Combining fractal analysis of mineral deposit clustering with weights of evidence to evaluate patterns of mineralization: Application to copper deposits of the Mount Isa Inlier, NW Queensland, Australia

The clustering of mineral occurrences and their spatial associations with particular geological features are critical aspects of mineral distributions for exploration and understanding ore genesis. Variations in the degree of clustering of mineral occurrences or geological features can be measured by fractal dimensions, obtained from a shifting box counting method. Spatial associations between mineral occurrences and geological features can be quantified by the weights of evidence (WofE) method using the contrast value, which increases with the strength of the spatial relationship. A new method is proposed to evaluate mineral occurrence distributions by combining the power of fractal analysis of clustering with the WofE approach. The method compares the correlation between the variation in degree of clustering of mineral occurrences and a geological feature in a study area, with the contrast value of the same feature. The possible outcomes can be simplified into four scenarios, depending on whether the correlation in variation of clustering and the contrast are high or low, respectively. Each outcome has specific exploration implications. If either a high correlation in variation of clustering or a high contrast value is obtained, the geological feature can be used for exploration targeting.The integrated fractal and WofE approach is applied to copper occurrences in the Proterozoic Mount Isa Inlier, NW Queensland, Australia, which hosts large numbers of copper deposits (1,869 occurrences), including the world class Mount Isa copper deposit. Variation in clustering of copper occurrences has a positive correlation with variation in clustering of fault bends (R = 0.823), fault intersections (R = 0.862) and mafic rocks (R = 0.885). WofE results indicate that the copper occurrences are spatially associated with fault intersections and bends and with mafic rocks. Analyses were carried out separately for the two major lithostratigraphic sequences in the Inlier, the Eastern and Western Successions. The Western Succession copper occurrences are apparently more clustered than those of the Eastern Succession, which may reflect a lower degree of exploration and/or geological factors. The association of copper occurrences with mafic rocks compared with fault bends and intersections is greater in the Eastern Succession, which may reflect genetic factors. Correlations in the variation of clustering of mineral occurrences and geological features have a linear relationship with the contrast values, and the spatial association between all geological features and copper occurrences constitute high correlation/high contrast cases. The linear relationship suggests that the geological features that control the clustering of the copper occurrences could be the same features that control their localization.     

Influence of local geological conditions on the macroseismic effects in the town of Strazhitza

Damage caused by the earthquake of 7 December 1986 (M = 5.7) and its aftershocks in low-storey residential buildings in the town of Strazhitza, Bulgaria, situated in the epicentral zone are systematized. A scale of damages is compiled for two types of buildings which is coordinated with the MSK-64 scale. The territorial distribution of the seismic intensity is compared with the results of the detailed engineering-geological study. A correlation between the Quarternary deposit thickness and the observed seismic intensity is obtained.Paper presented at the 21st general assembly of the European Seismological Commission held in Sofia, 1988.     

聚类方法在电气石颜色成因研究中的应用

天然电气石颜色多种多样,颜色成因非常复杂。为了更好了解它的颜色成因,采用统计学中的聚类方法对其颜色成因进行了分类。该分类方法以Matlab软件为工作平台,从测试数据(电子探针分析结果)中选出对电气石颜色形成起重要作用的氧化物,如TiO2,FeO,Fe2O3,MnO作为聚类分析的特征变量。以这些变量作为距离聚类分析的基础,对所研究各种颜色的电气石进行聚类。通过聚类分析研究,把电气石颜色成因的结果与其它测试方法的结果进行对比,证实本聚类方法真实可靠。     

Monitoring of heat transmission from buildings into geological environment and evaluation of soil deformation consequences in foundation engineering

In engineering geology a number of factors affecting foundation conditions are taken into consideration during engineering-geological investigations. This article deals with the factor of heat sourced from a structure (brick kiln) as a restrictive factor in foundation engineering in clay soils and introduces a documentation of soil deformation observations as an impact of the heat transmission into the geological environment. It was carried out in Southern Moravia in the Czech Republic, where the dominant foundation soils are Neogeneous clays where differential settlements of a tunnel kiln structure occurred as a result of ignoring the boundary conditions of temperature changes in the soil environment. The brick kilns caused heterogeneous spatial changes in the subsoil temperatures. This consequently resulted in differential settlements due to temperature changes originating from the kilns. The differential settlements reached as much as 150 mm. The major objective of the article is to highlight the importance of the heat transmission from buildings into the geological environment as a factor which should be considered in engineering geology and its application in planning. A new procedure for reducing or elimination of ground movements sourced from underlying clayey soils depending on the heat changes was also suggested in this context.     

