Profiler Data Research Articles

Directly measured currents and estimated transport pathways of Atlantic Water between 59.5°N and the Iceland–Faroes–Scotland Ridge

Using vessel-mounted acoustic Doppler current profiler data from four different routes between Scotland, Iceland and Greenland, we map out the mean flow of water in the top 400 m of the northeastern North Atlantic. The poleward transport east of the Reykjanes Ridge (RR) decreases from ~8.5 to 10 Sv (1 Sverdrup=106 m3 s−1) at 59.5°N to 61°N to 6 Sv crossing the Iceland–Faroes–Scotland Ridge. The two longest ~1200 km transport integrals have 1.4–0.94 Sv uncertainty, respectively. The overall decrease in transport can in large measure be accounted for by a ~1.5 Sv flow across the RR into the Irminger Sea north of 59.5°N and by a ~0.5 Sv overflow of dense water along the Iceland–Faroes Ridge. A remaining 0.5 Sv flux divergence is at the edge of detectability, but if real could be accounted for through wintertime convection to >400 m and densification of upper ocean water. The topography of the Iceland Basin and the banks west of Scotland play a fundamental role in controlling flow pathways towards and past Iceland, the Faroes and Scotland. Most water flows north unimpeded through the Iceland Basin, some in the centre of the basin along the Maury Channel, and some along Hatton Bank, turning east along the northern slopes of George Bligh Bank, Lousy Bank and Bill Bailey's Bank, whereupon the flow splits with ~3 Sv turning northwest towards the Iceland–Faroes Ridge and the remainder continuing east towards and north of the Wyville-Thomson Ridge (WTR) to the Scotland slope thereby increasing the Slope Current transport from ~1.5 Sv south of the WTR to 3.5 Sv in the Faroes–Shetland Channel.

해저면 신호가 약한 천부해저지층 탐사자료의 너울영향 보정

3.5 kHz 또는 첩(chirp) 천부해저 지층탐사는 해양지질 조사나 엔지니어링 탐사에 널리 사용되고 있다. 그러나 해상에서의 너울은 탐사자료의 품질을 저하시킨다. 이와 같은 너울의 영향을 보정함으로써 연속성이 향상된 탐사자료를 얻을 수 있다. 정확한 해저면의 위치 선정은 너울영향 보정에 매우 중요하다. 이 연구에서는 원자료와 이를 엔벨로프 또는 에너지비율자료로 변형시킨 자료들에 대해 최대 진폭값의 일정 기준을 초과하는 지점을 선정하는 방법으로 해저면 위치 선정을 시도하였다. 그러나 파도의 잡음으로 인하여 해저면 신호가 분명하지 않은 품질이 낮은 자료에서는 개별 트레이스에서의 자동적인 해저면 위치 선정이 어려웠다. 이 연구에서는 이전 트레이스에서 구한 해저면 평균값을 고려하여 해저면 선정범위 내에서 해저면을 선정하는 방법과, 선정 결과의 신뢰도가 낮은 경우에는 이를 보정에서 제외하는 방법을 사용함으로써 품질이 낮은 자료의 해저면 선정에서도 만족스러운 결과를 얻었다. 개별 트레이스에서 해저면을 선정할 때에는 에너지비율자료를 사용한 경우에 오류가 가장 적었으며, 이전 트레이스 해저면 평균값을 고려하는 방법에서는 원자료를 직접 사용한 경우에 보정결과가 비교적 양호하였다. A 3.5 kHz or chirp sub-bottom profiling survey is widely used in the marine geological and engineering purpose exploration. However, swells in the sea degrade the quality of the survey data. The horizontal continuity of profiler data can be enhanced and the quality can be improved by correcting the influence of the swell. Accurate detection of sea bottom location is important in correcting the swell effect. In this study, we tried to pick sea bottom locations by finding the position of crossing a threshold of the maximum value for the raw data and transformed data of envelope or energy ratio. However, in case of the low-quality data where the sea bottom signals are not clear due to sea wave noise, automatic sea bottom detection at the individual traces was not successful. We corrected the mispicks for the low quality data and obtained satisfactory results by picking a sea bottom within a range considering the previous average of sea bottom, and excluding unreliable big-difference picks. In case of trace by trace picking, fewest mispicks were found when using energy ratio data. In case of picking considering the previous average, the correction result was relatively satisfactory when using raw data.

