Search

Prestress losses occur in concrete structures due to long-time creep and shrinkage in concrete, and stress relaxation in prestressing strands. The existing formulations for creep and shrinkage modeling in concrete are empirical in nature, which have been developed based on a particular set of measured data. In this study a coupled hygro-thermo-mechanical formulation is used to model the physics associated with creep and shrinkage in concrete structures. Uncertainty tools based on a probabilistic framework are used to model the possible variations in the input variables in the hygro-thermo-mechanical formulation. A distance measure based global response sensitivity analysis is adopted to identify the parameters having maximum impact on the output responses. Uncertainties in the selected set of important variables are reduced using Bayesian inference and short-time measured responses. For validating efficiency of the uncertainty reduction technique adopting Bayesian inference and global response sensitivity, the predictions of creep and shrinkage in concrete are compared with a few experiments from the North-Western University (NU) data base. The uncertainty reduction technique is then used to predict the long-time prestress losses in post-tensioned concrete beams and slabs cast in the laboratory. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The use of fly ash in concrete dates back to the late 20th century and its advantages and disadvantages had been widely researched. Despite the broad based research carried out across the globe in utilizing fly ash as a cement replacement material in concrete, the level of replacement is still limited to a maximum of 35% of cement by mass. In view of increasing the level of fly ash replacement in cement to minimize the carbon footprint, this work summarizes the following: firstly, the current state of fly ash applications in concrete by considering about 200 papers published since 1980 to till date. Secondly, the analysis of form-structure-property of fly ash reported in various literature and its correlation with strength and durability characteristics. Thirdly, the contradictions reported in literature regarding the performance of fly ash, particularly, in the context of shrinkage, high temperature curing, water demand etc. Overall, this review brings to light that, apart from chemical composition, the influence of other factors such as morphology, crystallinity, size etc. have major influence in altering the hydration mechanism which in turn bring changes in mechanical and durability properties of fly ash concrete. The critical examination of properties of fly ash provides insight for wider utilization of fly ash, facilitating a higher replacement of cement possibly upto 60% in a scientific way rather than by trial and error basis. Further, this review recommends for the classification of fly ash apart from the existing ASTM classification of fly ash as Class F and Class C. Furthermore, amendments in existing codes are recommended for high volume utilization of fly ash.

Two previously reported lamprophyre dykes from the Kalwakurthy area, at the northwestern margin of the Cuddapah basin, Dharwar craton, southern India, are reinvestigated. Petrography reveals that they have an overall cumulate texture and comprise clinopyroxene (dominant phase), amphibole (mostly secondary), magnetite, ilmenite and chromite and are reclassified as clinopyroxenites. The chemistry of clinopyroxene and chromite, bulk-rock major and trace element composition and the Sr–Nd isotopic systematics of the Kalwakurthy dykes strongly favour the involvement of subduction-related processes in their genesis and are strikingly similar to those of the continental arc-cumulates and Alaskan-type ultramafics reported from the supra-subduction type of tectonic settings. Incompatible trace element ratios, involving high field strength elements, of these clinopyroxenites are also suggestive of the fluid-related metasomatism influencing their source regions. Petrogenetic modelling reveals that 10–20% partial melting of the fertile lithospheric mantle source was involved in their genesis. The tectonomagmatic significance of the studied clinopyroxenites is evaluated in light of the existing models invoking a Neoarchaean subduction in the evolution of the Dharwar craton.

