Nonlinear Site Response and Liquefaction Analysis in the New Madrid Seismic Zone

Many existing highway bridges in the New Madrid Seismic Zone are located in the Mississippi Embayment, consisting of deep soil deposits and liquefaction susceptible near surface soils. It is important to understand the comprehensive impact of deep soil deposits and liquefaction on the response of the bridge foundations under seismic loading. A nonlinear soil model is then presented to study the impacts of the deep soil deposit and liquefaction on response analysis. The soil model has the advantage of using input parameters that can be obtained from conventional field and laboratory testing methods, which makes it attractive to engineering practice. The model calibrations used field recorded motions and laboratory test data, which indicate that the model provides an acceptable outcome based on simple input parameters. The model is implemented into the site response analysis for a typical Missouri highway bridge site in this seismic zone. The effect of the deep soil deposit and liquefaction on the site response analyses is discussed.     

Delineation of shallow resistivity structure in the city of Burdur,SW Turkey by vertical electrical sounding measurements

The city of Burdur, which is built on an alluvium aquifer, is located in one of the most seismically active zones in southwestern Turkey. The soil properties in the study site are characterized by unconsolidated and water-saturated sediments including silty, clayey and sandy units, and shallow groundwater level is the other characteristic of the site. Thus, the city is under soil liquefaction risk during a large earthquake. A resistivity survey including 189 vertical electrical sounding (VES) measurements was carried out in 2000 as part of a multi-disciplinary project aiming to investigate settlement properties in Burdur city and its vicinity. In the present study, the VES data acquired by using a Schlumberger array were re-processed with 1D and 2D inversion techniques to determine liquefaction potential in the study site. The results of some 1D interpretations were compared to the data from several wells drilled during the project. Also, the groundwater level map that was previously obtained by hydrological studies was extended toward north by using the resistivity data. 2D least-squares inversions were performed along nine VES profiles. This provided very useful information on vertical and horizontal extends of geologic units and water content in the subsurface. The study area is characterized by low resistivity distribution (<150 Ωm) originating from high fluid content in the subsurface. Lower resistivity (3–30 Ωm) is associated with the Quaternary and the Tertiary lacustrine sediments while relatively high resistivity (40–150 Ωm) is related to the Quaternary alluvial cone deposits. This study has also shown that the resistivity measurements are useful in the estimation of liquefaction risk in a site by providing information on the groundwater level and the fluid content in the subsurface. Based on this, we obtained a liquefaction hazard map for the study area. The liquefaction potential was classified by considering the resistivity distributions from 2D inversion of the VES profiles, the types of the sediments and the extended groundwater level map. According to this map, the study area was characterized by high liquefaction hazard risk.     

Mapping the liquefaction induced soil moisture changes using remote sensing technique: an attempt to map the earthquake induced liquefaction around Bhuj, Gujarat, India

The Bhuj earthquake (Mw = 7.9) occurred in the western part of India on 26th January 2001 and resulted in the loss of 20,000 lives and caused extensive damage to property. Soil liquefaction related ground failures such as lateral spreading caused significant damage to bridges, dams and other civil engineering structures in entire Kachchh peninsula. The Bhuj area is a part of large sedimentary basin filled with Jurassic, Tertiary and Quaternary deposits. This work pertains to mapping the areas that showed sudden increase in soil moisture after the seismic event, using remote sensing technique. Multi-spectral, spatial and temporal data sets from Indian Remote Sensing Satellite are used to derive the Liquefaction Sensitivity Index (LSeI). The basic concept behind LSeI is that the near infrared and shortwave infrared regions of electromagnetic spectrum are highly absorbed by soil moisture. Thus, the LSeI is herein used to identify the areas with increase in soil moisture after the seismic event. The LSeI map of Bhuj is then correlated with field-based observation on Cyclic Stress Ratio (CSR) and Cyclic Resistance Ratio (CRR), depth to water table, soil density and Liquefaction Severity Index (LSI). The derived LSeI values are in agreement with liquefaction susceptible criteria and observed LSI (R ² = 0.97). The results of the study indicate that the LSeI after calibration with LSI can be used as a quick tool to map the liquefied areas. On the basis of LSeI, LSI, CRR, CSR and saturation, the unconsolidated sediments of the Bhuj area are classified into three susceptibility classes.     

