Geomorphological Environment Research Articles

Geomorphology of the Pieria Mtns, Northern Greece

ABSTRACT The present study is an attempt to comprehend and interpret the geomorphological factors that contributed to the landscape formation and evolution of the broader area of Pieria Mtns in Northern Greece. Detailed geomorphological mapping was performed utilizing both automated - GIS oriented and traditional geomorphological techniques. In order to scientifically determine the formation and evolution of present day landscape, topography, geology, tectonics and climatic status were taken into consideration. The broader area of Pieria Mtns is a landscape with heterogeneous geomorphological environments. The geomorphological formation and evolution is the result of primarily active tectonics, and exogenic processes from Lower Miocene until present. The combined methodology of GIS oriented and traditional geomorphological mapping was proved to be scientifically accurate although time consuming. Detailed field work was considered mandatory in order to validate the GIS derivatives, and interpret the genesis of the landforms.

Multi-frequencies GPR measurements for delineating the shallow subsurface features of the Yushu strike slip fault

In order to assess Ground penetrating radar (GPR) for imaging the shallow subsurface geometry and characteristics of the fault in Yushu area, details GPR measurements with 25 MHz, 100 MHz and 250 MHz frequencies antenna were firstly conducted in four sites along the Yushu fault after geomorphologic and geological investigation. The 25 MHz profiles delineated an excellent general view of deformation zones at a much wider area and greater depth. While the 100 MHz and 250 MHz data provided more detailed analysis of the shallow subsurface deformation about the geologic structure and the fault, including the stratigraphic structures, the dip angle and direction of the fault plane. The remarkable variation in the pattern and relative amplitude of electromagnetic waveform on the two-dimensional GPR profiles are all obvious and it is considered as the main fault zone with a nearly vertical fault with the dip angle of 70°–85°. High frequency GPR profiles show a good consistency with the trench sections at three sites. The geometry of the main fault zone can be depicted and deduced up to ~ 12 m deep or even deeper on the 25 MHz GPR profile in Yushu area and it is considered to be the result of the movement of active faults. What’s more, the geophysical features on GPR profile associated to the strike-slip fault are further summarized in different geological and geomorphological environment in Yushu area, the study also provides further evidence that GPR is valuable for fault investigation and palaeoseismic study in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau area.

Geomorfología como factor de riesgo a inundaciones en la cuenca hidrográfica de Mulegé, Baja California Sur, México

Flooding records in the town of Mulege have indicated since its founding date that meteorological phenomena, such as intense regional rainfall events, have been the main flood threat. In diagnostic flooding assessments, the geomorphological aspects of a watershed and increases in the urban area have been highly relevant. Considering these factors, this study implemented conventional field geology techniques and validated fluvial flooding through modeling scenarios according to the methodology of the Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (National Center for Disaster Prevention). In Mulege watershed, three geomorphological units were identified: sierras, alluvial plain, and coastal belt. These units are crossed by a dense network of dendritic drainage channels characterized by an intermittent regime, which as a whole forms a seventh-order exoreic watershed. The funnel-shaped watershed and the high density of drainage channels are factors that naturally increase flooding frequency and intensity. Specifically, its wide pluvial catchment area within the watershed decreases in size at its lower portion, forming a small valley where the town is located. Thus, the lower watershed is a highly flood-prone area because of its low topographic relief. In addition to its intrinsic characteristics (form, topographic relief, slopes, lithology, fluvial network), the establishment and increase of the urban area in the geomorphological environment of this lower portion has significantly reduced the runoff area, representing a human induced risk that increases flooding vulnerability. The inhabitants in Mulege perceive flooding to be increasing in frequency and intensity, as those that occurred in 2009 during Hurricane Jimena and in 2014 during Hurricane Odile, in which flood depths exceeded two meters in height. These flooding scenarios were validated by the fluvial flood model: Rainfall recorded at the Mulege meteorological station during Hurricane Jimena (305 mm in 24 h) was equivalent to that calculated for a 100-year return period and during Hurricane Odile (184 mm in 24 h) to a 25-year return period. Therefore, we confirm that the town of Mulege is exposed to a continuous risk of sudden flooding that is defned by the sum and interaction of distinct processes of natural and anthropogenic origins.

