Research on in situ stress inversion of deep-buried tunnel based on pressure/tension axis mechanism and geological structure

The investigation of the in situ stress distribution has always been a key condition for engineering design of deep tunnels and analysis of surrounding rock stability.In this paper,a comprehensive judgment method coupled with pressure/tension(P/T)axis mechanism and geological structure is proposed to invert the in situ stress in the Duoxiongla tunnel in Tibet.In the process of TBM tunnel excavation,3887 groups of microseismic events were collected by means of microseismic monitoring technology.By studying the temporal and spatial distribution of 3887 groups of microseismic events,42 groups of microseismic data were selected for in situ stress inversion.Then the focal mechanisms of 42 groups of microseisms were inverted.Combined with the analysis of the previous geological survey,the inversion results of the in situ stress were analyzed.According to the focal mechanism of the tunnel area,the linear in situ stress inversion method was used to invert the in situ stress in the source area.Finally,according to the PTGS(pressure/tension axis mechanism and geological structure)comprehensive judgment method proposed in this paper,the in situ stress of the tunnel microseismic region was determined.The results show that there are mainly three groups of fissures and joint surfaces in the tunnel area,and the in situ stress is dominated by the horizontrun tectonic stress;the main driving force of the rupture surface in the excavation process of Duoxiongla tunnel is the horizontal tectonic stress;the distribution of the maximum and minimum principal stress obtained by the inversion is consistent with the distribution of the P/T axis;combined with the linear in situ stress inversion method and the comprehensive judgment of PTGS,the azimuth and dip angles of the three principal stresses are finally determined as N90.71°E,4.06°,N5.35°W,3.06°,and N8.10W,85.32°,respectively.The study verifies the feasibility of microseismic inversion of in situ stress.

Modularized and Parametric Modeling Technology for Finite Element Simulations of Underground Engineering under Complicated Geological Conditions

The surrounding geological conditions and supporting structures of underground engineering are often updated during construction,and these updates require repeated numerical modeling.To improve the numerical modeling efficiency of underground engineering,a modularized and parametric modeling cloud server is developed by using Python codes.The basic framework of the cloud server is as follows:input the modeling parameters into the web platform,implement Rhino software and FLAC3D software to model and run simulations in the cloud server,and return the simulation results to the web platform.The modeling program can automatically generate instructions that can run the modeling process in Rhino based on the input modeling parameters.The main modules of the modeling program include modeling the 3D geological structures,the underground engineering structures,and the supporting structures as well as meshing the geometric models.In particular,various cross-sections of underground caverns are crafted as parametricmodules in themodeling program.Themodularized and parametric modeling program is used for a finite element simulation of the underground powerhouse of the Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Station.This complicatedmodel is rapidly generated for the simulation,and the simulation results are reasonable.Thus,this modularized and parametric modeling program is applicable for three-dimensional finite element simulations and analyses.

Relationship between Geological Structures and Hydrocarbon Enrichment of Different Depressions in the Bohai Bay Basin

The Bohai Bay Basin contains many depressions with varying degrees of hydrocarbon enrichment associated with the geological structures of different depressions. This study discussed the relationship between the geological structures and hydrocarbon enrichment of the depressions in the Bohai Bay Basin. Based on the Paleogene strata distribution and the length to width ratio of different depressions, their geological structures are divided into three types in plan-view： open（length/width 〈 2）, narrow（length/width 〉 4） and transitional types（length/width 2-4）. In cross section, the geological structures can be divided into dustpan I, dustpan II and double-faulted types. Based on tectonic evolution and sedimentary characteristics, the depressions are classified into early-formed, inherited and late-formed categories. Generally, narrow depressions are mainly located in the northeast and southwest of the Bohai Bay Basin, while open depressions are dominantly distributed in the central area of the basin; late-formed depressions are mainly around the Bohai sea area, and early-formed depressions are mostly located in the periphery of the basin. Geological structures of the depressions control the formation of the source, reservoir and cap rocks as well as hydrocarbon accumulation setting, and further influence the pay zones and oil-bearing sequence. In detail, dustpan II and doublefaulted depressions mainly have A-type sags, which often possess better hydrocarbon generation conditions than dustpan I ones; hydrocarbons in open dustpan II depressions tend to accumulate in the central uplift areas or buried hill, while those in narrow dustpan I depressions always accumulate in gentle slope belts. The oil-bearing sequence for different evolutional depressions corresponds well with the sedimentary strata of the main development stages of depressions. In early-formed depressions, hydrocarbons are mainly enriched in deeply buried reservoirs, while in late-formed depressions hydrocarbons are abundant in the relatively shallow traps. In summary, most inherited and late-formed dustpan II depressions are enriched in hydrocarbons due to their extensive source rocks and good source-reservoir-seal assemblages, whereas dustpan I and early-formed depressions are relatively poor in hydrocarbons.

