bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linking aeolian geomorphology with climate for the Karakum and Kyzylkum Deserts
Authors: Z. Petrovic Marijana , G. Blumberg Dan , Orlovsky Leah , Maman Shimrit
Published: June 2022

Much geomorphological research has been conducted on the origin and evolution of sand seas, some of which focused on categorizing dune types, some determining past climatic conditions using Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating, and some, understanding dune patterns and stability in relation to the current climate. Sand seas are, in essence, climate archives. Even though the central Asian sand seas, Karakum and Kyzylkum, occupy more than 450.000 km2, relatively little climatic research has been conducted on the formation and evolution of these aeolian deserts. The meteorological data (current & historical) for these regions is scarce and incomplete. Moreover, the area is not extensively recognized in the worldwide available aeolian literature, which has little information about its climatic performances. Using the common method for the examination of wind data—Fyberger’s Drift Erosion equations (1979) and the most recent Copernicus ERA5 wind reanalysis model conducted on 5081 control grid points, we show that both the Karakum and Kyzylkum Deserts are and have been low-energy environments for the statistical period 1950–2019. The data set was transferred into the form of a space-time cube, a multidimensionally-orientated raster, enabling time-series analysis and data mining. Such analysis has revealed that 93% of the desert was under a low-energy wind setting during the past 70 years. The directionality index shows that erosive winds didn’t deviate extensively from their primal directions as observed from the same statistical period. Such performance favors vegetation growth and biogenic crust development, thus, dune stabilization. Alongside, a similar type of procedure was performed for the wind data obtained from NOAA weather stations that are at close distance or within the study area. Both data sets were mutually analyzed with respect to the Resultant Drift Direction (RDD) calculated for the period 2010-2019 and all available portions of time. By comparing dune orientation and characteristics of their current morphology to the wind directions, the results indicate that the morphology of active aeolian features, (e.g. complex barchanoid ridges, star and seif dunes) are in high correlation with current winds and their erosive powers. Simultaneously, stable aeolian formations that overlay most of the observed area (determined as different formations of Vegetated Linear Dunes - VLDs) show disassociation between the dune's orientation and the wind power (RDP), direction (RDD) and variability (UDI), confirming that most of the vegetated aeolian formations were not developed, or presently reworked, by contemporary winds. An analysis of wind parameters in both active and stable aeolian morphologies in these deserts has permitted the discovery of present and paleo-wind interactions, as well as putative paleo-environmental climatic conditions.
Interpreting geodiversity and long-term landform evolution – limited role of ‘classic’ geosites and the advantages of modern technologies (Sudetes range, Central Europe)
Authors: Migoń Piotr , Różycka Milena , Jancewicz Kacper
Published: June 2022

Forested medium-altitude mountain massifs within the Sudetes range in Central Europe (Poland, Czechia, Germany) have a long and complex geomorphic history that spans at least the last one hundred million years. It involved long-term deep weathering and planation in the Mesozoic, marine transgression and relief burial in the Late Cretaceous, partial exhumation of pre-transgressive relief and continuing rock-controlled denudation in the Cenozoic, non-uniform uplift and related fluvial incision in the Neogene, and imprint of cold-climate environments in the Pleistocene. This sequence of events and resultant landform diversity provide a good framework for landscape interpretation, but the challenge is to link it with specific field localities (geosites), which can be used to build the story and effectively communicate it to the public. This is because ‘classic’ geosites, understood as specific localities showing rocks, structures or minor/medium-size landforms, hardly allow for presentation of the complete story of long-term landform evolution and interpretation of geodiversity in predominantly erosional terrains. Therefore, viewpoint geosites (bare mountain peaks, elevated open tracts of terrain, viewing towers) have a role to play as they show large-scale geomorphic landscapes and spatial relationships between major landforms. However, even these may have limited effectiveness given the widespread vegetation and soil cover, which conceal the lithological diversity, and only moderate altitude contrasts. They also require good interpretation facilities to make the vegetated landscapes meaningful. Consequently, it is worth to explore additional resources, which seem to have considerable potential to address and offset some of these problems. These include Google Earth imagery, which can also be used to highlight relationships between landform patterns and land use, showing the relevance of geomorphology, and 3-D visualizations derived from digital terrain models. For the Sudetes, the latter are also available as high-resolution LiDAR models and allow to show various geomorphic details, which otherwise can easily escape attention in the forested ranges. Examples from selected mountain massifs in the Sudetes will be shown to demonstrate how the combined use of field sites and remote sources can enhance geoheritage and geodiversity interpretation in the geotourism context.  
The marine terrace staircase of the Metaponto coastal belt, southern Italy: from geomorphological mapping to uplift rate estimates revised
Authors: Corrado Giuseppe , Di Leo Paola , Gioia Dario , Schiattarella Marcello
Published: June 2022

