Northern Boundary Research Articles

Constraints on the process and mode of the Paleo-Asian Ocean closure from the lithospheric conductivity structure of the south-eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Paleo-Asian Ocean eventually closed along the Solonker Suture Zone during the Late Permian and Early Triassic, before the collision between the Siberian Craton and the North China Craton (NCC) formed the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). In this paper, Magnetotelluric (MT) profile data across the south-eastern CAOB and the northern margin of the NCC are explored to image the two-dimensional resistivity structure of the region. According to the resistivity model, a north-dipping conductive layer to the north of the Xilinhot fault and a south-dipping conductive layer to the south of the Linxi fault are revealed. The two conductors are interpreted as evidence of the late-stage low-angle bidirectional subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean, which constrains the northern and southern deep boundaries of the Solonker Suture Zone. Another couple of mantle conductors with opposite dipping angles are revealed under the Solonker Suture Zone and Bainaimiao Belt, which are interpreted as evidence of the early-stage high-angle bidirectional subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. Compared with the results from previously reported MT profiles in this area, the subduction angle becomes more gentle from west to east. The difference of convergence rate between the NCC and the Siberian Craton is considered to be the major cause of the closure difference along the strike. The northern margin of the NCC has a conductive lower crust, which may result from the magma underplating or crust-mantle decoupling, as it is imaged to be connected with the south-dipping conductive layer beneath the Solonker Suture Zone.

Hydrochemical characteristics and paleoclimate changes recorded from Sugan Lake on the northern boundary of Tibetan Plateau since mid-Holocene

The Qaidam Basin, located in the northern Tibetan Plateau, is one of the three largest interior basins in China. It is surrounded by Kunlun, Altun and Qilian mountains with arid climate, sparsely vegetated landscape and a fragile ecological environment. Investigations on Holocene climate variations in this northern part of the Tibetan Plateau are essential for a better understanding of regional climate dynamics. A mid-Holocene sediment record from Sugan Lake in the Qaidam Basin was investigated using the grain size, mineral, total organic matter content (TOC), C:N ratio (C/N) and element analyses. A depth-age model since ∼ 7750 cal a BP had been made based on 8 AMS 14C data after taking out 2200 years carbon reservoir effect. SO42--type water and sparse terrestrial vegetation with considerable evaporation caused by high temperature during the Holocene Megathermal Maximum were recorded from ca. 7750 to 5800 cal a BP. From 5800 cal a BP, hydrochemical characteristics shifted dramatically to the Cl-type, while aeolian activities intensified concurrently. A higher lake level with low evaporation/precipitation ratio as the result of cool and wet conditions were inferred between 5800 and 3580 cal a BP when the EASM weakened and westerly jet intensified. Colder and drier conditions were recorded probably due to the strengthening of the mid-latitude westerly circulation after 3580 cal a BP. However, the EASM probably prevailed shortly at 3580 ∼ 3000 cal a BP and 1800 ∼ 810 cal a BP, respectively. Cold/dry, cold/wet and cold/dry Little Ice Age fluctuation climate conditions and aeolian activities with risen lake level and diluted water were inferred from 580 to 280 cal a BP.

The near-surface structure in the area of the Børglum fault, Sorgenfrei-Tornquist Zone, northern Denmark: Implications for fault kinematics, timing of fault activity and fault control on tunnel valley formation

Previous studies showed evidence that the Sorgenfrei-Tornquist Zone (STZ) in northern Denmark is seismically active and fuelled the demand for further analyses of the fault structure and its seismic hazard potential. We focus on the area of the Børglum fault, which represents the northern boundary fault of the STZ and extends at least 250 km from the western Baltic Sea across Jutland into the southeastern North Sea. The Børglum fault has previously been interpreted to represent a glacially-triggered fault. Two shear-wave reflection seismic sections were acquired to image the near-surface structure in the vicinity of the Børglum fault. Detailed insights into the acquisition, processing and interpretation of the seismic sections will be provided. The seismic sections indicate that the Børglum fault in the study area is not an isolated fault, but most likely represents a complex fault system with a strike-slip component. The fault interpretation is based on systematic vertical reflector offsets, the observation of steeply dipping thin transparent zones that separate the offset reflectors, abrupt lateral changes in the reflector pattern and in some cases, the presence of a fault shadow (a diffuse zone on a seismic section below a fault). This interpretation is mainly based on the identification of positive flower structures on the seismic sections, and supported by the presence of elongated sedimentary mini-basins and topographic depressions in the study area, which are partly interpreted to represent strike-slip basins. A WNW-ESE striking tunnel-valley system is imaged on the seismic sections. The spatial relationship between the faults and the tunnel valley suggests a fault-control on tunnel-valley system formation in this area. The seismic sections indicate that faults in the study area were probably active at the end of the Saalian glaciation (MIS 6). In addition, soft-sediment deformation structures and shear-deformation bands developed in Late Pleniglacial to Lateglacial sediments point to repeated phases of fault activity. The reflector pattern on one of the seismic sections indicates that a major fault nearly reaches the Earth's surface. A step in the topography above the fault probably represents a fault-scarp. Because the ongoing glacial-isostatic adjustment will lead to a change in the stress magnitude in this area, future movements along the faults are possible.

