Gravity Variations Research Articles

Сравнение сезонных вариаций активности приливных и внутренних гравитационных волн по наблюдениям на станциях Маймага и Тикси

Since 2015, simultaneous observations of temperature of the high-latitude mesopause (87 km) have been made at Maimaga (63.04° N, 129.51° E) and Tiksi (71.58° N, 128.77° E) stations. These stations record spectra with Shamrock (Andor) photosensitive infrared spectrographs detecting the OH (3, 1) band in the near-infrared region (about 1.5 μm). We analyze temperature data obtained in observation seasons from 2015 to 2017. Standard deviations of temperature σ from its mean values are taken as characteristics of wave activity at night. We have obtained standard temperature deviations corresponding to internal gravity waves (IGW) (σgw) and tidal waves (σtd). Mean night rotational temperatures of hydroxyl emission almost coincide, and seasonal variations of gravity and tidal waves have a similar form during two seasons of simultaneous observations at Tiksi and Maimaga.

ABOUT A POSSIBLE CONNECTION BETWEEN EARTHQUAKES AND LUNAR-SOLAR GRAVITY VARIATIONS

A possible correlation between the destructive earthquakes of magnitude M = 7 and above and luni-solar gravity variations between 1975 and 2015 has been analyzed. The lunar-solar variations are characterized by three extreme points: the maximum and minimum values of gravity, and the maximum rate of change of variations. At this time, there is an extreme impact of lunar-solar attraction on the earth’s crust and the Earth as a whole. Variations can be a source of irreversible deformation in the earth’s crust. If in this case, there is an additional external impact of space factors, the probability of an earthquake is increased. In a time, the earthquakes are grouped near extremes of lunar-solar variations: half of the events are associated with the maximum gradient of variations change, and the second half is equally confined to the maximum and minimum value of gravity variations. Lunar-solar variations of gravity in conjunction with other cosmic influences can cause earthquakes.

Gauge assisted quadratic gravity: A framework for UV complete quantum gravity

We discuss a variation of quadratic gravity in which the gravitational interaction remains weakly coupled at all energies, but is assisted by a Yang-Mills gauge theory which becomes strong at the Planck scale. The Yang-Mills interaction is used to induce the usual Einstein-Hilbert term, which was taken to be small or absent in the original action. We study the spin-two propagator in detail, with a focus on the high mass resonance which is shifted off the real axis by the coupling to real decay channels. We calculate scattering in the $J=2$ partial wave and show explicitly that unitarity is satisfied. The theory will in general have a large cosmological constant and we study possible solutions to this, including a unimodular version of the theory. Overall, the theory satisfies our present tests for being a ultraviolet completion of quantum gravity.

Inter‐ and intraspecific variation in mangrove carbon fraction and wood specific gravity in Gazi Bay, Kenya

AbstractThe tropical mangrove ecosystem harbors great potential for carbon offsetting schemes because of their exceptionally high carbon sequestration potential. These cannot only generate an income for local communities by financially compensating for the non‐exploitation of protected or replanted stands, but also simultaneously reduce emissions due to forest degradation and deforestation, thereby helping to counteract the global threat on these forests. As carbon is directly monetized through offsetting carbon emissions, accurate species‐specific estimation of carbon content in trees is essential and reduces the propagation of errors generated by accounting uncertainties. Accordingly, this study assessed variation in both carbon fraction and wood specific gravity among and within the 10 mangrove species occurring in Gazi Bay, Kenya. Significant interspecific differences were found with values ranging from 45.8% (Avicennia marina) to 49.8% (Ceriops tagal) for carbon fraction and from 0.58 (Sonneratia alba) to 0.93 (Pemphis acidula) for wood specific gravity. The influence of environmental factors (soil salinity, stand density, and elevation a.s.l. as a proxy for multiple interrelated conditions) was investigated, but only elevation a.s.l. appeared to have a species‐specific though moderate influence only on carbon fraction. Significant differences in carbon fraction and wood specific gravity were found between stem, aerial roots, and branches of Rhizophora mucronata. In contrast, no significant differences in carbon fraction were found among different stem tissues of A. marina, C. tagal and R. mucronata, the Bay's most abundant species. These results provide insight in carbon content variation, confirming the importance of considering species‐specific or even site‐specific values of carbon fraction and wood specific gravity, thereby rendering future carbon accounting more accurate.

