The topology of geology 2: Topological uncertainty

Uncertainty is ubiquitous in geology, and efforts to characterise and communicate it are becoming increasingly important. Recent studies have quantified differences between perturbed geological models to gain insight into uncertainty. We build on this approach by quantifying differences in topology, a property that describes geological relationships in a model, introducing the concept of topological uncertainty. Data defining implicit geological models were perturbed to simulate data uncertainties, and the amount of topological variation in the resulting model suite measured to provide probabilistic assessments of specific topological hypotheses, sources of topological uncertainty and the classification of possible model realisations based on their topology. Overall, topology was found to be highly sensitive to small variations in model construction parameters in realistic models, with almost all of the several thousand realisations defining distinct topologies. In particular, uncertainty related to faults and unconformities was found to have profound topological implications. Finally, possible uses of topology as a geodiversity metric and validation filter are discussed, and methods of incorporating topological uncertainty into physical models are suggested.     

The use of topology in fracture network characterization

In two-dimensions, a fracture network consist of a system of branches and nodes that can be used to define both geometrical features, such as length and orientation, and the relationship between elements of the network – topology. Branch lengths are preferred to trace lengths as they can be uniquely defined, have less censoring and are more clustered around a mean value. Many important properties of networks are more related to topology than geometry.The proportions of isolated (I), abutting (Y) and crossing (X) nodes provide a basis for describing the topology that can be easily applied, even with limited access to the network as a whole. Node counting also provides an unbiased estimate of frequency and can be used in conjunction with fracture intensity to estimate the characteristic length and dimensionless intensity of the fractures. The nodes can be used to classify branches into three types – those with two I-nodes, one I-node and no I-nodes (or two connected nodes). The average number of connections per branch provides a measure of connectivity that is almost completely independent of the topology. We briefly discuss the extension of topological concepts to 3-dimensions.     

关于当前我国城市地质研究的认识

进入21世纪，保护和合理利用资源环境已成为我国的一个重大战略问题。城市地质以调查研究和解决与城市建设及发展有关的各种资源、环境等地质问题为其基本任务。随时代发展和国家需要，它的侧重点也有所不同。当前我国处于城市化高速发展的历史阶段，城市地质主要任务更是要强调环境问题，即城市地质着重解决城市环境岩土工程和地质灾害问题，或者说是解决城市安全特别是城市土工安全问题，为城市防灾减灾与城市生态建设和城市可持续发展服务。     

中国地质学的产生与发展——写在地质调查所创建100周年之际

中国的地质学非我国自有,而是在传播和引入西方近代科学文化的过程中逐渐形成的,是"西学东渐"的结果。在欧美等西方国家,至19世纪中叶,便建立并完善了近代地质学的理论和方法体系,完成了学科体制化建设,比中国至少早一个世纪。从16世纪后半叶的"西学东渐",西方近代地学传入中国进行第一次启蒙,到引进、消化、吸收和本土化,最后建立中国地质学理论和方法体系,完成学科建制,中国地质事业历经了长达三个半世纪艰辛曲折并充满坎坷的历史进程。创建于1913年的地质调查所是中国近代第一个科研机构,在章鸿钊、丁文江、翁文灏等第一代地质学家的领导下,筚路蓝缕、艰苦奋斗,在短短的二、三十年里,全面开创和奠定了中国近代地质事业,培养了一大批早期地质学家,取得了举世瞩目的成果,赢得国内外学术界的广泛赞誉。地质调查所的成功及其所取得的成就远远超出了地质学,对我国古生物学、地理学、地震学、地球物理学、土壤学、考古、古人类学、燃料和地图等诸多学科领域都产生了深远影响。     

Reconstruction and visualisation of melt topology in veined microdioritic enclaves