Framework system and research flow of uncertainty in 3D geological structure models

Uncertainty in 3D geological structure models has become a bottleneck that restricts the development and application of 3D geological modeling.In order to solve this problem during periods of accuracy assessment,error detection and dynamic correction in 3D geological structure models,we have reviewed the current situation and development trends in 3D geological modeling.The main context of uncertainty in 3D geological structure models is discussed.Major research issues and a general framework system of uncertainty in 3D geological structure models are proposed.We have described in detail the integration of development practices of 3D geological modeling systems,as well as the implementation process for uncertainty evaluation in 3D geological structure models.This study has laid the basis to build theoretical and methodological systems for accuracy assessment and error correction in 3D geological models and can assist in improving 3D modeling techniques under complex geological conditions.

Geological structures of ridges with relation to the definition of three types of seafloor highs stipulated in Article 76

The ridge like seafloor highs with various geological origins can be classed into mid-ocean ridges,transverse ridges related to transform faults,hot spot/mantle plume originated ridges,microcontinent rifted from major continent,intra-plate arc formed by interaction of two oceanic plates,and tectonic ridges uplifted by later tectonic activity.Those ridges moved towards the convergent continental margins along with the underlain plate drifting and formed so-called accreted ridges commonly trending at a high angle to the continental margins.At divergent continental margins,the continental crusts were extended and thinned accompanying with magmatism,which formed high terrains protruding or parallel to the coastal line.The ridges worldwide have various origins and the crustal thicknesses and structures of them are diversity.The crusts beneath the microcontinents,and the transverse ridges along the transform margin,and the seafloor highs beside the passive continental margins are continental,while the crusts of other ridges are oceanic.Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea （UNCLOS） has classed the seafloor highs worldwide into three legal categories,namely oceanic ridges,submarine ridges and submarine elevations,for the purpose to delineate the outer limit of the coastal States＇ continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles.To define the categories of the legal seafloor highs to which the ridges with various geological origins belong,the continuities in morphology and geology including the rock types,crustal structures,origins and tectonic setting of the ridges and the coastal States＇ land mass with its submerged prolongation should be taken into account.If a ridge is continuous both in morphology and geology with the coastal States＇ land mass and its submerged prolongation,it is a submarine elevation stipulated in Article 76.If it is discontinuous in morphology,the ridge should be regarded as oceanic ridges.If a ridge is continuous in morphology but discontinuous in geology with the coastal States＇ land mass and its submerged prolongation,then it is a submarine ridge as stipulated in Article 76.

The geological structure background and the crustal structure in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

The geological structure background, the crustal structure and the shape of Moho in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau are studied. Based on artificial seismic sounding profile as well as geological data. The main results are summarized as follows: (1) The geotectonic subdivisions and the characteristics of main deep and large faults in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau are presented; (2) The general features of the Moho are obtained mainly based on artificial seismic sounding data; (3) There exists well corresponding relation between surface faults and some features of the Moho, which suggests that such complex crustal structure might be the preparation environment of strong earthquakes.

