Geography (or geographers) and earth system science

A response to Pitman’s recent arguments regarding a perceived invasion of geographers’ territory within the academic division of labour by earth system science. Geography is not the grand synthesiser, the only discipline which can explain the big picture, and arrogant claims that it is are counter-productive, both within and outwith the discipline. Geographers should just get on with what they are doing—well.     

Upper mantle structure of the Northern Eurasia from peaceful nuclear explosion data

Several long-range seismic profiles were carried out in Russia with Peaceful Nuclear Explosions (PNE). The data from 25 PNEs recorded along these profiles were used to compile a 3-D upper mantle velocity model for the central part of the Northern Eurasia. 2-D crust and upper mantle models were also constructed for all profiles using a common methodology for wavefield interpretation. Five basic boundaries were traced over the study area: N1 boundary (velocity level, V = 8.35 km/s; depth interval, D = 60–130 km), N2 (V = 8.4 km/s; D = 100–140 km), L (V = 8.5 km/s; D = 180–240 km) and H (V = 8.6 km/s; D = 300–330 km) and structural maps were compiled for each boundary. Together these boundaries describe a 3-D upper mantle model for northern Eurasia. A map characterised the velocity distribution in the uppermost mantle down to a depth of 60 km is also presented. Mostly horizontal inhomogeneity is observed in the uppermost mantle, and the velocities range from the average 8.0–8.1 km/s to 8.3–8.4 km/s in some blocks of the Siberian Craton. At a depth of 100–200 km, the local high velocity blocks disappear and only three large anomalies are observed: lower velocities in West Siberia and higher velocities in the East-European platform and in the central part of the Siberian Craton. In contrast, the depths to the H boundary are greater beneath the craton and lower beneath in the West Siberian Platform. A correlation between tectonics, geophysical fields and crustal structure is observed. In general, the old and cold cratons have higher velocities in the mantle than the young platforms with higher heat flows.Structural peculiarities of the upper mantle are difficult to describe in form of classical lithosphere–asthenosphere system. The asthenosphere cannot be traced from the seismic data; in contrary the lithosphere is suggested to be rheologically stratified. All the lithospheric boundaries are not simple discontinuities, they are heterogeneous (thin layering) zones which generate multiphase reflections. Many of them may be a result of fluids concentrated at some critical P–T conditions which produce rheologically weak zones. The most visible rheological variations are observed at depths of around 100 and 250 km.     

Comparative Seismic Risk Studies for German Earthquake Regions on the Basis of the European Macroseismic Scale EMS-98

Within the framework of recent research projects, basic tools for GIS-based seismic risk assessment technologies were developed and applied to the building stock and regional particularities of German earthquake regions. Two study areas are investigated, being comparable by the level of seismic hazard and the hazard-consistent scenario events (related to mean return periods of 475, 2475 and 10000 years). Significant differences exist with respect to the number of inhabitants, the grade and extent of urbanisation, the quality and quantity of building inventory: the case study of Schmölln in Eastern Thuringia seems to be representative for the majority of smaller towns in Germany, the case study of Cologne (Köln) stands for larger cities. Due to the similarities of hazard and scenario intensities, the considerable differences do not only require proper decisions concerning the appropriate methods and acceptable efforts, they enable conclusions about future research strategies and needs for disaster reduction management. Not least important, results can sharpen the focus of public interest. Seismic risk maps are prepared for different scenario intensities recognising the scatter and uncertainties of site-dependent ground motion and also of the applied vulnerability functions. The paper illustrates the impact of model assumptions and the step-wise refinements of input variables like site conditions, building stock or vulnerability functions on the distribution of expected building damage within the study areas. Furthermore, and in contrast to common research strategies, results support the conclusion that in the case of stronger earthquakes the damage will be of higher concentration within smaller cities like Schmölln due to the site-amplification potential and/or the increased vulnerability of the building stock. The extent of damage will be pronounced by the large number of masonry buildings for which lower vulnerability classes have to be assigned. Due to the effect of deep sedimentary layers and the composition of building types, the urban centre of Cologne will be less affected by an earthquake of comparable intensity.     

