Volume 10, Issue 1

Time series data are of great importance for monitoring vegetation phenology in the dry sub-humid regions where change in land cover has influence on biomass productivity. However few studies have inquired into examining the impact of rainfall and land cover change on vegetation phenology. This study explores Seasonal Trend Analysis (STA) approach in order to investigate overall greenness, peak of annual greenness and timing of annual greenness in the seasonal NDVI cycle. Phenological pattern for the start of season (SOS) and end of season (EOS) was also examined across different land cover types in four selected locations. A significant increase in overall greenness (amplitude 0) and a significant decrease in other greenness trend maps (amplitude 1 and phase 1) was observed over the study period. Moreover significant positive trends in overall annual rainfall (amplitude 0) was found which follows similar pattern with vegetation trend. Variation in the timing of peak of greenness (phase 1) was seen in the four selected locations, this indicate a change in phenological trend. Additionally, strong relationship was revealed by the result of the pixel-wise regression between NDVI and rainfall. Change in vegetation phenology in the study area is attributed to climatic variability than anthropogenic activities.

Razim Lake is the biggest of Romania’s freshwater lakes and along with other basins as Golovita, Zmeica and Sinoie constitutes a system of great ecological significance, playing also an essential role in the supply of water for irrigation, fishery exploitation, farming, flood prevention, recreational navigation and water tourism. Due to their importance, the environmental conditions in the Razim - Sinoie coastal lakes have attracted an increased public attention in contemporary society. To assess the levels, dissemination and potential sources of contamination in the above-mentioned lagoon system, random sampling was used to collect water and sediment samples from every lake and several analytical techniques were performed to investigate their environmental characteristics. The results obtained from this study indicated that, in water, concentrations of various physico-chemical parameters are, mostly, in agreement with correlated environmental standards. Slight variations and/or occasional exceeding of the maximum admissible limits were generally limited to small areas showing levels that would not warrant special concern. In sediments, the mean concentrations of some specific trace metals were below the levels of potential effect. Benthic samples revealed 31 taxa belonging to 16 zoo-benthal subdivisions. The results of this study showed good ecological status despite local several natural and anthropogenic stressors as fishery exploitation, farming, recreational navigation and water tourism.

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb dating has been performed on detrital zircons from the Chunshuyao Formation sandstone of Yichuan Basin. The ages of 85 detrital zircon grains are divided into three groups: 252-290 Ma, 1740-2000 Ma, and 2400-2600 Ma. The lack of Early Paleozoic and Neoproterozoic U-Pb ages indicates that there is no input from the Qinling Orogen, because the Qinling Orogen is characterized by Paleozoic and Neoproterozoic material. In combination with previous research, we suggest that the source of the Chunshuyao Formation is most likely recycled from previous sedimentary rocks from the North China Craton. In the Late Triassic, the Funiu ancient land was uplifted which prevented source material from the Qinling Orogen. Owing to the Indosinian orogeny, the strata to the east of the North China Craton were uplifted and eroded. The Yichuan Basin received detrital material from the North China Craton.

Landscape units are conceived as a part of the territory that share similar physical and geographic characteristics. Their delineation can contribute to identify the physical and social dynamics that emerge in the spatial environment and to propose strategies of planning and management of the territory. The main objective was to make a historical delineation of landscape units in the Duero river basin that demonstrate the dynamics of changes in the territory, the description of the actors involved, and the affectations in the natural and social environment. We analyzed the vegetation change and urban growth from 1983 to 2014, incorporating climatic, edaphic, and topographic variables. A Principal Component Analysis was performed with the information and results were used in Maximum Likelihood procedure to define different clusters based on environmental characteristics. We defined five categories from the Landsat images. Results showed landscape units with homogeneous environmental characteristics and some differences in the units’ delineation were mainly influenced by political and socioeconomic factors. Temporally there was an increased tendency of landscape units, three in 1983, nine in 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2011, and eight in 2014. This increase resulted from territory fragmentation because of berries and avocado cultivars expansion over wooded area.

Loess landscapes sometimes contain isolated depressed areas, which often appear as lakes. The outline shape (and distribution) of these depressions could be controlled by random processes, particularly if the depressions are caused by loess hydroconsolidation and ground subsidence. By applying the Zingg system of shape classification it is possible to propose a mean random shape for the closed depressions. A Zingg rectangle with a side ratio of about 2:1 is produced by a very simple Monte Carlo method, which had been used previously to calculate the mean random shape of a loess particle. The Zingg rectangle indicates the basic shape of the mean closed depression. A simple four stage process for the formation of the depressions is proposed. They might be called ‘Hardcastle Hollows’ in honour of John Hardcastle who first reported them, in New Zealand. Studies on Ukrainian deposits suggest that there might be some stratigraphic value in the observation of closed depressions; they are often not superimposed in successive depositions of loess. Hydroconsolidation is important in landscape processes. The hollows provide interesting habitats and enlarge the ecological interest of loess deposits; the geoheritage scene is enhanced.

The efficient operation of shallow groundwater (SGW) monitoring networks is crucial to water supply, in-land water protection, agriculture and nature conservation. In the present study, the spatial representativity of such a monitoring network in an area that has been thoroughly impacted by anthropogenic activity (river diversion/damming) is assessed, namely the Szigetköz adjacent to the River Danube. The main aims were to assess the spatial representativity of the SGW monitoring network in different discharge scenarios, and investigate the directional characteristics of this representativity, i.e. establish whether geostatistical anisotropy is present, and investigate how this changes with flooding. After the subtraction of a spatial trend from the time series of 85 shallow groundwater monitoring wells tracking flood events from 2006, 2009 and 2013, variography was conducted on the residuals, and the degree of anisotropy was assessed to explore the spatial autocorrelation structure of the network. Since the raw data proved to be insufficient, an interpolated grid was derived, and the final results were scaled to be representative of the original raw data. It was found that during floods the main direction of the spatial variance of the shallow groundwater monitoring wells alters, from perpendicular to the river to parallel with it for over a period of about two week. However, witht the passing of the flood, this returns to its original orientation in ~2 months. It is likely that this process is related first to the fast removal of clogged riverbed strata by the flood, then to their slower replacement. In addition, the study highlights the importance of assessing the direction of the spatial autocorrelation structure of shallow groundwater monitoring networks, especially if the aim is to derive interpolated maps for the further investigation or modeling of flow.

The Mahu Depression is an important hydrocarbon-bearing foreland sag located at the northwestern margin of the Junggar Basin, China. On the northern slope of the depression, large coarse-grained proximal fan-delta depositional systems developed in the Lower Triassic Baikouquan Formation (T 1 b). Some lithologic hydrocarbon reservoirs have been found in the conglomerates of the formation since recent years. However, the rapid vertical and horizontal lithology variations make it is difficult to divide the base-level cycle of the formation using the conventional methods. Spectral analysis technologies, such as Integrated Prediction Error Filter Analysis (INPEFA), provide another effective way to overcome this difficultly. In this paper, processed by INPEFA, conventional resistivity logs are utilized to study the base-level cycle of the fan-delta depositional systems. The negative trend of the INPEFA curve indicates the base-level fall semi-cycles, adversely, positive trend suggests the rise semi-cycles. Base-level cycles of Baikouquan Formation are divided in single and correlation wells. One long-term base-level rise semi-cycle, including three medium-term base-level cycles, is identified overall the Baikouquan Formation. The medium-term base-level cycles are characterized as rise semi-cycles mainly in the fan-delta plain, symmetric cycles in the fan-delta front and fall semi-cycles mainly in the pro-fan-delta. The short-term base-level rise semi-cycles most developed in the braided channels, sub-aqueous distributary channels and sheet sands. While, the interdistributary bays and pro-fan-delta mud indicate short-term base-level fall semi-cycles. Finally, based on the method of INPEFA, sequence filling model of Baikouquan formation is established.

The architecture and quality of lacustrine turbidites that act as petroleum reservoirs are less well documented. Reservoir architecture and multiscale heterogeneity in turbidites represent serious challenges to production performance. Additionally, establishing a hierarchy profile to delineate heterogeneity is a challenging task in lacustrine turbidite deposits. Here, we report on the turbidites in the middle third member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation (Es3), which was deposited during extensive Middle to Late Eocene rifting in the Dongying Depression. Seismic records, wireline log responses, and core observations were integrated to describe the reservoir heterogeneity by delineating the architectural elements, sequence stratigraphic framework and lithofacies assemblage. A petrographic approach was adopted to constrain microscopic heterogeneity using an optical microscope, routine core analyses and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The Es3m member is interpreted as a sequence set composed of four composite sequences: CS1, CS2, CS3 and CS4. A total of forty-five sequences were identified within these four composite sequences. Sand bodies were mainly deposited as channels, levees, overbank splays, lobes and lobe fringes. The combination of fining-upward and coarsening-upward lithofacies patterns in the architectural elements produces highly complex composite flow units. Microscopic heterogeneity is produced by diagenetic alteration processes ( i . e ., feldspar dissolution, authigenic clay formation and quartz cementation). The widespread kaolinization of feldspar and mobilization of materials enhanced the quality of the reservoir by producing secondary enlarged pores. In contrast, the formation of pore-filling authigenic illite and illite/smectite clays reduced its permeability. Recovery rates are higher in the axial areas and smaller in the marginal areas of architectural elements. This study represents a significant insight into the reservoir architecture and heterogeneity of lacustrine turbidites, and the understanding of compartmentalization and distribution of high-quality sand reservoirs can be applied to improve primary and secondary production in these fields.

Flow units classification can be used in reservoir characterization. In addition, characterizing the reservoir interval into flow units is an effective way to simulate the reservoir. Paraflow units (PFUs), the second level of flow units, are used to estimate the spatial distribution of continental clastic reservoirs at the detailed reservoir description stage. In this study, we investigate a nonroutine methodology to predict the external and internal distribution of PFUs. The methodology outlined enables the classification of PFUs using sandstone core samples and log data. The relationships obtained between porosity, permeability and pore throat aperture radii (r 35 ) values were established for core and log data obtained from 26 wells from the Funing Formation, Gaoji Oilfield, Subei Basin, China. The present study refines predicted PFUs at logged (0.125-m) intervals, whose scale is much smaller than routine methods. Meanwhile, three-dimensional models are built using sequential indicator simulation to characterize PFUs in wells. Four distinct PFUs are classified and located based on the statistical methodology of cluster analysis, and each PFU has different seepage ability. The results of this study demonstrate the obtained models are able to quantify reservoir heterogeneity. Due to different petrophysical characteristics and seepage ability, PFUs have a significant impact on the distribution of the remaining oil. Considering these allows a more accurate understanding of reservoir quality, especially within non-marine sandstone reservoirs.

