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  • Two centuries-long mystery solved: the Sun acts as a magnetic alternator, not dynamo

    The most important discovery of 2023: an excentral wobbling core (really) runs the Sun and trillions of Sun-like stars. The Sun mimics ordinary rotating machinery.
  • The Sun as a revolving-field magnetic alternator with a wobbling-core rotator from real data

    Rather than as a star classically assumed to feature elusive dynamo or a proverbial engine and impulsively alternating polarity, the Sun reveals itself in the 385.8–2.439-nHz (1-month–13-years) band of polar (φSun>|70°|) wind’s decadal dynamics, dominated by the fast (>700 km s^−1) winds, as a globally completely vibrating revolving-field magnetic alternator at work at all times. Thus North–South separation of 1994–2008 Ulysses in situ <10nT polar-wind samplings reveals Gauss–Vaníček spectral signatures of an entirely ≥99%-significant, Sun-borne global incessant sharp Alfvén resonance (AR), Pi=Ps/i, i=2…n, i∈ℤ ∧ n∈א, accompanied by a symmetrical sharp antiresonance P(-). The ideal Sun (slow winds absent) AR imprints to the order u=136 into the fast winds nearly theoretically, with the northerly winds preferentially more so. The spectral peaks’ fidelity is very high (≫12) to high (>12) and reaches Φ>2∙10^3, validating the signatures as a global dynamical process. The fast-wind spectra reveal upward drifting low-frequency trends due to a rigid core and undertones due to a core offset away from the apex. While the consequent core wobble with a 2.2±0.1-yr return period is the AR trigger, the core offset causes northerly preferentiality of Sun magnetism. Multiple total (band-wide) spectral symmetries of solar activity represented by historical solar-cycle lengths and sunspot and calcium numbers expose the solar alternator and core wobble as the moderators of sunspots, nanoflares, and coronal mass ejections that resemble machinery sparking. The real Sun (slow winds inclusive) AR resolves to n=100+ and is governed by the Ps=~11-yr Schwabe global damping (equilibrium) mode northside, its ~10-yr degeneration equatorially, and ~9-yr southside. The Sun is a typical ~3-dB-attenuated ring system, akin to rotating machinery with a wobbling rotator (core), featuring differentially revolving and contrarily (out-of-phase-) vibrating conveyor belts and layers, as well as a continuous global spectrum with patterns complete in both parities and the >81.3 nHz(S) and 55.6 nHz(N) resolution in lowermost frequencies (≲2 μHz in most modes). The global decadal vibration resonantly (quasi-periodically) flips the core, thus alternating the magnetic polarity of our host star. Unlike a resonating motor restrained from separating its casing, the cageless Sun lacks a stator and vibrates freely, resulting in all-spin and mass release (fast solar winds) in an axial shake-off beyond L1 at discrete wave modes generated highly coherently by the whole Sun. Thus, the northerly and southerly antiresonance tailing harmonic P(-17) is the well-known PRg=154-day (or Ps/3/3/3 to ±1‰) Rieger period from which the wind’s folded Rieger resonance (RR) sprouts, governing solar-system (including planetary) dynamics and space weather. AR and its causes were verified against remote data and the experiment, thus instantly replacing the dynamo with a magnetoalternator and advancing basic knowledge on the >100 billion trillions of solar-type stars. Shannon’s theory-based Gauss-Vanicek spectral analysis revolutionizes astrophysics and space science by rigorously simulating fleet formations from a single spacecraft and physics by computing nonlinear global dynamics directly (rendering spherical approximation obsolete).
  • Scientists now know that (and how) the Sun paces strong quakes — and not just on Earth

