Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the Changjiang sediments: Implications for tracing sediment sources

The suspended particulate and fine-grained floodplain sediments were collected from the main stream and tributaries of the Changjiang River for Sr-Nd isotopic measurements. The εNd(0) values gradually decrease downstream from -10.8 on average in the upper reaches to -12.3 in the lower reaches, whereas the 87Sr/86Sr ratios increase correspondingly, averaging 0.721899 and 0.725826 respectively in the upper and middle-lower reaches. The compositional variations primarily reflect the complex con- trols of provenance rocks, chemical weathering, and sediment characters between different catchments, among which the abnormal Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the Yalong, Fujiang, Tuojiang and Yuanjiang rivers indicate the sediment provenance contributions from the Emeishan Basalt in the upper reaches and the old metamorphic and siliceous rocks in the middle-lower reaches. The Sr-Nd isotopic ratios of the Changjiang sediments can better reflect the average composition of weathered continental crust compared to other major rivers in the world because of the unique source rock types in the Changjiang drainage basin. The recognition of the Sr-Nd isotopic systematics of the Changjiang sediments will contribute to our understanding of the Changjiang evolution history and continental weathering processes during the Cenozoic, and also to reconstructing the paleoenvironmental changes in East China and the marginal seas.     

Quantitative reconstruction of Holocene sediment sources contributing to the central Jiangsu coast,China: New insights into source-to-sink processes

Coastal deltaic deposits are the primary locations for sediment storage on Earth, and quantifying their source contributions is a critical prerequisite for delineating S2S patterns in marginal seas. In most cases, quantification for the contribution by fine-grained sediments (i.e. particle size < 63 μm) is considered to be representative to constrain the overall sediment supply. However, this approach may be inappropriate because large differences exist between the two quantities. Here we propose an approach to solve the problem, which is based on the maximum number of tracers from multiple sediment size fractions incorporating the content of all size fractions of sediment. Using this approach, absolute source contributions during the Holocene are reconstructed that provide a first-order model for the S2S pattern of the central Jiangsu coast, China. The Huanghe River is the strongest driver for the Holocene sedimentation, with a mean contribution of ~72 ± 6% (1417 × 10⁸ t). The absolute contributions from the Changjiang and offshore areas were of secondary importance, (i.e. ~17 ± 1% (330 × 10⁸ t) and ~11 ± 5% (217 × 10⁸ t), respectively). The results show that a large difference between the relative and absolute source contributions and the assumption that the relative contribution represents the absolute contribution is invalid in a coastal setting. The impact of the Huanghe is mainly based on episodic events, such as the event of 1128–1855 AD . The model also reveals that the offshore sediments are as important as the Changjiang sediments for the central Jiangsu coast during the Holocene. Thus, the model provides both the time series and overall quantities of sediment supply during the formation and evolution of the Holocene tidal flats on the Jiangsu coast. Our findings shed new light on quantitative analysis of sediment sources applicable to future S2S studies of marginal seas. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs fingerprinting technique to interpreting sediment production records from reservoir deposits in a small catchment of the Hilly Loess Plateau,China

According to variations of 137Cs and clay contents, 44 flood couplets were identified in a profile of reservoir deposit with a vertical length of 28.12 m in the Yuntaishan Gully. Couplet 27 at the middle of the profile had the highest average 137Cs content of 12.65 Bq kg-1, which indicated the 1963s' deposits, then 137Cs content decreased both downward and upward in the profile. The second top and bottom couplets had average 137Cs contents of 2.15 Bq kg-1 and 0.92 Bq kg-1, respectively. By integrated analysis of reservoir construction and management history, variations of 137Cs contents over the profile, sediment yields of flood couplets and rainfall data during the period of 1958-1970, individual storms related to the flood couplets were identified. 44 floods with a total sediment yield of 2.36×104 m3 occurred and flood events in a year varied between 1 and 10 times during the period of 1960-1970. 7-10 flood events occurred during the wet period of 1961-1964 with very wet autumn, while only 1-2 events during the dry period of 1965-1969. Average annual specific sediment yield was 1.29×104 t km-2 a-1 for the Yuntaishan Gully during the period of 1960-1970, which was slightly higher than 1.11 ×104 t km-2 a-1 for the Upper Yanhe River Basin above the Ganguyi Hydrological Station and slightly lower than 1.40 ×104 t km-2 a-1 for the nearby Zhifang Gully during the same period. Annual specific sediment yields for the Yuntaishan Gully were correlated to the wet season's rainfalls well.     

