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Determining Paleosol Topography Using Seismic Refraction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Tim C. Rolph
Affiliation:
Geomagnetism Laboratory, University of Liverpool, Oliver Lodge Laboratories, P.O. Box 147, Oxford Street, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom
John Shaw
Affiliation:
Geomagnetism Laboratory, University of Liverpool, Oliver Lodge Laboratories, P.O. Box 147, Oxford Street, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom
Edward Derbyshire
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 OEX, United Kingdom
An Zhisheng
Affiliation:
Xian Laboratory for Loess and Quaternary Studies, Xian, People's Republic of China

Abstract

The seismic refraction reversed profiling technique has been used to investigate the topography of the last interglacial soil (paleosol S1) within the central Chinese Loess Plateau near Xifeng. The results suggest an essentially flat-lying soil at a depth which varies by only a few meters over an area of more than 10 km2. In addition, the results indicate a high-velocity layer at 50-60 m depth which is thought to coincide with a layer of carbonate concretions at the base of paleosol S5. The results agree well with the local loess-paleosol stratigraphy for this area and indicate that the seismic refraction method is a rapid technique for investigating paleotopography.

Type
Short Paper
Copyright
University of Washington

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References

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