A Comprehensive Approach to the Observation and Prevention of Debris Flows in China

This paper presents a classification of debris flows in China. These are classified into four related types according to their formation factors, material components, fluid properties, and movement patterns. Details of field observations of debris flow in China are also given. Several ways of using the parameters of debris flow are listed as well as their applied results. Some equations are formulated using velocity, discharge, and impact force. In addition, the paper presents a comprehensive approach to the prevention of debris flows.     

Behaviour of chlorine prior and during the 79 A.D. Plinian eruption of Vesuvius (southern Italy) as inferred from the present distribution in glassy mesostases and whole-pumices

This study deals with the distribution of chlorine in glassy mesostases and whole-pumices from the 79 A.D. Plinian eruption (Somma–Vesuvius volcanic complex, Italy). This explosive event produced a prominent Plinian fall deposit followed by flows and surges. The fall deposit can be divided into two sub-units on the basis of an abrupt change in colour at approximately mid-level: a phonolitic white pumice layer at the base and a tephriphonolitic grey pumice layer at the top. Due to its hybrid nature (a mixture of k-tephritic, tephriphonolitic and phonolitic magmas), information on chlorine behaviour in tephriphonolitic magma has been inferred only by means of mass balance calculations. In the white pumices, chlorine concentrations show constant whole-pumice values, whereas glassy mesostases display significant compositional variations. These variations have been linked to the cryptocrystallisation of leucite in glassy mesostases, which affected the original melt compositions just before and during the eruptive event. In this framework, whole-pumice appears to better represent the pre-eruptive melt compositions. Using chlorine concentration in whole-pumices, a three-stage model of chlorine behaviour prior and during the eruptive event is predicted: (i) free variation during Rayleigh fractionation, according to a system with variance greater than zero; (ii) exsolution of volatile chlorine compounds (e.g., metal chlorides), when chlorine reaches its solubility limit in silicate melt, in coexisting hyper-saline and in dilute immiscible fluids; the variance of the system is zero at a given temperature and pressure; (iii) residual syn-eruptive variable enrichment of chlorine in the melt due to cryptocrystallization of leucite, suggesting a very minor loss of chlorine in the gas phase during the eruption. Although chlorine does not behave as a volatile element during the eruption, it is present in the volcanic plume. This is due to the postulated ‘excess' fluid phase containing chlorine that formed in the magma chamber prior to the eruption. The homogeneous distribution of chlorine in whole pumices, in contrast with a well-established chemical and isotopic layering in Vesuvian magmas prior to Pompei eruption, suggests that the trace element zonation is not directly linked to chlorine distribution in silicic melts.     

Volcanic Eruption Induced Floods. A Rainfall-Runoff Model Applied to the Vesuvian Region (Italy)

Explosive events are commonly accompanied or followed byheavy rains. These eruption-induced storms together with thedeposition of large amounts of ash contribute to destabilise thehydrological cycle in the areas affected by volcanic eruptions.Flooding of the region surrounding the active volcano can easilyfollow, increasing the complexity of the volcanic crisis and itsmanagement. This is particularly true in the case of Vesuvius,that is not only characterized by a dramatic volcanic hazard, butit is also located within an area that is normally prone to flood hazard. A complete assessment of the impact associated with explosive volcaniceruptions should involve a flood hazard assessment for the region.This work represents a first attempt to address the problem: atopographically based rainfall-runoff model was here applied to theVesuvian area where two main sub-basins were analysed. The modelwas applied to evaluate the role of selected parameters on the totaldischarge at the basins' outlet. These parameters were chosen amongthose likely to be affected by an explosive event and were variedthrough a reasonable range. Results confirm that the deposition oflarge amounts of ash can affect the temporal evolution of the dischargeand its maximum value, for a given precipitation event. The simulationspresented outline the need for a detailed flood forecasting study for theVesuvian area, that should be included within the hazard mitigation strategies.     

A note on the origin of Mussoorie phosphorite in the Lower Himalaya,and its palaeogeographic implications by A. M. Patwardhan and A. D. Ahluwalia

Mineralium Deposita -     

祁连山中部公元904年以来树木年轮记录的旱涝变化

利用取自祁连山中部地区的树木年轮样本和该地区3个站点的降水资料,应用年轮气候学方法,重建了祁连山中部地区的降水量.自公元904年以来,该地区历经了31次相对干期和30次相对湿润期,其中,连续两个10a以上的干期有17次,湿润期12次,最长的干期是1540—1590年间,长达60a,最长的湿润期是1240—1270年、1860—1890年,各有40a.世纪尺度范围内,16世纪是最干的100a,有80a为少雨年;最湿润的是13世纪和19世纪,这期间有60a为多雨.自公元904年以来,降水量共发生了35次突变,16次是由旱向涝的突变,19次是由涝向旱的突变.平均约30a发生一次.11世纪是该地区降水的多变时期,15～16世纪是降水的相对稳定时段,20世纪又进入了降水的多变时期.     

A new mechanistic model for prediction of instantaneous coal outbursts — Dedicated to the memory of Prof. Daniel D. Joseph

An instantaneous coal outburst is a sudden and violent simultaneous ejection of large amounts of coal and gas (methane, carbon dioxide) from the working coalface during underground mining. The occurrence of such an outburst usually leads to a gas explosion and pollution of the mine. Despite extensive research efforts in the past 150 years, the physical mechanisms causing coal outbursts are still poorly understood. Here we present a new model combining fracture mechanics, gas dynamics and rock mechanics to elucidate the physical mechanisms leading to instantaneous outbursts. This model suggests a domino effect that leads to a catastrophic failure of the coal and an instantaneous outburst. The model identifies a critical condition for the onset of instantaneous outbursts, and it successfully predicts all of the observed phenomena preceding outbursts, most of which are explained for the first time. The model also predicts a fracture aperture size effect which is confirmed by the existing observation-based fracture classification scheme used to assess outburst proneness.