Geological structure and dynamic mechanism of the Termit rift basin in West African rift system

Based on seismic and drilling data in the study area,the geological structure and kinematic process of the Termit rift basin were studied using seismic profile interpretation and balanced restoration to find out the dynamic mechanism of the basin.(1)The geological structure of the Termit Basin is represented as a narrow rift basin,with development of series of structural styles in extensional,extensional strike-slip and compressional stress setting.On plane,it is narrow in the north and wide in the south,and transitions from graben to half-graben from north to south;it features a graben controlled by the boundary faults in the north and a fault-overlapped half-graben in the south.(2)Before the Cretaceous,a series of hidden faults developed in the West African rift system,which laid the foundation for the development location and distribution direction of the Termit Basin;during the Cretaceous to Paleogene periods,the basin experienced two phases of rifting in Early Cretaceous and Paleogene,which controlled the initial structure and current structural shape of the basin respectively;during the Neogene to Quaternary,the basin was subjected to weak transformation.(3)In the Precambrian,the Pan-African movement gave rise to a narrow and long weak zone within the African plate,which provided the pre-existing structural conditions for the formation of the Termit Basin.In the Early Cretaceous,affected by the South Atlantic rifting,the Pan African weak zone was reactivated,resulting in the first stage of rifting and the basic structural framework of the Termit Basin.In the Paleogene,affected by the subduction and convergence of the Neo-Tethys Ocean,the African-Arabian plate extended in near E-W trending,and the Termit Basin experienced the second stage of rifting.The oblique extension in this period caused intense structural differentiation,and the current structural pattern of alternate uplifts and depressions took shape gradually.

Geological structures and potential petroleum exploration areas in the southwestern Sichuan fold-thrust belt, SW China

Based on the latest geological,seismic,drilling and outcrop data,we studied the geological structure,tectonic evolution history and deformation process of the southwestern Sichuan fold-thrust belt to find out the potential hydrocarbon exploration areas in deep layers.During key tectonic periods,the southwestern Sichuan fold-thrust belt developed some characteristic strata and structural deformation features,including the Pre-Sinian multi-row N-S strike rifts,step-shaped platform-margin structures of Sinian Dengying Formation,the western paleo-uplift in the early stage of Late Paleozoic,the Late Paleozoic–Middle Triassic carbonate platform,foreland slope and forebulge during Late Triassic to Cretaceous,and Cenozoic multi-strike rejuvenated fold-thrusting structures.The fold-thrust belt vertically shows a double-layer structural deformation controlled by the salt layer in the Middle Triassic Leikoupo Formation and the base detachment layer at present.The upper deformation layer develops the NE-SW strike thrusts propagating toward basin in long distance,while the deeper deformation layer had near north-south strike basement-involved folds,which deformed the detachment and thrusting structures formed earlier in the upper layer,with the deformation strength high in south part and weak in north part.The southern part of the fold-thrust belt is characterized by basement-involved fold-thrusts formed late,while the central-northern part is dominated by thin-skin thrusts in the shallow layer.The Wuzhongshan anticlinal belt near piedmont is characterized by over-thrust structure above the salt detachment,where the upper over-thrusting nappe consists of a complicated fold core and front limb of a fault-bend fold,while the deep layer has stable subtle in-situ structures.Favorable exploration strata and areas have been identified both in the upper and deeper deformation layers separated by regional salt detachment,wherein multiple anticlinal structures are targets for exploration.Other potential exploration strata and areas in southwestern Sichuan fold-thrust belt include the deep Sinian and Permian in the Wuzhongshan structure,pre-Sinian rifting sequences and related structures,platform-margin belt of Sinian Dengying Formation,and Indosinian paleo-uplift in the east of the Longquanshan structure.

Segmental nature of the Red River fault revealed by seismic anisotropy and geological structures

