The Late Jurassic Zedong ophiolite: A remnant of subduction initiation within the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone (southern Tibet) and its tectonic implications

The Zedong ophiolite is the largest ophiolite massif east of Dazhuqu in the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone in the southern Tibetan Plateau. However, its age, geodynamic setting and relationship to the Xigaze ophiolite remain controversial. New zircon U–Pb ages, whole-rock geochemical and Nd–Pb isotopic data from ophiolitic units provide constraints on the geodynamic and tectonic evolution of the Zedong ophiolite. U–Pb zircon geochronology of dolerite lavas and late gabbro–diabase dikes yield weighted mean ages of 153.9 ± 2.5 Ma and 149.2 ± 5.1 Ma, respectively. Strong positive ε_Nd(t) and positive Δ7/4Pb and Δ8/4Pb values indicate derivation from a highly depleted mantle source with an isotopic composition similar to that of the Indian MORB-type mantle. The geochemistry of ophiolitic lavas and early dikes are analogous to typical island arc tholeiites whereas late dikes are similar to boninites. The geochemistry of these rock types suggests multi-stage partial melting of the mantle and gradually enhanced subduction influences to the mantle source through time. Combined with the MORB-like 162.9 ± 2.8 Ma Luobusha ophiolitic lavas, we suggest that the Luobusha lavas, Zedong lavas and early dikes originated in an infant proto-arc setting whereas late dikes in the Zedong ophiolite originated in a forearc setting. Together, they represent a Neo-Tethyan subduction initiation sequence. The Late Jurassic intra-oceanic proto-arc to forearc setting of the Zedong ophiolite contrasts with the continental margin forearc setting for the Xigaze ophiolite, which suggests a laterally complex geodynamic setting for ophiolites along the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone.     

THE PEATLAND/ICE AGE HYPOTHESIS REVISED, ADDING A POSSIBLE GLACIAL PULSE TRIGGER

Carbon sequestering in peatlands is believed to be a major climate‐regulating mechanism throughout the late Phanerozoic. Since plant life first evolved on land, peatlands have been significant carbon sinks, which could explain significant parts of the large variations in atmospheric carbon dioxide observed in various records. The result is peat in different degrees of metamorphosis, i.e. lignite, hard coal and graphite. During phases of extensive glaciations such as the 330–240 Ma Pangea Ice Age, atmospheric carbon dioxide was critically low. This pattern repeats itself during the Pleistocene when carbon dioxide oscillates with an amplitude of c. 200–300 ppmv. This paper suggests that the ice age cycles during the Pleistocene are generated by the interglacial growth of peatlands and the subsequent sequestering of carbon into this terrestrial pool. The final initiation of ice age pulses towards the end of inter‐glacials, on the other hand, is attributed to the cyclic influx of cosmic dust to the Earth surface, which in turn regulates cloud formation and the incoming shortwave radiation. These shorter cycles have a frequency of c. 1000‐1250 years and might be connected to sunspot or other low frequency solar variations. In a wider context the ice age cycling could be regarded as an interplay between terrestrial life on the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere and the marine subsurface life in the southeast. If the results presented here are correct, the present global warming might just be the early part of a new warm period such as the Bronze Age and the Roman and Medieval Warm periods. This could be caused by entry into another phase of decreasing influx rates of cosmic dust. The increasing concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide might have contributed to this warming but, most important of all, it might temporarily have saved us from a new ice age pulse.     

贵州盘县石桥矿区地质灾害研究

通过对贵州省盘县某煤矿区地质灾害的实地调查,矿区主要发育的地质灾害主要有滑坡、崩塌、地裂缝、地面塌陷等,其形成与发展固然与自然地质环境相关,但长期较大规模的煤炭资源开发和无序的开采等人类工程活动是主要影响因素,采用科学的煤炭资源开发方案与采矿方法才是避免与减轻地质灾害发生的主要途径。     

ROCESSES OF EPHEMERAL GULLY EROSION

IINTRoDUCTIONEphemeralgulliesaresmallerosionalchannelsonagriculturalIandscapescausedbytheconcentrationofoverlandflowtypicallybetweentwoopposingslopes(ahollow),oftenformedduringasingIerainfaIlevent.Sincethescouredsoilvolumeisnotverylargewithinthesegullies,farmerscaneasilyrefillthem.Ingeneral,ephemeralgulliescanreappearatornearthesamelocationonayearlybasisbecausethesurfacetopograPhyofthefielddoesnotchangeappreciably.Mostephemeralgulliesoccuroncultivatedfieldswithhighlyerodiblesoils,withlit…     

泥石流沟活跃程度的评价方法

根据甘肃陇南等地５０条泥石流沟资料,建立了判别泥石流沟活跃程度的表达式Ｎ＝（Ａ／１００）（Ｊ／０．０６）＾０．３７５．Ｆ＾０．４,以及泥石流侵蚀模数式Ｅ＝Ｂ＋０．３３（Ａ／１００）（Ｊ／０．０６）＾０．３７５。     