New geomorphological analyses of a wide coastal sector (ca. 1500 km2) between northern Calabria and Puglia (Lucanian segment), including a well exposed area of marine terraces along the Ionian coast of southern Italy, have been carried out. This belt represents a key area for investigating the middle-late Quaternary morphological and tectonic evolution of the orogenic system of southern Italy. The main goal of our research was the construction of a new, detailed and complete map of the entire sequence of marine terraces and associated paleoshorelines along the whole coastal sector. This was achieved following a systematic analysis of air‐photos and satellite images, integrated by field work and survey devoted to checking all the morphological features. Data were interpreted by uniform methods of geomorphological analysis in order to obtain an accurate reconstruction of the lateral continuity of the terraces and, therefore, to solve the problems of geometric and numerical fit between the terraces staircases from different sectors of the coastal belt separated by major rivers. A critical review of the literature related to geochronological data from the study area, integrated with a morphogenetic model based on the interaction between tectonic uplift and eustatic sea-level changes, allowed demonstrating that the different terraces are correlated to many highstand peaks, dating the highest/oldest terrace to mid-Pleistocene times. Such an approach allowed us to revise the wide data set related to the estimates of uplift rates based on the merely altitudinal criterion. Another relevant outcome of our study implies that the most external sectors of the orogenic chain (i.e. the southern Apennines), and likely the whole chain‐foredeep-foreland system, probably remained under a prevailingly compressional tectonic regime during the entire Quaternary period, with consequences for the seismic hazard of the region.
Classification of Glacial Cirques in Slovenia
Authors: Cof Klemen , Stepišnik Uroš , Žebre Manja , Lipar Matej
Published: June 2022

Slovenia is situated at the border of the European Alps, the Pannonian Basin and the Dinaric Alps. Over 90 % of its surface is covered by sedimentary rocks, of which nearly half are carbonate rocks such as limestone and dolomite. During the Quaternary extensive glaciations occurred here which reshaped the surface and formed typical glacial landforms such as moraines, glacial troughs and circular hollows called glacial cirques. Glacial cirques typically form at higher elevations underneath mountain ridges. They are often characterized by an arcuate planform and concave profile. The morphogenesis of glacial cirques is tied to the subglacial erosion of a rotational glacial flow which involves the plucking of underlying bedrock and abrasion of the cirque floor with the entrained sediment. The analysis of morphometric and morphogenetic properties of glacial cirques allows for the interpretation of the type, duration and intensity of glaciation as well as the paleoclimate during the time of the formation of glacial cirques.

Glacial cirques in Slovenia have yet to be systematically studied. The first step towards this is the identification and classification of glacial cirques. The identification was performed manually using key morphographic (arcuate planform, location near ridges) and morphometric (slope, curvature) parameters of glacial cirques and using the LIDAR surface data with a spatial resolution of 1x1 m from the Slovenian Environment Agency. In the first stage 129 potential glacial cirques were identified in the three Slovenian mountain ranges (the Julian Alps, the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the Karavanke Mountains). Relevant morphometric data (slopes, curvature, dimensions, aspect, size, circularity…) were then calculated for the identified landforms. Using hierarchical clustering methods (Ward, Gower, minimum linkage, complete linkage…) and morphometric data multiple quantitative classifications of glacial cirques were made.

The obtained classification of glacial cirques in Slovenia was objective, statistically supported and founded on quantitative data and as such is potentially applicable to populations of glacial cirques elsewhere. There is still an unsolved dilemma regarding the objectivity and reliability of the manual identification of potential glacial cirques, which could possibly be solved by implementing machine learning. This could lead to a completely automated and impartial identification of glacial cirques.
Extreme climate events and food security – a study case in the highlands of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Turetta Ana Paula , Coelho Netto Ana Luiza
Published: June 2022

Between 1900-2013 there were around 150 disaster records triggered by natural events in Brazil, whose associated impacts were also alarming: 10,052 casualties, 71 million people affected and a loss of about US$ 16 billion. Human-caused induced climate change is intensifying these devastating extremes and will make them even worse in the coming decades, concluded the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2021.

The increase in these weather-related events is of significant concern to the agriculture sector given the sector’s dependence on climate and can threaten the food security of the people. A closer analysis highlights that within the agriculture sector, the crop sub sector absorbs over 42 % of the total damage and losses caused by disasters, while the livestock subsector sustains nearly 34 % of the total economic impact within agriculture (FAO, 2015).

In 2011, massive landslides were triggered by extreme rainfall conditions in the highland’s region of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil and Nova Friburgo was the municipality most affected. In this area has been observed an increase in the precipitation variability, translated into more dry days and a concentration of the rainfall and rain intensity. This phenomenon draws attention to agricultural production, since it is an important region for food production, which supplies Rio de Janeiro city, the second biggest city in Brazil.

As food security measures are one of the most important responses concerning the management of natural disasters, we present an analysis about the impact of natural disasters on food production in Nova Friburgo and propose how to consider this aspect on public policies regarding risk management.

