An engineering geological appraisal of the Lakhwar Dam, Garhwal Himalaya, India

A 204 m high solid concrete gravity dam is proposed across the River Yamuna in Garhwal Himalaya, India. It will be located on dolerite rocks which have been intruded into the slates of Chandpur Formation. The present study includes the evaluation of the dam foundation by means of drifts, drill holes, water pressure tests and abutment slope stability studies. The water pressure test indicate the necessity of providing a grout curtain below the dam foundation. The analysis of the dam abutments for stability using the Limit equilibrium method indicates that the right abutment slope is kinematically unstable for plane failure mode. The plane failure analysis of the right abutment slope was carried out by modifying the Hoek and Bray (1981, Rock Slope Engineering, 3rd ed., Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, London) technique of plane failure analysis. The analysis reveals that right abutment slope may become unstable during the stripping operation. Based upon the analysis a safe cut slope design for the abutments have been suggested. Subsurface exploration by means of cross drift and drill holes has indicated a sheared contact of slate and dolerite in the foundation area. To avoid the settlement of the dam along this shear zone precautionary measures are suggested.     

Tectonics and earthquake mechanism of the shallow earthquake seismic belt,the Himalaya

The foci distribution of upper mantle earthquakes occurred between 1961 and 1972 in Himalayan, Tibetan and Hindukush regions, were studied and compared. The V-shaped pockets above a vertical plane have shown a relationship with the dip-slip type or normal faulting at the borders of the continental plates. The left-lateral and right-lateral displacements of Kirthar-Sulaiman shear zone and Brailly fault respectively found by the focal mechanism indicate a relative difference in motion between the Kashmir region and Nepal region and the uniform and right angle displacement of Tibetan Plateau has produced the Saradah depression. On the basis of seismic and geological evidences a simple tectonic model is proposed.     

An application of regional time and magnitude predictable model for long-term earthquake prediction in the vicinity of October 8, 2005 Kashmir Himalaya earthquake

A regional time and magnitude predictable model has been applied to estimate the recurrence intervals for large earthquakes in the vicinity of 8 October 2005 Kashmir Himalaya earthquake (25°–40°N and 65°–85°E), which includes India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Hindukush, Pamirs, Mangolia and Tien-Shan. This region has been divided into 17 seismogenic sources on the basis of certain seismotectonics and geomorphological criteria. A complete earthquake catalogue (historical and instrumental) of magnitude Ms ≥ 5.5 during the period 1853–2005 has been used in the analysis. According to this model, the magnitude of preceding earthquake governs the time of occurrence and magnitude of future mainshock in the sequence. The interevent time between successive mainshocks with magnitude equal to or greater than a minimum magnitude threshold were considered and used for long-term earthquake prediction in each of seismogenic sources. The interevent times and magnitudes of mainshocks have been used to determine the following predictive relations: logT _t = 0.05 M _min + 0.09 M _p − 0.01 log M ₀ + 01.14; and M _f = 0.21 M _min − 0.01 M _p + 0.03 log M ₀ + 7.21 where, T _t is the interevent time of successive mainshocks, M _min is minimum magnitude threshold considered, M _p is magnitude of preceding mainshock, M _f is magnitude of following mainshock and M ₀ is the seismic moment released per year in each seismogenic source. It was found that the magnitude of following mainshock (M _f) does not depend on the interevent time (T _t), which indicates the ability to predict the time of occurrence of future mainshock. A negative correlation between magnitude of following mainshock (M _f) and preceding mainshock (M _p) indicates that the larger earthquake is followed by smaller one and vice versa. The above equations have been used for the seismic hazard assessment in the considered region. Based on the model applicability in the studied region and taking into account the occurrence time and magnitude of last mainshock in each seismogenic source, the time-dependent conditional probabilities (PC) for the occurrence of next shallow large mainshocks (Ms ≥ 6.5), during next 20 years as well as the expected magnitudes have been estimated.     

浅谈龙岩市地震安全性评价工作

本文主要对我市近年来在依法实施地震安全性评价管理工作中所采取的措施、方法以及取得的成效和存在的问题等作一简单论述。     

Global sea level stratigraphy: An appraisal

Although Pleistocene sea level concepts were first developed in the Mediterranean Basin, research has been revolutionized during the past 15 years by massive dating programs applied in other world areas. reappraisal of four key sequences nonetheless shows that the chronometric framework is imperfect. As a result, available paleosea level traces continue to depend on deep-sea stratigraphy for confirmation rather than the reverse; they do not provide independent support for the Milankovitch radiation cycles, nor do they invite deductive-hypothetical ‘dating’ by means of such astronomical reconstructions. Inferred ‘initial’ sea levels, based on uplift assumptions or δ¹⁸O determinations on coral and mollusca, show considerable divergence but broadly agree that sea levels assigned to isotope stages 5a and 5c were lower than today. Systematic studies should be expanded in environments that allow lithostratigraphic resolution of interdigitated marine and continental sediments, meticulously complemented by biostratigraphic work. Direct information on the complexity and significance of regressional hemicycles helps place sea level stages recorded by transgressive facies into a multidimensional context essential for comprehensive interpretation.     

