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A compilation of maps of global geophysical and geological data plotted on a common scale and projection is presented. The maps include satellite gravity, magnetic, seismic, volcanic, tectonic activity, and mantle velocity anomaly data. The Bibliographic references for all maps are included.
Data Collection Platforms (DCPs) for transmitting surface data to an orbiting satellite for relaying to a central data distribution center are being used in a number of geophysical applications. "Off-the-shelf" DCP's, transmitting through Landsat or GOES satellites, are fully capable of relaying data from low-data-rate instruments, such as tiltmeters or tide gauges. In cooperation with the Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Goddard has successfully installed DCP systems on a tide gauge and tiltmeter array on Anegada, British Virgin Islands. Because of the high-data-rate requirements, a practical relay system capable of handling seismic information is not yet available. Such a system could become the basis of an operational hazard prediction system for reducing losses due to major natural catastrophies such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides or tsunamis.
An experimental and theoretical program was undertaken to assist in the design of geophysical fluid flow model experiments for Spacelab. Two new nonintrusive measurement techniques were developed. A theoretical calculation was carried out to guide the design of a proposed atmospheric general circulation model experiment.
Results of a theoretical model study of some of the expected effects of spherical geometry on laboratory simulations of the type of geophysical flow that dominates the general circulation of the earth's troposphere are reported.
The geophysical causes and consequences of the Earth's rotation are reviewed. Specific topics covered include: (1) the motion of the rotation axis in space, precession and nutation; (2) the motion of the rotation axis relative to the Earth, polar motion; and (3) the rate of rotation about this axis, or changes in the length of day. Secular decrease in obliquity and evolution of the Earth-Moon system are also discussed.
The in-situ rocketsonde for ozone profile measurements developed and flown for geophysical research and satellite comparison is reviewed. The measurement principle involves the chemiluminescence caused by ambient ozone striking a detector and passive pumping as a means of sampling the atmosphere as the sonde descends through the atmosphere on a parachute. The sonde is flown on a meteorological sounding rocket, and flight data are telemetered via the standard meteorological GMD ground receiving system. The payload operation, sensor performance, and calibration procedures simulating flight conditions are described. An error analysis indicated an absolute accuracy of about 12 percent and a precision of about 8 percent. These are combined to give a measurement error of 14 percent.
The first report in a series is presented which is intended to be written by the author with the purpose of treating a class of approximation methods of functions in one and several variables and ways of applying them to geophysics and geodesy. The first report is divided in three parts and is devoted to the presentation of the mathematical theory and formulas. Various optimal ways of representing functions in one and several variables and the associated error when information is had about the function such as satellite data of different kinds are discussed. The framework chosen is Hilbert spaces. Experiments were performed on satellite altimeter data and on satellite to satellite tracking data.
The relationships of a variety of general computational methods (and variances) for treating illposed problems such as geophysical inverse problems are considered. Differences in approach and interpretation based on varying assumptions as to, e.g., the nature of measurement uncertainties are discussed along with the factors to be considered in selecting an approach. The reliability of the results of such computation is addressed.
A physical model of Mars is presented on the basis of light-scattering observations of the Martian atmosphere and surface and interior data obtained from observations of the geopotential field. A general description of the atmosphere is presented, with attention given to the circulation and the various cloud types, and data and questions on the blue haze-clearing effect and the seasonal darkening wave are summarized and the Mie scattering model developed to explain these observations is presented. The appearance of the planet from earth and spacecraft through Mariner 9 is considered, and attention is given to the preparation of topographical contour maps, the canal problem and large-scale lineaments observed from Mariner 9, the gravity field and shape of the planet and the application of Runcorn's geoid/convection theory to Mars. Finally, a summary of Viking results is presented and their application to the understanding of Martian geophysics is discussed.
The concepts of prediction in the geophysical domain are considered with emphasis on the areas of difficulties and the nature of these difficulties. Differences in defining and determining the validity and significance of hypotheses and observational correlations are covered.
A pilot project to establish an operational phase stable very long baseline interferometer (VLBI) for geophysical studies is described. Methods for implementation as well as practical applications are presented.
