Fractals in Karst

The analysis of cave survey data is used to establish that cave length exhibits fractal (self-similar) behaviour, with dimensions in the range 1–1·5, over a range of measurement resolutions from 1 to 100 m. It is suggested that fractal dimensions, together with their range of applicability, will prove to be useful parameters for the study of caves.     

Interpretation of epikarstic cave drip water recession curves: a case study from Velika Pasica Cave,central Slovenia

ABSTRACT

Recession curves are widely used in hydrological studies and projects, such as in rivers, streams or springs. However, no cave drip water has been analysed with recession curves. In this paper, four cave drips were monitored in the Velika Pasica Cave, in order to discover the water flow and storage properties of the epikarst. Various methods were applied in the recession analysis, combining the hydrological characteristics of the four drips: for the slow water in the epikarst, the matching strip method was the identified as the appropriate model for the drip water recession analysis. According to the recession coefficient k, the water flow in the epikarst was divided into fast flow, intermediate flow and slow flow. The volume of water retained in the reservoir (the epikarst storage) could be presented as a function of its specific recession coefficient.

EDITOR D.Koutsoyiannis; ASSOCIATE EDITOR X. Chen     

The Quaternary Lancaster Sound trough‐mouth fan,NW Baffin Bay

The development of the Lancaster Sound Trough Mouth Fan (TMF) and glacial history in Arctic Canada were studied using a high‐resolution seismic profile across the entire fan and two piston cores. Stacked tills separated by erosion surfaces on the shelf pass seaward through till deltas into thick transparent glacigenic debris flow (GDF) deposits on the slope, separated by thin, well‐stratified glaciomarine layers. An age model was built by ties to the Ocean Drilling Program Site 645. The deepest GDF on the seismic profile was indicative of the onset of shelf‐crossing glaciation in the Early Pleistocene. The transition of the growth of Lancaster Sound TMF from an aggradational sequence (unit M) to an aggradational–progradational sequence (unit F) occurred at the Middle Pleistocene transition in glacial cyclicity. In the most recent glacial cycle, GDF sheets were deposited during Heinrich events 4 and 2 according to the correlation of the main detrital carbonate beds in two piston cores. The outmost till wedge reflects the maximum advance of the grounding glacier, far seaward of previously proposed Last Glacial Maximum ice extent. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The last deglaciation in the Picos de Europa National Park (Cantabrian Mountains,northern Spain)

A sedimentological and geochemical study of the Lago Enol sequence (Cantabrian Mountains, northern Spain), together with detailed geomorphological mapping, provides a first record of glacier evolution and climate change over the last 40 ka in the Picos de Europa National Park. The Enol glacier retreated from its maximum extent prior to 40 ka BP as demonstrated by the onset of proglacial lacustrine sedimentation in two glaciated depressions: the Comella hollow to the north (before 40 ka BP) and the Lago Enol (before 38 ka BP). These results support previous evidence that the maximum extent of southern European glaciers occurred earlier than in northern Europe. Alternation of homogeneous and laminated proglacial sediments during the glacier retreat illustrate a dynamic glacial evolution during the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 (40–26 ka BP). A slight warming is detected at 26 ka ago with the change from proglacial sediments (in a lake located in contact to the glacier) to glaciolacustrine sedimentation (in a non‐contact or distal lake). Finally, the onset of organic‐rich sediments took place at 18 ka ago. This last transition occurred in two phases, similarly to the North Atlantic Last Termination, suggesting a link between North Atlantic Deep Water formation oscillations and palaeohydrological variability in the Cantabrian Mountains. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A model of the early evolution of karst aquifers in limestone in the dimensions of length and depth

A new model of the early evolution of limestone karst aquifers in the dimensions of length and depth is presented. In its initial state the aquifer consists of a rock massive with evenly spaced fractures of about 50 μm aperture widths with an hydraulic conductivity of 10⁻⁷ ms⁻¹. In addition to this a coarser network of prominent fractures with aperture widths of several 100 μm is also present. Boundary conditions of constant recharge 450 mm/year, or constant head from the input of allogenic streams are imposed. First the position of the water table in the aquifer is calculated, then dissolutional widening during a time step in all the fractures below the water table is found by use of the well-known nonlinear dissolution kinetics of limestone. This is iterated and the position of the water table as well as the fracture widths are found as a function of time. In the case of constant recharge to a karst plateau, the water table in any case drops to base level and conduits there propagate from the spring headwards. If constant head conditions are valid the position of the water table remains almost stable and conduits propagate along the water table from the input towards the spring. There is competition between conduit evolution along prominent fractures and along tight fissures close to the water table. In any case under constant head conditions one of these pathways wins, and early karst evolution is terminated by a breakthrough event with an explosive increase of the flow through the aquifer until constant head conditions break down. Depending on the boundary conditions of constant head or constant recharge or a combination of both it is possible to describe models of cave genesis, which have been derived from field evidence, such as the water table models of Swinnerton and Rhoades as well as the four-state model by Ford and Ewers (Can. J. Earth Sci., 15 (1978) 1783).     

龙门石窟文物区岩体波动测试与分析

介绍了波动测试的原理及方法，并通过波动测试以及数学力学的类比法，确定了龙门石窟岩体的动态力学参数，为分析龙门石窟文物区岩体的动态性能与稳定性提供了资料及依据。     

聚煤盆地富煤规律研究综述及展望

聚煤盆地富煤规律是煤地质学研究之焦点。富煤规律研究的突出进展主要包括聚煤模式、富煤带和富煤单元以及现代泥炭比较沉积学研究。尤其是近年来富煤单元和现代泥炭比较沉积学研究更清楚地揭示煤赋存规律与成因煤相和工艺煤相之间的内在联系,从而为聚煤盆地优质煤的预测提供有效的方法。     

A quantitative approach to deep-water sedimentation in the South China Sea: Changes since the last glaciation

The first attempt is made to evaluate quantitatively the changes of accumulation rates in the South China Sea during the last glaciation and Holocene, based on the data of 72 sediment cores taken from six areas deeper than 100 m. As shown from the calculations, the accumulation rate during the last glaciation is much higher than that during the Holocene. The southern and northern continental slopes are distinguished from other areas by the highest accumulation rates, with different features of sedimentation for aifferent stages: The Glacial-Holocene contrast in accumulation rate of terrigenous material is more distinct in the southern slope, while the contrast in biogenic sedimentation rate is more remarkable in the northern slope. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 49576268).     

Some fine-grained sedimentation phenomena in caves

Fine-grained sedimentation in caves often occurs by the parallel accretion of laminations upon the underlying bedforms. These laminations show remarkable persistence in unit thickness and grain size in a down-passage direction. A translatory flow mechanism ofdeposition is postulated which results in the rhythmic pulsing of sediment-laden water into subterranean lakes in response to variations in surface climate. The sediments are pulsed into standing water via multiple inputs, often resulting in coarser sediment being deposited on steeper slopes than on more gentle slopes. The final extension of this sediment input is the complete filling of the cave passage to the roof. The problem of sediment stability on steep slopes remains an unanswered anomaly.     

Some methods for statistical analysis of multimodal distributions and their application to grain-size data

Some of the methods used in the resolution of mixed normal distributions are discussed under three headings: analytical, graphical, and numerical methods. Attention is given to their applicability in the analysis of grain-size data as derived from sieving. Comparisons are made by applying several methods to published data. It is concluded that the numerical methods offer most scope, especially the method of nonlinear least squares. Some analyses of beach sediments, using this method, are presented. The adoption of a convention for the number of individuals in the sample increases ease of interpretation.