Geodynamic models and their application in the combined interpretation of geological and geophysical data (a review)

The paper presents a review of investigations in the field of the theory and practice of the interpretation of geological and geophysical data with geodynamic models that were carried out mainly by researchers of the Institute of Physics of the Earth, Russian Academy of Sciences. Evolutionary models of platform structures, passive continental margins, rift zones, and orogens are examined. The review presents formulations of inverse problems and results of interpretation for various regions, including sedimentary basins of the East European Platform, Atlantic Ocean margins, the Caucasus, the South Urals, and others.     

Instrumental geophysical monitoring in the territory of northern Caucasus

Because of the activation of natural hazardous processes in the Caucasus, including the sudden Kolka-Karmadon rock-ice slide on September 20, 2002, the integrated observation system (Karmadon parametric test area) was organized at the end of 2003. The purpose of its operation is the instrumental investigation of hazardous natural and anthropogenic geological processes in the mountain areas.     

Tracking sediment provenance and erosional evolution of the western Greater Caucasus

This article investigates landscape characteristics and sediment composition in the western Greater Caucasus by using multiple methods at different timescales. Our ultimate goal is to compare short‐term versus long‐term trends in erosional processes and to reconstruct spatio‐temporal changes in sediment fluxes as controlled by partitioning of crustal shortening and rock uplift in the orogenic belt. Areas of active recent uplift are assessed by quantitative geomorphological techniques [digital elevation model (DEM) analysis of stream profiles and their deviation from equilibrium] and compared with regions of rapid exhumation over longer time intervals as previously determined by fission‐track and cosmogenic‐nuclide analyses. Complementary information from petrographic and heavy‐mineral analyses of modern sands and ancient sandstones is used to evaluate erosion integrated throughout the history of the orogen. River catchments displaying the highest relief, as shown by channel‐steepness indices, correspond with the areas of most rapid exhumation as outlined by thermochronological data. The region of high stream gradients is spatially associated with the highest topography around Mount Elbrus, where sedimentary cover strata have long been completely eroded and river sediments display the highest metamorphic indices and generally high heavy‐mineral concentrations. This study reinforces the suggestion that the bedrock–channel network can reveal much of the evolution of tectonically active landscapes, and implies that the controls on channel gradient ultimately dictate the topography and the relief along the Greater Caucasus. Our integrated datasets, obtained during a decade of continuing research, display a general agreement and regularity of erosion patterns through time, and consistently indicate westward decreasing rates of erosional unroofing from the central part of the range to the Black Sea. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Measuring the elastic properties of natural rocks and mineral assemblages under Earth's deep crustal and mantle conditions

The direct access to the interior of our planet is very limited. Scientific drilling can reach about 15 km depth. Natural exhumation processes in conjunction with orogeny bring massive rock packages from up to 100 km depth back to surface. Explosion breccia and kimberlite pipes can carry small rock and mineral fragments as xenoliths from up to 250 km depth. But all the detailed knowledge we achieved about Earth's deep interior structures and dynamics, especially during the last two decades is based on highly resolved seismic data, in particular seismic tomography. That means it is a three-dimensional distribution of elastic and inelastic data with the maximum resolution of the seismic wavelength, i.e. at great depth several kilometres in principle. Consequently any material information is a matter of interpretation. Thus a detailed knowledge about the elastic properties of rocks in dependence on pressure, temperature, mineral content, grain size, deformation, crack distribution, etc., is crucial for this interpretation.     

