Enhancing the credibility of ecology: Can research be made more comparable and predictive?

A sounder theoretical basis for extrapolation and prediction, typologies of what is and what is not comparable, and representative natural areas for long-term field research are three geographically-based ingredients of comparative research in ecology. Two types of conceptual model allow assessment of the effects of phylogenesis and environment on ecosystem structure and functioning. The first is based on fixing of genetic variables and study of biological performance along a gradient of environmental conditions — an approach of sequential analysis of environmental gradients. The second is based on fixing of environmental variables and comparison of performance of different phylogenetic stocks in non-contiguous geographical areas — an approach entailing matching of disjunct ecological analogues. The two approaches are important complements in examining hypotheses of convergent and divergent evolution, in helping to define what really can be compared in comparative ecological research, and in contributing to ecology becoming a more predictive and credible science.     

Enhancing the credibility of ecology: Is interdisciplinary research for land use planning useful?

Interdisciplinary approaches involving inputs from both the natural and social sciences represent one operational and social response to the complexity of today's environmental and land use problems. The resulting amalgam can be useful to both science and society, given the right mix of ingredients. Important steps in the planning and conduct of interdisciplinary research include problem indentification; definition of a precise scientific theme derived from the social demand; choice of relevant disciplines; selection of study area and spatial scale; ensuring that the project is adaptable to changing circumstances; obtaining the involvement of scientists, planners and local people; developing a continuum of actions from basic and applied research through to training and information diffusion; early and explicit definition of the criteria for evaluation. Though interdisciplinary approaches have shown their worth, they founder easily. Obstacles include the behavioural and psychological characteristics of individual scientists, differences in scientific method, and bottlenecks of a more administrative, institutional, political and financial nature.The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the authors' employers.     

Acidification of Earth: An assessment across mechanisms and scales

In this review article, anthropogenic activities that cause acidification of Earth’s air, waters, and soils are examined. Although there are many mechanisms of acidification, the focus is on the major ones, including emissions from combustion of fossil fuels and smelting of ores, mining of coal and metal ores, and application of nitrogen fertilizer to soils, by elucidating the underlying biogeochemical reactions as well as assessing the magnitude of the effects. These widespread activities have resulted in (1) increased CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere that acidifies the oceans; (2) acidic atmospheric deposition that acidifies soils and bodies of freshwater; (3) acid mine drainage that acidifies bodies of freshwater and groundwaters; and (4) nitrification that acidifies soils. Although natural geochemical reactions of mineral weathering and ion exchange work to buffer acidification, the slow reaction rates or the limited abundance of reactant phases are overwhelmed by the onslaught of anthropogenic acid loading. Relatively recent modifications of resource extraction and usage in some regions of the world have begun to ameliorate local acidification, but expanding use of resources in other regions is causing environmental acidification in previously unnoticed places. World maps of coal consumption, Cu mining and smelting, and N fertilizer application are presented to demonstrate the complex spatial heterogeneity of resource consumption as well as the overlap in acidifying potential derived from distinctly different phenomena. Projected population increase by country over the next four decades indicates areas with the highest potential for acidification, so enabling anticipation and planning to offset or mitigate the deleterious environmental effects associated with these global shifts in the consumption of energy, mineral, and food resources.     

