Determination of mechanisms and hydrogeological environments of Gangxianlane landslides using geoelectrical and geological data in central Taiwan

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), single-point-resistance logging with time-lapse, and geological and groundwater level data, are utilized to determine the mechanism of, and a hydrogeological model of, the Gangxianlane landslide in the west-central part of Taiwan. The rock surface and geometry of the colluviums were found by integrating ERT and borehole data. The iso-resistivity line in the bedrock broadly followed the bedding plane, indicating that the contribution of lithology to resistivity exceeds that of groundwater. The results of single-point-resistance logging with time-lapse and borehole data reveal that the bedrock has low permeability, which is associated with poorly developed joints and fractures. The fine grain content part (including the clayey layer), almost parallel to the bedding plane of the bedrock and between the colluvium and the bedrock in the upper part of the landslide, served as the slip surface and is believed to have been recently produced. It can block and retain water in the colluviums. Accordingly, this slip surface has the potential to re-slip in the future. Another slope failure involved rock collapse by a well-developed open release joint close to the Huoshaoping Terrace. It is also related to groundwater flow over a large gradient from the Huoshaoping Terrace. It is a key to determining whether this landslide will expand in the future.     

A new weir surface repair layer with shock absorbing cushion design

A shock absorbing cushion has never been introduced into any traditional weir surface repair layer design.However,shocks induced by high discharge with heavy sediment can easily produce brittle fracture and peeling over a weir surface repair layer as it is impacted by floods accompanied by particles of different sizes.In this study,transcending traditional designs,the authors developed a composite unit designed with a shock absorbing cushion that has performed well during field tests,proving that the weir body can be effectively protected even if the composite units are directly laid on a severely uneven weir surface repair layer.     

The mechanical behaviour and design concerns for a hybrid reinforced earth embankment built in limited width adjacent to a slope

This paper aims to investigate the mechanical behaviour of a hybrid reinforced earth embankment built in limited width adjacent to a slope. This embankment system incorporates reinforced earth embankments with soil nails, installed in the existing ground. Soil nails work to provide additional resisting forces to stabilize the embankment which may be unstable due to insufficient reinforcement length. Nail forces developed in the hybrid reinforced earth embankment with various geometric conditions in the fill space are analyzed. The FE method is used to simulate the construction of the hybrid reinforced earth embankment. Influence of reinforcement length, reinforcement stiffness, and slope gradient on the nail forces developed following the construction is analyzed and discussed. Additionally, design concerns for the hybrid reinforced earth embankment system are also studied. Simple charts for estimating the maximum nail force mobilized at back of the hybrid reinforced earth embankment are established in this research and can be helpful in the design of the soil nails in the system.     

Monsoon-driven succession of the larval fish assemblage in the East China Sea shelf waters off northern Taiwan

The seasonal variation in the larval fish community related to the hydrography in the East China Sea (ECS) off northern Taiwan was studied from February to November 2004. Hydrographic conditions in the southern ECS are strongly influenced by the different water masses due to the seasonal monsoon system. A total of 173 taxa of larval fish belonging to 68 families and 105 genera were identified during the study period. The highest abundance of larval fish was recorded in winter, a moderate abundance was seen in late spring and summer, and the lowest abundance in autumn. Significantly higher abundances were usually found in the mixing zone than in ECS and the Kuroshio Current, and the number of species of larval fish was greater during the warm period than during the cold period. The larval fish fauna in the southern ECS is a mixture of endemic and exotic species; the latter come from the coastal waters of mainland China when the northeasterly monsoon prevails, from the South China Sea during the southwesterly monsoon, and from the Kuroshio waters year-round. The succession of water masses induced by the monsoon systems and the high nutrient levels caused by frontal turbulence and topographic upwelling may determine the distributions of larval fish in terms of abundance and composition.     

The identified origin of a linear slope near Chi–Chi earthquake rupture combining 2D, 3D resistivity image profiling and geological data

A slope on the west border of the foothill near 921 surface rupture (caused by the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake) in central Taiwan shows distinctive topographic expression that was prone to be considered as a fault scarp formed by a preexisting active fault. The 2D and 3D resistivity images clearly delineate rock surfaces which show steep, deep, gentle, and subvertical displacement beneath the slope, the toe of slope, the non-lateritic terrace, and 921 surface rupture, respectively, which can be attributed to the significant contrast of resistivity between gravel and rock. The horizontal sand bed and clast-supported gravel were deposited in a fluvial environment, whereas wedge-shaped gravel and colluvium were scarp-induced colluvial deposits in the trench profile. The layers shown in the depth of excavation, except for rock, has no offset or disturbance by fault ever since at least 2,480 ± 50 year B.P., based on carbon 14 dating of charcoal sample at the bottom of trench profile. According to information from two boreholes close to the slope, an over 20-m-thick marker bed with transported shell fragments, was found for correlation. This correlation further implies the slope was not formed by fault. On the other hand, two boreholes which are far from the slope and located on the flat non-lateritic terrace frequently show fractured and sheared features. By comparison, the locations around these two boreholes indicate a reverse fault or faults that occurred before the deposition of gravel. Later on, the paleostream was developed along the foot of fault scarp that was subjected to erosion and led to subsequent retrogression or retreat of the slope. Consequently, the incision of paleostream is believed to be responsible for the high relief of rock surface around the slope. Furthermore, from resistivity and borehole data, the rock surface underlying terrace is gentle where no faults occur after the deposition of gravel. The result of RIP crossing the 921 surface rupture displays about 10 m difference in elevation of rock surface on both sides, which is greater than that of 3–4 m caused by Chi-Chi earthquake. This indicates that the 921 surface rupture is a preexisting thrust fault that resulted from several thrusting events since terrace gravel was deposited. So it is not necessary to establish an extra restricted zone for construction in study area, except close to the 921 surface rupture.     

