• Title/Summary/Keyword: plate-tectonic

Search Result 88, Processing Time 0.025 seconds

Deep-sea Hydrothermal Vents: Ecology and Evolution

  • Won, Yong-Jin
    • Journal of Ecology and Environment
    • /
    • v.29 no.2
    • /
    • pp.175-183
    • /
    • 2006
  • The discovery of deep-sea hydrothermal vents and their ecosystems is a monumental landmark in the history of Ocean Sciences. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are scattered along the global mid-ocean ridges and back-arc basins. Under sea volcanic phenomena related to underlying magma activities along mid-ocean ridges generate extreme habitats for highly specialized communities of animals. Multidisciplinary research efforts during past three decades since the first discovery of hydrothermal vents along the Galapagos Rift in 1977 revealed fundamental components of physiology, ecology, and evolution of specialized vent communities of micro and macro fauna. Heterogeneous regional geological settings and tectonic plate history have been considered as important geophysical and evolutionary factors for current patterns of taxonomic composition and distribution of vent faunas among venting sites in the World Ocean basins. It was found that these communities are based on primary production of chemosynthetic bacteria which directly utilize reduced compounds, mostly $H_2S$ and $CH_4$, mixed in vent fluids. Symbioses between these bacteria and their hosts, vent invertebrates, are foundation of the vent ecosystem. Gene flow and population genetic studies in parallel with larval biology began to unveil hidden dispersal barrier under deep sea as well as various dispersal characteristics cross taxa. Comparative molecular phylogenetics of vent animals revealed that vent faunas are closely related to those of cold-water seeps in general. In perspective additional interesting discoveries are anticipated particularly with further refined and expanded studies aided by new instrumental technologies.

A New Tectonic Model of Cretaceous East Asia: Role of Mantle Plume (백악기 동아시아 신지구조 모델: 맨틀 플룸의 역할)

  • Lee, Changyeol
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
    • /
    • v.52 no.5
    • /
    • pp.337-345
    • /
    • 2019
  • The hypothesis of ridge subduction which explains the Cretaceous igneous activities in East Asia including China, Korea and Japan, has been widely accepted in the society. Especially, the hypothesis explains the southwest-to-northeast migration of the Cretaceous adakite emergence in Southwest Japan. However, the hypothesis has several issues because the geochemical analyses and plate reconstruction model are not consistent with the consequences of the ridge subduction. To resolve the issues, a new hypothesis of the plume-continent and plume-slab interaction is suggested, which explains the igneous activities during the Cretaceous. In this review, I briefly introduce the two hypotheses and suggest an additional future study to prove the new hypothesis.

Protocol for testing of cold-formed steel wall in regions of low-moderate seismicity

  • Shahi, Rojit;Lam, Nelson;Gad, Emad;Wilson, John
    • Earthquakes and Structures
    • /
    • v.4 no.6
    • /
    • pp.629-647
    • /
    • 2013
  • Loading protocols have been developed for quasi-static cyclic testing of structures and components. However, it is uncertain if protocols developed for conditions of intense ground shaking in regions of high seismicity would also be applicable to regions of low-moderate seismicity that are remote from the tectonic plate boundaries. This study presents a methodology for developing a quasi-static cyclic displacement loading protocol for experimental bracing evaluation of cold-formed steel stud shear walls. Simulations presented in the paper were based on conditions of moderate ground shaking (in Australia). The methodologies presented are generic in nature and can be applied to other regions of similar seismicity conditions (which include many parts of China, Korea, India and Malaysia). Numerous response time histories including both linear and nonlinear analyses have been generated for selected earthquake scenarios and site classes. Rain-flow cycle counting method has been used for determining the number of cycles at various ranges of normalized displacement amplitude. It is found that the number of displacement cycles of the loading protocol increases with increasing intensity of ground shaking (associated with a longer return period).

Time-series Analysis of Geodetic Reference Frame Aligned to International Terrestrial Reference Frame

  • Bae, Tae-Suk;Hong, Chang-Ki;Lee, Jisun;Altamimi, Zuheir;Sillard, Patrick;Boucher, Claude
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
    • /
    • v.39 no.5
    • /
    • pp.313-319
    • /
    • 2021
  • The national geodetic reference frame of Korea was adopted in 2003, which is referenced to ITRF (International Terrestrial Reference Frame) 2000 at the epoch of January 1, 2002. For precise positioning based on the satellites, it should be thoroughly maintained to the newest global reference frame. Other than plate tectonic motion, there are significant events or changes such as earthquakes, antenna replacement, PSD (Post-Seismic Deformation), seasonal variation etc. We processed three years of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data(60 NGII CORS stations, 51 IGS core stations) to produce daily solutions minimally constrained to ITRF. From the time series of daily solutions, the sites with unexpected discontinuity were identified to set up an event(mostly antenna replacement). The combined solution with minimum constraints was estimated along with the velocity, the offsets, and the periodic signals. The residuals show that the surrounding environment also affects the time series to a certain degree, thus it should be improved eventually. The transformation parameters to ITRF2014 were calculated with stability and consistency, which means the national geodetic reference frame is properly aligned to the global reference frame.