A study on physical property of crustal ma—terial and seismogenic environment in northeastern Pamir

2-D crustal structure and velocity ratio are obtained by processing S-wave data from two wide-angle reflec-tion/refraction profiles in and around Jiashi in northeastern Pamir,with the result of P-wave data taken into con-sideration.The result shows that:1)Average crustal velocity ratio is obviously higher in Tarim block than in West Kunlun Mts.and Tianshan fold zone,which reflects its crustal physical property of “hardness“and stability.The relatively low but normal velocity ratio(Poisson‘s ratio)of the lower crust indicates that the “downward thrusting“ of Tarim basin is the main feature of crustal movement in this area.2)The rock layer in the upper crust of Tian-shan fold zone is relatively“soft“,which makes it prone to rupture and stress energy release.This is the primary tectonic factor for the concentration of small earthquakes in this area.3)Jiashi is located right over the apex or the inflection point of the updoming lower crustal interface C and the crust-mantle boundary,which is the deep struc-tural background for the occurrence of strong earthquakes.The alternate variation of vp/vs near the block bounda-ries and the complicated configuration of the interfaces in the upper and middle part of the upper crust form a par-ticular structural environment for the Jiashi strong earthquake swarm.vp/vs is comparatively high and shear modulus is low at the focal region,which may be the main reason for the low stress drop of the Jiashi strong earthquake swarm.     

Ground motion prediction equations based on shallow crustal earthquakes in Georgia and the surrounding Caucasus

Strong ground motions caused by earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 3.5 to 6.9 and hypocentral distances of up to 300 km were recorded by local broadband stations and three-component accelerograms within Georgia’s enhanced digital seismic network. Such data mixing is particularly effective in areas where strong ground motion data are lacking. The data were used to produce models based on ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs), one benefit of which is that they take into consideration information from waveforms across a wide range of frequencies. In this study, models were developed to predict ground motions for peak ground acceleration and 5%-damped pseudo-absolute-acceleration spectra for periods between 0.01 and 10 s. Short-period ground motions decayed faster than long-period motions, though decay was still in the order of approximately 1/r. Faulting mechanisms and local soil conditions greatly influence GMPEs. The spectral acceleration (SA) of thrust faults was higher than that for either strike-slip or normal faults but the influence of strike-slip faulting on SA was slightly greater than that for normal faults. Soft soils also caused significantly more amplification than rocky sites.     

Satellite and surface geophysical expression of anomalous crustal structure in Kentucky and Tennessee

An equivalent layer magnetization model obtained from inversion of long-wavelength satellite magnetic anomaly data indicates a very magnetic source region centered in south central Kentucky. The magnetization maximum nearly coincides with a gravity high elongated north-south and extending into Tennessee. Previous refraction profiles suggest that the source of the gravity anomaly is a large mass of rock occupying much of the crustal thickness. The outline of the source delineated by gravity contours is also discernible in aeromagnetic anomaly patterns. Taken together, the geophysical data suggest a large, localized mass of intracrustal rock which is both dense and very magnetic. A simple magnetization/density model is given which accounts for the gravity and long-wavelength aeromagnetic anomalies due to the body. We interpret it as a mafic plutonic complex, and several lines of evidence are consistent with a rift association. The body is, however, clearly related to the inferred position of the Grenville Front. It is bounded on the north by the fault zones of the 38th Parallel Lineament. The inferred mean magnetization (4 A/m) of the body is large, but not inconsistent with values reported by others for deep crustal bodies associated with long-wavelength magnetic anomalies. Such magnetization levels can be achieved with magnetic mineralogies produced by normal oxidation and metamorphic processes and enhanced by viscous build-up, especially in mafic rocks of alkaline character.     

青藏高原东南缘地壳结构与变形机制研究进展

新生代青藏高原的隆升改变了整个亚洲的构造格局,对气候、环境均产生了重要的影响,但高原的隆升扩展机制众说纷纭.青藏高原东南缘作为扩展前缘,其构造演化对了解整个高原的扩展机制具有重要的意义.本文总结了近年来对青藏高原东南缘地壳结构研究的最新进展,特别是2011年中国地震科学探测台阵计划开展以来,利用密集地震台阵取得的新成果,探讨了青藏高原东南缘地壳的结构与变形机制.这些研究发现青藏高原的地壳由高原向外围减薄,但在高原边界断裂附近存在地壳厚度突变带;下地壳中存在两个独立的低速异常,一个位于松潘—甘孜块体下方,被高原的边界断裂所围限,另一个位于小江断裂带下方,呈NE-SW向展布.我们认为青藏高原东南缘下地壳物质被边界(丽江—小金河)断裂所围限,并没有继续向边缘流出,但是地壳挤出产生的应力作用继续向东南方向传递,造成了小江断裂带附近的地壳变形.     

