高精度、高分辨率的地形地貌数据是活动构造定量研究的基础。摄影测量方法的出现和快速发展为获取高精度地形地貌数据提供了一种经济有效的技术手段。相比于传统的测量方法,摄影测量方法可在大范围内同时进行,不受地面通视条件的限制,...高精度、高分辨率的地形地貌数据是活动构造定量研究的基础。摄影测量方法的出现和快速发展为获取高精度地形地貌数据提供了一种经济有效的技术手段。相比于传统的测量方法,摄影测量方法可在大范围内同时进行,不受地面通视条件的限制,且测量成本相对较低。尤其近年来,随着计算机视觉理论及高效的自动特征匹配算法的发展,一种名为"Structure from Motion"(SfM)的三维重建技术被引入摄影测量方法中,极大地提高了摄影测量的自动化程度。文中介绍了摄影测量方法的基本原理及发展历程,并综述了摄影测量方法在活动构造研究中的应用,最后通过SfM摄影测量方法在活动构造研究中的1个具体应用实例,展示了摄影测量方法在活动构造定量研究中的巨大应用潜力。展开更多
The Badain Jaran Desert,located in the Alxa Plateau,Northwest China,features mega-dunes and a unique dune-lake alternation landscape.This paper presented the aeolian sediment structures of three representative dunes i...The Badain Jaran Desert,located in the Alxa Plateau,Northwest China,features mega-dunes and a unique dune-lake alternation landscape.This paper presented the aeolian sediment structures of three representative dunes in the Badain Jaran Desert using ground-penetrating radar (GPR).We processed and analyzed the GPR data and investigated the feasibility of using integrated GPR and sedimentological data to reconstruct dunes structure,sedimentary environment and geomorphological evolution.The results show that the internal structures of star dune and transverse dune represent various stages of mega-dune evolution: the main deposition processes of mega-dune are similar to those of transverse dunes but have a more complicated mechanism of sand transport and deposition because of the superimposition of dunes;the upper section of the mega-dune has a structure similar to that of star dune,with vertical aggradations on top.Diffraction hyperbolae in the GPR profile indicates that the presence of ancient dunes characterized by calcareous cementation layers is involved in the maintenance of mega-dunes,and water levels,shown by continuous,sub-horizontal GPR reflections,are supposed to be closely related to mega-dunes and the interdune lakes.Outcrop of wet sand and horizontal stratifications on the GPR image indicate moisture potentials with different levels inside mega-dunes.The multiplex geomorphology in the Badain Jaran Desert is the result of global climatic undulation,the unique geographical location,the geological structural features,etc.展开更多
Based on geomorphologic and digital elevation model(DEM) data, the topographic characteristics of the northwestern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are analyzed. Five representative peaks are first determined accordi...Based on geomorphologic and digital elevation model(DEM) data, the topographic characteristics of the northwestern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are analyzed. Five representative peaks are first determined according to the topographic profile maps for the ridge and piedmont lines, and then the topographic gradient characteristics are analyzed according to the representative topographic profile acquisition method.Based on the geomorphologic database data, the regions between the ridge and the piedmont lines are divided into four geomorphologic zones; and the topographic characteristics are finally analyzed for the different geomorphologic zones regions using the DEM data. The research results show that from the piedmont to the ridge, there exist four geomorphologic zones: arid, fluvial, periglacial and glacial. The arid has the lowest elevation, topographic gradient, relief and slope characteristics. The fluvial has lower elevation and the highest topographic gradient, but with lower relief and slope characteristics. With higher elevation, the periglcial has lower topographic gradient, but the highest relief and slope characteristics. The glacial has the highest elevation with higher topographic gradient, relief and slope characteristics.展开更多
The effects of the different landforms of the cutting leeward on the aerodynamic performance of high-speed trains were analyzed based on the three-dimensional, steady, and incompressible Navier-Stokes equation and k-e...The effects of the different landforms of the cutting leeward on the aerodynamic performance of high-speed trains were analyzed based on the three-dimensional, steady, and incompressible Navier-Stokes equation and k-e double-equation turbulent model. Results show that aerodynamic forces increase with the cutting leeward slope decreasing. The maximum adding value of lateral force, lift force, and overturning moment are 147%, 44.3%, and 107%, respectively, when the slope varies from 0.67 to -0.67, and the changes in the cutting leeward landform have more effects on the aerodynamic performance when the train is running in the line No. 2 than in the line No. 1. The aerodynamic forces, except the resistance force, sharply increase with the slope depth decreasing. By comparing the circumstance of the cutting depth H=-8 m with that of H=8 m, the resistance force, lateral force, lift force, and overturning moment increase by 26.0%, 251%, 67.3% and 177%, respectively. With the wind angle increasing, the resistance force is nonmonotonic, whereas other forces continuously rise. Under three special landforms, the changes in the law of aerodynamic forces with the wind angle are almost similar to one another.展开更多
