Geological Horizons Research Articles

Sand resource geology of the Southern North Carolina inner shelf

Beach nourishment is a popular engineering-with-nature (EWN) strategy used globally for shoreline stabilization and coastal storm damage reduction. Large-scale projects require dredging from offshore sand borrow sources. However, suitable sands for nourishment are not ubiquitous offshore, especially in sediment-starved southern NC. In 2015, >300 nautical miles (555 km) of sub-bottom, sidescan, bathymetry and 38 cores/grabs were collected in data gaps offshore southern NC and interpreted for geologic horizons and potential nourishment-compatible sand thickness. In addition, hundreds of paleochannels were mapped and evaluated for fill patterns and resource potential. Various forms of hardbottom were delineated, sometimes in close proximity to sand resources. Results show high spatial variability in the distribution of beach-compatible sands across the southern NC shelf, where only a thin sand veneer is observed in many locations, although some regions contained continuous deposits exceeding 3 m. The thickest shoal deposits (>5 m) were observed offshore New Hanover County Region. Underlying strata and bathymetry appear to affect channel shape and distribution. Channels with acoustically transparent fill may be suitable as nourishment sources, yet many channels show complex and variable fill suggestive of tidal and estuarine environments. Seafloor reconnaissance data are valuable in preventing multi-use conflicts on the shelf as shelf areas are increasingly being explored for other functions (e.g, wind farms, oil/gas, fish habitat). These findings provide a useful starting point for coastal managers seeking sufficient offshore sediment resources for nourishment in response to future storm events and sea-level rise.

ГЕОДИНАМІКА

Purpose. The aim of the research is mathematical analysis and forecasting of dispersive soils behaviour based on the study of inclinometric observations data in the area of the natural-technical system of the Dnister PSPP. Methodology. The research methodology is based on mathematical analysis and modelling of processes occurring in the mountain massif on which the Dnister PSPP is located, using the finite element method. Results. The paper presents an analysis of the results of geotechnical monitoring of the behaviour of dispersive soils, implemented on the basis of inclinometric measurements on the territory of the Dnister PSPP. Quantitative parameters of horizontal displacement distribution in inclinometric wells are established. They made it possible to detect negative dynamics in the geological horizons N1-2ap and N1p+v, which is apparently caused by technogenic load caused by the Dnister upper reservoir. The behaviour of dispersive soils under the influence of natural and technogenic loads has been modelled. Based on the simulation results, the change of the sign of deformations under the influence of additional load, which can be the filling of the Dnister upper reservoir, is confirmed. Obviously, the use of this method alone does not allow full detecting and tracking modern geological, seismic and geodynamic processes. A combination and detailed analysis of different monitoring methods (geophysical, geodetic, parametric, vibrometric, hydrogeological, temperature, visual-instrumental and others), as well as modelling the behaviour of the object under the influence of natural and technogenic factors is optimal. Such simulations could be used in the design of other objects of this type, so this is a promising area for further research. Originality. For the first time, a mathematical analysis and forecasting of the behaviour of dispersed soils in the area of the natural and technical system of the Dnister PSPP was conducted on the basis of studying the data of inclinometric observations. Practical significance. The proposed technique can be used in the design of other objects of this type, as modelling the behaviour of the object under the influence of natural and technogenic factors makes it possible to assess possible risks and prevent them.

ارزیابی ساختاری میدان نفتی سیری با استفاده از دادههای لرزهای و چاه پیمایی

The main purpose of this study is to investigate and structureral analyzes of Sirri oil field by subsurface geophysical data. In order to Seismic interpretation from 3 seismic lines (LL3, LL4 and LL5) picked up by Iranian Offshore Oil Company and SIC-1 well Data was used. In addition to interpreting the geological horizons and understanding the stratigraphic-structural evolution of the region they have also been used. The study area is located in the south of Iran and in the Persian Gulf. In this study, the geological analysis of the area has been studied by two-dimensional seismic surveying method and petrophysical images (up to Darian Formation) and Petrel software. The results show that the rising of the salt dome related to the Hormuz series has affected the overlying Formations in these field, and has created a dome shaped state for most of the Formations. Rising of the salt and folding of the sediments eventually resulted in faulting of the sediments. During the study and measurement of the angle between the edges, it was found that 15.2% of the folds are open and 84.8% are of the soft folds.

