Recurrence of strong earthquakes in the active Hovd Fault Zone, Mongolian Altay

A geological, geomorphic, and paleoseismological study of paleoseismodislocation systems has been carried out. Numerous indications of prehistoric strong earthquakes expressed in sediments deposited in the fault-line region due to the formation of transient barrier lakes were revealed in the active Hovd Fault Zone on the eastern slope of the Mongolian Altay during a paleoseismological study of young near-surface sediments in trenches and dug pits. The paleosoils buried by these sediments were radiocarbon-dated. It has been established that the strongest earthquakes with magnitudes of ～8, which took place here 7200, 6600, 1500, and later than 700 years ago, substantially changed the topography in the epicentral zone. By analogy with the results of paleoseismological investigations performed in the Gorny Altay and the western Mongolian Altay, the data obtained shed light on the recurrence of the strongest seismic events in the Great Altay.     

Application of Three-Dimensional Laser Scanning and Surveying in Geological Investigation of High Rock Slope

The appearance of 3D laser scanning technology is one of the most important technology revolutions in surveying and mapping field. It can be widely used in many interrelated fields, such as engineering constructions and 3D measurements, owing to its prominent characteristics of the high efficiency and high precision. At present its application is still in the initial state, and it is quite rarely used in China, especially in geotechnical engineering and geological engineering fields. Starting with a general introduction of 3D laser scanning technology, this article studies how to apply the technology to high rock slope investigations. By way of a case study, principles and methods of quick slope documentation and occurrence measurement of discontinuities are discussed and analyzed. Analysis results show that the application of 3D laser scanning technology to geotechnical and geological engineering has a great prospect and value.     

Integrated near surface geophysics across the active Mount Marzano Fault System (southern Italy): seismogenic hints

Here, we describe an original geophysical multi-method approach applied to the Mount Marzano Fault System. This is one of the most hazardous seismogenic faults of the Apennines (Irpinia, southern Italy), and it was responsible for the 1980, Mw 6.9, earthquake, along with many others before. We carried out electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements, and horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) microtremor analysis along several common transects designed across the potential and/or certain fault traces. The data obtained from these non-invasive, inexpensive, expeditious methods mutually integrate with and complement each other, providing a valuable subsurface image of the near surface fault architecture. ERT depicts the general shallow image of the fault zone and of the fault-controlled sedimentary basin, with the depth of the buried bedrock cross-correlated through ambient-noise HVSR results. GPR delineates the very shallow geometry of the fault and of the associated deformation. Coupled with previous paleoseismological studies, these data allow the evaluation of some fault parameters and the precise locating of the fault trace, to aid future paleoseismological investigations aimed at seismic risk reduction programs.     

New findings on the sources of strong earthquakes in Kerch Peninsula based on paleoseismological data

This paper presents the results of the recent paleoseismological studies covering the entire Kerch Peninsula. The Yuzhnoberezhnaya fold-and-thrust belt extending along the southern coast of Crimea in the Black Sea was earlier considered the principal seismogenic structure. Our findings suggest that the seismic hazard on the Kerch Peninsula is largely related to potential strong onshore earthquake sources. The observed discrepancy between instrumental and paleoseismological data suggests that seismic quiescence exists in this region at present.     

Delineating and defining the boundaries of an active landslide in the rainforest of Puerto Rico using a combination of airborne and terrestrial LIDAR data

Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) is a remote sensing technique that uses light, often using pulses from a laser to measure the distance to a target. Both terrestrial- and airborne-based LIDAR techniques have been frequently used to map landslides. Airborne LIDAR has the advantage of identifying large scarps of landslides covered by tree canopies and is widely applied in identifying historical and current active landslides hidden in forested areas. However, because landslides naturally have relatively small vertical surface deformation in the foot area, it is practically difficult to identify the margins of landslide foot area with the limited spatial resolution (few decimeters) of airborne LIDAR. Alternatively, ground-based LIDAR can achieve resolution of several centimeters and also has the advantages of being portable, repeatable, and less costly. Thus, ground-based LIDAR can be used to identify small deformations in landslide foot areas by differencing repeated terrestrial laser scanning surveys. This study demonstrates a method of identifying the superficial boundaries as well as the bottom boundary (sliding plane) of an active landslide in National Rainforest Park, Puerto Rico, USA, using the combination of ground-based and airborne LIDAR data. The method of combining terrestrial and airborne LIDAR data can be used to study landslides in other regions. This study also indicates that intensity and density of laser point clouds are remarkably useful in identifying superficial boundaries of landslides.     