Geophysical extent of the Wyoming Province, western USA: Insights into ancient subduction and craton stability

AbstractA new 3-D resistivity model, estimated from inversion of magnetotelluric data, images crustal and upper-mantle structure of the Wyoming Province and adjacent areas. The Archean province is imaged as a coherent resistive domain, in sharp contrast to active tectonic domains of the western U.S. Prominent high-conductivity belts define the northern, eastern, and southern margins of the Wyoming Province and are interpreted as sutures marking the remnants of Paleoproterozoic orogens. The model results suggest the northern boundary of the Wyoming Province is located 150 km south of its traditional placement and adjacent to a composite orogen separating the Wyoming Province and Medicine Hat block. The eastern province boundary is clearly imaged along the Black Hills, whereas the western margin is obscured by Cenozoic extension and magmatism. An internal boundary within the Wyoming Province is interpreted to represent a Neoarchean suture; in stark contrast to Proterozoic sutures, though, it is not marked by a high-conductivity belt. This difference in conductivity is speculated to reflect changes in the subduction process through time. The absence of high-conductivity along Archean sutures appears to be global in nature and related to reduced continental freeboard in the Archean which limited continental weathering and the delivery of carbon-rich sediments to the seafloor. Although the entire Wyoming Province has been proposed to have undergone lithospheric modification that lessened its stability, the resistivity model suggests a thick lithospheric root remains in place except along its western margin. These results suggest that Archean cratons may be more resistant to lithospheric modification by influx of heat and fluids associated with extension and plumes than previously thought, and that metasomatism does not necessarily weaken the lithosphere and set a craton on the path to destruction.

Распространение и морфометрические особенности обыкновенной жабы Bufo bufo L. (Bufonidae, Amphibia) на Северо-Востоке европейской части России

The distribution and morphometric features of the common toad (Bufo bufo) in the North-East of European Russia are discussed. The northern boundary of the species' range in the region has a complex configuration. In the west and central part of the region, the toad is found up to latitude 65º42'N and 63º01'N, respectively, the eastern border of its habitat moves northwards up to 64º13' and then drops to the south along the Ural Mountain Ridge. The formation of the modern range of the species in the region was influenced by an extensive network of watercourses and global climate changes. For the last 70 years, toads have distributed along the Pechora River at a distance of more than 600 km. The morphometric variability of the common toad was estimated by 13 linear criteria and 7 indices on the example of four localities in the Komi Republic (Pechora, Beloye Lake, Lokchim Lake, and Sysola Lake). Significant sexual differences were found by most criteria: their values in females are higher than in males. Toads of both sexes inhabiting the eastern and northern localities (Pechora, Lake Beloye) are smaller in size than animals from the southwestern parts of the region (Lokchim Lake, Sysola Lake). Discriminant analysis showed that maximal differences between samples were registered on the body length L., femur length F., tibia length T., head length L.c., and head latitude Lt.c.

Aberdeen, City of Culture?

Aberdeen, City of Culture?

Strategic importance of the Bergen‐Shetland Corridor to marine biology and oceanography of the Atlantic Ocean

AbstractThe North Sea is one of the busiest and most exploited marine areas on Earth and is home to many highly migratory and economically important species. At the northern boundary, a 300‐km corridor between Norway and Shetland forms a major egress point from the North Sea to the Norwegian Sea and broader Atlantic Ocean, which is known to be used by many focal species including Atlantic salmon, European eel, European sturgeon, Atlantic bluefin tuna, basking shark, Atlantic mackerel, spiny dogfish, among others. We argue that this relatively shallow 300‐km corridor is a critical area for ecological and oceanographic research in the North Sea to understand species distribution, migratory patterns, responses to climate, fisheries, and more. Instrumentation of the Bergen‐Shetland Corridor with a line of oceanographic and biological tracking infrastructure would help capture the spatiotemporal dynamics of the ocean and its major fauna between the North Sea and Norwegian Sea, a boundary between management areas from ICES and OSPAR.