FAO. Climate change and food security: risks and responses. 122p. 2015.
Applications of GIS, Internet technology, close-range remote sensing, and virtual reality to develop geomorphological education
Authors: Oguchi Takashi , Yamauchi Hiroyuki , Song Jiali , Ogura Takuro , Hayakawa Yuichi , Tsuruoka Ken'ichi , Iizuka Kotaro
Published: June 2022

Effective geomorphological education for young students such as university undergraduates and high school students is crucial for fostering future geomorphologists and the long-term development of Geomorphology. As an outreach activity, geomorphological education for common people is also meaningful. Especially, education related to geomorphological hazards for citizens will lead to disaster risk reduction. We have been developing materials and curricula for geomorphological education using GIS, Internet technology, close-range remote sensing, and virtual reality, and have applied them to practical courses in high school classes and social events in Japan and China. The developed materials include: 1) online resources for learning GIS operations including geomorphometric analysis, 2) Web-based online GIS for a better understanding of flood hazard maps in relation to landforms, 3) explanatory materials of typical landforms in Japan based on photographs and topographic data obtained by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and 4) visual contents for virtual tours of geomorphological sites such as a coastal cliff and an underground cave. This presentation introduces the main points of our educational activities and discusses their implications to provide future perspectives.
How fluvial habitat variables shape the regional distribution of a threatened freshwater mussel
Authors: Vaessen Quintia , Van Campenhout Jean , Houbrechts Geoffrey , Hambuckers Alain
Published: June 2022

Since decades, rivers have undergone numerous alterations that have led to disturbances in flow regimes, sediment transport, and water quality to name a few, leaving freshwater fauna facing among the highest risk of extinction. The thick shelled river mussel (Unio crassus) is a European endangered freshwater mussel. As an “umbrella” species, its preservation benefits the whole river ecosystem. However, it remains uneasy to establish a direct causal link between a specific factor of alteration and a decline in the mussel populations. Indeed, in Belgium, this species is unevenly distributed, and its decline is equally uneven. This study explores the link between the species and its fluvial habitat to identify which parameters of the abiotic and biotic environment are responsible for the current distribution of the thick shelled river mussel in Belgium. To test the ability of environmental variables to predict the presence of the species, hydro-geomorphological characteristics of the streams (e.g., return period of the bankfull stage, substrate grain size, land cover, local slope, stream power at bankfull stage…), physico-chemical parameters (water chemistry and pollutants), and host fishes’ abundance of the mussel were compiled. A regularized linear regression technique was used to select the relevant variables to the presence of the species. After selection, logistic regression was performed on the selected parameters to determine which variables have the greatest impact on the species distribution. Our analysis indicates local slope as the most impacting parameter for the presence-absence of the thick shelled river mussel in the studied rivers. Other parameters could be significant, especially at a more local scale. The ecological significance of river longitudinal profile in the existing distribution patterns of the species could be useful to river managers to optimise species habitat and helps establishing target actions to be undertaken to improve their conservation.
Laser Scanning methods and techniques for high-detail 3D modelling of caves
Authors: Konsolaki Aliki , Vassilakis Emmanuel , Stavropoulou Maria , Kotsi Evangelia , Kontostavlos George
Published: June 2022

Technical advancements have widened the limits of remote sensing and Terrestrial Laser Scanning technology in studying underground cavities. Furthermore, the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems has proven to be a significant advantage in the study of caves, as under certain circumstances during the data processing, it is plausible to combine TLS and UAS data for generating a complete 3D model, representing surface and subsurface simultaneously. The use of state-of-the-art laser scanning equipment either terrestrial or handheld accompanied by total station measurements on a series of ground control points, has resulted in the scanning and detailed mapping the entire Melissani and Drogarati caves, in Cephalonia Island, in Greece, including hidden cavities. This study attempted not only to delineate a new methodology for compiling a highly detailed cave map, but also to identify structural discontinuities and faults for further investigation of the influence of rock failures in causing rock falls and further damage in the caves. Both show caves attract many visitors and since they are located at an area of very high seismicity, where large earthquakes occur very frequently, the risk is rather high.

The methodology is based on the synergy of equipment in different working levels, since the cave environment is by far one of the most difficult cases to survey, led to hazard identification in high detail and accuracy throughout the cavity. The fieldwork includes the generation of a unified point cloud for the underground cavity, generated by scanning at several bases inside the cave and by entering smaller cavities by holding the mobile scanner. The bundling of the partial point clouds is possible since the proposed methodology includes the establishment of a dense network of Ground Control Points, which are measured with Total Station equipment for gaining actual coordinates. After the merging of the partial scans were combined into a single point cloud, the methodology continues with further processing including filtering and noisy points removal. Moreover, the final product is combined with the point cloud that was generated after the photogrammetric processing and the methodology is completed with exporting the results in file formats that can be imported in several geotechnical or discontinuity recognition software for further interpretation. The results along with the produced 3D models could be utilized to determine areas susceptible to different failure types. The assessment of rock stability within a cave by combined innovative equipment, techniques, and research methods could be considered by the management authorities for the maintenance and/or re-design the tourist routes.
Coseismic uplift and coral mortality caused by the 23 June 2020, Mw 7.4 La Crucecita, Oaxaca, Mexico earthquake and tsunami 
Authors: Ramirez-Herrera Maria Teresa , Corona Néstor , Nava Héctor , Romero David , Torija Hamblet , Hernández Maguey Felipe
Published: June 2022

