Progress of Geological Survey Using Airborne Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Data in the Gansu and Qinghai Regions

Hyperspectral remote sensing is now a frontier of the remote sensing technology. Airborne hyperspectral remote sensing data have hundreds of narrow bands to obtain complete and continuous ground-object spectra. Therefore, they can be effectively used to identify these grotmd objects which are difficult to discriminate by using wide-band data, and show much promise in geological survey. At the height of 1500 m, have 36 bands in visible to the CASI hyperspectral data near-infrared spectral range, with a spectral resolution of 19 nm and a space resolution of 0.9 m. The SASI data have 101 bands in the shortwave infrared spectral range, with a spectral resolution of 15 nm and a space resolution of 2.25 m. In 2010, China Geological Survey deployed an airborne CASI/SASI hyperspectral measurement project, and selected the Liuyuan and Fangshankou areas in the Beishan metallogenic belt of Gansu Province, and the Nachitai area of East Kunlun metallogenic belt in Qinghai Province to conduct geological survey. The work period of this project was three years.

The impacts of climate change on the Neolithic cultures of Gansu-Qinghai region during the late Holocene Megathermal

The Holocene Megathermal is divided into early, middle and late periods, each having different impacts on the Neolithic cultures due to their different climate changing trends This study is based on a comparative analysis of the environmental evolution information recorded in the Qinghai Lake, the western edge of the Loess Plateau and Zoige and the spatial distribution of Neolithic sites of the Gansu-Qinghai region. Results show that the early and middle periods towards warm and humid promoted the development of Neolithic cultures with agriculture as the main sector in the Gansu-Qinghai region, furthermore a heyday of Yangshao Culture prosperity emerged. The Holocene entered the late period after the cold climate event at 5.9 ka BP in the Gansu-Qinghai region. Later the climate began to turn cold. However, at the 5.8-4.2 ka BP a relatively stable warm and humid climate created the conditions for the development of Majiayao Culture of the Neolithic Age in this region, thus the distribution of its cultural heritage sites expanded towards high altitudes and high latitudes. From 4.2 ka BP onwards, the climate became cold and dry, which had a significant influence on the Neolithic cultures of the Gansu-Qinghai region, leading to a dramatic change in the cultural characters and spatial distribution of Qijia Culture around 4.2 ka BP. After a nearly 300 years of cold and dry period, the unified Neolithic farming culture completely collapsed. Afterwards an industrial division of animal husbandry and farming and regional multiple cultures formed, and ultimately led to the end of primitive society and the starting of a civilized society.

Short-term responses to salinity of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seedlings in the extremely cold and saline Qinghai region of China

The investigation of the mechanisms of plant adaptation to stressor action is one of the leading directions of current biological studies. To understand the mechanism of salt tolerance of seabuckthom （Hippophae rhamnoides L.） and identify its ability to cope with the salinity effect in the saline and extremely cold region of Qinghai, China, a test was conducted with two-year-old seedlings subjected to 0, 200, 400 and 600 mmol·L^-1 NaClsolutions for 30 d. The results show that with an increase in salinity, the biomass of H. rhamnoides seedlings clearly decreased. Leaf water potential （ψw） and relative water content （RWC） were significantly reduced under salinity, with severe water shortages appearing in leaves. At the same time, the total chlorophyll content declined markedly. When salinity increased and stress time prolonged, the net CO2 assimilation rate （A） significantly declined. Intercellular CO2 concentration （Ci） declined at first and was then followed by an increase over the stress time. We conclude that H. rhamnoides grown in the extremely cold and saline region of Qinghai has a certain resistance to salt, which can be planted at appropriate salinity levels.

Analysis of the Cooling Mechanism of a Crushed Rock Embankment in Warm and Lower Temperature Permafrost Regions along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Based on data monitored in situ and theoretical analysis,the characteristics of the temperature field and mechanism of thermal conduction of a crushed rock embankment were studied along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.The results of experi-ments in the field revealed that the cooling effect of a crushed rock embankment is influenced mainly by the natural con-vection in winter and shield effect in summer,the ventilation of crushed rocks,and the ground temperature regime be-neath the embankment.Consequently,these three factors should be taken into account in numerical simulations,but it is as a result of natural convection only.

