Event Stratigraphy, Biostratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy of Neoproterozoic in North China

The aim of this study is to discuss the chronostratigraphy, catastrophic event stratigraphy, biostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy of Neoproterozoic. In the eastern part of the North China, the Neoproterozoic consists of Qingbaikou System (1 000-800 Ma) and Sinian System (800-600 Ma). The Qingbaikou System is widely distributed over the whole area and the Sinian System only in the eastern and southern parts of the plate. In this paper, we discuss the age limit of the formations, and try to establish the Neoproterozoic chronostratigraphic frame, the ages of which are partly based on recently obtained carbonate whole rock Pb Pb isotope. Based on the event records of ancient earthquake, which are well developed in Sinian carbonates, “a vibrational liquefaction seismic sequence” in carbonate rocks is established. We propose a time correlation for the Sinian formation in eastern North China, on the bases of event records of earthquake in combination with biostratigraphy, and thus revise the traditional correlation scheme that has been used for nearly 30 years. Some biostratigraphic results were obtained in fossil microplants, megafossils and metazoans in North China. A large amount of big double layered and complex ornamented acritarchs are found in Qingbaikou and Sinian systems. On the basis of the correlation by earthquake events, the Huainan fauna is regarded as Late Sinian, probably between 700 Ma and 600 Ma. Altogether 16 depositional sequences are distinguished in the Neoproterozoic, with an average time interval of about 15-16 Ma.

Elemental Geochemical Anomaly in the Sinian Doushantuo Formation-Dengying FormationBoundary in Miaohe, Hubei

: No research has been made on such a lower rank boundary as the Sinian Doushantuo Formation-Dengying Formation boundary in the eastern region of the Yangtze Gorges. Elemental geochemical determination has revealed anomalies of REE and other trace elements around the boundary, which have relatively high contents than those in its overlying and underlying beds. The authors therefore think that a catastrophic event once occurred in the Miaohe area at the end of the Doushantuoan Period, which caused the mass extinction of the Miaohe biota.

Catastrophe of Power Transmission System

Power systems are critical infrastructures in the same way as gas and oil networks, water networks, transportation networks, telecommunications systems and computer systems. These complex networked systems are increasingly interdependent on each other, as the digital society matures on a global scale. A typical example of a critical infrastructure vulnerability that undergoes rising vulnerability to catastrophic failure is the power transmission network. There are several reasons for such a situation to prevail. Firstly, as witnessed in developed countries, there has been a very slow expansion of the high voltage transmission grid during recent decades due to stringent regulations put forward in response to environmental concerns. Secondly, there are the profound structural reforms that the power industry has embarked on, which are geared toward the emergence and consolidation of competitive energy markets. In the evaluation of catastrophe of the power transmission system, the most important parameter to be taken into a consideration is resilience index of electro-magnet floury. In particular, it has been taken into consideration its effect on the different fields of human interest.