Application of Acoustic Emission to Estimation of Strata Denudation: A Case Study from the Ordos Basin, China

This paper presents a method for reconstructing denudation in sedimentary basins. The principle of this method is to use the Kaiser effect involving the acoustic emission (AE) of rock samples under a uniaxial load test. Based on the proposed method, the denudation thickness since the Late Cretaceous period in the southeastern margin of the Ordos Basin in China was estimated. The results showed that the denudation increased gradually from the northwest (1600 m a.s.l) to the southeast (1800 m a.s.l) of the study area. A comparison of the denudation results with those obtained from other methods illustrated that the AE method was reliable and easy to use. Finally, using computer simulation, we analyzed the influence of strata denudation and ground topography on the current in situ stress. The results suggested that due to the denudation, the horizontal stress played a dominant role in the distribution of the in situ stress of the study area, but the in situ stress could be reduced by the uplifted movement of the ground. The analysis could facilitate future applications of the AE method and improve understanding of the basin stress field.