Shallow Source Research Articles

Study on the sequence activities of the 2021 Yangbi MS 6.4 earthquake in Yunnan

On 21 May 2021, the MS 6.4 earthquake struck Yangbi County, Dali City, Yunnan Province. Minor seismic activities were common both before and after the earthquake; the foreshock sequence activity characteristics of this earthquake were studied to gain a better understanding and more perspective. First, between May 18 and 5 July 2021, we collected data of the seismic events from the Yangbi MS 6.4 earthquake sequence, determined the minimum magnitude of completeness of the sequence based on the magnitude-frequency relationship, filtered out the more complete earthquake sequences, and performed double-difference earthquake relocation using the HypoDD method. Then, we improved the nearest-neighbor distance algorithm and used it in conjunction with the Gaussian mixed model fitting method to conduct a comprehensive multiple factor analysis of the Yangbi MS 6.4 earthquake sequence. The main findings of our preliminary analysis are as follows: 1) We distinguished the foreshocks, mainshocks, and aftershocks of the Yangbi earthquake sequence as well as their higher-order aftershocks, using the method described in this paper, and we can obtain clear intergenerational relationships between them. We identified eight “foreshocks” with statistically greater physical significance than the others and found that majority of the shocks occurred shortly after the mainshock were direct aftershocks, with secondary or higher-order aftershocks gradually increasing in the later stage of the sequence. 2) Combining the double-difference earthquake relocation and the event distribution on the fault plane, we found that the b-value of the Yangbi foreshock sequence was clearly on the lower end of the spectrum, with an obvious nonlinear amplification process, and can be divided into three foreshock sub-sequences: sub-sequence I with the lowest b-value and a concentrated spatial distribution, which is an F-value foreshock sequence; subsequence II with an overall shallower source depth and an obvious rebound in b-value, which is an explosive aftershock sequence; subsequence III with a lower b-value and a rapid rupture spread, which is a typical U-F-ρ foreshock. 3) We constructed a topological tree of the Yangbi foreshock sequence in Yunnan Province using the nearest-neighbor distance algorithm, combining the correlation between earthquake sequence type and fault rupture intensity. We analyzed the distribution and topology of the three sub-sequences (combined) of the Yangbi MS 6.4 foreshock sequence and found the following: the topology of subsequence I was more linear than the sequence II, each was the parent event of the subsequent event, and its rupture mode was similar to the fluid intrusion rupture in a specific channel; sequence II had a relatively simple topology, exhibiting a spray topology, and independently formed a main-aftershock mini-sequence, probably triggered by its shallow brittle rupture, which caused the fluid intrusion rupture to spread faster and eventually triggered the Yangbi MS6.4 mainshock.

Comparative thermo-economic analysis of co-axial closed-loop geothermal systems using CO2 and water as working fluids

Co-axial closed-loop geothermal heating systems coupling abandoned oil/gas wells face more grievous corrosion issues than the shallow ground source heat pumps due to the higher temperature and pressure conditions. Instead of water, using CO2 as a working fluid would extract more power and eliminate the corrosion issue; however, these advantages might be offset by the energy and capital cost of high operating pressure. To better guide the working fluid selection for the co-axial closed-loop geothermal heating systems, the effects of using CO2 as a working fluid on the system thermo-economic performance as well as the effects of geothermal gradients and tube diameters are evaluated. We first established a 2D thermodynamic model to simulate the heat extraction from a vertical co-axial closed loop geothermal well and the heat conduction in host rocks and then applied the key parameters into an economic model for the calculation of thermo-economic indicators. It is found that the wellbore set with smaller tube diameters can profit the thermo-economic performance of the co-axial closed-loop geothermal heating system by substantially lowering the total annual cost, promoting the energy efficiency, and slowing down the growth of cost and the descent of energy efficiency within the lifetime of the system. Besides, CO2 will be a better working fluid for small-scale co-axial closed-loop geothermal heating systems leading to lower cost per net power compared to water, and it also can slow down the descent of energy efficiency year by year.

