bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporary tracks, persistent impacts? An evaluation of short-term usage peatland tracks. 
Authors: Williams-Mounsey Jessica , Grayson Richard , Crowle Alistair , Holden Joseph
Published: June 2022

Peatlands are a globally important wetland habitat, estimated to contain over a third of terrestrial soil carbon, placing their preservation and restoration at the forefront in debates around climate change mitigation. Anthropogenic activities, however, are driving peatland degradation loss both directly and indirectly. One such activity, is the creation of linear disturbances such as roads and tracks. The expansion of these networks, frequently in pursuit of resources, or the desire to explore remote regions, is rapidly outpacing research, with long time lags often experienced before impacts are appreciable.

In 2013 an experiment was established at Moor House, an upland blanket peatland in northern England to examine the impacts of temporary plastic mesh tracks on peatland functioning. A 1.5 km long plastic mesh track was installed and split into five different treatments based on frequency of usage. The tracks were abandoned in 2015/16, and no further vehicular usage occurred. In 2020, 18 7m long sections of this track were removed, to intensively examine the ecohydrological effects of removal compared to leaving the track to overgrow. The impacts of different treatments were evaluated on the ecohydrology; removed vs abandoned track, previous usage frequency, delayed usage, and unsurfaced track. Detailed surficial structural (nanotope) assessments of the tracks were carried out, to compare ruts, centres and controls. Additionally, soil moisture measurements, overland flow sediment, peat cavity strength measurement, hydraulic conductivity, bare peat occurrence and vegetation diversity were recorded.

Across all treatments alteration of the surface nanotopography was observed, loss of vegetation diversity after track removal and a reduction in vegetation height across all treatments occurred compared to controls, both on the track and along track edges. Our nanotope surveys augmented vegetation recovery assessments, demonstrating how different conclusions can be drawn, depending on whether vegetation-only or more complete assessments of surface condition are undertaken. Peat cavity strength on the tracks, measured using a peat specific penetrometer, suggests the persistence of vehicular compaction in the post abandonment and track removal periods. We also present data from overland flow sediment traps, hydraulic conductivity, and soil moisture surveys. Our findings suggest that where mesh track is to be removed, then additional revegetation interventions are required. We demonstrate that because the impacts of tracks, including mesh tracks, even after only light, short duration use, are long-lived, careful consideration of the necessity of tracks is required prior to their construction on peatland.
A 22,000-year tephrostratigraphy record of unidentified volcanic eruptions from Ternate and Tidore islands (North Maluku, Indonesia)
Authors: Faral Audrey , Lavigne Franck , Mutaqin Bachtiar , Mokadem Fatima , Achmad Rahim , Wahyu Ningrum Rohima , Lahitte Pierre , Sri Hadmoko Danang , Mei Estuning Tyas Wulan
Published: June 2022

Studying past eruptions provides a unique opportunity to improve understanding of volcanic hazards, especially in Indonesia, where volcanic eruptions are frequently deadly and destructive. As part of a recent approach to identifying and characterizing past volcanic events, we present the first reconstruction of the eruptive history of the Ternate and Tidore Islands (North Maluku, Indonesia) for the last 22,000 years cal. BP. This interdisciplinary study (geomorphology, tephrochronology, sedimentology, geochronology, geochemistry) consists of the first stratigraphic and chronological continuum from eruptive deposits established in a set of fifteen sections in Ternate, Tidore and Maitara islands. Sedimentological and geochemical data from tephrostratigraphy studies and radiocarbon dating suggest that these islands experienced at least four major explosive events from c. 22,000 to 740 years cal. BP. The earliest event is a Plinian eruption leading to the caldera formation of Telaga volcano on the island of Tidore, c. 22,000–17,500 cal. BP. The Gamalama volcano on Ternate, whose current eruptive activity is essentially strombolian or phreatomagmatic, experienced as well a pumice eruption dated to c. 18,000 cal BP. A third event dated to c. 14,500-13,000 cal. BP, associated with a succession of abundant pyroclastic deposits of scoria, pumice, and ash, is related with the phreatomagmatic eruption at the origin of the formation of the Ngade maar on Ternate Island. Although no eruptions of Kie Matubu volcano on Tidore Island have been filled out by people since their presence in the region from the 16th century, this survey identifies two late Holocene eruptions, c. 2500 cal BP and 740 cal BP. This chronostratigraphic framework from the late Pleistocene to recent eruptions in North Maluku region provides new perspectives in managing predictive and warning information for potential eruptions that may occur on these small, vulnerable volcanic islands in the future.
Fluvial Hazard Zone (FHZ) Mapping for Stream Corridor Management
Authors: Blazewicz Michael
Published: June 2022

