Recent shear wave splitting measurements from the fore-arc region of the Ryukyu subduction system show large magnitude (0.3–1.6 s) trenchparallel splitting in both local and teleseismic phases. The similarity of splitting parameters associated with shallow local-S and teleseismic phases suggests that the source of anisotropy is located in the fore-arc mantle. One explanation for this pattern of...

We demonstrate stable, free-space optical trapping and manipulation in an integrated microfluidic chip using counter-propagating beams. An inverted ridge-type waveguide made of SU8 is cut across by an open trench. The design of the waveguide provides low propagation losses and small divergence of the trapping beam upon emergence from the facet, and the trench designed to be deeper and wider tha...

We report calculations of first-order pressure and second-order pressure gradient fields in the neighborhood of patterned silicon wafers. The patterned wafers consist of a single ridge and two parallel ridges separated by a trench on a planar substrate. The efficacy of megasonic waves for cleaning patterned wafers contaminated with micron to submicron silica particles is discussed by comparing ...

[1] We estimate the slip distribution from the MW 8.1 Solomon Islands earthquake in 2007, from two post-seismic surveys measuring uplifted coral and submerged coastal features. The occurrence of islands extremely proximal to the trench and nucleation of rupture allowed for the collection of unprecedented coseismic deformation dataset along a large megathrust earthquake. Using data from the two ...

The grounded ice in the Totten and Dalton glaciers is an essential component of the buttressing for the marine-based Aurora basin, and hence their stability is important to the future rate of mass loss from East Antarctica. Totten and Vanderford glaciers are joined by a deep east-west running subglacial trench between the continental ice sheet and Law Dome, while a shallower trench links the To...

Up to now, the BAUER Trench Cutter Cut-Off Wall (COW) technology has been developed for more than 20 years for use on large dams. The special task of a COW is to mitigate seepage and therefore COW's are utilized either on dam rehabilitation projects or on new dams as well. Seepage mitigation, for the long-term stability and the safety of dykes and dams, is a major issue to the designers. Cut-of...

The lateral (along trench axis) variation in the mode of large earthquake occurrence near the northern Japan Trench is explained by the variation in surface roughness of the subducting plate. The surface roughness of the ocean bottom near the trench is well correlated with the large-earthquake occurrence. The region where the ocean bottom is smooth is correlated with 'typical' large underthrust...