Geothermal Exploration Using Remote Sensing, Surface Temperature, and Geophysical Data in Lunayyir Volcanic Field, Saudi Arabia

Energy consumption worldwide has undergone a recent shift, with hydrocarbons, coal, and new energy sources taking center stage. However, fossil fuels face criticism due to their negative impacts on the environment through air pollution. Geothermal energy is a clean, renewable, and eco-friendly alternative that can be harnessed for power generation. The Lunayyir volcanic field is located in the western part of Saudi Arabia and has been identified as a potential geothermal resource. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of the gravity, magnetic, and land surface temperature data collected over the study area is conducted to investigate the geothermal potential. The gravity data are processed using standard techniques to correct for instrument drift, diurnal variations, and topographic effects and to filter out high-frequency noise. The magnetic data are processed using standard procedures. Analysis of the gravity data shows that the Lunayyir volcanic field is characterized by a series of gravity anomalies, which can be interpreted as indicative of the presence of subsurface geologic structures that are similar in geothermal areas, such as faults, fractures, and intrusions. The magnetic data, on the other hand, show that the volcanic field has a relatively low magnetic susceptibility, which is consistent with the presence of volcanic rocks implying shallow heat sources. Landsat satellite data are utilized to calculate the land surface temperature through the use of GIS software. Additionally, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is calculated using the near-infrared and red bands of the Landsat satellite. The land surface temperature of the year 2007 shows the relatively high temperature at the surface as compared to 2000 and 2021, which is an indication of volcanic activities in the subsurface. It is suggested that these structures may provide conduits for hot fluids, which could potentially be exploited for geothermal energy production. The obtained results emphasize the importance of combining different geophysical datasets to obtain a better understanding of underground geology and geothermal systems. In general, this study improves the assessment of the Lunayyir volcanic field in the western part of Saudi Arabia for geothermal energy.

Explosive eruptions at Stromboli volcano (Italy): a comprehensive geochemical view on magma sources and intensity range

A comprehensive understanding of the processes that occur during magmatic storage and pre-eruptive ascent—and of their associated timescales—is critical to identifying potential precursory signals, and to developing robust volcano early-warning systems. Stromboli’s persistent activity comprises continuous degassing and explosive activity that ranges from hourly, low-intensity “normal” activity to occasional, more violent, paroxysmal activity. While the magma source processes that drive normal and paroxysmal activity are reasonably constrained, eruptive activity intermediate in magnitude and intensity (i.e., major explosions) remains elusive in terms of classification, source region, and pre-eruptive timescales. Here, we investigate the 19 July 2020 major explosion that geophysical parameters place at the upper limit of the major explosions field, close to small-scale paroxysms such as the 2003 and 2007 events. The geochemical signatures of matrix glass, olivine, melt inclusions, and embayments—integrated with gas measurements—highlight important differences in eruption source, ascent behaviour, and pre-eruptive timescales of the studied event when compared to paroxysms. Melt inclusion volatile contents identify that magma rise begins from a slightly shallower source (~9.5 km below sea level, b.s.l.) than for paroxysms (11.4 km b.s.l.), with the activation of a shallower ponding zone at 5–6 km b.s.l.. This, in combination with intermediate matrix glass compositions, suggests complex ascent behaviour, characterised by CO2 buffering in the deep ponding region and magma self-mixing in the shallower zone. Fe–Mg-diffusion modelling in olivine indicates a system perturbation starting ~20–25 days before eruption onset, in agreement with the timescale of volcanic gas CO2/SO2 ratio changes observed in the plume, and significantly shorter than that observed prior to paroxysms (~4 months). The geochemical dataset provides insights into the processes controlling the steady-state conditions and the broad spectra in eruption magnitude and intensity at Stromboli and bears important implications for eruption forecasting.