Ries impact crater sedimentary conglomerates: Sedimentary particle 'impact pre-processing', transport distances and provenance, and implications for Gale crater conglomerates, Mars

Terrestrial impact cratering events produce anomalous rock fragmentation and alteration, and form sedimentary basins that are out of equilibrium with the local geomorphological environment. Assessement of their initial deposits, crater erosion and infilling, lacustrine environments and biology can provide important insights into similar features on Mars. Here we report on fluviodeltaic conglomerates associated with the 26 km diameter Miocene Ries impact structure (target: sediments overlying crystalline basement) with respect to shock features, grain size distribution, roundness, and potential parent rocks (provenance). The poorly sorted conglomerates form coarsening-upwards cycles associated with a delta-mouth bar system, with subangular to subrounded pebbles derived from crystalline rock impact breccia deposits. Pebbles comprise a wide range of lithologies and states ranging from fresh and solid to intensively impact-fractured, friable crystalline rocks, including shatter cones. Shocked quartz grains, however, are restricted to the sand fraction. The latter observation points to suevite as an additional, but subordinate source of the conglomerates. Granulometric analysis indicates that, in contrast to being derived from weathering of bedrock, impact brecciation of the parent crystalline rocks generated the initial grain size distribution of the conglomerates (i.e., preprocessing). This concept of “impact preprocessing” helped to defne the provenance, the post-impact sedimentologic history and the sediment transport distances of the conglomerates. Post-impact fluvial transport leads to the outwash of fine fractions into the prodelta subenvironment, and an increase in roundness and mean diameter in the residual conglomerates (i.e. hydraulic sorting). On the basis of the characteristics of the ejecta deposits and the present-day locations and occurrences of crystalline rock impact breccias and blocks in the northwestern Ries crater segment analyzed, a transport distance of less than 3.5 km is derived for these impact-preprocessed conglomerates. Reconstruction of the initial distribution and composition of the primary ejecta layer indicates that the conglomerates composed solely of crystalline rock had a maximum transport distance less than 6.5 km, i.e., within the closed basin of the Ries impact structure. In contrast to traditional interpretations of conglomerates, requiring long transport distances from bedrock source regions to deposition to ensure sufficient rounding and sorting, the rounding and sorting associated with these short transport distances are explained by preprocessing of parent rocks by impact brecciation and enhanced susceptibility to abrasion. Consequently, transport distances of conglomeratic fragments associated with impact craters, such as Gale crater on Mars, are likely to have been only a few kilometers, and derived from nearby ejecta, most likely from the inner crater walls. This Ries crater-based preprocessing and transport model implies that the unusual Gale crater conglomeratic fragments are likely to represent the immediate target material excavated by the Gale cratering event, rather than fragments transported laterally from greater distances outside the crater.

Assessment of some pristine sand deposit from Imo Formation (southeastern Nigeria) as construction aggregate and industrial material

Ebenebe sand deposits from the designated Imo Formation (southeastern Nigeria) were evaluated using geologic, geochemical, and geotechnical techniques to ascertain the suitability for use as fine aggregate and industrial material. Results show that this formation consists of mainly quartz that show predominance of angular to subrounded sphericity, oblate to equant mineral shapes, while elongate and platy shaped grains are rare. It exhibits poorly sorted and well-graded particles that range from fine to coarse sand-sized grains. Of all the specimens taken from this geological deposit, geochemistry is dominated by a very high percentage of SiO2 (> 96%). The concentrations of Al2O3 and Fe2O3 vary from 0.58 to 2.2% and 0.09 to 0.89%, respectively. Sands show insignificant activity on soaking with water and caustic soda which demonstrate the paucity of deleterious minerals and organics. The properties of the sand deposits are evaluated based on the depositional and geomorphological environment and processes. The properties of the Ebenebe sand deposits were compared with the characteristics of other sand deposits having proven service performance and those specified by some referenced standards which implies that the studied sands possess a high potential for use as aggregate as well as industrial material, with some beneficiation.