岩体结构力学岩体工程地质力学的新发展

本文从岩体工程地质力学角度, 研讨了岩体结构力学的意义, 地位与作用。作者就个人的认识, 将岩体结构力学的理论特点, 概括为五个方面, 即再变形和再破坏, 岩体结构的控制作用、岩体结构控制论、赋存环境以及关于岩体的多种力学介质和力学模型构成的力学体系。     

Sequence in Australian coal seams

An embedded Markov model is used to test microlithotype analyses of subsections of a wide range of Australian coal seams for the presence of nonrandom sequences of lithologies. The data for individual seams, transformed to give five states (four states if dirt bands are excluded),were summed into geologically and geographically distinct groupings. The results suggest that dirt bands form an essential part of the sequences and that partial or complete cyclicity is present in many seam groupings. The cyclicity is either asymmetric or partially symmetric with the vitrite +clarite content of the coal decreasing upwards within each cycle. A new cycle is marked either by a sharp reversion, or by a slightly gradational reversion, to a vitrite +clariterich lithology. This reversion may or may not be preceded by a dirt band. In virtually all groupings, a vitrite +clarite-rich lithology is the most likely type after a dirt band. The sequences are similar to those that have been described in European coals and it seems probable that the presence of intraseam, cyclic sequences is a normal, rather than an unusual condition, within coal seams. This cyclicity is a response to changes in the sedimentation balance. These changes are probably due in large part to processes originating within the peat-forming environment but processes external to this environment are also likely to produce cyclic sequences of coal lithologies.     

Nonlinear regression for dependent variables

Nonlinear regression methods can be used to fit functions for two related variables where both variables are subject to error. A computer program for nonlinear estimation described previously has been modified to fit such functions for a given set of data. A numerical example is provided for a second-degree equation in xand y.A closer fit to an observed set of data is possible if the error structure for the variables is specified.     

Comparison of automatic classification methods applied to lake geochemical samples

Geochemical samples from part of Lake Geneva were analyzed for 29oxides and trace elements. The variables and samples were subjected to R- and Q-mode analyses. The following techniques were applied in sequence: data transformation (normalization and standardization), data reduction (principal component and factor analysis), and automatic classification (dendrograph). The data were treated using various combinations of these techniques, and the resulting classifications evaluated by means of several criteria. The best classification of the samples is given by a cluster analysis performed on four principal components computed from standardized variables. The discriminatory power of the variables also was measured and determined to depend on their degree of intercorrelation. As a final result, the 29original variables were reduced to four components and the sediment samples classified into four facies, leading to easily interpretable geochemical maps.     

活动构造区山地环境铁路选线研究

在活动构造发育的山地环境进行选线是铁路、公路等工程建设关注的重大工程地质问题。文章结合我国西南地区新建昆河铁路玉蒙段的选线研究,论述近场区地质环境、新构造运动与地震、活动断裂与地震危险性、山地灾害等内外动力地质作用的区域性特征及重大工程地质问题,并从工程地质条件与技术、经济等方面论证比选最优线路走向方案。可供类似区域地质环境的山区铁路、公路选线借鉴。      

Quantitative discrimination between magmatic units of the singhbhum granite

The weight-percent values of four mineralogic variables (quartz, K feldspar, color index, and muscovite) for 10 sets of granitic rocks (20–50 samples in each set) from magmatic units of the Singhbhum granite were used for (1) computation of the Mahalanobis' generalized distance functions (D ²) between all pairs of the 10 sets, (2) testing significance of the difference between the multivariate means, and (3) computation of the linear discriminant functions between all possible pairs of the sets. The 10 data sets are for six magmatic units which belong to three successive but closely related phases of emplacement. The multivariate means for all sets are significantly different except for those between two of the sets of phase I. Cluster analysis on the basis of theD ² values enables the 10 sets to be placed into four distinct groups. Group A includes two subgroups, one of which consists of two sets representing typical members of phase I; the other subgroup includes two sets which are typical of phase II. Group B includes two sets which are typical of phase III. The other four sets do not group with the typical representatives of the three phases, probably because of certain special conditions of their emplacement. A separate series ofD ² computation from the same data, but excluding the color index, was unsuccessful in making the four aberrant sets group with the typical members of the respective phases. Efficient LDF's could be determined for discrimination between most pairs of the 10 sets of granite rocks.     