空间尺度转换与跨尺度信息链接:区域生态水文模拟研究空间尺度转换方法综述

空间尺度转换是近年来区域生态水文研究领域的一个基本研究问题。其需要主要是源于模型的输入数据与所能提供的数据空间尺度不一致以及模型所代表的地表过程空间尺度与所观测的地表过程空间尺度不吻合。综述了目前区域生态水文模拟研究中常用的空间尺度转换研究方法,包括向上尺度转换和向下尺度转换。详细论述了2种向下尺度转换方法: 统计学经验模型和动态模型。前者是通过将GCM大尺度数据与长期的历史观测数据比较从而建立统计学相关模型, 然后利用这个统计学经验模型进行向下的空间尺度转换. 然而动态模型并不直接对GCM数据进行向下尺度的转换,而是对与GCM进行动态耦合的区域气候模型(RCM) 的输出数据进行空间尺度转换. 通常后者所获得的数据精度要比前者高,但是一个主要缺点就是并不是全球所有的研究区域都有对应的RCM。还详细论述了2种向上尺度转换方法: 统计学经验模型和斑块模型。前者是建立一个能代表小尺度信息在大尺度上分布的密度分布概率函数, 然后利用这个函数在所需的大尺度上进行积分而求得大尺度所需的信息。而后者是根据相似性最大化原则将大尺度划分为若干个可操作的小尺度斑块,然后将计算的每个小尺度斑块的信息平均化得到大尺度所需的信息。通常在计算这种斑块化的小尺度信息的时候,对每个小尺度也会采用统计学经验模型来计算代表整个斑块小尺度的信息。建议用斑块模型与统计学经验模型相集合的方法来实现向上的空间尺度转换     

Quantifying the heterogeneity of shale through statistical combination of imaging across scales

Shale is a highly heterogeneous material across multiple scales. A typical shale consists of nanometer-scale pores and minerals mixed with macroscale fractures and particles of varying size. High-resolution imaging is crucial for characterizing the composition and microstructure of this rock. However, it is generally not feasible to image a large sample of shale at a high resolution over a large field of view (FOV), thus limiting a full characterization of the microstructure of this material. We present a stochastic framework based on multiple-point statistics that uses high-resolution training images to enhance low-resolution images obtained over a large FOV. We demonstrate the approach using X-ray micro-tomography images of organic-rich Woodford shale obtained at two different resolutions and FOV. Results show that the proposed technique can generate realistic high-resolution images of the microstructure of shale over a large FOV.     

Testing the suitability of geologic frameworks for extrapolating hydraulic properties across regional scales

The suitability of geologic frameworks for extrapolating hydraulic conductivity (K) to length scales commensurate with hydraulic data is difficult to assess. A novel method is presented for evaluating assumed relations between K and geologic interpretations for regional-scale groundwater modeling. The approach relies on simultaneous interpretation of multiple aquifer tests using alternative geologic frameworks of variable complexity, where each framework is incorporated as prior information that assumes homogeneous K within each model unit. This approach is tested at Pahute Mesa within the Nevada National Security Site (USA), where observed drawdowns from eight aquifer tests in complex, highly faulted volcanic rocks provide the necessary hydraulic constraints. The investigated volume encompasses 40 mi³ (167 km³) where drawdowns traversed major fault structures and were detected more than 2 mi (3.2 km) from pumping wells. Complexity of the five frameworks assessed ranges from an undifferentiated mass of rock with a single unit to 14 distinct geologic units. Results show that only four geologic units can be justified as hydraulically unique for this location. The approach qualitatively evaluates the consistency of hydraulic property estimates within extents of investigation and effects of geologic frameworks on extrapolation. Distributions of transmissivity are similar within the investigated extents irrespective of the geologic framework. In contrast, the extrapolation of hydraulic properties beyond the volume investigated with interfering aquifer tests is strongly affected by the complexity of a given framework. Testing at Pahute Mesa illustrates how this method can be employed to determine the appropriate level of geologic complexity for large-scale groundwater modeling.     

Neogene north American-Caribbean plate boundary across Northern Central America: Offset along the polochic fault

