Multispectral remote sensing of biomass burning in West Africa     

J. Ricardo  A. De França  J. -M. Brustet  J. Fontan 《Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry》1995,22(1-2):81-110

Remote sensing measurements provide a vauable means of determining the extent of burning areas and of estimating the overall distribution of pollutant sources (identified from experimental studies) in time and space. This distribution has to be taken into account in the boundary conditions of chemistry atmospheric models.Recent methods developed for the remote sensing of active fires in tropical or temperated forest zones, have been found to be completely inadequate for fire detection on West African savannas. In order to accurately estimate the active fire distribution in the function of different sorts of West African savannas (Sahelian, Sudanian and Guinean) and forests, a multispectral methodology has been developed based on NOAA/11-AVHRR satellite data, with the purpose of eliminating as much as possible the problems related to large surface heterogeneity, confusion and bias, produced by clouds, smoke, haze, background emissivities, etc.Unlike other methods, the results show that the multispectral method, in spite of its selectivity, provides realistic results, and does not under- or over-estimate the number of fires that can be sensed by the satellite. Consequently, this methodology is more appropriate than the simplest ones for a systematic sensing of this phenomenon.  相似文献   

Potential merits for substorm research from imaging of charge-exchange neutral atoms     

Ioannis A. Daglis  Stefano Livi 《Annales Geophysicae》1995,13(5):505-516

The in situ observations of the Earth magnetosphere performed over the past decades of space research have provided a rather good understanding of many partial localized processes of the magnetospheric substorm. The continuing lack of global observations inhibits the construction of a coherent picture of the substorm as a whole, which is actually determined by the coupling of the partial processes. In this context the importance of global observations for the advancement of magnetospheric substorm studies is critical. This paper presents briefly a promising technique of global observations, namely the imaging of charge exchange neutral atoms, or neutral atom imaging (NAI) of the magnetosphere. Model and theoretical estimates of charge-exchange neutral atom fluxes, as well as appropriate spacecraft orbit and instrumentation requirements are presented and discussed for specific regions of interest and vantage points. The potential merits of NAI for substorm research are presented along with possible combinations with other types of observational methods. Substorm issues that would benefit from NAI should include among others the assessment of the ionospheric contribution to the hot magnetospheric plasma, the relative importance of various ionospheric ion source regions, the resolution of spatial and temporal characteristics of substorm ion injections. NAI observations can be precious complements to local observations and lead to the understanding of how local processes, many of which are resolved quite well today, combine to form the global process of the magnetospheric substorm.  相似文献   

On estimating frequency-magnitude relations from heterogeneous catalogs     

Stefano Tinti  Rossella Rimondi  Francesco Mulargia 《Pure and Applied Geophysics》1987,125(1):1-18

The paper studies the effect of magnitude errors on heterogeneous catalogs, by applying the apparent magnitude theory (seeTinti andMulargia, 1985a), which proves to be the most natural and rigorous approach to the problem. Heterogeneities in seismic catalogs are due to a number of various sources and affect both instrumental as well as noninstrumental earthquake compilations.The most frequent basis of heterogeneity is certainly that the recent instrumental records are to be combined with the historic and prehistoric event listings to secure a time coverage, considerably longer than the recurrence time of the major earthquakes. Therefore the case which attracts the greatest attention in the present analysis is that of a catalog consisting of a subset of higher quality data, generallyS ₁, spanning the interval T ₁ (the instrumental catalog), and of a second subset of more uncertain magnitude determination, generallyS ₂, covering a vastly longer interval T ₂ (the historic and/or the geologic catalog). The magnitude threshold of the subcatalogS ₁ is supposedly smaller than that ofS ₂, which, as we will see, is one of the major causes of discrepancy between the apparent magnitude and the true magnitude distributions. We will further suppose that true magnitude occurrences conform to theGutenberg-Richter (GR) law, because the assumption simplified the analysis without reducing the relevancy of our findings.The main results are: 1) the apparent occurrence rate exceeds the true occurrence rate from a certain magnitude onward, saym _GR; 2) the apparent occurrence rate shows two distinct GR regimes separated by an intermediate transition region. The offset between the two regimes is the essential outcome ofS ₁ being heterogeneous with respect toS ₂. The most important consequences of this study are that: 1) it provides a basis to infer the parameters of the true magnitude distribution, by correcting the bias deriving from heterogeneous magnitude errors; 2) it demonstrates that the double GR decay, that several authors have taken as the incontestable proof of the failure of the GR law and of the experimental evidence of the characteristic earthquake theory, is instead perfectly consistent with a GR-type seismicity.  相似文献   