Detailed mineralogical, bulk-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic data for the recently discovered Ahobil kimberlite (Pipe-16) from the Wajrakarur kimberlite field (WKF), Eastern Dharwar craton (EDC), southern India, are presented. Two generations of compositionally distinct olivine, Ti-poor phlogopite showing orangeitic evolutionary trends, spinel displaying magmatic trend-1, abundant perovskite, Tirich hydrogarnet, calcite and serpentine are the various mineral constituents. On the basis of (i) liquidus mineral composition, (ii) bulk-rock chemistry, and (iii) Sr-Nd isotopic composition, we show that Ahobil kimberlite shares several characteristic features of archetypal kimberlites than orangeites and lamproites. Geochemical modelling indicate Ahobil kimberlite magma derivation from small-degree melting of a carbonated peridotite source having higher Gd/Yb and lower La/Sm in contrast to those of orangeites from the Eastern Dharwar and Bastar cratons of Indian shield. The T-DM Nd model age (similar to 2.0 Ga) of the Ahobil kimberlite is (i) significantly older than those (1.5-1.3 Ga) reported for Wajrakarur and Narayanpet kimberlites of EDC, (ii) indistinguishable from those of the Mesoproterozoic EDC lamproites, and (iii) strikingly coincides with the timing of the amalgamation of the Columbia supercontinent. High bulk-rock Fe-Ti contents and wide variation in oxygen fugacity fO(2), as inferred from perovskite oxy-barometry, suggest non-prospective nature of the Ahobil kimberlite for diamond. (C) 2018, China University of Geosciences (Beijing) and Peking University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.

Different satellite-based radiation (Makkink) and temperature (Hargreaves-Samani, Penman-Monteith temperature, PMT) reference evapotranspiration (ETo) models were compared with the FAO56-PM method over the Cauvery basin, India. Maximum air temperature (T-max) required in the ETo models was estimated using the temperature-vegetation index (TVX) and an advanced statistical approach (ASA), and evaluated with observed T-max obtained from automatic weather stations. Minimum air temperature (T-min) was estimated using ASA. Land surface temperature was employed in the ETo models in place of air temperature (T-a) to check the potency of its applicability. The results suggest that the PMT model with T-a as input performed better than the other ETo models, with correlation coefficient (r), averaged root mean square error (RMSE) and mean bias error (MBE) of 0.77, 0.80 mm d(-1) and -0.69 for all land cover classes. The ASA yielded better T-max and T-min values (r and RMSE of 0.87 and 2.17 degrees C, and 0.87 and 2.27 degrees C, respectively).

The Cretaceous greenhouse climate was accompanied by major changes in Earth’s hydrological cycle, but seasonally resolved hydroclimatic reconstructions for this anomalously warm period are rare. We measured the δ18O and CO2 clumped isotope Δ47 of the seasonal growth bands in carbonate shells of the mollusc Villorita cyprinoides (Black Clam) growing in the Cochin estuary, in southern India. These tandem records accurately reconstruct seasonal changes in sea surface temperature (SST) and seawater δ18O, allowing us to document freshwater discharge into the estuary, and make inferences about rainfall amount. The same analytical approach was applied to well-preserved fossil remains of the Cretaceous (Early Maastrichtian) mollusc Phygraea (Phygraea) vesicularis from the nearby Kallankuruchchi Formation in the Cauvery Basin of southern India. The palaeoenvironmental record shows that, unlike present-day India, where summer rainfall predominates, most rainfall in Cretaceous India occurred in winter. During the Early Maastrichtian, the Indian plate was positioned at ~30°S latitude, where present-day rainfall and storm activity is also concentrated in winter. The good match of the Cretaceous climate and present-day climate at ~30°S suggests that the large-scale atmospheric circulation and seasonal hydroclimate patterns were similar to, although probably more intense than, those at present.

General circulation models (GCMs) use transient climate simulations to predict climate conditions in the future. Coarse-grid resolutions and process uncertainties necessitate the use of downscaling models to simulate precipitation. However, in the downscaling models, with multiple GCMs now available, selecting an atmospheric variable from a particular model which is representative of the ensemble mean becomes an important consideration. The variable convergence score (VCS) provides a simple yet meaningful approach to address this issue, providing a mechanism to evaluate variables against each other with respect to the stability they exhibit in future climate simulations. In this study, VCS methodology is applied to 10 atmospheric variables of particular interest in downscaling precipitation over India and also on a regional basis. The nested bias-correction methodology is used to remove the systematic biases in the GCMs simulations, and a single VCS curve is developed for the entire country. The generated VCS curve is expected to assist in quantifying the variable performance across different GCMs, thus reducing the uncertainty in climate impact-assessment studies. The results indicate higher consistency across GCMs for pressure and temperature, and lower consistency for precipitation and related variables. Regional assess- ments, while broadly consistent with the overall results, indicate low convergence in atmospheric attributes for the Northeastern parts of India. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0000888. © 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers. Author keywords: General circulation models; Variable convergence score; Nested bias correction; Precipitation; Intergovernmental panel on climate change scenario; India.

