Engineering geological studies and tunnel support design at Sulakyurt dam site, Turkey

This paper presents the results of engineering geological investigations and tunnel support design studies, carried out at the Sulakyurt dam site, northeast of Ankara, Turkey. The Sulakyurt dam will be used for flow control and water storage for irrigation projects. Studies were carried out both in the field and the laboratory. Field studies include engineering geological mapping, intensive discontinuity surveying, core drilling and sampling for laboratory testing. The diversion tunnel will be driven in rock mass, consisting of granite and diorite. Empirical, analytical and numerical methods were combined for safe tunnel design. Rock mass rating (RMR), Rock mass quality (Q) and Geological strength index (GSI) systems were used for empirical rock mass quality determination, site characterization and support design. The convergence–confinement method was used as analytical method and software called Phase², a 2D finite element program, was utilized as numerical method. According to the results acquired from the empirical, analytical and numerical methods, tunnel stability problems were expected in both granite and diorite rock masses. The support system, suggested by empirical methods, was applied and the performance of suggested support system was evaluated by means of numerical modelling. It was concluded that the suggested support systems were adequate, since after applying the suggested support system to granite and diorite, tunnel deformation and the yielded elements around the tunnel decreased significantly. Thus, it is suggested that for more reliable support design empirical, numerical and analytical methods should be combined.     

Analysis of support requirements for a shallow diversion tunnel at Guledar dam site, Turkey

Engineering geological properties and support design of a planned diversion tunnel at Guledar dam site, which was located at the North of Ankara, Turkey were studied in this article. The main purpose of the construction of the planned tunnel is to regulate, drainage and to provide water for irrigation purposes. The diversion tunnel runs mainly through formations of limestone, sandstone and diabase. Rock masses at the site were characterized using Rock Mass Rating (RMR), Rock Mass Quality (Q), Rock Mass Index (RMi) and Geological Strength Index (GSI). RMR, Q, RMi and GSI were determined by using field data and mechanical properties of intact rock samples, measured in the laboratory. Support requirements for the planned diversion tunnel were determined accordingly in terms of the rock mass classification systems. Recommended support systems by empirical methods were also analyzed using 2D Finite Element method. Calculated parameters based on empirical methods were used as input parameters in the finite element models. The results from both methods were compared with each other. This comparison suggests that more reliable support design could be achieved by using the finite element method together with the empirical methods.     

东天山中段火山岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年及其地质意义

东天山大草滩断裂北侧头苏泉组火山岩的岩石类型从玄武岩连续变化到流纹岩,以低钾拉斑系列和钙碱性系列为主。各类岩石的稀土元素总量较高,ΣREE=46.17×10^-6 ~134.6×10^-6,LREE相对HREE富集;富集Sr、Ba、Th等大离子亲石元素,亏损Nb、Ta等高场强元素,具有较高的Th/Ta和Ta/Yb比值。这些地球化学特征表明,头苏泉组火山岩形成于具有陆壳基底的岛弧环境。对火山岩中的锆石进行激光探针等离子体质谱(LA-ICP-MS)U-Pb微区测定,获得了322.9±6.4Ma的形成年龄。结合已有的地质调查成果,认为位于大草滩断裂南北两侧的火山岩均形成于陆壳基底的岛弧环境,在石炭纪处于相同的大地构造背景;康古尔塔格和大草滩断裂都无分化意义,整个东天山可能都是塔里木板块的活动陆缘。     

An engineering geological appraisal of the Lakhwar Dam, Garhwal Himalaya, India

A 204 m high solid concrete gravity dam is proposed across the River Yamuna in Garhwal Himalaya, India. It will be located on dolerite rocks which have been intruded into the slates of Chandpur Formation. The present study includes the evaluation of the dam foundation by means of drifts, drill holes, water pressure tests and abutment slope stability studies. The water pressure test indicate the necessity of providing a grout curtain below the dam foundation. The analysis of the dam abutments for stability using the Limit equilibrium method indicates that the right abutment slope is kinematically unstable for plane failure mode. The plane failure analysis of the right abutment slope was carried out by modifying the Hoek and Bray (1981, Rock Slope Engineering, 3rd ed., Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, London) technique of plane failure analysis. The analysis reveals that right abutment slope may become unstable during the stripping operation. Based upon the analysis a safe cut slope design for the abutments have been suggested. Subsurface exploration by means of cross drift and drill holes has indicated a sheared contact of slate and dolerite in the foundation area. To avoid the settlement of the dam along this shear zone precautionary measures are suggested.     

