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NASA NTRS1983

Reports on crustal movements and deformations

This Catalog of Reports on Crustal Movements and Deformation is a structured bibliography of scientific papers on the movements of the Earth crust. The catalog summarizes by various subjects papers containing data on the movement of the Earth's surface due to tectonic processes. In preparing the catalog we have included studies of tectonic plate motions, spreading and convergence, microplate rotation, regional crustal deformation strain accumulation and deformations associated with the earthquake cycle, and fault motion. We have also included several papers dealing with models of tectonic plate motion and with crustal stress. Papers which discuss tectonic and geologic history but which do not present rates of movements or deformations and papers which are primarily theoretical analyses have been excluded from the catalog. An index of authors cross-referenced to their publications also appears in the catalog. The catalog covers articles appearing in reviewed technical journals during the years 1970-1981. Although there are citations from about twenty journals most of the items come from the following publications: Journal of Geophysical Research, Tectonophysics, Geological Society of America Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, Nature, Science, Geophysical Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, and Geology.

Cohen, S. C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The analysis of solar models: Neutrinos and oscillations

Tests of solar neutrino flux and solar oscillation frequencies were used to assess standard stellar structure theory. Standard and non-standard solar models are enumerated and discussed. The field of solar seismology, wherein the solar interior is studied from the measurement of solar oscillations, is introduced.

Ulrich, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Minimal upper mantle temperature variations consistent with observed heat flow and plate velocities

Heat-flow and plate-velocity measurements are used to model upper-mantle temperature variations; the results are intended to form the basis for a gravity-field-variation model and are also applicable to the interpretation of petrological and seismological data. A 5-deg grid is used, a depth of 280 km is chosen as the fully convecting level, and it is assumed that 85 percent of the global heat production (4.0 x 10 to the 13th W) comes from below this level. The velocity field is calculated by integrating the momentum equations down to 280 km (assuming laterally homogeneous viscosity and density) and then used to determine the temperature fields. The results are presented in graphs, tables, and maps. The largest lateral temperature differences are about 1500 C and occur in the top 20 km, where the largest (about 200 C/Myr) nonlinear terms of the energy equation are also found. Below 50 km, heat transfer becomes more convective than conductive, and the most significant temperature variation appears in the form of negative 'tongues' as cold as -825 C at about 100 km. Temperature variations of at least + or - 180 C are calculated at the fully convecting level.

Kaula, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Methods for Cloud Cover Estimation

Several methods for cloud cover estimation are described relevant to assessing the performance of a ground-based network of solar observatories. The methods rely on ground and satellite data sources and provide meteorological or climatological information. One means of acquiring long-term observations of solar oscillations is the establishment of a ground-based network of solar observatories. Criteria for station site selection are: gross cloudiness, accurate transparency information, and seeing. Alternative methods for computing this duty cycle are discussed. The cycle, or alternatively a time history of solar visibility from the network, can then be input to a model to determine the effect of duty cycle on derived solar seismology parameters. Cloudiness from space is studied to examine various means by which the duty cycle might be computed. Cloudiness, and to some extent transparency, can potentially be estimated from satellite data.

Glackin, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Density constraints on the formation of the continental Moho and crust

As part of a general review of recent high-resolution seismological data, constraints are established for the distribution of mass in the continental crust and upper mantle of the earth. It is shown that the densities of mantle magmas such as MORB-like tholeiites, oicrites, and komatites at 10 kilobars are greater than densities in the continental crust. In order to explain the deviation, a mechanism is proposed for the control of mass transfer during igneous and metamorphic processes throughout geological time. Within the context of a description of the mechanism, the continental crust is characterized as a density filter through which only highly evolved magmas with H2O may pass. It is shown that the removal of less evolved magmas can lead to an over accretion (penetration) or an under accretion (underplating) of magmas in the continental Moho. Some implications of the proposed mechanism for current theoretical models of crust formation are discussed in detail.

Herzberg, C. T.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A diffuse plate boundary model for Indian Ocean tectonics

It is suggested that motion along the virtually aseismic Owen fracture zone is negligible, so that Arabia and India are contained within a single Indo-Arabian plate divided from the Australian plate by a diffuse boundary. The boundary is a zone of concentrated seismicity and deformation commonly characterized as 'intraplate'. The rotation vector of Australia relative to Indo-Arabia is consistent with the seismologically observed 2 cm/yr of left-lateral strike-slip along the Ninetyeast Ridge, north-south compression in the Central Indian Ocean, and the north-south extension near Chagos.

