Spatio‐temporal variability of Great Lakes basin snow cover ablation events

In the Great Lakes basin of North America, annual run‐off is dominated by snowmelt. This snowmelt‐induced run‐off plays an important role within the hydrologic cycle of the basin, influencing soil moisture availability and driving the seasonal cycle of spring and summer lake levels. Despite this, relatively little is understood about the patterns and trends of snow ablation event frequency and magnitude within the Great Lakes basin. This study uses a gridded dataset of Canadian and United States surface snow depth observations to develop a regional climatology of snow ablation events from 1960 to 2009. An ablation event is defined as an interdiurnal snow depth decrease within an individual grid cell. A clear seasonal cycle in ablation event frequency exists within the basin and peak ablation event probability is latitudinally dependent. Most of the basin experiences peak ablation frequency in March, while the northern and southern regions of the basin experience respective peaks in April and February. An investigation into the interannual frequency of ablation events reveals ablation events significantly decrease within the northeastern and northwestern Lake Superior drainage basins and significantly increase within the eastern Lake Huron and Georgian Bay drainage basins. In the eastern Lake Huron and Georgian Bay drainage basins, larger ablation events are occurring more frequently, and a larger impact to the hydrology can be expected. Trends in ablation events are attributed primarily to changes in snowfall and snow depth across the region.     

Determination of snow water equivalent over the eastern part of Turkey using passive microwave data

Information on regional snow water equivalent (SWE) is required for the management of water generated from snowmelt. Modeling of SWE in the mountainous regions of eastern Turkey, one of the major headwaters of Euphrates–Tigris basin, has significant importance in forecasting snowmelt discharge, especially for optimum water usage. An assimilation process to produce daily SWE maps is developed based on Helsinki University of Technology (HUT) model and AMSR‐E passive microwave data. The characteristics of the HUT emission model are analyzed in depth and discussed with respect to the extinction coefficient function. A new extinction coefficient function for the HUT model is proposed to suit models for snow over mountainous areas. Performance of the modified model is checked against the original, other modified cases and ground truth data covering the 2003–2007 winter periods. A new approach to calculate grain size and density is integrated inside the developed data assimilation process. An extensive validation was successfully performed by means of snow data measured at ground stations during the 2008–2010 winter periods. The root mean square error of the data set for snow depth and SWE between January and March of the 2008–2010 periods compared with the respective AMSR‐E footprints indicated that errors for estimated snow depth and predicted SWE values were 16.92 cm and 40.91 mm, respectively, for the 3‐year period. Validation results were less satisfactory for SWE less than 75.0 mm and greater than 150.0 mm. An underestimation for SWE greater than 150 mm could not be resolved owing to the microwave signal saturation that is observed for dense snowpack. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lithospheric pressure–depth relationship in compressive regions of thickened crust

We investigate the pressure distribution with depth in regions undergoing horizontal shortening and experiencing crustal thickening both analytically and numerically. Our results show that, in a convergent tectonic setting, pressure can be considerably higher than lithostatic (the pressure resulting from the weight of the overburden). Increases in pressure with respect to lithostatic conditions result from both the contribution of horizontal stresses and the flexural vertical loads, the latter generated by the deflection of the upper crust and of the mantle because of the presence of topographic relief and a root, respectively. The contribution of horizontal stresses is particularly relevant to the upper crust and uppermost mantle, where rocks are thought to deform brittlely. In these domains, pressure gradients twice lithostatic can be achieved. The contribution of horizontal stresses is less important in the ductile domains as differential stresses are progressively relaxed; nevertheless, the effects are still noteworthy especially close to the brittle–ductile transition. Flexural vertical loads generated by the deflection of the upper crust and lithospheric mantle are relevant for rocks of the weaker lower crust. As a result of the combination of the two mechanisms, the pressure gradient varies vertically through the lithosphere, ranging from negative (inverted) gradients to gradients up to several times the lithostatic gradient. The pressure values range from one to two times the lithostatic values (1ρ gz to 2ρ gz ).     

