Spatiotemporal variations of suspended sediment transport in the upstream and midstream of the Yarlung Tsangpo River (the upper Brahmaputra), China

The Yarlung Tsangpo River, which flows from west to east across the southern part of the Tibetan Plateau, is the longest river on the plateau and an important center for human habitation in Tibet. Suspended sediment in the river can be used as an important proxy for evaluating regional soil erosion and ecological and environmental conditions. However, sediment transport in the river is rarely reported due to data scarcity. Results from this study based on a daily dataset of 3 years from four main stream gauging stations confirmed the existence of great spatiotemporal variability in suspended sediment transport in the Yarlung Tsangpo River, under interactions of monsoon climate and topographical variability. Temporally, sediment transport or deposition mainly occurred during the summer months from July to September, accounting for 79% to 93% of annual gross sediment load. This coincided with the rainy season from June to August that accounted for 51% to 80% of annual gross precipitation and the flood period from July to September that accounted for approximately 60% of annual gross discharge. The highest specific sediment yield of 177.6 t/km²/yr occurred in the upper midstream with the highest erosion intensity. The lower midstream was dominated by deposition, trapping approximately 40% of total sediment input from its upstream area. Sediment load transported to the midstream terminus was 10.43 Mt/yr with a basin average specific sediment yield of 54 t/km²/yr. Comparison with other plateau‐originated rivers like the upper Yellow River, the upper Yangtze River, the upper Indus River, and the Mekong River indicated that sediment contribution from the studied area was very low. The results provided fundamental information for future studies on soil and water conservation and for the river basin management. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于多维度指数的雅鲁藏布江鱼类多样性评价及群落构建过程分析

雅鲁藏布江是我国西藏地区最大的河流,孕育着独特的水生生物资源。近年来随着人类活动的干扰与河流开发的推进,亟待对该流域水生生物多样性进行全面调查评估。本研究基于雅鲁藏布江全流域的鱼类资源调查数据,整合物种多样性、功能多样性和系统发育多样性3个维度12项指数,对该流域鱼类多样性进行评价分析。结果显示,24个调查样点中共采集到37种鱼类,隶属于3目7科24属;其中土著鱼类27种,外来鱼类10种;鲤形目鲤科鱼类为优势类群。基于Bray-Curtis相异度的层次聚类可将雅鲁藏布江鱼类群落划分为4组,表现为帕隆藏布汇口以上/以下江段及两个江段内干支流间存在较大差异,这与区域生物地理学过程及河流环境梯度密切相关。利用12项多样性指数对各组群的鱼类多样性进行评估,结果表明,除Simpson多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数、平均配对种间系统发育距离指数和平均最近种间系统发育距离(MNTD)指数外,其他指数检测到组间的显著性差异。不同多样性指数之间的相关关系表现各异:与丰富度相关的多项指数间存在显著或极显著的正相关,功能离散度指数和MNTD指数与其他指数间多存在显著或极显著的负相关,表明不同类别的多样性指数各自具有独特的指示价值。基于群落功能性状结构和系统发育结构的检验结果显示,大多数样点驱动鱼类群落聚合的过程为种间竞争排斥,推测与雅鲁藏布江水体营养贫瘠、食物来源稀缺导致的种间营养竞争关系紧张有关。本文整合多维度多样性指数对雅鲁藏布江流域鱼类多样性及群落构建过程进行探究,以期为该流域鱼类资源保护和管理提供科学依据,也为应用多维度指数评价淡水鱼类多样性提供参考借鉴。     