K-Ar ages of intrusive rocks in the Oban-Obudu massif and their significance for the tectonic and plutonic history of southeastern Nigeria

Abstract K-Ar ages have been obtained for mineral separates: plagioclases from two dolerites and biotites from one granite and four granodiorites in the Oban-Obudu massif of southeastern Nigeria. Dolerites in the Oban area give K-Ar plagioclase ages of 204.0 ± 9.9 Ma and 219.9 ± 4.7 Ma. The granite of the Obudu area yields a K-Ar biotite age of 507.6 ± 10.1 Ma whilst the granodiorites in the Oban area yield K-Ar biotite ages ranging from 474.6 ± 9.4 Ma to 511.8 ± 10.0 Ma. The dolerites are related to the tholeiitic basaltic magmatism at the early opening of the central Atlantic, and are compatible in age with the formation of the Ring Complexes and the rifting of the Benue Trough of Nigeria. The granites and granodiorites belong to the syntectonic Older Granite series in the Pan-African orogeny. The emplacement timing deduced from the reported Pb-Pb zircon age of 617 ± 2 Ma and the newly obtained biotite ages suggest that these older granites in southeastern Nigeria had a prolonged cooling history of ∼110 Ma.     

On the crustal structure and evolution of southeastern Africa and the adjacent Indian Ocean

In the Indian Ocean, the problem of where to put the island of Madagascar in any continental reconstruction has been particularly enigmatic. Much independent geophysical work has recently been carried out in this area, and it is timely to collate and review the existing data. New ideas concerning the interpretation of the regional gravity field of southeastern Africa are presented, which, together with the other data indicate that Madagascar has probably always been in its present position relative to the African mainland.     

鲁甸M_S6.5地震震源区地壳结构及孕震环境研究

本文利用由中国地震局在鲁甸地震震区附近架设的35个流动观测台站记录的远震事件记录,采用接收函数H-k扫描方法和CCP叠加成像方法获取了鲁甸地震震源区的地壳精细结构,结果显示鲁甸地震发生在地壳厚度和泊松比变化较剧烈的地区.昭通断裂西南段和东北段地壳物质组分差异明显,西南段断裂两侧地壳组分均显示为中泊松比分布,东北段断裂两侧泊松比从低泊松比快速变化为高泊松比,表明东北段西南侧壳内含有更多铁镁质组分,造成昭通断裂西南段和东北段对青藏高原下地壳物质向东南运移的阻挡有所差异,导致壳内应变积累,从而引起鲁甸地震的发生.在震源区地壳内部存在的低速层,可能为此次地震提供了可能的孕震环境.鲁甸地震与芦山地震虽然均没有产生明显的地表破裂带,但两者的震源机制以及孕震环境存在着明显的差异.本文也认为未来应关注青藏高原东缘断裂的历史地震空段发生大地震的可能性.本文研究结果对于理解青藏高原东缘区域的孕震背景具有一定的意义.     