Geomorphic processes have largely been ignored in floodplain management, which has historically been focused on inundation risk through the development of hydraulic-based floodplain maps that focus on the probability of inundation. These maps have become surrogates for flood hazard identification but frequently fail to account for large amounts of damage to property and infrastructure that are damaged as a result of rapid adjustments to stream channel morphology and location, along with erosion and aggradation of sediment and debris during a flood event.  The transport of sediment and debris are natural processes and are importantly linked to stream corridor health and function. A method for mapping fluvial hazards present in geomorphic river corridors has recently been developed for the state of Colorado, USA. The goal of this mapping is to reduce the long-term risk to life and property by educating communities and landowners about the existing risk associated with fluvial geomorphic processes. Secondary benefits importantly include reducing long-term human investment in these high-risk areas, protecting riparian and floodplain wetlands from development, and helping communities better understand that accounting for fluvial hazards provides opportunities for long-term physical and ecological stability as a result of flooding. The novel mapping methodology will be summarized along with information and examples of how we are using these geomorphic-based maps to manage stream corridors. Feedback from conference attendees on the use and application will be sought.
Earthquakes that Uplifted Cyprus in the last 4 ka
Authors: Yildirim Cengiz , Melnick Daniel , Tüysüz Okan , Altınbaş Cevza Damla , Jara-Munoz Julius , Tsanakas Konstantinos , Özcan Orkan , Strecker Manfred
Published: June 2022

Cyprus is located right on the plate boundary where the African Plate subducts beneath the Anatolian Microplate. Although subduction zones are earthquake-prone areas, the seismicity of the Cyprus and adjacent areas are not very active during the instrumental period. Nevertheless, archaeological and historical data indicate casualties and destructions within the island because of strong tremors and tsunamigenic waves. None of these data gives information about the source faults of these earthquakes. Are they far-field earthquakes (e.g., AD 365 Crete) or near-field earthquakes that occurred nearshore of the island? We focused on the island’s coast and mapped geomorphological, sedimentological, biological, and archaeological strain markers to answer these questions. Our geomorphological observations reveal the presence of at least three major Holocene abrasion platform levels uplifted coseismically. The presence of biological markers such as reef rims provides a dateable material to quantify these events. We also observed archaeological fish tanks as evidence of coseismic uplift of the shoreline during the historical periods. Radiocarbon 14C dating results indicate a temporal clustering of earthquakes within the 1300-1700 yr BP, 2000-2200 yr BP, and 4500 yr BP, which indicate overlapping of 4th and 6th-century historical earthquakes and also older earthquakes beyond the historical records.
Degradation Risk Assessment: Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on Geoheritage
Authors: Selmi Lidia , Canesin Thais Siqueira , Gauci Ritienne , Pereira Paulo , Coratza Paola
Published: June 2022

Natural and anthropogenic factors and processes can threaten the integrity of geosites, leading to their degradation or even loss. For this reason, geoheritage degradation risk should be considered in any geoconservation strategy and should be assessed in the first stages of geoheritage studies, all the more when the aim is to tackle the tangible effects of climate change. The present research proposes a quantitative methodology for the degradation risk assessment of geosites by considering the extrinsic factors that can damage or destroy the geological heritage. The proposed methodology has been tested on the Maltese Islands (central Mediterranean Sea), where considerable previous research has been undertaken in order to highlight the international geomorphological significance of the Maltese landscapes. The methodology considers three criteria to assess the degradation risk: natural vulnerability, anthropogenic vulnerability and public use. For each criterion several parameters have been identified in order to propose a detailed numerical evaluation. The results show that the degradation risk of geosites in the study area is mainly related to negligence and lack of knowledge of its inherent geoheritage, which leads to their public misuse and mismanagement. In fact, most of these areas are intensively used by locals and tourists alike for recreational activities, some of which may damage the sites. With respect to natural vulnerability, sites in proximity to the coast are more threatened by natural processes, making the complex environment of coastal areas more sensitive to natural hazards and deeply impacted by the effects of climate change (e.g. sea level rise, intensity changes in coastal deposition and erosion processes, increase of violent meteo-marine storms and tsunamis). Moreover, the pressure of tourism and infrastructures are concentrated in these areas. The results obtained give an overview of the condition of the geosites and provide useful information for the design and management of suitable protection measures in a geoconservation context, especially in the light of future threats related to climate change.
How do large wildfires impact sediment redistribution over multiple decades? A landscape evolution modelling assessment in a Mediterranean watershed.
Authors: Follmi Dante , Baartman Jantiene , Benali Akli , Nunes Joao Pedro
Published: June 2022

