Role of aeolian sediment accretion in the formation of heuweltjie earth mounds,western South Africa

The action of organisms in shaping landforms is increasingly recognized; the field of biogeomorphology and the conceptual framework of ecosystem engineering have arisen in response to the need for integrated studies of the interactions between biotic and abiotic components of landscapes. Pathways by which organisms influence landscape development may be complex. For example, primary change initiated by one biotic element may initiate a cascade of other changes that eventually produce a significant landscape modification. Mound‐like landforms in North America and southern Africa are widely cited examples of biogenic structures, yet there is considerable controversy regarding the processes responsible for their formation. Heuweltjies (Afrikaans for little hills) are circular mounds ranging from 10–30 m diameter and 0.5–2 m height and are widespread in western South Africa. Colonies of the termite (Microhodotermes viator) are typically associated with heuweltjies and some investigators have attributed heuweltjie formation to the direct action of termites in redistributing earthen materials. However, rather than being directly responsible in this way, termites simply create nutrient‐rich islands, which support denser vegetation, thereby inducing the localized accretion of aeolian sediments and upward growth of mounds. Contrasting soil features in heuweltjies in one locale indicate these processes have occurred throughout the late Quaternary. Geographic variation in sizes of mounds is explained in part by the local availability of sediments that can be mobilized and redistributed by the wind. Recognition of the operation of aeolian processes in the formation of heuweltjies has important implications for conservation. Any land use that diminishes the sediment‐trapping effect of vegetation on heuweltjies truncates the very process by which new aeolian materials can accrue and may promote irreversible erosion and landscape degradation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Perennial frost blisters of the outer Mackenzie Delta,western Arctic coast,Canada

Saturated floodplains in Arctic deltas provide conditions favourable for frost mound growth. Little work has been reported from these settings to determine the origin of frost mounds and the controls on their distribution, to assess the longevity of individual mounds, or to quantify variation of mound distribution over time. A case study is presented on low mounds in low‐centred syngenetic ice‐wedge polygons of Big Lake Delta Plain, outer Mackenzie Delta. In 2008 and 2009, 12 mounds were examined by drilling to describe their morphologic variations and to investigate their growth processes. The mounds, containing a core of ice 15 to 58 cm thick, were less than 1 m high and 3 · 7 to 8 · 5 m in diameter; other mounds were over 10 m long. Organic inclusions in the ice, bubble densities, electrical conductivity profiles, and ice‐crystal structure indicated that the mounds were hydrostatic frost blisters. Up to six frost blisters were found within individual polygons due to the relatively small volume of water needed to create each mound. Frost‐blister densities, of greater than 1700 km^–2, increased toward the wet centres of alluvial islands down gentle topographic gradients. The frost blisters were perennial, with individuals remaining identifiable on aerial photographs and satellite images for up to 10 years. Frost blisters collapsed along dilation cracks opened by hydrostatic uplift and by thawing from their sides caused by snow drifting and water ponding. Cyclical growth and decay of the mounds may degrade the visible polygonal network over time. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biogeomorphology in the marine landscape: Modelling the feedbacks between patches of the polychaete worm Lanice conchilega and tidal sand waves

Tidal sand waves are dynamic bedforms found in coastal shelf seas. Moreover, these areas are inhabited by numerous benthic species, of which the spatial distribution is linked to the morphological structure of sand waves. In particular, the tube-building worm Lanice conchilegais of interest as this organism forms small mounds on the seabed, which provide shelter to other organisms. We investigate how the interactions between small-scale mounds (height ∼dm) and large-scale sand waves (height ∼m) shape the bed of the marine environment. To this end, we present a two-way coupled process-based model of sand waves and tube-building worm patches in Delft3D. The population density evolves according to a general law of logistic growth, with the bed shear stress controlling the carrying capacity. Worm patches are randomly seeded and the tubes are mimicked by small cylinders that influence flow and turbulence, thereby altering sediment dynamics. Model results relate the patches with the highest worm densities to the sand wave troughs, which qualitatively agrees with field observations. Furthermore, the L. conchilegatubes trigger the formation of sandy mounds on the seabed. Because of the population density distribution, the mounds in the troughs can be several centimetres higher than on the crests. Regarding sand wave morphology, the combination of patches and mounds are found to shorten the time-to-equilibrium. Also, if the initial bed comprised small sinusoidal sand waves, the equilibrium wave height decreased with a few decimetres compared to the situation without worm patches. As the timescale of mound formation (years) is shorter than that of sand wave evolution (decades), the mounds induce (and accelerate) sand wave growth on a similar spatial scale to the mounds. Initially, this leads to shorter sand waves than they would be in an abiotic environment. However, near equilibrium the wavelengths tend towards their abiotic counterparts again. © 2020 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd     