Deposit modeling for archaeological projects: Methods, practice, and future developments

AbstractThis paper considers the application of deposit modeling within archaeological projects, summarizing the results of a Historic England funded project aimed at developing “good practice” for the application of these techniques within terrestrial environments. It provides an overview of what deposit modeling is, the environments where it can be used and the methods most commonly used. The paper identifies a series of issues and challenges in using deposit models within archaeological investigations, such as the archiving of geotechnical data, the testing of deposit models against the distribution of archaeological sites and features, and integrating sediment stratigraphies derived from deposit modeling with post‐excavation records. We argue that deposit modeling is a valuable tool for archeologists to employ and can be used to design appropriate excavation strategies to target sites and features, thereby increasing the information yield of a project. In this sense deposit modeling can be used as a framework for archaeological projects that are investigating sediment sequences in complex geomorphological environments, starting with pre‐evaluation data gathering, through to focusing excavation strategies, and within the post‐excavation analysis. Whilst this paper is focused upon the terrestrial archaeological record, the themes discussed have resonance for archaeological records across the globe, including the offshore zone.

The record of postglacial environmental changes of the southern Baltic coastal zone in the sequence of fossil soils

PurposeThe studies aimed to reconstruct major phases of litho-morpho-pedogenic processes and past environmental changes in the Baltic coastal zone near Poddąbie (54°37,070′ N, 16°57,897′ E) based on physical, chemical, pollen, and fossil Cladocera analysis of the polycyclic pedocomplex.Materials and methodsThe polycyclic pedocomplex under study included seven fossil soils developed from the Early Holocene until modern times from various materials. The soils were sampled and analyzed using standard procedures in soil science to determine their physical and chemical properties. Pollen and fossil Cladocera analysis was also carried out in the examined profile. Radiocarbon dates of selected samples were also specified.Results and discussionThe studied polycyclic pedocomplex has been developed from materials of varied origin, including glaciofluvial, fluvial, aeolian, and biogenic deposits of the lake. According to the results of pollen and fossil Cladocera analysis and radiocarbon dating, this body of water has evolved from the beginning of Preboreal period to the half of Boreal. The studied soils represent various reference groups and advancement of development. They constitute relics of former geomorphological and soil-forming processes, which have taken place over the last 9500 years, including periglacial processes, wildfires, Baltic Sea shoreline changes, and aeolian activity. The last stage of the coastal relief dynamics was conditioned by the fire which took place about 1472–1637 AD. The lack of plant cover and intensive abrasion due to direct vicinity of the coastline has caused the deposition of aeolian material, which is the parent material of nutrient-poor initial soils.ConclusionsThe analysis of fossil soil development with the use of specialized research methods allowed for reconstructing the dynamics of past geomorphological processes and natural environment changes in the study area. The studied polycyclic pedocomplex constitutes a record of environmental changes taking place in the central part of the Polish Baltic coastal zone from the Early Holocene to the present day. The studied soil sequence is located within a land depression developed in place of the former water reservoir created as a result of permafrost degradation, and filled with Holocene deposits.

Improved detection of archaeological features using multi-source data in geographically diverse capital city sites

Abstract As one of the world's oldest civilizations, China has a continuous history that extends for more than 5000 years. There are many important capital cities throughout China. However, little information is available in the literature about capital city sites using remote sensing because of its various geographical conditions. This paper designs new methodologies for detecting archaeological features in Northern and Southern China based on multi-source remotely sensed data. Based on various environmental factors, multitemporal images were interpreted to analyse an ancient city located in Southern China, while the integral of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series and thermal infrared images were employed to detect the archaeological features in Northern China; these results were then cross-compared with each other. The results demonstrate that the use of integrated remote sensing technology can provide valuable information and indications of archaeological remains in ancient capital city sites in different geomorphological and vegetated environments in China. Our results also demonstrate that capital city sites can be detected using the proposed approach.