Thermal-rheological structure of lithosphere beneath the northern flank of Tarim Basin, western China: Implications for geodynamics

Based on the data of geo-temperature and thermophysical parameters of rocks in the Kuqa Depression and the Tabei Uplift, northern flank of the Tarim Basin, in terms of the analytical solution of 1-D heat transfer equation, the thermal structure of the lithosphere under this region is determined. Our results show that the average surface heat flow of the northern flank of the Tarim Basin is 45 mW/m2, and the mantle heat flow is between 20 and 23 mW/m2; the temperature at crust-mantle boundary (Moho) ranges from 514℃ to 603℃ and the thermal lithosphere where the heat conduction dominates is 138-182 km thick. Furthermore, in combination with the P wave velocity structure resulting from the deep seismic sounding profile across this region and rheological modeling, we have studied the local composition of the lithosphere and its rheological profile, as well as the strength distribution. We find that the rheological stratification of the lithosphere in this region is apparent. The lowermost of the lower crust is ductile; however,the uppermost of the mantle and the upper and middle parts of the crust are both brittle layers,which is typically the so-called sandwich-like structure. Lithospheric strength is also characterized by the lateral variation, and the uplift region is stronger than the depression region. The lithospheric strength of the northem flank of the Tarim Basin decreases gradually from south to north; the Kuqa Depression has the lowest strength and the south of the Tabei Uplift is strongest.The total lithospheric strength of this region is 4.77× 1012-5.03 × 1013 N/m under extension, and 6.5 × 1012-9.4× 1013 N/m under compression. The lithospheric brittle-ductile transition depth is between 20 km and 33 km. In conclusion, the lithosphere of the northern flank of the Tarim Basin is relatively cold with higher strength, so it behaves rigidly and deforms as a whole, which is also supported by the seismic activity in this region. This rigidity of the Tarim lithosphere makes it little deform interior, but only into flexure under the sedimentation and tectonic loading associated with the rapid uplift of the Tianshan at its northern margin during the Indian-Eurasian continental collision following the Late Eocene. Finally, the influences of factors, such as heat flow, temperature,crustal thickness, and especially basin sediment thickness, on the lithospheric strength are discussed here.     

The stratigraphy of flandrian relative sea-level changes at a site in tayside,Scotland

Peat deposits in a gully at the inland margin of the Firth of Tay carselands contain a transgressive wedge of estuarine sediments laid down at the culmination of the Main Postglacial Transgression. In previous work, the sequence of deposits in the gully and their age have been examined at one location. The present study both extends and evaluates that previous work, employing further field work and laboratory analyses. The detailed stratigraphy of the deposits is identified, whilst from a borehole close to the limit of the transgressive deposit, diatom analysis and geochemical analyses, involving the determination of Al, Mg, C, and δ ¹³C_PDB are outlined. Eight ¹⁴C assays from peat at the transgressive and regressive contacts in four boreholes along the wedge of estuarine sediments are described. Whilst the results of diatom analysis are inconclusive, the geochemical analyses indicate that the sediment accumulated broadly continuously without major changes in the depositional environment. It is concluded that the Main Postglacial Transgression in the gully was at first rapid, then slowed and culminated between 6240 ± 80 and 6030 ± 80 (or 6170 ± 90) radiocarbon years, B.P. It is subsequently maintained that the geochemical analyses described here may be of value in determining the continuity of transgressive deposits, whilst the practice of obtaining multiple radiocarbon assays at such locations should enable assessment of age to be refined. This may in turn assist in testing the hypothesis of shoreline diachroneity in glacioisostatically affected areas.     