The 23 June 2020 La Crucecita earthquake occurred at 10:29 hr on the coast of Oaxaca in a Mw 7.4 megathrust event at 22.6 km depth and triggered a tsunami recorded at tide gauge stations and a DART off the coast of Mexico. We describe here details of the rapid response survey of vertical coseismic deformation, tsunami, geologic effects, ecological damage to coral reef ecosystems, and lessons from working in the field during the COVID-19 crisis. Moreover, ecological damage caused by earthquakes and tsunamis is an important problem barely addressed in recent studies. Coral reefs are some of the world’s most fragile ecosystems, they are highly sensitive to environmental changes. These communities had suffered a significant impact by both coseismic coastal uplift and the tsunami. We surveyed 44 km along the coast of Oaxaca. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, some local communities enforced rules of confinement. They closed the access roads to their villages prohibiting the passage of outsiders to their community. We assessed coseismic coastal uplift by means of mortality caused by vertical displacement of intertidal organisms, bleaching of coral communities, resurveying of benchmarks, and measured tsunami runup. Our results show coastal uplift of 0.53 m near the epicenter, decreasing farther away from it, and up to 0.8 m, the latest related to exposure of the coast. Our values of coastal uplift, ca. 0.53 m fit well with 0.55 m of uplift reported by tide gauge data at Huatulco. These amounts of coastal uplift left coral communities exposed and not covered by seawater even at high tide, causing the death of these communities. Coastal uplift and low tide at the time of the event limited the tsunami inundation and runup on the Oaxaca coast. Nevertheless, we found tsunami inundation evidence at four confined coastal sites reaching a maximum runup of 1.5 m.  The enclosed morphology of these sites determined higher runup and tsunami inundation. Local coastal morphology effects are not detected in tsunami models lacking detailed bathymetry and topography. This issue needs to be addressed during tsunami hazard assessments. 
Proglacial Soil Formation in the Anthropocene: soil chronosequences in the Sub tropical Andes and Alps
Authors: Zimmer Anais , Beach Timothy
Published: June 2022

The formation of new soils after glacier retreat due to climate change can provide insights into the rates of soil formation during the Anthropocene. Recently deglaciated terrains (<150 years) are subject to weathering and pedogenesis because freshly exposed sediments are prone to react readily with the environment. During the first decades of soil genesis, the variability observed relies on the typical CLORPT factors, but geomorphic activity and climate change are rapid and biotic migrations are highly variable. This paper studies the soil properties, composition, geomorphic dynamics, and environmental characteristics of nine chronosequences of deglaciation in the Alps and the Peruvian Andes. Between 2019 and 2020 we collected 189 soil samples within the nine proglacial landscapes and buried 113 temperature sensors. We measured soil organic matter (LOI), nitrogen and carbon content (Dumas combustion), pH, and bulk density. We also identify the elemental composition by XRF and ICP-AES and mineralogy by XRD of our samples. Our preliminary results show faster SOM accumulation in the Andean proglacial soils than within the Alps. Similarly, higher N and C accumulation are detected in the Andean soils at a similar age. In most sites, we also observe different tendencies over short (35 years) and longer chronosequences (80 or 150 years) and between soil properties. The age factor also affects soil properties differently. Our results suggest that proglacial soil formation is mainly driven by climate and parent material characteristics and we can associate faster soil formation with subtropical climates.
Linking spatial patterns of catchment-averaged denudation rates with sediment connectivity in Alpine catchments
Authors: Clapuyt François , Vanacker Veerle
Published: June 2022

Landscape evolution is driven by the patterns and rates of sediment transfer between the hillslope and the fluvial domains, and along the river network. The efficiency of sediment transport through the sediment cascade is controlled by the spatial configuration of landforms and the sediment connectivity between the geomorphic domains. In mountainous environments, large volumes of sediment are mobilized on hillslopes by e.g. mass-wasting and glacial processes. However, the mobilized sediment will be efficiently transported downstream only if sediment connectivity within river catchments is high. The latter therefore has potential impacts on denudation rates quantified at the catchment scale.