New insights on regional tectonics and basement composition beneath the eastern Sierras Pampeanas (Argentine back-arc region) from seismological and gravity data

The eastern Sierras Pampeanas (ESP) are the easternmost expression of a series of foreland uplifts in the Argentine back arc region (~30–34°S) and show spatial and temporal connections with the subduction of the Juan Fernández Ridge (JFR) under the South American plate. In order to get new insights on the mechanisms that control crustal regional tectonics, we computed teleseismic receiver functions (RF) and jointly invert them with Rayleigh-wave phase velocity dispersion curves. RFs allow resolving crustal thickness and intra crustal velocity variations with a good vertical resolution whereas surface wave information helps to constrain absolute seismic wave velocities.Our seismic images have been combined with crustal density modeling in order to further investigate if the shear wave velocity structure obtained from the RF-SW joint inversion could explain the observed gravity variations. Our results show a crustal thickness varying from 35–40 km (east) to 45–50 km (west) with a Moho step at ~66°W. This step regionally presents a NW-SE orientation and is parallel to the trace at the surface of the Valle Fértil–La Huerta (VFLH) lineament (Cuyania-Pampia boundary). Our images also reveal the presence of a high wave velocity (high density) lower crust west of this Moho step, beneath the eastern Sierras Pampeanas (at 66–67°W). This observation suggests the east-dipping extension at depth of the VFLH structure and the underthrusting of the Cuyania lower crust under the Pampia terrane along this structure. Finally, we evidenced localized low velocity zones located at about 10 km beneath late Cenozoic volcanic fields (Pocho, Morro). We believe that these low velocity zones correspond to old magma chambers associated to the recent, slab flattening-related volcanism in the ESP.

A Combined Gravity Compensation Method for INS Using the Simplified Gravity Model and Gravity Database.

In recent decades, gravity compensation has become an important way to reduce the position error of an inertial navigation system (INS), especially for a high-precision INS, because of the extensive application of high precision inertial sensors (accelerometers and gyros). This paper first deducts the INS’s solution error considering gravity disturbance and simulates the results. Meanwhile, this paper proposes a combined gravity compensation method using a simplified gravity model and gravity database. This new combined method consists of two steps all together. Step 1 subtracts the normal gravity using a simplified gravity model. Step 2 first obtains the gravity disturbance on the trajectory of the carrier with the help of ELM training based on the measured gravity data (provided by Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics; Chinese Academy of sciences), and then compensates it into the error equations of the INS, considering the gravity disturbance, to further improve the navigation accuracy. The effectiveness and feasibility of this new gravity compensation method for the INS are verified through vehicle tests in two different regions; one is in flat terrain with mild gravity variation and the other is in complex terrain with fierce gravity variation. During 2 h vehicle tests, the positioning accuracy of two tests can improve by 20% and 38% respectively, after the gravity is compensated by the proposed method.

Gravity and Displacement Variations in the Areas of Strong Earthquakes in the East of Russia

The modern gravimetry methods are capable of measuring gravity with an accuracy of up to 10–10 of the normal value, which is commensurate with the accuracy of the up-to-date methods of displacement measurements by satellite geodesy. Significant changes, e.g., in the coseismic displacements of the Earth’s surface are recorded in the zones of large earthquakes. These changes should manifest themselves in the variations of gravity. Absolute measurements have been conducted by various modifications of absolute ballistic gravimeters GABL since the mid-1970s at the Klyuchi point (Novosibirsk) in the south of the West Siberian plate. Monitoring observations have been taking place in the seismically active regions since the 1990s. In this paper we consider the results of the long-term measurements of the variations in gravity and recent crustal displacements for different types of earthquakes (the zones of shear, extension, and compression). In the seismically active areas in the east of Russia, the longest annual series of absolute measurements starting from 1992 was recorded in the southeastern segment of Baikal region. In this area, the Kultuk earthquake with magnitude 6.5 occurred on August 27, 2008, at a distance of 25 km from the observation point of the Talaya seismic station. The measurements in Gornyi (Mountainous) Altai have been conducted since 2000. A strikeslip earthquake with magnitude 7.5 took place in the southern segment of the region on September 27, 2003. The effects of the catastrophic M = 9.0 Tohoku, Japan, earthquake of March 11, 2011 were identified in Primor’e in the far zone of the event. The empirical data are consistent with the results of modeling based on the seismological data. The coseismic variations in gravity are caused by the combined effect of the changes in the elevation of the observation point and crustal deformation.

