The Mechanism of Changes in Mantle Volume

The crust floats above the mantle, and the volume change of the mantle is the driving force of crustal movement. The increase in mantle volume leads to crustal extensional movement, resulting in continental crust rupture and oceanic crust expansion. The decrease in mantle volume leads to crustal compression movement, resulting in continental crust superposition, folding, and oceanic crust subduction. The factors that contribute to the increase in mantle volume include a change in material state, where solid material in the mantle melts into liquid material. The factors leading to a decrease in mantle volume include: oceanic crust uplift, crustal crystallization, volcanic eruptions, magma intrusion, and hydrothermal upwelling. The change in mantle volume dominates the evolution pattern of the crust. When the mantle volume increases unidirectionally, the crust only has horizontally crystallized continental crust. When the volume of the mantle changes in both directions, blocky layered oceanic crust is formed. The expansion and subduction of oceanic crust, as well as the stretching and compression of continental crust, are the supporting mechanisms for changes in Earth’s surface area caused by changes in mantle volume.

Deep mantle plumes and an increasing Earth radius

Recent space geodetic and gravimetric studies have given indications that the Earth’s radius is increasing at 0.1-0.4 mm yr-1 at present. Seismic studies have also shown that earthquakes alone could be causing the radius to increase at 0.011-0.06 mm yr-1. Deep mantle plumes provide a geophysical context within which such radial expansion, if confirmed, could possibly be explained. Both theory and observation suggest that these rising plumes more readily penetrate the 670 km barrier than do subducting slabs moving in the opposite direction towards the core-mantle boundary. If so, there would be a net flow of mass from the deep lower mantle into the upper mantle. Due to the lower pressures in the upper mantle,the excess mass of plume materials reaching there would transform to minerals with lower densities than they had at the mantle base. An increase in the mantle volume and the Earth’s radius would therefore be implied. Using previously published data for the African superplume. it is estimated that this mechanism could cause the Earth’s radius to increase at rates of 0.02-0.3 mm yr-1, similar to the rates possibly indicated in the present studies. This mechanism could also explain the very large range in current estimates of mantle plume heat and volume fluxes. A possible energy source for this plumedriven mode of expansion is discussed.

Rare earth elements in CO_2-fluid inclusions in mantle Iherzolite

Trace elements including REE (Rare Earth Elements) in fluid inclusions inlherzolite, olivine, orthopyroxene, and clinopyroxene have been determined by heating-decrepitationand ICP-MS (Element Type Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry) method. Normalized CO_2fluid/chondrite data show that mantle fluids are rich in REEs, especially LREEs (Light Rare EarthElements), several times or dozen times higher than mantle rocks and mantle minerals. There areclose relationships among the REE data of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and lherzolite.Compared to the data of chemical dissolution method, it is believed that REE data obtained fromheating-decrepitation and ICP-MS technique are contributed by CO_2 fluid inclusions. About 60percent (mass fraction) of tiny inclusions are observed not to be decrepitated above 1000 deg C, soREE data obtained are only contributed by decrepitated inclusions. Mantle fluids rich in LREE playan important role in mantle metasomatism, partial melting and mineralization.

The earth dynamic system: the earth rotation vs mantle convection

The earth dynamic system is one of the key scientific questions on the earth science. The thermodynamic behavior and gravity force of the earth and the rheology nature of the mantle prove that mantle convection is the main power source leading the lithosphere to break and move. Yet the directivity of both the structures in the crust and plate movement reminds of the earth rotation. Here we demonstrate that the mantle convection and inertia force of the earth rotation affect each other, the former being the power source of lithosphere plate break and motion, and the latter determining the direction of the mantle convection and plate motion. The sense of plate motion depends on the mantle upwells, whose trends are controlled by the earth rotation. The geometric shapes of the plate boundaries can adjust the direction of plate movement.