大渡河龚咀水库泥沙特性与淤积

龚咀水库库容3.1×10~8m~3,是大渡河上最大的水库,从1971年蓄水以来的15年间,淤积量达2.2096×10~8m~3,占库容的71.3％。淤积可分蓄水初期,三角洲发展和淤积接近平衡三个时期,其淤积率分别为83.5％,53％和2.9％。淤积物的平均粒径从1.82mm增加为3.38mm。卵砾推移质移动至坝前。淤积量变化过程即为输沙能力调整恢复过程。     

Rate of sediment yield following small‐scale volcanic eruptions: a quantitative assessment at the Merapi and Semeru stratovolcanoes,Java, Indonesia

Sediment yields were calculated on the ?anks of Merapi and Semeru volcanoes in Java, Indonesia, using two different methods. During the ?rst year following the 22 November 1994 eruption of Merapi, a sediment yield in excess of 1·5 × 10⁵ m³ km^?2 yr^?1 was calculated in the Boyong River drainage basin, based on the volumes of sediment that were trapped by ?ve check dams. At Semeru, sediment discharges were assessed in the Curah Lengkong River from direct measurements on the lahars in motion and on the most signi?cant stream?ows. The calculated rate of sediment yield during one year of data in 2000 was 2·7 × 10⁵ m³ km^?2 yr^?1. Sediment yields are dominated by rain‐triggered lahars, which occur every rainy season in several drainage basins of Merapi and Semeru volcanoes, mostly during the rainy season extending from October to April. The return period of lahars carrying sediment in excess of 5 × 10⁵ m³ is about one year in the Curah Lengkong River at Semeru. At Merapi, the volume of sediments transported by a lahar did not exceed 2·8 × 10⁵ m³ in the Boyong River during the rainy season 1994–95. On both volcanoes, the sediments are derived from similar sources: pyroclastic‐?ow/surges deposits, rockfalls from the lava domes, and old material from the riverbed and banks. However, daily explosions of vulcanian type at Semeru provide a more continuous sediment supply than at Merapi. Therefore, sediment yields are larger at Semeru. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The exceptional activity and growth of the Southeast Crater, Mount Etna (Italy), between 1996 and 2001

Between 1971 and 2001, the Southeast Crater was the most productive of the four summit craters of Mount Etna, with activity that can be compared, on a global scale, to the opening phases of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō-Kūpaianaha eruption of Kīlauea volcano, Hawai‘i. The period of highest eruptive rate was between 1996 and 2001, when near-continuous activity occurred in five phases. These were characterized by a wide range of eruptive styles and intensities from quiet, non-explosive lava emission to brief, violent lava-fountaining episodes. Much of the cone growth occurred during these fountaining episodes, totaling 105 events. Many showed complex dynamics such as different eruptive styles at multiple vents, and resulted in the growth of minor edifices on the flanks of the Southeast Crater cone. Small pyroclastic flows were produced during some of the eruptive episodes, when oblique tephra jets showered the steep flanks of the cone with hot bombs and scoriae. Fluctuations in the eruptive style and eruption rates were controlled by a complex interplay between changes in the conduit geometry (including the growth of a shallow magma reservoir under the Southeast Crater), magma supply rates, and flank instability. During this period, volume calculations were made with the aid of GIS and image analysis of video footage obtained by a monitoring telecamera. Between 1996 and 2001, the bulk volume of the cone increased by ~36×10⁶ m³, giving a total (1971–2001) volume of ~72×10⁶ m³. At the same time, the cone gained ~105 m in height, reaching an elevation of about 3,300 m. The total DRE volume of the 1996–2001 products was ~90×10⁶m³. This mostly comprised lava flows (72×10⁶ m³) erupted at the summit and onto the flanks of the cone. These values indicate that the productivity of the Southeast Crater increased fourfold during 1996–2001 with respect to the previous 25 years, coinciding with a general increase in the eruptive output rates and eruption intensity at Etna. This phase of intense summit activity has been followed, since the summer of 2001, by a period of increased structural instability of the volcano, marked by a series of important flank eruptions.     

