Regional fabric of the deep lithosphere in central Europe from seismic anisotropy

Summary The large scale anisotropic structures with plunging symmetry axes in the subcrustal lithosphere of central Europe were derived from independent observations of teleseismic P-residual spheres and polarizations of the split SKS waves. The dipping structures are interpreted as remnants of palaeo-subduction systems which retain olivine orientations from ancient oceanic lithosphere. Values of k_P and k_S estimated from observed teleseismic P and SKS data are within the range of anisotropies found for the upper mantle rocks. The Variscides of central Europe may thus be characterized by two palaeo-subduction systems, with symmetry axes divergent relative to the suture between the Moldanubicum and Saxothuringicum.     

Thermal regime of the continental lithosphere

Thermally, the lithosphere may be defined as that outer portion of the earth in which heat is transferred primarily by conduction. It generally includes the crust and part of the mantle. The thermal regime of continental lithosphere is determined by many factors including heat flow from the asthenosphere, the vertical and lateral variation of both thermal conductivity and radiogenic heat production, tectonic history, and such superficial processes as climatic history and the shallow hydrothermal regime. From studies of the global heat flow data set, two generalizations regarding continental lithosphere have arisen, namely that: 1) there is a negative correlation between heat flow and tectonic age of continental lithosphere; and 2) the thermal evolution of continental lithosphere is similar to that of ocean basins with the result that the “stable geotherm” is similar in both environments. When continental heat-flow data are studied from a regional rather than a global point of view, considerable doubt arises as to the general applicability of either statement. R. U. M. Rao and his associates have demonstrated that while Precambrian terranes do have demonstrably lower heat flows than, say, Tertiary terranes, the data are not normally distributed and it is not possible to establish a negative correlation between heat flow and age in any rigorous statistical way. The scatter in the relation may be explained in terms of the variations in the duration, intensity and even the sign of continental thermotectonic events in contrast to the simple situation (creation of new oceanic lithosphere at mid-ocean ridges) which prevails in the oceans. The scatter also is partially attributable to the large and laterally variable radiogenic component of heat flow on continents. For a province for which a heat flow-heat production relation has been established, much of the scatter in surface heat flow due to crustal radiogenic heat production versus age is eliminated by determining reduced heat flow (surface heat flow minus radiogenic component) as a function of tectonic age, but much scatter remains, and it is still not possible to establish a heat flux-age relation in a rigorous way. Primarily because of the spatial variability in radiogenic heat production, no single geotherm can be used to characterize the thermal regime of a stable continental terrane. Thus, while some sites on stable continental blocks may have a geotherm fortuitously similar to that for old ocean basins, there is no reason to expect that this will be true generally, and many stable continental terranes will be characterized by geotherms markedly different from the geotherm for old ocean basins.     

Specific features of ice regime in rivers of the Northern Dvina basin

Variations in the characteristics of ice regime of rivers in the Northern Dvina basin over the last 125 years are analyzed. For the Northern Dvina lower course, potential changes in the dates of the appearance of floating ice and the breakup due to expected changes in the air temperature and the rate of streamflow in rivers are assessed. Special attention is paid to the factors that affect the formation of ice jams and their spatial and temporal variability. The prognostic relationship for the maximum ice-jam stage in the Sukhona River near the town of Velikii Ustyug is presented as an example.     

Specific features of seismic station installation in the Arctic Region of Russia

The methodological and technical guidelines for setting up seismic event recording stations in Russia’s Far North are presented. The main types of recommended seismic instruments and data-acquisition and transmission methods are discussed.     