Distribution of Fault-related Landforms and Lineaments Along the Ulsan Fault Zone (울산단층대 주변의 단층 지형 및 선구조 분포)

  • Lee, Gwang-Ryul;Park, Chung-Sun;Shin, Jae-Ryul
    • Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
    • /
    • v.25 no.3
    • /
    • pp.89-103
    • /
    • 2018
  • This study presents results of analysis on fault-related landforms and the Quaternary fluvial landforms, which are important evidences for active faulting by identifying surface deformation, around the Ulsan Fault Zone. In addition, this study suggests lineament map and inferred active fault-line map based on analyzing linearity and continuity of these landforms and by compiling location information of existing active faults. We convince that quantitative tectonic-geomorphological analysis are an effective method for active faults tracking, in particular, considering the conditions of relatively low seismicity and surface ruptured-events in the Korean Peninsula compared to plate boundary active areas. However, research on active fault in South Korea is just an infant stage since the 1990s and requires accumulation of research achievements on development and application of various fault analysis techniques, analysing and standardizing linear structures.

Sulfur Isotope Composition of Seafloor Hydrothermal Vents in the Convergent Plate Boundaries of the Western Pacific: A Role of Magma on Generation of Hydrothermal Fluid (서태평양 지판소멸대의 해저열수분출구에서 관찰되는 황동위원소 조성변화: 열수 생성의 다양성과 마그마의 역할)

  • Kim, Jong-Uk;Moon, Jai-Woon;Lee, Kyeong-Yong;Lee, In-Sung
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
    • /
    • v.45 no.2
    • /
    • pp.145-156
    • /
    • 2012
  • Seafloor hydrothermal system occurs along the volcanic mid-ocean ridge, back-arc spreading center, and other submarine volcanic regions. The hydrothermal system is one of the fundamental processes controlling the transfer of energy and matter between crust/mantle and ocean; it forms hydrothermal vents where various deepsea biological communities are inhabited and precipitates metal sulfide deposits. Hydrothermal systems at convergence plate boundaries show diverse geochemical properties due to recycle of subducted material compared to simple systems at mid-ocean ridges. Sulfur isotopes can be used to evaluate such diversity in generation and evolution of hydrothermal system. In this paper, we review the sulfur isotope composition and geochemistry of hydrothermal precipitates sampled from several hydrothermal vents in the divergent plate boundaries in the western Pacific region. Both sulfide and sulfate minerals of the hydrothermal vents in the arc and backarc tectonic settings commonly show low sulfur isotope compositions, which can be attributed to input of magmatic $SO_2$ gas. Diversity in geochemistry of hydrothermal system suggests an active role of magma in the formation of seafloor hydrothermal system.

Morphotectectics of the Shackleton Fracture Zone around the Antarctic-Scotia plate boundary off the northern Antarctic Peninsula (남극반도 북부 남극-스코시아 판경계부에서의 셰클턴 파쇄대의 지형지체구조)

  • Jin, Young-Keun;Kim, Yea-Dong;Nam, Sang-Heon;Kim, Kyu-Joong
    • Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
    • /
    • v.3 no.3
    • /
    • pp.141-152
    • /
    • 2000
  • In the vicinity of the Antarctic-Scotia plate boundary off Elephant Island(EI), geophysical data(multichannel seismic and gravity data) reveal rapid structural variation of the Shackleton Fracture Zone(SFZ) along its strike. The SFZ ridge terminates in front of the Antarctic Peninsula margin, whereas the transform fault of the SFZ continues farther southeast near EI and the width of the SFZ broadens toward the southeast. Accordingly, the SFZ transform fault changes its morphology along its strike as (1) a graben structure along the high Shackleton ridge in Drake Passage, (2) a half-graben structure in oceanic crust just southeast of the Antarctic-Scotia plate boundary, and (3) splay faults deforming the margin of EI. Two phases of tectonic deformation are clearly observed along the transform fault. Major extensional deformation had formed a large-scale half-graben during roughly about $10{\sim}20$ Ma when Drake Passage had opened. And then, the Shackleton fault has been reactivated with reverse sense, which has been caused by recent convergence between Antarctic and Scotia plates due to westward movement of the Scotia plate since 6 Ma.