The Polochic fault was a segment of the North American-Caribbean plate boundary across Central America in the Neogene. Its 130 km of left slip was previously determined by matching structures and stratigraphie outcrop patterns of northwest and central Guatemala across the fault. Additional support for the model and the youthfulness of the recorded offset comes from an essentially perfect match of major geomorphic features across the fault. A reconstruction process which eliminates 123 km of left slip brings together rivers and drainage divides that existed before the Polochic became active.With the reconstruction carried across the isthmus on an east-west fault the regional structural geology assumes the coherent pattern of a continuous orogenic belt whose geometry is compatible with the model of collisional tectonics centered on the Motagua “suture zone”. Confined within this belt, narrowed to some 60 km by the reconstruction, lie the major Laramide thrusts, folds and tectonically emplaced serpentinites of Guatemala. Crystalline rocks of Guatemala re-join the Chiapas Massif and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, exposed in the core of an almost-continuous anticlinorium, extend from southern Chiapas to Lake Izabal.The Polochic does not bend in eastern Guatemala but continues eastward to the Motagua fault where it dies. Westward drift of the northern block resulted in rifting which extended from eastern Guatemala into the Caribbean along the Cayman trough. The Honduras depression may represent an element of a triple junction along with the Polochic and Izabal-Cayman rift.The Polochic continues westward into the Pacific Ocean and offsets the Middle America trench. The Polochic has offset the Miocene volcanic belt of northern Central America, confirming the previous estimate of a Neogene time of movement.About 300 km of relative east-west Neogene displacement has been recorded on the Mid-Cayman rise, only 130 km of which can be accounted for across the Polochic. It is suggested that cumulative extension on north-south faults south of the Motagua fault zone between the trench and the Honduras depression might make up that difference.     

Geochemical variation along and across the Central American Miocene paleoarc in Honduras and Nicaragua

An analysis of 70 samples, collected from Miocene-age ignimbrites in 68 locations in Nicaragua and Honduras, indicates that geochemical processes and a subduction zone geometry similar to those in the modern arc were also present in the paleoarc. Samples were plotted along two transects, parallel and perpendicular to the inferred paleoarc. Most of the oxide plots exhibit flat profiles along the arc from NW to SE, except for SiO₂, which decreases. FeO, CaO, TiO₂, and MgO increase from NW to SE. There are no clear trends in the oxides from SW to NE, except K₂O. K₂O increases to the SW. Most trace elements show little to no variation along the province from NW to SE, with the exception of La, Ce, Rb, Ba, Th, Nb, Ta, Pb, and Sr, which all appear to decrease in abundance from NW to SE. While Ba increases to the SW, toward the paleotrench, it also shows remarkable variation parallel to the arc, with highs in Nicaragua, and decreasing concentrations to the NW and SE. This trend is especially apparent in Ba/La with lows near 1 in the NW and highs approaching 80 in Nicaragua. This trend is similar to that of the modern arc, which suggests that the geometry of the arc in the Miocene was very similar to that of the modern arc. In addition, the data also becomes more scattered to the southeast as a basement boundary is crossed (determined by gravity-anomaly mapping), probably due to a higher degree of contamination by continental crust.     

Effects of hypoxic disturbances on an estuarine nekton assemblage across multiple scales

Disturbances influence ecological communities over a wide range of scales. We investigated the effects of localized hypoxic disturbances on an estuarine fish assemblage at several spatial (m² and 10s km²) and temporal (days, seasons, years) scales in a multivariate framework (temperature, salinity, depth, dissolved oxygen). We examined whether seasons, years) scales in a multivariate framework (temperature, salinity, depth, dissolved oxygen). We examined whether there were consistent changes in fish and crustacean estuarine assemblage characteristics along environmental gradients and whether these relationships were altered by hypoxic disturbances. We also investigated at what scale dissolved oxygen concentration may be influencing the structure of motile estuarine assemblages and whether the size of the hypoxic zone altered its effects on the estuarine assemblage. Hypoxic disturbances altered fish and crustacean assemblages along the depth gradients that were present during well-oxygenated periods. Species diversity, richness, and catch rates were lower in hypoxic patches than in oxygenated areas. Dissolved oxygen concentration remained an important explanatory variable for patch-level assemblage dissimilarity, species richness, and diversity when data were aggregated across seasons. When we examined the data at a larger scale, by aggregating information across the study area, we did not detect influences of hypoxia on assemblage structure. Fish moved out of local hypoxic zones, but remained within the estuary even in years with extensive hypoxia. There was no effect of size of the hypoxic distrubance on whether organisms responded to hypoxia or on diversity or richness of the study site. These results suggest that these local disturbances play an important role in structuring motile species assemblages at a patch-level within an estuary, but regional factors such as recruitment and migration are important in influencing species assemblages for the entire estuary over months and years.     