Seepage problems in the karstic limestone foundation of the Kalecik Dam (south Turkey)

Seepage phenomena through the karstic limestone foundation of Kalecik Dam are investigated. The dam, designed as a rock-fill dam with a height of 77 m, is already used for irrigation. The foundation consists of Mesozoic ophiolite, Paleocene allochthonous units composed of different lithologies, and Miocene conglomerate. The conglomerate lies unconformably on the other units. Quaternary basaltic lava patchily covers the others. Seepage from upstream to downstream occurs through the allochthonous karstic limestone. This limestone, which is overlain by conglomerates, has a thickness increasing towards the right abutment.

To prevent seepage at the right abutment, a 200-m long and 60-m deep grout curtain along the dam axis was constructed. After the impoundment, some springs occurred downstream, and for this reason, extra grouting was performed. However, the seepage problem could not be solved. In order to determine the seepage direction and karstification pattern, hydrological studies have been done. Additional investigation boreholes have been drilled to observe fluctuations of the groundwater level and to analyze hydrochemistry. Also, dye tracer tests have been carried out.

As a result of these hydrogeological studies, seepage paths were observed in the karstic limestone located between the dam and the spillway. As those carbonate rocks continue beneath the spillway, the seepage problems are enjected to continue.     

Attenuation of shear-waves in the back-arc region of the Hellenic arc for frequencies from 0.6 to 16 Hz

Q_β for shear-waves is determined for the inner part of the Hellenic arc, the back-arc area, as a function of frequency in the range 0.6–16 Hz. We used 314 digital records from 32 earthquakes with magnitudes (M_w) ranging from 3.9 to 5.1. Epicentral distances ranged from 65 to 515 km. The data were obtained in 1997 during a 6-month operation of a digital portable network in Greece. The Q_β estimates were made for five frequency bands centred at 0.8, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 and 12.0 Hz and the Q_β values obtained were 47, 79, 143, 271 and 553, respectively. The results show that Q_β for S-waves increases with frequency taking the form Q_β=55f ^0.91 (or Q_β⁻¹0.018f^−0.91). The high attenuation and the strong frequency dependence found, which is close to the frequency dependence of coda Q for Greece, are characteristic of an area with high seismicity, rapid extension, and in agreement with other similar studies in Greece.     

新疆东天山突出山铜铁矿区岩浆岩年代学、地球化学特征及地质意义

突出山铜铁矿床赋存于上石炭统底坎尔组火山岩中, 地质特征表明矿床成因为火山热液交代型。矿区玄武岩具有高Al、Na, 贫K、P、Ti的特点, 属于钙碱性系列火山岩。岩石具有轻稀土元素、大离子亲石元素相对富集和高场强元素相对亏损的特点。微量元素特征表明岩石与俯冲带流体作用有关, 经历了橄榄石(±辉石)和铬铁矿的结晶分异作用, 形成于石炭纪弧后盆地环境, 指示铁矿床的成矿环境为弧后盆地环境。矿区闪长岩和钾长花岗岩的锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb谐和年龄分别为326.2±1.6 Ma与318.2±2.5 Ma, 均为石炭纪岩浆活动的产物。根据闪长岩、钾长花岗岩、矿体与底坎尔组火山岩的穿插关系, 限定矿床的铁成矿作用时间为底坎尔组火山岩的形成时代, 早于闪长岩的形成时代(326 Ma), 而铜成矿作用时间与闪长岩的形成时代相近或稍晚。     

Reconstructing the migration patterns of late Pleistocene mammals from northern Florida, USA

We used analyses of the strontium isotope (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) ratios of tooth enamel to reconstruct the migration patterns of fossil mammals collected along the Aucilla River in northern Florida. Specimens date to the late-glacial period and before the last glacial maximum (pre-LGM). Deer and tapir displayed low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios that were similar to the ratios of Florida environments, which suggest that these taxa did not migrate long distance outside of the Florida region. Mastodons, mammoths, and equids all displayed a wide range of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. Some individuals in each taxon displayed low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios that suggest they ranged locally, while other animals had high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios that suggest they migrated long distances (> 150 km) outside of the Florida region. Mastodons were the only taxa from this region that provided enough well-dated specimens to compare changes in migration patterns over time. Pre-LGM mastodons displayed significantly lower ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios than late-glacial mastodons, which suggests that late-glacial mastodons from Florida migrated longer distances than their earlier counterparts. This change in movement patterns reflects temporal changes in regional vegetation patterns.     

