Mineral surface modification induced by low energy ion irradiation: Implications for solar-wind exposure effects in lunar soil

We performed ion irradiation on olivine and ilmenite to simulate solar-wind exposure effects in lunar soil. The surface morphology and microstructure after ion irradiation were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Sputtering erosion significantly modified the surface of irradiated Luobusha olivine grains. All irradiated grains show smooth surface and round shape. The cleavage fractures on the unirradiated olivine surface were widened and deeply etched after He＋ irradiation. Both of these are the consequence of ion sputtering erosion. There are no bubbles or voids foundin the irradiated olivine grains, because He＋ dose in this study is lower than saturated fluence. Irradiated Panzhihua ilmenite grains are all covered with smooth flakes with the thickness of about 400 nm. The formation of the flakes should be related with helium bubbles and their growth during He＋ implantation. Some columnar-shaped particles are found at the surface of irradiated Panzhihua ilmenite. We speculate that these particles should be sulfide because of significantly high sulfur contents.     

Extension structural records in the Qinshui basin (North China) since the Late Mesozoic

Qinshui basin has abundant coal-bed methane resources and has been undergoing intensive intracontinental rifting and extensional tectonics since the Late Mesozoic. Some fractures, which were previously considered as conjugate shear fractures, are interpreted as joint sets with extension characteristics, for the first time in the Qinshui basin. The widely distributed joint sets with stable attitudes can be divided into four sets. This paper presents updated results of fault-slip datasets collected in different zones of the Qinshui basin and addresses the changes in the direction of extensional stresses since the Late Mesozoic. Based on the analysis results of the slickenline of normal faults, joint sets in the field, and focal mechanism solutions data from the Shanxi Province, we identified four main directions of extension since the Late Mesozoic in the Qinshui basin: (1) Early Cenozoic ENE–WSW (85 ± 15°) extension; (2) Palaeogene NNE–SSW (30 ± 5°) extension; (3) Miocene NW–SE (135 ± 15°) extension; and (4) Late Pliocene–quaternary NNW–SSE (170 ± 5°) extension. The principal extension directions in the Qinshui basin seem to have undergone a counterclockwise rotation from the Early Cenozoic to the Miocene. We prefer that the extension deformation events in the Qinshui basin since the Late Mesozoic were mainly related to the back-arc spreading induced by westward subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate under the Eurasian continent.     

An empirical model for landslide travel distance prediction in Wenchuan earthquake area

Sliding mass of landslides highly endangered the area along travel path, especially landslides with long travel distance. It is necessary to develop an effective prediction model for preliminarily evaluating landslide travel distance so as to improve disaster prevention and relocation. This paper collected 54 landslides with 347–4,170 m travel distance triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake to discuss the effectiveness of various influential factors on landslide travel distance and obtained an empirical model for its prediction. The results revealed that rock type, sliding source volume, and slope transition angle were the predominant factors on landslide travel distance. The validity of proposed model was verified by the satisfactory agreement between observations and predictions. Therefore, this model might be practically applicable in Wenchuan earthquake area and other similar geomorphological and geological regions.     

Erosion-creep-collapse mechanism of underground soil loss for the karst rocky desertification in Chenqi village,Puding county,Guizhou, China

Carbonate rocks distribute widely in China. The total area of the carbonate rocks is about 3,430,000 km², and the exposed area of the carbonate is approximately 13 % of China’s territory. In 2003, soil loss in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi provinces reached 179,600 km², which is almost 40.1 % of the total area, causing rocky desertification. In this study, the erosion-creep-collapse mechanism of underground soil loss for the karst rocky desertification in Chenqi village, Puding county, Guizhou province is proposed. The mechanism occurs under the following geological environment: slope surface undulation, underlying bedrock surface fluctuation and thin and inhomogeneous soil overlying, overlying soil generation by bedrock weathering, underground karst development, and large groundwater depth and lying water table under the bottom of soils. The erosion-creep-collapse mechanism of underground soil loss in the karst slopes is explained as follows: power loss due to human cultivation activities that destroy the soil structure, hydraulic force formed by rainfall infiltration, wet–dry cycle generated by rainfall, erosion effect caused by rainfall penetration, creeping and flowing of plastic-stream soil, and collapse. The erosion-creep-collapse mechanism of underground soil loss has seven steps: disturbance of soils filled in underground karst cave by human activities, internal soil erosion and partial collapse caused by hydraulic power, internal free surface formation within the soil in the filled karst cave, internal soil creeping, soil pipe formation, soil pipe collapse, and ground surface collapse and filling. Soil loss develops slowly, and sudden transportation occurs by collapse. Soil loss can be explained by the proposed mechanism, and soil loss can be prevented by controlling soil collapse.     