In this contribution, we explore the potential link between sediment connectivity and catchment-wide denudation rates in the Upper Rhone valley. To achieve this goal, we implemented an automatic workflow to compute the topography-based sediment connectivity index from Cavalli et al. (2013) using digital terrain models with a spatial resolution of 2 m, and to process spatial information on connectivity at the regional scale. We quantified sediment connectivity for 32 tributary catchments of the Upper Rhone, for which catchment-wide denudation rates are reported in the literature. We then contrasted sediment connectivity with denudation rates and discuss the spatial pattern of our results with data on mass-wasting processes.
Morphotectonic Analysis of Uplifted Watersheds in the Santa Rosalía Basin, Baja California Sur, México.
Authors: Martinez-Gutierrez Genaro , Hernández-Salgado Yahil Emmanuel , Antinao José Luis , Niemi Tina
Published: June 2022

The Santa Rosalia Basin (SRB), in the Baja California peninsula, Mexico, is related to the transtensional rifting of the Gulf of California and shows evidence for being tectonically active at least during the Pleistocene. The basin has characteristic sequences of non-symmetrical Pleistocene fluvial and marine terraces with remarkable stream incision and widening of the watersheds. Morphotectonic analysis of four major watersheds in the SRB is conducted to relate their spatial variation of marine-fluvial terraces with the regional tectonic deformation. Six to seven different terrace levels were identified within the Infierno, Boleo, Purgatorio, and Santa Agueda watersheds. Field mapping supported by measurements using RTK-GPS, which were linked to soil chronosequences profiles and luminescence dating provided morphochronology of the different terraces. The elevation of the terrace levels correlated between watersheds display a southward variation from ~6 to ~9 meters in the Boleo-Purgatorio profiles analysis and a difference in height from ~28 to ~50 meters in the Purgatorio-Santa Agueda profile. Geomorphic indices such as asymmetry factor (AF) and transverse topographic symmetry factor (TS), and hypsometric integral curves (HI) were to obtained using GIS. Watershed hypsometric curves show a southward increase of watershed maturity in the arroyos of the SRB. The AF displays variation of 33.5% for Arroyo Boleo, 36.23% for Arroyo Purgatorio, and 55.09% for Arroyo Santa Agueda, suggesting a southward decreasing in the watershed tilting across SRB. The average of TS for each watershed is consistent with the southward variation of the AF index, values of TS varies from 0.42, 0.33 to 0.23 (Arroyo Boleo, Arroyo Purgatorio, and Arroyo Santa Agueda, respectively). Correlation of geomorphic indices and fluvial geomorphology elements of the SRB indicates a possible influence of a differential tectonic uplift towards La Reforma Caldera, displaying a southward tilting of the watersheds. In addition, the delineation of main watersheds of the SRB and mapping of its marine-fluvial terraces can be helpful for future studies on fluvial geomorphology and tectonics influence in the region.
Missing evidence of landscape transience: Examination of the knickzones in a steep marginal escarpment in the Korean Peninsula
Authors: Byun Jongmin
Published: June 2022

High-elevation steep escarpments in the passive continental margins are known to have resulted from long-lasting erosion following rifting-related marginal uplift. However, recent studies have revealed that rifting-related processes alone do not explain the high-elevation marginal escarpment. Particularly, post-rift rejuvenation could contribute to the growth of the relief of the long-lived escarpment. A steep escarpment rising above 1,700 m occurred along the eastern margin of the Korean Peninsula. It is known to be a compartment of the passive continental margin, which has been tectonically stable since the extension of a back-arc sea (i.e., the East Sea). Nevertheless, coastal terraces indicative of enhanced tectonic uplift are observed along the eastern coastline. Thus, the steep escarpment has been tectonically reactivated since the Late Quaternary. Knickzone is a geomorphic marker that can decipher the role of tectonics in landscape evolution. This study examined and classified the knickzones of the catchments draining the marginal escarpment, and simulated the response of river profiles to an enhanced tectonic forcing to geomorphologically assess the post-rift tectonic perturbation and understand its effects on the evolution of the marginal escarpment. Firstly, the knickzone analysis identified 52 knickzones, of which 15 were slope-break knickzones, usually interpreted as being transient. However, all slope-break knickzones were not transient but were stationary since they were associated with spatial heterogeneity in erosional resistance. Secondly, river profile evolution modeling illustrated that an abrupt slope break of a transient knickzone developed by an enhanced uplift rate is diffused rapidly during its migration under the condition of a steep marginal escarpment with high channel concavity. Additionally, the tilted uplift pattern induced a newly adjusted river profile of a lower channel concavity, consequently decreasing the steepness of the marginal escarpment. In conclusion, the marginal escarpment in the study area would have been being adjusted since the post-rift tectonic enhancement without the development of typical slope-break transient knickzones, reducing its steepness. These finding suggest that the slope-break knickzone should be used carefully in assessing landscape transience of the marginal escarpment.
A geoarchaeological perspective on the Holocene dynamics of Someșul Mic floodplain (Transylvanian Basin, Romania)
Authors: Persoiu Aurel , Persoiu Ioana
Published: June 2022

Someşul Mic River (105 km long, 20 mc/s) drains the western edge of the Transylvanian Basin ultimately joining the Danube, via the later’s Tisa tributary. The river developed and maintained a narrow sinuous channel during the Holocene, with local development of meanders and anabranches, in response to both climatic and geologic controlling factors. Its floodplain and lower terraces are home to the oldest (~8500 cal. BP) Neolithic settlement in Romania. Subsequently, the region has been continuously inhabited throughout the mid-to-late Holocene, with local populations moving through the landscape in response to social, climatic and environmental pressures. Consequently, a complex pattern of settlement and communication networks emerged that is partly imprinted (and preserved) on the surface morphology of the valley.

