Ground-penetrating radar study of Pleistocene ice scours on a glaciolacustrine sequence boundary

Ice scouring of lake and sea-floor substrates by the keels of drifting ice masses is a common geological process in modern northern lakes and continental shelves, and was widespread during the Pleistocene. Nonetheless, the importance of scouring as a geological process is not yet matched by many sedimentological studies of scour structures exposed in outcrop. This article presents an integrated study combining outcrop sedimentology and subsurface ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data from a relict late Pleistocene ice-scoured glacial lake floor now preserved below beach sediments in Ontario, Canada. Scours occur along a regressive sequence boundary where deep-water muddy facies are abruptly overlain by shallow-water sands resulting from an abrupt drop in water levels. This has allowed the keels of drifting ice masses to scour into muds. Three-dimensional data gained from the GPR survey show that scours are as much as 2.5 m deep and 7 m wide; they have berms of displaced sediment and are oriented parallel to the former shoreline. Scoured shoreface sediments that fill scours show abundant liquefaction structures, indicating substrate dewatering during repeated scouring events similar to that recently reported in the modern Beaufort Sea in Canada's far north. Marked changes in water depths are typical of glacially influenced lakes and seas, creating opportunities for drifting ice to scour into offshore muddy cohesive facies and be preserved. The data presented here may aid identification in ancient successions elsewhere.     

Miocene point-bar deposits in the Ebro Basin,Northern Spain*

Pyrenean debris dispersed in relation to the Miocene tectonic phase filled the northern part of the Ebro basin. In the studied area (50 km south of Pamplona) the Miocene sediments are represented by fluviatile sequences consisting of flood basin and point-bar deposits forming fining-upward cycles. The point-bar character of part of these sediments is not only evidenced by the internal sedimentary structures, but also by the fact that the corresponding meander bends, about 200 m in radius, are clearly visible on aerial photographs. In this way a unique opportunity is given to compare directly the vertical profile and the surface pattern of ancient small size point bars. The internal structure consists of many imbricated and concentrically arranged bundles corresponding to the accretional topography of the point bar. The separation planes between the bundles are erosional and dip toward the channel axis. The internal structure of each bundle is festoon mega-cross-stratification whose direction points toward the convex bank, away from the channel axis. The resulting structure resembles the Epsilon cross-stratification of Allen (1965a) and its origin is the same as postulated by Allen for this kind of cross bedding.     

Internal structure of mixed-sand-and-gravel beach deposits revealed using ground-penetrating radar

ABSTRACT Mixed‐sand‐and‐gravel beaches are a distinctive type of coarse‐clastic beach. Ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) and photographic records of previous excavations are used to investigate the stratigraphy and internal sedimentary structure of mixed‐beach deposits at Aldeburgh in Suffolk, south‐east England. The principles of radar stratigraphy are used to describe and interpret migrated radar reflection profiles obtained from the study site. The application of radar stratigraphy allows the delineation of both bounding surfaces (radar surfaces) and the intervening beds or bed sets (radar facies). The deposits of the main backshore berm ridge consist of seaward‐dipping bounding surfaces that are gently onlapped by seaward‐dipping bed sets. Good correspondence is observed between a sequence of beach profiles, which record development of the berm ridge on the backshore, and the berm ridge's internal structure. The beach‐profile data also indicate that backshore berm ridges at Aldeburgh owe their origin to discrete depositional episodes related to storm‐wave activity. Beach‐ridge plain deposits at the study site consist of a complex, progradational sequence of foreshore, berm‐ridge, overtop and overwash deposits. Relict berm‐ridge deposits, separated by seaward‐dipping bounding surfaces, form the main depositional element beneath the beach‐ridge plain. However, the beach ridges themselves are formed predominantly of vertically stacked overtop/overwash units, which lie above the berm‐ridge deposits. Consequently, beach‐ridge development in this progradational, mixed‐beach setting must have occurred when conditions favoured overtopping and overwashing of the upper beachface. Interannual to decadal variations in wave climate, antecedent beach morphology, shoreline progradation rate and sea level are identified as the likely controlling factors in the development of such suitable conditions.     