Umbrisols generally develop in a cool and humid climate. Therefore, occurrence of these soils in the Borská lowland of southwestern Slovakia is very uncommon, and this inspired the aim of this paper: Analysis of the natural conditions suitable for Umbrisol development. Umbrisols in the Borská lowland developed from aeolian quartz sands accumulated on Neogenne marine clay sediments. Their occurrence is connected with the groundwater table relatively close to the ground surface and this particularly determines Umbrisol genesis in this area. Sufficient input via organic matter is an important factor for formation of the umbric horizon, and only the rich herbaceous undergrowth of the prevailing planted pine and mixed pine-oak forests is capable of providing it. A growth of diep-rooted grass is closely connected with higher soil moisture content, and quite moist areas occur in the deeper inter-dunes depressions. Constant soil moisture in these sites is facilitated by water capillary elevation. While Umbrisols are transformed to Arenosols at increased altitude, they can be transformed to Gleysols in deep depressions. Herein, induced polarization provided suitable geophysical method for detection of arenic Umbrisol inclusions. Sharp transformation of the humus layer to dry non-polarized aeolian quartz sands enabled the surface horizon to be distinguished by induced polarization

Field mapping is an accurate but also time consuming method of detailed mapping of habitat types. Levels of habitat types are usually hierarchically nested at several levels. Our main research question therefore is: ‘How detailed can be modelling of habitat types with decision trees and digital data in karst landscape?’ Similar to studies in other (non-karst) environments we explored the basic properties of the habitats in Dinaric Karst study region (Classical Karst in Southwest Slovenia) and tested modelling of habitat types at three different levels of detail. To seek for the best set of predictor variables we used Rapid-Eye satellite images, airborne images and digital elevation model. We prepared more than 60 explanatory variables and divided habitat polygons into training and testing samples to validate the results. The results proved that modelling with decision trees in Dinaric Karst landscape does not result in high accuracy at high detailed levels. Due to the presence of mine fields in the large area of Dinaric Karst ( e.g . in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina) the field mapping in this area is difficult therefore the findings from this study can be used for further development of mapping through remote sensing.

This study examines the mineral composition and kaolinite crystallinity of Cretaceous and Paleogene/Neogene kaolins from Nigeria based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy data of the <2 μm fraction. The purpose of this was to assess the minerals present, structural order, and possible industrial applications of the kaolins. A total of twenty-eight (28) samples comprising of fifteen (15) Cretaceous and thirteen (13) Paleogene/Neogene kaolins were analysed. The XRD results showed that both the Cretaceous and Paleogene/Neogene kaolins have kaolinite as the dominant phase followed by quartz with anatase, hematite, and goethite occurring in minor quantities. Based on the mineralogical composition, the Paleogene/Neogene deposits were classified as sandy kaolin and the Cretaceous deposits were classified as pure kaolin. The kaolinite structural order for the Cretaceous pure kaolin was higher than that obtained for the Paleogene/Neogene sandy kaolin with more quartz, iron, and titanium oxides. The economic consideration of the deposits showed that the sandy kaolin type can be used in pigment industrial applications whereas the pure kaolin type can be used in refractory, fiberglass, and ceramic industrial applications.

This article presents a design of coverage maps for emergency journeys made by emergency medical services. The system was designed for the Malopolskie Voivodeship Office in Cracow, Poland. The proposed solution displays maps of the ambulance coverage of areas and ambulance’s potential journey times. There are two versions of the map: static and dynamic. The static version is used to appropriately allocate ambulances to cover an area with the ability to reach locations in less than 15 or 20 minutes; the dynamic version allows monitoring of ambulance fleets under normal conditions or in the event of a crisis. The article also presents the results of archival data related to the movement of ambulances on the roads of Malopolskie Voivodship. Particular attention was paid to the relation between the speed of vehicles and the traffic on the road, the day of the week or month, and long-term trends. The collected observations made it possible to assume a general model of ambulance movement in the voivodeship to calculate arrival time coverage maps.

Regional seismic reflection profiles and deep exploratory wells have been used to characterize the subsurface structural trends and seismo-stratigraphic architecture of the sedimentary successions in offshore Indus Pakistan. To improve the data quality, we have reprocessed the seismic data by applying signal processing scheme to enhance the reflection continuity for obtaining better results. Synthetic seismograms have been used to identify and tie the seismic reflections to the well data. The seismic data revealed tectonically controlled, distinct episodes of normal faulting representing rifting during Mesozoic and transpression at Late Eocene time. A SW-NE oriented anticlinal type push up structure is observed resulted from the basement reactivation and recent transpression along Indian Plate margin. The structural growth of this particular pushup geometry was computed. Six mappable seismic sequences have been identified on seismic records. In general, geological formations are at shallow depths towards northwest due to basement blocks uplift. A paleoshelf is also identified on seismic records overlain by Cretaceous sediments, which is indicative of Indian-African Plates rifting at Jurassic time. The seismic interpretation reveals that the structural styles and stratigraphy of the region were significantly affected by the northward drift of the Indian Plate, post-rifting, and sedimentation along its western margin during Middle Cenozoic. A considerable structural growth along the push up geometry indicates present day transpression in the margin sediments. The present comprehensive interpretation can help in understanding the complex structures in passive continental margins worldwide that display similar characteristics but are considered to be dominated by rifting and drifting tectonics.

Hydrological heritage is a relatively new concept in the field of geosite assessment. The principal aim of this study is to apply M-GAM (Modified geosite assessment model) for comparative analysis of the Krupaja spring and the Žagubica (Mlava) spring, located in Homolje area, in Eastern Serbia. According to the classification of geosites of Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, these sites are on the list of protected sites (“hydro(geo)logical” heritage sites) of extraordinary national importance; however, they still have not gained necessary recognition in Serbia. Thus, their assessment according to different target groups should provide a clearer picture of their current condition. As M-GAM considers that not all indicators for evaluation of geosites are of the same importance, this paper applies two methods for comparing and determining the importance of indicators and subindicators in the model (Analytical-hierarchy process (AHP) and descriptive statistics conducted by SPSS). Also, it is assumed that different target groups will give different importance to some indicators in the model, which would result in various evaluation scores for the same geosites. The paper also provides a comparative analysis of the assessment carried out by two different target groups – potential geotourists and geoexperts. The results obtained by AHP and descriptive statistics are quite similar, which confirms the reliability of respondents’ answers and the results gained. The analyzed sites are differently positioned in the evaluation matrix, and implications are further discussed in the paper.

The solution to the 2-D consolidation problem, both for rectangular and cylindrical domains, has been widely studied in the scientific literature, reporting the most precise solutions in the form of analytical expressions difficult to handle for the engineer due to the high number of parameters involved. In this paper, after introducing a precise definition of the characteristic time, both this magnitude and the average degree of consolidation are obtained in terms of the least number of dimensionless groups that rule the problem. To do this, the groups are firstly derived from the dimensionless governing equations deduced from the mathematical model, following a discriminated nondimensionalization procedure which provides new groups that cannot be obtained by classical nondimensionalization. By a large number of numerical simulations, the dependences of the characteristic time and the average degree of consolidation on the new dimensionless groups have allowed to represent these unknowns graphically in the form of universal curves. This allows these quantities to be read with the least mathematical effort. A case study is solved to demonstrate the reliability and accuracy of the results.

Geotourists, as visitors with a specific preference for geoheritage and attractive geodiversity, have been identified and typified by many authors worldwide. Considering that Serbia is recognized as an area of geotourism in its initiation phase, this type of research has not been conducted thus far. In spite of global trends, geotourism as a special interest form of travel does not exist in this region, and is principally related to speleotourism and pure admiration of aesthetic values of geodiversity. As one of the first studies of geotourism of such character in Serbia, the research presented within was conducted to reveal whether there is a certain level of interest for geoheritage amongst the general public. The questionnaire was conducted in 2015 on the territory of Vojvodina Province (North Serbia), counting a total of 198 respondents. Bearing in mind the lack of geotourism terminology within the study area, the general public is not familiar with the existence, attractiveness and even degradation of geodiversity. Hence, questions aimed to discover respondents’ habits and tendencies during travel, their attitude in everyday life, particularly towards nature (including the abiotic component). Last of all, the goal of the presented study is also to reveal whether there are certain types of potential geoheritage lovers - geotourists depending on their social-demographic characteristics. With specific profiles identified, results could be later used for geotourism planning, education, promotion and management in the Vojvodina region and wider.

Secondary porosity in the Upper Triassic Xujiahe tight sandstone of the western Sichuan Basin is mainly the product of feldspar dissolution. In the Xu-4 Member, the upper reservoir of the Xujiahe Formation, feldspars are dissolved to a significant extent and observations indicate that nearly all feldspars have been dissolved completely, with only 1.73% content of feldspar remaining. In the Xu-2 Member, the lower reservoir, feldspars are well preserved; the current content of feldspar is 12.54% on average, and the secondary porosity derived from feldspar dissolution is less than 1%. Kaolinite occurs almost exclusively in the Xu-4, but it is nearly absent in the Xu-2. The K + content in the Xu-2 is 3.3 times higher than that in Xu-4. The K + /H + ratio in the Xu-2 is also higher than that in the Xu-4. These differences between the two reservoirs can be attributed to their distinguishing fluid-rock systems. The low K + content and relatively high δ 18 O in the Xu-4 formation water are the result of intensive fluid-rock interaction in an open fluid-rock system. The upper Xu-4 is close to the overlying coal-measures of the Xu-5 from which organic acid flowed into the Xu-4. Meanwhile, K + contained in sandstone migrated out to the mudstones. The resulting low K + /H + ratio in the formation water of the Xu-4 was responsible for almost all the feldspar dissolution and kaolinite formation. In contrast, due to the relatively closed fluid-rock system in the Xu-2, K + did not migrate into adjacent rocks and acidic fluids did not invade, which led to K + -rich formation waters maintaining a high K + /H + ratio. Hence, K-feldspar was well preserved and kaolinite was completely transformed into illite. Therefore, in contrast to the Xu-2 tight sandstone, the Xu-4 sandstone has relatively higher secondary porosity, which favours the formation of better quality reservoirs.