Here we combine Neolithic through modern constructions to constrain the position of the river’s channels during the past ~8000 years and, in combination with geophysical, geomorphological and sedimentological investigations, determine the style and rate of fluvial processes in the floodplain. The overall approach was as follows: 1) mapping of fixed (e.g., settlements, roads, buildings, cemeteries) points in the floodplain for different periods (Neolithic, Copper Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman, Medieval and Modern), 2) for each period, constrain the maximum potential area on which the river did not flow since, 3) identify areas of extensive lateral channel movement (meandering, anabranching, anastomosis) and/or fixed position, 4) geophysical (ERT) and sedimentological investigation of the floodplain and channel infills. Additionally, we have combined existing paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental data to reconstruct Holocene climate and vegetation dynamics in the wider area as a backdrop for the fluvial dynamics. The geoarchaeological data allowed us to distinguish areas of long-term channel stability along the river, which we identified to be superimposed on small anticlines formed by salt diapirism, and of areas of active lateral channel movement (with removal of archaeological traces), induced by tectonic (e.g., slow tilting of the floodplain towards synclines), internal (i.e., river-specific) and climatic factors.

Summarizing, our aim is to show that geoarchaeological data can be used in a “reversed” approach, i.e., to reconstruct past fluvial dynamics, rather than to study the response of human societies to past environmental changes.
Heritage value and didactic potential of geomorphological landscapes: the case of eight sites in the Central High Atlas (Morocco)
Authors: Bussard Jonathan
Published: June 2022

The heritage recognition of geomorphological objects is the result of the awareness of their heritage interest by a certain number of stakeholders, beyond the restricted circle of geoscientists. The interpretation of geomorphology, which serves as an interface between the public and scientific knowledge, is therefore an important step in the process of heritage recognition of geomorphological objects. The reasons for considering certain landforms to be of heritage interest have been extensively discussed in the literature. Likewise, issues relating to the interpretation of geomorphological objects have been the subject of several publications, particularly in the field of geotourism research. On the other hand, the choice of sites with a certain didactic potential to develop interpretative products is rarely based on objective and formalised criteria. The terminology and definitions used in the literature to designate the characteristics of geomorphosites that facilitate the understanding of their heritage interest are indeed relatively disparate. However, a high didactic potential greatly facilitates the transmission of the message that the interpreter is trying to convey to his audience.

Geomorphological landscapes – defined as landscapes whose geomorphological component is of heritage interest – are interesting supports for the dissemination of scientific knowledge in geomorphology. Their didactic potential can be defined, as suggested in the literature, in terms of readability and representativeness of their forms and processes, and also according to their usefulness as objects of interpretation. In this sense, the didactic potential indicates the degree of relevance or ease with which the site can be integrated in an interpretation process relating to one or more defined topics.

To illustrate these theoretical remarks, we propose to describe the didactic potential of eight geomorphological landscapes located in the M’Goun Geopark (Central High Atlas, Morocco), which are of high scientific interest and which could be used for the development of geotourism. The didactic potential is described on the basis of a selection of topics (structural geomorphology, landscape transformations during the Quaternary, records of past climates, role of regressive erosion, alluvial dynamics, karstic landscapes) that can be addressed around the chosen site. The didactic potential is then described for each of the identified themes according to two criteria: visibility (clear view of the object) and level of complexity (number of objects, complexity of processes). The description of these criteria allows the managers of the sites to build an interpretation plan based on a coherent selection of sites and topics adapted to the target audience.
Shape of quartz grains as an indicator of duration of transport in sedimentary environments and inheritance of shape – efficacy of automatic image analysis
Authors: Chmielowska Dorota , Woronko Barbara
Published: June 2022

