Recent crustal movements in the Alpine-Mediterrane an region analyzed in the Swiss ALPS

The most recent results of uplift rates determined by repeated precise levelling, are analyzed in terms of geodynamic processes still going on in the region of the Alpine-Mediterranean plate boundary. Special emphasis is focused on levelling nets in the Swiss Alps which have been remeasured for the second time. A comparison of these geodetic results with geophysical information, such as gravity anomalies and explosion seismic results, as well as seismicity, provides further evidence that these sets of data are interrelated with each other. An attempt is made to estimate the strain energy associated with the crustal deformation by introducing first-order stress-strain relationships.     

A new project to monitor land subsidence in the northern Venice coastland (Italy)

The paper deals with the implementation of a levelling and Global Positioning System (GPS) network to control land subsidence in the coastal area north of the Venice Lagoon. About 480 km of levelling lines with 527 benchmarks, 45 of which suited for Differential GPS measurements, were established in 2004. A complete survey of the net was carried out in 2004 soon after its establishment. The 2004 records have been compared with previous scattered data obtained by the use of levelling surveys, DGPS and SAR interferometry. The results show a trend in land settlement that increases from the lagoon margin to the north and jeopardize the Venice coastland. Groundwater withdrawals for domestic, agricultural, and health spas uses, peat oxidation of reclaimed marshlands for farming, natural consolidation of the Holocene deposits, and tectonics of the pre-Quaternary basement are the causes of land subsidence in the study area. Since most of the area lies below the mean sea level and on account of the expected sea level rise due to global change, a detailed monitoring of land displacements in the near future will be of paramount importance to plan necessary works for coastland protection.     

石榴石的塑性变形及差异应力计算

岩石在形成时和形成后所经历的任何热力学事件都应在其内部留下痕迹,如何寻找和发现这些遗迹是地质学界长期关注和亟待解决的问题。笔者认为,电子显微技术(TEM)是解决这一问题的最有效、最直观的方法之一。最近几年,大量的TEM研究结果证实,各类变质岩中的石榴石均发生不同程度的塑性变形。深入研究其变形程度和变形特征,对于揭示岩石所经历的变质变形历史具有重要的意义,特别是通过观测位错密度,可定性推算岩石曾经历的古差异应力,为拟定区域构造演化模式提供佐证。      

Multi-sensor DInSAR applied to the spatiotemporal evolution analysis of ground surface deformation in Cerro Prieto basin,Baja California,Mexico, for the 1993–2014 period

The combined effects of active tectonics and anthropogenic activities, primarily geothermal resources exploitation for electricity production in Cerro Prieto geothermal field, influence the ground surface deformation in Cerro Prieto basin, Baja California, Mexico. In this study, a large set of multi-sensor C-band SAR images have been employed to reconstruct the spatiotemporal evolution of aseismic ground surface deformation that has affected Cerro Prieto basin from 1993 to 2014. Conventional DInSAR together with the interferograms stacking procedure was applied. The results showed that the study area presented considerable surface deformation (mainly subsidence) during the entire time of the investigation. The main changes in rate and pattern of surface deformation have a good correlation in time and space with the changes in production in the Cerro Prieto geothermal field. Comparison of LOS displacement maps from different viewing geometries, and decomposition (where possible) of LOS displacement into vertical and horizontal (east–west) components, revealed considerable horizontal displacement which mostly reflects the ground movement at and beyond the margin of the subsidence basin toward the areas of highest subsidence rates. In addition, the validation of the DInSAR results by comparing them against measurements from leveling surveys was performed, confirming the high reliably of satellite interferometry for the ground surface deformation rate mapping in the study area.     

