Reply to comments on “Explicit versus implicit front advancing schemes for the simulation of hydraulic fracture growth” (Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech., 2019, 43 (6), 1300–1315)” by Prof. Linkov

We reply to Prof. Linkov comments on our article entitled “Explicit versus implicit front advancing schemes for the simulation of hydraulic fracture growth” (Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech., 2019, 43 (6), 1300–1315). We present additional results indicating that both the implicit and explicit front advancement schemes are robust even in the case of a large stress contrast.     

Transient streambed hydraulic conductivity in channel and bar environments,Loup River,Nebraska

Streambed hydraulic conductivity (K) and vertical K (K _v) are key controls on groundwater and surface water exchange and biogeochemical fluxes through the hyporheic zone, but drivers of transient hydraulic properties in different fluvial environments are poorly understood. This study combines hydrogeology, geophysics, and sedimentology to reveal mechanisms of K and K _v transience in the upper 0.5 m of a sandy streambed during low discharge. Hydraulic tests (44 slug tests, 130 falling-head permeameter tests) and 130 grain-size analyses were repeated three times over 8 weeks on a 1,200 m² grid spanning: (a) a channel with continuously flowing water and mobile bed load; (b) an adjacent mid-channel bar that was stationary and infrequently submerged. Aerial photographs and ground-penetrating radar show scour and complete reworking of fluvial sediments in the channel. Bar sediments below the water table remained immobile, but infrequent flows of moderate discharge reworked the uppermost few centimetres of the bar top. Despite differences in sediment mobility and stream flow characteristics across environments, K and K _v exhibited order-of-magnitude differences in spatial heterogeneity and temporal variability in both the channel and bar. Mean K and K _v values in the channel were comparatively stable over time. In the immobile bar, mean K declined 20% and K _v declined 26% after increased discharge temporarily inundated the bar. Grain-size distributions were steady across both environments over time, but repeat geophysical surveys of the bar show a decrease in electrical conductivity, likely from porosity reduction. These findings suggest that sediment dynamics and stream flow characteristics in different streambed environments are important drivers of K transience during low discharge conditions. Specifically, pore clogging can be an important mechanism of transience over short durations (weeks to months) in immobile sediments subject to infrequent flows and minor reworking.     

Near‐surface hydraulic conductivity of northern hemisphere glaciers

The hydrology of near‐surface glacier ice remains a neglected aspect of glacier hydrology despite its role in modulating meltwater delivery to downstream environments. To elucidate the hydrological characteristics of this near‐surface glacial weathering crust, we describe the design and operation of a capacitance‐based piezometer that enables rapid, economical deployment across multiple sites and provides an accurate, high‐resolution record of near‐surface water‐level fluctuations. Piezometers were employed at 10 northern hemisphere glaciers, and through the application of standard bail–recharge techniques, we derive hydraulic conductivity (K) values from 0.003 to 3.519 m day^?1, with a mean of 0.185 ± 0.019 m day^?1. These results are comparable to those obtained in other discrete studies of glacier near‐surface ice, and for firn, and indicate that the weathering crust represents a hydrologically inefficient aquifer. Hydraulic conductivity correlated positively with water table height but negatively with altitude and cumulative short‐wave radiation since the last synoptic period of either negative air temperatures or turbulent energy flux dominance. The large range of K observed suggests complex interactions between meteorological influences and differences arising from variability in ice structure and crystallography. Our data demonstrate a greater complexity of near‐surface ice hydrology than hitherto appreciated and support the notion that the weathering crust can regulate the supraglacial discharge response to melt production. The conductivities reported here, coupled with typical supraglacial channel spacing, suggest that meltwater can be retained within the weathering crust for at least several days. Not only does this have implications for the accuracy of predictive meltwater run‐off models, but we also argue for biogeochemical processes and transfers that are strongly conditioned by water residence time and the efficacy of the cascade of sediments, impurities, microbes, and nutrients to downstream ecosystems. Because continued atmospheric warming will incur rising snowline elevations and glacier thinning, the supraglacial hydrological system may assume greater importance in many mountainous regions, and consequently, detailing weathering crust hydraulics represents a research priority because the flow path it represents remains poorly constrained.     

Salt tectonics in a double salt‐source layer setting (Eastern Persian Gulf,Iran): Insights from interpretation of seismic profiles and sequential cross‐section restoration