华北克拉通东部地壳与地幔盖层结构——长观测距深地震测深剖面结果

利用文登—阿拉善左旗长观测距地震宽角反射/折射剖面东段资料,辩识出4组地壳震相和3组地幔盖层震相.采用二维射线追踪走时反演和正演拟合交替计算方法,得到了包括鲁东隆起和华北裂陷盆地在内的地壳和地幔盖层二维速度结构.研究结果表明:华北裂陷盆地基底深达6km以上,研究区壳内界面C1埋深约15km,C2界面深约25km,Moho面平均埋深约35km.上地壳速度6.0~6.1km·s-1,且横向变化较大;中地壳速度相对均匀约为6.2~6.4km·s-1;下地壳速度为6.5~7.0km·s-1,速度梯度较大.地壳平均速度与隆起和坳陷构造相关.研究区岩石圈底界面一般为75~80km,西端接近太行隆起构造时深至90km左右,向西呈明显加深趋势,地壳厚度呈现相同的增厚特征.地幔盖层上部速度8.0~8.2km·s-1,具明显正梯度特征.岩石圈平均速度在郯庐断裂带附近显著偏低.PmP和PLP震相存在不同程度的复杂性,意味着在本地区Moho界面和岩石圈界面有较为复杂的结构,可能具有一定厚度或过渡带性质.结合其他研究结果认为,地幔盖层和下地壳速度梯度、界面性质差异与华北克拉通破坏相关,意味着破坏是一个渐变、缓慢和不均匀的过程.郯庐断裂带附近的低速应是其为软弱带的证据.     

地下流体对地震前兆作用的综述

地下流体及流体力普遍存在且对地震前兆产生作用。本文从前兆机理、实例等方面综述了地下流体及流体力(包括降水等产生的力)对地震前兆的作用,表明降水等产生的地下流体及流体力对地震前兆的作用不可忽略,无论是浅层地下流体还是深部地下流体均影响前兆异常的产生,且地下流体对地震前兆的作用是在特定的地质构造、水文地质环境下发生。     

2-D P-wave velocity structure of lithosphere in the North China tectonic zone: Constraints from the Yancheng-Baotou deep seismic profile

We obtained the 2-D P-wave velocity structure of the lithosphere in the eastern North China Craton, Shanxi fault subsidence zone, and Yinchuan-Hetao fault subsidence zone by ray tracking technology based on six groups of clearly identified crustal phases and one group of lithospheric interface reflection phases from seismic recording sections of 21 shots along the 1300-km-long Yancheng-Baotou deep seismic wide-angle reflection/refraction profile. The results indicate significant differences between the lithospheric structure east and west of the Taihang Mountains, which is a gravity-gradient zone as well as a zone of abrupt change in lithospheric thickness and a separation zone of different rock components. East of the Taihang Mountains, the Mesozoic and Cenozoic lithospheric structure of the North China Craton has undergone strong reformation and destruction, resulting in the lithosphere thickness decreasing to 70–80 km. The North China Basin has a very thick Cenozoic sedimentary cover and the deepest point of crystalline basement is about 7.0 km, with the crustal thickness decreasing to about 31.0 km. The crystalline basement of the Luxi uplift zone is relatively shallow with a depth of 1.0–2.0 km and crustal thickness of 33.0–35.0 km. The Subei Basin has a thicker Cenozoic sedimentary cover and the bottom of its crystalline basement is at about 5.0–6.0 km with a crustal thickness of 31.0–32.0 km. The Tanlu fault is a deep fracture which cuts the lithosphere with a significant velocity structure difference on either side of the fault. The Tanlu fault plays an important role in the lithospheric destruction in the eastern part of the North China Craton. West of the Taihang Mountains, the crustal thickness increases significantly. The crust thickness beneath the Shanxi fault depression zone is about 46 km, and there is a low-velocity structure with a velocity of less than 6.1 km s?? in the upper part of the middle crust. Combined with other geophysical study results, our data shows that the lithospheric destruction at the Shaanxi-Shanxi fault depression zone and the Yinchuan-Hetao rift surrounding the Ordos block is non-uniform. The lithosphere thickness is about 80–90 km in the Datong-Baotou area, 75–137 km at the Dingxiang-Shenmu region, and about 80–120 km in the Anyang-Yichuan area. The non-uniform lithospheric destruction may be related to the ancient tectonic zone surrounding the Ordos block. This zone experienced multi-period tectonic events in the long-term process of its tectonic evolution and was repeatedly transformed and weakened. The weakening level is related to the interactions with the Ordos block. The continental collision between the Cenozoic India and Eurasia plates and N-E thrusting by the Qinghai Tibet Plateau block is causing further reformation and reduction of the lithosphere.     

