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At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Thermal inertia mapping of Mars from 60°S to 60°N

Twenty-micrometer brightness temperatures are used to derive the thermal inertia for 81% of the Martian surface between latitudes ±60°. These data were acquired by the two Viking Infrared Thermal Mappers in 1977 and 1978 following the two global dust storms of 1977. The spatial resolution used is 2° in latitude by 2° in longitude and the total range in derived inertia is . The distribution of thermal inertia is strongly bimodal with all values of thermal inertia less than being associated with three disjoint bright regions mostly in the northern hemisphere. Sufficient dust is raised in global storms to provide fine material adequate to produce these low-inertia areas but the specific deposition mechanism has not been defined. At the low resolution used, no complete exposures of clean rock were found. There is some tendency for darker material to be associated with higher thermal inertia, although the trend is far from one to one. The distribution of high- and low-inertia areas is sufficiently nonrandom to produce a variation in whole-disk brightness temperature with central meridian longitude. This variation and the change in surface kinetic temperature associated with dust storms are factors in establishing the whole-disk brightness temperature at radio and infrared wavelengths and will be important for those who use Mars as a calibration source.

Icarus↗

Copper, cadmium, and zinc concentrations in juvenile Chinook salmon and selected fish-forage organisms (aquatic insects) in the upper Sacramento River, California

This study assessed the downstream extent andseverity of copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn)contamination from acid mine drainage on juvenile chinook salmon( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) and aquatic insects over aroughly 270-km reach of the Sacramento River below KeswickReservoir. During April–May 1998, salmon were collected fromfour sites in the river and from a fish hatchery that receiveswater from Battle Creek. Salmon from river sites were examinedfor gut contents to document their consumption of variousinvertebrate taxa, whereas salmon from river sites and thehatchery were used for metal determinations. Midge(Chironomidae) and caddisfly (Trichoptera) larvae and mayfly(Ephemeroptera) nymphs were collected for metal determinationsduring April–June from river sites and from Battle and Buttecreeks. The fish hatchery and Battle and Butte creeks served asreference sites because they had no history of receiving minedrainage. Salmon consumed mostly midge larvae and pupae (44.0%,damp-dry biomass), caddisfly larvae (18.9%), Cladocera (5.8%),and mayfly nymphs (5.7%). These results demonstrated thatinsects selected for metal determinations were important as fishforage. Dry-weight concentrations of Cu, Cd, and Zn weregenerally far higher in salmon and insects from the river thanfrom reference sites. Within the river, high metalconcentrations persisted as far downstream as South Meridian (thelowermost sampling site). Maximum concentrations of Cd (30.7 μg g -1 ) and Zn (1230 μg g -1 ),but not Cu (87.4 μg g -1 ), in insects exceeded amounts that other investigators reported as toxic when fed for prolonged periods to juvenile salmonids.

California↗

Time-averaged paleomagnetic field at the equator: Complete data and results from the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

We present here the complete paleomagnetic laboratory results from a collection of approximately 1500 oriented cores from all 16 of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, collected by Allan Cox in 1964–1965 but nearly all previously unpublished. The islands are located in the eastern Pacific Ocean within 1.4° of latitude from the equator and range in age from historically erupted to 3 Ma, mostly determined by published K-Ar and 3He isotopic dating. The number of sites collected on each island ranges from 1 to 28, for a total of 186. After combining duplicate site mean directions, 149 are used for an overall mean direction and 8 represent excursions and one reversal path. Divided by geomagnetic polarity chron, 110 site means are Brunhes or Jaramillo (normal polarity), 27 are Matuyama (reversed polarity), and 12 are Gauss (both polarities). We have completed the magnetic cleaning that was commenced in the late 1960s. Secondary (mostly viscous) magnetizations were nearly all removed by alternating field demagnetization at 10 mT. We have used the so-called blanket cleaning method, generally at 10 mT. All sites were in basalt flows and gave good paleomagnetic results; none was rejected in toto, and only a few core specimens were magnetically unsatisfactory. Nearly all sites had eight independently oriented cores, and within-site angular standard deviations of directions range from 1° to 8°. We used both Fisher and Bingham statistics to analyze the data and found that many of the direction populations are strongly elongate along the paleomagnetic meridian, while the corresponding virtual pole (VGP) populations are essentially circularly distributed. The paleomagnetic poles, calculated as the means of VGPs, are as follows: Brunhes and Jaramillo, north latitude = 86.9°, east longitude = 245.1°, and 95% confidence radius A 95 = 1.9°; Matuyama, latitude = 87.2°, longitude = 158.2°, and A 95 = 3.8°; Gauss, latitude = 83.0°, longitude = 204.7°, and A 95 = 7.0°. These paleomagnetic poles do not differ significantly from one another, but the Brunhes and Jaramillo combined pole is significantly near-sided with respect to the Galapagos, as is the overall mean pole, which is at latitude = 87.1° and longitude = 227.6°, with A 95 = 1.7°. Omitting the excursion and reversal path data, the overall angular standard deviation of VGPs is 11.7° with lower and upper 95% confidence limits of 10.8° and 12.7°, respectively, in good agreement with previously published values for near-equatorial sampling latitudes.

