Determining topographic shielding from digital elevation models for cosmogenic nuclide analysis: a GIS model for discrete sample sites

Topographic shielding(TS) is an important factor in cosmogenic nuclide surface exposure dating. The development of geographic information systems(GIS) and the availability of digital elevation models(DEMs) make it possible to derive this factor directly from a DEM. Most available GIS models derive the TS factors for an area(all cells in a DEM) without the consideration of surface conditions of individual sites, such as the strike, dip,and height above ground, into the calculation. This paper presents a new GIS model to derive the TS factors for discrete sample sites. This model uses the Skyline and Skyline Graph functions in ArcGIS to extract the set of azimuth and elevation angles of topographic obstructions around each site from a DEM(considering the sample height above ground)and then incorporates the strike and dip information of the sample surface to derive the TS factor. All processing tools and steps are streamlined in ArcGIS modelbuilder and this model can be run like a standard ArcGIS geoprocessing tool. It provides an easy and user-friendly means to derive the TS factors for discrete samples based on a DEM and the measured strike, dip and sample height for each site.

Cosmogenic ^(10)Be and ^(26)Al Chronology of the Last Glaciation of the Palaeo-Daocheng Ice Cap,Southeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

The glacial landforms of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau （QTP） provide a unique opportunity to research hemispheric and global environmental changes. In this study, we focus on the glacial history of the palaeo-Daocheng Ice Cap （p-DIC） in the southeastern QTP during the last glacial cycle. Based on field investigations, morphostratigraphy, and surface exposure dating of roche moutonnée, polished surface and moraine debris through the terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides （TCN） ^10Be and ^26Al. We identify glacial deposits of the last deglaciation, with minimum ages of 14.9±1.3-18.7±1.7 ka, the Last Glacial Maximum （LGM） of 24.7±2.2 ka, and the early part of the last glacial period （marine oxygen isotope stage （MIS） 3） of 37.1±3.4-45.2±3.9 ka. Our results show that in this region, the extent of the glacial advance during MIS 3 was larger than that during the traditional LGM （MIS 2）. These ages are consistent with prior chronologies, and the ^10Be age is consistent with the ^26Al age for the same sample. Thus, these data provide reliable constraints on climate change in the QTP, during the last glaciation.

Evaluation of cosmogenic activation of copper and germanium during production in Jinping Underground Laboratory

Intrinsic radiation of materials is one of the major backgrounds for many rare-event search experiments.Thus,the production of pure materials in an underground laboratory is a promising approach for eliminating cosmogenic radionuclides.In this paper,we demonstrate a procedure to evaluate the yields of cosmogenic radionuclides in copper and germanium in the second phase of the China Jinping Underground Laboratory.Our results show that for copper and germanium materials,the largest cosmogenic background comes from 3 H and57,58,60Co,and 3 H and 68Ge,respectively,which all have yields on the order of 10-7 kg-1 day-1.The corresponding radioactivities after 90 days pf exposure underground are estimated to be lower than 10-6μBq kg-1.

Determining Topographic Shielding from Digital Elevation Models for Cosmogenic Nuclide Analysis:a GIS Approach and Field Validation

Topographic shielding of cosmic radiation flux is a key parameter in using cosmogenic nuclides to determine surface exposure ages or erosion rates.Traditionally,this parameter is measured in the field and uncertainty and/or inconsistency may exist among different investigators.This paper provides an ArcGIS python code to determine topographic shielding factors using digital elevation models(DEMs).This code can be imported into ArcGIS as a geoprocessing tool with a user-friendly graphical interface.The DEM-derived parameters using this method were validated with field measurements in central Tian Shan.Results indicate that DEM-derived shielding factors are consistent with field-measured values.It provides a valuable tool to save fieldwork efforts and has the potential to provide consistent results for different regions in the world to facilitate the comparison of cosmogenic nuclide results.

The use of in-situ cosmogenic ^(21)Ne in studies on long-term landscape development

Cosmogenic Ne isotopes are stable and are routinely used for constraining the timing of events and the rate of surface change beyond the limit that can be studied with radionuclides ^(10)Be,^(26)Al, and ^(36)Cl. Cosmogenic Ne analysis can be used in quartz and in a range of other minerals. Analysis typically requires significantly less material than do cosmogenic ^(10)Be and^(26)Al, opening up the technique for small samples—individual pebbles in river sediments, for example. Analysis is easier and faster than for radionuclides, not least because Ne measurements do not require significant chemical procedures. However, the presence of other sources of Ne in minerals tends to restrict the use of cosmogenic ^(21)Ne to old landscapes and long exposure durations. In this review we briefly outline the background of cosmogenic Ne production in rocks and minerals at the Earth's surface, then document the key uses of the technique by highlighting some earlier studies, and finish with a short perspective on the future of the technique.

