Collision frequency and transport properties of electrons in the ionosphere

A unified ionospheric electron collision frequency model profile 〈ν_g〉 has been calculated in the height range 50–500 km. The computed profile accounts for the electron collisions with the neutral particles as well as the ions. Experimental values of momentum transfer cross-sections have been used for electron collisions with N₂, O₂ and Ar and theoretical values for N, O, He and H. It is observed that the electron-ion collisions 〈ν_ei〉 dominate over the electron-neutral collisions 〈ν_en〉 above 170 km. However, 〈ν_e?N〉 is of the same order of magnitude as 〈ν_e?O〉 in the height range 170–210 km. Above 360 km 〈ν_e?O〉 becomes more important among the neutrals. The temporal, seasonal and solar epoch variations of 〈ν_ei〉 are also shown. A typical electron collision frequency profile 〈ν_g〉 corresponding to the exospheric temperature of 1100 K has been compared with the available experimental results for D, E and F-regions obtained from different experimental techniques. This profile has been used to determine the electrical, thermal, heat flow and current flow conductivities, the mobility and the diffusivity of electrons. The results so obtained are found to be in good agreement with the earlier results.     

Hybrid Gaussian-cubic radial basis functions for scattered data interpolation

Scattered data interpolation schemes using kriging and radial basis functions (RBFs) have the advantage of being meshless and dimensional independent; however, for the datasets having insufficient observations, RBFs have the advantage over geostatistical methods as the latter requires variogram study and statistical expertise. Moreover, RBFs can be used for scattered data interpolation with very good convergence, which makes them desirable for shape function interpolation in meshless methods for numerical solution of partial differential equations. For interpolation of large datasets, however, RBFs in their usual form, lead to solving an ill-conditioned system of equations, for which, a small error in the data can cause a significantly large error in the interpolated solution. In order to reduce this limitation, we propose a hybrid kernel by using the conventional Gaussian and a shape parameter independent cubic kernel. Global particle swarm optimization method has been used to analyze the optimal values of the shape parameter as well as the weight coefficients controlling the Gaussian and the cubic part in the hybridization. Through a series of numerical tests, we demonstrate that such hybridization stabilizes the interpolation scheme by yielding a far superior implementation compared to those obtained by using only the Gaussian or cubic kernels. The proposed kernel maintains the accuracy and stability at small shape parameter as well as relatively large degrees of freedom, which exhibit its potential for scattered data interpolation and intrigues its application in global as well as local meshless methods for numerical solution of PDEs.     

Determination of S-wave Site Response in Anchorage, Alaska in the 1–9 Hz Frequency Band

—?Site response was estimated at 19 sites in the Anchorage basin in south-central Alaska, using 15 local earthquakes recorded with good signal-to-noise ratio by a temporary weak motion network. The receiver-function-type horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios (HVSR) were computed at 1–9 Hz frequency band and the resulting HVSR contour maps at 1, 5 and 9 Hz are presented here. The spatial site response distribution shows considerable variation from the foothills of the Chugach Mountains in the east to the western part of Anchorage. The site response increases by a factor of 3 and 3.5 at 1 and 5 Hz, respectively, from the area of older glacial deposits in the eastern part of the city to the area occupied by the Bootlegger Cove formation, particularly in the section adjoining Knik Arm. At 9 Hz, the variation of HVSR from the east to the west is smaller, approximately by a factor of 2. Moreover, the trend of the HVSR variation at 1 and 5 Hz shows good correlation with that of the soil class obtained from surface measurements of S-wave velocity in the 0–30?m depth range and available results on ground failure susceptibility of Anchorage.     

