数字高程模型在地表过程研究中的应用

数字高程模型(DEM)是人们研究地表过程、构造地貌的一种行之有效的方法和手段。DEM是地形表面的数字表达,易于三维可视化和统计分析。DEM作为一种空间数据,可以进行各种空间分析,编制平均高程图、山顶面图、谷地面图、局部地形图、平均坡度图和剖面图,从而有效地显示地形特征,预测地表侵蚀量和地形发展趋势。特定盆地充填面的DEM分析是探讨特定地质时期(新生代)以来地表由沉积转入侵蚀、沉积之后隆升过程、隆升速率和剥蚀量、剥蚀速率等地表过程的有效手段,它与大地构造、深部地球物理相结合,可以揭示隆升机制和大陆动力学背景。低起伏侵蚀面的DEM分析有利于定量揭示山脉夷平面分布,结合基岩地质等其他资料综合分析,可揭示侵蚀面的成因,揭示大地构造与地表过程相互关系是未来研究的主要目标之一。     

国外景观演化研究的最新进展

景观演化与全球构造、生物演变和主要气候变化具有相同的时间尺度 ,是长期全球变化的一个重要方面。最近 ,地表过程在地壳变形中的作用已经引起了广泛的注意 :一方面努力从景观中模拟地形演化或演绎地壳过程 ;另一方面试图通过地壳变形和地表过程的型式和速度来研究隆起、海平面变化、侵蚀、气候和地势之间的动力学关系。文中旨在介绍和评述国外关于会聚边缘和裂开边缘山脉尺度景观演化研究 ,包括高原边缘地形演化、前陆盆地的沉积型式、景观切割、古地形复原以及质量流动和平衡等方面的最新进展 ,以及地表过程和地壳过程相互作用中的反馈机制、均衡效应和岩石圈强度效应以及调整和平衡等几个理论问题。目前已经普遍认为 ,把地表过程纳入地球动力学模型之中 ,无疑对于认识造山带的发育和裂开边缘的演化是一个巨大的进步。     

Three-dimensional thermo-mechanical modeling of the Cenozoic uplift of the Tianshan mountains driven tectonically by the Pamir and Tarim

We develop a three-dimensional thermo-mechanical model as an approximate representation of the lithosphere of the Tianshan orogenic belt and adjacent geological units for simulating the uplift mechanism of the Tianshan mountains in the Cenozoic. We apply a velocity boundary condition approximating the northward push of the Pamir and Tarim against the Tianshan block to derive lithospheric deformation of the model. In particular, we investigate systematically the influence of gravity-induced creep deformation on mountain uplift. Our modeling results indicate that: (1) the modeled topographic pattern coincides well with the actual topography, implying that the tectonic push of the Pamir and Tarim can cause significant uplift of the Tianshan mountains; (2) the lithosphere of the Tianshan mountains is mechanically weaker than that of the platforms to the south and north of the Tianshan orogenic belt; and (3) the gravity-induced creep deformation has a significant influence on the process and elevation of mountain uplift. Therefore, when subjected to the tectonic compression resulting from the northward push of the Pamir and Tarim, the relatively weak lithosphere of the Tianshan mountains would deform easily and hence absorb more shortening, resulting in lithospheric thickening and consequent mountain uplift.     

Geodynamic Evolution of Loei and Phetchabun Regions — Does the Discovery of Detrital Chromian Spinels from the Nam Duk Formation (Permian,North-Central Thailand) Provide New Constraint?

The discovery of the chromian spinel detritus in sandstones from the Permian Nam Duk Formation (Phetchabun region) confirms that the siliciclastic part of this formation is related to the erosion of a mountain belt caused by compressional deformation. The question discussed is whether this detritus is derived from an older orogen exposed today in the region of Loei east of the Nam Duk Basin, or it is from a mountain belt which evolved during Permian times in the west (Nan-Uttaradit region).In the first case the Nam Duk Formation would represent the passive continental margin sequence of the “Indochina craton”, and in the second case it would be part of the sedimentary wedge associated with the compressional deformation and subsequent uplift to the erosional level during Middle to Upper Permian of a rising mountain belt further in the west. In this contribution, arguments in favour of the second scenario are discussed. The region close to the Nan-Uttaradit suture zone shows evidence of compressional deformation and subsequent uplift to an erosional level in the Permian when the chromian spinel detritus was deposited in the Nam Duk Formation.     