上海深厚饱和覆盖土层的动力耦合地震反应分析

上海的第四纪沉积土层呈水平层状分布，市区的土层厚度约为270－290m，年平均地下水位0.5-0.7m。上海地区上覆深厚、饱和的沉积土层，对土层的地震反应特性具有重要的影响。基于动力耦合理论，将上海深厚饱和覆盖土层视为由固相和液相组成的两相饱和多孔介质，建立了能够反映上海土层深厚、饱和特点的地震反应计算模型。然后应用该模型，以El Centro,Taft，苏南和唐山地震波作为基岩输入加速度，对深度280m的上海深厚覆盖土层进行了动力耦合地震反应计算，并对加速度、振动孔隙水压力和地基震陷结果进行了分析。     

Groundwater Systems and Resources in the Ordos Basin, China

The Ordos Basin is a large-scale sedimentary basin in northwestern China.The hydrostratigraphic units from bottom to top are pre-Cambrian metamorphic rocks,Lower Paleozoic carbonate rocks,Upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic clastic rocks and Cenozoic deposits.The total thickness is up to 6000 m.Three groundwater systems are present in the Ordos Basin,based on the geological settings,i.e.the karst groundwater system,the Cretaceous clastic groundwater system and the Quaternary groundwater system.This paper describes systematically the groundwater flow patterns of each system and overall assessment of groundwater resources.     

Geological and geophysical exploration of the groundwater aquifers of As Suqah area, Makkah district, Western Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia

As Suqah area is a NW–SE trending wadi present in the west central part of the Arabian Shield. It comprises Precambrian–Cambrian basement rocks, Cretaceous–Tertiary sedimentary succession, Tertiary–Quaternary basaltic lava flows, and Quaternary–Recent alluvial deposits. The magnetic anomalies indicated the presence of many recent local buried faults. These affected the distribution of the clastic sedimentary succession and seem to have controlled the deep groundwater aquifers. Groundwater movement is towards the west and northwest, following in general the surface drainage system. Hydraulic gradient varies greatly from one point to another depending on the pumping rates and cross-sectional area of the aquifer in addition to its transmissivity. The detailed results of the resistivity and seismic measurements were integrated with those obtained from test holes drilled in the study area. Groundwater occurs mainly in two water-bearing horizons, the alluvial deposits and within the clastic sedimentary rocks of Haddat Ash Sham and Ash Shumaysi formations. The shallow zone is characterized with a saturated thickness of 3–20 m and water is found under confined to semi-confined conditions. Water levels were encountered at depths varying from 3 to 16 m in the alluvial wadi deposits and from 18 to 62 m in the sedimentary succession. The combinations of vertical electrical sounding, horizontal electrical profiling, and drilling led to the identification of groundwater resources in the study area. Resistivity soundings clearly identified the nature of the lithological depth and proved useful at identifying water-bearing zones. Significantly, the majority of the groundwater was found within the deep confined aquifer gravelly sandstone, rather than in the shallow unconfined aquifer.     

Groundwater Systems and Resources in the Ordos Basin,China

The Ordos Basin is a large-scale sedimentary basin in northwestern China. The hydrostratigraphic units from bottom to top are pre-Cambrian metamorphic rocks, Lower Paleozoic carbonate rocks, Upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic clastic rocks and Cenozoic deposits. The total thickness is up to 6000 m. Three groundwater systems are present in the Ordos Basin, based on the geological settings, i.e. the karst groundwater system, the Cretaceous clastic groundwater system and the Quaternary groundwater system. This paper describes systematically the groundwater flow patterns of each system and overall assessment of groundwater resources.     

Using soil and Quaternary geological information to assess the intrinsic groundwater vulnerability of shallow aquifers: an example from Lithuania

Lithuania, in the Baltic region of northern Europe, is heavily dependent on groundwater resources for its public water supply, with a large proportion, especially in rural areas, derived from shallow Quaternary aquifers. A national groundwater-vulnerability methodology, based upon the UK approach, has been developed on behalf of the Lithuanian Ministry of Environmental Protection as a possible basis for the future protection of shallow groundwater resources for the rural inhabitants. Some modifications to the UK methodology were required to enable archive data to be used. The four aquifer classes depicted on the final groundwater vulnerability map are based upon the assessed relative permeabilities of the uppermost Quaternary deposits. The derivation of the classification of soil-leaching potential required a reassessment of Soviet-based soil wetness and particle-size classes and a calculation of subsoil-saturated hydraulic conductivity. A preliminary validation of the final maps against available shallow groundwater samples suggests that the methodology satisfactorily predicts the intrinsic groundwater vulnerability. The final methodology, based upon its low-cost approach using archive data, is relevant to the current needs of Lithuania and can be applied in other regions of similar geology and climate. Electronic Publication     