A number of xenocrystic microdioritic enclaves within the Ross of Mull Granite contain narrow veins of monzonitic material that have formed through the selective partial fusion of granitic magma mechanically incorporated into the microdiorite magma. Field evidence suggests that, as melting of the granitic material ensued, a monzonitic melt formed and exfiltrated from the surrounding microdioritic matrix resulting in Saffman–Taylor instabilities and the development of viscous fingering phenomena. The monzonitic melt network is now preserved as monzonitic veins. Mechanical serial sectioning through a representative veined microdioritic enclave shows that: (a) the topology of the veins is complex but crudely polyhedral, (b) there is porosity (monzonitic melt fraction) variation throughout the length of the veined enclave and (c) that the monzonitic veins are interconnected in three dimensions. Using image analysis software, the total porosity of individual veined enclave sections has been estimated, along with the variation in porosity with depth. Three dimensional rendering and animation software has been used to reconstruct and visualise the monzonitic melt network using Apple QuickTime™ software. The above method provides a cheap and powerful way of visualising remnant macroscopic transport properties (such as connectivity and melt topology) in partially molten igneous rocks.Electronic supplementary material Electronic supplementary material is available for this article at and accessible for authorised users.     

大河边—新晃超大型重晶石矿床地球化学特征及形成的地质背景

本文从矿物岩石学、地球化学和沉积盆地分析角度，研究贵州天柱大河边－湖南贡溪两个超大型重晶石矿床中重晶石（矿）岩及其共生岩石的地球化学特征及构造地质背景。天柱－新晃－玉屏寒武纪热水沉积成矿盆地是发育在大陆斜坡上的断陷型热水沉积成矿盆地，由于同生断层作用将盆地切割成一系列次级盆地，大河边－碧林及龙背－铜盆盖三级热水沉积成矿盆地是大型重晶石矿床的构造定位空间。重晶石矿层主要赋存于下寒武统牛蹄塘组第一岩性段的黑色岩系中。 重晶石矿层是由海底低温热水同生沉积作用形成（105－192℃），古热水场的地球化学类型为硫酸盐型热水。硫酸盐型热水发生大规模同生沉积成岩成矿作用形成超大型重晶石矿床，重晶石矿层之上的黑色碳质粘土岩可能形成于封闭、还原、滞流的深水沉积环境，黑色碳质粘土岩构成矿层的封闭保存条件。     

The geology and structure of the Rustenburg Layered Suite in the Potgietersrus/Mokopane area of the Bushveld Complex,South Africa

A new geological map of the Rustenburg Layered Suite south of the Ysterberg–Planknek fault of the northern/Potgietersrus limb of the Bushveld Complex is presented, displaying features that were not available for publication in the past and are considered contributing to the complexity of this region. The northern limb is known for the Platreef, atypical mafic lithologies in sections of the layered sequence and the unusual development of the ultramafic Lower Zone as satellite bodies or offshoots at the base of the intrusion. The outcrop and suboutcrop pattern of Lower Zone Grasvally body and its relation to the surrounding geology of Main Zone, Critical Zone, and floor rocks is described. The extent of the base metal sulfide (BMS) and platinum-group element (PGE)-mineralized cyclic unit 11 of the Drummonlea harzburgite–chromitite sub zone is shown. Only that which is considered to be the equivalents of the mafic Upper Critical Zone has thus far been traced south of Potgietersrus/Mokopane. The Platreef is traced from the farm Townlands and further northwards. The presence of Platreef proper south of Potgietersrus/Mokopane appears to be speculative. However, Merensky Reef, UG 2, and equivalent layers outcrop or were intersected to the south of the town. The Kleinmeid Syncline comprising Main Zone/Critical Zone layers and its structure is discussed. The lateral lithological transfomation of the Merensky Reef/UG 2 and equivalent layers south of the Ysterberg–Planknek fault to Platreef north of this fault is recorded. Attenuation of both the Main Zone and Upper Zone is observed from the northwest towards the town and resulted in only the lower units being developed. The lateral change of Main Zone and Upper Zone lithologies from the northwest towards the town is described. The PGE and BMS economic potential south of the town are briefly tabulated.     