Relative spatial soil geochemical variability along two transects across the United States and Canada

To support the development of protocols for the proposed North American Soil Geochemical Landscapes project, whose objective is to establish baselines for the geochemistry of North American soils, two continental-scale transects across the United States and Canada were sampled in 2004. The sampling employed a spatially stratified random sampling design in order to estimate the variability between 40-km linear sampling units, within them, at sample sites, and due to sample preparation and analytical chemical procedures. The 40-km scale was chosen to be consistent with the density proposed for the continental-scale project. The two transects, north–south (N–S) from northern Manitoba to the USA–Mexico border near El Paso, Texas, and east–west (E–W) from the Virginia shore north of Washington, DC, to north of San Francisco, California, closely following the 38th parallel, have been studied individually. The purpose of this study was to determine if statistically significant systematic spatial variation occurred along the transects. Data for 38 major, minor and trace elements in A- and C-horizon soils where less than 5% of the data were below the detection limit were investigated by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). A total of 15 elements (K, Na, As, Ba, Be, Ce, La, Mn, Nb, P, Rb, Sb, Th, Tl and W) demonstrated statistically significant (p < 0.05) variability at the between-40-km scale for both horizons along both transects. Only Cu failed to demonstrate significant variability at the between-40-km scale for both soil horizons along both transects.The patterns of relative variability differ by transect and horizon. The N–S transect A-horizon soils show significant between-40-km scale variability for 29 elements, with only 4 elements (Ca, Mg, Pb and Sr) showing in excess of 50% of their variability at the within-40-km and ‘at-site’ scales. In contrast, the C-horizon data demonstrate significant between-40-km scale variability for 26 elements, with 21 having in excess of 50% of their variability at the within-40-km and ‘at-site’ scales. In 36 instances, the ‘at-site’ variability is statistically significant in terms of the sample preparation and analysis variability. It is postulated that this contrast between the A- and C- horizons along the N–S transect, that is dominated by agricultural land uses, is due to the local homogenization of Ap-horizon soils by tillage reducing the ‘at-site’ variability. The spatial variability is distributed similarly between scales for the A- and C-horizon soils of the E–W transect. For all elements, there is significant variability at the within-40-km scale. Notwithstanding this, there is significant between-40-km variability for 28 and 20 of the elements in the A- and C-horizon data, respectively. The differences between the two transects are attributed to (1) geology, the N–S transect runs generally parallel to regional strikes, whereas the E–W transect runs across regional structures and lithologies; and (2) land use, with agricultural tillage dominating along the N–S transect. The spatial analysis of the transect data indicates that continental-scale maps demonstrating statistically significant patterns of geochemical variability may be prepared for many elements from data on soil samples collected on a 40 × 40 km grid or similar sampling designs resulting in a sample density of 1 site per 1600 km².     

Deep CMP seismic surveying along the Tatseis-2003 geotraverse across the Volga-Ural petroliferous province

The objective, methods, and main results of deep CMP seismic surveying along the Tatseis-2003 geotraverse are discussed. This geotraverse crosses the Volga-Ural petroliferous province from the northwest to the southeast for more than 1000 km and is linked with the well-known Uralseis-95 geotraverse by an additional profile. The main objective of this surveying was to study the structure of sedimentary cover and the Earth’s crust as a whole in the North Tatar Arch, Kazan-Kazhim Trough, Kotel’nich Arch, and the southeastern Moscow Syneclise in comparison with the petroliferous South Tatar Arch. The applied technology (telemetric stations, powerful vibrators, a 12-km spread, a common midpoint fold of 60, and a recording time of 20 s), the planning of seismic exploration with consideration of the available geological and geophysical information, and special processing of the data—all this provided the high-quality time sections that allowed solution of the geologic problems. The main scientific and applied results of the investigations are establishment of the links between petroleum resource potential of the sedimentary cover and the structure of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle. These data are of basic importance and testify to the considerable role of deep factors in the formation of hydrocarbon fields. After these factors are tested in other regions, the revealed indications may be used in petroleum exploration. The tectonic nature of inclined reflectors in the Earth’s crust and upper mantle is substantiated. It is shown that the near-vertical dynamic anomalies are caused by real geologic bodies. A complex of investigations is proposed for their further interpretation. The deep seismic surveying along the geotraverse fulfilled its task completely. At the same time, the results obtained allow recommending lines of further research and their methods. It would be expedient to perform generalizing scientific research aimed at coordinating the Uralseis-95 and Tatseis-2003 geotraverses in order to develop a common profile from the Urals to the Moscow Syneclise, provide complex interpretation of these data, and integrate the results of the previously performed deep CMP seismic surveying.     