The lateglacial lakes of Glens Roy,Spean and vicinity (Lochaber district,Scottish Highlands)

This paper summarises the evidence for glacial ice advance into lower Glen Spean during the Loch Lomond Stadial which involved the blockage of westward-flowing drainage to form a series of ice-dammed lakes, the former surfaces of which are marked by prominent shorelines. Detailed mapping of glacigenic landforms and instrumental levelling of the shorelines reveals a dynamic interplay between the glacier margins and lake formation. Subsequent deglaciation led to lowering of the lake levels, at times by catastrophic drainage beneath the ice (jökulhlaup). The abandoned shorelines have been warped and dislocated in numerous places as a result of glacio-isostatic deformation, faulting and landslip activity. The pattern of retreat of the ice can be deduced from the mapped distributions of retreat moraines and the levelled altitudes of numerous kame and fluvial terrace fragments. The sequence of events outlined in this paper provides important context for understanding the evolution of the landscape of the Glen Roy area during the Loch Lomond Stadial, and a prelude to more recent studies reported in other contributions to this thematic issue.     

蔚县矿区地面沉陷InSAR多维形变监测

河北蔚县是我国华北地区最大的地下采煤区之一,该地区长期存在采矿塌陷灾害,不仅威胁采矿安全,而且严重破坏当地生态环境。本文基于合成孔径雷达干涉（InSAR）这一新型空间对地观测技术,采用61景Sentinel-1A/B干涉宽幅（Interferometric Wide swath,IW）模式数据进行矿区形变观测,获取整个矿区在2017—2018年间的地表形变空间分布特征,并对矿区地表的沉降量级及面积进行详细的统计分析。此外,采用融合多轨道SAR数据的多维形变时序估计方法,对西细庄矿数据进行东西向和垂向的二维形变分解,获取该矿的二维形变时间序列。结果表明:除南留庄井田外,其余三大井田在监测期间均存在不同程度的地面沉陷灾害;整个矿区年沉陷速率超过-10 cm/a的区域达到了2.16 km2;受成像几何影响,不同轨道数据获取的形变结果存在一定差异;西细庄矿以垂向形变为主,伴随明显的东西向水平形变。研究结果为蔚县矿区地面沉陷监测与煤矿安全开采提供数据参考。      

Precision assessment of the orthometric heights determination in northern part of Algeria by combining the GPS data and the local geoid model

The main purpose of this article is to discuss the use of GPS positioning together with a gravimetrically determined geoid, for deriving orthometric heights in the North of Algeria, for which a limited number of GPS stations with known orthometric heights are available, and to check, by the same opportunity, the possibility of substituting the classical spirit levelling. For this work, 247 GPS stations which are homogeneously distributed and collected from the international TYRGEONET project, as well as the local GPS/Levelling surveys, have been used. The GPS/Levelling geoidal heights are obtained by connecting the points to the levelling network while gravimetric geoidal heights were interpolated from the geoid model computed by the Geodetic Laboratory of the National Centre of Spatial Techniques from gravity data supplied by BGI. However, and in order to minimise the discordances, systematic errors and datum inconsistencies between the available height data sets, we have tested two parametric models of corrector surface: a four parameter transformation and a third polynomial model are used to find the adequate functional representation of the correction that should be applied to the gravimetric geoid. The comparisons based on these GPS campaigns prove that a good fit between the geoid model and GPS/levelling data has been reached when the third order polynomial was used as corrector surface and that the orthometric heights can be deducted from GPS observations with an accuracy acceptable for the low order levelling network densification. In addition, the adopted methodology has been also applied for the altimetric auscultation of a storage reservoir situated at 40 km from the town of Oran. The comparison between the computed orthometric heights and observed ones allowed us to affirm that the alternative of levelling by GPS is attractive for this auscultation.     

Ground deformation of the southern sector of the Aeolian islands volcanic arc from geodetic data

The deformation pattern and the dynamics of the southern sector of the Aeolian archipelago are investigated. A study on the ground deformation, measured over the last 20 years in the trilateration geodetic network between the islands of Vulcano and Lipari, has been conducted. Analysis of the relative displacements and the uniform strain tensor parameters, as well as the comparison between areal dilatation and the vertical variations deduced by precise levelling, allow distinguishing different phases associated both with the regional dynamics and the local volcanic context of the area. These phases, however, appear to be closely interrelated. The analysis of the deformation pattern allows to constrain the predominance of a roughly E–W trending extension and a N–S contraction at a regional scale. This regime is consistent with right-lateral movements along a NW–SE striking fault system.     