Wildfires have become an increasing threat for Mediterranean ecosystems, due to increasing climate change induced wildfire activity and changing land management practises. In addition to the initial risk, wildfires can alter the soil in various ways depending on fire severity and cause enhanced post-fire erosion. Usually, post-fire erosion studies focus on a short time window and lack the attention for sediment dynamics at larger spatial scales. Yet, these large spatial and temporal scales are fundamental for a better understanding of long-term destructive effects of multiple recurring wildfires on post-fire erosion processes and catchment sediment dynamics. In this study the landscape evolution model LAPSUS was used to simulate erosion and deposition in the 404 km2 Águeda catchment in northern-central Portugal over a 41 year (1979-2020) timespan, including eight wildfires each burning more than 1000 ha. To include variation in fire severity and its impact on the soil four burnt severity classes, represented by the difference Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR), were parameterized. Although model calibration was difficult due to lack of spatial and temporal measured data, the results show that long-term post-fire net-erosion rates were significantly higher in the wildfire scenarios (5.95 ton ha-1 yr-1) compared to those of a non-wildfire scenario (0.58 ton ha-1 yr-1). Furthermore, erosion values increased with burnt severity and multiple wildfires increased the overall catchment sediment build-up. Simulated erosion patterns showed great spatial variability with large deposition and erosion rates inside streams. This variability made it difficult to identify land uses that were most sensitive for post-fire erosion, because some land-uses were located in more erosion-sensitive areas (e.g. streams, gullies) or were more affected by high burnt severity levels than others. Despite these limitations, LAPSUS performed well on addressing spatial sediment processes and can contribute to pre-fire management strategies, by identifying locations at risk for post-fire erosion.
Geomorphic covariance structures of selected channel morphological variables across the alluvial-bedrock continuum in the Upper Ogun River Basin, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Olusola Adeyemi , Ogunjo Samuel , Fashae Olutoyin , Onafeso Olumide , Adelabu Samuel
Published: June 2022

Bivariate relationships have been extensively researched in fluvial geomorphology. The relationship between process-process, form-form, or process-form gives great insight into the dynamics of channel morphological variables. One of the most extensively adopted concepts in bivariate relationships in fluvial geomorphology has been the use of hydraulic geometry.  The hydraulic geometry despite its many advantages and applications has been identified to focus more on general trends rather than innumerable individual variations. In recent times, a growing concept on bivariate observations within fluvial systems is the geomorphic covariance structures (GCS). GCS has been defined as linked bivariate observations of any two river morphological variables along a continuum. These variables could also accommodate the abiotic and biotic variables. In its strictest sense, GCS does not necessarily connote a statistical covariance though sometimes it could, it focuses more on a complete bivariate spatial series. In this study, we investigated coherent patterns for GCS for selected morphological variables along the alluvial-bedrock continuum for 83 reaches within the Upper Ogun River Basin. In interpreting the bivariate spatial series along the alluvial-bedrock continuum, we made use of “in-phase” and “out-of-phase”. In-phase signifies a positive relationship and out-of-phase signifies an inverse relationship. The morphological variables were measured using standard procedures and derived variables were determined using hydraulic equations. As the river flows from an alluvial section into a bedrock section; slope and total stream power were out of phase, hydraulic radius and velocity are in phase across the continuum, bankfull with and slope were out of phase, while slope and total stream power were more in phase within the bedrock section than in the alluvial section and finally, width and total stream power were out of phase. The alluvial section within the Upper Ogun River Basin is either unconfined or partly confined while bedrock channels are confined and underlain by migmatites. Flow within the bedrock channels is restricted while flow within the alluvial channels is more dispersed and free-flowing. The inherent dynamics operating within these two distinct channel types are capable of providing a detailed extent as to the observed bivariate relationships between these selected morphological variables using geomorphic covariance structures.
The Rock Glacier Inventories and Kinematics (RGIK) Action Group: status and future directions
Authors: Vivero Sebastián , Pellet Cécile
Published: June 2022

Rock glaciers are ubiquitous debris landforms associated with periglacial slopes and derived from the past or present creep of mountain permafrost. Since the late 1990s, there has been an increasing interest in their dynamics and evolution in the face of climate change, which highlighted a general acceleration and growing occurrences of rock glacier destabilization and degradation. Changes of rock glacier creep and its evolution can affect: sediment transfer rates along mountain slopes, landscape evolution, localized hazard situations and hydrologic regime. Despite this high societal relevance, rock glacier kinematics remains poorly observed and their inventorying process has been uncoordinated worldwide, making their global assessment and comparison difficult. In this context, the International Permafrost Association (IPA) supported the creation of an Action Group dedicated to Rock Glacier Inventories and Kinematics (RGIK), which specifically aims to (1) coordinate the definition of standard guidelines for global inventorying and mapping rock glaciers, including information on their activity rate, and (2) promote rock glacier velocities (RGV) as a new associated product to the Essential Climate Variable (ECV) permafrost in the frame of the Global Climate Observation System (GCOS). This contribution summarizes the major achievements of the RGIK Action Group since its start in 2018, with an emphasis on definitions, guidelines for rock glacier inventories and further recommendations for kinematic characterization. This presentation is a community effort of the RGIK Action Group. 
Remotely estimation of suspended sediment concentration in the Upper Paraguay River Basin, Brazil.
Authors: Cristino de Oliveira Stefania , Cassimiro Brito Renan , do Nascimento Pupim Fabiano
Published: June 2022

