Coseismic displacement estimate of the 2013 <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>S</Subscript>7.0 Lushan,China earthquake based on the simulation of near-fault displacement field

Usually, GPS observation provides direct evidence to estimate coseismic displacement. However, GPS stations are scattered, sparse and cannot provide a detailed distribution of coseismic displacement. Strong ground motion records share the same disadvantages as GPS in estimating coseismic displacement. Estimations from InSAR data can provide displacement distributions; however, the resolution of such methods is limited by the analysis techniques. The paper focuses on estimating the coseismic displacement of the M _S7.0 Lushan earthquake on April 20, 2013 using a simulation of the wave field based on the elastic wave equation instead of a quasi-static equation. First, the media and source models were constructed by comparing the simulated velocity and the record velocity of the ground motion. Then simulated static displacements were compared with GPS records. Their agreement validates our results. Careful analysis of the distribution of simulated coseismic displacements near the fault reveals more details of the ground motion. For example, an uplift appears on the hanging wall of the fault, rotation is associated with the horizontal displacement, the fault strike and earthquake epicenter provide the main control on motion near the faults, and the motion on the hanging wall is stronger than that on the footwall. These results reveal additional characteristics of the ground motion of the Lushan earthquake.     

Rock-magnetic properties of Neogene sediments, northern flank of Tianshan Mountains

Analyses of rock-magnetic properties of Neogene sediments of the Taxihe section, northern Tianshan Mountains, show that the section can be classified into three categories including lacustrine facies, fluvial facies and alluvial facies, which correspond to the lower, middle and upper of the Taxihe section respectively. The magnetic minerals of the lacustrine facies may be affected by the process of weath- ering, lithogenesis and biolithogenesis besides the source of the sediments. The natural remanence intensities are between 10-3 A/m and 10-2 A/m. The minerals are dominated by magnetite and the high coercive magnetic mineral may be goethite. The magnetic grains are the mixture of PSD SD or SD SP. The natural remanence intensities of the strata of fluvial facies are between 10-2 A/m and 10-1 A/m, about ten times that of the lacustrine facies. The magnetic minerals are mainly magnetite and hematite, and the magnetic grains are mainly PSD. The characteristic remanence (ChRM) carriers are magnetites. In the alluvial facies, the natural remanence intensities are mostly less than 1×10-2 A/m. The magnetic minerals of the series are dominated by magnetite and hematite, almost the same as the fluvial facies. But the difference is that most of the stepwise demagnetization can reveal two components and the ChRM carriers are hematites. The magnetic grains are PSD in terms of the hysteresis parameters.     

Retrieval of the Change of Precipitable Water Vapor by GPS Technique

The feasibility of GPS precipitable water vapor (PWV) is discussed based on the comparison of Radiosonde and GPS PWV where the correlation coefficient is 0.94 and the RMS is 4.0 mm. PWV change in the C...     

Seasonal dynamics influencing coastal primary production and phytoplankton communities along the southern Myanmar coast

Myanmar is tenth among the world’s fish-producing countries and third in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). To understand the mechanisms underlying the high production, oceanographic and phytoplankton surveys, including primary productivity measurements based on pulse amplitude modulation fluorometry, were conducted near an active fishing ground near Myeik City. Three surveys, one in each of the representative seasons and covering the characteristic coastal environments, showed well-defined seasonality in primary production and phytoplankton occurrence. End of the dry season was the most productive, with productivity of 2.59 ± 1.56 g C m^?2 day^?1 and high concentration of chlorophyll a (3.14 ± 2.64 µg L^?1). In this season, the phytoplankton population was dominated by high densities of the diatoms Bellerochea horologicalis and Chaetoceros curvisetus, whereas primary productivity was low at the onset of the dry season, 1.36 ± 0.77 g C m^?2 day^?1. However, this low primary production might be compensated by activation of microbial food chains originating from high dissolved organic carbon. The rainy season exhibited the lowest production, 6.6% of the end of the dry season, due to the extensive discharge of turbid water from the rivers which lowered euphotic layer depth and resulted in an unusually high diffuse attenuation coefficient of 2.30 ± 1.03 m^?1. This incident of turbid water may be related to soil erosion from deforestation and mangrove deterioration. This research reveals the seasonal trend in Myanmar’s coastal productivity and its relationship to the tropical monsoon climate as well as emphasizing the importance of tropical coastal environments to the sustainability of the fisheries.     

Reconsideration of the structural relationship between the Parnassus–Ghiona and Vardoussia geotectonic zones in central Greece

The relationship between the geotectonic zones of the Hellenides orogen is important for understanding its geological evolution. The Parnassus–Ghiona geotectonic zone in central Greece has long been interpreted as thrust over the Vardoussia subzone. On the basis of detailed geological mapping, supported by a stratigraphic study and tectonic observations, no evidence of an overthrust of the Ghiona limestones on the Vardoussia flysch was found. The new data show that the transition of the Ghiona limestones to the Vardoussia flysch is a sedimentary passage and at certain places the base of the flysch is marked by a basal conglomerate formation. The entire deformation of the Ghiona is related to a large-scale anticline of the limestone series, presenting a highly inclined western limb, overlain by the flysch strata, which were deposited in a common basin between Ghiona and Vardoussia mountains. Consequently, questions concerning the geotectonic position of the Vardoussia subzone and the role of the Parnassus–Ghiona zone to the orogenic evolution of the eastern External Hellenides are raised.     

