Extremely large rockslides and rock avalanches in the Tien Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan     

Alexander L. Strom  Oliver Korup 《Landslides》2006,3(2):125-136

Most systematic research on large rock-slope failures is geographically biased towards reports from Europe, the Americas, the Himalayas and China. Although reports exist on large rockslides and rock avalanches in the territory of the former Soviet Union, they are not readily available, and few translations have been made. To begin closing this gap, we describe here preliminary data from field reconnaissance, remote sensing and geomorphometry of nine extremely large rock-slope failures in the Tien Shan Mountains of central Kyrgyzstan. Each of these catastrophic and prehistoric failures exceeds an estimated 1 km³ in volume, and two of them involve about 10 km³. Failure of rock slopes in wide valleys favoured the emplacement of hummocky long-runout deposits, often spreading out over >10 km², blocking major rivers. Most of these gigantic slope failures are located on or near active faults. Their spatial clustering and the high seismic activity in the Tien Shan support the hypothesis that strong seismic shaking caused or triggered most of these large-scale rock-slope failures. Nevertheless detailed field studies and laboratory analyses will be necessary to exclude hydroclimatic trigger mechanisms (precipitation, fluvial undercutting, permafrost degradation), and to determine their absolute ages, frequency and the large-landslide hazard of central Kyrgyzstan.  相似文献   

Short-term vertical velocity field in the Apennines (Italy) revealed by geodetic levelling data   总被引：2，自引：0，他引：2  

E. D'Anastasio  P.M. De Martini  G. Selvaggi  D. Pantosti  A. Marchioni  R. Maseroli   《Tectonophysics》2006,418(3-4):219-234

We estimate current vertical movements along the Apennines (Italy) through repeatedly measured high precision levelling routes. In order to highlight regional crustal deformation the analysis of a geodetic database, with a minimum benchmark density of 0.7 bm/km (1943–2003 time period), is carried out. We evaluate systematic and random error and their propagation along the levelling routes. Tests on original raw height data have been carried out to define error propagation. The computed relative vertical rates stand significantly above error propagation. A series of traverses along and across the Apennines and a map of relative vertical velocities reveal a geodetic signal characterised by values up to 2.5–3.0 mm/a and by wavelengths up to 100 km.  相似文献   

A geomorphological approach to determining the Neogene to Recent tectonic deformation in the Coastal Cordillera of northern Chile (Atacama)     

R Riquelme  J Martinod  G Hrail  J Darrozes  R Charrier 《Tectonophysics》2003,361(3-4):255-275

The large (≈10000 km²) and local-scale (<400 km²) geomorphologic, geomorphometric and field evidence indicates that, from the mid-Miocene onwards, the Atacama Fault System (AFS) accommodated the relative uplift of the western side of the Chilean Coastal Cordillera of the Chañaral region (southern Atacama Desert). The mean regional altitude systematically decreases eastwards crossing the AFS, independent of the lithological characteristics of the substratum cut by this system of faults. Topographic analysis reveals a more incised landscape west of the AFS that, at the local scale, is reported by the distribution of the altitudes (hypsometric curves and integrals) of tributary basins and by the presence of terraces. In the Middle and Upper Miocene, a thick (>300 m) sedimentary succession was deposited east of the AFS. The succession fills previously deep paleovalleys. And it consists of gravel, so-called “Atacama Gravels”, which passes laterally into fine-grained playa related deposits near the AFS. We interpret the deposition of this succession as a result of a blocking closure of the valley flowing from the Precordillera due to the activity on AFS. A pedimentation episode followed sediment deposition and is locally strongly re-incised by the main modern-day river valleys draining the Precordillera. Incision may result from either regional uplift of the forearc, and/or from more localized activity on the AFS. Furthermore, Recent (Quaternary?) tectonic activity on the AFS has been observed which is consistent with a localized relative uplift of the crustal block west of the AFS.  相似文献   

Intraplate mountain building in response to continent–continent collision—the Ancestral Rocky Mountains (North America) and inferences drawn from the Tien Shan (Central Asia)     