The estimation of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) by remote sensing is a valuable tool because it allows a systematic monitoring in large watersheds and provides information on variations in SCC and its drivers, such as mining and deforestation. Therefore, this work presents a statistical model for estimating SCC in the Upper Paraguay River Basin from the integration of data collected in situ from hydrological stations and remote sensing data over a series of historical data. The method used was based on the premise that the spectral reflectance varies as a function of SCC. The rise of SSC in water leads to an increase in electromagnetic radiation (EMR) backscatter, which is observed as an increase in the reflectance of the water body in Landsat images. Initially, in situ SSC data were obtained from the National Water Agency databases and the Landsat 5 and 7 System Geospatial Dataset (Tier 1 Surface Reflectance) acquired from the Google Earth Engine platform. Then, a filtering of the pixel values ​​was performed to avoid sampling with reflectance values ​​that did not correspond to the changes of sediments on the water surface, such as clouds and cloud shadows. After collecting the in situ and orbital data, the data were calibrated in the RStudio program. For the model implementation, the spectral reflectance measurements of the water must be almost simultaneous to the SCC measurements at fluviometric stations. Thus, images were chosen that coincided within an interval of 6 days with the date of the SCC collection. Multiple regression analysis was the method used to express the relationship between reflected EMR and SCC, which allows the dependent variable (SCC) to be estimated as a function of one or more independent variables, in this case, spectral bands and bands. Thus, the data obtained in situ and the satellite images made it possible to estimate the distribution of suspended sedimentary load into the main rivers of the Upper Rio Paraguay in the period from 1984 to 2021, resulting in a greater distribution of temporal and spatial sampling quickly, with low cost and simple logistics.
Water erosion modeling using the SIMWE (Simulated of Water Erosion)
Authors: Daniel Evandro , Carvalho Vieira Bianca , Damas Martins Tiago
Published: June 2022

Water erosion analyzes to evaluate the spatio-temporal dynamics of erosive processes can be conducted from different approaches, such as SIMWE (Simulated of Water Erosion), a dynamic model, with a physical base, structured in two modules (surface hydrological flows and sediment flows), designed for a temperate environment, able to simulate erosion, transport and deposition by surface flow, and can be applied in complex situations of terrain, soil and land use. This study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of erosive and depositional processes using SIMWE for the tropical environment in the Alto Espraiado basin - São Pedro (São Paulo State). To evaluate the influence of the parameters selected and used by SIMWE in the generation of erosion/deposition scenarios, three scenarios were simulated with a fixed value of 190 mm/h for the excess precipitation rate and different values ​​for the Manning coefficient, the infiltration, permeability and shear stress. The product of the SIMWE model denominated Balance of Erosion and Deposition indicates that a large part of the area was classified as susceptible to erosive processes (positive values) and for the rest of it as area of ​​depositional processes (negative values). It is noteworthy that the high positive values ​​(erosion) were recorded on the rivers banks (main and tributaries) and sectors that predominate the concave curvature, which from the analysis with the overlay of the map of the erosive features it was also verified that great part of the erosive features polygons are located mainly in concave areas and riverbanks. The rest of the erosive features mapped is distributed mostly throughout the basin area, in sectors of the high, medium and low slope, where SIMWE also classified most of them as susceptible areas (positive values) but with lower values ​​and the other sectors classified as deposition (negative values). Such results demonstrated the feasibility and sensitivity of the application of SIMWE in a tropical environment, being an important tool for the diagnosis and prognosis land use issues, as well to aid for the evaluation and analysis of the distribution and formation of erosive and depositional processes.

Key Words: Erosion; Deposition; Run off; Prognosis, Brazil.
Soil evolution on Coastal Tablelands in northeastern Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Alves Grace , Figueiredo Matheus , Andrade Ilo , Sousa João Henrique , Diniz Alisson
Published: June 2022

Soil and landform coevolution seem to develop a significant influence on the Coastal Tablelands landscape of Bahia. This area presents Neogene sediments covering a cratonic region after intense dissection of the inland, forming Coastal Tablelands. Our goal was to understand the contribution of soil evolution to landform development using a multiscalar approach and investigating soil toposequences on both sides of a hillslope. Our results showed a drainage network controlled by regional lineaments. Tablelands are more dissected on litoral (convex tops) than in the inner (flat tops) due to the higher humite that comes from the ocean. Iron crusts sustain flat tops, but they are being transformed into other materials due to pedogenesis, forming a soil sequence of Argissolo (Lixisol) and Espodossolo (Podzol) in closed depressions found on flat tops with a higher water table. Hillslopes are dissymmetrically in deeper valleys with a lower water table, presenting more erosion of sand materials. In these hillslopes, the iron crusts appear in outcrops or deep into the soil with a toposequence of Latossolo (Ferralsol) and Argissolo (Lixisol). Soil transformation observed on the hillslopes shows a relationship between pedologic cover and landforms whose triggers for the changes are the lineaments and the height of the water table. To conclude, soil and landforms characteristics of Coastal Tablelands are influenced by the current processes, also working as a record of preterits times owing to pedogeomorphological evolution.
Monitoring of coastal erosion using remote images: comparison between physically and remotely acquired data on a limestone coast
Authors: Causon Deguara Joanna , Gauci Ritienne , Inkpen Rob
Published: June 2022

Boulder-sized sediment on rocky coasts are considered as signatures of extreme wave events. The dynamics of wave–coast processes and wave magnitude capable of detaching and transporting these boulders have been discussed extensively in the last decade.  A substantial number of studies were focused on identifying whether regular storm waves are powerful enough to cause boulder dislodgement or whether this required wave types of a larger magnitude such as tsunamis. The use of numerical models has been central to many of these studies. These models are based primarily on boulder data such as dimensions, volume and weight. However, measuring boulders is not always straightforward and may be a very cumbersome and time-consuming process due to issues such as boulder size which may require more than one person to measure and accessibility. 