Cosmogenic 26Al/10Be Burial Dating of the Birth of the Present Hanjiang River

Objective Structural lows and major rift systems provide the basis for the creation of large rivers.The uplift of the Qinling and Daba Mountains structural belts and Tibetan Plateau would have provided the basis for the origin and northwest–southeast flow of the ancient Hanjiang River(Lu et al.,2018).After a long-term evolution,the present pattern of Hanjiang River has been formed.Five to six river terraces in the Hanzhong and Yunxian basins along the flanks of Hanjiang River valleys had been identified and some terraces had been dated by using optically stimulated luminescence(OSL),paleomagnetic,and electron spin resonance(ESR)dating methods,and correlating the pedostratigraphy and magnetic susceptibility with the Luochuan loess section by our team(Sun et al.,2016,2017).These terraces are composed of fluvial deposits overlaid with eolian deposits,and record the evolution history of the Hanjiang River.(Fig.1).This study is aimed to deduce the birth time of the present Hanjiang River by using 26Al/10Be burial dating method to date the highest fluvial terraces of the Hanjiang River.

Late Pleistocene-Holocene slip history of the Langshan-Seertengshan piedmont fault(Inner Mongolia,northern China) from cosmogenic ^(10)Be dating on a bedrock fault scarp

Offset geomorphic features and deformed late Quaternary strata indicate active deformation along the Langshan-Seertengshan piedmont fault(LSPF),one of the most active faults in the Hetao fault zone in Inner Mongolia,North China.The widespread occurrence of bedrock fault scarps along the LSPF offers excellent opportunity to examine the faulting history.Using cosmogenic (10)~Be exposure dating,we measured the exposure ages of the western Langshankou scarp,located in the middle segment of the LSPF.Our data revealed at least two earthquakes that occurred at 22.2±3.3 ka and 7.2±2.4 ka,respectively.These events are consistent with previous paleoseismic trench studies.The regression of the relationship between the age and sampling height along the scarp yield a fault slip rate of 0.10 +0.05/-0.06 mm/yr,which issignificantly lower than the average post-late Pleistocene fault slip rate of ~1 mm/yr,as estimated from the offset of the T_2 terraces by previous studies.This indicates that the slip of the LSPF may have been accommodated by other fault branches.

Cosmogenic ^(26)Al/^(10)Be Burial Dating of the Uplift Rate of Southern Qinling Mountains since the Middle Pleistocene

Objective The Qinling Mountains （QM） in Central China is a natural harrier that corresponds to the boundary between the southern and northern climate and environment （Gong Hujun et al., 2017）. Northern QM is relatively steep, and southern QM is in contrast relatively low and gentle. Investigations have shown that the average uplift rate of northern QM since 17.8 Ma is approximately 0.19 mm/a （Yin Gongming et al., 2001）, whereas that of central QM since 0.36 Ma is approximately 0.32 mm/a （Wang Fei et al., 2004）. To date, however, few investigations have yet been conducted on the uplift rate of southern QM. Accordingly, we aim to obtain the uplift rate of southern QM by using the cosmogenic ^26A1/^10 Be burial dating method to determine the age of the highest river terrace on the southern slope of QM.

LATE PLEISTOCENE—HOLOCENE RAPID UPLIFT AND EROSION IN TIBET: CONSTRAINTS FROM COSMOGENIC EXPOSURE AGE DATA

Tibet is the largest and highest plateau on the Earth (having 82% of the world’s land surface area falling >4km above sea level) attributed to the India and Asian convergence tectonics. Recently, high\|resolution digital topography data (Fielding et al., 1994) confirmed the earlier observations about flat erosional surfaces in the central part of the plateau (Jujin, et al., 1995) and suggested extraordinary flatness at a wide range of scales. Much of the Tibetan plateau across different accreted terranes has shallow slopes between 5°～10° and variation in relief of about 1 km, except in its marginal parts (Himalayan ranges; Kunlun mountains) where rough and high topography with intense fluvial dissections (variations in relief up to 7km) is quite frequent. However, in the southern and south\|central part of the plateau along the Pliocene\|Quaternary grabens, slopes generally steepen.