量子地震模型:对汶川地震的解释

从大量的地震参数分析可知,在由同一主震引发的所有的余震发生的位置都不同。在发生地震之前,地震的震中位置都是一些相互独立、互不连续且发生了弹性应变的单元个体,笔者称这些独立不连续的弹性应变单元称为应变量子。综合前人研究成果,笔者建立了一个地震模型。运用该模型对2008年5月12日发生在中国汶川地震作了解释:由于在龙门山断裂带周围形成了许多的应变量子,这些应变量子的形成阻碍了龙门山断裂的运动,产生滑移亏损,从而造成在地震前测量到的龙门山断裂带速度场变化很不显著。2008年5月12日14时28分时,在龙门山断裂周围已形成应变量子中的其中一应变量子最先达到它的最大储能,释放它所储存的应变能,引发了汶川Ms8.0地震。此次地震产生的地震波引发了龙门山断裂周围地壳应力的重分布,使得其他应变量子提前达到最大储能,释放出能量,于是触发成千上万次余震。此外,我们或许可以通过观测断裂滑移速率的变化情况来预测断裂周围应变量子的形成,从而来预测该断裂是否存在潜在地震的可能。     

Structural and magnetic fabric studies of recess structures in the western Himalaya: Implications for 1905 Kangra earthquake

Kinematic information from deformation structures and magnetic fabrics are used to infer recent tectonics around Kangra and Dehradun recesses, western Himalaya. Three types of magnetic fabrics (Type I & II, III, and IV) are identified based on the angle between K3 axis and bedding pole. It was observed that Kangra recess shows more mature fabric type IV as compared to Dehradun recess, where orientation of K3 axes and tectonic fabric reveals dominance of superposed deformation. In the vicinity of Dehradun recess, normal faults occur in un-indurated Quaternary fan deposits confirming their recent formation. The observations are in conformity with earlier studies that during the 1905 Kangra earthquake, the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) (or one of its subsidiary thrusts) near Kangra showed thrusting whereas the MBT near Dehradun underwent either normal faulting or post seismic adjustments characteristic of normal faulting. The thrusting could be a result of subsurface processes whereas the normal faulting was a result of prevailing surface strains.     

Investment policy in the Polish transport sector: An appraisal

The common nature of investment policy in the Polish transport system is analysed. The transport system should contribute to national economic growth by providing an efficient service to all sections of industry, agriculture and services, and by ensuring the maintenance of a reasonable level of personal mobility through public passenger facilities. Meanwhile, as shown in the first part of the paper, the volume of transport inputs, 1970–1984 were relatively low and, moreover, their allocation among different modes of transport — not always correct. Some specific features of investment policy in the 1970s are described. Finally, the present-day phenomena and problems characteristic of Polish transport — being mainly a result of improper past policy and nowadays crisis situation — are presented. Paper presented to the IGU Working Group on Geography of Transport: Symposium No. W11, 25–29 August 1986, León, Spain.     

On the aftershock sequence of a 4.6 mb earthquake of the Garhwal Himalaya

Locally recorded data for eighteen aftershocks of a magnitude(m_b) 4.6 earthquake occurring near Ukhimath in the Garhwal Himalaya were analysed. A master event technique was adopted to locate seventeen individual aftershock hypocentres relative to the hypocentre of the eighteenth aftershock chosen as the master event. The aftershock epicentres define an approximately 30 km² rupture zone commensurate with the magnitude of the earthquake. The distribution of epicentres within this zone and the limited amount of first motion data support the view that a group of parallel, sub-vertical, sinistral strike-slip faults oriented N46°, transverse to the regional NW-SE trend of the Garhwal Himalaya, was involved in this seismic episode. Since the estimated focal depth range for aftershocks of this sequence is 3–14 km, we infer that this transverse fault zone extends through the upper crustal layer to a depth of 14 km at least.     