Galapagos Islands↗

An empirical model of the quiet daily geomagnetic field variation

An empirical model of the quiet daily geomagnetic field variation has been constructed based on geomagnetic data obtained from 21 stations along the 210 Magnetic Meridian of the Circum‐pan Pacific Magnetometer Network (CPMN) from 1996 to 2007. Using the least squares fitting method for geomagnetically quiet days ( Kp ≤ 2+), the quiet daily geomagnetic field variation at each station was described as a function of solar activity SA , day of year DOY , lunar age LA , and local time LT . After interpolation in latitude, the model can describe solar‐activity dependence and seasonal dependence of solar quiet daily variations (S) and lunar quiet daily variations (L). We performed a spherical harmonic analysis (SHA) on these S and L variations to examine average characteristics of the equivalent external current systems. We found three particularly noteworthy results. First, the total current intensity of the S current system is largely controlled by solar activity while its focus position is not significantly affected by solar activity. Second, we found that seasonal variations of the S current intensity exhibit north‐south asymmetry; the current intensity of the northern vortex shows a prominent annual variation while the southern vortex shows a clear semi‐annual variation as well as annual variation. Thirdly, we found that the total intensity of the L current system changes depending on solar activity and season; seasonal variations of the L current intensity show an enhancement during the December solstice, independent of the level of solar activity.

Journal of Geophysical Research A: Space Physics↗

Mapping raster imagery to the interrupted Goode Homolosine projection

Because of the increasing emphasis on global monitoring, processing remotely-sensed raster image data onto global map projections has become an important issue. One class of map projections, interrupted equal-area projections, is especially useful for this purpose. The use of the Interrupted Goode Homolosine map projection for the Global Land Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) 1 km project and the AVHRR Pathfinder project has produced a map that is both attractive to the viewer and useful for data analysis. This interrupted, composite, equal-area map projection uses the Sinusoidal projection for low latitudes and the Mollweide projection for high latitudes and is broken into 12 regions, each with its own central meridian. This combination of projections helps to preserve the shape of the land masses and results in a map that has less distortion than an uninterrupted global map. The use of the interrupted projection also simplifies the processing and management of larger data sets, because the data can be processed either separately in the component projections that make up the interrupted projection or directly onto the interrupted projection.

International Journal of Remote Sensing↗

Climate factor for small-basin flood frequency

A climate factor, CT, (T = 2-, 25-, and 100-year recurrence intervals) that delineates regional trends in small-basin flood frequency was derived using data from 71 long-term rainfall record sites. Values of CT at these sites were developed by a regression analysis that related rainfall-runoff model estimates of T-year floods to a sample set of 50 model calibrations. CT was regionalized via kriging to develop maps depicting its geographic variation for a large part of the United States east of the 105th meridian. Kriged estimates of CT and basin-runoff characteristics were used to compute regionalized T-year floods for 200 small drainage basins. Observed T-year flood estimates also were developed for these sites. Regionalized floods are shown to account for a large percentage of the variability in observed flood estimates with coefficients of determination ranging from 0.89 for 2-year floods to 0.82 for 100-year floods. The relative importance of the factors comprising regionalized flood estimates is evaluated in terms of scale (size of drainage area), basin-runoff characteristics (rainfall-runoff model parameters), and climate (CT).

Water Resources Bulletin↗

Correlation of the Carrizo Sand in Arkansas and adjacent states

The Carrizo Sand (Eocene), the basal unit of the Claiborne Group, can be recognized in the subsurface throughout much of southeastern Arkansas and is correlated with the Carrizo Sand of Louisiana and the Meridian Sand Member of the Tallahatta Formation of Mississippi. The term Carrizo Sand is appropriate for use in Arkansas , as the stratigraphic terminology most workers apply to the Claiborne Group in Arkansas conforms with the terminology of Louisiana. A surface exposure of the Carrizo Sand in Arkansas is lithologically identical with described exposures of the Carrizo in northwestern Louisiana.

Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee↗

Reconnaissance survey of the Roberts Mountains, Nevada

The Roberts Mountains region, central Nevada, provides an excellent section of Paleozoic rocks ranging from Upper Cambrian to Permian. Major low-angle thrusting is indicated by deformed Ordovician strata resting on Paleozoics of varying age. Overlying a thick breccia zone, the upper thrust plate consists of sandstones, andesitic flows and tuffs, black shales, and bedded cherts (Vinini formation). Ordovician age of the Vinini is established on the basis of graptolite faunules. A belt of Lower to Middle Ordovician graptolitic facies similar to the Vinini formation crosses the Great Basin west of Roberts Mountains. Deposits of roughly the same age in the Roberts Mountains meridian and eastward are dominantly limestone, carrying distinct faunas. Axial planes of overturned folds in the thrust plate dip west, a further indication that the upper thrust plate moved from west to east. Minimum horizontal displacement is 16 miles. The date of thrusting is uncertain, but presumably was later Cretaceous or early Tertiary. Following thrusting, an alaskite stock and rhyolite porphyry plugs were intruded; lava flows and tuffs covered the area in part. Thrust plate and cover of volcanics have been broken into normal fault blocks. The post-thrusting igneous rocks, like volcanic rocks of Utah and New Mexico, are characterized by high potash content.

Nevada↗

Earthquake magnitudes from dynamic strain

Dynamic strains have never played a role in determining local earthquake magnitudes, which are routinely set by displacement waveforms from seismic instrumentation (e.g., M L ⁠ ). We present a magnitude scale for local earthquakes based on broadband dynamic strain waveforms. This scale is derived from the peak root‐mean‐squared strains ( ⁠ A ⁠ ) in 4589 records of dynamic strain associated with 365 crustal earthquakes and 77 borehole strainmeters along the Pacific‐North American plate boundary on the west coast of the United States and Canada. In this data set, catalog moment magnitudes range from 3.5≤ M w ≤ 7.2 ⁠ , and hypocentral distances range from 6≤ R ≤500 km . The 1D representation of geometrical spreading and attenuation of A common to all strain data is log A 0 ( R )=−0.00072R−1.45log(R) . After correcting for instrument gain, site terms, and event terms, the magnitude scale, M DS =log A −log A 0 ( R )−log(3×10−9) ⁠ , scales as ≈0.92 M w with a residual standard deviation of 0.19. This close association with M w holds for events east of the −124° meridian; west of this boundary, however, a constant correction of 0.41 is needed to adjust for additional along‐path attenuation effects. As a check on the accuracy of this magnitude scale, we apply it to dynamic strain records from three strainmeters located in the near field of the 2019 M 6.4 and 7.1 Ridgecrest earthquakes. Results from these six records are in agreement to within 0.5 magnitude units, and five out of six records are in agreement to within 0.34 units.

California, Oregon, Washington↗

Geology of the Iron King Mine, Yavapai county, Arizona

The Iron King mine is about 2,000 feet west-northwest of the intersection of the 112 15 west meridian and the 34 30 north parallel in the Humboldt region in central Yavapai County , Arizona . The mine is approximately in the geographical center of the Humboldt region. Precambrian rocks form the bedrock. Late Cenozoic unconsolidated river wash and valley fill with some interbedded basalt locally mantle the Precambrian rocks, especially in the north-central part of the region. The Precambrian rocks consist of two metamorphosed volcanic formations and intrusive rocks that range in composition from quartz porphyry to gabbro. The volcanic formations originally were flows, volcanic breccias, and tuffaceous sedimentary rocks. Dynamothermal metamorphism of these rocks formed textures, structures, and mineral assemblages characteristic of low-grade ;riietamorphic rocks, but sufficient relict textures and structures remain to permit delineation of formations on the bases of their original nature. All the Precambrian rocks are foliated, except those in the interior parts of the larger intrusive masses. This foliation has two major trends, (1) north to N 20° W, and (2) N 20° E. The northeast-trending foliation is younger and locally is superimposed on the north- to northwest-trending foliation. The Precambrian rocks strike north to northwest and dip steeply, chiefly westward. Duplication of stratigraphic units and determination of tops suggest two major northeast-trending folds, which probably plunge southward. The northeast-trending foliation appears to bear an axial-plane relationship to these folds. Some masses of igneous rock probably were intruded during development of foliation. The Iron King deposit supports the only active mine in the Humboldt region. It consists of 12 steeply plunging echelon veins arranged along the footwall of a sheared and altered zone in the metamorphosed andesitic tuffaceous sedimentary rocks. Narrow zones of more intense shear probably localized the veins. Solutions first introduced quartz, pyrite, ankerite, and sericite, forming a sporadically mineralized zone (in the hanging wall of the deposit) and probably veins in the Iron King fracture system. Intra-mineralization shear strongly brecciated these early minerals and formed the structures that localized and distributed the ore minerals in the veins. After this deformation, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, tennantite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, quartz, and ankerite were deposited; the last three minerals may have formed through solution and the redeposition of earlier minerals. Formation of sericite either accompanied or followed the deposition of ore-forming minerals. Silver is related closely in distribution to copper and probably is in the tennantite. Gold occurs chiefly in the pyrite. Banding, mimetic after foliation and planes developed by shearing, is pronounced in much of the vein material. Mineral zoning, generally similar in each vein, is a characteristic of the deposit. High-angle reverse faults of about 100 feet in maximum vertical separation offset the veins. These faults are nearly parallel to the veins in strike and dip.

