Formation of iron sulfide nodules during anaerobic oxidation of methane

The biomarker compositions of iron sulfide nodules (ISNs; upper Pliocene Valle Ricca section near Rome, Italy) that contain the ferrimagnetic mineral greigite (Fe₃S₄) were examined. In addition to the presence of specific terrestrial and marine biomarkers, consistent with formation in coastal marine sediments, these ISNs contain compounds thought to originate from sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). These compounds include a variety of low-molecular-weight and branched alkanols and several non-isoprenoidal dialkyl glycerol diethers (DGDs). In addition, archaeal biomarkers, including archaeol, macrocyclic isoprenoidal DGDs and isoprenoidal glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers are also present. Both SRB and archaeal lipid δ¹³C values are depleted in ¹³C (δ¹³C values are typically less than −50‰), which suggests that the SRB and archaea consumed ¹³C depleted methane. These biomarker and isotopic signatures are similar to those found in cold seeps and marine sediments where anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) occurs with sulfate serving as the terminal electron acceptor. Association of AOM with formation of greigite-containing ISNs could provide an explanation for documented remagnetization of the Valle Ricca sediments. Upward migration of methane, subsequent AOM and associated authigenic greigite formation are widespread processes in the geological record that have considerable potential to compromise paleomagnetic records.     

First Record of Fossil Mesocupes from China （Coleoptera： Archostemata： Cupedidae）

Three new fossil species of the genus Mesocupes of fossil cupedids,M.angustilabialis sp. nov.,M.latilabialis sp.nov.and M.collaris sp.nov.,are described from the Jiulongshan Formation of Inner Mongolia,China.These new species are the first three records of fossil Mesocupes in China as well as the oldest ones in the world now.This finding also extends the geographical distribution of this genus from Central to East Asia.In addition,based on the ratio of the length of the last to the penultimate abdominal ventrites of new beetles distinctly lower than that of the species from the Karabastau Formation,the age of Daohugou fossil-bearing beds might be older than that of Karatau assemblage and consequently of Middle Jurassic.     

基于弯道超高计算泥石流流速的探讨

泥石流流速是难以实测和准确推算的重要参数。在分析既有各类弯道超高计算公式的基础上,探讨适用于各类泥石流的弯道超高计算模式,进而改进基于弯道超高的粘性泥石流、稀性泥石流和泥流的流速计算公式,用实例加以验证。     

Geological analysis and FT dating of the large-scale right-lateral strike-slip movement of the Red River fault zone

Tectonically, the large-scale right-lateral strike-slip movement along the Red River fault zone is char-acterized at its late phase with the southeastward extension and deformation of the Northwestern Yunnan normal fault depression on its northern segment, and the dextral shear displacement on its central-southern segment. Research of the relations between stratum deformation and fault movement on the typical fault segments, such as Jianchuan, southeast Midu, Yuanjiang River, Yuanyang, etc. since the Miocene Epoch shows that there are two times dextral faulting dominated by normal shearing occurring along the Red River fault zone since the Miocene Epoch. The fission track dating (abbrevi-ated to FT dating, the same below) is conducted on apatite samples collected from the above fault segments and relating to these movements. Based on the measured single grain’s age and the con-fined track length, we choose the Laslet annealing model to retrieve the thermal history of the samples, and the results show that the fault zone experienced two times obvious shear displacement, one in 5.5 ± 1.5 MaBP and the other in 2.1± 0.8 MaBP. The central-southern segment sees two intensive uplifts of mountain mass in the Yuanjiang River-Yuanyang region at 3.6―3.8 MaBP and 1.6―2.3 MaBP, which correspond to the above-mentioned two dextral normal displacement events since the late Miocene Epoch.     

Statistical features of aftershock distribution size for moderate and large earthquakes in Chinese mainland

Based on data of earthquake sequences with MS≥5.0 in Chinese mainland from 1970 to 2004,for different se-quence types and different rupture modes of the main shock,the relationship between aftershock distribution size Rand the magnitude of the main shock M0 has been studied statistically.Considering the rupture mode of the mainshock,we give the quantitative statistical relationships between R and M0 under 95%confidence level for differentsequence types.Qualitatively,lgR,the logarithm of the aftershock distribution size,is positively correlative to theM0,but the data distribution is dispersed.Viewing from different sequence types,the correlation between R and M0is very weak for isolated earthquake type(IET)sequence,R distributes in the range from 5 to 60 km;For main-shock-aftershock type(MAT),lgR is positively correlative to M0;For multiple main shock type(MMT),the core-lation between lgR and M0 is not very obvious when M0≤6.2 and R distributes in the range from 5 to 70 km,whileit shows a linear correlation when M0≥6.3.The statistical results also show that the occupational ratios of differentsequence types for strike-slip and oblique slip are almost the same.But for dip-slip(mostly are thrust mechanisms),the ratio of MAT is higher than that of IET and MMT.Comparing with previous results,it indicates that,when M0is large enough,R is mainly determined by M0 and there is almost no relationship with the rupture mode of themain shock.     