Enhanced residual mean circulation during the evolution of split type sudden stratospheric warming in observations and model simulations

Residual mean circulation changes during the evolution of sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) are investigated by composite analyses of 76 major warming events identified in a present day simulation performed with a coupled ocean–troposphere–stratosphere model from 299 winters. Their dynamical signatures are compared with the 17 SSW events identified from 35 years of Era-Interim data. The main difference is that, relative frequency of simulated SSW events is smaller than that obtained from reanalysis. SSW events are classified as displacement or split events based on the geopotential field values at 10 hPa. The geopotential field values identify 10 and 3 split events in simulation and observation respectively. The model quite accurately simulates some of the dynamical features associated with the major SSW. Residual mean circulation induced by EP-flux divergence, sum of advection and residual forcing are stronger in split events than in displacement type SSW has been confirmed by both simulation and observation. Moreover, the contribution of EP-flux divergence or planetary wave forcing is larger than the contribution of other types of forcing.     

中国生态地理区域系统区划

Eco-geographic regionalization has been one of the most important topics in China‘s regionalization researches since the end of the 20th century. It is a major ecosystem in geographic zonality. A hierarchical system, which is formed by division or combination of natural features based on geographic relativity and comparison of major ecosystem factors (including biological and non-biological) and geographic zonality, is called eco-geographic regional system. This paper introduces process of China‘s regionalization development. The first level unit, temperature zone, is delineated with main criteria of temperature. The second level unit, humidity region, is based on criteria of water/moisture states. The third level unit, natural region, is divided according to medium geomorphologic units. Vegetation types and soils are applied as supplementary criteria to indicate temperature and water/moisture states. Mapping process from qualitative to quantitative and China‘s eco-geographic regional system are also explained in this paper.     

快速城市化过程中的深圳东部海岸地貌环境与可持续发展

The geomorphological environment is one of the most fundamental variables af-fecting the development of human society.The mission of geomorphological environment research is to explore the most basic environment and features of our Earth’s surface mor-phology.The results can be applied to resource evaluation,environmental protection and reducing and preventing geological disasters.Thus,it can serve to help achieve sustainable development.This paper examines the Shenzhen east coastal zone as a case strongly in-fluenced by urban expansion.We use modern geomorphological theory and methods,along with GIS and RS techniques,to reveal key characteristics of the geomorphological environ-ment and landform classification.Furthermore,coastal ecosystem evaluation and regional resources sustainable utilization should be considered relative to the corresponding geo-morphological environment.Based on this study,we conclude that modern geomorphological theory and methods,supported by "3S" techniques including GIS,RS and GPS,can play an important role in resolving the environment,resources and population problems as well as sustainable development challenges facing humankind at present.     

Hydrogeochemical effects of secondary forest in Guangxi Nongla karst areas in China

Rainfall, throughfall, stemflow and spring were studied in a secondary forest during a wet season from April to August in 2006. Some of the chemicals in throughfall, stemflow and spring were increased in contrast with incident rainfall. Specifically, Cl⁻, HCO₃ ⁻, Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ were leached negatively in throughfall, but K⁺ and Mg²⁺ were leached positively. In stemflow, Cl⁻ and Na⁺ were leached negatively, the others were leached positively and their concentrations were higher than those in throughfall. Total carbon, organic carbon and inorganic carbon in throughfall and stemflow were increased as rainfall went through the secondary forest. The concentration of free CO₂ in rainfall was lower than both, throughfall and stemflow; the relationship between total acidity and free CO₂ was linear. pH of throughfall and stemflow , such as maximum, minimum and mean, were lower than that of rainfall and the extent of pH in spring was changed minimally. We came to a conclusion that rainfall via the secondary forest can lead to further erosion, accelerate the biogeochemical cycle in epikarst zone, enhance the effective state of alkali elements in the soil, supply vegetation with more nutrients and advance vegetation’s growth and succession, which are reasonably sufficient to form a stable karst ecosystem.     

Influence of Geo-environmental and Chemical Factors on Thermotolerant Coliforms and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E.coli</Emphasis> in the Groundwater of Central Kerala

Geo-environmental studies in parts of Ernakulam district (Kerala, India) were carried out. The study area comprises of sedimentary (Limestone, sandstone, Clay and Lignite) and crystalline (Charnockite and gneisses) rocks. The sedimentary terrain is characterized by confined and unconfined aquifers. In hard crystalline formations groundwater occurs under phreatic conditions in the shallow weathered portions and under semi confined to confined conditions in the deep-seated fractures. The study area is demarcated into five areas based on soil types. Climate is hot humid to hot summer with heavily raining monsoon. Two major rivers Periyar and Muvattupuzha drain through the area. Agricultural and industrial activities are prevalent in Ernakulam district. The major cause of pollution in the study area is due to the presence of coliforms. Detailed investigations carried out to identify the coliforms indicated spatial and seasonal changes in the distribution pattern. Monsoon and post monsoon showed significantly high total coliforms compared to pre-monsoon. Thermo-tolerant coliforms is high during monsoon season. This seasonal change could be due to the effect of rainfall, overland flow, nutrient load and temperature change. Wide variations in the coliform counts are observed in wells situated near rivers, canals, paddy fields and in water bodies lying close to pilgrimage center, fertilizer industry, and public places. It is noticed that the chemical characteristics of the groundwater influence the coliform survival. pH, nitrite, bicarbonate, hardness, and alkalinity play a significant role in controlling coliform count. At the outset, the study highlighted the impact of anthropogenic activities on ground water in a coastal district of Kerala state.