Crustal Motion Characteristics in the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau and Adjacent Regions after the Wenchuan Earthquake

The Wenchuan earthquake has altered the crustal motion characteristics in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent regions.Using discontinuous GPS survey data for 2008–2012, the velocity field for the Eurasia reference framework has been obtained, and the general trend of contemporary crustal motion after the occurrence of the Wenchuan earthquake has been studied.In addition, using the velocity field, the block movement velocity has been estimated by least-squares fitting.Furthermore, the properties and displacement rates of main faults have been obtained from the differences in velocity vectors of the blocks on both sides of the faults.The results reveal that there are no obvious changes in the general characteristics of crustal motion in this area after the Wenchuan earthquake.The earthquake mainly changed the rate of the movement of the Chuan-Qing block and caused variation in the movement direction of the South China block.The effect of the earthquake on faults is mainly reflected in variations in fault displacement velocity; there is no fundamental change in the properties of fault activity.The displacement rates of the Xianshuihe fault decreased by 3–4 mm/a, the Longmenshan fault increased by 9–10 mm/a, and the northern segment of the Anninghe fault increased by approximately 9 mm/a.Furthermore, the displacement rates of the Minjiang, Xueshan, Huya, Longquanshan, and Xinjin faults increased by 2–3 mm/a.This implies that the effects of the Wenchuan earthquake on crustal movement can mainly be observed in the Chuan-Qing, South China, and N-Chuan-Dian blocks and their internal faults, as well as the Xianshuihe and Longmenshan faults and the northern section of the Anninghe fault.The reason for this is that the Wenchuan earthquake disturbed the kinematic and dynamic balance in the region.

Applying the AHP-FUZZY method to evaluate the measure effect of rubble roadbed engineering in permafrost regions of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: a case study of Chaidaer-Muli Railway

This article attempts to investigate the measure effect of rubble roadbed engineering in permafrost regions of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. As a case study, Chaidaer-Muli Railway is used to evaluate the measure effect of rubble roadbed engineering in permafrost regions. The AHP(Analytic Hierarchy Process) method is thus employed to establish the evaluation indicator system. The evaluation factor is selected by analyzing the mutual relation between the permafrost environment and roadbed engineering. Thus, a hierarchical structure model is established based on the selected evaluation indices. Each factor is weighted to determine the status in the evaluation system, and grading standards are built for providing a basis for the evaluation. Then, the fuzzy mathematical method is introduced to evaluate the measure effect of rubble roadbed engineering in permafrost regions along the Chadaer-Muli Railway. Results show that most of the permafrost roadbed is in a preferable condition(b) along the Chaidaer-Muli Railway due to rubble engineering measures. This proportion reaches to 86.1%. The proportion in good(a), general(c) and poor states(d) are 0.0%, 7.5% and 6.4%, respectively, in all the evaluation sections along the Chaidaer-Muli Railway. Ground-temperature monitoring results are generally consistent with AHP-FUZZY evaluation results. This means that the AHP-FUZZY method can be applied to evaluate the effect of rubble roadbed engineering measures in permafrost regions. The effect evaluation of engineering measures will provide timely and effective feedback information for further engineering design. The series of engineering measures will more effectively protect permafrost stability.

Landscape structures of different rural landscape connectivity in typical plateau karst regions: Taking the Houzhai River area of Anshun City, Guizhou Province as an example

Landscape connectivity is important for energy and material flow in ecosystems as well as for the survival of species. The landscape structure influences and reflects the degree of landscape connectivity. In order to study the coupling relationship between landscape structure and connectivity and reveal the succession relationship between its structure and connectivity in the typical karst plateau area. The study analyzed the typical area of Houzhai River in Puding County, Anshun City, Guizhou Province, according to the landscape pattern index and probability landscape connectivity index. The results show:(1) The landscape structure of the study area A is mainly characterized by large patches and uniform distribution. The main land is woodland and cultivated land, and the overall landscape is low fragmentation.(2) The landscape structure of the study area B is mainly characterized by the clustering of a certain type of land cover and the uneven distribution of the patches, for example, cultivated land. Other types of patches are scatteredly distributed, and the overall landscape is highly fragmented.(3) The study area A, B in 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 5 distance thresholds of landscape connectivity were 1.55, 1.99, 2.26, 2.49, 2.58 and 0.02, 0.10, 0.15, 0.19, 0.20, respectively. The average landscape connectivity is 2. 18 and 0. 13, respectively. Study Area A has a higher degree of landscape connectivity than B. Landscape pattern indicators can represent the landscape structure and probability landscape connectivity index calculates the landscape connectivity in the study area. The results of the study can provide a basis for ecological restoration of plateau karst regions and well-oriented rural development planning.

