Fabric controls on strain accommodation in naturally deformed mylonites: The influence of interconnected micaceous layers

We present microstructural analyses demonstrating how the geometrical distribution and interconnectivity of mica influences quartz crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) development in naturally deformed rocks. We use a polymineralic (Qtz + Pl + Kfs + Bt + Ms ± Grt ± Tur) mylonite from the Zanskar Shear Zone, a section of the South Tibetan Detachment (NW Himalaya), to demonstrate how quartz CPO intensity decreases from quartz-dominated domains to micaceous domains, independently of whether or not quartz grains are pinned by mica grains. We then use a bimineralic (Qtz + Ms) mylonite from the Main Central Thrust (NW Himalaya) to show how increasing mica grain connectivity is concomitant with a systematic weakening of quartz CPO. Our results draw distinctions between CPO weakening due to: (i) second phase drag, leading to ineffective recovery in quartz; and (ii) increased transmission and localisation of strain between interconnected mica grains. In the latter case, well-connected micaceous layers take up most of the strain, weakening the rock and preventing straining of the stronger quartz matrix. Our findings suggest that rock weakening in quartz-rich crustal rocks is influenced not only by the presence of mica-rich layers but also the degree of mica grain connectivity, which allows for more effective strain localization through the entire rock mass.     

Numerical investigation on the penetration of gravity installed anchors by a coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian approach

Gravity installed anchors (GIAs) are released from a height of 30–150 m above the seabed, achieving velocities up to 19–35 m/s at the seabed, and embed to depths of 1.0–2.4 times the anchor length. Challenges associated with GIAs include the prediction of anchor initial embedment depth, which determines the holding capacity of the anchor. Based on the coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian approach, a numerical framework is proposed in this paper to predict the embedment depth of GIAs, considering the effects of soil strain rate, soil strain-softening and hydrodynamic drag (modeled using a concentrated force), with the anchor-soil friction described appropriately. GIAs are influenced by the hydrodynamic drag before penetrating into the soil completely, hence the anchor accelerates less than the previous investigations in shallow penetration, even decelerates directly at the terminal impact velocity. The hydrodynamic drag has more influence on OMNI-Max anchors (with an error of ∼4.5%) than torpedo anchors, and the effect becomes more significant with increasing impact velocity. An extensive parametric study is carried out by varying the impact velocity, strain rate and strain-softening parameters, frictional coefficient, and soil undrained shear strength. It is concluded that the dominant factor affecting the penetration is the soil undrained shear strength, then are the impact velocity, strain rate dependency and frictional coefficient, and the minimal is the strain-softening of soil. In addition, although the strain rate dependency is partly compensated by the softening, the anchor embedment depth accounting for the effects of strain rate and strain-softening is lower than that for ideal Tresca soil. Strain rate dependency dominates the combined effects of strain rate and strain-softening in the dynamic installation of GIAs, on which should pay more attention, especially for the calibration of the related parameters and the measured solutions. In the end, the theoretical model based on the bearing resistance method is extended by accounting for the hydrodynamic drag effect.     

Growth history of fault-related folds and interaction with seabed channels in the toe-thrust region of the deep-water Niger delta

The deep-water fold and thrust belt of the southern Niger Delta has prominent thrusts and folds oriented perpendicular to the regional slope that formed as a result of the thin-skinned gravitational collapse of the delta above overpressured shale. The thrust-related folds have grown in the last 12.8 Ma and many of the thrusts are still actively growing and influencing the pathways of modern seabed channels. We use 3D seismic reflection data to constrain and analyse the spatial and temporal variation in shortening of four thrusts and folds having seabed relief in a study area of 2600 km² size in 2200–3800 m water depth. Using these shortening measurements, we have quantified the variation in strain rates through time for both fault-propagation and detachment folds in the area, and we relate this to submarine channel response. The total amount of shortening on the individual structures investigated ranges from 1 to 4 km, giving a time-averaged maximum shortening rate of between 90 ± 10 and 350 ± 50 m/Myr (0.1 and 0.4 mm/yr). Fold shortening varies both spatially and temporally: The maximum interval shortening rate occurred between 9.5 Ma and 3.7 Ma, and has reduced significantly in the last 3.7 Ma. We suggest that the reduction in the Pliocene-Recent fold shortening rate is a response to the slow-down in extension observed in the up-dip extensional domain of the Niger Delta gravitational system in the same time interval. In the area dominated by the fault-propagation folds, the channels are able to cross the structures, but the detachment fold is a more significant barrier and has caused a channel to divert for 25 km parallel to the fold axis. The two sets of structures have positive bathymetric expressions, with an associated present day uphill slope of between 1.5° and 2°. However, the shorter uphill slopes of the fault-propagation folds and increased sediment blanketing allow channels to cross these structures. Channels that develop coevally with structural growth and that cross structures, do so in positions of recent strain minima and at interval strain rates that are generally less than −0.02 Ma⁻¹ (−1 × 10⁻¹⁶ s⁻¹). However, the broad detachment fold has caused channel diversion at an even lower strain rate of c. −0.002 Ma⁻¹ (−7 × 10⁻¹⁷ s⁻¹).     