Fold crest degradation and slump deposition in the deepwater Niger Delta,Nigeria

This study uses 3D seismic reflection dataset to investigate the time-integrated growth and degradation of fault-propagation folds and associated slump deposits in the deepwater Niger Delta. The results of the analysis showed that slump deposits are sourced almost entirely from the degradation of growing fold crests—resulting in the development of seaward-facing scarps on the forelimbs of these folds. The scarps develop parallel to fold axes and have dips that range between 4° SW and 20° SW. The constant presence of fan-shaped slump deposits downdip of these scarps suggests a direct relationship to fold crest degradation. Moreover, the spatio-temporal distribution of the slumps also shows a direct relationship with the heights of seabed scarps along the strike of growing folds. Slumps have short run-out distances (generally less than 5 km); however, they also travel long distances downslope (up to 10 km) across growing structures by exploiting relay areas between growing scarps.     

Paleoseismological investigations along Joggers Park Fault,Port Blair,South Andaman: Implications towards delineation of blind thrusting and related crustal deformation through ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity techniques (ERT and VES)

A comprehensive paleoseismological investigations was carried out along Joggers Park Fault (striking NW-SE) reveals pervasive traces of active compressional tectonics (blind thrusting) and shallow-surface recent tectonic signatures along the fault. The geometry and trends in the tectonic deformation of the blind zone (shallow-subsurface stratigraphy) were examined with GPR and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and vertical electrical sounding (VES), strongly demonstrates severe tectonic deformation (persistent tectonic style) from Quaternary to Holocene times in a compressive stress regime. The surface manifestation of deformation (topographic expression) along the fault can be marked as hanging wall uplift and can be visually observed in the exposed sections at nearly half kilometer distance from the table land of Joggers Park in the form of a well-defined disconnected high angle thrust fault scarp (reverse fault). The reverse fault kinematically and intimately linked with underlying fault geometry provides adduced evidence to evaluate strike displacement profiles (displacement length relationship) along the fault. In addition, deformed stacked colluvial wedge below the scarp represents a powerful basis to calibrate recent and long term slip rates of the underlying fault.     

Les failles récentes des Grands-Moulins (Savoie) : un Sackung (tassement gravitaire) majeur dans les Alpes françaises

In Savoy, the Grands-Moulins recent fault scarps, previously interpreted as seismic fault ruptures, are in fact part of a major Sackung (deep seated gravitational spreading) of the French Alps (9 km long). We mapped more than 60 sackung scarps, some of them reaching 1330 m long and 30 m high. These antislope scarps stop the active screes and offset relict Dryassic rock glaciers by 16 m. We present geomorphologic observations attesting for their gravitational origin. This Sackung is primarily due to glacial debuttressing, while seismic shaking could be a triggering mechanism. To cite this article: J.-C. Hippolyte et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

The importance of paleoseismology in seismic hazard studies for critical facilities

This paper is intended to provide a perspective on the use of paleoseismological studies in the seismic hazard assessment of critical facilities, such as dams, chemical/petrochemical facilities and nuclear power plants. In particular, the use of data obtained from paleoseismological studies for probabilistic seismic hazard analyses, when the required probabilities of exceedance are very low (e.g. 10^{− 6}–10^{− 7}) is considered. Recent revisions to the IAEA Safety Standards that provide guidance to Member States in their work related to the seismic safety of nuclear power plants are presented to illustrate the importance of this emerging discipline.     

车载激光扫描数据控制点布设方案研究

该文以提高车载激光扫描数据高程精度为出发点,分析了扫描数据的误差来源。该文提出多种控制点布设方案,以京沪高速部分路段激光扫描数据为例,统计并分析各个控制点布设方案改正结果,为以后车载激光数据外业控制点布设提供参考。     

Indications of late medieval earthquakes in the Talas-Fergana Fault Zone,Tien Shan

A paleoseismological study in the Talas-Fergana Fault Zone of the Tien Shan was accompanied by age determination of ancient seismic events. The calibrated radiocarbon datings of recent and buried soils allowed us to recognize the fault segments reactivated during strong earthquakes that occurred in the 14th- 16th centuries A.D. The magnitude of the paleoseismological event in the 16th century was no lower than 7.0 and no lower than IX in seismic intensity.     