Application of modified Dykstra-Parsons method to natural bottom-water drive in non-communicating fractured-vuggy reservoir

Universal existence of the filled vug and fracture in carbonate fractured-vuggy reservoir upgrades the complexity of fluid flow as the coexistence of free flow and porous flow. The highly discrete distribution of fracture and vug makes it possible to apply Dykstra-Parsons method in this kind of medium. A modification of Dykstra-Parsons method is proposed to depict the displacement in fracture-vug system, which consists of multiple non-communicating fracture-vug units with each containing fracture, fills, and vug. The displacement front advance equation is derived piecewise corresponding to the position of the front in fracture, fills, and unfilled vug of one unit. The solution to this equation for every fracture-vug unit is used to estimate the production dynamics of the fracture-vug system, including the fractional oil recovery, the water cut, the injected pore volume, and the injectivity ratio. A calculating example with log-normal distribution for fracture aperture is involved to make the sensitivity analysis of gravity number, viscosity ratio, fills properties, and variation of the fracture aperture. In terms of increased oil recovery, decreased water cut, and delayed water breakthrough, it was found that a better performance reached in the condition of weak heterogeneity of fracture, large gravity number, and lower oil//water viscosity ratio; the fills with low permeability and high filling degree is favorable when all vugs are filled identically.

Gravitational pulse of an earthquake

Panet et al. analyse variations in Earth’s gravity field measured by the GRACE satellite leading up to, during, and after the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake. They show that gravity variations, which are due to changes in mass distribution, can be used to yield a view of the plate motions and deformation that occurs across thousands of kilometers before and after a large earthquake event.

Migrating pattern of deformation prior to the Tohoku-Oki earthquake revealed by GRACE data

Understanding how and when far-field continuous motions lead to giant subduction earthquakes remains a challenge. An important limitation comes from an incomplete description of aseismic mass fluxes at depth along plate boundaries. Here we analyse Earth’s gravity field variations derived from GRACE satellite data in a wide space-time domain surrounding the Mw 9.0 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake. We show that this earthquake is the extreme expression of initially silent deformation migrating from depth to the surface across the entire subduction system. Our analysis indeed reveals large-scale gravity and mass changes throughout three tectonic plates and connected slabs, starting a few months before March 2011. Before the Tohoku-Oki earthquake rupture, the gravity variations can be explained by aseismic extension of the Pacific plate slab at mid-upper mantle depth, concomitant with increasing seismicity in the shallower slab. For more than two years after the rupture, the deformation propagated far into the Pacific and Philippine Sea plate interiors, suggesting that subduction accelerated along 2,000 km of the plate boundaries in March 2011. This gravitational image of the earthquake’s long-term dynamics provides unique information on deep and crustal processes over intermediate timescales, which could be used in seismic hazard assessment. Deformation migrated from depth towards the surface in the months leading up to the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake, according to analyses of satellite gravity data.

Stochastic modelling of tree architecture and biomass allocation: application to teak (Tectona grandis L. f.), a tree species with polycyclic growth and leaf neoformation.