In this study, a new method for quantitative and efficient measurement for the ground surface movement was developed. The feature of this technique is to identify geomorphic characteristics by image matching analysis,...In this study, a new method for quantitative and efficient measurement for the ground surface movement was developed. The feature of this technique is to identify geomorphic characteristics by image matching analysis, using the intelligent images made from high resolution DEM(Digital Elevation Model). This method is useful to extract the small ground displacement where the surface shape was not intensely deformed.展开更多
In this paper a geomorphic-centered system was proposed for classifying the wetlands on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in western China, where the flora comprises primarily grasses. Although the geomorphic properties (e.g....In this paper a geomorphic-centered system was proposed for classifying the wetlands on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in western China, where the flora comprises primarily grasses. Although the geomorphic properties (e.g., elevation and morphology) of wetlands form the primary criteria of classification, this system also takes hydrological processes into implicit consideration. It represents an improvement over the hydrogeomorphic perspective as the relative importance of the two components (wetness and landform) of wetlands is clearly differentiated. This geomorphic-centered perspective yields insights into the hydrogeomorphic dynamics of plateau wetlands while indicates their vulnerability to change and degradation indirectly. According to this geomorphic-centered perspective, all plateau wetlands fall into one of the seven types of alpine, piedmont, valley, terrace, floodplain, lacustrine, and riverine in three elevational categories of upland, midland, and lowland. Upland (alpine and piedmont) wetlands with the steepest topography are the most sensitive to change whereas midland (floodplain, terrace and valley) wetlands are less vulnerable to degradation owing to a high water reserve except terrace wetlands. They have a dry surface caused by infrequent hydrological replenishment owing to their higher elevation than the channel. Low lying (lacustrine and riverine) wetlands are the most resilient. The geomorphic-centered perspective developed in this paper provides a framework for improving recognition and management of wetlands on the Plateau. Resilient wetlands can be grazed more intensively without the risk of degradation. Fragile and vulnerable wetlands require careful managementto avoid degradation.展开更多
In lowlands climate-specific processes due to weathering and erosion are dominant, whilst the geomorphology of mountains is dependent on the geologic-tectonic structure, i.e., the energy of erosion that increases acco...In lowlands climate-specific processes due to weathering and erosion are dominant, whilst the geomorphology of mountains is dependent on the geologic-tectonic structure, i.e., the energy of erosion that increases according to the vertical. The expression "extremely high mountains" has been established as the extreme of a continuous mountain classification. It has to be understood in terms of geomorphology, glaciology and vegetation. Correspondence of the planetary and hypsometric change of forms is of great value as synthetic explanation. It is confirmed with regard to vegetation, periglacial geomorphology and glaciology. Due to the world-wide reconstruction of the snowline its paleoclimatie importance increases, too. Apart from lower limits the periglacial and glacial altitudinal levels also show zones of optimum development and climatic upper limits in the highest mountains of the earth. According to the proportion of the altitudinal levels a classification as to arid, temperate and humid high mountains has been carried out.展开更多