Wiens, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Seismic analysis of the large 70-meter antenna, part 1: Earthquake response spectra versus full transient analysis

As a check on structure safety aspects, two approaches in seismic analysis for the large 70-m antennas are presented. The first approach, commonly used by civil engineers, utilizes known recommended design response spectra. The second approach, which is the full transient analysis, is versatile and applicable not only to earthquake loading but also to other dynamic forcing functions. The results obtained at the fundamental structural frequency show that the two approaches are in good agreement with each other and both approaches show a safe design. The results also confirm past 64-m antenna seismic studies done by the Caltech Seismology Staff.

Kiedron, K.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Applications of the magneto-optical filter to stellar pulsation measurements

A proposed method of employing the Cacciani magneto-optical filter (MOF) for stellar seismology studies is described. The method relies on the fact that the separation of the filter bandpasses in the MOF can be changed by varying the level of input power to the filter cells. With the use of a simple servosystem the bandpass of a MOF can be tuned to compensate for the changes in the radial velocity of a star introduced by the orbital motion of the Earth. Such a tuned filter can then be used to record intensity fluctuations through the MOF bandpass over an extended period of time for each given star. Also, the use of a two cell version of the MOF makes it possible to alternately chop between the bandpass located in the stellar line wing and a second bandpass located in the stellar continuum. Rapid interchange between the two channels makes it possible for atmospheric-introduced noise to be removed from the time series.

Rhodes, E. J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Some anticipated contributions to core fluid dynamics from the GRM

It is broadly maintained that the secular variation (SV) of the large scale geomagnetic field contains information on the fluid dynamics of Earth's electrically conducting outer core. The electromagnetic theory appropriate to a simple Earth model has recently been combined with reduced geomagnetic data in order to extract some of this information and ascertain its significance. The simple Earth model consists of a rigid, electrically insulating mantle surrounding a spherical, inviscid, and perfectly conducting liquid outer core. This model was tested against seismology by using truncated spherical harmonic models of the observed geomagnetic field to locate Earth's core-mantle boundary, CMB. Further electromagnetic theory has been developed and applied to the problem of estimating the horizontal fluid motion just beneath CMB. Of particular geophysical interest are the hypotheses that these motions: (1) include appreciable surface divergence indicative of vertical motion at depth, and (2) are steady for time intervals of a decade or more. In addition to the extended testing of the basic Earth model, the proposed GRM provides a unique opportunity to test these dynamical hypotheses.

Vanvorhies, C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The Telecommunications and Data Acquisition Report

Developments in programs managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Office of Telecommunications and Data acquisition are discussed. Space communications, radio antennas, the Deep Space Network, antenna design, Project SETI, seismology, coding, very large scale integration, downlinking, and demodulation are among the topics covered.

Posner, E. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Investigation of seismicity and related effects at NASA Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility, Computer Center, Edwards, California

This report discusses a geological and seismological investigation of the NASA Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility site at Edwards, California. Results are presented as seismic design criteria, with design values of the pertinent ground motion parameters, probability of recurrence, and recommended analogous time-history accelerograms with their corresponding spectra. The recommendations apply specifically to the Dryden site and should not be extrapolated to other sites with varying foundation and geologic conditions or different seismic environments.

Cousineau, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Possible role of crustal flexure in the initial detachment of extensional allochthons

The existence of low-angle normal faults indicates that the ratio of shear stress (TAU) to normal stress (sigma sub N) needed to cause slip on faults is substantially less than would be predicted based on experimental data. Because the tensional strength of rock at a large scale is exceedingly low, the upper plate of a low-angle normal fault cannot be pulled down the fault ramp, but must be driven down it by its own weight. The active or recently active Sevier Desert detachment fault in western Utah dips regionally at 12 deg. The radio of shear stress to normal stress due to the weight of the upper plate on a 12 deg dipping fault surface is 0.2. In contrast, laboratory experiments indicate that slip on fracture surfaces occurs with almost all rock types when (tau/sigma) reaches values of 0.6 to 0.85, corresponding to normal-fault dips of 30 deg to 40 deg. Seismological data indicate that low deviatoric stresses are associated with movement on faults of other geometrics and are not unique to low-angle normal faults. It thus appears that approximately planar fault zones with surface areas of hundreds to thousands of square kilometers have different mechanical properties than would be predicted based on laboratory studies of fractured rock. Modeling of stresses indicates that deviatoric stresses greater than 5kb exist and are sustainable in oceanic lithosphere, and that failure occurs when tau/sigma sub N approaches 0.6 to 0.85.

