A nonstationary parameter model for the sandstone creep tests

The rock masses of hydro-fluctuation belt experience seepage pressure following impoundment in the Three Gorges Reservoir; its creep behaviors are significant for reservoir bank slopes. To study the creep behaviors under seepage pressure (0, 1.45, and 1.75 MPa), we performed creep tests using representative landslide sandstone in the Three Gorges Reservoir and investigated the sandstone creep behaviors under the coupling effects of seepage pressure and stress. Previous researches on rocks have usually regarded the creep constitutive parameter as a constant; however, in this study, a nonlinear, nonstationary, plastic-viscous (NNPV) creep model which can describe the curve of sandstone creep tests is proposed. The rock-creep parameters under three levels of seepage pressure were identified, and theoretical curves using the NNPV model agreed well with the experimental data, indicating that the new model cannot only describe the primary creep and secondary creep stages under varying seepage pressures but also, in particular, perfectly describes the tertiary creep stage. Finally, the sensitivity of the NNPV model parameters is analyzed, and the result shows that the nonstationary coefficient α and the nonlinear coefficient m are main parameters affecting the tertiary creep stage.     

Acquiring high-resolution topography and performing spatial analysis of loess landslides by using low-cost UAVs

The Loess Plateau is a region in China prone to frequent geological disasters, where thousands of loess landslides can be found. Conventional field survey methods are inadequate for the requirements of fine spatial analysis of landslides. Due to its numerous advantages (fast, efficient, low cost, safe, and able to acquire high-resolution data), structure from motion (SfM) technique to photogrammetric orientation of flights and modeling applied to photographs taken by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with a camera has become a powerful new tool for the generation of high-resolution topography that has emerged in recent years, which has become a powerful new technique for acquiring high-resolution topographic data. In this study, we conducted nearly two months of field UAV surveys of loess landslides on the Loess Plateau, eventually established 3D digital models for 11 loess landslides, and produced high-resolution digital orthophoto maps (DOMs) and digital elevation models (DEMs). High-resolution spatial analysis of the loess landslides (mainly including characteristic parameter extraction, topography profile analysis, surface feature analysis, and hydrologic analysis) was performed using Agisoft PhotoScan, ArcGIS 10.2, Global Mapper 17, and Origin Pro 9.0. The UAV technique allows us to further understand the micro-level internal spatial and structural characteristics of loess landslides. Moreover, not only does it allow us to accurately measure the characteristic geometric parameters but also enables us to detect the surface details of loess landslides (e.g., textures, fissures, and micro-landforms). Manifestly, we can also deduce the original structural characteristics and possible inducement mechanism of landslides based on a combination of high-resolution data acquired by UAVs, proper ground surveys, and theoretical knowledge. In summary, the low-cost UAVs are highly and especially suitable for surveys and digital terrain analysis of landslides on the Loess Plateau with sparse vegetation.     

Extreme deformation characteristics and countermeasures for a tunnel in difficult grounds in southern Shaanxi,China

The Qingling–Bashan (QB) mountain region in southern Shaanxi mainly consists of strongly compressive zones from east to west, with tight folds and compressive fractures. There is a wide distribution of soft rocks of various types, such as phyllite and slate, accompanied by complex geological structures. Ironically, tunnel construction in these difficult grounds with complicated geological conditions embraces a high risk of extreme deformation due to various unpredictable reasons, which can frequently cause collapse and result in budget overruns during the construction period. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct effective countermeasures to eliminate or avoid such adverse impacts. This paper provides a case study on the “Yingfeng tunnel” (a tunnel constructed in soft rock consisting of a slate ground) based on a geological survey, indoor experiments and in situ monitoring. A successive rock mass deformation resulted in the tunnel lining seriously intruding into construction clearance and some other sections, even collapsing during the construction. The maximum displacement amount was 62.5 cm, while the maximum deformation speed reached as high as 34.18 mm/day. Additionally, to evaluate the construction impacts of tunnelling-induced geo-hazards, an investigation on extreme deformation was conducted. Considering the time-dependent features of the rock mass deformation, the constraint-convergence method was used to put forward applicable countermeasures in this paper. Finally, from the feedbacks of monitoring results, extreme deformation of the Yingfeng tunnel was effectively controlled.     