Evaluation of the SEDD model for predicting sediment yield at the Sicilian experimental SPA2 basin     

Costanza Di Stefano  Vito Ferro 《地球表面变化过程与地形》2007,32(7):1094-1109

In this paper a spatially distributed model of the hillslope sediment delivery processes, named the sediment delivery distributed (SEDD) model, is initially reviewed; the model takes into account the sediment delivery processes due to both the hillslope sediment transport and the effects of slope curvature. Then the rainfall and sediment yield events measured at the experimental SPA2 basin, in Sicily, are used both to calibrate the SEDD model and to verify the predictive capability of the distributed sediment delivery approach at event scale. For the SPA2 basin discretized into morphological units and stream tubes, the SEDD model is calibrated at event scale using the measurements carried out at the outlet of the experimental basin in the period December 2000–January 2001. The model calibration is used to determine a relationship useful for estimating the unique coefficient β_e of the model by rainfall erosivity factor R_e at event scale. To test the predictive capability of the β_e = f(R_e) relationship, 20 events measured in the period September 2002–December 2005 are used; the comparison between measured sediment yield values and calculated ones for all monitored events shows that the sediment delivery distributed approach has a good predictive ability at event scale. The analysis also shows that estimating β_e by the relationship β_e = f(R_e) gives a better agreement between measured and calculated sediment yields than obtained with the median value β_e,m of all 27 calculated β_e values. Finally the analysis at annual scale, for the period 2000–2005, allows the estimation of the median value β_a,m representative of the annual behaviour. This analysis shows that the sediment delivery distributed approach also has a good predictive ability at annual scale. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.  相似文献   

Effectiveness of simple approaches in mitigating residual deformations in buildings     

Didier Pettinga  Constantin Christopoulos  Stefano Pampanin  Nigel Priestley 《地震工程与结构动力学》2007,36(12):1763-1783

Developments in performance‐based seismic design and assessment approaches have emphasized the importance of considering residual deformations. Recent investigations have also led to a proposed direct displacement‐based design (DDBD) approach which includes an explicit consideration of the expected residual deformations as an integral part of the design process. Having estimated the expected residual deformations in a structure, engineers are faced with the problem of reducing them to meet the targeted performance levels under pre‐defined seismic hazard levels. Previous studies have identified the post‐yield stiffness as a primary factor influencing the magnitude of residual deformations in single degree of freedom and multiple degree of freedom structures. In this paper, a series of simple approaches to increase the post‐yield stiffness of traditional framed and braced systems for the purpose of reducing residual deformations are investigated. These methods do not utilize recentring post‐tensioned technology. This contribution addresses the feasibility of altering the lateral post‐yield stiffness of structural systems by: (i) using different reinforcement materials with beneficial features in their stress–strain behaviour; (ii) re‐designing the section geometry and properties of primary seismic‐resisting elements; and (iii) introducing a secondary elastic frame to act in parallel with the primary system. The efficiency of each of these techniques is investigated through monotonic and cyclic moment‐curvature and non‐linear time‐history analyses. Of these approaches the design and introduction of an elastic secondary system was found to be most effective and consistent in reducing residual deformations. A simplified design approach for achieving the desired increase of a system's post‐yield stiffness is also presented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.  相似文献   

The June 4th 1999 severe weather episode in San Quirino, Italy: a tornado event?     

