bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of fracture intensity and topology in granitic rocks: insight from Mt. Capanne Pluton, Elba Island, Italy 
Authors: Porta Filippo , Berio Luigi Riccardo , Cavozzi Cristian , Menegoni Niccolò , Balsamo Fabrizio
Published: March 2024

Field analogue studies of fractured crystalline rocks are important for the clean energy transition and or better understanding the subsurface geothermal systems. In this contribution we present a workflow for multiscale quantitative analysis of fracture network and their connectivity in the monzogranitic pluton of Monte Capanne (Elba Island, Italy). Field structural analysis was integrated with Digital Outcrop Model (DOM) of a 1.5km-long outcrop and with microfracture analysis performed in thin section. The DOM was obtained from images acquired with UAV flights. Field analysis indicate the presence of three main fracture sets with different attributes and showing systematic crusscutting relationships. The quantitative analysis of the DOM was performed with QGIS software and allowed us to characterize the fracture length distributions, density (P20), intensity (P21), and topology (and their parameters). Data derived from field survey and DOM and analysis has been used to create a three-dimensional Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) using a DICE® (https:// github.com/nicmenegoni/DICE) algorithm in MatLab® to calculate the 3-dimensional fracture intensity (P32). In addition, we extended the two-dimensional topology concept in the third dimension. Thus, assuming circular fractures, new topology parameters have been calculated such as number of fracture intersection in volume and intersection fracture length in a volume, i.e., I30 and I31 respectively. Finally, based on the relative fracture chronology, we simulated the step-by-step evolution of 2- and 3-three-dimensional fracture density, fracture intensity and topology, describing the relationship between different fracture sets over time. The preliminary results show how fractures connectivity evolve over time. The ultimate goal of this work is to constrain the evolution of fracture porosity to enhance our ability for modelling fluid flow in crystalline rocks.  
Recent Enhancements of the Volcanic Information System (VIS): An Infrasound-Based Long-Range Volcanic Eruption Notification System
Authors: De Negri Rodrigo , Boulenger Vincent , Gheri Duccio , Hupe Patrick , Labazuy Philippe , Le Pichon Alexis , Marchetti Emanuele , Näsholm Peter , Mialle Pierrick , Héreil Philippe
Published: March 2024

Volcanic explosive eruptions produce large amounts of low-frequency (250 km) with sustained ash-columns and provide early warnings to mitigate the risk that eruptions pose to civil aviation. Additionally, it can reconstruct the chronology of eruptions, and provide volcanic source constraints (acoustic intensity, gas flow, etc.). The system is designed to integrate the IMS and national infrasound stations to gather all available infrasound detections in the area of interest. The detections rely on the Progressive Multi-Channel Correlation (PMCC) method, which separates coherent infrasound waves (detections) from noise. The VIS is based on the Infrasound Parameter (IP) criterion to establish when an eruption is in course, accounting for atmospheric propagation effects, detection persistency, and amplitude. An operational VIS demonstrator will be deployed on servers of the Observatoire de Physique du Globe de Clermont-Ferrand (OPGC, CNRS-INSU and University Clermont Auvergne) to monitor Mt. Etna and Stromboli in real-time using data from the Amiata infrasound array (AMT) operated by the University of Florence. The data products of the VIS demonstrator will be available through an application programming interface (API) hosted at OPGC, where also an archived catalogue of European volcano eruptions and the real-time data products for AMT will be hosted.As part of the European Geo-INQUIRE project (HORIZON-INFRA-2021-SERV-01), the VIS will be integrated into the Thematic Core Service Volcano Observation (TCS-VO) of the European Plate Observing System (EPOS). Future developments will include integration into web services such as the HOTVOLC web-GIS interface (OPGC, CNRS-INSU) or the EPOS Data Portal.
Mapping Subsurface Conductivity: Challenges and Progress in Italy's MARGE Project
Authors: Pignatiello Giulia , Coco Igino , De Girolamo Michele , Di Persio Manuele , Giannattasio Fabio , Materni Valerio , Miconi Luca , Miconi Massimo , Piangiamore Giovanna Lucia , Romano Gerardo , Romano Valentina , Santarelli Lucia , Sapia Vincenzo , Spadoni Sabina , Tripaldi Simona , Tozzi Roberta , Siniscalchi Agata , De Michelis Paola
Published: March 2024

In Italy, the MARGE initiative, an abbreviation for Geoelectromagnetic Risk Map for Central Italy, strives to create an extensive map of subsurface electrical conductivity by analyzing natural electric and magnetic fields.Led by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in collaboration with the University of Bari and the Institute of Environmental Analysis Methodologies at CNR, his project involves establishing measurement points distributed on a grid spaced approximately 50 km apart.However, this endeavor faces significant challenges in the central region of the Italian peninsula due to extensive urbanization, numerous electromagnetic disturbances from railways and high-voltage power lines, and challenging topography, making finding suitable land parcels a complex task.The MARGE project aims to gather broad-band and long-term magnetotelluric data, focusing on two primary objectives: utilizing magnetotelluric data to outline large-scale lithospheric structures in the Central Apennines and developing maps of the geoelectric field in Central Italy to support Space Weather modeling and critical infrastructure vulnerability analysis.Presenting our initial findings, we discuss encountered challenges and potential solutions identified in this ongoing project.
Applying Cosmic-Ray Neutron Sensing in Highly Heterogeneous Conditions: Monitoring Snow Water Equivalent in Periods with Partial Snow Coverage
Authors: Schattan Paul , Schmieder Jan , Köhli Markus , Fey Christine , Schrön Martin
Published: March 2024