Streamlined islands and the English Channel megaflood hypothesis

Recognising ice-age catastrophic megafloods is important because they had significant impact on large-scale drainage evolution and patterns of water and sediment movement to the oceans, and likely induced very rapid, short-term effects on climate. It has been previously proposed that a drainage system on the floor of the English Channel was initiated by catastrophic flooding in the Pleistocene but this suggestion has remained controversial. Here we examine this hypothesis through an analysis of key landform features. We use a new compilation of multi- and single-beam bathymetry together with sub-bottom profiler data to establish the internal structure, planform geometry and hence origin of a set of 36 mid-channel islands. Whilst there is evidence of modern-day surficial sediment processes, the majority of the islands can be clearly demonstrated to be formed of bedrock, and are hence erosional remnants rather than depositional features. The islands display classic lemniscate or tear-drop outlines, with elongated tips pointing downstream, typical of streamlined islands formed during high-magnitude water flow. The length-to-width ratio for the entire island population is 3.4±1.3 and the degree-of-elongation or k-value is 3.7±1.4. These values are comparable to streamlined islands in other proven Pleistocene catastrophic flood terrains and are distinctly different to values found in modern-day rivers. The island geometries show a correlation with bedrock type: with those carved from Upper Cretaceous chalk having larger length-to-width ratios (3.2±1.3) than those carved into more mixed Paleogene terrigenous sandstones, siltstones and mudstones (3.0±1.5). We attribute these differences to the former rock unit having a lower skin friction which allowed longer island growth to achieve minimum drag. The Paleogene islands, although less numerous than the Chalk islands, also assume more perfect lemniscate shapes. These lithologies therefore reached island equilibrium shape more quickly but were also susceptible to total erosion. Our observations support the hypothesis that the islands were initially carved by high-water volume flows via a unique catastrophic drainage of a pro-glacial lake in the southern North Sea at the Dover Strait rather than by fluvial erosion throughout the Pleistocene.

Red Sea isolation history suggested by Plio-Pleistocene seismic reflection sequences

High evaporation rates in the desert climate of the Red Sea ensure that, during glacial sea level lowstands when water exchange with the Indian Ocean was more restricted, water salinity and δ18O became unusually extreme. Modeling of the effect on Red Sea sedimentary δ18O has been used previously to reconstruct relative sea level to 500 ka and now poses the question of whether that sea-level model could be extended if continuous core material of older sediment became available. We attempt to address this question here by examining seismic reflection data. The upper Pleistocene hemipelagic sediments in the Red Sea contain intervals of inorganic aragonite precipitated during supersaturated conditions of sea-level lowstands. Seismic impedance changes associated with boundaries to those aragonite-rich layers appear to explain seismic reflection sequences. A segment of Chirp sediment profiler data from the central Red Sea reveals prominent reflections at ∼1, ∼5, ∼23, ∼26 and ∼36 ms two-way travel time (TWT) from the seabed. Based on depths to the glacial marine isotope stages (MIS) in cores, we relate the upper three reflections to the tops of aragonite-rich layers and hence the sea level rises immediately following MIS 2, 6 and 12. The reflection at 26 ms is related to an unusually rapid fall into MIS 12 predicted by one sea level reconstruction, which may have created an abrupt lower boundary to the MIS 12 aragonite-rich layer. With the aid of seismogram modeling, we tentatively associate the ∼36 ms reflection with the top of an aragonite-rich layer formed during MIS 16. Furthermore, some segments of lower frequency (airgun and sparker) seismic data from the central and southern Red Sea show a lower (earlier) Plio-Pleistocene (PP) interval that is less reflective than the upper (late) PP interval. This implies less variability in sediment impedance and that extreme variability in water salinity did not develop; water exchange with the Indian Ocean likely continued throughout this interval. These results suggest that viable relative sea level reconstructions may be recovered from Red Sea sediment δ18O data to at least MIS 16 and perhaps even as far back as the early Pliocene.