Impact Assessment of Climate Change on Haidong Agricultural Region in Qinghai and Its Adaptive Countermeasures

[Objective] The aim was to study climate changes and its effects on agriculture in Haidong agricultural region.[Method] Based on meteorology and agricultural observation data in Haidong agricultural region from 1961 to 2009,the characteristics of climate change and its effects on agriculture were analyzed,and the possible effects of future climate change on Haidong agriculture were predicted according to the future climate scenarios provided by down-scaling climate model.[Result] Annual mean temperature in Haidong agricultural region during 1961-2009 showed obvious increase trend,with the rising rate of 0.37 ℃/10 a;annual mean precipitation and annual total sunshine duration went down slightly,with the climatic tendency of 3.70 mm/10 a and-27.55 h/10 a,respectively;climate extreme event occurred less frequently but became severer in recent 49 years.In future 100 years,temperature in Haidong agricultural region would go up significantly,with the slight increase of rainfall,and climate changes would affect agricultural production environment,arrangement,structure and productivity,namely increasing yield fluctuation of agricultural production,cost and investment and changing arrangement and structure.In order to adapt climate change,it was necessary to adjust agricultural structure,strengthen management,improve agricultural infrastructure,adopt new technology,increase the resistance ability of agricultural production to climate change actively and designedly,so as to improve adaptability,furthest reduce loss and realize potential benefit.[Conclusion] Our study could provide references for the decision of government and agricultural sector.

Grassland degradation in the ＂Three-River Headwaters＂ region, Qinghai Province

Supported by MSS images in the mid and late 1970s,TM images in the early 1990s and TM/ETM images in 2004,grassland degradation in the＂Three-River Headwaters＂region （TRH region）was interpreted through analysis on RS images in two time series,then the spatial and temporal characteristics of grassland degradation in the TRH region were analyzed since the 1970s.The results showed that grassland degradation in the TRH region was a continuous change process which had large affected area and long time scale,and rapidly strengthen phenomenon did not exist in the 1990s as a whole.Grassland degradation pattern in the TRH region took shape initially in the mid and late 1970s.Since the 1970s,this degradation process has taken place continuously,obviously characterizing different rules in different regions.In humid and semi-humid meadow region,grassland firstly fragmentized, then vegetation coverage decreased continuously,and finally＂black-soil-patch＂degraded grassland was formed.But in semi-arid and arid steppe region,the vegetation coverage decreased continuously,and finally desertification was formed.Because grassland degradation had obviously regional differences in the TRH region,it could be regionalized into 7 zones, and each zone had different characteristics in type,grade,scale and time process of grassland degradation.

Six New Species of Sawflies from Gansu and Qinghai Provinces of China (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae)

Three new Tenthredinidae species are reported from Gansu and three from Qinghai Provinces of China. Tenthredo （Tenthredo） sinotemula sp. nov., Tenthredo （Tenthredella） labrangensis sp. nov. and Tenthredo （Tenthredella） sinosimplex sp. nov. are described from Gansu, Tenthredo （Tenthredella） rolleri sp. nov., Tenthredo （Tenthredella） qinghaiensis sp. nov. and Tenthredo （Tenthredella） yunningsiensis sp. nov. from Qinghai Province.

Emergy-based study on eco-economic system of arid and semi-arid region:a case of Gansu province,China

Taking Gansu province as a model case,this study provides an integrated analysis on the eco-economic system of arid and semi-arid region based on emergy synthesis theory. Through calculating the values of renewable emergy flow,non-renewable resources,imported emergy,exported emergy,waste emergy,and total emergy during the period of 1978-2007,the performance of Gansu eco-economic system was analyzed. The results indicated that the renewable emergy flow within the province basically remained steady state which was estimated at 2.99×1022 solar emjoules (sej) from 1978 to 2007. The imported emergy and exported emergy were estimated at 3.75×1017 sej and 2.99×1020 sej in 1978 and increased to 1.07×1022 sej and 1.44×1022 sej respectively in 2007. The nonrenewable emergy flow was estimated at 1.62×1022 sej and increased to 1.85×1023 sej,with annual growth rate of 8.7%,while the estimated total emergy was 4.58×1022 sej in 1978 and increased to 2.11×1023 sej in 2007,with annual growth rate of 5.41%. Our results indicate a deteriorate situation between economic development and environmental protection in the region. The rapid economic growth in the past thirty years was based on a great consumption of nonrenewable resource and caused continuous decrease in the capacity of sustainable development. The environmental loading ratio was 0.53 in 1978,increased to 6.06 in 2007,indicating a rapid degradation of the regional environment quality. We calculated that the actual population was 1.53 times the renewable resource population in 1978,increased to 7.06 times in 2007. During the period of 1978-2007,the emergy rose from 2.45×1015 sej/(capita·a) to 8.07×1015 sej/(capita·a). Our analysis revealed that the emergy density presented a trend of gradual increase,and then the emergy currency ratio in Gansu decreased from 7.08×1013 sej/Chinese Yuan to 7.82×1012 sej/Chinese Yuan.