Features of the Formation of Mineral Deposits at the Initial Stages of Formation of the Earth’s Mantle and Crust

The Purpose of the Work: The modern mantle and crust have a complex structure and, in addition, contain both thermal and material heterogeneities, as evidenced by the results of seismic and electromagnetic studies. Changes are also reflected by the change in the mineralogical and chemical composition of the matter. This structure was formed for the long geological history of the planet’s development and the process continues at the present time. The system remains unsteady. To understand the evolution of such dynamic structures, information is needed about the initial state of the system, in our case, about the state of the Earth at the final stage of its formation. It can be obtained only by the results of numerical modeling based on the results of the investigation of the evolution of isotope systems. Therefore, the purpose of the work is to identify the features of the formation of mineral deposits in the early crust and mantle. For this, it is necessary to obtain variants of the numerical solution of the problem of the formation of the planet. Solution Methods: An algorithm for solving a non-linear system of differential equations for solving a 3D boundary dynamic problem in the sphere of an increasing radius is developed. The numerical method of “through account” is used in the work. Results: Based on methods for solving boundary value problems for a system of differential equations with the use of new results of mineralogical and isotope studies of the oldest material samples, quantitative variants of the thermal evolution of the Earth, directly determining the formation of early metallogeny, are constructed. It is shown that the random distribution of particles and bodies of a protoplanetary cloud during the accumulation of the planet causes the formation of a random material and temperature composition of the growing crust and mantle, which ensured a special metallogeny of the cratons and their framing, which no longer repeated in the geological history of the planet. A special role in it was played by changes in the gravitational field during the growth of the planet and the angular velocity of the Earth’s rotation. Further Research: It is proposed to extend the results obtained to the conditions for taking into account the dynamics of the double Earth-Moon system.

Endoscopic features and prognoses of mantle cell lymphoma with gastrointestinal involvement

AIM: To evaluate the endoscopic manifestations and prognoses of gastrointestinal (GI) mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). METHODS: A database search at the Department of Pathology of Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences revealed 57 MCL patients with GI involvement. Clinical records were available for 35 of the 57 patients from 21 institutions, and those 35 patients were enrolled in this study. We summarized the gross types of endoscopic features, event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) of those patients.RESULTS: Of the 35 patients, GI involvement in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum was found in 2 (5.7%), 26 (74.3%), and 12 (34.3%) patients, respectively. Twenty-one of the 35 patients underwent colonoscopy; among them, GI involvement in the ileum, cecum, colon, and rectum was found in 10 (47.6%), 3 (14.3%), 12 (57.1%), and 10 (47.6%), respectively. Various lesions, such as superficial, protruded, fold thickening, or ulcerative, were found in the stomach, whereas multiple lymphomatous polyposis (MLP) was dominant from the duodenum to the rectum. Twelve patients were treated with a hyper-CVAD/MA regimen, and they had better OS (3-year rate, 88.3% vs 46.4%, P < 0.01) and better EFS (3-year rate, 66.7% vs 33.8%, P < 0.05) than the remaining 23 patients who were not treated with this regimen. CONCLUSION: MLP was a representative form of intestinal involvement, whereas a variety of lesions were found in the stomach. The hyper-CVAD/MA regimen may improve survival in these patients.

Balloon-based exposed payload designed for astrobiological research in Earth’s near space

Earth’s near space,located in the region between 20 and 100 km above sea level,is characterized by extreme conditions,such as low temperature,low atmospheric pressure,harsh radiation,and extreme dryness.These conditions are analogous to those found on the surface of Mars and in the atmosphere of Venus,making Earth’s near space a unique natural laboratory for astrobiological research.To address essential astrobiological questions,teams from the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS)have developed a scientific balloon platform,the CAS Balloon-Borne Astrobiology Platform(CAS-BAP),to study the effects of near space environmental conditions on the biology and survival strategies of representative organisms in this terrestrial analog.Here,we describe the versatile Biological Samples Exposure Payload(BIOSEP)loaded on the CAS-BAP with respect to its structure and function.The primary function of BIOSEP is to expose appropriate biological specimens to the harsh conditions of near space and subsequently return the exposed samples to laboratories for further analysis.Four successful flight missions in near space from 2019 to 2021 have demonstrated the high reliability and efficiency of the payload in communicating between hardware and software units,recording environmental data,exposing sample containers,protecting samples from external contamination,and recovering samples.Understanding the effects of Earth’s near space conditions on biological specimens will provide valuable insights into the survival strategies of organisms in extreme environments and the search for life beyond Earth.The development of BIOSEP and associated biological exposure experiments will enhance our understanding of the potential for life on Mars and the habitability of the atmospheric regions of other planets in the solar system and beyond.