渤海海冰对直桩柱的作用力

于1990年1月在锦州湾采样,主要测试了在不同的冰温和不同的应变速率下渤海海冰的挤压强度,并且研究了海冰挤压强度与冰温及应变速率的关系。对半径R=2,3,4,5cm圆柱压头的海冰挤压强度R_(CM)进行了试验,由此求得了海冰的局部挤压系数和接触系数。分析了冰块宽度B与桩柱宽度b之比与挤压系数的关系。在—10℃冰温下,对半圆形,压头端部尖角20等于180°,120°,90°,60°五种压头进行了试验,从而求得桩柱的形状系数,建立起大冰原对桩柱挤压作用的最大冰压力公式。     

Experimental models of extension of continental lithosphere weakened by percolation of asthenospheric melts

Analogue models are used to investigate extension of a continental lithosphere weakened by asthenospheric melts percolating through the upper mantle, a process that has been hypothesised to control the opening of the Ligurian Tethys. Models were performed in a centrifuge apparatus and reproduced, by using materials such as sand and viscous mixtures, extension of 60-km thick, three-layer continental lithosphere floating above the asthenosphere. The percolated lithospheric mantle was assumed to be characterised by a rheological behaviour similar to that of the asthenosphere. Two sets of experiments investigated the influence on deformation of (1) the thickness of the percolated mantle and the associated strength contrast between the normal and weakened lithosphere, and (2) the lateral width of the weakened zone. Model results suggest that mantle percolation by asthenospheric melts is able to promote strong localised thinning of the continental lithosphere, provided that a significant thickness of the lithospheric mantle is weakened by migrating melts within a narrow region. Strain localisation is maximised for percolation of the whole lithospheric mantle and strong strength contrast between the normal and weakened lithosphere. Under these conditions, the thickness of the lithosphere may be reduced to less than 12 km in 3 Ma of extension. Conversely, localised thinning is strongly reduced if the thickness of the percolated zone is ≤1/3 of the thickness of the whole lithospheric mantle and/or the lithosphere is weakened over wide regions. Overall, model results support the working hypothesis that mantle percolation by asthenospheric melts is a controlling factor in the transition from distributed continental deformation to localised oceanic spreading.     

综合应用钻孔应变固体潮和应变地震波资料求解地震参数和地层的力学参数

介绍了在井下耦合介质弹性参数等不能直接测定时，应用钻孔应变固体潮和就地震波资料求解地震参数和地层的力学参数的方法，用平衡方程的解来近似代替波动方程解，不但使用钻孔应变仪测到的地震波测地震成为可能，而且比直接应用波动方程求解的方法大大简化。     

雁列式断层变形过程中物理场演化的实验研究（一）

在双轴压缩条件下对挤压型和拉张型雁列式断层变形破坏过程中声发射、断层位移及应变场的时空演化进行了实验研究。研究表明，两类雁列式断层具有类似的变形破坏过程，即前期以雁列区的破裂贯通为主，后期以沿断层的滑动为主。但挤压型雁列区内可积累较高的应变能，有较强的应变释放和声发射活动，雁列区对滑动始终起着阻碍作用；而拉张型雁列区内难以产生快速的应变释放和较强的声发射活动，雁列区对后期的滑动也无明显的阻碍作用。两类雁列区贯通所引起的失稳均有明显的前兆，而在随后滑动过程中失稳前兆的出现，取决于断层不同部位或段落之间是否有应变传递     

雁列式断层变形过程中物理场演化的实验研究（二）

在双轴压缩条件下对由挤压型和拉张型雁列式断层组合而成的复杂雁列断层系变形过程中声发射、断层位移及应变的时空演化进行了实验研究，结果表明，复杂雁列式断层系的变形过程及相应的物理场演化并非是两种雁列式断层的简单叠加，而是包含着它们之间的相互作用。能量较强的声发射事件成核部位主要集中在应力水平较低的张性雁列区附近的主于断层上，而不是应力水平较高的压性雁列区，但这种事件发生的时间则明显受控于压性雁列区的变形过程     

Inversion of the Strain Accumulation State in Crustal Interior from Observations of Earth Tide Tilts

The strain accumulation state in crustal interior and its migration trend can be inverted from observational data of earth tide tilts.In China,large earthquakes frequently occur in the border area between Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces.Using the observational data for years from 7 stations in this area,γ(the amplitude factor of earth tide tilts)values that characterize the strain accumulation state in crustal interior have been inverted in this paper.It has been found out that,Ms>5 events in the area often occur when γreaches an anomaly value.Using the time-space collocational stereomodelling the migration trend of strain accumulation can be determined to make a prediction for the probable location of a forthcoming earthquake in the area.     

震前应变固体潮畸变的物理模式

本文根据岩石力学及固体潮理论，建立了孕震期弹性物体应变固体潮的物理模式，给出了其数学公式。通过分析潮汐应力与寻震应力的合力随潮汐力相位的变化，从物理本质上讨论了不同应力阶段应变固体潮曲线的形态特征；讨论了震前不同异常时期，应变固体潮畸变的不同特．点；并对震例进行了分析，同时，对应变固体潮畸变与地震三要素预报作了初步探讨。