  • PDF

Thermoelastic Aspects of the San Andreas Faults under Very Low Strength (낮은 강도를 갖는 산 안드레아 단층의 열탄성 특성)

  • Park, Moo-Choon;Han, Uk
    • Journal of the Korean earth science society
    • /
    • v.21 no.3
    • /
    • pp.315-322
    • /
    • 2000
  • In this study, the data used for the models were a set of 56 geologic estimates of long-term fault slip rates. The hest models were those in which mantle drag was convergent on the Transverse Ranges in the San Andreas fault system, and faults had a low friction (${\mu}$= 0.3). It is clearly important to decide whether these cases of low strength are local anomalies or whether they are representative. Furthermore, it would be helpful to determine fault strength in as many tectonic settings as possible. Analysis of data was considered by unsuspected sources of pore pressure, or even to question the relevance of the friction law. To contribute to the solution of this problem, three attempts were tried to apply finite element method that would permit computational experiments with different hypothesized fault rheologies. The computed model has an assumed rheology and plate tectonic boundary conditions, and produces predictions of present surface velocity, strain rate, and stress. The results of model will be acceptably close to reality in its predictions of mean fault slip rates, stress directions and geodetic data. This study suggests some implications of the thermoelastic characteristics to interpret the relationship with very low strength of San Andreas fault system.

  • PDF

The Physical Region of China Divided by the Characteristics of Drainage Patterns. (하계망패턴의 특색으로 구분한 중국의 자연지역)

  • Hwang, Sang-Ill
    • Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
    • /
    • v.2 no.1
    • /
    • pp.151-164
    • /
    • 1996
  • The regional division by the characteristics of the drainage patterns is important to understand its physical environment comprehensively, because the drainage network develops in reflecting characteristics of geological, geographical and climatical features in the drainage basin keenly. This study is the attempt to divide physical region in China whose drainage pattern is diverse. Chinese drainage basin is mainly divided into the interior drainage basin and the peripheral drainage basin. The interior drainage basin is divided into (1)the deranged pattern and (2)the centripetal pattern. The peripheral drainage basin is divided into (1)the dendritic pattern, (2)the parallel pattern, (3)the radial pattern and (4)the anastomatic pattern. Drainage patterns of the interior drainage basin are formed by affecting geographical features and climatic conditions mainly. In the peripheral drainage basin, drainage patterns are formed by other factors: the parallel pattern is connected with geological structure lineament by tectonic movement, the radial pattern with changes of the river channel resulted from the Yellow River's overflow, the anastomotic pattern with human's activities. The distributional features of the physical region in China are as follows: The deranged pattern appears in Zangbai Plateau, the centripetal pattern does in arid basin of the northwest China. the parallel pattern does in Hengduan mountains affected strongly by tectonic movement between Yangtze paraplatform and Indian Plate, does in the upper stream of Yangtze River and Ganges River in the south of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, the radial pattern in Huaihe Haihe River drainage basin appearing in the alluvial fan region of Yellow River's downstream and the anastomotic pattern does in the delta of Yangtze River, in the northern coastal plain of the Jiangsu-Province and in the delta of Zhujiang River. Except these areas in the peripheral drainage basin, the dendritic pattern is usually found in the other areas.

  • PDF

Petrotectonic Setting and Petrogenesis of Cretaceous Igneous Rocks in the Cheolwon Basin, Korea (철원분지 백악기 화성암류의 암석조구조적 위치와 암석성인)

  • Hwang, Sang-Koo;Kim, Se-Hyeon;Hwang, Jae-Ha;Kee, Won-Seo
    • The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
    • /
    • v.19 no.1
    • /
    • pp.67-87
    • /
    • 2010
  • This article deal with petrotectonic setting and petrogenesis from petrography and chemical analyses of the Cretaceous volcanic and intrusive rocks in the Cheolwon basin. The volcanic rocks are composed of basalts in Gungpyeong Formation, Geumhaksan Andesite, and rhyolitic rocks (Dongmakgol Tuff, Rhyolite and Jijangbong Tuff), and intrusive rocks, Bojangsan Andesite, granite porphyry and dikes. According to petrochemistry, these rocks represent medium-K to high-K basalt, andesite and rhyolite series that belong to calc-alkaline series, and generally show linear compositional variations of major and trace elements with increase in $SiO_2$ contents, on many Harker diagrams. The incompatible and rare earth elements are characterized by high enrichments than MORB, and gradually high LREE/HREE fractionation and sharp Eu negative anomaly with late strata, on spider diagram and REE pattern. Some trace elements exhibit a continental arc of various volcanic arcs or orogenic suites among destructive plate margins on tectonic discriminant diagrams. These petrochemical data suggest that the basalts may have originated from basaltic calc-alkaline magma of continental arc that produced from a partial melt of upper mantle by supplying some aqueous fluids from a oceanic crust slab under the subduction environment. The andesites and rhyolites may have been evolved from the basaltic magma with fractional crystallization with contamination of some crustal materials. Each volcanic rock may have been respectively erupted from the chamber that differentiated magmas rose sequentially into shallower levels equivalenced at their densities.