As the western boundary of the Sichuan-Yunnan block(SYB),the Red River fault(RRF)is a major fault that controls deep crustal movement and deformation in the southeast margin of the Tibetan Plateau and regulates middle-lower crustal flow.Geophysical data suggest that the RRF is segmented and exhibits distinct variations in seismicity,velocity structure and crustal deformation from north to south.Seismic anisotropy reveals a complex pattern of lateral spatial and vertical stratified distributions.(1)From the perspective of crustal stratification,in the upper crust,the fast wave polarization in the north segment of the RRF is complex and possibly influenced by the Sanjiang lateral collision zone and adjacent faults with varying strikes.The fast wave polarization in the middle segment is in the NW-SE direction,indicating a localized area of closed down or locked up with consistent deformation.And in the south segment,it presents a disordered pattern,signifying complex deep tectonics and stress conditions at the wedged intersection zone.In the middle-lower crust in the north and south segments of the RRF,the azimuthal anisotropy is strong and consistent with the spatial strike of the weak zone characterized by low-velocity and highconductivity.This suggests a connection between the anisotropy and the material migration.(2)In the whole crustal scale,the fast wave directions in two sides of the RRF are consistent with the NW-SE tectonic strike.It indicates that the RRF,as a large fault potentially cutting through the whole crust,strongly controls the surrounding media.(3)In the lithospheric scale,the fast wave polarizations are oriented nearly E-W and independent of the fault strike,consistent with the low P-and S-wave velocity structures and positive radial anisotropy in the upper mantle.The fast wave directions could be related to lithospheric olivine deformation and asthenospheric flow.This paper suggests a decoupling of deformation between the crust and the lithospheric mantle in the south of approximately 26°20′N near the RRF,which can potentially be attributed to the subduction and rollback of the Indian plate.Based on various geophysical observations and inversions,we can determine the detailed anisotropic structure in the crust and the upper mantle around the RRF.Denser geophysical arrays and more accurate records can be used to explore the intricate anisotropy in segmentation and stratification around the RRF,enhancing the understanding of its tectonic significance.

Structure and Fluid Transportation Performance of Faults in the Changxing-Feixianguan Formation, Xuanhan County, Northeastern Sichuan Basin

On the basis of field observations, microscopic thin-sections and laboratory data analysis of ten faults in Xuanhan County area, northeastern Sichuan Basin, central China, the internal and megascopic structures and tectonite development characteristics are mainly controlled by the geomechanical quality in brittle formation of the Changxing-Feixianguan Formation. The fluid transportation performance difference between the faults formed by different geomechanics or different structural parts of the same fault are controlled by the mcgascopic structure and tectonite development characteristics. For instance, the extension fault structure consists of a tectonite breccia zone and an extension fracture zone. Good fluid transportation performance zones are the extension fracture zone adjacent to the tectonite breccia zone and the breccia zone formed at the early evolutionary stage. The typical compression fault structure consists of a boulder-clay zone or zones of grinding gravel rock, compression foliation, tectonite lens, and dense fracture development. The dense fracture development zone is the best fluid transporting area at a certain scale of the compression fault, and then the lens, grinding gravel rock zone and compression foliation zones are the worst areas for hydrocarbon migration. The typical tensor-shear fault with a certain scale can be divided into boulder-clay or grinding gravel rock zones of the fault, as well as a pinnate fractures zone and a derivative fractures zone. The grinding gravel rock zone is the worst one for fluid transportation. Because of the fracture mesh connectivity and better penetration ability, the pinnate fractures zone provides the dominant pathway for hydrocarbon vertical migration along the tensor-shear fault.

Deformation, Stratigraphy, Structures and Shortening of the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt in Southwest Iran Analysis by Restoration

A structural cross-section constructed across the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt covering the Abadan Plain, Dezful Embayment, and Izeh Zone applied 2D and 3D seismic data, well data, surface and subsurface geological maps, satellite images and field reconnaissance. Besides validation and modification of the cross-section, restoration allows better understanding of the geology, structural style and stratigraphy of the Zagros basin. In the area of interest, the Hormuz basal decollement and the Gachsaran detachment play the most significant roles in the structural style and deformation of the Zagros belt. More complexity is associated with interval decollements such as Triassic evaporites, Albian shales and Eocene marls. A variety of lithotectonic units and detachment surfaces confound any estimation of shortening, which generally decreases with increasing depth. Deformation completely differs in the Abadan Plain, Dezful Embayment and Izeh Zone because of different sedimentation histories and tectonic evolution; gentle and young structures can be interpreted as pre-collisional structures of the Dezful Embayment before the Late Cretaceous. After the Late Cretaceous, the Mountain Front Fault is the main control of sedimentation and deformation in the Zagros Basin, and this completely characterizes fold style and geometry within the Dezful Embayment and the Izeh Zone.

