Coupling between crustal superstructure, infrastructure and surface processes: test along the Himalayan orogenic front

地壳上层建筑、基础设施和地表过程之间的耦合：沿喜马拉雅造山锋的测试

• 批准号: 227475-2009
• 负责人: Grujic, Djordje
• 金额: $ 2.4万
• 依托单位: Dalhousie University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2012-01-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=496956
• 关键词: Coupling; between; crustal; superstructure; infrastructure

The Earth's geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere interact in diverse ways at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Studying the impacts of climate and erosion on tectonics (the study of the Earth's crust and the forces that influence it) is one of the most active research topics in the geological sciences. The Himalaya is the archetypal mountain range formed by the collision of continents, and its southern rampart is an exceptional natural laboratory to test the interactions between Earth's interior and surface processes. For example, the Indian summer monsoon plays an essential role in erosion along the Himalaya and its intensity has varied considerably since it was established some 12 million years ago. Conversely, the movement of Himalayan tectonic plates has remained fairly steady since collision between India and Eurasia began ~55 million years ago. As the same rock types are found along the entire 2000 km-wide mountain range, observed changes in surface geology are most likely due to the variation of erosion in space and time. The formation of the Himalaya is currently explained by two contrasting tectonic models that differ in their predictions for the sequence of deformation along the main structures. The rationale of this investigation is to provide a comprehensive study of the ages of the main geological structures and erosion rates, as a field-based test of the model predictions. This will provide crucial information about the coupling of deformation between middle and upper crustal levels and ultimately about the links between deep crustal deformation and surface processes. Floods, landslides, debris flows and even earthquakes are consequences of the processes that create dynamic landscapes in tectonically-active areas. Comprehending the rate and variability of such mass transport systems on the Earth's surface and understanding the Earth's response to climate changes over geologic time will lead to better hazard forecasting. In addition to taking a leadership role in the discipline, Canada will benefit from further understanding of the underlying processes responsible for the Earth's major evolutionary steps that can inform into policy development initiatives regarding geohazard, environmental protection and climate change.

地球的地质，大气，水圈和生物圈在各种空间和时间尺度上以各种方式相互作用。 研究气候和侵蚀对构造学的影响（对地壳的研究和影响它的力量）是地质科学中最活跃的研究主题之一。 喜马拉雅山是由大陆碰撞形成的原型山脉，其南部城墙是一个出色的天然实验室，用于测试地球内部和表面过程之间的相互作用。 例如，印度夏季季风在喜马拉雅山侵蚀中起着至关重要的作用，自从大约1200万年前建立以来，其强度差异很大。 相反，自印度和欧亚大陆之间的碰撞开始〜5500万年前以来，喜马拉雅构造板的运动一直保持稳定。 由于在整个2000 km宽的山脉沿线发现相同的岩石类型，因此观察到的表面地质变化很可能是由于空间和时间侵蚀的变化。 喜马拉雅山的形成目前是通过两个对比构造模型来解释的，它们在其对主要结构的变形序列的预测上有所不同。 这项研究的基本原理是对主要地质结构和侵蚀率的年龄进行全面研究，作为模型预测的基于现场的测试。 这将提供有关中地壳和上层地壳之间变形的耦合的关键信息，以及最终与深层地壳变形和表面过程之间的联系。 洪水，滑坡，碎屑流，甚至地震是在构造活动区域创造动态景观的过程的后果。 理解地球表面上这种质量运输系统的速度和变异性，并了解地球对地质时期气候变化的反应将导致更好的危险预测。 除了在该学科中发挥领导作用外，加拿大还将受益于对负责地球主要进化步骤的基本进程的进一步了解，这些过程可以将有关地质阵亡，环境保护和气候变化的政策制定计划告知政策制定计划。