浅议大规模成矿作用与大型矿集区

本文系统地阐述了大规模或大爆发成矿作用现象,特点和出现的某些规律,阐述大规模成矿作用发生必须具有特殊的构造环境,巨量的成矿物质供给,持续的能量系统,优越的输运通道的适宜的堆积空间,大规模成矿作用在空间上表现为非均一性,在成矿区带中绝大多数矿床基本上仅出现了几个空间比较小的大型矿集区内,本文提出了研究大型矿集区必须着眼于大尺度（成矿大环境）切入中尺度（大型矿集区）地质,地球化学和地球物理多学科交叉,     

Ground-penetrating radar detection of small-scale channels,joints and faults in the unconsolidated sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain

The geological characterization of the shallow subsurface in the unconsolidated sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, and other unconsolidated sediment regimes, may involve jointing, faulting, and channeling not readily detectable by conventional drilling and mapping. A knowledge of these features is required in environmental, geotechnical, and geomorphological studies. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) may be used to routinely map these structures. Three principal shallow subsurface features are readily detectable using GPR: paleochannels, joints or fractures, and faults. The detection of paleochannels is dependent on the scale of the GPR survey and the attitude of the channel within the survey area. Channel morphological features such as scour surfaces, point bars, and thalwegs are observable. Joints and fractures are more difficult to detect depending upon size, patterns, orientation, and fill material. Vertical joints may not be visible to radar unless they are wider than the sampling interval or are filled with radar-opaque materials such as limonite. Angled joints or fractures may be distinguished by an apparent continuous reflector on the radar profile. Faulting on radar profiles may be observed by the offset of reflectors, the image of the fault plane, or the coherent interpretation of a fault system.     

On generalization of constitutive models from two dimensions to three dimensions

In this paper, a study is made of the generalization of constitutive models for geomaterials from two‐dimensional stress and strain states to three‐dimensional stress and strain states. Existing methods of model generalization are reviewed and their deficiencies are highlighted. A new method is proposed based on geometries of the model imprints on two normal planes. Using the proposed method, various three‐dimensional failure criterions suitable for geomaterials are implemented directly into a two‐dimensional model and the generalized model is identical to its original form for the axially symmetric condition. To demonstrate the application of the proposed method, the Modified Cam Clay model is extended using the Matsuoka–Nakai failure criterion. Simulations of soil behaviour for loading in the principal stress space are presented and analysed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New coring study in Augusta Bay expands understanding of offshore tsunami deposits (Eastern Sicily,Italy)

Tsunami deposits present an important archive for understanding tsunami histories and dynamics. Most research in this field has focused on onshore preserved remains, while the offshore deposits have received less attention. In 2009, during a coring campaign with the Italian Navy Magnaghi, four 1 m long gravity cores (MG cores) were sampled from the northern part of Augusta Bay, along a transect in 60 to 110 m water depth. These cores were taken in the same area where a core (MS06) was collected in 2007 about 2·3 km offshore Augusta at a water depth of 72 m below sea level. Core MS06 consisted of a 6·7 m long sequence that included 12 anomalous intervals interpreted as the primary effect of tsunami backwash waves in the last 4500 years. In this study, tsunami deposits were identified, based on sedimentology and displaced benthic foraminifera (as for core MS06) reinforced by X-ray fluorescence data. Two erosional surfaces (L1 and L2) were recognized coupled with grain-size increase, abundant Posidonia oceanica seagrass remains and a significant amount of Nubecularia lucifuga, an epiphytic sessile benthic foraminifera considered to be transported from the inner shelf. The occurrence of Ti/Ca and Ti/Sr increments, coinciding with peaks in organic matter (Mo incoherent/coherent) suggests terrestrial run-off coupled with an input of organic matter. The L1 and L2 horizons were attributed to two distinct historical tsunamis (ad 1542 and ad 1693) by indirect age-estimation methods using ²¹⁰Pb profiles and the comparison of Volume Magnetic Susceptibility data between MG cores and MS06 cores. One most recent bioturbated horizon (Bh), despite not matching the above listed interpretative features, recorded an important palaeoenvironmental change that may correspond to the ad 1908 tsunami. These findings reinforce the value of offshore sediment records as an underutilized resource for the identification of past tsunamis.     

近水平孔坑道用绳索取心钻具

针对国内目前将地面绳索取心钻具用于坑道内施工效果不佳的问题,研制了一种坑道专用绳索取心钻杆,该钻杆具有捞矛头持心装置、弹卡复合定位机构、快断机构的内外管总成及水力输送器、水力打捞器及通缆式水接头等附属装置。现场实验证明,该钻具成功解决了地面用绳索取心钻具不适宜进行近水平孔坑道内取心钻探施工的现状。     

Large-scale structure of Calamus River deposits (Nebraska, USA) revealed using ground-penetrating radar

