Relief Energy Research Articles

Geomorphology of the Rio Cisles basin (Odle Group, Dolomites, Italy)

ABSTRACT The results of geomorphological investigations carried out in the Rio Cisles basin in the Odle Group (Italian Alps) are presented. This is one of the most famous and spectacular mountain groups of the Dolomites, located in the north-western sector of the Gardena valley, an area of high tourism appeal. Field surveys and multitemporal aerial-photo interpretation led to the production of a geomorphological map at a 1:12,000 scale. This map outlines the features of an area of about 20 km2, characterised by high relief energy, mainly due to the overlapping of large dolomite rocks masses on clayey rocks. The present morphology is the result of intense postglacial and paraglacial geomorphic activity, which has affected the area since the Upper Pleistocene. The geomorphological evolution of this area has been reconstructed and a new contribution is given to the comprehension of the geomorphology of the eastern Dolomites.

Geodiversity evaluation of the Słupsk Bank boulder area

The Słupsk Bank is a seascape area of high nature value, that consists of boulders related to glacial and post-glacial formation and a variety of underwater landforms, that form the habitat for numerous plants and animals. The aim of this paper was to evaluate geodiversity using geoinformation analysis consecutive steps, such as preparation of factor maps, map algebra etc. The resulting geodiversity map was based on a bathymetric relief energy map, a geomorphological map based on expert classification using the Bathymetric Position Index (BPI), and a lithological map showing average texture classes of sediments). Maps of geodiversity support the identification and delimitation of the geodiversity hotspots for nature protection, as well as the directions for management of valuable natural areas.

Synthetic design hydrographs for ungauged catchments: a comparison of regionalization methods

Design flood estimates for a given return period are required in both gauged and ungauged catchments for hydraulic design and risk assessments. Contrary to classical design estimates, synthetic design hydrographs provide not only information on the peak magnitude of events but also on the corresponding hydrograph volumes together with the hydrograph shapes. In this study, we tested different regionalization approaches to transfer parameters of synthetic design hydrographs from gauged to ungauged catchments. These approaches include classical regionalization methods such as linear regression techniques, spatial methods, and methods based on the formation of homogeneous regions. In addition to these classical approaches, we tested nonlinear regression models not commonly used in hydrological regionalization studies, such as random forest, bagging, and boosting. We found that parameters related to the magnitude of the design event can be regionalized well using both linear and nonlinear regression techniques using catchment area, length of the main channel, maximum precipitation intensity, and relief energy as explanatory variables. The hydrograph shape, however, was found to be more difficult to regionalize due to its high variability within a catchment. Such variability might be better represented by looking at flood-type specific synthetic design hydrographs.

