State of seawater intrusion and its adaptive management countermeasures in Longkou City of China

Longkou City is a coastal area,and lacks water resources.The overexploitation of groundwater causes seawater intrusion.At present,seawater intrudes an area of 68 km2.With the decrease of groundwater extraction,the seawater intrusion area has generally declined.The paper expounds the development process of seawater intrusion as well as the corresponding prevention and control measures of using groundwater replenishment and groundwater throttling in Longkou City.In view of the seawater intrusion problem in Longkou City,some adaptive management countermeasures are put forward,which include:Adjusting industrial and agricultural structure,promoting economic and social development to match water resources;improving water usage structure,optimizing the utilization of water resources;advancing the construction of a water-saving society,using water resources efficiently;implementing inter-basin water transfer,using water resources rationally;developing and utilizing unconventional water sources,making full use of water resources;strengthening water infrastructure construction,increasing the development and utilization potential of water resources;carrying out ecological restoration,protecting water resources and ecological environment;improving the management informationalization level,strengthening the capabilities of groundwater monitoring and management;increasing publicity,improving public awareness of participation.     

Origin of groundwater salinity and hydrogeochemical processes in a confined coastal aquifer: Case of the Rhône delta (Southern France)

The Rhône delta, South of France (Camargue, 750 km²) is a coastal saline wetland located along the Mediterranean Sea. The confined aquifer of this delta shows high values of electrical conductivity rising from the north (4 mS/cm) to the shoreline (58 mS/cm). This work aims to identify the origin of groundwater salinity and the geochemical processes occurring in this coastal confined aquifer according to the degree of salinity. A natural tracing approach is considered using monthly sampling in 8 piezometers for chemical and isotopic analyses (¹⁸O, ²H, ¹³C_TDIC). Ionic and isotopic ratios demonstrate that strong salinities are due to a simple mixing between Mediterranean seawater and freshwater; seawater contribution reaches up to 98% at 8 km from the shoreline. Seawater intrusion induces a particular groundwater chemistry which varies with the degree of seawater contribution: (1) In the less saline part of the aquifer (seawater contribution <20%), the intrusion induces an increase of Na⁺ in groundwater leading to Ca²⁺/Na⁺ exchange processes. The δ¹³C_TDIC analyses show that matrix exchange processes most likely occur for the less saline samples. (2) In the saline part of the aquifer (seawater contribution >20%), the intrusion induces SO₄ reduction which is confirmed by highly depleted δ¹³C_TDIC values (up to −19‰). The δ¹³C_TDIC also reveals that methanogenesis processes may occur in the most reductive part of the aquifer. Due to SO₄ reduction, the intrusion induces a shift in carbonate equilibrium leading to supersaturation with respect to dolomite and/or magnesian calcite. Thus carbonate precipitation may occur in the area strongly influenced by seawater.     

Estimation of areas of sand and dust emission in the Hexi Corridor from a land cover database: an approach that combines remote sensing with GIS

The present study combined remote sensing with geographical information system (GIS) technology to interpret Landsat TM images from 1996 to 2000 and establish a land cover database for the Hexi Corridor of China’s Gansu Province. The areas of sand and dust emission and trends in their change were extracted by analyzing the database, with the following results: In 2000, the source area for sand and dust storms totaled nearly 170,000 km², accounting for 75.1% of the study region. The emission area decreases from as much as 70,000 km² in winter and spring to around 58,000 km² in summer and autumn, accounting for 41.1 and 34.1% of the source area, respectively. During the 4 years of the study period, the emission area decreased by nearly 57 km² in winter and spring (a 0.1% change); however, the vulnerability of the land surface to wind erosion increased in ca. 190 km² and decreased in ca. 102 km². Although the area of dust emission decreased from 1996 to 2000, the area vulnerable to wind erosion increased by ca. 87 km², and the increased number of sand and dust storm days in the region between 2000 and 2003 appears to be correlated with this increase.     