For a given genotype, the observed variability of tree forms results from the stochasticity of meristem functioning and from changing and heterogeneous environmental factors affecting biomass formation and allocation. In response to climate change, trees adapt their architecture by adjusting growth processes such as pre- and neoformation, as well as polycyclic growth. This is the case for the teak tree. The aim of this work was to adapt the plant model, GreenLab, in order to take into consideration both these processes using existing data on this tree species. This work adopted GreenLab formalism based on source-sink relationships at organ level that drive biomass production and partitioning within the whole plant over time. The stochastic aspect of phytomer production can be modelled by a Bernoulli process. The teak model was designed, parameterized and analysed using the architectural data from 2- to 5-year-old teak trees in open field stands. Growth and development parameters were identified, fitting the observed compound organic series with the theoretical series, using generalized least squares methods. Phytomer distributions of growth units and branching pattern varied depending on their axis category, i.e. their physiological age. These emerging properties were in accordance with the observed growth patterns and biomass allocation dynamics during a growing season marked by a short dry season. Annual growth patterns observed on teak, including shoot pre- and neoformation and polycyclism, were reproduced by the new version of the GreenLab model. However, further updating is discussed in order to ensure better consideration of radial variation in basic specific gravity of wood. Such upgrading of the model will enable teak ideotypes to be defined for improving wood production in terms of both volume and quality.

Vertical Gravimeter Array Observations and Their Performance in Groundwater‐Level Monitoring

AbstractThe gravitational effects of the atmosphere and subsurface water are significant obstacles to observing gravity variations on the sub‐μGal (1 μGal = 10 nm/s2) scale. The goal of this study is to detect changes in gravity that are caused by mass redistributions deep underground related to seismological phenomena by reducing environmental gravity effects using multiple gravimeters belowground and aboveground, which we term a “vertical gravimeter array.” Based on an evaluation of the responses to atmospheric effects and rainfall events identified in observations made with individual relative gravimeters, the vertical gravimeter array succeeds in stacking the target signals from deep underground and in reducing errors due to rainfall or free groundwater and atmospheric effects. To enable accurate interpretation, we introduce a physical approach that is based on attraction and loading deformation effects for atmospheric reduction using state‐of‐the‐art gridded weather data products. Changes in the water levels of confined groundwater can be regarded as a signal from deep underground, and a response coefficient of approximately −15 μGal/m was obtained. In addition, the response coefficient of the free groundwater level was determined to be approximately 5 μGal/m. Such array observations are expected to contribute to monitoring crustal activity and hydrological studies.

Feasibility study applied to mapping tidal effects in the Pannonian basin – An effort to check location dependencies at μGal level

This paper summarizes the main instrumental and methodological points of the tidal research which was performed in the framework of the National Scientific Research Fund Project K101603. Since the project is still running the tidal analysis results published here are only preliminary.Unmodelled tidal effects have been highlighted in some recent absolute gravity measurements carried out in the Pannonian basin resulting in a periodic modulation exceeding the typical standard deviations (±1microGal) of the drop sets. Since the most dominant source of the daily gravity variation is the bulk tidal effect, the goal of the project is to check its location dependency at μGal level. Unfortunately Hungary has had no dedicated instrumentation, so an effort was made to make the available LaCoste-Romberg spring G meters capable for continuous recording. As a reference instrument the GWR SG025 operated in the Conrad Observatory, Austria was also used and in the mean time of the project, a Scintrex CG-5 became also available. Eventually 6 instruments at 5 different locations were operated for 3–9 months mainly in co-located configuration. Although many experiments (moving mass calibrations) were done to determine the scale factors and scale functions of the instruments, the direct comparison of the tidal parameters obtained from the observations is still questionable. Therefore the ratio of the delta factors of O1 and M2 tidal constituents was investigated supposing that M2 is much more influenced by the ocean loading effect than O1. The slight detected increase of δ(O1)/δ(M2) (≈0.2%) toward east does not contradict to theory. This result has to be validated in the near future by analyzing available ocean loading models.

Peter Barlow's insights and contributions to the study of tidal gravity variations and ultra-weak light emissions in plants.

