Aeromagnetic and satellite magnetic anomally mapping
Efforts to process 2 deg-averaged MAGSAT data for a radially polarized map of Africa and western Europe and investigator B data tapes were initiated
Braile, L. W.↗
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Stratospheric aerosol effects from Soufriere Volcano as measured by the SAGE satellite system
During its April 1979 eruption series, Soufriere Volcano produced two major stratospheric plumes that the SAGE (Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment) satellite system tracked to West Africa and the North Atlantic Ocean. The total mass of these plumes, whose movement and dispersion are in agreement with those deduced from meteorological data and dispersion theory, was less than 0.5 percent of the global stratospheric aerosol burden; no significant temperature or climate perturbation is therefore expected.
Mccormick, M. P.↗
The mineralogy of global magnetic anomalies
The Curie Balance was brought to operational stage and is producing data of a preliminary nature. Substantial problems experienced in the assembly and initial operation of the instrument were, for the most part, rectified, but certain problems still exist. Relationships between the geology and the gravity and MAGSAT anomalies of West Africa are reexamined in the context of a partial reconstruction of Gondwanaland.
Haggerty, S. E.↗
Tropical disturbances in relation to general circulation modeling
The initial results of an evaluation of the performance of the Goddard Laboratory of Atmospheric Simulation general circulation model depicting the tropical atmosphere during the summer are presented. Because the results show the existence of tropical wave disturbances throughout the tropics, the characteristics of synoptic disturbances over Africa were studied and a synoptic case study of a selected disturbance in this area was conducted. It is shown that the model is able to reproduce wave type synoptic disturbances in the tropics. The findings show that, in one of the summers simulated, the disturbances are predominantly closed vortices; in another summer, the predominant disturbances are open waves.
Estoque, M. A.↗
MAGSAT scalar anomalies
To facilitate processing large data arrays, elements of spherical Earth analysis programs NVERTSM, SMFLD, NVERTG and GLFD were implemented and tested on the LARS IBM 4341 computer. Currently, the problem of inverting 2 deg MAGSAT scalar anomalies for the region (80 W, 60 E) longitude and (40 S, 70 N) latitude is being implemented on the LARS-computer for quantitative comparison with free air gravity anomaly, geothermal and tectonic data. Gravity and MAGSAT anomalies from a subset of this region (30 W, 60 E), (40 S, 70 N) were already processed for a paper on satellite magnetic anomalies of Africa and Europe.
Braile, L. W.↗
The Ponta Grossa Arch: A proposal for ts configuration and evolution from the interpretation of remote sensing data
Visual analysis of MSS imagery was used to construct a map of dikes in a wide area of the Ponta Grossa Arch both in the Parana Basin and its basement. Analysis of the map by photographic methods defined the zone of highest density of the dikes, and some aspects of the longitudinal and transverse heterogeneities, as well as localized the apex of the Arch. Borders of the Arch were also suggested. Field investigations confirmed the position of the apex of the flexure on Palezoic sediments and pre-lava Mesozoic sediments. Controversial aspects of the relative absence of dikes in certain units or lithologies and the composition of intrusions surrounding the city of Castro were observed. The apparent synchronism between the activity of the Parana Basin and the Arch is discussed as well as the frequent inverse characteristics of vertical movements. The similarity of rocks in Brazil and Africa is also considered.
Parada, N. D. J.↗
Lead isotope systematics of some igneous rocks from the Egyptian Shield
Lead isotope data on whole-rock samples and two feldspar separates for a variety of Pan-African (late Precambrian) igneous rocks for the Egyptian Shield are presented. It is pointed out that the eastern desert of Egypt is a Late Precambrian shield characterized by the widespread occurrence of granitic plutons. The lead isotope ratios may be used to delineate boundaries between Late Precambrian oceanic and continental environments in northeastern Africa. The samples belong to three groups. These groups are related to a younger plutonic sequence of granites and adamellites, a plutonic group consisting of older tonalites to granodiorites, and the Dokhan volcanic suite.
Gillespie, J. G.↗
Lateral heterogeneity and azimuthal anistropy of the upper mantle: Love and Rayleigh waves 100-250 sec
The lateral heterogeneity and apparent anisotropy of the upper mantle are studied by measuring Rayleigh and Love wave phase velocities in the period range 100-250 sec. Spherical harmonic descriptions of the lateral heterogeneity are obtained for order and degree up to 1=m=10. Slow regions are evident at the East Pacific rise, northeast Africa, Tibet, Tasman sea, southwestern North America and triple junctions in the Northern Atlantic and Indian oceans. Fast regions occur in Australia, western Pacific and the eastern Atlantic. Details which are not evident in previous studies include two fast regions in the central Pacific and the subduction zone in the Scotia Arc region. Inversion for azimuthal dependence showed (1) little correlation between the fast phase velocity directions and the plate motion vector in plate interiors, but (2) correlation of the fast direction with the perpendicular direction to trenches and ridges. Phase velocity is high when waves propagate perpendicular to these structures. Severe tradeoffs exist between heterogeneity and azimuthal dependence because of the yet unsatisfactory path coverage.