The availability of images taken remotely such as through the use of unmanned aerial vehicle technology had possibly facilitated the monitoring of coastal areas. Through related software such as Agisoft it is possible to calculate measurements in 2D and 3D of various features including boulder dimensions from aerial images obtained through UAV. However, the reliability and preciseness of such measurements needs to be determined.

This study seeks to analyse the accuracy of such measurements by comparing boulder data obtained through physical measurements to those obtained from digital models created from UAV images. The study area is located on the southeast of the island of Malta. (Central Mediterranean) where the coast has developed in multiple limestone strata that dip gently towards the shoreline. Dimensions of approximately 200 boulders in different settings such as clusters or ridges have been compared.
Morphotectonic evolution of eastern Sardinia: relations between inland and the continental margin
Authors: Demurtas Valentino , Orrù Paolo Emanuele , Deiana Giacomo
Published: June 2022

The tectonic structure of Sardinia is linked to the geodynamic evolution of the western Mediterranean during the Alpine phase. In particular, the eastern continental margin is the result of the opening of the Tyrrhenian basin which is still evolving. The Pliocenic and Quaternary distensive phase lead an uplift in Sardinia whose effects are manifested in the geomorphological setting. Morphotectonic analysis were used to characterize paleo and active geomorphological processes in Ogliastra area. Palaeo-erosive surfaces, volcanic mesas, Steep slopes, involute hydrographic basins, widespread landslides shaped the inland, while the submerged continental margin in affected by engraved active canyons and landslide.

To analyze the continental area large scale geological, geomorphological, geostructural, morphostratigraphic surveys integrated by PS-INSAR, Uncrewed aerial vehicle, LiDAR Remote sensing data were used.

Seismic sparker, sub-bottom profiler chirp, multibeam, side scan sonar made it possible to analyze the evolution of the submerged area.

In particular, fluvial captures, river terraces, engraved valleys, waterfalls and heterogeneous water drainage characterize the streams setting. Coastal Quaternary volcanism present relief inversion plateaus. The slope area affected by different kind of landslide conferring at the Ogliastra the main geomorphogical hazard of Sardinia. Widespread Deep seated gravitational slope deformation both active and quiescent are preset in different structural and tectonic setting. Paleo erosive surface since the Carboniferous are found located at different elevation.

The eastern continental margin of Sardinia is made up of a north-south oriented host and grabben system linked to the open Tyrrhenian basin. The continental shelf is very narrow and indented by several narrows and straight submarine canyons. Head retreat processes of the canyons are evident, that have notably affected the continental shelf. The continental slope is made up of intraslope basins and seamounts oriented N-S whose slopes are affected by active and paleo landslides, slumps and erosional incisions.

Multi-source and multi-scale data showed the role of the uplift rebound in the landscape evolution.

High resolution morphotectonic map were reconstructed, highlighted and integrated all different morphologies and process.
New observations on the kynematics of Hurd rockglacier (Livingston Island, Antarctic Peninsula)
Authors: Vieira Gonçalo , Prates Gonçalo , Goyanes Gabriel , de Pablo Miguel Angel , Farzamian Mohammad , Oliva Marc , Correia António , Valadares Ana Patrícia , Baptista Joana , Mora Carla , Pina Pedro
Published: June 2022

Rockglaciers have been identified by various authors in the South Shetlands archipelago in the Antarctic Peninsula region, with Serrano and Lopez-Martínez (2000) having described 9 rockglaciers and 11 protalus lobes in the islands. However, little is known about the deformation rates of rockglaciers and their response to climate change. Hurd rockglacier is located in the south part of Hurd Peninsula in Livingston Island. It occupies the floor of a small glacial valley that descends from about 301 m asl to sea-level, at False Bay, where it presentsa series of raised-marine terraces. The bedrock is the low-grade metamorphic sandstones, shales and greywackes Myers Bluff Formation. The valley shows steep rockwalls with extensive scree slopes and a small retreating valley glacier with a prominent frontal moraine, from where the rockglacier develops. The rockglacier body is ci 630 m long and 290 m wide and the surface shows pressure ridges and furrows, especially in the lower sector. The rockglacier front is 15-20 m high and shows a slope of c. 45º. We present a detailed geomorphic survey of Hurd rockglacier based on the analysis of drone-derived orthomosaics and digital surface models. The structure of the rockglacier was analysed using electrical resistivity tomography surveys, which allowed identifying a frozen body at depth. The kynematics was analysed using historical aerial photos of 1956/1957 and recent very high-resolution satellite imagery, showing average deformation rates of 10 to 30 cm/year during that period. D-GPS measurements of stakes in the rockglacier body measured annually since 2011 show deformation rates of ci. 8 to 15 cm/year. Permafrost boreholes located in the vicinity of the rockglacier are used to discuss its climate sensitivity.
Dynamics of scree slopes in forested environments: processes, modelling, and Holocene evolution
Authors: Germain Daniel , Stabile-Caillé Ludwig
Published: June 2022

