Restrictions on Deep Flow Across the Shelf-break and the Role of Submarine Canyons in Facilitating such Flow

The shelf-break acts as a separator between the coastal ocean and the open ocean. Circulation (particularly deep near-bottom flow) is restricted from crossing the bathymetry. Eddies become elongated in the region of the shelf-break restricting exchange. An estimate of the horizontal eddy diffusivity over the shelf-break of less than 10m²s^-1 is found from a numerical model. Various mechanisms are responsible for the weak cross-isobath flow that does occur. One is the increase of the Rossby number over small-scale topography such as submarine canyons. Along-shore flow (in the direction opposite to Kelvin wave propagation) generates upwelling through submarine canyons. A review of upwelling through submarine canyons is given. The deep cross-shelf flow generated by the canyons is shown to be as significant as the wind-driven upwelling in some regions. Examples for the reduction of flow across the shelf-break and for upwelling through canyons are taken from the West Coast of Vancouver Island.     

Submarine slope–fan sedimentation in an ancient forearc related to contemporaneous magmatism: The Upper Cretaceous Izumi Group,southwestern Japan

The Izumi Group in southwestern Japan is considered to represent deposits in a forearc basin along an active volcanic arc during the late Late Cretaceous. The group consists mainly of felsic volcanic and plutonic detritus, and overlies a Lower to Upper Cretaceous plutono‐metamorphic complex (the Ryoke complex). In order to reconstruct the depositional environments and constrain the age of deposition, sedimentary facies and U–Pb dating of zircon grains in tuff were studied for a drilled core obtained from the basal part of the Izumi Group. On the basis of the lithofacies associations, the core was subdivided into six units from base to top, as follows: mudstone‐dominated unit nonconformably deposited on the Ryoke granodiorite; tuffaceous mudstone‐dominated unit; tuff unit; tuffaceous sandstone–mudstone unit; sandstone–mudstone unit; and sandstone‐dominated unit. This succession suggests that the depositional system changed from non‐volcanic muddy slope or basin floor, to volcaniclastic sandy submarine fan. Based on a review of published radiometric age data of the surrounding region of the Ryoke complex and the Sanyo Belt which was an active volcanic front during deposition of the Izumi Group, the U–Pb age (82.7 ±0.5 Ma) of zircon grains in the tuff unit corresponds to those of felsic volcanic and pyroclastic rocks in the Sanyo Belt.     

Geophysical implications of Izu–Bonin mantle wedge hydration from chemical geodynamic modeling

Using two-dimensional dynamic models of the Northern Izu–Bonin (NIB) subduction zone, we show that a particular localized low-viscosity (η_LV =  3.3 × 10¹⁹ − 4.0 × 10²⁰ Pa s), low-density (Δρ ∼ −10 kg/m³ relative to ambient mantle) geometry within the wedge is required to match surface observations of topography, gravity, and geoid anomalies. The hydration structure resulting in this low-viscosity, low-density geometry develops due to fluid release into the wedge within a depth interval from 150 to 350 km and is consistent with results from coupled geochemical and geodynamic modeling of the NIB subduction system and from previous uncoupled models of the wedge beneath the Japan arcs. The source of the fluids can be either subducting lithospheric serpentinite or stable hydrous phases in the wedge such as serpentine or chlorite. On the basis of this modeling, predictions can be made as to the specific low-viscosity geometries associated with geophysical surface observables for other subduction zones based on regional subduction parameters such as subducting slab age.     

数字图像技术在重力异常地形校正中的应用

通过对地形体及其密度信息数字图像化,利用计算机仿真能较精确地计算出地形体在任意一点的重力场强度。在重力异常地形校正时,用各测点的实测数据减去相应测点的地形体重力场强度,即得到地形改正和中间层改正后的重力场强度。这样,重力异常校正中的地形改正和中间层改正可一并完成,既简化了校正的工作步骤,又提高了准确性。通过地形体实例,分别用数字图像仿真计算和积分精确计算其重力场强度,结果表明,二者计算结果十分相近。用数字图像仿真计算地形体重力场强度,误差较小,准确性较高,该方法完全适合重力异常地形校正。     