Paleo-glacial reconstruction of the Thajwas glacier in the Kashmir Himalaya using 10Be cosmogenic radionuclide dating

Quantitative glacial chronologies of past glaciations are sparse in the Himalaya, and mostly absent in the Kashmir Himalaya. We used cosmogenicBe exposure dating, and geomorphological mapping to reconstruct glacial advances of the Thajwas Glacier(TG) in the Great Himalayan Range of the Kashmir Himalaya. FromBe exposure dating of ten moraine boulders, four glacial stages with ages ~20.77 ±2.28 ka, ~11.46 ± 1.69 ka, ~9.12 ± 1.39 ka and ~4.19 ± 0.78 ka, were identified. The reconstructed cosmogenic radionuclide ages confirmed the global Last Glacial Maximum(g LGM), Younger Dryas, Early Holocene, and Neoglaciation episodes. As per area and volume change analyses, the TG has lost 51.1 km~2 of its area and a volume of 2.64 km~3 during the last 20.77 ± 2.28 ka. Overall, the results suggested that the TG has lost 64% of area and 73% of volume from the Last glacial maximum to Neoglaciation and about 85.74% and 87.67% of area and volume, respectively, from Neoglaciation to the present day. The equilibrium line altitude of the TG fluctuated from 4238 m a.s.l present to3365 m a.s.l during the g LGM(20.77 ± 2.28 ka). The significant cooling induced by a drop in mean ambient temperature resulted in a positive mass balance of the TG during the g LGM. Subsequently the melting accelerated due to the continuing rise of the global ambient temperature. Paleo-glacial history reconstruction of the Kashmir Himalaya, with its specific geomorphic and climatic setting, would help close the information gap about the chronology of past regional glacial episodes.

延安典型丹霞地貌景观特征及发育演化研究

本文是在延安典型丹霞地貌景观特征分析的基础上,采用宇宙成因核素^(10)Be和^(26)Al技术获得暴露年龄和侵蚀速率,研究“黄土覆盖型沟谷丹霞”地貌景观的演化历史。研究结果显示:延安典型丹霞地貌的类型有狭缝式、石蘑菇式、天生桥式,其中狭缝式丹霞的景观特征为“窄狭、多弯、韵律、多彩”,同时也是典型的“黄土覆盖型沟谷丹霞”,石蘑菇式丹霞造型奇特,天生桥式丹霞地貌整体规模宏大,这两者发育都严格受控于垂直节理和外力作用的侵蚀;运用宇宙成因核素^(10)Be和^(26)Al技术,计算获得志丹猫巷狭缝式丹霞地貌的暴露年代有两期,分别为(0.75±18)~(0.83±0.14)ka和(1.14±13)~(1.29±0.30)ka,安塞王家湾石蘑菇式丹霞地貌暴露年代为(1.76±0.45)~(1.77±0.15)ka,这两处丹霞地貌暴露地表的年代都在全新世(Qh),前者晚于后者,地貌较年青;运用宇宙成因核素^(10)Be-^(26)Al计算获得两处典型丹霞地貌侵蚀速率为(39±3.3)~(104±24.4)cm·ka~(-1),与目前国内外学者研究地表和基岩得到的侵蚀速率对比,这两处典型丹霞地貌的侵蚀速率较大,结果还有待进一步研究;延安典型丹霞地貌景观发育的演化始于白垩纪红层的堆积,大致都经历了四个演化阶段,初步揭示了地质构造、上覆黄土盖层以及流水等多种因素共同控制和影响延安典型丹霞地貌的形成,演化阶段总体都处于青年晚期。

上新世以来北京平原NBT1孔记录的地层沉积及构造指示

磁性地层学结合宇宙成因核素、AMS14C测年为晚新生代可靠的长序地质年代框架建立提供了有效快捷手段。在北京平原东南部钻取的NBT1全取芯钻孔进行了详细的磁性地层学研究,400 m钻孔335块样品识别出10个正极性和9个负极性时段,记录了布容(Brunhes)、松山(Matuyama)、高斯(Gauss)、吉尔伯特(Gilbert)极性时,孔底进入到4.2 Ma的Gilbert负极性时。以岩性组合、26Al/10Be、AMS14C年代学为基础,结合测井沉积相分析,判断钻孔上新世晚期地层底界位于319.60 m,第四系下更新统、中更新统、上更新统底界分别位于214.80 m、70.60 m、59.25 m。在上新世约4.2~3.5 Ma发育了6期明显的冲洪积扇的快速沉积过程,第四纪早更新世以曲流河沉积体系为主,中更新世以湖沼沉积为主,夹分支河道沉积,沉积厚度相对较薄,晚更新世以分支河道-湖沼沉积为主,其顶部末次盛冰期浊黄橙色硬质黏土发育。钻孔包含了3个沉积速率较高(>150 m/Ma)的时期,分别为3.58~3.33 Ma、1.945~1.778 Ma和0.126~0.010 Ma,与上新世以来青藏高原隆升扩展及华北地区晚更新世构造活化在时间上具有一致性,揭示了华北地区的沉积构造演化对青藏高原隆升具有一定响应。