Northward migration of the East Asian summer monsoon northern boundary during the twenty-first century

The northern fringe area of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) between arid and semiarid regions is a fragile eco-environment zone and ecological transition zone, and it is highly sensitive to climate change. Predicting the future migration of the northern boundary of the EASM is important for understanding future East Asian climate change and formulating of decisions on ecological protection and economic development in arid and semiarid regions. The reanalysis dataset and simulations of 23 models from the Coupled Models Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) were used to investigate the response of the boundary of the ESAM to the global warming. The multi-model ensemble showed a northwestward migration of the EASM northern boundary during the near-term (2020–2060) and late-term (2061–2099) of the twenty-first century under various Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). The northern boundary migrated northwestward by 23–28 and 74–76 km in the near-term and late-term respectively, under SSP1-2.6, 2-4.5 and 3-7.0 and by ~ 44 km and ~ 107 km respectively during the near-term and late-term under SSP5-8.5. During the twenty-first century, under various SSPs, the surface of the East Asian subcontinent warmed more than the ocean, thereby increasing the contrast of near-surface temperature and sea level pressure in summer between the East Asian subcontinent and the surrounding oceans. In turn, the intensified land–sea thermal contrast reinforced the EASM meridional circulation and thus transported more moisture from the Indian Ocean into northern China. Additionally, a poleward migration and weakening of the East Asian subtropical westerly jet would also favor an increase in precipitation, eventually caused a northwestward migration of the EASM northern boundary. The results suggest that the arid and semiarid ecotone will become wetter, which could dramatically improve the eco-environment in the future.

The Application of Fire Behavior Modeling to Fuel Treatment Assessments at Army Garrison Camp Williams, Utah

Large wildfires (>40 ha in size) occur about every three years within Army Garrison Camp Williams, located near South Jordan, Utah, USA. In 2010 and 2012, wildfires originating on the practice firing range burned beyond the camp’s boundaries into the adjacent wildland-urban interface areas. The political and public reaction to these escaped fires was intense. Fire researchers at Utah State University were asked if a spatially organized system of fuel treatments could be developed to prevent such incidents in the future. We used a combination of empirically based guidelines and semi-physical fire modeling systems, coupled with climatological data, to make assessments of fire behavior potential for the sagebrush steppe vegetation/fuel types found in AGCW, that also considered slope steepness. The results suggested the need for removal of woody vegetation within 20 m of firebreaks and a minimum firebreak width of 8.0 m in grassland fuels. In stands of juniper, a canopy coverage of 25% or less is recommended. In Gambel oak stands along the northern boundary of the installation, a fuelbreak width of 60 m for secondary breaks (used for segmenting large areas of fuels) and 90 m for primary breaks (used for protecting urban development and valuable natural resources) is recommended.

Crustal thickness and Poisson’s ratio variations in the Siang Window and adjoining areas of the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis

We investigated the average crustal thickness and Poisson's ratio (σ) at 8 broadband seismological stations established in the Siang Window of the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis. The H-k stacking method has been adopted on receiver functions of teleseismic earthquakes recorded by the seismological stations. The study reveals the variation of crustal thickness from ∼38 km in the Brahmaputra Valley (Pashighat) to ∼53 km at the northern boundary of the window. The estimated Poisson’s ratios show significant variation from 0.23 to 0.308 in the window. The average crustal Poisson’s ratios (σ) estimated at each station are divided into three categories, low (σ ≤ 0.25), intermediate (0.25 ≤ σ ≤ 0.27), and high (σ ≥ 0.27). The wide variations in σ can be attributed to the local geology. The extremely low σ at Along (0.23) can be explained by the presence of SiO2 rich quartzite in the vicinity, while the extremely high σ at Gelling (0.308) suggests the presence of partially serpentinized rocks in the ophiolitic mélange. The available data of Poisson’s ratios and Moho depths in and around the study region has been plotted to portray regional variations. The Siang Window is seismically active up to ∼40 km crustal depth.

Active faults in Sakhalin and North of the Sea of Okhotsk: Does the Okhotsk plate really exist?