雅鲁藏布大峡谷地区构造和地震活动特征

雅鲁藏布大峡谷地区位于喜马拉雅东构造结前锋地带,新构造运动和地震活动都十分强烈,两者关系密切。区内发育有北北东-北东向和北西西-北西向两组断裂构造,调查研究表明,它们的规模、性质、活动时代、活动强度等特征具有明显的差异：北西西-北西向断裂规模较大,多为逆冲、逆走滑断层,形成较早;北北东-北东向断裂单条规模相对不大,常集中分布,构成北北东向的剪切拉张断裂构造带,形成较晚,第四纪晚期活动明显。强震主要发生在喜马拉雅山差异运动强烈地带或地段,如块体周边的深大断裂带及其附近。7级以L地震主要与断裂构造带中规模较大、全新世强烈活动段、断裂几何构造复杂部位或多组方向断裂交汇密切相关。其中,7．5级以上地震发生在断裂构造带中走滑分量较大的北西向和北东向断裂带上。     

Gullying and erosion control at archaeological sites in Grand Canyon,Arizona

Gully erosion of cultural sites in Grand Canyon National Park is an urgent management problem that has intensified in recent decades, potentially related to the effects of Glen Canyon Dam. We studied 25 gullies at nine sites in Grand Canyon over the 2002 monsoon–erosion season to better understand the geomorphology of the gully erosion and the effectiveness of erosion‐control structures (ECS) installed by the park under the direction of the Zuni Conservation Program. Field results indicate that Hortonian overland flow leads to concentrated flow in gullies and erosion focused at knickpoints along channels as well as at gully heads. Though groundcover type, soil shear strength and permeability vary systemat‐ically across catchments, gradient and, to a lesser degree, contributing drainage area seem to be the first‐order controls on gully extent, location of new knickpoints, and ECS damage. The installed ECS do reduce erosion relative to reaches without them and initial data suggest woody checkdams are preferable to rock linings, but maintenance is essential because damaged structures can exacerbate erosion. Topographic data from intensive field surveys and detailed photogrammetry provide slope–contributing area data for gully heads that have a trend consistent with previous empirical and theoretical formulations from a variety of landscapes. The same scaling holds below gully heads for knickpoint and ECS topographic data, with threshold coefficients the lowest for gully heads, slightly higher for knickpoints, and notably higher for damaged ECS. These topographic thresholds were used with 10‐cm digital elevation models to create simple predictive models for gully extent and structure damage. The model predictions accounted for the observed gullies but there are also many false‐positives. Purely topographical models are probably inadequate at this scale and application, but models that also parameterize the variable soil properties across sites would be useful for predicting erosion problems and ECS failure. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismicity variations in the Makran region of Pakistan and Iran: Relation to great earthquakes

Teleseismic activity in the Makran region of southeastern Iran and southwestern Pakistan prior to the great earthquake (M_s=8) of 1945 can be characterized in terms of two stages. First, during the period 30 (or more) to 10 years prior to the main event, the frequency of occurrence of moderate to large earthquakes was relatively high in the region between the impending rupture zone and the volcanic arc to the northwest. These events probably occurred near the down-dip limit of seismic activity within the subducted slab. Second, activity was concentrated along the coast during the ten years immediately preceding the great earthquake and most of this activity was confined to the vicinity of the epicenter of the 1945 earthquake. These patterns are similar in some respects to those observed prior to some large earthquakes in other parts of the world.Three observations concerning the pre-1945 seismicity suggest it was associated with the preparation for rupture of the zone that eventually broke during the great earthquake in 1945: (1) The activity before 1945 is located either within the 1945 rupture zone or between this zone and the volcanic arc to the northwest; (2) No activity of similar magnitude and occurrence rate is observed elsewhere along the Makran plate boundary; and (3) The region that was active prior to 1945 has been relatively quiet since the decline in aftershock activity associated with the 1945 shock. The current quiescence may be related to the release of stress during the 1945 earthquake.Recent seismicity in the region west of that affected prior to 1945 suggests that this western region may be the site of the next large earthquake. Events along the coast are grouped at both ends of a seismically quiet zone, producing a distribution similar to the donut pattern identified by Mogi. In addition, one moderate-magnitude earthquake occurred within the subducted slab to the northwest of the donut pattern along the coast. This moderate-magnitude earthquake, the first to occur in the region immediately west of the 1945 rupture zone since the advent of instrumental recording, may be analogous to the activity of stage one associated with the 1945 earthquake. While by no means providing conclusive evidence of an impending earthquake, the characteristic patterns identified in the recent seismicity indicate that this region should be closely monitored in the future.Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory Contribution Number 2853.     