A planation hypothesis is proposed to explain landform evolution of the Tibet Plateau. A denudation threshold (T), the maximum potential denudation rate for a certain type of rock, is introduced to explain the combi...A planation hypothesis is proposed to explain landform evolution of the Tibet Plateau. A denudation threshold (T), the maximum potential denudation rate for a certain type of rock, is introduced to explain the combined effects of lithology and tectonics on landform evolution. If the tectonic uplifting rate (U) is equal to or less than the threshold rate (U ≤ T), the tectonic uplifting and terrain denudation are in dynamic equilibrium, and landforms are in a steady state. The end product should be planation surfaces whether the original landforms are flat plains or deeply dissected mountains. If U 〉 T, uplift and denudation are not able to reach a dynamic equilibrium state. The plateau surface is mostly underlain by soft rocks, such as the Mesozoic epimetamorphic argillites and Tertiary sedimentary rocks, while the mountain ranges comprise hard rocks, such as granite, gneiss and limestone. In soft rock regions, hills are low with a relative relief of mostly less than 100 m and the slopes are gentle at a gradient of 〈200. In contrast, hills can maintain steep slopes in hard rock regions. The Tibet Plateau has been under an equilibrium condition between tectonic uplifting and denudation except for the mountain ranges. The plateau might have reached the present altitudes before the Quaternary.展开更多
Like for most parts of High Asia,researches concerning the Pleistocene landscape evolution of the Leh Basin(34°03' N/77°38' E) have also left contradictions.To push this topic,three up to now unexplo...Like for most parts of High Asia,researches concerning the Pleistocene landscape evolution of the Leh Basin(34°03' N/77°38' E) have also left contradictions.To push this topic,three up to now unexplored Ladakh Range tributaries of the Leh Basin(Stagmo-,Arzu-and Nang-Valley) have been investigated.U-shaped profiles,transfluence passes,moraine mantled and glacially rounded peaks and ridges,roches moutonnées,glacial flank polishings and ground moraines document the former glaciation of the study area.The ice fillings of these tributaries reached a minimum thickness up to 540 m.Even at the valley outlets and on the orographic right side of the Leh Basin,the glaciation was more than 350 m thick.Based on these empirically extracted results,theoretical snow line considerations lead to the conclusion that the whole Leh Basin was filled up by a former Indus-Valley glacier.An ice injection limited to the nourishment areas of the Ladakh Range valleys could not have caused the reconstructed ice cover(down to 3236 m a.s.l.),which is proved by extended ground moraine complexes.Only an Indus ice stream network(most likely during the LGP),nourished by inflowing glaciers of the Ladakh-and Stok Range,explains the widespread existence of the glacial sediments at the outlets of the investigated valleys.展开更多
The influence of pre-quaternary underlying terrain on the formation of loess landforms, i.e., the geomorphological inheritance issue, is a focus in studies of loess landforms. On the basis of multi-source information,...The influence of pre-quaternary underlying terrain on the formation of loess landforms, i.e., the geomorphological inheritance issue, is a focus in studies of loess landforms. On the basis of multi-source information, we used GIS spatial analysis methods to construct a simulated digital elevation model of a pre-quaternary paleotopographic surface in a severe soil erosion area of the Loess Plateau. To reveal the spatial relationship between underlying paleotopography and modern terrain, an XY scatter diagram, hypsometric curve, gradient and concavity of terrain profiles are used in the experiments. The experiments show that the altitude, gradient and concavity results have significant linear positive correlation between both terrains, which shows a relatively strong landform inheritance relationship, particularly in the intact and complete loess deposit areas. Despite the current surface appearing somewhat changed from the original shape of the underlying terrain under different erosion forces, we reveal that the modern terrain generally smoothes the topographic relief of underlying terrain in the loess deposition process. Our results deepen understanding of the characteristics of geomorphological inheritance in the formation and evolution of loess landforms.展开更多