Upper lithospheric seismic velocity structure across the Pripyat Trough and the Ukrainian Shield along the EUROBRIDGE'97 profile

We present new results on the structure resulting from Palaeoproterozoic terrane accretion and later formation of one of the aulacogens in the East European Platform. Seismic data has been acquired along the 530-km-long, N–S-striking EUROBRIDGE'97 traverse across Sarmatia, a major crustal segment of the East European Craton. The profile extends across the Ukrainian Shield from the Devonian Pripyat Trough, across the Palaeoproterozoic Volyn Block and the Korosten Pluton, into the Archaean Podolian Block. Seismic waves from chemical explosions at 18 shot points at approximately 30-km intervals were recorded in two deployments by 120 mobile three-component seismographs at 3–4 km nominal station spacing. The data has been interpreted by use of two-dimensional tomographic travel time inversion and ray trace modelling. The high data quality allows modelling of the P- and S-wave velocity structure along the profile. There are pronounced differences in seismic velocity structure of the crust and uppermost mantle between the three main tectonic provinces traversed by the profile: (i) the Pripyat Trough is a ca. 4-km-deep sedimentary basin, fully located in the Osnitsk–Mikashevichi Igneous Belt in the northern part of the profile. The velocity structure is typical for a Precambrian craton, but is underlain by a ca. 5-km-thick lowest crustal layer of high velocity. The development of the Pripyat Trough appears to have only affected the upper crust without noticeable thinning of the whole crust; this may be explained by a rheologically strong lithosphere at the time of formation of the trough. (ii) Very high seismic velocity and Vp/Vs ratio characterise the Volyn Block and Korosten Pluton to a depth of 15 km and probably also the lowest crust. The values are consistent with an intrusive body of mafic composition in the upper crust that formed from bimodal melts derived from the mantle and the lower crust. (iii) The Podolian Block is close to a typical cratonic velocity structure, although it is characterised by relatively low seismic velocity and Vp/Vs ratio. A pronounced SW-dipping mantle reflector from Moho to at least 70 km depth may represent the Proterozoic suture between Sarmatia and Volgo–Uralia, the structure from terrane accretion, or a later shear zone in the upper mantle. The sub-Moho P-wave seismic velocity is high everywhere along the profile, with the exception of the area above the dipping reflector. This velocity change further supports a plate tectonic origin of the dipping mantle reflector. The profile demonstrates that structure from Palaeoproterozoic plate tectonic processes are still identifiable in the lithosphere, even where younger metamorphic equilibration of the crust has taken place.     

青藏铁路沿线的地裂缝及工程影响

通过大比例尺野外地质调查和跨季节对比观测,发现青藏铁路沿线发育地震破裂、断层裂缝、冻土裂缝与冰裂缝4种不同类型的地裂缝。典型地震破裂包括西大滩古地震破裂、昆仑山南缘地震破裂、可可西里古地震破裂、崩错地震破裂、谷露盆西地震破裂、羊八井-当雄盆西地震破裂;地震破裂规模大,产状稳定,与地震鼓包、地震陡坎、地震凹陷有序组合,是地表构造变形的重要形式,属内动力成因地裂缝。断层裂缝沿断层破碎带定向分布,产状稳定,成群产出,与断层活动、地下水运移、不均匀冻胀存在密切的关系,是构造变形与融冻变形联合、内外动力耦合产生的复合成因地裂缝。冻土裂缝和冰裂缝属外营力成因地裂缝,是冻土与冰层不均匀融冻变形的重要表现形式。地震破裂、断层裂缝和冻土裂缝对青藏公路、青藏铁路及沿线工程安全具有不良影响,这些地裂缝切割错断路基,形成路面破裂和路基滑塌,产生显著的灾害效应。     