Modelo morfométrico para determinar áreas susceptibles a procesos de ladera

In tropical countries where both internal and external active geodynamic conditions exist and relief modeling is constantly changing, hillside processes are one of the most recurring natural hazards that cause human and economic losses each year. In Costa Rica, for example, these phenomena cause approximately 30% of the disasters that affect the country each year. The study area comprises a section of 52 km2 in the extreme geographical coordinates: 10,23 ° N and 10,18 ° S; -84.23 ° W and -84.14 ° E; which is located on the northeast slope of the Poás volcano in Costa Rica and has the physical characteristics of rainfall above 2000 mm per year, intense tectonic dynamics associated with different tectonic faults and dense tropical vegetation. The objective of this work is to show a morphometric model to determine susceptible areas to hillslope processes, starting from the case study of the most affected region by the landslides triggered during the Cinchona Earthquake in 2009. The morphometry or geomorphometry is the quantitative analysis of the terrestrial surface; among its fundamental variables are altimetry or hypsometry, slope of the terrain and drainage density. The morphometric methods used are based on the approaches of Simonov (1985), Lugo (1988) and Zamorano (1990). Seven morphometric maps were developed that indirectly explain the geomorphological dynamics of this territory. Firstly, the cartography of dissection density, depth of dissection, relief energy and total erosion were performed. The density of the dissection calculates the concentration of river channels in a specific area, aiming to establish zones of greater or lesser concentration of river courses and therefore with greater river erosion. The depth of the dissection aims to measure the erosive capacity or activity of rivers vertically, as it analyzes the areas where river erosion has been more (or less) intense over time and provides an indirect relationship of the parameters that allow the dissection to increase, such as lithology, terrain inclination, precipitation and substrate weakness planes. The relief energy determines the maximum difference of the relative height in meters in a specific area and represents the potential energy that emerges from the relief. The total erosion determines zones with greater or less erosion of the recorded relief by means of the density of the curves of level in a determined area (by minimum spatial unit of analysis). All these parameters were analyzed from the three morphological regions that make up the study area (Poás volcanic complex, pyroclastic ramps and valley slopes), and then integrate these variables into the slope susceptibility map. Subsequently, the results of the map of susceptibility to hillside processes were compared with the coseismic mass movements of 2009, which resulted in that 98% of these phenomena coincided with the areas of frequent occurrence and maximum occurrence. In addition, the rupture surfaces of the gravitational processes of 2009 were used to validate this model with a real seismic event, giving 78% of prediction. It is possible to affirm that the model showed a very good performance to predict coseismic slope movements despite the fact that the model does not use any seismic parameters. It would then be expected that their verification with slope movements induced by extreme weather events would be equally acceptable. In view of the obtained results, it can be affirmed that the greatest virtue of the morphometric model is the use of easily obtained morphometric parameters from two fundamental variables: the hydrographic network and the elevation contours. It is for these reasons that the method can be applied in the territories of poor countries, by virtue of the provision of this base information. However, the limitation of the model is on the scale of the data sources and the size of the analysis cells that compose the grid of the study area. Finally, this model could be replicated in other regions or countries as a basic input for decision making in disaster risk management and land use planning.

Volcanic flows versus water- and ice-related outburst deposits in eastern Hellas: A comparison

Hellas Planitia is one of the major topographic sinks on Mars for the deposition of any kind of sediments. We report on our observations of sheet deposits in the eastern part of the basin that are apparently related to the Dao Vallis outflow channel. The deposits have lobate flow fronts and a thickness of a few decameters. Despite their generally smooth surface, some distinctive textures and patterns can be identified, such as longitudinal lineations, distributive channels, and polygons. We compared these deposits to other sheet deposits on Mars and tested three hypotheses of their origin: volcanic flows as well as water- and ice-related mass wastings. Despite some similarities to volcanic sheet flows on Mars, we found several morphological characteristics that are not known for sheet lava flows; for example conically arranged lineations and channel systems very similar to fluvial incisions. We also reject an ice-related formation similar to terrestrial rock-ice avalanches, as there is no sufficient relief energy to explain their extent and location. A water-related origin appears most consistent with our observations, and we favor an emplacement by fluvially-driven mass wasting processes, e.g., debris flows. Assuming a water-related origin, we calculated the amount of water that would be required to deposit such large sedimentary bodies for different flow types. Our calculations show a large range of possible water volumes, from 64 to 2,042 km³, depending on the specific flow mechanism. The close link to Dao Vallis makes these deposits a unique place to study the deposition of outflow channel sediments, as the deposits of other outflow channels on Mars, such as those around Chryse Planitia, are mostly buried by younger sediments and volcanic flows.

MORPHOMETRIC AND GEOMORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF HYDROGRAPHIC SISTER BASINS: CARTOGRAPHIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLANNING

This article aims to discuss the contributions of morphometric and geomorphological cartography for the analysis of the relief in sister basins. It presents the application of a methodology that proposes the organization of a sequence of cartographic documents: Declivity or Clinographic, Horizontal Dissection, Vertical Dissection, Relief Energy and Geomorphological Detail. The hydrographic basin, a spatial mapping unit, is understood as a system, as well as an integrative functional unit for the analysis of geomorphological dynamics. There for, we applied the cartographic techniques mentioned in sister basins, with the case study of the basins of Piracicamirim and Tijuco Preto rivers, both tributaries of Piracicaba River, located in Peripheral Depression of São Paulo. The results obtained from the analysis of the organized documents contributed to the identification of areas potentially susceptible to the unleashing of denudatory processes, as well as gauged the denudatory features, especially the linear ones. Of particular note were sectors that presented marked denudatory features that were associated to classes with high morphometric potential in areas of pedological/lithological fragility and intense dynamics of land use and occupation, marked by sugar cane monoculture.

GEOECOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF NOVI SAD AND ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PURPOSES OF HEALTH TOURISM AND RECREATION

<p>Novi Sad and its surroundings are rich with the most diverse natural values that are good for the development of health tourism and recreation activities on their territory. Being in nature, next to water surfaces, forests and all green favorably affects on psycho – physical condition and improves life quality in urban environments. Aim of this work is geoecological evaluation of Novi Sad and its surroundings with the use of quantitative model of diversity, ie Hans Kiemstedt model for the purpose of health tourism and recreation. With this work authors want to contribute to further affirmation of geoecological evaluation in the area of planning and managing of urban areas. Methodology is based on Kiemstedt model, and criteria that are used are: forest and water edges, relief energy, way of land use and climate factor, or conditions of natural environment. Use of this model gives less of more favorable surfaces for the development of mentioned activities. The advantage of this model is the use of modern GIS technologies, obtaining tested and objective data that have a wide use.</p>

Juncture of Erosion, Land Use/Cover Status and Hazardous Geomorphic Processes in Central Lesser Himalaya

ABSTRACT The high relief energy of the central lesser Himalayan terrain of Jaigan watershed would indicate to favour the occurrence of highly active geomorphic processes. Present investigation was based on two watersheds with different juncture of erosion, viz. Ghuniyoli and Santri watershed under youthful and equilibrium state of erosion respectively. The juncture of erosion of these watersheds was assessed under the impact of altitudinal variation as well as the erosion environment of these studied watersheds was evaluated under different land use/cover status. However, the present morphodynamics of Ghuniyoli and Santri watersheds can be considered for the detailed investigation of physical factors including geological situation as well as the cultural factors. The litho-structural set-up completely altered the sequential development of landform. The landscape under the resistant strata had undergone equilibrium (early mature) juncture while vulnerable lithology determined youthful (late) juncture. This occurred due to the active tectonics of the watershed. The existence of thrust along with contact zone of two lithologies created more erosion prone conditions in resistant strata. Land use/cover status when compared with juncture of erosion for the entire watershed also followed the same juncture of erosion. Finally it was observed that the juncture of erosion was reflected in hazardous geomorphic processes too. Landform under youthful juncture caused significant hazardous geomorphic processes in comparison to landform under mature juncture.

MORPHOLOGICAL TYPOLOGY OF SMALL CATCHMENTS IN RIVER BASINS ON CULTIVATED PLAINS

Small catchments were classified with four morphometric characteristics that determine the relief energy: mean altitude, vertical relief, drainage density and average slope. Classification was produced using the Ward’s method and elementary catchment as a basic spatial unit. The created typology allows to elaborate recommendations on spatial distribution of crops aimed at reduction of soil erosion rates and the amounts of sediments yielded from slopes to channels of perennial and intermittent streams. The elaborated methodology was tested in the upper Medveditsa River basin (the Don River system). Six classes of elementary catchments were designated and ranked according to the relief energy. The compiled map of small catchment types may be applied for the improvement of land use practice and planning of crop rotation with respect to soil protection efficiency.

Analysis of Drainage Basin Asymmetry in the Ventena River, Northern Apennines (Central Italy)

In this paper a case study of the Ventena river basin in central Italy it is describes here, where the need to understand the relationships between the intensity of erosive processes and basin asymmetry made it necessary to analyse and to compare the asymmetry factor (AF) and the energy of relief (Er). This basin has the characteristic of displaying strong asymmetries that, for some authors, are caused by the different intensity of erosional processes on the opposite sides of the basin due to their orientation. To study in great detail the asymmetry factor (AF) and the relief energy (Er) and their relationship along the entire basin a method of calculating and representing these two geomorphic indices recently tested for this type of analysis was used. The data carried out show that in the Ventena basin there is not any direct relationship between the asymmetries and the intensity of erosive processes on the sides of the basin. The results of this analysis, supported by other investigations such as satellite imagery observations, show that the asymmetries seem to be due to different causes instead to orientation which may have had a marginal role only. In particular the results suggest that the structural control of the main stream might be due to under printing, to the transmission of structures located under the surface into the sequence above.

GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF THE RELIEF ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: THE CASE STUDY OF USKOPALJSKA VALLEY

Relief and agriculture are synchronized with each other, and it is obvious that for the agricultural geography of Bosnia and Herzegovina relief is one of the major conditions that affects different crops. The paper discusses the impact of relief on the development of agriculture in Uskopaljska valley mainly through geographical analysis of hypsometric and slope structure, exposure of sides and relief energy. Analysis of the characteristics of the relief enabled us to extract zones with different conditions for agricultural development. This analysis is very useful for agricultural planning and management in Uskopaljska valley. Area of Uskopaljska valley is not a homogeneous in respect of topography, slope, temperature and other resource endowments. An effort in this paper is done to explore and understand main relief processes.

Development of erosional microforms and soils on semi-natural and anthropogenic influenced solonetzic grasslands

The rate of berm erosion and its effect on soil properties and vegetation were investigated at two sampling plots, one semi-natural and the other heavily affected by anthropogenic influences, between 1998 and 2012. The two sampling areas are similar in terms of natural characteristics, and adjacently located in the Hortobágy, a very flat plain with Solonetz soils. In the course of berm-formation, both erosion and deposition take place within a few meters' range, so we were able to obtain the rate of each process for both experimental plots. The erosion rates of the DS plot under semi-natural conditions, and the MS plot affected by anthropogenic influences, were 1.99 and 4.49kgm−2year−1, respectively, and the rate of deposition were 2.12 and 2.78kgm−2year−1. The recession speed of the berm edges was determined to be 10±3mmyear−1 for the DS plot and 26±8mmyear−1 for the MS plot. During the period of our investigation, all the calcium-carbonate content, pHH2O, pHKCl, electrical conductivity (EC1:2.5), exchangeable cation content (Σcations), and exchangeable Na percentage (ESP) of the soil in the MS plot showed significant changes, whereas in the soil of the DS plot only EC1:2.5 and Σcations changed significantly. Both EC1:2.5 and Σcations decreased in both soil profiles. At the DS plot, ESP did not change substantially, whereas at the MS plot it increased significantly.The results of the experiments revealed that in the course of berm erosion, the rates of the spatially extremely versatile, mosaic-like erosion and deposition processes show significant differences even within a small area, depending on environmental influences. Although this tendency may only prevail over shorter distances because of the exceptionally low relief energy, and can be balanced out in larger spatial ranges, both erosion and deposition are considerably more intensive and accelerated in areas affected by anthropogenic influences.

Risks Associated To Present Geomorphologic Processes In The Stemnic (Buda) River Basin

Abstract The paper analyses the main geomorphologic processes in the Stemnic (Buda) river basin, conditioned by the joint action of several factors, among which are the lithological peculiarities and the nature of superficial deposits, morphometric characteristics, climate, vegetation type and structure, properties of the soil cover etc. The Stemnic river basin with an area of 15662.52 ha is characterized by its elongated shape (the maximum length is of 30.5 km, maximum width of 8.5 km), its relative lithological homogeneity, but also by a variety of superficial deposits (eluvium, diluvium, colluvium and proluvium, alluvium) and by a relief energy of significant values between 136 m and 10 m (mean value of 73 m). Under these conditions, study area is characterized by a high degree of susceptibility to the occurrence of geomorphologic risk processes. For the morphometric and morphological analysis, we applied the method of the digital terrain model (DTM) with vectorisation of the contour lines on topographic maps with a scale of 1:5,000. In this paper we used indicators that highlight the particular frequency of landslides, especially in the upper and middle sectors, but the rather reduced frequency of deep erosion. Due to the satisfactory coverage of the ground with vegetation, the erosion reaction is differentiated, as it depends on the use of the land and the concentration of liquid flow on the slopes. Consequently, landslides of different ages, types and forms hold large surfaces in the basin (approx. 8%), while surface erosion affects most areas of the slopes, but with different intensities depending on their use and on agricultural technologies.