Cosmic-Ray Neutron Sensing (CRNS) constitutes an emerging method for monitoring soil moisture and snow dynamics at intermediate spatial scales of several hectares. In complex environments such as mountain regions, however, the presence of areas with a high contrast of hydrogen content was found to cause a hysteresis in the relationship between neutron counts and water equivalent. A simulation study using the newly developed hierarchical scenario tool YULIA (Your URANOS Layer Integration Assistant) for the Monte-Carlo neutron simulation model URANOS was conducted to quantify the effect of snow-free areas on above-ground neutron sensing of the snow water equivalent (SWE). It was found that the size and distance of the snow free patches have the largest impact on the neutron flux. The simulations also showed a sensitivity of the signal towards soil moisture and SWE. Correction functions were developed and validated with observed CRNS measurements and LiDAR based distributed SWE maps. The main aim of the correction procedure is to estimate SWE under partly snow-covered conditions. Furthermore, also the soil moisture of the snow-free areas can be inferred if the SWE distribution is known. The latter can be used for other high-contrast CRNS applications like monitoring soil moisture in the presence of ponding water.
Initial steps towards an inversion system for biogenic isoprene emissions in CAMS: Verification using HALO mini-DOAS and TROPOMI observations and simplified chemistry
Authors: Kluge Flora , Flemming Johannes , Huijnen Vincent , Inness Antje , Kelly Christopher , Müller Jean-François , Oomen Glenn-Michael , Pfeilsticker Klaus , Stavrakou Trissevgeni , Ribas Roberto , Rotermund Meike , Weyland Ben , Van der Worp Miró
Published: March 2024

We report on an extensive analysis of CAMS (Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service) formaldehyde (HCHO) simulations in different tropospheric regions, seasons, altitudes and air masses using a comprehensive data set of airborne measured HCHO vertical column densities and mixing ratios. The observations are derived from measurements of the HALO mini-DOAS instrument operated from aboard the German research aircraft DLR HALO during six international research missions in the years 2017 to 2019. In addition, measurements over the South American tropical rain forest in 2014 are included, as this region is of particular interest in the analysis of global biogenic emissions. The analysis of airborne measured and CAMS CY48R1 simulated HCHO vertical profiles shows an overestimation of planetary boundary layer HCHO over the Amazon rain forest by the model on average by 70%. Restricting the comparison to measurements outside of identified anthropogenic emission events (e.g. biomass burning plumes) increases this overestimation of boundary layer HCHO to a factor of five. This finding is further investigated by additionally also including vertical column density measurements of the mini-DOAS instrument to the analysis. This allows the comparison of simulated and airborne derived HCHO with respective TROPOMI satellite observations (for all airborne measurements from May 2018 onwards), hence enabling a comprehensive assessment of tropospheric HCHO. The above findings are included in ongoing research of work package 2.3 of the Horizon Europe CAMEO (CAMS EvOlution) project, which aims to develop an inversion of biogenic emissions within ECMWF’s Integrated Forecasting System (IFS). As a first step towards a successful implementation of HCHO assimilation and inversion capability within the IFS, a simplified HCHO chemistry scheme has been developed and is currently analyzed with a particular focus on its impact on other atmospheric reactive trace gases, such as isoprene and ozone, and on aerosols.
Use of dissolved gases as tracers to study the impacts of floods and river works on Surface water – Groundwater interactions.
Authors: Blanc Théo , Currle Friederike , Peel Morgan , Brennwald Matthias S. , Tomonaga Yama , Schilling Oliver S. , Hunkeler Daniel , Kipfer Rolf , Brunner Philip
Published: March 2024

Alluvial aquifers have a significant potential for pumping large quantities of groundwater, essential for meeting drinking water needs. Abstracted water typically consists of a mix of regional groundwater and freshly infiltrated river water. A good understanding of surface water – groundwater interactions in these types of systems is required for managing both qualitative and quantitative aspects of riverbank filtration or river renaturations. Tracers are important tools in these contexts, as they provide crucial information on travel times and mixing ratios.We present data from a comprehensive multi-tracer approach obtained in a field experiment conducted in a pre-alpine valley in central Switzerland. Over several months, river works were undertaken in an infiltrating river in the proximity of an important field of groundwater wells used for drinking water production. We investigated the impact of these river modifications on surface water - groundwater dynamics by monitoring the natural concentrations of (noble) gases with multiple potable mass spectrometers (miniRuedi, Gasometrix) and radon detectors (Rad7, Durridge). Additionally, we injected different noble gas species as artificial tracers both in the river and in groundwater and gained valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the system.The combination of these different tracers provided insights that could not have been obtained by a single tracer. Our results demonstrate that during and immediately after restoration works the infiltration of river water increases temporarily and provide insights about the time it takes for a riverbed to recover after restoration works and for river-groundwater interactions to reach a new dynamic equilibrium.
Wintertime Tree Surface Temperature Dynamics in Boreal and Sub-Alpine Forests Revealed by Thermal Infrared Imaging
Authors: Haagmans Vincent , Mazzotti Giulia , Webster Clare , Jonas Tobias
Published: March 2024