The Slope-Attribute-Regularized High-Resolution Prestack Seismic Inversion

Prestack seismic inversion can be regarded as an optimization problem, which minimizes the error between the observed and synthetic data under the premise of certain geological/geophysical a priori information constraints. It has been proved to be a powerful approach for reconstructing the subsurface properties and building the elastic parameter models (e.g., P- and S-wave velocity, and density). With respect to the specific expressions of a priori information, the starting model and regularization are expected to be the most widely used and indispensable constraints to reconstruct structural features and subsurface properties. The conventional prestack inversion (trace-by-trace) methods perform well when the geological structure of the target area is not too complex. However, due to the lack of lateral constraint, such trace-independent methods are inevitably limited by their capability of characterization (including accuracy, resolution, and robustness) in the case of geologically complex structures, such as tilted stratum and steep faults. The geological structure-guided constraint, herein referred to as the seismic slope attribute, can be exploited as a lateral constraint integrated into the prestack inversion algorithm. In this work, the seismic slope attribute is introduced to the amplitude variation with offset/angle inversion from two aspects, i.e., starting model building and regularization penalty. Firstly, using the seismic slope attribute, instead of the traditional manual interpreted geological horizons, as a constraint, the well-log data are interpolated to build the initial model. The interpolation algorithm is formulated as solving the inverse problem by using the shaping regularization method rather than the kriging-based algorithm. Secondly, by rotating the coordinate system according to the seismic slope attribute, the directional total variation regularization is used as a constraint to improve the resolution (in both vertical and horizontal directions) and lateral continuity of the inversion results. Finally, the proposed methods are applied to synthetic and real seismic data. Synthetic tests and field data applications demonstrate that the proposed method is capable of revealing complex structural features and achieving stabilized inversion of multi-parameters with less uncertainty.

Assessing natural versus anthropogenic horizons through deposit modelling strategies at the Medieval Site of Santa Margarida (Martorell, Barcelona, Spain)

AbstractGeophysical surveys have been one of the most useful tools for non‐invasive archaeological field assessment. Whereas they have been regularly put into practice at the archaeological site of Santa Margarida (Martorell, Barcelona, Spain), the particular features of the site required a more specific strategy to identify the contact interface between anthropogenic and natural deposits and, therefore, to conclude the archaeological excavation. As the archaeological site is settled on Quaternary alluvia at the confluence of two rivers, and in the absence of built structures in some areas, it was extremely difficult to distinguish between anthropic layers and those silty or sandy natural deposits during fieldwork. Extensive soil survey by means of borehole logging, full‐coring, and Dynamic Penetrometer Super Heavy testing within this site has proved to be a useful strategy to identify the geological horizon and to map the original relief of past landscape before excavation tasks. This enabled us to plan our fieldwork better and to interpret particular features of the site. This paper aims at summarising the results of recent surveys and discussing the potential of this approach for the study of rural settlements and agrarian landscapes in the Middle Age.

InCorr: Interactive Data-Driven Correlation Panels for Digital Outcrop Analysis.

Geological analysis of 3D Digital Outcrop Models (DOMs) for reconstruction of ancient habitable environments is a key aspect of the upcoming ESA ExoMars 2022 Rosalind Franklin Rover and the NASA 2020 Rover Perseverance missions in seeking signs of past life on Mars. Geologists measure and interpret 3D DOMs, create sedimentary logs and combine them in 'correlation panels' to map the extents of key geological horizons, and build a stratigraphic model to understand their position in the ancient landscape. Currently, the creation of correlation panels is completely manual and therefore time-consuming, and inflexible. With InCorr we present a visualization solution that encompasses a 3D logging tool and an interactive data-driven correlation panel that evolves with the stratigraphic analysis. For the creation of InCorr we closely cooperated with leading planetary geologists in the form of a design study. We verify our results by recreating an existing correlation analysis with InCorr and validate our correlation panel against a manually created illustration. Further, we conducted a user-study with a wider circle of geologists. Our evaluation shows that InCorr efficiently supports the domain experts in tackling their research questions and that it has the potential to significantly impact how geologists work with digital outcrop representations in general.

