The exposed basement of the Variscan Iberian Massif includes various remains of the accretionary Cadomian orogen that fringed the northwestern margin of Gondwana in the late Neoproterozoic–Terreneuvian. Subduction of the Mirovoi Ocean beneath Gondwana was responsible for the formation of an arc system that was finally accreted to the continental margin. In the Iberian Massif, a complex Cryogenian–Fortunian arc/backarc system is preserved in the Ossa-Morena Zone, whereas a thick Ediacaran–Fortunian infill of a vast retroarc basin, developed as a result of arc accretion, is exposed in the Central Iberian, West-Asturian-Leonese and Cantabrian zones, defining a proximal (hinterland) to distal (foreland) transect. Wedge-top, foredeep and forebulge basin domains may be recognised in the foreland basin, but the basement of these Ediacaran–Fortunian successions is nowhere exposed. The Cadomian suture zone is currently exposed along the Variscan-age Badajoz-Córdoba shear zone that separates the Ossa-Morena Zone from the Central Iberian Zone. The suture is defined by an ‘accretionary unit’ consisting of high pressure metamorphic rocks and dismembered ophiolites, which is sandwiched between an underlying Gondwana margin Parautochthon (lower plate) and an overlying Ossa-Morena-like arc/backarc unit (upper plate). This geometric superposition implies southward polarity of the subduction responsible for the accretion, i.e. antithetic to the main subduction beneath Gondwana responsible for the development of the Cadomian arc. This double subduction system requires the existence and closure of a backarc basin, which is documented by the development of a secondary arc in the northern half of the Ossa-Morena Zone.

Availability of large-scale geospatial datasets, developments of effective algorithms, and access to powerful computing resources have resulted in the unprecedented quantities of data generated in recent years. This vast volume of available Earth observation data has triggered the need to find new ways to exploit its full potential. The GOLDENAI platform was developed to maximise geospatial data potential specifically for mineral exploration and mining. The platform's innovative component-based architecture consists of a back end for data acquisition, processing, and AI-driven analysis, and a user-friendly front-end for interactive data exploration. Uniquely tailored for the mining sector, the platform integrates automated Artificial Intelligence Knowledge Packs (AIKPs) to streamline processes such as soil moisture time-series analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for mineral mapping, spectral indices, RGB composites, and unsupervised clustering for geospatial analysis. Throughout the lifecycle of the GoldenEye project and through real-world field trials in the Golden Eye project, we demonstrate how GOLDENAI significantly enhances processing efficiency. This robust and scalable platform, accessible via a web-based interface, simplifies complex data workflows, making it a comprehensive and valuable tool for industry and academic stakeholders in mineral resource management.

Whether the contact between Moine (Tonian) metasedimentary rocks of the Morar and Glenfinnan groups on the Ross of Mull, Scottish Caledonides, is a stratigraphic transition, an unconformity or a ductile thrust is controversial. Quartz c-axis fabrics indicate that distributed WNW-NW directed ductile D2 shearing occurred within the Lagan Mor Formation (LMF, Morar-Glenfinnan transition zone) and the Scoor Pelite (SP, Glenfinnan Group) at deformation temperatures of 520–580 °C. Although the LMF-SP junction is marked by a macroscopic ‘platy’ zone, there is no obvious microtextural evidence for increasing strain magnitude and hence the nature of this contact remains uncertain. Metamorphic temperatures of 740-780 °C documented in structurally higher Glenfinnan Group rocks suggest that they were thrust over cooler and more foreland positioned Morar Group rocks. Whether this was accomplished by distributed shearing on a kilometres wide shear zone or a much narrow shear zone, such as the LMF-SP junction, is unknown. D2 shearing likely occurred at c. 450 Ma, and the D3 Assapol Synform on the Ross of Mull correlates with formation of the Northern Highlands Steep Belt at c. 448-432 Ma. We speculate that top-to-the WNW mylonite zones on the para-autochthonous Caledonian foreland of Iona formed during the same tectonic episode.