西秦岭宕昌地区晚三叠世酸性火山岩的锆石U-Pb年代学、地球化学及其地质意义

西秦岭造山带在早中生代发育了以印支早期(245~234Ma)和印支晚期(225~205Ma)两期高钾钙碱性花岗岩占绝对优势,并伴有少量火山岩的强烈岩浆活动。本文报道的西秦岭宕昌火山岩总体上是一套以流纹岩为主,并含粗面岩和英安岩的酸性火山岩组合。流纹岩锆石U-Pb测年结果为229Ma,限定其喷发时代为晚三叠世早期。宕昌火山岩属于过铝质的高钾钙碱性-钾玄岩系列,以富集Rb、Ba、Th、U、K并相对亏损Nb、Ta、Ti、P为特征,(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i=0.7048~0.7068,ε_Nd(t)=-4.3~-4.0,亏损地幔模式年龄(t_DM)为1.20~1.24Ga。宕昌火山岩起源于下地壳富钾变基性岩的部分熔融,部分岩浆还可能受到了少量地幔或上地壳物质的混染,源区深度约40km。西秦岭地块存在扬子型的中新元古代基底,但不同地段的基底特征存在较大差异。华北板块与扬子板块在西秦岭地区的初始碰撞可能接近229Ma,宕昌火山岩则形成于以整体挤压为主、局部剪切伸展为辅的地壳逐渐加厚的动力学环境。     

新疆阿希金矿床赋矿围岩——大哈拉军山组火山岩SHRIMP锆石年龄及其地质意义

阿希金矿是一个赋存于西天山古生代陆相火山岩中的低硫型浅成低温热液金矿床,离子探针测定显示其赋矿围岩大哈拉军山组第五岩性段陆相火山岩高精度锆石SHRIMP年龄为363.2±5.7Ma.该年龄的地质意义有二1.阿希金矿赋矿围岩大哈拉军山组火山岩形成于晚泥盆世,而不是前人普遍认为的早石炭世或三叠-侏罗纪;2.阿希金矿成矿时代为晚古生代早期,介于363.2±5.7Ma到早石炭世维宪期.     

Properties of the aftershocks sequences of the 2000 and 2002 earthquakes in Aksehir-Afyon graben,west-central Anatolia,Turkey

The b-value of the Gutenberg–Richter’s frequency–magnitude relation and the p-value of the modified Omori law, which describes the decay rate of aftershock activity, were investigated for more than 500 aftershocks in the Aksehir-Afyon graben (AAG) following the 15 December 2000 Sultandagi–Aksehir and the 3 February 2002 Çay–Eber and Çobanlar earthquakes. We used the Kandilli Observatory’s catalog, which contains records of aftershocks with magnitudes ≥2.5. For the Çobanlar earthquake, the estimated b-values for three aftershock sequences are in the range 0.34 ≤  b ≤ 2.85, with the exception of the one that occurred during the first hour (4.77), while the obtained p-values are in the range 0.44 ≤ p ≤ 1.77. The aftershocks of the Sultandagi earthquake have a high p-value, indicating fast decay of the aftershock activity. A regular increase of b can be observed, with b < 1.0 after 0.208 days for the Çay–Eber earthquake. A systematic and similar increase and decrease pattern exists for the b- and p-values of the Çobanlar earthquakes during the first 5 days.     

Botryococcus—A planktonic green alga, the source of petroleum through the ages: Transmission electron microscopical studies of oil shales and petroleum source rocks

The hydrocarbon secreting alga Botryococcus has been identified in organic remains of sediments ranging from Precambrian to Recent, and is believed to have been a major source material for petroleum generation throughout the geological time. In some petroleum source rocks of Lower Palaeozoic and Precambrian age, identification of the alga is only possible by electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been used in the present study to identify microstructures of the algal remains in a range of oil shales and petroleum source rocks. It has been established that Botryococcus is the predominant alga in the Kukersite oil shale of Estonia. Similarly, the alga has been shown to be a major contributor to petroleum source rocks in Cambrian and Precambrian sedimentary basins in Australia. TEM has been applied to observations of Botryococcus in torbanites and to products from simulated maturation experiments on torbanite. A comparison with algal remains from Cambrian and Precambrian sediments ranging from undermature to overmature, enabled the distinction of organic matter in various stages of oil generation. Maturation/thermal effects on alginite have been established by reflectance and fluorescence, and compared with experimental results.     