Canopy surface temperature is a critical state variable of land surface models. During winter, it plays a key role in modulating energy fluxes between atmosphere, canopy air space, and sub-canopy snowpack. Understanding these surface temperature dynamics spatially and temporally is becoming increasingly important as recent hyper resolution models are now capable of resolving snow-forest interactions at the scale of individual trees and within concrete canopy structure.Here, we present a novel dataset and analyze spatio-temporal wintertime canopy surface temperaturedynamics derived from ground-based thermal infrared (ThIR) images. Panoramic ThIR images were captured in forest gaps and dense stands at up to hourly intervals throughout diurnal cycles in boreal and sub-alpine forests. Postprocessing enabled documentation of absolute vertical and azimuthal tree surface temperature distributions within the forest under varying meteorological conditions. Our observations revealed the spatiotemporal dynamics of canopy temperatures offsets relative to ambient air temperatures. Positive offsets mainly followed direct insolation patterns within the 3-dimensional canopy structure in case of clear sky conditions. Insolated stems in forest gaps were observed to be up to 20 degrees above the surrounding canopy, while at the same time shaded stems could be up to 3 degrees colder than the canopy. Moreover, combining ThIR observations with RGB imagery further demonstrated evidence of insolation driven unloading of snow intercepted by the canopy, providing valuable data for further development of hyper resolution forest snow models.
Quaternary incision dynamics of the western to central Alpine valleys from cave systems investigations
Authors: Mai Yung Sen Vivien , Valla Pierre , Rolland Yann , Jaillet Stéphane , Robert Xavier , Borreguero Miguel , Crouzet Christian , Carcaillet Julien , Pons-Branchu Edwige , Bruguier Olivier , Boutin-Paradis Nouméa , Malet Emmanuel , Gauchon Christophe
Published: March 2024

Plio-Quaternary global climate changes had major impacts on landscape dynamics and relief evolution worldwide. The Quaternary onset and intensification of the glaciation in the European Alps greatly reshaped the mountainous reliefs with deep glacial carving of the modern main valley systems. Quantifying this climate forcing on the long-term relief evolution is challenging because of the poor preservation of the surface geomorphic markers in a context of strong landscape rejuvenation. Previous studies have shown that a major incision phase occurred for the Aare and upper Rhône valleys (Switzerland) since the mid-Pleistocene transition (onset of the 100-ka glacial-interglacial cycles). But the dynamics of this incision phase remains poorly constrained in both time and space across the Alpine realms. Moreover, the Pliocene to Lower Pleistocene Alpine relief dynamics is still largely unknown. To fill this current knowledge gap, we study cave systems in karst environments which are widespread in the frontal part of the western to central Alps. Karst network development and associated cave sediment records are closely coupled with valley evolution and can be preserved for timescales of million years. They are therefore ideal proxies for quantifying long-term relief dynamics.This study focuses on 3 cave systems nearby the Isere valley (western French Alps) and 1 cave system at the head of the Sarine valley (central Swiss Alps). We apply a multi-method approach that combines 3D analysis of the cave networks with geochronological data on both the detrital sediments (26Al/10Be burial dating and paleomagnetism) and speleothems (U/Th and U/Pb dating).Our results show a significant development of the major Alpine cave systems during the Pliocene, in agreement with previous studies. The abandonment of the perched networks around the Isère valley highlights a first incision phase in the frontal part of the Alps at the Pliocene-Quaternary transition. The apparently later abandonment of the cave system in the upper Sarine valley (~1.8 Ma) suggests an apparent lag in the incision onset for the upper Alpine watersheds. The main incision phase of the Isère valley to its modern base level (i.e. not considering the overdeepened section) took place in the early Middle Pleistocene from ~800 ka up to 450 ka, therefore occurring over only few glacial cycles. Our results imply thus a rapid response time (i.e. few 100 ka) of the major Alpine glacial valleys physiography to the Plio-Quaternary climatic forcing.
Temporal Dynamics of Internal Mobility in Response to Climate Extremes: A Global Analysis.
Authors: Petrova Kristina , Zantout Karim , Zimmermann Sandra , Frieler Katja , Schewe Jacob ,   the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP)
Published: March 2024