Study on Rural Domestic Waste Treatment in Loess Plateau Region——Taking Longfang Town in Shaanxi Province as Example

With the continuous development of economy and changes in people’s lifestyle,rural domestic waste brought about serious harm to water,air,human health,ecological landscape and so forth.In this paper,taking Longfang Town in Loess Plateau region as example,the source,amount and harms of rural domestic waste were analyzed firstly,as well as the current situation and existing problems of treatment,and then a suitable waste disposal technology for the town was chosen,finally the reasonable treatment methods combining new countryside and non-new countryside with township was summed up,so as to realize the reduction,harmless and resource treatment of rural domestic waste.

Study on the Climate Changes Characteristics in the Hilly Region of the Loess Plateau and Its Influence on Agricultural Production

[Objective] The aim was to study the climate changes characteristics in the hilly region of the loess plateau and its influence on agricultural production.[Method] Taking Yan’an City as an example,and by dint of temperature and precipitation in nine meteorological stations from 1957 to 2007 and accumulated anomaly curve,linear regression and relevant analysis,the climate changes characteristics in 51 years in Yan’an were expounded.The climate changes in the hilly region of the loess plateau were studied and its influences on agricultural production were concluded.[Result] The characteristics of climate changes in the hilly region were as follow:high temperature in winter and warm winter trend was clearly;the temperature in spring enhanced fast and the drought disaster was increasing worse;rainy days occurred now and then in autumn.The climate changes had different levels of influences on agricultural production in Yan’an City.Because of rising temperature in winter,facility agriculture was vigorously developed and the apple range expanded;in the meantime,because of rising temperature in spring,drought was worsen and sowing in spring can not proceed;constant rain in autumn damaged the quality of date.[Conclusion] The study provided theoretical basis for the regional agricultural production and agricultural structure adjustment.

Soil Taxonomy and Distribution Characteristics of the Permafrost Region in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

Understanding the soil taxonomy and distribution characteristics of the permafrost region in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP) is very important. On the basis of extensive field surveys and experimental analysis, this study carries out soil taxonomic classification of the permafrost region in the QTP. According to Chinese Soil Taxonomy, the soil of the permafrost region in the QTP can be divided into 6 Orders(Histosols, Aridosols, Gleyosols, Isohumosols, Cambosols, Primosols), 11 Suborders, 19 Groups and 24 Subgroups. Cambosols are the dominant soil type in the permafrost region, followed by Aridosols. From the east to the west of the permafrost region in the QTP, the soil type gradually changes from Cambosols to Aridosols, showing a meridional zonality. The eastern region is dominated by Cambosols, with no obvious latitudinal zonality. From the south to the northwest of the western region, the dominance of Aridosols and Cambosols gradually transited to Aridosols, presenting a latitudinal zonality. The soil in the western region shows a poor vertical zonality, while the distribution of suborders of Cambosols in the eastern region shows a more obvious vertical zonality. The result indicates that precipitation and vegetation are the main factors that influence the zonal distribution of soil. The permafrost in the east has some effect on the vertical soil zonality, but the effect is weakened in the west.

Land-use changes in the small watershed of the Loess Plateau,hilly-gully region, China

As more and more farmland is converted to forestry, the need for effective decision support regarding the use of land in the fragile ecological environment of the Loess Plateau hilly-gully area. The Luoyugou watershed was chosen as the study area to calculate the single dynamic degree, integrated dynamic degree, and change indexes of land use, as well as the land-use type transition matrix. This was done by interpreting the TM and SPOT images of the Luoyugou watershed in 1986, 1995, and2004 and making statistical analysis. The results of ou statistical analysis show that the conversion of slope farm land to terrace and forest land plays a dominant role in land-use changes in the Luoyugou watershed from 1986 to2004. The land-use changes are mainly driven by popula tion growth, socio-economic development, consume spending, and investment in forest ecology.