Siting assessment for Kinetic Energy Turbines: an emplacement study for sea and river applications

The siting and design of a Tidal Energy Converter (TEC) require the characterization of the flow velocity field acting in terms of space and time, in order to assess the hydrodynamic forces, to calculate the structural loading and power capacity, also helping investment strategy and project financing. In this framework, the selection of the emplacement site is of paramount importance for optimizing efficiency of TEC. In this study, we propose site assessment procedures for emplacement of TEC machines, comparing a sea tidal site with two rivers ones. Sites differ each other from geomorphological characteristics. The Cook Inlet (South-Central Alaska) is a large subarctic estuary, which extends about 250 km from Anchorage bay to the Pacific Ocean. Tidally dominated currents control the hydrographic regime, with water levels and currents periodically influenced by tides from the Gulf of Alaska, which are significantly amplified as approaching Anchorage bay. The Cháng Jiāng river (also named Yangtze, China) is the longest in Asia and the third in the world, with a huge flow rate. The Pearl River Estuary (China) has a length of about 70 km, a width of about 15 km and an average depth of about 4.8 m. It is deeper than 20 m in its eastern part, and discharges into a microtidal environment along the northern shelf of the South China Sea. The TEC performances have been compared in the three different geomorphological environments. Results show how TEC in rivers can perform up to 5.47 kW/m2, a huge value compared to the wide sea turbines, able to perform up to 10.76 kW/m2.

Engineering geology of the Quaternary

Throughout the 50 years of the Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology papers have been published on case studies, site characterization and material geotechnical properties that have been influenced by the climatic and geomorphological environments experienced during the Quaternary. This period of geological time has left a significant legacy for ground engineering and construction projects with a complexity of ground conditions whose interpretation and understanding are crucial for the success of any such schemes. This review presents key papers that mainly focus on the effects of cold climates, both glacial and periglacial, developed during this time. Advances in landsystem description and ground model development published in the journal for these terrains are discussed.

神戸市域における大規模地形改変の時間的・位置的変化 : 「臨海都市と地形環境 : つくる・いきる・かえる」 : 1991年度秋季学術大会シンポジウム

神戸市域における大規模地形改変の時間的・位置的変化 : 「臨海都市と地形環境 : つくる・いきる・かえる」 : 1991年度秋季学術大会シンポジウム

土地改変のテクノロジーと環境保全 : 「臨海都市と地形環境 : つくる・いきる・かえる」 : 1991年度秋季学術大会シンポジウム

土地改変のテクノロジーと環境保全 : 「臨海都市と地形環境 : つくる・いきる・かえる」 : 1991年度秋季学術大会シンポジウム

臨海都市の地形改変と新旧景観の相克 : 「臨海都市と地形環境 : つくる・いきる・かえる」 : 1991年度秋季学術大会シンポジウム

臨海都市の地形改変と新旧景観の相克 : 「臨海都市と地形環境 : つくる・いきる・かえる」 : 1991年度秋季学術大会シンポジウム

Spatial differentiation and morphologic characteristics of China’s urban core zones based on geomorphologic partition

Based on a previous study that used the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program/Operational Linescan System (DMSP/OLS) nighttime light images to partition different types of night-lit areas within individual cities, 456 urban core zones in China, representing highly developed areas in 2012, were extracted. Then, several morphologic indices were selected for characterizing for each urban core zone, and the spatial differentiation and morphologic characteristics of urban core zones located within different geomorphologic regions in China were quantitatively analyzed. The results showed that urban core zones were most widely distributed in the eastern region comprising hilly plains, with a decreasing distribution trend from northeast to southwest, and the least distribution was in the Tibetan Plateau. The contours of most of these zones appeared to be relatively simple and compact, and evidenced seven shapes. Regions at lower altitudes with flat terrains were more likely to demonstrate a wide range of urban core zones, especially those with complex shapes. This study represents a preliminary effort toward the construction of an interactive coupling mechanism for urban and geomorphologic environments (e.g., altitude, relief of land surface, geomorphologic types, geomorphologic region). Its findings contribute to enhancing understanding of the spatial morphologic characteristics of highly developed areas in China.