1954年山丹7.3级地震灾害

1954年2月11日,中国西部河西走廊发生山丹7.3级强烈地震,这是建国以来发生在西北地区的第一个大地震。地震造成47人死亡,332人受伤,数万人无家可归;房屋损坏7277间,估计财产损失远高于2003年山丹6.1级地震灾害的直接经济损失。极震区烈度达Ⅺ度,红寺湖盆地、山丹县城破坏最重,山丹地区受灾面积4800km2。本文简要介绍了山丹地震参数、地震烈度及震区环境;重点描述了房屋建筑物破坏,分析了地震灾害特点及其经济损失估计。最后探讨了这次地震震害的成因、防震减灾的经验及其借鉴意义。     

中国大陆中强以上地震余震分布尺度的统计特征

依据1970年以来记录相对完备的MSge;5.0地震序列资料，统计研究了中国大陆余震分布尺度与序列最大地震震级M0及最大地震破裂形式之间的关系. 在95%置信概率下，考虑主震破裂形式， 分序列类型给出了余震分布尺度与M0之间的统计关系. 定性而言，余震分布尺度的对数lgR与M0正相关， 但数据分布较为离散. 分类型来看， 孤立型序列余震分布尺度与M0之间统计相关程度低， 余震分布尺度介于5~60 km之间； 主余型序列lgR与M0正相关； 多震型序列当M0le;6.2时lgR与M0之间相关性不显著，余震分布尺度介于5~70 km之间， 当M0ge;6.3时lgR与M0线性相关. 统计结果还表明， 走滑近走滑及斜滑型主震所导致序列类型比例之间没有显著差异，而倾滑近倾滑型主震（主要为逆断型破裂）所导致的主余型序列所占比例较高， 孤立型及多震型序列所占比例则相对较低. 对比研究显示， 当M0较高时，余震分布尺度主要取决于主震大小而与主震破裂形式关系不明显.      

Collision leading to multiple-stage large-scale extrusion in the Qinling orogen: Insights from the Mianlue suture

The geologic framework of the Phanerozoic Qinling–Dabie orogen was built up through two major suturing events of three blocks. From north to south these include the North China craton (including the north Qinling block), the Qinling–Dabie microblock, and the South China craton (including the Bikou block), separated by the Shangdan and Mianlue sutures. The Mianlue suture zone contains evidence for Mesozoic extrusion tectonics in the form of major strike–slip border faults surrounding basement blocks, a Late Paleozoic ophiolite and a ca. 240–200 Ma thrust belt that reformed by 200–150 Ma thrusts during A-type (intracontinental) subduction. The regional map pattern shows that the blocks are surrounded by complexly deformed Devonian to Early Triassic metasandstones and metapelites, forming a regional-scale block-in-matrix mélange fabric. Five distinct tectonic units have been recognized in the belt: (1) basement blocks including two types of Precambrian basement, crystalline and transitional; (2) continental margin slices including Early Paleozoic strata, and Late Paleozoic fluviodeltaic sedimentary rocks, proximal and distal fan clastics, reflecting the development of a north-facing rift margin on the edge of the South China plate; (3) out of sequence oceanic crustal slices including strongly deformed postrift, deep-water sedimentary rocks, sheeted dikes, basalts, and mafic–ultramafic cumulates of a Late Paleozoic ophiolite suite, developing independent of the rift margin in a separate basin; (4) out-of-sequence island-arc slices; (5) accretionary wedge slices. All the tectonic units were deformed during three geometrically distinct deformation episodes (D₁, D₂ and D₃ during 240–200 Ma). Units 2–4 involved southward thrusting and vertical then southward extrusion of about 20 km of horizontal displacement above the autochthonous basement during the D₁ episode. Thrust slices 20 km south of the Mianlue suture are related to this vertical extrusion due to the same rock assemblages, ages and kinematics. The D₂ and D₃ episodes folded all the units in a thick-skinned style about east–west (D₂) and west–northwest (D₃) axes in the Mianlue suture zone. An early foreland propagating sequence of accretion of Late Paleozoic rocks deposited above the Yangtze craton is not involved in D₁ deformation but is temporally equivalent to the D₂ and D₃ deformation in the Mianlue suture. Two stages of strike–slip faulting mainly occurred at the end of D₂ and D₃, respectively. During D₂ deformation, the Bikou block was obliquely indented to the ESE into the Mianlue suture, rather than being thrust over the Mianlue suture from the north as a part of the Qinling–Dabie microblock. During D₃ deformation, however, the Bikou block was bounded by the south boundary fault of the Mianlue suture, and the Yangpingguan fault on the south. These faults are coeval strike–slip faults, but of opposite senses, and accommodated minor southwestward extrusion of the Bikou block into Songpan–Ganze orogen. The other basement blocks north of the Mianlue suture were extruded eastward by about 20 km of lateral displacement, based on the offset of the Wudang dome, during the D₃ episode due to the northeastward indentation of the Hannan complex of the South China craton. Post-D₃ emplacement of granite, cutting across the strike–slip faults such as the Mianlue suture, provides a minimum age of 200 Ma for D₃ deformation. Therefore, based on insights from the evolution of the Mianlue suture, the D₂ and D₃ episodes in the Mianlue suture and its neighbors are not responsible for and associated with the two-stage extrusion of the Dabie UHP-HP terranes from the Foping dome to the present erosional surface (more than 350 km).     