中国中南地区综合地质地球物理研究

利用重、磁和天然地震资料对中南地区进行了综合地质地球物理研究.根据研究区的重、磁异常的分布特征,可将其分为4个重力异常区、3个航磁异常区.根据重力资料反演计算得到的研究区的地壳厚度在29.5～41 km之间,总的趋势为西厚东薄,地壳厚度与地形起伏基本上呈镜像关系.根据磁力资料计算得到的研究区居里界面在12～40 km之间变化.地震层析成像结果表明研究区内的速度分布总体上体现了纵横交错的断块特征.在纵向尺度上,江汉－洞庭盆地以及周缘造山带的上地壳结构变化不大,中地壳和下地壳则普遍受到现今构造活动的改造,以致岩石的结构发生了一定的变化.它们主要表现为低速区域的扩大,尤其是在地壳下部尤为突出,这与断陷盆地的拉张以及造山带岩石层的底侵和拆沉作用密切相关.通过对研究区地球物理场的分析计算,在研究区共提取主要断裂带34条.根据岩石层板块大地构造理论,依据岩石层结构、地壳结构和结晶基底等深部结构的不同,将研究区中板内不同构造单元——块体作为一级构造单元,块体之间的深大断裂带作为块体的边界——块体结合带,据此原则在研究区中划分出两个一级构造单元,五个二级构造单元.     

Mesozoic high-K granitic rocks from the eastern Dabie Mountains, Central China and their geological implications

The Mesozoic high-K granitic intrusions from the eastern Dabie Mountains, Central China, can be divided into three superunits namely the Yaohe, Penghe and Huangbai superunits. The Yaohe superunit is compositionally dominated by quartz monzonite extending as a band in NW direction which is differently foliated, contains numerous dioritic enclaves and has been dated as 174 Ma. The Penghe superunit, widely distributed in the field, varies in composition but is dominated by quartz monzonitic and granitic rocks, which is massive in structure, has well developed with dioritic enclaves and is aged in 125-127 Ma. The Huangbai superunit is mainly composed of granitic composition which is massive in structure, rarely contains dioritic enclaves and is aged in 120-111 Ma. These three superunits of granitic intrusions can also be clearly distinguished in geochemistry. They have recorded an orogenic process of the Dabie Mountains from the end of regional metamorphism to the overprinting of the circum-Pacific tectonic regime.     

The map of vertical crustal movements in Czechoslovakia and its interpretation

In addition to the measurements carried out in the framework of the 1973–1978 international relevellings, further levelling lines have been remeasured on the territory of Czechoslovakia till now. Considering all new relevellings on the region under study, an independent adjustment of annual velocities of vertical movements in whole network was performed. The values of vertical movements were determined relatively to the fundamental benchmark Želešice in the central part of Czechoslovakia, monumented in the bedrock of the southeastern border of the Bohemian Massif. The results are presented in a map of vertical movements and preliminarily interpreted in connection to the geological features of the territory under study.     

Study on the pattern and mode of vertical crustal deformation during the seismogenic process of intraplate strong earthquakes

Ｓｔｕｄｙｏｎｔｈｅｐａｔｔｅｒｎａｎｄｍｏｄｅｏｆｖｅｒｔｉｃａｌｃｒｕｓｔａｌｄｅｆｏｒｍａｔｉｏｎｄｕｒｉｎｇｔｈｅｓｅｉｓｍｏｇｅｎｉｃｐｒｏｃｅｓｓｏｆｉｎｔｒａｐｌａｔｅｓｔｒｏｎｇｅａｒｔｈｑｕａｋｅｓ杨国华，桂昆长，巩曰沐，杨春花，韩...     

四川长宁Ms6.0地震震区上地壳速度结构特征与孕震环境

北京时间2019年6月17日22时55分,四川省宜宾市长宁县发生了Ms6.0地震(28.34°N,104.90°E),四川盆地内部及边缘地带的深部孕震环境和潜在地震危险性再次引起了国内外地震专家和学者们的密切关注.为了揭示长宁Ms6.0震区的深部介质结构特征和孕震环境,综合解译地震活动的构造背景和展布特征,本文充分收集...     