Mapping coastal erosion at the Nile Delta western promontory using Landsat imagery

A set of six Landsat satellite images with 5–9 years apart was used in a post-classification analysis to map changes occurred at Rosetta promontory between 1973 and 2008 due to coastal erosion. Spectral information were extracted from two multi-spectral scanner (MSS) images (1973 and 1978), three thematic mapper (TM) images (1984, 1990, and 1999), and one enhanced thematic mapper plus (ETM+) image (2008). To estimate the quantity of land loss in terms of coastal erosion, a supervised classification scheme was applied to each image to highlight only two classes: seawater and land. The area of each class was then estimated from the number of pixels pertaining to this class in every image. In addition, the shoreline position was digitized to address retreat/advance pattern throughout the study period. Results showed that Rosetta promontory had lost 12.29 km² of land between 1973 and 2008 and the shoreline withdrew southward about 3.5 km due to coastal erosion. Most land loss and shoreline retreat occurred between 1973 and 1978 (0.55 km²/year and 132 m/year, respectively). Coastal protection structures were constructed successively at the promontory. These structures have considerably contributed to reduce coastal erosion; however, they promoted downdrift erosion.     

Origin and distribution of saline groundwaters in the upper Miocene aquifer system, coastal Rhodope area, northeastern Greece

 This paper describes the origins and distribution of saline groundwaters in the coastal area of Rhodope, Greece. The aquifer system includes two aquifers within coarse-grained alluvial sediments in the coastal part of the study area. Two major water-quality groups occur in the study area, namely Ca²⁺-rich saline groundwater and Ca²⁺-poor, almost fresh groundwater. The main process controlling the groundwater chemistry is the exchange of calcium and sodium between the aquifer matrix and intruding seawater. The natural salt water in the study area is probably residual water that infiltrated the aquifer system during repeated marine transgressions in late Pleistocene time. Seawater intrusion into the coastal aquifer system occurs as a result of overpumping in two seawater wedges separated vertically by a low-permeability layer. The rate of intrusion averages 0.8 m/d and is less than expected due to a decline of the aquifer's permeability at the interface with the seawater. The application of several hydrochemical techniques (Piper and Durov diagrams; Na⁺/Cl^–, Ca²⁺/Cl^–, Mg²⁺/Cl^–, and Br^–/Cl^– molar ratios; Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ weight ratio; and chloride concentrations), combined with field observations, may lead to a better explanation of the origin of the saline groundwater. Received, May 1997 / Revised, May 1998, December 1998 / Accepted, February 1999     

Evidence for anthropogenic surface loading as trigger mechanism of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake

Two and a half years prior to China’s M7.9 Wenchuan earthquake of May 2008, at least 300 million metric tons of water accumulated with additional seasonal water level changes in the Minjiang River Valley at the eastern margin of the Longmen Shan. This article shows that static surface loading in the Zipingpu water reservoir induced Coulomb failure stresses on the nearby Beichuan thrust fault system at <17 km depth. Triggering stresses exceeded levels of daily lunar and solar tides and perturbed a fault area measuring 416 ± 96 km². These stress perturbations, in turn, likely advanced the clock of the mainshock and directed the initial rupture propagation upward towards the reservoir on the "Coulomb-like" Beichuan fault with rate- and state-dependent frictional behavior. Static triggering perturbations produced up to 60 years (0.6%) of equivalent tectonic loading, and show strong correlations to the coseismic slip. Moreover, correlations between clock advancement and coseismic slip, observed during the mainshock beneath the reservoir, are strongest for a longer seismic cycle (10kyr) of M > 7 earthquakes. Finally, the daily event rate of the micro-seismicity (M ≥ 0.5) correlates well with the static stress perturbations, indicating destabilization.     

近海地下石油储备库海水入侵风险研究

地下石油储备库于近海处建立,可降低石油运输成本,同时有较强的军事意义。但是临近海岸线,海水易入侵库区,导致库区内金属结构腐蚀,使储备库的使用年限降低。以某近海地下石油储备库工程为背景,构建了综合断层、节理密集带、导水通道等15种地质结构的精细化三维水文地质模型,研究了库区自然状态下和运行期的地下水渗流场及溶质运移场,模拟海水入侵风险。研究表明：（1）自然状态下地下石油储备库无海水入侵。（2）运行期只在洞库顶部以上25 m处设置四周超出洞室50 m、水幕孔间距为10 m、孔径0.11 m的水平水幕时,不能有效防治海水入侵。（3）洞库运行9 a时,3#洞室东南侧Cl−物质的量浓度超过7 mol/m3,海水开始入侵洞室群;运行22~23 a时,海水入侵速率最快;运行41 a 时,3#洞室东南侧Cl−物质的量浓度超过143 mol/m3,海水入侵达到对钢筋的强腐蚀程度;运行50 a时,除1#洞室外其余所有洞室均受到海水入侵,3#、4#洞室有部分区域达到强腐蚀程度,海水入侵最严重。建议增设垂直水幕等设施,以增强对海水入侵的防治。研究成果可为近海地区地下石油储备库抑制海水入侵提供借鉴。     