Thick lava flows of Karisimbi Volcano, Rwanda: insights from SIR-C interferometric topography

 We use a digital elevation model (DEM) derived from interferometrically processed SIR-C radar data to estimate the thickness of massive trachyte lava flows on the east flank of Karisimbi Volcano, Rwanda. The flows are as long as 12 km and average 40–60 m (up to >140 m) in thickness. By calculating and subtracting a reference surface from the DEM, we derived a map of flow thickness, which we used to calculate the volume (up to 1 km³ for an individual flow, and 1.8 km³ for all the identified flows) and yield strength of several flows (23–124 kPa). Using the DEM we estimated apparent viscosity based on the spacing of large folds (1.2×10¹² to 5.5×10¹² Pa s for surface viscosity, and 7.5×10¹⁰ to 5.2×10¹¹ Pa s for interior viscosity, for a strain interval of 24 h). We use shaded-relief images of the DEM to map basic flow structures such as channels, shear zones, and surface folds, as well as flow boundaries. The flow thickness map also proves invaluable in mapping flows where flow boundaries are indistinct and poorly expressed in the radar backscatter and shaded-relief images. Received: 6 September 1997 / Accepted: 15 May 1998     

Temporal variations in gravity at Mt. Etna (Italy) associated with the 1989 and 1991 eruptions

 Results are presented from 11 microgravity surveys on Mt. Etna between 1987 and 1993, a period including the major 1989 and 1991–1993 flank eruptions and subordinate 1990 activity. Measurements were made with LaCoste and Romberg D-62 and D-157 gravity meters along a network around the volcano between 1000 and 1900 m a.s.l. and, since 1992, a N–S summit profile. Gravity changes of as much as 200 μGal were observed at scales from the size of the summit region to that of the volcano. None was associated with significant changes in ground elevation. The data show an increase in gravity for 2 years before the 1989 eruption. The increase is attributed to the accumulation of magma (0.25–1.7×10⁹m³) in an elongate zone, oriented NNW–SSE, between 2.5 and 6 km below sea level. Part of this magma was injected into the volcanic pile to supply the 1989 and 1990 eruptions. It also probably fed the start of the 1991–1993 eruption, since this event was not preceded by significant gravity changes. A large gravity increase (up to 140 μGal) detected across the volcano between June and September 1992 is consistent with the arrival in the accumulation zone of 0.32–2.2×10⁹m³ of new magma, thus favoring continued flank effusion until 1993. A large gravity decrease (200 μGal) in the summit region marked the closing stages of the 1991–1993 event and is associated with magma drainage from the upper levels of Etna's central feeding system. Received: 15 July 1995 / Accepted: 27 October 1997     

Jadeitic rocks within high pressure metamorphic zone from northeastern Jiangxi Province and their forming and surviving conditions