Origin of abnormal substances discharged from Baozhusi Dam Base, Sichuan, China

Baozhusi reservoir is a large-scale hydropower engineering project in Sichuan Province, China. After drainage wells were drilled in the dam base, white flocculent and black gel substances, accompanied by a rotten-egg odor, were found in some of the drainage water wells. On the basis of a brief introduction of the geological setting in Baozhusi Dam area, the origin of the abnormal substances were analyzed and discussed through the following procedures: (1) the abnormal substances were sampled and their chemical and mineral compositions were analyzed; (2) the origin of drainage waters were determined using the isotope method and well flux measurement results; (3) characteristics of chemical composition of drainage waters were discussed relative to other kinds of waters in the area; (4) process of formation of the abnormal substances were determined using hydrogeochemical methods; (5) laboratory immersion experiment was carried out to verify the conclusions. Results showed that the abnormal substances were formed by interactions between recharging water from the reservoir and dam base rock as well as dam building materials. Among these, the precipitation of calcite and dolomite, the dissolution of calcium hydroxide and anhydrite as well as the reduction of SO₄^–2 to H₂S by organic matter are the most important processes.     

内蒙古东乌旗北部早古生代火山岩年代学、地球化学特征及地质意义

内蒙古北部二连-东乌旗地区出露早古生代火山岩,为兴蒙造山带北缘构造-岩浆岩带的组成部分,对研究造山带早古生代构造格局及演化具有重要作用。本文对东乌旗北部早古生代中基性及酸性火山岩进行了锆石U-Pb年代学、岩石学、全岩地球化学及Sr-Nd-Hf同位素分析。定年结果显示,中基性火山岩成岩年龄为452±2Ma,酸性火山岩为430±20Ma,表明早古生代岩浆活动可延续至中志留世。地球化学组成上,中基性火山岩稀土总量中等,Eu异常不明显,富集Rb、Sr、Th、U等大离子亲石元素,亏损Nb、Ta等高场强元素,特征类似岛弧岩浆岩;酸性火山岩富集Th、U,Eu负异常显著,但Rb、Ba等大离子亲石元素富集程度不高,Nb、Ta等高场强元素亏损不明显,表现出板内岩浆特点。中基性和酸性火山岩均具有亏损的同位素组成:中基性火山岩ε_(Nd)(t)=+203～+267,ε_(Hf)(t)值介于+79～+145之间;酸性火山岩ε_(Nd)(t)=+494,ε_(Hf)(t)值为+99～+153。岩石学及地球化学分析表明,中基性火山岩为岛弧环境下遭受俯冲流体交代的地幔楔部分熔融产物,酸性火山岩则来源于新生基性下地壳熔融并具有板内岩浆特征,可能指示了俯冲的结束。结合前人资料,二连-东乌旗地区早古生代岩浆活动介于晚寒武-中志留世之间,形成时间及阶段性演化特征近似于苏尼特左旗-锡林浩特早古生代岩浆岩带,暗示两者可能具有成因联系,均为早古生代古亚洲洋向北俯冲的产物。     

新疆甜水海地块种羊场石炭纪火山岩年代学和地球化学:岩石成因和地质意义

甜水海地块西段的种羊场地区发育一套互层状产出的玄武岩-玄武安山岩-流纹岩,本文对其进行了岩石学、同位素年代学和地球化学研究。结果表明,流纹岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年获得三组年龄:343.5±4.1Ma表明火山岩的形成时代为早石炭纪,2439±26Ma和1988±36Ma说明甜水海地块存在前寒武纪结晶基底。其中玄武质岩石岩性从拉斑系列、钙碱性系列向碱性系列过渡,呈现出E-MORB(OIB)、大陆板内拉张和岛弧的混合特征,与典型弧后盆地Okinawa玄武岩有一定的差异,表明其可能是异常陆缘弧后盆地拉张裂解的产物。玄武质岩石和流纹岩的主量元素、稀土元素和微量元素比值对的差异表明它们不是同源岩浆演化的产物,玄武质岩石的源区为类似E-MORB(OIB)的岩石圈地幔,且发生了部分熔融,原始岩浆上升过程中经历了矿物分离结晶和地壳混染作用。流纹岩属于高硅高碱的钙碱性火山岩,是上地壳部分熔融的产物。种羊场早石炭纪火山岩可能代表了古特提洋西端早期扩张的记录,为西昆仑-喀喇昆仑地区晚古生代多岛洋格局提供了新的证据。     