Comparison of reflectivity data of radars onboard CloudSat and TRMM is performed using coincident overpasses. The contoured frequency by altitude diagrams (CFADs) are constructed for two cases: (a) only include collocated vertical profiles that are most likely to be raining and (b) include all collocated profiles along with cloudy pixels falling within a distance of about 50 km from the centre point of coincidence. Our analysis shows that for both cases, CloudSat underestimates the radar reflectivity by about 10 dBZ compared to that of TRMM radar below 15 km altitude. The difference is well outside the uncertainty value of similar to 2 dBZ of each radar. Further, CloudSat reflectivity shows a decreasing trend while that of TRMM radar an increasing trend below 4 km height. Basically W-band radar that CloudSat flies suffers strong attenuation in precipitating clouds and its reflectivity value rarely exceeds 20 dBZ though its technical specification indicates the upper measurement limit to be 40 dBZ. TRMM radar, on the other hand, cannot measure values below 17 dBZ. In fact combining data from these two radars seems to give a better overall spatial structure of convective clouds.

We present here, an experimental set-up developed for the first time in India for the determination of mixing ratio and carbon isotopic ratio of air-CO2. The set-up includes traps for collection and extraction of CO2 from air samples using cryogenic procedures, followed by the measurement of CO2 mixing ratio using an MKS Baratron gauge and analysis of isotopic ratios using the dual inlet peripheral of a high sensitivity isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) MAT 253. The internal reproducibility (precision) for the PC measurement is established based on repeat analyses of CO2 +/- 0.03 parts per thousand. The set-up is calibrated with international carbonate and air-CO2 standards. An in-house air-CO2 mixture, `OASIS AIRMIX' is prepared mixing CO2 from a high purity cylinder with O-2 and N-2 and an aliquot of this mixture is routinely analyzed together with the air samples. The external reproducibility for the measurement of the CO2 mixing ratio and carbon isotopic ratios are +/- 7 (n = 169) mu mol.mol(-1) and +/- 0.05 (n = 169) parts per thousand based on the mean of the difference between two aliquots of reference air mixture analyzed during daily operation carried out during November 2009-December 2011. The correction due to the isobaric interference of N2O on air-CO2 samples is determined separately by analyzing mixture of CO2 (of known isotopic composition) and N2O in varying proportions. A +0.2 parts per thousand correction in the delta C-13 value for a N2O concentration of 329 ppb is determined. As an application, we present results from an experiment conducted during solar eclipse of 2010. The isotopic ratio in CO2 and the carbon dioxide mixing ratio in the air samples collected during the event are different from neighbouring samples, suggesting the role of atmospheric inversion in trapping the emitted CO2 from the urban atmosphere during the eclipse.

Moisture sources responsible for rains over Kolkata during the summer monsoon can be traced using backward air-mass trajectory analysis. A summary of such trajectories between June and September suggest that these moisture parcels originate from the Arabian Sea and travel over the dry continental region and over the Bay of Bengal (BoB) prior to their arrival at Kolkata. We use monthly satellite and ground-based observations of the hydrometeorological variables together with isotopic data of rainwater from Bangalore and Kakinada to quantify the contributions of advected continental and oceanic water vapour in the Kolkata rains. The vapour mass is modified during its transit from its original isotopic value due to addition of evaporated moisture from the BoB, and further modification occurs due to the process of rainout during transport. The evaporated component is estimated using the Craig–Gordon equation. The rainout process is simulated using a Rayleigh fractionation model. In this simulation we assume that the initial isotopic composition of vapour originating from the continent is similar to the rainwater composition measured at Bangalore. In order to explain the monthly isotopic composition in southwest monsoon rainwater at Kolkata, we invoke 65–75 % moisture contribution from the BoB; the remaining moisture is from the continental land mass.

