LITHO-STRUCTURAL CONTROL ON THE LONGITUDINAL PROFILES OF THE TROTUȘ RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES, EASTERN CARPATHIANS

El análisis de los perfiles longitudinales de los ríos a través de la topografía del cauce, derivada de modelos digitales de elevación, es de especial utilidad para la extracción de indicadores geomorfológicos. La interacción entre fuerzas tectónicas y climáticas crea el modelado del paisaje. Cada contexto, definido por sus características climáticas, historia geológica y estado de las fuerzas tectónicas actuales definen un carácter, transitorio o estacionario, a este paisaje, que puede describirse a través de la forma del perfil. En este trabajo se han interpretado 74 perfiles longitudinales de 60 cuencas de drenaje localizadas en el sur y sureste de la isla de Mallorca, con características climáticas semiáridas, tasas de baja actividad tectónica y escasas dataciones cuaternarias. El objetivo es extraer y describir indicadores geomorfológicos y los factores que intervienen. A través de indicadores de forma como la concavidad y convexidad, los resultados muestran que existen zonas en claro estado de inmadurez y desequilibrio con tramos fluviales convexos y otras en cambio con patrones de concavidad en equilibrio dinámico. Se ha podido comprobar que existen 6 zonas con características propias en ocasiones afectadas por una topografía local determinada que obedece a basculamientos y estructuras tectónicas neógenas que perturban ese equilibrio. Las diferentes litologías carbonatadas, con su contraste de comportamiento ante la erosión y los fenómenos de disolución, generan puntos de ruptura en la concavidad y la pendiente, llamados knickpoints. En 31 de los 37 tramos donde el río atraviesa el contacto entre los materiales pliocenos o cuaternarios y las calcarenitas del Tortoniense–Mesiniense se han encontrado knickpoints litológicos. Por otra parte, para el contexto fisiográfico de la zona de estudio, se ha encontrado un umbral en el área de drenaje mínima, entre 2.3×105 y 7.2×105 m2, a partir del cual se genera un knickpoint debido a la escorrentía concentrada. El knickpoint en el perfil longitudinal de un río es un factor que genera un estado transitorio en la evolución de la red de drenaje. Además, la reconstrucción de paleoperfiles a partir de knickpoints es útil para determinar bajadas del nivel eustático o saltos de falla bajo determinadas condiciones. En un tramo del sur de la zona de estudio se ha registrado un salto de 30 m que puede indicar un movimiento vertical de bloques no cartografiado.

Psychiatric studies often collect longitudinal data to characterize the natural history of disease in a cohort or to evaluate the effect of behavioral or pharmaceutical interventions. For example, in a recent partially randomized study comparing escitalopram and nortriptyline in the treatment of depression, several depression scales were measured weekly over the 3-month course of treatment.[1] While the primary outcome measure of such studies may be a binary indicator of improvement at the end of treatment, analysis of the full longitudinal profile that makes optimal use of all available data to model rates of change over time may be more informative. For example, in the escitalopram/nortiptyline study, analysis of dichotomous outcomes adjusted for time participating in the study showed no difference between drugs, while analysis of the longitudinal profiles did indicate different patterns of improvement in the two groups over time.[2]

The longitudinal profile of the river bears geomorphic signature of long-term fluvial adjustment to tectonic, structure, lithology, and climate. Therefore, analysis of the longitudinal profile can be helpful in understanding the fluvial process and the response of the river to regional geodynamics. The present study uses longitudinal profiles and related geomorphic indices, including the Stream Length-Gradient Index (SL Index) of the Dwarkeswar river and its nine major tributaries, to understand the role of regional geological structure and lithology on the landscape evolution of the basin and the stage of river-valley development. Four mathematical functions were used in the present study to fit the curves of the profiles, on the basis of which the sequence of evolution was estimated. The exponential function is the best fit, followed by the linear function for each river, indicating a dynamic equilibrium condition. Moreover, profile concavity and hypsometric integral were used in the present study to understand sediment generation and transportation dynamics. The lower concavity index in Arkasa, Beko river, and Debkhal rivers indicate that sediment production and transportation balance each other. All the indices and the shape of Hack’s profile indicate that the rivers are in non-graded condition. The concavity of the profile reveals that Dwarkeswar rivers is an energy-limited river with a lower sediment delivery ratio (SDR)(0.47). Other rivers of the basin have moderate to high SDR (0.61–0.78). The integration of the results with the geological data indicates that the segments with anomalously high values of the SL index correspond to the fault lines, lineaments, and lithological discontinuities.