Study on effects of complex bathymetry on the deep acoustic field in Western Pacific Ocean

Seafloor bathymetry has an important effect on acoustic propagation. In a deep water experiment in the Western Pacific in 2020, acoustic field in the reliable acoustic path (RAP) zone, the shadow zone, and the refracted zones were measured with shallow sources and deep receivers. Two important phenomena were observed. First, in the first shadow zone, the signal level (S) changing with source range presents a “W” shape: it sharply decreases by 19 dB after the source just pass the RAP boundary and then increases by 11 dB immediately, which produces the first S trough; after remaining stable for a range interval of 29 km, it drops again by 12 dB and then soars by 16 dB, which produces the second S trough. Secondly, the range spans of refracted zones that expected to be 29 km narrows down to only 13 km. Based on the precisely measured bathymetry and the range-dependent acoustic model-parabolic equation (RAM-PE), the S distribution were reproduced and its characteristics were explained. It was found that rather than the large-scale bathymetry change (e.g, large seamount or break shelf), it is the local bathymetry change that have significant effects on the S distribution.

Plume–lithosphere interactions and LIP-triggered climate crises constrained by the origin of Karoo lamproites

We identified a ca. 180 Ma diamondiferous lamproite event in Zambia, establishing a link between ultrapotassic volcanism and the early Jurassic Karoo flood basalt province of sub-Saharan Africa. The cratonic lamproites erupted through the Permo–Triassic Luangwa Rift structure, but MgO-rich ultrapotassic magma formation was unrelated to rifting and triggered by plume–lithosphere interactions during the Karoo LIP event. Elevated Li–Zn–Ti concentrations in magmatic olivine (up to 18.5 ppm Li at 86–90 mol.% forsterite) and strong Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotopic enrichment of the host lamproites (87Sr/86Sr = 0.70701–0.70855, εNd = −10.8 to −10, εHf = −20.3 to −19.1, 206Pb/204Pb = 16.8–17.5) suggest partial melting of phlogopite-metasomatized lithospheric mantle domains, at approximately 180–200 km depth. The mantle-like δ7Li values (+2.8 to +5.7‰) of the most pristine lamproite samples are compatible with source enrichment by asthenosphere-derived melts, without significant involvement of recycled sedimentary components. This geochemical fingerprint stands in sharp contrast to the negative δ7Li compositions of primitive K-rich volcanic rocks from collision zone settings, where the shallow mantle sources contain recycled sediment.Isotope modelling demonstrates that the sub-Saharan lamproites originate from a MARID-style metasomatized peridotitic mantle source that underwent incompatible element enrichment at ca. 1 Ga, during tectonic activity associated with Rodinia supercontinent formation. Plume-sourced basaltic and picritic magmas of the 180 Ma Karoo LIP interacted with such K-rich hydrous lithospheric mantle domains, thereby attaining enriched incompatible element and radiogenic isotope compositions. Nd–Hf isotope mass balance suggests that up to 25% of MARID-sourced lamproite melt component contributed to some of the high-Ti flood volcanic units.Although large quantities of volatiles can be transferred from Earth’s mantle to the atmosphere via plume–lithosphere interactions, it is unlikely that outgassing of mantle-sourced sulphur can exceed the climatic impact caused by the release of much more abundant carbon from thick continental roots. Thus, the excess SO2 required to account for transient atmospheric cooling during the early Jurassic, coincident with the Karoo LIP event, must have had a thermogenic origin near the surface of Earth.

Late Devonian A-Type Granites from the Beishan, Southern Central Asia Orogenic Belt: Implications for Closure of the Paleo-Asia Ocean

The closing time of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO) has long been in the focus of research as well as of controversial debates. The Paleozoic A-type granites distributed in the Beishan Orogenic Belt (BOB) at the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) provide pivotal clues to constrain the closure of the PAO. In this paper, the newly recognized Duhongshan A-type granites from the middle Huaniushan arc in the BOB (zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages of ca. 376–374 Ma) are thoroughly studied. The rocks have high SiO2, K2O contents with peralkaline character, and display high Zr + Nb + Ce + Y contents (354–543 ppm), 10,000 × Ga/Al (4.1–4.9), Y/Nb (3.2–5.3), Rb/Nb ratios (8.5–14.1), and a zircon saturation temperature in the range of 877–950 °C, indicative of A2-type granites affinities. The Duhongshan granites display enriched in Th and U; depleted in Ba, Sr, and Ti; with slightly positive whole-rock εNd(t) values (+1.86 to +2.21), indicating an origin related to partial melting of lower crustal material in post-collision extension settings. Combined with previous reported results, we conclude that the granitoids in the middle Huaniushan arc were mostly formed around 424–367 Ma and can be divided into two types based on petrochemistry: (a) A-type granites, which generally have high SiO2 and K2O, derived from the relatively shallow crustal source in post-collision tectonic settings; and (b) adakite and I-type granites, which display high Sr/Y ratios as well as Nb, Ta, and Ti depletion, likely generated from the melting of juvenile crust in active continental margin arcs. Integrating the previous regional investigations, we propose that the Hongliuhe–Niujuanzi–Xichangjing Ocean (HNXO) of the PAO was closed and transformed in the post-collision extensional tectonic stage during the Late Devonian and formed as post-collision magmatism, while the arc magmatism may be related to the subduction of the Liuyuan Ocean, which is located in the Southern HNXO.