Neogastroplites meets Metengonoceras: morphological response of an endemic hoplitid ammonite to a new invader in the mid-Cretaceous Mowry Sea of North America

High levels of morphological variability have been attributed to various ecological and developmental mechanisms, including selection for ecological generalists in an unstable environment, inherent developmental plasticity, and the absence of competitors in an empty ecosystem. The late Albian–early Cenomanian hoplitid ammonite Neogastroplites of the Mowry Sea of North America, notorious for its extreme levels of intraspecific variability, is used as a test case of the idea that a lack of competitors promotes variability. The group responded to the invasion of a second ammonite, the engonoceratid Metengonoceras, into the Mowry Sea by spreading into a previously unoccupied region of morphospace, suggesting possible ecological character displacement and a release from constructional constraints. However, morphological variability did not decrease, as would be predicted by the competition model. The variability of Neogastroplites might instead result from environmental instability or developmental flexibility.     

Environmental influences on landslide activity: Almora Bypass,Kumaun Lesser Himalaya

Landslides are self-organizing and self-referenced systems. The conditions which lead to their emergence along Himalayan highways are not the same as those which govern their subsequent evolution. Landslides originate at sites which differ from average conditions by having significantly higher, steeper roadcuts, carved into steeper hillsides, with more finely bedded but less steeply dipping rocks, and fewer trees upslope. These variables do not correlate with measures of landslide size. Landslide morphometric variables correlate with other landslide variables and with few external factors. The system exhibits independence (autopoiesis) from its environment. Additionally, landslides dominated by rock-mechanical processes tend to produce lower angle outfalls from higher, north-facing, roadcuts than those dominated by soil-mechanical processes which are associated with greater depths of below-soil regolith. However, the outfall volumes produced by the landslides of different type are similar. These findings are generated from statistical (correlation/T-test/stepwise discriminant) analyses of data produced by a field survey of average environmental conditions, and the morphometry and environmental contexts of 88 landslides, on 7.6 km of the Almora Bypass.     

Multivariable variogram and its application to the linear model of coregionalization

In this article, we present the multivariable variogram, which is defined in a way similar to that of the traditional variogram, by the expected value of a distance, squared, in a space withp dimensions. Combined with the linear model of coregionalization, this tool provides a way for finding the elementary variograms that characterize the different spatial scales contained in a set of data withp variables. In the case in which the number of elementary components is less than or equal to the number of variables, it is possible, by means of nonlinear regression of variograms and cross-variograms, to estimate the coregionalization parameters directly in order to obtain the elementary variables themselves, either by cokriging or by direct matrix inversion. This new tool greatly simplifies the procedure proposed by Matheron (1982) and Wackernagel (1985). The search for the elementary variograms is carried out using only one variogram (multivariable), as opposed to thep(p + 1)/2 required by the Matheron approach. Direct estimation of the linear coregionalization model parameters involves the creation of semipositive definite coregionalization matrices of rank 1.     

A method for testing the distinctness of clusters: A test of the disjunction of two clusters in Euclidean space as measured by their overlap

A method is described for testing the distinctness of two clusters in Euclidean space. One first calculates the projections, q,of the N₁ and N₂ members of the clusters onto the line joining the cluster centroids. From the distributions of qan index of disjunction, W,is calculated, which corresponds to an index of overlap, V_G.The quantity W√(N₁+N₂)is distributed as noncentral tsubject to assumptions on the multivariate normal distribution of the clusters. This allows a test of whether the observed disjunction is significantly greater than a chosen figure, which is equivalent to testing whether the overlap of the clusters is significantly less than a corresponding value of V_G.Two clusters that appear distinct may be produced simply by the partitioning of a homogeneous swarm into two contiguous regions. Provided that the clusters form a dichotomy in a dendrogram, and that the clustering method yields geometrically convex clusters, a conservative test of this situation can be derived by determining the excess of Wover the value expected for a rectangular distribution.     

Dimensional Reduction of Pattern-Based Simulation Using Wavelet Analysis

A pattern-based simulation technique using wavelet analysis is proposed for the simulation (wavesim) of categorical and continuous variables. Patterns are extracted by scanning a training image with a template and then storing them in a pattern database. The dimension reduction of patterns in the pattern database is performed by wavelet decomposition at certain scale and the approximate sub-band is used for pattern database classification. The pattern database classification is performed by the k-means clustering algorithm and classes are represented by a class prototype. For the simulation of categorical variables, the conditional cumulative density function (ccdf) for each class is generated based on the frequency of the individual categories at the central node of the template. During the simulation process, the similarity of the conditioning data event with the class prototypes is measured using the L ₂-norm. When simulating categorical variables, the ccdf of the best matched class is used to draw a pattern from a class. When continuous variables are simulated, a random pattern is drawn from the best matched class. Several examples of conditional and unconditional simulation with two- and three- dimensional data sets show that the spatial continuity of geometric features and shapes is well reproduced. A comparative study with the filtersim algorithm shows that the wavesim performs better than filtersim in all examples. A full-field case study at the Olympic Dam base metals deposit, South Australia, simulates the lithological rock-type units as categorical variables. Results show that the proportions of various rock-type units in the hard data are well reproduced when similar to those in the training image; when rock-type proportions between the training image and hard data differ, the results show a compromise between the two.     

