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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2023

First observation of the ground-state electron-capture of 40K

Potassium-40 is a widespread, naturally occurring isotope whose radioactivity impacts estimated geological ages spanning billions of years, nuclear structure theory, and subatomic rare-event searches—including those for dark matter and neutrinoless double-beta decay. The decays of this long-lived isotope must be precisely known for its use as a geochronometer, and to account for its presence in low-background experiments. There are several known decay modes for potassium-40, but a predicted electron-capture decay directly to the ground state of argon-40 has never been observed. The existence of this decay mode impacts several fields, while theoretical predictions span an order of magnitude. Here we report on the first, successful observation of this rare decay mode, obtained by the KDK (potassium decay) Collaboration using a novel combination of a low-threshold x-ray detector surrounded by a tonne-scale, high-efficiency γ -ray tagger at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A blinded analysis reveals a distinctly nonzero ratio of intensities of ground-state electron-captures ( I EC 0 ) over excited-state ones ( I EC ∗ ) of I EC 0 / I EC ∗ = 0.0095 stat ± 0.0022 sys ± 0.0010 (68% CL), with the null hypothesis rejected at 4 σ [Stukel et al. , Phys. Rev. Lett. 131 , 052503 (2023) ]. In terms of branching ratio, this unambiguous signal yields I EC 0 = 0.098 % stat ± 0.023 % sys ± 0.010 % , roughly half of the commonly used prediction. This first observation of a third-forbidden unique electron capture improves our understanding of low-energy backgrounds in dark-matter searches and has implications for nuclear-structure calculations. For example, a shell-model based theoretical estimate for the neutrinoless double-beta decay half-life of calcium-48 is increased by a factor of 7 + 3 − 2 . Our nonzero measurement shifts geochronological ages by up to a percent; implications are illustrated for Earth and solar system chronologies.

Physical Review C↗
USGS1954

Thick target bremsstrahlung spectra for 1.00-, 1.25-, and 1.40-Mev electrons

The spectrum of radiation produced by 1.0-, 1.25-, and 1.40-Mev electrons incident on a thick tungsten target was measured at 0° and 90° with the incident beam by a method involving the magnetic analysis of Compton electrons. The effects of electron scattering and energy loss in the target preclude any simple interpretation of this data to yield a differential bremsstrahlung cross section. However, an estimate of the spectra to be expected at 0° and 90° was obtained by combining the Sauter expression for the bremsstrahlung cross section with the available information on electron scatter and energy loss in the target and backscatter from the target. The reliability of the estimate is limited because the Sauter formula was calculated by using the Born approximation, the electron scattering calculations are applicable to an infinite medium only, and the backscatter was estimated empirically from Bothe's experimental data which were obtained with lower energy electrons (370 kev). Furthermore electron energy straggling was neglected. Nevertheless, the predicted spectral shapes at 0° and 90° and the relative intensities at these two angles are in qualitative agreement with the measured values. The absolute magnitudes of the measured intensities at both angles are about a factor of two greater than the predicted values.

Physical Review↗
USGS2010

Physical oceanography of continental shelves

Knowledge of the physical oceanography of continental shelves has increased tremendously in recent years, primarily as a result of new current and hydrographic measurements made in locations where no comparable measurements existed previously. In general, observations from geographically distinct continental shelves have shown that the nature of the flow may vary considerably from region to region. Although some characteristics, such as the response of currents to wind forcing, are common to many shelves, the relative importance of various physical processes in influencing the shelf flow field frequently is different. In the last several years, the scientific literature on shelf studies has expanded rapidly, with that for separate regions, to some extent, developing independently because of the variable role played by different physical effects.

