Last interglacial sea levels on the south coast of New South Wales

Remnants of the Last Interglacial shoreline occur at Middle Lagoon on the far south coast of New South Wales. Relict beach sediments can be traced to a height of at least +4.8 m and are indicative of a former mean sea level of about +3 m. Thermoluminescence (TL) ages of 126 ± 13 ka and 114 ± 15 ka were determined for beach and aeolian facies respectively. Sands in the lower part of an exposure on the adjacent Gillards Beach gave TL ages of 108 ± 13 ka, but sands in the upper part of that exposure gave an age of 19.9 ± 3.5 ka. This chronological evidence of a stratigraphic unconformity in what was initially taken as pedogenic differentiation at Gillards Beach is supported by contrasting electron traps and colour centres in crystal lattices of quartz grains in these two samples. No tectonic displacement is apparent. This site provides the first evidence of the Last Interglacial sea level for 1000 km along the coast between Gippsland and Newcastle.     

Consequences of short‐term changes in coastal processes: a case study

In 1997–98, unique critical beach erosion led to structural failure along the Penarth, South Wales, UK coastline and anthropogenic activities, such as the construction of the Cardiff Bay Barrage and offshore marine aggregate dredging, were suggested as causes. The time‐frame of significant erosion was between 1995 and 1997 and forcing agents (extreme sea level and wind direction) and shoreline indicators (mean beach level and MHW) were analysed in order to assess change. Water level analysis showed that although there was no significant difference between actual and predicted mean sea levels, extreme sea levels at that time were significantly higher (t = 3·305; d.f. = 8; p < 0·05). Three wind direction analyses (annual mean, mean annual maximum gust and mean annual maximum gust ≥28 kn) between 1995 and 1997 also showed significant differences (p < 0·05). All comprised more easterly components which meant they approached the beach from the sea. Furthermore, gusts ≥28 kn from the northeast quadrant, that is, 0° to 90° true, were significantly more frequent during these years (t = 3·674; d.f. = 8; p < 0·01). Justification of statistical significances was established and there was supporting evidence of unusual meteorological conditions at that time. Relationships showed correlation between forcing agents (extreme sea level and wind direction) and shoreline indicators (mean beach level and Mean High Water). Furthermore, regression analysis showed winds from the northeast quadrant resulted in steeper longshore gradients, as a consequence of beach material loss. Therefore, it was concluded that the critical erosion of Penarth beach between 1995 and 1997 was caused by increased wave attack from the northeast and southeast quadrants, generated by unique significant changes in wind direction and extreme sea levels. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cloud Fields Over Irrigated Areas In Southwestern Kansas—Data And Speculations

This paper suggests that the delivery of services to dependent populations can be facilitated by the existing urban structure, particularly the prevailing patterns of homogeneity and heterogeneity. As a complement to formal attempts to improve the delivery of services and alter what often appears to be a spatially and socially unjust urban structure, the paper provides examples of simple interventions that can expand and enhance informal service delivery at the local level.     

Holocene lake-level fluctuations and beach-ridge development along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, USA