Grand canyon—a quantitative approach to the erosion and weathering of a stratified bedrock

A new method is proposed for solving a differential equation arising from weathering-limited development of a valley. Allowance is made for horizontal stratification and overhang can be allowed to develop. The model is applied to the Grand Canyon and comments are included on its relevance.     

Late Anisian radiolarian assemblages from the Yarlung‐Tsangpo Suture Zone in the Jinlu area,Zedong, southern Tibet: Implications for the evolution of Neotethys

Abundant Triassic radiolarian fossils were obtained from varicolored bedded cherts exposed in the Buruocang section near Jinlu village, Zedong, southern Tibet. The radiolarian‐bearing rocks represent fragmented remnants of the Neotethys oceanic sediments belonging to the mélange complex of the east part of the Yarlung‐Tsangpo Suture Zone. Two new middle Late Anisian radiolarian assemblages recognized from this section named Oertlispongus inaequispinosus and Triassocampe deweveri, respectively, are compared with those known from Europe, Far East Russia, Japan, and Turkey. These Anisian radiolarian fossils are the first reported in southern Tibet and the oldest radiolarian record within the Yarlung‐Tsangpo Suture Zone. They improve time constraints for the evolution of Neotethys in southern Tibet.     

广西北海地区地震活动研究

分析了广西北海地区地震活动的特征,认为北海地区历史地震和现代地震活动水平较高。通过对1970-2004年北海地区b值和缺震时间进行扫描分析,认为b值高值异常和缺震低值异常可能是该区中强地震的前兆异常。     

Geomorphological problems of the middle reaches of the Tsangpo River,Tibet

The middle reaches of the Tsangpo River consist of alternating sections of wide valleys and gorges. The wide valley sections have braided and anastomosing channels, gentle hydraulic gradients, thick alluvial deposits and low terraces. In contrast, the gorge sections exhibit single, straight and deeply entrenched meandering channels with steep hydraulic gradients, bare rock river beds and higher terraces. Several hypotheses have been used to explain these unusual fluvial landforms, but geological, landform and sedimentary analyses along with dating information, suggest that the key could be the active faults across the river valley. All gorge sections are located on the upthrown side of active faults, which mainly occurred in or after the Pliocene, whilst the wide valley sections appear on the downthrown side. The faulting blocked the river and caused the formation of palaeolakes, with thick deposits laid down behind the faults. Therefore, depositional wide valleys were formed and old terraces were buried. On these downthrown sides of the faults, braided and anastomosing channels have developed. On the upthrown sides, strong incision of the river occurred because of the changes of the local base levels and river gradients. As a result, deep gorges and deeply entrenched meandering channels formed in various lithologies. The terraces on the gorge slope indicate different stages of river incision and the related knick points appeared close to the local active faults. Rock resistance is only a minor influence on the alternation of valley forms and river gradients in this area. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismicity,Tectonics, and GPS Geodynamics of the Caucasus

Izvestiya, Physics of the Solid Earth - The style of the seismotectonic deformation of the Earth’s crust in the Caucasus and its immediate surroundings corresponds to the thrust setting with...     

Features of Seismicity in the Northeastern China Region and Their Relation to the Subduction of the Japan Sea Plate

INTRODUCTIONThewestPacificplatedivestowardsthewest,formingthesubductionzoneintheJapanSea ,hencecalledtheJapanSeasubductionzone .ItsfrontendgoesdeepintoWangqingandMulinginNortheastChina .Thefocusdepthisabout 540～ 590km .Withthedipangleofabout 2 9°andthwidthof 12 87km ,theJapanseasubductionzoneistheonewiththesmallestdipangleandthelargestwidthintheworld .ThedeepearthquakestherecorrespondtotheoccurrenceofshallowonesandhaveeffectstoacertainextentontheshallowstrongearthquakeinnortheastAs…     

