Surface Moisture Availability and Rock Weathering in Cold Climates

The importance of moisture in determining which rock weathering processes may operate, as well as the rate at which rock weathering occurs, has long been recognised. However, little is known about how often or when moisture is available to the rock surface, or for how long the surface may be wetted. This paper gives some initial results from current research on granite rocks in Antarctica. Recordings of surface moisture, for two aspects and three locations in Victoria Land, show that moisture reaches the rock surface more frequently than might initially have been expected in this dry climate. The number of occasions the surface is wetted, and the quantity of moisture the surface received, varied with aspect and time of year. Rock surfaces could be wet for up to 40% of the time during the summer months. This has important implications for rock weathering where some processes are deemed not to operate, or to operate in very restricted locations, due to the apparent absence of moisture.     

东濮凹陷盐湖盆地油气富集规律研究

国内外油气勘探实践表明,含盐盆地的油气富集和分布与盆地内沉积的盐岩密切相关。东濮凹陷是我国东部地区典型的含盐油气富集盆地,作者通过深入研究其地层层序特征及盐岩纵横向分布特点,进一步剖析了盐岩沉积的主要控制因素及其与生储盖层的关系,搞清了含盐盆地油气的分布和富集与盐岩的关系,指出无论在垂向上还是横向上,东濮凹陷盐岩一般都与暗色烃源岩共生,而且盐岩与同期沉积的砂岩表现为长消关系。研究认为盐岩可作为油气上盖或侧向遮挡,与源岩、储集层可组成良好的生储盖配置关系,利于油气富集区带的形成,对构造和隐蔽油气藏的形成都发挥了积极的作用,并指出与盐岩有关的文东北部和胡状集地区是下一步挖潜的有利勘探方向。研究成果也可为国内外同类含盐盆地的油气勘探提供一定的借鉴经验。     

滑坡碰撞作用及其岸坡环境效应

研究发现,高速滑坡运动到谷底时,多数会与对岩岩坡发生碰撞,使滑体前部及对岸受撞岩体表部碎裂,形成滑坡碰撞构造。由于强烈的碰撞作用,滑体内部块体之间嵌合紧密。河流下切后,破碎但嵌合紧密的碰撞体卸荷松动,岸坡稳定性随之降低。由此提出滑坡碰撞模式、碰撞构造成分,并对其岸坡环境效应进行了探讨。     

Shore platform development around Lord Howe Island, southwest Pacific

This paper describes the morphology of near-horizontal basalt and calcarenite shore platforms around Lord Howe Island as well as the lithological and process environment in which they occur. The morphology of platforms around the island is highly varied. For instance, they occur at a wide range of elevations between low-tide level and several metres above the highest tides, and their width ranges between just a few metres to over 100 m. However, common to most platforms is that they have near-horizontal surfaces that terminate abruptly in a steep scarp at their seaward edge. Correlations indicate that the variability in platform elevation and width is attributable to variability in key parameters of erosion, such as rock resistance and shoreline water depth. Whereas wider platforms occur in rocks of lesser resistance, platform elevation is shown to increase both as rock resistance and the depth of water at the shoreline increases. Wave exposure has a significant control on platform width in some instances, but an over-arching relationship was not detected. Most platforms around the island appear to have developed over the Holocene and a conceptual model is proposed to account for the varied morphology of platforms that have developed over this period. Resistant plunging cliffs occur along about 18% of the rocky coastline of Lord Howe Island and represent the starting point for the model. Where cliffs have yielded to wave erosion platforms have been initiated at an elevation controlled predominantly by rock resistance and shoreline water depth. At Lord Howe Island narrow platforms up to about 20 m wide in exposed locations generally occur about 4 to 6 m above high tide level, and have apparently been subject to very infrequent erosion. Shore platforms about 20 to 40 m wide have generally formed in less resistant rocks, are somewhat lower at about 2 to 3 m above high tide level, and have been subject to more frequent erosion over the Holocene. Most basalt platforms around the island fall within these first two categories, but there are some instances of platforms about 50 m wide. These platforms have formed in rocks of comparatively low resistance and are relatively low in elevation occurring close to the level of high tide. An interesting feature of some of these wide platforms is that, unlike the morphology of narrower platforms, raised ramparts sometimes occur on their outer edge.     