Environmental Conditions of Barchan Dune and Barchan Chain-A Case Study from the Hexi Desert Area of Gansu

[Objective] The paper was to discuss why the top of tall barchan dunes and barchan chains widespread in single prevailing wind area had not been leveled by wind erosion. [Method] Based on the preliminary survey of distribution status,the morphological characteristics and environmental conditions of barchan dunes and barchan chains in Hexi desert area of Gansu were investigated in details. The significance of difference between samples and significance of correlation between indicators were examined via variance test. [Result] Barchan dunes and barchan chains in Hexi desert area of Gansu distributed at the leeward direction of desert fringe,generally in patch distribution. The distribution area was gravelly beach or cohesive gravel beach,with broader dune slack; winds in distribution area of barchan dunes and barchan chains blew obviously from one direction,while winds at other directions were light or occasionally strong but with low frequency;the barchan dune in the desert fringe of Hexi desert area of Gansu was relatively tall,while barchan chain was even more taller and larger. Coincidence or separation of the dune peak and the sand ridge might be related to distribution frequency of dominant prevailing wind or wind at opposite direction and the observation seasons.[Conclusion]Studying top stability of barchan dune has an important academic value in revealing blowing sand movement rule at desert fringe,invasion of sand flow,and expansion of desert.

Reconstruction of the Triassic Tectonic Lithofacies Paleogeography in Qiangtang Region, Northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

The Triassic petrostratigraphic system and chronologic stratigraphic sketch have been updated and perfected in the Qiangtang area, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau based on the integrated 1：250000 regional geological survey and the latest research progeny. The first finished 1：3000000 Triassic tectonic lithofacies paleogeographic maps in the Qiangtang area shows that the Triassic tectonic unit in the Qiangtang area can been divided into three parts from north to south： northern Qiangtang block; Longmucuo-Shuanghu suture zone; and southern Qiangtang block. The early-middle Triassic tectonic paleogeography in the Qiangtang area is divides into three sub- units： northern Qiangtang passive continental marginal basin （NQPB）, Longmucuo- Shuanghu residual basin （LSRB） and southern Qiangtang residual basin （SQRB）. The NQPB can be subdivided into four paleogeography units： The Tanggula-Zangxiahe shallow and bathyal sea; The Wangquanhe- Yingshuiquan carbonate platform; The Rejuechaka-Jiangaidarina littoral- shallow sea; and Qiangtang central uplift. The above units of The NQPB possess EW trend, geomorphology high in the south and low in the north, the seawater depth northward. The basinal paleo-current direction is unidirectional, and basinal tectonic subsidence center is in accord with the depo-center, located in the Tanggula-Zangxiahe belt, north of the basin. The sedimentation and tectonic evolution of the NQPB are characterized with passive continental marginal basin. The Qiangtang central orogenic denuded area （ancient land） may be as a sedimentary materials source of the NQPB. SQRB can be divided into two units： Duoma carbonate platform and southern Qiangtang neritic-deep sea. The late Triassic tectonic paleogeography in the Qiangtang area is the framework of the ＂archipelagic-sea＂ as a whole, and it may be divided into three sub-units： northern Qiangtang back- arc foreland basin（NQFB）, Longmucuo-Shuanghu residual basin（LSRB） and southern Qiangtang marginal-sea basin（SQMB）. Thereinto, NQFB can be divided into five paleogeography units： the Zangxiahe-Mingjinghu bathyal basin characterized with the flysch; the Tanggula shallow-sea shelf with the fine-clastics; the Juhuashang platform with carbonates; the Tumenggela-Shuanghu coastal- delta with coal-bearing clastics and the Nadigangri- Geladandong arc with volcanics and tuffs. In transverse section, the NQFB fills is wedge-shaped, and the sediments characterized with thicker in north and thinner in south, and with double materials derived from the Ruolagangri orogenic belt in north and the Shuanghu central orogenic belt in south. The late Triassic depocenter of NQFB is located in the middle of the basin, the Yakecuo-Bandaohu-Quemocuo belt, but the subsidence center in the north, the Zangxiahe- Mingjinghu belt, and basinal tectonic subsidence center not concordant with the depo-center. Late Triassic, the SQMB may be divided into three sub-units： Xiaochaka shallow-sea; Riganpeicuo platform~ and South Qiangtang southern bathyal basin. In transverse section, the basement of the SQMB is characterized with low in the northern and southern, but high in the middle; forming wedge shaped sediments with thicker in the north and thinner in the south; the sedimentary materials derived from the Qiangtang central uplift and Nadigangri arcs in north. The late Triassic subsidence centre of the SQMB is located in the northern （Xiaochaka area）, but the depocenter in the southern （Qixiancuo Suobucha area）. The sedimentation and tectonic evolution of the SQMB are characterized with marginal sea.

