Origin of the salt valleys in the Canyonlands section of the Colorado Plateau: Evaporite-dissolution collapse versus tectonic subsidence

The salt valleys over the axis of the salt-cored anticlines in the Paradox fold and fault belt (Canyonlands, Utah and Colorado) are created by subsidence of the anticline crests. Traditionally, the collapse of the anticlinal crests was attributed to dissolution of the salt walls (diapirs) forming the anticline cores. Recent studies based on scaled physical models and field observations propose that the salt valleys are a result of regional extension and that salt dissolution had only a minor influence in the development of the axial depressions. This paper presents several arguments and lines of evidence that refute the tectonic model and support the salt dissolution subsidence interpretation.The development of contractional structures in salt dissolution experiments led the advocates of the tectonic interpretation to reject the dissolution-induced subsidence explanation. However, these salt dissolution models do not reproduce the karstification of salt walls in a realistic way, since their analog involves removal of salt from the base of the diapirs during the experiments. Additionally, numerous field examples and laboratory models conducted by other authors indicate that brittle subsidence in karst settings is commonly controlled by subvertical gravity faults.Field evidence against the regional extension model includes (1) a thick cap rock at the top of the salt walls, (2) the concentration of subsidence deformation structures along the crest of the anticlines (salt walls), (3) deformational structures not consistent with the proposed NNE extension, like crestal synforms and NE–SW grabens, (4) dissolution-induced subsidence structures controlled by ring faulting, revealing deep-seated dissolution, (5) large blocks foundered several hundred meters into the salt wall, (6) evidence of recent and active dissolution subsidence, and (7) the aseismic nature of the recently active collapse faults. Although underground salt dissolution seems to be the main cause for the generation of the salt valleys, this phenomenon may have been favored by regional extension tectonics that enhance the circulation of groundwater and salt dissolution.     

Holocene-emerged notches and tectonic uplift along the Jalisco coast, Southwest Mexico

This paper presents the preliminary results from a study of Holocene-emerged shorelines, marine notches, and their tectonic implications along the Jalisco coast. The Pacific coast of Jalisco, SW Mexico, is an active tectonic margin. This coast has been the site of two of the largest earthquakes to occur in Mexico this century: the 1932 (Mw 8.2) Jalisco earthquake and the 1995 (Mw 8.0) Colima earthquake. Measurement and preliminary radiocarbon dating of emergent paleoshorelines along the Jalisco coast provide the first constraints upon the timing for tectonic uplift. Along this coastline, uplifted Holocene marine notches and wave-cut platforms occur at elevations ranging from ca. 1 to 4.5 m amsl. In situ intertidal organisms dated with radiocarbon, the first ever reported for the Jalisco area, provide preliminary results that record tectonic uplift during at least the past 1300 years BP at an average rate of about 3 mm/year. We propose a model in which coseismic subsidence produced by offshore earthquakes is rapidly recovered during the postseismic and interseismic periods. The long-term period is characterized by slow tectonic uplift of the Jalisco coast. We found no evidence of coastal interseismic and long-term subsidence along the Jalisco coast.     

Plate generation and two-phase damage theory in a model of mantle convection

The formation of narrow, rapidly deforming plate boundaries separating strong plate interiors are integral components of the generation of plate tectonics from mantle convection. The development of narrow plate boundaries requires the interaction of a non-linear rheology and convection. One such non-linear rheology is two-phase damage theory which employs a non-equilibrium relation between interfacial surface energy, pressure and viscous deformation, thereby forming a theoretical model for void generation. Two-phase damage theory was recently extended to allow for deformational work to increase the fineness (reduce the grain size) of the matrix phase. We present results testing two-phase damage theory in a 2-D convectively driven system where we allow for (1) pure void-generating damage, (2) pure fineness-generating damage and (3) combined void- and fineness-generating damage. Pure void-generating damage is found to be unsuccessful at producing plate-like features. Fineness-generating damage is successful at inducing plate-like behaviour in certain circumstances, including increasing viscosity sensitivity to fineness and certain regimes of damage input and healing rate. Cases with combined void- and fineness-generating damage produce significantly more localization than the end-members due to the apparent increase of deformational work input into fineness generation. The interaction of microcracks and grain size reduction in two-phase damage theory suggests a rheological model for shear localization necessary for the formation of plate tectonic boundaries.     