The geomorphic evolution of northwestern China during the Cenozoic has been a subject of much geological interest because of its link with the uplift of the Himalayan-Tibetan complex.Much information about these chang...The geomorphic evolution of northwestern China during the Cenozoic has been a subject of much geological interest because of its link with the uplift of the Himalayan-Tibetan complex.Much information about these changes is recoverable from the sedimentary sequences of the region.We report here on the thick eolian deposits mantling the Huajialing Mountains,a relatively flat mountain range in the western Loess Plateau.Correlation of magnetic susceptibility stratigraphy with the QA-I Miocene eolian sequence dates a 134.7 m section(NL-VII) for the interval from 18.7 to 11.8 Ma,as confirmed by micro-mammalian fossils.These eolian deposits demonstrate a much wider distribution of the Miocene eolian deposits,and also indicate that the topography contrasts in the western Loess Plateau,including the uplifts of the Huajialing Mountains and the bedrock highlands in the Qinan region,were formed by the early Miocene.The near-continuous Miocene eolian sequence from 18.7 to 11.8 Ma indicates that the substratum of Huajialing had not experienced any intense tectonic changes during this time interval,which suggests further,the relative tectonic stability of the nearby Tibetan Plateau.展开更多
The Tibetan Plateau is a large-scale tectonic geomorphologic unit formed by the interactions of plates.It has been commonly believed that convective removal of the thickened Tibetan lithosphere,or lateral flow of the ...The Tibetan Plateau is a large-scale tectonic geomorphologic unit formed by the interactions of plates.It has been commonly believed that convective removal of the thickened Tibetan lithosphere,or lateral flow of the lower crust beneath the Tibetan plateau plays a crucial role in the formation of the large-scale tectonic geomorphologic features.Recent geological and geo-physical observations have provided important evidence in support of the lower crustal channel flow model.However,it re-mains unclear as how the geometry of lower crustal channel and the lateral variation of crustal rheology within the lower crust channel may have affected spatio-temporal evolution of the tectonic geomorphologic unit of the Tibetan Plateau.Here,we use numerical methods to explore the mechanical relations between the lower crustal channel flow and the tectonic geomorpho-logic formation around the eastern Tibetan plateau,by deriving a series of governing equations from fluid mechanics theory.From numerous tests,our results show that the viscosity of the channeled lower crust is about(1-5)×1018 to(1-4)×1020 Pa s(Pa.s) beneath the margin of the eastern Tibetan Plateau,and increases to about 1022 Pa s beneath the Sichuan Basin and the southern region of Yunnan Province.Numerical tests also indicate that if channel flows of the lower crust exist,the horizontal propagation and the vertical uplifting rate of the eastern Tibetan Plateau margin could be accelerated with the time.Thus,the present results could be useful to constrain the rheological structure of the crust beneath the eastern Tibetan plateau,and to understand the possible mechanics of rapid uplift of the eastern Tibetan Plateau margin,especially since its occurrence at 8Ma as revealed by numerous geological observations.展开更多
Kongur Mountain is the largest center of modern glaciation on the Pamir Plateau.During the glacial-interglacial cycles of the Quaternary,Kongur Mountain was extensively and repeatedly glaciated,and the glacial landfor...Kongur Mountain is the largest center of modern glaciation on the Pamir Plateau.During the glacial-interglacial cycles of the Quaternary,Kongur Mountain was extensively and repeatedly glaciated,and the glacial landforms from multiple glaciations are well-preserved in valleys,in basins,and on the piedmonts.Dating samples have been collected according to the distribution and weathering of the glacial tills,the relationship among the glacial deposits,and the loess or soil developed on the moraines. Electron spin resonance(ESR) dating of the samples was done using the germanium(Ge) centers in the glacial quartz grains,which are sensitive to both sunlight and grinding.The ages of the glacial deposits can be divided into four clusters,i.e.,13.1±0.8-27.0±2.2,36.4±3.3-48.7±5.7,65.6±6.8-86.6±8.9,and 105.6±9.4-178.3±17.8 ka.Six glacial advances in this region have been confirmed,which are equivalent in age to the Little Ice Age(LIA) ,Neoglaciation,marine oxygen isotope stages(MIS) 2,mid-MIS3,MIS4,and MIS6.The largest local last glacial