity in the Tianshan seismic belt triggered by tide, based on Schuster＇s test. The data we choose is the ML ≥2. 0 earthquakes from January 1, 2010 to August 31, 2012 in eastern Tianshan, and the calculation is on tidal body stress. The results show that the p-value based on the time window smoothing of Schuster＇s test corresponds better with the strong earthquakes in the Tianshan seismic belt, especially for a long time before the November 1, 2011 Nilka Ms6. 0 earthquake, when the p-value of the Schuster＇s test was always lower than the threshold of 0. 05 for tidal trigger of earthquake, but after the Niika Ms6. 0 earthquake, that value was quickly restored to a high level, which reflects a close relationship between the Nilka Ms6. 0 earthquake and the Earth tide. According to the p-value based on the spatial window smoothing of Schuster＇s test, the Nilka Ms6. 0 earthquake was at or near the tidal triggering area. Thus we can see from the spatio-temporal results that the Nilka Ms6. 0 earthquake was obviously triggered by Earth fide.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.40930637)Special Project for Earthquake Science(Grant No.200808079)Subject Foundation of Ministry of Education for Doctor Candidates in Universities(Grant No.20100022110001)
文摘This work focuses on variations of the Earth tidal factor and phase lag derived from groundwater observations before and after major earthquakes.It is based on an analysis of the data from four observational wells at boundaries between distinct active blocks of China mainland.These wells are also situated on several active fault zones and have exhibited considerable responses to the Wenchuan Ms8.0 earthquake of 2008 in China.We collected hourly records of water levels of these wells from 2007to 2009 and processed these data for analysis.The tidal factors,phase lags,and phase-difference changes of tidal residuals of each well were calculated.We found that when the Wenchuan quake happened,the tidal factors of the 4 wells were changing rapidly,while their phase lags and phase differences of tidal residuals declined swiftly,which may reflect the stress and strain changes of the well-aquifer system during the seismic generation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.41006017,41476006)the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China(Grant No.2015J06010)
文摘In situ observations and numerical simulations of turbulence are essential to understanding vertical mixing processes and their dynamical controls on both physical and biogeochemical processes in coastal embayments. Using in situ data collected by bottom-mounted acoustic Doppler current profilers(ADCPs) and a free-falling microstructure profiler, as well as numerical simulations with a second-moment turbulence closure model, we studied turbulence and mixing in the Xiamen Bay, a freshwater-influenced tidal bay located at the west coast of the Taiwan Strait. Dynamically, the bay is driven predominantly by the M2 tide, and it is under a significant influence of the freshwater discharged from the Jiulong River. It is found that turbulence quantities such as the production and dissipation rates of the turbulent kinetic energy(TKE) were all subject to significant tidal variations, with a pronounced ebb-flood asymmetry. Turbulence was stronger during flood than ebb. During the flooding period, the whole water column was nearly well mixed with the depth-averaged TKE production rate and vertical eddy viscosity being up to 5?10?6 W kg?1 and 2?10?2 m2 s?1, respectively. In contrast, during the ebb strong turbulence was confined only to a 5?8 m thick bottom boundary layer, where turbulence intensity generally decreases with distance from the seafloor. Diagnosis of the potential energy anomaly showed that the ebb-flood asymmetry in turbulent dissipation and mixing was due mainly to tidal straining process as a result of the interaction between vertically shared tidal currents and horizontal density gradients. The role of vertical mixing in generating the asymmetry was secondary. A direct comparison of the modeled and observed turbulence quantities confirmed the applicability of the second-moment turbulence closure scheme in modeling turbulent processes in this weakly stratified tidally energetic environment, but also pointed out the necessity of further refinements of the model.
基金supported by Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant Nos. KZCX2-YW-133 and KZCX2-YW-Q08-2)National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41021003, 41074053 and 40730316)
文摘The parameters, i.e. the Period and the Quality factor, of the Earth's free core nutation (FCN) are closely related to the dissipative coupling between the core and the mantle. Based on the FCN parameters obtained from the actual observations and theoretical simulation, significantly constrained in this study were several key parameters near the core-mantle boundary (CMB), related to the core and mantle coupling, including viscosity at the top of liquid core, conductivity at the bottom of the mantle, and dynamic ellipticity of the CMB. In order to choose high quality observations from global stations of the superconducting gravimeters (SG) on the Global Geodynamics Project (GGP) network, we adopted two criteria, the standard deviations of harmonic analysis on tidal observations and the quality of the FCN parameters calculated with the observations from single station. After the mean ocean tidal effects of the recent ocean tidal models were removed, the FCN parameters were retrieved by stacking the tidal gravity observations from the GGP network. The results were in a good agreement with those in the recent research by using the SG and/or the VLBI observations. Combined with an FCN theoretical model deduced by angular momentum method, the viscous and electromagnetic coupling parameters near the CMB were evaluated. Numerical results indicated that the viscosity at the top of the liquid core was in the range from 6.6×102 to 2.6×103 Pa·s, which was in good agreement with those obtained from the Earth's nutation, the FCN and variations in the length of day (LOD). The conductivity at the bottom of the mantle should be as large as 2.6×106-1.0×107 S m-1 to match the FCN quality factors from the actual observations. The dissipative coupling had a little influence of 1-2 sidereal days for the FCN period.