MAN-MADE CHANGES IN RELIEF OF GEORGIA AND THEIR SHORT-TERM FORECAST

Since the second half of XX century, the territory of Georgia underwent strong human impact and now is on the verge of environmental crisis. The population increase and widening of economic activity have lead to the catastrophic landscape changes in some regions. The paper deals with concrete data on man-induced changes of land-forms and hazardous geomorphic processes in Georgia. The criteria of geodynamic stability have been worked out on the basis of morphologic and morphometric analysis and monitoring of the Great Caucasus slopes. The lithologic characteristic of relief is based on formational principle: it requires drawing out the main features of spatial distribution of rocks being the genetically homogeneous and having engineering geologically similar characteristics (hardness, stability, hydraulic permeability, soaking etc.). Authors suggest paying equal attention to engineering geologic properties of rocks and to energy of relief as integral indicator of its stability in the analysis of geomorphologically hazardous places of earth surface.

METHOD OF RELIEF ENERGY MAP COMPILATION

Actual methods of relief energy maps compilation are discussed, and a new one is proposed. This method counts the potential energy and morphometric characteristics of slopes: area, average angle, density and depth of dissection, exposure, average height.

Determination of Topographic Factors to Initiate Debris Flow Using Statistical Analysis

This study used GIS to determine 19 topographic indexes, four geologic indexes, and two rainfall data derived indexes of the Laonun River Basin, in southern Taiwan. The four topographic factors, including the effective area of basin, elongation ratio of basin, relief energy, and relief volume, were selected among the 19 topographic indexes using the SPSS multi-variable statistical analysis and the principal components analysis. The four topographic factors combine the four geologic factors and two rainfall factors and were selected for estimating debris flow prone creeks. The ten factors were further applied by the Fisher's Discriminant Analysis and Logistic Regression Analysis to evaluate the potentials of debris flow prone creeks in the basin. There were 13 sub-basins initiated debris flows and 41 non-debris flow sub-basins when Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan in 2009. The validated results show that the correctness of Fisher's model for the samples is 81.48 % and 92.6 % via the Logistic Regression model. Both models showed acceptable accuracy, and the Logistic model had better accuracy herein. The Logistic Regression Analysis was adapted to evaluate the potential of debris flow sub-basins to assist in developing risk management in the basin.

Relationships between substrate, surface characteristics, and vegetation in an initial ecosystem

Abstract. We investigated surface and vegetation dynamics in the artificial initial ecosystem "Chicken Creek" (Lusatia, Germany) in the years 2006–2011 across a wide spectrum of empirical data. We scrutinized three overarching hypotheses concerning (1) the relations between initial geomorphological and substrate characteristics with surface structure and terrain properties, (2) the effects of the latter on the occurrence of grouped plant species, and (3) vegetation density effects on terrain surface change. Our data comprise and conflate annual vegetation monitoring results, biennial terrestrial laser scans (starting in 2008), annual groundwater levels, and initially measured soil characteristics. The empirical evidence mostly confirms the hypotheses, revealing statistically significant relations for several goal variables: (1) the surface structure properties, local rill density, local relief energy and terrain surface height change; (2) the cover of different plant groups (annual, herbaceous, grass-like, woody, Fabaceae), and local vegetation height; and (3) terrain surface height change showed significant time-dependent relations with a variable that proxies local plant biomass. Additionally, period specific effects (like a calendar-year optimum effect for the occurrence of Fabaceae) were proven. Further and beyond the hypotheses, our findings on the spatiotemporal dynamics during the system's early development grasp processes which generally mark the transition from a geo-hydro-system towards a bio-geo-hydro system (weakening geomorphology effects on substrate surface dynamics, while vegetation effects intensify with time), where pure geomorphology or substrate feedbacks are changing into vegetation–substrate feedback processes.

