Preprints
Filtering by Subject: Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Evidence confirms an anthropic origin of Amazonian Dark Earths
Published: 2021-01-22
Subjects: Biogeochemistry, Earth Sciences, Geochemistry, Geomorphology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Soil Science
First described over 120 years ago in Brazil, Amazonian Dark Earths (ADEs) are expanses of dark soil that are exceptionally fertile and contain large quantities of archaeological artefacts. The elevated fertility of the dark and often deep A horizon of ADEs is widely regarded as an outcome of pre-Columbian human influence. Controversially, in their recent paper Silva et al.2argue that the higher [...]
Data-Driven Inference of the Mechanics of Slip Along Glacier Beds Using Physics-Informed Neural Networks: Case study on Rutford Ice Stream, Antarctica
Published: 2021-01-19
Subjects: Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Reliable projections of sea-level rise depend on accurate representations of how fast-flowing glaciers slip along their beds. The mechanics of slip are often parameterized as a constitutive relation (or `sliding law') whose proper form remains uncertain. Here, we present a novel deep learning-based framework for learning the time evolution of drag at glacier beds from time-dependent ice velocity [...]
The building blocks of igneous sheet intrusions: insights from 3D seismic reflection data
Published: 2021-01-19
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Tectonics and Structure, Volcanology
The propagating margins of igneous sills (and other sheet intrusions) may divide into laterally and/or vertically separated sections, which later inflate and coalesce. These components elongate parallel to and thus record the magma flow direction, and can form either due to fracture segmentation (i.e., ‘segments’) or brittle and/or non-brittle deformation of the host rock (i.e., ‘magma fingers’). [...]
Earthquake rupture on multiple splay faults and its effect on tsunamis
Published: 2021-01-16
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geophysics and Seismology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Detailed imaging of accretionary wedges reveals splay fault networks that could pose a significant tsunami hazard. However, the dynamics of multiple splay fault activation during megathrust earthquakes and the consequent effects on tsunami generation are not well understood. We use a 2-D dynamic rupture model with complex topo-bathymetry and six curved splay fault geometries constrained from [...]
Measurement error analysis of surface-bonded distributed fiber-optic strain sensor subjected to linear gradient strain: Theory and experimental validation
Published: 2021-01-16
Subjects: Engineering, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Strain transfer analysis is an important means of assessing the measurement accuracy of embedded or surface-bonded fiber-optic sensors; however, the effect of complex strain fields in substrates has not been well elucidated. Here, a theoretical model was proposed for the analysis of strain transfer mechanisms in surface-bonded distributed fiber-optic sensors due to linear strain gradients. [...]
Time to Depth Seismic Reprocessing of Vintage Data: a Case Study in the Otranto Channel (South Adriatic Sea)
Published: 2021-01-14
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geology, Geophysics and Seismology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
In this chapter, we present a case study focused on the reprocessing of marine seismic line MS-29, acquired in 1971 in the Otranto Channel, in the South Adriatic Sea (Italy). This line crosses the channel between South Italy and Albania, a key location for understanding the geodynamics of the North Adria Plate. The work is divided into two steps. The first step consists of a modern broadband [...]
Proximal to distal grain-size distribution of basin-floor lobes: A study from the Battfjellet Formation, Central Tertiary Basin, Svalbard
Published: 2021-01-14
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
The grain-size distribution of sediment particles is an important aspect of the architecture of submarine fans and lobes. It governs depositional sand quality and reflects distribution of particulate organic carbon and pollutants. Documenting the grain-size distribution of these deep-marine sedimentary bodies can also offer us an insight into the flows that deposited them. Submarine lobes are [...]
Bayesian geophysical inversion using invertible neural networks
Published: 2021-01-13
Subjects: Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Constraining geophysical models with observed data usually involves solving nonlinear and non-unique inverse problems. Mixture density networks (MDNs) provide an efficient way to estimate Bayesian posterior probability density functions (pdf’s) that represent the non-unique solution. However it is difficult to infer correlations between parameters using MDNs, and in turn to draw samples from the [...]
Near-inertial dissipation due to stratified flow over abyssal topography
Published: 2021-01-12
Subjects: Oceanography, Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Linear theory for steady stratified flow over topography sets the range for topographic wavenumbers over which freely propagating internal waves are generated, and the radiation and breaking of these waves contribute to energy dissipation away from the ocean bottom. However, previous numerical work demonstrated that dissipation rates can be enhanced by flow over large scale topographies with [...]
Landslide size matters: a new spatial predictive paradigm
Published: 2021-01-07
Subjects: Physical Sciences and Mathematics
The standard definition of landslide hazard requires the estimation of where, when (or how frequently) and how large a given landslide event may be. The geomorphological community involved in statistical models has addressed the component pertaining to how large a landslide event may be by introducing the concept of landslide-event magnitude scale. This scale, which depends on the planimetric [...]
Determination of vulnerability areas from the simulated deposition of atmospheric pollutants using LOTOS-EUROS chemical transport model in North-West South-America
Published: 2021-01-06
Subjects: Applied Mathematics, Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Sciences, Engineering, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Planetary Sciences
This work presents the implementation of the LOTOS-EUROS regional atmospheric Chemical Transport Model (CTM) on Northwestern South America. The impact of land use and orography update in the model was analyzed to identify potential vulnerable natural areas by quantifying atmospheric deposition pollutants. CTMs allow simulating the physical dynamics of trace gasses and aerosols, including [...]
Structural controls on the emplacement and evacuation of magma from a sub-volcanic laccolith; Reyðarártindur Laccolith, SE Iceland
Published: 2021-01-06
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geology, Higher Education, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Science and Mathematics Education, Tectonics and Structure, Volcanology
Comments on “On the reported magnetic precursor of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake” by J.N. Thomas, J.J. Love, and M.J.S. Johnston
Published: 2021-01-06
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geophysics and Seismology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Thomas et al. (2009) (hereafter TLJ09) attempt to cast doubt upon the report by FraserSmith et al. (1990) (hereafter FS90) of unusual large-amplitude ultra-low frequency (ULF; f < 10 Hz) magnetic fields preceding the M ~7 Loma Prieta earthquake. TLJ09 suggest there are instrumental problems with FS90’s data that we, the designers, builders and long-term operators of the equipment, are presumed to [...]
Joint event location and 3D Poisson’s ratio tomography for downhole microseismic monitoring
Published: 2021-01-02
Subjects: Geophysics and Seismology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Passive seismic tomography plays a significant role in monitoring subsurface structures and properties during hydraulic fracturing. In this study, we develop a new passive seismic tomography approach to jointly invert for event locations, 3D P-wave velocity (Vp), and Poisson’s ratio models, for downhole microseimic monitoring The method enables to directly obtain the 3D Poisson’s ratio or Vp/Vs [...]
Global rates of soil production independent of soil depth
Published: 2021-01-02
Subjects: Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Accelerated rates of soil erosion threaten the stability of ecosystems1, nutrient cycles2, and global food supplies3 if the processes that produce soil cannot keep pace. Over millennial timescales, the rate of soil production is thought to keep pace with the rate of surface erosion through negative feedbacks between soil thickness and the rate at which soil is produced from the underlying mineral [...]