Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning in the Earth Sciences

1 Introduction In the same way mathematics is regarded by many mathematicians as the study of patterns in numbers(Hardy,1940),the earth sciences can be thought of usefully as the study of patterns in the physical,chemical and biotic constituents of the Earth in both time and space.The documentation,definition and,ultimately。

Stress triggering effect on the 2022 Honghe M_(S)5.0 earthquake with historical strong earthquakes

The 2022 Honghe M_(S)5.0 seismic event is intriguing due to its occurrence in the south of the Red River Fault,an area historically lacking seismic activities greater than M_(S)5.0.To elucidate the seismogenic mechanism and scrutinize stress-triggered interactions,we calculated co-seismic and post-seismic Coulomb stress alterations induced by nine historical seismic events(M≥6.0).The analysis reveals that these substantial seismic events provoked co-seismic stress augmentations of 1.409 bar and postseismic stress increments of 0.159 bar.Noteworthy seismic events,such as the 1833 Songming,1877Shiping,1913 Eshan,and 1970 Tonghai earthquakes,catalyzed the occurrence of the Honghe earthquake.Areas of heightened future seismic risk include the southern region of the Red River Fault and the eastern segments of the Shiping-Jianshui and Qujiang faults.Additionally,we assessed the correlation between the spatial distribution of aftershocks and the Coulomb stress shift triggered by the mainshock,taking into account the influence of calculation parameter settings.

Lithospheric strength of the Anatolian plateau and implications for strong earthquake activity in Turkey

On February 6, 2023, the doublet earthquake including two main shocks with magnitudes M_(W)7.8 and M_(W)7.5, occurred near the western side of the East Anatolian Fault at the southeast boundary of the Anatolian Plateau in Turkey. Based on the WGM2012 Bouguer gravity anomaly data and the Etopo1topography data, this study first introduced a joint inversion of admittance and coherence functions and used the Bayesian optimal parameter estimation method to obtain the effective elastic thickness Teand loading ratio F of the lithosphere for various tectonic units in the Anatolian Plateau. Secondly, we discussed the characteristics and influencing factors of the lithospheric mechanical strength and analyzed its relationship with seismic activity. The lithospheric mechanical strength of the Anatolian Plateau showed clear lateral heterogeneity and a "weak-strong-weak" spatial pattern from east to west,reflecting various tectonic processes. At last, the strong seismic activity was found where the lithospheric strength was low in the Anatolian Plate. We also incorporated GPS strain rate and other results to investigate the tectonic background and primary causes of the M_(W)7.8 and M_(W)7.5 doublet earthquakes in Turkey. The results have a good insight into urban safety design in the Turkish region, including postdisaster rehabilitation, earthquake hazard assessment, and loss reduction.

Characterization and spatial analysis of coseismic landslides triggered by the Luding Ms 6.8 earthquake in the Xianshuihe fault zone, Southwest China

On September 5, 2022, a magnitude Ms 6.8 earthquake occurred along the Moxi fault in the southern part of the Xianshuihe fault zone located in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau,resulting in severe damage and substantial economic loss. In this study, we established a coseismic landslide database triggered by Luding Ms 6.8 earthquake, which includes 4794 landslides with a total area of 46.79 km^(2). The coseismic landslides primarily consisted of medium and small-sized landslides, characterized by shallow surface sliding. Some exhibited characteristics of high-position initiation resulted in the obstruction or partial obstruction of rivers, leading to the formation of dammed lakes. Our research found that the coseismic landslides were predominantly observed on slopes ranging from 30° to 50°, occurring at between 1000 m and 2500 m, with slope aspects varying from 90° to 180°. Landslides were also highly developed in granitic bodies that had experienced structural fracturing and strong-tomoderate weathering. Coseismic landslides concentrated within a 6 km range on both sides of the Xianshuihe and Daduhe fault zones. The area and number of coseismic landslides exhibited a negative correlation with the distance to fault lines, road networks, and river systems, as they were influenced by fault activity, road excavation, and river erosion. The coseismic landslides were mainly distributed in the southeastern region of the epicenter, exhibiting relatively concentrated patterns within the IX-degree zones such as Moxi Town, Wandong River basin, Detuo Town to Wanggangping Township. Our research findings provide important data on the coseismic landslides triggered by the Luding Ms 6.8 earthquake and reveal the spatial distribution patterns of these landslides. These findings can serve as important references for risk mitigation, reconstruction planning, and regional earthquake disaster research in the earthquake-affected area.

