Ephemeral rollover points and clinothem evolution in the modern Po Delta based on repeated bathymetric surveys

Reconstructions of ancient delta systems rely typically on a two-dimensional (2D) view of prograding clinothems but may miss their three-dimensional (3D) stratigraphic complexity which can, instead, be best documented on modern delta systems by integrating high-resolution geophysical data, historical cartography, core data and geomorphological reconstructions offshore. We quantitatively compare three precisely positioned, high-resolution multi-beam bathymetry maps in the delta front and pro delta sectors (0.3 to 10 m water depth) of Po di Pila, the most active of the modern Po Delta five branches. By investigating the detailed morphology of the prograding modern Po Delta, we shed new light on the mechanisms that control the topset to foreset transition in clinothems and show the temporal and spatial complexity of a delta and its pro delta slope, under the impact of oceanographic processes. This study documents the ephemeral nature of the rollover point at the transition between sandy topset (fluvial, delta plain to mouth-bar) and muddy seaward-dipping foreset deposits advancing, in this case, in >20 m of water depth. Three multibeam surveys, acquired between 2013 and 2016, document the complexity in space and time of the topset and foreset regions and their related morphology, a diagnostic feature that could not be appreciated using solely 2D, even very high-resolution, seismic profiles. In addition, the comparison of bathymetric surveys gathered with one-year lapses shows the migration of subaqueous sand dunes on the clinothem topset, the formation of ephemeral cut-and-fill features at the rollover point (few m below mean sea level), the presence of collapse depressions derived by sagging of sediments and fluid expulsion (possibly induced by storm waves) on the foreset, and splays of sand likely reflecting gravity flows on the lower foreset. Though the modern Po Delta is anthropogenic in many respects, its subaqueous clinothem can be studied as a scale model for ancient clinothems that are less resolved geometrically and far less constrained chronologically.     

Quantifying sand delivery to deep water during changing sea-level: Numerical models from the Quaternary Brazos Icehouse continental margin

Sequence stratigraphy for clastic continental margins predicts the development of sand-rich turbidite deposits during specific times in relation to base-level cycles. It is now widely understood that deltas can extend to the shelf-edge forced by high sediment flux and/or base level, providing a direct connection to transfer sediment and sand to the slope and basin floor even during high base level periods. Herein, we build a stratigraphic forward model for the last 120 kyr of the fluvio-deltaic to deep-water Brazos system (USA) where sediment partitioning along an Icehouse continental margin can be evaluated. The reduced-complexity stratigraphic forward model employs geologically constrained input parameters and mass balance. The modelled architecture is consistent with the location of depositional units previously mapped in the shelf. Sand bypasses the shelf and upper slope between 35 to 15 kyr before present and only about 20%–30% of all the sediment and sand supplied to the system is transferred to deep water. Several scenarios based on the initial Brazos model investigate the relationships between base level and deep-water sand ratio (DWSR). DWSR is defined as the relative amount of sand transferred to the deep-water portions of the system subdivided by the total sand input to the model. Linear correlations between DWSR and base level change rates or base level are very poor. Short-term variability due to local processes (for example avulsions) is superimposed to the long-term trends and mask the base level signal. DWSR for an entire base-level cycle is mainly controlled by the proportion of time the delta stays docked at the shelf-edge. Stratigraphic forward models are useful to complement field observations and quantify how different processes control stratigraphy, which is important for making predictions in areas with limited information.     

Conjugate ruptures and seismotectonic implications of the 2019 Mindanao earthquake sequence inferred from Sentinel-1 InSAR data

In 2019, four strong earthquakes of Mw>6.4 occurred successively in Mindanao, Philippines. Based on the reports from the USGS and PHIVOLCS, these earthquakes were dominated by strike-slip ruptures. Whether these earthquakes are temporally and spatially related remained unknown. We characterized the coseismic displacement fields during the earthquake sequence using an InSAR technique with Sentinel-1 SAR data. The InSAR deformation measurements convincingly reveal that the four earthquakes produced distinct coseismic displacement patterns. We estimated the source parameters of the earthquakes with a two-step inversion strategy. The optimal model suggests that the earthquake sequence resulted from the reactivation of a conjugate fault structure that involves two nearly vertical left-lateral strike-slip faults and two high-angle right-lateral strike-slip faults. We calculated Coulomb stress changes from the earthquake sequence, suggesting that the previous strong earthquakes had significant stress-encouraging effects on the following events. The regional velocities based on the GPS analysis suggest that the formation of this conjugate structure is mainly due to the westward movement of the subducting Philippine Sea Plate. This earthquake sequence provides a seismotectonic background for subsequent strong earthquakes and helps to better understand the formation mechanisms and seismotectonic implications of conjugate structure rupturing.     

结合PS特征点的SBAS地表形变监测

针对SARscape SBAS技术存在人工选取地面控制点影响监测结果的问题,本文提出了一种结合PS特征点的SBAS地表形变监测方法。通过设置PS技术中的振幅离差指数与相干性阈值,提取PS监测结果中的特征点作为地面控制点进行轨道精炼与形变反演。以2017年3月至2018年12月覆盖南昌地区的Sentinel-1影像为数据源,进行了地表形变监测与验证。结果表明：①该方法与PS方法监测结果均显示南昌市城区在监测时段内整体呈小幅度上升趋势,年平均沉降速率相关性达到了0.959,具有高度一致性。②将该方法、PS方法、人工选取地面控制点的SBAS方法的监测结果与水准数据进行对比,该方法与水准数据的误差不超过3.5 mm,说明了该方法的有效性。     