Astronomic background of global huge earthquakes at beginning of 21st century

Since the beginning of the 21st century,major earthquakes have frequently occurred worldwide.To explore the impact of astronomical factors on earthquakes,in this study,the statistical analysis method of correlation is used to systematically analyze the effects of astronomical factors,such as solar activity,Earth’s rotation,lunar declination angle,celestial tidal force,and other phenomena on M≥8 global earthquakes at the beginning of the 21st century.With regard to solar activity,this study focuses on the analysis of the 11-year and century cycles of solar activity.The causal relationship of the Earth’s rotation is not obvious in this work and previous works;in contrast,the valley period of the solar activity century cycle may be an important astronomical factor leading to the frequent occurrence of global earthquakes at the beginning of the 21st century.This topic warrants further study.

Reproducing past subduction and mantle flow using high-resolution global convection models

Plate subduction drives both the internal convection and the surface geology of the solid Earth.Despite the rapid increase of computational power,it remains challenging for geodynamic models to reproduce the history of Earth-like subduction and associated mantle flow.Here,based on an adaptive approach of sequential data assimilation,we present a high-resolution global model since the mid-Mesozoic.This model incorporates the thermal structure and surface kinematics of tectonic plates based on a recent plate reconstruction to reproduce the observed subduction configuration and Earth-like convection.Introduction of temperature-and composition-dependent rheology allows for incorporation of many natural complexities,such as initiation of subduction zones,reversal of subduction polarity,and detailed plate-boundary dynamics.The resultant present-day slab geometry well matches Benioff zones and seismic tomography at depths < 1500 km,making it possible to hindcast past subduction dynamics and mantle flow.For example,the model produces a flat Farallon slab beneath North America during the Late Cretaceous to Early Cenozoic,a feature that has been geodynamically challenging to reproduce.This high-resolution model can also capture details of the 4-D evolution of slabs and the ambient mantle,such as temporally and spatially varying mantle flow associated with evolving slab geometry and buoyancy flux,as well as the formation of shallow slab tears due to subduction of young seafloors and the resulting complex mantle deformation.Such a geodynamic framework serves to further constrain uncertain plate reconstruction in the geological past,and to better understand the origin of enigmatic mantle seismic features.

Interrelationships between Length of the Day, Moon Distance, Phanerozoic Geodynamic Cycles, Tidal Dissipation and Earth’s Core: Review and Analysis

The rotation of the Earth and the related length of the day (LOD) are predominantly affected by tidal dissipation through the Moon and the growth of the Earth’s core. Due to the increased concentration of mass around the rotation axis of the spinning Earth during the growth of the core the rotation should have been accelerated. Controversially the tidal dissipation by the Moon, which is mainly dependent on the availability of open shallow seas and the kind of Moon escape from a nearby position, acts towards a deceleration of the rotating Earth. Measurements of LOD for Phanerozoic and Precambrian times open ways to solve questions concerning the geodynamical history of the Earth. These measurements encompass investigations of growth patterns in fossils and depositional patterns in sediments (Cyclostratigraphy, Tidalites, Stromatolites, Rhythmites). These patterns contain information on the LOD and on the changing distance between Earth and Moon and can be used as well for a discussion about the growth of the Earth’s core. By updating an older paper with its simple approach as well as incorporating newly published results provided by the geoscientific community, a moderate to fast growth of the core in a hot early Earth will be favored controversially to the assumption of a delayed development of the core in an originally cold Earth. Core development with acceleration of Earth’s rotation and the contemporaneous slowing down due to tidal dissipation during the filling of the ocean may significantly interrelate.

