Geologic problems related to dam sites in Jordan and their solutions

The geologic structures associated with several selected dam sites in Jordan and the tectonic effects on dam foundations and reservoir margins are reviewed. Rock defects, especially discontinuities represented by faults and closely spaced, open joints are investigated. Related problems, such as loss of water from the reservoir by seepage and leakage within the dam foundation are evaluated. The regional seismicity is analyzed and a design earthquake is established for each dam site.

Two major embankment dams are investigated, together with two large proposed dams and several small dams.

This paper discusses in some detail the regional setting and site-specific geology, and the occurrence, size and inclination of faults and joints at each dam site. Moreover, the effects of the faults on the operational performance of each dam are described and specific techniques are used or proposed for remediation are outlined.

The study shows that the combination of faults and joint features cause leakage problems at the operational dams in Jordan. Although, preventive measures such as grouting have been implemented, further leakage and/or seepage problems are anticipated and a monitoring system is needed to control and foresee such problems.

Jordan is an earthquake-prone region. Consequently, it is recommended that the design of embankment dams in the vicinity of the Dead Sea-Jordan Valley Rift should include such considerations as dynamic loading and associated hazards, including embankment acceleration zoning, foundation liquefaction risk and rockhead rupture. The magnitude of the design earthquake at each dam site can be estimated following the guidelines of ICOLD (1989), which are based on probabilistic seismic hazard analysis.     

三峡近坝库段水库诱发地震特征分析

大型水利水电工程水库诱发地震历来受业主、工程技术人员的重视。三峡工程蓄水10多年来,在蓄水过程中,三峡库区较蓄水前地震明显增多。本文选择了三峡库区既有活动断裂,又有可溶岩和煤层分布的近坝库段作为研究对象,通过对库区地震活动与水位的关系和诱发地震空间展布特征分析,认为：三峡水库诱发地震,发生在有可溶岩和含煤地层部位的塌陷型地震占总数的90%,而非可溶岩和不含煤地层中只占总数的10%;近坝库段地震主要发生在仙女山断层北端,且有地震呈丛集活动的特征;九湾溪断层上盘远离长江部位地震零星分布,距长江较近地段地震相对增多,下盘地震极少。地震与水位的对应关系十分密切,三峡水位上升,长江两岸发生的小地震较多,当水位蓄至175m时,地震主要发生在仙女山断裂的北端和九湾溪断裂的上盘及北端。     

A Study of Seismicity and Earthquake Hazard at the Proposed Kalabsha Dam Site,Aswan, Egypt

High and Aswan Dams Authority (HADA) proposed a plan aiming at constructing a rockfill dam in the Kalabsha area, about 60 km south of Aswan High Dam. The aim of this dam is to restrain the overflow of water to the Kalabsha Valley for keeping one billion cubic meters from being lost due to seepage and evaporation. The safety of dams during earthquakes is extremely important because failure of such a structure may have disastrous consequences on life and property. Therefore, different factors were considered as part of a site assessment. Five seismic source zones, close enough to the site to give rise to potentially damaging earthquake ground motions, were identified. Seven active faults that have the potential for producing significant earthquakes and that pass through or near the dam site were also identified. The earthquake loading represented by ground motions at the site was evaluated. Probabilistic seismic hazard procedures were used for assessing the earthquake loading at six individual sites using Area-and Line-Source Models (ASM & LSM). The ASM is based on current observed seismicity, whereas the LSM is based on geological slip rates. The output represents the expected acceleration amplitude with 90 percent probability of not being exceeded in exposure times of 20, 50, and 100 years. The results from the two models appear to be different, the expected ground motions from ASM were twice as high as expected from LSM. This difference is due to the load of the Aswan reservoir (Nasser Lake) triggering earthquakes on those parts of the faults that lie under the lake at Kalabsha area. The hazard at the selected sites is given by the hazard curve that is represented by the relationship between the peak ground acceleration and its annual exceedance probability. By comparing the curves for the six individual sites for the same source model, it can be concluded that the potential ground acceleration level for all the sites is almost the same. Considering the mean results from the two models, the annual exceedance probability of the expected ground acceleration from ASM is approximately ten times higher than the annual exceedance probability from LSM.Since ASM is based on current seismicity, it is more appropriate forrepresenting the actual hazard for the dam site.     

