Fault Attitude of the North Section of Huangzhuang-Gaoliying Fault at Beijing, China and Its Effects on the Ground Rupture

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-555
Author(s):  
Shuai Zhao ◽  
Yongqi Meng ◽  
Zhenning Ma ◽  
Jiajun Sun

Worldwide, slip on earthquake faults causes numerous disasters, resulting in large losses in human life and built structures. To minimize future losses associated with earthquakes along such faults, it is important to precisely locate the faults relative to the built environment and to determine the subsurface geometry of the faults. In Beijing, China, we used shallow-depth geophysical methods to evaluate the location and subsurface geometry of the Huangzhuang-Gaoliying fault (HGF), one of the principal tectonic faults of Beijing area. We used seismic reflection and refraction tomography, multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW), and paleoseismic trenching to characterize the north section of HGF near the Gaoliying section of Beijing. Our seismic images indicated that there are at least two strands of the HGF that are distributed over an approximately 200-m-wide zone. We identified a principal fault strand (F1) that is observed in all the seismic images, as well as in a paleoseismic trench. The F1 strikes approximately N49°E and dips southeastward at 70° to 75°. Over the past few years, surface ruptures have occurred along the HGF in several locations, but it is unclear if the surface ruptures were the result of tectonic slip on the HGF or were related to land subsidence along the fault.

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-423
Author(s):  
Ahmed Lachhab ◽  
El Mehdi Benyassine ◽  
Mohamed Rouai ◽  
Abdelilah Dekayir ◽  
Jean C. Parisot ◽  
...  

The tailings of Zeida's abandoned mine are found near the city of Midelt, in the middle of the high Moulouya watershed between the Middle and the High Atlas of Morocco. The tailings occupy an area of about 100 ha and are stored either in large mining pit lakes with clay-marl substratum or directly on a heavily fractured granite bedrock. The high contents of lead and arsenic in these tailings have transformed them into sources of pollution that disperse by wind, runoff, and seepage to the aquifer through faults and fractures. In this work, the main goal is to identify the pathways of contaminated water with heavy metals and arsenic to the local aquifers, water ponds, and Moulouya River. For this reason, geophysical surveys including electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), seismic refraction tomography (SRT) and very low-frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) methods were carried out over the tailings, and directly on the substratum outside the tailings. The result obtained from combining these methods has shown that pollutants were funneled through fractures, faults, and subsurface paleochannels and contaminated the hydrological system connecting groundwater, ponds, and the river. The ERT profiles have successfully shown the location of fractures, some of which extend throughout the upper formation to depths reaching the granite. The ERT was not successful in identifying fractures directly beneath the tailings due to their low resistivity which inhibits electrical current from propagating deeper. The seismic refraction surveys have provided valuable details on the local geology, and clearly identified the thickness of the tailings and explicitly marked the boundary between the Triassic formation and the granite. It also aided in the identification of paleochannels. The tailings materials were easily identified by both their low resistivity and low P-wave velocity values. Also, both resistivity and seismic velocity values rapidly increased beneath the tailings due to the compaction of the material and lack of moisture and have proven to be effective in identifying the upper limit of the granite. Faults were found to lie along the bottom of paleochannels, which suggest that the locations of these channels were caused by these same faults. The VLF-EM surveys have shown tilt angle anomalies over fractured areas which were also evinced by low resistivity area in ERT profiles. Finally, this study showed that the three geophysical methods were complementary and in good agreement in revealing the pathways of contamination from the tailings to the local aquifer, nearby ponds and Moulouya River.


2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 1105-1115 ◽  
Author(s):  
O Meric ◽  
S Garambois ◽  
D Jongmans ◽  
M Wathelet ◽  
J L Chatelain ◽  
...  