Early Permian–Late Triassic Magmatism in the Tuotuohe Region of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: Constraints on the Tectonic evolution of the Western Segment of the Jinshajiang Suture

In this paper we present new zircon U-Pb ages,whole-rock major and trace element analyses,and zircon Hf isotopic data for magmatic rocks in the Tuotuohe region of the western segment of the Jinshajiang suture.Our aim is to constrain the Early Permian-Late Triassic tectonic evolution of the region.Zircons from the magmatic rocks of the Tuotuohe region are euhedralsubhedral in shape and display fine-scale oscillatory zoning as well as high Th/U ratios （0.4-4.6）,indicating a magmatic origin.The zircon U-Pb ages obtained using LA-ICP-MS are 281 ± 1 Ma,258 ± 1 Ma,244 ± 1 Ma,and 216 ± 1 Ma,which indicate magmatism in the Early Permian-Late Triassic.A diorite from Bashihubei （BSHN） has SiO2 =57.18-59.97 wt％,Al2O3=15.70-16.53 wt％,and total alkalis （Na2O ＋ K2O） =4.46-6.34 wt％,typical of calc-alkaline and metaluminous series.A gabbro from Bashibadaoban （BSBDB） belongs to the alkaline series,and is poor in SiO2 （45.46-54.03 wt％） but rich in Al2O3 （16.19-17.39 wt％） and total alkalis （Na2O ＋ K2O =5.48-6.26 wt％）.The BSHN diorite and the BSBDB gabbro both display an enrichment of LREEs and LILEs and depletion of HFSEs,and they have no obvious Eu anomaly; they have relatively low MgO contents （2.54-4.93 wt％）,Mg# values of 43 to 52,and low Cr and Ni contents （8.07-33.6 ppm and 4.41-14.2 ppm,respectively）,indicating they differentiated from primitive mantle magmas.They have low Nb/U,Ta/ U,and Ce/Pb ratios （1.3-9.6,0.2-0.8,and 0.1-18.1,respectively）,and their initial Hf isotopic ratios range from ＋9.6 to ＋16.9 （BSHN diorite） and ＋6.5 to ＋12.6 （BSBDB gabbro）,suggesting their primary magmas were derived mainly from the partial melting of a mantle wedge that had been metasomatized by subduction fluids.Taking all the new data together,we conclude that the western and eastern segment of the Jinshajiang suture regions underwent identical processes of evolution in the Early Permian-Late Triassic：oceanic crust subduction before the Early Permian,continental collision during the Early-Middle Triassic,and post-collisional extension from the Late Triassic.

Joint Inversion of the 3D P Wave Velocity Structure of the Crust and Upper Mantle under the Southeastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau Using Regional Earthquake and Teleseismic Data