maximum(LGML) occurred during MIS4 rather than the global Last Glacial Maximum(LGMG) of MIS2,and a glacial advance that occurred during mid-MIS3 was also larger than the LGMG.Furthermore,deeply weathered tills below 3500 m a.s.l.on the western slope of Kongur Mountain,when compared with the ages of the oldest glaciation of the Muztag Ata region,likely occurred prior to the penultimate glacial cycle.The glacial landforms prior to the penultimate glacial cycle on the northern slope are not well-preserved due to erosion after deposition. Several glacial deposits are only speculated to be distributed at higher elevations on the southwest side of the Gaizi Checkpoint. The extensive hummocky moraines on the western slope were formed by multiple glacial advances,and the latest glacial advance corresponded to mid-MIS3.展开更多
文摘高精度、高分辨率的地形地貌数据是活动构造定量研究的基础。摄影测量方法的出现和快速发展为获取高精度地形地貌数据提供了一种经济有效的技术手段。相比于传统的测量方法,摄影测量方法可在大范围内同时进行,不受地面通视条件的限制,且测量成本相对较低。尤其近年来,随着计算机视觉理论及高效的自动特征匹配算法的发展,一种名为"Structure from Motion"(SfM)的三维重建技术被引入摄影测量方法中,极大地提高了摄影测量的自动化程度。文中介绍了摄影测量方法的基本原理及发展历程,并综述了摄影测量方法在活动构造研究中的应用,最后通过SfM摄影测量方法在活动构造研究中的1个具体应用实例,展示了摄影测量方法在活动构造定量研究中的巨大应用潜力。
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.50879033,41001116)Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education (No.20090211110025)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No.lzujbky-2010-221)
文摘The Badain Jaran Desert,located in the Alxa Plateau,Northwest China,features mega-dunes and a unique dune-lake alternation landscape.This paper presented the aeolian sediment structures of three representative dunes in the Badain Jaran Desert using ground-penetrating radar (GPR).We processed and analyzed the GPR data and investigated the feasibility of using integrated GPR and sedimentological data to reconstruct dunes structure,sedimentary environment and geomorphological evolution.The results show that the internal structures of star dune and transverse dune represent various stages of mega-dune evolution: the main deposition processes of mega-dune are similar to those of transverse dunes but have a more complicated mechanism of sand transport and deposition because of the superimposition of dunes;the upper section of the mega-dune has a structure similar to that of star dune,with vertical aggradations on top.Diffraction hyperbolae in the GPR profile indicates that the presence of ancient dunes characterized by calcareous cementation layers is involved in the maintenance of mega-dunes,and water levels,shown by continuous,sub-horizontal GPR reflections,are supposed to be closely related to mega-dunes and the interdune lakes.Outcrop of wet sand and horizontal stratifications on the GPR image indicate moisture potentials with different levels inside mega-dunes.The multiplex geomorphology in the Badain Jaran Desert is the result of global climatic undulation,the unique geographical location,the geological structural features,etc.
基金supported by the strategic plan project of science and technology of Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (Grant No. 2012ZD009)the National Science Technology Support Plan Project (Grant No. 2012BAH28B01-03)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41171332)the National Science Technology Basic Special Project (Grant No.2011FY110400-2)
文摘Based on geomorphologic and digital elevation model(DEM) data, the topographic characteristics of the northwestern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are analyzed. Five representative peaks are first determined according to the topographic profile maps for the ridge and piedmont lines, and then the topographic gradient characteristics are analyzed according to the representative topographic profile acquisition method.Based on the geomorphologic database data, the regions between the ridge and the piedmont lines are divided into four geomorphologic zones; and the topographic characteristics are finally analyzed for the different geomorphologic zones regions using the DEM data. The research results show that from the piedmont to the ridge, there exist four geomorphologic zones: arid, fluvial, periglacial and glacial. The arid has the lowest elevation, topographic gradient, relief and slope characteristics. The fluvial has lower elevation and the highest topographic gradient, but with lower relief and slope characteristics. With higher elevation, the periglcial has lower topographic gradient, but the highest relief and slope characteristics. The glacial has the highest elevation with higher topographic gradient, relief and slope characteristics.