Tanimoto, T.↗
Teleconnection patterns in the Southern Hemisphere
Contemporaneous correlations between geopotential heights on a given pressure surface at widely separated points on Earth, commonly referred to as teleconnections, are calculated from monthly mean sea level pressure and 500 mb geopotential height analyses for the Southern Hemisphere for five-month winter and summer seasons. During summer (November-March), anomalies over the three continents occur out of phase with anomalies over the subtropical oceans and in a wavenumber 3 pattern over the Southern Ocean near 55 deg S. The subtropical part of the pattern appears largely associated with the interannual variation of the seasonal cycle and annual mean. In winter (May-September) 500 mb geopotential heights over Africa exhibit positive correlations with heights over South America and the central South Pacific near New Zealand and negative correlations with height over the Southern Ocean. A striking wavenumber three pattern is apparent which shows the correlation of 500 mb geopotential height anomalies with 500 mb anomalies at 50 deg S, 95 deg E during winter. The strong positive correlations between 50 deg S, 95 E and 58 deg S, 150 deg W and 38 deg S, 15 deg W contrast with negative correlations over Antarctica and in low latitudes. Time variations in a similar pattern in sea level pressure are in phase with variations in the 500 mb pattern, suggesting an equivalent barotropic structure.
Mo, K. C.↗
The sensitivity of a general circulation model to Saharan dust heating
During the Northern summer, sporadic outbreaks of wind borne Saharan dust are carried out over the Atlantic by the tropical easterlies. Optical depths due to the dust can reach 3 near the African coast, and the dust cloud can be detected as far west as the Caribbean Sea (Carlson, 1979). In order to obtain insight into the possible effects of Saharan dust on the weather and climate of North Africa and the tropical Atlantic Ocean, simulation experiments have been performed with the Climate Model of the Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheric Sciences. The most recent version of the model is described by Randall (1982). The model produces realistic simulations of many aspects of the observed climate and its seasonal variation.
Randall, D. A.↗
Application of Magsat lithospheric modeling in South America. Part 1: Processing and interpretation of magnetic and gravity anomaly data
Scalar magnetic anomaly data from MAGSAT, reduced to vertical polarization and long wavelength pass filtered free air gravity anomaly data of South America and the Caribbean are compared to major crustal features. The continental shields generally are more magnetic than adjacent basins, oceans and orogenic belts. In contrast, the major aulacogens are characterized by negative anomalies. Spherical earth magnetic modeling of the Amazon River and Takatu aulacogens in northeastern South America indicates a less magnetic crust associated with the aulacogens. Spherical earth modeling of both positive gravity and negative magnetic anomalies observed over the Mississippi Embayment indicate the presence of a nonmagnetic zone of high density material within the lower crust associated with the aulacogen. The MAGSAT scalar magnetic anomaly data and available free air gravity anomalies over Euro-Africa indicate several similar relationships.
Hinze, W. J.↗
The impact of satellite temperature soundings on the forecasts of a small national meteorological service
The impact of introducing satellite temperature sounding data on a numerical weather prediction model of a national weather service is evaluated. A dry five level, primitive equation model which covers most of the Northern Hemisphere, is used for these experiments. Series of parallel forecast runs out to 48 hours are made with three different sets of initial conditions: (1) NOSAT runs, only conventional surface and upper air observations are used; (2) SAT runs, satellite soundings are added to the conventional data over oceanic regions and North Africa; and (3) ALLSAT runs, the conventional upper air observations are replaced by satellite soundings over the entire model domain. The impact on the forecasts is evaluated by three verification methods: the RMS errors in sea level pressure forecasts, systematic errors in sea level pressure forecasts, and errors in subjective forecasts of significant weather elements for a selected portion of the model domain. For the relatively short range of the present forecasts, the major beneficial impacts on the sea level pressure forecasts are found precisely in those areas where the satellite sounding are inserted and where conventional upper air observations are sparse. The RMS and systematic errors are reduced in these regions. The subjective forecasts of significant weather elements are improved with the use of the satellite data. It is found that the ALLSAT forecasts are of a quality comparable to the SAR forecasts.