Groundwater radon anomalies associated with earthquakes

Earthquake-related changes in groundwater radon have been detected at a sensitive observation site located right on a major active fault in Northeast Japan. A time-series analysis based on Bayesian statistics was successfully applied to remove background variations from the observed radon data, enabling us to examine the earthquake-related changes in detail.

We set a simple criterion of amplitude and duration for an anomaly observed in our radon data; we define an anomaly as a radon change that kept its level beyond 2σ (a standard deviation over the whole observation period) during a period longer than one day. We have observed 20 radon anomalies that satisfied this criterion from January 1984 to December 1988. Most of these anomalies have turned out to be related to large earthquakes that occurred in East Japan and its surrounding area; we have identified 12 post-seismic and 2-pre-seismic radon anomalies out of a total of 30 earthquakes with magnitude M 6.0 and hypocentral distance D 1000 km.

The typical pattern of the post-seismic anomalies is a radon decrease which started just after an earthquake, lasting for periods ranging from a few days to more than one week. The amplitude of the post-seismic anomalies depends on both magnitude and hypocentral distance, and can, in general, be expressed by a simple magnitude-distance relationships.

A possible pre-seismic anomaly was observed about one week before the largest earthquake that occurred in this region during the observation period (March 6, 1984; M = 7.9, D = 1000 km). Another possible pre-seismic anomaly was observed about three days before two nearby large earthquakes that occurred at almost the same place in a time interval of 53 min (February 6, 1987; M = 6.4 and M = 6.7, D = 130 km).     

长江三峡水电站坝址区断裂新活动年龄及地壳稳定性

长江三峡水电工程坝址区断裂新活动年龄分为两类:(1)>220×10⁴a BP.和(2)(131-54)×10⁴aBP.。坝区15公里范围内不存在近代活动断裂。地震基本烈度为Ⅵ度。地壳稳定性等级属稳定区。     

Mechanism of the reservoir impounding earthquakes at Hsinfengkiang and a preliminary endeavour to discuss their cause

After the filling up of the Hsinfengkiang Reservoir Kwangtung Province, seismicity was greatly increased. The majority of earthquakes occurred in the deep water gorge close to the dam, concentrated within a northwest belt. They are usually of shallow focal depths. A strong earthquake with magnitude 6.1 took place on March 19, 1962, about two and a half years since the impounding of the reservoir.

According to the results of analysis of data from geodetic leveling and the spectra of seismic waves, the fault parameters of the main shock were determined. The fault plane solutions of 150 small earthquakes, occurring within a period of 18 months before and after the main shock were determined from the amplitudes of the first motion of P wave. The directions of the earthquake generating stress of about 2000 small earthquakes were obtained by smoothing the first motion patterns. Displacement field and stress field in the rock bodies underneath the reservoir caused by the loading of the reservoir water were calculated. Variations of the velocity ratio of the P and S waves prior to the main shock and several strong aftershocks were analysed.

In consideration of the seismicity as well as the geological background, we endeavour to discuss the cause of reservoir impounding earthquakes at Hsinfengkiang. We have the opinion that the penetration of water along fissures becomes the most important cause of the main shock of March 19, 1962 at Hsinfengkiang.     

Seismic risk in Italy for earthquakes of intensity IX (Mercalli scale)

In this report the yearly probability of an earthquake of intensity IX (Mercalli scale) in any area in Italy and the error at 95% of confidence have been evaluated; for the purposes of this evaluation, Italy has been divided into small areas separated by a distance of 3' both in latitude and in longitude.

To evaluate the yearly probability, two atenuation curves for volcanic earthquakes and a series of probabilistic curves for tectonic earthquakes have been determined on the basis of about 700 earthquakes, for which it has been possible to draw isoseisms.

Isoprobability and equal-error curves have been drawn up on a 1: 1,000,000 scale map.     