浙江新昌早白垩世木化石新材料及内含真菌菌丝化石

浙江新昌下白垩统馆头组是我国南方地区为数不多的白垩纪木化石产出层位。本文报道了新昌地区馆头组木化石新材料及其内含真菌菌丝化石。木化石具明显生长轮,管胞径壁纹孔南洋杉式(多数单列、椭圆形、紧挤排列,偶见双列互生排列);交叉场纹孔南洋杉式;木射线单列式,多数2~11个细胞高。当前木化石新材料具有与现生南洋杉科植物相类似的木材解剖特征,显示其应归入贝壳杉型木属(Agathoxylon Hartig)。鉴于该类型木化石的分类现状仍有待厘清,将其定为Agathoxylonsp.。木化石内含真菌菌丝化石,管状,具横隔,平直或弯曲,常以不同角度分叉,菌丝壁光滑,具典型的锁状联合,属于担子菌类。当前木化石木材组织具有明显的木材腐朽特征,与现代真菌造成的木材白腐一致,推断此真菌化石为木材白腐菌。新昌地区贝壳杉型木属木化石新材料的发现进一步丰富了馆头组木化石的多样性,有助于增进对南方地区早白垩世植物群组成特征的认识。当前真菌菌丝化石是我国南方地区首次发现白垩纪担子菌化石,为探究白垩纪时期森林生态系统真菌与植物的相互作用提供了新的化石证据。     

2000-2014年西藏雅鲁藏布江流域积雪时空变化分析及对气候的响应研究

利用2000-2014年MODIS逐日无云积雪产品对雅鲁藏布江流域积雪特征的空间分布及变化、积雪随高程变化的规律进行了分析,并采用被动微波数据SMMR （1979-1987年）和SSM/I （1988-2008年）以及中国地面降水和气温0.5°×0.5°日值格点数据集,研究了雅鲁藏布江流域关键积雪参数对气候要素的响应等。结果表明：流域下游积雪日较大且变化剧烈;流域整体上呈显著减少的趋势;积雪日随高程的上升而增加;流域内降水呈不显著的增加趋势,而气温呈显著的增加趋势,最高气温对积雪变化影响最大;气温对积雪终日的影响明显高于积雪初日;在积雪消融期降水的增多促进了积雪的消融。     

南极南设得兰群岛海域地质新进展:“海洋六号”南极科考初步成果

2016—2017年跨年度执行的中国第33次南极科考“海洋六号”航次, 首次获取了南极半岛南设得兰群岛北部海域、布兰斯菲尔德海峡以及欺骗岛三个区域的17 850 km2范围内多波束全覆盖高精度水深数据, 地形分辨率高于目前公开的国际数据。多道地震结果显示调查区多处存在天然气水合物地球物理标志BSR。地热测量热流值表明南设得兰群岛以北热流值与全球海洋热流值数据吻合, 不存在明显异常, 群岛以南热流值数据偏高。沉积物样品为典型的冰海沉积物, 在南设得兰群岛与南设得兰海沟之间, 沉积物以粉砂-砂为主, 夹杂砾石, 随水深增加, 沉积物粒径变细; 而在布兰斯菲尔德海区表层沉积物分布具有不对称性, 海槽南部陆架-上陆坡以及海槽东北和相邻陆架, 沉积物以砾石、砂质为主; 海槽和下陆坡为粉砂质硅质软泥。沉积物顶空气样品现场测试结果表明, 表层沉积物50 cm左右深度内的甲烷含量没有明显的差异性, 但在岛坡深水区两个测站甲烷含量在270 cm 左右深度时都存在局部高异常, 且两者总甲烷含量的变化趋势有一定的相似性, 可能与水合物分解迁移有关。     