This study presents a novel approach to understanding the impact of climate extremes on human mobility by examining not only the immediate response to the occurrence of such events per se but also the effect of their duration and frequency over time. Utilizing the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP) climate data in combination with recently released geo-located sub-national net migration data provided by Niva et al. 2023, we assess the influence of various climate-related events, including droughts, floods, crop failures, and tropical cyclones. Our analysis goes beyond the traditional binary assessment of whether climate extremes affect mobility, delving into the nuanced ways these recurrent events shape migration patterns in areas with different levels of socio-economic development and political inclusivity over time. We aim to capture the shifts in net migration at a granular level, providing insights into how populations respond to environmental stressors over short, medium, and long-term periods. This temporal aspect is crucial in understanding the resilience and adaptability of communities in the face of climate change. Our findings reveal significant variations in mobility responses depending on the nature and duration of climate extremes.  This study contributes to the broader discourse on climate change and human mobility by highlighting the importance of considering temporal dynamics in policy development and planning for climate resilience.
Long-term evolution of Danube delta barrier islands under the influence of storms, floods and big breaches
Authors: Vespremeanu-Stroe Alfred , Zainescu Florin , Tatui Florin , Pirvan Marius , Verga Mihaela , Preoteasa Luminita
Published: March 2024

This work describes the main evolutionary stages of the Sacalin barrier island developed in the last 125 years in relation to storminess variability, river supply, accommodation space, and the establishment of the morphodynamic feedbacks operating in association with the occurrence of extensive breaches. This deltaic barrier is highly mobile due to its low elevation and high wave and currents exposure, recording a continuous elongation (of ca. 150 m/yr) and progradation in the downdrift sector (South Sacalin) but rapid retreat (20-70 m/yr) of the updrift sectors (North and South Sacalin). We found a contrasting behavior of the barrier characterized by fast shoreline retreat and small elongation during high storminess intervals but slight retreat and rapid elongation during low storminess. The occurrence of a vast breach (ca. 2.5 km long) at the end of the 1976-1981 stormy interval changed the evolution of the central barrier by the onset of a cyclic pattern of the barrier retreat and (large) breaching triggered mainly by barrier width but a pace influenced by storminess. The overall barrier coastline evolution is highly correlated with storminess, but the (alongshore) inter-sector analysis also highlights the influence of i) the river supply, which large oscillations (i.e. floods) are transmitted via mouth bar morphometric amplitudes to the North Sacalin and of ii) the significant breaches and related feedbacks for the Central and South Sacalin.
Reconciling long-term stratospheric circulation changes from ERA5 and CCMI2
Authors: Diallo Mohamadou A. , Eichinger Roland , Iglesias-Suarez Fernando , Kuchař Aleš , Hegglin Michaela I.
Published: March 2024

Climate models predict a global acceleration of the stratospheric Brewer-Dobson circulation (BDC) induced by rising greenhouse gas (GHG) levels. However, this predicted strengthening of the BDC has not yet been compared with long-term observations, due to the scarcity of long-term observation records. The recent release of ERA5 long-term reanalysis data covering the period from 1950 to the present day offers new opportunities to assess the robustness of the projected BDC acceleration. These observation-based data make it possible to assess the ability of models to capture the impact of natural variability such as the Quasi- Biennial Oscillation (QBO), the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the solar cycle, stratospheric volcanic aerosols and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), on circulation changes and their interaction.In this presentation, I will review our knowledge of the dynamical mechanisms explaining changes in the BDC over the period 1960-2018 using ERA5 and CCMI-2. I will then highlight the impact of climate variability modes (e.i. QBO, ENSO, Solar, volcanoes and PDO) and their interaction on the BDC. Finally, I will discuss the robustness and main reasons for differences between modern reanalyses and climate models in the BDC changes.
Deformation patterns of the Reykjanes Peninsula unrest 2020-2024, Iceland: evidence for interconnected neighboring volcanic systems
Authors: Geirsson Halldór , Parks Michelle M , Sigmundsson Freysteinn , Drouin Vincent , Ófeigsson Benedikt G , Lanzi Chiara , Birgisdóttir Áslaug G , Ducrocq Cécile , Hooper Andrew , Einarsson Páll , Jónsdóttir Kristín , Hreinsdóttir Sigrún , Greiner Sonja H M
Published: March 2024