Active fault segmentation and seismic hazard in Hoa-Binh reservoir, Vietnam

Based on remote sensing, geological data, geomorphologic analysis, and field observations, we determine the fault system which is a potential source of earthquakes in Hoa-Binh reservoir. It is the sub-meridian fault system composed of fault segments located in the central part of the eastern and western flanks of the Quaternary Hoa-Binh Graben: the Hoa-Binh 1 fault is east-dipping (75–80°), N-S trending, 4 km long, situated in the west of the Hoa-Binh Graben, and the Hoa-Binh 2 is a west-dipping (75–80°), N-S trending; 8.4 km long fault, situated in the east of the Hoa-Binh Graben. The slip rate of normal fault in Hoa-Binh hydropower dam was estimated at 0.3–1.1 mm/yr. The Maximum Credible Earthquake (MCE) and Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) in the Hoa-Binh hydropower dam have been assessed. The estimated MCE of HB.1 and HB.2 is 5.6 and 6.1 respectively, and the maximum PGA at Hoa-Binh dam is 0.30 g and 0.40 g, respectively. The assessment of seismic hazard in Hoa-Binh reservoir is a typical example of seismic hazards of a large dam constructed in an area of low seismicity and lack of law of seismic attenuation.     

特高坝地基深大断裂活动性与筑坝工程地质问题研究

某拟建水电站为高坝大库,挡水建筑物系200m级碾压混凝土重力坝,系我国在境外投资建设的重大能源项目之一。该水电站位于一条区域性的深大断裂（F₄断裂）上,该断裂的活动性以及涉及的筑坝技术可行性为本工程的重大技术课题,关乎水电站成立与否的关键。为此开展了区域地震地质调查、物探、钻探、硐探、断裂物质测龄以及岩土物理力学性质现场和室内测试等大量工作,研究表明:（1）该断裂地震活动微弱,最新活动年龄14.2万～79.8万年,是一条晚更新世以来不活动的断裂,为非活动断层;（2）F₄断裂对水坝建设存在影响的部位主要为碎裂岩带和F_4-1、F_4-2断层,其中微新碎裂岩多为Ⅲ_1B类岩体,仅F_4-2断层下盘影响带内的碎裂岩岩体为Ⅳ_1B类岩体,F_4-1、F_4-2断层带工程性质差,为Ⅴ类岩体,是坝基最软弱的部位;（3）在F₄断裂带上筑坝,建库后诱发构造型水库地震的可能性小,存在的主要工程地质问题为坝基变形和渗漏、渗透稳定问题,可通过适当深挖,并结合回填混凝土塞、固结灌浆、加深加密帷幕孔以及增加帷幕排数等工程措施予以处理。因此,F₄断裂带上可以兴建水电站工程,筑坝技术可行。结果可为该水电站设计、施工提供技术依据,为类似工程提供技术参考。     

Seismicity changes associated with reservoir loading

Changes in seismic activity have been related to the filling of large reservoirs in over thirty cases. These changes range from variations in the level of micro-earthquake activity detectable only with instruments of high sensitivity to destructive earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 6. On the other hand, the filling of many other large reservoirs has not been accompanied by increased seismicity.

A number of factors may contribute to the generation or absence of post-impounding seismicity. Increased vertical stress due to the load of the reservoir and decreased effective stress due to increased pore pressure can modify the stress regime in the reservoir region. Whether or not these stress changes are sufficient to generate earthquake activity will depend on a complex interaction of the induced stress with the state of pre-existing stress near the reservoir, and on the geologic and hydrologic conditions at the site. The combined effect of increased vertical load and increased pore pressure will have the greatest tendency to increase activity in regions where the maximum compressive stress is vertical (normal faulting). In regions where the minimum compressive stress is vertical (thrust faulting) increased stress due to a vertical load should have a minimum effect. For all of the larger reservoir-induced earthquakes the stress system determined from fault plane solutions is in agreement with the pre-existing stress field in the region of the reservoir. These earthquakes are all of strike-slip or normal type, there being no reported cases of large induced earthquakes with thrusting mechanisms.

The potential for major changes in seismicity may be highest in regions of moderate strain accumulation (low to moderate natural seismicity). In areas of high strain accumulation and high levels of natural seismicity, the stress changes induced by the reservoir will be small compared to natural variations. In aseismic areas, with low strain accumulation, the reservoir-induced stresses may be insufficient to raise the stress level to a state of failure.     