Deep-seated gravitational slope deformations in western Sicily: Controlling factors, triggering mechanisms, and morphoevolutionary models

A study of deep-seated gravitational slope deformation (DSGSD) phenomena affecting areas of various geological and geomorphological settings in western Sicily is described. Western Sicily is underlain by a thin-skinned imbricate wedge of Meso–Cenozoic carbonate and siliciclastic rocks that formed by the stacking of several thrust nappes over the Iblean foreland. Locally, the original thrust sheets are folded and cut by high-angle faults. Large areas of western Sicily now display high relief energy due to Plio-Pleistocene block-faulting and uplifting, and the Quaternary morphogenetic phases are characterised by incision, thereby triggering widespread DSGSDs. To identify controlling factors and triggering causes and to develop reliable morphoevolutionary models for the DSGSDs of western Sicily, a geomorphological study based on field surveys and aerial-photography interpretations was performed. Previous geomorphological data relating to well-known examples of DSGSDs were reconsidered, leading to remarkable revisions of the interpretative models in certain cases. New data were subsequently collected, enabling recognition of additional DSGSD phenomena. The whole body of data involves a total of 27 DSGSDs affecting areas in two specific geological settings: (1) areas with flat thrust surfaces, where differential settlements, back-tilting, lateral spreads in competent rocks overlying marls and clays, large topples, and/or block-type slope movements may develop; and (2) areas where deep-rooted carbonate units come into lateral contact with clayey–marly units along high-angle faults, where lateral spreads in brittle homogeneous rocks, sinking, and/or rock flows may occur. These DSGSD phenomena are associated with different evolutionary stages, allowing a morphoevolutionary model to be defined for the two geological conditions. For these two different morphoevolutionary models, the following structural features play an important role in the development of DSGSDs: (1) where carbonate bodies overlie clayey–marly rocks, triggering of the DSGSDs traces back to deformation of a ductile substratum that follows the exhumation of the flat thrust planes and the underlying clayey–marly rocks due to block-faulting and/or stream incision; and (2) where homogeneous carbonate rocks hundreds of metres thick crop out, the DSGSDs are triggered by very high relief energy and tensile stress that follow the combined actions of Quaternary block-faulting and stream deepening associated with differential erosion.

Plio-Pleistocene landscape evolution in Northern Switzerland

Re-evaluation of the river history, palaeosurface levels and exhumation history in northern Switzerland for the last 10 million years reveals that distinct morphotectonic events about 4.2 and 2.8 million years ago (Ma) caused major reorganisation of river networks and morphosculpture. As a result of the earlier formation of the Swiss Jura, potential relief energy in the piggy-back North Alpine Foreland Basin (NAFB) of northern central Switzerland south of the Jura fold belt was built up after 11–10 Ma. It was suddenly released by river capture at about 4.2 Ma when the Aare-Danube was captured by a tributary of the Rhone-Doubs river system which rooted southeast of the Black forest. This event triggered rapid denudation of weakly consolidated Molasse sediments, in the order of about 1 km, as constrained by apatite fission track data from drillholes in the NAFB. Likely mechanisms of river capture are (a) headward erosion of Rhone-Doubs tributaries, (b) uplift and rapidly increasing erosion of the Swiss Alps after about 5.3 Ma, and (c) gravel aggradation at the eastern termination of the Jura fold belt in the course of eastward and northward tilt of the piggy-back NAFB. A morphotectonic event between 4.2 and 2.5 Ma, probably at about 2.8 Ma, caused a phase of planation, accompanied by local gravel aggradation and temporary storage of Alpine debris. Between 2.8 and 2.5 Ma, the Aare-Rhone river system is cannibalised by the modern Rhine River, the latter later connecting with the Alpine Rhine River.

Modeling and inference of forest coverage ratio using zero-one inflated distributions with spatial dependence

This paper explores statistical modeling of forest area with two covariates. The forest coverage ratio of grid-cell data was modeled by taking human population density and relief energy into account. The likelihood of the forest ratios was decomposed into the product of two likelihoods. The first likelihood was due to trinomial logistic distributions on three categories: the forest ratios take zero, or one, or values between zero and one. The second one was due to a logistic-normal regression model for the ratios between zero and one. This model was applied to real grid-cell data and it fit better than zero-inflated beta regression models.