Neighboring volcanic systems sometimes show evidence of some form of interconnection, for example by inflating or deflating either in phase or in anti-phase. We review here the course of events on the Reykjanes Peninsula (RP) in the ongoing unrest since approximately 2020, using volcano geodesy.There are several volcanic systems on the RP, from west to east: Reykjanes, Svartsengi, Fagradalsfjall, Krýsuvík, Brennisteinsfjöll, and Hengill, with Fagradalsfjall being the least developed. All these volcanic systems, except Brennisteinsfjöll, have shown signs of unrest in the past years and decades: Three uplift episodes occurred at Svartsengi during 2020; one or two subtle deformation events further west on Reykjanes in 2020, and further uplift episodes at Svartsengi in May 2022, October 2023, November 2023, and December 2023 - January 2024. Inflation was observed at Krýsuvík during the summer of 2020; and a M5.6 earthquake occurred in Krýsuvík in October 2020.As of beginning of 2024, three eruptions have occurred at Fagradalsfjall (in 2021, 2022, and 2023) and one eruption at Svartsengi in December 2023. Each eruption has been preceded by a dike intrusion, often intertwined with complex patterns of faulting, near-surface fracturing over wide areas, and creep along segments of the plate boundary. Additional dike intrusions in December 2021 in Fagradalsfjall and in Svartsengi in November 2023 did not breach the surface. The dike growth has spanned timescales of just over an hour to several weeks; furthermore, small dikelets accompanied new vent openings during the 2021 eruption. The dikes were emplaced in the brittle crust, above ~8 km depth, spanned several decimeters to meters in thickness, and released locally a great amount of plate-tectonic stresses. Re-inflation following each eruption or dike intrusion is usually observed, however, the temporal style of uplift rates varies considerably from time to time. Co-eruptive deflation was observed during the 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption and the 2023 Svartsengi eruption.The detailed deformation observations and modeling for the unrest periods reveal complex interactions of tectonics and magmatism across several volcanic systems on the RP. During 2020-2024, localized deformation and seismicity have alternated between different volcanic systems on the RP, such that only one system is inflating or erupting at a time. This observation may be interpreted in terms of deep pressure coupling between the systems. Furthermore, the deformation events cause significant stress changes at neighboring volcanic systems, affecting the probability of dike propagation and seismicity as well as conditions for magma accumulation. 
Changes in extreme precipitation patterns over the Greater Antilles and teleconnection with large-scale sea surface temperature
Authors: Destouches Carlo , Diedhiou Arona , Anquetin Sandrine , Hingray Benoit , Pierre Armand , Joseph Adermis , Boisson Dominique
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the evolution of extreme precipitation over the Greater Antilles and its relationship with large-scale sea surface temperature (SST) during the period 1985-2015. The data used are derived from two satellite datasets, CHIRPS (Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation, Funk et al. (2015)) and NOAA (OI V2 Sea Surface Temperature, Huang et al. (2021)), at resolution of 5km and 25km respectively.  Changes in the characteristics of six indices of precipitation extremes (Precipitation total; number of rainy days;  contribution of heavy rainfall, R95p, maximum duration of consecutive rainy and dry days) defined by the WMO ETCCDI (World Meteorological Organization Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices, Peterson et al. (2001)) are described and the influence of four large-scale SST indices (Northern Oscillation Index, NAO; Southern Oscillation Index, SOI; Tropical South Atlantic, TSA; Caribbean Sea Surface Temperature, SST-CAR) is investigated using Spearman's correlation coefficient. The results show that at regional scale, a positive phase of the TSA index contributes to an increase of the rainfall intensity while a positive phase of NAO is significantly associated with a decrease of total precipitation, of daily rainfall intensity, and of heavy rainfall. At country level, in southeastern Cuba and Puerto Rico, the increase in heavy precipitation and rainfall intensity is linked to a positive phase of the SOI, TSA and SST-CAR, while in Jamaica and northern Haiti, they are associated with positive phase of TSA and SST-CAR. Increases in the number of rainy days and the maximum duration of consecutive rainy days over the southern Haiti and the Dominican Republic are significantly associated with positive phase of the Southern Oscillation (SOI) and warming of SST over the east of the Caribbean Sea. The results of this study show that, in the Caribbean, particularly in the Greater Antilles, large-scale SST have had a strong influence on extreme precipitation over the past 30 years. Keywords: Caribbean region; Greater Antilles; Extreme precipitation; Climate variability; Sea surface temperature
Digital management of airport apron pavement surveys
Authors: Pinto Ruggero , Bianchini Ciampoli Luca , Benedetto Andrea
Published: March 2024

Airports necessitate specialized approaches in design, construction, and management due to their unique characteristics. They typically comprise diverse structures, each requiring distinct handling techniques. Specifically, land-side components (e.g., terminals, technical facilities, real estate areas) are often treated as building structures, while air-side elements (e.g., runways, aprons) adhere to specific pavement engineering standards and procedures. Designers and maintenance operators encounter challenges at interfaces between these areas, navigating different methodologies simultaneously.Complicating matters further, the airport environment is subject to numerous constraints and regulations for safety and security. Consequently, a substantial volume of remote sensing and non-destructive survey data is regularly collected at airports to support decision-making by facility managers concerning both airport expansion projects and the maintenance of existing assets.In this context, the recent proliferation of digital modeling and digital twinning approaches in design and management processes for transport infrastructures is opening up new possibilities. Given the intricacy of airport operations, digital environments capable of consolidating land- and air-side data, monitoring survey reports, and addressing limitations in various asset areas are expected to achieve the following:Improve accuracy at land-side/air-side interfaces.
Enhance efficiency in planning actions through integrated monitoring datasets management.
Strengthen the effectiveness of constraints and limitations by simulating interference between worksite activities and obstacle-free volumes.
This study explores the potential and challenges associated with a digital model at a land-side/air-side interface area in an airport. Specifically, the focus is on the digitalization of a multi-source non-destructive testing (NDT) survey conducted over the apron 700 area Rome Fiumicino International Airport, where extensive ground penetrating radar (GPR), heavy weight deflectometer (HWD) and visual inspections have been conducted. AcknowledgementsThis research is supported by the Projects “PIASTRE” accepted and funded by the Lazio Region, Italy (PR FESR Lazio 2021-2027 – "Riposizionamento Competitivo RSI"). Authors express their gratitude to Aeroporti di Roma Ingegneria (ADR Ingegneria) S.p.a. and GRS s.r.l. for the assistance in survey data acquisition.
Investigating the impact of European heat waves on the lower atmosphere
Authors: Fohrmann Till , Friederichs Petra , Hense Andreas
Published: March 2024