Characteristics,Formation Periods,and Controlling Factors of Tectonic Fractures in Carbonate Geothermal Reservoirs:A Case Study of the Jixianian System in the Xiong'an New Area,China

As typical carbonate geothermal reservoirs with low porosity in northern China,the Jixianian System in the Xiong’an New Area is the main target for geothermal fluid exploration.The Jixianian System comprises the Gaoyuzhuang,Yangzhuang,Wumishan,Hongshuizhuang,and Tieling formations.The characteristics,formation periods,and controlling factors of reservoir tectonic fractures have been determined based on analyses of outcrops,cores,thin sections,and image logs.The results show that unfilled fractures account for over 87% and most tectonic fractures are high-angle shear fractures with angles concentrated at 40°to 70°and the fracture porosity increases linearly with an increased fracture aperture.Within the same tectonic setting and stress field,the lithology and layer thickness are the dominant factors governing the development of tectonic fractures,which are the most developed in dolomites and thin layers.Tectonic fractures were most likely formed in regions near faults or areas with larger stress gradients.The tectonic fractures in the carbonate geothermal reservoirs are roughly divided into four sets:NNW-SSE and NNE-SSW oriented‘X’-conjugated shear fractures formed from the Paleozoic to the pre-Yanshanian Movement;NE-SW-oriented shear fractures,formed in episode B of the Yanshanian Movement,occurred at the Early Cretaceous;nearly E-W-oriented tensional fractures formed in the late Yanshanian Movement at the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene,and NEE-SW-oriented shear fractures formed during the Himalayan movement.

Basic Types and Structural Characteristics of Uplifts:An Overview of Sedimentary Basins in China

The uplift is a positive structural unit of the crust. It is an important window for continental dynamics owing to its abundant structural phenomena, such as fault, fold, unconformity and denudation of strata. Meanwhile, it is the very place to store important minerals like oil, natural gas, coal and uranium. Giant and large-scale oil and gas fields in China, such as the Daqing Oilfield, Lunnan-Tahe Oilfield, Penglai 19-3 Oilfield, Puguang Gas Field and Jingbian Gas Field, are developed mainly on uplifts. Therefore, it is the main target both for oil and gas exploration and for geological study. The uplift can be either a basement uplift, or one developed only in the sedimentary cover. Extension, compression and wrench or their combined forces may give rise to uplifts. The development process of uplifting, such as formation, development, dwindling and destruction, can be taken as the uplifting cycle. The uplifts on the giant Precambrian cratons are large in scale with less extensive structural deformation. The uplifts on the medium- and small-sized cratons or neo-cratons are formed in various shapes with strong structural deformation and complicated geological structure. Owing to changes in the geodynamic environment, uplift experiences a multi-stage or multi-cycle development process. Its geological structure is characterized in superposition of multi-structural layers. Based on the basement properties, mechanical stratigraphy and development sequence, uplifts can be divided into three basic types-the succession, superposition and destruction ones. The succession type is subdivided into the maintaining type and the lasting type. The superposition type can be subdivided into the composite anticlinal type, the buried-hill draped type, the faulted uplift type and the migration type according to the different scales and superimposed styles of uplifts in different cycles. The destruction type is subdivided into the tilting type and the negative inverted type. The development history of uplifts and their controlling effects on sedimentation and fluids are quite different from one another, although the uplifts with different structural types store important minerals. Uplifts and their slopes are the main areas for oil and gas accumulation. They usually become the composite oil and gas accumulation zones （belts） with multiple productive formations and various types of oil and gas reservoirs.