In order to study the sedimentological response of the first episode of “cyanobacteria calcification event” in Phanerozoic, we studied the microbialites from Furongian Series in Qijiayu section, Hebei Province, which is located in the central part of the North China Platform. Cambrian Furongian Series is made up of three third-order depositional sequences, Depositional Sequence 1 (DS 1 ) in Changshan Formation and DS 2 and DS 3 in Fengshan Formation. Two beds of massive limestone of a shallow ramp facies developed in Changshan Formation and the first third-order sequence of Fengshan Formation. Both of them contains many dome-shaped carbonate structures that formed as a result of forced regression. These structures can be described as leiolitic bioherms, with a morphology like string of beads. In the current study, microorganisms such as Epiphyton , Girvanella and Renalcis are reported from the leiolitic bioherms. This provides not only documentation for the model of cyanobacteria calcification, but also describes the genesis of leiolitic bioherms by microbial processes inside cyanobacteria dominated microbial mats. Moreover, the diverse emergence of the calcified microorganisms represents the fossil evidence of calcified microorganisms’ blooms in Cambrian Furongian and offers a reference for studying the complex microbial processes in such old carbonate depositions.

This paper presented a new method for identifying promising areas for archaeological research. The method is based on graph analysis that iteratively compares and manipulates Hamming distances between graphs of input geographical parameters and graphs of human activity data in various historical periods. The weights learned from the comparison was used to build a prediction model to estimate the potential presence of an archaeological site of a certain time period in a given cadaster. This was applied in the Bohemian Moravian Highlands region based on the most complete archaeological dataset of the area. Resulting maps were analyzed from the archaeological and historical point of view to test against the existing knowledge of prehistoric population movement in the region. Overall, the method proved to overcome problems such as fragmentary inputs and is a good candidate for application in smaller and geographically diverse research areas. The aim of this work was to contribute to the methodology of the prediction of historical human activity, to facilitate greater comprehension of past local settlement dynamics, and to possibly ease the protection of cultural heritage.

This paper investigates the state of information on geoheritage or, in a wider perspective, a geotourist offer that can be found on the Internet, the basic source of information for the potential tourist, at the example of Lower Silesia. In order to achieve the intended aim, firstly a discussion concerning the division of the tourist resources in the literature was presented. It served as the starting point for the selection and analysis of particular resources, and their online promotion techniques. A place of the geotourist resources within this group was highlighted. Next, the analysis of official documents that constitute the basis for actions aimed at the promotion of tourist resources, with the geotourist ones in particular, was carried out. Predominantly, they comprised the strategies of tourism development at different levels, i . e . the level of voivodeship, and the selected counties, where crucial georesources, or geoheritage complexes of the region are located. One of the most important examples is the Kłodzko County, officially referred to in its strategy as “the Tourist County.” The authors also indicated the nature-based tourist resources of Lower Silesia, placing special emphasis on the resources presented in the Geotourist Catalogues - the most comprehensive presentations of this kind of resources in Poland. In the following part, another analysis was presented regarding information on natural resources promoted on the websites of public administration, or local authorities. Selected websites were examined for their accessibility and the manner in which the georesources are presented. The main result of the conducted research is highlighting the fact that geotourism as a distinctive tourism category is not sufficiently promoted online. The reason behind it is the dispersion of geotourist resources being categorised under divergent umbrella terms. A set of actions for the implementation of changes that can possibly improve the present situation was suggested.

In this work, the intensive theoretical study and laboratory tests are conducted to evaluate the craters morphology via the flat-ended indenter test, relationship of indentation hardness (HRI) and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS). Based on the stress distribution, failure process and Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion, the mathematical mechanical models are presented to express the formation conditions of “pulverized zone” and “volume break”. Moreover, a set of equations relating the depth and apex angle of craters, the ratio of indentation hardness and uniaxial compressive strength, the angle of internal friction and Poisson’s ratio are obtained. The depth, apex angle of craters and ratio of indentation hardness and uniaxial compressive strength are all affected by the angle of internal friction and Poisson’s ratio. The proposed models are also verified by experiments of rock samples which are cored from Da Qing oilfield, the percentage error between the test and calculated results for depth, apex angle of craters and the ratio of HRI and UCS are mainly in the range of –1.41%–8.92%, –5.91%–3.94% and –8.22%–13.22% respectively for siltstone, volcanic tuff, volcanic breccia, shale, sand stone and glutenite except mudstone, which demonstrates that our proposed models are robust and effective for brittle rock.

Geotourism is usually connected with two types of landscapes: natural and cultural, however in the second case these are usually industrial or post-industrial landscapes, where the subjects of tourists’ interest are mainly various relicts of mining (e.g. open pits, waste dumps, quarries). Although it is changing, urban landscapes or – more generally – landscapes of human settlements are not so often perceived as a place of geotourism development. We try to analyze reasons why such areas have a great potential to develop this type of tourism, illustrating them by selected case studies from Poland and the Czech Republic. We want to prove that geotourism in a city or a town can be understood as part of urban tourism not only in its traditional meaning (as all kinds of tourism located in such landscapes), but also as an important element of travels undertaken in order to search and experience a genius loci of a city.

Women scholars have contributed to the study of loess. Charlotte Hibbert made the first map of loess distribution and there were many subsequent achievements. The twenty people selected represent a subjective choice; there is no overall biobibliographical metric that can be applied. The twenty are mss: Hibbert, Owen, Swineford, Conea, Marković-Marjanović, Fotakieva, Ivanova, Davin, Coude-Gaussen, Wintle, Matviishina, Gerasimenko, Billard, Grabowska-Olszewska, Sycheva, Mavlyanova, Rendell,Łanczont, Klukanova, Morozova. The INQUA Loess Commission provides a convenient temporal divide, and also a divide in style of loess investigation: early studies pre-Commission; Loess Commission activities; modern scientific loess research post-Commission (after 2003). Topics Hypotheses of loess formation, aeolian vs. fluvial, aeolian vs. in-situ, desert loess, Danubian loess, INQUA Loess Commission, Dating techniques, hydroconsolidation, loessification, Ukraine, Russia, Central Asia, loess structure. The paper by Jelena Marković-Marjanović in the 1961 INQUA Loess Symposium was one of the key pioneering documents in the development of loess stratigraphy; it should be more widely recognized.

The present work considers numerical models of large rock inclusions (stringers) are embedded in many salt bodies. The study has been made to investigate the influence of salt tectonic process, such as downbuilding, on the deformation and displacement of stringers. In this research, the focus has been on establishing numerical models of the deformation and displacement of stringer embedded in salt (at rest) after occurrences of salt tectonics. The problem of influence of eventual tectonic processes at larger stage is addressed on the development of stringers. The numerical model is based on finite element method in combination with adaptive remeshing. The results show that the stringers experience minor sinking and the differential stress in salt and the differential stress in the stringer decrease during the period after salt tectonics. The change of stress of reservoir will influence drilling process and oil or gas production.

Geoarcheology is a term used to describe the work of experts who deal with the archeological record and combine the expertise of their different disciplines, mainly archeology and geology. Because such scientists have different educational backgrounds and use different research methods it was expected that they might value archeological sites (or geoarchaeological geosites) somewhat differently. The principal aim of this study is to show the results of the application of a GAM’s (Geosite Assessment Model) main values, rank indicators and sub-indicators according to the experts’ preferences and attitudes, as it was presumed that they are not of the same importance. For this purpose, the authors used a AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process), widely used in decision-making analysis, to define the criteria weights and rank the indicators. Two main groups of expert respondents, geoscientists and archeologists, were surveyed and gave their criteria weights. The results obtained by application of the AHP showed that there is a difference in indicator weights. While both groups gave their highest value to the scientific/educational indictor, the geoscientists gave their higher rank to the scenic/aesthetic rather than to the protection indicator, the archeologists ranked them opposite, and gave their higher rank to the protection indicator and lowest rank to the scenic/aesthetic indicator. This paper further provides information on group decision or consensus on weights and shows the final rankings for both groups, which are further examined and discussed.

Slovenia is considered as the cradle of karst geotourism as cave tourism started there as early as the Middle Ages. To date more than 12,000 caves were discovered from which 22 have the status of tourist caves. From these, 10 were assessed using the M-GAM model (Modified Geosite Assessment Model) to gain information for better future management strategies. The results show that visitors of Slovenian tourist caves mostly appreciate their natural values, as they prefer caves without major tourism infrastructure and they pay attention to their protection status. The model also confirmed that the two most important tourist caves (Postojna Cave and Škocjan Caves) have the leading geotourism role and that the management of tourist caves via a regional park as is the case of Škocjan Caves is an example of good practice.

This article examines the tourist role of protected areas important for their unanimated nature potential. In Poland the highest form of legal protection is a national park. Babiogórski National Parks is one of 23 national parks in Poland. The aim of this article is to present its tourist attraction based on its geotourist potential considered by tourists who visit this park. At the beginning a brief history of protection of Babia Góra is presented. Based on stock-taking sightseeing method an analysis of the most important tourist attractiveness elements (like infrastructure or tourist values) is done. The focus on the values of unanimated nature is made grouping them into four main categories. As the result of research on infrastructure the most important accommodation units were indicated present at the surroundings of this National Park which is vital for its tourist capacity. For the correct functioning of tourist movement at the protected area the supporting infrastructure is important bearing a lot of functions. The function of channeling of the tourist movement as well as the didactic function are the most important for protection and correct use of geotourist values. Among the many elements of the supporting infrastructure the most important ones are tourist and didactic routes (their course and themes are presented). The most important part of the article is the presentation of the participants of the tourist movement opinions on the Babiogórski National Park tourist attractiveness. A survey was conducted and then analysed on 308 respondents in 2011. They were asked to judge both the quality of infrastructure as well as attraction of geotourist values together with their adaptation to reception by the tourist movement. The results analysis served as a base to appraise the state and perspectives for the geotourism development in Babiogórski National Park from the point of view of the receivers of tourist product i.e. the protected area.