Geomorphology of a beach-ridge complex and adjacent lake basins along the northern shore of Lake Michigan records fluctuations in the level of Lake Michigan for the last 8000 to 10 000 ¹⁴C yr B.P. (radiocarbon years Before Present). A storm berm at 204.7–206 m (671.6–675.9 ft) exposed in a sandpit provides evidence of a pre-Chippewa Low lake level that is correlated with dropping water levels of Glacial Lake Algonquin (c. 10 300–10 100 ¹⁴C yr B.P.). Radiocarbon dates from organic material exposed in a river cutbank and basal sediments from Elbow Lake, Mackinac Co., Michigan, indicate a maximum age of a highstand of Lake Michigan at 6900 ¹⁴C yr B.P., which reached as high as 196.7 m (645 ft), during the early-Nipissing transgression of Lake Michigan. Basal radiocarbon dates from beach swales and a second lake site (Beaverhouse Lake, Mackinac Co.) provide geomorphic evidence for a subsequent highstand which reached 192.6 m (632 ft) at 5390±70 ¹⁴C yr B.P.Basal radiocarbon dates from a transect of sediment cores, along with tree-ring data, and General Land Office Surveyor notes of a shipwreck, c. A.D. 1846, reveal a late-Holocene rate for isostatic rebound of 22.6 cm/100 radiocarbon years (0.74 ft/100 radiocarbon years) for the northern shore of Lake Michigan, relative to the Lake Michigan-Lake Huron outlet at Port Huron, Michigan. Changes in sediment stratigraphy, inter-ridge distance, and sediment accumulation rates document a mid- to late-Holocene retreat of the shoreline due to isostatic rebound. This regression sequence was punctuated by brief, periodic highstands, resulting in progressive development over the past 5400 ¹⁴C yr of 75 pairs of dune ridges and swales each formed over an interval of approximately 72 years. Times of lake-level fluctuation were identified at 3900, 3200, and 1000 ¹⁴C yr B.P. based on changes in inter-ridge spacing, shifts in the course of Millecoquins River, and reorientation of beach-ridge lineation. Soil type, dune development, and selected pollen data provide supporting evidence for this chronology. Late-Holocene beach-ridge development and lake-level fluctuations are related to a retreat of the dominant Pacific airmass and the convergence of the Arctic and Tropical airmasses resulting in predominantly meridional rather than zonal air flow across the Great Lakes region.This is the 13th in a series of papers published in this special AMQUA issue. These papers were presented at the 1994 meeting of the American Quaternary Association held 19–22 June, 1994, at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Dr Linda C. K. Shane served as guest editor for these papers.     

砾石在分析盆地物源区迁移与湖岸线演化中的作用*

中国中西部盆地的盆山结合部位,勘探程度较低、钻井少、地震成像复杂,致使利用传统的地震相、测井相、岩心资料等研究原型盆地岩相古地理特征较为困难。基于露头中巨厚砾岩发育层段对应盆地内储集层平面展布范围最广这一认识,运用“将今论古”方法,建立南天山前现代冲积扇、扇三角洲平原、河流等沉积体系中砾石与搬运距离关系,以及不同沉积相类型中砾石发育产状与湖岸线远近关系,定量计算了准噶尔盆地多条重点剖面侏罗系—白垩系现今位置与沉积物源区和湖岸线演化的距离,恢复了侏罗纪—白垩纪物源区范围与湖岸线演化过程。认为侏罗纪—早白垩世砂砾岩储集体向盆地内延伸范围最大时期的湖岸线,明显与现今盆地边缘线有一向西北方向敞开的夹角,该认识对在编制岩相古地理图过程中以盆地边缘线即为湖岸线的观念提出了不同见解,为恢复准南等低勘探程度区原型盆地的岩相古地理特征、预测有利储集体的展布提供参数依据。建立的刻画物源区变化和湖岸线迁移的定量评价方法与参数,是对传统沉积学研究的有益补充。     

岬间海湾岸线平衡形态神经网络模型

讨论了目前海湾岸线平衡形态经验模型存在的不足之处。从沿岸输沙公式入手,阐述了平衡岸线的机理模式,重新定义了平衡海湾的“下岬角”,给出了模型参数与主波向的具体计算方法,并以华南典型海湾为学习样本,建立了岸线平衡形态的神经网络模型。通过模拟海湾与实际稳定海湾——乌场湾间的对比分析,表明所建神经网络模型是较抛物模型更为理想的平衡岸线模型。     