Analysis of rockburst in tunnels subjected to static and dynamic loads

The presence of geological structures such as faults, joints, and dykes has been observed near excavation boundaries in many rockburst case histories. In this paper, the role of discontinuities around tunnels in rockburst occurrence was studied. For this purpose, the Abaqus explicit code was used to simulate dynamic rock failure in deep tunnels. Material heterogeneity was considered using Python scripting in Abaqus. Rockbursts near fault regions in deep tunnels under static and dynamic loads were studied.Several tunnel models with and without faults were built and static and dynamic loads were used to simulate rock failure. The velocity and the released kinetic energy of failed rocks, the failure zone around the tunnel, and the deformed mesh were studied to identify stable and unstable rock failures. Compared with models without discontinuities, the results showed that the velocity and the released kinetic energy of failed rocks were higher, the failure zone around the tunnel was larger, and the mesh was more deformed in the models with discontinuities, indicating that rock failure in the models with discontinuities was more violent. The modeling results confirm that the presence of geological structures in the vicinity of deep excavations could be one of the major influence factors for the occurrence of rockburst. It can explain localized rockburst occurrence in civil tunnels and mining drifts. The presented methodology in this paper for rockburst analysis can be useful for rockburst anticipation and control during mining and tunneling in highly stressed ground.

Structural Evolution and Hydrocarbon Potential of the Upper Paleozoic Northern Ordos Basin, North China

The hydrocarbon potential of the Hangjinqi area in the northern Ordos Basin is not well known, compared to the other areas of the basin, despite its substantial petroleum system.Restoration of a depth-converted seismic profile across the Hangjinqi Fault Zone（HFZ） in the eastern Hangjinqi area shows one compression that created anticlinal structures in the Late Triassic, and two extensions in ~Middle Jurassic and Late Early Cretaceous, which were interrupted by inversions in the Late Jurassic–Early Early Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous, respectively.Hydrocarbon generation at the well locations in the Central Ordos Basin（COB） began in the Late Triassic.Basin modeling of Well Zhao-4 suggests that hydrocarbon generation from the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian coal measures of the northern Shanbei Slope peaked in the Early Cretaceous, predating the inversion in the Late Cretaceous.Most source rocks in the Shanbei Slope passed the main gas-migration phase except for the Hangjinqi area source rocks（Well Jin-48）.Hydrocarbons generated from the COB are likely to have migrated northward toward the anticlinal structures and traps along the HFZ because the basin-fill strata are dipping south.Faulting that continued during the extensional phase（Late Early Cretaceous） of the Hangjinqi area probably acted as conduits for the migration of hydrocarbons.Thus, the anticlinal structures and associated traps to the north of the HFZ might have trapped hydrocarbons that were charged from the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian coal measures in the COB since the Middle Jurassic.

Advances in Structural Geology and Tectonics in the Late 20th Century: A Review

Based on analyses of the share of documents of structural geology and tectonics in the GeoRef system over 100 years in the last century, and the historical change of international （31 years） and domestic （16 years） document counts of various topics in structural geology and tectonics, the position of structural geology and tectonics in the geosciences is evaluated and the major advaces in fields of plate tectonics, continental dynamics and global dynamics are reviewed. Our attention mainly focuses on the advances in studies of structural analysis, deformation mechanisms and rheology of rocks, contractional tectonics and late- and post-orogenic extensional collapse in orogens, large-scale strikeslip faults and indentation-extrusion tectonics, active tectonics and natural hazards. The relationships of structural geology and tectonics with petrology and geochronology are also discussed in terms of intersection of scientific disciplines. Finally, some suggestions are proposed for the further development of structural geology and tectonics in China.

Mapping the spatial distribution of fossil geothermal manifestations and assessment of geothermal potential of the Tangyin rift,Southeast of Taihang Mountain in China