Recognition of quartz-sand grain shape, particularly its roundness and sphericity,  is essential in reconstruction of sedimentary settings, transport conditions, duration of transport and post-sedimentary weathering. It is assumed that in currents environments (e.g. aeolian, fluvial) the increasing transport duration is reflected in progressively higher degree of roundness and sphericity of quartz grains. Furthermore, during transport, grains are gradually reduced to similar size and similar roundness; this leads to the accumulation of sediments with similar grain size distributions in differing environments. However, the question still remains: to what extent is the shape of a grain is the result of processes in given environment (e.g. aeolian or fluvial) and how much of its shape is inherited from other environments. The description of shape is subjective and reduction to a mathematical formula is time-consuming and in many cases impossible to apply (e.g. in field studies). One of the solutions is the automatic analysis of particle shape using the Morphologi G3SE. This study aimed to verify  the efficacy of automatic image analysis (AIPS) in discerning quartz sand grain shape and associated sedimentary settings. Quartz grains (0.8-1.0 mm)  from three sedimentary environments: angular, fresh grains (GNU) and aeolian (GRM) and fluvial grains (GEL) and with similar degree of roundness (well and very well rounded) were analyzed in terms of four shape-description parameters: Circularity High Sensitive (Circularity HS); Convexity; Solidity; Aspect Ratio. Next, principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis were applied to the obtained AIPS data. The parameter that best distinguishes the shape of GNU, GRM, and GEL grains is Circularity HS, associated with the degree of roundness, whereas Aspect Ratio was useful for analysing the degree of grain sphericity. The GRM and GEL grains with a high degree of roundness and either low or high sphericity should be characteristic for a long-term reworking by aeolian and fluvial processes. The presence of grains with low sphericity and high roundness in the environments where saltation transport prevails indicates that their shape has been inherited. Such grains require special attention to the Aspect Ratio values. Detailed analysis of grain features - such as sphericity and roundness enables accurate interpretation of transport environments in terms of transport duration and sediment maturity.
Ancient and young landforms coexist in a high relief landscape in the Brazilian continental interior
Authors: P. Marques Karina P. , Santos Marcilene dos , Peifer Daniel , Vidal-Torrado Pablo
Published: June 2022

A range of empirical constraints in many post-orogenic landscapes suggests topographic rejuvenation long after tectonics ceased tens to hundreds of millions of years ago. Such evidence is at odds with what one would expect in the case of steady boundary conditions over geologic timescales. At the same time, there is compelling geochronological and geomorphic data showing that slowly eroding humid tropical areas in Australia, Africa, India, and South America are of considerable antiquity. These ancient areas commonly refer to low-relief uplands capped by chemically and physically resistant duricrusts, with an age range from the Paleocene onwards. Here we investigate the morphology of a tropical, ancient landscape in the Brazilian continental interior that last experienced active tectonics ~80 Ma and is characterized by lithological heterogeneity to test whether its topography has been rejuvenated long after the cessation of crustal thickening and later rifting. In particular, we explore how bedrock erodibility and duricrusts are related to topographic relief in this setting. We show topographic data suggesting that the study area is experiencing a transient topographic disequilibrium due to a relative base level fall, with a relict landscape adjusted to pre-existing boundary conditions preserved in low-relief uplands capped with ferruginous duricrusts. Transient waves of accelerated river incision and adjacent hillslopes' feedback actively dissect these relict uplands. Our study demonstrates that relief is growing instead of decreasing over time in this ancient landscape. Moreover, instead of supporting the two end-members for post-orogenic relief development (i.e., ancient vs. young landforms), we demonstrate that older and younger landforms coexist in a post-orogenic landscape in the Brazilian continental interior.

Grants: 2017/22292-4, 2017/20788-2, 2019/10708-7 - São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
Anthropogeomorphological Wetlands in South Africa
Authors: Grundling Renée , Beckedahl Heinz , Loubser Michael
Published: June 2022

The influence of humans on the environment is becoming more pronounced with increase in, particularly, urban population. The imprint humans leave behind is so pronounced that a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene, has been created to accommodate the effects of direct and indirect anthropogenic influences. Anthropogeomorphology is the study of how humans modify and create landforms and landform processes. Humans deliberately change the distribution of water resources, modifying flow patterns, damming, draining areas retaining water and extracting underground water sources such as manipulation of fluvial environments by constructing structures to alter their hydrology – historically, from ancient aqueducts to modern hydraulic and civil engineering.
Wetland type and functioning result from driving forces such as geomorphology, hydrology and biological processes (e.g., colonization, competition, decomposition). The hydrology of wetlands in semi-arid interior regions of southern Africa where evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation is often dependant on catchment surface water flows, sustained groundwater and hillslope intermediate flows which is reflected in vegetation diversity and often mirrors the transformation of a catchment. Wetlands are generally seen as natural geomorphological features but can be both formed and modified due to human activities, therefore the subject of anthropogeomorphology. These activities can be both direct, restoration projects for example, and/or indirect in nature. Indirect drivers of anthropogeomorphological wetlands are broad and not properly documented and can range from consequences of urbanisation to agricultural irrigation runoff.
The aim of this research is to investigate the role of anthropogenic wetland formation in the realm of anthropogeomorphology in South Africa and to assess their distribution and current standing in wetland classification systems. Methods include categorizing anthropogeomorphological wetlands identified by comparing land-use, development, and vegetation cover changes by using GIS. The characteristics of these sites are further analysed based on category and compared to the characteristics of natural wetlands in its vicinity.