Seismotectonics of the 20 October 1991 Uttarkashi earthquake in Garhwal, Himalaya, North India

The 20 October 1991 Uttarkashi earthquake killed over a thousand people and caused extensive damage to property in the Garhwal Himalaya region. The body wave magnitude of the earthquake was 6.6, and the fault plane solution indicates reverse faulting. The hypocenrre was located at a focal depth of about 12 km between the Chail and Jutogh Thrusts, but movement propagated southward along the Jamak–Gangori Fault (JGF) and Dunda fault (DF) which are developed as blind faults related to the growing Uttarkashi antiform.     

Seismic induced soil gas radon anomalies observed at multiparametric geophysical observatory,Tezpur (Eastern Himalaya), India: an appraisal of probable model for earthquake forecasting based on peak of radon anomalies

Natural Hazards - We applied multiple linear regressions to scrutinize the maximum variability produced in soil gas radon (Rn-222) by pressure, temperature and rainfall. Statistical methodologies...     

Geological appraisal of Ladakh and Tirit granitoids in the Indus- Shyok Suture Zones of northwest Himalaya,India

New field observations on granitoids and associated lithounits in some parts of Indus-Shyok Suture Zones have been documented in order to re-establish the geological relationships between various volcano-plutonic magmatic lithounits. Careful examination of outcrops and contact relationships between the various lithounits have pin-pointed the sequence of geological events. Field features of granitoids exposed along Leh-Saboo-Khardung_La suggest multiple pulses of mafic-felsic magma interactions (mingling to mixing) with almost 25% of the mafic to hybrid magma input in the evolution of the eastern part of Ladakh batholith. Along Khardung_La-Shyok-Diskit, thick sequence of volcanic lithounits is exposed, which dominantly consist of massive basaltic andesite, porphyritic andesite, dacite and rhyolite forming Khardung Formation. On the other hand Shyok Formation, dipping opposite to the Khardung Formation, composed predominantly of meta-sedimentary lithounits and subordinate amount of volcanic materials at present exposed level. Spectacular intrusive contacts of Ladakh granitoids with metavolcanics and meta-sedimentary country rocks of Shyok Formation near Diskit can be observed, which are manifested by ubiquitous xenoliths near the marginal parts. Although the nature of granitoid melt invasion into country-rocks was relatively winty, granitoid melt has produced leucogranite-pegmatite system because of devolatization and decompression effects. Frequent xenoliths of porphyritic andesite and dacite roof pendants are being reported in Tirit granitoids, which strongly suggest sub-volcanic emplacement of granitoid melt, extensive assimilation and roof collapse of overlying volcanic materials. It is more likely that the xenoliths hosted in Tirit granitoids belong to Shyok volcanics. It is suggested that multiple pulses of coeval mafic and felsic magmatism occurred extensively and emplaced at differential crustal levels.     

Stratigraphic classification and terminology: An actualistic appraisal and proposal

Stratigraphy investigates rocks as strata emphasizing on their temporal sequence and spatial variations. Stratigraphic analysis starts from classification of local rock succession as provisional stratigraphic units, formations. Through correlation by mapping and by all the methods available, lithogenetic bodies, the lithosomes, are restored and formal stratigraphic units in hierachical ranks for universal appliance and representing geological times are established and are being continuously amended. Such procedual schemes have been practised without any inconvenience ever since the pioneer days of J. G.Lehmann. It was not until 1941 when the Hedbergian stratigraphers interpreted the lithogenetic body, the lithosome, as formation that started the impractical pros and cons of arguments concerning stratigraphic classification for the last thirty years. In this paper, the writer points out on the one hand the lack of perspective in the Hedbergian multifold-system-stratigraphic-classification concept and on the other the central theme of the stratigraphic research, present and past, being mainly in the refinement of the fossil zones and the radiometric dates. In order to avoid the avoidable confusions raised by the Hedbergian stratigraphers, the writer suggests them to return to the old track concentrating the entire effort in stabilization of stratigraphic usage by calibration and intercalibration with different methods of the stratigraphic units in universal appliance.