Scree slopes offer an environment conducive to the occurrence of several gravity-driven geomorphic processes, the frequency and magnitude of which are highly variable in time and space. These processes locally prevent vegetation colonization, despite the climatic warming that favors a general progression and consolidation of forest fronts, and this from an altitudinal as well as a latitudinal point of view. The position of the forest front is therefore due, in addition to the climate, to the geomorphological dynamics of mass transfer processes on these steep slopes. Rarely observed in a cold temperate climate, at low altitude and enclosed in the forest environment, this makes the Northern Gaspé region (Province of Quebec, Eastern Canada) unique and complex for studying the interactions between geomorphic processes, talus slope geometry and morphology and forest dynamics during the Holocene.

The mapping inventory of 43 active talus slopes in the coastal valleys of the Northern Gaspé, and their geometric characteristics, allowed the identification of statistically significant variables that explain scree slope morphology in relation to two groups of dominant geomorphic processes, namely: 1) snow avalanches and debris flows, and 2) frost-coated clast flows and rockfalls. The first group is found on East and North facing slopes while the second is found on West and South facing slopes. The variables indicative of high geomorphic activity (active area, altitudinal treeline, Ho/Hi ratio) all suggest increased geomorphic activity on West and South facing slopes. Conversely, the East and North facing slopes are largely stabilized, but occasionally disturbed by debris-flow channels and snow-avalanche corridors. The location and intensity of these disturbances depend essentially on the morphology of the rockwall and the talus slope, in addition to climatic parameters.

The evolution of the West and South facing slopes is more complex as geomorphic processes have continued to disrupt the vegetation colonization, started 7250 years BP, on the slopes where the rockwalls are still active. However, the reasons for the presence or absence of frost-coated clast flows having a notable impact on the sediment budget and the altitudinal treeline remain unclear.
Soil-geomorphology characterization in urban tropical contexts
Authors: Quesada-Román Adolfo , Camacho Manuel , Quesada-Román Leonardo
Published: June 2022

The Torres River is one of the most urbanized catchments in Costa Rica, with only 46.67 km2 and approximately 50% of its area is covered by urban land uses, comprising nearly 13% of the national population. The quick rural-urban transition during the last century has had intense environmental impacts along the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) of Costa Rica. We performed a geomorphology map of the Torres River catchment using photointerpretation and digitization processes. Moreover, we generated three catenas of the upper, middle, and low sections of the catchment in order to describe and characterize soil profiles, where we also included clay mineralogy analysis using X-ray diffraction techniques. Our results are key to understand the landforms and soils interactions with the surrounding environmental dynamics and anthropic pressures.
The predator-prey relationship from a zoogeomorphic perspective: An example with red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and bank swallow (Riparia riparia), Canada
Authors: Germain Daniel , Luciano Jenny , MIlot Jean-François
Published: June 2022

In eastern Canada, the retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet over the last ~12,000 years, corresponding to the Holocene – the present interglacial period - has left immense quantities of surficial sediments over the entire territory. Today, these sediments still represent in a very variable way in time and space, an abundant source of fine and coarse sediments for fluvial and coastal systems and, to a lesser extent, for mass movements. Although the geomorphological dynamics of landscapes have been studied for a long time, biotic factors and particularly animals have not yet been deeply studied in terms of their interactions with the abiotic world. The present contribution sheds new light on the geomorphological impact of the trophic relationship between red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and bank swallow (Riparia riparia). Indeed, the predator-prey relationship between these two species and their behaviours accentuate the erosion of sandy cliffs where swallows nest, because by red fox makes foraging pits to reach the eggs and young swallows. Even if our data based on a four-year survey indicate low rates of cliff recession related to biotic effects compared to the impact of extreme hydrological events, it remains that they contribute to the sediment budget at short and long term. In that regard, we have documented over the last four years from an original point of view the common relationship predator-prey with a geomorphic perspective and propose to discuss this topic with significant field dataset.
Predicting earthquake-induced landslides by using a stochastic modeling approach which combines preparatory and triggering factors: a case study of the co-seismic landslides occurred on January 2001 in El Salvador (CA)
Authors: Mercurio Claudio , Martinello Chiara , Argueta-Platero Abel Alexei , Azzara Grazia , Rotigliano Edoardo , Conoscenti Christian
Published: June 2022