宇生核素深度剖面暴露测年的原理与应用

宇生核素暴露测年技术是目前第四纪地貌年代测定最常用的方法之一,由于难以定量化继承性核素以及侵蚀对样品暴露年代的影响(通常假设继承性和侵蚀的影响为0),其测年结果难以反映地貌的真实暴露年代。通过测定地貌剖面不同深度样品的宇生核素浓度,建立“宇生核素浓度—深度”剖面曲线,可同时定量化研究地貌体的暴露年龄、继承性宇生核素浓度以及侵蚀速率,有效地弥补了宇生核素暴露测年中继承性核素以及侵蚀速率不确定性的缺陷。基于蒙特卡洛方法的宇生核素深度剖面暴露测年模型(简称蒙特卡洛深度剖面模型)是最常用的计算模式之一,然而,国内关于该方法的原理及其应用研究相对较少,大大限制了该方法的广泛使用。笔者等详细阐述了蒙特卡洛深度剖面模型的原理及其在冰川地貌、河流阶地、冲洪积扇等地貌测年中的应用。此外,介绍了深度剖面模型的复现、非稳态模型、线性反演模型等其他几种计算模式并进一步探讨了蒙特卡洛深度剖面模型暴露测年技术的野外采样方法,以使其能够广泛应用于第四纪地貌学和年代学研究中。

Cosmogenic^(10)Be dating of the oldest moraine in the Hengduan Mountains

The Hengduan Mountains is in the transitional zone between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP)and the YunnanGuizhou Plateau in China,and a key area for elucidating the Quaternary environmental changes in Asia.The paleo-Daocheng ice cap was located on the Shaluli Hilly Plateau in the northeastern Hengduan Mountains,the oldest moraines in the Hengduan Mountains region were found in the ice cap area.Such glacial landforms provide key evidence to study the timing when this area entered the cryosphere with the uplift of the QTP.However,it is difficult to collect suitable glacial boulders from these moraines for traditional terrestrial in-situ cosmogenic nuclide(TCN)exposure dating because of long-term severe moraine degradation.Here,we collected clast samples from the moraine surface and depth profile to constrain the age of the oldest moraine in Kuzhaori(moraine E)using TCN^(10)Be dating technique.The minimum^(10)Be ages of five clast samples from the moraine surface range from 187.4±1.5 to 576.8±4.3 ka,implying that the moraine has been seriously degraded since deposition.Based on the TCN^(10)Be concentrations of the samples from a depth profile and simulations,the exposure-erosion-inheritance history of the profile was obtained.By fitting to the profile^(10)Be concentrations using the chi-square test,the simulations yielded a reliable age of 626.0±52.5 ka for the moraine.Therefore,the oldest moraine(moraine E)in Kuzhaori was most likely formed at about 0.63Ma ago,corresponding to the marine isotope stage(MIS)16.This glaciation represents the maximum Quaternary glaciation after the QTP was elevated into the cryosphere by the Kunlun-Yellow River Tectonic Movement.

On the Possible Cometary Nature of the Uchur Cosmic Body(Fall 3.08.1993)

An expeditionary study of the area of the alleged impact event that occurred on 3.08.1993 in the area of the Lower Konkuli River(southeast of the Aldan Highlands,Lurikan Range,Russia)was carried out.According to the materials of remote sensing,the places of collision with the earth of a cosmic body are determined.In the area of the impact of the shock wave on the Earth’s surface,peat samples were selected,the micro probe analysis of which showed the pres­ence of a cosmogenic substance in concentrations 6-8 times higher than the background.Silicate and magnetite micro spheres,native iron,moissanite,and carbon micro tubes coated with a film consisting of pure nickel were found.Of particular interest were the findings of specific Ni film micro structures that allow us to make an assumption about the cometary nature of the Uchur cosmic body.Most researchers associate the observed flights of fireballs with the sub­sequent fall of meteorites.Researchers are trying to find the massive body of the fallen space body.However,often,even after many years of searching,a massive cosmic body cannot be found.This happened when studying the site of the fall of the Tunguska cosmic body.In this case,it remains to be assumed that the cosmic body contained micro­scopic dust particles.The structure and composition of such particles can only be studied using microscopic research methods.When studying the Uchur cosmic body,the authors concluded that it could be of a cometary nature due to the findings of specific particles-thin films of pure nickel on the surface of plant remains of terrestrial origin.This hy­pothesis arose from the recent discovery of atomic nickel vapors in comets.