The universal applicability of logistic curve in simulating ecosystem carbon dynamic

As an S-shaped curve, the logistic curve has both high and low limit, which provides advantages in modelling the influences of environmental factors on biogeological processes. However, although the logistic curve and its transformations have drawn much attention in theoretical modelling, it is often used as a classification method to determine a true or false condition, and is less often applied in simulating the real data set. Starting from the basic theory of the logistic curve, with observed data sets, this paper explored the new application scenarios such as modelling the time series of environmental factors, modelling the influence of environmental factors on biogeological processes and modelling the theoretical curve in ecology area. By comparing the performance of traditional model and the logistic model, the results indicated that logistic modelling worked as well as traditional equations. Under certain conditions, such as modelling the influence of temperature on ecosystem respiration, the logistic model is more realistic than the widely applied Lloyd-Taylor formulation under extreme conditions. These cases confirmed that the logistic curve was capable of simulating nonlinear influences of multiple factors on biogeological processes such as carbon dynamic.     

On the role of grain topology in dynamic grain growth — 2D microstructural modeling

Microstructural modification processes like dynamic recrystallization and grain growth can have a major effect on the transient and (semi-)steady state flow behaviour of deforming materials. Work on metals and ceramics suggests that deformation-enhanced changes in grain topology and the corresponding increase in fraction of non-hexagonal grains, called cellular defect fraction, can promote grain growth during deformation. The present study tests this hypothesis, by investigating the evolution of the cellular defect fraction during deformation, accompanied by grain growth, of aggregates with distributed grain sizes. For this purpose, we made use of the ELLE 2D microstructural modeling package. We simulated and quantified microstructural evolution under conditions where both surface energy driven grain boundary migration (GBM) and homogeneous deformation or grain size sensitive (GSS) straining were allowed to occur. The simulations show that contemporaneous GBM and simple geometrical straining of grain aggregates with distributed grain size and coordination number lead to extra grain neighbor switching, an increase in defect fraction, and enhanced grain growth. An increase in defect fraction was also found in a selected set of natural calcite mylonites that, with increasing temperature, show an increase in grain size and contribution of GSS creep. Analysis of defect fraction thus appears to be a good microstructural tool to establish whether or not a material has experienced normal static (defect fraction  0.7) or dynamic grain growth (defect fraction  0.8).     

全球地质学复兴：我们正进入“人类幻”——第32届国际地质大会环境地质述评

概要介绍了第32届国际地质大会的议题概况。7个大会报告中与环境地质问题相关的竟有6个,反映以人类与地球相互作用为中心的研究已成为地质学家们不得不关注的主题。重点介绍了环境地质方面的几个重要议题：气候与地质环境、地质灾害风险评估、城市化与城市地质、地下水资源与环境、地质环境标识。阐明了关于全球地质学复兴的几点思考：人类活动已成为一种地质营力、地质工作者应成为管理地球的主力军、重在预测人类的未来、地质环境与地球环境、地球系统与地球问题。     

The geology of Goa Group: Revisited

The supracrustals that constitute the Goa Group of Gokul et al. (1985) can be divided into two lithostratigraphic sequences namely the Barcem Group and the Ponda Group. The former comprises predominantly greenstones (metabasalts) and rests on a basement of the 3300–3400 Ma Anmode Ghat trodhjemite gneiss with a crudely developed quartz-pebble conglomerate at the base, and shows lithological similarities with the lower part of the Bababudan Group. The younger sequence is dominated by clastics, and is assigned to a new stratigraphic group formally termed the Ponda Group which is equivalent to the Chitradurga Group of the Dharwar Supergroup. This group rests on a basement of the 2700–2900 Ma Chandranath granite gneiss with a distinct unconformity marked by a polymict, granite-clast metaconglomerate. The conglomerate displays many similarities with the Talya conglomerate that occurs at the base of the Chitradurga Group. It is overlain by a psamolitic sequence which is followed in ascending order by the chemogenic sediments that host the BIF and by the deep water turbidite sequence (argillite-graywacke association) with intercalations of mafic volcanics. The supracrustal sequence is intruded by the Bondla layered mafic-ultramafic complex along a major shear zone (NW-SE) that largely controls the course of the northwesterly flowing tributary of River Mandovi. The late intrusive, Canacona potassic granite marks the culmination of the sedimentation in the Shimoga-Goa basin.     