The special seismic tectonic environment and frequent seismicity in the southeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau show that this area is an ideal location to study the present tectonic movement and background of strong earthquakes in China's Mainland and to predict future strong earthquake risk zones. Studies of the structural environment and physical characteristics of the deep structure in this area are helpful to explore deep dynamic effects and deformation field characteristics, to strengthen our understanding of the roles of anisotropy and tectonic deformation and to study the deep tectonic background of the seismic origin of the block＇s interior. In this paper, the three-dimensional （3D） P-wave velocity structure of the crust and upper mantle under the southeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is obtained via observational data from 224 permanent seismic stations in the regional digital seismic network of Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces and from 356 mobile China seismic arrays in the southern section of the north-south seismic belt using a joint inversion method of the regional earthquake and teleseismic data. The results indicate that the spatial distribution of the P-wave velocity anomalies in the shallow upper crust is closely related to the surface geological structure, terrain and lithology. Baoxing and Kangding, with their basic volcanic rocks and volcanic clastic rocks, present obvious high-velocity anomalies. The Chengdu Basin shows low-velocity anomalies associated with the Quaternary sediments. The Xichang Mesozoic Basin and the Butuo Basin are characterised by low- velocity anomalies related to very thick sedimentary layers. The upper and middle crust beneath the Chuan-Dian and Songpan-Ganzi Blocks has apparent lateral heterogeneities, including low-velocity zones of different sizes. There is a large range of low-velocity layers in the Songpan-Ganzi Block and the sub-block northwest of Sichuan Province, showing that the middle and lower crust is relatively weak. The Sichuan Basin, which is located in the western margin of the Yangtze platform, shows high-velocity characteristics. The results also reveal that there are continuous low-velocity layer distributions in the middle and lower crust of the Daliangshan Block and that the distribution direction of the low-velocity anomaly is nearly SN, which is consistent with the trend of the Daliangshan fault. The existence of the low-velocity layer in the crust also provides a deep source for the deep dynamic deformation and seismic activity of the Daliangshan Block and its boundary faults. The results of the 3D P-wave velocity structure show that an anomalous distribution of high-density, strong-magnetic and high-wave velocity exists inside the crust in the Panxi region. This is likely related to late Paleozoic mantle plume activity that led to a large number of mafic and ultra-mafic intrusions into the crust. In the crustal doming process, the massive intrusion of mantle-derived material enhanced the mechanical strength of the crustal medium. The P-wave velocity structure also revealed that the upper mantle contains a low-velocity layer at a depth of 80-120 km in the Panxi region. The existence of deep faults in the Panxi region, which provide conditions for transporting mantle thermal material into the crust, is the deep tectonic background for the area＇s strong earthquake activity.

Zircon U–Pb age and geochemical constraints on the origin and tectonic implication of the Tuotuohe Cenozoic alkaline magmatism in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

A large number of Eocene-Oligocene alkaline/alkali-rich igneous rocks were developed in the Tuotuohe region of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.In this study,we present zircon U-Pb ages,Hf isotope data,and major and trace element compositions of the Cenozoic alkaline rocks from the Tuotuohe region in order to constraint the petrogenesis and tectonic evolution history of Qiangtang Block.Zircon U-Pb ages were measured via LA-ICP-MS to be39.6,37.6 and 32.0 Ma.The 39.6 Ma trachyte was characterized by low SiO2 and high K2O and MgO contents.The 37.6 and 32.0 Ma orthophyres show enrichment in SiO2 and K2O,but deficient in MgO.All of the samples belong to the alkaline rocks.These rocks display enrichment in REE,LREE,and LILE,depletion in HFSE,and no obvious Eu anomalies.Geological and geochemical features suggest that there were two possible mechanisms for the origin of the alkaline rocks in the Tuotuohe region:(1)the removed mafic lower crust dropped into the asthenosphere,forming the mix magma(Nariniya trachyte);(2)the upwelling asthenosphere triggered the crustal melting(Nariniya and Zamaqu orthophyre).The Eocene-Oligocene alkaline rocks in the study and adjacent areas are likely to be the result of the same tectonic-magmatic event of deep lithospheric evolution that is the crustal material melting triggered by lithospheric delamination.This conclusion extends the influence scope of lithospheric delamination eastward to the Tuotuohe region(*92°E)from Banda Co(*82°E).

EVOLUTION AND DIFFERENTIATION OF THE PHYSICO-EOGRAPHICAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE QINGHAI-XIZANG (TIBETAN) PLATEAU

The intense uplift of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau givesrise to drastic changes of natural environment and distinctdifferentiation of the Plateau proper. This paper focuses on theevolution of subtropical environment at low altitude to frigidenvironment at high altitude of the region since Pliocene and thechanges effected by cold-warm amplitude bf global change. Bycomparative study on the structure-type of the altitudinal belt, adistributional model diagram with close relevance to highlanduplift effect has been generalized. Based on regjonaldifferentiation of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, a number ofstriking geo-ecological phenomena such as moisture corridor, dryvalleys and high cold-arid core area are investigated anddiscussed.

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.