Seawater intrusion and coastal aquifer management in China: a review

Seawater intrusion has been an important topic in hydrogeology in China in recent decades. The rapid growth of the population and economy in the coastal regions has been consuming a tremendous amount of groundwater resources and has increased the extent of seawater intrusion. The spatial discrepancy of water resource distribution has caused the studies of seawater intrusion into China to mainly be concentrated on the area around the Bohai Sea in the northern part of China. The total area of seawater-intruded land due to excessive groundwater utilization in the area was estimated to be approximately 2,457 km² in 2003. Great efforts have been made to mitigate the extent of seawater intrusion and to secure more freshwater resources, including building monitoring networks, subsurface barrier and groundwater reservoirs, and artificial infiltration facilities. Management projects over the years were evaluated to satisfy the objectives and to provide valuable experiences for future research and planning. It is expected that the coastal groundwater conditions of the northern region will improve through the development of a national water resource plan, such as the ongoing south-to-north water diversion project.     

Seawater Intrusion in the Longkou Laizhou Area,Shandong1

Abstract The extensive intrusion (covering an area of 83.7-238.3 km² and accounting for 18.6-31.5% of the total area of the plain), the presence of a transitional zone 1.5-6.0 km in width, and the interconnection in distribution between the seawater intrusion district and the region lower than the sea level caused by the strong drop of the groundwater level are major characteristics of the seawater intrusion in the study area. Cation exchange played an important role during the formation of chemical composition of the groundwater in the seawater intrusion district.     

Driving forces responsible for aeolian desertification in the source region of the Yangtze River from 1975 to 2005

The Yangtze River is the China’s longest river and the third-longest river in the world. The river’s source region in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is especially sensitive to global environmental change because of its high elevation and cold environment. Under the influence of global warming, aeolian desertified land has expanded rapidly in this area. To assess the trends in aeolian desertification from 1975 to 2005, remote-sensing and GIS technology were used to monitor the extent of aeolian desertification in 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2005. The data sources included Landsat multi-spectral scanner images acquired in 1975, Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) images acquired in 2000, and Thematic Mapper (TM) images acquired in 1990 and 2005. Images recorded between June and October were selected, when vegetation grew well, because aeolian desertified land was more easily recognized during this period. Thematic maps, including land use and geomorphologic maps, were used as supplementary data. Aeolian desertification maps (1:100000) were produced for each year from the Landsat images through visual interpretation. The area of aeolian desertified land increased by 2,678.43 km² from 1975 to 2005, accounting for 8.8% of the total area of aeolian desertified land in 1975, an increase of 89.28 km² a⁻¹. Increasing mean annual temperature and the combination of a dry, cold, and windy climate in winter and spring were mainly responsible for the expansion of desertified land.     

Roles of climate changes and human interventions in land degradation: a case study by net primary productivity analysis in China’s Shiyanghe Basin

The Thornthwaite Memorial, Synthetic, and Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach (CASA) models, with inputs from SPOT-VGT-S10 NDVI data, meteorological data (precipitation, temperature, solar radiation), and land use data were used to estimate the values of net primary productivity (NPP) from 1999 to 2007 in China’s Shiyanghe Basin. The human appropriation of NPP, which represents the difference between potential NPP predicted using the climatic models and actual NPP calculated using the CASA model, served as the indicator of human intervention in the evolution of productivity of the land. Analysis showed that 78.9% (~9,172 km²) of the degradation occurring in the Shiyanghe Basin was caused by human activities versus 15.0% (~1,752 km²) that was caused by climatic factors, whereas 16.9% (~6,404.5 km²) of the vegetation restoration resulted from human activities versus 49.7% (~18,881 km²) that resulted from climate changes. Human activity played a key role in vegetation restoration in the central areas of the basin and in determining land degradation in the southwestern and northeastern areas. In addition, climate significantly controlled the vegetation restoration in the southwestern and northeastern areas and controlled land degradation in the central area.     

