A virtual voyage through 3D structures generated by chaotic mixing of magmas and numerical simulations: a new approach for understanding spatial and temporal complexity of magma dynamics

In this contribution, we present a virtual voyage through 3D structures generated by chaotic mixing of magmas and numerical simulations with the aim to highlight the power of 3D representations in the understanding of this geological phenomenon. In particular, samples of mixed juveniles from Salina island (Southern Italy) are reconstructed in 3D by serial lapping and digital montage and numerical simulations are performed by using a 3D chaotic dynamical system. Natural and simulated magma mixing structures are visualized by using several multimedia tools including animations and “virtual reality” models. It is shown that magma interaction processes can generate large spatial and temporal compositional heterogeneities in magmatic systems. The same topological structures are observed in both 3D reconstructed rock samples and chaotic numerical simulations, indicating that the mixing of magmas is governed by chaotic dynamics. The use of 3D multimedia models gives the opportunity to penetrate into magma mixing structures and to understand their significance in the context of magma dynamics. Such an approach is very powerful since multimedia tools can strongly capture the attention of the reader bringing him/her into an interactive and memorable geological experience. Electronic supplementary material  enclosed:     

Comparison of numerical models of two debris flows in the Cortina d’ Ampezzo area,Dolomites, Italy

The accurate prediction of runout distances, velocities and the knowledge of flow rheology can reduce the casualties and property damage produced by debris flows, providing a means to delineate hazard areas, to estimate hazard intensities for input into risk studies and to provide parameters for the design of protective measures. The application of most of models that describe the propagation and deposition of debris flow requires detailed topography, rheological and hydrological data that are not always available for the debris-flow hazard delineation and estimation. In the Cortina d’Ampezzo area, Eastern Dolomites, Italy, most of the slope instabilities are represented by debris flows; 325 debris-flow prone watersheds have been mapped in the geomorphological hazard map of this area. We compared the results of simulations of two well-documented debris flows in the Cortina d’Ampezzo area, carried on with two different single-phase, non-Newtonian models, the one-dimensional DAN-W and the two-dimensional FLO-2D, to test the possibility to simulate the dynamic behaviour of a debris flow with a model using a limited range of input parameters. FLO-2D model creates a more accurate representation of the hazard area in terms of flooded area, but the results in terms of runout distances and deposits thickness are similar to DAN-W results. Using DAN-W, the most appropriate rheology to describe the debris-flow behaviour is the Voellmy model. When detailed topographical, rheological and hydrological data are not available, DAN-W, which requires less detailed data, is a valuable tool to predict debris-flow hazard. Parameters obtained through back-analysis with both models can be applied to predict hazard in other areas characterized by similar geology, morphology and climate.     

New perspectives on Mars’ crustal magnetic field

The planet Mars lacks, today, a planetary, dynamic magnetic field, but strong, intense, localized magnetic fields of lithospheric origin, one to two orders of magnitude larger than the terrestrial lithospheric field, are present. This lithospheric magnetic field is the result of magnetization processes in the presence of a magnetic dynamo and of demagnetization processes after the dynamo shutdown, such as impact or volcanoes. This crude scenario can be more accurately specified by interpreting global and local models of the current magnetic field of Mars. Some specific areas are studied, including the intensely magnetized Terra Sirenum, as well as the magnetic anomaly associated with Apollinaris Patera. Magnetic minerals could be of primary and/or secondary origin; this latter would imply an early hydration of a basaltic crust. A scenario, in which Mars experienced a major polar wander due to the Tharsis bulge, prior to the cessation of its dynamo, is proposed and discussed.     

中国数字地质调查系统的基本构架 及其核心技术的实现

数字地质调查系统是贯穿整个地质矿产资源调查全过程的软件,涵盖地质矿产调查、矿产资源勘查、矿体模拟、品住估计、资源量估算、矿山开采系统优化等内容。考虑数字地质调查系统的应用技术层面,从数据“层”模型、数据流“池”技术、不同阶段数据模型继承技术、数据互操作技术等几个方面讨论了核心技术及其实现,通过基于无缝一体化技术的数据采集、管理、综合处理与成果表达,在实体或矿块的矿床建模技术与品住估计、储量估算等方面展现了全地质调查过程的数字化,不但为地质人员应用高新技术降低了门坎,而且极大地提高了研究精度和效率,丰富了成果的表现形式和服务形式。随着数字地质调查系统的完善和应用水平的提高,数字地质调查系统将成为中国地质调查的主流软件体系。     