“松科二井”邻域岩石圈精细结构特征及动力学环境——深地震反射剖面的揭示

为揭示"松科二井"邻域岩石圈精细结构特征,布设了一条过井近南北向的深地震反射剖面,采用多尺度药量结合的激发技术,长排列、重点段加密接收高次覆盖的采集方式,通过高保真、高保幅的处理流程获得高分辨率、高信噪比的叠前时间偏移剖面.结果显示：T4反射轴之下沉积岩层状反射与火成岩杂乱反射相间,有两处疑似上古生界地层,分别位于松科二井下方（双程走时,Two way travel time,TWT,3.5~4 s）和任民-永安断隆下方（CDP,3500~4500,TWT,3~4 s）;中下地壳可观察到近平行的北倾反射,中和断陷下方存在上下关联的透镜状强反射,整体轮廓呈蘑菇云状,解释其为岩石圈伸展构造中发育的深部热流底辟体;北部莫霍面呈近水平连续强反射,南部徐家围子断陷区域莫霍面反射较弱,同时剖面上存在3种明显的岩石圈上地幔反射,包括倾斜地幔反射、近水平地幔反射和超深地幔反射,推断其分别为早期俯冲遗迹、早期增厚地壳底界面以及现今岩石圈底界面.本文利用过松科二井地震剖面的最新成果,揭示出古亚洲洋、蒙古-鄂霍茨克洋和古太平洋三大构造域先后作用下,保留在松嫩地块岩石圈内的结构特征,为探讨松辽盆地形成原因、构造背景及动力学因素提供新视野.     

Specific features of the hydrological regime of the Tsimlyansk Reservoir under climate changes in the Don basin

This study is a continuation of a cycle of studies into the effect of Atlantic climate on the hydrometeorological regime of European Russia. In this article, an attempt is made to analyze the effect of climate variations in the Atlantic on the Don basin and the hydrological regime of the Tsimlyansk Reservoir. A new composite index of heat transfer NAAII (North Atlantic Air Interaction Index) is suggested, the use of which enables the explanation of changes that have taken place in the Don basin. Evaporation was evaluated with the bathymetry of the Tsimlyansk Reservoir taken into account, and the water level of 32 m abs. was shown to be critical in the interaction between the reservoir and the atmosphere.     

Lateral variations in the European lithosphere and seismic activity

In the Mediterranean region an interesting correlation between the model of the lithospheric structure and the distribution of epicentres of shallow earthquakes with magnitudes larger or equal to 6.5 can be established in some areas. These areas, namely northern and southern Italy, the Calabrian and Hellenic Arcs, correspond to belts where high rigidity values in the lid are associated with very rapid changes in the lithospheric thickness.     

Nonparametric methods in studies of the seismic regime

The application of nonparametric statistical methods to the estimation of some characteristics of the seismicity regime is considered. Emphasis is placed on the behavior of the distribution tail (i.e., the distribution of the strongest events). The methods described do not use any assumptions concerning the distribution function. Confidence intervals are derived for the magnitude distribution function and for the Poisson intensity of the flow of seismic events. The probability that a previously recorded maximum magnitude will be exceeded during some future time interval T and the confidence interval of this probability are estimated. The distribution of the time to the nearest event exceeding the last maximum (to the nearest record) is derived. The nonparametric approach is most effective if the type of empirical data parameterization is unknown or there are grounds for doubting its adequacy.     

Specific features of development of two-dimensional convection in a rotating compressible conducting fluid

An axisymmetric model of convection in a rotating cylinder in an external uniform magnetic field has been considered. In the considered model, the meridional circulation is created by a nonuniform rotation of the lower boundary relative to the other boundaries. In the considered model, the time of formation of the stationary regime in the magnetic field considerably increases if the vertical density (compressibility) inhomogeneity is taken into account for Ekman numbers of E = E _M = 3 × 10⁻³. This example shows that the compressibility of a medium should be taken into account in the convection and dynamics of the magnetic field when the magnetohydrodynamics of the Earth is analyzed.     

Preface to the special issue on complicated features on seismic sources and deep structures

Earthquake is a kind of natural phenomenon in the Earth.Earthquake seismology has been developed quickly since modern digital seismometers were applied to observations.From seismic records,seismologists study source properties of the earthquakes and detect multi-scale structural variations in the crust,mantle,and core.     

