ALBERT

Description: To fulfill its plate-tectonics functions, the lithosphere has to remain mechanically strong over geological time spans and be capable to support important geological loads while transferring horizontal tectonic stresses at global scales. We use thermo-mechanically and thermo-dynamically coupled numerical models accounting for brittleelastic- plastic rheology and petrologically and seismologically consistent pressure-temperature dependent density and elastic structure to obtain more robust insights on thickness of the mechanical lithosphere (Hm) and its links to the LAB depth and its seismic (Hs) and thermal thickness (Ht). Testing the mechanical stability of lithospheres with different thermo-rheological structures allows us to constrain rheological parameters needed for long-term survival of lithospheric plates and establish links between LAB,Hm,Hs and Ht. Mechanical lithosphere appears to be 1.5-2 times thinner than Hs and Ht and its mechanical thickness, Hm, is strongly dependent on thermal and rheological structure. The important contribution of inelastic components (brittle and ductile behavior) to the mechanical strength of the lithosphere suggests that Hm is also stress and strain dependent: within the same plate, it might drop by 30-50% in the areas of high strain or stress, and remain much higher in the areas where tectonic deformation is moderate. In some cases it is possible to establish direct links between the laterally variable mechanical, seismic and thermal lithosphere thickness. This is of special importance since tracking the mechanical thickness of the lithosphere allows us to put better constraints on its stress/strain dependent rheological properties. We explored relationships between Hs,Ht and Hm of the lithosphere in oceans and in more complex continental lithospheres. In oceanic plates, Hm corresponds to the observed equivalent elastic thickness (EET) multiplied by a factor of 1.2-1.5, and correlates well with Ht and Hs. In continents, the rules are similar for young hot plates (thermo-tectonic age 〈 150 Myr) but different for older plates. In old plates, the mechanical thickness appears to be roughly equal to crustal thickness Hc + EET multiplied by a factor of 1.2-1.5. It thus varies from about 80- 100 km to 200 km. Comparing Hm and EET in oceans and continents with seismic thickness Hs indicates stable correlations between these quantities. However, no correlation exists between Hm-EET and seismogenic layer thickness Ts. In turn, the latter parameter seem to anti-correlate with Hm-EET in cases of strong local deformation while in cases of small strain/stress states there is no any depictable link.We show that stabilization of the surface, LAB and Moho topography generally requires strong mantle lithosphere with Ht 〉 150 km and rheology close to that of 'typical' dry olivine flow law. Independently of their crustal properties, lithosphere with weaker mantle rheology and thermo-mechanical ages from 100 to 300Ma is unstable so that RT instabilities at the LAB boundary, and small-scale convection below it, result in rapid destruction (typically less than in 60 Myr) of the lithosphere. At same time surface dynamic topography shows unrealistic undulations on the order of 2000m in amplitude. Assumption of strong mantle lithosphere reduces surface undulations to the acceptable 200m while the lithosphere survives over time spans exceeding 200Myr. For older plates (〉 1000 Myr) surface topography, Moho and LAB are still unstable for rheological models based on the assumption of weak wet olivine rheology.

Description: Small scale convection can be defined as that part of the mantle circulation in which upwellings and downwellings can occur beneath the lithosphere within the interiors of plates, in contrast to the large scale flow associated with plate motions where upwellings and downwellings occur at ridges and trenches. The two scales of convection will interact so that the form of the small scale convection will depend on how it arises within the large scale flow. Observations based on GEOS-3 and SEASAT altimetry suggest that small scale convection occurs in at least two different ways.

Description: Plate tectonics and its contribution to progress in studies of the Earth's gravitational field is discussed. In acquisition, the development of forced feedback accelerometers, satellite navigation, and satellite radar altimetry significantly improved the accuracy and coverage of gravity data over the oceans. In interpretation, gravity and geoid anomalies are used to determine information on the thermal and mechanical properties of the oceanic lithosphere and the forces that drive plate motions.

Description: In a continuing effort to understand helicopter rotor tip aerodynamics and acoustics, a flight test was conducted by NASA Ames Research Center. The test was performed using the NASA White Cobra and a set of highly instrumented blades. All aspects of the flight test instrumentation and test procedures are explained. Additionally, complete data sets for selected test points are presented and analyzed. Because of the high volume of data acquired, only selected data points are presented. However, access to the entire data set is available to the researcher on request.

Description: Two flight tests have been conducted that obtained extension pressure data on a modified AH-1G rotor system. These two tests, the Operational Loads Survey (OLS) and the Tip Aerodynamics and Acoustics Test (TAAT) used the same rotor set. In the analysis of these data bases, accurate 2-D airfoil data is invaluable, for not only does it allow comparison studies between 2- and 3-D flow, but also provides accurate tables of the airfoil characteristics for use in comprehensive rotorcraft analysis codes. To provide this 2-D data base, a model of the OLS/TAAT airfoil was tested over a Reynolds number range from 3 x 10 to the 6th to 7 x 10 to the 7th and between Mach numbers of 0.34 to 0.88 in the NASA Langley Research Center's 6- by 28-Inch Transonic Tunnel. The 2-D airfoil data is presented as chordwise pressure coefficient plots, as well as lift, drag, and pitching moment coefficient plots and tables.

Description: The study of the earth's gravitational field has provided one of the principal methods for the determination of the structure of the outer layers of the earth. A project has been undertaken which involves the systematic examination of the relationship between the earth's gravity field and topography in each of the earth's major ocean basins. The first part of the project was concerned with the compilation, reduction, and analysis of the available surface-ship gravity and bathymetry and satellite-derived geoid data in the oceans of the earth. The present paper has the objective to summarize the principal results which have been obtained so far in the Pacific Ocean.