Some aspects of a multidimensional analysis of the evolution of ecological-geochemical soil state

Soil saturation index and its calculating are demonstrating multicollinear correlations between ecological-geochemical soil state and environmental circumstances. There are wood ecosystems on the research area with Phaeozem, Luvisol, Retisol and Fluvisol. We have also studied the buried soil. Their burials occurred as a result of natural processes (about 5000 BP) and as a result of human impact (about 1000 BP). Age of separate genetic horizons (from 360±50 to 1870±160 ВР) indicates soils genesis during the last stage of the Holocene – Subatlantic. In our opinion the dynamics of the climate during last stage of the Holocene is the main cause of the complex structure of the soil cover on quite small area (5 km2). Second reason is difficult geomorphological environment (rough topography). On the basis of factor analysis proved efficiency of soil saturation index by trace elements: analytical work only with the indicated index reveals an unambiguous reduce the number of determining factors (up to two) and, thus, the proportion of the variance, which is determined by two factors is 100 %. While the using in the analysis of the total content, or a mobile forms of trace elements, or of some and the others together as a combined using of content mobile forms and their mobility will lead to an increase factor up to four and the simultaneous decrease in the proportion of the variance which is due to these factors to 74–88 %. We did not find decisive influence of any factor on saturation of studied soil types by trace elements. There is always a combination of processes that contribute to the accumulation of trace elements and processes of their migration. There are illuvial and lower transition to soil parent material horizons of the background content of trace elements for all investigated soil except Fluvisol (S-1). Belong to actual places of trace elements accumulation, which is generally quite small are some lower soil horizons both buried soils and lower transition to horizon of soil parent material (in soil R-3). Thus, the upper parts of the soils which were formed during the last centuries (780 years of age to today dated) are characterized by dissipation of most of trace elements. The genetic features of Fluvisol (S-1) have confirmed very high correlation. These features are the result of the genesis of this soil under the influence both soil and sedimentation processes. This is well illustrated in the analysis of the structure of the soil profile, which have characterized by stratification (during soil formation has not resulted in the development of any diagnostic subsurface horizon) genetic horizons and the presence of buried after the accumulation of alluvial material as a humus, as a transitional horizons. Perhaps, it is partly confirmed by the radiocarbon analysis, this soil should be regarded as younger age, which obviously explains persistent inflow of fresh materials. All other soils including the buried ones were formed under various elementary soil formation processes. These processes have replacing each other in time did not stop, and the normal evolution of the soil profile took place to bottom, in contrast to the fluvisol which evolution was to upper as have happened by the fresh alluvial and probably deluvial sedimentation. Recognizing of the «normal» soil genesis process as a basis for the formation of zonal soils in the Holocene, we are interpreting Factor 1, conducted by the context of factor analysis, as the environmental conditions for such soil formation. The results of factor analysis regarding to ecological-geochemical soil state Factor 1 should be considered as the basic parameters of soils (soil organic matter, pH, indicators of soil absorbing complex, mineralogical composition and particle size distribution). Under this condition Factor 2 is associated with the processes (fluvial, sedimentation, erosion) denudation, or transfer and accumulation of different material that would cause disturbance "normal" soil genesis. For that reason ecological-geochemical soil state is determined by soil formation factors for a specific time stage and dominant conditions for some processes.

전남 영산강 유역에 있어서 옹관묘 입지의 지형환경 분석

전남 영산강 유역에 있어서 옹관묘 입지의 지형환경 분석

Automatic landslide length and width estimation based on the geometric processing of the bounding box and the geomorphometric analysis of DEMs

Abstract. The morphology of landslides is influenced by the slide/flow of the material downslope. Usually, the distance of the movement of the material is greater than the width of the displaced material (especially for flows, but also the majority of slides); the resulting landslides have a greater length than width. In some specific geomorphologic environments (monoclinic regions, with cuesta landforms type) or as is the case for some types of landslides (translational slides, bank failures, complex landslides), for the majority of landslides, the distance of the movement of the displaced material can be smaller than its width; thus the landslides have a smaller length than width. When working with landslide inventories containing both types of landslides presented above, the analysis of the length and width of the landslides computed using usual geographic information system techniques (like bounding boxes) can be flawed. To overcome this flaw, I present an algorithm which uses both the geometry of the landslide polygon minimum oriented bounding box and a digital elevation model of the landslide topography for identifying the long vs. wide landslides. I tested the proposed algorithm for a landslide inventory which covers 131.1 km2 of the Moldavian Plateau, eastern Romania. This inventory contains 1327 landslides, of which 518 were manually classified as long and 809 as wide. In a first step, the difference in elevation of the length and width of the minimum oriented bounding box is used to separate long landslides from wide landslides (long landslides having the greatest elevation difference along the length of the bounding box). In a second step, the long landslides are checked as to whether their length is greater than the length of flow downslope (estimated with a flow-routing algorithm), in which case the landslide is classified as wide. By using this approach, the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve value for the classification of the long vs. wide landslides is 87.8 %. An intensive review of the misclassified cases and the challenges of the proposed algorithm is made, and discussions are included about the prospects of improving the approach with further steps, to reduce the number of misclassifications.