Reviews of Geophysics and Space Physics↗
USGS2011

The periodic structure of the natural record, and nonlinear dynamics

Concepts of cyclicity in geology have involved many famous protagonists in the history of Earth sciences. Early in this century, sophisticated theories of terrestrial rhythms had been formulated by such pioneers as T. C. Chamberlin [1909], R. T. , Chamberlin [1914], Barrell [1917], Stille [1924], Joly [1925, 1930], Holmes [1926], Lull [1929], Schuchert [1932], Grabau [1940], and Umbgrove [1939 a,b, 1947] (see the review by Williams [1981]). The physical chemist S. Arrhenius [1908] had also formulated a general hypothesis for cosmological origins of terrestrial phenomena. Khain [1964] later proposed resonances between terrestrial and cosmological rhythms, and McCrea [1975] and Williams [1975] summarized evidence of galactic correlations with glaciation.

Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union↗
USGS2008

Scientific results from Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrates Joint Industry Project Leg 1 drilling: Introduction and overview

The Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrates Joint Industry Project (JIP) is a consortium of production and service companies and some government agencies formed to address the challenges that gas hydrates pose for deepwater exploration and production. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and with scientific assistance from the U.S. Geological Survey and academic partners, the JIP has focused on studies to assess hazards associated with drilling the fine-grained, hydrate-bearing sediments that dominate much of the shallow subseafloor in the deepwater (>500 m) Gulf of Mexico. In preparation for an initial drilling, logging, and coring program, the JIP sponsored a multi-year research effort that included: (a) the development of borehole stability models for hydrate-bearing sediments; (b) exhaustive laboratory measurements of the physical properties of hydrate-bearing sediments; (c) refinement of new techniques for processing industry-standard 3-D seismic data to constrain gas hydrate saturations; and (d) construction of instrumentation to measure the physical properties of sediment cores that had never been removed from in situ hydrostatic pressure conditions. Following review of potential drilling sites, the JIP launched a 35-day expedition in Spring 2005 to acquire well logs and sediment cores at sites in Atwater Valley lease blocks 13/14 and Keathley Canyon lease block 151 in the northern Gulf of Mexico minibasin province. The Keathley Canyon site has a bottom simulating reflection at ???392 m below the seafloor, while the Atwater Valley location is characterized by seafloor mounds with an underlying upwarped seismic reflection consistent with upward fluid migration and possible shoaling of the base of the gas hydrate stability (BGHS). No gas hydrate was recovered at the drill sites, but logging data, and to some extent cores, suggest the occurrence of gas hydrate in inferred coarser-grained beds and fractures, particularly between 220 and 330 m below the seafloor at the Keathley Canyon site. This paper provides an overview of the results of the initial phases of the JIP work and introduces the 15 papers that make up this special volume on the scientific results related to the 2005 logging and drilling expedition.

Marine and Petroleum Geology↗
USGS2010

Report of the COSPAR mars special regions colloquium

In this paper we present the findings of a COSPAR Mars Special Regions Colloquium held in Rome in 2007. We review and discuss the definition of Mars Special Regions, the physical parameters used to define Mars Special Regions, and physical features on Mars that can be interpreted as Mars Special Regions. We conclude that any region experiencing temperatures > -25 ??C for a few hours a year and a water activity > 0.5 can potentially allow the replication of terrestrial microorganisms. Physical features on Mars that can be interpreted as meeting these conditions constitute a Mars Special Region. Based on current knowledge of the martian environment and the conservative nature of planetary protection, the following features constitute Mars Special regions: Gullies and bright streaks associated with them, pasted-on terrain, deep subsurface, dark streaks only on a case-by-case basis, others to be determined. The parameter definition and the associated list of physical features should be re-evaluated on a regular basis. ?? 2010 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Advances in Space Research↗
USGS2012

Book review: Earthquakes and water

It is really nice to see assembled in one place a discussion of the documented and hypothesized hydrologic effects of earthquakes. The book is divided into chapters focusing on particular hydrologic phenomena including liquefaction, mud volcanism, stream discharge increases, groundwater level, temperature and chemical changes, and geyser period changes. These hydrologic effects are inherently fascinating, and the large number of relevant publications in the past decade makes this summary a useful milepost. The book also covers hydrologic precursors and earthquake triggering by pore pressure. A natural need to limit the topics covered resulted in the omission of tsunamis and the vast literature on the role of fluids and pore pressure in frictional strength of faults. Regardless of whether research on earthquake-triggered hydrologic effects ultimately provides insight into the physics of earthquakes, the text provides welcome common ground for interdisciplinary collaborations between hydrologists and seismologists. Such collaborations continue to be crucial for investigating hypotheses about the role of fluids in earthquakes and slow slip. Review info: Earthquakes and Water. By Wang, C.-Y. and Manga, M., 2010. ISBN: 9783642008092, 218 pp.