Dynamic analysis of eco-environmental changes based on remote sensing and geographic information system: an example in Longdong region of the Chinese Loess Plateau

The Chinese Loess Plateau is suffering from severe soil erosion. The eco-environmental changes of the plateau are believed to have an important influence on global eco-environmental sustainability; hence, this problem has attracted considerable attention from scientists around the world. This study has two purposes; application of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) techniques in the dynamic analysis of eco-environmental changes in the semiarid zone; and using the Longdong region of the Chinese Loess Plateau as an example, to make dynamic analysis of the eco-environmental changes of the region during the 1986–2004 period and identify controlling factors. Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data at a spatial resolution of 30 m were used for analysis. Two training areas were selected in Jingning and Qingcheng counties for analysis using 10-m resolution SPOT and Landsat TM data. The satellite RS images were obtained from the Institute of Remote Sensing Application (IRSA), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Each images was rectified by Albers Equal Area Conic projection based on 1:50,000 scale topographic maps after spectrum preparation of the images. To make the precision within 1 or 2 pixels, the accurate coordinative control points of the two systems were identified. Then the interpretation key was established based on the land use/cover survey in the study area. The images were classified into six primary environmental types (farmland, forest, grassland, water, construction area, and desert) and 25 sub-types using a visual image interactive interpretation method to obtain vector and attribute data. The resultant accuracy of the land use/cover classification reached 95%. Finally, the transformation areas and ratios of various eco-environmental types in the region were calculated to obtain the transition matrixes of eco-environmental types in the two training areas, Jingning and Qingcheng. This study demonstrates that satellite RS and GIS techniques are effective tools to monitor and analyze the eco-environmental changes in the semiarid region. Visual image interactive interpretation based on GIS technique provides comprehensive information on the direction, rate, and location of eco-environmental changes. The transition matrix model can be used to precisely analyze the variation and rates of the eco-environmental types and their spatial distribution. Great land use changes have taken place Longdong during the 1986–2004 period. These eco-environmental changes were driven by natural and human factors. Natural factors influencing the Longdong region of the Chinese Loess Plateau mainly include temperature, water condition, terrain, soil, and erosion; while human activities include over-cultivation, overgrazing, and fuelwood cutting. As viewed from the extent and severity of the influences, human activities play a very important role in altering the eco-environment of the semiarid region. The study results indicate a need for future research and observation in the semiarid region.     

中国大陆科学钻探主孔榴辉岩中石榴石和绿辉石原位激光探针分析及其成岩成矿指示意义

本文以中国大陆科学钻探主孔0～2000m岩芯中的榴辉岩为对象,运用EMPA和LA-ICP-MS技术,系统测定了榴辉岩中石榴石和绿辉石的主量与微量元素组成,并据此讨论了它们的成岩成矿意义.研究结果表明,CCSD主孔榴辉岩中石榴石富重稀土和Sc、Y、Co,而绿辉石则富中稀土和Pb、Sr、V,石榴石和绿辉石的高场强元素(特别是Nb、Ta)含量均很低.石榴石存在不同程度的Ce负异常,指示榴辉岩的形成过程中卷入有地表氧化条件下形成的风化沉积物.石榴石具有低的Zr/Y比值,绿辉石普遍具有高的Sr含量,这些特征说明榴辉岩(特别是高钛榴辉岩)的原岩可能为遭受过壳源物质混染与交代的富集地幔部分熔融的产物.高钛与低钛榴辉岩中石榴石和绿辉石在主量及微量元素组成上存在一定差别,总体而言,高钛榴辉岩中石榴石具高的MgO含量和较高的MgO/TFeO比值,以及较高的稀土和Sc含量,而绿辉石则相对富TFeO、MnO,并具有较高的Sr、Zr、Hf含量.高钛榴辉岩中石榴石和绿辉石常出现不同程度的Eu正异常,Cr含量均显著低于低钛榴辉岩.综合分析表明,高钛榴辉岩的原岩最可能为富斜长石的辉长质侵入岩,原岩组成的差异应是导致二类榴辉岩中石榴石和绿辉石矿物化学组成存在差异的主要原因.