Comparative analysis of coatings on granitic substrates from urban and natural settings (NW Spain)

Rock coatings are frequent on natural rock outcrops and even more on stone surfaces of historical buildings and monuments. They are interesting as some of them have a protective effect against erosion. In the last 30 years, research on rock coatings has been performed separately on either buildings or natural outcrops. This paper studies and compares thin coatings found on granitic rock surfaces of historical buildings with coatings found on natural granite outcrops in a same climatic area (NW Spain) by analysing their surface and cross-sections. As rock surfaces of buildings have known age they can be used to assess rates of weathering and coating growth. This is the first comparative study of formation of coatings on natural and built surfaces in the same region. Both endogenous (rock characteristics) and exogenous factors (climatic conditions, air pollution) that could affect the coatings formation are considered to assess the origin and formation of coatings. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyses of the underlying rocks, XRD analyses of the coatings and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observations of surface and cross-sections of the coatings, performing Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray maps, were carried out to establish their composition. Fieldwork and results indicate that natural outcrops are widely covered by biological coatings or coatings formed due to rock weathering, while coatings found on rock ashlars are highly variable with air pollution, other building materials, organic droppings and micro-environmental factors contributing to coatings on rock ashlars in a more significant way than substrate characteristics and exposure time.     

THOMAS JEFFERSON,AMERICAN GEOGRAPHERS,AND THE USES OF GEOGRAPHY*

ABSTRACT. Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) had a lifelong interest in geography. Except for his role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition and a few references to his Notes on the State of Virginia, however, geographers have taken a relatively slight interest in this aspect of his thought, despite his having sometimes been referred to as “one of the greatest American geographers.” This essay suggests that we need to reexamine Jefferson as a geographical thinker. Reviewing some of the more important literature thus far, it suggests where such topics may profitably be extended and points to some aspects of his geographical interests not yet incorporated into the geographical literature.     

运用定量指标研究岩体风化问题的探讨

在分析国内外岩体风化问题研究现状的问题上，指出了目前岩体风化评价存在的主要问题。结合实际工程资料，从影响岩体风化的主要因素出发，选择了表征风化特征的代表性定量指标，并分析了指标间的相关性。这为风化岩体的量化评价提供了依据。     

Electrical anisotropy and conductivity distribution functions of fractal random networks and of the crust: the scale effect of connectivity

All explanations of the high-conductivity layers (HCL) found by magnetotellurics in the middle or lower crust incorporate a mixture of a low-conductivity rock matrix and a highly conductive phase, for example graphite or saline fluids. In most cases the bulk conductivity of the mixture does not depend on the conductivity of the rock matrix but rather (1) on the amount of high-conductivity material and, in particular, (2) on its geometry. The latter is quantitatively described by the parameter 'electrical connectivity'. Decomposition of the observed bulk conductivity of the mixture into these two parameters results in an ill-posed problem. Even if anisotropy occurs in the HCL, three output parameters (highly conductive phase fraction, connectivity with respect to the X direction, connectivity with respect to the Y direction) have to be estimated from the two bulk conductivities of the anisotropic HCL. The additional information required for solving this problem is provided if instead of single-site data the conductivities from many field sites are evaluated: a sample distribution of the conductivity can then be obtained. Ensembles of random networks are used to create theoretical distribution functions which match the empirical distribution functions to some extent. The use of random resistor networks is discussed in the context of other established techniques for the treatment of two-phase systems, such as percolation theory and the renormalization group approach. Models of embedded networks explain the discrepancy between 'small' anisotropy (2-3) on the laboratory scale and large anisotropy (10-100) found in electromagnetic field surveys encompassing volumes of several cubic kilometres. Strong anisotropy can indicate low electrical connectivity, and a possible explanation is that a network stays close to the percolation threshold.     

Plant community patterns in a gypsum area of NE Spain. I. Interactions with topographic factors and soil erosion

The aim of this paper is to explain how topographical factors and soil erosion affect plant community patterns in the gypsum hills of the Middle Ebro Basin (NE Spain).Both the altitudinal location on the hill and, secondarily, the aspect determine a regular distribution pattern of the plant communities, which is closely related to soil and erosion features, as well as to some plant attributes. Tall perennial grasses dominate the valley bottoms, and scrub vegetation the hillsides and hilltops. Water availability, soil depth and particle movement down the slope are the main factors that could explain this segregation.     