Geofluids↗
USGS2012

The physical hydrogeology of ore deposits

Hydrothermal ore deposits represent a convergence of fluid flow, thermal energy, and solute flux that is hydrogeologically unusual. From the hydrogeologic perspective, hydrothermal ore deposition represents a complex coupled-flow problem—sufficiently complex that physically rigorous description of the coupled thermal (T), hydraulic (H), mechanical (M), and chemical (C) processes (THMC modeling) continues to challenge our computational ability. Though research into these coupled behaviors has found only a limited subset to be quantitatively tractable, it has yielded valuable insights into the workings of hydrothermal systems in a wide range of geologic environments including sedimentary, metamorphic, and magmatic. Examples of these insights include the quantification of likely driving mechanisms, rates and paths of fluid flow, ore-mineral precipitation mechanisms, longevity of hydrothermal systems, mechanisms by which hydrothermal fluids acquire their temperature and composition, and the controlling influence of permeability and other rock properties on hydrothermal fluid behavior. In this communication we review some of the fundamental theory needed to characterize the physical hydrogeology of hydrothermal systems and discuss how this theory has been applied in studies of Mississippi Valley-type, tabular uranium, porphyry, epithermal, and mid-ocean ridge ore-forming systems. A key limitation in the computational state-of-the-art is the inability to describe fluid flow and transport fully in the many ore systems that show evidence of repeated shear or tensional failure with associated dynamic variations in permeability. However, we discuss global-scale compilations that suggest some numerical constraints on both mean and dynamically enhanced crustal permeability. Principles of physical hydrogeology can be powerful tools for investigating hydrothermal ore formation and are becoming increasingly accessible with ongoing advances in modeling software.

Economic Geology↗
USGS2022

A review of the microtremor horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (MHVSR) method

The single-station microtremor horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (MHVSR) method was initially proposed to retrieve the site amplification function and its resonance frequencies produced by unconsolidated sediments overlying high-velocity bedrock. Presently, MHVSR measurements are predominantly conducted to obtain an estimate of the fundamental site frequency at sites where a strong subsurface impedance contrast exists. Of the earthquake site characterization methods presented in this special issue, the MHVSR method is the furthest behind in terms of consensus towards standardized guidelines and commercial use. The greatest challenges to an international standardization of MHVSR acquisition and analysis are (1) the what — the underlying composition of the microtremor wavefield is site-dependent, and thus, the appropriate theoretical (forward) model for inversion is still debated; and (2) the how — many factors and options are involved in the data acquisition, processing, and interpretation stages. This paper reviews briefly a historical development of the MHVSR technique and the physical basis of an MHVSR (the what ). We then summarize recommendations for MHVSR acquisition and analysis (the how ). Specific sections address MHVSR interpretation and uncertainty assessment.

Journal of Seismology↗
USGS2017

What has been learned from pressure cores

The advancement of pressure core acquisition and analysis technology in recent decades has enabled detailed imaging and direct measurement of naturally occurring hydrate-bearing sediments and has shed light onto hydrate habits, formation processes, fundamental physical properties, and hydrate deposit responses during gas production. This paper reviews the development and capabilities of the pressure core technology, discusses insights learned from hydrate-bearing pressure cores and inherent limitations of this technology, and concludes with suggestions for potential applications of pressure core technology for investigating hydrate deposits.