2006年9月秭归泄滩极微震群初步研究

2006年 9月17～22日在秭归泄滩镇西侧发生了一次极微震群活动,其中最大地震为9月20日21时10分 ML1.8级.分析结果表明:本次震群的震中主要集中于泄滩镇老石门村至老泄滩一线,震源深度为海平面以上0.5 km范围内,为正倾滑机制解;该震群频谱最佳频率主要集中在2 Hz左右,初步推断该震群为地表层重力作用下矿塌型地震并伴有几次浅层微滑坡.     

Digital spatial cracking behaviors of fine-grained sandstone with precracks under uniaxial compression

X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging and digital image correlation techniques are applied to study spatial cracking behaviors of sandstone under uniaxial compression, in which the angle between precracks is 45°, 90°, and 135° and the crack depth is 7.5 mm and 10 mm, respectively. Layered anisotropy damages and spatial cracking evolution are quantitatively analyzed by the defined digital layered anisotropy index and digital damage ratio, respectively. Three cases with different array of precracks evidence the depth effects of precracks on spatial crack propagation. Results show that the failure process of samples is first controlled by the coalescence of surface cracks in 2D space and then the samples are failed by the propagation of coalesced cracks (shear cracks with different shapes). The crack types for samples with precrack depth of 7.5 mm are all shear cracks for Cases 1‑3. Nevertheless, the crack types for samples with precrack depth of 10 mm are, respectively, the half X-shape crack for Case 1, X-shape crack for Case 2, and double shell crack for Case 3. The precrack has a significant promotion effect on the failure process when the angle between the two precracks is β = 90°, and the precrack has little to no effect on the failure process when the angle between the two precracks is β = 135°. As the depth of precrack increases to 10 mm, the crack types are changed in this study. The peak strength of sample subjected to uniaxial compression decreases with increasing depth of precracks, implying the decrease of the rock strength by the discontinuity.     

Timing of the younger dryas glacial maximum in western Norway

This study precisely constrains the timing of the Younger Dryas (YD) glacial maximum in south‐western Norway by utilizing sediment records from lake basins. Two of the basins, located on the distal side of the mapped Herdla–Halsnøy Moraine, received meltwater directly from the ice sheet only when the ice margin reached its maximum extent during the YD. In the cores, the ice maximum is represented by well‐defined units with meltwater deposits, dominantly laminated silt. Plant macrofossils in the sediment sequences are common and we obtained 18 radiocarbon ages from one of the cores. By applying Bayesian age–depth modelling we obtained a precise date for this meltwater event and thereby also for the timing of the YD glacial maximum. We conclude that the ice‐sheet advance culminated at the Halsnøy Moraine at 11 760 ± 120 cal a BP, and that the ice margin stayed in this position for 170 ± 120 years. The subsequent retreat started at 11 590 ± 100 cal a BP, i.e. close to the YD/Holocene boundary. Withdrawal was probably triggered by abrupt climatic warming at this time. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

古尔班通古特沙漠及周边区域冬季大气边界层高度对地表积雪的响应

古尔班通古特沙漠是中国唯一冬季存在长期积雪的沙漠,在此特殊地理环境下,沙漠及周边区域冬季雪深和边界层高度的时空变化特征和相互关系尚未明确。本文利用1980—2019年SMMR（Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer）、SSM/I（Special Sensor Microwave/Imager）、SSMI/S（Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder）被动微波遥感雪深数据、古尔班通古特沙漠腹地雪深观测数据和ERA5再分析资料（the Fifth Generation ECMWF Reanalysis）边界层高度数据,分析了沙漠及周边区域冬季雪深和边界层高度的时空变化特征与相互关系。结果表明：古尔班通古特沙漠及周边区域冬季雪深年均值为8.45 cm,整体呈现东北部和南部积雪较深,其他区域积雪较浅并呈现出由沙漠中心区域向四周逐渐减少的特点,雪深在古尔班通古特沙漠及其东北、南边的邻近区域呈升高趋势,剩余地区呈下降趋势。古尔班通古特沙漠及周边区域冬季边界层高度年均值为105.54 m,呈现东南部和西北部高,中心沙漠区域、东北部、西南部较低的特点,边界层高度在沙漠及周边区域升高而其他区域降低。古尔班通古特沙漠的冬季雪深和大气边界层高度时空变化整体呈负相关,其中93.17%以上的沙漠区域呈负相关,平均相关系数为-0.32,最大相关系数绝对值为-0.58,空间相关系数为-0.42（P<0.05）。     