On January 13th, 2001, El Salvador was hit by an earthquake of magnitude 7.7 which triggered thousands of landslides, causing 1259 fatalities and extensive damage to infrastructures. The analysis of aerial images provided by the CNR (Centro Nacional de Registros de El Salvador), which were taken a few days after the event, allowed us to map 1005 seismically-induced landslides that occurred in a study area extended for 92 km2. The objective of this experiment was to verify whether it is possible to predict the spatial distribution of these landslides through a stochastic approach that combines a rainfall-induced landslide susceptibility (SUSC) model, which is based on preparatory factors, and an earthquake-triggered landslide predictive (TRIGGER) model, which is based on seismic parameters such as peak ground acceleration (PGA) and distance to the epicenter (ED). The SUSC model was calibrated by using an inventory of 5609 landslides that occurred in November 2009 in the area of the San Vicente volcano, due to the simultaneous action of low-pressure system 96E and Hurricane Ida. The TRIGGER model was instead trained with the 20% of the earthquake-triggered landslides, whereas the remaining 80% was used to validate both the SUSC and TRIGGER models, as well as an ensemble model obtained by using as predictors PGA, ED and the landslide probability calculated by the SUSC model. In order to evaluate the robustness of the results, ten calibration and validation samples were randomly extracted from the 2001 landslide inventory. Multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) was used as modelling technique. The predictive performance of the models was evaluated by using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUC).

The validation results revealed a slightly better performance of the SUSC model (average AUC = 0.719; AUC st.dev. = 0.008) with respect to the TRIGGER model (average AUC = 0.707; AUC st.dev. = 0.009). Moreover, the analysis highlighted that the best predictive ability is achieved by the ensemble model (average AUC = 0.743; AUC st.dev. = 0.006). These results suggest that, in the event that only some of the landslides triggered by an earthquake are known, as usually happens shortly after the event, it is possible to use the approach proposed in this study to identify those sites where the other landslides are more likely to have occurred.

This work is a part of the CASTES project, which is funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and focuses on promoting research and training activities in the field of earth sciences in El Salvador (CA).
A GIS-based study of factors related to landslides events in a tectonic active area
Authors: Skilodimou Hariklia D. , Bathrellos George , Antoniou Vasileios , Koukouvelas Ioannis , Nikolakopoulos Konstantinos
Published: June 2022

Geologic, tectonic, geomorphic conditions of a mountainous environment along with precipitation and human activities influence landslide occurrences. In many cases, their relation to landslide events is not well defined. The scope of the present study is to identify the influence of physical and anthropogenic factors in landslide activity. The study area is a mountainous part of northern Peloponnesus in southern Greece. It is located on the eastern part of the Gulf of Corinth and is considered as one of the most active tectonic rifts of the world.

The existing landslides, lithology, tectonic elements, slope angle, rainfall, road network along with land use of the study area was taken into consideration. Each physical and anthropogenic factor was further divided into sub-categories. Statistical approaches based on the observed relationship between each factor and the spatial distribution of landslides is very useful to reveal the correlation between landslide locations and factor.

Statistical analysis of landslide frequency and density was applied while frequency and density ratios were calculated. This analysis was further combined with Geographical Information Systems to evaluate the collected data and determine the association relation of physical and anthropogenic factors with landslide activity.
Surface analysis and geotectonic structure of Lavreotiki, Attica peninsula, Greece
Authors: Antoniou Vasileios , Bathrellos George D. , Skilodimou Hariklia D.
Published: June 2022

In many cases tectonism influences the evolution of morphology and hydrographic networks. The study area is Lavreotiki which is located at the southeastern most tip of the Attica peninsula in the Greek regional unit of East Attica.

The aim of this study was the determination of the geotectonic structure and the paleogeographic evolution of the drainage basins of the study area. For this purpose, classic mapping techniques such as detailed field work along with large scale geomorphological and geological mapping were performed. Moreover, remote sensing data were used, a spatial database was created, and ArcGIS 10.8 software was used to process the collected data.

Quantitative geomorphological analysis of the drainage networks was accomplished. Fourth and higher order streams were taken into account. Surface analysis of the study area was performed, while geomorphic indices were calculated. The geomorphic indices of active tectonics used, were slope and aspect of terrain, hypsometric curve and hypsometric integral, drainage basin asymmetry, mountain – front sinuosity and longitudinal river profiles.
Urban geomorphology and urban geomorphological heritage of a small Alpine town: Sion, Switzerland
Authors: Reynard Emmanuel
Published: June 2022

Sion is a small Alpine town situated in the Western Swiss Alps, along the Rhone River. With 30,000 inhabitants, it is the administrative capital of the canton of Valais and it proposes numerous working places, in particular in the tertiary sector. Situated originally on the alluvial fan of the Sionne River, a tributary of the Rhone River, the town has grown rapidly during the 20th century and it occupies now the whole surface of the Sionne River alluvial fan, and large parts of the Rhone River alluvial plain. Occupied since prehistoric times, the town has been the capital of the Bishop of Valais for centuries since the Middle Ages. It presents therefore a very rich archaeological and historical heritage that constitutes the original offer for tourism. Recently, Sion has also developed new tourist services based on the concept of “urban terroir”, trying to combine cultural urban and rural heritage.  