Review on Regional Climate Change Induced by Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Uplift

[Objective]The aim was to study the influence of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau uplift on regional climate in China.[Method] Trough relevant study of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its surrounding movement,the tectonic movement of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its surrounding areas,especially the case of the impact caused by plateau phased uplift were studied based on paleomagnetic measurements.[Result]The increasing Qinghai-Tibet Plateau led to obvious transition from dry to cold in northwest China and it became dry quickly,which led to loess accumulation,replacement of vegetation types and human activity.Meanwhile,it was dry,and there was certain degree of climate changes in the area.[Conclusion] Qinghai-Tibet Plateau had far-reaching significance on basic climate characteristics in northwest China.

Atmospheric Sulfur and Nitrogen Deposition in Five Nature Reserves of Sichuan Basin to Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Transect Region,Southwest-ern China

Enhanced sulfur and nitrogen deposition has been observed in many transect regions worldwide,from urban/agricultural areas to mountains.The Sichuan Basin(SCB),with 18 prefectural cities,is the most economically-developed region in western China,while the rural Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau(QTP)lies west of the SCB.Previous regional and national atmospheric modeling studies have sug-gested that large areas in the SCB-to-QTP transect region experience excessive deposition of sulfur and nitrogen.In this study,we applied a passive monitoring method at 11 sites(one in urban Chengdu and 10 from fivenature reserves)in this transect region from September 2021 to October 2022 to confirm the high sulfur and nitrogen deposition fluxes and to understand the gaps between the modeling and observation results for this transect region.These observations suggest that the five reserves are under eutrophication risk,and only two reserves are partially under acidification risk.Owing to the complex topography and landscapes,both sulfur and nitrogen deposition and critical loads exhibit large spatial variations within a reserve,such as Mount Emei.Regional atmospheric modeling may not accurately capture the spatial variations in deposition fluxes within a reserve;however,it can capture general spatial patterns over the entire transect.This study demonstrates that a combination of state-of-the-art atmospheric chemical models and low-cost monitoring methods is helpful for ecological risk assessments at a regional scale.

Cloud Radiative Forcing in Asian Monsoon Region Simulated by IPCC AR4 AMIP Models

This study examines cloud radiative forcing （CRF） in the Asian monsoon region （0° 50°N, 60° 150°E） simulated by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change （IPCC） Fourth Assessment Report （AR4） AMIP models. During boreal winter, no model realistically reproduces the larger long-wave cloud radiative forcing （LWCF） over the Tibet Plateau （TP） and only a couple of models reasonably capture the larger short-wave CRF （SWCF） to the east of the TP. During boreal summer, there are larger biases for central location and intensity of simulated CRF in active convective regions. The CRF biases are closely related to the rainfall biases in the models. Quantitative analysis further indicates that the correlation between simulated CRF and observations are not high, and that the biases and diversity in SWCF are larger than that in LWCF. The annual cycle of simulated CRF over East Asia （0°-50°N, 100°-145°E） is also examined. Though many models capture the basic annual cycle in tropics, strong LWCF and SWCF to the east of the TP beginning in early spring are underestimated by most models. As a whole, GFDL-CM2.1, MPI-ECHAM5, UKMO-HadGAM1, and MIROC3.2 （medres） perform well for CRF simulation in the Asian monsoon region, and the multi-model ensemble （MME） has improved results over the individual simulations. It is suggested that strengthening the physical parameterizations involved over the TP, and improving cumulus convection processes and model experiment design are crucial to CRF simulation in the Asian monsoon region.

THE TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL VARIATION OF STABLE ISOTOPES IN PRECIPITATION ON THE TIBETAN PLATEAU AND ITS ADJACENT REGIONS

The temporal and spatial variation on the stable isotopic compositions in precipitation and the relationship with temperature,precipitation and vapor sources are analyzed for the Tibetan Plateau and its adjacent regions.There is no temperature effect in the southern Tibetan Plateau and South Asia.Amount effect has been observed at a few sampling stations that account for about a half of the statistical stations.However,the seasonal variations on the stable isotopic compositions in precipitation at those stations are inconsistent with that of precipitation intensity.There is notable temperature effect in the middle and northern Tibetan Plateau and its adjacent Northwest China.It has been observed that the seasonal variations of the δ^(18)O in precipitation are almost consistent with those of air temperature in these regions.Because vapor is directly originated from low- latitude oceans,the relative heavy δ^(18)O with small variation characterizes the rainfall in South Asia.A sharp depletion of the stable isotopic compositions in precipitation takes place from Kyangjin on the southern slop of the Himalayas to the Tanggula Mountains in the middle Plateau. The δ^(18)O reaches minimum due to very strong rainout of the vapor from oceans as the vapor rises over the Himalayas.From the Tanggula Mountains to the northern Tibetan Plateau,the δ^(18)O in precipitation increases with increasing latitude and the isotopic situation in the northern Plateau is transferred into Northwest China with little disruption.