Arizona↗

Population analyses, variation and behavior of Anguispira alternata alternata

Anguispira alternata alternata is one of the more common terrestrial snails in the United States. Gregarious by nature, these snails can be collected in large numbers from wooded flood-plains and moist upland wooded areas. "The range is eastern Canada and the United States, from Nova Scotia to Lake of the Woods; westward in the United States to about the 97th meridian, south to middle Louisiana and Mississippi (Leonard, 1959). Distribution in Kansas is restricted to the eastern one-third of the state.

Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science↗

Report of the Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel, Volume V: Botany

The territory within which botanical collections have been nmade in connection with the United States Geological Survey of the 40th Parallel lies wholly within the limits of Northern Nevada and Utah. It forms a narrow tract at no point exceeding seventy miles in width, between the meridians of 111° and 120°, and extending frorn the parallel of 39° at the southwestern limit to that of 42° at the northeastern. This region constitutes the northern portion of what was at first designated as the "Great Basin" the high plateau, without outlet for its waters, separated on the north by low divides from the valley of the Snake River and continuing southward until it merges into the desert of the Lower Colorado. Geologically considered, however, as well as botanically, the term is now properly made to include the whole similar arid stretch of country northward to the plains of the Columbia in latitude 48°.

Nevada;Utah↗

Topographical atlas sheets

The following topographical atlas sheets, accompanying Appendix J.J. of the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army-being Annual Report upon U. S. Geographical Surveys-have been published during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, and are a portion of the series projected to embrace the territory of the United States lying west of the 100th meridian.

Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico↗

Topographical atlas sheets

The following topographical atlas maps, published during the year, accompany the copies of Appendix N.N. of the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1877, beinig Annual Report of Lieut. Geo. M. Wheeler, Corps of Engineers, in charge of U. S. Geographical Surveys, are in continuation of the series ninety-five in number, on a scale of 1 inch to 8 miles, embracing the territory of the United States lying west of the 100th meridian.

California;Colorado;New Mexico↗

Geological and Geographical Atlas of Colorado and portions of adjacent territory

Sheets I-IV are triangulations, drainage, land classification, and geologic maps of Colorado west of longitude 102°, on the scale of 12 miles to the inch. Sheets V-XVI are topographic (contour) and geologic maps of Colorado and adjacent States, between meridians 104° 30' and 109° 30' and parallels 36° 45' and 40° 30', on the scale of 4 miles to the inch. Sheets XVII and XVIII contain three geologic sections across the State, west of the longitude 104° 30'. Sheets XIX and XX are panoramic views of the Pikes Peak group, Sawatch Range, central portion of West Elk Mountains, Twin Lakes, southwestern border of the Mesa Verde, San Juan Mountains, and La Plata Mountains.

Colorado↗

Geological and Geographical Atlas of Colorado and portions of adjacent territory

Sheets I-IV are triangulations, drainage, land classification, and geologic maps of Colorado west of longitude 102°, on the scale of 12 miles to the inch. Sheets V-XVI are topographic (contour) and geologic maps of Colorado and adjacent States, between meridians 104° 30' and 109° 30' and parallels 36° 45' and 40° 30', on the scale of 4 miles to the inch. Sheets XVII and XVIII contain three geologic sections across the State, west of the longitude 104° 30'. Sheets XIX and XX are panoramic views of the Pikes Peak group, Sawatch Range, central portion of West Elk Mountains, Twin Lakes, southwestern border of the Mesa Verde, San Juan Mountains, and La Plata Mountains.

Colorado↗

Geographical and Topographical Atlas accompanying the report of the Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel, made by authority of the Hornorable Secretary of War, under the direction of Brig. and Bvt. Major General A. A. Humphreys, Chief of Engineers

Contains a title, legend, and 11 folio maps in the folio. Contains a topographic (shaded) map of Cordilleran region, limiting meridians 104° and 124°; limiting parallels 29° and 50°. Scale, 60 miles to the inch. Also contains four geologic and four topographic (shaded) maps, on scale of 4 miles to the inch, of the following areas: Sheet I. Longitude, 104° 30'-107° 37'; latitude, 40° 20'-41° 54'. Sheet II. Longitude, 107° 37'-110° 43'; latitude, 40° 16'-41° 50'. Sheet III. Longitude, 110° 43'-113° 50'; latitude, 40° 13'-41° 46'. Sheet IV. Longitude, 113° 50'-116° 56'; latitude, 39° 55'-41° 29'.

Atlas↗