Slope-control on the aspect ratio of river basins

Although it is traditionally thought that drainage basins are geometrically similar, we present new results which indicate that the aspect ratio of weakly dissected river basins at large scales (10–10³ km²) depends on the surface slope: steeper surfaces develop narrower and lengthier basins whereas more gently dipping surfaces develop more equant and wider basins. This relationship is interpreted to be related to the nature of water flow over rough surfaces, with steeper slopes causing less flow convergence and lengthier and narrower basins. We derive an empirical relationship that can be used to infer the slope of a surface on which a river basin acquired its geometry based solely on a measure of its basin form. This relation provides a unique means of inferring the relative chronology of river basin development with respect to surface tilting and therefore provides a direct link between river basin morphology and tectonics.     

Porphyroclast systems as kinematic indicators

Porphyroclasts of relatively strong minerals in mylonites commonly have an internal monoclinic shape symmetry defined by tails of dynamically recrystallized material. The geometry of a porphyroclast and its tails, called a ‘porhyroclast system’, can serve as a valuable indicator of the sense of vorticity. Porphyroclast systems have been divided into σ- and δ-types on the basis of the geometry of the tails. σ-Types have wedge-shaped recrystallized tails whose median lines lie on opposite sides of a reference plane parallel to the tails and containing the symmetry axis for the system. σ-Types are further subdivided into a σ_a-types, in which the porphyroclast is isolated in a relatively homogeneous matrix, and σ_b-types, in which the porphyroclast system is associated with a shear band foliation in the matrix. δ-Types typically have narrow recrystallized tails whose median lines cross the reference plane adjacent to the porphyroclast. Consequently, embayments of matrix material occur adjacent to the porphyroclasts and the tails display characteristic bends.A porphyroclast system in a mylonite develops when the relatively weak dynamically recrystallized grain aggregate in the porphyroclast mantle changes its shape due to non-coaxial flow in the adjacent matrix. This behaviour has been modelled in shear box experiments. Passive marker lines around rigid cylinders embedded in silicone putty were subjected to simple shear. The experiments were modified to simulate a change in recrystallization rate (R) with respect to rate of deformation (γ) by decreasing the diameter of the rigid cylinder during deformation at variable rates. The ratio R/γ appears to be one of the most important factors in determining which porphyroclast system will develop. At high R/γ values, flow of recrystallized material away from the porphyroclast is continuously appended by the production of new grains and wedge-shaped σ_a-type tails develop. At low R/γ values, relatively few new grains are added to the tails which become thinned and deflected by drag due to the spinning motion of the porphyroclast. In addition, most porphyroclast systems at low shear strains are of σ_a-type or lack monoclinic symmetry, whereas δ-types are only developed at high shear strain values. Complex porphyroclast systems, characterized by two generations of tails, are observed in many of the natural and model shear zones studied and may form due to fluctuating R/γ. Conditions that allow isolated σ_a- and δ-type porphyroclast systems to be used as sense of vorticity indicators are: the systems should have a monoclinic shape symmetry; matrix grain size should be small with respect to porphyroclast size; matrix fabric should be homogeneous; deformation history should be simple, and observations should be made on sections normal to the inferred bulk vorticity vector for the mylonite.     

关于江西省岩浆作用、构造作用与成矿作用之间关系的新认识

本文以三板块构造模式解释江西省成矿作用的发展。认为中朝、扬子、华南三板块的边缘类似于安第斯型,它们与辛普森等人研究过的英国加里东地区、海西地区的岩浆作用和成矿作用完全可以对比。     

Seismotectonic deformation during the filling of Toktogul Reservoir,Kirghizia

Natural seismicity and induced seismic events are discussed in the context of the seismotectonic deformation method through the example of earthquakes in the Toktogul Reservoir region in the Central Tien Shan, Kirghizia. The parameters of seismotectonic deformation of various sites in the Toktogul Reservoir region are described, based on a statistical study of focal mechanisms. The relationship of induced seismicity to changes of water level in the reservoir is reviewed. The temporal stress-strain characteristics are investigated. Average focal mechanisms for the entire region, as well as areas in the immediate vicinity of Toktogul Dam are analyzed. The vertical component of seismotectonic deformation varies in time from compression to extension-opposite to what is expected from the influence of the reservoir load; strike-slip motions become oblique thrusts. Changes in the orientation of focal mechanisms coincide with the time of maximum rate of the filling of the reservoir.     