最优权组合预测法在采煤沉陷变形预测中的应用

煤矿地表沉降变形预测多基于煤矿开采沉陷预计理论展开,基于变形分析理论的变形预测模型目前多集中在单模型预测。本文基于组合预测思想,以非等间隔灰色预测模型与BP神经网络模型为预测单模型,以陕西北部某煤矿采煤工作面上方实测地表沉降值为数据源,以最优加权法对单模型预测结果开展了最优权组合,组合模型中两种单模型的权重分别为0.466 7、0.533 3。选取部分监测点的预测结果进行模型精度评价,结果表明：3种预测模型精度均达到了一级。经对比3种模型预测结果,最优权组合预测的模型精度较单模型明显提升,预测结果较非等间隔灰色预测模型与BP神经网络预测模型有明显增益。     

基于PS-InSAR技术的黄土大厚度挖方区回弹变形规律分析

以陕北某湿陷性黄土大厚度挖方地基工程为研究对象,采用PS-InSAR技术对2018-10—2019-11间获取的16景TerraSAR-X卫星影像进行处理,获取了湿陷性黄土挖方区回弹变形信息,总结了大厚度挖方区时序回弹变形特征。结果表明,由于上部土体应力卸载,在开挖区域存在地基土回弹变形现象,选取的高密度PS点变形信息较好地反映了研究区的真实变形情况,回弹变形范围与开挖边界吻合,另外挖方厚度越大,土体开挖引起的回弹变形越大;在开挖完成后的1年监测时间内,回弹区变形量随时间呈线性变化,在最大开挖厚度处,产生最大回弹量为29.3 mm;此外,PS-InSAR技术监测到的变形量与实地水准结果吻合性较好,表明该技术在黄土大厚度挖方区回弹变形监测中具有较好的应用效果。     

不同法截面子午线椭球衔接的研究及应用

为了满足高速铁路线路控制网的投影长度变形值不大于10 mm／km的要求,将长线工程线路分成多段并建立各自的法截面子午线椭球．针对相邻法截面子午线椭球的衔接问题,提出交点法线重合的方法,实现椭球变换之后交点位置的一致性,解决线路的衔接问题,从而大大加强法截面子午线椭球理论在工程线路弯曲性、复杂性及长度的适用性．      

黑潮在吕宋海峡的形变及动力机制

根据１９９０年以来对吕宋海峡和中国南海（ＳＣＳ）北部的ＷＯＣＥ水文资料和其它海洋调查资料的分析，以及对同一海区的卫星遥测海表温度（ＳＳＴ）的资料处理，推断在吕宋海峡常年存在黑潮路径弯曲，西折进入ＳＣＳ并又流出ＳＣＳ的现象，作者将黑潮的这种变形称为“黑潮流套”。黑潮变形进入ＳＣＳ的位置在冬季位于海峡中部、南部附近，范围较大；在夏季略向北移，较集中于海峡中部，范围较小。作者认为，黑潮流套现象可用位涡守恒理论作定性的解释：当黑潮在吕宋海峡失去西边界支持后，其流轴以西贴近西边界的一部分流体，因具有较大的相对正涡度，会脱离黑潮主体在南海东北部形成反时针旋转或顺时针旋转的环流，而黑潮主体会以顺时针旋转的形式在海峡以西的海域出现。整个黑潮以弯曲、扩展的形式在海峡处产生形变，在海峡东侧出现反气旋涡旋的倾向。吕宋海峡黑潮流套及南海北部的诱生环流之流型，会因黑潮本身以及副热带环流整体的变化而变化，也与海峡的宽度有关。总之，吕宋海峡黑潮流套的形成是由当地特殊的地形条件和地转β效应这些内部机制决定的，它的常年存在有其必然性     

西边界流在边界“豁口”的形变及其机制

大洋西边界流在边界豁口处由于失去边界的支持而发生形变。本文将西边界流视为一种惯性射流，遵循绝对涡度守恒原理，推导了流轴及其两侧流体在西边界豁口处不同形式的弯曲，发现在一定的豁口尺度条件下，西边界流自身的相对涡度分布特点和地球旋转的β效应决定了在失去西侧陆坡支持时，其主体会沿反气旋路径发生一段经向的位移而圈回入射点所在的经度位置。主轴变形的经向尺度与初始速度及西边界流的入射角度有关；主轴西侧可能会出现一小部分分支进入邻近的内海并形成气旋或反气旋式环流；主轴东侧的流体则在豁口以东沿反气旋路径弯曲，从而论证了西边界豁口处形成西边界流弯曲的可能性和原因     

西非被动大陆边缘重力滑脱构造体系下的塑性构造

论述了西非被动大陆边缘深水环境下的重力滑脱构造体系中的塑性构造。研究发现塑性地层在整个西非被动大陆边缘都有分布,且盐岩塑性层主要分布在西非被动大陆边缘的西南部和西北部,发育层位为过渡期(J-K)构造层之内;中部尼日尔三角洲等塑性层主要为泥岩塑性层,发育层位为古近系和新近系。根据重力滑脱构造体系发育特征可划分为:以正断裂和塑性焊接构造为主的上部重力滑脱伸展构造、以底辟构造为主的中部重力滑脱底辟构造、以冲断裂、塑性褶皱和塑性冲断构造为主的下部重力滑脱冲断构造。根据塑性构造上覆地层的变形过程,塑性构造演化主要经历了后生变形期和同生变形期。塑性构造变形机制主要受基底掀斜作用和上覆地层的沉积速率控制。塑性构造中的底辟、褶皱、冲断及塑性焊接构造对油气成藏的控制作用依次减弱。