洞庭盆地资水三角洲地区第四纪沉积环境判别及其特征

沉积相及特征研究有助于更全面地认识河湖环境演化规律,但在洞庭盆地资水三角洲地区还未有相关表述.本研究基于第四纪典型钻孔（BMS01和BMS02）沉积样品,开展了丰富的岩石学、年代学与沉积学研究,运用粒度频率分布曲线对研究区第四纪堆积物沉积相进行分析,用粒度参数计算结果和Fisher判别模型进行了判别.结果表明Fisher模型判别公式适用于平原区河流相、湖相及非稳定相沉积环境的判别.在资水三角洲区域内的应用,判别函数总体识别正确率为94.9%,误判率为5.1%,高出正确率的一般标准（75%）.综合判别结果及地质研究资料,运用C-M图和粒度散点图揭示了第四纪以来区域的多旋回沉积特征及演化过程,并阐述了地层的形成机制.研究结果可以为第四纪地层划分与对比、地下水资源评价和地层原生劣质水研究提供基础资料.      

青海上湾特大型红层老滑坡体形成机制研究

青海上湾特大型老滑坡体是一个典型的多期次第四系上更新统黄土与新近系贵德群泥岩切层旋转滑坡,滑动面主要位于新近系贵德群泥岩内。在充分利用现场滑坡勘查和钻探试验所获取资料的基础上,通过对滑坡堆积物中的关键层（黄土状土和砾岩堆积物）与泥岩堆积物的空间位置组合关系的研究,以及对老滑坡体底滑面的形态和黄土状土顶部的淤泥（堰塞湖湖积物）的分析,确定了上湾特大型老滑坡体主要经历了两次规模较大的滑动。利用地下水动力学的理论,计算出两次滑动前的地下水位,并建立了分析滑坡变形与破坏机制的数值模型。综合区域新构造运动特点、地下水位的动态变化、新近系贵德群泥岩在饱水状态下力学强度显著下降的特征以及FLAC3D数值模拟结果,得出老滑坡体第1次滑动主要是由于河流下切作用引起,并给出了河流下切过程中坡体变形的3个阶段。第2次滑动是由于第1次滑动后,斜坡临空面变陡,坡脚剪应力进一步集中,且在其前缘形成一个堰塞湖,导致地下水位上升软化泥岩而发生的累进性牵引滑动。     

云南红舍克铝土矿成矿地质特征和找矿前景研究

简述了云南红舍克铝土矿矿床的矿区地质概况,着重阐述了该矿区沉积型、堆积型铝土矿矿床地质特征、控矿因素及其作用。研究认为,在红舍克矿区外围的龙潭组含矿层及其附近的第四系堆积层分布范围内,是寻找沉积型、堆积型铝土矿的有利地段,并具有扩大铝土矿的找矿远景和资源量的潜力。     

The Quaternary of the Kattegat area, Scandinavia: a review

The Quaternary sedimentary history and its relations to the pre-Quaternary in the Kattegat region are reviewed. The Quaternary in the area is restricted to relatively young sediments, including scattered findings of Saalian deposits and more continuous occurrences from the Eemian, the Weichselian and the Holocene. Glacial and interglacial palaeoenvironmental reconstructions, including Holocene changes in oceanographic circulation, are reviewed, and the recent sedimentary processes and the present hydrographic regime are outlined. Furthermore, Quaternary and present tectonic activity in connection with some of the pre-Quaternary fault zones is discussed.     

鄂尔多斯盆地地下水资源与开发利用

鄂尔多斯盆地是我国西北地区的大型构造沉积盆地,以前寒武系变质岩为基底,依次沉积了下古生界碳酸盐岩、上古生界—中生界碎屑岩和各种成因的新生界,总厚度达6000m。根据盆地的地质构造特征和水文地质条件,将鄂尔多斯盆地含水岩系划为周边寒武系—奥陶系碳酸盐岩岩溶含水层系统、白垩系碎屑岩裂隙孔隙含水层系统和盆地东部基岩裂隙水与上覆第四系松散层孔隙含水层系统。在含水层系统划分的基础上,以含水体之间是否具有统一的水力联系和稳定的水动力场和水化学场为依据,将周边岩溶水可进一步划分为10个水流系统和22个子系统,白垩系地下水划分为5个水流系统和11个子系统,石炭系—侏罗系裂隙水与上覆松散层孔隙水划分为9个地下水系统。系统论述了含水层系统特征,区域水文地球化学特征和地下水循环规律,对鄂尔多斯盆地地下水资源进行了全面评价,针对能源基地建设的供水急需,提出了地下水合理开发利用建议。     

