Preliminary results on a near-real-time rock slope damage monitoring system based on relative velocity changes following the September 5,2022 M_(S) 6.8 Luding,China earthquake

Relative seismic velocity change(dv/v)is important for monitoring changes in subsurface material properties and evaluating earthquake-induced rock slope damage in a geological disaster-prone region.In this paper,we present a rapid damage assessment on three slow-moving rock slopes by measuring dv/v decrease caused by the 2022 M_(S) 6.8 Luding earthquake in Southwest China.By applying the stretching method to the cross-correlated seismic wavefields between sensors installed on each slope,we obtain earthquake-induced dv/v decreases of~2.1%,~0.5%,and~0.2%on three slopes at distances ranging from~86 to~370 km to the epicenter,respectively.Moreover,based on seismic data recorded by 16 sensors deployed on the rock slope at a distance of~370 km away from the epicenter,a localized dv/v decease region was observed at the crest of the slope by calculating the spatial dv/v images before and after the earthquake.We also derive an empirical in situ stress sensitivity of -7.29×10^(-8)/Pa by relating the dv/v change to the measured peak dynamic stresses.Our results indicate that a rapid dv/v assessment not only can help facilitate on-site emergency response to earthquakeinduced secondary geological disasters but also can provide a better understanding of the subsurface geological risks under diverse seismic loadings.

Space-time analysis of the changing patterns of population pressure on the ecological environment in China

This paper examines the temporal change and spatial variation of population pressure on the ecological environment in China.We have collected sufficient data from the statistical yearbooks of 31 provincial administrative areas in 1990,1995,2000,2005,and 2010.Using a geographic information system(GIS) and relevant models,we analyzed the trend of the population pressure on ecological environment and the change of the gravity center of ecological environment quality.We conclude that:(1) generally,population pressure on the ecological environment in China was becoming higher during1990-2010,especially in some areas where the population and environment were in serious imbalance and the ecological environment experienced severe pollution;(2) during a certain period,population pressure on the ecological environment was becoming lower in some areas,but the ecological environment was getting worse;(3) the areas with super-high population pressure on the ecological environment were Beijing,Tianjin,and Shanghai;(4) the gravity center of population pressure on the ecological environment and the center of ecological environment quality move differently during the study time period,but the general trend was similar- both of them were moving from west to east.Based on the analysis,this paper also provides some policy suggestions on the control of ecological environment quality.

Study on Ecological Change Remote Sensing Monitoring Method Based on Elman Dynamic Recurrent Neural Network

In this paper, Hailin City of Heilongjiang Province, China is taken as the research area. As an important city in Heilongjiang Province, China, the sustainable development of its ecological environment is related to the opening up, economic prosperity and social stability of Northeast China. In this paper, the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) of Hailin City in recent 20 years was calculated by using Landsat 5/8/9 series satellite images, and the temporal and spatial changes of the ecological environment in Hailin City were further analyzed and the influencing factors were discussed. From 2003 to 2023, the mean value of RSEI in Hailin City decreased and increased, and the ecological environment decreased slightly as a whole. RSEI declined most significantly from 2003 to 2008, and it increased from 2008 to 2013, decreased from 2013 to 2018, and increased from 2018 to 2023 again, with higher RSEI value in the south and lower RSEI value in the northwest. It is suggested to appropriately increase vegetation coverage in the northwest to improve ecological quality. As a result, the predicted value of Elman dynamic recurrent neural network model is consistent with the change trend of the mean value, and the prediction error converges quickly, which can accurately predict the ecological environment quality in the future study area.

Special Relativity in Three-Dimensional Space-Time Frames

In Newton’s classical physics, space and time are treated as absolute quantities. Space and time are treated as independent quantities and can be discussed sepa-rately. With his theory of relativity, Einstein proved that space and time are de-pendent and must be treated inseparably. Minkowski adopted a four-dimensional space-time frame and indirectly revealed the dependency of space and time by adding a constraint for an event interval. Since space and time are inseparable, a three-dimensional space-time frame can be constructed by embedding time into space to directly show the interdependency of space and time. The formula for time dilation, length contraction, and the Lorenz transformation can be derived from graphs utilizing this new frame. The proposed three-dimensional space-time frame is an alternate frame that can be used to describe motions of objects, and it may improve teaching and learning Special Relativity and provide additional insights into space and time.