National scale evaluation of groundwater chemistry in Korea coastal aquifers: evidences of seawater intrusion

Pollution of groundwater by seawater intrusion poses a threat to sustainable agriculture in the coastal areas of Korea. Therefore, seawater intrusion monitoring stations were installed in eastern, western, and southern coastal areas and have been operated since 1998. In this study, groundwater chemistry data obtained from the seawater intrusion monitoring stations during the period from 2007 to 2009 were analyzed and evaluated. Groundwater was classified into fresh (<1,500 μS/cm), brackish (1,500–3,000 μS/cm), and saline (>3,000 μS/cm) according to EC levels. Among groundwater samples (n = 233), 56, 7, and 37% were classified as the fresh, brackish, and saline, respectively. The major dissolved components of the brackish and saline groundwaters were enriched compared with those of the fresh groundwater. The enrichment of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ was especially noticeable due to seawater intrusion. Thus, the brackish and saline groundwaters were classified as Ca–Cl and Na–Cl types, while the fresh groundwater was classified as Na–HCO₃ and Ca–HCO₃ types. The groundwater included in the Na–Cl types indicated the effects of seawater mixing. Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, SO₄ ²⁻, and Br⁻ showed good correlations with Cl⁻ of over r = 0.624. Of these components, the strong correlations of Mg²⁺, SO₄ ²⁻, and Br⁻ with Cl⁻ (r ≥ 0.823) indicated a distinct mixing between fresh groundwater and seawater. The Ca/Cl and HCO₃/Cl ratios of the groundwaters gradually decreased and approached those of seawater. The Mg/Cl, Na/Cl, K/Cl, SO₄/Cl, and Br/Cl ratios of the groundwaters gradually decreased, and were similar to or lower than those of seawater, indicating that Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, SO₄ ²⁻, and Br⁻, as well as Cl⁻ in the saline groundwater can be enriched by seawater mixing, while Ca²⁺ and HCO₃ ⁻ are mainly released by weathering processes. The influence of seawater intrusion was evaluated using threshold values of Cl⁻ and Br⁻, which were estimated as 80.5 and 0.54 mg/L, respectively. According to these criteria, 41–50% of the groundwaters were affected by seawater mixing.     

含水层中海水入侵的数学模型

提出了考虑过渡带的适合潜水含水层和承压含水层的海水入侵数学模型,导出了相应的方程和定解条件.经实例验证,模型是合理和可靠的.     

The integrated impacts of natural processes and human activities on groundwater salinization in the coastal aquifers of Beihai,southern China

Salinization in coastal aquifers is usually related to both seawater intrusion and water–rock interaction. The results of chemical and isotopic methods were combined to identify the origin and processes of groundwater salinization in Daguansha area of Beihai, southern China. The concentrations of the major ions that dominate in seawater (Cl^?, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and SO ₄ ^2– ), as well as the isotopic content and ratios (²H, ¹⁸O, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹³C), suggest that the salinization occurring in the aquifer of the coastal plain is related to seawater and that the prevailing hydrochemical processes are evaporation, mixing, dissolution and ion exchange. For the unconfined aquifer, groundwater salinization has occurred in an area that is significantly influenced by land-based sea farming. The integrated impacts of seawater intrusion from the Beibuwan Gulf and infiltration of seawater from the culture ponds are identified in the shallowest confined aquifer (I) in the middle of the area (site BBW2). Leakage from this polluted confined aquifer causes the salinization of groundwater in the underlying confined aquifer (II). At the coastal monitoring site (BBW3), confined aquifer I and lower confined aquifer II are heavily contaminated by seawater intrusion. The weak connectivity between the upper aquifers, and the seaward movement of freshwater, prevents saltwater from encroaching the deepest confined aquifer (III). A conceptual model is presented. Above all, understanding of the origin and processes of groundwater salinization will provide essential information for the planning and sustainable management of groundwater resources in this region.     