北武夷地区逆冲推覆构造的特征及其控矿作用

北武夷地区成矿地质条件优越,矿产资源分布广泛,而广泛发育的推覆构造深刻影响着矿床的成生与保存。区域性推覆构造是成矿前、成矿期还是成矿后的构造,其精细结构特征如何,是否具有控岩控矿作用,如果是破矿作用,是否造成矿体重复增大或者隐伏、缺失等问题,严重影响着地质找矿的效果。建议开展面积性、追索性的路线地质调查,查明逆冲推覆构造的区域分布、不同单元的产状、构造样式,分别采用40Ar-39Ar和Re-Os定年技术测定推覆构造和矿体的形成时代,结合定量化分析及精细构造解析,研究构造与矿床的成生联系,预测隐伏矿体可能的位置,进而为北武夷地区寻找隐伏矿床和扩大矿床远景提供参考。     

西藏札达盆地控盆断裂有限元数值模拟

札达盆地是喜马拉雅构造带中的一个山间断陷盆地,其演化过程与盆地两侧的控盆构造密切相关。对控盆断裂的构造应力场进行模拟计算,将有助于进一步深化对本区构造控盆的认识。因此,在对盆地构造地质进行详细调查的基础上,结合本区的深部地质与地球物理资料,对札达盆地控盆断裂的构造应力场进行了模拟。计算结果表明,札达盆地的演化明显受盆地两侧边界断裂的控制,札达盆地是在整体南北向挤压应力的作用下,不同块体差异隆升作用的结果。其南侧的控盆断裂为北倾的正断层,北侧的控盆断裂为南倾的逆断层,二者共同形成了南降北升的翘板式断陷盆地运动过程,是喜马拉雅地块在陆内汇聚挤压构造环境中构造应力场调整的一种方式。     

鄂尔多斯盆地黄陵、东胜地区地温场对比

鄂尔多斯盆地黄陵、东胜铀矿区分别处于盆地南部渭北隆起的北侧边缘和盆地北部伊盟隆起的东部,赋矿层位都是中侏罗统直罗组。盆地南、北铀矿区在现今地温场及古地温场都存在明显差异,南部现今大地热值及热演化程度明显高于北部。对于下侏罗统延安组和石炭—二叠系煤层,黄陵地区镜质体反射率都高于东胜地区。通过镜质体反射率资料得出同一埋深的一套地层经历的最大古地温和对应的古地温梯度也有南部高于北部的现象。由于早白垩世后期盆地普遍整体抬升使得现今地温相对古地温降低,南部黄陵地区抬升剥蚀量大于北部东胜地区,导致古、今地温差异也大于后者。盆地南部庆阳—富县一带局部构造热运动,导致南部异常地温场的形成,使得南部热演化程度高于北部。     

测井仪器的故障分析与排除思路

TYSC-3Q与PSJ-2型数字测井仪是目前煤田测井中常用的二种测井仪器,在使用过程中难免发生诸如测井控制故障、声速探管故障、密度三侧向探管故障、井温、井液电阻率探管故障、电法面板故障、数字测井面板故障、电测井故障等常见故障类型。通过对各类故障因素进行剖析,指出了故障易发生的部位,并详细的介绍了检查的方法及故障的排除步骤。     

西藏扎布耶盐田盐渍土的改性配比试验

根据盐渍土的物理化学性质,采用掺入不同比例石灰或水泥的方法进行改性处理。经击实、抗剪和抗压强度试验结果表明,盐渍土掺入石灰或水泥改性后,混合料的最大干密度、最优含水率、强度指标等均有增加,特别是内聚力迅速增长。研究表明,盐渍土混合料的性状得到了明显改善,改性后的混合料可用于修建盐田埝堤类相关工程。     

葛店矿双庙扩大区三维地震勘探

葛店煤矿双庙扩大区位于豫、皖两省交界处。勘探区为一轴向北北东向的不对称向斜构造,地层倾角26°～30°,测区深部有岩浆岩侵入体,严重影响煤层赋存形态;地表条件复杂,村庄密集、河流较多,测区东侧塌陷区水塘大面积分布．三维地震勘探野外施工难度大。本区地震勘探观测系统设计为12线18炮制,为避免偏移归位及叠加次数降低等问题,在向斜轴部两侧、村子周边及河岸处适当加密炮点,并在塌陷区利用钢钎插置检波器以保证CDP点完整性。数据处理采取了叠前反褶积、叠前时间偏移等技术,数据处理效果显著。遵循多波组对比、多个数据体综合解释的原则,以纵向、横向和任意时间剖面相结合,充分利用三维可视化技术进行地震资料解释。本次勘探成果查明了主采煤层三2^2、二2煤层的构造形态及埋藏深度;解释落差5m以上断层34条,其中修改原有断层5条;另外新发现小于5m的异常断点22个。经巷道验证煤层底板标高误差0．43％～1．96％,巷道已揭露断层7条,与解释成果基本一致。