Estimation of total suspended solids concentration from aDcp backscatter and hydraulic measurements

ABSTRACTThis paper explores use of acoustic Doppler current profiler backscatter amplitude as a surrogate for total suspended solids concentration. Total suspended solids concentration and acoustic Doppler current profiler data were collected at the Lower Nelson River and Red River in Manitoba, Canada, during both ice-covered and open water periods such that acoustic Doppler current profiler backscatter data could be calibrated to predict TSS concentrations. Several novel calibration schemes were evaluated, including multiple linear regression models that involved flow parameters determined from acoustic Doppler current profiler data in addition to acoustic backscatter intensity. The inclusion of the average of the friction velocities of the channel bed and ice cover, calculated from time-averaged velocity data, in a multiple linear regression was found to improve model performance in both studied rivers and during both ice-covered and open water periods.

The upper-ocean response to typhoons as measured at a moored acoustic Doppler current profiler

A moored acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) data, satellite-derived sea surface wind data, and the chlorophyll-a concentration were used to examine the influence of typhoon events on the upper ocean in the central Luzon Strait. The data were collected between August 27 and October 6, 2011. Large changes in ocean dynamics and marine life were recorded in the upper layers over the short term during the transit of each of the three violent typhoons that passed over the region during the study period. The geostrophic flow during the period of ADCP monitoring was comparable to the Ekman flow, recently shown to be prominent in the upper layer. Based on the influence of the three typhoon events that swept the Luzon Strait or traversed Luzon Island on their way to the South China Sea, we postulated a typhoon-induced upwelling around the ADCP and found that upward isothermal displacements reached 11.8-39.0 m, which was confirmed by the sea-level anomaly data recorded at the same time. This variability in the upper ocean may play an important role in biological activity, especially in offshore deep-sea regions.

Estimating Planetary Boundary Layer Heights from NOAA Profiler Network Wind Profiler Data

AbstractAn algorithm was developed to estimate planetary boundary layer (PBL) heights from hourly archived wind profiler data from the NOAA Profiler Network (NPN) sites located throughout the central United States. Unlike previous studies, the present algorithm has been applied to a long record of publicly available wind profiler signal backscatter data. Under clear-sky conditions, summertime averaged hourly time series of PBL heights compare well with Richardson number–based estimates at the few NPN stations with hourly temperature measurements. Comparisons with estimates based on clear-sky reanalysis show that the wind profiler (WP) PBL heights are lower by approximately 250–500 m. The geographical distribution of daily maximum PBL heights corresponds well with the expected distribution based on patterns of surface temperature and soil moisture. Wind profiler PBL heights were also estimated under mostly cloudy-sky conditions, and are generally comparable to the Richardson number–based PBL heights and higher than the reanalysis PBL heights. WP PBL heights have a smaller clear–cloudy condition difference than either of the other two. The algorithm presented here is shown to provide a reliable summertime climatology of daytime hourly PBL heights throughout the central United States.

