Integration of spatial data in vector and raster formats in a geographic information system environment

This paper examines the common methods for converting spatial data sets between vector and raster formats and presents the results of extensive benchmark testing of these procedures. The tests performed are unique in this field since: (1) they used both synthetic and real test data sets; (2) they measured conversion quality, accuracy and efficiency, not just how fast the procedure operated; and (3) they were conducted in a generic geographic information system (GIS) environment without the aid of specialized computer hardware. The results show that the best overall techniques are the ones which take advantage of spatial relationships inherent in the data sets. These were the Scan Line algorithm for vector to raster conversions and the Boundary Linking algorithm for raster to vector conversions.     

A comparative analysis of DEM‐based models to estimate the solar radiation in mountainous terrain

Daily solar radiation estimates of four up‐to‐date solar radiation models (Solar Analyst, r.sun, SRAD and Solei‐32), based on a digital elevation model (DEM), have been evaluated and compared in a Mediterranean environment characterized by a complex topography. The models' estimates were evaluated against 40 days of radiometric data collected in 14 stations. Analyzed sky conditions ranged from completely overcast conditions to clear skies. Additionally, the role of the spatial resolution of the DEM has been evaluated through the use of two different resolutions: 20 and 100 m. Results showed that, under clear‐sky conditions, the daily solar radiation variability in the study area may be reasonably estimated with mean bias errors under 10% and root mean square error values of around 15%. On the other hand, results proved that the reliability of the estimates substantially decreases under overcast conditions for some of the solar radiation models. Regarding the role of the DEM spatial resolution, results suggested that the reliability of the estimates for complex topography areas under clear‐sky conditions improves using a higher spatial resolution.     

Measuring the significance of a divide to local drainage patterns

This article presents a framework for estimating a new topographic attribute derived from digital elevation models (DEMs) called maximum branch length (B _max). Branch length is defined as the distance travelled along a flow path initiated at one grid cell to the confluence with the flow path passing through a second cell. B _max is the longest branch length measured for a grid cell and its eight neighbours. The index provides a physically meaningful method for assessing the relative significance of drainage divides to the dispersion of materials and energy across a landscape, that is, it is a measure of ‘divide size’. B _max is particularly useful for studying divide network structure, for mapping drainage divides, and in landform classification applications. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of estimates of B _max to the algorithm used to estimate flow lengths and the prevalence of edge effects resulting from inadequate DEM extent. The findings suggest that the index is insensitive to the specific flow algorithm used but that edge effects can result in significant underestimation along major divides. Edge contamination can, however, be avoided by using an appropriately extensive DEM.     

缓变地形下β效应的Rossby代数孤立波

正压流体中,从准地转位涡方程出发采用摄动方法和时空伸长变换推导了在缓变地形下β效应的Rossby代数孤立波方程,得到Rossby波振幅满足带有缓变地形非齐次Benjamin-Davis-Ono(BDO)方程的结论.通过分析孤立Rossby波振幅的演变,指出了β效应、地形效应是诱导Rossby孤立波产生的重要因素,说明了在缓变地形强迫效应和非线性作用相平衡的假定下,Rossby孤立波振幅的演变满足非齐次BDO方程,给出在切变基本气流下缓变地形和正压流体中Rossby波的相互作用.     

Reducing the non-axisymmetry of a planetary dynamo and an application to saturn

Abstract

If a conducting fluid shell is undergoing spin-axisymmetric differential rotation and overlies the dynamo generating region of a planet then it is capable of greatly reducing the non-spin-axisymmetric components of the generated field, provided the appropriate magnetic Reynolds number is large. The model, closely related to the electromagnetic skin effect, is quantified and applied to Saturn. The observed small dipole tilt (～ 1°) of Saturn's magnetic field can be explained because of the presence of a stably stratified conducting layer overlying the dynamo region. This layer is a predicted consequence of the thermal evolution, arises because of the limited solubility of helium in metallic hydrogen (Stevenson, 1980), and appears to be required by the Voyager infrared observations indicating depletion of helium from Saturn's atmosphere. The much larger dipole tilt angles of Jupiter and the Earth indicate the absence of any such stable, differentially rotating layer with a large magnetic Reynolds number.     

中高山地区滑坡发育地形地貌因子敏感性研究

为分析海拔高度大于1 300m的中高山地区地形地貌因子对滑坡发育的敏感性程度,运用基于因子综合贡献率的敏感性分析方法,研究黔东北中高山地区坡面形态、地形坡度、相对高差三类影响因子对滑坡发育的影响程度.在各类影响因子对滑坡发育频数、面积及体积分量贡献率的基础上,利用顺序赋值法量化各分量贡献率的贡献指数,并以各分量贡献指数的几何平均数构建敏感性系数,定量分析三类地形地貌影响因子对中高山地区滑坡发育的敏感性.研究结果表明,阶梯形和凸形坡面形态的斜坡中后部为地貌演化堆积区,能提供较大重力势能,属滑坡发育的敏感性坡面形态因子;地形坡度在18°～22°之间的较陡坡和相对高差在40～80m之间的矮坡常分布于受地表水强烈冲刷的地带,在一定重力势能和强烈地下水共同作用下,极易诱发浅层小规模滑坡;地形坡度大于27°的极陡坡和相对高差大于120m的高坡由于具备较大重力势能,常诱发深层大规模滑坡.     