Renzo Bechini  Dario Giaiotti  Agostino Manzato  Fulvio Stel  Stefano Micheletti 《Atmospheric Research》2001,56(1-4)

On the morning of June 4th 1999, a severe weather event took place in San Quirino, a small village of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the northeast of Italy. This village is located near the piedmont of the Alps, 40 km west from Udine and 60 km north from Venice.Around 0900 UTC (1100 local time), a thunderstorm with an intense hail fall affected the area of San Quirino. A few minutes later (around 0920 UTC, source: a farmer), a funnel cloud from a cumulonimbus touched the ground, producing damages to houses, trees and sheds. The damaged area was quite narrow (about 300 m) and short (less than 10 km). No injuries to people were reported.In spite of the smallness of the area interested by the phenomenon, this storm is studied here starting from the synoptic scale, moving to the mesoscale and finishing with the storm scale, trying to underline its characteristics. These analyses, especially those coming from the Doppler radar images, bring us to the conclusion that the San Quirino episode was produced by a supercell storm.  相似文献   

Remote sensing-modelisation approach for diurnal estimation of burnt biomass in the Central African Republic Savanna     

M. Moula  J. M. Brustet  J. Fontan 《Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry》1996,25(1):1-19

Experimental studies and mesoscale modeling of atmospheric chemistry require a good knowledge of the sources of the atmospheric constituent, at a temporal scale of about one hour and at a spatial scale corresponding to the model grid. A combined remote sensing/modeling approach for the estimation of the diurnal distribution of the amount of biomass burning in Central African Republic (C.A.R.) savanna fires is proposed. The fire propagation model (BEHAVE) developed by Rothermel was adapted to the fuel characteristics encountered in C.A.R. Ground and airborne measurements with satellite images (NOAA/AVHRR) were used to predict an accurate estimate of the burnt biomass. This combination allows the calculation of the distribution of the number of fires during the day providing an evaluation of the instantaneous fluxes of the compounds emitted in the atmosphere by these fires.  相似文献   

Modelling of ground motion in the vicinity of massive structures     

Claudio Chiaruttini  Stefano Grimaz  Enrico Priolo 《Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering》1996,15(2):75

A two-dimensional elastic Chebyshev spectral element method (SPEM) is used to model the seismic wavefield within a massive structure and in its vicinity. We consider 2-D models where a linear elastic structure, with quadrangular cross-section, resting on an elastic homogeneous half-space, is impinged upon by the waves generated by a surface impulse at some distance. The scattering of Rayleigh waves and the response of the structure are extensively analysed in a parametric way, varying size, mechanical parameters and shape of the load. Some of the models considered are representative of embankments and earth dams. The simulation shows that some models resonate, storing part of the incoming energy. With realistic parameters, the lowest resonance frequency is due to pure shear deformation and is controlled by the shear velocity and height of the load. Flexural modes are excited only at higher frequencies. The acceleration at the top of the structure may be five/seven times higher than at the base, depending on the mass of the structure. The gradual release of trapped energy produces a ground roll lasting several seconds after the wave front has passed. The ground-roll amplitude depends on the sturcture's mass and can be as large as 30% of the peak acceleration. Outside resonance conditions, the ground motion is almost unaffected by the presence of the artefact; the horizontal motion on top of it is nearly twice the motion at ground level. Similar results should be expected when the incident field is an upcoming shear wave. A qualitative discussion shows that the presence of anelastic attenuation in the embankment does not significantly alter the preceding conclusions, unless it is of very low values (e.g. Q < 15).The modelling results that we discuss indicate that the soil-structure interaction may substantially alter the ‘free-field’ ground motion. From a practical point of view, the main conclusions are: (1) careful analysis is necessary when interpreting seismic records collected in the vicinity of large artefacts; (2) seismic hazard at a site may depend on the presence of man-made structures such as embankments, dams, tall and massive buildings.  相似文献   

A viscoelastic shear zone model of compressional and extensional plate boundaries     

Michele Dragoni  Stefano Santini  Andrea Tallarico 《Pure and Applied Geophysics》1993,140(3):471-491