    The discovery of clocking between the Sun-emitted waving jets of gas (solar wind) and seismicity on Earth, Moon, and Mars rewrites seismology and the astrophysics of stars and stellar systems. In his 2019 fundamental discovery of the moon-moderated mechanism for generating M6.2+ strong (tectonic) earthquakes and sequences on timescales of hours to days (https://www.openpr.com/news/1886974/the-most-important-scientific-discovery-of-2019-seismic), Dr. Mensur Omerbashich established that this mechanism of external energy transfer/insertion into the Earth's system is resonant, so that mantle convection (internal heat) does not critically affect seismotectonics, in contrast to classical understanding. GPS data subsequently confirmed that find (https://n2t.net/ark:/88439/x073994). Now expanding on these results, Dr. Omerbashich shows in a new computational study that the Sun forces strong seismicity and does so not only on Earth but on the Moon and Mars too - all three worlds on which we directly collected seismometer data. The new study thus confirmed the long-suspected connection between the Sun (the magnetism) and strong seismicity, and it deciphered how that interplay works on long timescales of months to years - the clocking mechanism. To achieve this, Omerbashich used the Gauss-Vaniček spectral analysis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauss-Vanicek) as the only method for rigorously extracting periodicity from gapped measurements. As found in the 1970s, the Sun constantly and periodically releases large amounts of its particles into space as gas jets of magnetized hot plasma called the solar wind. The wind's magnetization creates the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF). Akin to gigantic tongues of fire, these densely packed jets of overheated gas flap gracefully and quasiperiodically (locally briefly) about the ecliptic. Together with other particles, including those from sudden Sun explosions, the solar wind forms a bubble of magnetism called the heliosphere. This bubble permanently envelopes our entire solar system as our star tugs us while tirelessly circumnavigating the Galactic Center. As found in the 1970s, the Sun constantly and periodically releases large amounts of its particles into space as gas jets of magnetized hot plasma called the solar wind. The wind's magnetization creates the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF). Akin to gigantic tongues of fire, these densely packed jets of overheated gas flap gracefully and quasiperiodically (locally briefly) about the ecliptic. Together with other particles, including those from sudden Sun explosions, the solar wind forms a bubble of magnetism called the heliosphere. This bubble permanently envelopes our entire solar system as our star tugs us while tirelessly circumnavigating the Galactic Center. As found in the 1970s, the Sun constantly and periodically releases large amounts of its particles into space as gas jets of magnetized hot plasma called the solar wind. The wind's magnetization creates the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF). Akin to gigantic tongues of fire, these densely packed jets of overheated gas flap gracefully and quasiperiodically (locally briefly) about the ecliptic. Together with other particles, including those from sudden Sun explosions, the solar wind forms a bubble of magnetism called the heliosphere. This bubble permanently envelopes our entire solar system as our star tugs us while tirelessly circumnavigating the Galactic Center. The new result applies not only to the vicinity of our Sun but also stellar systems around billions of trillions of Sunlike stars in the observable universe (which means most of the stars out there, not counting dwarfs). The exact mechanism of local coupling of the solar/stellar wind to solid matter, resulting in rupturing (quakes) on planets and moons, is poised to become the focus of cross-disciplinary research worldwide in the coming quest for universal quake prediction - anywhere and at any time. The groundbreaking new study was published online last week in the world's oldest periodical in geophysics, the Journal of Geophysics (https://n2t.net/ark:/88439/x040901).
  • Global coupling mechanism of Sun resonant forcing of Mars, Moon, and Earth seismicity

    Global seismicity on all three solar system bodies with in situ measurements (Earth, Moon, and Mars) is mainly due to the mechanical Rieger resonance (RR) of macroscopic flapping of the solar wind, driven by the well-known PRg=~154-day Rieger period and commonly detected in most heliophysical data types and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Thus, InSight mission marsquakes rates are periodic with PRg as characterized by a very high (≫12) fidelity Φ=2.8·10^6 and by being the only ≥99%-significant spectral peak in the 385.8–64.3-nHz (1–180-day) band of highest planetary energies; the longest-span (v.9) release of raw data revealed the entire RR, excluding a tectonically active Mars. To check this, I analyzed the rates of the October 2015–February 2019, Mw5.6+ earthquakes, and all (1969–1977) Apollo program moonquakes. To decouple the magnetospheric and IMF effects, I analyzed the Earth and Moon seismicity during the traversals of the Earth’s magnetotail vs. IMF. The analysis showed with ≥99–67% confidence and Φ≫12 fidelity that (an unspecified majority of) moonquakes and Mw5.6+ earthquakes also recur at RR periods. Approximately half of the spectral peaks split but also into clusters that average into the usual Rieger periodicities, where magnetotail reconnecting clears the signal. Moonquakes are mostly forced at times of solar-wind resonance and not just during tides, as previously and simplistically believed. There is no significant dependence of sun-driven seismicity recurrence on solar cycles. Earlier claims that solar plasma dynamics could be seismogenic due to electrical surging or magnetohydrodynamic interactions between magnetically trapped plasma and water molecules embedded within solid matter or for reasons unknown are corroborated. This first conclusive recovery of the global coupling mechanism of solar-planetary seismogenesis calls for a reinterpretation of the seismicity phenomenon and reliance on global seismic magnitude scales. The predictability of solar-wind macroscopic dynamics is now within reach, which paves the way for long-term, physics-based seismic and space weather prediction and the safety of space missions. Gauss–Vaníček Spectral Analysis revolutionizes geophysics by computing nonlinear global dynamics directly (renders approximating of dynamics obsolete).
  • Detection and mapping of Earth body resonances with continuous GPS