Petrogenesis of Late Campanian Alkaline Igneous Rocks in Eastern Anatolia: Magmatism related to a subduction transform edge propagator (STEP) fault?

ABSTRACT In eastern Anatolia, the Divriği-Hekimhan Magmatic Province (DHMP) includes ~77–69 Ma alkaline rock units which are located to the NW of the Baskil Arc of ~85–74 Ma. The magmatic rocks are composed of nepheline (Ne)–to quartz (Q)–normative alkaline basaltic to trachytic/syenitic units. Among them, the basaltic rocks are composed of plagioclase (Or2–11Ab32–51An39–64) + clinopyroxene (Wo47–51En35–42Fs9–16) + Fe-Ti oxide ± alkali feldspar (Or57–98Ab2–42An1) ± biotite ± olivine. Their 87Sr/86Sr(I) ratios and ɛNd(I) values vary in the ranges of 0.70591–0.70871 and−3.2–1.6, respectively. The subvolcanic trachytic rocks are composed of perthitic alkali feldspar phenocryst in a matrix of feldspar (Or45–61Ab38–54An0–2), biotite, and Fe-Ti oxides. The trachytic volcanic rocks are made up of feldspar (Or38–63Ab34–59An1–4) in a fine-grained matrix. Their 87Sr/86Sr(I) ratios and ɛNd(I) values vary in the ranges of 0.70532–0.70952 and−3.2–0.7, respectively. The syenitic rocks in the region contain both quartz- and nepheline-sodalite-bearing syenites. Geochemical features reveal that the Ne-normative basaltic magmas have undergone mafic mineral fractionation coupled with crustal contamination to produce the Q-normative derivatives. Enhanced differentiation of the Ne- and Q-normative fractionated magmas via feldspar-dominated fractionation created the silica-undersaturated and -oversaturated trachytic magmas, respectively. During the feldspar-dominated differentiation, the re-melting of accumulated alkali feldspars in the magma chamber likely gave rise to the formation of trachytic rocks with alkali feldspar-like whole rock compositions. The final products of the Ne-normative magmas are represented by the phonolites and foid-syenites with silica-undersaturated eutectic compositions. A geochemical evaluation of the basaltic rocks revealed that the alkaline magmatism mainly originated from a shallow asthenospheric mantle source which had previously been metasomatized by oceanic to continental subduction. We suggest that the DHMP was formed in response to STEP fault-controlled rolling back of the northward subducting slab of the Baskil Arc, which created a localized gap for asthenospheric upwelling.

Ultrahigh-precision noble gas isotope analyses reveal pervasive subsurface fractionation in hydrothermal systems.

Mantle-derived noble gases in volcanic gases are powerful tracers of terrestrial volatile evolution, as they contain mixtures of both primordial (from Earth's accretion) and secondary (e.g., radiogenic) isotope signals that characterize the composition of deep Earth. However, volcanic gases emitted through subaerial hydrothermal systems also contain contributions from shallow reservoirs (groundwater, crust, atmosphere). Deconvolving deep and shallow source signals is critical for robust interpretations of mantle-derived signals. Here, we use a novel dynamic mass spectrometry technique to measure argon, krypton, and xenon isotopes in volcanic gas with ultrahigh precision. Data from Iceland, Germany, United States (Yellowstone, Salton Sea), Costa Rica, and Chile show that subsurface isotope fractionation within hydrothermal systems is a globally pervasive and previously unrecognized process causing substantial nonradiogenic Ar-Kr-Xe isotope variations. Quantitatively accounting for this process is vital for accurately interpreting mantle-derived volatile (e.g., noble gas and nitrogen) signals, with profound implications for our understanding of terrestrial volatile evolution.