The Digital Belt and Road program in support of regional sustainability

The Belt and Road initiative has a significant focus on infrastructure, trade, and economic development across a vast region, and it also provides significant opportunities for sustainable development. The combined pressure of climate variability, intensified use of resources, and the fragility of ecosystems make it very challenging, however, to achieve future sustainability. To develop the path in a sustainable way, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of these issues across nations and evaluate them in a scientific and well-informed approach. In this context, the Digital Belt and Road (DBAR) program was initiated as an international venture to share expertise, knowledge, technologies, and data to demonstrate the role of Earth observation science and technology and big Earth data applications to support large-scale development. In this paper, we identify pressing challenges, present the research priorities and foci of the DBAR program, and propose solutions where big Earth data can make significant contributions. This paper calls for further joint actions and collaboration to build a digital silk road in support of sustainable development at national, regional and global levels.     

A MATLAB-based Kriged Kalman Filter software for interpolating missing data in GNSS coordinate time series

GNSS coordinate time series data for permanent reference stations often suffer from random, or even continuous, missing data. Missing data interpolation is necessary due to the fact that some data processing methods require evenly spaced data. Traditional missing data interpolation methods usually use single point time series, without considering spatial correlations between points. We present a MATLAB software for dynamic spatiotemporal interpolation of GNSS missing data based on the Kriged Kalman Filter model. With the graphical user interface, users can load source GNSS data, set parameters, view the interpolated series and save the final results. The SCIGN GPS data indicate that the software is an effective tool for GNSS coordinate time series missing data interpolation.     

东非海岸坦桑尼亚和鲁伍马盆地天然气成藏机理

东非海岸盆地天然气资源丰富,是世界天然气勘探的热点地区.东非海岸重点盆地的天然气为腐泥型高温裂解气,主要来源于下侏罗统局限海相优质烃源岩.大型断裂控制了东非海岸重点盆地天然气的垂向运移,研究区主要发育大型伸展断裂和大型走滑断裂.大型走滑断裂是坦桑尼亚盆地南部天然气藏的主要运移通道,其主要活动时期为晚白垩世-古新世,控制了白垩系-古近系浊积砂岩气藏的油气运移成藏.大型伸展断裂是鲁伍马盆地天然气藏的主要运移通道,其主要活动时期为古新世、渐新世和新近纪,控制了古近系浊积砂岩气藏的油气运移成藏.砂体规模控制了深水区岩性或构造-岩性圈闭的大小,进而控制了天然气藏的规模.受天然气运移方式的控制,东非海岸盆地形成了大型走滑断裂控藏模式和大型伸展断裂控藏模式.      

滦平盆地陡坡带下白垩统西瓜园组水下粗碎屑岩沉积特征及搬运机制

为探讨陆相断陷湖盆陡坡带构造活动控制下水下粗碎屑岩沉积特征、搬运机制及其演化规律,以滦平断陷盆地陡坡带下白垩统西瓜园组为研究对象,采用无人机倾斜摄影、实测剖面、砾石定向性定量表征等技术方法,从沉积背景、岩相类型、沉积单元及相序特征等方面开展野外露头解剖工作.滦平盆地西瓜园组沉积时期,近岸水下扇沉积于构造沉降速率大、湖平面上升、深水、古地貌陡峭环境,洪水携带粗碎屑沉积沿陡坡带入湖,底部发育与地震活动相关的砾质碎屑流,伴随发育滑动—滑塌沉积,上部发育高密度浊流.随着沉积物不断供给,斜坡坡度逐渐减小;随着粗碎屑沉积搬运距离不断增加,砂砾质碎屑流中砾石表现出明显定向性,高密度浊流所占厚度比例增加;末端以低密度浊流为主.扇三角洲沉积于构造沉降速率相对较低、水深相对较浅、古地貌相对平缓的环境,发育相对成熟的供源体系,汇水系统长度较长,扇三角洲前缘粗碎屑岩由碎屑流向高密度浊流、牵引流、低密度浊流转换.