Keywords: Wetlands, geomorphology, anthropogeomorphology
New observations on the geomorphological evolution of the Nave de Santo António (Serra da Estrela, Portugal).
Authors: Nunes João , Vieira Gonçalo , Farzamian Mohammad , Freitas Conceição , Pina Pedro
Published: June 2022

The Estrela mountain range shows the most developed glacial and periglacial landforms in Portugal. Despite its moderate height in the context of the Iberian mountains, rising to 1,993 m a.sl., its morphostructural features and paleoclimatic setting promoted the formation of a plateau ice field that radially fed several valley glaciers. Two glaciation periods have been identified in the Serra da Estrela: the Penultimate (c. 140 ka) and the Last Glaciation (c. 30 ka).

The study area is the Nave de Santo António and the Covão das Vacas glacial cirque. Nave de Santo António is a col located between two glacial valleys (Zêzere and Alforfa) and shows significant glacial evidence, namely moraine ridges, boulders and till outcrops. The site is also located along the Bragança – Unhais da Serra strike-slip fault, increasing its complexity. These factors contributed to its classification as a geosite within the Estrela UNESCO Global Geopark. There remain several questions regarding the timing and provenance of some of the glacial deposits, as well as the postglacial evolution. The Nave de Santo António col is enclosed by two lateral moraines, promoting a thick sedimentary infill that may reach up to 60m in depth according to

Espinha Marques et al. (2019). Daveau (1971) proposed the hypothesis of the existence of a proglacial lake that with time would’ve been filled with sediments. Vieira (2004) based on geomorphological mapping presented a model of the deglaciation of the site.

The present study aims to clarify the pending questions on the evolution of the Nave de Santo António, through the application of: detailed geomorphological mapping (field surveys, Worldview-2 satellite imagery analysis and ultra-high resolution drone surveys), relative age dating (Schmidt hammer and gnamma morphology analysis), geophysical surveying (ground penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography) and shallow sediment coring.

This poster shows the new results of the geomorphological analysis of the Nave de Santo António col, allowing for the valuing and better management of this important and ecologically sensitive geosite.
Seasonal morphodynamics of multi-bar on macrotidal beach, west coast of Korea
Authors: Chang Tae Soo , Youn Hyun Ho , Chun Seung Soo
Published: June 2022

Many of macrotidal beaches contain a series of shore-parallel sandbars, developed under relatively low-energy conditions. The morphology of the multiple intertidal bars is highly dynamic, in response to wave climates. Four lines of sandbars on ca. 500 m streches of intertidal zone, Shinduri, west coast of Korea, are found in a semi-closed embayed beach with a tidal range of over 6 m. The seasonal dynamics are, however, poorly documented. In order to understand the seasonal morphological changes and their hydrodynamic forcing, three-years of topographic survey using a VRS-GPS system and drone photogrammetry have been conducted on six monitoring transects. An ADV and ADCP was additionally deployed to collect wave data on a bar crest. Mean grain sizes show generally shoreward coarsening trend, ranging from 2.0 to 2.75 phi. Sediments became coarser in summer, but finer in winter, which are contrasting to other beaches in the west coast of Korea. Wave data show strong seasonality, high waves in winter and much gentler waves in summer, suggesting the study area experienced by monsoon climate. Topographic surveys show that four ridge and runnel systems are prominent during summer, whereas, in winter, they are insignificant. From the spring to summer season multi-bar starts to form under low-energy waves, leading to bar crest accretion in all profiles measured. Conversely, during the fall to winter seasons, signicant of cross-shore bar migrations and hence flattening of crests of sandbars have been observed due to dramatic increase in wave energy. This signifies that local wave condition is more important for maintaining patterns of multiple bars even in macrotidal setting.
Permafrost distribution in the Southern Carpathians, Romania, derived from statistical modeling 
Authors: Popescu Răzvan , Filhol Simon , Etzelmüller Bernd , Șandric Ionuț , Pleșoianu Alin , Vîrghileanu Marina , Săvulescu Ionuț , Vasile Mirela , Cruceru Nicolae , Vespremeanu-Stroe Alfred , Westermann Sebastian , Sîrbu Flavius , Onaca Alexandru , Mihai Bogdan , Nedelea Alexandru
Published: June 2022

Mountain permafrost and rock glaciers have been intensely investigated in Southern Carpathians highest ranges in the last 15 years using thermal, geophysical and remote sensing methods. However, a complete estimation of permafrost area has not been done so far. Thus, using statistical modeling we intend to offer an image of potential permafrost distribution in Southern Carpathians ranges of Făgăraș, Iezer, Parâng, Retezat, Godeanu and Țarcu. Model 1 is based on machine learning algorithms and model 2 is based on Maxent model. Both models use bottom temperature of snow (BTS) data as independent variable and land cover, altitude, slope curvature, solar radiation and snow probability as independent variables. Land cover is considered the key variable as the field methods indicated that permafrost can only be present in the talus deposits that produce negative thermal anomalies in the underground. Results indicated an area of about 45-60 km2 of potential permafrost distribution depending on the BTS threshold used for permafrost presence (-3°C, -2.5°C and -2°C). This represent about 0.01% from a total surface of about 4334 km2 of the six ranges used in this analysis being a typical sporadic mountain permafrost in a marginal periglacial environment.