The large-scale (i.e. bar-scale) structure of channel deposits of the braided, low-sinuosity Calamus River, Nebraska, is described using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) profiles combined with vibracores. Basal erosion surfaces are generally overlain by medium-scale, trough-cross-stratified (sets 3–25 cm thick), very coarse to medium sands, that are associated with relatively high amplitude, discontinuous GPR reflectors. Overlying deposits are bioturbated, small-scale cross-stratified (sets <3 cm thick) and vegetation-rich, fine to very-fine sands, that are associated with low-amplitude discontinuous reflectors. Near-surface peat and turf have no associated GPR reflectors. In along-stream profiles through braid and point bars, most GPR reflectors dip downstream at up to 2° relative to the basal erosion surface, but some reflectors in the upstream parts of bars are parallel to the basal erosion surface or dip upstream. In cross-stream profiles through bars, GPR reflectors are either approximately parallel to bar surfaces or have low-angle inclinations (up to 6°) towards cut banks of adjacent curved channels. Basal erosion surfaces become deeper towards cut banks of curved channels. These structures can be explained by lateral and downstream growth of bars combined with vertical accretion. Convex upwards forms up to 0·5 m high, several metres across and tens of metres long represent episodic accretion of unit bars (scroll bars and bar heads). Stratal patterns in channel fills record a complicated history of erosion and deposition during filling, including migration of relatively small bars. A revised facies model for this type of sandy, braided river has been constructed based on this new information on large-scale bedding structure.     

汶川科学钻探PDC取心钻头有限元分析

汶川地震断裂带科学钻探项目是在龙门山"北川-映秀"断裂及龙门山前缘安县-灌县断裂附近实施5口科学群钻,由于所实施的5个钻孔都位于地震断裂带上,地层十分松软破碎,普通取心钻进的取心率低、岩心扰动大。为解决该问题,设计并采用了一种超前式隔水防冲蚀PDC取心钻头,取得了良好的效果,提高了岩心采取率,并保证了岩心的原状性。论文通过UG建立的实体模型导入ANSYS Workbench下的CFX流场分析和Steady-Thermal稳定热分析模块,分析了该钻头的井底流场分布、大小以及钻头的冷却效果,并计算孔底有效排粉的最低泵量,以确定超前式隔水防冲蚀PDC取心钻头取心钻进时保证取心率和岩心原状性要求的最优泵量。     

Ground-penetrating radar investigation of active faults along the Dead Sea Transform and implications for seismic hazards within the city of Aqaba, Jordan

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) was used in an effort to locate a major active fault that traverses Aqaba City, Jordan. Measurements over an exposed (trenched) cross fault outside of the city identify a radar signature consisting of linear events and horizontal offset/flexured reflectors both showing a geometric correlation with two known faults at a control site. The asymmetric linear events are consistent with dipping planar reflectors matching the known direction of dip of the faults. However, other observations regarding this radar signature render the mechanism generating these events more complex and uncertain.GPR measurements in Aqaba City were limited to vacant lots. Seven GPR profiles were conducted approximately perpendicular to the assumed strike of the fault zone, based on regional geological evidence. A radar response very similar to that obtained over the cross fault was observed on five of the profiles in Aqaba City, although the response is weaker than that obtained at the control site. The positions of the identified responses form a near straight line with a strike of 45°. Although subsurface verification of the fault by trenching within the city is needed, the geophysical evidence for fault zone location is strong. The location of the interpreted fault zone relative to emergency services, military bases, commercial properties, and residential areas is defined to within a few meters. This study has significant implications for seismic hazard analysis in this tectonically active and heavily populated region.     

Ground-penetrating radar as a tool to detect rock heterogeneities (channels, cemented layers and fractures) in the Luxembourg Sandstone Formation (Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg)

A combined study of radar profiles and thin section analysis supported by modelling of synthetic radar traces reveals that ground-penetrating radar (GPR) reflections generated in diagenetically altered sandstones cannot always be interpreted unequivocally. This is illustrated in the Luxembourg Sandstone Formation, which has been altered diagenetically by selective carbonate cementation and fracturing. Cemented lenses and concretions developed along the bedding planes, especially at places with high primary carbonate content. Cementation resulted in the alternation of cemented carbonate-rich sandy layers (thickness 30–50 cm and variable length) and uncemented carbonate-poor sandstone layers. The ability of GPR to detect the geometry of these lenses and vertical fractures with centimetre apertures has been tested at several antenna frequencies (100, 200, 250 and 500 MHz). Relative dielectric permittivity calculations were carried out to assess variations of this electric property within the cemented and uncemented layers as a function of porosity, calcite and water content in the pores. Two-dimensional full waveform modelling was also carried out to study the effect of conductivity in the sandstones and the effect of interlayer clay seams. At the penetration depth of the radar (7 m with 250 MHz), cemented lenses and concretions could only be detected with GPR when the porosity contrast was sufficiently high, which is not always the case. This conclusion is supported by the modelling. The data also proved the ability of radar to detect large open vertical fractures along which sandstones are weathered. The study has implications for investigations which will use GPR to detect three-dimensional distribution of diagenetic pore filling precipitates as well as secondary porosity development along fractures.     