Seismic waves in 3-D:from mantle asymmetries to reliable seismic hazard assessment

A global cross-section of the Earth parallel to the tectonic equator（TE） path,the great circle representing the equator of net lithosphere rotation,shows a difference in shear wave velocities between the western and eastern flanks of the three major oceanic rift basins.The lowvelocity layer in the upper asthenosphere,at a depth range of 120 to 200 km,is assumed to represent the decoupling between the lithosphere and the underlying mantle.Along the TE-perturbed（TE-pert） path,a ubiquitous LVZ,about 1,000-km-wide and 100-km-thick,occurs in the asthenosphere.The existence of the TE-pert is a necessary prerequisite for the existence of a continuous global flow within the Earth.Ground-shaking scenarios were constructed using a scenario-based method for seismic hazard analysis（NDSHA）,using realistic and duly validated synthetic time series,and generating a data bank of several thousands of seismograms that account for source,propagation,and site effects.Accordingly,with basic selforganized criticality concepts,NDSHA permits the integration of available information provided by the most updated seismological,geological,geophysical,and geotechnical databases for the site of interest,as well as advanced physical modeling techniques,to provide a reliable and robust background for the development of a design basis for cultural heritage and civil infrastructures.Estimates of seismic hazard obtained using the NDSHA and standard probabilistic approaches are compared for the Italian territory,and a case-study is discussed.In order to enable a reliable estimation of the ground motion response to an earthquake,three-dimensional velocity models have to be considered,resulting in a new,very efficient,analytical procedure for computing the broadband seismic wave-field in a 3-D anelastic Earth model.

Genetic link between saline and carbonatitic mantle fluids:The system NaCl-CaCO_(3)-MgCO_(3)±H_(2)O±Fe^(0) at 6 GPa

Melt inclusions in kimberlitic minerals and diamonds indicate that chlorides are important constituents of mantle carbonatite melts.Besides,alkaline chlorides are important constituents of saline high-density fluids(HDFs)found in diamonds from kimberlites and placers around the world.Continuous compositional variations suggest that saline and carbonatitic HDFs could be genetically linked.However,the essence of this link remains unclear owing to the lack of data on phase relations in the chloridecarbonate systems under pressure.Here we studied subsolidus and melting phase relations in the system NaCl–CaCO_(3)–MgCO_(3)at 6 GPa and 1000–1600℃using a Kawai-type multianvil press.We found that at 1000℃,subsolidus assemblage consists of halite,magnesite,and aragonite.At higher temperatures,the stabilization of dolomite splits the subsolidus area into two partial ternary fields:halite+magnesite+dolomite and halite+dolomite+aragonite.The minimum on the liquidus surface corresponds to the halite-dolomite-aragonite ternary eutectic,situated at 1100℃.The eutectic melt has Ca#89 and contains 30 wt.%Na Cl(26 mol%2NaCl).The system has two ternary peritectics:halite+dolomite=magnesite+liquid located near the ternary eutectic and magnesite+dolomite=Mg-dolomite+liquid situated between 1300 and 1400℃.Although under dry conditions incipient melting yields carbonatedominated melt,the addition of water facilitates the fusion of Na Cl and expands the liquid field to Na Cl-rich compositions with up to 70 wt.%Na Cl.The obtained results favor the idea that hydrous saline melts/fluids(brines)found as inclusions in diamonds could be a lower temperature derivative of mantle carbonatite melts and disagree with the hypothesis on chloride melt generation owing to the chloridecarbonate liquid immiscibility since no such immiscibility was established.We also studied the interaction of the NaCl–CaCO_(3)–MgCO_(3)system with iron metal and found that carbonate reduction produces Cbearing species(Fe^(0),Fe-C melt,Fe_(3)C,Fe_(7)C_(3),C^(0))and wüstite containing Na_(2)O,CaO,and MgO.Besides,a carbonate chloride compound,Ca_(2)Cl_(2)CO_(3),was established among the reaction products.The interaction between Na Cl-bearing carbonate melt shifts its composition toward Mg-poor and Na Cl-rich.Given the above,an alternative hypothesis can be proposed,according to which the interaction of alkaline chloride-bearing carbonate melts formed in the subduction zones with the reduced mantle should be accompanied by diamond crystallization and shift the composition of the melt from carbonatitic to alkali-rich saline.