基金Project(U1134203) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(132014) supported by Fok Ying Tong Education Foundation,ChinaProject(2011G006) supported by the Technological Research and Development Program of the Ministry of Railways,China
文摘The effects of the different landforms of the cutting leeward on the aerodynamic performance of high-speed trains were analyzed based on the three-dimensional, steady, and incompressible Navier-Stokes equation and k-e double-equation turbulent model. Results show that aerodynamic forces increase with the cutting leeward slope decreasing. The maximum adding value of lateral force, lift force, and overturning moment are 147%, 44.3%, and 107%, respectively, when the slope varies from 0.67 to -0.67, and the changes in the cutting leeward landform have more effects on the aerodynamic performance when the train is running in the line No. 2 than in the line No. 1. The aerodynamic forces, except the resistance force, sharply increase with the slope depth decreasing. By comparing the circumstance of the cutting depth H=-8 m with that of H=8 m, the resistance force, lateral force, lift force, and overturning moment increase by 26.0%, 251%, 67.3% and 177%, respectively. With the wind angle increasing, the resistance force is nonmonotonic, whereas other forces continuously rise. Under three special landforms, the changes in the law of aerodynamic forces with the wind angle are almost similar to one another.
文摘In this study, a new method for quantitative and efficient measurement for the ground surface movement was developed. The feature of this technique is to identify geomorphic characteristics by image matching analysis, using the intelligent images made from high resolution DEM(Digital Elevation Model). This method is useful to extract the small ground displacement where the surface shape was not intensely deformed.
基金supported by Program of International S&T Cooperation,the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China(Grant No.2011DFA20820)International Science&Technology Cooperation Program of China,MOST(Grant No.2011DFG93160)+1 种基金the Qinghai Science and Technology Department(Grant No.2009-J-806)Department of International Exchange&Cooperation of the Ministry of Education(Grant Nos.2009-1599,2010-1595)
文摘In this paper a geomorphic-centered system was proposed for classifying the wetlands on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in western China, where the flora comprises primarily grasses. Although the geomorphic properties (e.g., elevation and morphology) of wetlands form the primary criteria of classification, this system also takes hydrological processes into implicit consideration. It represents an improvement over the hydrogeomorphic perspective as the relative importance of the two components (wetness and landform) of wetlands is clearly differentiated. This geomorphic-centered perspective yields insights into the hydrogeomorphic dynamics of plateau wetlands while indicates their vulnerability to change and degradation indirectly. According to this geomorphic-centered perspective, all plateau wetlands fall into one of the seven types of alpine, piedmont, valley, terrace, floodplain, lacustrine, and riverine in three elevational categories of upland, midland, and lowland. Upland (alpine and piedmont) wetlands with the steepest topography are the most sensitive to change whereas midland (floodplain, terrace and valley) wetlands are less vulnerable to degradation owing to a high water reserve except terrace wetlands. They have a dry surface caused by infrequent hydrological replenishment owing to their higher elevation than the channel. Low lying (lacustrine and riverine) wetlands are the most resilient. The geomorphic-centered perspective developed in this paper provides a framework for improving recognition and management of wetlands on the Plateau. Resilient wetlands can be grazed more intensively without the risk of degradation. Fragile and vulnerable wetlands require careful managementto avoid degradation.
文摘In lowlands climate-specific processes due to weathering and erosion are dominant, whilst the geomorphology of mountains is dependent on the geologic-tectonic structure, i.e., the energy of erosion that increases according to the vertical. The expression "extremely high mountains" has been established as the extreme of a continuous mountain classification. It has to be understood in terms of geomorphology, glaciology and vegetation. Correspondence of the planetary and hypsometric change of forms is of great value as synthetic explanation. It is confirmed with regard to vegetation, periglacial geomorphology and glaciology. Due to the world-wide reconstruction of the snowline its paleoclimatie importance increases, too. Apart from lower limits the periglacial and glacial altitudinal levels also show zones of optimum development and climatic upper limits in the highest mountains of the earth. According to the proportion of the altitudinal levels a classification as to arid, temperate and humid high mountains has been carried out.