Spencer, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Transition region of the earth's upper mantle

The chemistry of the earth's mantle is discussed using data from cosmochemistry, geochemistry, petrology, seismology, and mineral physics. The chondritic earth, the upper mantle and the 400-km discontinuity, the transition region, lower mantle mineralogy, and surface wave tomography are examined. Three main issues are addressed: (1) whether the mantle is homogeneous in composition or chemically stratified, (2) whether the major element chemistry of the mantle is more similar to upper mantle peridotites or to chondrites, and (3) the nature of the composition of the source region of basalts erupted at midocean ridges.

Anderson, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Guided MHD waves as a coronal diagnostic tool

A description is provided of how fast magnetoacoustic waves are ducted along regions of low Alfven velocity (high density) in the corona, exhibiting a distinctive wave signature which may be used as a diagnostic probe of in situ coronal conditions (magnetic field strength, density inhomogeneity, etc.). Some observational knowledge of the start time of the impulsive wave source, possibly a flare, the start and end times of the generated wave event, and the frequency of the pulsations in that event permits a seismological deduction of the physical properties of the coronal medium in which the wave propagated. With good observations the theory offers a new means of probing the coronal atmosphere.

Roberts, B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Impulsively generated fast coronal pulsations

Rapid oscillations in the corona are discussed from a theoretical standpoint, developing some previous work on ducted, fast magnetoacoustic waves in an inhomogeneous medium. In the theory, impulsively (e.g., flare) generated mhd (magnetohydrodynamic) waves are ducted by regions of low Alfven speed (high density) such as coronal loops. Wave propagation in such ducts is strongly dispersive and closely akin to the behavior of Love waves in seismology, Pekeris waves in oceanography and guided waves in fiber optics. Such flare-generated magnetoacoustic waves possess distinctive temporal signatures consisting of periodic, quasi-periodic and decay phases. The quasi-periodic phase possesses the strongest amplitudes and the shortest time scales. Time scales are typically of the order of a second for inhomogeneities (coronal loop width) of 1000 km and Alfven speeds of 1000/kms, and pulse duration times are of tens of seconds. Quasi-periodic signatures have been observed in radio wavelengths for over a decade and more recently by SMM. It is hoped that the theoretical ideas outlined may be successfully related to these observations and thus aid the interpretation of oscillatory signatures recorded by SMM. Such signatures may also provide a diagnostic of coronal conditions. New aspects of the ducted mhd waves, for example their behavior in smoothly varying as opposed to tube-like inhomogeneities, are currently under investigation. The theory is not restricted to loops but applied equally to open field regions.

Edwin, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Mantle convection and the state of the Earth's interior

During 1983 to 1986 emphasis in the study of mantle convection shifted away from fluid mechanical analysis of simple systems with uniform material properties and simple geometries, toward analysis of the effects of more complicated, presumably more realistic models. The important processes related to mantle convection are considered. The developments in seismology are discussed.

Hager, Bradford H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Applications of the magneto-optical filter to stellar pulsation measurements

A proposed method of employing the Cacciani magneto-optical filter (MOF) for stellar seismology studies is described. The method relies on the fact that the separation of the filter bandpasses in the MOF can be changed by varying the level of input power to the filter cells. With the use of a simple servosystem the bandpass of a MOF can be tuned to compensate for the changes in the radial velocity of a star introduced by the orbital motion of the earth. Such a tuned filter can then be used to record intensity fluctuations through the MOF bandpass over an extended period of time for each given star. Also, the use of a two cell version of the MOF makes it possible to alternately chop between the bandpass located in the stellar line wing and a second bandpass located in the stellar continuum. Rapid interchange between the two channels makes it possible for atmospheric-introduced noise to be removed from the time series.

Rhodes, Edward J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A revised estimate of Pacific-North America motion and implications for Western North America plate boundary zone tectonics

Marine magnetic profiles from the Gulf of Californa are studied in order to revise the estimate of Pacific-North America motion. It is found that since 3 Ma spreading has averaged 48 mm/yr, consistent with a new global plate motion model derived without any data. The present data suggest that strike-slip motion on faults west of the San Andreas is less than previously thought, reducing the San Andreas discrepancy with geodetic, seismological, and other geologic observations.

Demets, Charles↗