• Active faulting around the Sea of Okhotsk , NE Asia, contradicts the model of the Okhotsk Plate. • There is the Okhotsk stream moving SW relative to continental NE Asia. • Kinematics of major faults in continental NE Asia is caused by their rotation by the Okhotsk stream. Satellite images of the entire Sea of Okhotsk region were interpreted in order to reconstruct the distribution and kinematics of active faults. The interpretation argues that the Okhotsk plate in north-eastern Asia does not exist, since a fragment of its supposed northern boundary is missing (the principle of the closed plate boundary is violated). Without the Okhotsk plate, the distribution and kinematics of active faults in the Sea of Okhotsk region can be described by the motion of the Circum-Pacific Belt masses to the south-west, relative to Eurasia, and the effect of such movement on the continental boundary of the belt.

North Expansion of Winter Wheat Planting Area in China under Different Emissions Scenarios

Suitable planting areas for winter wheat in north China are expected to shift northwardly due to climate change, however, increasing extreme events and the deficient water supply are threatening the security of planting systems. Thus, based on predicted climate data for 2021–2050 under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5) emission scenarios, as well as historical data from 1961–1990, we use four critical parameters of percentages of extreme minimum temperature years (POEMTY), first day of the overwintering period (FD), sowing date (SD), and precipitation before winter (PBW), in order to determine the planting boundary of winter wheat. The results show that the frequency of extreme minimum temperature occurrences is expected to decrease in the North winter wheat area, which will result in a northward movement of the western part of northern boundary by 73, 94, and 114 km on average, in addition to FD delays ranging from 6.0 to 10.5 days. Moreover, agrometeorological conditions in the Huang-Huai winter wheat area are expected to exhibit more pronounced changes than the rest of the studied areas, especially near the southern boundary, which is expected to retreat by approximately 213, 215, and 233 km, northwardly. The north boundary is expected to move 90–140 km northward. Therefore, the change in southern and northern boundaries will lead the potential planting areas of the entire North winter wheat area to increase by 10,700 and 28,000 km2 on average in the SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, respectively, but to decrease by 38,100 km2 in the SSP1-2.6 scenario; however, the lack of precipitation remains a limitation for extending planting areas in the future.

Effects of Climate Warming on the Potential Northern Planting Boundaries of Three Main Grain Crops in China

The production of wheat, maize and rice accounts for more than 90% of the total grain production of China. Assessing the impact of climate warming on suitable planting regions, especially the potential northern planting boundaries of these crops, is therefore critical to help guide agricultural policymaking and further maintain food security. In this study, we analyzed the effect of climate warming on the potential northern planting boundaries of three specific crops (winter wheat, spring maize, double and triple rice cropping systems) during two time periods (1961–1990 and 1991–2020) using meteorological data from 2437 national weather stations. Results show that the potential planting boundaries of these crops present a northward movement and a westward expansion during the time period of 1991–2020 under the background of temperature increase compared with the time period of 1961–1990. Moreover, the boundaries of winter wheat and spring maize also show a trend of expansion to high-altitude areas (e.g., the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau). The average moving distance of these crops ranged from 20 km to 300 km. In general, the potential planting boundaries of winter wheat, spring maize, double and triple rice cropping systems changed significantly due to climate warming, and the suitable planting area was increased. Our study aims to provide a more recent and accurate result than those of previous studies, which is expected to strengthen our understanding of the effect of climate change on the potential northern planting boundaries of the three main grain crops in China.

Structural Characteristics and Tectonic Evolution of the Wunansha Uplift in the South Yellow Sea Basin, China

By selecting typical seismic sections to carry out detailed structural interpretation, the structural style features of the Wunansha Uplift in the South Yellow Sea basin were systematically combined, and the compressional structures (imbricate, opposite/back thrust, and Y-shaped structures), strike-slip faults (positive flower-shaped faults), and extensional normal faults (listric-shaped normal faults) were identified. On this basis, combined with the characteristics of the regional stress field and the background of deep geodynamics, the genetic mechanism and structural evolution of the structural style in the Wunansha Uplift were defined. The stress mechanism of the compressional structures originated from the initial high-speed and low-angle NW subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate during the early Yanshanian movement in the Early Jurassic. The regional strike-slip fault was mainly a positive flower structure with compression and torsion characteristics, and its stress mechanism originated from sinistral shear caused by the Early Cretaceous low-angle NNW subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate. The Tan-Lu fault in eastern China also had sinistral shear characteristics in this period. The extensional normal fault was characterized by a listric shape, which developed along the northern boundary of the Wunansha Uplift, that is, the connection between the Wunansha Uplift and the Southern Depression of the South Yellow Sea basin. The stress mechanism was derived from the transition of the paleo-Pacific plate from low-angle to high-angle subduction during the late Yanshanian movement in the Late Cretaceous. Simultaneously, the tectonic stress system in eastern China also changed from compressional to tensional.