This poster aims at studying the relationships between the geomorphological forms, processes and heritage, and the urban development. The analysis combines four main approaches:

a simplified geomorphological map is created;

a geohistorical analysis of the landscape evolution, in particular fluvial landscapes, combining historical maps of the two last centuries, is carried out;

an inventory of regional geomorphosites is carried out using the method of the University of Lausanne (Reynard et al., 2016);

a concept for the development of urban geotourism is proposed.

Reference:

Reynard E., Perret A., Bussard J., Grangier L., Martin S. (2015). Integrated approach for the inventory and management of geomorphological heritage at the regional scale, Geoheritage, 8(1), 43-60. DOI: 10.1007/s12371-015-0153-0
Doce River mouth dynamics and morphological changes over recent years
Authors: Polizel Silvia , Burningham Helene
Published: June 2022

Deltaic river mouths are dynamic coastal environments and often exhibit significant morphological changes over different timescales. One of these environments is located at the mouth of the Doce River delta (southeastern Brazil) on a coastline dominated by wave processes. This study focuses on delineating and analysing recent changes in the Doce River mouth morphology over monthly timescales. Investigations were undertaken using Sentinel-2 data for the period between April 2017 and March 2022. Exposed river mouth bars and shoreline positions adjacent to the main channel (5 km to the north and to the south) were detected and the morphological changes were quantified. Analysing the changes between the initial and final dates, it was observed that the sand bars located in the Doce River mouth occupied an area of 301,457 m² in 2017, while this area decreased to 213,630 m² in 2022. The shapes of these morphologies also changed considerably during this period, with a sand bar dominating the central portion of the river mouth in 2017, leaving only two narrow stretches (66 and 87 meters) for the riverine and coastal interaction; in 2022, however, the river mouth width was 684 m. This increase in inlet width could contribute to changes in tidal incursion and fluvial-marine interactions in this system. Considering the adjacent shorelines, it was verified a dominance of erosional processes nearby the river mouth, with a maximum retreat of the shoreline position around 130 m in the south bar; the north bar, conversely, moved towards the sea between this time period. Considering the 10 km of shoreline analysed near the Doce river mouth, it was found that the erosional behaviour changed to accretional after the kilometer 3.8 in the north margin and after the kilometer 4.3 in the south margin, indicating greater dominance of erosional processes in the south margin of this river. Further investigations are in progress to identify the forcings shaping the river mouth and reworking the sediment along the adjacent shorelines. This will allow an integrated understanding of sediment availability and transport processes controlling this river mouth and associated shorelines over the recent years.
Morphological signatures of the glacial lake-outburst flood and their paleohydraulic implications in the Rospuda valley (NE Poland)
Authors: Kumar Dhiraj , Weckwerth Piotr
Published: June 2022

The geomorphological evidence of catastrophic glacial floods has been unearthed in several parts of northern Europe. A wide diversity of landforms related with glacial meltwater flows have been reported within the area covered by the Scandinavian Ice Sheet during the Weichselian glaciation in the European Lowland (Høgaas et al., 2016; Weckwerth, et al. 2019; Hansen et al., 2020). Our study area covers the Rospuda Valley and outwash plain (Rospuda outwash), which is located in north-eastern Poland and has a prominent features originated from the glacial lake outburst flood. These features set comprise two- and three-dimensional megadunes located in the middle and distal portions of the Rospuda outwash. This outwash starts from the end moraines, which are intersected by a flat-bottomed spillway which interconnects with subglacial channel feeding proglacial outwash. Using GIS tools and on the base of geomorphological mapping, megadunes morphology and morphometry were analysed. The basic geomorphometric parameters as megadunes length, width and height were used to assess floodwater flow depth, velocity and discharge. We used different methods to calculate the flow velocities, i.e. after Kennedy (1963), Baker (1973) and Darcy-Weisbach equation, adopted for three different megadunes clusters. Palaeohydraulic calculations suggest that the flow depth during glacial lake-outburst flood varied in the range of 16-20 m and the flow velocity was around 12-23 ms-1. Considering these, the average floodwater discharge was in the range of 17-109×103 m3s-1.

This study was carried out as part of the scientific project financed by the National Science Centre (NCN) in Poland, project no. 2018/31/B/ST10/00976.

References:

 Høgas f. and Oddvar Longva., 2016. Mega deposits and erosive features related to the glacial lake Nedre Glomsjø outburst flood, southeastern Norway. Quaternary Science Reviews, 151, 273-291.

Weckwerth, P., Wysota W., Piotrowski J.A., Adamczyk A., Krawiec A., Dąbrowski M., 2019. Late Weichselian glacier outburst floods in North-Eastern Poland: landform evidence and palaeohydraulic significance. Earth-Sciences Review, 194, 216-233.

Hansen, L., Tassis, G., Høgaas, F., 2020. Sand dunes and valley fills from Preboreal glacial‐lake outburst floods in south‐eastern Norway–beyond the aeolian paradigm. Sedimentology, 67(2), 810-848.