Several geophysical techniques (electromagnetic profiling, electrical tomography, seismic refraction tomography, and spontaneous potential and seismic noise measurement) were applied in the investigation of the large gravitational mass movement of Séchilienne. France. The aim of this study was to test the ability of these methods to characterize and delineate the rock mass affected by this complex movement in mica schists, whose lateral and vertical limits are still uncertain. A major observation of this study is that all the zones strongly deformed (previously and at present) by the movement are characterized by high electrical resistivity values (>3 kΩ·m), in contrast to the undisturbed mass, which exhibits resistivity values between a few hundred and 1 kΩ·m. As shown by the surface observations and the seismic results, this resistivity increase is due to a high degree of fracturing associated with the creation of air-filled voids inside the mass. Other geophysical techniques were tested along a horizontal transect through the movement, and an outstanding coherency appeared between the geophysical anomalies and the displacement rate curve. These preliminary results illustrate the benefits of combined geophysical techniques for characterizing the rock mass involved in the movement. Results also suggest that monitoring the evolution of the rock mass movement with time-lapse geophysical surveys could be beneficial.Key words: gravitational movement, geophysical methods, Séchilienne.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Zhao ◽  
Youfei Zheng ◽  
Chen Li

This study analyzed the spatiotemporal variations in PM2.5 and O3, and explored their interaction in the summer and winter seasons in Beijing. To this aim, hourly PM2.5 and O3 data for 35 air quality monitoring sites were analyzed during the summer and winter of 2016. Results suggested that the highest PM2.5 concentration and the lowest O3 concentration were observed at traffic monitoring sites during the two seasons. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) different diurnal variation of PM2.5 was observed between the summer and winter seasons, with higher concentrations during daytime summer and nighttime winter. Diurnal variations of O3 concentrations during the two seasons showed a single peak, occurring at 16:00 and 15:00 in summer and winter, respectively. PM2.5 presented a spatial pattern with higher concentrations in southern Beijing than in northern areas, particularly evident during wintertime. On the contrary, O3 concentrations presented a decreasing spatial trend from the north to the south, particularly evident during summer. In addition, we found that PM2.5 concentrations were positively correlated (p < 0.01, r = 0.57) with O3 concentrations in summer, but negatively correlated (p < 0.01, r = −0.72) with O3 concentrations in winter.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 5085-5119 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Burschil ◽  
W. Scheer ◽  
R. Kirsch ◽  
H. Wiederhold

Abstract. We present the application of geophysical investigations to characterise and improve the geological/hydrogeological model through the estimation of petrophysical parameters for groundwater modelling. Seismic reflection and airborne electromagnetic surveys in combination with borehole information enhance the 3-D geological model and allow a petrophysical interpretation of the subsurface. The North Sea Island of Föhr has a very complex underground structure what was already known from boreholes. The local waterworks use a freshwater body embedded in saline groundwater. Several glaciations disordered the Youngest Tertiary and Quaternary sediments by glaciotectonic thrust-faulting as well as incision and refill of glacial valleys. Both underground structures have a strong impact on the distribution of freshwater bearing aquifers. An initial hydrogeological model of Föhr was built from borehole data alone and was restricted to the southern part of the island where in the sandy areas of the Geest a large freshwater body was formed. We improved the geological/hydrogeological model by adding data from different geophysical methods, e.g. airborne electromagnetics (EM) for mapping the resistivity of the entire island, seismic reflections for detailed cross sections in the groundwater catchment area, and geophysical borehole logging for calibration of these measurements. An integrated evaluation of the results from the different geophysical methods yields reliable data. To determinate petrophysical parameter about 18 borehole logs, more than 75 m deep, and nearby airborne EM inversion models were analyzed concerning resistivity. We establish an empirical relation between measured resistivity and hydraulic conductivity for the specific area – the North Sea island of Föhr. Five boreholes concerning seismic interval velocities discriminate sand and till. The interpretation of these data was the basis for building the geological/hydrogeological 3-D model. We fitted the relevant model layers to all geophysical and geological data and created a consistent 3-D model. This model is the fundament for groundwater simulations considering forecasted changes in precipitation and sea level rise due to climate change.