Inversion of seismic intensity data for the determination of three-dimensional attenuation structures in the central gap region of Himalayas

The central gap region of Himalaya, which lies in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, is exposed to great seismic hazard. A three-dimensional attenuation structure (Q) of this region is obtained using the intensity data of four earthquakes (M 4.3–7.0) in the central Himalayan gap region and the damped least square inversion scheme. The technique is based on that given by Hashida and Shimazaki (J Phys Earth 32:299–316, 1984). The obtained Q structure explains the spatial distribution of isoseismals of the stronger earthquakes, which occurred in the recent past. The study area covers the Tehri town, which is the locale of one of the biggest earth fill dams of height 260 m. The spatial distribution of Q suggests that the Tehri town area is surrounded by lower Q medium, and hence any large earthquake in Tehri will pose great seismic hazard.     

Occurrence of Cordaitales from lower Gondwana sediments of Ib-River Coalfield, Orissa, India: An Indian scenario

The Ib-River Coalfield in Orissa State is a part of Mahanadi Master Basin. Recent extensive investigations were conducted in this Coalfield to locate fossiliferous beds in the Lower Gondwana deposits and as a result a large cache of plant fossils were recovered from Lower Permian sediments (Barakar Formation) exposed in Jurabaga and Lajkura Collieries. The complete flora includes 23 genera representing nine orders viz., Lycopodiales, Equisetales, Sphenophyllales, Filicales, Cordaitales, Coniferales, Ginkgoales, Cycadales and Glossopteridales. Only the Cordaitales, represented by four genera i.e., Noeggerathiopsis, Cordaites, Euryphyllum and Kawizophyllum are discussed in this paper. Cordaitalean leaves are described for the first time from this coalfield; the remaining plant groups will be considered in a subsequent publication. Cordaitalean leaves attributable to Noeggerathiopsis hislopii, Noeggerathiopsis minor, Euryphyllum whittianum, Euryphyllum maithyi, Kawizophyllum dunpathriensis and Cordaites sp. constitute about 13.90% (111 specimens) of the total plant assemblage collected from this Coalfield. Of the cordaitaleans, N. hislopii is most abundant (47.75%; 53 specimens) followed by E. whittianum (40.54%; 45 specimens). A summary of the distribution of Cordaitales throughout the Indian Gondwana is also presented. Floristic composition varies stratigraphically at the two Barakar exposures (Lajkura and Jurabaga Collieries). Cordaitales are preserved only in the lowermost (4th) horizon (lower floral zone). Strata in these collieries have been assigned to the lower and upper Barakar Formation based on floristic content and an Early Permian (Artinskian) age is assigned.     

宁芜盆地火山-次火山岩的锆石U-Pb年龄、Hf同位素组成及其地质意义

宁芜火山盆地是长江中下游重要的火山盆地之一,在盆地内自下而上依次发育龙王山组、大王山组、姑山组和娘娘山组火山岩和若干个同源次火山岩或小侵入岩体。本文对宁芜盆地火山-次火山岩进行了详细的锆石U-Pb年龄和Hf同位素地球化学研究。研究结果表明,大王山组粗安岩锆石U-Pb年龄为130.3±0.9Ma,姑山组两个粗安岩锆石U-Pb年龄分别为128.2±1.3Ma和128.5±1.8Ma,另外三个侵入岩年龄分别为127.1±1.2Ma、128.3±0.6Ma和128.2±1.0Ma,均为早白垩纪。综合前人成果,认为长江中下游地区火山盆地内火山活动的时限在135～124Ma之间,不存在侏罗纪岩浆活动。宁芜盆地火山岩和侵入岩的锆石176Hf/177Hf值在0.282502～0.282673范围内,εHf(t)变化为-6.9～-0.7,显示岩浆源自于岩石圈富集地幔部分熔融并在上升过程中受地壳物质的混染,为岩石圈伸展环境的产物。