坡面土壤侵蚀过程研究进展

基于土壤侵蚀发生方式,重点评述了坡面雨滴溅蚀、薄层水流侵蚀、细沟侵蚀和浅沟侵蚀的研究进展,指出了各自研究中存在的问题,并提出坡面侵蚀过程中亟待加强的研究领域。     

Testing the use of an image‐based technique to measure gully erosion at Sparacia experimental area

The first part of this investigation was aimed at testing the use of a three‐dimensional (3D) digital terrain model and a quasi‐tridimensional (2.5D) digital elevation model obtained by a large series of oblique images of eroded channels taken from consumer un‐calibrated and non‐metric cameras. For two closed earth channels having a different sinuosity, the ground measurement of some cross sections by a profilometer (P) was carried out and their real volume was also measured. The comparison among the three methods (3D, 2.5D, and P) pointed out that a limited underestimation of the total volume always occurs and that the 3D method is characterized by the minimum difference between measured and real volume. For this reason, 3D model can be used as benchmark. In the subsequent part of the investigation, the three ground measurement methods were applied for surveying of an ephemeral gully (EG) channel at the Sparacia area. The morphological and hydraulic variable values of the 24 surveyed cross sections determined by both 2.5D model and profilometer were compared. This comparison showed that the estimate error is generally less than ±10%. The EG measurements carried out by the three methods supported the applicability both of the empirical relationship between EG length and its eroded volume and the theoretical dimensionless relationship among the morphological variables describing the channelized erosion process. Finally, it was demonstrated that the effect of the distance interval on the EG volume measurement by 3D and 2.5D models is negligible for the investigated EG.     

人工降雨条件下冲沟型泥石流起动试验研究

下垫面以位于贡嘎山东坡的熊家沟为模型,开展了不同降雨强度条件下冲沟型泥石流起动的模拟试验,初步研究了冲沟型泥石流的形成机理和演化特征.试验研究表明:(1)在强降雨条件下,水体入渗速度、不同深度土体含水量变化与降雨强度呈反比例关系,降雨强度越大,越不利于水体入渗,而有利于坡面汇流、冲沟径流和下切侵蚀; (2)在强降雨和径流条件下,土体破坏方式、破坏程度以及泥石流形成机理表现出差异性.相对较小雨强降雨条件下,土体破坏方式以滑坡为主,泥石流形成模式表现为滑坡液化与转化起动,雨强较大降雨条件下,土体破坏方式以侵蚀垮塌为主,泥石流形成模式为洪流席卷垮塌体和沟床揭底; (3)起动试验中泥石流阵性特征明显.在强降雨条件下,雨强与泥石流的规模、黏度之间没有正相关性,雨强越大,泥石流黏度越小,试验中多出现的是高含砂洪流,而相对较小雨强作用下由土体液化转化形成的泥石流黏度较大.试验现象和结果与熊家沟泥石流起动、发生过程具有较高的一致性.     

Short‐term versus medium‐term monitoring for detecting gully‐erosion variability in a Mediterranean environment

This study investigates how medium‐term gully‐development data differ from short‐term data, and which factors influence their spatial and temporal variability at nine selected actively retreating bank gullies situated in four Spanish basin landscapes. Small‐format aerial photographs using unmanned, remote‐controlled platforms were taken at the gully sites in short‐term intervals of one to two years over medium‐term periods of seven to 13 years and gully change during each period was determined using stereophotogrammetry and a geographic information system. Results show a high variability of annual gully retreat rates both between gullies and between observation periods. The mean linear headcut retreat rates range between 0·02 and 0·26 m a^–1. Gully area loss was between 0·8 and 22 m² a^–1 and gully volume loss between 0·5 to 100 m³ a^–1, of which sidewall erosion may play a considerable part. A non‐linear relationship between catchment area and medium‐term gully headcut volume change was found for these gullies. The short‐term changes observed at the individual gullies show very high variability: on average, the maximum headcut volume change observed in 7–13 years was 14·3 times larger than the minimum change. Dependency on precipitation varies but is clearly higher for headcuts than sidewalls, especially in smaller and less disturbed catchments. The varying influences of land use and human activities with their positive or negative effects on runoff production and connectivity play a dominant role in these study areas, both for short‐term variability and medium‐term difference in gully development. The study proves the value of capturing spatially continuous, high‐resolution three‐dimensional data using small‐format aerial photography for detailed gully monitoring. Results confirm that short‐term data are not representative of longer‐term gully development and demonstrate the necessity for medium‐ to long‐term monitoring. However, short‐term data are still required to understand the processes – particularly human activity at varying time scales – causing fluctuations in gully erosion rates. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

四川省都江堰龙池8·13麻柳沟泥石流灾害特征

麻柳沟位于都江堰市龙池镇龙溪河右岸,＂5.12＂地震后麻柳沟流域内产生了大量的崩滑体,物源丰富。2010年8月13日,在强降雨作用下该沟暴发中等规模的泥石流,沟口堆积体积达8×104 m3,损毁了沟口处3户居民的房屋,并於埋了龙池景区公路。本文通过麻柳沟的实地调查取样和洪痕断面测定,分析了麻柳沟泥石流的形成条件和基本特点,并通过计算泥石流的容重、流速、流量等静动力学特征参数,对该泥石流沟的发展趋势进行预测。