地质领域机器学习、深度学习及实现语言

地质大数据正在以指数形式增长。只有发展智能数据处理方法才有可能追上大数据的超常增长。机器学习是人工智能的核心,是使计算机具有智能的根本途径。机器学习已成为地质大数据研究的前沿热点,它将让地质大数据插上翅膀,并因此改变地质。机器学习是一个源于数据的模型的训练过程,最终给出一个面向某种性能度量的决策。深度学习是机器学习研究中的一个重要子类,它通过构建具有很多隐层的机器学习模型和海量的训练数据,来学习更有用的特征,从而最终提升分类或预测的准确性。卷积神经网络算法是最为常用的一种深度学习算法之一,它广泛用于图像识别和语音分析等。Python语言在科学领域的地位占据着越来越重要。其下的Scikit-Learn是一个机器学习相关的库,提供有数据预处理、分类、回归、聚类、预测、模型分析等算法。Keras是一个基于Theano/Tensorflow的深度学习库,可以应用来搭建简洁的人工神经网络。     

Hydrogeochemical analysis on Italian bottled mineral waters: Effects of geology

The use of bottled mineral waters use is increasingly becoming popular and the need for better knowledge of their chemical composition is a key issue for defining their quality, particularly for those elements that are not monitored on a regular basis. The link between geology and water chemistry is well known and can lead to extreme differences in element distribution and is an issue that needs to be addressed. Such an opportunity has been provided by a project of the EuroGeoSurvey Geochemistry Expert Group aimed at the characterization of groundwater geochemistry using bottled mineral waters purchased in supermarkets all over Europe. On these waters pH, conductivity and concentrations of 69 elements and ions were measured at the BGR geochemical laboratories. On a total of 1785 “samples”, 158 represent waters bottled in Italy in 126 different sites scattered throughout the country. Most of the purchased mineral water is packaged in PET bottles. In this paper, the dataset concerning Italy has been used to provide an overview on the relationship between natural concentration of the determined chemical elements in groundwater and geo-lithological features. These relationships have been investigated mostly taking into account the surface geology and other information available on water sources. Application of R-Mode factor analysis to the data set allowed the determination of the possible relationship between the distribution of individual elements and lithology or other surface enrichment phenomena. In particular waters draining through volcanic rocks are enriched in elements such as As, B, Br⁻, Cl⁻, Cs, I, K, Li, Na, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, Rb, Sc, SiO₂, Sr, Te, Ti, and V up to 3 orders of magnitude higher than waters draining through other lithologies. REE and Y show significant difference in median concentration due to interaction of waters with plutonic rocks. Many elements have a large spread of concentrations, which reflects natural variations and interaction with particular lithologies. One of the five R-mode factor analysis associations, recognized as being representative of elements analysed shows high nitrate and V loadings along with As, PO₄³⁻ and Se. The latter association probably reflects a sign of anthropogenic contribution in some aquifers in volcano-sedimentary or silico-clastic deposits and in intensively cultivated areas.     

A re-evaluation of Late Devensian glacial Lake Humber levels in the Vale of York,UK

Proglacial Lake Humber formed in the Vale of York and Ancholme Valley during the Late Devensian (Weichselian) glaciation, but its lake levels and their precise ages are uncertain. Three-dimensional geological modelling, based on 193 borehole sediment logs from the eastern part of the Vale of York, indicates that glaciolacustrine sediments extend no higher than 10?m O.D. By contrast, recent palaeoenvironmental reconstructions for the region that suggest Lake Humber had eight recessional shorelines, extending from 42?m to 5?m O.D. Above 10?m O.D., the sediments become more discontinuous, and comprise clay with occasional chalk and flint gravel, and matrix-rich diamicton interdigitated with sands and gravels. Sedimentary and geochemical analyses of sands and gravels from one of the putative shorelines, at 25?m O.D., indicate an easterly provenance for these sediments. They are interpreted here as colluvial deposits, sourced largely by periglacial weathering of Jurassic and chalk bedrock. Collectively, the geological evidence suggests that the highest level of Lake Humber during the Late Devensian did not exceed 10?m O.D., and therefore reconstructions invoking higher lake levels are thought to be unlikely.     