In this study, the authors created an overview of the usage of heat maps as a GIS visualization method. In the first part of the paper, a significant number of studies was evaluated, and the technique was thoroughly described to set up a base level for further research. At this moment, the most used input data for heat maps are point data. While these data fit the method very well, also studies based on line and polygon data were found. The second part of the paper is devoted to an exploratory study on traffic accident data of the Olomouc city, Czech Republic. Even spatial distribution of the dataset by geographical information system makes it the perfect example of heat map usage. These data were visualized in multiple ways changing color range, kernel size, radius, and transparency. Two groups of users were created in order to evaluate these heat maps. One group was consisting of those educated or working in cartography. The second one was consisting of the general public. Created heat maps were shown to these volunteers and their task was to decide their preferred solution. Most of the users chose bright colors with a negative feeling, such as red, for traffic accident visualization. The best settings for transparency was identified to be around 50%. The final questions were about map readability based on radius. This setting is tied to map scale but follows a common trend throughout the research. The results of this work are a general set of recommendations and specific evaluation of the exploratory study regarding traffic accidents spatial data. The general recommendations include basic principles of the method, implementation by GIS, suitable data and correct usage of heat maps. The evaluation is answering specific questions regarding heat map settings, style and presentation in the specific case.

In the topography of war landscapes the remains of war are found in the form of trenches, bombing craters and remnants of war infrastructure. Today war landscapes are “overlaid” by post-war “layers” of cultural landscapes. It requires non-invasive remote-sensing methods, e.g. time series of aerial photographs and high-resolution terrain models (LiDAR digital terrain model) to recognize these landscapes. In the study area on Kras Plateau (SW Slovenia) over one hundred kilometres of World War I trenches are preserved in the NW part of the plateau (app. 72 km 2 ) in the present-day topography and represent tangible war geoheritage. But much of these geoheritage was also lost in post-war periods, e.g. near the village of Vrtojba (SW Slovenia) where in 1917 over 12 km of World War I trenches existed, but a century later no traces of war are visible in the present-day topography. Almost two hundred World War I bomb craters also existed around the village that are also not existent in the topography any more. Many anthropo-geomorphological traces of war are thus preserved only virtually and present intangible war geoheritage.

The paper discusses limitations of analytical attainment of the attitude of a geological plane by using three non-collinear points. We present problems that arise during computing the orientation of a plane generated by almost collinear points. We referred these errors to floating-point arithmetic inaccuracies. To demonstrate the problem, we examined a surface of constant orientation. We used Delaunay triangulation to calculate its local orientation parameters. We introduced a new measure of collinearity applicable for collecting attitude of planar triangles. Using this measure we showed that certain planes generated by the triangulation cannot be treated as a reliable source of measurement. To examine the relationship between collinearity and orientation, we used a combinatorial algorithm to obtain all possible planes from the given set of points. A statistical criterion of rejecting almost collinear planes was suggested.

Water quality in rural catchments is influenced by many societal and bio-physical factors ( e.g . different pollution sources, land use and land cover changes). Good ecological status and surface water quality are currently challenged mainly due to different poorly identified pollution sources. The main objective of this study is to estimate the potential of different measures (land use changes and/or reduction in point sources) and their combinations in decreasing the nitrate-nitrogen load from Jankovský stream catchment. The eco-hydrological model SWIM, which simulates dynamics of nutrients in a catchment was used in the study. The simulations for scenario measures showed that nitrate-nitrogen loads at the outlet can be decreased more by reduction of municipal nitrate-nitrogen sources rather than by agricultural land-use change. Overall, the modeling results demonstrated that the most effective scenario was the combination of total reduction of municipal nitrate-nitrogen sources and agricultural land-use change.

This review study presents an overview of the potential for the development of geoarchaeological trails for leisure cyclists in Europe. It initially defines and discusses the underpinning key concepts and then examines the nature and main needs of leisure cyclists. It considers and recognises appropriate geo-interpretative themes, of geological/geomorphological and archaeological/historical interest, to employ in developing the trails. Noting that river valleys have long been natural route-ways for human expansion into Europe (as exemplified by the ‘Stone Age’ and the Roman Empire), and that many of today’s major cycle trails are beside rivers with loess deposits, a geoarchaeological geotourism strategy is considered in relation to them. Case studies of specific sites, from central southern England, the Middle Danube and Middle Rhine valleys, outline the current provision and the basis of the proposed trails. Finally, a common relatively low-cost, mixed media, geo-interpretative and promotional approach could generate the impetus to further develop the strategy is suggested.

The biggest Phanerozoic mass extinctionoccurred at the Permian-Triassic boundary and resulted in the loss of about 95% or more of all marine species. For quite some time, many kinds of abnormal environmental events were adopted to explain the abnormal reduction of carbon isotope at the Permian-Triassic boundary, however there still has not been a unified opinion. In this paper, based on the carbon cycle balance model of the earth under a long-period scale, the contributions of possible cataclysm events at the Permian-Triassic boundary to the carbon isotope records in carbonates were quantitatively simulated. The results proved that a single event, such as volcanism, terrestrial ecosystem collapse or another factor, was not strong enough to lead to the negative bias of carbon isotope at the Permian-Triassic boundary. Even though the release of methane hydrate can result in a comparably large negative excursion of inorganic carbon, this explanation becomes unsuitable when both the shifting Permian-Triassic boundary and the fluctuation record of other inorganic carbon isotopes in the early Triassic as a whole are considered. Therefore, it is suggested that the dynamic equilibrium between inorganic carbon reserves and organic carbon reserves was possibly disturbed by a superimposed effect of multiple events.

Morphometry and formation processes are key research problems in the study of aeolian sandy landforms. Based on morphometric parameters inferred from satellite images and the calculation of the drift potential (DP), we examined general characteristics of lunette dunes in the Tirari Desert, South Australia, along with their morphometry and formation processes to determine how this landform type initially formed and its relationship to surrounding linear dune distribution. Results show that the morphometric parameters of lunette dunes and connective lake systems exhibit moderate correlations. It suggests that the morphology of these dunes is controlled by the lakes. Spatially, the lunette dunes present regular arrangement, and the strike of their alignment are approximately in accordance with the linear dunes. The calculated DP implies that the lunette dunes developed under a low-wind-energy environment, which is a wind regime similar to that required for the formation of the surrounding linear dunes. Even though, the resultant DP demonstrates that the summer wind should be responsible for the growth of the lunette dunes. However, accompanied with the repeated drying of lakes and even its disappearance during the dune development process, it not only contributes to the development of lunette dunes but also promotes their transformation to linear dunes.

Road geometry is pertinent information in various GIS studies. Reliable and updated road information thus calls for conventional on-site survey being replaced by more accurate and efficient remote sensing technology. Generally, this approach involves image enhancement and extraction of relevant features, such as elongate gradient and intersecting corners. Thus far, its implication is often impeded by wrongly extraction of other urban peripherals with similar pixel characteristics. This paper therefore proposes the fusion of THEOS satellite image and topographic derivatives, obtained from underlying Digital Surface Models (DSM). Multi-spectral indices in thematic layers and surface properties of designated roads were both fed into state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms. The results were later fused, taken into account consistently leveled road surface. The proposed technique was thus able to eliminate irrelevant urban structures such as buildings and other constructions, otherwise left by conventional index based extraction. The numerical assessment indicates recall of 84.64%, precision of 97.40% and overall accuracy of 97.78%, with 0.89 Kappa statistics. Visual inspection reported herewith also confirms consistency with ground truth reference.

The aim of the study was to find the best model of ground-motion prediction equation (GMPE) forecasting peak ground acceleration (PGA) caused by induced seismicity. The maximum values of PGA on the surface are a major seismic threat for the infrastructure, especially in the highly urbanized areas, such is the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Area. The forecasting equations were estimated based on the values of PGA, epicenter distances and mining tremor energy registered by 14 surface seismometer stations located in the central area of the Main Syncline of the Upper Silesia Coal Basin. Data were collected within the period from January 2010 to December 2016, and the total number of seismic events used in the calculations was 15 541. The final model predicted the PGA values and amplification coefficients representing the characteristics of the site effects under seismometer stations.

Dilatancy understood as inelastic volume changes of rock under conditions of differential stress not only foreshadows brittle rock failure [1, 2, 3], preceding such phenomena as earthquakes or mining-induced rockbursts, but also defines the kinematics of rock deformation [4, 5]. This article shows that there is a quantitative relationship between the dilatancy occurring at different levels of rock load and the development of fracturing that accompanies the process of rock degradation. Based on the mechanical laboratory test results of Wustenzelleer fine-grained sandstone, the article presents analyses of plastic volume changes in rock samples and a certain measure of fracture development accompanying the process of their degradation. Thanks to the characteristics obtained through mechanical tests with unloading, the inelastic volumetric strain of the samples was established, and the scalar damage variable (CDM - continuum damage mechanics approach) was determined at various load levels. These results demonstrated the relationship between dilatancy and rock stiffness changes describing the development of fracturing. Three load intervals were determined, in which the nature of the analysed phenomena, i.e . dilatancy and damage describing the development of cracks, undergoes significant changes. The highest intensity of both phenomena was obtained in the post-critical load range, between the ultimate strength limit and the residual strength of the samples, in which rock samples undergo the process of degradation the most. Obtained dependencies allow the correlation to be taken into account in damage mechanics models describing the variable stiffness of rocks in the loading process.

In the big data era, an enormous amount of spatial and spatiotemporal data are generated every day. However, spatial query result sets that satisfy a query condition are very large, sometimes over hundreds or thousands of terabytes. Interactive visualization of big geospatial data calls for continuous query requests, and large query results prevent visual efficiency. Furthermore, traditional methods based on random sampling or line simplification are not suitable for spatial data visualization with bounded errors and bound vertex numbers. In this paper, we propose a vertex sampling method—the Balanced Douglas Peucker (B-DP) algorithm—to build hierarchical structures, where the order and weights of vertices are preserved in binary trees. Then, we develop query processing algorithms with bounded errors and bounded numbers, where the vertices are retrieved by binary trees’ breadth-first-searching (BFS) with a maximum-error-first (MEF) queue. Finally, we conduct an experimental study with OpenStreetMap (OSM) data to determine the effectiveness of our query method in interactive visualization. The results show that the proposed approach can markedly reduce the query results’ size and maintain high accuracy, and its performance is robust against the data volume.

