Large-scale Geomorphological Mapping Research Articles

Experience of Large-Scale Geomorphological Mapping of Glaciated Shelves Using Geophysical Data (Velikaya Salma Strait, Kandalaksha Gulf of the White Sea)

Experience of Large-Scale Geomorphological Mapping of Glaciated Shelves Using Geophysical Data (Velikaya Salma Strait, Kandalaksha Gulf of the White Sea)

Geomorphological analysis using small unmanned aerial vehicles and submeter GNSS (Gara Soultana butte, High Plateaus Basin, Eastern Morocco)

ABSTRACT The High Plateaus Basin is an important region to understand landscape evolution and human occupation in North Africa during the Quaternary. We focused on the Gara Soultana area, applying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, photogrammetry and a submeter Global Navigation Satellite System, for large scale geomorphological mapping. This work in the upper Moulouya catchment has allowed us to define the landform sequence. Conglomerate platforms previously considered to be fluvial terraces, are interpreted here as exhumed bedrock layers of the Plio-Pleistocene stacked series. The El Haï river incision consists of a first phase, represented only by the exhumation of Gara Soultana butte, and a second phase when five strath terraces developed from +20-22 m to the thalweg, formed since the Middle Pleistocene. Holocene terraces could be associated with brief aggradation phases in the lower Moulouya catchment due to rapid climate changes. Fluvial incision led to the formation of mantled pediments and talus flatirons.

Large-scale geomorphological mapping of tors – Proposal of a key and landform interpretation

Isolated bedrock outcrops amidst regolith-covered slopes, often named as tors, have been the object of interest in many geomorphological studies, usually as a part of long-term landscape evolution inquiries. However, detailed presentation of tor morphology on maps in publications is very uncommon. In this paper we propose a new comprehensive method of detailed, large-scale geomorphic mapping of tors. It is tested on selected tor groups located in the Sudetes, in southwestern Poland. They are diversified in terms of lithology (granite, greenstone and sandstone bedrock) and morphological features (solitary tor, rock city, cluster of tors, rock cliffs etc.). The method consists of three stages: preparation of digital spatial data, field mapping and final legend and map design. The legend consists of 40 symbols which allows to show tor morphology in considerable detail, assisting thereby in the interpretation of controls behind tor formation and evolutionary pathways of different types of tors. Using detailed maps, one can extract information about major vertical joint sets and the patterns of tor decay, weathering of rock surfaces in subaerial conditions, structure of slope covers and internal morphological differentiation within large clusters of tors, the latter being a possible manifestation of certain stages in the development of these landforms.

СОВРЕМЕННЫЙ ТРЕНД ЭРОЗИОННО-АККУМУЛЯТИВНЫХ ПРОЦЕССОВ В МАЛОМ РАСПАХАННОМ ВОДОСБОРЕ, РЕСПУБЛИКА ТАТАРСТАН, "Геоморфология"

Анализ аккумуляции наносов в днищах долин первого порядка позволяет дать достаточно надежную количественную оценку общей интенсивности и временн й изменчивости эрозионных процессов на сельскохозяйственных землях, подходящих практически вплотную к этим долинам. С использованием радиоактивного цезия-137 в качестве хрономаркера, а также усовершенствованных эрозионных моделей USLE и Государственного гидрологического института, изучение аккумулированных наносов в днище малой долины “Темева речка” (площадь водосбора - 1.13 км2), расположенной в северо-западной части Республики Татарстан (бассейн р. Мёша), показало заметное снижение темпов смыва почв с пахотной части водосбора за последние десятилетия. Так, если за период 1963-1986 гг. темпы аккумуляции в днище малой долины смытого со склонов водосбора почвенного материала составляли 0.92-1.81 см/год, то за период 1987-2015 гг. - 0.17-0.50 см/год, т.е. сократились как минимум в 3-5 раз. Причиной отмеченного уменьшения темпов смыва почв и аккумуляции наносов явилось сокращение объемов поверхностного стока со склонов в период снеготаяния, вызванное повышением температуры воздуха в весеннее время года, уменьшением глубины промерзания почв и снижением частоты выпадения экстремальных ливней со слоем 40-50 мм. Влияние хозяйственной деятельности на уменьшение темпов эрозионно-аккумулятивных процессов было, по всей видимости, несущественным, хотя некоторое изменение севооборотов с увеличением доли многолетних трав, очевидно, повлияло на снижение темпов смыва в теплое время года. Данная эрозионная тенденция и климатические причины, ее обусловившие, имели региональный характер и ранее выявлены в ряде регионов южной половины Европейской территории России.

LARGE-SCALE GEOMORPHOLOGICAL MAPPING OF MOUNTAIN REGIONS (THE ALTAI AS AN EXAMPLE)

Relief of mountain areas has very complicated pattern due to interaction between active tectonics and wide range of exogenous processes. Large scale geomorphological mapping based on aerial pictures and satellite images is the most effective and cheap way to determine the sequence and conditions of landforms rise in these regions. The author considers operational principles of analytical geomorphological mapping and methodical approaches that had been developed in the process of some Mountain Altai regions mapping. They include the use of boundaries of new type (which are not similar to slopes' bend) and new designation for objects that unite characteristics of different genetic types.