Geomorphic constraints on uplift history in the Aspromonte Massif, southern Italy

Accurate characterization of riverbed sediment is crucial for monitoring cross-sectional changes in rivers and modeling water dynamics, especially during large water discharge events. The UAV LiDAR technique, with recent advancements, offers enhanced capabilities for detailed riverbed topography mapping by eliminating surface vegetation. Despite its potential, the adoption of UAV LiDAR for riverbed cross-sectional profiling has faced delays and skepticism in regular practices. In this study, we applied the UAV LiDAR technique to measure the riverbed topography of a relatively wide river in the Ilan plain, northeast Taiwan. Our findings reveal that UAV LiDAR provides significantly more detailed results compared to Airborne LiDAR and surpasses topography measurements obtained through photogrammetry. The accuracy of UAV LiDAR-derived point clouds outperforms photogrammetry, especially when ground control points for the work of photogrammetry are insufficient or poorly distributed. Despite challenges posed by water bodies absorbing LiDAR signals, UAV LiDAR allows the production of complete riverbed topography, offering reliable estimates during dry seasons. Utilizing UAV LiDAR data, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of both cross-sectional and longitudinal riverbed profiles. The longitudinal profiles exhibit wavy frequencies associated with sediment transport processes, opening avenues for further investigation. Additionally, we evaluated Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of Differencing (DoD) using previously acquired Airborne LiDAR point clouds. The DoD analysis unveiled the substantial magnitude of sediment movement and redistribution following an extreme rainfall event and dam failure, with a height difference exceeding 9m. This analysis, extending along the river's longitudinal profile, serves as a ground-truth field dataset illustrating how extreme rainfall events can trigger large sediment movements, posing potential hazards to the residents near rivers. Our study demonstrates the utility of UAV LiDAR in high-resolution mapping of riverbed sediment topography and provides valuable insights into sediment dynamics under extreme events, contributing to improved monitoring and hazard assessment practices.

Este trabalho apresenta resultados relativos à análise e interpretação de dados morfométricos e observacionais da região hidrográfica do rio da Várzea – norte do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul –, no contexto da alta bacia do rio Uruguai. O objetivo foi avaliar se os índices morfométricos analisados são indicativos ou não de maturidade do relevo e de influência tectônica na região. A metodologia utilizada baseia-se em uma abordagem morfoestrutural por meio de análise de perfis longitudinais de canal e topográficos de varredura, de parâmetros morfométricos e de superfícies de isobase. Dentre os principais resultados apontados destacam-se: (i) curvas hipsométricas predominantemente convexas e representativas de uma morfologia que passa por ativa desnudação; (ii) uma onda erosiva remontante na direção sul da região hidrográfica que amplia a desnudação dos planaltos superiores (Planalto das Missões e dos Campos Gerais); (iii) a elaboração das escarpas erosivas, a incisão dos vales e a elaboração da superfície do Planalto Dissecado do rio Uruguai onde se concentram os maiores declives; (iv) na contraposição ao mapeamento geomorfológico da região constatou-se a coincidência das compressões de isolinhas (anomalias topográficas) com os limites entre os compartimentos planálticos da região. A morfogênese desse relevo é coerente com a atuação de fatores estruturais de caráter tectônico que fizeram com que houvesse um encaixamento do rio Uruguai produzindo uma onda erosiva remontante que se expressa na rede de drenagem.
 Palavras-chave: morfologia estrutural, perfil longitudinal de canal, dissecação fluvial

Resulting from the collision of the Eurasian and Indian plates, the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is commonly known as the ‘roof of the world’. Collectively the Yarlung Tsangpo, Nu, Lancang, Yangtze, Yalong, and Yellow River basins drain the eastern margin of the plateau. In this paper, we utilize Shuttle Radar Topography Mission elevation data to examine morphometric and relief attributes of these basins to reveal insights into tectonic activity and rates of incision. A robust technique using Matlab is proposed to alleviate errors associated with SRTM data in the derivation of river longitudinal profiles. Convex longitudinal profiles are interpreted to be a product of uplift rates that exceed rates of channel incision along the entire margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Highest relief towards the south reflects extensive fluvial incision. High relief is also prominent along major active faults. Erosion patterns are related to distance from knickpoints. Highest rates of erosion and incision are evident towards the south, with decreasing values towards the north, suggesting a link between tectonic activity and erosion.