Ionospheric photoelectrons at Venus: Initial observations by ASPERA-4 ELS

We report the detection of electrons due to photo-ionization of atomic oxygen and carbon dioxide in the Venus atmosphere by solar helium 30.4 nm photons. The detection was by the Analyzer of Space Plasma and Energetic Atoms (ASPERA-4) Electron Spectrometer (ELS) on the Venus Express (VEx) European Space Agency (ESA) mission. Characteristic peaks in energy for such photoelectrons have been predicted by Venus atmosphere/ionosphere models. The ELS energy resolution (ΔE/E∼7%) means that these are the first detailed measurements of such electrons. Considerations of ion production and transport in the atmosphere of Venus suggest that the observed photoelectron peaks are due primarily to ionization of atomic oxygen.     

Slip monitoring of a dip-slope and runout simulation by the discrete element method: a case study at the Huafan University campus in northern Taiwan

Slope failure is a widely observed phenomenon in the mountainous areas in Taiwan due to rainy climatic and fragile geological conditions. Landslides easily occur after intense rainfall, especially from typhoons, and, accordingly, cause a great loss of human life and property. At the northern end of the Western Foothill belt in northern Taiwan, Huafan University is founded on a dip-slope about 20° toward the southwest composed of early Miocene alternations of sandstone and shale. Data from continuous monitoring using inclinometers and groundwater gauges reveal that 6–10 mm/month of slope creeping occurs, and a potential sliding surface is then detected about 10–40 m beneath the slope surface. To understand the potential runout process of the dip-slope failure at the campus, particle flow code 3D models based on a discrete element method are applied in this study. Results of the simulation reveal a critical value of the friction coefficient to be 0.13 and that more than 90% of the campus buildings will slide down in 100 s when the friction coefficient is reduced to half the critical value. The weakening of the shear zone due to the rise of groundwater during rainstorms is assumed to be the main factor. Some suggestions for preventing landslide disasters are to construct catchpits to drain runoff and lower the groundwater table and to install a sufficient number of ground anchors and retaining walls to stabilize the slope.     

中国东南部晚中生代构造伸展作用——来自海南岛基性岩墙群的证据

论文在系统地分析了海南岛文市、叉河、三亚地区的三处基性岩墙群的LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年代学和元素地球化学特征的基础上,探讨了岩墙群的来源和其反映的地球动力学背景。文市岩墙群形成于约101Ma,叉河和三亚岩墙群形成于约93Ma;主量元素化学特征显示它们属碱性系列,微量元素化学特征为富集轻稀土元素和大离子亲石元素(Sr、K、Rb、Ba、Th),亏损高场强元素(Nb、Ta、Ti);Sr-Nd同位素组分显示其源区具有EMⅡ特征。这两期岩墙群的存在,显示了海南岛地区在早白垩世晚期和晚白垩世早期存在两次构造伸展事件。海南岛90Ma左右的岩墙群与广东、福建同时代的岩墙群构成中国东南沿海90Ma广泛发育的、呈近北北东向展布的岩墙群带,它们具有相同成因机制,指示中国东南部在90Ma左右时经历了强烈区域性拉张作用;这些岩墙群虽来源于不同的地幔源区,但均与俯冲流体交代作用有关。     

Estimates of present-day erosion based on sediment transport in rivers: a case study in Taiwan

We discuss the present-day sediment transport by rivers, and hence the erosion rate in upstream basins, based on the example of Taiwan Rivers where large datasets are available. After data correction, the values of the suspended sediment load in the lower Kaoping River are nearly three times smaller than those from the literature. On the other hand, we add the bed load evaluated from numerical modelling, despite limitations from data and models. Whereas the contribution of the chemical denudation rate in Taiwan is minor, the bed load is significant and must be evaluated. We point out that biases in data collection may favour high values of suspended load data, and that large series of datasets are needed to reduce uncertainties and smooth the time variability effect. To cite this article: F.-C. Li et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).