Spatial distribution and influencing factors of Surface Nibble Degree index in the severe gully erosion region of China’s Loess Plateau

In China’s Loess Plateau severe gully erosion(LPGE)region,the shoulder-line is the most intuitive and unique manifestation of the loess landform,which divides a landform into positive and negative terrains(PNTs).The spatial combination model of PNTs is of great significance for revealing the evolution of the loess landform.This study modeled and proposed the Surface Nibble Degree(SND),which is a new index that reflects the comparison of the areas of PNTs.Based on 5 m DEMs and matched high-resolution remote sensing images,the PNTs of 164 complete watersheds in the LPGE were extracted accurately,and the SND index was calculated.The spatial distribution trend of SND was discussed,and the relationship between SND and the factors that affect the evolution mechanism of regional landform was explored further.Results show that:(1)The SND can be calculated formally.It can quantify the development of the loess landform well.(2)The SND of the LPGE has evident spatial differentiation that increases from southwest to northeast.High values appear in Shenmu of Shaanxi,Shilou of Shanxi,and northern Yanhe River,whereas the low values are mainly distributed in the southern loess tableland and the inclined elongated ridge area of Pingliang in Gansu and Guyuan in Ningxia.(3)In the Wuding River and Yanhe River,the SND decreases with the increase in flow length(FL).In the North-Luohe River and Jinghe River,the SND increases with FL.(4)SND is significantly correlated with gully density and sediment modulus and moderately correlated with hypsometric integral.As for the mechanism factors analysis,the relationship between loess thickness and SND is not obvious,but SND increased first and then decreased with the increase of precipitation and vegetation in each geographical division,and we found that the land use type of low coverage grassland has greater erosion potential.

Zircon SHRIMP geochronology and Nd-Pb isotopic characteristics of the meta-basalt in the central part of Tibetan Plateau's Qiangtang region

A small-sized meta-basic rock system is discovered in Qilongwuru Gully of Central Qiangtang’s Shuanghu region and contains a meta-basalt and garnet-bearing plagioclase amphibolite.The zircon U/Pb age of this meta-basalt by SHRIMP analysis is463.3±4.7 Ma,suggesting that this lava formed in the Middle Ordovician,and is consistent with that of the meta-basic rocks in the Taoxing Lake and Guoganjianian Mountain ophiolite found in the Qiangtang plate.As this lava system bears similar geochemistry to N-MORB,it might be a component of ophiolite that represents the trail of the extinction of the Proto-Tethys,suggesting that the formation of Proto-Tethys oceanic basin in the Longmu Co-Shuanghu suture zone could date as far back as to the Middle Ordovician.Isotopic geochemical analysis indicates that the magma source area consists of both depleted mantle(DM)and enriched mantle(EMII)end members and bears Dupal anomaly,similar to that of the Paleo-Tethys in the Neo-Tethys represented by the Yarlung-Tsangpo suture zone,the Paleo-Tethys represented by the Changning-Menglian suture zone,and the Paleo-Tethys in Sanjiang region.This suggests that they have inherited the attribute of the Proto-Tethys mantle domain,and the Longmu Co-Shuanghu suture zone may be a representative of the northern boundary of Gondwana.

The Indian monsoonal influence on altitude effect of δ^(18)O in surface water on southeast Tibetan Plateau

The altitude effect of δ18O is essential for the study of the paleo-elevation reconstruction and possible to be solved through modern process studies. This study presents new δ18O results from southeast Tibetan Plateau along two transects, the Zayu transect and the Lhasa-Nyang transect, with δ18O data from June to September representative of monsoon period and δ18O data during the rest of the year of non-monsoon period. Altitude effect outweighs the longitude and latitude effects in determining regional δ18O variation spatially. Relevant δ18O data from previous studies in the nearby region have also been combined to comprehensively understand the influence of different moisture sources on δ18O from local scale to regional scale. The δ18O in surface water in the southeast Tibetan Plateau and its nearby regions influenced by the Indian summer monsoon shows that single dominant moisture source or simple moisture sources lead to smaller altitudinal lapse rate, whilst growing contributions from local convection to precipitation enlarge δ18O-altitude rate. It thereupon reveals the significance of the Indian summer monsoon to the altitude effect of δ18O in surface water, and the complicated effect of local convection or westerlies evolution to the variation of altitudinal lapse rate. Paleo-monsoon evolution therefore should be considered when altitude effect is applied to paleo-elevation reconstruction for the Tibetan Plateau.