论信息时代的城市发展

城市信息化是中国城市发展的新主题与新动力,是解决目前我国城市发展中诸多难题的重要途径。本文首先对比了数字城市和信息城市,然后指出了建设信息城市的迫切性和重要性,最后提出了城市信息科学的学科范畴。     

Practical Research of IKONOS-2 Geopositioning and Its Accuracy in Tibet of China

This paper presents the studies of the refining of IKONOS-2 RPC, the transform of the datum, the mode of the control point distribution and the method of IKONOS stereo triangulation, so that IKONOS imagery can be used to collect the precise geospatial data and produce the large scale map. The transform between the IKONOS-2 image space and the national coordinate system based on the RPC have been developed, and the results of block adjustment with various control schemes in a practical project near Himalayas have been examined and analysed. The encouraging results of high positioning accuracy have been obtained.     

时域反射技术在地学研究中的应用

综合介绍了时域反射技术在地学研究中的应用。包括时域反射仪的工作原理、测量参数(特征阻抗、介电常数、土壤含水量、土壤电导率)、时域反射探针技术以及时域反射技术在农业地质、水文地质、灾害地质等研究中的应用与进展。     

为我国土壤科学的发展奋斗终生的李连捷院士

文章简述了李连捷先生为中国的土壤科学和为生产服务而奋斗的一生。20世纪40年代,他在去美国深造之前,就在国内到贵州、广西和华南的许多省区进行了大面积的土壤调查工作。新中国成立后,他欣然接受先后到黑龙江、青海和内蒙古等省区进行荒地资源垦殖的调查任务,并于50～60年代,先后参与和组织了对西藏、新疆等地多专业的大型综合考察。通过这些考察,为西部大开发摸清和积累了大批可贵的自然资源资料,为我国土壤的发生和分类、土地资源的合理利用以及国民经济的发展做出了积极贡献。李先生在他近半个世纪的教学工作中,为我国培养了大批土壤科学人才。他一生刚正不阿、高风亮节,为我们树立了学习的榜样。在李连捷先生逝世10周年之际,仅以此文表达对他的深切怀念。     

浅议学科交叉与地球系统科学

以整体系统的观念认识地球 ,强化学科间的交叉与渗透 ,是 2 1世纪初地球科学发展的主题。各国都十分重视推动学科交叉研究 ,并将学科交叉分为Modidisciplinary、Interdisciplinary、Transdiscipli nary三个层次。地球系统科学的两大前沿为“地球系统的联系”和“地球系统的演化” ,2 1世纪地球科学的突破在于地球系统变化理论的形成。笔者指出 :目前 ,我们的观念还跟不上地球科学的发展 ,尤其是“学科交叉”的理念不强 ,缺乏地球系统科学的思维 ,但我们有开展地球系统科学研究的有利条件     

软科学与决策咨询研究

文章比较系统地分析了软科学的概念，提出了软科学研究现象，对探讨了软科学与决策咨询的关系，论述了决策咨询研究的现实意义，认为软科学是决策咨询的学科基础，软科学研究走向市场是大势所趋，而决策咨询是软科学研究成果市场化的基本形式，大力发展咨询产业是我国社会主义市场经济建设的重要组成部分。     

Reflections on a White Discipline

Utilizing a partially autobiographical format, this article considers the practice and study of race within geography. I argue that the overwhelmingly white composition of the discipline has very real implications for both individual experiences and our intellectual production and disciplinary culture. I explore these issues by drawing on my own experiences as a Chicana within geography, and by examining the extent to which one area of research, environmental justice, has engaged questions of race and the consequences of that engagement. I conclude with some general remarks on what it might take to significantly diversify geography.