Small-scale variability of the current in the Strait of Bonifacio

Current dynamics in the Strait of Bonifacio (south Corsica) were investigated at a small scale during the STELLAMARE1 multidisciplinary cruise in summer 2012, using in situ measurements and modeling data. The Strait of Bonifacio is a particularly sensitive marine area in which specific conservation measures have been taken to preserve the natural environment and wild species. Good knowledge of the hydrodynamics in this area is essential to optimize the Marine Protected Area’s management rules. Therefore, we used a high-resolution model (400 m) based on the MARS3D code to investigate the main flux exchanges and to formulate certain hypotheses about the formation of possible eddy structures. The aim of the present paper is first to synthetize the results obtained by combining Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler data, hydrological parameters, Lagrangian drifter data, and satellite observations such as MODIS OC5 chlorophyll a data or Metop-A AVHRR Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data. These elements are then used to validate the presence of the mesoscale eddies simulated by the model and their recurrence outside the cruise period. To complete the analysis, the response of the 3D hydrodynamical model was evaluated under two opposing wind systems and certain biases were detected. Strong velocities up to 1 m s−1 were recorded in the east part due to the Venturi effect; a complementary system of vortices governed by Coriolis effect and west wind was observed in the west part, and horizontal stratification in the central part has been identified under typical wind condition.

A comprehensive investigation on afternoon transition of the atmospheric boundary layer over a tropical rural site

Abstract. The transitory nature of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) a few hours before and after the time of sunset has been studied comprehensively over a tropical station, Gadanki (13.45° N, 79.18° E), using a suite of in situ and remote sensing devices. This study addresses the following fundamental and important issues related to the afternoon transition (AT): which state variable first identifies the AT? Which variable best identifies the AT? Does the start time of the AT vary with season and height? If so, which physical mechanism is responsible for the observed height variation in the start time of the transition? At the surface, the transition is first seen in temperature (T) and wind variance (σ2WS), ~ 100 min prior to the time of local sunset, then in the vertical temperature gradient and finally in water vapor mixing ratio variations. Aloft, both signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral width (σ) show the AT nearly at the same time. The T at the surface and SNR aloft are found to be the best indicators of transition. Their distributions for the start time of the AT with reference to time of sunset are narrow and consistent in both total and seasonal plots. The start time of the transition shows some seasonal variation, with delayed transitions occurring mostly in the rainy and humid season of the northeast monsoon. Interestingly, in contrast to the general perception, the signature of the transition is first seen in the profiler data, then in the sodar data, and finally in the surface data. This suggests that the transition follows a top-to-bottom evolution. It indicates that other processes, like entrainment, could also play a role in altering the structure of the ABL during the AT, when the sensible heat flux decreases progressively. These mechanisms are quantified using a unique high-resolution data set to understand their variation in light of the intriguing height dependency of the start time of the AT.

Wavelet transform‐based methods for removal of ground clutter and denoising the radar wind profiler data

Various non-atmospheric signals contaminate radar wind profiler (RWP) data, which produce bias in estimation of moments and wind velocity. Especially, in ultra high frequency (UHF) RWPs, ground clutter severely degrades wind velocity estimation. Furthermore, at higher altitudes, noise dominates the clear air signal. Thus, the important tasks of signal processing in a RWP are (i) to eliminate the clutter signal, (ii) to detect the weak atmospheric signals buried inside the noise and (iii) to improve signal-to-noise ratio. Wavelet analysis is a powerful tool to differentiate the characteristics of the ground clutter and noise from the atmospheric turbulence echo at the time series level. The authors have implemented the signal processing for lower atmospheric wind profiler radar at National Atmospheric Research Laboratory, Gadanki, India, using wavelet transforms. In this study, they present the implementation approach and results. The wavelet-based algorithms use different threshold levels to identify and remove ground clutter and to denoise the data. The obtained results using this method are validated with collocated global positioning system radiosonde data.

Northward migration of Cape São Tomé rings, Brazil

In the present work, nine years of altimetry data are analyzed in combination with sea surface temperature and ocean color images in order to track Brazil Current eddies generated at Cape São Tomé, Brazil. Direct evidences are presented that at least six eddies detach from the main current during this period giving rise to isolated rings. Two rings move southward, bordering the current, while four migrate northward, and translate in the direction of the Tubarão Bight. These rings eventually reach the bight, leading to a cyclonic circulation in that region that is analogous, at surface levels, to what would be observed during formation of the Vitória Eddy. For one ring, the observations are complemented by in situ measurements: a Lagrangian surface drifter, an expandable bathythermograph section during the ring formation at Cape São Tomé, and acoustic Doppler current profiler data during the ring formation and inside the bight. The cyclonic circulation within the bight in this occasion reaches levels much deeper than those previously reported for locally-generated eddies. These results indicate that properties of shelf and slope waters near Cape São Tomé can be carried upstream the Brazil Current, eventually influencing the coastal waters further north, with possible ecological and environmental implications.