Evaluation of Strong Motion Acceleration for Embankment Dam Design Considering Local Seismotectonics

A probabilistic method is used to evaluate the seismichazard of Adassiya dam site on the Yarmouk river in Jordan. A line source model developedby McGuire (1978) is used in this study. An updated earthquake catalogue coveringthe period from 1 A.D. to 1996 A.D. is used for this purpose. This catalogue includesall earthquakes that occurred in Jordan and adjacent areas, more specifically between latitudes27.0°–35.5°N and longitudes 32.0°–39.0°E.Nine distinct seismic sources of potential seismic activitiesare identified. The seismic hazard parameters are determined using the method suggested by Kijko and Sellevoll (1989).The Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) is selected as a measure of ground motion severity. Esteva (1974) attenuation relationship is used in evaluating PGA values at each dam site. Analysis is carried out for 50%, 90%, and 95% probability that is not being exceeded in a life time of 50, 100, and 200 years.Results of analysis indicate that PGA values at the dam site are as follows:[] Operating Basis Earthquake (OBE) (50% probabilityof non-exceedance for a design life of 100 years – corresponding to a return period of 145 years) is 133.6 cm/sec².[] An earthquake with 90% probability of non-exceedancefor a design life of 50 years – corresponding to a return period of 475 years is 214.9 cm/sec².[] Maximum Credible Earthquake (MCE) (Return period of900 years) is 283.0 cm/sec².Strong motion acceleration time history of these earthquakes are givenbased on strong motion records of the November 1995 Gulf of Aqaba earthquake.Local site effect analysis for Adassiya Dam site using SHAKE program showed no amplification. Normalized site-specific acceleration response spectra for OBE and MCE design earthquakes is also given.     

Analyzing shallow faulting at a site in the Wasatch fault zone, Utah, USA, by integrating seismic, gravity, magnetic, and trench data

Gravity, magnetic, and seismic surveys were conducted across the Wasatch fault zone east of Springville, Utah, near the mouth of Hobble Creek Canyon. The geophysical data were acquired, processed, and interpreted to determine possible locations of larger [total offset greater than 6 ft (1.8 m)], shallow normal faults within the fault zone. Interpretations of the individual data sets were integrated to help eliminate spurious readings and to strengthen the interpretations. Visual methods of integration, along with computer modeling, were chosen for this study. Furthermore, the geophysical data were correlated and integrated with available trench data and surface data. In addition to verifying locations of known faults, the geophysical surveys detected numerous possible additional faults not previously mapped. Of particular interest is a newly discovered graben structure near the southern end of the site, where building of new homes has recently been proposed.

New structural information about fault densities and styles was also determined from the surveys. The fault concentration for this site is 1.3 faults/100 ft (30.5 m), or one fault per 77 ft (23.5 m). Interpreted antithetic faults at the Hobble Creek site account for 65% of the total, while synthetic faults account for 35% with respect to the main fault strand.

Information derived from this study should be useful during planning and development of areas within the Wasatch fault zone. The characteristics of subsurface deformation can be used to gain a better understanding of the potential for surface rupture at a given site. This is also useful in planning appropriate site development and remedial measures to help mitigate hazards associated with large-magnitude earthquakes.     

Geotechnical Evaluation of Dam Foundation with Special Reference to In Situ Permeability: A Case Study

Since every dam site is unique and different from the rest, special geological and geotechnical investigation for each dam is a key factor in the success of the project. The Peygham-chay is a 55 m in height is an embankment dam with a clay core that is situated to the northwest of Iran and is under construction at present. The dam is founded on a valley filled by 12 m alluvium deposits that thicknesses increase toward left abutment up to 60 m. The dam site investigated based on surface discontinuity surveying, drilled boreholes logging data, in situ and laboratory tests. Detailed and extensive surface and subsurface explorations have been carried out at the dam site to characterize the geotechnical properties of foundation. The geology of the site consists of a series of cretaceous basic lavas intrusion composed with andesite, basalt and diabase that cropped out on the right abutments and is strongly fractured due to numerous joints and faults. Permeability of fissured rock mass is strongly depends on joint properties (degree of jointing, opening, continuity, filling material and weathering). In this paper in situ permeability of foundation was evaluated based on water pressure tests (lugeon) results and secondary permeability index (SPI). The impact of water pressure on joints characteristics and consequently flow rate are investigated and considered in the results. The overall groutability of rock mass was evaluated by comparison of RQD as an index of rock jointing degree and SPI values. The results indicated that permeability of rock mass in more than 66% of the tests is very low and not required for treatment. Meanwhile in the rest of sections the construction of preferred sealing system in necessary.     