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Zusammenfassung Die Stratigraphie untersucht Gesteine in ihrer Erscheinungsform als Schichten und betont deren zeitliche Folge und räumliche Variation. Die stratigraphische Analyse beginnt mit der Klassifizierung örtlicher Gesteinsabfolgen als vorläufige stratigraphische Einheiten. Parallelisierung durch Kartierung und alle anderen verfügbaren Methoden führen zur Rekonstruktion der Lithosome, der lithogenetischen Körper, aus denen dann in hierarchischer Reihenfolge stratigraphische Einheiten gebildet werden, die universell angewendet werden, geologische Zeiträume repräsentieren und ständig verbessert werden. Dieses Verfahren ist seit den Pioniertagen J. G.Lehmanns ohne Unzuträglichkeiten angewandt worden. Als 1941 die vonHedberg beeinflußten Stratigraphen damit begannen, den lithogenetischen Körper, das Lithosome, als formation zu interpretieren, begannen die schwierigen Pro- und Kontra-Argumente in der stratigraphischen Klassifikation der letzten dreißig Jahre. In dieser Arbeit führt der Autor den Mangel an Perspektive desHedbergschen stratigraphischen VielfachsystemKlassifikationskonzeptes auf der einen Seite aus und auf der anderen das zentrale Thema stratigraphischer Forschung, das heute wie damals im wesentlichen in der schärferen Fassung der durch Fossilien definierten Zonen und radiometrischer Daten besteht. Um der vermeidbaren Verwirrung zu entgehen, die durch die vonHedberg beeinflußten Stratigraphen entstanden ist, schlägt der Autor dieser Arbeit vor, zur alten Spur zurückzukehren und alle Anstrengungen darauf zu richten, den Gebrauch stratigraphischer Begriffe durch saubere Definition und Unterteilung der universell angewandten stratigraphischen Einheiten unter Verwendung aller verfügbaren Methoden zu stabilisieren.

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Résumé La stratigraphie étudie les roches en tant que strates, en mettant en relief leur succession dans le temps et leurs variations spatiales. L'analyse stratigraphique se fait à partir de la classification des successions de roches locales, comme unités et formations stratigraphiques provisoires. Par corrélation, en dressant des cartes ou utilisant toutes autres méthodes, on reconstruit les corps lithogéniques, les lithosomes, et l'on établit, avec corrections au besoin, les unités stratigraphiques formelles par rangs hiérarchiques quant à leurs valeurs d'application (ou instruments) universelle et de représentations des temps géologiques. De tels procédés ont toujours été en pratique sans inconvénient depuis l'époque de défrichement de J. G.Lehmann. Ce n'est qu'en 1941, quand les stratigraphes, influencés par les idées d'Hedberg, expliquèrent les corps lithogéniques, les lithosomes, comme «formation », que commença la difficile discussion, pour et contre, de la classification stratigraphique des trente dernières années. Dans cette étude, l'auteur signale, d'un côte le manque de perspective que comporte le concept de la classification stratigraphique du système multiforme deHedberg, et de l'autre, le thème central de la recherche stratigraphique qui consiste essentiellement, présentement comme dans le passé, dans une précision plus raffinée du contenu des zones fossilifères et des données radiométriques. Afin d'éviter la confusion évitable suscitée par les stratigraphes Hedbergiens, l'auteur leur suggère de revenir sur le vieux sentier en concentrant tous leurs efforts pour stabiliser l'emploi de notions stratigraphiques par l'étalonnage et l'interrétalonnage (calibrage), au moyen de diverses méthodes, des unités stratigraphiques d'application universelle (ou comme instruments universels).

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Great earthquakes,seismicity gaps and potential for earthquake disaster along the Himalaya plate boundary

Analysis of the space-time patterns of seismicity in the Himalaya plate boundary has established the existence of three seismic gaps:

• 1.(1) The “Kashmir gap” lying west of the 1905 Kangra earthquake;
• 2.(2) the “Central gap”, situated between the 1905 Kangra and the 1934 Bihar earthquakes;
• 3.(3) the “Assam gap” between the 1897 and 1950 Assam earthquakes.

This study has shown that the above great earthquakes were preceded as well as followed by long periods (⩾ 19 years) of decreased levels of seismic activity in the epicentral regions. Remarkable decrease in the seismicity following the year 1970 has been observed in the western half of the Central gap as well as in the Assam gap. Local seismic investigation in the Assam gap confirms this feature and the seismicity suggests the existence there of an asperity.The local seismic investigations in Garhwal Himalaya have shown that the small earthquakes are confined to the upper 6–8 km of the crust and may have strike-slip motions. These earthquakes occur in a region where teleseismically recorded events were few.     