Internal waves in a summer pycnocline of the East China Sea

The bottom-mounted acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) data obtained over a 70-h period in the East China Sea, about 80 miles to the southwest of the Jeju Island, are used to study internal waves in relation to tidal cycle. The spectral densities of the horizontal velocities followed Eh ∼ f− 1 between f0 ∼ 0.8 cph and the buoyancy frequency, where f0 is a transition point connecting the f− 1 subrange and the steep falloff of energy from the semidiurnal spectral maximum at fM2 toward higher frequencies. Manifestation of large-amplitude internal waves in the pycnocline has been mostly observed during a transition phase from high to low barotropic tide.

Evidence of extensive carbonate mounds and sublacustrine channels in shallow waters of Lake Van, eastern Turkey, based on high-resolution chirp subbottom profiler and multibeam echosounder data

In Lake Van of eastern Turkey, the fourth largest soda lake in the world, high-resolution subbottom profiles and bathymetric data acquired in 2004 and 2012 revealed several hundreds of topographic mounds in shallow waters (<130 m) off the historical town of Adilcevaz in the northern lake sector. These structures are characterized by strong top reflections of transparent internal character, and are 10–300 m wide and 0.5–20 m high. Consistent with previous work, they are interpreted as carbonate mounds formed by precipitation from CO2-rich groundwater discharge into the highly alkaline lake. Their age remains to be determined but their alignment along faults suggests tectonic control on their growth. Several sublacustrine channel networks were observed on the eastern shelf of the lake, which connects with onshore rivers. The channels are up to 500 m wide and 20 m deep, and plausibly were formed by fluvial processes during the major lake level drop reported to have occurred by 14 ka in earlier publications. Erosion is common on the channel walls flanked by levees. The channels are presently inactive or abandoned. At a water depth of 100 m, they all merge into a single larger channel; this channel has a sinuous course initially trending southwestward and then northwestward at a water depth of 130 m. Numerous closely spaced small channels (~10–200 m wide, 1–10 m deep) are also seen on the eastern lacustrine shelf, interpreted as denditric and parallel channel systems formed during lake level fall terminating at ~14 ka. Bathymetric data provide evidence of numerous sublacustrine canyons on the western slope of the lake’s northern basin, most likely remnants of relict rivers formed during this lowstand.

Improved Moments Estimation for VHF Active Phased Array Radar Using Fuzzy Logic Method

AbstractVarious nonatmospheric signals contaminate radar wind profiler data, introducing bias into the moments and wind velocity estimation. This study applies a fuzzy logic–based method to Doppler velocity spectra to identify and eliminate the clutter echoes. This method uses mathematical analyses and a fuzzy inference system applied to each Doppler velocity spectrum to separate the atmospheric signals from the clutter. After eliminating the clutter, an adaptive algorithm is used to estimate mean Doppler velocities accurately. This combination of techniques is applied to the spectral data obtained by the newly developed 53-MHz active phased array radar located at the National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), Gadanki, India (13.5°N, 79°E). Winds derived using the conventional method and the method developed for this study are compared with those obtained by collocated GPS radiosonde. The comparison shows that the present method derives the winds more accurately compared to the conventional method.