1999 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 550-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aiming Lin ◽  
Guochun Zhao ◽  
Guozhe Zhao ◽  
Xiwei Xu

Abstract The shallow, Ms = 6.2, 1998 Zhangbei-Shanyi earthquake that affected the northwest region of Beijing, China, occurred at the intersection of two active fault zones, located on the north and east edges of the Ordos tableland. A detailed map of the intensity distribution of damaged building shows that the most damaged area was centered 8 to 10 km away from the epicenter, including an ellipsoidal region with a strike of NNE, where more than 70 to 90% of buildings were destroyed. Many chimneys and gate pillars were broken and fell toward the SSE-SSW direction in the western side of the most damaged area and to the NNE-NNW direction in the eastern side. Aftershocks were also concentrated in the most damaged area. It is inferred that the boundary of the downfallen direction change is the surface trace of the seismic fault. Based on the seismic data, the distribution of damaged buildings, and the downfallen directions of 70 chimneys and gate pillars, it is identified that the seismic fault is a thrust fault striking NNE and dipping 40° to 50° northwest with a large right-lateral displacement component.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Catharina Brandt ◽  
David C. Tanner ◽  
Hermann Buness ◽  
Thomas Burschil ◽  
Gerald Gabriel

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Overdeepened valleys in the Alps allow to probe the glacial sedimentation record, which in turn can illuminate the climatic history. In particular, seismic reflections can be used to extend punctual borehole data (for instance a number of boreholes are to be drilled into Alpine glacial overdeepened valleys as part of the DOVE ICDP project) in the second dimension or even survey a region before drilling begins. Thus, we use detailed, 2-D seismic P-wave profiles to reveal the shape and infill of an overdeepened Rhine glacier valley in the area of Basadingen, near to the German/Swiss border. We acquired two profiles nearly perpendicular to the valley strike, approximately 500 m&amp;#160;apart. The first profile was 1246&amp;#160;m long, and consisted of a single spread of 624 geophones. The second profile was 1120&amp;#160;m long and was acquired using 200&amp;#160;3-component geophones using a roll-along method. For both profiles we used a vibro-source with a 12&amp;#160;s linear sweep of 20-240&amp;#160;Hz at every second geophone (two metre spacing), which produced a high fold.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Both seismic images reveal that the overdeepened basin at this location is asymmetrical and circa 260&amp;#160;m deep, although the deepest part (220&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;m wide) covers only a small portion of the broader main valley. The infill is characterised by at least three unconformities and distinct onlap and erosive boundaries between the sedimentary units. We interpret the infill to represent a highly dynamic sedimentary system. The lower part, within the deepest part of the basin is filled with chaotic sediments and slumping. Above a major unconformity, the upper part contains strongly-dipping reflectors that probably represent a prograding point-bar in a glacio-fluviatile environment that migrated toward the north-east. Beneath the deepest part of the basin we see evidence for faults in the Tertiary Molasse basement, which correlate with known faults at the surface. The faults most likely caused the valley to be sited at this location and they were probably also the cause of the &amp;#8216;valley in valley&amp;#8217; shape.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;A new DOVE research borehole will be drilled in the centre of the valley in 2021. This will bring more light on the sedimentary history and OSL-dating of the material will bracket the timing of the infill. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;


2014 ◽  
Vol 72 (11) ◽  
pp. 4639-4652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xueliang Wang ◽  
Luqing Zhang ◽  
Jixin Ding ◽  
Qingfeng Meng ◽  
Javed Iqbal ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
remi valois ◽  
Nicole Schafer ◽  
Giulia De Pasquale ◽  
Gonzalo Navarro ◽  
Shelley MacDonell