Thirty-six Coupled Model Intercomparison Project-5-based global climate models (GCMs) are explored to evaluate the performance of maximum (T (max)) and minimum (T (min)) temperature simulations for India covering 40 grid points. Three performance indicators used for evaluating GCMs are correlation coefficient (CC), normalised root mean square error (NRMSE) and skill score (SS). Entropy method is applied to compute the weights of the three indicators employed. However, equal weights are also considered as part of sensitivity analysis studies. Compromise programming (CP), a distance-based decision-making technique, is employed to rank the GCMs. Group decision-making approach is used to aggregate the ranking patterns obtained for individual grid points. A simple but effective ensemble approach is also suggested.

Here we report the occurrence of garnet porphyroblasts that have overgrown alternating silica-saturated and silica deficient microdomains via different mineral reactions. The samples were collected from ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) metapelites in the Highland Complex, Sri Lanka. In some of the metapelites, garnet crystals have cores formed via a dehydration reaction, which had taken place at silica-saturated microdomains and mantle to rim areas formed via a dehydration reaction at silica-deficient microdomains. In contrast, some other garnets in the same rock cores had formed via a dehydration reaction which occurred at silica-deficient microdomains while mantle to rim areas formed via a dehydration reaction at silica-saturated microdomains. Based on the textural observations, we conclude that the studied garnets have grown across different effective bulk compositional microdomains during the prograde evolution. These microdomains could represent heterogeneous compositional layers (paleobedding/laminations) in the precursor sediments or differentiated crenulation cleavages that existed during prograde metamorphism. UHT metamorphism associated with strong ductile deformation, metamorphic differentiation and crystallization of locally produced melt may have obliterated the evidence for such microdomains in the matrix. The lack of significant compositional zoning in garnet probably due to self-diffusion during UHT metamorphism had left mineral inclusions as the sole evidence for earlier microdomains with contrasting chemistry., Geoscience Frontiers, 8 (5)

The regular monitoring of glaciers is important to determine their retreating rate and mass balance for overall glacier health. Chaturangi glacier, a major inactive tributary of the Gangotri glacier system was selected for the present study due to its dynamic nature and also because there are no previous records of its retreating rates. In order to reconstruct past retreating rates, total area loss, volume change and shift in snout position were measured through multi-temporal satellite data from 1989 to 2016 and kinematic GPS survey from 2015 to 2016. The results obtained from satellite data indicate that in the last 27 years Chaturangi glacier snout has retreated 1172.57 +/- 38.3 m (average = 45.07 +/- 4.31 m/year) with a total area and volume loss of 0.626 +/- 0.001 sq. km and 0.139 km(3) respectively. The field measurements through differential global positioning system survey revealed that the annual retreating rate was 22.84 +/- 0.05 m/year. The large variations in results derived from both the methods are probably because of higher difference in their accuracy. Nevertheless, the results derived from both the methods are in agreement that Chaturangi glacier is retreating at a considerable rate.

Approximately 140 million years ago, the Indian plate separated from Gondwana and migrated by almost 90° latitude to its current location, forming the Himalayan-Tibetan system. Large discrepancies exist in the rate of migration of Indian plate during Phanerozoic. Here we describe a new approach to paleo-latitudinal reconstruction based on simultaneous determination of carbonate formation temperature and δ18O of soil carbonates, constrained by the abundances of 13C-18O bonds in palaeosol carbonates. Assuming that the palaeosol carbonates have a strong relationship with the composition of the meteoric water, δ18O carbonate of palaeosol can constrain paleo-latitudinal position. Weighted mean annual rainfall δ18O water values measured at several stations across the southern latitudes are used to derive a polynomial equation: δ18Ow = −0.006 × (LAT)2 − 0.294 × (LAT) − 5.29 which is used for latitudinal reconstruction. We use this approach to show the northward migration of the Indian plate from 46.8 ± 5.8°S during the Permian (269 M.y.) to 30 ± 11°S during the Triassic (248 M.y.), 14.7 ± 8.7°S during the early Cretaceous (135 M.y.) and 28 ± 8.8°S during the late Cretaceous (68 M.y.). Soil carbonate δ18O provides an alternative method for tracing the latitudinal position of Indian plate in the past and the estimates are consistent with the paleo-magnetic records which document the position of Indian plate prior to 135 ± 3 M.y.