The Study of the Lithospheric Magnetic Field over Xinjiang and Tibet Areas Based on Ground, Airborne, and Satellite Data

Combined with the ground, airborne, and CHAMP satellite data, the lithospheric field over Xinjiang and Tibet is modeled through the three-dimensional Surface Spline (3DSS) model, Regional Spherical Harmonic Analysis (RSHA) model, and CHAOS-7.11 model. Then, we compare the results with the original measuring data, NGDC720, LCS-1, and the newest SHA model with the degree to 1000 (SHA1000). Moreover, the error estimation and the geological analysis are carried out, and we investigate the possible correspondence between the lithospheric field and the surface heat flow. The results show that the 3DSS model can better describe the detailed distribution of the lithospheric field after comparing it with other models. Some new features are reflected, particularly in the areas of Southern Xinjiang and Tibet, such as a positive anomaly stripe in the southwest, its neighboring Tashkurgan–Hotan–Cele–Minfeng–Qiemo–Ruoqiang belt, and the middle edge of the Kunlun Mountains. The stripe, in terms of rock composition, has a shallow magnetic field source and is related to magnetic intrusions; the lithospheric field in Tibet is weak. Additionally, when the heat flow distribution is compared to our results, there is a good consistency between a positive stripe of heat flow and a positive stripe of the lithospheric field in southern Tibet. The large heat flow values may be related to the shallow Curie surface, which shows that demagnetization is happening close to the surface. However, more of a ferromagnetic mineral, Titanium magnetite, is found there.

IDENTIFICATION OF RIVER WATER QUALITY YARN NETWORK AT THE TIBU NANGKLOK WATER TREATMENT INSTALLATION CENTRAL LOMBOK PDAM BASED ON PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PARAMETERS

The river is one of the easiest shallow water sources to find and use. Benang Kelambu River is a river located in Aik Berik village, North Batukliang sub-district, Central Lombok. Besides acting as a source of water, the thread netting river is also known as a tourist spot with its famous waterfall. Because it is a tourist attraction, of course, the quality of the thread netting river water needs to be investigated, whether it is still drinkable or has been polluted.This study uses an experimental method by analyzing water quality based on two parameters, namely physical parameters by measuring (temperature, pH, conductivity and TDS), while the chemical parameters measured are (Fe, Cu, and Mn).From the results of research that has been carried out, it is known that from the two water samples that have been studied in terms of physical parameters, both samples are still below the threshold, so they are still considered safe. Meanwhile, in terms of chemical parameters, both samples contained heavy metals which were far below the threshold.

Multi-species plantation intensifies soil water competition and groundwater depletion in a water-limited desert region

Multi-species plantation has long been applied in forestry and landscape restoration to provide better ecosystem services and functions. However, the differences in water-use patterns between mixed and pure plantations are poorly understood, especially in the arid/semi-arid artificial desert ecosystems. The stable isotope compositions (δ2H and δ18O) of rainwater, xylem water, soil water, and groundwater were analyzed over three growing seasons (2019–2021) to identify the water-use patterns of Artemisia desterorum Spreng (A. desterorum), Amorpha fruticosea (A. fruticosa) and Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica (P. sylvestris) in pure and mixed plantations in the Mu Us Sandy Land. Seasonally, there was a transference of water-use pattern from deep (moist layer and groundwater) to shallow water sources (active and stable layers) during the transition period between the dry and rainy season for both pure and mixed A. fruticosa and P. sylvestris, which was attributed to dimorphic root systems of arbor and shrub in the water-limited region. However, A. desterorum with shallower roots predominately absorbed water from the active and stable layers across the whole growing season regardless of planting pattern. Annually, the three plant species in pure stands extracted water predominantly from the stable layer (36.97%–46.16%), followed by the active layer (23.55%–36.98%). In the mixed stand, however, all the plants absorbed water mainly from the active layer (33.04%–39.44%), followed by the stable layer (30.46%–33.68%), suggesting that multi-species plantation intensifies shallow soil water competition. Additionally, the proportional contribution of groundwater to plant water uptake under mixed plantation was higher than the pure plantations, causing faster groundwater decline in the mixed stand (0.29 m yr−1) compared to pure stands (0.11–0.20 m yr−1). Our study demonstrates that multi-species plantation in the water-limited desert region intensifies soil water competition and groundwater depletion and thus adversely affects sustainable development goals.