&lt;p&gt;Rock glaciers play an important hydrological role in the semiarid Andes (SA; 27&amp;#186;-35&amp;#186;S). They cover about three times the area of uncovered glaciers and they are an important contribution to streamflow when water is needed most, especially during dry years and in the late summer months. Their characteristics such as their extension in depth and their ice content is poorly known. Here, we present a case study of one active rock glacier and periglacial inactive geoform in Estero Derecho (~30&amp;#730;S), in the upper Elqui River catchment, Chile. Three geophysical methods (ground-penetrating radar and electrical resistivity and seismic refraction tomography) were combined to detect the presence of ice and understand the internal structure of the landform. The results suggest that the combination of electrical resistivity and seismic velocity provide relevant information on ice presence and their geometry. Radargrams shows diffraction linked to boulders presence but some information regarding electromagnetic velocity could be extracted. These results strongly suggest that such landforms contain ice, are therefore important to include in future inventories and should be considered when evaluating the hydrological importance of a particular region.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Bell

&lt;p&gt;The discovery of slow slip events (SSEs) at subduction margins in the last two decades has changed our understanding of how stress is released at subduction zones. Fault slip is now viewed as a continuum of different slip modes between regular earthquakes and aseismic creep, and an appreciation of seismic hazard can only be realised by understanding the full spectrum of slip. SSEs may have the potential to trigger destructive earthquakes and tsunami on faults nearby, but whether this is possible and why SSEs occur at all are two of the most important questions in earthquake seismology today. Laboratory and numerical models suggest that slow slip can be spontaneously generated under conditions of very low effective stresses, facilitated by high pore fluid pressure, but it has also been suggested that variations in frictional behaviour, potentially caused by very heterogeneous fault zone lithology, may be required to promote slow slip.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Testing these hypotheses is difficult as it requires resolving rock properties at a high resolution many km below the seabed sometimes in km&amp;#8217;s of water, where drilling is technically challenging and expensive. Traditional geophysical methods like travel-time tomography cannot provide fine-scale enough velocity models to probe the rock properties in fault zones specifically. In the last decade, however, computational power has improved to the point where 3D full-waveform inversion (FWI) methods make it possible to use the full wavefield rather than just travel times to produce seismic velocity models with a resolution an order of magnitude better than conventional models. Although the hydrocarbon industry have demonstrated many successful examples of 3D FWI the method requires extremely high density arrays of instruments, very different to the 2D transect data collection style which is still commonly employed at subduction zones.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;The north Hikurangi subduction zone, New Zealand is special, as it hosts the world&amp;#8217;s most well characterised shallow SSEs (&lt;2 km to 15 km below the seabed).&amp;#160; This makes it an ideal location to collect 3D data optimally for FWI to resolve rock properties in the slow slip zone. In 2017-2018 an unprecedentedly large 3D experiment including 3D multi-channel seismic reflection, 99 ocean bottom seismometers and 194 onshore seismometers was conducted along the north Hikurangi margin in an 100 km x 15 km area, with an average 2 km instrument spacing. In addition, IODP Expeditions 372 and 375 collected logging-while drilling and core data, and deployed two bore-hole observatories to target slow slip in the same area. In this presentation I will introduce you to this world class 3D dataset and preliminary results, which will enable high resolution 3D models of physical properties to be made to bring slow slip processes into focus. &amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1642
Author(s):  
Marina L. BELONOZHKO ◽  
Oleg M. BARBAKOV ◽  
Anton L. ABRAMOVSKY

For a long time, the Arctic was considered a territory not adapted for human life (“dead earth”), impassable either by water or by land due to the climate. Currently, not only scientists, but also ordinary travelers and tourists are going to the North Pole. Today, tourism in the Arctic is one of the rapidly developing areas in the past few years. Therefore, the authors studied the development of tourism in the Arctic and its impact on the environment. It has been established that the development of ecological, cultural, scientific, extreme tourism, sport hunting, fishing and cruises is relevant for the Arctic regions. It was determined that the main problem in the development of tourism in the Russian Arctic is the transport and logistics underdevelopment of the region. But, these territories are so rich in natural, cultural, historical resources that there is the possibility of developing almost all types of tourism.


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