Lattice-Preferred orientations of olivine in subducting oceanic lithosphere derived from the observed seismic anisotropies in double seismic zones

Subduction zones can generally be classified into Mariana type and Chilean type depending on plate ages,plate thicknesses, subduction angles, back-arc deformation patterns, etc. The double seismic zones(DSZs) in subduction zones are mainly divided into type I and type II which, respectively, correspond to the Mariana type and Chilean type in most cases. Seismic anisotropy is an important parameter characterizing the geophysical features of the lithosphere, including the subduction zones,and can be described by the two parameters of delay time dt and fast wave polarization direction /. We totally collected 524 seismic anisotropy data records from 24 DSZs and analyzed the statistical correlations between seismic anisotropy and the related physical parameters of DSZs.Our statistical analysis demonstrated that the fast wave polarization directions are parallel to the trench strike with no more than 30° for most type I DSZs, while being nearlyperpendicular to the trench strike for type II DSZs. We also calculated roughly linear correlations that the delay time dt increases with dip angles but decreases with subduction rates. A linear equation was summarized to describe the strong correlation between DSZ's subduction angle aDSZ and seismic anisotropy in subduction zones. These results suggest that the anisotropic structure of the subducting lithosphere can be described as a possible equivalent crystal similar to the olivine crystal with three mutually orthogonal polarization axes, of which the longest and the second axes are nearly along the trench-perpendicular and trench-parallel directions, respectively.     

The fractal nature of the inhomogeneities in the lithosphere evidenced from seismic wave scattering

In this paper we show evidences of the fractal nature of the 3-D inhomogeneities in the lithosphere from the study of seismic wave scattering and discuss the relation between the fractal dimension of the 3-D inhomogeneities and that of the fault surfaces. Two methods are introduced to measure the inhomogeneity spectrum of a random medium: 1. the coda excitation spectrum method, and 2. the method of measuring the frequency dependence of scattering attenuation. The fractal dimension can be obtained from the inhomogeneity spectrum of the medium. The coda excitation method is applied to the Hindu-Kush data. Based on the observed coda excitation spectra (for frequencies 1–25 Hz) and the past observations on the frequency dependence of scattering attenuation, we infer that the lithospheric inhomogeneities are multiple scaled and can be modeled as a bandlimited fractal random medium (BLFRM) with an outer scale of about 1 km. The fractal dimension of the 3-D inhomogeneities isD ₃=31/2–32/3, which corresponds to a scaling exponent (Hurst number)H=1/2–1/3. The corresponding 1-D inhomogeneity spectra obey the power law with a powerp=2H+1=2–5/3. The intersection between the earth surface and the isostrength surface of the 3-D inhomogeneities will have fractal dimensionD ₁=1.5–1.67. If we consider the earthquake fault surface as developed from the isosurface of the 3-D inhomogeneities and smoothed by the rupture dynamics, the fractal dimension of the fault trace on the surface must be smaller thanD ₁, in agreement with recent measurements of fractal dimension along the San Andreas fault.     

地幔上涌对鄂尔多斯西缘岩石圈的改造:来自远震多尺度层析成像的证据

本文利用喜马拉雅二期科学探测台阵的678个地震台站及26个固定台站记录到的9,641个地震共约160000条远震P波走时数据,采用基于稀疏约束的多尺度层析成像方法,获得了鄂尔多斯西缘及邻区上地幔800 km深度范围内P波速度结构.结果显示,在东经104°附近阿拉善地块与鄂尔多斯盆地间存在岩石圈深度的构造边界,这表明阿拉善地块与鄂尔多斯可能分别从属于不同的大地构造单元.以北纬38°线为界,鄂尔多斯地块西缘在岩石圈范围内南北存在明显的速度差异,鄂尔多斯南部上地幔200~300 km深度范围显示为高速异常,而鄂尔多斯北部上地幔显示大面积的低速异常.这一现象表明,鄂尔多斯地块南北两部分经历了不同的构造演化过程.根据本文的结果可以进一步推断,由于青藏高原、阿拉善地块向东北方向推挤以及岩石圈的拆离引起的上地幔扰动导致了地幔上涌,上涌的热物质改造了鄂尔多斯西北缘地区的岩石圈,并使该区的岩石圈减薄.地幔上涌也可能是东经104°边界带和北纬38°构造带形成的深部动力学因素.