Patricia Wood Dickerson   《Tectonophysics》2003,365(1-4):129

The intraplate Ancestral Rocky Mountains of western North America extend from British Columbia, Canada, to Chihuahua, Mexico, and formed during Early Carboniferous through Early Permian time in response to continent–continent collision of Laurentia with Gondwana—the conjoined masses of Africa and South America, including Yucatán and Florida. Uplifts and flanking basins also formed within the Laurentian Midcontinent. On the Gondwanan continent, well inboard from the marginal fold belts, a counterpart structural array developed during the same period. Intraplate deformation began when full collisional plate coupling had been achieved along the continental margin; the intervening ocean had been closed and subduction had ceased—that is, the distinction between upper versus lower plates became moot. Ancestral Rockies deformation was not accompanied by volcanism. Basement shear zones that formed during Mesoproterozoic rifting of Laurentia were reactivated and exerted significant control on the locations, orientations, and modes of displacement on late Paleozoic faults.Ancestral Rocky Mountain uplifts extend as far south as Chihuahua and west Texas (28° to 33°N, 102° to 109°W) and include the Florida-Moyotes, Placer de Guadalupe–Carrizalillo, Ojinaga–Tascotal and Hueco Mountain blocks, as well as the Diablo and Central Basin Platforms. All are cored with Laurentian Proterozoic crystalline basement rocks and host correlative Paleozoic stratigraphic successions. Pre-late Paleozoic deformational, thermal, and metamorphic histories are similar as well. Southern Ancestral Rocky Mountain structures terminate along a line that trends approximately N 40°E (present coordinates), a common orientation for Mesoproterozoic extensional structures throughout southern to central North America.Continuing Tien Shan intraplate deformation (Central Asia) has created an analogous array of uplifts and basins in response to the collision of India with Eurasia, beginning in late Miocene time when full coupling of the colliding plates had occurred. As in the Laurentia–Gondwana case, structures of similar magnitude and spacing to those in Eurasia have developed in the Indian plate. Within the present orogen two ancient suture zones have been reactivated—the early Paleozoic Terskey zone and the late Paleozoic Turkestan suture between the Siberian and East Gondwanan cratons. Inverted Proterozoic to early Paleozoic rift structures and passive-margin deposits are exposed north of the Terskey zone. In the Alay and Tarim complexes, Vendian to mid-Carboniferous passive-margin strata and the subjacent Proterozoic crystalline basement have been uplifted. Data on Tien Shan uplifts, basins, structural arrays, and deformation rates guide paleotectonic interpretations of ancient intraplate mountain belts. Similarly, exhumed deep crustal shear zones in the Ancestral Rockies offer insight into partitioning and reorientation of strain during contemporary intraplate deformation.  相似文献   

Subsidence rates in the Po Plain, northern Italy: the relative impact of natural and anthropogenic causation   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

E. Carminati  G. Martinelli 《Engineering Geology》2002,66(3-4):241-255

The central-eastern Po Plain in northern Italy is a rapidly subsiding sedimentary basin that hosts about 30% of the Italian population and 40% of Italy's total productive activities. Subsidence rates range from 0 to −70 mm/year, the maximum occurring in synclinal areas at the Po Delta and near Bologna, the minimum located at the top of buried, probable tectonically active anticlines (Mirandola–Ferrara). We show that modern subsidence is at least an order of magnitude higher than due solely to long-term natural processes. This implies that most subsidence in the Po Plain has been induced by human activities. As previously noted, we suggest that the main factor controlling modern subsidence is water withdrawal, which was particularly intense during the second half of the 20th century, coinciding with accelerating economic growth. We also evaluate the impact of rapid subsidence on floods in low areas by comparing subsidence velocity maps with flood maps. This shows that there is a clear-cut correlation between flood frequency and rapid subsidence. In contrast, few floods occurred in low subsidence areas, which generally correspond with the top of buried anticlines. We finally note that the anthropic-caused increase in subsidence has now greatly increased the potential for additional floodings.  相似文献   

Néotectonique affectant les dépôts marins tyrrhéniens du littoral sud-est tunisien : implications pour les variations du niveau marin     

Samir Bouaziz  Younes Jedoui  Éric Barrier  Jacques Angelier 《Comptes Rendus Geoscience》2003,335(2):247-254

Pleistocene marine deposits of so-called Tyrrhenian age in southeastern Tunisia include two lithostratigraphic units of Last Interglacial (marine isotopic substage 5e). The lower unit culminates at about +3 m above the sea level; the upper unit with Strombus bubonius culminates at +5 m. Brittle deformations affected the upper unit. The analysis of fault-slip data sets reveals a post-Tyrrhenian N020°E trending compression, consistent with joint patterns. This event induced limited vertical movements, showing that at the northeastern edge of the Saharan Platform, the coastal area of the southern Tunisia remained relatively stable since at least the Last Interglacial.  相似文献   

Electromagnetic and geoelectric investigation of the Gurinai Structure, Inner Mongolia, NW China   总被引：2，自引：0，他引：2  

