Application of a long-range Terrestrial Laser Scanner to a detailed rockfall study at Vall de Núria (Eastern Pyrenees, Spain)

In this study we show the application of a long-range Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) to a detailed rockfall study in a test zone at Vall de Núria, located in the Eastern Pyrenees. Data acquisition was carried out using TLS-Ilris3D, the new generation of reflector-less laser scanners with a high range, accuracy and velocity of measurements. Eight scans were performed at 3 stations to acquire coordinates of almost 4 million points. The results from the acquired data are a high accuracy Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and the reconstruction of the joint geometry. The former is used for inventory of rockfalls and for more accurate rockfall simulation (trajectories and velocities). The latter allows us to model the geometry and volume of the source area in recent rockfalls. Our findings suggest that TLS technology could be a tool of reference in rockfall studies in the near future.     

Feeding ecology of Japanese Spanish mackerel(Scomberomorus niphonius) along the eastern coastal waters of China

Feeding activities provide necessary nutrition and energy to support the reproduction and development of fish populations. The feeding ecology and dietary plasticity of fish are important factors determining their recruitment and population dynamics. As a top predator, Japanese Spanish mackerel(Scomberomorus niphonius) supports one of the most valuable fisheries in China. In this study, the feeding ecology and diet composition of Japanese Spanish mackerel spawning groups were analysed based on samples collected from six spawning grounds along the eastern coastal waters of China during spring(March to May) in 2016 and 2017. Both stomach contents and stable isotope analysis were conducted. Stomach content analysis showed that spawning groups of Japanese Spanish mackerel mainly fed on fish, consuming more than 40 different prey species. Diets were significantly different among sampling locations. The most important prey species were Stolephorus in Fuzhou, Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus in Xiangshan, Euphausia pacifica in Lüsi, sand lance Ammodytes personatus in Qingdao and Weihai, and Leptochela gracilis in Laizhou Bay. Stable isotope analysis showed that the trophic level of Japanese Spanish mackerel was relatively high and generally increased with latitude from south to north. In the 1980 s, the diet of Japanese Spanish mackerel was dominated solely by Japanese anchovies in the eastern coastal waters of China. The results in the present study showed that the importance of Japanese anchovies declined considerably, and this fish was not the most dominant diet in most of the investigated waters. Both the spatial variations in diet composition and changes in the dominant diet over the long term indicated the high adaptability of Japanese Spanish mackerel to the environment. Combining the results of stomach analysis and stable isotope analysis from different tissues provided more comprehensive and accurate dietary information on Japanese Spanish mackerel. The study provides essential information about the feeding ecology of Japanese Spanish mackerel and will benefit the management of its populations in the future.     

中国中-西部4种新生代挤压盆地成藏地质条件及成藏期次

新生代挤压盆地是我国中-西部的重要油气勘探领域。根据挤压盆地的发育部位、盆地基底、充填层序、构造叠加和盆山耦合形式等条件,本文在我国中-西部识别出准(噶尔)西北缘型、四川盆地西缘型、柴(达木)北缘型和准(噶尔)南缘型等4种新生代挤压盆地,前两者发育海西晚期—印支期前陆盆地,后两者具有喜马拉雅造山期的再生前陆盆地特征。对准西北缘、四川盆地西缘、柴北缘和准南缘新生代挤压盆地的对比研究表明,它们在烃源岩、储盖组合等成藏条件上存在明显的差异,而晚期前陆发育对柴北缘型和准南缘型挤压盆地烃源岩演化具有明显的控制作用。在不同新生代挤压盆地典型油气藏解剖研究的基础上,认为燕山期及之前是准西北缘型和四川盆地西缘型挤压盆地主要的成藏期,喜马拉雅造山期则主要表现为准西北缘型挤压盆地的油气藏保存和四川盆地西缘型挤压盆地油气藏的调整和定型;喜马拉雅晚期是柴北缘型挤压盆地最主要的成藏期,而多期前陆盆地的准南缘型挤压盆地具有多期成藏的特征,但喜马拉雅晚期的油气成藏最为重要。     

Accelerated sediment delivery to continental margins during post-orogenic rebound of mountain ranges

Changes in sediment flux to continental margins are commonly interpreted in terms of tectonic growth of topography or climatic change. Here, we show that variations in sediment yield from orogenic systems, previously considered as resulting from climate change, drainage reorganisation or mantle processes can be explained by intrinsic mechanisms of mountain belt/foreland basin systems naturally evolving during post-orogenic decay. Numerical modelling indicates an increase of sediment flux leaving the orogenic system synchronous with the cessation of deposition in the foreland basin and the transition from late syn- to post-orogenesis. Experiments highlight the importance of lithospheric flexure that causes the post-orogenic isostatic rebound of the foreland basin. Erosion of the rebounding foreland basin combined with continued sediment flux from the thrust wedge drives an acceleration in sediment outflux towards continental margins. Sediment budget records in natural settings such as the Northern Pyrenees or Western European Alps also indicate accelerated post-orogenic sediment delivery to the Bay of Biscay and Rhône Delta respectively. These intrinsic processes that determine sediment yield to continental margins must be accounted for prior to consideration of additional external tectonic or climatic controls.     

Glacial oscillations during the Bølling–Allerød Interstadial–Younger Dryas transition in the Ruda Valley,Central Pyrenees

The Upper Garonne Basin included the largest glacial system in the Pyrenees during the last glacial cycle. Within the long-term glacial retreat during Termination-1 (T-1), glacier fluctuations left geomorphic evidence in the area. However, the chronology of T-1 glacial oscillations on the northern slopes of the Central Pyrenees is still poorly constrained. Here, we introduce new geomorphological observations and a 12-sample dataset of ¹⁰Be cosmic-ray exposure ages from the Ruda Valley. This U-shaped valley, surrounded by peaks exceeding 2800 m a.s.l., includes a sequence of moraines and polished surfaces that enabled a reconstruction of the chronology of the last deglaciation. Following the maximum ice extent, warmer conditions prevailing at ~15–14 ka, during the Bølling–Allerød (B–A) Interstadial, favoured glacial retreat in the Ruda Valley. Within the B–A, glaciers experienced two phases of advance/stillstand with moraine formation at 13.5 and 13.0 ka. During the early Younger Dryas (YD), glacial retreat exposed the highest surfaces of the Saboredo Cirque (~2300–2350 m) at 12.7 ka. Small glaciers persisted only inside the highest cirques (~2470 m), such as in Sendrosa Cirque, with moraines stabilising at 12.6 ka. The results of this work present the most complete chronology for Pyrenean glacial oscillations from the B–A to the YD.