基于“区域-时间-长度算法”分析川滇地区强震前地震活动性变化*

本文基于“区域-时间-长度算法”(Region-Time-Length algorithm)回顾性检验了1976年以来发生在川滇地区的6个M_S7.0以上和23个M_S6.0~6.9地震前地震活动性变化。M_S7.0以上强震前,5例检测到地震活动平静异常,仅1例检测到地震活动增强;M_S6.0~6.9地震前,12例检测到平静,11例检测到地震活动增强。以上异常大部分出现于震前0.5~2.5a,持续0.5~2a。另外,发生在云南普洱地区的4个MS6.0以上地震震前都检测到平静异常;发生在北纬22.7°~31.0°N,99.6°~102.5°E范围内的17个地震,13例于震前检测到平静异常。以上研究对更好地认识川滇地区地震孕育过程和发震前兆提供了一些参考。     

The Scanning Characteristics of Spatial and Temporal Dynamic Pictures of the Seismicity in the South Yellow Sea and Its Coast Region

On the basis of the viewpoint of preparation of strong earthquakes in group, the spatial andtemporal scanning characteristics of the seismicity in the South Yellow Sea and its coast regionare studied, and some problems regarding the prediction of seismic hazard are also discussed.The results show that the seismic activity of M=4. 0 earthquakes has overall presented arelative stable state, but the partially concentrated area wbich evolves and migrates and theanomalous low b-value area have appeared in different periods, and the moderately strongearthquakes with M=5. 0～6. 0 have taken place on the edge of the anomalous area. Theaccumulative frequency of M=4. 0 earthquakes in the anomalous area presents non-linearindex acceleration and the moderately strong earthquakes have appeared in the late period ofthe non-linear index acceleration of M=4. 0 earthquakes or in the later anomalous tranquilperiotl. The spatial and temporal uneven Phenomenon of seismicity has some stability andreproducibility, and has som     

地震活动多标度分形特征及预报应用

探讨了多标度分形在刻划复杂系统方面的优越性,研究了江苏及邻区1970年以来的5.5级以上地震的多标度分形特征,着重研究了地震前后多标度分形的广义维数谱和奇异性谱.研究结果表明:所有震例的广义维数谱和奇异性谱均经历了远离地震时、异常出现时和异常消失时的三个特征变化阶段;异常出现的时间在震前半年至一年半内;多数震例异常在震前几个月内回返恢复,少数在震后数个月内恢复.上述结果说明利用地震时序的多标度分形特征对于该地区的半年至一年尺度的中强地震预报是有意义的.     

Origin of Taiwan Canyon and its effects on deepwater sediment

The continental slope of the Taiwan Shoal, which has cultivated numerous submarine canyons, is located in a passive continental margin environment. However, the trend of the Taiwan Canyon, with its 45° intersection angle, is obviously different from that of the erosion valley downward along the continental slope. A distinct break is present in the lower segment of the Taiwan Canyon, which then extends from west to east parallel to the continental slope until finally joining the Manila Trench. By utilizing multiple-beam water depth data, high-resolution seismic data, and sediment cores, this study describes the topographic characteristics of the Taiwan Canyon and provides a preliminary discussion on the origin of the Taiwan Canyon and its effect on deepwater sediment. The terrain, landform, and sediment of the Taiwan Canyon exhibit segmentation characteristics. The upper segment is characterized primarily by erosion, downward cutting with a V shape, and wide development of sliding, slumping, and other gravity flow types. The middle segment is characterized mostly by U-shaped erosion-sedimentation transition and development of an inner levee. The lower segment is characterized primarily by sedimentation and development of a sediment wave. The bottom current has a significant reworking effect on the interior sediments of the canyon and forms reworked sands. The formation and evolution of the Taiwan Canyon is closely related to sediment supply, gravity sliding(slumping), faulting activities, and submarine impaling. Given the sufficient terrigenous clastic supply, the sediments along the continental shelf edge continuously proceed seaward; gliding and slumping in the front edge provide driving forces for the formation of the canyon. Faulting activities result in stratum crushing, and the gravity flow takes priority in eroding the relatively fragile stratum. Thus, the direction of the extension of the canyon crosses the surrounding erosion valley obliquely. Seamounts are formed through submarine impaling. Owing to seamount blocking, the lower segment of the canyon is turned toward the east–west direction. Large amounts of sediments overflow at the turning, forming sediment waves.     