This study analyzes the change in annual and seasonal maximum and minimum temperature (T max and T min ) during the period 1950–2005 (i.e., second half of the 20 th century). In-depth analyses have been carried out for all over India as well as for five temperature homogenous regions of India separately. Firstly, the temporal variations of annual and seasonal T max and T min are analyzed, employing the trend free pre-whitening Mann-Kendall approach. Secondly, it is assessed whether the observations contain significant signals above the natural internal variability determined from a long ‘piControl’ experiment, using Monte Carlo simulation. Thirdly, fingerprint based formal detection and attribution analysis is used to determine the signal strengths of observed and model simulations with respect to different considered experiments. Finally, these signal strengths are compared to attribute the observed changes in T max and T min to different factors. All the model simulated datasets are retrieved from the CMIP5 archive. It is noticed that the emergence of observed trends are more pronounced in T min compared to T max . Although observed changes are not solely associated with one specific causative factor, most of the changes in T min lie above the bounds of natural internal climate variability.

Land Surface Temperature (LST) with high spatio-temporal resolution is in demand for hydrology, climate change, ecology, urban climate and environmental studies, etc. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is one of the most commonly used sensors owing to its high spatial and temporal availability over the globe, but is incapable of providing LST data under cloudy conditions, resulting in gaps in the data. In contrast, microwave measurements have a capability to penetrate under clouds. The current study proposes a methodology by exploring this property to predict high spatio-temporal resolution LST under cloudy conditions during daytime and nighttime without employing in-situ LST measurements. To achieve this, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) based models are employed for different land cover classes, utilizing Microwave Polarization Difference Index (MPDI) at finer resolution with ancillary data. MPDI was derived using resampled (from 0.25 degrees to 1 km) brightness temperatures (T-b) at 36.5 GHz channel of dual polarization from Advance Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR)-Earth Observing System and AMSR2 sensors. The proposed methodology is tested over Cauvery basin in India and the performance of the model is quantitatively evaluated through performance measures such as correlation coefficient (r), Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). Results revealed that during daytime, AMSR-E(AMSR2) derived LST under clear sky conditions corresponds well with MODIS LST resulting in values of r ranging from 0.76(0.78) to 0.90(0.96), RMSE from 1.76(1.86) K to 4.34(4.00) K and NSE from 0.58(0.61) to 0.81(0.90) for different land cover classes. During nighttime, r values ranged from 0.76(0.56) to 0.87(0.90), RMSE from 1.71(1.70) K to 2.43(2.12) K and NSE from 0.43(0.28) to 0.80(0.81) for different land cover classes. RMSE values found between predicted LST and MODIS LST during daytime under clear sky conditions were within acceptable limits. Under cloudy conditions, results of microwave derived LST were evaluated with air temperature (T-a) and indicate that the approach performed well with RMSE values lesser than the results obtained under clear sky conditions for land cover classes for both day and nighttimes. (C) 2016 International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Inc. (ISPRS). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Silicon is the second most abundant element on the Earth and one of the more abundant elements in our Solar System. Variations in the relative abundance of the stable isotopes of Si (Si isotope fractionation) in different natural reservoirs, both terrestrial (surface and deep Earth) as well as extra-terrestrial (e.g. meteorites, lunar samples), are a powerful tracer of present and past processes involving abiotic as well as biotic systems. The versatility of the Si isotope tracer is reflected in its wide-ranging applications from understanding the origin of early Solar System objects, planetary differentiation, Moon formation, mantle melting and magma differentiation on the Earth, ancient sea-water composition, to modern-day weathering, clay formation and biological fractionation on land as well as in the oceans. The application of Si isotopes as tracers of natural processes started over six decades ago and its usage has seen a sudden increase over the last decade due to improvements in mass spectrometry, particularly the advent of multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers, which has made Si isotope measurements safe and relatively easy while simultaneously improving the accuracy and precision of measurements.