A brief review is given of Peter W. Barlows' contributions to research on gravity tide-related phenomena in plant biology, or 'selenonastic' effects as he called them, including his early research on root growth. Also, new results are presented here from long-term recordings of spontaneous ultra-weak light emission during germination, reinforcing the relationship between local lunisolar tidal acceleration and seedling growth. The main ideas and broad relevance of the work by Barlow and his collaborators about the effects of gravity on plants are reviewed, highlighting the necessity of new models to explain the apparent synchronism between root growth and microscale gravity changes 107 times lower than that exerted by the Earth's gravity. The new results, showing for the first time the germination of coffee beans in sequential tests over 2 months, confirm the co-variation between the patterns in ultra-weak light emission and the lunisolar tidal gravity curves for the initial growth phase. For young sprouts (<1 month old), the rhythm of growth as well as variation in light emission exhibit the once a day and twice a day periodic variations, frequency components that are the hallmark of local lunisolar gravimetric tides. Although present, this pattern is less pronounced in coffee beans older than 1 month. The apparent co-variation between ultra-weak light emission and growth pattern in coffee seedlings and the lunisolar gravity cycles corroborate those previously found in seedlings from other species. It is proposed here that such patterns may attenuate with time for older sprouts with slow development. These data suggest that new models considering both intra- and intercellular interactions are needed to explain the putative sensing and reaction of seedlings to the variations in the gravimetric tide. Here, a possible model is presented based on supracellular matrix interconnections.

Magnetic variation and power density of gravity driven liquid metal magnetohydrodynamic generators

Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is the study of electrically conducting fluids flowing through applied magnetic fields. MHD can be applied in power generation to produce electricity with no moving mechanical parts. By not using mechanical parts, MHD generators may potentially produce electricity with low capital costs. This form of electrical generation can be paired with advanced nuclear reactors to make the reactors more economically competitive. This paper studies a vertical gravity driven MHD generator system, specifically maximizing the electrical power density output. For an MHD system, there will be a specific magnetic field that, when applied, will produce a maximum power density for the system.

Goce derived geoid changes before the Pisagua 2014 earthquake

The analysis of space – time surface deformation during earthquakes reveals the variable state of stress that occurs at deep crustal levels, and this information can be used to better understand the seismic cycle. Understanding the possible mechanisms that produce earthquake precursors is a key issue for earthquake prediction. In the last years, modern geodesy can map the degree of seismic coupling during the interseismic period, as well as the coseismic and postseismic slip for great earthquakes along subduction zones. Earthquakes usually occur due to mass transfer and consequent gravity variations, where these changes have been monitored for intraplate earthquakes by means of terrestrial gravity measurements. When stresses and correspondent rupture areas are large, affecting hundreds of thousands of square kilometres (as occurs in some segments along plate interface zones), satellite gravimetry data become relevant. This is due to the higher spatial resolution of this type of data when compared to terrestrial data, and also due to their homogeneous precision and availability across the whole Earth. Satellite gravity missions as GOCE can map the Earth gravity field with unprecedented precision and resolution. We mapped geoid changes from two GOCE satellite models obtained by the direct approach, which combines data from other gravity missions as GRACE and LAGEOS regarding their best characteristics. The results show that the geoid height diminished from a year to five months before the main seismic event in the region where maximum slip occurred after the Pisagua Mw = 8.2 great megathrust earthquake. This diminution is interpreted as accelerated inland-directed interseismic mass transfer before the earthquake, coinciding with the intermediate degree of seismic coupling reported in the region. We highlight the advantage of satellite data for modelling surficial deformation related to pre-seismic displacements. This deformation, combined to geodetical and seismological data, could be useful for delimiting and monitoring areas of higher seismic hazard potential.