Motivated by heat wave’s impacts on human health and the economy, research on this type of extreme event generally focuses on near surface variables. In this study, we broaden the view by looking at the effects on the vertical structure of the atmospheric boundary layer. Previous research by Miralles et al. (2014) reports extreme boundary layer heights during the severe heat waves of 2003 and 2010 and suggests a correlation between mean potential temperature in the lower atmosphere and the boundary layer height. We investigate whether these findings are common to European heat waves in general with the aim of getting insights into their formation and persistence. To get a comprehensive analysis, we compare summer time vertical profiles taken from reanalysis, namely CERRA and COSMO-REA6, as well as German radio sonde observations between 2014 and 2018. We follow the method of Szemkus et al. (in press) to extract extremal spatial patterns of two meter temperature from the reanalyses. This information is used to define heat waves. Furthermore, the atmospheric boundary layer heights in all three data sources are estimated either by the well established Bulk-Richardson-Number based method or a self-developed machine learning approach. We then compare empirical distributions of boundary layer heights during heat waves and normal conditions on a domain wide scale and grid point wise to account for regional differences. Additionally, we also extract extremal spatial patterns from the height data using the aforementioned method to compare them to the patterns found for temperature. The results of our work could possibly be used to improve the discriminability of different severity levels of heat waves or to formulate a heat wave measure that is not based solely on surface variables.
Science objective and status of the EnVision Mission to Venus
Authors: Straume-Lindner Anne Grete , Schulte Mitch , Pacros Anne , Voirin Thomas , Bruzzone Lorenzo , Byrne Paul , Carter Lynn , Dumoulin Caroline , Gilli Gabriella , Helbert Joern , Hensley Scott , Jessup Kandis Lea , Kiefer Walter , Marcq Emmanuel , Mason Philippa , Moreira Alberto , Vandaele Ann Carine , Widemann Thomas
Published: March 2024

EnVision is ESA’s next mission to Venus, in partnership with NASA, where NASA provides the Synthetic Aperture Radar payload and mission support. The ESA mission adoption is scheduled for January 2024, and the launch for 2031. The start of the science operations at Venus is early 2035 following the mission cruise, and aerobraking phase around Venus to achieve a low Venus polar orbit. The scientific objective of EnVision is to provide a holistic view of the planet from its inner core to its upper atmosphere, studying the planets history, activity and climate. EnVision aims to establish the nature and current state of Venus’ geological evolution and its relationship with the atmosphere. EnVision’s overall science objectives are to: (i) characterize the sequence of events that formed the regional and global surface features of Venus, as well as the geodynamic framework that has controlled the release of internal heat over Venus history; (ii) determine how geologically active the planet is today; (iii) establish the interactions between the planet and its atmosphere at present and through time. Furthermore, EnVision will look for evidence of past liquid water on its surface.The nominal science phase of the mission will last six Venus cycles (~four Earth years), and ~210 Tbits of science data will be downlinked using a Ka-/X-band communication system. The science objectives will be addressed by five instruments and one experiment, provided by ESA memberstates and NASA. The VenSAR S-band radar will perform targeted surface imaging as well as polarimetric and stereo imaging, radiometry, and altimetry. The high-frequency Subsurface Radar Sounder (SRS) will sound the upper crust in search of material boundaries. Three spectrometers, VenSpec-U, VenSpec-H and VenSpec-M, operating in the UV and Near- and Short Wave-IR, respectively, will map trace gases, search for volcanic gas plumes above and below the clouds, and map surface emissivity and composition. A Radio Science Experiment (RSE) investigation will exploit the spacecraft Telemetry Tracking and Command (TT&C in Ka-/X bands) system to determine the planet’s gravity field and to sound the structure and composition of the middle atmosphere and the cloud layer in radio occultation. All instruments have substantial heritage and robust margins relative to the requirements, with designs suitable for operation in the Venus environment, and were chosen to meet the broad range of measurement requirements needed to support the EnVision scientific objectives. The EnVision science teams will adopt an open data policy, with public release of the scientific data after verification and validation. Public calibrated data availability is
Comprehensive Assessment of Climate-Induced Disaster Losses in Uttarakhand: A Time-Series Analysis and Vulnerability Mapping Approach 
Authors: Goyal Sakshi , Mukherjee Mahua
Published: March 2024