Preliminary report of the September 5,2022 M_(S) 6.8 Luding earthquake,Sichuan,China

The 2022 M_(S)6.8 Luding earthquake is the strongest earthquake in Sichuan Province, Western China, since the 2017 M_(S)7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake. It occurred on the Moxi fault in the southeastern segment of the Xianshuihe fault, a tectonically active and mountainous region with severe secondary earthquake disasters. To better understand the seismogenic mechanism and provide scientific support for future hazard mitigation, we summarize the preliminary results of the Luding earthquake, including seismotectonic background, seismicity and mainshock source characteristics and aftershock properties, and direct and secondary damage associated with the mainshock.The peak ground displacements in the NS and EW directions observed by the nearest GNSS station SCCM are ~35 mm and ~55 mm, respectively, resulting in the maximum coseismic dislocation of 20 mm along the NWW direction, which is consistent with the sinistral slip on the Xianshuihe fault. Back-projection of teleseismic P waves suggest that the mainshock rupture propagated toward south-southeast. The seismic intensity of the mainshock estimated from the back-projection results indicates a Mercalli scale of Ⅷ or above near the ruptured area,consistent with the results from instrumental measurements and field surveys. Numerous aftershocks were reported, with the largest being M_(S)4.5. Aftershock locations(up to September 18, 2022) exhibit 3 clusters spanning an area of 100 km long and 30 km wide. The magnitude and rate of aftershocks decreased as expected, and the depths became shallower with time. The mainshock and two aftershocks show left-lateral strike-slip focal mechanisms. For the aftershock sequence, the b-value from the Gutenberg-Richter frequency-magnitude relationship, h-value, and p-value for Omori’s law for aftershock decay are 0.81, 1.4, and 1.21, respectively, indicating that this is a typical mainshock-aftershock sequence. The low b-value implies high background stress in the hypocenter region. Analysis from remote sensing satellite images and UAV data shows that the distribution of earthquake-triggered landslides was consistent with the aftershock area. Numerous small-size landslides with limited volumes were revealed, which damaged or buried the roads and severely hindered the rescue process.

Review of the Research Progress on Static Earth Gravity Field and Vertical Datum in China during 2019—2023

The contribution presents the representative research progress on global static gravity field modeling,regional geoid/quasigeoid determination,vertical datum study,as well as the theory,algorithm and software for gravity field study in China from 2019 to 2023,which are the highlights of the chapter 6“Progress in Earth Gravity Model and Vertical Datum”in the“2019—2023 China National Report on Geodesy”that submitted to the International Association of Geodesy(IAG).In addition,suggestions are proposed to promote the research in the fields of earth gravity field,geoid/quasigeoid and vertical datumin China according to trends of international geodesy and related disciplines.

Earthquake-induced fracture displacements and transmissivity changes in a 3D fracture network of crystalline rock for spent nuclear fuel disposal

During the long service period of a nuclear waste repository in crystalline rock,large earthquake(s)may occur nearby the repository site and coseismically alter the local stress field around pre-existing fractures within the geological formation.The resulting fracture normal/shear displacements may lead to fracture opening and further promote the transport of leaked radionuclides into the groundwater system.Thus,it is of central importance to analyze the consequences of potential future earthquake(s)on the hydrogeological properties of a repository site for spent nuclear fuel disposal.Based on the detailed site characterization data of the repository site at Forsmark,Sweden,we conduct a three-dimensional(3D)seismo-hydro-mechanical simulation using the 3Dimensional Distinct Element Code(3DEC).We explicitly represent a primary seismogenic fault zone and its surrounding secondary fracture network associated with a power-law size scaling and a Fisher orientation distribution.An earthquake with a magnitude of M_(w)=5.6 caused by the reactivation of the primary fault zone is modeled by simulating its transient rupture propagating radially outwards from a predefined hypocenter at a specified rupture speed,with the faulting dynamics controlled by a strength weakening law.We model the coseismic response of the off-fault fracture network subject to both static and dynamic triggering effects.We further diagnose the distribution of fracture hydro-mechanical properties(e.g.mechanical/hydraulic aperture,hydraulic transmissivity)before and after the earthquake in order to quantify earthquakeinduced hydraulic changes in the fracture network.It is found that earthquake-induced fracture transmissivity changes tend to follow a power-law decay with the distance to the earthquake fault.Our simulation results and insights obtained have important implications for the long-term performance assessment of nuclear waste repositories in fractured crystalline rocks.