PERIGLACIAL MODIFICATION OF THE COX TOR—STAPLE TORS AREA OF WESTERN DARTMOOR,ENGLAND

The Pleistocene periglacial legacy to the geomorphology of Dartmoor has been substantial. This paper examines some of these relict features in an area of western Dartmoor. The major features are tors, altiplanation terraces, boulder accumulations in a variety of patterns, and earth mounds. The tors and altiplanation terraces indicate the degree of slope modification created by frost action. The block-fields (clitter) are arranged into stripes, runs and garlands. Narrow stripes start and finish in midslope positions, while boulder runs converge and diverge, apparently at random. The long axis orientation of boulders in stripes is roughly in accord with the direction of the steepest slope, whereas orientation of boulders in blockfields is more variable. The altiplanation terraces and earth mounds occur on Cox Tor, which is composed of diabase. This contrast in rock type seems to explain the lack of similar features on the granite areas. The diabase is very closely jointed and weathers to a silt grade. The earth mounds are thought to be the result of frost thrusting in a silt-based soil. The general conclusion is that many of the landforms of Dartmoor are relicts from periglacial activity during the last glacial period. [Key words: periglaciation, tors, solifluction, Dartmoor.]     

Patterns of rock fragment cover generated by tillage erosion

Intensively cultivated areas in the upper part of the Guadalentin catchment (southeast Spain) show a systematic spatial pattern of surface rock fragment cover (R_c). The objective of this paper is to quantify and to explain this spatial rock fragment cover pattern. Therefore, a map of an intensively cultivated area of 5 km² was digitised, and for each pixel total topographic curvature was calculated. Next, rock fragment cover was determined photographically at 35 sites with a range of total slope curvatures. A linear relation between total curvature and rock fragment cover was found, except for narrow concavities. It was hypothesised that this pattern can be explained by a significant net downslope movement of rock fragments and fine earth by tillage. The displacement distances of rock fragments by tillage with a duckfoot chisel were measured by monitoring the displacement of tracers (painted rock fragments and aluminium cubes) on 5 sites having different slopes. The rare of tillage erosion for one tillage pass with a duckfoot chisel, expressed by the diffusion constant (k), equals 282 kg/m for up and downslope tillage and only 139 kg/m for contour tillage. Nomograms indicate that mean denudation rates in almond groves due to tillage erosion (3 to 5 tillage passes per year) can easily amount to 1.5–2.6 mm/year for contour tillage and up to 3.6–5.9 mm/year for up- and downslope tillage for a field, 50 m long and having a slope of 20%. These figures are at least one order of magnitude larger than reported denudation rates caused by water erosion in similar environments. Hence tillage erosion contributes significantly to land degradation. The downslope soil flux induced by tillage not only causes considerable denudation on topographic convexities (hill tops and spurs) and upper field boundaries but also an important sediment accumulation in topographic concavities (hollows and valley bottoms) and at lower field boundaries. Kinetic sieving (i.e. the upward migration of rock fragments) by the tines of the duckfoot chisel also concentrates the largest rock fragments in the topsoil in such a way that a rock fragment mulch develops in narrow valleys and at the foot of the slopes. These results clearly indicate that tillage erosion is the main process responsible for the observed rock fragment cover pattern in the study area. Since the study area is representative for many parts of southern Spain where almond groves have expanded since 1970, the results have a wider application. They show to what extent intensive tillage of steep slopes has contributed to the increase in soil degradation, to changes in hillslope morphology (i.e. strong denudation of convexities, development of lynchets and rapid infilling of narrow valley bottoms) and to the development of rock fragment cover patterns which control the spatial variability of the hydrological and water erosion response within such landscapes.     