The effects of a spillage of diesel fuel on a rocky shore in the sub-Antarctic region (Macquarie Island)

On 3 December 1987, the supply ship Nella Dan ran aground at Macquarie Island (54°29′S, 158°58′E) releasing about 270 000 I of oil, mostly light marine diesel, into the sea. At the time of the incident, many marine invertebrates were washed up dead along 2 km of shoreline. Twelve months later, the shore community was investigated using 1. algal and invertebrate populations of the littoral and sublittoral rocky shore, and 2. the invertebrate communities living in the holdfasts of the giant kelp Durvillaea antarctica, which were collected for later examination. Investigations were undertaken at both affected and control locations. Analyses of differences in community structure involved nested ANOVA and multidimensional scaling techniques. On the rocky substrate, the effect of the spill was restricted to some biota of the lower littoral and sublittoral zones—particularly echinoderms and the patellid limpet Nacella macquariensis. There were differences in cover for some algal species between locations. Within the kelp holdfasts, communities were dominated by peracarid crustaceans at control locations and by polychaetes (particularly the opportunistic groups—capitellids, cirratulids and spionids) at oil-affected locations.

The communities have recently been re-surveyed (in the summer of 1994–1995) to assist in the interpretation of the results and to gauge the extent of recovery of the affected biota.     

Higher-mode force response in multi-story strongback-braced frames

Strongback-braced frames employ an essentially elastic steel truss, or strongback, that distributes demands more uniformly to delay or prevent story mechanisms. Because inertial forces are no longer limited by the formation of a story mechanism, strongback-braced frames can exhibit large elastic force demands, particularly in the higher modes. This paper characterizes the higher-mode force response of strongback-braced frames. Four-story archetypes were designed using nonlinear dynamic analyses to incorporate higher-mode force demands into the design process. The response of the archetypes was compared with that of reference buckling-restrained braced frames that were allowed to form story mechanisms. The force demands in the strongback were then described using equivalent-static forces to represent the inertial forces induced by the higher modes. Force demands in the strongback arise from a yielding first-mode ‘pivoting’ and elastic higher-mode ‘bending’ response. These higher-mode force demands are elastic, ill-constrained by the strength of the yield mechanism, and depend significantly on the choice of ground motion record used for the analysis. In remaining elastic in the higher modes, the strongback distributes demands more uniformly and mitigates the formation of story mechanisms. Consequently, design and analysis methods for strongback-braced frames need to include estimates for these near-elastic higher-mode force demands.     

Energy input and dissipation in a temperate lake during the spring transition

ADCP and temperature chain measurements have been used to estimate the rate of energy input by wind stress to the water surface in the south basin of Windermere. The energy input from the atmosphere was found to increase markedly as the lake stratified in spring. The efficiency of energy transfer (Eff), defined as the ratio of the rate of working in near-surface waters (RW) to that above the lake surface (P ₁₀), increased from ～0.0013 in vertically homogenous conditions to ～0.0064 in the first 40 days of the stratified regime. A maximum value of Eff～0.01 was observed when, with increasing stratification, the first mode internal seiche period decreased to match the diurnal wind period of 24 h. The increase in energy input, following the onset of stratification was reflected in enhancement of the mean depth-varying kinetic energy without a corresponding increase in wind forcing. Parallel estimates of energy dissipation in the bottom boundary layer, based on determination of the structure function show that it accounts for ～15% of RW in stratified conditions. The evolution of stratification in the lake conforms to a heating stirring model which indicates that mixing accounts for ～21% of RW. Taken together, these estimates of key energetic parameters point the way to the development of full energy budgets for lakes and shallow seas.