The spatial error structure of daily precipitation derived from the latest version 7 (v7) tropical rainfall measuring mission (TRMM) level 2 data products are studied through comparison with the Asian precipitation highly resolved observational data integration toward evaluation of the water resources (APHRODITE) data over a subtropical region of the Indian subcontinent for the seasonal rainfall over 6 years from June 2002 to September 2007. The data products examined include v7 data from the TRMM radiometer Microwave Imager (TMI) and radar precipitation radar (PR), namely, 2A12, 2A25, and 2B31 (combined data from PR and TMI). The spatial distribution of uncertainty from these data products were quantified based on performance metrics derived from the contingency table. For the seasonal daily precipitation over a subtropical basin in India, the data product of 2A12 showed greater skill in detecting and quantifying the volume of rainfall when compared with the 2A25 and 2B31 data products. Error characterization using various error models revealed that random errors from multiplicative error models were homoscedastic and that they better represented rainfall estimates from 2A12 algorithm. Error decomposition techniques performed to disentangle systematic and random errors verify that the multiplicative error model representing rainfall from 2A12 algorithm successfully estimated a greater percentage of systematic error than 2A25 or 2B31 algorithms. Results verify that although the radiometer derived 2A12 rainfall data is known to suffer from many sources of uncertainties, spatial analysis over the case study region of India testifies that the 2A12 rainfall estimates are in a very good agreement with the reference estimates for the data period considered.

Hanuman langur is one of the widely distributed and extensively studied non-human diurnal primates in India. Until recently it was believed to be a single species - Semnopithecus entellus. Recent molecular and morphological studies suggest that the Hanuman langurs consists of at least three species S. entellus, S. hypoleucos and S. priam. Furthermore, morphological studies suggested that both S. hypoleucos and S. priam have at least three subspecies in each. We explored the use of ecological niche modeling (ENM) to confirm the validity of these seven taxa and an additional taxon S. johnii belonging to the same genus. MaxEnt modeling tool was used with 19 bioclimatic, 12 vegetation and 6 hydrological environmental layers. We reduced total environmental variables to 14 layers after testing for collinearity and an independent test for model prediction was done using ENMTools. A total of 196 non-overlapping data points from primary and secondary sources were used as inputs for ENM. Results showed eight distinct ecological boundaries, corroborating the eight taxa mentioned above thereby confirming validity of these eight taxa. The study, for the first time provided ecological variables that determined the ecological requirements and distribution of members of the Hanuman langur species complex in the Indian peninsula.

A variety of methods are available to estimate future solar radiation (SR) scenarios at spatial scales that are appropriate for local climate change impact assessment. However, there are no clear guidelines available in the literature to decide which methodologies are most suitable for different applications. Three methodologies to guide the estimation of SR are discussed in this study, namely: Case 1: SR is measured, Case 2: SR is measured but sparse and Case 3: SR is not measured. In Case 1, future SR scenarios are derived using several downscaling methodologies that transfer the simulated large-scale information of global climate models to a local scale ( measurements). In Case 2, the SR was first estimated at the local scale for a longer time period using sparse measured records, and then future scenarios were derived using several downscaling methodologies. In Case 3: the SR was first estimated at a regional scale for a longer time period using complete or sparse measured records of SR from which SR at the local scale was estimated. Finally, the future scenarios were derived using several downscaling methodologies. The lack of observed SR data, especially in developing countries, has hindered various climate change impact studies. Hence, this was further elaborated by applying the Case 3 methodology to a semi-arid Malaprabha reservoir catchment in southern India. A support vector machine was used in downscaling SR. Future monthly scenarios of SR were estimated from simulations of third-generation Canadian General Circulation Model (CGCM3) for various SRES emission scenarios (A1B, A2, B1, and COMMIT). Results indicated a projected decrease of 0.4 to 12.2 W m(-2) yr(-1) in SR during the period 2001-2100 across the 4 scenarios. SR was calculated using the modified Hargreaves method. The decreasing trends for the future were in agreement with the simulations of SR from the CGCM3 model directly obtained for the 4 scenarios.