The importance of hydrothermal venting to water-column secondary production in the northeast Pacific

The purpose of this study is to show that seafloor hydrothermal venting in the open northeast Pacific Ocean has a marked impact on secondary biomass and production within the overlying water column. Specifically, we use net tows and concurrently measured acoustic backscatter data collected over six summers to examine the effects of hydrothermal venting from the Endeavour Segment of Juan de Fuca Ridge on macro-zooplankton biomass and production throughout the entire 2000m depth range. Previous research shows that ontogenetic diapausing migrators and their predators from the upper ocean aggregate above the neutrally buoyant plumes in summer and resume feeding on plume and bottom upwelled particles, resulting in increased zooplankton reproductive output to the upper ocean. Within the limitations of our sampling methodology, net tows reveal a statistically significant exponential decline in total water-column biomass with increasing lateral distance from the vent fields. The acoustic backscatter data show a similar decline, but only below 800m depth. Near-surface biomass was highly variable throughout the region, but values near vents consistently ranged higher than summer values found elsewhere in the offshore northeast Pacific. Water-column biomass was similar in magnitude above and below 800m depth throughout the region. Because epiplume biomass can be advected a considerable distance from vent fields, biomass enhancement of the water column from hydrothermal venting may extend considerable distances to the west and northwest of the vent sites, in the prevailing directions of the subsurface flow. Based on the extensive acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) data collected, and the strong correlation between zooplankton production derived from net sample biomass and acoustic backscatter intensity, we estimate that daily macro-zooplankton production in the upper 400m of the water column within 10km of the vent fields averages approximately 16% of photosynthetic primary production (the “Z ratio”), whereas the total water-column zooplankton production averages 26% of surface primary production. Local grazing-rate estimates, metabolic constraints and other open-ocean studies suggest that the Z ratio should be no higher than 5%, which it is at off-axis background sites in the study region. This finding indicates that nutrient sources other than upper-ocean primary production fuel both upper- and deep-ocean zooplankton biomass and growth near the Endeavour Ridge hydrothermal vents.

High‐resolution acoustic mapping to understand the ore deposit in the Bayonnaise knoll caldera, Izu‐Ogasawara arc

AbstractWe collected deep‐sea multibeam, side scan, and subbottom profiler data using an autonomous underwater vehicle at the Bayonnaise knoll, a submarine caldera located in the rift zone of the Izu‐Ogasawara arc. We aimed to reveal topographic and geological features and the origin of a hydrothermal field called the Hakurei site in the caldera. We performed seafloor classification by textural analysis using calibrated side‐scan sonar data, which provided an effective means to understand the geology and to highlight potential areas of hydrothermal constructions. The high‐resolution bathymetric map illustrates that the Hakurei hydrothermal field is distributed over a landslide landform in the caldera wall. The distribution of hydrothermal vents indicates that the slip surface has served as a major route of hydrothermal fluids. The radial alignment of chimneys and mounds indicates radial routes of hydrothermal fluid and/or belching along fragile lines in the landslide landform. Various postcaldera activities are inferred including the formation of a lava dome, a pyroclastic cone, and subsequent phreatic explosions. A general volcano‐tectonic structure extending across the caldera in a NW‐SE direction is interpreted as an inferred boundary fault of the North Myojin Rift. Analogous to the Hokuroku basin and land kuroko deposits, it is suggested that the main contributing factor in the formation of kuroko deposits was volcano‐tectonic activity that dominated the margin of the back‐arc rift basin. The intersections between the margin of a rift basin and the surrounding knolls have a high potential for ore‐forming areas.