Conference Paper↗
USGS2025

Influence of activated carbon on the bioaccumulation of methylmercury from sediment by the amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus

We evaluated the potential for activated carbon (AC) amendments to reduce the bioavailability of methylmercury (MeHg) in field-collected sediments. To do so, we adapted a standard 28-day bioaccumulation bioassay with the benthic invertebrate Leptocheirus plumulosus to address challenges associated with assessing the dynamic nature of MeHg biogeochemistry and the difficulty of testing a heavily vegetated marsh sediment. After method development, we compared the bioavailability of MeHg in unamended sediment, sediment amended with powdered AC, and sediment amended with the commercial AC product SediMite. A subsequent study compared the bioavailability of MeHg in unamended sediment, sediment freshly amended with AC, and sediment amended with AC almost 2 years prior to the start of this study. Activated carbon amendments consistently reduced the bioavailability of MeHg to L. plumulosus , as indicated by a 2- to 4-fold decrease in the biota–sediment accumulation factor, which normalizes tissue concentrations to sediment concentrations. However, AC amendments increased sediment MeHg concentrations in five of seven studies, apparently by altering the balance between MeHg production and degradation. As a result, the net effect of AC amendment on absolute concentrations of MeHg in amphipods was mixed, with moderate reductions at some time points in some experiments but increasing concentrations or no effect in other cases. The AC amendments significantly decreased Hg and MeHg in porewater in all cases, however. A literature review of biota–sediment accumulation factors for other studies was also conducted. The mechanisms by which AC influences the physical and biogeochemical drivers of net methylation and concentrations of MeHg in sediment remain unclear. Any potential use of AC for Hg remediation should undergo site-specific testing before implementation.

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry↗
USGS2022

Volcanoes of the Mojave: The 2022 Desert Symposium field trip road log

Basalt lava fields, some decorated with scoria ‘cinder’ cones, are scattered around the Mojave Desert. Most basalt fields are short-lived, but the Cima volcanic field is unique in having eruptions that span ~7.5 m.y., including the youngest eruption in the Mojave Desert at ~12 ka. Xenolith-bearing basalts that include both mantle and deep crustal rocks are known in several fields. All basalt fields except Cima are restricted to the active eastern California shear zone, and many lie directly on active faults, indicating a direct relation between faults and volcanism. The field trip will visit the Pisgah, Dish Hill, Amboy, Cima, and Bicycle Lake volcanic fields, and it will enable examination of the physical volcanology in the basalt fields, including the types of eruptions (effusive and explosive) and the resulting deposits (lava flows, scoria cones, and tuff cones). It will also review the petrology, paleomagnetism, remote sensing, and planetary geology studies conducted at each volcanic field, and how these studies influenced the development of each of these study areas.

California↗
USGS2024

Geologic constraints on the formation and evolution of Saturn’s mid-sized moons

Saturn’s mid-sized icy moons have complex relationships with Saturn’s interior, the rings, and with each other, which can be expressed in their shapes, interiors, and geology. Observations of their physical states can, thus, provide important constraints on the ages and formation mechanism(s) of the moons, which in turn informs our understanding of the formation and evolution of Saturn and its rings. Here, we describe the cratering records of the mid-sized moons and the value and limitations of their use for constraining the histories of the moons. We also discuss observational constraints on the interior structures of the moons and geologically-derived inferences on their thermal budgets through time. Overall, the geologic records of the moons (with the exception of Mimas) include evidence of epochs of high heat flows, short- and long-lived subsurface oceans, extensional tectonics, and considerable cratering. Curiously, Mimas presents no clear evidence of an ocean within its surface geology, but its rotation and orbit indicate a present-day ocean. While the moons need not be primordial to produce the observed levels of interior evolution and geologic activity, there is likely a minimum age associated with their development that has yet to be determined. Uncertainties in the populations impacting the moons makes it challenging to further constrain their formation timeframes using craters, whereas the characteristics of their cores and other geologic inferences of their thermal evolutions may help narrow down their potential histories. Disruptive collisions may have also played an important role in the formation and evolution of Saturn’s mid-sized moons, and even the rings of Saturn, although more sophisticated modeling is needed to determine the collision conditions that produce rings and moons that fit the observational constraints. Overall, the existence and physical characteristics of Saturn’s mid-sized moons provide critical benchmarks for the development of formation theories.