In the contemporary landscape, the aftermath of each weather-related disaster triggers swift estimations of economic losses, often accompanied by attributions of increased frequency or intensity of such events. The prompt assignment of blame for weather-related disaster losses is a complex endeavor, as discerning the precise role of climate change proves challenging due to the intricacy arising from intertwining climate alterations with societal transformations, contributing to the evolving dynamics of disaster impacts. In parallel, assessing disaster loss and damage is crucial, especially in vulnerable areas prone to natural disasters, such as the Himalayan region, as it is highly susceptible to climate-induced events and potentially severe consequences for the environment and human settlements. The study focuses on the state of Uttarakhand in India, aiming to comprehensively understand the interplays between climate change, societal shifts, and economic repercussions following weather-related calamities. The primary objective is to develop a detailed loss inventory for Uttarakhand, specifically focusing on past events, types of losses, and their spatial distribution. The methodology thoroughly examines secondary sources, data from the Em-Dat database, government reports, and relevant research articles. This comprehensive approach enables understanding of weather-related disaster losses, considering the impacts of climate change and societal changes in the region. The study also employs a robust time-series analysis methodology to unravel the temporal and spatial distribution of disasters due to extreme events, recognizing their significance in shaping disaster dynamics. The analysis aims to identify vulnerable rural and urban clusters within Uttarakhand, provide valuable insights into the spatial patterns of specific loss types, and map high-risk areas within Uttarakhand, contributing to proactive disaster mitigation strategies. This information is crucial for adapting disaster response and recovery strategies, allowing for the effective allocation of resources based on the unique needs of affected regions by integrating loss inventory creation, time-series analysis, and vulnerability mapping. The findings are expected to not only deepen our understanding of the complex interplays between climate change, societal shifts, and disaster losses but also provide actionable insights for mitigating the impact of future weather-related calamities in the Himalayan region, particularly in the state of Uttarakhand.
Representative Profile Model (RPM): A new physically-based model for assessing the hazards of colluvial landslides at local scale
Authors: Feng Xiao , Du Juan , Chai Bo , Wang Yang , Miao Fasheng , Bogaard Thom
Published: March 2024

The physically-based models for regional landslide hazard assessment typically use straight and homogeneous slope geometry and an infinite slope assumption. They assume that the sliding surface and saturation line are parallel to the surface, neglecting the variations in topography and soil thickness across different sections of the slope. This simplification can result in substantial inaccuracies in the regional landslide hazard assessment. To address these limitations, this study proposes a novel, spatially-distributed and physically-based model known as the Representative Profile Model (RPM). RPM distinguishes itself by using slope units rather than grid units, as the primary units of assessment. It efficiently integrates soil thickness and groundwater level information to automatically generate a detailed representative profile for each slope unit. These profiles include a ground surface line, a sliding surface, and a saturation line. This means that RPM can well take into account the effects of topographic relief and spatially uneven distribution of soil thickness for quantifying regional slope stability. Moreover, RPM combines the residual thrust method with the Monte Carlo method. This integration allows for the calculation of failure probabilities for each slope unit, thereby enabling comprehensive and complex susceptibility and hazard assessments at a local scale. A local scale assessment of landslide susceptibility and hazard in Tiefeng Township, Wanzhou District, Chongqing was carried out, with the RPM model. Subsequently, a comparative analysis was conducted with the TRIGRS model, which is based on grid units. The superior performance of RPM was clearly demonstrated by our findings.
3D reconstruction of horizontal and vertical quasi-geostrophiccurrents in the North Atlantic Ocean
Authors: asdar sarah , Ciani Daniele , Buongiorno Nardelli Bruno
Published: March 2024

Direct in situ measurements of ocean currents are still quite limited and, due to its small magnitude, measurements of the vertical velocity remain one of the biggest challenges in oceanography. Vertical velocities are therefore generally inferred indirectly, and a common approach to diagnose them is to use the quasi-geostrophic omega equation. In the framework of the European Space Agency World Ocean Circulation project, a new high-resolution (1/10°) data-driven dataset of 3D ocean currents, including the vertical component, has been developed: the WOC-NATL3D dataset. The product domain extends over a wide portion of the North Atlantic Ocean from the surface down to 1500 m depth, and the dataset covers the period between 2010 and 2019. This entire domain holds immense importance for fishery activities and is identified as a key area within international conventions for the conservation of fishing resources, such as tuna and tuna-like fishes under ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas). To generate this product, a diabatic quasi-geostrophic diagnostic model is applied to data-driven 3D temperature and salinity fields obtained through a deep learning technique, along with ERA5 fluxes and empirical estimates of the horizontal Ekman currents based on input provided by the European Copernicus Marine Service. The assessment of WOC-NATL3D currents is performed by direct validation of the total horizontal velocities with independent drifter estimates at various depths (0, 15 and 1000 m) and by comparing them with existing reanalyses that are obtained through the assimilation of observations into ocean general circulation numerical models. Our estimates of the ageostrophic components of the flow improve the total horizontal velocity reconstruction, being more accurate and closer-to-observations than model reanalyses in the upper layers, also providing an indirect proof of the reliability of the resulting vertical velocities.
Three-dimensional InSAR displacement profiles exploiting multi-platform SAR acquisitions: Application to the slow-varying landslide of Gorgoglione (Italy) 
Authors: Falabella Francesco , Perrone Angela , Stabile Tony Alfredo , Pepe Antonio
Published: March 2024

