Ground-penetrating radar study of beach-ridge deposits in Huangqihai Lake, North China: the imprint of washover processes

doi:10.1007/s11707-015-0501-z

Front. Earth Sci.

2016, Vol. 10

Issue (1) : 183-194 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-015-0501-z

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Ground-penetrating radar study of beach-ridge deposits in Huangqihai Lake, North China: the imprint of washover processes

Xin SHAN^1,²,Xinghe YU^1,^*(

),Peter D. CLIFT²,Chengpeng TAN¹,Shunli LI¹,Zhixing WANG¹,Dongxu SU¹

1. School of Energy Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
2. Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA

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Abstract

Determining the origin of beach ridges in lacustrine basins can often be problematic. The sedimentary processes responsible for formation of beach ridges on the north shore of Huangqihai Lake were investigated by using ground penetrating radar (GPR). A 400 MHz GPR antenna was used to achieve a high vertical resolution of 0.04–0.08 m. The radar stratigraphy was then determined using principles of seismic stratigraphy. The radar facies (RF) were determined by analyzing internal configuration and continuity of reflections, as well as reflection termination patterns.

The identified RF fall into three groups (inclined, horizontal and irregular). The inclined group consists of RF that display inclined reflections. The horizontal group consists of RF that exhibit predominantly horizontal reflections. In the irregular group, the reflections are typically weak. RF with reflections with gently landward dips in the shore-normal profile are interpreted as washover sheet deposits. RF with steeply landward-dipping and imbricated reflections are interpreted as washover lobes. Washover sheets develop when overwash fails to enter a significant body of water and sedimentation takes place entirely on the relatively flattened topography. Washover lobe development occurs when overwash enters a region in which topography dips steeply landward, and sedimentation takes place on the surface of washover sheets or previous washover lobes. The beach-ridge deposits are interpreted as being formed entirely from vertically and laterally stacked washover sheets and washover lobes. They were formed by wave-dominated processes and secondary overwash processes supplemented by longshore currents.

Keywords beach-ridge ground penetrating radar radar facies radar stratigraphy washover process

Corresponding Author(s): Xinghe YU

Just Accepted Date: 08 April 2015 Online First Date: 20 May 2015 Issue Date: 25 December 2015

Cite this article:

Xin SHAN,Xinghe YU,Peter D. CLIFT, et al. Ground-penetrating radar study of beach-ridge deposits in Huangqihai Lake, North China: the imprint of washover processes[J]. Front. Earth Sci., 2016, 10(1): 183-194.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/10.1007/s11707-015-0501-z
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/Y2016/V10/I1/183

Fig.1 Study site and location. (a) A GMT topographic map with the Huangqihai area highlighted within a square. Data is from SRTM (Shuttle Radar Monitoring Mission). (b) Bathymetry map of the dried out Huangqihai Lake in May, 2012. Depths were mapped by GPS as part of this study. (c) Planform map of the study beach ridge system in May 2012 with the locations of the 400 MHz GPR profiles and Trenches T1, T2 and T3. (d) Aerial photograph in May 2012 of the beach ridge system taken from the north.

Fig.2 A 400 MHz GPR survey collected by a TerraSIRch SIR 3000 (profile A; 80 m length) with (a) the processed GPR profile, (b) the subsurface radar stratigraphy based on the GPR data, and (c) the sedimentological interpretation based on internal reflection characteristics. The dashed lines represent boundaries between different radar facies. ws= washover sheet, wl= washover lobe. T1 shows the location of Trench 1.

Tab.1 Characteristics of reflections of different radar facies within Profile A.

Fig.3 Trench 1, with interpretation of radar stratigraphy and radar facies on the photo with (a) the lower part of the trench and (b) the upper part. The boundaries (Surfaces A-a, A-b, A-d, A-e, A-f and A-h) and sedimentary units (A-1, A-2, A-4, A-5, A-6, A-7 and A-9) can be correlated well with corresponding radar surfaces and radar facies in Profile A. Sedimentary units A-5 and A-7 display landward-dipping lamination. Note the white arrow which is the same marker in each photograph.

Fig.4 A 400 MHz GPR survey collected by a TerraSIRch SIR 3000 (Profile B; 85 m length) with (a) the processed GPR profile, (b) the subsurface radar stratigraphy based on the GPR data, and (c) the sedimentological interpretation based on internal reflection characteristics. The dashed lines represent boundaries between different radar facies. ws= washover sheet, wl= washover lobe. T2 shows the location of Trench 2.

Tab.2 Characteristics of reflections of different radar facies within Profile B.

Fig.5 Trench 2 and Trench 3, with interpretation of radar stratigraphy and radar facies on the photo with (a) Trench 2 with depth of 1.7 m and (b) Trench 3 with depth of 1 m. The boundaries and sedimentary units can be correlated well with corresponding radar surfaces and radar facies in profile B and C.

Fig.6 A 400 MHz GPR survey collected by a TerraSIRch SIR 3000 (Profile C; 80 m length) with (a) the processed GPR profile, (b) the subsurface radar stratigraphy based on the GPR data, and (c) the sedimentological interpretation based on internal reflection characteristics. The dashed lines represent boundaries between different radar facies. ws= washover sheet. T3 shows the location of Trench 3.

Tab.3 The characteristic of reflections of different radar facies on Profile C.

Fig.7 Radar facies identified in the radar sections. Based on reflection characteristics, the radar facies were divided into three categories: inclined reflections, horizontal reflections and irregular reflections.

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