INDEX OF DIRECTION CHANGE OF ZONALLY AVERAGED WIND AND CHANGE OF SEASON

In this paper, a Wind Direction Change Index (WI), which can describe four-dimensional spatiotemporal changes of the atmospheric circulation objectively and quantitatively, is defined to study its evolution and seasonal variation. The first four modes can be obtained by EOF expansion of the zonally averaged WI. The first mode reveals the basic spatial distribution of the annually averaged WI. The second mode reflects the quasi-harmonic parts of the WI deviations. Tropical, subtropical and extratropical monsoon areas can be clearly reflected by this mode. The third mode reflects the non-harmonic parts of the WI deviations. It shows the so-called February reverse in stratospheric atmosphere as well as the asymmetric seasonal changes from spring to fall and from fall to spring due to both the land-sea distribution contrast between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and the nonlinear effect of atmospheric and ocean fluids. The fourth mode reveals the northward advancing of the global reversed wind fields from spring to summer and their southward withdrawal from summer to autumn.

Groundwater quality and land use change in a typical karst agricultural region:a case study of Xiaojiang watershed,Yunnan

Taking the typical karst agricultural region, Xiaojiang watershed in Luxi of Yurman Province as a research unit, utilizing the groundwater quality data in 1982 and 2004, the aerial photos in 1982 and TM images in 2004, supported by the GIS, we probe into the law and the reason of its space-time change of the groundwater quality over the past 22 years in the paper. The results show： （1） There were obvious temporal and spatial changes of groundwater quality during the past 22 years. （2） Concentrations of NH4^＋, SO4^2- , NO3, NO2^-, Cl^- and the pH value, total hardness, total alkalinity increased significantly, in which NH4^2-, NO3, and NO2^- of groundwater exceeded the drinking water standards as a result of non-point pollution caused by the expansion of cultivated land and mass use of the fertilizer and pesticide. （3） Oppositely, Ca^2＋ and HCO3^- showed an obvious decline trend due to forest reduction and degradation and stony desertification. Meantime, there was a dynamic relation between the groundwater quality change and the land use change.

Temporal and Spatial Variation Characteristics of Snow Cover Area in the Pamirs from 2010 to 2020

Scientific and comprehensive monitoring of snow cover changes in the Pamirs is of great significance to the prevention of snow disasters around the Pamirs and the full utilization of water resources. Utilize the 2010-2020 snow cover product MOD10A2, Synthesis by maximum, The temporal and spatial variation characteristics of snow cover area in the Pamirs in the past 11 years have been obtained. Research indicates: In terms of interannual changes, the snow cover area of the Pamir Plateau from 2010 to 2020 generally showed a slight decrease trend. The average snow cover area in 2012 was the largest, reaching 54.167% of the total area. In 2014, the average snow cover area was the smallest, accounting for only 44.863% of the total area. In terms of annual changes, there are obvious changes with the change of seasons. The largest snow area is in March, and the smallest snow area is in August. In the past 11 years, the average snow cover area in spring and summer showed a slow decreasing trend, and there was almost no change in autumn and winter. In terms of space, the snow cover area of the Pamirs is significantly affected by altitude, and the high snow cover areas are mainly distributed in the Karakoram Mountains and other areas with an altitude greater than 5000 meters.

Reality of Space and Time

In Newton’s classical physics, space and time are treated as absolute, independent quantities and can be discussed separately. In Special Relativity, Einstein proved that space and time are relative and dependent and therefore must not be treated separately. Minkowski adopted four-dimensional space-time frames (4-d s-t frames), which indirectly revealed the dependency of space and time with the addition of a constraint for an event interval. We are not able to visualize 4-d s-t frames. Since space and time are inseparable, three-dimensional space-time frames (3-d s-t frames) can be constructed by embedding time into space to directly show the interdependency of space and time. Time contraction and length contraction can also be depicted graphically using 3-d s-t frames. We have much better understanding reality of space and time in 3-d s-t frames. This will lead to Contextual Reality for better understanding the universe.