Quantitative mapping of groundwater depletion at the water management scale using a combined GRACE/InSAR approach

GRACE gravity variation recovery and InSAR-derived ground displacement data show promise in supporting and assessing groundwater management policies. However, GRACE system's resolution is too low, and the inversion of InSAR data into volume of groundwater storage loss requires extensive and often unavailable lithological data. Here we present how InSAR can be used to constrain and spatially focus GRACE-derived groundwater mass loss to depletion areas, reducing the gap between the GRACE scale and the typical water management scales. While we highlight the tremendous potential of a fully geodetic, quantitative, and high resolution mapping of groundwater storage loss, we also point out the crucial need for producing guidelines on the proper GRACE solution to use for any study area and/or application.In order to illustrate the GRACE/InSAR combination procedure, we present a case study in Central Mexico, where groundwater depletion of ~5000Million Cubic Meters per year (MCM/yr) is reported by the water governance agencies and is well documented in the scientific literature. However, in this region, not all GRACE solutions provide reasonable groundwater depletion estimates. Using two of them, an inversion is performed to focus the groundwater-related GRACE signal over different mass distribution maps. Several mass distributions are tested, including two from InSAR-derived aquifer compaction mapping. The results show that the regions of Mexico City and Bajio, an agricultural and industrial corridor 250km North of Mexico City, are the main contributors to the regional groundwater depletion. The mass distribution map produced directly from InSAR leads to results closer to official groundwater budgets than the others tested.

О влиянии Луны на уклонения отвесных линий и вариации силы тяжести

The increase of building complexity causes the raise of requirements for accuracy of geodetic observations and the necessity to revise the variety of factors influencing the measurement results. Such factors include the lunar influence on the gravity intensity and direction. The necessity of correcting geodetic observations by the lunar influence and estimation of their highest influence on the Earth gravity and vertical deflections are outlined. The results obtained from the computational experiment on extreme values estimation of vertical deflections (up to 1''), variations of measured heights (up to 0,5 mm by 100 m) and gravity variations (up to 5,44 × 10^(-5) m∙kg / с^2) are sufficient to modify the existing techniques for precision leveling and gravity observations. Another argument in favor of the need to take into account the Moon influence and other factors is the accuracy increase of geodetic instruments (levels and gravimeters).Without changing the method of performing high-precision leveling and gravity measurements and entering the necessary corrections, real accuracy increase of these works can not be achieved. In this case, the ideas about the accuracy achieved, for example, when it is estimated by internal convergence, will be overestimated.

Parallel Observations with Three Superconducting Gravity Sensors During 2014–2015 at Metsähovi Geodetic Research Station, Finland

The new dual-sphere superconducting gravimeter (SG) OSG-073 was installed at Metsahovi Geodetic Fundamental Station in Southern Finland in February 2014. Its two gravity sensors (N6 and N7) are side by side, not one on top of the other as in other earlier dual-sensor installations. The old SG T020 has been recording continuously since 1994–2016. This instrument is situated in the same room at a distance of 3 m from the dual-sphere SG. T020 observed simultaneously for 1 year with N6 and for 15 months with N7. The gravity signals observed by N6 and N7 are very similar, except for the initial exponential drift. We have calculated the power spectral density to compare the noise level of these instruments with other low noise SGs. In this paper we present the observed differences in the gravity time series of T020 and OSG-073, induced by local hydrology. We have observed a clear 10–20 nms-2 difference in the seasonal gravity variations of OSG- 073 and T020. We have found clear gravity differences due to transient effect of heavy precipitation. In addition, we compare the remote effect on gravity due to variations in the Baltic Sea level and total water storage in Finland to the observed gravity signal. We also present modeling results of gravity variations due to local hydrology.

Field Tests of a Portable MEMS Gravimeter.

Gravimeters are used to measure density anomalies under the ground. They are applied in many different fields from volcanology to oil and gas exploration, but present commercial systems are costly and massive. A new type of gravity sensor has been developed that utilises the same fabrication methods as those used to make mobile phone accelerometers. In this study, we describe the first results of a field-portable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gravimeter. The stability of the gravimeter is demonstrated through undertaking a multi-day measurement with a standard deviation of ms. It is then demonstrated that a change in gravitational acceleration of ms can be measured as the device is moved between the top and the bottom of a 20.7 m lift shaft with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 14.25. Finally, the device is demonstrated to be stable in a more harsh environment: a ms gravity variation is measured between the top and bottom of a 275-m hill with an SNR of 15.88. These initial field-tests are an important step towards a chip-sized gravity sensor.