The last decade has witnessed two unusually large tsunamigenic earthquakes. The devastation from the 2004 Sumatra Andaman and the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquakes (both of moment magnitude >= 9.0) and their ensuing tsunamis comes as a harsh reminder on the need to assess and mitigate coastal hazards due to earthquakes and tsunamis worldwide. Along any given subduction zone, megathrust tsunamigenic earthquakes occur over intervals considerably longer than their documented histories and thus, 2004-type events may appear totally `out of the blue'. In order to understand and assess the risk from tsunamis, we need to know their long-term frequency and magnitude, going beyond documented history, to recent geological records. The ability to do this depends on our knowledge of the processes that govern subduction zones, their responses to interseismic and coseismic deformation, and on our expertise to identify and relate tsunami deposits to earthquake sources. In this article, we review the current state of understanding on the recurrence of great thrust earthquakes along global subduction zones.

RATIONALE The ratio of the measured abundance of 13C18O bonding CO2 to its stochastic abundance, prescribed by the delta 13C and delta 18O values from a carbonate mineral, is sensitive to its growth temperature. Recently, clumped-isotope thermometry, which uses this ratio, has been adopted as a new tool to elucidate paleotemperatures quantitatively. METHODS Clumped isotopes in CO2 were measured with a small-sector isotope ratio mass spectrometer. CO2 samples digested from several kinds of calcium carbonates by phosphoric acid at 25 degrees C were purified using both cryogenic and gas-chromatographic separations, and their isotopic composition (delta 13C, delta 18O, Delta 47, Delta 48 and Delta 49 values) were then determined using a dual-inlet Delta XP mass spectrometer. RESULTS The internal precisions of the single gas Delta 47 measurements were 0.005 and 0.02 parts per thousand (1 SE) for the optimum and the routine analytical conditions, respectively, which are comparable with those obtained using a MAT 253 mass spectrometer. The long-term variations in the Delta 47 values for the in-house working standard and the heated CO2 gases since 2007 were close to the routine, single gas uncertainty while showing seasonal-like periodicities with a decreasing trend. Unlike the MAT 253, the Delta XP did not show any significant relationship between the Delta 47 and delta 47 values. CONCLUSIONS The Delta XP gave results that were approximately as precise as those of the MAT 253 for clumped-isotope analysis. The temporal stability of the Delta XP seemed to be lower, although an advantage of the Delta XP was that no dependency of delta 47 on Delta 47 was found. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Hydrogeological and climatic effect on chemical behavior of groundwater along a climatic gradient is studied along a river basin. 'Semi-arid' (500-800 mm of mean annual rainfall), 'sub-humid' (800-1,200 mm/year) and 'humid' (1,200-1,500 mm/year) are the climatic zones chosen along the granito-gneissic plains of Kabini basin in South India for the present analysis. Data on groundwater chemistry is initially checked for its quality using NICB ratio ( 40 % of pollution) and eliminated for the characterization. Piper's diagram with mean concentrations indicates the evolution of CaNaHCO3 (semi-arid) from CaHCO3 (humid zone) along the climatic gradient. Carbonates dominate other anions and strong acids exceeded weak acids in the region. Mule Hole SEW, an experimental watershed in sub-humid zone, is characterized initially using hydrogeochemistry and is observed to be a replica of entire sub-humid zone (with 25 wells). Extension of the studies for the entire basin (120 wells) showed a chemical gradient along the climatic gradient with sub-humid zone bridging semi-arid and humid zones. Ca/Na molar ratio varies by more than 100 times from semi-arid to humid zones. Semi-arid zone is more silicaceous than sub-humid while humid zone is more carbonaceous (Ca/Cl similar to 14). Along the climatic gradient, groundwater is undersaturated (humid), saturated (sub-humid) and slightly supersaturated (semi-arid) with calcite and dolomite. Concentration-depth profiles are in support of the geological stratification i.e., not approximate to 18 m of saprolite and similar to 25 m of fracture rock with parent gneiss beneath. All the wells are classified into four groups based on groundwater fluctuations and further into 'deep' and 'shallow' based on the depth to groundwater. Higher the fluctuations, larger is its impact on groundwater chemistry. Actual seasonal patterns are identified using 'recharge-discharge' concept based on rainfall intensity instead of traditional monsoon-non-monsoon concept. Non-pumped wells have low Na/Cl and Ca/Cl ratios in recharge period than in discharge period (Dilution). Few other wells, which are subjected to pumping, still exhibit dilution chemistry though water level fluctuations are high due to annual recharge. Other wells which do not receive sufficient rainfall and are constantly pumped showed high concentrations in recharge period rather than in discharge period (Anti-dilution). In summary, recharge-discharge concept demarcates the pumped wells from natural deep wells thus, characterizing the basin.