基于斋藤模型的滑坡临滑时间预报方法改进及应用

滑坡临滑时间预报可根据滑坡变形时间曲线来建立,但现有临滑时间预报模型并未统一计算区间,因此相同模型在不同计算区间得出时间预报值可能存在较大差异。以贵州省龙井村滑坡为例,通过分析滑坡精细化变形数据,以斋藤时间预报模型为基础,确定出进行临滑时间预报的变形计算区间为切线角70°~75°之间,并根据变形曲线在临滑时具有明显上翘特征,导致滑坡发生时间提前的特点,通过分析切线角斜率与计算区间斜率的比例关系,引入修正系数0.5对滑坡时间预报值进行修正。通过近年来甘肃黑方台多次黄土滑坡的精细化变形数据进行检验验证,结果表明,改进的滑坡变形临滑时间预报方法具有良好的准确性和一定的普适性,为滑坡时间预报提供了较为准确的新方法。     

Geospatial mapping of potential recharge zones in parts of Pune city

Runoff has increased many fold in urban areas due to increase in paved areas, training of streams and construction of storm water drains. The recharge is therefore continuously decreasing; resulting in depleting groundwater reserves beneath large cities, especially those situated on water divides. In order to reduce surface runoff and replenish groundwater many advocate artificial recharge through rainwater harvesting. Conventionally, detailed hydrogeological survey is needed by expert hydrogeologists to suggest suitable sites for rooftop rainwater harvesting and storage in the subsurface aquifers. Pune, a rapidly growing city, is under severe stress due to shortage of water in some areas. An effort has been made in this study to identify areas suitable for rooftop rainwater harvesting by integrating traditional hydrogeological survey data with the help of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System. This endeavour has led to develop a program called SLUGGER-DQL which helps to identify potential sites for rooftop rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge. The program is open ended and several other factors controlling potential recharge can be easily added on. Based on the results of the present study, potential sites for rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge have been identified in the Pune University-Shivajinagar-Kothrud area. The present paper demonstrates the utility of traditional hydrogeological surveys combined with modern techniques in solving problems related to urban hydrogeology and town planning.     

Fractal dynamics of geomagnetic storms

We explore fluctuations of the horizontal component of the Earth’s magnetic field to identify scaling behaviour of the temporal variability in geomagnetic data recorded by the Intermagnet observatories during the solar cycle 23 (years 1996 to 2005). In this work, we use the remarkable ability of scaling wavelet exponents to highlight the singularities associated with discontinuities present in the magnetograms obtained at two magnetic observatories for six intense magnetic storms, including the sudden storm commencements of 14 July 2000, 29–31 October and 20–21 November 2003. In the active intervals that occurred during geomagnetic storms, we observe a rapid and unidirectional change in the spectral scaling exponent at the time of storm onset. The corresponding fractal features suggest that the dynamics of the whole time series is similar to that of a fractional Brownian motion. Our findings point to an evident relatively sudden change related to the emergence of persistency of the fractal power exponent fluctuations precedes an intense magnetic storm. These first results could be useful in the framework of extreme events prediction studies.     

Characteristics of vertical land movement and microearthquake activity in the northeastern Japan arc

Methods have been devised for analyzing vertical land movement and seismicity data using two-dimensional Chebychev functions and oblique projections. A filtering operation in the space domain is made possible by use of a two-dimensional Chebychev function. The oblique projections give an intuitive understanding of land deformation. Characteristic aspects of vertical land movement obtained by precise levelling and of the energy release of microearthquakes with depths shallower than 20 km in the northeastern Japan arc were investigated in detail applying these methods.Lineations with wavelength of about 20–60km trending towards NE—SW were found for both the land deformation and the seismicity. It should be noted that this trend is almost perpendicular to the direction of the strain migration and is related to other geophysical information.     