岛弧构造的垂直形变场与水平位移场及其构造运动和地震活动特征

本文根据水平构造应力作用，推导了弧形构造的理论垂直形变场、水平位移场和应力场，进而对全球性的岛弧构造带在构造运动、地震活动和震源机制等方面的特征给出了新的解释；提出岛弧等弧形构造主要是在弧形构造位移场、应力场作用下逐渐形成的，而大洋板块的俯冲作用是次要的。     

Space-time migration of earthquakes along the North Anatolian fault zone and seismic gaps

The North Anatolian fault is a well-defined tectonic feature extending for 1400 km across Northern Turkey. The space-time distribution of seismicity and faulting of this zone has been examined with a particular emphasis on the identification of possible seismic gaps. Results suggest several conclusions with respect to the temporal and spatial distribution of seismicity. First, the earthquake activity appears not to be stationary over time. Periods of high activity in 1850–1900 and 1940 to the present bracket a period of relatively low activity in 1910–39. Second, there appears to have been a two-directional migration of earthquake epicenters away from a central region located at about 39°E longitude. The migration to the west has a higher velocity (>50 km/yr) than the migration to the east (10km/yr). The faulting associated with successive earthquakes generally abuts the previous rupture. Some existing gaps were filled by later earthquakes.At present there are two possible seismic gaps along the North Anatolian fault zone. One is at the western end of the fault, from about 29° to 30°E. Unless this is a region of ongoing aseismic creep, it could be the site of a magnitude 6 or greater earthquake. The other possible gap is at the eastern end, from about 42° to 43°E, to the west of the unexpected M=7.3 event of 24 November 1976.     

昆仑山口西8.1级地震前地震活动性异常特征

利用地震活动图像演化动态跟踪、地震活动参数时间扫描及震群判定等目前较为成熟的地震预测方法,研究了2001年昆仑山口西8.1级地震前地震活动性异常.结果显示8.1级地震前地震活动性异常有序性明显,地震空区、地震条带、震群活动异常突出,且呈现配套特征.研究认为地震空区图像演化对揭示特大地震的孕育场有所帮助;大范围前兆震群活动是特大地震前多点应力积累、释放的前兆反应;结合地震活动参数扫描异常综合分析,特大地震前可能做出一定的中期-短期预测.     

Responses of hydrological processes to climate change in the Yarlung Zangbo River basin

ABSTRACT

Climate change alters hydrological processes and results in more extreme hydrological events, e.g. flooding and drought, which threaten human livelihoods. In this study, the large-scale distributed variable infiltration capacity (VIC) model was used to simulate future hydrological processes in the Yarlung Zangbo River basin (YZRB), China, with a combination of the CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, fifth phase) and MIROC5 (Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate, fifth version) datasets. The results indicate that the performance of the VIC model is suitable for the case study, and the variation in runoff is remarkably consistent with that of precipitation, which exhibits a decreasing trend for the period 2046–2060 and an increasing trend for 2086–2100. The seasonality of runoff is evident, and substantial increases are projected for spring runoff, which might result from the increase in precipitation as well as the increase in the warming-induced melting of snow, glaciers and frozen soil. Moreover, evapotranspiration exhibits an increase between 2006–2020 and 2046–2060 over the entire basin, and soil moisture decreases in upstream areas and increases in midstream and downstream areas. For 2086–2100, both evapotranspiration and soil moisture increase slightly in the upstream and midstream areas and decrease slightly in the downstream area. The findings of this study could provide references for runoff forecasting and ecological protection for similar studies in the future.