Crustal structure along a traverse across the Middle and High Atlas mountains derived from seismic refraction studies

In 1986 explosion seismic investigations have been carried out along a traverse of about 350 km length running from NNW to SSE crossing the High and Middle Atlas. Two further profiles run E/W through the Middle and NW-SE through the High Atlas.Neither the High nor the Middle Atlas mountains have a significant root. The maximum thickness of crust with 38–39 km is found under the northern border of the High Atlas. South and north of the High Atlas the crustal thickness amounts to 35 km. The upper as well as the lower crust are stongly structurized in the vertical direction. Significant for the profiles observed is the change between high and low velocities in the whole crust. The velocities at the uppermost mantle are relatively low with values of 7.7–7.9 km/s. The average velocities for the whole crust are 6.1–6.2 km/s.

---

Zusammenfassung Sprengseismische Untersuchungen wurden 1986 längs einer etwa 350 km langen Traverse durchgeführt, die NNW-SSO verläuft und den Mittleren und den Hohen Atlas quert. Zwei weitere Profile verlaufen E-W durch den Mittleren und NW-SO durch den Hohen Atlas.Der Hohe und der Mittlere Atlas besitzen keine ausgeprägte Gebirgswurzel. Die maximale Krustendicke wird mit 38–39 km unter dem nördlichen Rand des Hohen Atlas angetroffen. Südlich und nördlich vom Hohen Atlas beträgt die Krustenmächtigkeit 35 km. Sowohl die obere als auch die untere Kruste sind in vertikaler Richtung stark strukturiert. Auf allen beobachteten Profilen ist ein Wechsel zwischen hohen und niedrigen Geschwindigkeiten für die gesamte Kruste charakteristisch. Die Geschwindigkeiten im obersten Mantel sind mit Werten von 7.7–7.9 km/s relativ niedrig. Die Durchschnittsgeschwindigkeiten für die gesamte Kruste liegen bei 6.1–6.2 km/s.

---

Résumé Durant l'année 1986 des sondages sismiques de tirs ont été entrepris le long d'une traverse d'environ 350 km de longueur se dirigeant du nord nordouest au sud sud-est et parcourant le Haut et Moyen Atlas. Deux autres profils parcourent le Moyen Atlas de l'est à l'ouest et le Haut Atlas du nord-ouest au sud-est.Le Haut et Moyen Atlas ne possèdent pas de racine montagneuse. L'épaisseur maximale de 38–39 km de la croûte a été localisée sous le bord nord du Haut Atlas. Au sud et au nord du Haut Atlas l'épaisseur de la croûte s'élève à 35 km. La croûte supérieure ainsi que la croûte inférieure est très structurée en direction verticale.Ce qui est caractéristique pour tous les profils observés c'est un changement rapide entre de grandes et petites vitesses et concernant le total de la croûte. Les vitesses dans le manteau le plus élevé haut sont relativement basses avec 7,7–7,9 km/s. Les vitesses moyennes pour la croûte entière sont de 6,1 à 6,2 km/s.

---

1986 350 , NNW SSE . : E-W , NWSE . . , 38/39 , 35 . , . . : 7,7–7,9 /. 6,1–6,2 /.