North Angara Early Holocene hunter–gatherers: Archaeological evidence of the collector strategy

This paper examines Early Holocene hunter–gatherer subsistence–settlement patterns in the North Angara region, located at the northern boundary of Cis-Baikal, Siberia. The archaeological evidence, supported by radiocarbon and stratigraphic data, indicates the presence of hunting and fishing activities, resource diversification, lithic technologies, and settlement organization showing some aspects of the “collector” end of Binford's forager–collector continuum: specialized “logistical” camps and a multi-activity residential base with different patterns of resource procurement and technology. Considering paleoenvironmental conditions, this pattern can be largely explained as an attempt by hunter–gatherers to minimize the risks of seasonal deficits from fishing and game hunting in a boreal zone.

Potential risk of colonization of Bulinus globosus in the mainland of China under climate change

BackgroundBulinus globosus, the main intermediate snail host of Schistosoma haematobium. The increased contacts between Africa and China could even lead to large-scale dissemination of B. globosus in China. Temperature is the key factor affecting fresh-water snail transmission. This study predicted potential risk of colonization of B. globosus in the mainland of China under climate change.MethodsWe investigated minimum and maximum temperatures for B. globosus eggs, juveniles and adult snails kept under laboratory conditions to find the most suitable range by pinpointing the median effective temperatures (ET50). We also assessed the influence of temperature on spawning and estimated the accumulated temperature (AT). The average air temperatures between 1955 and 2019 in January and July, the coldest and hottest months in China, respectively, were collected from national meteorological monitoring stations and investigated in a geographic information system (GIS) using empirical Bayesian Kriging to evaluate the theoretical possibility for distribution of B. globosus in southern China based on temperature.ResultsThe effective minimum temperature (ET50min) for eggs, juveniles, adult snails and spawning were 8.5, 7.0, 7.0, 14.9 °C, respectively, with the corresponding maximum values (ET50max) of 36.6, 40.5, 40.2 and 38.1 °C. The AT was calculated at 712.1 ± 64.9 °C·d. In 1955, the potential B. globosus distribution would have had a northern boundary stretching from the coastal areas of Guangdong Province and Guangxi Autonomous Region to southern Yunnan Province. Since then, this line has gradually moved northward.ConclusionsAnnual regeneration of B. globosus can be supported by the current climate conditions in the mainland of China, and a gradual expansion trend from south to north is shown in the study from 2015 to 2019. Thus, there is a potential risk of colonization of B. globosus in the mainland of China under climate change.Graphical

Sedimentary Dynamics in the Distal Margin Around Isolated Carbonate Platforms of the Northern South China Sea

The South China Sea (SCS) serves as an excellent case for studying “source-to-sink” sedimentary dynamics among the global marginal seas. Analysis of the grain size distribution enables reconstruction of the sediment transport processes and dynamic mechanisms. In this study, based on 232 surface sediment samples obtained from the distal margin of the northern SCS, grain size trend analysis (GSTA) and end-member analysis (EMA) were first applied to the deep-sea environment to reveal the sedimentary dynamics around isolated carbonate platforms. The Zhongsha Atoll and Xisha Archipelagos were the two main sources of gravity flows in the study area. The GSTA results indicate the dominant transport trends that sediments initially originated from the Zhongsha Atoll and Xisha Archipelagos, dispersed in surrounding areas, and eventually formed a deposition center in the Zhongsha Trough. Furthermore, the sediment transport trends in the northern, eastern, and southern boundaries of the study area bounded by the oceanic basin were driven by deep circulation with seasonal variations. The grain size distributions were unmixed into five end-members, with dominant modes of 0.62, 1.89, 3.31, 7.14, and 10.17 Ф, corresponding to coarse sand, medium sand, fine sand, fine silt, and clay, respectively. Gravity flows and deep circulation have a significant impact on the distribution of end-members in the study area. The contents of EM1, EM2, and EM3 decreased while EM4 and EM5 contents increased outward from the Zhongsha Atoll to deep-sea areas. Sediments with coarse grains are primarily retained in the Zhongsha Atoll, and sediments with fine grains can be transported by gravity flows from platforms to deep-sea areas and removed by deep currents. The sediment transport trends were consistent with the results of sediment sources, seafloor topography, and current observations. The results show that GSTA is applicable in deep-sea environments and its combination with EMA helps to better understand sedimentary dynamics.