Classification et cartographie du paysage sur base écologique avec application à l'Italie

It is well known that although the geographic landscape and the ecosystem are both terrestrial units involving physical and biological components, including man and his activity, they are in nature extremely different. The geographic landscape is a complex of directly perceptible forms produced by the interaction (synergism) of three main components (synergizing) present in varying degrees and in unstable equilibrium (physical base, the biotic element and the results of human activity); whilst the ecosystem may not be directly perceived and is composed of a stable system of matter and energy, contained in the living and non-living parts of an environment, where exchanges between the two parts take place in a continuous flux (Odum, 1958). The geographic landscape is characterized by formal, structural aspects, whereas the ecosystem is, by nature, functional and biological and is dominated by two cycles, one of matter and the other of energy, within which man can be included in varying degrees. Ever since man began to alter the natural biological processes with his constructive, destructive and polluting activity, structures have emerged within the ecosystem which show local modifications in quality and energy imbalance. These have survived in the form of truncated anthropo-ecosystems (Delpoux, 1972), where the artificially interrupted trophic chain survives with a disturbed energy balance. Imbalances are caused by alterations which are difficult to perceive directly in ecosystems, but are observable in landscapes which have been modified in response to such changes. The ecosystem must, therefore, be considered a determinant of landscape. Hence it is possible to distinguish fairly precisely the existence of different types of landscape on the basis of the material and energy balance of their associated ecosystems where ecosystem and geographic landscape are closely linked by cause and effect. Hence the term landscape ecology (Landschaftsöcologie;Troll, 1939) where the term “ecology” is taken to mean “the functional study of the dynamics of a system of action, determining landscape” (Schmithüsen, 1973). If the energy balance and the natural and human transformations of ecosystems are jointly considered, it is possible to obtain a significant ecologically based landscape classification. The first category is that of ecologically balanced landscapes, within which transfer phenomena are cyclic as energy, or even matter, are completely utilized by their biological constituents. This applies to all natural landscapes, even those with a dominant natural factor, that are unaffected by human action; their limits can therefore be considered similar to those of natural ecosystems. Amongst these can also be included areas with a gathering economy and primitive and subsistence farming. By contrast with these is the category of ecologically unbalanced landscapes where the presence of man in the environment has transformed natural ecosystems into anthropoecosystems with different characteristics. Two types can be distinguished, one hyperenergetic with a positive energy balance and thus an exporter of energy, the other hypoenergetic characterised by a negative energy balance,and thus importing energy (Delpoux, 1972). In hyperenergetic landscapes man intervenes with advanced agriculture and animal husbandry and thus transforms in different ways and in varying degrees the natural setting. They therefore include agrobiosystems, typical of specialized agriculture, intensive polyculture and plantation monoculture, and trophobiosystems typical of rationalized animal husbandry. Both produce vegetable and animal foods for the market. In hypoenergetic landscapes, the production of organic substances with an energy value becomes increasingly deficient, so that the biological community has to become dependent on external contributions; they mainly occur in high density population landscapes with low productivity rural activities due to poor natural conditions, poor organization, or a high degree of urban and industrial development. To these categories, which are mainly dependent on the ratio of population to resources, can be added that of degraded landscapes or ecosystems, caused by natural degradation (exogenous or endogenous) or by pollution and despoliation (biological and mineral) caused by human activity. Then follow landscapes with artificial or substitution ecosystems (urban or industrial) the elements of which are characteristically formal in appearance. The last category is that of ecologically integrated and complex landscapes, the result of the combination of two or more different ecological aspects (rural and urban, and, for example, outside this group, rural and industrial, agricultural and moderately urbanized) which interdigitate and encroach upon each other. On the basis of this classification, it is possible to discern the distinguishing features typical of landscapes and thus our ability to delimit their extent on maps. They have been applied in the production of an ecologically based landscape map of Italy at an original scale of 1:1,500,000, a reduced black-and-white version of which has been reproduced in the main body of this paper. As a first attempt at such a representation it is both adequate and useful and provides a basis for further work and analysis. The exercise confirms that the consideration of landscape, especially humanized landscape, in an ecological perspective, supplies important information for the interpretation of its structure from a functional and physiological stand-point, as well as for the understanding of its dynamics. It also facilitates the consideration of the environment as a whole, presenting more effectively the problems of its evaluation and consequently adds to our appreciation of its economic and social significance.     