Summertime circulation in the eastern Chukchi Sea

The transport of Pacific-origin water across the eastern Chukchi Sea during summer is studied using shipboard hydrographic and Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler data from multiple surveys. The study identifies two major transport pathways in this region. The well-known Alaskan Coastal Current (ACC) flows poleward along the Alaska coast, while a more recently discovered and slower current flows northward through the Central Channel between Herald and Hanna Shoals. The two currents separate past Point Hope and appear to merge again in Barrow Canyon via previously unresolved pathways flowing west to east across the Chukchi Sea. The collective flow that transports Pacific water from Bering Strait to Barrow Canyon is termed the Bering to Barrow Current System (BBCS). The coastal branch of the BBCS, which encompasses the ACC, is a weakly baroclinic flow with a maximum speed in excess of 80cm/s inside Barrow Canyon. The Central Channel branch of the BBCS is considerably weaker, with a maximum flow speed under 20cm/s. A portion of the Pacific water that flows towards Herald Canyon to the west may also contribute to the BBCS, the amount, but the amount is within the margin of error of our data. The difference in the advective time scales of the various branches allows water masses of different seasonal characteristics to be transported simultaneously by the BBCS. Summer water masses occupy most of the southern and central Chukchi Sea while winter water masses occupy Hanna Shoal and shelfbreak regions in the northern Chukchi Sea during summer. The total BBCS volume transport in summer is measured at four different locations in the eastern Chukchi Sea and found to be generally consistent. The overall mean transport is 0.86Sv, compared to the summer Bering Strait transport of 1.08Sv. This study suggests that the BBCS is the main transport pathway delivering Pacific water masses into the western Arctic Basin.

Dimensionally controlled complex 3D sub-micron pattern fabrication by single step dual diffuser lithography (DDL)

This article presents a facile single step fabrication method of complex 3D microstructures like microtips, microlenses, microtrapezoids, etc. with controlled dimensions which has been the main focus of researchers over the decades. Each type of above mentioned microstructures individually requires a large number of expensive and complex fabrication processes e.g. plasma RIE, stereo lithography, UV micro stamping and so on. In this study, we have proposed a simple, convenient, cost effective and commercially applicable one step dual diffuser lithography (DDL) method for the fabrication of such complex 3D microstructures by adding a pair of diffusers in conventional photolithography, which diffused the incident beam of ultraviolet (UV) light at wide angles. A conventionally used positive photoresist AZP 4620 was exposed to the diffused light at various exposure energies and the effect of change in exposure energy on the fabricated patterns was studied. Patterns with sub-micron dimensions and microtips with ∼200nm tip size were also fabricated using the proposed DDL process. The morphology of the fabricated patterns was analyzed using the field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) images and 3-dimensional (3D) profiler data.

Long-lived deformation in the southern Mississippi Embayment revealed by high-resolution seismic reflection and sub-bottom profiler data

Three high-resolution seismic reflection profiles and two sub-bottom profiler sections acquired along the Mississippi River in southern-Central U.S. image deformation in post-Paleozoic sediments. The northernmost profile images two faults offsetting Cretaceous through at least Eocene Cane River reflectors, interpreted to strike northwest and to be part of the Arkansas River fault zone. The central profile shows a down-to-the-north fault, displacing Cretaceous and Paleocene Midway Group reflectors by ~210 m and ~160 m, respectively. The fault is interpreted as the northern edge fault of the Monroe Uplift, a Late Cretaceous uplift associated with igneous intrusions. The southernmost profile displays a down-to-the-south fault, offsetting Cretaceous and Paleocene-Eocene Wilcox Group reflectors by ~125 m and ~32 m, respectively. Tilted reflectors in the first 80 m indicate Eocene-Oligocene activity of the fault, although Quaternary activity cannot be ruled out. Quaternary tectonic activity is proposed for a series of faults that offset shallow (<40 m depth) Eocene sequences and the base of the Quaternary alluvium as imaged on two sub-bottom profiler sections. These shallow faults are imaged in the vicinity of Holocene earthquake-induced liquefaction fields, corroborating the evidence for recent tectonic activity in the area. The spatial coincidence of the imaged faults with the inferred location of the Alabama-Oklahoma transform strongly argues toward a long-lived influence of this Precambrian continental margin in focusing tectonic activity in the southern U.S. by controlling the reactivation of Triassic-Jurassic syn-rift basement structures and guiding the emplacement of Late Cretaceous igneous intrusions and the location of Cenozoic deformation.

LPデータを活用した土石流シミュレーションシステム「Hyper KANAKO」の開発

LPデータを活用した土石流シミュレーションシステム「Hyper KANAKO」の開発