近100 a来浙江大陆海岸线时空变化特征

收集7个时期的历史图件或卫星遥感影像,运用RS和GIS技术,进行信息提取和实测岸线数据验证,获取各时期浙江大陆海岸线矢量,统计分析结果显示:(1)浙江大陆海岸线总体上表现为海岸线位置外推加快,平直的人工岸线不断取代曲折的自然岸线,部分近岸岛屿并入大陆,海岸线长度明显缩短,百年来人工岸线所占比例由48.01%上升至67.46%。(2)人工岸线和围垦面积变化规律总体呈现出3个明显阶段:1913—1970年自耕农时代高滩围垦阶段,人工岸线长度增加288.78 km,围垦面积仅增593.35 km²;1970—1995年集体农业时代联围堵港阶段,围垦面积快速增加,人工岸线长度反而减少;1995—2014年工业与城镇化建设围垦阶段,人工岸线长度增加116.66 km,而围垦面积剧增1 053.00 km²。(3)河口区大陆海岸线全线平移外推,海岸线长度则有增有减,1913年以来浙江主要河口区围填海面积达1 914.85 km²,占全省围填海面积的76.79%。(4)海湾区大陆海岸线变化以截弯取直为特点,岸线总长度持续减少,百年来三大港湾围填海面积达429.32 km²,占全省的17.22%。     

地层对比中层序地层学理论的运用——以滇东中下泥盆统为例

在滇东进行区域地质调查的过程中 ,详细研究了泥盆系中下统的层序地层 ,在不同地区 (武定盆地、昆明地区、曲靖盆地 )划分了若干个层序 (三级旋回 )、建立了各盆地的层序地层格架、估计了滨线上超三级旋回曲线。以此为基础 ,进行了盆地或地区间滨线上超旋回对比 ,发现其间具可比性。这种可比性对长期争议的滇东泥盆系中下统地层对比问题以及与之相关的盆地演化、构造作用、古地理轮廓、生物地层等问题的解决有很大的帮助。运用层序地层学理论进行盆地间地层对比的基本思路概括为 :　 1)对比的前提是对生物地层和构造作用进行详细而客观的研究 ;　 2 )对比的基础是各盆地建立层序地层格架 ,并估计出与沉积特征和范围尽可能协调的滨线上超旋回 ;　 3 )对比的关键标志是层序边界和凝缩段 ,此外 ,应该注意分布广泛的地质事件     

深圳市1986―2020年间海岸线动态变化特征及成因分析

综合利用LandsatTM影像数据、土地利用变更调查数据和城市总体规划成果资料,对深圳市1986―2020年期间海岸线变化进行回顾和预测分析,总结了海岸线动态变化区域土地利用时空动态变化的基本特征并进行了成因探讨。结果表明:深圳市在1986―2020年间海岸线人为改造活动表现出明显的西强东弱的空间分异格局,其中西部海岸线即将全部被改造成人工岸线,东部还保留约100.4km的天然岸线;全市6处岸线热点变化区域累积填海造地总面积将达到108.9km~2,目前已经完成74.0km~2。缓解土地资源供需紧张矛盾、大型工程建设、水产养殖区拓展和海岸带的自然条件差异是海岸线时空动态变化的主要影响因素;深圳市大规模海岸带人为改造已经显现出一系列负面生态环境效应。     

人工岸线建设对浙江大陆海岸线格局的影响

海岸人工地貌建设是沿海国家开发利用海岸带资源的重要方式,海岸人工岸线的形成改变了自然岸线的格局,并影响着岸线的自然演替规律。基于1990,2000和2010年3期TM遥感影像,提取不同时相的浙江省大陆海岸线信息,对浙江大陆海岸线类型构成及人工岸线建设对岸线格局的影响进行了分析。结果表明:(1)受人类开发活动的影响,近20 a来浙江大陆海岸格局以人工岸线不断增长为特征;(2)不同岸段的人工岸线增长速度有明显差异,以杭州湾、三门湾及台州湾沿岸岸线变化最为显著;(3)20 a间,浙江大陆岸线整体向海推进趋势明显,仅少数岸线发生了海岸蚀退;(4)人工岸线的建设通过对自然岸线的截弯取直,缩短了自然岸线的长度,降低了自然岸线的曲折度,却使浙江省大陆海岸线的多样性指数不断增加。