• Title/Summary/Keyword: earth surface processes

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Analysis on New Research Opportunities and Strategies for Earth Sciences in the United States (미국 지질과학분야 신규 연구주제 및 전략분석)

  • Kim, Seong-Yong;Ahn, Eun-Young;Bae, Jun-Hee;Lee, Jae-Wook
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.49 no.1
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    • pp.43-52
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    • 2016
  • The essential role of the Division of Earth Sciences(EAR) in the Directorate of Geoscience(GEO) of National Science Foundation of America(NSF) is to support basic research aimed at acquiring fundamental knowledge of the Earth system that can be directly applied to the United States' strategic needs. The 2011 Committee on New Research Opportunities in the Earth Sciences(NROES) of the National Academy of Sciences(NAS) identified specific areas of the basic earth science research scope of the EAR that were poised for rapid progress during the next decade. Quantified by interdisciplinary approaches, the Committee highlighted the following topics relating to the EAR Deep Earth Processes and Surface Earth Processes sections: (1) the early Earth; (2) thermochemical internal dynamics and volatile distribution; (3) faulting and deformation processes; (4) interactions among climate, the Earth surface processes, tectonics, and deep Earth processes; (5) co-evolution of life, environment, and climate; (6) coupled hydrogeomorphic-ecosystem response to natural and anthropogenic change; and (7) interactions of biogeochemical and water cycles in terrestrial environments. We also promote future research challenges such as the critical zone studies. In order to promote more active such a huge future research challenges, additional research support policies are needed.

Long-term and Real-time Monitoring System of the East/Japan Sea

  • Kim, Kuh;Kim, Yun-Bae;Park, Jong-Jin;Nam, Sung-Hyun;Park, Kyung-Ae;Chang, Kyung-Il
    • Ocean Science Journal
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    • v.40 no.1
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    • pp.25-44
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    • 2005
  • Long-term, continuous, and real-time ocean monitoring has been undertaken in order to evaluate various oceanographic phenomena and processes in the East/Japan Sea. Recent technical advances combined with our concerted efforts have allowed us to establish a real-time monitoring system and to accumulate considerable knowledge on what has been taking place in water properties, current systems, and circulation in the East Sea. We have obtained information on volume transport across the Korea Strait through cable voltage measurements and continuous temperature and salinity profile data from ARGO floats placed throughout entire East Sea since 1997. These ARGO float data have been utilized to estimate deep current, inertial kinetic energy, and changes in water mass, especially in the northern East Sea. We have also developed the East Sea Real-time Ocean Buoy (ESROB) in coastal regions and made continual improvements till it has evolved into the most up-to-date and effective monitoring system as a result of remarkable technical progress in data communication systems. Atmospheric and oceanic measurements by ESROB have contributed to the recognition of coastal wind variability, current fluctuations, and internal waves near and off the eastern coast of Korea. Long-tenn current meter moorings have been in operation since 1996 between Ulleungdo and Dokdo to monitor the interbasin deep water exchanges between the Japanese and Ulleung Basins. In addition, remotely sensed satellite data could facilitate the investigation of atmospheric and oceanic surface conditions such as sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface height, near-surface winds, oceanic color, surface roughness, and so on. These satellite data revealed surface frontal structures with a fairly good spatial resolution, seasonal cycle of SST, atmospheric wind forcing, geostrophic current anomalies, and biogeochemical processes associated with physical forcing and processes. Since the East Sea has been recognized as a natural laboratory for global oceanic changes and a clue to abrupt climate change, we aim at constructing a 4-D continuous real-time monitoring system, over a decade at least, using the most advanced techniques to understand a variety of oceanic processes in the East Sea.