Wolfson, N.↗
The petrology of high-Mg dikes from the Beartooth Mountains, Montana - A search for the parent magma of the Stillwater Complex
Six geochemically distinct groups of Precambrian high-Mg dikes have been examined to determine if any could have been a sample of or closely related to the parent magma of the Stillwater Complex. Only two groups have sufficiently magnesian olivine and orthopyroxene, but neither of these has sufficiently calcic plagioclase. In terms of major elements there appear to be only two distinct magma types: one has a high orthopyroxene component and is petrographically similar to noritic dikes and sills near the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe and the Bushveld Complex of South Africa; the other is similar to primitive tholeiites with higher plagioclase and diopside components than the first. All of the groups are enriched in light-REE and have unusually high K2O concentrations. Model calculations indicate that crustal contamination of fractionating komatiitic magmas is consistent with the major and trace element characteristics of the first magma type. Less extensive contamination of komatiitic magmas may produce the parental magmas of the large layered intrusions.
Longhi, J.↗
The SIR-A radar of the American Space Shuttle - Technical characteristics and overview of French experiments
The scientific instruments comprising the OSTA-1 package flown on the second Shuttle mission (November 12-14, 1981) are listed, and the Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-A) experiments are examined in detail: SIR-A operated for 8 h and obtained images covering more than 10 million sq km at 40-m resolution. The images were recorded on photographic film and processed in holographic form at JPL, and data for Southern Europe and parts of Africa were distributed to French scientists by the Groupement pour le Developpement de la Teledetection Aerospatiale. The main areas of research were environmental studies and geology, and the SIR-A images were used in combination with aerial photography, thematic maps, and Landsat images. The technical specifications of the SIR-B radar planned for STS-17 in 1984 are compared with those of SIR-A and Seasat SAR in tables.
Elachi, CH.↗
Thermal inertia mapping - A promising new tool for mineral exploration
The Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) is a NASA-sponsored program designed to acquire day visible and day and night thermal IR imagery from a satellite launched on April 26, 1978 into a near polar orbit at 620 km altitude. The data are used to produce temperature difference (12 or 36 hour interval) and apparent thermal inertia (ATI) images or numerical data sets for selected areas within much of North America, Europe, North Africa, and Australia. These data are being applied to rock type discrimination, soil moisture detection, assessment of vegetation states, thermal current monitoring in water bodies, urban heat island analysis and other multidisciplinary studies. Key geological results include (1) groups of dissimilar rock materials and some individual rock types can be separated and sometimes identified by their satellite-determined thermal inertias (dependent on their albedos, densities, and conductivities), (2) large lineaments (including some faults) are often recognized by their thermal signatures (may relate to moisture content and/or reduced bulk density), and (3) visually striking expressions of geomorphic units (types) at a regional scale are especially enhanced in the night IR imagery.
Short, N. M.↗
Aspherical heterogeneity of the mantle from phase velocities of mantle waves
Long-period surface waves are used to map the lateral heterogeneity of the upper 100-600 km of the mantle. There is good correlation of velocity with surface tectonics and heat flow. Convergence regions are generally slow for Love waves and fast for Rayleigh waves. Back arc basins have slower than average shallow mantle. Some island arcs show evidence of fast material at greater depth. Deep-seated slow anomalies underlie the Red Sea-Afar region of north-east Africa, western North American-northern East Pacific Rise, Indian Ocean triple junction and the Tasman Sea-Campbell Plateau regions. The fastest regions are in the north central Australia-New Guinea and the South Atlantic.
Nakanishi, I.↗
Reduction of satellite magnetic anomaly data
Analysis of global magnetic anomaly maps derived from satellite data is facilitated by inversion to the equivalent magnetization in a constant thickness magnetic crust or, equivalently, by reduction to the pole. Previous inversions have proven unstable near the geomagnetic equator. The instability results from magnetic moment distributions which are admissible in the inversion solution but which make only small contribution to the computed values of anomaly field. Their admissibility in the solution could result from noisy or incomplete data or from small poorly resolved anomalies. The resulting magnetic moments are unrealistically large and oscillatory. Application of the method of principal components (e.g. eigenvalue decomposition and selective elimination of less significant eigenvectors) is proposed as a way of overcoming the instability and the method is demonstrated by applying it to the region around the Bangui anomaly in Central Africa.
Slud, E. V.↗
Studies of optical and biological properties of terrestrial land cover using multispectral linear array technology
A series of experiments to study the optical and biological properties of terrestrial land cover are planned for late 1987 using a six-channel imaging spectroradiometer based on newly developed multispectral linear array (MLA) detector technology. Data from selected portions of the Sahel and rain forests of Africa and South America will be used to delineate biomass classes and estimate spherical albedos. A spatial resolution of 15 meters in the four visible-near IR channels and 30 meters in two shortwave IR channels, including a 'new' channel centered at 1.24 micrometers when combined with a spectral width of 20 nm for all channels, will be used to investigate possible improvements in land cover classification. Technology demonstrations include a test of data compression on data quality, the first spaceborne utilization of short wave infrared Schottky barrier Pd2Si detector arrays, and the use of close-butted, multi-array modules with attached spectral filters.
Barnes, W. L.↗