北极地区盆地群油气地质特征及其资源潜力

北极地区具有超过4 000亿桶油当量的待发现技术可采储量, 是未来全球油气勘探与开发的重要增长点。本文按照地理和地质构造因素将北极地区分为北冰洋海盆区和环北极含油气区（含潜在含油气盆地）,按照板块演化及盆地发育历史将后者划分为北太平洋极地盆地群、俄罗斯极地盆地群和欧洲极地盆地群。根据大量文献和IHS数据, 结合生油层、储层、盖层及圈闭特征方面的研究, 系统对比、分析北极地区石油、天然气分布特征:北太平洋极地盆地群重要烃源岩形成于侏罗纪和白垩纪, 盆地群中重要储层大部分都分布于新生界布鲁克斯层, 油气系统以构造圈闭为主。俄罗斯极地盆地群中多数盆地具有古生代基底, 受斯堪的纳维亚早古生代造山期变形、西伯利亚板块古生代西部造山变形影响, 60%以上的烃源岩产自中生界, 储层以中生界前陆、克拉通盆地沉积物为主,盖层分布较广, 以中生界居多。欧洲极地盆地群受控于北大西洋洋脊的扩张和迁移, 各盆地烃源岩分布于中生界, 大部分储层分布于上白垩统—古新系, 自生自储、古生新储为该区域盆地的主要成藏模式。其中, 俄罗斯极地盆地油气储量最多, 占北极地区总储量45%以上且勘探潜力最大。     

Widespread Occurrence of Ephemeral Funnel Hoarfrost and Related Air Ventilation in Coarse‐Grained Sediments of a Relict Rock Glacier in the Seckauer Tauern Range,Austria

This paper examines the occurrence of ephemeral hoarfrost crystals at funnel openings (funnel hoarfrost) detected between large blocks at the surface of the presumably relict Schöneben Rock Glacier. Field mapping on 25 November 2011 identified 51 individual funnel openings with notable hoarfrost crystals distributed over the entire rock glacier. Hoarfrost was no longer detectable a few days after the initial mapping campaign. At least in the period 20–25 November 2011 temperature conditions at the rock glacier surface were favourable for hoarfrost formation and preservation as indicated by different types of measurements. A period of 24–48 h of hoarfrost‐suitable weather conditions would have been sufficient to form the observed hoarfrost if crystal growth rates of 2–4 mm h^?1 are assumed. The void systems with funnel hoarfrost seem to be rather localised and limited in horizontal (10s of metres) and vertical (some metres) extent. Presumably the observed funnel hoarfrost was caused by the so‐called chimney effect, although no larger reversible air circulation systems with warm air exhalation were identified. Continuous ground temperature data from several sites at the rock glacier surface (period November 2011–December 2012) showed that hoarfrost sites are cooler and thermally buffered compared with non‐hoarfrost sites at similar elevations. This seems to be related to the decoupling of the air above the rock glacier and the pore air during periods of atmospheric warming. Only the combination of specific micro‐climatic (temperature/humidity), geometric (open void systems) and sedimentological (grain size/sediment structure) conditions allow the formation of the ephemeral funnel hoarfrost at this rock glacier.     

Book review

Past, Present and Future Trends in Geophysical Research: Selected Papers from the Symposia of the Interdivisional Commission on History of IAGA during the IUGG General Assembly held in Vancouver, 1987. Ed. Wilfried Schroder     

Development of tongue-shaped and multilobate rock glaciers in alpine environments – Interpretations from ground penetrating radar surveys

Rock glaciers occur as lobate or tongue-shaped landforms composed of mixtures of poorly sorted, angular to blocky rock debris and ice. These landforms serve as primary sinks for ice and water storage in mountainous areas and represent transitional forms in the debris transport system, accounting for ~ 60% of all mass transport in some alpine regions. Observations of active (flowing) alpine rock glaciers indicate a common association between the debris that originates from cirque headwalls and the depositional lobes that comprise them. The delivery of this debris to the rock glacier is regulated primarily by the rate of headwall erosion and the point of origin of debris along the headwall. These factors control the relative movement of individual depositional lobes as well as the overall rate of propagation of a rock glacier. In recent geophysical studies, a number of alpine rock glaciers on Prins Karls Forland and Nordenskiöldland, Svalbard, Norway, and the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, USA, have been imaged using ground penetrating radar (GPR) to determine if a relationship exists between the internal structure and surface morphology. Results indicate that the overall morphologic expression of alpine rock glaciers is related to lobate deposition during catastrophic episodes of rockfall that originated from associated cirque headwalls. Longitudinal GPR profiles from alpine rock glaciers examined in this study suggests that the difference in gross morphology between the lobate and tongue-shaped rock glaciers can be attributed primarily (but not exclusively) to cirque geometry, frequency and locations of debris discharge within the cirque, and the trend and magnitude of valley gradient in relation to cirque orientation. Collectively, these factors determine the manner in which high magnitude debris discharges, which seem to be the primary mechanism of formation, accumulate to form these rock glaciers.     