Salt tectonics in the Eastern Persian Gulf (Iran) is linked to a unique salt‐bearing system involving two overlapping ‘autochthonous’ mobile source layers, the Ediacaran–Early Cambrian Hormuz Salt and the Late Oligocene–Early Miocene Fars Salt. Interpretations of reflection seismic profiles and sequential cross‐section restorations are presented to decipher the evolution of salt structures from the two source layers and their kinematic interaction on the style of salt flow. Seismic interpretations illustrate that the Hormuz and Fars salts started flowing in the Early Palaeozoic (likely Cambrian) and Early Miocene, respectively, shortly after their deposition. Differential sedimentary loading (downbuilding) and subsalt basement faults initiated and localized the flow of the Hormuz Salt and the related salt structures. The resultant diapirs grew by passive diapirism until Late Cretaceous, whereas the pillows became inactive during the Mesozoic after a progressive decline of growth in the Late Palaeozoic. The diapirs and pillows were then subjected to a Palaeocene–Eocene contractional deformation event, which squeezed the diapirs. The consequence was significant salt extrusion, leading to the development of allochthonous salt sheets and wings. Subsequent rise of the Hormuz Salt occurred in wider salt stocks and secondary salt walls by coeval passive diapirism and tectonic shortening since Late Oligocene. Evacuation and diapirism of the Fars Salt was driven mainly by differential sedimentary loading in annular and elongate minibasins overlying the salt and locally by downslope gliding around pre‐existing stocks of the Hormuz Salt. At earlier stages, the Fars Salt flowed not only towards the pre‐existing Hormuz stocks but also away from them to initiate ring‐like salt walls and anticlines around some of the stocks. Subsequently, once primary welds developed around these stocks, the Fars Salt flowed outwards to source the peripheral salt walls. Our results reveal that evolving pre‐existing salt structures from an older source layer have triggered the flow of a younger salt layer and controlled the resulting salt structures. This interaction complicates the flow direction of the younger salt layer, the geometry and spatial distribution of its structures, as well as minibasin depocentre migration through time. Even though dealing with a unique case of two ‘autochthonous’ mobile salt layers, this work may also provide constraints on our understanding of the kinematics of salt flow and diapirism in other salt basins having significant ‘allochthonous’ salt that is coevally affected by deformation of the deeper autochthonous salt layer and related structures.     

沿海和岛屿重力海潮负荷改正模型——以马祖岛为例

基于NAO99b全球海潮模型、NAO99Jb区域海潮模型、验潮站资料和SRTM地形数据确定的高空间分辨率海陆边界数据,构建我国沿海和岛屿高精度重力海潮负荷改正模型。以马祖岛为例介绍该模型,并采用实测的绝对重力测量资料进行验证。结果表明,经该模型改正后的重力观测精度明显提高。     

海潮负荷效应对我国及周边IGS站的影响

针对近海区域海潮变化复杂且海潮负荷效应显著,而全球海潮模型在近海区域精度较低的问题,该文提出了将全球海潮模型NAO.99b和区域模型osu.chinasea.2010相结合,分析海潮对中国大陆及周边地区IGS站的影响。使用GAMIT软件解算IGS站实测数据,通过海潮负荷计算软件SPOTL对解算结果进行改正,并对改正效果进行对比和分析。结果表明,海潮负荷对中国及周边区域站点的影响主要体现在垂直方向,对一些站点的影响可以达到厘米级;海潮负荷对站点坐标的改正效果明显,特别是日本的种子岛站改正效果接近30%;站点改正效果从沿海到内陆逐渐减弱。     

Economic‐Development Stakeholder Perspectives on Boomtown Dynamics in the Eagle Ford Shale,Texas

Unconventional oil and gas production in the United States reversed a decades‐old trend of rising oil imports, provided an argument for lifting the U.S. crude oil export ban and motivated the development of domestic natural gas export facilities. But the most visible impact of unconventional‐hydrocarbon extraction is the creation of boomtowns in rural regions. Despite widespread media coverage, scholarly analysis of boomtowns is restricted to regional econometric studies with little attention to how economic stakeholders understand and respond to booming economies. Here we analyze interviews with key economic stakeholders in the Eagle Ford Shale in Texas. Respondents consider their community's economic success relative to the price of oil and indicate concerns about the deterioration of roads, high housing demand, and skyrocketing wages. We also re‐examine John Gilmore's foundational work on boomtowns in the 1970s in the context of contemporary unconventional extraction.     

Modelling the effect of rainfall on instabilities of slopes along highways

 During and after the very wet 1991/1992 winter experienced in Jordan, significant instabilities occurred in several sections of the new Irbid–Amman Highway in Jordan. A potential impact of surface and subsurface flow on the failed areas was noted. This paper is concerned with a hydrological study of the Irbid–Amman Highway, including watershed characteristics, hydrological data analysis, and hydraulic analysis of remedial works to failed areas and other parts of the highway drainage to minimize the impact of surface runoff and the effects of subsurface water with respect to the stability of the upslope and to limit the porewater pressure within the road formation. The study shows that the culvert capacity and the discharge velocity of the cross-highway drainage are deficient. Recommendations (e.g. gabion cascades) are therefore suggested to reduce drainage to the cross highway drainage structures. Grouting is suggested to stabilize the embankments above the inlets to culverts. Remedial drainage works are suggested for each major failed area. These include: culverts, table drain, drainage blanket beneath road formation, cut-off drains above cuttings, subsurface drains into the cut in the vicinity of springs, curtain drain beneath the lined table drain, and others. Received: 26 March 1997 · Accepted: 23 March 1998     

埋设地下光缆对武都地电影响的分析

着重探讨武都地电台测区埋设地下光缆后北西道地电阻率测值急剧上升的原因.通过实际观测、理论分析和实验,总结出了这种变化的机制,定量地解释了埋设地下光缆对地电观测的影响,从而为以后判断地电测值变化是干扰还是地震异常提供了依据.