涡轮取芯钻进工艺在干热岩钻井中的应用

我国干热岩勘探刚刚起步。为准确评价干热岩型地热资源的资源量,需要钻获高质量的干热岩岩心,但目前针对高温、高硬度、高研磨工况下的干热岩取芯钻进工艺研究较少,严重制约了干热岩型地热资源的准确评价。为此,自主研发了Φ127 mm涡轮钻具,在福建漳州HDR-1井和青海共和GR1井进行了干热岩钻井取芯应用研究,研究验证了研发的涡轮钻具与KT-140取芯钻具的适配性、涡轮钻具与金刚石取芯钻头的匹配性,揭示了高温和硬岩井况下涡轮钻具工作特性,经受住了孔底236 ℃高温考验,钻获了高质量岩心,取得了涡轮钻具现场测试应用的各项参数;涡轮取芯钻进工艺与常规取芯钻进工艺相比,既充分发挥了涡轮钻具高转速的性能,也发挥了其耐高温、耐研磨、耐高地应力、使用寿命长和现场劳动强度低的特性,干热岩取芯钻速和质量大大提高。该工艺是高温深孔干热岩井下动力回转钻具驱动取芯钻头进行取芯钻进的首次成功尝试,为干热岩涡轮钻具复合取芯钻井技术的进一步科研攻关、现场试验与推广应用提供了宝贵的施工应用经验和借鉴,也将为我国干热岩科学钻探与深部地热资源勘探提供新的技术支撑。     

电法地球化学方法快速寻找隐伏矿的效果

电池地球化学找矿方法在一些矿区勘探运用中取得了很好的效果，且该方法具有经济快速的特点，有推广应用的意义。     

Geometry and origin of large-scale deformation structures in some ancient wind-blown sand deposits

Large-scale deformational features that disrupt the cross-bedded strata of some ancient wind-blown dune sand deposits (Jurassic Aztec and Navajo Sandstones, U.S.A.) can betraced laterally for at least tens of metres. Information from four exposures leads to an idealized deformation style characterized by (1) a ‘head’ portion marked by collapse features, (2) a middle portion marked by a thrust ramp or a large recumbent fold, and (3) a ‘toe’ portion marked by a planar shear zone with small recumbent folds, drag folds, and possibly small horizontal shear faults. An hypothesis involving earthquake-induced liquefaction and collapse of the dunes is proposed. Sands liquefied during earthquakes cannot support an unequal surface load, resulting in the collapse of surface dunes above the liquefied substrate. Compensatory lateral squeezing of liquefied sand and buried strata produces the shear zone in the ‘toe’ portion. Engineering studies suggest that buried strata underlying interdunal lows, where over-burden stress is least, will be most susceptible to liquefaction. Other considerations suggest that it will be the steeper lee sides of advancing surface dunes that collapse, squeezing liquefied sand forward or downwind, i.e. away from the lee slope of surface dunes. If the liquefied condition persists, load structures can be formed when unliquefied layers founder into the liquefied substrate.     

Tsunami-induced large-scale scour-and-fill structures in Late Albian to Cenomanian deposits of the Grajaú Basin, northern Brazil

Late Albian to Cenomanian upper shoreface deposits from the Grajaú Basin, northern Brazil, consist of well‐sorted, very fine‐ to fine‐grained sandstones with swaley, trough, tabular and minor hummocky cross‐stratification. A striking feature of these deposits is the abundance of large‐scale scour‐and‐fill structures, which consist of regularly spaced, repetitive, very shallow swales with either symmetrical or asymmetrical profiles, arranged along an undulose surface or as a succession of superimposed troughs. The sediment filling these scours is characterized by very fine‐grained sandstone with gently undulose, near‐parallel lamination to very low‐angle dipping cross‐stratification intergraded with swaley and hummocky cross‐stratification. The nature of the scours and the sedimentary structures of their fills reveal the action of combined flows, which are hydrodynamically similar to those developed during storms. However, it is speculated that the combined flows responsible for the genesis of these structures were formed by tsunami waves enhanced by tsunami‐induced ebb currents and/or tidal currents. This interpretation is proposed on the basis of several lines of reasoning: (1) palaeogeographic reconstructions of the study area during the late Cretaceous show that it was outside the belt favourable for the development of storms; (2) comparison of the scour‐and‐fill structures with stratigraphically correlatable deposits exposed north of the study area, where similar features occur in association with abundant seismically induced, soft‐sediment deformation structures; and (3) the presence of several styles of soft‐sediment deformation features (i.e. convolute lamination, bed collapse, large‐scale folds, massive bedding, sand‐filled fractures and diastasis cracks) are suggestive of synsedimentary seismic activity in Cretaceous deposits located in and near to the study area. This study proposes that episodic, high‐amplitude tsunami waves, enhanced by tsunami‐induced ebb currents, develop powerful flows capable of producing complex patterns of erosion and sedimentation, which may be represented by scour‐and‐fill structures similar to those described here.     