基金supported by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China(Grant Nos.40599421 and 90502002)
文摘A planation hypothesis is proposed to explain landform evolution of the Tibet Plateau. A denudation threshold (T), the maximum potential denudation rate for a certain type of rock, is introduced to explain the combined effects of lithology and tectonics on landform evolution. If the tectonic uplifting rate (U) is equal to or less than the threshold rate (U ≤ T), the tectonic uplifting and terrain denudation are in dynamic equilibrium, and landforms are in a steady state. The end product should be planation surfaces whether the original landforms are flat plains or deeply dissected mountains. If U 〉 T, uplift and denudation are not able to reach a dynamic equilibrium state. The plateau surface is mostly underlain by soft rocks, such as the Mesozoic epimetamorphic argillites and Tertiary sedimentary rocks, while the mountain ranges comprise hard rocks, such as granite, gneiss and limestone. In soft rock regions, hills are low with a relative relief of mostly less than 100 m and the slopes are gentle at a gradient of 〈200. In contrast, hills can maintain steep slopes in hard rock regions. The Tibet Plateau has been under an equilibrium condition between tectonic uplifting and denudation except for the mountain ranges. The plateau might have reached the present altitudes before the Quaternary.
文摘Like for most parts of High Asia,researches concerning the Pleistocene landscape evolution of the Leh Basin(34°03' N/77°38' E) have also left contradictions.To push this topic,three up to now unexplored Ladakh Range tributaries of the Leh Basin(Stagmo-,Arzu-and Nang-Valley) have been investigated.U-shaped profiles,transfluence passes,moraine mantled and glacially rounded peaks and ridges,roches moutonnées,glacial flank polishings and ground moraines document the former glaciation of the study area.The ice fillings of these tributaries reached a minimum thickness up to 540 m.Even at the valley outlets and on the orographic right side of the Leh Basin,the glaciation was more than 350 m thick.Based on these empirically extracted results,theoretical snow line considerations lead to the conclusion that the whole Leh Basin was filled up by a former Indus-Valley glacier.An ice injection limited to the nourishment areas of the Ladakh Range valleys could not have caused the reconstructed ice cover(down to 3236 m a.s.l.),which is proved by extended ground moraine complexes.Only an Indus ice stream network(most likely during the LGP),nourished by inflowing glaciers of the Ladakh-and Stok Range,explains the widespread existence of the glacial sediments at the outlets of the investigated valleys.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40930531, 41171320)the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2011AA120303)Open Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System (Grant No. 2010KF0002SA)
文摘The influence of pre-quaternary underlying terrain on the formation of loess landforms, i.e., the geomorphological inheritance issue, is a focus in studies of loess landforms. On the basis of multi-source information, we used GIS spatial analysis methods to construct a simulated digital elevation model of a pre-quaternary paleotopographic surface in a severe soil erosion area of the Loess Plateau. To reveal the spatial relationship between underlying paleotopography and modern terrain, an XY scatter diagram, hypsometric curve, gradient and concavity of terrain profiles are used in the experiments. The experiments show that the altitude, gradient and concavity results have significant linear positive correlation between both terrains, which shows a relatively strong landform inheritance relationship, particularly in the intact and complete loess deposit areas. Despite the current surface appearing somewhat changed from the original shape of the underlying terrain under different erosion forces, we reveal that the modern terrain generally smoothes the topographic relief of underlying terrain in the loess deposition process. Our results deepen understanding of the characteristics of geomorphological inheritance in the formation and evolution of loess landforms.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40730104)Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant Nos. KZCX2-YW-Q1-15 and KZCX2-YW-117)
文摘The geomorphic evolution of northwestern China during the Cenozoic has been a subject of much geological interest because of its link with the uplift of the Himalayan-Tibetan complex.Much information about these changes is recoverable from the sedimentary sequences of the region.We report here on the thick eolian deposits mantling the Huajialing Mountains,a relatively flat mountain range in the western Loess Plateau.Correlation of magnetic susceptibility stratigraphy with the QA-I Miocene eolian sequence dates a 134.7 m section(NL-VII) for the interval from 18.7 to 11.8 Ma,as confirmed by micro-mammalian fossils.These eolian deposits demonstrate a much wider distribution of the Miocene eolian deposits,and also indicate that the topography contrasts in the western Loess Plateau,including the uplifts of the Huajialing Mountains and the bedrock highlands in the Qinan region,were formed by the early Miocene.The near-continuous Miocene eolian sequence from 18.7 to 11.8 Ma indicates that the substratum of Huajialing had not experienced any intense tectonic changes during this time interval,which suggests further,the relative tectonic stability of the nearby Tibetan Plateau.