     

Crustal structure across the TESZ along POLONAISE''97 seismic profile P2 in NW Poland

The POLONAISE'97 (POlish Lithospheric ONset—An International Seismic Experiment, 1997) seismic experiment in Poland targeted the deep structure of the Trans-European Suture Zone (TESZ) and the complex series of upper crustal features around the Polish Basin. One of the seismic profiles was the 300-km-long profile P2 in northwestern Poland across the TESZ. Results of 2D modelling show that the crustal thickness varies considerably along the profile: 29 km below the Palaeozoic Platform; 35–47 km at the crustal keel at the Teisseyre–Tornquist Zone (TTZ), slightly displaced to the northeast of the geologic inversion zone; and 42 km below the Precambrian Craton. In the Polish Basin and further to the south, the depth down to the consolidated basement is 6–14 km, as characterised by a velocity of 5.8–5.9 km/s. The low basement velocities, less than 6.0 km/s, extend to a depth of 16–22 km. In the middle crust, with a thickness of ca. 4–14 km, the velocity changes from 6.2 km/s in the southwestern to 6.8 km/s in the northeastern parts of the profile. The lower crust also differs between the southwestern and northeastern parts of the profile: from 8 km thickness, with a velocity of 6.8–7.0 km/s at a depth of 22 km, to ca.12 km thickness with a velocity of 7.0–7.2 km/s at a depth of 30 km. In the lowermost crust, a body with a velocity of 7.20–7.25 km/s was found above Moho at a depth of 33–45 km in the central part of the profile. Sub-Moho velocities are 8.2–8.3 km/s beneath the Palaeozoic Platform and TTZ, and about 8.1 km/s beneath the Precambrian Platform. Seismic reflectors in the upper mantle were interpreted at 45-km depth beneath the Palaeozoic Platform and 55-km depth beneath the TTZ.

The Polish Basin is an up to 14-km-thick asymmetric graben feature. The basement beneath the Palaeozoic Platform in the southwest is similar to other areas that were subject to Caledonian deformation (Avalonia) such that the Variscan basement has only been imaged at a shallow depth along the profile. At northeastern end of the profile, the velocity structure is comparable to the crustal structure found in other portions of the East European Craton (EEC). The crustal keel may be related to the geologic inversion processes or to magmatic underplating during the Carboniferous–Permian extension and volcanic activity.     

Upper mantle P-wave tomography across the Longmenshan fault belt from passive-source seismic observations along Aba-Longquanshan profile

A passive seismic experiment across the Longmenshan (LMS) fault belt had been conducted between August 2006 and July 2007 for the understanding of geodynamic process between the Eastern Tibet and Sichuan basin. We herein collected 3677 first P arrival times with high precision from seismograms of 288 teleseismic events so as to reconstruct the upper mantle velocity structure. Our results show that the depth of the Lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB) changes from 70 km beneath Eastern Tibet to about 110 km beneath Longquanshan, Sichuan Basin, which is consistent with the receiver function imaging results. The very thin mantle part of the lithosphere beneath Eastern Tibet may suggest the lithosphere delamination due to strong interaction between the Tibetan eastward escaping flow and the rigid resisting Sichuan basin, which can be further supported by the existences of two high-velocity anomalies beneath LAB in our imaging result. We also find there are two related low-velocity anomalies beneath the LMS fault belt, which may indicate magmatic upwelling from lithosphere delamination and account for the origin of tremendous energy needed by the devastating Wenchuan earthquake.     

西大别横穿造山带实测地质剖面的基本构造样式

在高压、超高压变质岩出露齐全的西大别地区精确测制了一条比例尺为1：1万的横穿造山带地质剖面。根据岩石组合、变质程度和变形样式,将剖面经过的区域从北到南划分出南湾、八里畈、浒湾、新县、红安、七角山、桐柏集和木兰山等8个岩石构造单元。区域构造变形解析表明,在西大别造山带剥露过程中,早期以多幕挤压褶皱和逆冲推覆变形占主导地位,晚期则主要表现为韧性伸展滑脱、正断和走滑改造。结合由榴辉岩推导的热结构特征,认为西大别造山带的基本构造样式是一个规模宏伟的、以超高压变质岩为核部并向西侧伏的不对称背形构造,后期的伸展滑脱使其发展成现今所展示的穹窿。