Full-scale utilization of geothermal energy: A high-efficiency CO2 hybrid cogeneration system with low-temperature waste heat

The utilization of geothermal energy is becoming increasingly important in the current transition towards sustainable energy sources. Among the various methods of utilizing geothermal energy, the use of hybrid geothermal power plants that exploit CO2 fluid for preheating in electricity generation has been identified as an attractive approach. Additionally, the shallow ground source heat pump (SGSHP) has been proven to be superior in previous experimental studies. However, the full-scale utilization of geothermal energy, through generating electricity from geothermal power plants and applying waste heat with SGSHPs for auxiliary heating, needs further exploration. This study proposes a novel CO2 hybrid geothermal system that incorporates a GSHP heating system. The hybrid geothermal system uses CO2 as the underground working fluid, and the electricity and waste heat are used to assist the GSHP for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The proposed system can produce 11.41 MW of electricity, 80 °C of hot water, and 34.76 MW of cold energy by driving 50 MW of the geothermal heat. Through a comprehensive analysis of the economy, energy, exergy, and environment, the results demonstrate that the maximum exergy damage of the refrigeration power cycle is 37999.33 kW, which has the highest exergy losses. The exergy loss of the steam turbine heat power conversion in the geothermal power generation process is the highest, but this loss can be effectively reduced through heat integration. The optimal cooling temperature of the coupled system should be set at 8 °C, and it has a good investment prospect. In summary, the CO2 hybrid geothermal system can realize effective cogeneration and fully utilize geothermal energy. Therefore, it has great potential to contribute to the transition towards a sustainable energy future.

Emission Source Areas of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

This study aims to determine emission source areas of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Ho Chi Minh (HCM) City, Vietnam, using a conditional bivariate probability function (CBPF) and hybrid receptor models, including three-dimensional potential source contribution function (3D-PSCF) and concentration-weighted trajectory (3D-CWT), considering latitudes, longitudes, and height of trajectory segments. Uncertainties of the CBPF and 3D-PSCF/3D-CWT were evaluated based on the 95th confidence intervals and 95% confidence levels, respectively. For the local scale, PM2.5 in HCM City was primarily emitted from shallow or common ground sources (e.g., vehicle emissions) throughout the year. Regarding non-local source areas, PM2.5 in HCM City is contributed by those originated from the East Sea (e.g., shipping emissions) and southeastern Vietnam (e.g., Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces) having several industrial zones with PM2.5 emission sources, especially in the dry season (December to April of the following year). In the rainy season (May–November), PM2.5 derived from emission sources in the Mekong Delta (e.g., biomass burning) might be transported to HCM City. However, contribution of the non-local sources to PM2.5 pollution in HCM City during the rainy season is less important because of PM2.5 deposition stemmed from the high rainfall amount in this season.

Numerical Investigation of the Long-Term Load Shifting Behaviors within the Borehole Heat Exchanger Array System