There is a close relation in time, space and origin between the NEJXO, NEJXDFZ and HPMZ from NEJXP which are located in and constrained by both Yangtze Craton and Cathaysia. These HPMRs principally include (i) Jd-Q-Ab schist, (ii) Lw-Jd-Ab schist, (iii) Jd-Ab schist, and (iv) Gl-schist. The Jd is nearly pure (Jd91-98). Jd surrounded by Ab is separated from Q and survived due to the reaction between Jd and Q, while Lw encircled by Ab remains as a pseudomorph composed of CZo+An. The minerals associated with Jd are Lw, Gl, Ab, Q, CZo, An, Pa, II, Ru, Sp, Ap, and Zr. According to the textures, the mineral paragenesis is classified into four groups (i) PI-Am-Q, (ii) Jd-I,w-GI-Q, (iii) CZo-An-Ab-Q, (iv) Ab-Ana-Ser-Ur, corresponding to (i) 1.0–0.93 Ga, 250°C, 2–3 × 10⁸ Pa; (ii) 0.93–0.79 Ga, 300–350°C, 5–12 × 10⁸ Pa; (iii) 0.79–0.223 Ga, 350–400–120°C, 12–5–3 × 10⁸ Pa; and (iv) < 0. 223 Ga, < 120–50°C, < 3 × 10⁸ Pa, in time, temperature and pressure respectively. A clockwiseP-T-t path is isothermal increasing inP (up to 45 km)—isothermal decreasing inP (up to 5 km)— nearly isobar decreasing in T. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

The distribution and transportation of fine-grained sediments on the inner continental shelf off the Keum River estuary,Korea

A study of suspended particulate matter in the Keum estuary and the adjacent continental shelf, southeastern Yellow Sea, showed that most of the suspended matter (average amount of2.7 × 10⁴ tons in October 1980) is derived from the Keum River and the major dispersal directions are westward and southwestward. Associated investigations of the clay mineral and trace element of the bottom sediment in the same study area confirmed that the bulk of fine-grained sediments derived from the Keum River and its estuary probably is dispersed essentially to the southwest, but indicated that less significant amounts are dispersed to the west or northwest.     

水利工程兴建后洞庭湖径流与泥沙的变化

本文根据1951—1988年洞庭湖及其入湖河流的水文泥沙资料,研究大型水利工程兴建后洞庭湖径流与泥沙的变化。研究表明,近40年来洞庭湖的径流量减少了29.2％,输沙量减少了48.7％。引起水沙变化的主要原因是荆江四口分流河床的淤积,使荆江入湖的径流量与输沙量减少。1966—1972年下荆江三个弯道裁弯取直,使荆江河床下切,导致荆江及其分流水位的下降,也促使荆江分流的流量与输沙量的减少。40年来洞庭湖水流变化的趋势对洞庭湖、江汉平原与长江中下游的防洪较为有利。     

Sediment yield and storage variations in the Négron River catchment (south western Parisian Basin,France) during the Holocene period

In the Négron River catchment area (162 km²), surface‐sediment stores are composed of periglacial calcareous ‘grèze’ (5 × 10⁶ t) and loess (21 × 10⁶ t), and Holocene alluvium (12·6 × 10⁶ t), peat (0·6 × 10⁶ t) and colluvium (18·5 × 10⁶ t). Seventy‐five per cent of the Holocene sediments is stored along the thalwegs. Present net sediment yield, calculated from solid discharge at the Négron outlet, is low (0·6 t km^?2 a^?1) due to the dominance of carbonate rocks in the catchment. Mean sediment yield during the Holocene period is 7·0 t km^?2 a^?1 from alluvium stores and 7·6 t km^?2 a^?1 from colluvium stores. Thus, the gross sediment yield during the Holocene period is about 18·7 t km^?2 a^?1 and the sediment delivery ratio 3 per cent. The yield considerably varies from one sub‐basin to another (3·9 to 24·5 t km^?2 a^?1) according to lithology: about 25 per cent and 50 per cent of initial stores of periglacial grèze and loess respectively were reworked during the Holocene period. Sediment yield has increased by a factor of 6 in the last 1000 years, due to the development of agriculture. The very high rate of sediment storage on the slope during that period (88 per cent of the yield) can be accounted for by the formation of cultivation steps (‘rideaux’). It is predicted that the current destruction of these steps will result in a sediment wave reaching the valley floors in the coming decades. Subboreal and Subatlantic sediments and pollen assemblages in the Taligny marsh, where one‐third of the alluvium is stored, show the predominant influence of human activity during these periods in the Négron catchment. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geochemistry and Sr-Nd isotope characteristics of tonalites in Zêtang, Tibet: New evidence for intra-Tethyan subduction