Photogrammetric techniques for monitoring tunnel deformation

This paper presents two innovative methods for tunnel monitoring that are based on digital photogrammetry. Both have been conceived to speed up operations that are currently accomplished by using engineering geodesy techniques and instruments. On the same time, proposed solutions are cheap and affordable. The first one is aimed at measuring relative deformations of transversal cross-section of tunnels. Some special targets are placed on the tunnel vault and their coordinates are measured by means of a small photogrammetric block made up of four images. A wire is used to setup the scale and to make all measurements comparable overtime. The second method can be applied for the measurement of vertical deformations along the longitudinal profile of tunnels. A new image-based approach called ‘photogrammetric levelling’ is discussed here, which is based on the metric rectification of each single image depicting a couple of special rods to be hung on levelling benchmarks. This technique can be used to replace traditional optical and digital level instruments. Both applications can be carried out by using a calibrated amateur camera. Some experiments in controlled and real environments allowed assessing performances and limitations of these techniques for operational surveys in tunnel monitoring.     

Gravimetry for monitoring vertical crustal movements: Potential and problems

Through recent developments in absolute and relative techniques, gravimetry has reached an accuracy of a few hundredths to a few tenths of μm s^{−2 *}in small or large-scale networks, respectively. Consequently, gravimetric techniques can now be employed as one efficient tool for detecting vertical crustal movements. Gravity data are necessary for converting the results of geometric levelling to heights defined in the gravity field, and—by repeated surveys—to control time variations of the height-reference surface. More important is the use of repeated gravity surveys for strengthening and partly replacing levelling, being a time-consuming procedure with unfavourable error propagation over larger distances. The successful application of observed gravity variations with time in the detection of vertical crustal movements depends on the reliability of the conversion factor between gravity and height changes, and on the accuracy of the gravity measurements. The conversion factor should be determined through simultaneous levelling and gravimetry, in representative parts of the survey region. Strategies for establishing gravimetric control are changing now with the availability of transportable absolute gravity meters, and the possibility of accurately calibrating relative instruments and observing small gravity differences with feed-back-systems. Consequently, more attention has to be given now to disturbing effects of environmental character, such as microseismics, atmospheric pressure and groundwater table variations, and to periodic effects such as gravimetric earth tides and polar motion.     

Short-term vertical velocity field in the Apennines (Italy) revealed by geodetic levelling data

We estimate current vertical movements along the Apennines (Italy) through repeatedly measured high precision levelling routes. In order to highlight regional crustal deformation the analysis of a geodetic database, with a minimum benchmark density of 0.7 bm/km (1943–2003 time period), is carried out. We evaluate systematic and random error and their propagation along the levelling routes. Tests on original raw height data have been carried out to define error propagation. The computed relative vertical rates stand significantly above error propagation. A series of traverses along and across the Apennines and a map of relative vertical velocities reveal a geodetic signal characterised by values up to 2.5–3.0 mm/a and by wavelengths up to 100 km.     

自钻式原位剪切旁压模型PFC3D细观模拟

自钻式原位剪切旁压试验(self-boring in-situ shear pressure-meter)以其独特的多级加载方式, 能够直接测出土体的强度和变形参数, 然而, 目前对探头周围土体变形机理研究较少.为揭示自钻式原位剪切旁压仪试验过程中测定器周围土颗粒变形机理, 应用PFC3D(particle flow code in three dimensions)颗粒流程序对自钻式原位剪切旁压试验进行了仿真数值模拟, 对多级加载过程中探头周围土体的位移场和应力场发展变化以及数值试样各阶段变形模量和土颗粒运动轨迹进行了分析研究.试验结果表明: 随着剪应力的逐级施加, 中间区域颗粒的位移量不断增大, 且位移矢量方向性更加显著.径向应力在探头附近两侧形成近似呈对称分布的数个"应力核"; 竖向应力在探头两侧形成扁平状应力带, 且在肩部形成应力集中区.中部区域球颗粒的运动轨迹成台阶状, 且随距探头距离的增大由近到远可分为3个特征区域; 球颗粒的Z向和XY向位移量亦随之呈负指数形式衰减, Z向位移量衰减速率更快.      