Geomorphic appraisals of active tectonics associated with uplift of the Gohpur–Ganga section in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India

The Gohpur–Ganga section is located southwest of Itanagar, India. The study area and its adjacent regions lie between the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and the Himalayan Front Fault (HFF) within the Sub-Himalaya of the Eastern Himalaya. The Senkhi stream, draining from the north, passes through the MBT and exhibits local meandering as it approaches the study area. Here, five levels of terraces are observed on the eastern part, whereas only four levels of terraces are observed on the western part. The Senkhi and Dokhoso streams show unpaired terraces consisting of very poorly sorted riverbed materials lacking stratification, indicating tectonic activity during deposition. Crude imbrications are also observed on the terrace deposits. A wind gap from an earlier active channel is observed at latitude 27°04′42.4″ N and longitude 93°35′22.4″ E at the height of about 35 m from the present active channel of Senkhi stream. Linear arrangements of ponds trending northeast–southwest on the western side of the study section may represent the paleochannel of Dokhoso stream meeting the Senkhi stream abruptly through this gap earlier. Major lineament trends are observed along NNE–SSW, NE–SW and ENE–WSW direction. The Gohpur–Ganga section is on Quaternary deposits, resting over the Siwaliks with angular contact. Climatic changes of Pleistocene–Holocene times seem to have affected the sedimentation pattern of this part of the Sub-Himalaya, in association with proximal tectonism associated with active tectonic activities, which uplifted the Quaternary deposits. Older and younger terrace deposits seem to mark the Pleistocene–Holocene boundary in the study area with the older terraces showing a well-oxidized and semi-consolidated nature compared to the unoxidized nature of the younger terraces.     

Tectonic and climatic controls on historical landscape modifications: The avulsion of the lower Cecina River (Tuscany, central Italy)

Integration of geomorphology, stratigraphy, sedimentology and morphotectonics in the analysis of the lower Cecina River reach, coastal Tuscany, reveals an undocumented historical channel avulsion. Geomorphological evidence and radiocarbon dating support that, from the Last Glacial Maximum until the end of the 16th century, the Cecina River flowed north of the present course and formed a well-developed cuspate delta. Two concurrent factors, active tectonics as a preparing factor and discharge regime as an activation factor, are thus inferred to have favored the avulsion of Cecina River. Fragmentary archaeological and historical records indicate that the late Holocene Cecina River plain was virtually unpopulated until the latest 16th century. This seems the main reason why high-magnitude hydrological events and prominent river channel avulsions were not reported in historical chronicles. From this perspective, geomorphological data may provide important knowledge and understanding of recent dynamics of environmental change when historical record is lacking or missing.     

太行山东麓焚风天气的统计特征和机理分析Ⅱ:背风波对焚风产生和传播影响的个例分析

利用中尺度模式WRF3.3对太行山东麓焚风典型个例进行了数值模拟。结果表明,太行山东麓焚风的发生和移动与山脉背风波密切相关。由此建立了太行山东麓焚风的概念模型:西北或偏西气流途经山西盆地、山西境内的山脉或高原,再越过太行山,在其东麓形成背风波。背风波的下沉气流气温按干绝热方式上升,同时下沉气流也会对低层大气产生压缩增温效应,使得太行山东麓产生焚风。背风波即为重力波,可以伴随着下沉气流向下游移动,正变温区同时也向东移动。变温区移动的速度和重力波的传播速度相同。背风波的产生,需要Scorer数向上足够的减小,而且不连续,即要求大气是稳定的且存在明显的风速切变。     

热带平流层多尺度波动分离方案的研究：多站点高分辨率无线电探空联合分析

利用太平洋地区台风过境期间6个热带气象站的高分辨率无线电探空资料,结合扩展经验正交函数（EEOF）展开,对热带下平流层行星波和重力波扰动进行了分离,给出了一种热带地区提取重力波扰动的新方案。对观测数据做EEOF展开后,选择表征行星尺度波动模态的特征向量和相应权重进行气象要素场的重建。结果显示,在不同的台风过程期间,温度、纬向风和经向风的重建扰动量显示出不同的动力学偏振关系:在准两年振荡（QBO）东风位相时与赤道开尔文波的偏振关系一致,而在准两年振荡西风位相时与混合罗斯贝-重力波（MRG）的偏振关系一致。把行星尺度波动模态从原始观测中剔除,得到新的扰动廓线,对其进行重力波垂直波数谱的谱型拟合。结果发现,与以往方法提取的重力波扰动相比,新方法所得谱型参数中特征垂直波长λ*在不同时期不同站点变化很小,稳定在1.7 km左右,且低频波数段谱斜率s的数值与理论假设1十分接近。综合其研究结果可以推测,用新方法提取的热带重力波扰动更加符合当前的理论垂直波数谱模型。