Influences of Ice Microphysical Processes on Urban Heat Island-Induced Convection and Precipitation (얼음 미시물리 과정이 도시 열섬이 유도하는 대류와 강수에 미치는 영향)

  • Han, Ji-Young;Baik, Jong-Jin
    • Atmosphere
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.195-205
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    • 2007
  • The influences of ice microphysical processes on urban heat island-induced convection and precipitation are numerically investigated using a cloud-resolving model (ARPS). Both warm- and cold-cloud simulations show that the downwind upward motion forced by specified low-level heating, which is regarded as representing an urban heat island, initiates moist convection and results in downwind precipitation. The surface precipitation in the cold-cloud simulation is produced earlier than that in the warm-cloud simulation. The maximum updraft is stronger in the cold-cloud simulation than in the warm-cloud simulation due to the latent heat release by freezing and deposition. The outflow formed in the boundary layer is cooler and propagates faster in the cold-cloud simulation due mainly to the additional cooling by the melting of falling hail particles. The removal of the specified low-level heating after the onset of surface precipitation results in cooler and faster propagating outflow in both the warm- and cold-cloud simulations.

Various vertical motions and mechanisms in intraplate settings (판 내부 융기 운동의 다양한 스케일과 매커니즘)

  • SHIN, Jaeryul
    • Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.153-163
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    • 2012
  • The Earth's surface deforms vertically in response to a variety of sources relating to lithospheric and sub-lithospheric processes, and distinguishing the continental mechanisms for vertical motions of the lithosphere remains a fundamental challenge in geosciences. A key prerequisite to the challenge is documentation of the temporal and spatial pattern of vertical motions in different tectonic settings. This study is aimed at elucidating the geodynamic factors that can contribute to vertical motions of the Earth's surface in intraplate continental settings including the Neogene uplift in the Korean peninsula based on numerous recent achievements in relevant fields. Ultimately, deciphering the interplay between the Earth's surface and the Earth's interior processes leads us to the notion of "the importance of geomorphic landscape" as a prism to view the dynamics of the Earth's inside.

Impacts of Albedo and Wind Stress Changes due to Phytoplankton on Ocean Temperature in a Coupled Global Ocean-biogeochemistry Model

  • Jung, Hyun-Chae;Moon, Byung-Kwon
    • Journal of the Korean earth science society
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    • v.40 no.4
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    • pp.392-405
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    • 2019
  • Biogeochemical processes play an important role in ocean environments and can affect the entire Earth's climate system. Using an ocean-biogeochemistry model (NEMO-TOPAZ), we investigated the effects of changes in albedo and wind stress caused by phytoplankton in the equatorial Pacific. The simulated ocean temperature showed a slight decrease when the solar reflectance of the regions where phytoplankton were present increased. Phytoplankton also decreased the El $Ni{\tilde{n}}o$-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) amplitude by decreasing the influence of trade winds due to their biological enhancement of upper-ocean turbulent viscosity. Consequently, the cold sea surface temperature bias in the equatorial Pacific and overestimation of the ENSO amplitude were slightly reduced in our model simulations. Further sensitivity tests suggested the necessity of improving the phytoplankton-related equation and optimal coefficients. Our results highlight the effects of altered albedo and wind stress due to phytoplankton on the climate system.

The Effect of Temperature, Cooling and Surface Tension on the Fining in Alkali-Alkaline Earth-Silica Glassmelts Containing ZnO

  • Kim, Ki-Dong
    • The Korean Journal of Ceramics
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    • v.4 no.3
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    • pp.176-182
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    • 1998
  • The effects of temperature, cooling surface tension on the fining were studied in alkali-alkaline earth-silica TV screen glassmelts containing ZnO. Sodium antimonate $(Na_2OSb_2O_5)$ was used as a fining agent. Viscosity and surface tension of the melts were determined. On the basis of these properties, fining tests for several batches were performed by "MF" (Melting and Fining) and "PMF" (Profiled melting and Fining) methods. The results of these tests showed an opposite behavior each other with increase in ZnO content. This hehavior has been discussed in terms of two fining processes-growth of bubbles and shrinkage of seeds. shrinkage of seeds.