Tonalites from the island arc rock assemblage in the Zêtang segment of the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone were analyzed for major, trace elements (including REE) and Sr-Nd isotope. The experimental datademonstrate that the tonalites have the adakite-like characteristics, including high SiO2 (58%-63%),Al2O3 (18.4%-22.4%), Sr (810×10-6-940×10-6), Sr/Y (77-106), low HREE (Y=9×10-6-11×10-6, Yb=1×10-6-1.3×10-6), with LREE enrichment and faint Eu positive anomaly. Isr (0.70421-0.70487) is relatively low whereas 143Nd/144Nd (0.512896-0.512929) and εNd(t) values ( 6.7- 7.3) are high. These feainvolvement of a small amount of oceanic sediments. The identification of Z(e)tang adakites, derived from slab melting, presents new evidence for the intra-Tethyan subduction and the previous suggestion about the existence of intra-oceanic island arc within Tethys.     

西藏扎布耶湖ZK91-2钻孔沉积特征与气候环境演化

扎布耶盐湖位于西藏高原腹地,１９９１年在其南部干盐滩中钻取了２０Ｍ深湖相沉积,以５～１０ＣＭ／个的密度进行高分辨率取样,详细探讨了沉积标志,矿物组合（尤其Ｍｇ,Ｃａ,Ｌｉ碳酸盐）、干旱与潮湿两种气候类型的元素组合等气候环境指标,推导了晚更新世以来该湖区湖面涨缩,水质咸淡及气温高低变化。     

Nature of decadal-scale sediment accumulation on the western shelf of the Mississippi River delta

Sediment delivered to coastal systems by rivers (15×10⁹ tons) plays a key role in the global carbon and nutrient cycles, as deltas and continental shelves are considered to be the main repositories of organic matter in marine sediments. The Mississippi River, delivering more than 60% of the total dissolved and suspended materials from the conterminous US, dominates coastal and margin processes in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Draining approximately 41% of the conterminous US, the Mississippi and Atchafalaya river system deliver approximately 2×10⁸ tons of suspended matter to the northern Gulf shelf each year. Unlike previous work, this study provides a comprehensive evaluation of sediment accumulation covering majority of the shelf (<150 m water depth) west of the Mississippi Delta from 92 cores collected throughout the last 15 years. This provides a unique and invaluable data set of the spatial and modern temporal variations of the sediment accumulation in this dynamic coastal environment.Three types of ²¹⁰Pb profiles were observed from short cores (15–45 cm) collected on the shelf. Proximal to Southwest Pass in 30–100 m water depths, non-steady-state profiles were observed indicating rapid accumulation. Sediment accumulation rates in this area are typically >2.5 cm yr⁻¹ (>1.8 g cm⁻² yr⁻¹). Kasten cores (∼200 cm in length) collected near Southwest Pass also indicate rapid deposition (>4 cm yr⁻¹; >3 g cm⁻² yr⁻¹) on a longer timescale than that captured in the box cores. Near shore (<20 m), profiles are dominated by sediments reworked by waves and currents with no accumulation (the exception is an area just south of Barataria Bay where accumulation occurs). The remainder of the shelf (distal of Southwest Pass) is dominated by steady-state accumulation beneath a ∼10-cm thick mixed layer. Sediment accumulation rates for the distal shelf are typically <0.7 cm yr⁻¹ (<0.5 g cm⁻² yr⁻¹). A preliminary sediment budget based on the distribution of ²¹⁰Pb accumulation rates indicates that 40–50% of the sediment delivered by the river is transported out of the study region. Sediment is moved to distal regions of the shelf/slope through two different mechanisms. Along-isobath sediment movement occurs by normal resuspension processes west of the delta, whereas delivery of sediments south and southwest of the delta may be also be influenced by mass movement events on varying timescales.     