Transient postseismic slip and aftershock triggering:A case study of the 2008 M_W7.9 Wenchuan Earthquake,China

In this study,we investigate how a stress variation generated by a fault that experiences transient postseismic slip(TPS)affects the rate of aftershocks.First,we show that the postseismic slip from Rubin-Ampuero model is a TPS that can occur on the main fault with a velocity-weakening frictional motion,that the resultant slip function is similar to the generalized Jeffreys-Lomnitz creep law,and that the TPS can be explained by a continuous creep process undergoing reloading.Second,we obtain an approximate solution based on the Helmstetter-Shaw seismicity model relating the rate of aftershocks to such TPS.For the Wenchuan sequence,we perform a numerical fitting of the cumulative number of aftershocks using the Modified Omori Law(MOL),the Dieterich model,and the specific TPS model.The fitting curves indicate that the data can be better explained by the TPS model with a B/A ratio of approximately 1.12,where A and B are the parameters in the rate-and state-dependent friction law respectively.Moreover,the p and c that appear in the MOL can be interpreted by the B/A and the critical slip distance,respectively.Because the B/A ratio in the current model is always larger than 1,the model could become a possible candidate to explain aftershock rate commonly decay as a power law with a p-value larger than 1.Finally,the influence of the background seismicity rate r on parameters is studied;the results show that except for the apparent aftershock duration,other parameters are insensitive to r.

The cooling models of Earth’s early mantle

The thermal state of the early Earth’s interior and its way of cooling are crucial for its subsequent evo-lution.Earth is initially hot as it acquired enormous heat in response to violent processes during its formation,e.g.,the Moon-forming giant impact,the segregation and formation of its metallic core,the tidal interaction with the early Moon,and the decay of radioactive elements,etc.In the meantime,the cooling mechanisms of early Earth’s mantle remain elusive despite their importance,and the previously proposed cooling models of the mantle are controversial.In this paper,we first reviewed several prevalent parameter-ized thermal evolution models of the early mantle.The models give unrealistic predictions since they were estab-lished solely based on a single tectonic regime,such as the stagnant-lid regime,or relied on the disputable existence of the plate tectonics prior to-3.5 Ga.Then we argue that the mantle should have started to cool down from a very hot state after the solidification of the ferocious magma ocean.Instead of using one single scaling law to describe a single-stage model,we suggest that an episodic multi-stage cooling model(EMCM)of the early mantle could be more plausible to account for the mantle’s early cooling process.The model reconciles with the fact that the mantle cools down from a hot state prior to*3.5 Ga and can also explain the well-constrained post-3.5 Ga thermal history of the mantle.

Observation of free oscillations after the 2010 Chile and 2011 Japan earthquakes by superconducting gravimeter in Kutch,Gujarat,India