The recent fault scarps of the Western Alps (France): Tectonic surface ruptures or gravitational sackung scarps? A combined mapping, geomorphic, levelling, and Be dating approach

In the Western Alps, some recent scarps were previously interpreted as surface ruptures of tectonic reverse and normal faults that agree with microseismicity and GPS measurements. Our analysis shows that in fact there are hundreds of recent scarps, up to 30 m high and 2.1 km long, with only pure normal motions. They share the same characteristics as typical sackung scarps. The scarps are mainly uphill facing, parallel to the ridge crests and the contour lines. They are relatively short (less than 2.1 km) with respect to tectonic fault ruptures, and organized in swarms. They cut screes and relict rock glaciers with a slow (commonly 1 mm/year) average slip rate. In the Aiguilles Grives massif these sackung scarps clearly express the gravitational toppling of sub-vertical bedding planes in hard rocks. In contrast, the Belledonne Outer Crystalline Massif exhibits scarps that stem from the gravitational reactivation of conjugate tectonic faults. The recent faults extend to about 1600 m beneath the Rognier ridge crest, but are always above the valley floor. The main scarp swarm is 9.2 km long and constitutes the largest sackung ever described in the Western Alps. ¹⁰Be dating of a scarp and offset surfaces shows that > 4 m slip may have occurred rapidly (in less than 3800 years) sometimes between the end of the glaciation and 8800 ± 1900 years ago. This dating, together with the location of some faults far from the deep glacial valleys, suggests that sagging might have been triggered by strong earthquakes during a post-glacial period of probably enhanced seismicity. The Belledonne and Synclinal Median faults (just beneath the Rognier sackung) could have been the sources of this seismicity.     

三维激光扫描技术及其在岩土工程中的应用

地面三维激光扫描技术是一项较新的数据收集与分析技术,它可以快速扫描目标,获得高密度,高精度的目标空间坐标,配合后处理软件,进行各种测绘、分析、仿真工作。介绍了三维激光扫描技术的原理,对目前的主要激光扫描硬件进行了比较,最后介绍了三维激光扫描技术在岩土工程应用的主要两个方面：边坡变形监测与岩石裂隙面勘察。相比常规监测和地质调查技术,三维激光扫描技术具有高精度、速度快、节省人工的优势,具有较大的应用潜力。     

Arshan palaeoseismic feature of the Tunka fault (Baikal rift zone,Russia)

The traditional concept of the rift development of flank depressions in the Baikal rift zone is now doubted in view of some indicators for compression deformations identified by the seismogeological and geodetic methods. Besides, the paleoseismological investigations revealed seismogenic strike-slips and reverse faults in the Tunka fault zone that is a major structure-controlling element of the Tunka rift depression. However, a detailed study of the upslope-facing scarp in the Arshan paleoseismogenic structure zone has shown that its formation might be due to rift mechanism of basin formation. Age estimation has been made for the previously unknown pre-historic earthquake whose epicentral area coincides with the western flank of the Arshan paleoseismogenic structure. Judging from previously determined ages of paleoearthquakes, the mean recurrence period for faulting events on the central Tunka fault is 2780–3440 years.     

Seismotectonic Deformation of the Early Medieval Fortress Wall of Derbent (Dagestan)

Doklady Earth Sciences - The results of the latest research on active faults in Southern Dagestan, in the area of Derbent, using the paleoseismological and archeoseismological methods are...     

From plate tectonics to the design of the Dul Hasti hydroelectric project in Kashmir (India)

The Dul Hasti hydroelectric scheme, which consists of a 65-m high gravity dam, a 10.6-kin long headrace tunnel and an underground powerhouse, is being built on the Chenab River, a tributary of the Indus River, within the Himalayan Range of Kashmir, India. This paper shows how the geological knowledge at the time of signature of the contracts between the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation and a French consortium in September 1989 was radically modified through successive on-site investigations, geological field surveys and seismotectonic analyses carried out at various scales. The actual geological, tectonic, geotechnical and hydrogeological conditions discovered in the last three years (active faulting, deep infilled graben, sheath folds, general mylonitisation of the rockmass, confined aquifers with very high heads of water, widespread opening along joints filled with silty material highly susceptible to untamping and piping under even low heads of water) have led the designer to modify the tunnel layout, the tunnel design, and the construction methods. In particular, the assessment of tunnelling conditions requires modifying the Tunnel Boring Machine and installing additional equipment for frequent advance investigations ahead of the tunnel face,and special treatments of zones of low mechanical properties. An identified joint filled with silty material under a high head of water will be crosscut by (a) drilling a complete ring of pressure relief holes crossing the jointaround the tunnel, (b) a special grouting treatment under very high pressure including cement grouts and silica gels or in some cases resins, and (c) increasing the final lining of the tunnel using a high strength concrete to bear the full ground-water pressure. On crossing rock formations with reduced mechanical properties, (a) long and numerous rock bolts(or full-length adhesive anchors) will have to be implemented near the tunnel head to prevent further softening of the rock during radial plastic deformation and (b) the external diameter of the tunnel will have to be increased to maintain the final internal diameter and the minimum foreseen concrete lining thickness. The sequence of investigations performed since 1960 highlights the fact that the acquisition of such an extremely complex geological and tectonic database is a long, difficult and ongoing process. Moreover, it shows that a reliable estimation of geological tunnelling conditions (geology, hydrogeology, old and active tectonics and geotechnics) depends on an understanding of the present and past geodynamics of a given region at different scales: from plate tectonics to fault scarps and microtectonics.     