基金This work was supported by Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chi-nese Academy of Sciences (Grant No.KZCX2-YW-134)National Nat-ural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.41030320)
文摘The Tibetan Plateau is a large-scale tectonic geomorphologic unit formed by the interactions of plates.It has been commonly believed that convective removal of the thickened Tibetan lithosphere,or lateral flow of the lower crust beneath the Tibetan plateau plays a crucial role in the formation of the large-scale tectonic geomorphologic features.Recent geological and geo-physical observations have provided important evidence in support of the lower crustal channel flow model.However,it re-mains unclear as how the geometry of lower crustal channel and the lateral variation of crustal rheology within the lower crust channel may have affected spatio-temporal evolution of the tectonic geomorphologic unit of the Tibetan Plateau.Here,we use numerical methods to explore the mechanical relations between the lower crustal channel flow and the tectonic geomorpho-logic formation around the eastern Tibetan plateau,by deriving a series of governing equations from fluid mechanics theory.From numerous tests,our results show that the viscosity of the channeled lower crust is about(1-5)×1018 to(1-4)×1020 Pa s(Pa.s) beneath the margin of the eastern Tibetan Plateau,and increases to about 1022 Pa s beneath the Sichuan Basin and the southern region of Yunnan Province.Numerical tests also indicate that if channel flows of the lower crust exist,the horizontal propagation and the vertical uplifting rate of the eastern Tibetan Plateau margin could be accelerated with the time.Thus,the present results could be useful to constrain the rheological structure of the crust beneath the eastern Tibetan plateau,and to understand the possible mechanics of rapid uplift of the eastern Tibetan Plateau margin,especially since its occurrence at 8Ma as revealed by numerous geological observations.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.40771049)Knowledge Innovation Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.KZCX2-YW-GJ04)the Program of Ministry of Science and Technology of China(Grant No. 2006FY110200)
文摘Kongur Mountain is the largest center of modern glaciation on the Pamir Plateau.During the glacial-interglacial cycles of the Quaternary,Kongur Mountain was extensively and repeatedly glaciated,and the glacial landforms from multiple glaciations are well-preserved in valleys,in basins,and on the piedmonts.Dating samples have been collected according to the distribution and weathering of the glacial tills,the relationship among the glacial deposits,and the loess or soil developed on the moraines. Electron spin resonance(ESR) dating of the samples was done using the germanium(Ge) centers in the glacial quartz grains,which are sensitive to both sunlight and grinding.The ages of the glacial deposits can be divided into four clusters,i.e.,13.1±0.8-27.0±2.2,36.4±3.3-48.7±5.7,65.6±6.8-86.6±8.9,and 105.6±9.4-178.3±17.8 ka.Six glacial advances in this region have been confirmed,which are equivalent in age to the Little Ice Age(LIA) ,Neoglaciation,marine oxygen isotope stages(MIS) 2,mid-MIS3,MIS4,and MIS6.The largest local last glacial maximum(LGML) occurred during MIS4 rather than the global Last Glacial Maximum(LGMG) of MIS2,and a glacial advance that occurred during mid-MIS3 was also larger than the LGMG.Furthermore,deeply weathered tills below 3500 m a.s.l.on the western slope of Kongur Mountain,when compared with the ages of the oldest glaciation of the Muztag Ata region,likely occurred prior to the penultimate glacial cycle.The glacial landforms prior to the penultimate glacial cycle on the northern slope are not well-preserved due to erosion after deposition. Several glacial deposits are only speculated to be distributed at higher elevations on the southwest side of the Gaizi Checkpoint. The extensive hummocky moraines on the western slope were formed by multiple glacial advances,and the latest glacial advance corresponded to mid-MIS3.