In this paper,we present observations of free oscillations of the Earth after major earthquakes in Chile(February 27,2010,Mw8.8)and Japan(March 11,2011,Mw9.1)using data from the dual-sphere superconducting gravimeter(SG-055),installed at Badargadh(23°0.47 N,70°0.62 E),Kutch,Gujarat,India in March 2009.To see the noise characteristics,we calculated the power spectral density of the gravity time series of 5 quiet days in the frequency band 0.05-20 mHz using the new low noise model(NLNM)as a reference.We compared the noise level of the Badargadh site to other SG sites around the world.This shows that the Badargadh SG is in a low noise state.We find that the noise increases at frequencies below 1 mHz.Such a characteristic is also observed in Djougou(Afrique,Benin)and Strasbourg(France).Using theoretical tides for Gujarat,we estimated a scale factor of about-814 nm/s~2/V for Gravl(lowersphere)and about-775 nm/s~2/V for Grav2(upper-sphere).We corrected the influence of atmospheric pressure from the one-second gravity data before switching to the frequency domain.We extracted a total of 53 Earth’s Free Oscillations(EFO)modes during the earthquake in Japan and about 47 EFO modes during the earthquake in Chile.We are able to extract the lowest0S2spheroidal mode(0.30945 mHz or54 min)and0S0radial mode(0.81439 mHz or 20 min).The longer time series shows individual0S2singlets and0S3(0.46855 mHz)singlets due to the Coriolis splitting effect.We cross-referenced the frequencies of these modes using the PREM model and previous global observations.The correlation coefficient between the observed and the PREM model for these two events are 0.999 for Japan earthquake and 0.993 for Chile earthquake.This validates the quality of the data useful for low-frequency studies in seismology.We also calculated the relative deviations of our observed fundamental modes with previously determined observed and theoretical values.We found that the relative deviations of our observed free oscillations do not exceed 0.5%,indicating good correlations.

A palaeoearthquake event and its age revealed by the travertine layer along the Litang fault in the southeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

The Litang fault(LTF),located in the southeast of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,is known for its high level of present-day seismicity,whereas its Pleistocene activity has been scarcely documented.This study focused on a tract of banded travertine deposits precipitated from thermal waters along the NW–SE-trending LTF trace.The role of travertine deposits in recording neotectonic activity has been studied by identifying their internal structure.Typical soft-sediment deformation structures observed within the banded travertines include micro folds,liquefied breccia,and liquefied diapirs.These deformed structures,which are restricted to a single unit separated unconformably by undeformed layers,can be traced for tens of meters,indicating that they were formed by seismic shaking triggered by LTF activity.The deformation of the banded travertine layers is attributed to the combined effects of seismic shaking,liquefaction,and fluidization,and it can be related to a paleo earthquake event with a magnitude of MS>5.The U-series ages obtained from the banded travertine deposits perturbed by the earthquakes are in the range of 130.59–112.94 ka,indicating an important fault-assisted neotectonic activity that occurred during the Middle–Late Pleistocene.Analysis of such structures,in combination with the use of U-series dating methods,can yield a reliable timing of neotectonic activity and provide new evidence for under-standing the seismotectonic setting of the Litang area.

Large Active Faults and the Wharton Basin Intraplate Earthquakes in the Eastern Indian Ocean

In recent years,great earthquakes occurred within the Wharton Basin in the eastern Indian Ocean,and they have been associa-ted with active faulting on the ancient oceanic crust.Large seismogenic faults were thought to be the fault reactivation on the ancient oceanic crust,but these phenomena are still unclear and require examination.This study used high-quality multibeam bathymetry and multichannel seismic data collected over the northern Ninetyeast Ridge to investigate detailed fault geometry,structure,and activity.We recognized 12 large linear active faults by integrating bathymetry maps and multichannel seismic reflection profiles.Our results showed that these faults have high angles,and they all displaced the basement and propagated to the seafloor with distinct fault scarps.They trended NWW-SEE with a spacing of 10–40km and were parallel to each other and the nearby subfault of the 2012 great intraplate earthquake,suggesting similar stress fields.These faults are also in agreement with the orientations of magnetic isochrons,implying their formation by seafloor spreading.Furthermore,regarding the strike-slip focal mechanism of 2012 earthquakes,we proposed that these faults were created early by a normal spreading process and then evolved into a strike-slip pattern since the ancient oceanic crust ap-proached the subduction zones.

Earthquake geochemical scientific expedition and research

Large earthquakes can cause both casualties and economic losses, but they also provide invaluable opportunities for earthquake scientific research. Geofluids, due to their wide distribution, sensitive response to underground conditions, and ease of observation, are widely applied in field investigations after earthquakes. Analyzing the origin of fluids, energy transfer processes, temperature/pressure conditions, and the spatial-temporal evolution of geofluids can provide valuable information concerning the mechanism of earthquake precursor anomalies, shortterm prediction methods, identification of the seismogenic faults, determination of earthquake risk, and the environmental impact of post-earthquake fluids. This article details post-earthquake scientific expeditions and research on fluid geochemistry in China and abroad, aimed at providing ideas and guidance for future scientific expedition work and geochemistry-related earthquake studies.

Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Natural and Anthropomorphic Effects, and Earth’s Changing Climate

This study will both compare and contrast the characteristics and roles of two pollutants: nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. It will begin by tracing each gas’ negative contributions to the Earth’s spheres, as well as relate any negative links that each plays concerning human activity, health, and interaction with the environment. It will include an in-depth analysis of what the proliferation of such toxic gases indicates about human production and causality, plus reflect on any current attempts being made to improve the effects of these pollutants on the environment. This examination will also inspect three NASA missions, i.e., MOPITT/Terra, AIRS/Aqua, and OMI/Aura, the aim of which, among many other tasks, is to detect pollutants within the Earth’s various spheres, as well as analyze weather anomalies, improve prediction methodology, and chronicle meteorological patterns for future study. It will also cover some of the goals, engineering breakthroughs, and in one case, the limitations, of these three satellite missions. Finally, it should be noted that in all stages of this discussion, the author’s main aim will be to focus on the positives that need to be implemented in order to improve the current situations that both anthropogenic and natural disasters have created for the planet.

A Five-stage Evolution of Earth's Phosphorus Cycle

Phosphorus(P)is a key biological nutrient and probably the ultimate limiter of marine productivity during Earth history.In recent years,a wealth of new knowledge has revolutionized our understanding of the global P cycle,yet its longterm evolution remains incompletely documented.In this paper,we review the effects of three major controlling factors on the long-term evolution of the global P cycle,i.e.,tectonics,marine redox conditions,and bio-evolution,on the basis of which a five-stage model is proposed:StageⅠ(>~2.4 Ga),tectonic-lithogenic-controlled P cycling;StageⅡ(~2.4 Ga to 635Ma),low-efficiency biotic P cycling;StageⅢ(~635 Ma to 380 Ma),transitional biotic P cycling;StageⅣ(~380 Ma to near-modern),high-efficiency biotic P cycling;and Stage V(Anthropocene),human-influenced P cycling.This model implies that the earlier-proposed Ediacaran reorganization of the marine P cycle may represent only the start of a-250-Myr-long transition of the Earth's P cycle(StageⅢ)between the low-efficiency biotic mode of the Proterozoic(StageⅡ)and the high-efficiency biotic mode of the Phanerozoic(StageⅣ).The development of biologically-driven,high-efficiency P cycling may have been a key factor for the increasing frequency and volume of phosphorite deposits since the late Neoproterozoic.

Earth Summit Mission 2022:Scientific Expedition and Research on Mt.Qomolangma Helps Reveal the Synergy between Westerly Winds and Monsoon and the Resulting Climatic and Environmental Effects

“Earth summit mission 2022”is one of the landmark scientific research activities of the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research(STEP).This scientific expedition firstly used advanced technology and methods to detect vertical meteorological elements and produce forecasts for mountain climbing.The“Earth summit mission 2022”Qomolangma scientific expedition exceeded an altitude of over 8000 meters for the first time and carried out a comprehensive scientific investigation mission on the summit of Mt.Qomolangma.Among the participants,the westerly–monsoon synergy and influence team stationed in the Mt.Qomolangma region had two tasks:1)detecting the vertical structure of the atmosphere for parameters such as wind,temperature,humidity,and pressure with advanced instruments for high-altitude detection at the Mt.Qomolangma base camp;and 2)observing extreme weather processes to ensure that members of the mountaineering team could successfully reach the top.Through this scientific expedition,a better understanding of the vertical structure and weather characteristics of the complex area of Mt.Qomolangma is gained.