Thermochronological evidence for a late Pliocene climate-induced erosion rate increase in the Alps

(U–Th)/He and fission-track analyses of apatite along deep-seated tunnels crossing high-relief mountain ranges offer the opportunity to investigate climate-tectonic forcing on topographic evolution. In this study, the thermochronologic analysis along the Simplon tunnel (western-central Alps; Italy and Switzerland) constrains in detail the mechanisms controlling the topographic evolution of the Simplon Massif. Cooling rates vary from about 10°C/Ma at about 10 Ma to about 35°C/Ma in the last 3 Ma. Such increase in cooling rates corresponds to the inception of glacial cycles in the northern hemisphere. Age patterns show correlation with faults distribution until 2 Ma, suggesting that tectonics-controlled rocks exhumed up to that age. After 2 Ma thermo-chronometric data show that the Simplon area has experienced primarily erosional exhumation. All age patterns provided are not affected by topographic effects, thus indicating that present-day topography has been carved in the last 2 Ma, most likely controlled by glacial erosion.     

Along-strike topographic variation of the Longmen Shan and its significance for landscape evolution along the eastern Tibetan Plateau

Regional topographic and geomorphic analyses reveal first-order topographic variations from high-elevation and low-relief interior plateau to the relatively low elevation, high-relief marginal plateau in eastern Tibet. Field investigation and slip distribution modeling after 2008 Ms. 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake indicate significant along-strike variability during the rupture that appears to correspond to different segments of a single fault system. This observation motivates a more careful examination of topographic features along the Longmen Shan to explore the connection between the seismic cycle and mountain building. Analyses of topographic relief, hillslope gradient, and channel gradient indices reveal significant differences in the character of topography along the Longmen Shan mountain front. The central portion of the range exhibits the highest slope, relief and steepness of river longitudinal profiles. Whereas the southern Longmen Shan exhibits only subtle differences associated with slightly lower hillslope and channel gradients, the northern Longmen Shan is characterized by topography of significantly lower relief, lessened hillslope gradients, and low-gradient channels. We consider two explanations for these topographic differences; first, that the differences in topographic development along the Longmen Shan reflect different stages of an evolutionary history. Alternatively, these may reflect differences in the rate of differential rock uplift relative to the stable Sichuan Basin.     

祁连山北部基岩河道宽度对构造和岩性的响应

活动造山带基岩河流地貌研究,目前已成为构造地貌学研究的前沿和热点。河道宽度形态的调整变化是基岩河流响应构造、岩性和气候等扰动的重要方式之一。通过研究祁连山北部地区6个重点流域基岩河道的宽度形态发现:河道宽度总体上呈现出东西向和南北向的变化特征,河道向下游增宽的速率,东段地区显著高于中段地区,低山带显著高于高山带;对比河道宽度的变化特征与构造抬升速率及岩性抗蚀性的变化,可以推断:在祁连山北部地区,基岩河道宽度响应构造抬升和岩性抗蚀性的变化进行了系统地调整,构造抬升控制了流域河道宽度变化的总体趋势,而岩性抗蚀性变化则导致了流域内部局部河段河道宽度的大幅波动。在祁连山北部地区开展的基岩河道宽度形态研究,为利用基岩河道形态研究造山带的构造变形奠定了基础,对于探索构造抬升背景下地貌的发育过程具有十分重要的意义。     

龙门山晚新生代均衡反弹隆升的定量研究

龙门山位于青藏高原东缘与四川盆地的交接部位,是青藏高原周边山脉中地形梯度变化最大的山脉,其隆升过程和机制一直是国际地学界关注的焦点。晚新生代经过大量的滑坡、泥石流等快速剥蚀作用,龙门山的高程却不断升高。讨论了龙门山构造隆升的3种地球动力学机制,即下地壳通道流机制、地壳挤压缩短变形机制、地壳均衡反弹机制。晚新生代龙门山的隆升与剥蚀引起的均衡反弹作用相关,剥蚀作用使得地壳岩石逐步被移去,剥蚀区重力损失,岩石圈或地壳卸载作用导致山脉顶峰的隆升。结合数字高程模型数据研究表明,巨大地震的长期同震构造变形以及滑坡、泥石流等引起的快速剥蚀所导致的地壳均衡反弹,可能是龙门山晚新生代构造隆升的地球动力学新机制。龙门山地区现今高程受构造作用与剥蚀引起的均衡反弹作用的共同影响,其中剥蚀引起的均衡反弹作用对龙门山隆升的影响贡献率约占30%。     