Wet-dry changes in the borderland of Shaanxi,Gansu and Ningxia from 1208 to 1369 based on historical records

More than 240 items of historical records containing climatic information were retrieved from official historical books, local chronicles, annals and regional meteorological disaster yearbooks. By using moisture index and flood/drought （F/D） index obtained from the above information, the historical climate change, namely wet-dry conditions in borderland of Shaanxi Province, Gansu Province and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region （BSGN, mainly included Ningxialu, Hezhoulu, Gongchanglu, Fengyuanlu and Yan＇anlu in the Yuan Dynasty） was studied. The results showed that the climate of the region was generally dry and the ratio between drought and flood disasters was 85/38 during the period of 1208-1369. According to the frequencies of drought-flood disasters, the whole period could be divided into three phases. （1） 1208-1240： drought dominated the phase with occasional flood disasters. （2） 1240-1320： long-time drought disasters and extreme drought events happened frequently. （3） 1320-1369： drought disasters were less severe when flood and drought disasters happened alternately. Besides, the reconstructed wet-dry change curve revealed obvious transition and periodicity in the MongoI-Yuan Period. The transitions occurred in 1230 and 1325. The wet-dry change revealed 10- and 23-year quasi-periods which were consistent with solar cycles, indicating that solar activity had affected the wet-dry conditions of the study region in the Mongol-Yuan Period. The reconstructed results were consistent with two other study results reconstructed from natural evidences, and were similar to another study results from historical documents. All the above results showed that the climate in BSGN was characterized by long-time dry condition with frequent severe drought disasters during 1258 to 1308. Thus, these aspects of climatic change, might have profound impacts on local vegetation and socio-economic system.

Dynamic change of desertified land in each county around Qinghai Lake in recent 30 years

Desertification is one of the most serious eco-environmental problems around Qinghai Lake.Based on GIS and RS,GIS analysis was used to obtain the information of spatial-temporal change and different pattern of desertification in each county around Qinghai Lake in four phases of1976,1987,1995 and 2006.Using the function of intersect and overlay supported by ARCGIS,with analyzing attributes of vector RS images,we obtained transition data and established transfer matrix of land-use types in recent 30 years,besides,protracted land-use transition maps of all desertification classes.In further,we analyzed transition quantity and direction of desertification in each county,moreover,reconstructed the process of spatial-temporal evolution of desertification.The results are showed below:(1)it's the transition between desertified land and others but not in the desertified that played the main role in Gangcha and Gonghe County,while the transfer between desertified lands were greater than that with other land-use types in Haiyan County.(2)Extremely severe desertified land mainly distributes in Ketu and Sand Islands that belongs to Haiyan County,and moderate desertified land in riversides of Gangcha County,also,the light desertification expanded too rapidly to become the most desertified land-use type in the surrounding of Qinghai Lake since 1976.(3)By using relative change rate of desertified land,the regional variability rank from top to toe was Gangcha,Haiyan and Gonghe.

RECENT TECTONIC DEFORMATION ANOMALY AND EARTHQUAKES IN GANSU-NINGXIA-QINGHAI AREA

By processing and analyzing geodetic data of vertical deformation, fault deformation and horizontal deformation by GPS in Gansu Ningxia Qinghai area and by comparing them with geological structures and many medium to strong earthquake activities in this area, some features of recent tectonic deformation anomaly and the development of medium to strong earthquakes are studied. The results show that: ①Near the main faults tectonic deformations are relatively large. The amount of vertical movement and the deformation status evolve with time. The horizontal movement and deformation show obvious compressional strike slip character. ②The dominant stress of tectonic deformation and seismic development in this area comes from the persistent northeastward compression of Qinghai Tibet block;The time spatial distribution evolution of tectonic deformation and seismic activities are closely related to dynamic evolution of block motion and regional tectonic stress field. ③The abnormal uplift and high gradient deformation belts and remarkable fault deformation anormaly on the borders of regional tectonic blocks are indicators of developing moderate to strong earthquakes but earthquakes may not necessarily take place in the position of maxium deformation, it usually occurred in the region where fault deformation anormaly shows “trend accumulation acceleration turn ” variation character or nearby. On the basis of above study, a preliminary prediction for strong earthquake risk in this area is given.

Water Environmental Degradation of the Source Area of the Yellow River on Northeast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The issue on water environmental degradation in the source area of the Yellow River has been one of very serious ecological and socially economic problems. The temporal-spatial changes of water environment led to the decreasing of land capacity and river disconnecting. The status of water environmental degradation in this paper was analyzed based on the data and field investigation. The results indicated that the surface water area in the region has obviously decreased owing to the climate changes and human irrational use of water resources and the continuous lowering of the regional groundwater table and the steadily decreasing tendency of the flow rate in the source areas of the Yellow River.