    I recently reported temporal proof that Mw5.6+ strong earthquakes occur due to (as the lithosphere rides on) vast waves of the tidally driven and gravitationally aided 1–72h long-periodic Earth body resonance (EBR). Here I report a methodologically independent spatial proof of EBR, conclusively showing that tremors are not the only earthquake type caused by mechanical resonance: observations of actual EBR waves in solid matter using continuous Global Positioning System (cGPS) and of their triggering Mw5.6+ earthquakes. Superharmonic resonance periods from the EBR’s 55’–15 days (0.303 mHz–0.7716 μHz) band are thus recoverable in spectra of International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF2014) positional components solved kinematically from 30-s cGPS samplings. The signal is so pure, strong, and stable that even daylong components are constantly periodic at or above 99%-significance, with very high statistical fidelity, ϕ>>12, and ϕ<<12 characterizing overtones or undertones. cGPS stations have diurnal EBR fingerprints: unique sets of ~13–18 EBR frequencies, most clearly formed during ~Mw6+ quiescence, enabling depiction of EBR orientation for real-time EBR mapping. Furthermore, weeklong component time series reveal complete EBR and expected undertones as the signature of EBR’s companion sympathetic resonances, with very high ϕ>>12. Also, I demonstrate EBR mapping using the Mexico City–Los Angeles–San Francisco cGPS profile alongside a tectonic plate boundary, successfully depicting the preparation phase of the 2020 Puerto Rico Mw6.4–Mw6.6 earthquakes sequence. I finish by showing that the EBR triggered the 2019 Ridgecrest Mw6.4–Mw7.1 earthquakes sequence. EBR maps can now be produced for seismic prediction/forecasting and unobscuring (decoupling EBR frequencies) from geophysical observables like stress and strain. EBR engulfs the Earth’s crust, forming the resonance wind whose role and incessantness demote mantle convection from the working hypothesis of geophysics and whose applications include geophysical prospecting and detection at all scales and times. A previously unaccounted-for fundamental force of geophysics, the impulsive EBR spans the vastest energy bands, invalidating any previous claims of seismic detections of gravitational wave signals from deep space, such as by the LIGO experiment.
  • Scaling relations for energy magnitudes

    Homogenizing earthquake catalogs is an effort critical to fundamentally improving seismic studies for next-generation seismology. The preparation of a homogenous earthquake catalog for a seismic region requires scaling relations to convert different magnitude types, like the mb and Ms, to a homogenous magnitude, such as the seismic moment scale, Mwg, and energy magnitude scale, Me. Several recent studies addressed the preparation of homogenized earthquake catalogs, usually involving the estimation of proxies of moment magnitude Mw from local, ML, and teleseismic (Ms and mb) magnitude estimates. Instead of the standard least squares (SLR), most of such studies used the general orthogonal regression (GOR), while some used the Chi-square regression method. Here we critically discuss GOR and Chi-square regression theory and find that both are the same for the linear case — as expected since both stem from the same mathematical concept. Thus to foster an improved understanding of seismicity and seismic hazard, we used GOR methodology and derived global scaling relations individually between body, surface, energy, and seismic moment magnitude scales. For that purpose, we have compiled 13,576 and 13,282 events for Ms from ISC and NEIC, respectively, mb magnitude data for 1,266 events from ISC, 614 events from NEIC, and Mwg magnitude values for 6,690 events from NEIC and GCMT. We have also derived MS,ISC-to-Me and MS,NEIC-to-Me conversion relations in magnitude ranges of 4.7≤MS,ISC≤8.0 and 4.5≤MS,NEIC≤8.0, respectively. Likewise, we obtained mb,ISC-to-Me and mb,NEIC-to-Me conversion relations for ranges of 5.2≤mb,ISC≤6.2 and 5.3≤mb,NEIC≤6.5. Since the number of data points was insufficient to derive the relations, we considered mb,NEIC up to M6.5. Finally, we derived an MWg-to-Me conversion relation for the 5.2≤Mw≤8.2 range of magnitudes with focal depths <70 km. Our scaling relations can be used for homogenizing earthquake catalogs and conducting seismicity and seismic hazard assessment studies with enhanced realism. ARK: https://n2t.net/ark:/88439/x063005 Permalink: https://geophysicsjournal.com/article/304
  • Analogue-model magnetic field responses of an ocean channel, an island and a seamount in the Hainan Island region