In the process of development and utilization of a large-scale borehole heat exchanger (BHE) array system, the phenomenon of load shifting within BHE array can be observed. In this paper, OpenGeoSys software coupled with TESPy toolkit is used to establish a comprehensive numerical model of BHE system (without depicting the heat pump part), and the behaviors of load shifting between BHEs with different design parameters are studied. The results show that the outlet temperature of single BHE and BHE array is generally rising, and the soil temperature around the BHE has accumulated unbalanced heat. The soil temperature near the BHEs array fluctuates more obviously than the single BHE system, and the distribution is uneven. At the end of the 15th year, the soil temperature near the center BHE increased by 2 °C compared with the initial soil temperature, which was more favorable in winter, but was not conducive to the performance improvement in summer. Further analysis by changing the inter-borehole spacing shows that with the increase of the inter-borehole spacing, the load shifting behaviors are gradually weakened, and the maximum shifted load of the central BHE is linear with the change of the inter-borehole spacing. After changing the layout methods, we observe that the more intensive the layout is, the more load shifting behavior is, and the unbalanced rate of soil temperature distribution around the linear layout is lower than other layouts. With the increase in the number of BHEs, the load shifting behaviors are further enhanced. By analyzing the proportion of shifted load amount relative to the average value, it is found that the system will take a longer time to reach heat balance with the increase of BHEs’ number. A shutdown of part of BHEs for a certain period of time will help to improve the long-term operational efficiency of the large-scale shallow ground source heat pump (GSHP) system.

Inferences on the 2021 Ongoing Volcanic Unrest at Vulcano Island (Italy) through a Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Surveillance Network

In September 2021, the La Fossa crater at Vulcano, in Italy, entered a new phase of unrest. We discuss a set of monitoring parameters included in the INGV surveillance network, which closely tracked the sequence of effects related to the crisis. The low-frequency local seismicity sharply increased, while the GPS and tiltmeter networks recorded the inflation of the cone, as an effect of fluid expansion in the hydrothermal system. Gravity variations were probably the effects of fast processes within shallow sources. The anomalies in soil CO2 flux, fumarole temperature, and in plume SO2 flux marked the strong increase in the vapor output from crater fumaroles. The signs of the impending crisis had been evident in the chemical and isotopic composition of fumarole gases since July 2021. These geochemical anomalies were clearly indicative of the enhanced input of gases from a magmatic source. In October, the massive degassing also influenced the areas at the base of the cone. In some areas, soil CO2 degassing and the thermal aquifer recorded strong anomalies. By early November, the crisis reached its acme. Afterward, the monitored parameters started a slow and discontinuous decreasing trend although remaining, some of them, sensibly above the background for several months. The multidisciplinary approach proved decisive for the interpretation of the underlying processes acting in the different phases of the unrest, thus allowing a consistent evaluation of the multiple hazards.

Development model of shallow lithologic traps and natural gas accumulation mechanisms in marine deep-water areas: A case study in the qiongdongnan basin, south China sea

Although hydrocarbon gases are widely distributed in the shallow strata of marine deep-water areas, it is generally believed that these shallow gases have little potential to form large gas accumulations due to unfavorable conditions, especially for effective trap development. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the latest geological exploration data of the deep-water areas of the Qiongdongnan Basin, this study reports a large lithologic trap that developed in the shallow Ledong Formation with burial depths of 200–600 m below the seafloor (mbsf). Systematically, this work investigates the development model of the trap and its gas accumulation mechanism. The results indicate that during the Pleistocene, sediment mainly from the southern Kunsong Uplift was transported to the Qiongdongnan Basin due to confined canyon geomorphology and developed a large channelized submarine fan in the deep-water areas. The roof of the submarine fan was cut and eroded and laterally sealed by overlying muddy channels, resulting in a dome-shaped structure, which was further covered by the Pleistocene tight mudstones forming the Ledong lithologic trap. The Yacheng coal-measure source rocks in the deep-water areas had high gas yields, which resulted in increased pressures and promoted deep gas migration into shallow reservoirs along a combined migration pathway including sand strata, structural ridges, faults, fissures, and gas chimneys. The gas accumulated in the Ledong trap as a result of the decreases in temperature and pressure. After the deep gases charged the Ledong strata, migration was blocked by the overburden consisting of Pleistocene tight mudstones, whose seal capacity was significantly enhanced by overlying gas hydrates in the deep-water areas. Meanwhile, the seawater in deep-water areas compacts the underlying cap rocks through its own weight, which enhances the seal capacity of cap rocks. In shallow reservoirs, thermogenic gases may mix with microbial gases from shallow marine source rocks, and some thermogenic gases may be reformed by microorganisms to form secondary microbial gases. The shallow Ledong gas reservoir connects the underlying gas reservoirs and the overlying gas hydrate reservoirs and vertically consists of a continuous hydrocarbon enrichment zone, which significantly expands exploration targets in the deep-water areas of the Qiongdongnan Basin. Additionally, the development model of the shallow Ledong lithologic trap and its gas accumulation mechanism may have general significance for hydrocarbon exploration in marine deep-water areas worldwide.