Controls on effective settling velocities of mud flocs in the Changjiang Estuary,China

Theoretical and experimental studies were undertaken to gain insight into physical parameters controlling the flocculation and settling properties of mud flocs in the Changjiang Estuary, China. The Rouse equation is applied to vertical profiles of suspended sediment concentration to determine the bulk mean settling velocity (w_s) of sediment suspended in the Changjiang Estuary. Both in situ point‐sampled and acoustically measured profiles of suspended mud concentrations were fit selectively. The calculated settling velocities w_s mainly ranged from 0·4 to 4·1 mm s^?1 for the point‐sampled data set, and from 1·0 to 3·0 mm s^?1 for the acoustically measured data set. Furthermore, the settling velocities of mud flocs increased with mean concentration (C?) of mud flocs in suspension and were proportional to increasing bottom shear stress (τ_b) of tidal flow. The best equation for the field settling velocity of mud flocs in the Changjiang Estuary can be expressed by the power law: w_s = mC?ⁿ (m, 1·14–2·37; n, 0·84–1·03). It is suggested that C? and τ_b were the dominant physical parameters controlling the flocculation and w_s of mud flocs in suspension. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study on vegetation ecological water requirement in Ejina Oasis

The Ecological Water Requirement (EWR) of desert oasis is the amount of water required to maintain a normal growth of vegetation in the special ecosystems. In this study EWR of the Ejina desert oasis is estimated through the relational equation between normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), productivity and transpiration coefficient, which was established by a combination of the RS, GIS, GPS techniques with the field measurements of productivity. The results show that about 1.53×108 m3 water would be needed to maintain the present state of the Ejina Oasis, and the ecological water requirement would amount to 3.49×108 m3 if the existing vegetation was restored to the highest productivity level at present. Considering the domestic water requirement, river delivery loss, oasis vegetation water con-sumption, farmland water demand, precipitation recharge, etc., the draw-off discharge of the Heihe River (at Longxin Mount) should be 1.93×108―2.23 ×108 m3 to maintain the present state of the Ejina Oasis, and 4.28×108―5.17×108 m3 to make the existing vegetation be restored to the highest productiv-ity level at present.     

Recent eruptions of Mount Adams, Washington Cascades, USA

 The postglacial eruption rate for the Mount Adams volcanic field is ∼0.1 km³/k.y., four to seven times smaller than the average rate for the past 520 k.y. Ten vents have been active since the last main deglaciation ∼15 ka. Seven high flank vents (at 2100–2600 m) and the central summit vent of the 3742-m stratocone produced varied andesites, and two peripheral vents (at 2100 and 1200 m) produced mildly alkalic basalt. Eruptive ages of most of these units are bracketed with respect to regional tephra layers from Mount Mazama and Mount St. Helens. The basaltic lavas and scoria cones north and south of Mount Adams and a 13-km-long andesitic lava flow on its east flank are of early postglacial age. The three most extensive andesitic lava-flow complexes were emplaced in the mid-Holocene (7–4 ka). Ages of three smaller Holocene andesite units are less well constrained. A phreatomagmatic ejecta cone and associated andesite lavas that together cap the summit may be of latest Pleistocene age, but a thin layer of mid-Holocene tephra appears to have erupted there as well. An alpine-meadow section on the southeast flank contains 24 locally derived Holocene andesitic ash layers intercalated with several silicic tephras from Mazama and St. Helens. Microprobe analyses of phenocrysts from the ash layers and postglacial lavas suggest a few correlations and refine some age constraints. Approximately 6 ka, a 0.07-km³ debris avalanche from the southwest face of Mount Adams generated a clay-rich debris flow that devastated >30 km² south of the volcano. A gravitationally metastable 2-to 3-km³ reservoir of hydrothermally altered fragmental andesite remains on the ice-capped summit and, towering 3 km above the surrounding lowlands, represents a greater hazard than an eruptive recurrence in the style of the last 15 k.y. Received: 24 June 1996 / Accepted: 6 December 1996