A Recursive Probabilistic Inversion of Satellite Gradiometry Data for the Upper Mantle Density Variation

We describe a method to perform a constrained lithospheric-scale inversion of satellite gravity gradient data.The a priori constraints include:i)data covariance matrix;ii)prior model covariance matrix including a model for spatial variability of mantle heterogeneity.

Geochemical models of core-mantle differentiation

The core-mantle differentiation process is one of the most significant events in the Earth’s early history,which profoundly affects the Earth’s internal structure.According to the simple core-mantle differentiation mechanism,elements such as iron and nickel should be extracted from silicate to form an iron-rich proto-core,and the residual silicate materials form the proto-mantle.However,the composition of the lower mantle and the core remains controversial,which largely affects the partition of elements,thus the referred differentiation process of the Earth.In recent years,many experimental studies on the partition coefficient of siderophile elements between metal and silicate under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions have put forward new ideas on the issues around Earth’s core-mantle differentiation.Meanwhile,some researchers suggested that the redox state of the Earth’s mantle changes during its formation and evolution,and many isotope geochemistry studies support that some enstatite chondrites have a common nebular precursor as the Earth.These new studies bring dispute on the Earth’s building materials,which dominates the core-mantle differentiation process and largely affects the partitioning behaviors of elements during the core-mantle differentiation.This chapter aims to review recent experimental studies on the siderophile element geochemistry and discussions on the Earth’s building blocks.

Google Earth和3S技术在喀斯特示范农业规划中的应用初探

本文基于Google Earth平台并综合一系列的辅助分析工具,尝试建立Google Earth与3S技术综合应用于喀斯特示范农业规划的技术框架,提出了一套基于Google Earth的一般地理专题图的制图技术流程,并讨论其关键技术。最后以六盘水市米箩乡猕猴桃产学研基地进行了应用研究,旨在为部分缺乏基础资料的喀斯特地区农业规划、勘察设计提供有效指导,结果表明:Google Earth平台可成为喀斯特资料稀缺区农业规划的有效信息收集手段,文中所提出的技术框架流程具有较好的可操作性,研究区下载的高清遥感影像可满足1∶2 000比例尺的制图要求,大大节约了勘测成本,有利推动了工作效率。

Google Earth在“3S”技术课程实习中的应用

＂3S＂技术的教学内容广泛,涉及面广,为了使学生能够将所学的理论理解和掌握,在教师的指导下,学生在从Google Earth下载实习区的高精度影像的基础上,通过对影像的拼接、注册、信息提取和专题图的制作,探讨了该课程的实践教学方法,以提高＂3S＂技术课程的教学质量。

甘肃积石山 M_(s)6.2级地震的震害特征与启示

2023年12月18日,甘肃省临夏回族自治州积石山保安族东乡族撒拉族自治县(35.70°N,102.79°E)发生了6.2级地震,震中烈度为VIII度。地震发生后,通过实地烈度评估与科学考察,对震区VI~VIII度区不同建(构)筑物与生命线工程的震害特点进行了统计分析;从抗震设计与施工管理、场地放大效应与地震次生灾害对建筑结构抗震性能的影响等角度,提出了此次地震的震害启示。结果表明:1)严重破坏和毁坏的建筑结构主要集中在老旧的土木结构、砖木结构和无设防或设防不规范的砖混结构。2)造成建筑结构破坏的主要原因是少量自建房抗震设计和施工的不规范、场地放大效应和地震次生灾害。3)优化和改良生土砌筑材料,改进纵横墙间的拉结措施,强化结构整体性是提高土木结构抗震的有效方法;普及“上下圈梁与构造柱”等基本抗震设防措施,规范水泥砂浆强度,提升农村工匠的施工水平,可有效提高砌体结构的整体性,避免房屋出现整体性垮塌;室内洗手间的墙体应该与房顶、纵横墙间建立有效联接,提高结构的抗震性能。4)孤突斜坡、河流高阶地与岸边为抗震不利地带。当建造用地极为匮乏,不得不选址在这些场地之上时,应该综合考虑场地的地形地貌特征、岩土体物理力学特性、水文地质条件、抗震设防目标、建筑结构类型等影响因素,做好地震灾害风险评估,根据评估结果进行科学设防。灾后重建过程中,应由政府统一规划选址、统一设计,规范施工。