Liquefaction evidence for strong earthquakes of Holocene and latest Pleistocene ages in the states of Indiana and Illinois, USA

Sand- and gravel-filled clastic dikes of seismic liquefaction origin occur throughout much of southern Indiana and Illinois. Nearly all of these dikes originated from prehistoric earthquakes centered in the study area. In this area at least seven and probably eight strong prehistoric earthquakes have been documented as occurring during the Holocene, and at least one during the latest Pleistocene. The recognition of different earthquakes has been based mainly on timing of liquefaction in combination with the regional pattern of liquefaction effects, but some have been recognized only by geotechnical testing at sites of liquefaction.

Most paleo-earthquakes presently recognized lie in Indiana, but equally as many may have occurred in Illinois. Studies in Illinois have not yet narrowly bracketed the age of clastic dikes at many sites, which sometimes causes uncertainty in defining the causative earthquake, but even in Illinois the largest paleo-earthquakes probably have been identified.

Prehistoric magnitudes were probably as high as about moment magnitude M 7.5. This greatly exceeds the largest historic earthquake of M 5.5 centered in Indiana or Illinois. The strongest paleo-earthquakes struck in the vicinity of the concentration of strongest historic seismicity. Elsewhere, paleo-earthquakes on the order of M 6–7 have occurred even where there has been little or no historic seismicity.

Both geologic and geotechnical methods of analysis have been essential for verification of seismic origin for the dikes and for back-calculating prehistoric magnitudes. Methods developed largely as part of this study should be of great value in unraveling the paleoseismic record elsewhere.     

The identification of an active fault by a multidisciplinary study at the archaeological site of Sagalassos (SW Turkey)

The archaeological site of Sagalassos (SW Turkey) is located in a region characterized by the absence of any significant recent seismic activity, contrary to adjacent regions. However, the assessment of earthquake-related damage at the site suggests that the earthquakes that have been demonstrated to have struck this Pisidian city in ca. AD 500 and in the middle or second half of the 7th century AD are characterized by an MSK intensity of at least VIII and occurred on a fault very close to the city. Different investigation techniques (archaeoseismology, remote sensing and geomorphology, surface geology and structural data, 2D resistivity imaging and palaeoseismological trenching) have been applied at the archaeological site and its direct surroundings in search for the causative fault of these earthquakes. This multidisciplinary approach shows that each of the different approaches independently provides only partial, non-conclusive information with respect to the fault identification. Integration is imperative to give a conclusive answer in the search for the causative fault. This study has, indeed, revealed the existence of a to date unknown active normal fault system passing underneath ancient Sagalassos, i.e. the Sagalassos fault. A historical coseismic surface rupture event on this fault could be identified. This event possibly corresponds to the devastating Sagalassos earthquakes of ca. AD 500 and the middle or second half of the 7th century AD. Finally, this study demonstrates that in the particular geodynamic setting of SW Turkey archaeological sites with extensive earthquake-related damage form an important tool in any attempt to asses the seismic hazard.     

Case study of reservoir triggered seismicity, Latian Dam, Tehran, Iran

Latian dam is located in the North East of Tehran in Elburz Mountain. It falls in the category of large dams according to the International Committee on Large Dams (ICOLD). It was constructed in 1967 for agricultural purposes, drinking water, and power generation. Producing triggered earthquakes may be a consequent result of dam construction. In this paper, the complete seismic statistics of the region from 1996 onwards has been studied to understand the seismic condition of Latain region. For this purpose, frequency of earthquakes within a radius of 30/60 km around the dam is studied considering its relationship with the reservoir volume variation. Using Gutenberg-Richter rule, parameter b of the region was determined within the same region. The results of this study show the existence of triggered seismicity around the reservoir of Latian dam. Considering the tectonic-geological condition of the region, the existence of triggered earthquakes may create landslides in the reservoir and around it.     