Hill slope stability analysis using two and three dimensions analysis: A comparative study

Slope instability is very common phenomenon, especially in tectonically active hills of the lesser Himalaya. The deformed, weathered and fragile rocks of the lesser Himalaya are often vulnerable under natural or anthropogenic influences. There were several cases of slope failure along highway sections in Uttarakhand Himalaya. The study was carried out along a highway section of NH-109. The factor of safety (FoS) is commonly most acceptable parameter that analyses the health of slopes. The two dimensional (2D) numerical analysis techniques are commonly used to obtain the FoS. It is observed that many times FoS obtained from 2D analysis techniques do not qualify the actual conditions and are usually lower in value as compared to ground conditions. This, in turn, increases the cost of remedial measures used for protection of slopes. This paper presents a comparative study of 2D and 3D numerical analysis based on the finite difference method (FDM) using fast Langrangian analysis of continua (FLAC) codes. The study indicates that there is no appreciable difference between FoS values obtained from 2D and 3D analysis based on the selected slope conditions. The difference ranges from 0.02 to 0.07 for analysed cases in uniform rock mass. The study also exhibits some of the important analytical observations and effects of variables on resultant FoS.     

Doppler tomography in three dimensions. Problems of realization

Three-dimensional (3D) Doppler tomography is used to study the motions of gas flows in interacting stellar binary systems. This is achieved by applying a reconstruction method developed for few projections tomography, sometimes referred to as the radioastronomical approach (RA). An analysis of the geometry of the spatial arrangement of the aspects during the reconstruction of 3D tomograms using onedimensional profiles without the intermediate stage of constructing two-dimensional sections is presented. A method for estimating possibilities for reconstructing 3D tomograms based on the appearance of the summarized transfer function is proposed and justified. The influence of the inclination of the system on the resolutions along the main axes is considered. The number of aspects required to achieve a quality of the recontruction comparable to 2D versions is estimated. A comparative analysis of possible distortions of 2D and 3D Doppler tomograms in the presence of flow motions extending beyond the orbital plane is carried out. The analysis indicates the advantages of the 3D method. A summary of first observational results taking into account the velocity component perpendicular to the orbital plane of the binary system, V _z , is presented.     

Moving averages for Gaussian simulation in two and three dimensions

The square-root method provides a simple and computationally inexpensive way to generate multidimensional Gaussian random fields. It is applied by factoring the multidimensional covariance operator analytically, then sampling the factorization at discrete points to compute an array of weighted averages that can be convolved with an array of random normal deviates to generate a correlated random field. In many respects this is similar to the LUdecomposition method and to the one-dimensional method of moving averages. However it has been assumed that the method of moving averages could not be used in higher dimensions, whereas direct application of the matrix decomposition approach is too expensive to be practical on large grids. In this paper, I show that it is possible to calculate the square root of many two- and three dimensional covariance operators analytically so that the method of moving averages can be applied directly to the problem of multidimensional simulation. A few numerical examples of nonconditional simulation on a 256×256 grid that show the simplicity of the method are included. The method is fast and can be applied easily to nested and anisotropic variograms.     

甘南地区三个特大型金矿主矿体及矿石特征 对比分析

甘南地区自20世纪90年代初以来以甘肃省地矿局第三勘查院为主要勘查单位,用20余年的时间,在甘南地区已发现和探明了3处特大-超大型、3处大型、10处中型共16处中型以上金矿矿产地,确立了夏河-合作和玛曲-碌曲两个金矿富集区,本文对玛曲县大水、合作市早子沟和夏河县加甘滩三个特大-超大型金矿的主矿体及矿石特征做一初步的总结和对比分析