A regional analysis of the crust and upper mantle of the Colorado Plateau is presented, using existing geophysical and geological data combined with new surface wave dispersion and groundwater geothermometry data; the tectonic implications of these models are also investigated. Surface wave and seismic refraction data indicate that the crust of the interior of the Colorado Plateau is 44 + or - 3 km thick, and its crustal structure is typical of stable continental areas. Pn velocities, however, appear to be lower (7.8 km/s) than would be expected in a stable region, while silica geothermometry indicates that the average heat flow for the plateau is 55 mW per sq m (1.3 HFU).
A mother-daughter rocket was launched over two auroral structures, which included a 10 keV electron accelerator and a series of diagnostic instruments for monitoring optical and wave effects generated through beam-atmospheric interactions and production of secondary electrons. The instrumentation, the ground and rocket background measurements obtained, and some of the beam effects on various geophysical parameters are presented. Attention is given to the rocket geometry, capacitance probe, particle counters, photometers, and the bremsstrahlung X-ray detector. Observations on the plasma environment, auroral particle precipitation, d.c. electric field, optical emissions, and auroral background HF and VLF emissions are also discussed.
Doppler tracking data from Lunar Orbiter 4 have been combined with laser ranging data from lunar retroreflectors to yield a number of geophysical and geodetic parameters for the earth and moon. This joint solution gives values of (1) the lunar principal polar moment C/M R squared = 0.3905 plus or minus 0.0023, (2) GM(E) = 398600.461 plus or minus 0.026 cu km/sq s, and (3) an earth/moon mass ratio at 81.300587 plus or minus 0.000049. Also determined are the harmonics of a complete lunar gravity field through degree and order 5, the obliquity of the lunar pole, selenocentric coordinates of the lunar retroreflectors, geocentric coordinates of the McDonald Observatory, and the lunar secular acceleration. The lunar potential Love number is weakly determined at 0.022 plus or minus 0.013, and a suprisingly large dissipation of rotational energy is inferred, though either solid body tidal dissipation or liquid core mantle interactions could be causes.
The compatibility of Univac-formatted tapes with the in-house computer was investigated and a decision was made to switch to IBM-formatted tapes. A NASA software package was adapted for use with data when they become available. Auxiliary geophysical and geological data and literature continue to be compiled and studied so that when data tapes arrive, real analysis may begin.
Passive microwave techniques for geophysical probing from aircraft and space have employed frequencies 1-300 GHz and have yielded information about atmospheric temperature and composition profiles and about surface parameters such as sea state, ice and snow type and extent, soil moisture, etc. The initially scientific program is now evolving into various operational spacecraft observatory systems; this mini-review summarizes recent accomplishments and future opportunities.
In order to test a broad range of models against the geophysical constraints, the chemical abundances suggested for the bulk moon are converted into mineralogical abundances for a layered moon and the resulting seismic and density profiles are found. The most important result of the considered investigation is that the Mg/Si ratio for the bulk moon must be less than that of the C1 chondrites and the values assumed in many compositional models. This result is completely independent of the assumed path of differentiation for the interior. It is found that the best fits to the seismic velocities can only be achieved for Al2O3 contents near the lower limit of 4.0 weight percent. The higher Al2O3 contents also necessitate extremely low Mg/Si ratios. Cores are required but amount to only 1-2 weight percent of the moon.
Linear shift-invariant spatial filtering is applied to inversion of radiometric measurements of the earth in both polarizations at the following frequencies: 6.6, 10.7, 18, 21, and 37 GHz. For purposes of radiative transfer calculations at these frequencies, the state of the ocean-atmosphere system is described by a seven-parameter model. The parameters are near-surface wind speed, sea surface temperature, integrated water vapor mass, scale height of water vapor in an exponential distribution, integrated liquid water mass, height of the liquid water, and characteristic drop radius in a Best (1950) drop size distribution. Also described is a spatial filtering algorithm by means of which geophysical parameters are retrieved from measurements made over the ocean by the scanning multichannel microwave radiometer on the Nimbus 7 satellite. The parameters here are near-surface wind speed, sea surface temperature, rain rate, integrated atmospheric water vapor content, and integrated liquid water content (including rain).