From the 2018–19 Antarctic Search for Meteorites (ANSMET) season, eight polymict, basaltic lunar regolith breccias were recovered from the Dominion Range (DOM). This study examines DOM 18543,9, a clast-poor breccia (<10%) containing clasts of basalts, gabbros, impact melt breccias, three-phase symplectites and one microbreccia containing a Ferroan Anorthosite (FAN)-derived, anorthositic granulite. All clasts and mineral fragments are set in a glassy matrix that contains glassy melt veins, pockets and impact glass spherules. Pyroxene and olivine Fe/Mn systematics are consistent with a lunar origin. Pyroxenes are augites and pigeonites, olivines are predominantly fayalitic (Fa 85–99 ) and plagioclase is typically anorthitic (An 93–99 ). Pyroxene, ilmenite and olivine compositions are consistent with derivation from a compositionally evolved, low-Ti basaltic magma and represent the relatively late stages of fractionation. Textural and geochemical characteristics are similar to those of the YAMM group, indicating a potential shared source from an ancient, low-Ti, KREEP (potassium, rare-earth elements and phosphorus)-poor lava flow in a mare terrane where feldspathic material is locally available. While some characteristics are shared with an unnamed crater within the Schickard crater, characterization of paired meteorites within the DOM clan, alongside cosmic ray exposure dating and integration of remote-sensing observations, is required to refine the petrological framework of these recently discovered lunar samples.

Oroclines are some of the largest structures affecting Earth's continental crust. However, their mode of formation and 3-dimensional geometry remain poorly understood. Two end-member orocline types are recognized. Progressive oroclines are syn-orogenic, are thin-skinned, characterize thrust belts, and form open, convex toward the foreland, lobate bends. Secondary oroclines are larger, and are thought to be thick-skinned. They can be isoclinal, and occur as coupled orocline pairs. Analogue modelling shows that progressive oroclines develop as a function of indenter shape and vector of motion, as well as reflecting variations in the depth and character of the sedimentary sequence being deformed. Problematically, realistic analogue models have not been able to reproduce the development of secondary oroclines: lithospheric beams are too weak to buckle when placed within a plate tectonic framework with realistic boundary conditions. Given that there are well-described and mapped secondary oroclines, resolving how they form and the plate-tectonic setting that gives rise to them remain key outstanding goals of tectonic analysis. If secondary oroclines are thin-skinned, a reassessment of the geological considerations that are the basis of the thick-skinned interpretation of secondary oroclines is required. It would also call into question the relationship between primary and secondary oroclines.

This study combines structural mapping, petrographic analysis, and U-Pb zircon geochronology of low-grade metamorphic rocks from the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), located in the westernmost domains of the South Portuguese Zone (SPZ). At Ilha do Pessegueiro beach, the Cercal volcanic-sedimentary complex (VSC) rocks, assigned to the Late Devonian in previous studies, exhibit a dominant S 1 slaty cleavage overprinted by S 2 crenulation cleavage. This ductile deformation has been attributed to contractional tectonics. However, new structural data indicate that older ductile structures formed in relation to a low-grade extensional shear zone (D 1 -E) and were tectonically transported to the east-southeast. The new age of the Cercal VSC felsic metatuffs (ca. 364-363 Ma) is consistent with VSC ages from other areas of the IPB, enabling us to bracket the D 1 -E deformation event between the Tournaisian and the Bashkirian. After the D 1 syn-convergent extension, a subsequent contractional deformation event (D 2 -C), resulting from the latest events of the Gondwana-Laurussia oblique convergence, caused inversion of the Carboniferous synorogenic basins and the formation of a thrust-and-fold belt. Recent data for the late Devonian-early Carboniferous geology of the IPB appear to support a correlation between the SPZ and the Meguma terrane.