喀什河水电站工程区构造稳定性研究

本文对某大型水电枢纽工程场址的构造稳定性条件进行了研究, 详细分析了区域地质构造背景、断层活动性、构造应力场特征以及地震活动性等问题.分析可知候选水电站坝址处于地壳构造活跃区内的一个相对稳定的地块, 断层活动性较弱, 区域构造地质作用相对较弱, 完全可以通过工程措施予以控制, 适宜于开展水利枢纽工程的建设.     

岩浆泡破裂引发地震的模式——以吉林松原2013年地震群为例

2013年10月31日,吉林省松原前郭尔罗斯蒙古族自治县（44.60°N,124.18°E）发生震级为5.5级地震,此后的40 d内发生了700多次地震,其中5级以上地震5次。松原地区近年来地震活动频繁,2014年1月以来又发生4级以上地震9次、5级以上地震1次,震中处于松辽盆地油气田开采区,地震活动序列十分特殊。为了揭示松原地震的发震机制与发震模式,研究深部地质过程与地震的关系,根据此次实测的通过震中25 km长的大地电磁测深剖面,结合地热梯度、He同位素比值（³He/⁴He）、CO₂碳同位素、地震序列等资料的综合分析,发现震中地区存在两个位于不同深度的低阻体,地震发生与地幔深部岩浆活动有关;据此提出了一种新的地震发生模式——岩浆泡破裂发震模式,描述了来自地幔的基性岩浆通过向上侵入、在脆-韧性转换带附近聚集形成岩浆泡、岩浆泡破裂及岩浆泡上覆岩层中聚集能量引发岩层破裂产生地震的过程,并使来自地幔的无机成因的CO₂气在储层中形成CO₂气藏。该模式可以解释许多发生在大陆内部地震和深源地震的发生机制。     

Seismic hazard and total risk analyses for large dams in Euphrates basin,Turkey

Reservoirs constructed near urban areas pose a high-risk potential for downstream life and property. Turkey is one of the most seismically active regions in the world and has at least 1200 large dams with different types. Major earthquakes with the potential of threatening life and property occur frequently here. The Euphrates basin studied in this article is located in a seismically very active part of Turkey. The northern part of the basin is structurally cut by numerous faults. Many large dams are located on or close to these faults. In this paper we summarize the methods used for the analysis of seismic hazards and total risk, discuss the seismic hazards of thirty-two large dams constructed on the Euphrates basin on the basis of the seismic activity of the dam site and their total risk as based on physical properties and the position in the basin. The seismic hazard analyses have indicated that peak ground acceleration changes within a wide range (0.011 g and 0.564 g) for the dam sites of the basin. A seismic hazard map showing the equivalent PGA (peak ground acceleration) values was developed so as to use for the preliminary analysis of dam structures, which will be designed in the basin. The total risk analyses depending on the seismic hazard rating of dam site and risk rating of the structure have concluded that fifteen large dams have high-risk class in the basin. These dams must be analyzed with high priority and redesigned to increase the safety of the embankments and their appurtenant structures, if necessary.     

Verification of a new method for evaluation of liquefaction potential analysis

The seismic response of existing earth dams in Iran is important after an earthquake both to provide emergency supplies and to society as well as to ensure structural safety in engineering terms. Better seismic capacity of earth dam results in less structural damage and reduced impacts following an earthquake disaster. Indirect as well as direct costs following earthquakes have gained much attention from both the engineering and socioec onomic research communities in the last few decades. This study is a valuable tool used to study the response of geotechnical structures to infrequent or extreme events such as earthquakes. The Avaj earthquake (2002, Iran) was applied to a series of model tests which was conducted to study the response of soil profiles under seismic loading. The acceleration records at different locations within the soil bed and at its surface along with the settlement records at the surface were used to analyze the soil seismic response. A combination of several software packages with a generated visual user interface computer code by authors named as “Abbas Converter” were employed to evaluate the variation of shear modulus and damping ratio with shear strain amplitude to assess their effects on site response. The proposed method was applied to the Korzan earth dam of Hamedan province in Iran. Site response analysis using the measured shear wave velocity, estimated modulus reduction, and damping ratio as input parameters produced good agreement with the computed site response in this study.