All over the world and for thousands of years, megaliths have been significant cultural elements, as well as sacred sites and places of power. Nowadays megaliths act as a strong magnet for tourists, who appreciate their history, esoterica and magic. Some megaliths were used for astronomical observations, so vital to maintain the continuity of harvest and crop. Other megalithic constructions were erected for funerary purposes, and served as individual or collective burial chambers. Megalithic structures are usually referred to as belonging to the European Neolithic but it has to be stressed that some megalithic constructions date back to the Bronze Age, and some were also built on other continents. Megaliths are a vital element of landscape and for historical reasons they are a sui generis monument, commemorating prehistorical cultures. At the same time, along with the remaining elements of the natural and cultural environment, they create a unique image of place identity, attracting large numbers of tourists. Interestingly, despite the strong attraction exercised by megaliths, there are still many places where tourism does not develop as rapidly as might be assumed. For the above-mentioned reasons, a comparative analysis of several megalithic sites has been conducted in Poland, Sweden, Portugal and Denmark. The following elements have been analysed: the megaliths immediate surroundings, the existing and planned or under-construction tourist and communication infrastructure, as well as architectural and spatial technical solutions and development. Also the key negative and positive elements have been defined which influence the tourist potential of the places in question, and constitute the tourism attractiveness factors of a region.

Landslides in the Carpathian flysch have a peculiar susceptibility to activation. This is due to the geological structure of the flysch. This study addresses analysing the effects of a landslide, particularly in regards to the operation of a transportation route that runs through the Carpathian flysch. The studies include both field work and laboratory testing of basic geotechnical parameters. The field work comprises surveys made by a terrestrial laser scanner. The study also includes a number of 2–D and 3–D numerical models. Subsequently, survey results and an analysis of the effects of landslide susceptibility and the behaviour of the road and terrain surface, due to the different loading conditions, are shown.

The East Tianshan Mountain is one of the most important gold ore forming zones in northwestern China and central Asia. The Chinese GaoFen-1 (GF-1), the first Chinese high resolution satellite, is characterized by its 2-m resolution PAN data. The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), the well-known earth observation satellite, is advanced by its finer spectral resolution owing 9 bands in the visible and near infrared (VNIR) to the short-wave infrared (SWIR) region. In this study, we fused the GF-1 PAN and the ASTER multispectral data using the well-known Gram-Schmidt Pan Sharpening (G-S) method to produce a new data with both high spatial and spectral resolution. Then different lithological units were mapped respectively using the fusion data, the ASTER data and the WorldView-3 data by support vector machine (SVM) method. In order to assess this fusion data, a comparison work was executed among the three mapping results. The comparison work indicated that lithological classification using the new fusion data is an efficient, robust and low cost method, and it could replace the WV-3 data in some large sale geological work.

This paper discussed the application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging in evaluating the pore structure of coal seams, physical properties, aquosity and sealing of the coal seam roof and floor. The study results show that T 2 relaxation time spectrum could reflect the pore structure characteristics of the coal. The NMR transverse relaxation time (T 2 ) of coal is 0.5~2.5, 20~50, and more than 100 ms, three spectral peaks represent meso pores, large pores and fractures. The larger the spectral peaks are where more pores and fractures develop. The T 2 relaxation time spectrum of coal reservoirs in the research area is generally characterized by double-peak structure characteristics, which shows that the coal reservoir is microporous with meso pores. There are obvious gaps and poor continuities between the two peaks, and the break point is approximately 10 ms between the two peaks point. This indicates that the bound water and movable fluid in the coal reservoir cannot be connected effectively. NMR can reflect the level of porosity and permeability of the coal reservoir. Greater development of fracture and better permeability in the coal reservoir cause greater right peak of T 2 relaxation time spectrum of the NMR. The effective porosity of coal reservoirs in the study area is generally less than 3%, which reflects the matrix pores of the coal seam. The fractures of large pore have little contribution to the porosity. The left peak of the T 2 spectrum of a coal seam and its roof and floor are higher, which indicates that the meso pores and tiny pores develop, and there is less movable water. The low left peak and high right peak of T 2 spectrum show that the meso and macro pores develop, and there is more movable water. In a well area with good sealing capability, the right peak of the NMR logging T 2 spectrum of the coal seam roof and floor is low, the T 2 spectrum peak amplitude is low, and there are low porosity and poor permeability. NMR logging technology can be used to evaluate the CBM (coalbed gas reservoir) effectively, and then correctly evaluate and effectively develop the CBM reservoir.

Research carried out by the authors’ team in the valleys of many rivers in the Polish Lowlands has shown that the contemporary morphodynamics of channel zones is highly influenced by protrusions of erosion-resistant sub-alluvial bedrock. The article presents the results of analysis of two reaches of the Middle Vistula: near Solec nad Wisłą (km 330-340) and Gołąb (km 382-388), where such protrusions have been found. At each of them, two series of bathymetric measurements were carried out during medium and low water levels in the river channel. The measurements were made using hydrographic sets integrated with a GNSS receiver. The first series of measurements was carried out in July 2004, and the second one in September 2016. In parallel with the bathymetric surveys, low-altitude aerial photographs were taken in 2016 to document the morphology of the channel zone and the condition of the river engineering structures. A comparison of the obtained bathymetric maps shows a high correspondence between the thalweg line from 2004 and that observed twelve years later. This phenomenon proves the significance of the bedrock relief beneath the modern alluvial deposits for the water flow process in the channel. The relief causes the flow to concentrate in specific zones so strongly that it contributes to the damage of river engineering structures that put limits on the channel processes. This trend of concentrating the main thalweg is also accompanied by the diversity of depositional environments of river channel facies, identified along the studied reaches.

Gray Level Co-Occurrence Matrix (GLCM), as a measure of spatial features has been used as supplemental information to improve image classification accuracy for lithological recognition. Window size is an important parameter for texture extraction, which will affect the extracted texture results. Besides, the existence of mixed pixels in image usually causes errors in test samples, which significantly influences the credibility of accuracy assessment. Thus, this paper proposes a lithological classification method combined with optimal texture window size selection and test sample purification. Firstly, optimal window size pre-estimated based on semivariogram was used to calculated GLCM texture of image. Secondly, based on multidimensional textural and spectral features, a support vector machine (SVM) classifier was employed to classify the image. Thirdly, using the proposed sample purification method and textural features of image, sample purification rules were created based on attribute coherence to remove the test sample points that conflicted with the rules. Finally, the validity of the semivariogram-based texture extraction window selection was verified by classifications based on Angular Second Moment (ASM) of different window sizes combined with spectral features. Also, the accuracies between different combinations of classifications were assessed by test samples with and without sample purification. Experimental results show that the pre-estimated texture window size can guarantee a classification result with high classification accuracy for lithological classification. The results also demonstrated that the accuracy of lithological classification based on spectral features and ASM textural features was the highest. The overall lithological classification accuracy and kappa value, without sample purification selected by stratified sampling, were respectively 87.4% and 0.84, however those with sample purification were respectively 88.01% and 0.85. The results show that the proposed method is capable of yielding more reliable lithostratigraphic identification.

Finding favorable sites for the exploration of shale gas, is still one of the important areas of research that needs immediate attention. The content of organic matter in shale plays a crucial role in the hydrocarbon generation potential, reservoir space and gas-bearing capacity of shales. Therefore, studying the sedimentary environment of organic shale can provide a scientific basis for locating favorable exploration areas for shale gas. The article takes the Lower Cambrian and the Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian shales in the Yangtze region as the research object and selects representative wells to quantitatively calculate the existence of excess silicon in shale siliceous minerals and the content of excess silicon. Then, the origin of excess silicon can be clarified by the Al, Fe and Mn elemental analysis. Finally, the sedimentary organic matter enrichment mechanism is analyzed from water oxidation-reduction environments and biological productivity. The results of the study show that the excess silicon in the Lower Cambrian and Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian shales in the Lower Yangtze region is of hydrothermal origin. The hydrothermal activity improves biological fertility on the one hand; whereas on the other hand, it can enhance the reducing capacity of the bottom water conducive for the preservation of organic matter thereby enriching the sedimentary organic matter. The place near the junction of Yangtze plate and Cathaysian plate, where hydrothermal activities were more intense, provided favorable loci for shale gas exploration in the Lower Yangtze region. It was observed that, since the hydrothermal activity was stronger in the Early Cambrian than in the Late Ordovician-Early Silurian times, the total organic carbon (TOC) content of the Lower Cambrian shale was higher than that of the Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian shales.

The purpose of this study is to bring a series of changes to the potential flashed-flood index proposed and used by Smith (2003), to estimate floodplains in the upper part of Trotus Basin. Trotuş Basin is located in the central - eastern part of the Eastern Carpathians (Romania) having an area of 4.456 km 2 . The Trotus Basin is recognized as a basin where floods occur frequently due to climatic factors (precipitation, air temperature and winds) as well as due to the morphological characteristics (altitude, slope and versants orientation) that favour the formation of these phenomena. To develop a modified Flash Flood Potential Index was used six physical-geographical factors: land use, soil texture, rock’s permeability, slope, profile curvature and flow accumulation. Each thematic layer has been classified in five classes, from 1 to 5, where 1 means a low contribution and 5 a strong contribution of factors in water accumulation and each factor was weighted according to its importance. The result was a grid layer representing the flood potential index. The maximum flood hazard was associated with an area of approximate 10% from the studied surface. To see the contribution of each factor in the achievement of this index a multiple linear regression was made. The result shows that three variables are statistically significant and explain 91.6% from the model. This means that MFFPI can be obtained only from these three significant factors (flow accumulation, profile curvature and land cover) in order to identify areas with flood predisposition, the non-significant variables being removed. In order to verify these results the obtained MFFPI was compared with the flood hazard map for this area and the procedure showed that this index can be used in the identification of the flood-predisposed areas.