The Plio-Quaternary uplift of the Apennine chain: new data from the analysis of topography and river valleys in Central Italy

We describe the analysis of longitudinal air shower profiles as measured by the fluorescence detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory and present the measurement of the depth of maximum of extensive air showers, Xmax, with energies ≥1018 eV. The measured energy evolution of the average of Xmax and its fluctuations, RMS(Xmax), are compared to air shower simulations for different primary particles.

The Himalayan Mountain Range has originated from the ongoing collision of the Eurasian and the Indo-Australian plates since the Paleogene. It is widely accepted that this tectonically-driven uplift is still continuing, as reflected by a large number of earthquakes in the area. Apart from the sub-surface and geophysical signatures, the surficial geomorphic markers deserve due attention. Fluvial systems, which preserve the evidence of the past and present tectonic perturbations on the surface, have often been investigated to assess the imprints of uplift in a region. Sensitive to long-term tectonic, structural and climatic regimes, the general forms of the longitudinal profile and its derivatives have been analysed across the globe for determining the varying roles of tectonics, litho-structure and climate. This article assesses the degree of tectonic and lithological control on the drainage network of the Rangit Basin in the Eastern Himalayas. One of the important characteristics of the studied basin is that the Main Central Thrust (MCT), which is located between the Greater Himalayas and the Lesser Himalayas, divides the basin into two distinct domains. Longitudinal profiles and their derivatives of 16 major tributaries of the Rangit River were extracted from the ALOS–PALSAR DEM and analysed. The controls on this Himalayan river were evaluated based on investigations of longitudinal profile shapes, stream gradient (SL) indices, longitudinal profile concavities and steepness. Prominent drainage anomalies such as above-grade conditions, exponential and linear fitting of longitudinal profiles, elevated values of SL indices, barbed drainage, over-steepened stream segments and fluvial hanging valleys imply rapid erosion rates in the basin. This is noticeable particularly in the lower domain of the Rangit Basin, especially in the areas located downstream of the MCT. A comparison of steep segments with the geological and lineament maps reveals that many of these anomalies are lineament-controlled. Furthermore, a large number of such features do not conform to lithological intersections, suggesting a possible tectonic factor behind the occurrence of such anomalies.

The Achankovil Shear Zone (AKSZ) in the Southern Granulite Terrain separates the Trivandrum block from the Madurai block. Various geomorphic indices and longitudinal profiles of the river systems in the AKSZ, viz., Achankovil river basin (ARB) and Kallada river basin (KRB), were derived from SRTM DEM to decipher the influence of shearing and deformation on the regional drainage evolution. Although hypsometric analysis of the basins implies old stage of geomorphic evolution, horizontal shifts in the channel plan form are restricted (except in the Tertiary sediments), suggesting the structural controls over the drainage organization, which are also supported by the high topographic sinuosity. The transverse topographic symmetry (T) vectors indicate a southwesterly migration for the upstream channel segments of both ARB and KRB, while the northwesterly migration of the downstream courses can be correlated with the dextral shearing of the AKSZ. Even though the shear zone is considered to be the block boundary between the charnockite of Madurai and khondalite of Trivandrum blocks, the moderate to low profile concavity (θ) values are probably the result of suppressing the effect of the block–boundary interactions by shearing and denudation. The study proposes a model for evolution of drainage network in the AKSZ, where the mainstream of the basins was initially developed along NE–SW direction, and later the upstream and midstream segments were reoriented to the NW–SE trend as a result of intense shearing. Overall, the present study emphasizes the significance of geomorphic indices and longitudinal profile analysis to understand the role of shearing and deformation on drainage evolution in transcrustal shear zones.