S. Hlz  D. Polag  M. Becken  R. Fiedler-Volmer  H.C. Zhang  K. Hartmann  H. Burkhardt 《Tectonophysics》2007,445(1-2):26

In three field campaigns between the years 2000 and 2004 geophysical measurements were conducted in the Ejina Basin, NW China. Research work in the year 2004, which is described in this paper, was concentrated on the Gurinai Structure (101°25′E, 41°N) situated in the southeastern part of the Ejina Basin in transition to the dune fields of the Badain Jaran Shamo. On satellite images the Gurinai Structure can be identified by two almost 100 km long, subparallel, N–S-striking lineaments, which may indicate tectonic deformations of late Quaternary sediments. To get a coherent picture of the structure a geophysical survey employing three electromagnetic methods – magnetotellurics (MT), transient electromagnetics (TEM), and geoelectrics (DC) – has been conducted to map the subsurface resistivity at different depth scales.The geophysical data interpretation for shallow and intermediate depth down to a few hundred meters links the subsurface distribution of electric resistivity to geomorphological units known from field work in reference with satellite images. The westerly lineament of the Gurinai Structure coincides with a subvertical change in electric resistivity. Together with geomorphological indications from fieldwork and the analysis of elevation data (SRTM), a tectonic deformation of unconsolidated sediments along a fault with an extensional component is interpreted. In the central and eastern part of the Gurinai Structure a shallow resistive subsurface layer can be traced into the first dunes of the Badain Jaran Shamo. This resistive subsurface layer is linked to the presence of fresh water, indicating infiltration from the dune field. Also, in the eastern part of the Gurinai Structure a resistive, approximately ENE-striking feature can be seen at intermediate depth, which is interpreted as a crystalline basement ridge. Towards the southern margin of the Gurinai Structure a trough-shaped unit with low resistivities and a thickness of about 1 km is identified and can be explained by a sediment package saturated with fluids of high salinity or substantial amounts of clay. The strike direction of the structure can be connected to the regional pattern of tectonic faults and seismicity.The interpretation of electromagnetic data at various depth scales contributes to the general understanding of the Ejina Basin's buildup and tectonic setting in the vicinity of the Gurinai Structure.  相似文献   

Long-term development and current status of the Barcelona continental shelf: A source-to-sink approach     

C. Liquete  M. Canals  G. Lastras  D. Amblas  R. Urgeles  B. De Mol  M. De Batist  J.E. Hughes-Clarke 《Continental Shelf Research》2007

The Barcelona continental shelf, off the city of Barcelona (NE Spain), is a relatively narrow canyon-bounded shelf in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Three medium-size rivers (Tordera, Besós and Llobregat) and several ephemeral rivulets flow into this margin. Two main domains have been recognized in the Barcelona shelf: (i) a modern, river-influenced area, and (ii) a relict, sediment depleted area, both affected by a variety of human impacts. A detailed geomorphologic study based on multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data, high resolution seismic profiles, and surface sediment samples allowed mapping and interpreting the main distinctive seafloor features on the Barcelona shelf. Modern sedimentary features reveal that the Llobregat River is the main sediment source of the Barcelona prodeltaic shelf. High-discharge fluvial events result in the formation of suspended sediment plumes and sediment waves on the shelf floor. Relict (late Pleistocene–Holocene) sedimentary features reflect that an important shift occurred in the seashore direction between MIS 4 and MIS 2, and that recent neotectonic reactivation has created a set of seafloor faults. The Barcelona inner and middle shelf is severely impacted by anthropogenic activities such as the enlargement works of the Port of Barcelona, sewage pipes, dredging, anchoring and trawling.  相似文献   

Morphotectonics of a small river basin in the South Indian granulite terrain: An assessment through spatially derived geomorphic indices   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

H. Vijith  V. Prasannakumar  M. V. Ninu Krishnan  P. Pratheesh 《Georisk: Assessment and Management of Risk for Engineered Systems and Geohazards》2015,9(3):187-199

Neotectonic activity in Mahe (Mayyazhi) river basin and its implication in landform development and stream characteristics were investigated with the help of the digital elevation model-derived geomorphic indices. The analysis is based on the commonly used geomorphic indices such as hypsometric curve and integral, drainage basin asymmetry, transverse topographic symmetric factor (T), stream length (SL) gradient index and longitudinal profiles of the stream. Hypsometric integrals indicate that the basin has reached the base level and lesser amount of material remains for erosion and transportation. The basin is asymmetric and has a south-south-east directional tilt, but with a probable spin caused due to the presence of major strike slip fracture, the mouth portion of the Mahe river has been tilted towards north-north-west. The SL index with sudden and non-uniform variations supports the finding and indicates the relative tectonic activity and its influence over the river networks in the area. Longitudinal profile of the stream also reveals gradational changes in the profile with the presence of knick points. Cross comparison of the analysed geomorphic indices points towards neotectonic activity in the basin, which modified the river basin to the present morphology and is reflected in the characteristics of the river and the basin as a whole.  相似文献   

青藏高原东缘新构造与活动构造研究新进展及展望   总被引：1，自引：1，他引：0  

刘凤山  吴中海  张岳桥  杨振宇  王书兵  张虎  仝亚博  李海龙 《地质通报》2014,33(4):403-418

新构造运动与活动构造对人类的出现、演化、生存和发展都产生着深刻影响。近年来在青藏高原东缘部署开展的活动断裂调查与活动构造体系研究、川滇地块旋扭变形的古地磁学研究、西秦岭地区新构造与活动构造研究、滇西盆谷区的新构造幕划分、腾冲火山活动特征及其新构造背景调查等都取得了一系列重要进展与成果。这些成果对于深入认识和理解青藏高原东部地区现今地壳变形特征及其动力学机制和探索活动构造体系控震作用都具有重要意义,并可为该区的重大工程规划建设与国土规划利用的科学决策和城镇化发展等提供重要的地质依据。  相似文献