Onset of natural terrain landslides modelled by linear stability analysis of creeping slopes with a two-state variable friction law

This paper further examines the possibility of modelling landslide as a consequence of the unstable slip in a steadily creeping slope when it is subject to perturbations, such as those induced by rainfall and earthquakes. In particular, the one-state variable friction law used in the landslide analysis by Chau is extended to a two-state variable friction law. According to this state variable friction law, the shear strength (τ) along the slip surface depends on the creeping velocity (V) as well as the two state variables (θ₁ and θ₂), which evolve with the ongoing slip. For translational slides, a system of three coupled non-linear first-order ordinary differential equations is formulated, and a linear stability analysis is applied to study the stability in the neighbourhood of the equilibrium solution of the system. By employing the stability classification of Reyn for three-dimensional space, it is found that equilibrium state (or critical point) of a slope may change from a ‘stable spiral’ to a ‘saddle spiral with unstable plane focus’ through a transitional state called ‘converging vortex spiral’ (i.e. bifurcation occurs), as the non-linear parameters of the slip surface evolve with its environmental changes (such as those induced by rainfall or human activities). If the one-state variable friction law is used in landslide modelling, velocity strengthening (i.e. dτ_ss/dV > 0, where τ_ss is the steady-state shear stress) in the laboratory always implies the stability of a creeping slope containing the same slip surface under gravitational pull. This conclusion, however, does not apply if a two-state variable friction law is employed to model the sliding along the slip surface. In particular, neither the region of stable creeping slopes in the non-linear parameter space can be inferred by that of velocity strengthening, nor the unstable region by that of velocity weakening. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantifying and testing differences among means of compositional data suites

Commonly, geological studies compare mean values of two or more compositional data suites in order to determine if, how, and by how much they differ. Simple approaches for evaluating and statistically testing differences in mean values for open data fail for compositional (closed) data. A new parameter, an f-value, therefore has been developed, which correctly quantifies the differences among compositional mean values and allows testing those differences for statistical significance. In general, this parameter quantifies only therelative factor by which compositional variables differ across data suites; however for situations where, arguably, at least one component has neither increased nor decreased, anabsolute f-value can be computed. In situations where the compositional variables have undergone many perturbations, arguments based upon thef-values and the central limit theorem indicate that logratios of compositional variables should be normally distributed.     

长江三角洲第一硬质黏土层粒度多元统计分析及沉积环境判别

长江三角洲第一硬质黏土层成因是长期争论的问题。对上海市青浦区第一硬质黏土层全样粒度多元统计分析,并与南京周家山下蜀黄土、长江悬浮颗粒物对比,探索长江三角洲第一硬质黏土层成因。第一硬质黏土层机械颗粒组成均一,频率曲线呈正偏态、中等或尖锐峰形的双峰分布,频率累积曲线呈"S"型分布,具有风成沉积特性。粒度特征分析为沉积环境判别提供沉积学证据时,综合运用多元统计分析可以使分析结果更准确。聚类分析将硬黏土与典型风成沉积物下蜀黄土粒度分布归为一类,长江悬浮颗粒物单独为一类,表明硬黏土与下蜀黄土成因一致。下蜀黄土与长江悬浮颗粒物粒度参数判别函数,将绝大部分硬黏土样品判定为风成沉积。粒级—标准偏差曲线结合现代风场,显示硬黏土粒度特征存在高空西风和低空西北季风两个主控因子。表明长江三角洲第一硬质黏土层是由西风和西北季风控制的风成成因堆积物。     

Surface Geophysical Methods used to Verify the Karst Geological Structure in the Built-up Area: A Case Study of Specific Engineering-Geological Conditions

This article presents a research study of complex limestone karst engineering-geological conditions in the municipality Valaská near Banská Bystrica in Slovakia. The aim of the study is to demonstrate the impossibility of spatial identification of cave spaces using surface geophysical methods due to the specific engineering-geological conditions of a thick surface layer of anthropogenic fill containing highly heterogeneous anthropogenic material. Its maximum thickness is 3 m. Another specificific condition of the study area is its location in the built-up area, due to which the applicability of geophysical methods was limited. The article contains methodological recommendations to be used in analogous geological conditions with karst structures topped with anthropogenic fill, which complicates the identification of cave spaces. The recommended solution herein is the identification of the cave system using underground mapping of the karst and its projection onto the surface for which surface geophysical methods have been combined.