喜马拉雅造山带的地壳上地幔结构——近震反射观测结果

2002-2005年完成了穿越喜马拉雅山的宽频地震探测,采用了沿剖面紧密排列的台站布置并获得了近震中的反射波资料,这对地壳和岩石圈内部速度界面的研究有重要意义.地震数据及研究结果表明,青藏高原的地震主要发生于上地壳范围内,高原莫霍面反射波的纵波PmP与横波SmS波至清晰可辨且有很强的能量,在跨越雅鲁藏布江时PmP和SmS均发生了错动,表现为北深南浅.在改则至鲁谷沿线所记录到的发生在拉萨地块的Fw21事件的地震数据中,拉萨地块内部的莫霍面反射波,尤其是SmS波至非常清晰连续,地壳纵波平均速度为Vp=6.3km/s,表明拉萨地块内部Moho面平坦、连续,不存在突起与错位.在此Moho面之前出现壳内较强反射界面,埋深45kin可能正是下地壳的顶界面.P208事件中PmP和SmS均清晰可见,然而在距震中450km及其以远地段存在两个清晰的震相PLt及SLt,并且其能量很强,可能是位于160km深处的岩石圈底界面的反映.根据对近震资料的分析研究,本文建立了该地区的地壳上地幔的结构模型.     

An assessment of seismicity parameters in northwest Himalaya and adjoining regions

In this study, an assessment of seismicity parameters in the northwest Himalaya and adjoining regions using an earthquake catalog from India Meteorological Department covering a period from June 1, 1998 to June 30, 2011 has been carried out. The spatial distributions of seismicity parameters, namely magnitude of completeness, M _C, a value, b value, and correlation fractal dimension, D _C, are estimated for the studied region. The M _C, a, and b values are found to be 2.5, 4.601, and 0.83, respectively. Despite significant gaps, the spatial distributions of a and b values are seen to follow similar trend and are found scattering in between Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and South Tibet Detachment, adjoining areas of Mahendragarh-Dehradun Fault (MDF), Delhi-Haridwar Ridge (DHR) and Moradabad Fault (MF), and the southern flank of Karakoram Fault and Indus-Tsangpo Suture Zone. The estimated spatial distribution of b and a values is within 90 % of confidence level, thereby indicating non-uniform stress accumulation or higher rock fracturing density in the studied region caused by strong tectonization following several earthquakes. Negative correlation between low b value and high D _C is observed predominantly in the region between the MBT and Munsiari Thrust or Main Central Thrust-I of Garhwal and Kumaon Himalaya, adjoining zones of MDF, DHR, and MF of Indo-Gangetic plain, and the eastern flank of the studied region, suggesting the presence of asperities in the zone. At the same time, active creeping process can be inferred in between the MBT and Main Central Thrust of Garhwal Himalaya and the surrounding areas of Shimla region of the Himalayan arc to the northwestern part of the studied region from the positive correlation between b value and D _C. The results indicate that the structural heterogeneity caused by different stress accumulation and rock fracturing densities exists due to continuous tectonic adjustments between different geomorphic features of the studied region. An attempt has also been made to classify the studied region into smaller seismic zones by observing the spatial patterns of b value and D _C that are fractal properties of the observed seismicity, along with the prevalent fault networks.     

Lacustrine sedimentation in a semiarid alpine setting: An example from Ladakh, northwestern Himalaya

The Lamayuru lacustrine strata in Ladakh typify many of the carbonate-rich Pleistocene alpine lakes found in the semiarid environment of the northern Himalaya. Created by a 200-m-thick landslide, the lake was in existence by at least 35,000 yr ago, and may have persisted until 500–1000 yr ago. Represented in the center by thin turbidites and laminated muds, the lacustrine sedimentation along the lake margins and low-relief deltas characteristically displays a marked contrast between (1) clastic lenses representing rapid, sporadic, matrix-poor debris flows and periglacial inputs from the alpine slopes and (2) abundant, diverse, shallow-water, biologically dominated carbonate strata, among which organism-rich, chalky beds and oncolithic and encrusted stem-rich strata predominate. Resemblances of the Lamayuru lacustrine strata and their setting to those of former lakes throughout areas north of the Greater Himalayan crest suggest that the alpine, semi-arid environment would favor diversified, spacially restricted carbonate sedimentation punctuated by occasional clastic influxes. Such a depositional regime contrasts strongly with that found immediately south of the Himalayan crest where more humid conditions promote a more continuous clastic influx into intramontane lakes.     

Mapping mountains: Vegetation in the Himalaya

The author deals with the vegetation of the Himalayas taking his 1957 map as basis of the presentation. This map by way of vegetation first opened insigh into the hitherto unknown landscape structure of the mountain system, thereby revealing, for instance, the phenomeon of the inner valleys and the climatically dry valleys, in particular as well as the areas vegetationwise still unknown. Progress in our knowledge of the vegetation in the Himalayas since publication of the 1957 map is carefully recorded showing, above all, the advancement of our knowledge in Nepal since. In contrast to expectations, research was unable to concentrate on all the gaps in our knowledge as demonstrated on the 1957 map owing to political conditions prevailing.