Geochemical and isotopic evidence for palaeo-seawater intrusion into the south coast aquifer of Laizhou Bay, China

This research aims to improve the current knowledge of groundwater salinisation processes in coastal aquifers using combined hydrochemical and isotopic parameters and inverse hydrochemical modelling. Field investigations were conducted in Laizhou Bay, which is the area most seriously affected by seawater intrusion in north China. During three sampling campaigns along a vertical transect in the Changyi-Liutuan area, 95 ground- and surface-water samples were collected for major ion and isotope analysis (²H/¹⁸O, ³H, ¹⁴C, ³⁴S). The groundwater changes along the general flowpath towards the coast from fresh (<1 g/L), brackish (1-10 g/L), saline (10-100 g/L) to brine water (>100 g/L). Molar Cl/Br ratios are close to those of seawater in almost all groundwater samples, indicating that brines and deep seawater evolved from different events of palaeo-seawater intrusion. Depleted isotopic signatures of brines and deep saline water point to a former, initially depleted seawater reservoir due to runoff dilution. Tritium and ¹⁴C activities in deep saline water below confining units indicate isolation from modern precipitation and significant residence times. Brine water shows a wide range of ³H and ¹⁴C ages due to the complex conditions of mixing without isolation from modern groundwater. Sulphur-34 isotope ratios support seawater intrusion as a possible salt origin, although this parameter does not exclude gypsum dissolution. The combined use of Cl and ¹⁸O yields four different end-members of groundwater, and three different mixing scenarios were identified explaining the hydrochemical composition of groundwater samples with intermediate salinity in the different areas. To improve understanding of the various water types and their related processes in a spatial context, a conceptual model was developed integrating the results derived from the presented data in a vertical cross-section. Results of three inverse modelling simulations using PHREEQC-2 show that all hypothetical mixing scenarios derived from conservative components are thermodynamically feasible. In all scenarios, mixing, ion exchange, dissolution of dolomite and precipitation of gypsum and calcite account for the hydrochemical changes.     

Large-scale natural disaster risk scenario analysis: a case study of Wenzhou City, China

Based on the analysis and calculation of the hazard intensity of typhoon rainstorms and floods as well as the vulnerability of flood receptors and the possibility of great losses, risk scenarios are proposed and presented in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, using the Pearson-III model and ArcGIS spatial analyst tools. Results indicate that the elements of risk scenarios include time–space scenarios, disaster scenarios, and man-made scenarios. Ten-year and 100-year typhoon rainstorms and flood hazard areas are mainly concentrated in the coastal areas of Wenzhou City. The average rainfall across a 100-year frequency is 450 mm. The extreme water depth of a 100-year flood is 600 mm. High-vulnerability areas are located in Yueqing, Pingyang, Cangnan, and Wencheng counties. The average loss rate of a 100-year flood is more than 50%. The greatest possible loss of floods shows an obvious concentration-diffusion situation. There is an area of about 20–25% flood loss of 6–24 million Yuan RMB/km² in the Lucheng, Longwan and Ouhai districts. The average loss of a 100-year flood is 12 million Yuan RMB/km², and extreme loss reaches 49.33 million Yuan RMB/km². The classification of risk scenario may be used for the choice of risk response priorities. For the next 50 years, the 10-year typhoon rainstorm-flood disaster is the biggest risk scenario faced by most regions of Wenzhou City. For the Yueqing, Ruian, and Ouhai districts, it is best to cope with a 100-year disaster risk scenario and the accompanying losses.     