The effect of graben structures on the migration of groundwater contaminants at an industrial site

Industrial sites present a challenge to the hydrogeological delineation of pollution sources and their impacts. When large-scale geologic structures such as grabens exist on such sites, these can have a significant impact on the hydrology and water quality distribution. At the site investigated, geophysical techniques, standard hydrogeological approaches and hydrochemical characterisation (with methods such as depth-profiling and isotopes) were used to determine the impact of a graben structure and the hydrogeological properties and consequent water quality distribution. Zones of high conductivity, corresponding with available data, were identified from the geophysical investigation and subsequent pumping tests in the area. Through hydrochemical characterisation, including isotopes, it was determined that the fault zone acts as a barrier for groundwater flow and is thus the reason for the lower levels of pollutants in groundwater beyond this feature. However, the surface water flow is not restricted by these zones, and contributes significantly to the flow and salt loads at the discharge point. The study showed that graben structures are important controls on the movement of contaminants, and that the effect of such geological features on groundwater quality distribution must be investigated using multiple methodologies to construct a feasible conceptual model of the interactions.     

Expansion of landscape characterisation methods within the Hydrogeological Landscape Framework: application in the Australian Capital Territory

The Hydrogeological Landscape (HGL) Framework is a landscape-characterisation tool that is used to discern areas of similar physical, hydrogeological, hydrological, chemical and biological properties, referred to as HGL Units. The HGL Framework facilitates prioritisation of natural-resource management investment by identifying current and potential hazards in the landscape. Within prioritised regions, on-ground management actions are tailored for specific Management Areas within individual HGL Units. The HGL Unit boundaries are determined through expert interpretation of spatial and field based datasets, such as climate, landform, geology, regolith, soil, stream network, groundwater flow systems, water quality and vegetation assemblages. The resulting HGL Units are validated by an interdisciplinary team using field assessment and biophysical testing. The use of the HGL Framework for new applications creates opportunities for refinement of the existing methodology and products for end users. This paper uses an application in the Australian Capital Territory as a case study to illustrate two enhanced techniques for the landscape characterisation component of the HGL Framework: use of an unsupervised statistical learning algorithm, Self-Organising Maps (SOM), to further validate HGL Units; and landform modelling to assist in delineation of Management Areas. The combined use of SOM and landform modelling techniques provides statistical support to the existing expert and field-based techniques, ensuring greater rigour and confidence in determination of landscape patterns. This creates a more refined HGL Framework landscape-characterisation tool, facilitating more precise hazard assessment and strategic natural-resource management by end users.     

含油气盆地多级序断裂网络体系拓扑特征：以济阳坳陷为例

断裂网络体系是含油气盆地的重要组成部分,这些复杂的断裂网络体系往往是由大量多级序断裂相互作用而成,难以通过几何学描述精确表达。因此,本文通过拓扑结构来表征含油气盆地中的多级序断裂网络,实现不同断裂间对比。在对拓扑参数,节点（独立I节点或连接的Y或X节点）和分支（I-I、I-C、C-C分支）统计的基础上,结合济阳坳陷不同应力背景下形成的多级序断裂网络与构造物理模拟实验进行对比,分析拓扑结构随应力变化的差异性。研究发现：1）单一拉伸背景下的相互作用仅限于断层侧接、叠覆时发生的连接（I节点和I-I或I-C控制）,断裂网络相对单一,连通性较差;而在多期拉伸背景下,拓扑特征逐渐以Y节点和C-C分支为主,断裂间连接程度随外界应力的改变而变化,断裂网络更加复杂,连通性较好;2）断裂网络的连通性受到C-C分支影响,C-C分支比例大则断裂相对复杂,连通性更好,C-C分支比例小则断裂网络相对简单,连通性较差。因此,明确断裂网络体系的拓扑结构有助于区分含油气盆地中单相和多相拉伸作用,从而对沉积盆地的地球动力学背景提供约束。