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Magnetopause Waves Controlling the Dynamics of Earth's Magnetosphere

  • Hwang, Kyoung-Joo
    • Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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    • v.32 no.1
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    • pp.1-11
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    • 2015
  • Earth's magnetopause separating the fast and often turbulent magnetosheath and the relatively stagnant magnetosphere provides various forms of free energy that generate low-frequency surface waves. The source mechanism of this energy includes current-driven kinetic physical processes such as magnetic reconnection on the dayside magnetopause and flux transfer events drifting along the magnetopause, and velocity shear-driven (Kelvin-Helmholtz instability) or density/pressure gradient-driven (Rayleigh-Taylor instability) magnetohydro-dynamics (MHD) instabilities. The solar wind external perturbations (impulsive transient pressure pulses or quasi-periodic dynamic pressure variations) act as seed fluctuations for the magnetopause waves and trigger ULF pulsations inside the magnetosphere via global modes or mode conversion at the magnetopause. The magnetopause waves thus play an important role in the solar wind-magnetosphere coupling, which is the key to space weather. This paper presents recent findings regarding the generation of surface waves (e.g., Kelvin-Helmholtz waves) at the Earth's magnetopause and analytic and observational studies accountable for the linking of the magnetopause waves and inner magnetospheric ULF pulsations, and the impacts of magnetopause waves on the dynamics of the magnetopause and on the inner magnetosphere.

Depositional processes and environmental changes during initial flooding of an epeiric platform: Liguan Formation (Cambrian Series 2), Shandong Province, China

  • Lee, Hyun Suk;Chen, Jitao;Han, Zuozhen;Chough, Sung Kwun
    • Geosciences Journal
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    • v.22 no.6
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    • pp.903-919
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    • 2018
  • This paper focuses on the depositional processes and environmental changes during initial marine flooding recorded in the lower Cambrian succession of the North China Platform in Shandong Province, China. In order to understand imbalance of accommodation and sediment supply in the initial stage of basin-fill, a detailed analysis of sedimentary facies was made for the lowermost siliciclastic deposits of the Liguan Formation. It reveals ten siliciclastic lithofacies in three large-scale outcrops (Jinhe, Anqianzhuang, and Zhangjiapo sections). These facies are grouped into four facies associations, representing siliciclastic foreshoreshoreface (S1), siliciclastic offshore (S2), distributary mouth bars (S3), and coastal plain (S4). The siliciclastic components occur in a linear belt, emanating from a major drainage system in the northeastern part of the platform. Deposition of siliciclastic sediments was largely controlled by regional topography of the unconformable surface and shoreline configuration as well as strong effect of waves and currents. With ensued rise in sea level and decrease in siliciclastic sediment supply, carbonate sediments prevailed, filling the accommodation created by epeirogenic subsidence and sediment loading.

Application of ROMS-NPZD Coupled Model for Seasonal Variability of Nutrient and Chlorophyll at Surface Layer in the Northwestern Pacific (ROMS-NPZD 접합모델을 이용한 한반도 주변해역의 표층 영양염 및 클로로필의 계절변동성)

  • Lee, Joon-ho;Kim, Tae-hoon;Moon, Jae-hong
    • Ocean and Polar Research
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    • v.38 no.1
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    • pp.1-19
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    • 2016
  • Recently, there has been a growing interest in physical-biological ocean-modeling systems by communities in the fields of science and business. In this paper, we present preliminary results from a coupled physical-biological model for the Northwestern Pacific marginal seas. The ocean circulation component is an implementation of the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS), and the lower trophic level ecosystem component is a Nutrient-Phytoplankton-Zooplankton-Detritus (NPZD) model. The ROMS-NPZD coupled system, with a 25 km resolution, is forced by climatological atmospheric data and predicts the physical variables and concentrations of nitrate, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and detritus. Model results are compared with remote-sensed sea surface temperature and chlorophyll, and with climatological sea surface salinity and nitrate. Our model adequately reproduces the observed spatial distribution and seasonal variability of nitrate and chlorophyll concentrations as well as physical variables, showing a high correlation in the East Sea (ES) and Kuroshio/Oyashio Extension (KOE) region but relatively low correlation in the Yellow Sea (YS) and East China Sea (ECS). Although some deficiencies were found in the biological components, such as the over/underestimation of the intensity of phytoplankton blooms in the ES and KOE/the YS and ECS, our system demonstrates the capability of the model to capture and record dominant seasonal variability in physical-biological processes and this holds out the promise of coming to a better understanding of such processes and making better predictions .