The catalogue of Quaternary volcanoes of the Greater Caucasus based on geochronological,volcanological and isotope-geochemical data

A catalogue of Quaternary volcanoes of the Greater Caucasus has been compiled based on recent geological, petrological-geochemical and isotope-geochronological data obtained in the last decades. This catalogue provides insight into the evolution of the youngest magmatism in this part of the Alpine-Himalayan fold belt at the modern level of knowledge. The catalogue is given as a set of tabular data on 74 volcanic edifices that have been found and described in literature in varying detail, including their coordinates, absolute height, type of edifice and the predominant type of eruption, age, as well as main petrographic, isotope-geochemical characteristics, and the chemical composition of the products of magmatic activity. For the sake of convenience, the volcanoes of the Kazbek and Elbrus neovolcanic areas representing two main areals of young magmatism at the Greater Caucasus are described separately. In addition, data on the Kazbek area are grouped by traditionally distinguished volcanic centers. Text presents general information on the Quaternary volcanic activity within the Greater Caucasus, its geochronology, spatiotemporal distribution, and petrogenesis of the youngest volcanic rocks.     

The use and abuse of image analysis in geophysical potential field interpretation

Images of geophysical potential field data are becoming more common as a result of the increased availability of image analysis systems. These data are processed using techniques originally developed for remotely sensed satellite imagery. In general, geophysicists are not familiar with such techniques and may apply them without due consideration. This can lead to abuses of the geophysical data and reduce the validity of the interpretation. This paper describes some critical processes which can introduce errors to the data. The production of a regular grid from scattered data is fundamental to image processing. The choice of cell size is paramount and must balance the spatial distribution of the data. The necessary scaling of data from real values into a byte format for display purposes can result in small anomalies being masked. Contrast stretching of grey level images is often applied but can alter the shape of anomalies by varying degrees and should be avoided. Filters are often used to produce shaded relief images but without due regard to their frequency response and the effect on images expanded to fill the display space. The generation of spurious numerical artefacts can be reduced by ensuring that the filter is applied at real precision to the original data grid. The resultant images can then be processed for display. The use of image analysis systems for data integration requires careful consideration of the sampling strategy and information content of each dataset. It is proposed that such procedures are more appropriately conducted on a geographic information system.     

地球物理综合观测揭示秦岭—桐柏—大别复合造山带地壳及上地幔结构

秦岭—桐柏—大别复合造山带(以下称为秦岭大别造山带)属于中国中央造山带的一部分,由华北克拉通与扬子克拉通汇聚形成.对于秦岭大别造山带及其周缘地区的研究,可以为这一大陆碰撞造山带的形成与演化过程提供重要信息.本文整合研究区域的接收函数与背景噪声数据,采用H-κ叠加分析、接收函数与背景噪声联合反演、克希霍夫偏移成像等方法,...     

九寨沟地震发震断层属性及青藏高原东南缘现今应变状态讨论

九寨沟地震（M_S7.0或M_W6.5）震中位于青藏高原巴颜喀拉块体东缘东昆仑断裂带东端塔藏断裂、岷江断裂和虎牙断裂交汇部位,中国地震局相关科研机构的研究人员曾将该震中区判定为玛沁-玛曲高震级地震危险区.地震应急科学考察期间没有发现地震地表破裂带,但地震烈度等震线长轴方位、极震区基岩崩塌和滑坡集中带、重新定位余震空间展布和震源机制解等显示出发震断层为NNW向虎牙断裂北段,左旋走滑性质,属东昆仑断裂带东端分支断层之一.此外,汶川地震后,在青藏高原东缘和东南缘次级活动断层上发生了包括2017年九寨沟地震（M_W6.5）、2014年鲁甸（M_W6.2）、景谷（M_W6.2）、康定（M_W6.0）等多次中强地震,显示出青藏高原东缘至东南缘各块体主干边界活动断层现今处于中等偏高的应变积累状态,即在巴颜喀拉、川滇等块体主干边界活动断层上具备了发生高震级（M_W ≥ 7.0）地震的构造应力-应变条件,未来发生高震级地震的危险性不容忽视.