Lower Devonian (ca. 418–407 Ma) volcanic rocks of the Dalhousie Group of the Gander Zone from the northern mainland Appalachians of northern New Brunswick are part of an overstep unit (the Middle Paleozoic Matapedia cover sequence) deposited across the accreted vestiges of the early Paleozoic Iapetus Ocean (proto-Atlantic Ocean). These shallow marine to subaerial mainly bimodal volcanic rocks were deposited in a post-collisional extensional setting. The felsic melts were generated by anhydrous melting of associated basalts in the lower continental crust with melting initiated by heat from rising underplated mafic magma. The ɛ Nd (t) values of rhyolites are positive (+ 3.45 – + 4.7) and similar to those of associated basalts (+3.9 - + 4.2). Likewise, their depleted model mantle ages ranging from ∼610 to ∼770 Ma are similar to those of basalts (∼700–790 Ma) and interpreted to represent enrichment ages associated with ancient Neoproterozoic subduction. The origin of the volcanic rocks of the Dalhousie Group is probably related to post-Salinic relaxation, extension, and breakoff of the Acadian Seaway slab and marks the transition to the Acadian orogenic cycle.

The Indonesian Gateway, with the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) as its primary water mass, serves as the key oceanic passages connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans, playing a crucial role in the global circulation pattern. Waters from the Pacific Ocean flow around the Sulawesi Island along the smaller seaways such as the Sulawesi Sea, Makassar Strait, Lifamatola Strait, Flores Sea and Banda Sea into the Indian Ocean. Offshore basins in Sulawesi are connected by these seaways and record key information concerning the effects of tectonic activity and deep marine sedimentation processes including turbidity and ocean bottom currents. Combined analysis of bathymetry, piston cores and seismic data reveal that sedimentation in offshore basins of Sulawesi is strongly influenced by deep- and bottom-water circulation. Three major contourite-dominated areas have been observed in this study. Contourite depositional systems in these basins have been fed by the Celebes Molasse sediments since the Neogene. Our work on the development of bottom currents on a steep-slope sedimentation can provide new insights to the Bottom Current Reworked Sand as reservoir targets for hydrocarbon exploration and carbon storage. Geophysical bathymetric survey and piston core sampling acquisition conducted in this study reveal seabed morphology and its spatiotemporal characteristic of deep-water mixed systems in the basin to increase potential reservoir quality.

The Goldeneye i.e. ‘Earth observation and Earth GNSS data acquisition and processing platform for safe, sustainable and cost-efficient mining operations’ project implements a unique combination of remote sensing and positioning technologies, exploiting Earth observation and Earth GNSS data, together with data fusion and processing powered by data analytics and machine-learning algorithms. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact provided seven techniques and methods for the five mine sites in the project Goldeneye. The emphasis is to analyze and reflect, how and with what focus areas developed analytical capabilities meet the needs of different mine sites that were collaborated in the project in piloting and testing. The results show that the outcomes of this R&D project hold immense significance for the mining industry, as they contribute to its transformation, digitalization, and twin transition. This contribution is realized through the broad adoption of sensing and AI-based applications, solutions, and services within the mining industry. This benefits not only the companies directly involved but also the entire value chain, related industries, and contributes to the EU-level and national goals in the mining sector.

Mine closure involves several measures, one of which is ensuring the stability of waste rock piles through slope stability assessment. Traditionally, such analyses have relied on two-dimensional methods, which have inherent limitations. Advances in computational capacity have enabled broader adoption of three-dimensional approaches. This article introduces a fully open-source workflow in which a digital elevation model derived from unmanned aircraft system (UAS) imagery serves as input for 3D stability analysis in Scoops3D. The workflow provided an up-to-date and sitewide view of the stability of waste rock piles at a mine site undergoing closure and identified areas with the highest potential risk. It demonstrates the feasibility and advantages of open-source solutions for cost-effective and scalable geotechnical analyses. Furthermore, the approach is applicable not only in post-mining environments but also for monitoring and stability evaluation during active phases of the mine cycle, offering a practical alternative to proprietary software for risk assessment and decision support.