中国海岸带地质资源与环境评价研究

海岸带是中国社会经济发展的前沿地带,人口密度最大、城镇化程度最高,在中国海洋强国战略中发挥重要的支撑作用,同时也是中国资源环境压力最大的区域。本文在全面分析近20年来中国海岸带地质资源环境调查成果的基础上,系统梳理了海岸带地区地质资源环境优势和存在的地质环境问题。中国海岸带地质资源环境优势突出,为绿色发展提供了良好条件,重要地质资源环境优势包括:1.2×10~4km~2滩涂后备土地资源可适度开发,以缓解海岸带建设用地紧张局面;2.8×10~4km~2绿色富硒土地和4.1×10~5km~2绿色渔场,适宜发展绿色特色农业和建设海洋牧场;浅层地温能和地热水年可开采量折合标准煤4.2×10~8t,对改善能源结构、减少大气污染有重要作用;5.8×10~4km~2滨海湿地和134处国家级和世界级地质遗迹资源,为海岸带生态文明建设提供了条件;90%的陆域适宜城镇和重大工程规划建设,地下空间开发条件较好,为海岸带地质安全提供了保障。存在的主要环境问题包括:海岸带局部存在活动断裂、地面沉降、地面塌陷、海岸侵蚀淤积、风暴潮等重大地质问题,对部分城市与重要基础设施形成威胁,局部地区水、土污染及海水入侵严重,需要高度重视。建议加大海岸带多学科综合地质调查,构建多要素、多圈层、多维度地质模型,查明自然灾害发生的规律和原因,减轻对人民生命财产造成的损失。     

山东烟台大季家地区海水入侵界面划分的意义

在沿海地区划分海水入侵界线具有重大意义,在海水入侵范围内,地下水由于含盐量高,虽然工业生产、人畜生活不能利（饮）用,但深部海水可为海产品养殖业带来较高的利用价值。利用高密度电法和可控源音频大地电磁2种方法准确划分了浅、深部海水入侵界线,并根据电性特征分析探讨了海水入侵区域的由浅至深的侵入特点,推测了不同深度上岩石破碎及富水规律,为探讨沿海养殖业利用温度相对稳定或较高的深部入侵海水进行了积极、有益的探讨。     

Glaciers and rock glaciers’ distribution at 28° SL,Dry Andes of Argentina,and some considerations about their hydrological significance

The area studied includes a little-known portion on the Dry Andes of the San Juan Frontal Cordillera, Argentina, where the hydrological significance of glaciers and rock glaciers was earlier never studied. The surveyed sector includes Cerro El Potro (5,870 m ASL) and nearby mountain chains (28°S). The predominant landforms in these areas were shaped in a periglacial environment superimposed on an earlier glacial landscape. These regions comprise abundant rock glaciers, a noteworthy rock glacier zone in the world, of which little is known in South America. This work employs geomorphological mapping to analyze the distribution of active rock glaciers in relation to altitude, aspect and slope using optical remote sensing techniques with GIS. Statistical estimation techniques were used based on a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and aerial photos and Spot images interpretation. The specific density of rock glaciers’ estimation in the surveyed area (Argentine border) is 1.56% with corresponds to 38 rock glaciers with an area of 5.86 km² and 0.12 km³ of water equivalent. Furthermore, the analytical results show that elevations >4,270 m ASL, a southeast-facing aspect, and slope between 2° and 40° favor the existence of rock glaciers, Finally, a comparison with glacier water equivalent, which covers an area of ~16 km² and 0.9 km³ of water equivalent, shows that glaciers are the main stores of water at 28°S (Cerro El Potro Glacier). However, the importance of rock glaciers as water reserves in this portion of Argentina should not be underestimated.     

Preserved paleo-oceanic plateaus in accretionary complexes: Implications for the contributions of the Pacific superplume to global environmental change

We have reinvestigated the mid-Cretaceous plume pulse in relation to paleo-oceanic plateaus from accretionary prisms in the circum-Pacific region, and we have correlated the Pacific superplume activity with catastrophic environmental changes since the Neoproterozoic. The Paleo-oceanic plateaus are dated at 75–150 Ma; they were generated in the Pacific superplume region and are preserved in accretionary prisms. The volcanic edifice composed of both modern and paleo-oceanic plateaus is up to 10.7 × 10⁶ km² in area and 19.1 × 10⁷ km³ in volume. The degassing rate of CO₂ (0.82 − 1.1 × 10¹⁸ mol/m.y.) suggests a significant impact on Cretaceous global warming. The synchronous occurrence of paleo-oceanic plateaus in accretionary complexes indicates that Pacific superplume pulse activities roughly coincided at the Permo-Triassic boundary and the Vendian–Cambrian boundary interval. The CO₂ expelled by the Pacific superplume probably contributed to environmental catastrophes. The initiation of the Pacific superplume contributed to the snowball Earth event near the Vendian–Cambrian boundary; this was one of the most dramatic events in Earth's history. The scale of the Pacific superplume activity roughly corresponds to the scale of drastic environmental change.