Previous studies measured gravel bed surfaces by terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and close-range photogrammetry suggested the presence of at least two different scales of spatial variation in gravel bed surfaces. This study investigated the spatial variation of airborne laser scanning (ALS) point clouds acquired in gravel bed. Due to the large footprint of ALS systems, a smoother surface is expected, but there exists some uncertainty over the precise scale of ALS measurement (hereafter referred to as the spatial support). As a result, we applied the regularization method, which is a variogram upscaling approach, to investigate the true support of ALS data. The regularization results suggested that the gravel bed surface described by the ALS is much smoother than expected in terms of the ALS reported measurement scale. Moreover, we applied the factorial kriging (FK) method, which allows mapping of different scales of variation present in the data separately (different from ordinary kriging which produces a single map), to obtain the river bed topography at each scale of spatial variation. We found that the short-range and long-range FK maps of the TLS-derived DSMs were able to highlight the edges of gravels and clusters of gravels, respectively. The long-range FK maps of the ALS data shows a pattern of gravel-bed clusters and aggregations of gravels. However, the short-range FK maps of the ALS data produced noisy maps, due to the smoothing effect. This analysis, thus, shows clearly that ALS data may be insufficient for geomorphological and hydraulic engineering applications that require the resolution of individual gravels.

In the relatively small area of the National Park (NP) „Kopaonik“ a lot of exogenous and endogenous processes took part and continue to act until present day. In this paper are presented the geotouristic resources evaluation results for six geosites in the NP „Kopaonik“. The experts on this field gave their assessment in three versions. The first one is concerned with the evaluation of the educative contents, the second one is concerned with the evaluation of geotouristic values, while the third version, which is based on the Modified Geosite Assessment Model (M-GAM) offers the assessment regarding education, aesthetic significance, protection, functional and touristic values. The M-GAM method takes in consideration the opinion of visitors along with the estimation of subindicators given by experts, on whom relies the previous two versions. The include of visitors in the evaluation process leads to more objective estimations. Results obtained by this study can be useful for the improvement and planning of touristic activities on geosites because, bearing in mind their significance for the tourists, they indicate on the lower values that require more attention in the future.

Dynamic reclamation for subsidence land is a development trend of ecological restoration in the mining area. It emphasizes that treatments should be taken during or before land damage to control the ecological degradation. Because dynamic reclamation is a complex problem, there still exist many challenges that have to be studied for practical application. In this paper, taking subsidence land in the area with high underground water level as an example, according to the requirements of land use and economic development, key techniques for dynamic reclamation are analyzed based on mine subsidence theories. The research proposes a general mode for dynamic reclamation, and provides a method for calculating the control time of soil excavation, and puts forth an optimization thought for land use, then establishes a procedure for soil reconstruction. The results show that dynamic reclamation can reduce the cost and shorten the land waste time, and enhance the sustainable development ability of the mining area.

The presented article fits into the subject of using the geotourist potential in the development of tourism in the region on the example of Lower Silesia voivodship. The main purpose of the article is actually the presentation of the potential of documentary sites, one of the abiotic forms of nature protection functioning in Poland, in the context of geoprotection and as geotourist attraction. Using the method of sightseeing inventory, a review of forms of nature protection has been carried out. Although “Soft” Rock Geosites are not excessively popular and appreciated, they are significant element of Quaternary palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental archive and can provide interpretative facilities and services not only for geoscientists but also for constantly expanding group of conscious tourists. As a consequence of lithological and chronological research, two Late Pleistocene loess-soil sequences from Lower Silesia have been chosen: "Loess of Vine Mountain" - documentary site established in 2016 in Trzebnica and loess-soil sequence in Biały Kościół. After a detailed presentation of the sections, educational values were indicated, which should be promoted. Cultural values occurring in the vicinity of documentation sites are also presented. Taking into account the threats to the proper development of documentation sites, which were indicated in the article, solutions were proposed that would allow the sustainable development of geotourist resources of the loess.

Deciding on equipment from a set of feasible alternatives for excavation purpose in open pit mines is a critical task for the engineers and contractors since it considerably affects the project costs and productivity. Alternatives of rock excavation equipment, which are deemed suitable for the diggability of rock units in open pits, can have many technical specifications or factors that should be considered simultaneously. It can be successfully selected in a scientific way by employing multi-criteria decision making methods by means of taking the advantage of engineering knowledge, intuition and past experiences. In this study, we select the most convenient hydraulic excavator for a magnesite mine by fuzzy multi criteria decision making methods: fuzzy TOPSIS and fuzzy VIKOR. The fuzzy approach allows the experienced engineers to compare the multiple criteria (technical factors) and the possible alternatives of rock excavation machines by simply using linguistic expressions in their natural language.

The Urban Agglomeration in Yangtze River Delta is one of the most important economic and industrial regions in China. The City of Changzhou is one of the most important industrial citys in Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration. Activities here include groundwater exploration. Groundwater overexploitation has contributed to the major land deformation in this city. The severity and magnitude of land deformation over time were investigated in Changzhou City. A Small Baseline Subset Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SBAS-InSAR) technology, provides a useful tool in measuring urban land deformation. In this study, a time series of COSMO-SkyMed and Sentinel-1A SAR images covering Changzhou City were acquired. SBAS-InSAR imaging technique was used to survey the extent and severity of land deformation associated with the exploitation of groundwater in Changzhou City. Leveling data was used to validate the SBAR-InSAR productions, the error of SBAR-InSAR annual subsidence results was within 2 mm. The results showed that three main land subsidence zones were detected at Xinbei, Tianning and Wujin District. Four subsidence points were selected to analyze the temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of land subsidence. The subsidence rate of P1 to P4 was −2.48 mm/year, −12.78 mm/year, −18.09 mm/year, and −12.69 mm/year respectively. Land subsidence over Changzhou showed a trend of slowing down from 2011 to 2017, especially in Wujin District. SBAR-InSAR derived land deformation that correlates with the water level change in six groundwater stations. Indicated that with groundwater rebound, the land rebound obviously, and the maximum rebound vale reached 9.13 mm.

Recent exploration activities on Triassic Yan-chang Formation has indicated significant potential for shale-gas resources. Even though some areas have been put into pilot production, challenge exists in effectively determining shale-gas content, whichmake it difficult to estimate reserve and forecast production. This is primarily due to the low maturity of the shale and complicated relationships between oil, water and gas. However, studies on the gas generation and accumulation of low-maturity shales are lacking in the literature and previous desorption experiments did not consider the effects of oil and water. In this study, eight core samples are used to run the gas-desorption experiment. Shale-gas composition and isotopic fractionation data are analyzed to provide insights on gas adsorption, expulsion and accumulation processes in the Yanchang Formation. The experiment results indicate that the overall methane content decreases (from 68.8% to 58.9%), heavy hydrocarbon-gas content (from 20.30% to 36.12%) and δ 13 C 1 increase (from -51.43% to - 34.63%) during the desorption process. Gas yield reached up to 3.89 m 3 /t shale, and the content of lost gas can account for more than 20% of total desorbed gas during the coring process. The recoverable shale gas content is estimated to be 80% of the total gas-desorption volume. Desorbing the rest 20% requires extra heating under much higher temperature.

The loess formation sampling method on the Chinese Loess Plateau generally involves the acquisition of samples from the basset section and the drilling core. Constraints imposed by the precision of the drilling machine operation make it difficult to determine the orientation of the samples due to the rotation of the core. Although researchers have proposed solutions for reconstructing the north direction of the samples by adopting the viscous remanent magnetization (VRM) orientation, it remains uncertain whether this approach can be adopted in studies that use the magnetic fabric to trace the palaeomonsoonal direction, and the degree to which this approach will change the magnetic fabric results. Based on the achievements of other researchers, we adopted the VRM orientation of the basset section samples oriented in the field. By determining how the VRM orientation changes the magnetic fabric of loess over different demagnetization temperature ranges, we can draw the preliminary conclusion that there is no significant difference between the magnetic fabric information of the loess obtained at 100–150°C VRM orientation and that obtained from the field orientation (the statistical bin size is 22.5°, significance level α = 0.05). This indicates that the VRM orientation approach is feasible for studying non-oriented drilling core samples to determine the prevailing surface paleowind direction with appropriate precision.

Time resistance of soil structure in oedometer IL (Incremental Loading) tests was defined by Janbu as specific dependence between load and development of strain during consolidation process. Anumber of laboratory tests have been conducted in order to study the time dependent behaviour of the natural and remoulded clay, thereby providing sensitivity evaluation. The soil sensitivity framework was applied to represent the effect of structure and stress dependency on the time resistance number. For this purpose, the creep behavior of structured and remolded clay during consolidation were compared and the initial amount of bonding (structure) was determined as well. In this study, the initial amount of bonding was defined through the intrinsic time resistance number and lowest measured time resistance number determined by the IL oedometer test conducted on intact (undisturbed) sample. In case of the Krakowiec clay, it was found that the time resistance number varies with effective stress level. The investigated clay indicated medium sensitivity, which is in great agreement with previous reports on the sensitivity of the Krakowiec clay.

The aim of the study is the investigation of potentially toxic elements adsorption on limestone, dolomite and marble particles of different size. As parameters, rock particle size, solution concentration, contact time and presence of other elements in the solution have been investigated. Four fractions with different particle size (−4mm + 1mm, −1mm + 315μm, −315μm + 90μm, <90μm) have been studied. Batch experiments have been carried out at 20, 60, 120 min from monoelement and competitive Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn solutions at concentrations 5, 100, 500 mg/L, whereas fixed bed conditions have also been applied. In lower concentrations, adsorption reaches equilibrium after 60 min. 15% difference in Pb adsorption and 15-30% in Zn adsorption has been observed depending on particle size. However, according to Taguchi method particle size has not proven a determinative parameter, so as to make grinding and/or sieving necessary for their further utilisation. Cd and Zn adsorption from a competitive solution is lower, whereas Cu and Pb adsorption is similar. Adsorption capacity of materials rises up to 0.03 mg Cd/g, 0.60 mg Cu/g, 0.03 mg Pb/g, 0.60 mg Zn/g. In fixed bed conditions more than 93% element is adsorbed, of which only 4% is leached.