A model is proposed describing the mechanical evolution of a shear zone along compressional and extensional plate boundaries, subject to constant strain rate. The shear zones are assumed as viscoelastic with Maxwell rheology and with elastic and rheological parameters depending on temperature and petrology. Stress and strain are computed as functions of time and depth. For both kinds of boundaries the model reproduces the existence of a shallow seismogenic zone, characterized by a stress concentration. The thickness of the seismogenic layer is evaluated considering the variations of shear stress and frictional strength on faults embedded in the shear zone. Assuming that a fault dislocation takes place, the brittle-ductile transition is assumed to occur at the depth at which the time derivative of total shear stress changes from positive to negative values. The effects of different strain rates and geothermal gradients on the depth of the brittle-ductile transition are studied. The model predictions are consistent with values inferred from seismicity data of different boundary zones.  相似文献   

Détermination des coefficients de diffusion verticale entre 0 ET 100 M a l'aide du radon et du ThB     

A. Druilhet  J. Fontan 《Boundary-Layer Meteorology》1973,3(4):468-498

Résumé Le radon (Rn₈₆ ²²²) et les descendants du thoron (ThB ou Pb₈₂ ²¹²) sont utilisés comme traceurs pour l'étude des échanges verticaux de matière. Diverses méthodes permettant le calcul des coefficients de diffusion sont présentées soit dans l'hypothèse simplificatrice du régime stationnaire, soit dans le cas plus général du régime dépendant du temps. L'application de ces méthodes au calcul des coefficients de diffusion sur des données fournies à partir d'un modèle de simulation numérique permet de préciser le degré d'approximation représenté par les diverses hypothèses simplificatrices. Les méthodes de calcul présentées sont appliquées aux mesures expérimentales du radon et du ThB. Ces mesures ont été réalisées de manière continue durant deux ans en trois points de mesures, entre 0 et 100 m de hauteur. Une statistique est présentée sur la variation diurne des échanges et la variation saisonnière de cette variation diurne, ainsi qu'un exemple particulier du traitement des données en régime dépendant du temps.

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Continuous measurements of the concentrations of radon and thorium B have been carried out at 3 levels (1.5, 30 and 100 m) during a period of 2 yr (from October 1966 to October 1968) at the site of the future airport of Paris, at Roissy-en-France; at the same time, standard meteorological elements have been measured at the station by the Météorologie Nationale and the vertical gradients (wind and temperature profiles in the first 100 m) by J. Saissac. The work has been undertaken in order to determine the vertical exchange of matter near the ground.The computation of the exchange coefficients has been carried out by using the standard diffusion equation (K theory). The results in the literature as well as statistical analysis of our data lead us to believe that the flux of Rn and ThB at the ground can be considered as horizontally homogeneous in the neighbourhood of the measurement site (the soil is geologically homogeneous over a large area). The differential equation is thus simplified, containing only one space parameter (z), and timet.In this paper we describe the principal computation methods used for determining the exchange coefficients from the measurement of the vertical gradients of tracers. In order to illustrate the approximation errors and fields of applicability of different methods, we have applied them to the data provided from a numerical integration of the diffusion equation, in which one can introduce any profile of diffusivity.We show that during stable periods, the value of the flux of Rn or ThB can be determined forz = 0.Generally, during daylight hours when the motion near the ground is strongly turbulent, the vertical gradient of concentration is not measurable with sufficient accuracy.The daytime diffusion coefficient is therefore not computed by the general methods presented above. This deficiency can be overcome by assuming that the ratio between the mean concentration observed during these periods and the value of the flux at ground level are characteristic of the whole mixing layer. The values of the exchange coefficients obtained by this method are included and range from 5 to 30 m²s^-1.The application of the proposed methods to the experimental results has been made for two atmospheric states. Firstly, we have used a simplified method (stationary state) which is applied to the whole experimental data set. We present the diurnal variation, the most probable value of the diffusion coefficients and the seasonal evolution. The values obtained from Rn and ThB measurements have been compared.

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