Seismo-acoustic coupling efficiency at the surface of Venus

The extreme conditions at the surface of Venus pose a challenge for monitoring the planet’s seismic activity using long-duration landed probes. One alternative is using balloon-based sensors to detect venusquakes from the atmosphere. This presentation assesses the efficiency of seismic-to-acoustic energy transfer from Venus' crust to its deep atmosphere. It is, therefore, restricted to immediate neighborhood of the planet's surface. In order to account for supercritical conditions near the surface, the Peng-Robinsonequation of state is used to obtain the acoustic wavenumber in the lower atmosphere. The energy transported across the surface from deep and shallow sources is two orders of magnitude larger than on Earth, pointing to a very strong seismo-acoustic coupling. For a more realistic scenario, we simulated the acoustic field generated in the lower atmosphere by the ground motion arising from a vertical array of subsurface point-force sources. The resulting transmission loss maps show a strong epicentral cone accompanied by contributions from leaky surface waves.

Seismo-acoustic coupling in the deep atmosphere of Venus.

The extreme conditions at the surface of Venus pose a challenge for monitoring the planet's seismic activity using long-duration landed probes. One alternative is using balloon-based sensors to detect venusquakes from the atmosphere. This study aims to assess the efficiency with which seismic motion is coupled as atmospheric acoustic waves across Venus's surface. It is, therefore, restricted to the immediate neighborhood of the crust-atmosphere interface. In order to account for supercritical conditions near the surface, the Peng-Robinson equation of state is used to obtain the acoustic sound speed and attenuation coefficient in the lower atmosphere. The energy transported across the surface from deep and shallow sources is shown to be a few orders of magnitude larger than on Earth, pointing to a better seismo-acoustic coupling. For a more realistic scenario, simulations were made of the acoustic field generated in the lower atmosphere by the ground motion arising from a vertical array of subsurface point-force sources. The resulting transmission loss maps show a strong epicentral cone accompanied by contributions from leaky surface waves. Results at 0.1 Hz and 1 Hz confirm that the width of the epicentral cone is larger at lower frequencies.

Local Earthquake Seismic Tomography Reveals the Link Between Crustal Structure and Volcanism in Tenerife (Canary Islands)

AbstractVolcanic activity on Tenerife Island is extremely diverse. Three radial rift zones are characterized by cinder cones from basaltic fissure eruptions. A triple junction in central Tenerife exhibits a complex of merged, predominantly phonolitic, stratovolcanoes. The Las Cañadas caldera and widespread ignimbrite deposits reveal high explosive potential. We investigated the crustal and upper mantle structure beneath Tenerife using local earthquake data recorded by two dense seismic networks on the island. For our tomographic inversion, we selected >130,000 P‐ and S‐wave arrivals from ∼6,300 events that occurred during seismic unrests in 2004–2005 and 2017–2021. Synthetic tests confirmed that we could robustly resolve seismic velocity structures to ∼20 km depth. In the upper crust (down to ∼7 km) beneath central Tenerife, a prominent high‐velocity anomaly represents the rigid core of the volcanic complex; at greater depths, a strong low‐velocity anomaly reveals abrupt crustal thickening. Vp and Vs contour lines of 5.2 and 2.85 km/s, respectively, reveal Moho depth variation; crustal thickness beneath Las Cañadas reaches ∼17 km, whereas that beneath other parts of Tenerife is ∼10 km. An anomaly at ∼5 km beneath the caldera with low Vp, low Vs, and high Vp/Vs might be associated with a major phonolitic magma reservoir. Similar anomalies at ∼ sea level may represent shallow magma sources responsible for recent eruptions. Seismicity occurs in a columnar area of high Vp, high Vs, and low Vp/Vs, and may represent hydrothermal fluid migration through brittle media. Based on our results, we constructed a conceptual model of volcanic activity on Tenerife.