In recent times computational algorithms inspired by biological processes and evolution are gaining much popularity for solving science and engineering problems. These algorithms are broadly classified into evolutionary computation and swarm intelligence algorithms, which are derived based on the analogy of natural evolution and biological activities. These include genetic algorithms, genetic programming, differential evolution, particle swarm optimization, ant colony optimization, artificial neural networks, etc. The algorithms being random-search techniques, use some heuristics to guide the search towards optimal solution and speed-up the convergence to obtain the global optimal solutions. The bio-inspired methods have several attractive features and advantages compared to conventional optimization solvers. They also facilitate the advantage of simulation and optimization environment simultaneously to solve hard-to-define (in simple expressions), real-world problems. These biologically inspired methods have provided novel ways of problem-solving for practical problems in traffic routing, networking, games, industry, robotics, economics, mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, water resources and others fields. This article discusses the key features and development of bio-inspired computational algorithms, and their scope for application in science and engineering fields.

The 18 September 2011, magnitude Mw 6.9 earthquake close to the Nepal-Sikkim border caused significant damage due to ground shaking and caused several landslides. Observations from the post-earthquake surveys in the affected areas within Sikkim suggest that the poorly engineered, multistoried structures were relatively more impacted. Those located on alluvial terraces were also affected. The morphology of the region is prone to landslides and the possibility for their increased intensity during the forthcoming monsoon need to be considered seriously. From the seismotectonic perspective, the mid-crustal focal depth of the North Sikkim earthquake reflects the ongoing deformation of the subducting Indian plate.

The 21st century poses many challenges for global sustainability. Among them, most importantly, the human race will encounter scarcity of raw materials and conventional energy resources. And, India may have to take the brunt of these problems as it is going to be the most populated region of the world with concomitant increase in energy demand and requirement of other resources. India will be the testing ground for introducing newer ways of green technology and innovative principles of resource management and utilization. With the vagaries of potential climate change gathering clouds in the background, Earth sciences will have a special and predominant role in guiding the society in prioritizing our resource discovery, utilization and their consumption and the upkeep of environment. On the fundamental level, Earth sciences are going through a most exciting phase of development as a born-again science. Technological breakthroughs including the satellite-based observations augur well for gaining new insights into Earth processes. A set of exciting fundamental problems that are globally identified will set the stage for an exhilarating period of new discoveries. Improvements in numerical and computer-based techniques will assist in modelling of Earth processes to unprecedented levels. India will have to take special effort in improving the existing experimentation facilities in the Earth science departments of the country, and also the general level of Earth science education to meet the global standards. This article presents an Earth science vision for the 21st century in an Indian context.

The 1945 Makran earthquake is known to have generated tsunami surges that affected the coasts of Iran, Pakistan, Oman and India. However, there is a significant delay in tsunami arrivals at various coastal sites with respect to the origin time of the earthquake. We explored the archival data to obtain arrival times and run-up heights at some important port cities along the Pakistan and Indian coasts. Numerical model for wave propagation based on the available rupture parameters predicts arrival times 17 and 28 min ahead of the actual arrival of the first surge at Karachi and Pasni respectively. There was also a significant discrepancy (>3 h) between the origin time of the earthquake and the observed arrival times of the second wave at various locations, which was the largest of the surges. We attribute this disparity in arrival time of the tsunami surges to submarine landslides triggered by the earthquake. Submarine slide-triggered tsunami is an underestimated threat in the Indian Ocean, and therefore, the regional tsunami hazard models of both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal should incorporate such overlooked mechanisms.