海底天然气渗漏形成水合物量的线性动力学模型:以墨西哥湾GC185区块Bush高地为例

世界许多地区如墨西哥湾，存在着大量天然气渗漏并形成水合物的现象，出于科学，生态，气候和安全的需要。人类有必要弄清存在于海底以水合成形式存在的天然气的比例。因此，构建了水合物形成量的线性动力学模型，以分析墨西哥湾GC185块区Bush高地海底渗漏天然气的地质过程和行为。Bush高地渗漏的天然气来源于附近的Jolliet气藏，结果表明，渗漏天然气中约有9％的海底形成了水合物。     

DGPS测深技术在海底管道工程中的应用

简要介绍了差分全球定位系统(DGPS)的基本定位原理、DGPS测深技术中水深测量系统的硬件组成。重点分析了福建LNG站线湄洲湾海底管道工程成功采用DGPS测深技术进行勘测作业,使测量精度和工程效率得到极大地提高。这一工程实践经验说明,DGPS测深技术逐步为海底管道工程所采用,但其是一个不断探索、不断完善的过程,对今后我国沿海地区的海底管道工程的勘测建设具有一定的借鉴作用。     

天然气水合物勘查声学深拖系统研发方案

随着海底天然气水合物勘查工作的深入发展,近海底探测技术的应用越来越多,声学深拖技术的应用便是其中之一。简要介绍了目前深海探测中使用的多种弱正浮力型及重力型声学深拖系统,提出了用于天然气水合物勘查的重力型声学深拖系统的自主研发思路,论述了研发工作涉及到的若干关键技术。     

侧扫声纳在琼州海峡跨海通道地壳稳定性调查中的应用

为开展琼州海峡跨海通道地壳稳定性评价,利用Sonar Beam S-150D侧扫声纳系统在琼州海峡海底开展了地形地貌调查,获得了琼州海峡跨海通道工程区的侧扫声纳影像。通过数据分析、图像判读,分析了地质灾害类型及其可能的危害。在琼州海峡海底发现软土、活动沙波、岸坡及活动构造等微地貌单元,跨海通道工程施工、运行阶段都将遭受相关地质灾害的危害。这些资料和分析为跨海通道工程地壳稳定性评价提供了基础资料,为工程规划线路优选、建设实施提供了技术支撑。研究表明侧扫声纳技术可应用于海底地壳稳定性调查与评价工作中。      

The Vigny limestones: a record of Palaeocene (Danian) tectonic-sedimentary events in the Paris Basin

Danian marine sedimentation in the Paris Basin occurred between two major erosional phases. The earlier was responsible for the stripping of presumably deposited Maastrichtian sediments and of a variable thickness of Campanian chalk. The later occurred during the late Palaeocene and resulted in the erosion of almost all Danian deposits, which are now limited to small and scattered outcrops. One of these outcrops corresponds to reefal and peri‐reefal limestones of middle to late Danian age, exposed in the quarries of Vigny (NW of Paris). Danian deposits here show intricate relations with the surrounding Campanian chalk. Danian sedimentation was contemporaneous with faulting, which generated signifiant sea‐floor relief and resulted in contrasting depositional areas: topographic highs with coralgal reefs, and depressions where calcirudite channel fill accumulated. Normal faulting occurred along WNW–ESE master faults. The generation of submarine fault scarps gave rise to various types of gravity‐driven phenomena, including the sliding and slumping of large blocks of reefal limestone and the deposition of carbonate debris flows. Along with the redeposition of the Danian carbonates, flows of fluidized and reworked Campanian chalk resulted from the peculiar physical properties of the undercompacted chalks. Erosion and faulting occurred predominantly during the Palaeocene and represent a major episode in the physiographic evolution of the Paris Basin.     

关于热水沉积物稀土配分模式的讨论

海底热水沉积物的稀土配分模式取决于流体的密度和流方式,低密度热流体的沉积物稀配合模式类似于海水模式,高密度热流体的沉积物没有固定的稀土配分模式,在判别热水沉积物时不宜单独使用稀土配分模式。