Ground displacement time-series are standard outputs of consolidated multi-temporal Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometric (InSAR) algorithms. These products make it possible to remotely detect the spatial and temporal evolution of the deformation field relative to investigated stable targets on the ground with centimeter or even millimeter precision. The occurred deformation is perceived as a change in the round-trip Line-Of-Sight (LOS) path from the sensor to the target; therefore, unambiguous projection in three-dimensional (3-D) space is an undetermined problem. Instead, discerning the vertical [up-down (UD)] and horizontal [east-west (EW)] profiles can be achieved using complementary ascending and descending satellite orbits, assuming however the north-south (NS) profile is negligible. Furthermore, the addition of other independent ascending and descending observations is valuable in order to get bidimensional estimates with greater precisions, but at the same time it is not sufficient to recover the NS profiles due to the lack of sensitivity of the polar orbits to that component. In this context, multi-platform SAR acquisitions from complementary views can be used with the polar-orbiting satellite counterpart to resolve full 3-D displacement profiles.
In this work, we propose a multi-platform procedure to integrate satellite SAR data collected from ascending and descending orbits with data collected from ground-based SAR (GB-SAR) systems to compute 3-D InSAR ground displacement maps and time-series. At this aim, the multi-platform data are first processed independently in order to obtain single-look georeferenced InSAR LOS products, using advanced or canonical multi-temporal InSAR processors and, then, the data are integrated by solving a determined system of linear equations where the unknowns are the temporal samples common to all multiplatform datasets. Note that, as not all data are acquired in the same temporal instant, a quasi-synchronous temporal matching procedure is applied. Also, a theoretical variance-covariance-based framework is proposed to assess the precision of the 3-D estimates.
The developed algorithm was applied to the slow-varying landslide of Gorgoglione in the south-western part of Matera Province (Basilicata Region, southern Italy) on a hilly area at about 800 m a.s.l. by processing ascending and descending Copernicus Sentinel-1 A/B C-Band acquisitions, and a set of GB-SAR IBIS-L Ku-Band images; the results shown that during the analyzed period (September 2016 - July 2017) the landslide area was subject to a deformational trend along the southern profile and to a vertical subsidence trend in accordance with the morphology of the landslide itself.
SWAT (Shoreline plastics in Waves and Tides)
Authors: Stevenson-Jones Ralph , Nordam Tor , Nepstad Raymond , Leirvik Frode , Mørk Jenny Margareta , Mehta Shraddha , Mostaani Arsalan
Published: March 2024

The understanding of processes governing the distribution of plastics pollution on beaches is currently an underdeveloped field of study but one with huge potential impact. Current models for plastics transport in the marine environment tend to use very simplified descriptions of the plastics-shoreline interaction. However, the stranding process is clearly a very important component of a model, both due to the direct interest in plastics on beaches and because of the impact on the overall transport due to beaching and resuspension.  Hence, experimental lab data and comparisons with observed beach litter is necessary for further understanding and model development for processes governing the distribution of plastics accumulation.Here we investigate the mechanisms controlling the accumulation of plastic pollution upon an artificial beach.  Weakly buoyant plastic “nurdles” are placed within a linear wave flume with a sloping sandy beach. The water level is changed to emulate tides, and randomly generated waves are sent towards the beach. The distribution of particulates is imaged using a downward facing camera above the beach.  Image analysis is then used to determine the varying concentration of plastics, as a function of time, over varying wave and tide conditions.
Large-scale remote monitoring of riverine litter to evaluate effectiveness of clean-up technologies
Authors: De Keukelaere Liesbeth , Knaeps Els , Moelans Robrecht , Iordache Marian-Daniel , Pauly Klaas , Reusen Ils
Published: March 2024

In June 2023 the Horizon Europe project INSPIRE kicked off. INSPIRE will fight against the plastic pollution in rivers by introducing 20 scalable technologies to prevent and eliminate litter. The technologies will be demonstrated in 6 rivers across Europe. Monitoring of the plastic load in the river and the riverbanks is essential to develop a baseline and evaluate effectiveness of the technologies. Here we will introduce a camera and drone-based system to monitor plastic flux in the river and macroplastic densities on the riverbanks. The fixed camera system consists of a series of Commercial Of-The-Shelf (COTS) surveillance cameras with housing and real-time datalink. The cameras work autonomous and will provide a continuous feed of data uploaded to the cloud. The drone system consists of a high resolution RGB and multispectral Micasense camera. Specific attention goes to the conversion from the raw drone data into standardized Analysis Ready Data (ARD) including: (1) image alignment of the multispectral camera. (2) Converting raw drone data into reflectance products (using an irradiance sensor) allows the methodology to be applicable in any circumstance (clear, overcast, cloudy conditions) and transferable to other regions. (3) Sensor fusion, to align high spatial resolution RGB with high spectral resolution MicaSense data. For plastic detection and characterization robust machine learning models are being used including new pre-trained foundation models like Segment Anything. New methods are being tested to transform the camera-based plastic detections into a plastic flux product taking into account the tide effects in the river. This includes feature detection techniques like SIFT (Scale_Invariant Feature Transform), SURF (Speeded-Up Robust Features) or ORB (Oriented FAST and Rotated Binary Robust Independent Elementary Features) in combination with a feature matching algorithm (e.g. FLANN based matcher). Here, we will present the INSPIRE project and its first results demonstrated at the Temse bridge (Belgium) and riverbanks along the Scheldt river (Belgium).