芦山7.0级地震宏观场地效应

继汶川地震之后,2013年4月20日四川省庐山县又发生了7.0级强烈地震,其场地条件对震害的影响目前认识较少.通过专项工作,考察了雅安雨城区、芦山县、天全县、宝兴县等地区的结构震害及其场地条件,包括软土场地、老河床、不利地段、潜在滑坡等,分析了不同场地条件与震害的关系.结果表明,此次地震震害与场地条件有较密切关系,震害形式主要表现为软土震陷、河谷地形控制震害分布、不利地段加重震害、潜在滑坡的威胁、地质灾害堵塞交通等,其中软土震陷、河谷地形震害分布、不利地段处理都是值得深入研究的问题.     

Interplay between river discharge and topography of the basin floor in a hyperpycnal lacustrine delta

Basin‐floor topography influences the flow path of hyperpycnal plumes and delta morphology during progradation of the Red River delta in Lake Texoma, USA. The Red River discharge is typically a hyperpycnal plume due to elevated total dissolved solids. Because the river plume is a bottom‐hugging hyperpycnal flow, lake bathymetry and topography strongly influence deposition and subsequent delta morphology. In addition to elevated total dissolved solid concentrations compared with Lake Texoma water, the density contrast of the Red River outflow is increased by high suspended‐sediment concentrations during high‐discharge events. Steep lateral slopes in the Lake Texoma basin deflect hyperpycnal river plumes and, subsequently, change the delta progradation direction before the delta reaches the opposite bank of the lake. Analysis of multi‐temporal aerial and satellite images indicates that the hyperpycnal delta follows the steepest lake‐bottom gradients, corresponding to the pre‐impoundment river thalweg (i.e. bypassing shallow parts of the lake). An analytical model for the hyperpycnal‐plume trajectory indicates plume deflection during low‐discharge or high‐discharge events, towards the deepest part of the basin. The magnitude of plume deflection is a function of river discharge and basin‐margin gradients. Plume deflection can vary between 10° and 80° from the channel axis towards the old river thalweg. The high deflection appears in the case of maximum basin side gradients of 12·8° and in conditions of low river discharge. During low‐discharge periods, the Red River delta builds a lobate shape with multiple terminal distributary channels whereas, during high‐discharge periods the Red River delta builds an elongate shape with a single large distributary channel. The elongate morphology of the delta is formed through the development of a single distributary channel and abandonment of the other distributaries. Therefore, the lobate shaped delta is expected to be preserved in the rock record.     

Stratigraphic records of the dynamic uplift of the Emeishan large igneous province

Abstract

Fluid dynamical and numerical modelling predicts a large-scale regional domal uplift prior to basalt eruptions in large igneous provinces, which can be readily measured when a plume head rises below a shallow marine sedimentary basin. Research on the sedimentology, biostratigraphy, and isotopic chronology of the Emeishan large igneous province demonstrates that the sedimentary environment in the Maokou stage is not uniform carbonate platform facies, but rather sedimentary facies with a north–south linear alignment and west–east different distribution controlled by the syn-depositional normal faulting of the Changhai and Xiaojiang faults, which are the result of underwater dynamic uplift induced by deep mantle activity. The dynamic uplift started in the Maokou stage. Thus, thinning of the Maokou limestone was the product of the difference in the initial depositional thickness caused by the underwater uplift and post-depositional surface uplift and erosion, but post-depositional uplift was much less than kilometre scale. Sedimentary facies differentiation and tectonic–sedimentary evolution in the Maokou stage provide a constraint for the time of the initial eruption and eruption environment before and during the Emeishan basalt eruption. Small-scale magmatic activity might have already begun in the middle of the Maokou stage, whereas submarine and terrestrial sedimentary environments coexisted before and during Emeishan basalt eruption.     

水下地形三维建模Surfer与MATLAB比较分析

目前国内外对水下地形三维建模一般采用Surfer软件,MATLAB在图像处理方面功能强大,在很多专业领域得到广泛应用。本文利用MATLAB进行水下地形三维建模,并与Surfer绘制效果进行比较,显示MATLAB三维建模较Surfer透彻,可展现Surfer建模成果,更可反映清晰的横断面效果,可为岸带调查研究提供技术支持。