Space Science Reviews↗
USGS1977

Voyager imaging experiment

The overall objective of this experiment is exploratory reconnaissance of Jupiter, Saturn, their satellites, and Saturn's rings. Such reconnaissance, at resolutions and phase angles unobtainable from Earth, can be expected to provide much new data relevant to the atmospheric and/or surface properties of these bodies. The experiment also has the following specific objectives: Observe and characterize the global circulation of the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn; Determine the horizontal and vertical structure of the visible clouds and establish their relationship to the belted appearance and dynamical properties of the planetary atmospheres; Determine the vertical structure of high, optically-thin, scattering layers on Jupiter and Saturn; Determine the nature of anomalous features such as the Great Red Spot, South Equatorial Belt disturbances, etc.; Characterize the nature of the colored material in the clouds of Jupiter and Saturn, and identify the nature and sources of chromophores on Io and Titan; Perform comparative geologic studies of many satellites at less than 15-km resolution; Map and characterize the geologic structure of several satellites at high resolution (???1 km); Investigate the existence and nature of atmospheres on the satellites; Determine the mass, size, and shape of many of the satellites by direct measurement; Determine the direction of the spin axes and periods of rotation of several satellites, and establish coordinate systems for the larger satellites; Map the radial distribution of material in Saturn's rings at high resolution; Determine the optical scattering properties of the primaries, rings, and satellites at several wavelengths and phase angles; Search for novel physical phenomena, e.g., phenomena associated with the Io flux tube, meteors, aurorae, lightning, or satellite shadows. ?? 1977 D. Reidel Publishing Company.

Space Science Reviews↗
USGS2023

Rare 40K decay with implications for fundamental physics and geochronology

Potassium-40 is a widespread, naturally occurring isotope whose radioactivity impacts subatomic rare-event searches, nuclear structure theory, and estimated geological ages. A predicted electron-capture decay directly to the ground state of argon-40 has never been observed. The KDK (potassium decay) collaboration reports strong evidence of this rare decay mode. A blinded analysis reveals a nonzero ratio of intensities of ground-state electron-captures ( I EC 0 ) over excited-state ones ( I EC ∗ ) of I EC 0 / I EC ∗ = 0.0095 stat ± 0.0022 sys ± 0.0010 (68% C.L.), with the null hypothesis rejected at 4 σ . In terms of branching ratio, this signal yields I EC 0 = 0.098 % stat ± 0.023 % sys ± 0.010 % , roughly half of the commonly used prediction, with consequences for various fields [L. Hariasz et al. , companion paper, Phys. Rev. C 108 , 014327 (2023) ].

Physical Review Letters↗
USGS2023

Modeling post-wildfire hydrologic response: Review and future directions for applications of physically based distributed simulation

Wildfire is a growing concern as climate shifts. The hydrologic effects of wildfire, which include elevated hazards and changes in water quantity and quality, are increasingly assessed using numerical models. Post-wildfire application of physically based distributed models provides unique insight into the underlying processes that affect water resources after wildfire. This work reviews and synthesizes post-wildfire applications of physically based distributed models by examining the scales and geographic/ecohydrologic distribution of model applications, hydrologic response process representation, model parameterization, and model performance metrics. Highlighted gaps and opportunities for advancing physically based distributed hydrologic response modeling after wildfire include the following: (a) applying models in under-represented geographic (S. America, Africa, Asia) and ecohydrologic regions (arid or dry subhumid climates), (b) incorporating all four major streamflow generation mechanisms (infiltration excess, saturation excess, subsurface storm flow, and groundwater flow), (c) representing integrated vadose zone and saturated zone processes to better capture subsurface streamflow generation, (d) building new remotely sensed model parameterization methods for precipitation interception, infiltration, and overland flow that account for burn severity and recovery, (e) incorporating distributed state variables (e.g., soil moisture, groundwater levels) in model performance assessment, (f) designing model intercomparison studies, including field datasets specifically for post-wildfire model development and validation, (g) linking mechanistic vegetation regrowth models with hydrologic models to improve simulation of process shifts as ecosystems recover, and (h) creating a new community modeling framework to integrate modeling advances across the wildfire science community.

Earth's Future↗