青藏高原东缘龙门山晚新生代剥蚀厚度与弹性挠曲模拟

龙门山是青藏高原东缘边界山脉,具有青藏高原地貌、龙门山高山地貌和山前冲积平原三个一级地貌单元。利用数字高程模式图像和裂变径迹年代测定方法研究和计算龙门山晚新生代剥蚀厚度与剥蚀速率,结果表明:3.6 Ma以来龙门山的剥蚀厚度介于1.91-2.16 km之间,剥蚀速率介于0.53-0.60 mm/a之间。在此基础上,开展了该地区岩石圈的弹性挠曲模拟,结果表明龙门山的隆升机制具有以构造缩短隆升和剥蚀卸载隆升相叠合的特点。3.6 Ma之前,龙门山的隆升与逆冲推覆构造负载有关,以构造缩短驱动的构造隆升为特色;3.6 Ma之后,龙门山的隆升与剥蚀卸载驱动的抬升有关,并以剥蚀卸载隆升为特色,进而提出了龙门山晚新生代以来的隆升机制以剥蚀成山作用为主的认识。     

Spatial distribution and temporal evolution of sediment transport pathway of deltaic deposits in a rift basin: an example from Liaodong Bay sub-basin,Bohai Bay,China

The Liaodong Bay sub-basin is a classic non-marine rift sub-basin in the Bohai Bay, northeastern China. The study area is located on the east side of Liaoxi uplift in the west slope of Liaodong Bay sub-basin. It sits on a draped anticline zone above the paleo-uplift and contains the second biggest offshore hydrocarbon field found in China to date. The sub-basin is bound to the west by the TanLu fault zone, the most active and largest fault active zone in eastern of China, and has been active from the Mesozoic to present. The spatial distribution and temporal evolution of the depositional systems in the lacustrine rift basin were significantly controlled by topography of paleo-uplift and the distribution of sediment transport pathways. Using 3D seismic and densely spaced well data, we systematically analysed the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of sediment transport pathway of the deltaic deposits in the SZ36-1 oilfield in the eastern slope of the Liaozhong sag. Two types of sediment transport pathway, including the fault relay ramps and erosional valleys, were recognised: (i) the fault relay ramps between two sub-parallel faults; and (ii) a series erosional valleys on the uplift, with ‘V-’, ‘U-’ or ‘W-'shaped cross-sectional patterns. Seismic stratal slices reveal that the erosional valleys branch and converge from upstream to downstream. The paleomorphology of the Liaoxi uplift (e.g., erosional valleys and sub-uplifts) and their evolution control the depositional systems and the pattern of sediment dispersal in the rift lacustrine basin area. The research indicates that paleogeomorphology controlled the direction of sediment transport, the capacity and position of sediment accommodation, influenced the type of sedimentary micro-facies and the spatial distribution pattern of the sediments. Seismic stratal slices and paleogeography maps reveal the erosional valleys shrunk progressively with sedimentary fills, resulting in decreasing gradients of the depositional slope, and provide a gentle geomorphology for a large-scale fluvial-delta depositional system to develop.     

新疆博格达—哈尔里克山晚新生代压扭性变形与隆起成山

压扭性走滑变形是陆内变形的最主要构造样式之一,并且是陆内造山系统得以形成的最基本构造样式。位于天山东部的博格达—哈尔里克山链,横亘在吐哈盆地和准噶尔盆地之间,是研究新生代山脉形成理想的野外实验室。本文结合压扭造山带的研究,通过野外地质填图、遥感解译和DEM分析,裂变径迹测试等研究,确认博格达—哈尔里克山与山脉隆起相关的断裂构造主要为北东东向和北西西向压扭性走滑断裂,认为它是晚新生代压扭造山带(transpressional orogen)。主要证据是:首先博格达—哈尔里克山与山脉隆起相关的构造变形为北东东70°走向和北西西290°走向,山脉两侧呈现向盆地方向的逆冲冲断构造,体现了近南北向为构造主压应力场特点;其次天池河床砂岩屑AFT分析出的年龄峰值集中在42.8 Ma(62.8%)、18.8 Ma(29.0%)、3.2 Ma(8.2%),表明样品所代表的流域地质体在42.8 Ma、18.8Ma、3.2 Ma经历了3次冷却事件。依据裂变径迹等年龄投影圈闭图显示博格达山裂变径迹年龄存在中间新,两边老的特点。基于相同的大地构造背景,压扭造山模式也可以解释整个天山晚新生代山脉强烈隆升。     