Multi-stage volcanism in the Ulleung Back-arc Basin, East Sea (Sea of Japan)

Abstract Multichannel seismic reflection profiling in the Ulleung back-arc Basin reveals that the acoustic basement largely comprises volcanic materials. The volcanics are interlayered with sediment sequences, forming an anomalously thick layer. The volcanic activities resulted in a zonation of the acoustic basement, trending northeast-southwest. In the southeastern part, the acoustic basement is deep and obscure, whereas in the northwestern part it is shallow and forms mounds and seamounts. The volcanic activities were probably initiated in the Early Miocene ( ca 20Ma). The volcanism was time-transgressive northward, associated with the possible southward drift of the Japanese islands.     

Segregated ice structures in various heaved permafrost landforms through CT Scan

The growth of segregated ice lenses in frost susceptible sediments in the discontinuous permafrost zone is the dominant mechanism for the formation of permafrost mounds, such as palsas, lithalsas and permafrost plateaus. Thawing of these mounds creates thermokarst lakes, which are particularly abundant in Nunavik, east of the Hudson Bay area. The inception of the permafrost in mounds and their growth are regulated by climate conditions, by local Quaternary geology and by environmental factors such as topography, vegetation, snow cover and surface humidity. Variable sizes and morphology of the permafrost mounds can be attributed to local factors that affect the ice segregation process, particularly the supply of water needed for ice‐lens growth and grain‐size composition of the soil into which aggradation takes place. Computer image analysis of CT scans on high quality cores obtained from permafrost mounds and plateaus of various shapes reveal that the ice layer sequences and permafrost internal structure vary with landform types. A relationship therefore exists between different morphological type within a family of landforms and their microscale internal structure. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Basaltic pillow mounds in the Vinalhaven intrusion, Maine

The Vinalhaven intrusion is a dominantly granitic pluton of probable Devonian age, located on Vinalhaven Island and adjacent islands, Maine. It consists of four main units: coarse-grained granite, fine-grained granite, a gabbro-diorite unit consisting of interlayered mafic, hybrid and granitic rocks, and a heterogeneous granitic unit. The gabbro-diorite unit occurs along the south and east coast of the island as a sheet-like body, hundreds of meters to more than 1 km thick, that dips beneath the central granitic units and rests on heterogeneous granitic rocks that form the base of the intrusion and are exposed on islands to the southeast. Load-cast and pipe structures at the bases of mafic sheets indicate that the gabbro-diorite unit represents a sequence of basaltic injections that ponded on crystal-rich mush at the base of a silicic magma chamber and variably interacted with overlying crystal-poor granitic magma. The pluton, therefore, represents a fossilized silicic magma chamber that was periodically replenished by basaltic magma. Near the base of the gabbro-diorite unit, some basaltic injections produced large mounds up to more than 10 m high and 100 m wide of tightly packed, meter-scale chilled basaltic pillows, tubes and sheets in a granitic matrix. The mounds appear to represent flow fronts of basaltic injections that entered and ponded on the floor of a silicic magma chamber. Although physical conditions differ significantly, these plutonic pillow mounds appear to share many characteristics with submarine pillow basalts and lava flows.     