Background:Regular physical activity improves health outcomes in cancer survivors; however, maintaining recommended levels of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) post-treatment is challenging, even for those participating in exercise intervention studies. Understanding long-term MVPA patterns and predictors can guide strategies to promote sustained physical activity in this population. We aimed to describe objectively measured MVPA-profiles over 5 years in cancer survivors who participated in a 6-month exercise intervention during cancer treatment, and to identify baseline predictors of profile belonging.Methods:Data were derived from the multicenter randomized controlled trial Phys-Can, including participants with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer. Objective measures of MVPA were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at 1-, 2-, and 5-year follow-ups. Longitudinal latent profile analysis was used to identify MVPA profiles, and multinomial logistic regression to examine potential baseline predictors of profile belonging.Results:Among 556 participants, 4 longitudinal MVPA profiles were identified: Low and stable (18.0%), Medium and stable (40.8%), High and decreasing (28.4%), and Very high and stable (12.8%). Compared to the Very high and stable MVPA profile, participants in the Low and stable MVPA profile were more likely to be women (OR = 20.64) or have higher BMI (OR = 1.41) or lower cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 0.69) at baseline.Conclusion:Cancer survivors who are women or have a higher BMI and/or low cardiorespiratory fitness prior to cancer treatment are at greater risk of maintaining low MVPA levels over time. These groups may require targeted support to enhance and sustain physical activity during survivorship.

Knickpoint retreat and landscape evolution of the Amatlán de Cañas half-graben (northern sector of Jalisco Block, western Mexico)

The relative tectonic quiescence of the Australian continent during the Cenozoic makes it an excellent natural laboratory to study recent large-scale variations in surface topography, and processes that influence changes in its elevation. Embedded within this topography is a fluvial network that is sensitive to variations in horizontal and vertical motions. The notion that a river acts as a 'tape recorder' for vertical perturbations suggests that changes in spatial and temporal characteristics of surface uplift can be deduced through the analysis of longitudinal river profiles. We analyse 20 longitudinal river profiles around the Australian continent. Concave upward profiles in northeast Australia indicate an absence of recent surface uplift. In contrast, the major knickzones within longitudinal profiles of rivers in southwest Australia suggest recent surface uplift. Given the lack of recent large-scale tectonic activity in that region, this uplift requires an explanation. Applying an inverse algorithm to river profiles of south Western Australia reveals that this surface uplift started in the Eocene and culminated in the mid-late Neogene. The surface uplift rates deduced from this river profile analysis generally agree with independent geological observations including preserved shallow-marine sediment outcrops across the Eucla Basin and south Western Australia. We show that the interplay between global sea level and long-wavelength dynamic topography associated with south Western Australia's plate motion path over the remnants of an ancient Pacific slab is a plausible mechanism driving this surface uplift.

SUMMARY Embedded within Earth’s topography is a constantly evolving fluvial network sensitive to variations in horizontal and vertical motions, driving sediment transport from elevated sources to sedimentary basins. The notion that a river acts as a ‘tape recorder’ for positive vertical displacements suggests that changes in spatial and temporal characteristics of surface uplift can be deduced through the analysis of longitudinal river profiles. The relative tectonic quiescence of the Australian continent during the Cenozoic makes it an excellent natural laboratory to study recent large-scale variations in surface uplift, often linked with mantle convective processes. Here, we analyse X longitudinal river profiles from south Western Australia. Major knickzones in the longitudinal profiles of rivers in southwest Australia suggest recent surface uplift. Given the lack of recent large-scale tectonic activity in that region, this uplift requires an explanation. Applying an inverse algorithm to river profiles of south Western Australia reveals that this surface uplift started in the Eocene and culminated in the mid-late Neogene. The surface uplift rates deduced from this river profile analysis generally agree with independent geological observations including preserved shallow-marine sediment outcrops across the Eucla Basin and south Western Australia. The timing of this event is also to be compared with offshore stratigraphic sections to link onshore surface uplift to offshore sedimentation. We show that the interplay between global sea level and long-wavelength dynamic topography associated with south Western Australia’s plate motion path over the remnants of an ancient Pacific slab is a plausible mechanism driving this surface uplift.