     

A comparative study of seismic tomography models of the Chinese continental lithosphere

The Chinese mainland is subject to complicated plate interactions that give rise to its complex structure and tectonics. While several seismic velocity models have been developed for the Chinese mainland, apparent discrepancies exist and, so far, little effort has been made to evaluate their reliability and consistency. Such evaluations are important not only for the application and interpretation of model results but also for future model improvement. To address this problem, here we compare five published shear-wave velocity models with a focus on model consistency. The five models were derived from different datasets and methods (i.e., body waves, surface waves from earthquakes, surface waves from noise interferometry, and full waves) and interpolated into uniform horizontal grids (0.5° × 0.5°) with vertical sampling points at 5 km, 10 km, and then 20 km intervals to a depth of 160 km below the surface, from which we constructed an averaged model (AM) as a common reference for comparative study. We compare both the absolute velocity values and perturbation patterns of these models. Our comparisons show that the models have large (> 4%) differences in absolute values, and these differences are independent of data coverage and model resolution. The perturbation patterns of the models also show large differences, although some of the models show a high degree of consistency within certain depth ranges. The observed inconsistencies may reflect limited model resolution but, more importantly, systematic differences in the datasets and methods employed. Thus, despite several seismic models being published for this region, there is significant room for improvement. In particular, the inconsistencies in both data and methodologies need to be resolved in future research. Finally, we constructed a merged model (ChinaM-S1.0) that incorporates the more robust features of the five published models. As the existing models are constrained by different datasets and methods, the merged model serves as a new type of reference model that incorporates the common features from the joint datasets and methods for the shear-wave velocity structure of the Chinese mainland lithosphere.     

南海岩石层及边界构造的地球物理特征

南海经历了中生代主动大陆边缘到新生代被动大陆边缘的转换,其岩石层地球物理场具有明显的块、带特征.本文通过综合分析南海地区深地震探测、面波层析成像、重磁异常以及地热与岩石层流变学等各种地质地球物理资料,对南海地壳及岩石层的综合地球物理特征进行了深入总结,发现深地震探测剖面所确定的洋、陆壳转换位置与空间重力异常梯级带位置较为一致,据此拟定了南海洋、陆壳的转换边界;依据多条地壳结构剖面中拉张减薄的程度确定了正常减薄陆壳、洋陆壳过渡带及洋壳等属性特征,并初步圈定了南海下地壳高速层的分布范围.对比分析了南、北陆缘地壳结构及其拉张减薄的变化特征,从综合地球物理特征的相似性上推测了北部陆缘的中西沙陆块与南部陆缘的南沙礼乐滩陆块具有共轭对称性.依据S波速度梯度变化确定了南海岩石层厚度分布情况,揭示出南海北部陆缘存在一条岩石层厚度的减薄带,且该减薄带与高热流带具有较好的一致性.在综合分析的基础上,以深地震探测剖面与重、磁异常变化的对应性为基础,划定了南海边界构造的位置.     

珲春7.0级深震地下流体前兆的动态特征研究

论述了珲春7．0级深源地震地下流体中期、短期、临震、震时、震后异常,分析了地下流体异常特征。认为其时间展布具有阶段性,配套性和集中性,异常出现的时间与震中距密切相关,其空间展布具有迁移性,中期异常由外围向震中收缩,其速率很小,进入短期阶段,速率迅速加大。临震异常由震中向外围发散,其速率加大到剧增。此即为我们捕捉岩石变形临失稳阶段提供信息,是经验性预报向物理预报过渡的一种尝试。本文尚对地下流体异常与地震构造的关系,地下流体异常的场兆、源兆特征进行了讨论。     

Statistical features of the seismic noise-field

We present a preliminary study of the dependence of the statistical features of the soil motion due to seismic noise on the near-surface geology in the frequency range from 1 Hz to ∼ 40 Hz. In detail, we have investigated the 3D average squared soil displacement 〈r²〉 and the distribution function of the displacement flctuations at different geological sites. The anomalous scaling of the average squared soil displacement 〈r²(τ)〉~τ_α, and the Gaussian shape of the probability distribution function of its fluctuations suggest that the soil motion under the influence of the seismic noise is consistent with a persistent fractional Brownian motion (fBm) characterized by a scaling exponent 1.5 < α < 2. Therefore, the seismic noise-field, thought as a stochastic process, shows a markovian character with a memory longer than a pure Brownian motion (α = 1/2). Moreover, a dependence of such persistent behavior of the noise-field dynamics on the near-surface local geology has been found and it is discussed.