洮河水系流域地貌特征及其构造指示意义

通过数字高程模型(DEM)的空间分析技术,系统提取研究区洮河水系流域盆地典型的河流地貌参数,并利用活动造山带地区发育的基岩河道纵向剖面形态等典型参数,分析洮河水系流域盆地地貌发育不对称性特征及洮河在岷县流向的急剧转变成因。研究表明洮河上游南岸水系较北岸水系形状指数高、流域面积大、水系发育更成熟,下游东岸河流河长较短、流域面积小、形状指数低于西岸,西岸水系更发育,且上游流域要比下游河道平缓,水系的相对落差更低,发育更成熟,表明上游河道形成时间早于下游河道。临潭—宕昌断裂带的逆冲隆升作用是造成洮河上、下游水系形态差异的主要原因。岷县东侧山脉的快速隆起致使古洮河被截断,之后被东北侧河流溯源侵蚀,切穿西秦岭北缘构造带,进行河流袭夺,从而形成了现今的洮河。最后探讨了对青藏高原东北端晚新生代以来的构造响应。     

Sequence of thrusting and syntectonic sedimentation in the eastern Sub-Atlas thrust belt (Dadès and Mgoun valleys,Morocco)

A series of balanced cross-sections across the Sub-Atlas thrust belt and the northern Ouarzazate basin are used to illustrate the structural geometry and the timing of deformation at the southern front of the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The selected area is among the best sedimentary records of mountain building of the entire orogenic system. The study of the relationships between thrusts and synorogenic continental formations enables the unraveling of kinematic sequences and the proposal of a relative chronology of deformation. Active thrusting in the area occurred in a rather continuous fashion from the Oligocene to the Pliocene, punctuated by a major erosional phase imprecisely placed in late Oligocene to early Miocene times. Detrital sedimentary facies indicate that uplift in the hinterland of the High Atlas, to the north of the Sub-Atlas belt, was taking place already by mid Eocene times, although it might have commenced locally even earlier. Within the Sub-Atlas zone, the exposed faults did not propagate in a simple piggy-back fashion but show evidence of a complex, synchronous sequence with events of fault reactivation and out-of-sequence thrusting.     

Morphological analysis of the drainage system in the Eastern Alps

We study the morphology of the major rivers draining the Eastern Alps to test whether the active tectonics of this part of the orogen is reflected in the shape of channel profiles of the river network. In our approach we compare channel profiles measured from digital elevation models with numerically modelled channel profiles using a stream power approach. It is shown that regions of high stream power coincide largely with regions of highest topography and largest uplift rates, while the forelands and the Pannonian Basin are characterised by a significantly lower stream power. From stream power modelling we conclude that there is young uplift at the very east of the Eastern Alps, in the Bohemian Massif and in the Pohorje Range. The impact of the Pleistocene glaciations is explored by comparing properties of rivers that drain in proximal and distal positions relative to the ice sheet during the last glacial maximum. Our analysis shows that most knick points, wind gaps and other non-equilibrium features of catchments covered by ice during the last glaciations (Salzach, Enns) can be correlated with glacial processes. In contrast the ice free catchments of the Mur and Drava are characterized by channels in morphological equilibrium at the first approximation and are showing only weak evidence of the strong tectonic activity within these catchments. Finally, the channel profiles of the Adige and the divide between the upper Rhine and Danube catchments differ significantly from the other catchments. We relate this to the fact that the Adige and the Rhine respond to different base levels from the remainder of the Eastern Alps: The Adige may preserve a record from the Messininan base level change and the Rhine is subject to the base level lowering in the Rhine Graben.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S167498711500078X