Soft sediments and damage pattern: a few case studies from large Indian earthquakes vis-a-vis seismic risk evaluation

India is prone to earthquake hazard; almost 65 % area falls in high to very high seismic zones, as per the seismic zoning map of the country. The Himalaya and the Indo-Gangetic plains are particularly vulnerable to high seismic hazard. Any major earthquake in Himalaya can cause severe destruction and multiple fatalities in urban centers located in the vicinity. Seismically induced ground motion amplification and soil liquefaction are the two main factors responsible for severe damage to the structures, especially, built on soft sedimentary environment. These are essentially governed by the size of earthquake, epicentral distance and geology of the area. Besides, lithology of the strata, i.e., sediment type, grain size and their distribution, thickness, lateral discontinuity and ground water depth, play an important role in determining the nature and degree of destruction. There has been significant advancement in our understanding and assessment of these two phenomena. However, data from past earthquakes provide valuable information which help in better estimation of ground motion amplification and soil liquefaction for evaluation of seismic risk in future and planning the mitigation strategies. In this paper, we present the case studies of past three large Indian earthquakes, i.e., 1803 Uttaranchal earthquake (Mw 7.5); 1934 Bihar–Nepal earthquake (Mw 8.1) and 2001 Bhuj earthquake (Mw 7.7) and discuss the role of soft sediments particularly, alluvial deposits in relation to the damage pattern due to amplified ground motions and soil liquefaction induced by the events. The results presented in the paper are mainly focused around the sites located on the river banks and experienced major destruction during these events. It is observed that the soft sedimentary sites located even far from earthquake epicenter, with low water saturation, experienced high ground motion amplification; while the sites with high saturation level have undergone soil liquefaction. We also discuss the need of intensifying studies related to ground motion amplification and soil liquefaction in India as these are the important inputs for detailed seismic hazard estimation.     

The geology of the southeastern Baltic Sea: a review

The Baltic Sea, particularly its southeastern part, is discussed in the paper. Investigations of regional character as well as specialized studies in the area are reviewed. General historical works are mentioned briefly. Previous surveys since the 1950s are presented by the subject studied. The compilation of geological structure of the SE Baltic Sea bottom and adjacent land of Balticum (Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) is based on considerable amounts of summarized materials. The crystalline basement, sedimentary cover and Quaternary deposits are characterized in the comprehensive survey of geological structure. From a stratigraphical point of view, geological sequence of the platformal cover is comparatively complete: deposits of all geological systems (from the Archean to Cenozoic) are present in the Baltic Syneclise. Considering geotectonical cycles, the sedimentary cover of the syneclise is subdivided into four structural complexes. The thickness and distribution of Quaternary deposits are closely related to the recent bottom relief of the Baltic Sea that in turn is inherited from the Pre-Quaternary surface. Buried palaeo-valleys are characteristic of the Pre-Quaternary surface in the Baltic region and the Baltic Sea bottom. The Quaternary is characterized by layers of various geneses and by sharp changes of their thicknesses.     

Groundwater flow modelling in the central zone of Hanoi, Vietnam

On the basis of a review of the Quaternary sedimentary architecture in the area of Hanoi city (Vietnam), a numerical, deterministic and three-dimensional groundwater flow model has been built for a simulation between 1995 and 2004. The sedimentary architecture has been constructed on the basis of the data from 32 drillings covering the entire Quaternary sequence (but with little sedimentological detail), as well as hydrographical and hydrogeological data. Both steady- and transient-state conditions were tested. Results calculated by the model seem to indicate that the conceptual hypotheses adopted are reasonable for the modelled domain and period. The simulation allows for calculation of the regional groundwater flow trends. It is also used for assessing the relative importance of the various recharge sources of the shallow aquifer system in Hanoi, and for estimating the interactions between groundwater and the Red River.     