Control of slope deformations in high seismic area: Results from the Gulf of Corinth observatory site (Greece)

The northern coast of the Peloponnesus (Greece) is characterized by high seismic activity related to the Gulf of Corinth opening with an extension rate of 16 mm y^− 1. Studies presented in this paper focus on the characterization of links between tectonic and slope deformations on the Panagopoula slope, located on the southern coast. The approach is centred on qualitative and quantitative data acquisition based on geological and geomorphological investigations, geophysical imagery by electrical resistivity tomography and slope displacement monitoring.Firstly, we highlight two different types of slope deformation on Panagopoula: a superficial landslide affecting weathered limestone, and a large-scale deformation without global failure expressed in the field. Tectonic features play a major role in these two dynamic processes, taking into account the strong geometrical link between the inherited fractures and gravitational scarps mapped in the field.Secondly, the displacements survey network, distributed on both sides of a significant fault crossing the slope, allows the quantification of slope displacements underlying two components: (i) a gravitational sliding (N010) along the slope, and (ii) a supposed tectonic component (N240).     

雨海哥白尼纪月岭的构造样式与演化过程研究

月岭是月球表面月海中分布最广的一种线性构造。虽然月岭的形貌特点已被广泛认识,但它的演化机制与过程却一直存在争论。月球目前所处的地质历史时期哥白尼纪形成的另一种线性构造叶状陡坎已被发现,改变了之前人类普遍认为月球自31亿年以来再无构造活动的认识,但月岭发育的时代特征还未确定,因此,对月岭成因过程和形成时代的研究是认识月球表面构造形成机制和月球演化过程的关键。基于美国勘测轨道飞行器(LRO)数据,对雨海地区的月岭构造进行解译;利用小型撞击坑直径与形貌相对关系定年法结合月岭与小型撞击坑的交切关系,证明在哥白尼纪月球表面仍然有月岭发育,进一步证实月球表面仍然有构造运动发生。利用哥白尼纪叶状陡坎的成因机制,文中设计了基底收缩作用下的月岭砂箱构造物理模拟实验,并设置不同参数多次反复模拟,将模拟结果的顶面和剖面形态以及构造样式与实际月岭进行了对比分析。模拟结果与实际月岭各项特征基本吻合,得出基底收缩可以作为哥白尼纪月岭的形成机制;此外,通过实验发现在这一机制下月岭是由先形成的叶状陡坎构造发展而来,并在月岭发育后又有新的叶状陡坎形成。通过实验过程的监测以及对实验数据的测算,发现月岭的演化过程经历塑性变形期、叶状陡坎发育期、月岭形成期和月岭成形后的叶状陡坎再发育期4个时期;月岭与叶状陡坎并不是受物质与环境约束完全独立发育的两类线性构造,在哥白尼纪以收缩为动力来源的应力环境下可以互相转化。     

三维激光扫描技术在施工地质编录中的应用

三维激光扫描技术在地质编录中的应用,改变了传统的“皮尺＋罗盘”的地质编录模式,使地质编录同时具有高效率、高精度和高效益的独特优势。论文对三维激光扫描技术做了简要的介绍,应用该技术与工程实践相结合,论述了三维激光扫描技术在地质编录过程中对扫描信息的解译过程与方法,对编录区域做出了岩体质量评价,证明了三维激光扫描技术的在地质编录中的实用性和有效性,充分展示了该项技术在地质应用中的光明前景。