Large-scale geomorphological mapping as a tool to detect structural features: the case of Mt. Prinzera ophiolite rock mass (Northern Apennines, Italy)

ABSTRACTThis paper presents a geomorphologic map of the Mt. Prinzera ultramafic rock complex (Parma Province, Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy) mapped at large scale (1:2500). The map is the first contribution to the detailed geomorphologic knowledge of the area within the framework of a multidisciplinary approach used to analyse Mt. Prinzera as a hard rock aquifer case study. The geomorphologic mapping was carried out by field survey and aerial photograph analysis. All the surface processes and landforms were considered, with particular attention to structural geomorphologic features. The mapping of linear morphologic features was considered useful for revealing the presence of sets of joints otherwise difficult to detect due to surface weathering. Sets of rock discontinuities are important for water seepage and percolation and their identification is crucial for developing the hydrogeological conceptual model of the aquifer.

L’évaluation du géopatrimoine à partir des cartes géomorphologiques à grande échelle : l’exemple d’un massif calcaire portugais

The importance of scale during the different steps of geomorphological mapping is a well-discussed issue within the scientific community. Nevertheless, in association with the growing importance of geomorphosite assessment, evaluation, promotion and preservation, the use of different scales is yet to be clearly defined, especially because of the differences in spatial scale of the geomorphological phenomena. When talking about scale in geoheritage assessment, one must take into account the evaluation procedure. Based on previous methods we have outlined four major questions connected to the problematic of scale : What do we get by applying large scale geomorphological mapping ? Will it be reasonable to evaluate simultaneously micro and macro forms ? Should they be assessed separately by using different methods ? Which parameters should be considered ? Using the particular example of Fórnia, located at the Estremadura Limestone Massif, this paper discusses the process of geomorphological heritage evaluation and the problems resulting from its application on large scale surveys, emphasising its connection to site preservation.

LARGE-SCALE GEOMORPHOLOGICAL MAPPING

This paper, presented at a scientific conference convened on the 100th birthday of Professor I. S. Shchukin, founder and former head of the Geomorphology Department at Moscow University, traces the development of large-scale geomorphological mapping there. Contributions of scholars in the Department in establishing the theoretical foundations and applications of geomorphological mapping are described, and include development and standardization of map legends and elaboration of new methods of portraying relief according to the specific purposes of a map (oil and gas exploration, exposition of tectonic structure, coastal analysis, provision of multi-purpose information about the continental shelf, placer mineral exploration, and prediction of the location of potential deposits of ore minerals). Translated from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1986, No. 4, pp. 58–64.

Le retrait glaciaire et les transformations du domaine marginal de deux grands glaciers au Spitsberg occidental depuis le début du vingtième siècle

The glacial recession and related changes in the marginal zone of two large glaciers in West Spitsbergen since the beginning of the XXth century. By an examination of photographs and maps made at different dates as well as by large-scale geomorphological mapping, it was possible to recognize the stages of glacial recession in the marginal zone of two neighbouring glaciers in West Spitsbergen. The retreat of the Comfortless glacier is connected with drastic changes in the meltwater hydrographie network. The specific features of the marginal zone, glacial and fluvio-glacial, of the two glaciers may be explained by these hydrographical changes.

Large scale geomorphological mapping and highway engineering design : 13F, 22R. Q.J. Engng. Geol. V8, N4, 1975, P227–253

Large scale geomorphological mapping and highway engineering design : 13F, 22R. Q.J. Engng. Geol. V8, N4, 1975, P227–253

Atlas of annotated aerial photographs for large-scale geomorphological mapping. In Russian : Geomorphologic mapping at surveying scales, Moscow, MGU, 1975, P5–12

Atlas of annotated aerial photographs for large-scale geomorphological mapping. In Russian : Geomorphologic mapping at surveying scales, Moscow, MGU, 1975, P5–12

Large scale geomorphological mapping and Highway engineering design

Summary Geomorphological mapping in site investigations for highway engineering is proving to be a rapid means of obtaining much relevant information about ground conditions. Such mapping requires the recognition of both the origin of surface features and the geological processes that still influence them. In addition information about materials is recorded and inferences made about their extent. The paper identifies eight aims of a geomorphological survey for highway engineering and discusses these in the context of small-scale maps and large-scale plans. The latter are illustrated by case studies from Nepal and South Wales. The review identifies the established applications of geomorphological mapping to site investigation and concludes that further work can usefully be directed towards a broadening of the geomorphological content of site investigation.

A re-interpretation of the deglaciation of Abernethy Forest, Inverness-shire

Synopsis Field investigations of the Abernethy Forest area, including large-scale geomorphological mapping, show that ice sheet wastage has produced meltwaters that have eroded and deposited sequences of fluvioglacial landforms whose patterns reflect the local topography and changing condition of the wasting glacier ice. Successively lower drainage outlets were utilised as the meltwaters sought out the most direct escape routes. Marginal drainage was never widespread and there is no evidence of former ice-dammed lakes.