Relative Paleoenvironmental Adjustments Following Deglaciation of the Byers Peninsula (Livingston Island, Antarctica)

ABSTRACTIn the present context of fast warming in the Antarctic Peninsula (AP), understanding past and recent environmental dynamics is crucial to better assess future environmental responses in this region. Very detailed geomorphological maps can help to interpret the interaction between glacial, periglacial, and paraglacial systems. The Holocene environmental sequence on Byers Peninsula, an ice-free area in the westernmost part of Livingston Island (Maritime Antarctica), is still poorly understood. This paper focuses on the geomorphology of the Cerro Negro, a volcanic plug located on the southeast fringe of this peninsula. The distribution of landforms and deposits generated by different geomorphological processes provides insights into the Holocene environmental dynamics on Byers Peninsula. During the fieldwork campaign in January 2014, an accurate geomorphological map of Cerro Negro and its surroundings was generated. Four geomorphological environments were identified: hill, north slope, southern escarpment, and marine terraces and present-day beach. Periglacial landforms are abundant, especially patterned ground features (blockstreams, sorted stone circles, stone stripes). All these cryoturbation landforms, except blockstreams, are active under present-day climate conditions. In addition to a sequence of Holocene marine terraces and slope deposits, such as talus cones and rockfalls, there is a glacial moraine adjoining the northern slope of the hill. From the morphostratigraphic correlation between the active and inactive landforms, we infer three main phases describing the paleoenvironmental evolution in this area: (1) maximum glacial expansion; (2) Holocene glacial retreat, lake formation, and intense periglacial dynamics; and (3) deglaciation of the Byers Peninsula and widespread periglacial processes. The Cerro Negro has been a nunatak for most of the Holocene; the lake located near the summit of this hill appeared when most of the Byers Peninsula was still covered by glacial ice. This study constitutes an example of how an accurate geomorphological characterization of a small area can complement other approaches to generate a better understanding of the paleoenvironmental evolution in the region.

The importance of mountain geomorphosites for environmental education: examples from the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss Alps

Because of their specific physical characteristics (altitude, slope, orientation, climate), mountain environments have an important natural diversity. In particular, their geodiversity is generally much larger than in the lowlands, and because mountain geosites are often very aesthetic, mountain areas present a great potential for geoheritage, geoconservation and geotourism studies. This paper reviews six reasons why this potential is high and concludes that mountain areas are particularly interesting to develop educational programs on three current environmental issues: climate change; natural hazards; and human impacts on particularly sensitive geomorphological environments. Then, the paper reviews the principal research in the field of geoheritage currently carried out on these three topics and presents two case studies in the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss Alps.

The importance of mountain geomorphosites for environmental education: examples from the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss Alps

Because of their specific physical characteristics (altitude, slope, orientation, climate), mountain environments have an important natural diversity. In particular, their geodiversity is generally much larger than in the lowlands, and because mountain geosites are often very aesthetic, mountain areas present a great potential for geoheritage, geoconservation and geotourism studies. This paper reviews six reasons why this potential is high and concludes that mountain areas are particularly interesting to develop educational programs on three current environmental issues: climate change; natural hazards; and human impacts on particularly sensitive geomorphological environments. Then, the paper reviews the principal research in the field of geoheritage currently carried out on these three topics and presents two case studies in the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss Alps.