青藏高原西北部晚第四纪以来的隆升作用——来自西昆仑阿什库勒多级河流阶地的证据

青藏高原的隆升是新生代最壮观的地质事件,关于青藏高原隆升研究一直是地学界的研究焦点。河流阶地的发育记录了丰富的构造运动和气候变化的信息,近年来被广泛应用于构造运动和气候演变的研究,但前人研究的河流阶地基本分布在青藏高原的周缘,阶地的形成可能是气候与构造运动共同作用的结果。本文通过高分辨率卫星影像的解译,在青藏高原内部的西昆仑阿什库勒地区发现了多达七级的河流阶地。对该处河流阶地结构、沉积特征、几何特征的研究表明该阶地是典型的构造成因阶地。野外利用全站仪对河流阶地地貌形态进行了精细的测量,获得了各级阶地的拔河高度分别为4～5m(T1)、9～10m(T2)、16～18m(T3)、28～31m(T4)、45～48m(T5)。通过宇宙成因核素10Be测年方法对各级阶地面的暴露年龄进行了测定,获得了各级阶地的形成时代分别为7.7±0.7ka(T1)、32.7±3.1ka(T2)、53.6±2.5ka(T3)、115.7±23.2ka(T4)、166.8±10.4ka(T5)、19.5±8.5ka(T6)。由此确定了晚第四纪166.8ka以来不同时期的河流下切速率总体介于0.2～0.35mm/yr,该速率代表了青藏高原西北部晚第四纪166.8ka以来的平均隆升速率。

稻城冰帽库照日冰碛垄的宇生核素^(10)Be年代测定

沙鲁里山南端的稻城冰帽在第四纪曾发生过大规模的冰川作用,然而,关于冰川作用的年代数据相对较少。选择稻城冰帽南缘库照日附近的3套冰碛垄进行宇生核素10Be的暴露年代测定,研究结果表明:(1)库照日最老冰碛垄(E)的暴露年代为(714±8.0)～(529±8.0)kaBP,D垄的暴露年代为(121±2.9)～(114±2.9)kaBP,DC垄的暴露年代为(47±1.3)～(43±1.3)kaBP。由于宇生核素暴露年代所反映的是冰川消退时的年代,因此,我们结合深海氧同位素的气候特征以及其他测年数据推断,E垄、D垄、DC垄可能是MIS16、MIS6以及MIS3b阶段冰川作用的产物;(2)冰川退却是一种逐步退却的模式。样品E的两次测验结果比较吻合,表明宇生核素10 Be暴露测年方法对冰碛垄形成年代的测定是可靠的,该方法在地貌学和第四纪年代学研究中有着巨大的潜力。

加速器质谱技术及其在地球科学中的应用

介绍了加速器质谱的基本原理、装置、技术发展以及在地球科学中的主要应用,并报道了中国原子能科学研究院加速器质谱实验室利用10Be2、6A l和36C l在地球科学如地质年代学、水文、海洋等相关领域开展的工作成果。

滑坡年代学研究方法应用进展

滑坡年代学研究对于滑坡灾害的形成演化、预测预警与风险评估等意义重大。为了对比分析各种滑坡测年新技术,综述了各个测试技术在国内外滑坡年代学研究中的最新应用进展。对14C、光释光(OSL)、宇宙成因核素、树木年轮及地衣等测年技术进行了详细分析讨论,探讨了各个测年技术的优缺点、年代测定中存在的问题以及相应的解决策略。结论表明,利用14C、光释光、宇宙核素测年技术分析滑坡年代的研究较多,树木年轮和地衣测年方法应用较少;全球已经开展的研究工作主要集中在北美、欧洲及东亚等地区,中国的研究相对较少;国内的研究主要集中在黄河上游和长江三峡地区。滑坡年代学的研究在中国刚刚开始,具有很大的发展空间和重要的科学意义,对于中西部地区,特别是青藏高原和黄土高原地区的防灾减灾、社会经济发展现实意义重大。

地表岩石侵蚀速率对宇生核素暴露测年影响的研究

利用原地生宇生核素测定暴露年代时，通常会假设地貌体侵蚀速率为0。研究表明，该假设会低估地貌体的真实暴露年代。搜集2009-2012 年全球不同区域56 个岩石样品的宇生核素10Be 测年数据，探讨侵蚀速率为0对于侵蚀速率为0.5、1 以及2 mm/ka的样品，在不同暴露尺度上对暴露年代计算的影响幅度。结果表明，对于1×104a 尺度的样品暴露年代可能低估约0.5%，1%，2%；对于10×104a 尺度的样品可能低估约5%，7%，20%；对于50×104a尺度的样品可能低估约40%，70%甚至100%以上。