Каменные индустрии ранних этапов среднего палеолита стоянки Дарвагчай-Залив-4 (исследования 2021 года)

The territory of Primorsky Dagestan is one of the places on the Eurasian continent, where a constant and massive presence of Neanderthal populations in antiquity was noted. In particular, this is evidenced by a large number of Middle Paleolithic sites in a relatively small territory of the Darvagchay geoarchaeological region (Southeastern Dagestan), discovered and studied in the last decade. This article is devoted to the results of the latest studies of the Middle Paleolithic complexes of the Darvagchay-Zaliv-4 site, the materials of which belong to the early stages of the Middle Paleolithic and significantly supplement the evidence material of this cultural-chronological period in the territory of the North-Eastern Caucasus. In the field season of 2021, two sets of artifacts related to different stages of the Middle Paleolithic were discovered at the site. The age of the geological horizons, where they were discovered, was previously based on the results of absolute dating by OSL. The stone industry of the first complex is characterized by the Levallois technique and a typical Middle Paleolithic toolkit; artifacts were located in horizon 1c. Chronologically, the time of its existence is determined by the period of the Riess-Wurm (Eem, Mikulino) interglacial, in the range of 120-110 ka BP (MIS 5e). Artifacts of another complex, discovered at the site for the first time, were found in the middle part of Layer 2 (light loam, loess). Aeolian-deluvial processes played a leading role in sedimentation here. The technical and typological characteristics of a small collection of stone products make it possible to attribute it to the earliest stages of the Middle Paleolithic. The age of the culture-bearing horizon was based on a series of the OSL dates in the range of 200-180 ka BP (MIS 8).

Хронология и периодизация палеолитических комплексов Северо-Восточного Кавказа (по материалам стоянки Дарвагчай-Залив-4)

The article presents the results of interdisciplinary research at the Darvagchai- Zaliv-4 site. Long-term excavations at the site have revealed archaeological evidence confirming the presence of three complexes of artifacts belonging to different periods. A preliminary chronological framework of stone industries has been proposed based on malacofaunal analysis and paleomagnetic studies. For establishing the exact age, absolute dating of all geological horizons of the site was carried out using the OSL method, yielding thirteen dates which make it possible to determine the age of cultural horizons at the site. The collection of artifacts from the first complex is distinguished by Levallois splitting technique and typical Middle Paleolithic toolkit; the artifacts were located in the paleosoil horizon (layer 1b). Chronologically, this horizon belongs to the Riess-Wurm (Eem, Mikulin) interglacial in the interval of 125,000-110,000 BP (MIS 5e). Artifacts of another complex discovered in layer 3 (pebble-gravel deposits) belong to the Final Acheulean. Their age corresponds to the chronological range of 250,000-220,000 BP (MIS 7). The collection of stone objects from layer 5 (sea pebbles and sands) belongs to the Late Acheulean and testifies to the earliest appearance of ancient humans in that territory in 370,000-330,000 BP (MIS 11-10).

Calibration Method of Petroleum Underground Horizon Based on High Precision Gravity and Magnetic Exploration

Because the high-precision calibration results of the petroleum underground layer are of great significance for oil production efficiency, research on the calibration method of the petroleum underground layer based on high precision gravity and magnetic exploration is researched. The gravity magnetic model is used to retrieve the bedrock depth, and the results of the basement structure and sedimentary rock distribution of the gravity and magnetic geology in the petroleum underground horizon of the Tongbai basin are obtained. On this basis, the geological data, logging data, seismic data, and VSP data are comprehensively used, and the layered calibration method is used to calibrate the petroleum underground layer of the Tongbai basin. Considering the seismic datum and the core elevation in the area, the rock formation is divided by various logging curves. The average time difference and density of the divided rock layers are interpolated at equal depth intervals to obtain velocity sequences and density sequences at equal time intervals and finally realize time-depth conversion. When the drilling geological horizon is unified, the synthetic record of the seismic reflection layer is compared with the geological horizon to realize the horizon calibration of the seismic reflection layer. When the local stratification is not uniform, the seismic reflection layer is calibrated by tracking the seismic reflection layer, high-precision velocity analysis, and various synthetic records to verify the reliability of the geological horizon. The results show that the proposed method can accurately survey the geological conditions of the Tongbai basin. It detected 14 basement faults, and the NW-trending and NE-trending faults controlled the basin, while the north-south faults controlled the later evolution of the basin. The method can be used for the horizon calibration of inclined wells, which is suitable not only for anisotropic media but also for formations with a less lateral variation of local formation lithology. Moreover, its usage is flexible, and it can be corrected by multiple speed data.

Mechanical behavior of carbonate reservoirs with single karst cavities

In recent years, operational issues during the exploration of Pre-salt reservoirs have aroused the interest of the Brazilian oil and gas industry in studying karstification and its effect on carbonate reservoirs. Since then, a massive research effort was dedicated to the geology of the Brazilian onshore karstified carbonate formations; however, geomechanical modeling of reservoirs with karstic cavities remains unexplored in the literature. This work analyzes the mechanical behavior of karstified carbonate reservoirs during the hydrocarbon production period. A synthetic case study based on real geologic horizons of a Brazilian basin is carried out to predict the mechanical response of the reservoir and surroundings. The presence of a preexistent cavity developing around the reservoir symmetry axis is postulated. Different scenarios of karstic geometry and filling material are considered. Results focus on reservoir compaction, surface subsidence, and stress paths in regions of interest of the reservoir, caprocks, and cavity wall. Comparative results show that the horizontal extension of the cavity and the compressibility of the filling material play an important role in reservoir integrity. The qualitative results are useful for the oil and gas industry in terms of identifying problematic regions for wells and establishing loading limits. The findings and the preliminary results of this innovative work shall guide further advanced analyses, especially in the area of dolines generation from karstic cavities.

Geothermal Heat Supply in Russia

Geothermal heat supply occupies the second place among the renewable energy sources around the world in installed capacity (70.3 GW) and in the amount of generated thermal energy (163 (TW h)/year). It is outperformed only by solar heat supply (480 GW and 395 (TW h)/year). The use of geothermal heat involves the need to drill wells and fulfill special requirements for development of geothermal fields and construction of heat-supply systems. There are deep (more than 400-m deep) and shallow geothermal heat-supply systems (GHSSs). More than 66 geothermal fields have been explored in 11 regions of Russia, and the operating reserves total more than 300 000 m3/day. The installed capacity of Russian GHSSs totals 310 MW. Differences between open- and closed-loop GHSSs are pointed out. For open-loop GHSSs, their typical process circuit arrangements implemented in Krasnodar krai and in the cities of Kizlyar and Makhachkala are presented. The GHSS process circuits with the use of heat pumps (HPs) for recovering the heat of spent geothermal water and systems operating in combination with solar units are considered. Systems that use highly mineralized geothermal heat carriers from different geological horizons with heating of sweet water, as well as GHSSs with pumpless circulation of heat carrier, are described. The article gives examples of GHSSs equipped with geothermal circulation systems (GCSs) implemented in the Khankala geothermal field in the city of Grozny, including the double GCS with the design capacity equal to 8.7 MW and the GCS in the Medvedevka settlement in the Dzhankoi raion of Crimea, a distinctive feature of which is that it uses wellhead methane for generating electricity and for additionally heating the heat carrier in the peaking modes of operation. In constructing open- and closed-loop surface GHSSs, heat pumps are commonly used. In the first case, the heat of underground or surface water bodies is used, while horizontal or vertical heat exchangers are applied in the second case. Examples of geothermal heat-supply systems are given: the surface GHSS in the city of Makhachkala, in which ground heat exchangers in combination with solar units are used, and the GHSS in the city of Krasnodar, which serves for heating an administrative building and for cooling it in summer. The key scientific–technical problems requiring further investigations and development for constructing efficient and competitive geothermal heat-supply systems in different regions of the country are formulated.

Automated method for determination of geological horizons nonconformity according to three-dimensional seismic data

In complicated geological media mapping of faults according to wave seismic field often becomes difficult. In algorithm of preliminary processing of seismic data spatial summation of traces is present that leads to «corrosion» of exact location of the fault. Automated method is proposed for identification of faults in three-dimensional body of seismic data of logarithmic decrements of fading (LDF) obtained solving of inverse problem of seismic. Resolvability of LDF data is comparable with resolving ability of initial seismic records.As a result, the analysis is conducted not only taking into account reflecting features of the medium but also with its absorbing properties.Abrupt change of absorption in minor spatial interval is a good identifying attribute of the presence of non-conformable lean-vertical occurrence of geological horizons. Deep and spatial distribution of identified fault structures is an additional argument supporting their existence.We used as an example the materials of detailed seismic mapping of МОГТ 3D conducted by «Ukrgeophysisc» in thin-layer mining field of «Krasnolimanskaya» mine. Geological section of this area is specific by its complexity because of the presence of thrust-shear geological structures related to tension and subsequent compression of these territories that lead to appearance of large amount of deep faults and local fissures.In consolidated geological medium gradient of change of logarithmic gradient of fading will become minor and function of absorption mainly consists of low-speed harmonics. The presence of shear faults leads whereas to abrupt change of absorbing properties of the medium and to appearance of local high-speed oscillations. It is possible to find out the presence of such low-amplitude non-stationary processes in harmonic functions using wavelet analysis. Therefore the paper presents a method that makes possible to find out fault-related decompaction zones in three-dimensional data 3D CDP of the mine field «Krasnolimanskaya 5,25 km2 consisting of almost 27,5 million values reflecting different physical properties of the medium.

A right whale (Mysticeti, Balaenidae) from the Pleistocene of Taiwan

Current patterns of biological distribution result from the deep past. Of particular interest, some closely related species appear at high latitudes of both hemispheres, but not in between, a pattern known as antitropical distribution. However, the timing, pathway, and drivers of antitropical distributions remain mostly unknown. Here we describe a new fossil, a left tympanic bulla (part of the ear bones), from the Middle/Late Pleistocene (0.78–0.01 mya, but not excluding the possibility of Holocene in age, as the specimen was dredged from the sea bottom and the geological horizon remains uncertain) of Taiwan. The tympanic bulla is diagnostic in baleen whales, and this specimen shows morphological features that are identical to extant Eubalaena, including: relatively large size (the anteroposterior length is 117 mm); rectangular outline in medial view; short anterior lobe, judging from the remaining of the lateral furrow; squared anterior margin; prominent transverse crease on the involucrum; transversely compressed in anterior view; well-developed and rounded outer lip; and parallel involucral and main ridges. Although incomplete, the morphological characters and overall similarity to extant Eubalaena allow a reliable taxonomic assignment to Eubalaena sp. The occurrence of a Pleistocene Eubalaena on the southern margin of the western North Pacific is the first balaenid fossil evidence indicative of the biotic interchange between two hemispheres leading to the origin of antitropical distribution in the Pleistocene; alternatively, this specimen might merely represent an extra-limital record of the North Pacific Eubalaena. Furthermore, this find suggests that the Eubalaena interchange, being one of the largest species displaying antitropical distribution pairs in the history of life, likely took place along the western Pacific. Notably, this does not preclude the Eubalaena interchange from other routes, such as the eastern Pacific or the Atlantic Ocean, and future finds should test the scenario for the biotic interchange between Northern and Southern Hemispheres of Eubalaena.

Geostatistical Approach for Groundwater Quality Evaluation in Zarin Abad Plain, Iran

Background and Purpose: This study was undertaken, first, to investigate the hydrogeological setting of the study area and geophysical data, second to examine the general nature of the groundwater quality. In this regard, ordinary Kriging, Co-Kriging, and Inverse Weighted Distance (IWD) strategies were applied to develop spatial variability maps, and study the fluctuations in groundwater quality parameters in Zarin Abad plain, Zanjan Province, Iran in 2017-2018.
 Materials and methods: To inquire the groundwater quality parameters, samples were provided from 61 shallow and deeply drilled observed wells in Zarin Abad Goltapeh plain. The studies were carried out by using geostatistical methods to find out the most applicable method, which can be used to develop spatial variability maps in order to study the changes in groundwater quality parameters (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42-, HCO3-, Cl- and EC). The local geophysical, geological, and hydrogeological surveys were precisely accomplished to specify the architecture of various subsurface geological horizons. In addition, a geophysical investigation with a Schlumberger configuration was performed in the study region for the purpose of field data generation.
 Results: Based on key results, the values of electrical conductivity (EC) were recorded within the range of 480 and 6580 μS/cm. The order of major cations and anions were Na+>Ca2+>Mg2+ and SO42->Cl->HCO3-, respectively. It is worthwhile mentioning that groundwater salinity was found to be dependent upon factors, such as water long residence time and minerals dissolution.
 Conclusion: To assess the spatial distribution in groundwater parameters, the variable mode was used. The results obtained from Kriging, Co-Kriging, and IDW methods were then evaluated by the error indices of RMSE and MAE. Co-Kriging Model was the most optimal approach in studying the spatial variation of groundwater quality parameters.

A „Kapos-vonal” középső szakaszának szerkezeti-mélyföldtani viszonyai és neotektonikai jellegei a legújabb geofizikai vizsgálatok tükrében

Tanulmányunkban a Kapos-vonal középső szakaszának legújabb geofizikai vizsgálatainak eredményeit tekintjük át. Munkánkkal tavaly ősszel elhunyt Kollégánk, Barátunk, Tanárunk és Mesterünk — Prof. Dr. Horváth Ferenc — emléke előtt tisztelgünk. A kutatási területen elérhető korábbi és újonnan mért 2D/3D reflexiós szeizmikus és fúrási adatok integrációjával komplex adatbázist alakítottunk ki, amelynek értelmezésével földtanilag és geometriailag egyaránt konzisztens, új 3D földtani-tektonikai modellt hoztunk létre. A modell a vizsgált terület földtani felépítésének alapvonásait szem előtt tartva öt meghatározó jelentőségű földtani horizont (prekainozoos aljzat-tető, alsó-miocén tető, középső-miocén tető, Endrődtető, Algyő-tető) és az értelmezett vetők téradatrendszerét tartalmazza. A kialakított 3D modell alapján elvégeztük a korábbi vizsgálatokkal nyert földtani-szerkezeti kép felülvizsgálatát, és azt szükség szerint módosítottuk, illetve pontosítottuk/kiegészítettük.A kutatás mélyföldtani szempontból legfontosabb eredményei közé tartozik a kristályos és mezozoos aljzat képződmények szerkezeti, elterjedési és kifejlődési viszonyainak reambulációja a lemélyült új szerkezetkutató fúrások és a szeizmikus adatrendszer integrált értelmezése alapján. Ugyancsak alapvető jelentőségű a markáns kora-miocén riftesedés kimutatása, amely során intenzív, többfázisú mészalkáli vulkáni működés, illetve egyidejű kontinen tális üledékképződés zajlott a létrejött, helyenként akár 2 km mélységű süllyedékekben. Mindez tágabb kontextusban a Pannon-medence korábban kevésbé ismert (és hangsúlyozott) kora-miocén kialakulási szakaszának jelentőségére hívja fel a figyelmet. A vetőtérképezés eredményei alapján a szűkebb kutatási terület meghatározó vetőzónái a KÉK–NyDNy-i csapású „Kapos-vonal”, továbbá az ÉK–DNy-i csapású Dunaszentgyörgy–Harta és az ezen kutatás során először térképezett Bonyhádi vetőzóna, amelyeket mind meredek dőlés (≥60–70°) jellemez. A Bonyhádi vetőzóna délnyugati irányban a Mecsek északi pikkelyzónájához csatlakozik. A terület szerkezeti képét összességében a fentiekkel többnyire (közel) párhuzamos törések uralják, míg az előbbiekre kb. merőleges ÉÉNy–DDK-i csapású, szerkezetileg kevésbé jelentős törések főként a Kapos-vonaltól délre jelentkeznek.Eredményeink alapján geometriai-szerkezeti értelemben egységes Kapos-vonal nem létezik: e vetőzóna a kutatási területen ugyanis egy nyugati („Kapos-Ny”) és egy keleti szegmensre („Kapos-K”) bontható, amelyek mind dőlés irányban, mind az észlelt neotektonikus aktivitásban — összhangban a korábbi szakirodalmi adatokkal — markánsan különböznek. A vizsgált területen élénk neotektonikus aktivitást mutató Kapos-K, Dunaszentgyörgy–Harta és Bonyhádi vetőrendszerek regionális léptékben egy ÉK–DNy-i és KÉK–NyDNy-i csapású elemekből felépülő, széles nyírási zónát körvonalaznak, amely a neotektonikus fázisban balos eltolódásként működött. Ezt igazolja az egyes vetőzónákban megfigyelt tipikus „virágszerkezetet” mutató belső struktúra, továbbá a kapcsolódó másodlagos formaelemek (Riedel-törések) is.A kialakított 3D modell eredményeinek figyelembevételével telepített nagyfelbontású 2D és pszeudo-3D sekélygeofizikai vizsgálatok, valamint az ezek eredményei alapján kijelölt árkolás és sekélyfúrások adatai bizonyították a Dunaszentgyörgy–Harta vetőzóna negyedidőszaki, sőt az árkolás eredményei szerint késő-negyedidőszaki aktivitását, hiszen a kutatóárokban feltárt késő-pleisztocén végi futóhomok tektonikus eredetű deformációja jelentkezett. A fiatalnegyedidőszaki tektonikai aktivitást a kutatási területen számos további korábbi, illetve a jelen kutatáshoz kapcsolódó, de e tanulmányban nem részletezett neotektonikai megfigyelés is alátámasztja. Mindezen eredmények a szak irodalomban a Kapos-vonal keleti szakaszáról (Duna–Tisza köze és Tiszántúl) közölt tektonikai adatokkal és értelmezésselteljes összhangban állnak.A tanulmányunkban ismertetett eredmények a Paks II földtani kutatási programjának (FKP) keretében 2015–2016 során elvégzett földtani-geofizikai kutatásokhoz kapcsolódnak.

New electron spin resonance (ESR) ages from Geißenklösterle Cave: A chronological study of the Middle and early Upper Paleolithic layers

Geißenklösterle Cave (Germany) is one of the most important Paleolithic sites in Europe, as it is characterized by human occupation during the Middle and early Upper Paleolithic. Aurignacian layers prior to 37–38 ka cal BP feature both musical and figurative art objects that are linked to the early arrival in Europe of Homo sapiens. Middle Paleolithic layers yielded lithic artifacts attributed to Homo neanderthalensis. Since human occupation at the site is attributed to both Neanderthals and modern humans, chronology is essential to clarify the issues of Neanderthal disappearance, modern human expansion in Europe, and the origin of the Aurignacian in Western Europe. Electron spin resonance (ESR) dating was performed on fossil tooth enamel collected from the Middle Paleolithic layers, which are beyond the radiocarbon dating range, and from the nearly sterile ‘transitional’ geological horizon (GH) 17 and the lower Aurignacian deposits, to cross-check ESR ages with previous radiocarbon, thermoluminescence and ESR age results. The Middle Paleolithic layers were dated between 94 ± 10 ka (GH 21) and 55 ± 6 ka (GH 18) by ESR on tooth enamel. Mean ages for GH 17, at 46 ± 3 ka, and for the lower Aurignacian layers, at 37 ± 3 ka, are in agreement with previous dating results, thus supporting the reliability of ESR chronology for the base of the sequence where dating comparisons are not possible. These results suggest that Neanderthals occupied the site from Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5 to the second half of MIS 3 and confirm the antiquity of early Aurignacian deposits. The presence of an almost sterile layer that separates Middle and Upper Paleolithic occupations could be related to the abandonment of the site by Neanderthals, possibly during Heinrich Stadial 5 (ca. 49–47 ka), thus before the arrival of H. sapiens in the area around 42 ka cal BP. These dates for the Middle Paleolithic of the Swabian Jura represent an important contribution to the prehistory of the region, where nearly all of the excavations were conducted decades ago and prior to the development of reliable radiometric dating beyond the range of radiocarbon.

The Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition in Hohlenstein-Stadel cave (Swabian Jura, Germany): A comparison between ESR, U-series and radiocarbon dating

The Swabian Jura is a key region for the early Aurignacian. Sites such as Geißenklösterle, Hohle Fels, Vogelherd and Hohlenstein-Stadel have produced the earliest evidence of figurative and musical art, such as ivory figurines and flutes made of bone and ivory, attributed to Homo sapiens. To date, radiocarbon (14C) and thermoluminescence dating have been applied in the region, providing a precise chronology for the Upper Palaeolithic levels, especially the Aurignacian. At Hohlenstein-Stadel, Upper and late Middle Palaeolithic levels were dated using 14C. This study focuses on the chronology of the Middle Palaeolithic levels of this site using electron spin resonance (ESR) on herbivorous tooth enamel, in order to constrain the timing of the earliest human occupation at the cave, attributed to Neanderthals. An age was also obtained for the early Aurignacian level, allowing a comparison with available 14C ages. Furthermore, U-series dating was applied to three samples from a flowstone located at the base of the sequence, in order to provide a maximum age (terminus post quem) for the beginning of human occupation at the cave. ESR results obtained on the Middle Palaeolithic levels ranged from 40 ± 5 ka to 35 ± 3 ka (weighted mean ages), suggesting that these levels were deposited during a short period of time. The early Aurignacian level (Geological Horizon, GH, Au) was dated by ESR to 34 ± 11 ka, in agreement with previously published 14C dates, despite a large error range due to the heterogeneity of the sedimentological environment. The flowstone overlying the oldest deposit at the base of the stratigraphy was dated to between 351 ± 10 ka (MIS 10–9) and 229 ± 10 ka (MIS 7), providing a maximum age for the deposits. These new chronological data confirm that Neanderthals occupied Hohlenstein-Stadel during MIS 3. Radiocarbon ages suggest that the replacement of Neanderthals by Homo sapiens occurred during a brief period of time, probably before or during Heinrich Stadial 4 (around 40–38 ka).

Dissecting and Interpreting a Three-Dimensional Ground-Penetrating Radar Dataset: An Example from Northern Australia.

A robust 3-D GPR dataset provides interpreters with a variety of methods for extracting important information at buried archaeological sites. An iterative approach that uses reflection profile analysis, amplitude slice-mapping, and often both in conjunction is often necessary as neither method by itself is sufficient. In northern Australia, two constructed mounds contain a number of cultural and geological horizons and features, which can be imaged with GPR. The reflection profiles display the modified ground surface prior to mound construction and some initial construction layers. On the pre-mound surface, amplitude maps of reflective layers that were built-up on the ground surface indicate that they were constructed in an intentional manner. Those surfaces were later covered by sand to produce mounds used for human burial. Human internments in the mound can only be seen in reflection profiles, but once discovered, the profiles can be re-sliced to produce high definition amplitude images of these remains. No one method of analysis can provide an overall interpretation of these complex internal mound features. When the methods are varied, depending on the results of one method, a detailed and varied analysis of certain aspects of the mounds’ internal features are visible, leading to the generation of a number of hypotheses about how this area of northern Australia was used in the past. The 3-D data from GPR shows that this area was an important location on the landscape in the past, and was modified by the construction of a monumental mound, which was then used for human burials, and more recently, the construction of what was likely a ritual enclosure.

ІНФОРМАТИВНІСТЬ МАГНІТНИХ МЕТОДІВ ПРИ МОНІТОРИНГУ ПРИРОДНО-ТЕХНОГЕННИХ ПРОЦЕСІВ, ЯКІ ПОВ'ЯЗАНІ З ОБ'ЄКТАМИ КРИТИЧНОЇ ІНФРАСТРУКТУРИ

Presented are the results of research studies with the attracting of the GIS and geophysical methods for solving the problems of monitoring of dangerous natural and man-made processes at the areas of the critical infrastructure objects location. The possible ways of the magnetic methods applied for the critical infrastructure objects monitoring were considered. The natural and man-made processes associated with the critical infrastructure were defined. Among them are the objects that can influence the changes in soils, atmospheric air composition, as well as near-surface geological horizons. The most important objects are the energy enterprises, chemical industry, transport network, and landslide areas. The "Rzhyshchev" section and the "Grebeni" site were used as testing objects of the landslide critical infrastructure. According to the results of processing of cosmoimages and measurements of lateral and vertical distributions of magnetic susceptibility of soils and near-surface geological horizons, the classification of territory risks has been carried out. The territory of the cliff on the slopes of the Dnieper is the most potentially dangerous. Anthropogenically impacted natural and man-made territory of the field road and private economy has received an average category of risks. The most risky part of the site are the elements of the landscape, which are located on the land with a minimum slope, the absence of anthropogenic loading, agricultural land and virgin land. Magnetic methods proved to be rapid, effective and low-cost technology for the study of natural and man-made processes associated with objects of critical infrastructure. The integration with other geophysical, soil science methods, and GIS technologies are required.

Lithology and U–Pb Geochronology of Basement of Cenozoic Yitong Basin in Northeastern China: Implication for Basin Architecture and New Horizon of Deep Natural Gas Exploration

The lithology and formation age of basement rocks are significant for the understanding of the nature of basin architecture, evolution and the potential of hydrocarbons of a basin. In this study, the basement lithology of the Cenozoic Yitong Basin is investigated through the petrological analysis of cores, cuttings, and thin sections. The results suggest that the basement rocks of the Yitong Basin are mostly composed of unique igneous rocks that are different from nearby basins’ sedimentary and metamorphic basement. The igneous rocks are dominated by intrusive monzonite granite and alkali feldspar granite. Additionally, U–Pb zircon geochronology of basement samples by LA-ICP-MS and the geological interpretation of apparent resistivity data indicate that the igneous basement in major part of the basin was mainly formed by a lateral intrusion of granite into the Permian sedimentary stratum in the Yanshanian period from 177 to 170 Ma. The results also reveal the two-layer basin architecture with coal-bearing Carboniferous–Permian strata below the igneous basement covered with Tertiary sediments, thus providing a new geologic horizon for deep natural gas exploration in the older coal-bearing sedimentary rocks beneath the current igneous basement.