自适应正则化滤波化极方法研究

化极是消除磁力异常斜磁化影响的关键步骤,可以在波数域(频率域)和空间域中实现.相比于空间域,在波数域(频率域)进行化极简单且高效,但在低纬度地区存在不稳定性问题,因此明确低纬度地区的范围,研究稳定、实用、精度高的低纬度地区化极方法具有重要意义.本文通过理论研究得出化极因子振幅的最大值为2时,对应的磁化倾角的值为±45°,当磁化倾角在该范围内时,引起化极不稳定.因此采用正则化思想,提出了自适应正则化滤波化极方法(ARF-RTP),该方法利用化极因子振幅构建正则化滤波函数,并以振幅值等于2作为约束计算化极方法的参数值,从而实现自适应化极处理,提高了化极方法的稳定性及实用性.同时结合迭代算法提高了此方法的精度,有效地解决了低纬度地区化极的不稳定性问题.自适应正则化滤波这一思想不但可以解决化极的不稳定性问题,而且可以解决分量转换或者磁化方向转换的不稳定性问题以及类似数据处理中的不稳定性问题,具有广阔的推广应用前景.

长江口滨海湿地有机碳循环过程及影响因素研究进展

滨海湿地是“蓝碳生态系统”的重要组成部分。综述了长江口滨海湿地土壤有机碳时空分布及含量、碳汇速率、有机碳横向输入输出通量及量化方法、有机碳循环定量分析模型以及有机碳储量和组分对不同影响因素所做出的动态响应规律,发现在土壤有机碳水平空间分布上,崇西湿地>崇明东滩>九段沙>南汇潮滩;有机碳通量和浓度变化主要受到植物生物量和结构、水和土壤的理化性质、陆源输入和潮汐动力、间隙水交换以及人类活动和全球气候变化的影响。未来应加强长江口湿地土壤碳库和有机碳输运通量统一观测,准确量化各主要因素对有机碳的贡献,这对研究盐沼湿地的碳循环机理和碳汇评估具有重要意义。

Differences in spring precipitation over southern China associated with multiyear La Ni?a events

Composite analyses were performed in this study to reveal the difference in spring precipitation over southern China during multiyear La Ni?a events during 1901 to 2015. It was found that there is significantly below-normal precipitation during the first boreal spring, but above-normal precipitation during the second year. The difference in spring precipitation over southern China is correlative to the variation in western North Pacific anomalous cyclone(WNPC), which can in turn be attributed to the different sea surface temperature anomaly(SSTA) over the Tropical Pacific. The remote forcing of negative SSTA in the equatorial central and eastern Pacific and the local air-sea interaction in the western North Pacific are the usual causes of WNPC formation and maintenance.SSTA in the first spring is stronger than those in the second spring. As a result, the intensity of WNPC in the first year is stronger, which is more likely to reduce the moisture in southern China by changing the moisture transport, leading to prolonged precipitation deficits over southern China. However, the tropical SSTA signals in the second year are too weak to induce the formation and maintenance of WNPC and the below-normal precipitation over southern China. Thus, the variation in tropical SSTA signals between two consecutive springs during multiyear La Ni?a events leads to obvious differences in the spatial pattern of precipitation anomaly in southern China by causing the different WNPC response.

A new species of Bostrychus (Gobiiformes: Eleotridae) from the East China Sea

DEAR EDITOR,Bostrychus,a genus in the family Eleotridae of the order Gobiiformes,was first established by Lacepède in 1801(Buffon,1801).Bostrychus currently contains seven recognized species,including two recent additions(B.microphthalmos and B.scalaris)described in 2005(Hoese&Kottelat,2005)and 2008(Larson,2008),respectively.The natural range of Bostrychus species extends from East Asia to Australia,with the exception of B.africanus,Steindachner,1879,which is distributed in West Africa(Herre,1946).Among the recognized species,B.sinensis,B.zonatus,and B.africanus are relatively widespread,inhabiting diverse areas from estuaries to freshwater streams,while B.scalaris is only found at a single mangrove site in the Selangor State of Malaysia(Larson,2008).The remaining three species exhibit a high degree of habitat specialization and are highly localized(Hoese&Kottelat,2005):B.microphthalmos inhabits a cave stream in the Maros karst of southern Sulawesi,B.aruensis is confined to freshwater environments in the Aru Islands of Indonesia,and B.strigogenys is found only in freshwater areas in southern Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya.