bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the Economic Impact of Floods on Businesses with a Network Analysis
Authors: Nobile Elisa Grazia Lucia , Arosio Marcello , Caiani Alessandro , Di Noia Jlenia , Martina Mario Lloyd Virgilio
Published: March 2024

Climate change and urbanization are intensifying economic losses from natural hazards, particularly floods, making robust risk assessment crucial. However, traditional risk assessment frameworks fall short in representing the full costs of natural hazards, as they typically focus only on direct damages, like property damages, neglecting the indirect tangible damages. One of the key objectives of this research is to quantify the indirect economic impacts resulting from business interruption (i.e. reduction in production due to physical damages in areas directly affected by the hazard) and contingent business interruption (i.e. production losses of suppliers and customers of companies directly affected by the hazard), and the associated macroeconomic impact. This study addresses this gap by employing a multidisciplinary approach, integrating network theory with traditional Input-Output (I-O) economic models. This integration not only enhances the representation of the interconnectedness inherent in socio-economic systems but also aids in quantifying the often-overlooked indirect effects of floods. The methodology integrates high-resolution input-output tables, geolocalized firms and spatial information on critical infrastructures, like the transportation network. This comprehensive approach not only provides a detailed view of the cascading economic effects, but it could also enhance traditional I-O models by incorporating information on geographical substitutability. The detailed understanding of economic dependencies and network vulnerabilities is crucial in assessing the full costs of floods. Applied to a significant Italian region recently struck by a severe flood, the approach allows for the mapping of the region's economic structure as an interconnected network of economic sectors. Network theory measures and tools are then employed to identify central and vulnerable nodes, enabling a detailed analysis of shock propagation within supply chains. The findings of this research are not only critical for policy-makers and urban planners in adopting more effective flood risk management strategies but also offer valuable insights for the insurance sector in terms of understanding and mitigating collective risk. In conclusion, this study advocates for a shift from traditional risk assessment models towards a more holistic, systemic approach, thereby enhancing societal resilience to the multifaceted impacts of natural hazards.
Comprehensive multi frequency airborne mapping of the southern flank of Dome A: results of the COLDEX airborne program.
Authors: Young Duncan , Paden John , Kerr Megan , Singh Shivangini , Kaundinya Shravan , Yan Shuai , Vega González Alejandra , Greenbaum Jamin , Buhl Dillon , Ng Gregory , Chan Kristian , Schroeder Bradley , Echeverry Gonzalo , Richter Thomas , Kempf Scott , Rodriguez-Morales Fernando , Hale Richard , Blankenship Donald , Brook Edward
Published: March 2024

The Center for Oldest Ice Exploration (COLDEX) is a US initiative funded to search for climate records over the last 5 million years, including locating sites for an accessible continuous ice core going back 1.5 million years.  As part of this effort, COLDEX has mapped the southern flank of Dome A, East Antarctica using an instrumented Basler, including dual frequency radar observations of the ice sheet and ice bed, as well as potential fields measurements (see presentation by Kerr in EGU session G4.3) across two field seasons from Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.  The aerogeophysical system included both the UTIG VHF MARFA radar system operating at 52.5-67.5 MHz, as well as a new large high resolution UHF array from CReSIS operating at 670-750 MHz operating simultanously.  A goal of this project was to obtain airborne repeat interferometry for segments of the survey, as well as directly feed ice sheet models using englacial isochrons (see Singh presentation in EGU session CR5.6).  These goals lead to a survey explicitly designed around ice sheet flow lines.  While prior work had sampled the region at lithospheric scales, the COLDEX survey had two components - the first was to map the region at crustal scales (line spacing of 15 km), and the second was to map subareas at ice sheet scales (line spacing of 3 km).  Immediate observations include an extensive basal unit and strong discontinuity in englacial stratigraphy that runs across the survey area and appears correlated with changes in bed interface properties.  The airborne campaign will be used to inform follow up ground campaigns to understand processes relevant for old ice preservation.
Simulating NASA DART impact: Insights into the interior of asteroid Dimorphos
Authors: Senel Cem Berk , Karatekin Ozgur , Luther Robert , Henry Grégoire , Claeys Philippe
Published: March 2024

Impacts are commonplace in our Solar System, constituting one of the key mechanisms that regulate the evolution of asteroids and comets. From small-scale Martian meteorites to large biosphere-forming collisions, e.g., the Chicxulub catastrophe at the end of the Cretaceous Period, impact events are essential to understanding the dynamic history of planetary bodies. In recent years, asteroid missions have made major advancements in characterizing the Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), from JAXA's Hayabusa2 sample-return mission on asteroid Ryugu to NASA’s recent DART space mission that performed the first kinetic deflection on asteroid Dimorphos [1]. The upcoming Hera mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) will characterize the DART impact during a rendezvous with Dimorphos in 2026. Meanwhile, numerical simulations have studied the potential impact cratering and ejecta plume outcomes in response to the DART-scale impactor [2]. Yet, interior features of near-Earth asteroids remain unknown. Understanding what lies inside Dimorphos, various interior scenarios are tested by combining shock physics modeling with the outputs of ejecta observations. The observed ejecta outcome makes it possible to groundtruth modeled ejecta. Therefore, a series of hypervelocity impact simulations are performed through the iSALE2D shock physics code [3-5], incorporating recent mechanical and material parameters [6,7]. Additionally, the DART spacecraft is approximated to be a porous aluminum sphere. The impactor vertically collides at a speed of 6.145 km/s, with Dimorphos taken as an axisymmetric ellipsoid. We test the DART impact within the low-to-intermediate strength regime (1 Pa - 1 kPa) with a wide porosity range (10 - 50%) for a homogeneous interior. This process is iterated for heterogeneous interiors consisting of multiple weak or strong inner layering with or without core formation and boulders. The model results provide new predictions for the plausible cratering formation, thus key insights into the interior of Dimorphos.References[1] Daly et al. (2023). Nature, 616(7957), 443-447. [2] Stickle et al. (2022). The Planetary science journal, 3(11), 248. [3] Amsden et al. (1980). LANL Report, LA-8095:101p., New Mexico. [4] Collins et al. (2004). Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 39(2), 217-231. [5]​​ Wünnemann et al. (2006). Icarus, 180(2), 514-527.[6] Luther et al. (2022). The Planetary science journal, 3(10), 227. [7] Raducan et al. (2022). The Planetary science journal, 3(6), 128.
Two decades of micrometeorological measurements show dynamic drivers of springtime N2O emissions
Authors: Brown Leah , Strachan Ian B. , Pelster David , Admiral Stuart , Pelletier Luc , Grant Brian , Smith Ward , Pattey Elizabeth
Published: March 2024

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 265 times that of carbon dioxide and the ability to destroy stratospheric ozone. Agricultural soils contribute over two-thirds of anthropogenic N2O emissions. Field observations in temperate climates have commonly shown N2O emission peaks occurring in the spring during a period of snow melt and soil thaw. This freeze-thaw period typically accounts for approximately 35% of annual N2O emissions, however, current understanding of its drivers is based off of relatively short observation periods. The analysis of such data over decadal time spans is therefore needed to improve our understanding of key drivers. Here, we report on 21 years (2002-2022) of micrometeorological N2O flux data from a field site in Ottawa, Ontario. Correlation analyses were conducted between the N2O flux during the spring thaw period and variables that are commonly considered drivers. Little to no correlation was seen from linear or multilinear regressions across a range of meteorological, management, and soil variables. The non-linear response of non-growing season cumulative N2O emissions to cumulative freezing degree-days was consistent with previous studies (Wagner-Riddle et al., 2017). However, in isolating freezing degree-days we may be neglecting other possible controls. These results show that the relationship of N2O flux with environmental variables may be related to complex, potentially non-linear, interactions between agricultural practices, weather, soil quality, and other variables. We will further examine the data using other multivariate statistical methods to further investigate potential drivers of these non-growing season emissions with a focus on those emissions occurring specifically during the spring thaw. As these relationships are used in nitrification/denitrification models, improved understanding is still needed to accurately simulate these processes, which is imperative to improving nitrogen budgets and ultimately achieving climate goals.
Total Air Content measurements from the RECAP core
Authors: Blunier Thomas , Vudayagiri Sindhu , Vinther Bo , Sowers Todd , Freitag Johannes , Langen Peter L.
Published: March 2024

Total air content (TAC) from ice cores mainly reflects air pressure when the air is occluded and is therefore a proxy for elevation. However, there are several complications, such as melt, changes in firn structure and air pressure variability.  We measured TAC in the RECAP ice core drilled in 2015 on the Renland Icecap in East Greenland, currently at an elevation of 2340 m. The upper 529 m of the 584 m core cover the Holocene. There is extensive melting in this part of the core, which is reflected in low air content values. Assuming constant altitude and air pressure, lower TACs at the beginning of the Holocene indicate more melting and therefore higher summer temperatures. Simulations with the regional climate model HIRHAM5 allow us to translate the observed melt fractions into summer temperatures. We conclude that summer temperatures in the early Holocene were ~2 to 3°C warmer than today, in agreement with previous findings in Greenland. The core extends into the Eemian. The air content is very low in this section, indicating excessive melting. Using the same metric as for the Holocene, we conclude that the temperature in the Eemian was at least 5°C higher than today.The ~22m of glacial ice in RECAP from 11.7 to 119 kyr BP appear to be unaffected by melting. However, we observe large variations in total air content during periods of rapid climate change. In Greenland, similar effects have been found at NGRIP (Eicher et al., 2016). These effects cannot be due to changes in elevation. All the evidence points to a dynamic effect in the firn column that changes the pore volume. If we do not understand these effects, the interpretation of TAC in terms of elevation changes is questioned.
Central equatorial Pacific climate change over the last 7,000 years using a coral ensemble approach
Authors: Atwood Alyssa R , Cobb Kim M , Grothe Pamela M , Sayani Hussein R , Garber Sydney , Southon John R , Edwards R Lawrence
Published: March 2024

Identifying the processes that control tropical Pacific climate variations on long timescales is a pressing problem in climate research, given the outsized impacts of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on global climate and the uncertainty in future ENSO behavior under anthropogenic climate change. By studying the characteristics of tropical Pacific climate under different climate states in the past, we can better assess its sensitivity to external forcing. Such paleoclimate constraints can serve as critically important test beds for coupled climate models that underlie future climate projections. In this talk, I will present a new set of climate reconstructions from the central equatorial Pacific spanning a range of timescales from seasonal to interannual to millennial, based on a large ensemble of coral oxygen isotope measurements from Kiritimati (aka Christmas Island) that span the past 7,000 years. Each of these timescales yields unique and complementary information about the climate of this region. We implement several new techniques to minimize the uncertainty in the climate reconstructions, which show a trend toward cooler and/or drier conditions and a reduced annual cycle going back in time that provide much needed context for understanding low-frequency changes in ENSO variability over the Holocene.
Assessing the seismic signature of turbulent flow and intense bedload transport from designed laboratory experiments
Authors: Gimbert Florent , Bakker Maarten , Piantini Marco , Recking Alain , Lamb Michael
Published: March 2024

The field of fluvial seismology has undergone significant advances over the past decade. The development of dedicated physical theories and their applications in various contexts have allowed separating the respective contributions of turbulent flow and bedload transport, such that physical parameters like flow depth and sediment flux may be inferred from seismic observations. However, the quantitative link between signal characteristics (amplitude, frequency) and the underlying physics yet involves simplified considerations that do not necessarily apply to more complex situations, such as for example under rough flow conditions or during extreme floods.In this talk I will present results from laboratory experiments that we designed specifically in order to quantify the seismic signature of flow turbulence and intense bedload transport under a range of conditions using force sensors coupled to the river bed. On one hand, I will show that existing theory regarding turbulent flow properly captures the main characteristics of the seismic source, but that additional dependencies on flow conditions and particle-wake development need to be included for more accurate predictions. On the other hand, I will show that existing theory regarding bedload transport fails at capturing the main characteristics of the seismic source under intense bedload transport conditions associated with complex changes in internal flow dynamics. In this case the seismic source appears to be a decreased function of solid concentration, as opposed to an increased function such as considered in current theories, which we suggest is due to grain impacts being agitation-controlled rather than bed-roughness controlled. Finally, I will discuss possible ways towards building more generic theories of ground motion induced by sediment transport.  
Eocene CO2 on orbital to million year timescales
Authors: Rae James , Greene Sarah , Sexton Philip , Adloff Markus , Barnet James , Burke Andrea , Foster Gavin , Gray William , Henehan Michael , Holo Jo , Jurikova Hana , Kirtland-Turner Sandra , Marquardt Johanna , Meckler Nele , Ridgwell Andy , Taylor Victoria , Westerhold Thomas , Whiteford Ross , Zachos James
Published: March 2024

The early Eocene features distinctive coupling between biogeochemical cycles and climate, raising fundamental questions about Earth system functioning during major climate transitions and on orbital timescales. For instance, the transition to peak Eocene warmth is ushered in by a major shift in redox conditions and deep ocean circulation, while orbitally-paced hyperthermal events are associated with substantial carbon injections of uncertain origin.  CO2 change is thought to play a key role in these events, yet despite recent progress, resolution is still lacking for most shorter time intervals.  Here we present new, high-resolution boron isotope data from both benthic and planktic foraminifera that shed new light on Eocene carbon cycling. Using new approaches for conversion of boron isotope data to pH and CO2, we improve estimates of absolute CO2 concentrations and the change in CO2 over key events.  Our data demonstrate a pervasive link between CO2 and climate in the Eocene hothouse over a range of timescales and provide novel constraints on carbon sources and climate sensitivity.
Dynamics of the Popocatépetl Volcano, Mexico, revealed by Machine Learning-Based Seismic Catalogs
Authors: Bernal-Manzanilla Karina , Calò Marco , Rodríguez García Karina Eloisa , Martínez Jaramillo Daniel , Valade Sébastien
Published: March 2024

Popocatépetl, one of Mexico's most active volcanoes, poses significant risks to the dense populations in its vicinity. Effective monitoring of its seismic activity is crucial for understanding and mitigating these hazards. This study employs data collected with a network of 19 seismic stations surrounding the volcano, combined with machine learning techniques and spatial coherence methods, to generate comprehensive seismic catalogs spanning from 2019 to the present. Our automated workflow includes the identification and localization of long period (LP) events, tremors, and volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes.For this purpose, an improved classification model based on Support Vector Machines was developed to distinguish LP events and tremors within continuous recordings. Their locations were determined using a cross-correlation-based method. Additionally, the VT earthquake catalog was compiled using deep learning-based models for phase picking, followed by standard location methods. Our findings not only corroborate trends observed in manual analyses at the volcano's observatory but also uncover additional events, highlighting trends in the volcano’s dynamics not observed before.To showcase the use of these catalogs, we will present a multiparametric analysis integrating seismic data with thermal anomalies, SO2 emissions, and GPS measurements. This research not only deepens our comprehension of volcanic processes but also underscores the transformative role of technology in geophysical research. Research supported by the program UNAM-DGAPA-PAPIIT: IN103823.
Unveiling the influences of soil moisture on moist heat stress extremes: a global assessment using CMIP6 data
Authors: Zhou Jingwei , Milosevic Dragan , Teuling Adriaan
Published: March 2024

Soil moisture is a key variable in land-atmosphere interactions, as it affects the partitioning of near-surface energy fluxes and thereby temperature and humidity of the lower atmosphere. Both ambient temperature and humidity play a crucial role in the removal of heat from the human body through direct heat transfer and sweat evaporation, therefore these two factors are commonly used in measuring moist heat stress. As moist heat stress describes the combined effects of temperature and humidity on human health and well-being, understanding the intricate relationship between soil moisture and moist heat stress is crucial for accurately assessing and mitigating moist heat extremes. Whereas the impact of soil moisture on temperature is well understood, previous research has found non-trivial and complex relations between soil moisture and moist heat stress due to humidity feedbacks. We selected two metrics among four widely used metrics which involve both temperature and humidity, indoor and open-air wet-bulb globe temperature, heat index, and humidex, to represent the heat stress in our study. We use different levels to describe the significance of the heat stress and tolerance level among the population.In this study, we aim to investigate the impacts of soil moisture on moist heat stress at the global scale using the Land Surface, Snow and Soil moisture Model Intercomparison Project (LS3MIP) dataset within the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). We use the historical and future simulations from LS3MIP to analyze the spatial and temporal variations of soil moisture-heat stress coupling, and to identify the regions that are most susceptible to moist heat stress. Interactions between soil moisture and moist heat stress tend to be particularly pronounced in hot and humid regions,. These regions are likely to experience more frequent events with higher moist heat stress, posing serious challenges for human health and adaptation.To our best knowledge, this study is the first to show a global picture of the interactions between soil moisture and moist heat stress using CMIP6 dataset. The pattern of heat stress in relation to soil moisture in perspectives of the time of day, season, and soil moisture regime will be investigated. Our study provides a novel insight into the role of soil moisture in modulating moist heat stress, and highlights the need for more accurate representation of land surface processes and feedbacks in climate models. The findings are crucial for developing effective strategies in managing moist heat stress risks and protecting vulnerable populations.
Towards a Deep Learning-based Spatio-temporal Fusion Approach for Accurately Improving Snow Cover Mapping: A Case Study in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains with Performance Evaluation
Authors: Bousbaa Mostafa , Boudhar Abdelghani , Kinnard Christoph , Elyoussfi Haytam , Elbouanani Nadir , Htitiou Abdelaziz , Bargam Bouchra , Nifa Karima , Chehbouni Abdelghani
Published: March 2024

Remote sensing technologies provide continuous and detailed observations of various land surface parameters, including snow cover, vegetation, land surface temperature, soil moisture, and evapotranspiration, offering invaluable information at various scales and contexts. One of the major uses is the precise mapping and monitoring of seasonal snow cover dynamics, which are essential for water management and global water balance modeling. Since an intelligent ecosystem based on accurate snow cover estimation requires a collection of high-resolution satellite images, both temporally and spatially, to capture snow dynamics, particularly in semi-arid areas where snowfall is extremely variable. These requirements can be difficult to achieve based on a single sensor, mainly due to the trade-offs between the temporal, spectral, and spatial resolutions of the available satellites. In addition, atmospheric conditions and cloud contamination can increase the number of missing satellite observations. However, there is a promising solution to these limitations. Exploiting the complementary capabilities of the new-generation multispectral sensors aboard Landsat-8 (L8) and Sentinel-2 (S2), with spatial resolutions ranging from 10 to 30 meters, offers an unprecedented opportunity to significantly advance the accuracy of snow cover mapping. Hence, this study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the combined use of optical sensors through deep learning-based spatiotemporal image fusion to capture snow dynamics and produce detailed and dense Normalized Snow Difference Index (NDSI) time series in a semi-arid context. Three distinct deep learning models, namely Very Deep Super Resolution (VDSR), Super Resolution Unet (SR-Unet), and Residual Convolutional Neural Network (RCNN), were evaluated and compared to fuse L8 and S2 data. The findings indicate that all three approaches can provide accurate estimates for a coarse-resolution image at a given fusion date, although there are notable disparities in prediction quality between the different approaches. Specifically, R-squared values were measured at 0.94, 0.92, and 0.96 for RCNN, SR-Unet, and VDSR, respectively, with corresponding root mean square error (RMSE) values of 0.09, 0.11, and 0.08. Our results suggest that the VDSR model is particularly effective in producing high-resolution merged snow time series and can compensate for the absence of ground snow cover data.
A generic framework for the identification and delineation of landforms from high-for DEMs using segmentation, contextual merging, and machine learning
Authors: Niculita Mihai
Published: March 2024

After successfully applying segmentation and machine learning for landform identification and delineation for concave, convex, and generic landforms (landslides, floodplains), the used approach is generalized as a framework. The approach can be implemented in any GIS software that allows scripting and is based on four steps: (i) object-based segmentation based on a specific geomorphometric variable, (ii) contextual merging if the landform is composed of multiple shapes, (iii) selection of the training data segments, (iv) statistical classification by machine learning. The framework refers to creating a set of rules for various scenarios of landform types to allow the implementation of the approach for various landforms and areas around the globe. One of the main requirements regarding the DEM is that its feature resolution be high enough to allow at least a segment to cover the target landform spatially. This requires either LiDAR or RADAR DEMs, with medium or high resolution. We tested COPDEM in areas where there is no vegetation cover and the results show that landslides, floodplains, gullies, sinkholes, and closed depressions can be depicted by the approach.
Ocean-Atmosphere Interaction Pilot Project in the Gulf of Mexico under CIGoM Buoy Network.
Authors: Ocampo-Torres Francisco J. , Osuna Pedro , Rascle Nicolas G. , García-Nava Héctor , Díaz Méndez Guillermo , Esquivel-Trava Bernardo , Herrera-Vázquez Carlos F. , Villarreal-Olavarrieta Carlos E. , Mora Rodney
Published: March 2024

CIGoM Buoy Network in the Gulf of Mexico was implemented and operated between 2016 and 2019. While two type of buoys were designed and built, in this work we focus on spar buoy (BOMM, as Spanish acronym for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology Buoy) to directly estimate ocean surface wave full directional spectrum as well as the momentum flux between the ocean and the atmosphere. A detailed description of the buoy and main characteristics of sensors deployed in three BOMM is given. We aim to better understand the O-A momentum flux under non-equilibrium conditions, specifically when sudden wind changes occurred typically associated with atmospheric fronts passages over the region of interest. The influence of swell is analyzed in detail for cases when locally generated waves are being developed under moderate wind speeds. Of particular importance is the remote observations of the wave field under those conditions, by means of Synthetic Aperture Radar images of the ocean surface. We approach the subject by making use of a quasi-linear inversion algorithm (Krogstad et al., 1994) with the procedure already advanced and proposed by Vachon et al. (1994), in order to estimate the directional wave spectrum. The relation between SAR derived wave spectra and the directly estimated momentum fluxes are addressed.
Lava flow magnetic anomaly mapping with UAVs
Authors: Malservisi Rocco , Rodgers Mel , Van Alphen Robert , Connor Charles , Berkey Troy , Bakowski Rachel , Gallant Elisabeth
Published: March 2024

Mapping of magnetic anomalies in volcanic areas is a valuable tool to better understand lava flow geometries and dynamics. The high magnetization of basaltic lava allows us to easily identify buried lava flows, providing constraints on the total volume of old erupted material and the flow geometry, while magnetic mapping of volcanic intrusions in country rock enables us to model feeder dike geometry. The low magnetic signals within recent lava flows can identify areas that are still above the Curie temperature, constraining the dynamic of recent flow, and negative anomalies above old empty lava tubes can allow us to identify these hidden conduits.Traditionally, magnetic anomaly mapping for small regions is performed by walking through the survey area and for larger regions using crewed aircraft. Walking is often daunting, labor-intensive, and potentially dangerous. On the other hand, crewed aircraft are normally expensive and require a significant logistical organization before the survey. Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) have the potential to bridge the gap and collect a significant amount of high-resolution data in a relatively short time, possibly in areas not easily accessible. UAVs also provide the opportunity to collect data at multiple altitudes, providing a full gradient of the measured field.Here we present the results from both old and recent lava flows. Little Cones in Nevada (USA) consists of two visible cones erupted ~0.8Ma in the vicinity of the proposed nuclear repository of Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The lava flows from the two cones are partially buried by alluvium and not visible above ground. Our UAV data collection and data inversion allowed us to map the full extent of the lava flow and estimate the total volume of effused material. Our surveys of Hell’s Half Acre (~3000 BCE) lava flow, and Kings’ Bowl (~300 BCE) flow in Idaho (USA) are examples of the use of magnetic anomalies to identify lava tubes, feeding dikes, and flow morphology. Our 2022 survey of the 2018 Pacaya (Guatemala) lava flow is an example of a hard-to-access flow in which we can identify the warmer core that has not yet cooled below the Curie temperature. A survey of the 2018 Lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea in Hawaiʻi (USA) conducted in 2022 is another example of a negative anomaly possibly associated with areas that are still hot, or lava tubes. In all the surveys we collected a few hundred line kms of data in a few days using two 200 Hz triaxial fluxgate magnetometers mounted on a medium-lift drone. UAV magnetic surveys in volcanic regions are a powerful tool for understanding old and recent volcanic processes.
Non-negligible impact of Stokes drift and wave-driven Eulerian currents on simulated surface particle dispersal in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Rühs Siren , van Sebille Erik , Moulin Aimie , Clementi Emanuela , van den Bremer Ton
Published: March 2024

Marine surface particle dispersal simulations are crucial for addressing societal issues such as plastic pollution, oil spills, biological connectivity, and recovery missions. However, the quality of these Lagrangian simulations depends on how well the underlying numerical model represents the prevalent ocean circulation features.Here, we investigate how simulated surface particle dispersal changes, if the – often neglected or only approximated – impact of surface waves is included. Under the influence of surface waves, a particle not only moves with the Eulerian current velocity but also experiences a net drift in the direction of wave propagation, known as Stokes drift. Moreover, wave-current interactions result in wave-driven Eulerian currents. We use the output of a coupled ocean-wave model configuration for the Mediterranean Sea to answer the following questions: What is the relative impact of Stokes drift and wave-driven Eulerian currents? How well can the total wave impact be represented by the commonly used approximation consisting of the superposition of Eulerian currents and Stokes drift obtained from independenntly run ocean and wave models?We find that Stokes drift as well as wave-driven Eulerian currents can have a non-negligible impact on surface particle dispersal. While both tend to act in opposing directions, they do not necessarily cancel each other out, due to different temporal and spatial variability. Our analyses suggest a seasonal dependency of the wave impact. For a major part of the Mediterranean Sea, ocean-wave coupling increases the simulated mean Lagrangian surface speed in winter through a dominant impact of Stokes drift and decreases it in summer through a dominant impact by wave-driven Eulerian currents. Yet, some regions also exhibit a dominance of either Stokes drift or wave-driven Eulerian current impact throughout the year. Consequently, applying the commonly used approximation is not always beneficial for surface particle simulations. The advantage or disadvantage of the approximation compared to neglecting any wave impact depends on the season, region, and Lagrangian measure of interest, and is difficult to estimate a priori. Hence, whenever possible, coupled ocean-wave models should be employed for surface particle dispersal simulations. 
Storm Daniel and the timing and magnitude of floods in Northeast Libya
Authors: Hunt Chris , El-Rishi Hwedi , Brown David , Dick Jon
Published: March 2024

Storm Daniel caused major flooding throughout much of the Jebel al-Akhdar massif in Northeast Libya, leading to huge damage and loss of life in the city of Derna and widespread damage to infrastructure through the region in September 2023. There is little historical record of significant floods in the region. We conducted dendrogeomorphological and palaeohydrological research in the wadis Kouf and Bottamsa in the Jebel al-Akhdar. Radiocarbon- and tree-ring dated flood return and flood magnitude sequences suggest three major floods during the 17th to 19th centuries AD in the Wadi Kouf and one major flood during the 18th Century in the Wadi Bottamsa, with major flood return intervals of about one per 100 years. The timing of the major floods in these two catchments seem to be different, suggesting the storms that caused them were localised. The major floods in the Wadi Kouf would have been large enough to have caused considerable damage to modern infrastructure, which seems to have been designed to cope with the much smaller floods of the mid-20th Century. Storm Daniel, however, was the product of a much larger weather system than the storms that gave rise to the earlier floods and it caused the largest floods in these wadis in the last 400 years.
Characterisation of slow-spreading ridges: the Theistareykir and Fremrinamar rifts, Northern Volcanic Zone (Iceland)
Authors: Pedicini Martina , Corti Noemi , Tibaldi Alessandro , Pasquaré Mariotto Federico , Bonali Fabio Luca
Published: March 2024

The Northern Volcanic Zone (NVZ) of Iceland identifies the northernmost portion of the emerging Mid-Atlantic plate boundary. Its peculiar location enables us to observe the main features that characterise slow-spreading ridges directly on the field. Here we present the first outcomes on the characterisation of the structure of the NVZ, focusing on two out of the seven volcanic rifts that constitute the area, namely the Theistareykir and the Fremrinamar.We linked field surveys and remote sensing analysis to identify and classify all the features constituting these areas (i.e. normal faults, extension fractures, and eruptive fissures) and to collect quantitative data. Information regarding structures’ azimuth, length and vertical offset (for the normal faults subset) were collected to obtain a comprehensive characterisation of the rifts’ surficial deformation. Moreover, fault-slip profiles have been realised, to evaluate the along-axis rift propagation within the studied fissure swarms.For both rifts normal faults represent the most abundant subset, also characterised by the highest length values. The analysis of faults’ dip directions highlights a clear preponderance of E-dipping scarps within the Theistareykir rift against a predominance of W-dipping ones within the Fremrinamar rift, supporting the hypothesis that they represent rift shoulders. Within both rifts, we observed a decrease in the surficial deformation moving away from the rifts’ central volcanoes. Additionally, the interpretation of the fault-slip profile displayed the tendency of the along-axis rift deformation to move away from the central volcanoes. Within the Theistareykir, the rift intersects with the Husavik-Flatey transform Fault (HFF), generating structures showing right-lateral strike-slip components.  Within the Fremrinamar rift, however, the intersection of the rift within the Grimsey Oblique Lineament leads to a local re-orientation of structures’ strikes, without any strike-slip component. These data corroborate the hypothesis that the GRL represents the offshore propagation of the Fremrinamar rift towards the Kolbeinsey Ridge, thus having a different behavior than the HFF.Our study could contribute to the general understanding of how slow-spreading ridges develop, with a particular focus on how volcanic and tectonic processes concur in defining rift structures.
Aerogeophysical views of a major vulnerable marine-based sector of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet: the Wilkes Subglacial Basin
Authors: Ferraccioli Fausto , Eagles Graeme , Greenbaum Jamin , Armadillo Egidio , Young Duncan , Blankenship Donald , Paxman Guy , Seigert Martin
Published: March 2024

The Wilkes Subglacial Basin (WSB) continues to attract significant international attention as a potential area of substantial East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) retreat. Determining whether this sector of East Antarctica was indeed a major contributor to past global sea level rise and whether it will be again in the future beyond 2100, remains a key priority for new interdisciplinary research.Aerogeophysical exploration has unveiled that the bedrock dips inland and is grounded up to 2.1 km below sea level (bsl) within its remarkably deep sub-basins and remains at a depth 500 km inland of the present-day grounding zone.Despite a growing body of knowledge, geological, geomorphological, and oceanographic evidence for the location, amount and rate of EAIS ice sheet retreat within the WSB remains incomplete and in parts controversial, and numerical model predictions for retreat during past warmer periods (e.g. the mid-Pliocene, mid-Miocene and even more recent Quaternary times) also differ significantly.Here we review some of the results from different existing aerogeophysical campaigns and data compilations in the WSB to discuss the importance of also considering the heterogeneity in basal boundary conditions affecting and modulating EAIS behaviour, such as bed topography, geology, subglacial hydrology and geothermal heat flux, and also present several interpretations for past changes, including their associated uncertainties, unresolved issues and outstanding questions.We conclude by presenting our case for major new international aerogephysical exploration efforts such as in our newly proposed ICEOLIA ERC initiative to:1) provide key missing bathymetric and geological data coverage over the much less well surveyed continental shelf and ice shelf cavities, which is critical to study ice sheet-ocean interactions and to link marine geological/geophysical and drilling observations with the dynamics of the EAIS;2) glean an improved understanding of past processes and tipping points and finally3) help investigate 4D (i.e. both space and time dependent) Solid Earth influences on past, present and future ice sheet behaviour in this key sector of East Antarctica.
JIRAM's observations of Io during closest approaches
Authors: Mura Alessandro , Tosi Federico , Zamboni Francesca , Lopes Rosaly M. , Rathbun Julie , Mouginis-Mark Pete , Becker Heidi N. , Hansen-Koharcheck Candice , Sordini Roberto , Pettine Madeline , Piccioni Giuseppe , Sindoni Giuseppe , Plainaki Christina , Adriani Alberto
Published: March 2024

NASA’s Juno mission has been observing Jupiter since 2016 from a polar, highly elliptical orbit. Although not in the main scientific objectives, Juno took images and spectra of the Galilean moons from a very favourable position, using some of the cameras on board: JIRAM,  JunoCam and SRU. JIRAM, the Jovian InfraRed Auroral Mapper, is a dual-band imager and spectrometer in the infrared (2000-5000 nm); JunoCam is a visible color imager;  SRU is Juno's Stellar Reference Unit, a highly sensitive, visible  wavelength (450-1100 nm) camera.JIRAM's imager channel is a single detector with 2D capability and with 2 different filters (L band, from 3.3 to 3.6 µm; M band, from 4.5 to 5 µm). The pixel angular resolution (0.01°) is fine enough for imaging the moons from Juno; the spatial resolution at the surface of the moons varies along the s/c distance and was of the order of 100 km/pixel at the beginning of the campaign, but it's now getting better, down to ~ 500 m. Here we focus on the study of JIRAM’s high resolution images, which can characterize the location, morphology, and some temperatures, of the volcanic thermal sources; comparison with images in the visible range is also performed.
Continuous records of δ11B-CO2 covering the Plio-Pleistocene boundary and the Mid Pleistocene Transition show orbital carbon-climate coupling.
Authors: Chalk Thomas , Brown Rachel , Nuber Sophie , Hain Mathis , Yu Jimin , Rae James , Foster Gavin
Published: March 2024

The Pliocene-Pleistocene transition and Middle Pleistocene Transition (3.4–2.5 million years ago and ~1.2-0.6 million years ago respectively) represent major shifts in the Earth’s climate, with both being associated with global cooling, sustained and transient changes in ocean circulation, and the development and stabilization of large ice sheets in the northern hemi- sphere. These ice sheets waxed and waned over the last 2.5 million years and are the key mode of climate variability in this ice house world. Knowledge of the relationship of climate and CO2 on this timescale has to date been hampered by low resolution and imprecise records of CO2 once beyond the reach of the ice core records. Here we show orbitally resolved and multisite records of CO2 from boron isotopes across both transitions, and progress towards a highly resolved multi-basin stack of records. We find a persistent relationship between CO2 and climate state, which implicates CO2 decrease as a major contributor to both climate transitions, but also highlights non-linear responses in temperature and sea level as well as significant leads and lags on orbital timescales. Our findings confirm that changes in atmospheric CO2 play a key role in long-term Plio-Pleistocene climate and implicate the repeating transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to the ocean as a key mechanism in major climate transitions of the last 3 million years. 
Where do tropical land temperatures sit on the bipolar see-saw? 
Authors: Afonso Camille , Løland Marit , Carolin Stacy , Krüger Yves , Meckler Nele
Published: March 2024

Low latitudes play a key role in the Earth's climate system, receiving the highest amount of solar energy that is redistributed across the globe through atmospheric and oceanic circulation. The last glacial cycle has been characterized by millennial-scale climate oscillations, marked by large and rapid temperature swings in the North Atlantic region accompanied with opposite and smaller temperature variations in the Southern Hemisphere. In the context of these millennial scale climate fluctuations, we seek to understand the tropical climate behaviour, determining whether it followed the Northern Hemisphere pattern or the Southern Hemisphere pattern and atmospheric CO2.In this study, nucleation-assisted microthermometry (Krüger et al., 2011) was used to determine stalagmite formation temperatures based on fluid inclusion liquid-vapor homogenization. The method was applied to SC03, a stalagmite from Secret Cave (Gunung Mulu National Park, Northern Borneo), previously studied for changes in precipitation (Carolin et al., 2013). Here we reconstructed a quantitative land temperature record, covering selected Dansgaard-Oeschger cycles during MIS 3 (42-50 ka) as well as during MIS 5a and MIS 4 (60-81 ka). Our preliminary findings suggest that tropical temperature did not follow Northern Hemispheric patterns but there appears to be a relationship with atmospheric CO2 levels. This aligns with previous findings from the last glacial termination derived from another stalagmite from the same cave (Løland et al., 2022). Additionally, we investigated whether there is any evidence of a significant land temperature change in the period immediately following the Toba super eruption (Sumatra, Indonesia),  ca. 73.8 ka. Our study contributes to a broader understanding of the interplay between low and high latitude climate during millennial-scale reorganizations of the global climate system.
Summer Discomfort During Tropical Nights in Belgrade (Serbia)
Authors: Pecelj Milica
Published: March 2024

The city of Belgrade has experienced a rise in temperatures during summers, marked by an increased frequency and intensity of heat waves. A concerning element is the escalation of overnight temperatures, which fail to cool down adequately. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in urban areas due to the urban heat island effect. This study aims to provide evidence of the summer discomfort experienced in Belgrade during tropical nights over the past two decades and its impact on health. To achieve this, it is compiled a dataset containing daily weather information recorded at 9 pm (CET) spanning the years 2000 to 2020.
Cities and global hydrological models the next frontier
Authors: Jovanovic Tijana , Hughes Andrew
Published: March 2024

Global Hydrological Models (GHMs) are now being used to evaluate freshwater availability for water supply and estimate competition between sectors (municipal, agricultural, industrial water withdrawals, etc.) under the projected population increase and climate change. While becoming more complex and versatile GHMs are still fundamentally undervaluing cities. Over past decades, urban hydrological research has documented numerous changes to hydrological cycle beyond faster and flashier hydrographs. Cities alter rainfall patterns, create subsurface preferential pathways, so-called urban karst, can increase local recharge, to name a few. By using global datasets on water withdrawals, cities, permeability, and non-revenue water we show how current conceptualization of cities within GHMs could be improved to account for key urban complexities at scale. We identify regions where such improvement should be implemented and call for the creation of urban global hydrological modelling community, a community which will help to evaluate local model performance and creation of fundamental urban global datasets.     
Lithium: a problem or a contribution to reducing climate change?
Authors: Marques Sofia , Belo José
Published: March 2024

Portugal has some of the world's most important lithium reserves. Its exploitation in the country has been the target of public opposition. However, is this an informed opposition?The work presented was developed with 10th year students within the scope of a DAC (Domain of Curricular Autonomy) involving the disciplines of Biology and Geology and Physics and Chemistry A.Using lithium, its exploitation and applications as a basis, the aim was to work on essential learning in Physics and Chemistry A, studying the characteristics of metals, and in Biology and Geology, studying the impact of lithium exploitation on ecosystems. The applications of lithium were correlated with its potential to mitigate climate change and its effects on biodiversity.The students carried out a group research project in class, produced a final product in the form of a powerpoint or using another tool of their choice and finally presented their work to the class in a joint lesson between the two subjects.The assessment of the final product and presentation was carried out using an assessment rubric previously discussed with the students, resulting in a grade on a scale of 0 to 20 for the written communication and another for the oral communication. The grading was agreed between the Physics and Chemistry A and Biology and Geology teachers, and was integrated into the field of science communication in each of the subjects. There was also a formative assessment of the students' performance during the work and feedback was given by the teachers who accompanied the work. The students also carried out a self- and hetero-assessment of their performance.