Contaminant exposures at the 4H shell mounds in the Santa Barbara Channel

Remobilization, bioavailability, and potential toxicity of chemical contaminants were evaluated at the 4H shell mounds – the site of abandoned offshore oil and gas production platforms in the Santa Barbara Channel region of the Southern California Bight. Evaluations used a weight-of-evidence approach based on results from bulk phase chemical analyses and laboratory toxicity testing of shell mound cores, in situ field bioassays using caged mussels, and surficial sediment chemistry. Shell mound cores contained elevated concentrations of metals associated with drilling wastes (e.g., Ba, Cr, Pb, and Zn), as well as monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The highest concentrations along with pockets of free oil were associated with the middle “cuttings” stratum. Sediments composited from all core strata caused significant acute toxicity and bioaccumulation of Ba and PAHs in test organisms during laboratory exposures. In contrast, caged mussels placed at each of the shell mounds for a period of 57–58 days had greater than 90% survival, and there were no significant differences in survival of mussels placed at the shell mounds and corresponding reference sites. While all mussel samples exhibited increases in shell length, whole animal weight, and tissue lipid content, in some cases growth metrics for the shell mound mussels were significantly higher than those for the reference sites. Concentrations of metals, PAHs, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in tissues of the shell mound mussels were not significantly different from those at reference sites. The presence of labile aromatic hydrocarbons in shell mound cores and absence of significant contaminant accumulation of tissues of caged mussels indicated that chemical contaminants are not being remobilized from the 4H shell mounds. Surficial bottom sediments near the shell mounds contained elevated Ba concentrations that probably were associated with drilling wastes. However, concentrations did not exhibit clear spatial gradients with distance from the shell mounds. Despite a number of storm events during the mussel exposures, maximum currents were 34 cm s⁻¹ and unlikely to erode materials from the shell mounds. Thus, Ba distributions in bottom sediments probably were due to episodic disturbance such as platform removal or trawling rather than ongoing erosion and dispersion of shell mound solids by near-bottom currents. These results suggest that, in the absence of physical disturbances, contaminants are expected to remain sequestered in the shell mounds.     

A meta‐analysis of reef island response to environmental change on the Great Barrier Reef

Reef islands on the Great Barrier Reef are influenced by a range of environmental factors. A meta‐analysis of 103 islands is presented to express variation in island size (area and volume) as a function of latitudinal and cross shelf gradients in regional oceanographic factors (exposure to incident waves, tidal range and tropical cyclone frequency) and local physical factors (position on the shelf, area, length and depth of supporting reef platform, vegetative cover). Models performed well for unvegetated sandcays (R² = 0.89), vegetated sandcays (R² = 0·72) and low wooded islands (R² = 0.78), with a moderate level of variation explained when all islands were simultaneously regressed (R² = 0.58). Future island dynamics were simulated for anticipated changes in cyclone regime, wave activity and sea level. For 38 islands mapped on the 1973 Royal Society and Universities of Queensland Expedition to the Northern Great Barrier Reef, change over the same 22 year period (1973–1995) was determined and the relative magnitude of observed and modelled changes was compared and found to be consistent through rank correlation analysis (Γ = 0.84 for unvegetated sandcays, Γ = 0.81 for vegetated sandcays). Simulations of island area or volume change from 2000 to 2100 indicated that under a 30% decrease in tropical cyclone activity, unvegetated sandcays continue to accrete at a lower rate, whereas all island types erode under a 38% increase in tropical cyclone activity. Vegetated sandcays initially accrete at higher levels of cyclone activity, entering an erosive state with a 60% increase in activity. Low wooded islands are unresponsive to environmental changes modelled. A sensitivity analysis of vegetated and unvegetated sandcays indicated that the presence of vegetation increases the tropical cyclone activity threshold at which islands begin to erode. Greatest sedimentary losses occur within the central band of high cyclone activity between Cooktown and Mackay. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Channels,wetlands and islands in the Okavango Delta,Botswana, and their relation to hydrological and sedimentological processes

The Okavango wetland in northern Botswana is one of the world's largest inland deltas. The delta is a dynamic environment with shifting channel routes, causing growth and decay of ?anking wetlands, and giving birth to islands. Primary island nuclei are formed by ?uvial processes and bioengineering, and subsequently grow into secondary larger islands of irregular shape by clastic and chemical sedimentation, and later by coalescence. This article presents classi?cations and quantitative estimations of channels, wetlands and islands of the Okavango Delta. Islands were classi?ed dependent on composition, pattern of composition, shape and juxtaposition. 90 per cent of all islands in the entire wetland were identi?ed, with a classi?cation accuracy of 60 to 85 per cent. Smaller islands of the nucleus types dominate the upper parts of the delta, whereas larger secondary islands are more common in the distal part, a re?ection of the age of the islands. Islands in the entry valley of the delta, the Panhandle, are larger in the top end – the primary region of recent clastic sedimentation. The overall size distribution of islands in the delta, however, shows no clumps, indicating that island growth is a uniform process over time and space. The total area ?ooded at least every decade is approximately 14 000 km², of which 9000 km² is classi?ed as actual wetland. Channel meandering decreases from the Panhandle to the distal part of the delta, with the abandoned Thaoge channel as an exception. Occurrence of ?uvially formed islands in the distal delta indicates that the water ?ow and area of inundation must once have been much larger. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Insights of long-term geomorphological evolution of coastal landscapes in hot-spot oceanic islands

The Canary Islands form a volcanic archipelago in which a west–east (W–E) chain of progressively older and less active islands can be observed. In the Canary Islands, unlike most hot-spot archipelagos, certain geodynamic peculiarities have promoted longer periods of island survival, exceeding 20 Myr. This factor makes these islands a suitable context for this work, which aims to analyze extensively the coastal geomorphic structure on islands with different development states. For this, three islands in different volcanic phases were selected: La Palma (1.8 Myr), Gran Canaria (14.5 Myr) and Fuerteventura (22.6 Myr). An ad hoc landform-based hierarchical taxonomy was designed to analyze the coastal geomorphic structure of the three islands. Based on a multi-sourced analysis in geographic information system (GIS) and field recognition, a comprehensive cartographic database was collected using the coastline data-storing (CDS) method as a feature abundance proxy. Three different aspects of the geomorphological structure were compared and related between the islands: (i) composition, (ii) abundance and (iii) diversity. Through their comparison, we attempt to explore geomorphological aspects of coastal evolution over geological spatiotemporal scales. Composition was explored analyzing the distribution of the feature's longshore frequencies (p). Abundance, by metrics of local abundance (N_∩) and whole density (N_U). Diversity, through four indices: normalized richness (S) and Margalef index (M) to estimate richness; Simpson index (D) and Shannon index (H’) to estimate evenness. We identified a systematic transformation in the dominant landform composition and a systematic trend in increasing geomorphological abundance and diversity from younger to older islands. The results show a long-term structural pattern defined by the increase in coastal geomorphic complexity (abundance and diversity) over geological time, as the coasts evolve from predominantly rocky-erosive to increasingly clastic-depositional environments. This long-term geomorphological pattern may be a general aspect of hot-spot island archipelagos, which can bring a new perspective to the knowledge of their coastal evolution. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

REPLY: PEAT MOUNDS WITH NON-UNIFORM PROPERTIES

In estimating the form of a peat mound from the equilibrium water table position, the assumption that hydraulic conductivity shows an exponential decline with depth (as used in the Armstrong (Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 1995, 20 , 473–477) analysis) may be questioned in some circumstances. However, this does not invalidate the use of the hydrologic model for peat mounds, and results are presented which could be used to evaluate other forms of the depth-dependent relationship.     

Coastal geomorphic chronosequences across broad spatiotemporal scales. Metrical observations from the Cape Verde hotspot

The study of the coastal landscapes of hotspot oceanic islands through comprehensive structural metrics and ecological estimators represents an opportunity to explore geomorphological transformations and broad spatiotemporal scale features of coastal evolution. As part of this approach, a new metrical comparative analysis is presented in this study, comprising four islands in different evolutionary stages. They belong to the Cape Verde archipelago, which forms a double insular chain in which an east–west gradient in age and evolution is particularly evident across the southern chain. A space-for-time (SFT) substitution approach is applied to the coasts of (1) Fogo, in the shield stage; (2) Santiago, in the early post-erosional stage; (3) São Vicente, in the advanced post-erosional stage; and (4) Boa Vista, in the last erosional stage. From the obtained spatial distributions and frequencies of landforms, the coastal landscapes of these islands are compared in relation to their (i) geomorphic composition, using similarity indices (Whittaker, β_w, Sorensen, C_s) and nestedness estimators (NOFD, WNODF), (ii) geomorphic abundance, using morpho-assembling densities (D_gm), and (iii) geomorphic diversity, using six alpha-diversity indices (Richness, S, Menhinick, D_MN, Simpson, D, Shannon, H', Berger-Parker, d, and Brillouin, HB). An advanced geomorphological taxonomy is implemented for areas with limited open-access data, including a set of planform features captured through scale-frequency decomposition. Photographic, cartographic and fieldwork data are used for landform identification at 1200 random sampling points, empirically determined by a bootstrap method. The results show a chronological ordering of the compared variables and a possible co-evolution towards an increase in organizational geomorphic complexity of coastal systems at broad space-timescales. The method proposed in this study can contribute, from a metrical perspective, to finding new long-term evolutionary features and constitutes an advance in the development of an integrated model of coastal evolution in oceanic islands. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preferential groundwater flow through a sorted net landscape,Arctic Canada

Preferential suprapermafrost groundwater flow was observed in deepened channels lying between raised frost mounds. Here, saturated hydraulic conductivity, k, ranged from 90 to 1000 m/day but was only 0·1–1·0 m/day in the mound centres. A high proportion of fines occurs in the frost mound centre due to particle sorting, while channels contain gravels. Three approaches of areal weighting of k and groundwater flow, Q _s, across a wetland–upland boundary were explored. When percentage area covered by channels, mounds or gravel was considered, estimates of water flow on a daily and seasonal basis fell by 30 to 50 per cent. This study is of relevance to northern scientists who require reliable estimates of groundwater flow across patterned ground landscapes. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of microrelief on water erosion and their changes during rainfall

Soil surface roughness contains two elementary forms, depressions and mounds, which affect water flow on the surface differently. While depressions serve as temporary water storage, mounds divert water away from their local summits. Although roughness impacts on runoff and sediment production have been studied, almost no studies have been designed explicitly to quantify the evolution of depressions and mounds and how this impacts runoff generation and sediment delivery. The objectives of this study were to analyze how different surface forms affect runoff and sediment delivery and to measure the changes in surface depressions and mounds during rainfall events. A smooth surface was used as the control. Both mounds and depressions delayed the runoff initiating time, but to differing degrees; and slightly reduced surface runoff when compared to the runoff process from the smooth surface. Surface mounds significantly increased sediment delivery, whilst depressions provided surface storage and hence reduced sediment delivery. However, as rainfall continued and rainfall intensity increased, the depression effect on runoff and erosion gradually decreased and produced even higher sediment delivery than the smooth surface. Depressions and mounds also impacted the particle size distribution of the discharged sediments. Many more sand‐sized particles were transported from the surface with mounds than with depressions. The morphology of mounds and depressions changed significantly due to rainfall, but to different extents. The difference in change had a spatial scale effect, i.e. erosion from each mound contributed to its own morphological change while sediments deposited in a depression came from a runoff contributing area above the depression, hence a much greater source area than a single mound. The results provide a mechanistic understanding of how soil roughness affects runoff and sediment production. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The chemistry of hydrothermal mounds near the Galapagos Rift

Samples dredged from the sediment mounds have a unique chemistry and mineralogy which reveals details of the hydrothermal processes that produce these deposits. The mounds form primarily by deposition of Fe, Mn and Si from hydrothermal fluids which circulate through the basalt crust and the overlying sediments. The Mn, Fe and Si are strongly fractionated in the process; the Fe and Si precipitate within the mounds under slightly reducing conditions as nontronite, while the Mn is deposited as Mn oxyhydroxides at the seawater-sediment interface. The nontronite is exceptionally well crystallized, and contains less than 200 ppm Al. The Mn minerals, todorokite and birnessite, also have exceptional crystallinity and the distribution of trace elements Cu, Ni, Zn, Co, Ca and Ba in these phases agrees with predictions made on the basis of models of their crystal structure. The environment of deposition which produces this suite of minerals — slow percolation of hydrothermal fluids through pelagic sediments — may not be unique to the Galapagos Rift, as the same suite of minerals has been found in similar setting in the Gulf of Aden and on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.     