Summertime atmospheric water vapor transport between Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding regions during 1990–2019: Boundary discrepancy and interannual variation

The summertime atmospheric water vapor transport (WVT) of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and surrounding regions is investigated based on the ERA5 reanalysis data during 1990–2019. It is found that the ascending motion on the south of the TP is conducive to the transport of water vapor from the low-latitude monsoon regions to the TP, showing strong WVT at 500 hPa on the southern TP. Strong water vapor transporting into the TP exists on the southern boundary (Bs) which is from Kashmir to the trumpet-shaped topography (TST) region, and from upper to lower layers. The WVT of the other three boundaries exhibit differently: (1) The prevailing westwards WVT exists on the western boundary. (2) The water vapor flows into the TP below 700 hPa on the Sichuan Basin and transports away from the TP above 700 hPa on the eastern boundary. (3) A regular water vapor “flows out of-into-out of” the TP pattern is found on the northern boundary. The most active water vapor transporting towards the TP appears on the Sichuan Basin, TST and eastern Bs in the lower layer, while the most active water vapor transporting away from the TP occurs on the eastern boundary and middle-east Bs in the middle layer. In general, water vapor inflows of the TP are larger than its outflows, resulting in summertime TP becoming a water vapor sink (153.28 × 106 kg s−1). The result is mainly attributed to the water vapor inflows in the middle-lower layer on the Bs. The WVB and PW over the summer TP present the increasing trends during the recent years and the trend of the PW is significant.

Controls on the Boundary Between Thermally and Non‐Thermally Driven pCO2 Regimes in the South Pacific

AbstractRegional and temporal patterns of air–sea carbon exchange are strongly linked to the surface ocean partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), which varies with sea surface temperature (SST), salinity, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and alkalinity. It is well‐known that temperature controls the pCO2 seasonal cycle in the subtropics, whereas DIC dominates at high latitudes. The balance of mechanisms governing the boundary between these regimes, however, are not well characterized due to lack of year‐round pCO2 data. Here, we use autonomous biogeochemical float measurements from the South Pacific to investigate the processes that control meridional variations in pCO2 seasonality. We find that the transition between pCO2 regimes is linked to the poleward decrease in SST seasonal cycle amplitude, which is closely associated with the northern boundary of deep winter mixed layers. Processes that determine the annual SST range are, therefore, central to the response of oceanic carbon uptake to anthropogenic forcing.

Delineation of Drainage Pattern and Water Projects - A Geographical Overview

In the context of present study the term Delineation means bordering of any kind of area by using scale and reveals in maps. In the context of present study the term Delineation is refer to mapping the drainage and check dams in the study area. The region is drained by the Arunavati River a northern tributary of Tapi, flowing towards the south. River Aner in the east marked an eastern boundary, which flows towards south while in the west Nandurbar district and in the east Jalgaon district. The Northern boundary is marked by Madhya Pradesh. The basaltic lava flows in the hilly tract are not favorable for groundwater development but give rise to perennial and seasonal springs. The contact of the basaltic lava flows with alluvial mountain front deposit is demarcated by a major fault. The alluvial deposits are further subdivided into (a) Talus and Scree deposits bordering in the Satpura foothills and (b) Alluvium consisting of sand clays gravel. Secondly, Evapotranspiration is an important parameter to decide the quality of water is available for plant growth. Evapotranspiration in this tehsil is higher during the plant growth period, thus reducing the availability of water for plant growth. Drought Prone Taluka the semi-arid tracts of the State which receives rainfall between 750 to 1000 mm are drought-prone areas. The Shirpur taluka comes in the drought-prone area of the State. The annual normal rainfall is 617 mm received over period of 36 days during south west monsoon. A surface water resource in the Taluka is unevenly distributed. This resource is also not assured as it depends on rainfall. Irrigation projects in the Taluka cover the only small area in southeastern part of the Taluka. Because of this, the use of groundwater for irrigation, drinking water, and an industrial purpose has increased many folds. In entire taluka intensive development of groundwater has led to critical situations resulting in manifestations of problems like declining ground water levels, shortage of water supply, etc. This situation warrants for taking up programmers to augment groundwater resources on strong lines in the whole taluka. In this paper, groundwater resources in different formations of the entire taluka, industrialization, problems caused due to excessive utilization of groundwater, method store adopted in conserving the scarce resources and recharging the aquifers have been discussed.