Comprehensive analysis of changes to catchment slope properties in the high-sediment region of the Loess Plateau, 1978-2010

To control soil erosion and restore the degraded environment in the Loess Plateau, a large number of measures related to soil and water conservation have been employed that have profoundly affected catchment properties. This study constructed three indicators to characterize changes to the catchment slope, proposed both a method for a regression analysis of adjacent images and a sequence model, and applied multisource remotely sensed images and GIS spatial clustering analysis technologies to extract thematic information and comprehensively analyze the catchment change characteristics. The results indicate that the catchment slope properties changed significantly. At catchment scale, the average values of ARC, DVC and ART were 6.43%, 25.57% and 4.30%, respectively. There were six clustering types of catchment slope property changes. The maximum and minimum of the average similarities of the clustering types were 0.992 and 0.935. Each slope control measures had a distinct effect on catchment slope; the dominating factor of each clustering type was identified as： Type 1： D-VC, Type 2： D-VCLU, Type 3： D-LUVC, Type 4： D-TAVC, Type 5： D-TAC and Type 6： D-MFC. Type 5 and Type 1 covered the largest areas, respectively occupying 37.28% and 31.01%. Catchment slope property changes also had distinct types that depended on their geomorphological conditions. These findings provide a useful basis from which to further study catchment slope hydrological and soil erosion processes.

The effect of environmental factors on spatial variability in land use change in the high-sediment region of China＇s Loess Plateau

In areas with topographic heterogeneity, land use change is spatially variable and influenced by climate, soil properties, and topography. To better understand this variability in the high-sediment region of the Loess Plateau in which soil loss is most severe and sediment diameter is larger than in other regions of the plateau, this study builds some indicators to identify the characteristics of land use change and then analyze the spatial variability as it is affected by climate, soil property, and topography. We build two indicators, a land use change intensity index and a vegetation change index, to characterize the intensity of land use change, and the degree of vegetation restoration, respectively. Based on a subsection mean method, the two indicators are then used to assess the spatial variability of land use change affected by climatic, edaphic, and topographic elements. The results indicate that： 1） Land use changed significantly in the period 1998-2010. The total area experiencing land use change was 42,302 km2, accounting for 22.57%of the study area. High-coverage grassland, other woodland, and forest increased significantly, while low-coverage grassland and farmland decreased in 2010 compared with 1998.2） Land use change occurred primarily west of the Yellow River, between 35 and 38 degrees north latitude. The four transformation types, including （a） low-coverage grassland to medium-coverage grassland, （b） medium-coverage grassland to high-coverage grassland, （c） farmland to other woodland, and （d） farmland to medium-coverage grassland, were the primary types of land use change, together constituting 60% of the area experiencing land use change. 3） The spatial variability of land use change was significantly affected by properties of dryness/wetness, soil conditions and slope gradient. In general, land use changed dramatically in semi-arid regions, remained relatively stable in arid regions, changed significantly in clay-rich soil, remained relatively stable in clay-poor soil, changed dramatically in steeper slopes, and remained relatively stable in tablelands and low-lying regions. The increase in vegetation coincided with increasing changes in land use for each physical element. These findings allow for an evaluation of the effect of the Grain to Green Program, and are applicable to the design of soil and water conservation projects on the Loess Plateau of China.

Energy Absorption and Deformation Mechanism of Lotus-type Porous Coppers in Perpendicular Direction

As metallic foams used for energy absorption in the automotive and aerospace industries, recently invented lotus-type porous metals are viewed as potential energy absorbers. Yet, solid conclusion on their eligibility as energy absorbers is still in question, particularly when compression is in the direction perpendicular to the axial orientation of cylindrical pores. In this work, the energy absorption of lotus-type porous coppers in the perpendicular direction is investigated at strain rates from 0.001 s^（-1） to^2400 s^（-1）. The energy absorption capacity and the energy absorption efficiency are calculated to be4–16 k J/kg and 0.32–0.7, respectively, slightly inferior to metal foams and the same porous solid compressed in the parallel direction due to the shortened extent of the plateau stress region. The deformation mechanism is examined experimentally in conjunction with finite element modeling. Both suggest that gradual squeeze and collapse of pores are the mechanisms accommodating the energy absorption. The deformation is generally evenly distributed over pore ligaments and independent of strain rate.