Radon emanation of heterogeneous basin deposits in Kathmandu Valley,Nepal

Effective radium-226 concentration (EC_Ra) has been measured in soil samples from seven horizontal and vertical profiles of terrace scarps in the northern part of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The samples belong to the Thimi, Gokarna, and Tokha Formations, dated from 50 to 14 ky BP, and represent a diverse fluvio-deltaic sedimentary facies mainly consisting of gravelly to coarse sands, black, orange and brown clays. EC_Ra was measured in the laboratory by radon-222 emanation. The samples (n = 177) are placed in air-tight glass containers, from which, after an accumulation time varying from 3 to 18 days, the concentration of radon-222, radioactive decay product of radium-226 and radioactive gas with a half-life of 3.8 days, is measured using scintillation flasks. The EC_Ra values from the seven different profiles of the terrace deposits vary from 0.4 to 43 Bq kg^?1, with profile averages ranging from 12 ± 1 to 27 ± 2 Bq kg^?1. The values have a remarkable consistency along a particular horizon of sediment layers, clearly demonstrating that these values can be used for long distance correlations of the sediment horizons. Widely separated sediment profiles, representing similar stratigraphic positions, exhibit consistent EC_Ra values in corresponding stratigraphic sediment layers. EC_Ra measurements therefore appear particularly useful for lithologic and stratigraphic discriminations. For comparison, EC_Ra values of soils from different localities having various sources of origin were also obtained: 9.2 ± 0.4 Bq kg^?1 in soils of Syabru–Bensi (Central Nepal), 23 ± 1 Bq kg^?1 in red residual soils of the Bhattar-Trisuli Bazar terrace (North of Kathmandu), 17.1 ± 0.3 Bq kg^?1 in red residual soils of terrace of Kalikasthan (North of Trisuli Bazar) and 10 ± 1 Bq kg^?1 in red residual soils of a site near Nagarkot (East of Kathmandu). The knowledge of EC_Ra values for these various soils is important for modelling radon exhalation at the ground surface, in particular in the vicinity of active faults. Importantly, the study also reveals that, above numerous sediments of Kathmandu Valley, radon concentration in dwellings can potentially exceed the level of 300 Bq m^?3 for residential areas; a fact that should be seriously taken into account by the governmental and non-governmental agencies as well as building authorities.     

A study of lightning activity over land and oceanic regions of India

Monthly variations of lightning activity over typical land and oceanic regions of India were examined using satellite data (OTD) for a 5-year period (1995–1999). It is noted that the nature of variation between surface air maximum temperature (T _max), thunderstorm days (Th_n), and lightning flash count over ER and WR showed remarkable correspondence and sensitivity with each other on monthly time scale. As we move out of winter season and enter the monsoon season, via pre-monsoon season, the WR undergoes cooling relative to the ER in the range 0.1–1.2°C. As a result, WR experiences reduction of thunder days and lowering in flash count. This decrease in T _max, Th_n, and flash count over WR may also be associated with relatively small values of T _θw and CAPE in comparison with similar values over ER during the monsoon season. Our observation of associated reduction in Th_n and lightning count per 1°C cooling in surface air maximum temperature suggests reduction of ∼3.5 thunderstorms per station and 73 flashes. Comparison of lightning flashes between pairs of coastal, oceanic, arid-zone, hilly, and island stations reveals distinct relationship between climate regime and intensity of lightning activity. We may conclude the results of this study by saying that the overhead lightning activity is a clear reflection of the status of the underlying ground-earth properties. A close and continuous monitoring of lightning activity may be considered as a need of present day scientific studies.     

Similarity of palaeocurrent: A tool for stratigraphic correlation

Conventional stratigraphic correlations are based on similarity of lithology, order of superposition, marker bed, unconformity, grade of metamorphism, fossil content and geochronology of the rock units. The Gondwana strata have been correlated referring to the above mentioned criteria. In the present work, the Talchir and Karharbari formations of two adjacent Gondwana basins separated by over 200 Km were examined with respect to their palaeocurrent directions. The study suggests that the palaeocurrent populations of different formations in both the basins are statistically dissimilar, this is because, both are stratigraphically distinct in order of superposition and thus are not correlatable. On the other hand, the palaeocurrent populations of the same formation in both the basins are statistically similar and stratigraphically correlatable. It is suggested that the similarity of palaeocurrent can be regarded as a criterion for stratigraphic correlation at least in local and regional scale.