A preliminary experience in the use of Chang’E-1 IIM data

The Interference Imaging Spectrometer (IIM) onboard the first lunar satellite of China, Chang’E-1, has acquired 84% of the area between south and north latitude 70°. To contribute to its usability, this paper presents our preliminary experience in the use of IIM data. Firstly, we provide one practicable method for the on-orbit correction of the inhomogeneity of sensor response. Secondly, aiming at the problem that the spectral range of IIM does not cover the absorption peak of the mafic mineral completely, we explore a method to approximate the absorption band center for IIM data. A strong correlation between the absorption band center and the wavelength at which the first derivative equals to 0 (i.e., stagnation point) was revealed. Based on the corrected data and the correlation, the absorption band center of several large craters was mapped. The distribution of rocks and minerals shown in the map of absorption band center for Aristarchus and Copernicus is in agreement with previous studies but with much finer structure. Horizontal and vertical lithologic diversity was detected in Zucchius crater. This paper demonstrates the potential of IIM data for the identification of lunar rocks due to its high spatial and spectral resolution. In a future study we will produce a global map of the absorption band center with greater accuracy and it is expected that this global map will provide complementary information for other hyperspectral data such as SP on KAGUYA or M³ on Chandrayaan-1.     

鄂西地区铅锌地球化学异常分布特征及找矿意义

地球化学元素的分布特征反映了元素矿化富集及空间变化的规律。通过对鄂西地区水系沉积物地球化学测量数据的统计分析,圈定了铅锌地球化学异常,并应用因子分析方法确定了主要成矿元素的共生组合及元素组合异常,为鄂西地区铅锌多金属矿勘查提供了有用的找矿信息。Pb、Zn两元素异常主要分布在青峰断裂带附近、神农架地区、黄陵背斜周缘、鹤峰地区和恩施地区南部。Pb、Zn、Cu、Mn四种元素关系密切,反映了该区矿化以铅锌多金属元素矿化富集为主的特征。青峰断裂带附近、神农架地区和恩施南部地区三个区域铅锌多金属元素异常强度大,可以作为鄂西地区铅锌多金属矿下一步找矿勘查重点区。     

GRACE月重力场模型的地震应用

介绍GRACE卫星的发展状况;根据强地震中长期预报需求，对卫星重力场模型的阶次截取并利用截取后的重力场模型进行重力变化试算，得出了一些有意义的结果。     

Analysis of the geomorphology surrounding the Chang'e-3 landing site

Chang'e-3(CE-3) landed on the Mare Imbrium basin in the east part of Sinus Iridum(19.51°W, 44.12°N), which was China's first soft landing on the Moon and it started collecting data on the lunar surface environment. To better understand the environment of this region, this paper utilizes the available high-resolution topography data, image data and geological data to carry out a detailed analysis and research on the area surrounding the landing site(Sinus Iridum and 45 km×70 km of the landing area)as well as on the topography, landform, geology and lunar dust of the area surrounding the landing site. A general topographic analysis of the surrounding area is based on a digital elevation model and digital elevation model data acquired by Chang'e-2 that have high resolution; the geology analysis is based on lunar geological data published by USGS; the study on topographic factors and distribution of craters and rocks in the surrounding area covering 4 km×4 km or even smaller is based on images from the CE-3 landing camera and images from the topographic camera; an analysis is done of the effect of the CE-3 engine plume on the lunar surface by comparing images before and after the landing using data from the landing camera. A comprehensive analysis of the results shows that the landing site and its surrounding area are identified as typical lunar mare with flat topography. They are suitable for maneuvers by the rover,and are rich in geological phenomena and scientific targets, making it an ideal site for exploration.     

The role of snow/ice cover in the formation of a local Himalayan circulation

Observations and model simulations were conducted in a typical Himalayan valley to investigate the role of snow/ice cover in the formation of the local diurnal wind. An unusual local circulation was observed in the Himalayas with a strong down-valley flow dominant from noon to midnight, greatly differing from those in other mountainous regions. Two experiments with snow/ice cover included/excluded were performed using the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) to reconstruct the Himalayan circulation, and to reveal the role of snow/ice in this circulation. The results show that the wind system in the Himalayas is composed of both glacier winds driven by the snow/ice cover and classical mountain-valley winds. In particular, the glacier winds establish the distinctive feature of the Himalayan local circulation, i.e., the strong down-valley flow in the afternoon.