考虑环境变量作用的滑坡变形动态灰色-进化神经网络预测研究

滑坡变形预测对于指导灾害的预防工作、保护人民的生命和财产安全具有重大实用价值。从系统论观点出发,结合岩土体流变理论和时序分析原理,在深入研究影响滑坡变形的主控环境变量基础上,将位移时序分解为趋势项和偏离项。采用灰色系统模型提取位移时序趋势项,结合遗传算法和人工神经网络建立起进化神经网络模型,逼近主控环境变量与位移偏离项之间的非线性关系。根据蠕变阶段和变形对环境变量响应情况,实时调整模型,建立起滑坡变形预测的动态灰色-进化神经网络（GM-ENN）模型。将此预测思路和方法应用于三峡库区某滑坡变形预测研究中,证实了模型的有效性和实用性,显示了动态预测的重要性。     

Spatio-temporal analysis of rockfall pre-failure deformation using Terrestrial LiDAR

We present a long-term spatio-temporal analysis of rock slope evolution using a Terrestrial LiDAR aiming to improve our understanding of the link between pre-failure deformation and the spatial prediction of rockfalls. We monitored the pilot study area located at the Puigcercós cliff (Catalonia, Spain) over a period of 1,705 days and detected the deformation of nine different cliff regions together with a high rockfall activity. An exact match was observed between the progressively deformed areas and the regions recently affected by three of the highest magnitude rockfall events, demonstrating a causal relationship between pre-failure deformation and rockfall occurrence. These findings allowed us to make a forward spatial prediction of future failures, hypothesizing a high probability of failure in the six remaining regions. We observed an exponential acceleration of the deformation close to failure, in accordance with tertiary creep theory. However, the temporal analysis of the deformed areas showed a complex and variable behavior, so no exact prediction of the date of failure can yet be made. Our findings have broadened our understanding of the pre-failure behavior of rockfalls and have clear implications for the future implementation of early warning systems.     

Current Research Status and Prospect of Tectonically Deformed Coal

A number of studies have shown that development areas of weak deformation brittle series of tectonically deformed coal are often the favorable areas for coalbed methane development, and the distribution area of the mylonitic coal of ductile deformation is a danger zone of mine gas outburst. Therefore, faced with solving the key scientific issues and technical problems of the coal bed methane exploration and development and gas outburst prediction and evaluation, more and more attention has been paid to the research on tectonically deformed coal. This paper first systematically elaborated the main research progress on the concept and classification of tectonically deformed coals, their deformation characteristics, and the pore fissure structure and chemical structure. Then, it pointed out that there was a lack of research on the ductile deformation mechanism of coal, and this key scientific problem needs further research in the future. It seemed that the structural and geochemical process of chemical elements migration and accumulation during coal deformation was a new field which is worth exploring. Through refining stress sensitive elements, their distribution and evolution patterns in different stress-strain environments and different types of tectonically deformed coals might be revealed, and then they could become a predictive index which indicates the significance of distribution of tectonically deformed coals and gas outburst prediction. It was thought that geophysical response characteristics and research of detection theory and interpretation method of different types of tectonically deformed coal and gas enrichment area should be an important development direction in the future.     

基于数字图像相关方法的裂隙砂岩应变场演化规律及前兆识别

目前数字图像相关方法在岩石力学领域的应用主要集中于获取变形场云图,缺乏结合一些指标对变形数据进行定量分析。采用数字图像相关方法对裂隙砂岩试件压缩加载过程进行非接触式、实时变形测量,结合方差量化描述应变场分异特征;而后对应变场方差变化曲线进行有限差分求导,量化描述应变场分异速率,分析应变场演化规律及前兆特征。研究结果表明:裂隙砂岩试件的变形破裂过程可划分为压密、弹性变形、裂纹稳定扩展、裂纹快速扩展及破坏等4个阶段。加载过程中裂隙砂岩试件的裂纹萌生和扩展行为,在应变场上表现为应变局部化带的产生与发展,进而导致应变场方差和分异速率发生变化。应变场方差-轴向应变曲线表现出阶段性特征,可划分为稳定分异、加速分异以及加加速分异等3个阶段。应变场分异速率-轴向应变曲线在张拉裂纹起裂时均出现第一个尖峰,可作为裂隙岩体失稳破坏前的前兆信号,对应的前兆应力与峰值应力之比为0.80～0.96。研究成果对工程岩体失稳预测具有较好的理论参考价值。