南海北部珠江口盆地珠一坳陷西江凹陷与陆丰凹陷差异裂陷过程定量分析

西江凹陷和陆丰凹陷均位于南海北部珠江口盆地珠一坳陷,前者盆地结构为两条NE向铲式边界断层控制的近对称地堑,后者表现为6条弯曲主干断层控制的“两洼夹一隆”构造格局。文章运用三维地震资料,在盆地结构、断裂系统描述的基础上,选取了两个凹陷共8条地震—地质剖面进行平衡剖面恢复,计算两幕裂陷阶段盆地伸展量、拆离深度等定量参数,并据此分析二者差异裂陷演化过程及与区域构造演化之间的联系。两个凹陷在新生代均经历裂陷一幕、二幕以及裂后拗陷阶段,其中每幕裂陷又可细分为早、晚两个亚幕。西江和陆丰凹陷的裂陷演化具有时空差异性。从裂陷一幕到二幕,二者伸展量都具有随时间减小的一般特征,其中西江凹陷的伸展量随时间持续减小,在裂陷二幕晚期仍具有较大伸展量,而陆丰凹陷在裂陷二幕早期伸展量略有升高,但在晚期伸展量急剧减小,其减弱程度远大于西江凹陷。两个凹陷的拆离深度都具有随时间逐渐加深的特征。在裂陷一幕早、晚亚幕,陆丰凹陷的拆离深度略大于西江凹陷。在裂陷二幕早、晚亚幕,西江凹陷的平均拆离深度由约8 km增长至9 km左右,而陆丰凹陷的平均拆离深度由约8 km跳跃式增长至约35 km。盆地的几何结构、断裂系统以及伸展量和拆离深度变化特征均反映陆丰凹陷在裂陷二幕晚期受热沉降作用或提前结束裂陷阶段,而西江凹陷在裂陷二幕之后结束裂陷作用。研究区的裂陷阶段自东向西逐渐结束可能受控于东北次海盆的扩张及南海的自东向西渐进式扩张。区域板块构造演化提供了珠江口盆地沿其轴向向SW方向伸展作用增强的差异伸展环境。该研究所揭示的盆地裂陷演化差异性对认识珠江口盆地的裂陷时限的时空分布和差异裂陷演化都具有重要的意义,也对认识南海北部大陆边缘裂陷过程提供重要的定量数据约束。     

粤港澳大湾区地下热水地球化学特征及其热储含义

粤港澳大湾区地热资源丰富, 但人们对区内地下热水地球化学特征的认识还存在一定争议。本文对27组地下热样品的水化学分析表明, 研究区内陆地热水的水化学相主要为重碳酸盐型, 沿海地热水则主要呈氯离子型。地热水的δ2H和δ18O值分别为–30‰ ~ –48‰和–5.2‰ ~ –7.5‰。内陆地热水的δ2H和δ18O值沿当地大气降水线(LMWL)分布, 表明内陆地热水来源于当地大气降水补给。沿海地热水的δ18O值偏离当地大气降水线并向海水数据点靠拢, 沿海地热水的δ18O值与Cl–含量呈强正相关, 表明沿海地热流体源于当地大气降水和海水混合补给。经典地球化学温标、多矿物平衡状态模拟、硬石膏-玉髓矿物对饱和指数模拟以及硅-焓混合模型揭示的粤港澳大湾区地热系统热储温度为104~156 ℃。内陆地热水中的地下冷水的混入比例为52%~84%, 沿海地热水中海水的混入比例高达37%。内陆和沿海地热水的最大循环深度分别为3300~4800 m和3200~4200 m, 没有显著差别。水化学组成与氢氧同位素研究均表明, 水岩反应和混合作用共同控制着研究区地下热水的地球化学特征。