Low-temperature thermochronology is a widely used tool for revealing denudation histories of mountain ranges.Although this technique has been applied mainly to continental orogens,such as the European Alps,Himalayas,and Andes,recent technological development of low-temperature thermochronology has made it applicable to a wider variety of mountain ranges with various sizes and tectonic histories.The Japanese Islands comprise young and active island arcs,where an early stage of mountain range formation is observed.Numerous attempts have been made to constrain the uplift and denudation histories of the mountains in the Japanese Islands using geologic,geomorphologic.or geodetic methods.However,the number of thermochronometric attempts has been limited primarily due to the small amount of total denudation since the initiation of the uplift.In this review paper,we introduce the tectonic and geomorphic settings of the mountain ranges in the Japanese Islands,and discuss previous attempts to estimate uplift or denudation of the Japanese mountains using methods other than thermochronology.Furthermore,we discuss problems of the thermochronometric applications in revealing denudation histories of the Japanese mountains.Finally,we present a case study of the Kiso Range in central Japan and discuss the current effectiveness and applicability of low-temperature thermochronology to the Japanese mountainous areas.     

Implications of the fault scaling law for the growth of topography: mountain ranges in the broken foreland of north-east Tibet

A fault scaling law suggests that, over eight orders of magnitude, fault length L is linearly related to maximum displacement D. Individual faults may therefore retain a constant ratio of D/L as they grow. If erosion is minor compared with tectonic uplift, the length and along‐strike relief of young mountain ranges should thus reflect fault growth. Topographic profiles along the crests of mountain ranges in the actively deforming foreland of north‐east Tibet exhibit a characteristic shape with maximum height near their centre and decreasing elevation toward the tips. We interpret the along‐strike relief of these ranges to reflect the slip distribution on high‐angle reverse faults. A geometric model illustrates that the lateral propagation rate of such mountain ranges may be deciphered if their length‐to‐height ratio has remained constant. As an application of the model, we reconstruct the growth of the Heli Shan using a long‐term uplift rate of ～1.3 mm yr^?1 derived from ²¹Ne and ¹⁰Be exposure dating.     

Quaternary sequences and their relations to the pre-Quaternary in the vicinity of Anholt, Kattegat, Scandinavia

The stratigraphic record from a boring penetrating the 104 m thick Quaternary sequence on the island of Anholt is summarized. The spatial distribution of the pre-Quaternary formations and the surface topography of these are described on the basis of reflection seismic profiles. It is concluded that Anholt is located in the crestal zone of a southeast–northwest trending anticline in the pre-Quaternary. The anticline was formed during the Late Cretaceous–Early Tertiary inversion episodes and was later deeply truncated by erosion. A southeast–northwest trending erosional channel, c. 2 km wide and with a maximum depth c. 250 m below sea level, is located southeast of Anholt along the crest of the anticline. This channel is not present at the bore locality. Although no direct correlation from the boring to the seismic profiles could be achieved it is argued that a strong reflection near the base of the Quaternary outside the channel may be correlated with the Saalian–Eemian complex found in the boring. Three younger sequences of probable Early and Middle Weichselian, Late Glacial and Holocene age respectively have been recognized. The Late Glacial and Holocene sediments appear to have been deposited in erosional troughs and channels cut into a sequence of Lower and Middle Weichselian sediments. Post-Eemian till deposits or other evidence unambiguously indicating the presence of Weichselian glaciers have not been found, either in the boring or in the seismic profiles. It is therefore assumed that the erosion of the Lower-Middle Weichselian sequence was of fluvial origin and can be ascribed to the lowstand period of the Weichselian glacial period. The western part of Anholt can possibly be regarded as an erosional remnant of the Lower-Middle Weichselian sequence.     

Estimating uplift rate and erodibility from the area-slope relationship: Examples from Brittany (France) and numerical modelling

We used the local slope/drainage area relationship to derive the basic erosion and tectonic parameters from a topography. Assuming a dynamic equilibrium between uplift and erosion, this relationship is expected to depend quite simply on the rock erodibility, and on the tectonic uplift. This relationship may then be used to quantify independently the effect of lithological variation on the erodibility, and the uplift rate. We tested the method on a computer simulated topography and showed that the uplift information can be precisely calculated from the topographic analysis alone. We then analysed the topography of Brittany (France), and obtained a good agreement with uplift data from comparative levelling studies and river incision analysis.