Tectonometamorphic Cycles in Different Geodynamic Conditions

Formation and attenuation of crust thermal anomalies, accompanied by development of geological structures, are governed by special laws, together with metamorphism and other endogenic process, form tectonometamorphic cycle (TMC). Because of rock rheology under metamorphic conditions, the structures, concurring with metamorphism, reflect geodynamic conditions much more perfect than those of the structures of nonmetamorphosed rocks. For this reason, structural investigations open wide, sometimes unique, possibilities for geodynamic research into regional metamorphosed terrains. The TMC features under different geodynamic conditions are shown with examples of California (subduction), Himalaya and Junggar Alatau (collision), and Northwest environs of the White Sea (polycyclic development). The analysis of these units serves as basis of some general conclusions. TMC, the steady pattern of crust thermal anomalies manifestation, does not practically depend on peculiarities of metamorphism. At lower and middle crust levels, occur the high-temperature complete cycles that include following two stages. The first is represented by nappes and paragenes of parallel bedding flow, the second, by linear folds, domes and faults. At top levels of fold complexes display the low-temperature reduced cycles, expressed only by structures of the second stage. There are gradual transitions between the complete and reduced cycles. Thermal anomalies in the first stage of complete cycles devolop against the background of large horizontal displacements at contacts between interacting plates or are genetically connected with their gently sloping fault planes. Of all structural elements of the cycles, in compressional environments (nappes, linear folds, domes etc.), only the structures of the first stage of complete cycles can be considered as indications of plate tectonics. Presence of such structures at the most ancient supracrustal complexes point to existence of plate tectonics already at the early stages of geological development of the earth.

Application of Importance Sampling Method in Sliding Failure Simulation of Caisson Breakwaters

It is assumed that the storm wave takes place once a year during the design period, and Nhistories of storm waves are generated on the basis of wave spectrum corresponding to the N-year design period. The responses of the breakwater to the N histories of storm waves in the N-year design period are calculated by mass-spring-dashpot mode and taken as a set of samples. The failure probability of caisson breakwaters during the design period of N years is obtained by the statistical analysis of many sets of samples. It is the key issue to improve the efficiency of the common Monte Carlo simulation method in the failure probability estimation of caisson breakwaters in the complete life cycle. In this paper, the kernel method of importance sampling, which can greatly increase the efficiency of failure probability calculation of caisson breakwaters, is proposed to estimate the failure probability of caisson breakwaters in the complete life cycle. The effectiveness of the kernel method is investigated by an example. It is indicated that the calculation efficiency of the kernel method is over 10 times the common Monte Carlo simulation method.