区域性滑坡敏感性评价的数据驱动权重模型及应用

基于GIS的区域滑坡灾害评价的空间分析方法主要有两种，一是基于专家经验的知识驱动型方法；二是基于统计学的数据驱动型方法。前者对于影响滑坡灾害发生的评价指标的分级以及权重的确定多依赖于专家的经验，具有主观性和不确定性。而后者则是根据已发生滑坡灾害的历史调查数据以及影响滑坡灾害发生的孕灾环境因子资料，对评价指标进行分级和权重的确定。后者使区域滑坡评价更具科学性和可靠性。本文基于GIS技术，运用贝叶斯统计方法的数据驱动权重模型及其分析程序，进行了哥伦比亚Chinehina地区滑坡灾害敏感性分析。     

三江平原生态地质环境分区研究

生态地质环境是指地面或地面以下岩石圈浅部由地质作用而形成的并影响人类生存和发展的空间或地质空间,主要包括植被、地貌、土壤、第四系松散堆积物、岩石、地下水等6个因子。这6个因子各自有其不可替代的作用和功能,并不是各自孤立存在着,而是互相联系、互相影响、互相制约,缺一不可,并且是不断地发展变化着的。其中水是决定一切的主要矛盾方面,是生态地质环境中最积极最活跃的主导动力条件;植被是生态平衡的重中之重,是生态地质环境中最脆弱的指代因子;地貌、土壤、第四纪松散堆积物、岩石是生态地质环境的基础。每一个因子既同周围各种因子及作用的影响,也反过来影响其它因子或成份。一个因子发生恶化或失去平衡,其它因子也会发生变化或失去平衡。本文论述了三江平原生态地质环境系统中这6个因子的特征,分析了它们的分布状况,阐明了特征因子主要环境地质问题。根据地貌特征、植被破坏状况和主要环境地质问题,进行了分区研究。     

Cyanide from gold mining and its effect on groundwater in arid areas,Yanqul mine of Oman

The use of cyanide (CN), which is characterized by volatility, toxicity and high odor, in gold mining is scarcely addressed in the literature and remain controversial. Environmentalists oppose CN usage as it potentially poses serious environmental threats, whereas economic and mining geologists are in favor of its usage for its extracting capacity and economic feasibility. The present study investigates the possible dispersion of CN into groundwater resources caused by a gold mine (ca. 15 years old) located in the arid area of Yanqul, North Oman. The gold is hosted in gossan deposits associated with ophiolitic rocks and sulfide deposits. Sodium cyanide is mixed with 0.5 m³ of water and then added to a tonne of crushed ore rock to extract 6 g of gold mineral. The final residues are dumped in engineered, lined and uncovered tailing dams. Subsequent to rainfall water draining the mine plateau flows along the wadies and percolates into the shallow Quaternary alluvium aquifer. Hence, groundwater samples were collected from 16 piezometers adjacent to and around the mine. The samples were analyzed for CN using the revised phenolphthalin method and they all show CN concentration below the detection limit (5 ppb). The samples were also analyzed for heavy metals to investigate the potential of CN complexation. Most of heavy metals indicated very trace concentration. The absence of CN in groundwater is attributed to volatilization of CN (converted to HCN), lined dam structure, high evapotranspiration rate and deeper water table. This finding is consistent with the historical CN analysis in the groundwater and solid wastes. It can be pointed out that within few years of operation well engineered tailing dams can provide safe structure preventing CN-groundwater pollution in arid areas. Potential threats to the air and soil are not addressed in this article.     

Groundwater quality of porous aquifers in Greece: a synoptic review

Greece is dependent on groundwater resources for its water supply. The main aquifers are within carbonate rocks (karstic aquifers) and coarse grained Neogene and Quaternary deposits (porous aquifers). The use of groundwater resources has become particularly intensive in coastal areas during the last decades with the intense urbanization, tourist development and irrigated land expansion. Sources of groundwater pollution are the seawater intrusion due to over-exploitation of coastal aquifers, the fertilizers from agricultural activities and the disposal of untreated wastewater in torrents or in old pumping wells. In the last decades the total abstractions from coastal aquifers exceed the natural recharge; so the aquifer systems are not used safely. Over-exploitation causes a negative water balance, triggering seawater intrusion. Seawater intrusion phenomena are recorded in coastal aquifer systems. Nitrate pollution is the second major source of groundwater degradation in many areas in Greece. The high levels of nitrate are probably the result of over-fertilization and the lack of sewage systems in some urban areas.