中强地震发震构造标志浅析——以2023年积石山M_(S)6.2地震为例

地震地表破裂是地震发生的重要特征,是研究地震动力学、构造变形的重要手段。一般认为,M6 3/4以上的地震才会形成地表破裂。但近年来,也有M6.0左右的地震发生了地表破裂。本文旨在探讨中强地震地表破裂的识别方法。中强地震发震构造的识别具有一定的挑战性,主要表现在以下几个方面:(1)中强地震地表破裂的规模(位错量、宽度、长度和深度)较小,容易被黄土层厚覆盖,掩盖地表破裂的痕迹,不易识别;(2)非构造成因裂缝干扰,使得难以区分构造成因地表破裂。本文以2023年积石山M_(S)6.2地震为例,对中强地震构造成因破裂的识别标志进行了初步分析,提出了以下识别标志:(1)地表破裂几何展布和剖面形态,地震伴生的次生灾害(滑坡、崩塌、砂土液化等)的线性分布为识别发震构造提供参考和线索;(2)地表破裂沿破裂走向呈现稳定地穿越不同地貌单元,至少穿越一条沟谷等低凹地貌;(3)地表破裂在地质剖面上表现出稳定的产状;(4)地表破裂伴生构造形态,地表沿破裂发育雁列式褶皱(挤压鼓包)与张裂缝交替出现的现象。本文提出的识别标志为中强地震发震构造的识别提供了新的思路。

Key problems of the four-dimensional Earth system

Compelling evidence indicates that the solid Earth consists of two physicochemically distinct zones separated radially in the middle of the lower mantle at∼1800 km depth.The inner zone is governed by pressure-induced physics and chemistry dramatically different from the conventional behavior in the outer zone.These differences generate large physical and chemical potentials between the two zones that provide fundamental driving forces for triggering major events in Earth’s history.One of the main chemical carriers between the two zones isH_(2)Oin hydrous minerals that subducts into the inner zone,releases hydrogen,and leaves oxygen to create superoxides and form oxygen-rich piles at the core–mantle boundary,resulting in localized net oxygen gain in the inner zone.Accumulation of oxygen-rich piles at the base of the mantle could eventually reach a supercritical level that triggers eruptions,injecting materials that cause chemical mantle convection,superplumes,large igneous provinces,extreme climate changes,atmospheric oxygen fluctuations,and mass extinctions.Interdisciplinary research will be the key for advancing a unified theory of the four-dimensional Earth system.

Effect of different inter-satellite range on measurement precision of Earth’s gravitational field from GRACE

The precision of Earth＇s gravitational field from GRACE up to degree and order 120 was studied for different inter-satellite ranges using the improved energy conservation principle. Our simulated result shows that： For long wavelength （L≤20） at degree 20, the cumulative geoid-height error gradually decreased with increasing range, from 0. 052 cm for 110 km to 1. 156 times and 1. 209 times as large for 220 km and 330 kin, respectively. For medium-wavelength （ 100 ≤ L ≤ 120） at degree 120, the cumulative geoid-height error de- creased from 13. 052 cm for 110 km, to 1. 327 times and 1. 970 times as large for the ranges of 220 km and 330 km, respectively; By adopting an optimal range of 220 ± 50 km, we can suppress considerably the loss of precision in the measurement of the Earth＇ s long-wavelength and medium-wavelength gravitational field.