The spatial prediction of geothermal sites along the southeast side of Taihang Mountain in the Tangyin rift is a critical goal in the development of renewable energy resources in cities such as Hebi in Henan province,which has significant potential for geothermal energy production due to the existence of deep faults and Cenozoic volcano.The study aimed to delineate areas with high geothermal manifestations for detailed geothermal exploration and well-test drilling.To define favorable zones for geothermal potentiality,multi-source datasets were chosen to generate evidence thematic layers that demonstrate the distribution of geothermal anomalies such as geologic maps,structural maps,Land Surface Temperature maps(LST),and hydrothermal mineral alterations maps.The remote sensing and Geographical Information System(GIS)approaches were integrated to map fossil geothermal manifestations and appraise the promising geothermal zones from Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer-Digital Elevation Model(ASTER-DEM)dataset using the Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP),which is one of the Mult-criteria Decision Making methods.Results show LST values ranging from 22.6℃ to 45.4℃,with the highest values found along the faults and volcanic areas.The hydrothermal alteration minerals discriminated from band ratios of 4/2,6/5,and 6/7 for iron oxide,ferrous minerals,and clays reveal the presence of high amount of montmorillonite and illite minerals along the faults and volcanoes which are related to hot fluid circulation from subsurface.Structural analysis shows that the major structural trend follows the NNE Tangdong and Tangxi faults,with high density on the west side of the Tangxi fault where there is good exposure of outcrop but less fault density on the east side due to sedimentation in a low land which may conceal geological structures.Lastly,all the thematic layers of geothermal factors were reclassified,ranked,and integrated by the weight overlay logic model based on the influence of geothermal suitability to map potential areas for geothermal resources whereby 5 zones were obtained ranging from very poor to very good.The promising potential sites are mostly found along the highly deep structures of the major Tangxi fault crosscutting the permeable lithology of carbonate rocks and around the Hebi volcanoes.The distribution of hot springs and geothermal wells of the Hebi field were correlated and verified against the potential geothermal anomalies map.The overall integrated method proposes an advanced technique for designing the Tangyin rift’s exploration plan and development actions for geothermal resources utilization,which can be used for exploration of any unveiling geothermal potential sites.

Influence of deep magma-induced thermal effects on the regional gas outburst risk of coal seams

The thermal effect caused by deep magma intrusion can not only accelerate the metamorphism of coal body,but also bring additional thermal field that changes the mechanical environment of coal seams,thereby affecting the permeability of coal seams.Different from shallow coal resources,deep coal resources are in a mechanical environment characterized by limited stress and strain.Thus,the thermal effect has a more significant influence on the distribution and permeability characteristics of deep coal seams.In this study,the evolution history of highly metamorphic coal seams in Yangquan mining area was analyzed,and the main effect of magmatic activity on coal seams was obtained.Based on the determined vitrinite reflectance data of typical mines in Yangquan mining area,the maximum paleotemperature was calculated by adopting the Barker’s method.Furthermore,the paleotemperature distribution in Yangquan mining area was summarized,and its relationship with the metamorphic degree was acquired.Then,a new permeability model considering the thermal strain was proposed to analyze the permeability evolution in deep coal seams at different ground temperatures.Finally,through a combination of the results of gas pressure and outburst number in Sijiazhuang Mine,Yangquan No.5 Mine and Xinjing Mine,the influence of ground temperature on the gas outburst risk in Yangquan mining area was explored.The following conclusions were drawn:The maximum paleotemperature in Yangquan area can be 303C.In addition,the paleotemperature in the south is higher than that in the north of Yangquan mining area.The various temperatures at different depths bring about different degrees of thermal stress to different coal seams,leading to different strains.Under the fixed displacement boundary conditions in the deep,the coal seam folds and bends to varying degrees.Moreover,the difference in the ground temperature raises the a value of coal seams and lowers the permeability,which promotes the formation of gas-rich zones and increases the risk of coal seam outburst.The research results can help mines to make proper gas disaster prevention plan for different zones.

Evaluation of urban underground space resources using a negative list method: Taking Xi'an City as an example in China

Utilization of urban underground space has become a vital approach to alleviate the strain on urban land resources,and to optimize the structure and pattem of the city.It is also very important to improve the city environment,build livable city and increase the capacity of the city.Based on the analysis of existing evaluation methods and their problems,a method for evaluating underground space resources based on a negative list of adverse factors affecting underground space development is proposed,to be primarily used in urban planning stages.A list of the adverse factors is established,including limiting factors,constraining factors and influencing factors.Taking Xi'an as an example,using a geographical information system platform,a negative list of adverse factors for the underground space resources in Xi'an City are evaluated,and preventive measures are proposed.Natural resources,exploitable resources,and the potential growth of exploitable underground space resources are evaluated.Underground space assessment in the different development stages of the city,collaborative utilization and safety evaluation for multiple subsurface resources,environmental impact and assessment,as well as evaluation methods based on big data and intelligent optimization algorithms are all discussed with the aim of serving city planning and construction.