近40年来南四湖湿地NDVI变化特征及其控制因子分析

利用Landsat系列卫星的MSS、TM和ETM+遥感数据,计算了研究区的归一化植被指数(NDVI),并以此为湿地植被活动的指标,研究1973 2011年间该湿地植被变化特征及年内季节变化特征,揭示植被活动在年内和年际变化的控制因子以及湿地植被对于气候变化、人类活动和极端干旱事件的响应特征.结果表明:(1)近40年来南四湖湿地植被各个季节的变化特征不尽相同.春季NDVI呈现先降低后增加的特征,主要先后受到研究区围垦、渔业养殖等人为活动和气候变化(增温)的影响;夏季和冬季的NDVI呈现显著降低趋势,主要受到围垦、渔业养殖等人类活动的影响;秋季NDVI的变化不显著.(2)年内季节变化方面,湿地植被面积和NDVI都呈现单峰的变化特征,从春季开始增加,在夏季末(全年的第202和205 d)达到最大值,然后开始下降,到冬季降至最低.植被的年内季节变化特征主要受到月均温度的控制.(3)干旱在一定程度上不是湖泊湿地NDVI增加的限制因子.干旱导致湖泊水位下降,滨湖滩地及湖底露出,可能会促进湿地植被生长和植被面积的扩大,使得湿地NDVI增加.     

强潮汐激发地震火山活动的新证据

强潮汐与火山地震活动密切相关. 天文资料表明, 2000年6月到8月日本Izu半岛最活跃的火山地震活动正好处于天文大潮时期和日长变化最小值时期. 在厄尔尼诺事件和拉尼娜事件发生前后,东西太平洋海面高度分别升降40cm, 水均衡作用使洋壳反向升降13cm. 由此形成的东西太平洋地壳跷跷板运动加强了强潮汐对地震火山活动的激发作用.     

Evidence for transform faulting in the Ionian sea: The Cephalonia island earthquake sequence of 1983

Accurate locations of aftershocks of the January 17, 1983 (M _s=7.0) main shock in the Ionian islands have been determined, as well as fault plane solutions for this main shock and its largest aftershock, which are interpreted as a right-lateral, strike-slip motion with a thrust component, on a fault striking in about a NE-SW direction.This is considered as a transform fault in the northwesternmost part of the Hellenic arc.     

Controls on the sexual and asexual regeneration of Salicaceae along a highly dynamic, braided river system

Salicaceae are key pioneer riparian tree species that have the ability to reproduce sexually and asexually. Recent research has suggested that Salicaceae act as ‘ecosystem engineers’, modifying hydrological and geomorphological processes, resulting in the stabilisation and growth of landforms. Understanding these interactions requires knowledge of the controls on Salicaceae regeneration. This paper describes a study of Salicaceae establishment and growth along a reach of a highly dynamic, island-braided river. The sexual and asexual regeneration of three species were investigated using experimental planting of cuttings and observation of seedlings. Plots were located at a range of elevations, in different habitats associated with the established riparian vegetation and in contrasting sediment types. Survival and growth were monitored over two growing seasons. Asexual regeneration was more successful than sexual regeneration, with cuttings demonstrating faster growth rates and tolerance of broader environmental conditions than seedlings. Cutting survival and growth was highest in sediments with a relatively high organic content and in plots located between patchy Salicaceae stands or in the lee of islands. Seedling mortality was extremely high due to fluvial disturbance, although seedlings in habitats that were protected from fluvial disturbance survived. Seedling growth showed preferences for particular sedimentary conditions, which varied between species. The major control on regeneration was the upstream presence of established Salicaceae, particularly on islands, which provided open sites that were protected from fluvial disturbance and suitable for regeneration. Thus, asexual regeneration facilitated sexual regeneration by rapidly colonising sites that provided habitats protected from fluvial disturbance for seedling establishment. This supports previous work suggesting that Salicaceae can act as ‘ecosystem engineers’.     

熊家冢古墓电阻率层析成像探测

为了合理地设计熊家冢古墓的后续考古发掘工作,需要对其主冢和陪冢的位置和墓室埋深等进行地球物理探测。电阻率层析成像具有无损性的优点,利用该技术对熊家冢古墓的主冢和陪冢进行了试验性探测。在探测中,分别布设了展布南北和东西的2条测线来控制主冢和陪冢。根据反演后的电阻率图像,估算了主冢和陪冢的位置和尺寸,为古墓的后续考古挖掘工作设计提供了基本参数。