Diagenesis is one of the factors that affect reservoir quality in sandstones. Knowledge of diagenetic transformation and how it impacts the development of porosity in reservoirs rocks is thus key to successful mineral exploration. To date, little is known about the diagenesis of the uranium-hosted sandstones of the Stormberg Group, Karoo Basin, South Africa. Petrographic study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) aided with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were employed for the diagenetic study of the sandstones. This study aims to provide an account of the diagenesis of these rock units and how it impacts their reservoir quality. The diagenetic processes that have affected the sandstones are cementation, compaction, recrystallization, replacement, mineral overgrowth and dissolution. These processes have passed through early, late and uplift-related diagenesis. Formation of authigenic minerals and precipitation of the mineral cements occurred during different diagenetic phase but mostly during the early diagenetic stage. This stage was followed by lithification, which resulted in increased in grain packing, loss of pore spaces and thinning of bedding. Quartz and feldspar overgrowths, chloritization, muscovitization, concave-convex contacts, recrystallization, albitization and suture contacts are present in the late diagenetic stage. The uplift-related diagenetic stage was affected by calcitization, grain deformation and fracturing, dissolution and saussuritization. All these diagenetic processes largely affected the porosity and permeability of the sandstones. Primary and secondary porosities were both observed in the sandstones. In general, there is no single diagenetic process that is controlling the pattern of porosity evolution in the sandstones. On the other hand, the presence of fractured and dissolution pores tend to increase the porosity, thus enhancing the reservoir quality. This study shows that diagenesis has significantly altered the original petrologic characteristics of the sandstones which have induced considerable deterioration and heterogeneity in the reservoir quality of the Stormberg Group sandstones in the Main Karoo Basin of South Africa.

Many factors affect the occurrence of traffic accidents. The classification and mapping of the different attributes of the resulting accident are important for the prevention of accidents. Multivariate mapping is the visual exploration of multiple attributes using a map or data reduction technique. More than one attribute can be visually explored and symbolized using numerous statistical classification systems or data reduction techniques. In this sense, clustering analysis methods can be used for multivariate mapping. This study aims to compare the multivariate maps produced by the K-means method, K-medoids method, and Agglomerative and Divisive Hierarchical Clustering (AGNES) method, which among clustering analysis methods, with real data. The results from the study will suggest which clustering methods should be preferred in terms of multivariate mapping. The results show that the K-medoids method is more appropriate in terms of clustering success. Moreover, the aim is to reveal spatial similarities in traffic accidents according to the results of traffic accidents that occur in different years. For this aim, multivariate maps created from traffic accident data of two different years in Turkey are used. The methods are compared, and the use of the maps produced with these methods for risk management and planning is discussed. Analysis of the maps reveals significant similarities for both years.

Considerable attention has been paid to geographic process-based studies in geographic information science research. Finding appropriate methods to express geographic processes is challenging, and working to reveal the dynamic evolution and underlying mechanisms behind these processes is worthwhile. This research proposes a process-centric ontology model that describes the geographical environment from three perspectives, namely, geographic scenes, geographic processes and geographic elements. These three aspects are combined to represent the dynamic changes of geographic phenomena. This research proposes a framework and constructs ten sub-ontologies. These sub-ontologies include the Element ontology, Scene ontology, and Process ontology. A soil erosion process is then selected to demonstrate the applicability of this framework. The entire process is divided into three sub-processes (detachment, transport and deposition), and each sub-process is described by identifying when and where the process occurred, the elements and their reactions, and the changes in the geographic scene. Different relationships among elements, scenes and processes are defined to explain how and why soil erosion occurred. This proposed approach can reveal the underlying mechanisms of geographic scenes, can be used to explore the occurrence and causes of geographic processes and support the complex representation of geographic elements.

Collapsed walls cause collapsed mounds, and the disintegration characteristics of collapsed walls are thus closely linked with the occurrence of collapsed mounds. The current study examines the disintegration characteristics and the physical and chemical properties of collapsed walls. A multilevel analysis was conducted by obtaining soil samples from four layers of a collapsed wall. The results showed that 1) the physical and chemical properties of the soil samples (red soil layer, sandy soil layer, debris layer, gravel and eluvial breccia) are closely related to the weathering degree of the crust; 2) gravel and eluvial breccia disintegrated in the shortest time, whereas red soil exhibited the slowest disintegration in the vertical section of the collapsed wall. The order of the disintegrating ratio of the layers is as follows: red soil layer < sandy soil layer < debris layer < gravel and eluvial breccia. Initial water content significantly influenced the disintegration ratio of the red soil layer and sandy soil layer, whereas its effect on the debris layer and gravel eluvial breccia is minimal; and 3) most of the physical and chemical properties of the collapsed wall are significantly correlated with the disintegration ratio of the soil sample. The following physical and chemical properties, which are positively correlated with the disintegration ratio, are arranged based on highest to lowest correlation coefficient: sand content, MgO, natural water content, K 2 O, CaO, exchangeable sodium, pH, porosity, Na 2 O, and cation exchange capacity. The following physical and chemical properties, which are negatively correlated with the disintegration ratio, are organized based on highest to lowest correlation coefficient: cosmid, Fe 2 O 3 , silt particle, Al 2 O 3 , TiO 2 , SiO 2 , organic matter, free iron oxide, and free alumina. Only exchangeable calcium, saturated water content, specific gravity of soil particles, and dry density of soil particles are significantly correlated with the disintegration ratio. The correlation coefficient indicates that the disintegration ratio and soil structure, as well as the chemical content of clay minerals, are closely correlated. The study helps explain the mechanism of wall collapse and provides references for developing protective measures against erosion.

The hydraulic characteristics of aquifers in Lokoja and Patti Formations were investigated using combination of vertical electrical sounding (VES), pumping and laboratory tests. A total of 20 VES (10 each in areas underlain by Lokoja and Patti Formations) were carried out at different locations with 5 pumping tests around VES stations in order to determine the geoelectric layers, thickness, depths to water table and groundwater potential of the area. 21 samples extracted fromaquiferous units of surface outcrops were also subjected to laboratory constant head and falling head permeameter tests in order to determine hydraulic conductivity (K) values using the Darcy’s law of liquid flow. The results of VES for areas underlain by Lokoja and Patti Formations revealed 4-5 geo-electrical layers. The depths to water table vary from 5.91-40.8 m. Thickness values are within the range of 7.37-27.3 m for aquiferous units of Lokoja Formation, and 10.8-20.1 m for the Patti Formation. The results of aquifer characteristics using Dar-Zarrouk Parameter gave hydraulic conductivity (K) values between 1.92-91.7 m/day and 2.15-31.8 m/day for aquifers of Lokoja and Patti Formations respectively. Transmissivity (T) values of the aquiferous units of Lokoja Formation fall within 24.97-2117 m 2 /day, while those of Patti Formation vary from 27.9-456.91 m 2 /day. There is a strong correlation between the values of measured and calculated hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity between measured and calculated transmissivity for the five wells (R 2 = 0.99 and 0.92, respectively). Based on the results obtained and interpretations proffered, aquiferous units in both formations are capable of yielding optimum groundwater for private consumption and partly to small communities, and to some extent can supply water for great regional use. It is suggested that similar study should be carried out in other sedimentary basins where to aid regional planning and management of groundwater resource.

The Late Triassic - Early Jurassic non marine clastic sediments of the Molteno, Elliot and Clarens Formations were studied to deduce their mineralogy and tectonic provenance. The study is based on road-cut exposures of the formations in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Petrographic studies based on quantitative analysis of the detrital minerals shows that the clastic sediments (mostly sandstones) are predominantly made up of quartz, feldspars, and metamorphic and igneous rock fragments. Among the main detrital framework grains, quartz constitutes about 62-91%, feldspar 6-24% and 3-19% of lithic fragments. The sandstones can be classified as both sublitharenite and subarkose. Although, most of the sandstones (> 70 %) plotted in the sub-litharenite field. Petrographic and XRD analyses revealed that the sandstones originated from granitic and metamorphic rock sources. The QFL (Quartz-feldspar-lithic fragments) ternary diagrams indicate that the sandstones were derived from recycled or quartzose source rocks reflecting a craton interior or transitional continental setting which probably came from the Cape Fold Belt. This possibly revealed that most of the sandstones might have been derived as a result of weathering and erosion of igneous and metamorphic rocks in the Cape Supergroup. The study has revealed the depositional environments, and provide a basis for the description and interpretation of the sedimentology of the Molteno, Elliot and Clarens Formations.

The Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project crosses the coal mined-out area in Yuzhou city. There are 4 mined-out areas along Yuzhou section of the water diversion project. The collapse, fracture and deformation of overlying rock mass occurred due to strata loss and stress field change, which then resulted in the subsidence, collapse fissures on the ground. The deformation of the upper rock mass is characterized by “three-zone”: caving zone, fault zone, and bend zone. Thus, it is very important to predict the surface subsidence of the mined-out areas. Highly precise deformation observation network were set along the channel. The monitoring data show that the surface tilt, curvature and horizontal deformation of the mined-out areas were less than critical values. However, the forecast and monitoring values are relatively larger in Guocun and Xinfeng mined-out areas due to large mining range and the possible location of two mined-out areas in the affected region. Therefore, the monitoring should focus on the two mined-out areas.

Based on large amounts of cores, open-hole conventional logs and mineral components analysis, abnormal natural gamma ray (GR) log showing high values in conglomerates and low values in fine-grained sediments, are described and explained in Baikouquan Formation of Xiazijie Fan-delta, Mahu Depression, Junggar Basin. After observing cores, normalizing the GR log and correcting depth errors between both, the GR log values of individual grain-sized lithology are extracted and counted. When grain-size decreases, the average GR values of different sized grains increase generally. The GR values of conglomerates are mostly between 50 and 80 API, while the values of fine-grains are mainly between 70 and 100 API. However, abnormal GR log features exist in the cores and wells of Baikouquan Formation prevalently. A great deal of high radioactive intermediate-acid volcanic minerals, such as volcanic tuff, felsite, andesite, granite, rhyolite, et al ., distribute widely in the conglomerates, which results in abnormal high GR values in conglomeratic intervals. Low radioactive quartz components exit widely in high percentage in mudstones, which is the primary mineral explanation for the abnormal low GR values in reddish-brown siltstones and sandstones intervals.

This study involves gathering the geological and geotechnical data and processing them in 3D structural model for the assessment of the likelihood of liquefaction hazard. A total of 467 borehole logs up to 30 m of depth were analyzed. Based on engineering characteristics of the soil formation, Geographical Information System based subsurface model maps and liquefaction hazard maps were prepared. Also microtremor measurements have been taken on different locations to assess the amplification of the alluvial formation. By obtaining amplification spectrum between the soil layers and response spectra at the top of the bedrock and at ground surface, a thematic map on amplification factor is produced. It is believed such kind of visual models will help engineers and designers on all aspects of future development of the cities especially transportation, infrastructure, and land uses against possible earthquake hazards.