    The electromagnetic responses of a shallow channel (Hainan Strait), an island (Hainan Island) in a shallow coastal sea, and a large flat-topped seamount (Zhongsha Islands) in a deep ocean were studied using a scaled laboratory analogue model. To examine the responses, in-phase and quadrature Hz and HY magnetic fields are presented for traverses over the channel, the island and the seamount for simulated geomagnetic variations with periods in the range 5–500 min. The in-phase Hz and HY channel and island responses were found to decrease rapidly with increasing period, reaching negligible values at about 60-min periods, while the in-phase Hz and HY seamount responses had significant values over the entire 5–500-min period range. The quadrature Hz and HY channel and island responses had maxima at a period of approximately 20 min when the 0.25 km depth ocean in the channel and surrounding the island was 0.025 skin depth (δ). The shapes of the quadrature Hz and HY seamount response curves showed a transition from a "channel response" to an "island response" at a period of approximately 20 min, the same period at which maximum in-phase responses occur. At this period the surrounding ocean depth is 0.2–0.4 δ and the ocean depth over the seamount is 0.05 δ. The quadrature Hz and HY seamount responses were each at a maximum at approximately 100 min, when the surrounding ocean depth was 0.1–0.2 δ and the ocean over the seamount is 0.025 δ. The addition of a conducting plate to simulate conducting mantle structure at a depth of 100 km led to much less attenuation for the case of the seamount than for the channel or island due to the deep ocean surrounding the seamount, effectively shielding the conducting mantle from the overhead primary source field. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; ARK: https://n2t.net/ark:/88439/y035553 Permalink: https://geophysicsjournal.com/article/302 &nbsp;
  • An integrated approach to enhance community resilience in disaster response in Sri Lanka

    Climate-related extreme geophysical events are among critical global challenges, and Sri Lanka is the second most-affected nation. To minimize disaster impacts and enhance the livability of human settlements, the concept of building community resilience has become crucial in disaster management and preparedness. This paper presents key results and recommendations from an integrated approach to post-disaster recovery interventions and improvements in preparedness activities, to reduce the impact of future disasters and associated risks. We tackled this goal by undertaking a reflective assessment using a case of post-disaster recovery interventions after the floods and landslides of May 2017 in three districts of Sri Lanka. This study emphasizes the need for capitalizing the immediate post-disaster response period to integrate risk reduction and resilience-building activities from the early stages of the recovery timeline.&nbsp; Preparedness and resilience enhancement activities need to align with the Sri Lanka Community Resilience Framework as it can help optimally utilize time and resources to enhance resilience in resources-limited contexts. ARK: https://n2t.net/ark:/88439/x059916 Permalink: https://geophysicsjournal.com/article/301
  • Deep electromagnetic studies of the Baltic Shield

    The first systematic collection of magnetotelluric, magnetovariational and frequency sounding results for the Baltic Shield is presented. The great variations in data processing and interpretation methodology make it difficult to present any unified summary of the existing results. Conductive regions in the crust occur in all parts of the shield; sometimes in connection with schist zones, variations in bedrock structure and composition, and sometimes as apparent conductive layering in the depth range 15-25 km. The extent of this layer, as well as the conductive layer at asthenospheric depths in the northern parts of the shield, cannot yet be established. The usefulness of combining electromagnetic and other geophysical data is indicated by the example from central Finland, where deep seismic sounding results seem to be able to explain long-period anisotropies of magnetotelluric sounding curves. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ARK: https://n2t.net/ark:/88439/y024024 Permalink: https://geophysicsjournal.com/article/295 &nbsp;
  • Wave propagation in multilayered media: the effect of waveguides in oceanic and continental Earth models

    We investigate the effect of low-velocity waveguides on ground motion. The computation of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of Rayleigh waves up to the frequency 10.0 Hz allows an analysis of the seismic response which is source independent. The main conclusions of this study are: (1) Extending the model to depths greater than that of the waveguides allows the exact computation of leaking modes. (2) A source in a layered structure generates P waves of higher frequency than S waves even if the structure is purely elastic. (3) At high frequencies (10.0 Hz) the modal components of P waves separate from those of SV waves. (4) Strong surface waves are generated by shallow sources in sedimentary basins, also at a source distance of a few tens of kilometres. These waves do not appear in structures without sediments. (5) The polarization of strong ground motion at the surface of low-velocity layers is mainly horizontal. (6) For oceanic models, the contribution of the sedimentary layers is separable from that of the water layer only at high frequencies. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ARK: https://n2t.net/ark:/88439/y014925 Permalink: https://geophysicsjournal.com/article/294 &nbsp;