福建长乐屏山风化坑与河流壶穴的成因及其证据

风化坑和壶穴是一种常见的岩石坑穴地形,其形成原因和形态完全不同,但容易被误解和混淆.结合对福建长乐三溪河地区这两种坑穴地形的实地考察,本文从地貌学,沉积学,岩石化学和矿物学等各个方面对两者的形成过程、影响因素进行了论证和对比.研究表明：风化坑形成于岩石面积水的风化作用,壶穴则是由河流的旋转水流对河床产生的侵蚀作用形成;山顶风化坑的发育与河流流水作用没有关系,河流壶穴的形成与河谷的发育过程有关,河谷中的风化坑只能在河流深切后,流水不再作用到的河床部位发育;只要条件合适,风化坑或壶穴随时可以生成;风化坑与河流壶穴的形态,坑内沉积物的磨圆度、粒度特征等反映出各自不同的形成过程.风化坑内碎屑与周边岩石的化学蚀变指数CIA 值的差异反映了风化坑的化学风化成因;风化坑内碎屑与周边岩石石英长石比例的差异说明风化坑是矿物差异风化的结果;用CIA 值和英长比均无法区分河流壶穴和风化坑中的碎屑颗粒,但两者化学元素迁移特征的差别反映了风化坑的风化作用和河流壶穴的流水搬运作用的成因差别;风化坑的风化程度达不到当地风化壳的风化程度,但不同气候带风化坑碎屑的CIA 值能反映不同气候带风化作用的强度差异.     

Surface hydrological processes of rock glaciated basins in the San Juan Mountains,Colorado

Glaciers in the western USA contribute summer meltwater to regional hydrological systems. In the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, where glaciers do not exist, rock glaciers serve that function during the summer runoff period. Most rock glaciers in Colorado are located on northern slopes in mountainous areas; however, some rock glaciers in southwest Colorado have different aspects. In this study, we asked how slope aspect and rising air temperatures influence the hydrological processes of streams sourced from rock glaciers in the San Juan Mountains. We focused on three adjacent basins, Yankee Boy basin, Blue Lakes basin, and Mill Creek basin, which share a common peak, Gilpin Peak. Using HOBO® U20-001–04 water-level loggers, streamflow data were collected in each of these basins, below each rock glacier. Air temperature significantly influenced stream discharge below the rock glacier. Discharge and air temperature patterns indicate a possible air temperature threshold during late summer when rock glacier melt increases at a greater rate. The results also suggest that the aspect of rock glacier basins influences stream discharge, but that temperature and precipitation are likely larger components of melt regimes.     

Reflections on the place of Larkin

Summary The close association of the poet Larkin with the city of Hull has induced references to Larkinland, though commercial exploitation of this concept is very limited. This paper examines Larkin's sense of place and explores his relationship with Hull and its environs. In drawing on his own personal landscapes, Larkin intermittently involves the reader in the pleasure of recognition. For the inhabitant of Hull, some poems have added value. 'Here' paints an evocative picture of Hull in the 1950s, but also links to the interpretation of Larkin as the poet of provincial England. However, Larkinland, either as Hull or as provincial mid-century England, has a slender basis.     

On what it takes to be a good geographer

This paper argues that, in order to take place, space and scale more seriously in the study of our discipline, we have to complement the pervasive understanding of geography as a tradition of thought or an extended conversation with an understanding of our discipline as a tradition of practice, in which the main focus is on the becoming of geographers. It is argued that the theme of 'what it takes to be a good geographer' is a fertile way to study this process of becoming. The four main advantages of this approach are illustrated empirically in the body of the argument by the author's reflections on his socializing within two very different geographical traditions.     

再论庐山冰川遗迹

根据庐山的冰川谷、冰斗、冰川擦痕和冰川堆积地形,作者认定有庐山第四纪古冰川。