The diagenesis mechanism and the physical properties of a terminal fan reservoir are determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The main provenance directions are NE and SE, and the two oppositely directed fans converge to form a small catchment basin. The mudstone color is red or purplish red, which accounts for 60% of the total rock. The sandstones are lithic-feldspar sandstones and feldspar-lithic sandstones, with a smaller quartz component relative to the adjacent sandstone formations. The reservoir mainly consists of intergranular pores (51%), intragranular pores (22%), corrosion pores (20%), micro-fractures (5%) and clay matrix pores (2%). The porosity of the reservoir is only 13%, and the throats are fine with high displacement pressure. The diagenetic processes included compaction, cementation, replacement, and dissolution, and the most influential factor on the reservoir porosity was compaction. The detrital rock cement mainly consists of clay minerals (48%), quartz (23%), carbonate (19%), feldspar (7%) and dawsonite (3%). Among them, the mixed I/S layer has the most content and the most important cementation. In addition, a small amount of dawsonite is found in the pores of the sandstone, which is a unique mineral that is related to the background of inorganic CO 2 . The main diagenesis factors that affected this sandstone’s porosity were compaction, early quartz overgrowth and calcite cementation, which reduced the porosity from 40% to approximately 8%. Although dissolution and fracture increased the porosity (from 8% to 26%), clay- and carbonate-mineral cementation during the late diagenesis period had a dramatic effect, forming a typical low-porosity and low-permeability reservoir.

Java Island is part of the island arc influenced by subducting Indo-Australian beneath Eurasian tectonic plates, therefore there is high seismic activity and an active volcanic chain trending East-West. One of the volcanoes in Java Island is Mt. Pandan, northern part of Madiun, East Java region, which is known as one of the dormant volcano in the region. According to the list of volcanoes in Indonesia Mt. Pandan is not classified as an active volcano. The previous studies mentioned that Mt. Pandan is a modern volcano which is located in the Kendeng zone. On June 25, 2015, there was felt earthquake (M 4.2) causing several houses damaged around Mt. Pandan as reported by Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, Geophysics (BMKG), Indonesia and then in February 2016, more than twenty small earthquakes (M < 4) occurred again in the area. In order to understand the structure beneath Mt. Pandan, we have conducted gravity measurement and seismicity analysis through hypocenter relocation. Our results show prominent low gravity and density anomalies by forward modeling derived from residual anomaly around Mt. Pandan area. The clusters of small earthquakes appear at depths of less than 30 km beneath Mt. Pandan. The selected focal mechanism of the event in the area is left-lateral faulting in the north and oblique dominant thrust in the south of Mt. Pandan. Some indications related to submagmatic activities such as hot springs and warm ground is found. Our interpretation is this phenomenon may be related to tectonic and magmatic activities. On the other hand, it confirms also that Mt. Pandan is probably a modern volcanic center.

Plurigaussian simulation is a powerful and very effective technique for modelling subsurface rock type domain distribution and in-situ mining reserve analysis. Modelling of subsurface to reveal the rock type distribution plays a key role for raw material extraction planning and plant operations such as extraction, transportation and comminution strategies. Because, the raw material distribution defines the plant operations and final product quality (cement modulus). This study addresses the application of plurigaussian simulation technique to reveal the subsurface rock type distribution of a cement raw material deposit in Turkey. The rock type domains include the limestone, clayey limestone, marl and sandstone which are the basic four rock type classes effecting the cement modulus in the field. The simulation process is carried out using these four rock type data on a determined grid system. A series of tests are made for the validation of the plurigaussian simulation. As a result, the rock type distributions are presented as both 2D-3D graphics and tabulated. The limestone is found as a dominant rock type in the deposit. The marl – a natural clinker - is another widespread raw material in the field and is found interbedded with limestone across the study field. The unwanted sandstone existence exhibited a sparse distribution in reserve body. The results indicated that, the deposit can provide the required raw material for the plant, showing the localised rock type distribution. A detailed raw material extraction planning and scheduling may be made using the results of this study.

Nanoindentation is a test carried out in a small scale, during which a rigid indenter (of known hardness and geometry) is pressed into the tested material. The results of the test are the load and unload curves, from which the harerial characterized by high heterogeneity (like soil – composed of grains and particles of different size and mineral composition), the use of multiple nanoindentation on a predefined grid (Grid Indentation Technique) is reasonable. It allows for the determination of the morphology of the material in a selected scale of observation. In the study, nanoindetation tests were performed on samples of varved clay - soil composed of two alternately arranged layers - occurring near the city of Bełchatów in central Poland. Due to the layered structure of the material, the tests were carried out for both layers separately. The outcomes show that there are significant differences in the values of their mechanical properties. Application of the deconvolution technique also allowed for the estimation of the number of components of both layers and their mechanical properties.

Formation of varved clays is characterized by specific compressibility and consolidation features, which are difficult to assess. The construction of an expressway through the area of varved, glacilimnic sediments (Vistula glacial period) required careful analysis of the soil reaction to the increasing load caused by growing embankment. The settlement analyses conducted in relation to the schedule of load increase during construction allowed to verify the deformability assessment of the compressible clays. In order to quantify the compressibility and consolidation parameters of clays, an iterative calculation model was created. The method of the “inverse solution” was used to define optimized values of deformability parameters. The observed delayed reaction of the soil to applied load allowed to assess the nature of consolidation. Comparison of the parameters obtained from the model with the results of laboratory and field tests allowed to evaluate drainage characteristics during consolidation of varved clays as well as to introduce correlation coefficients for interpreting compressibility parameters on the basis of CPT tests.

Liu Tungsheng featured on the list of twelve notable loess investigators prepared for the great LoessFest meeting, held in Heidelberg and Bonn in 1999. He fully deserved his position on this list of eminent loess scholars; in fact it might be argued that his was the major contribution. His contribution was a true paradigm shift in the world of loess investigation.Obruchev and Richthofen had produced an earlier paradigm shift when they propagated the idea that loess deposits form by aeolian deposition- a paradigm shift away from the earlier Lyellian idea of lacustrine or fluvial deposition. But that was a fairly simple shift, a tweak of the sedimentological event structure. Liu, and his co-workers in China, produced a new vision, a new way of looking at loess, not so much a paradigm shift as a paradigm enlargement. Post-Liu the Quaternary era was a new land, a new place with a real chronology and a landscape of events and amazing happenings. Liu related to the amazing. We propose that he played a role in promoting and maintaining an enthusiasm for loess. Loess science has become very precise and the scholars are respected for their exact and insightful observations; but Liu offered an extra dimension, we need to recognize the dimension of enthusiasm; the realization that loess is a remarkable material and the need to propagate that fact. And in recognising Liu as the major loess enthusiast of the 20th Century we should acknowledge Leonard Horner, the first loess enthusiast. Karl Caesar von Leonhard named loess and placed it in a scientific context; Charles Lyell took the idea of loess and spread the science world-wide, but it was Horner, in those few years at Bonn (1831-1833), who recognised loess for the marvellous material that it was and gave us permission to be enthusiastic. Liu followed determinedly in these footsteps; a great scholar, and a great enthusiast. Loess scholarship needs careful and precise investigation and reporting but it also needs a broad sweep of enthusiasm, an appreciation of loess for the extraordinary material that it is.

This paper presents a method to determine the limit support pressure of tunnel face in multi-layer soils below river considering the water pressure. The proposed method is based on the 3D Terzaghi earth pressure theory and the wedge theory considering the water pressure. The limit support pressures are investigated using the limit equilibrium method and compared to those calculated using a numerical method, such as FLAC3D. Four cases focusing different combinations of three layers are analyzed. The results obtained by the numerical method agree well with the predictions of the proposed limit equilibrium method. The limit support pressure obtained using the limit equilibrium method is greater than that obtained by the numerical method. The limit equilibrium method is safe and conservative in obtaining the limit support pressure. The proposed limit equilibrium method is expected to be easily adaptable and to enhance the reliability of tunnel design and construction in multi-layer soils below river.

Poyang Lake basin is one of the most biodiversity areas in China. Fluctuation of water level is an important factor of hydrological process which is a guarantee of ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation. To measure its spatial-temporal variation, classical statistical methods and permutation entropy were employed: 1) Variation of water level downstream of Poyang Lake during one year follows a periodical pattern, while it is random in upper reaches. That is, the range of water level in upper reaches is much less than that in downstream. 2) Fluctuation of water level in winter and spring is more complicated, more irregular and more random than that in other seasons. This is because in winter and spring, precipitation directly causes rising in water level rather than generating surface runoff, while it is reversed in summer. 3) The ranges, standard deviation, coefficient of variation and fluctuation of water level decrease with rising in elevation. 4) In sub-basin scale, fluctuation of water level in upper reaches is more complicated than that in downstream, e specially along one river. Mechanically, catchment size and confluence process may be the main factors influencing fluctuation of water level over Poyang Lake basin.

Reducing the negative impacts of flooding in Makkah AL Mukarramah region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is of utmost importance. In the last decade, there are huge mega infrastructure projects in KSA in general and in Makkah AL Mukarramah region in particular. These projects require adequate stormwater drainage systems. Since, the availability of rainfall and runoff data are scarce, engineers and hydrologists rely on models developed in temperature regions that are not hydrologically similar from temperate regions. This leads to inaccurate designs of stormwater facilities. Therefore, deveoping in situ Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves is a must in this arid region. This paper aims at modeling IDF curves for Makkah Al-Mukarramah region. Maximum annual daily rainfall series of 80 storms (with sub-hourly and hourly data) from four stations are investigated through six different probability distributions. Consequently, rainfall depth-duration-frequency models and curves are derived. Results revealed that the Gumbel Type I is the optimal one. Thus, it is used to deduce the IDF curves and relations for each station and for the region as a whole. The R 2 value for fitting power-lawfunction (i = a D b ) to the data is very high for the IDF parameters. The R 2 for the coefficient parameter, a, is between 0.9999 and 0.9988 while it ranges between 0.8754 and 0.8039 for exponent parameter, b. High correlation coefficient (more than 0.95) has been obtained. The resulting IDF models are strongly recommended for rigorous, effective and safe design of the stormwater systems in Makkah Al-Mukarramah region.