37,494 research outputs found
Comparison of Periglacial Block Fields and Talus Slopes in South-Central Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland
Relict periglacial boulder fields, or block fields, are scattered across south-central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland (e.g. Potter and Moss, 1968; Denn et al 2018). This pilot study uses a combination of digital analyses using Google Earth Pro and fieldwork to investigate block fields at different scales. Fieldwork focused on two block fields, which were compared with fieldwork conducted on two talus slopes. The block fields studied were Raven Rock Hollow in Maryland and River of Rocks at Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania, and the talus slopes were located at Catoctin Mountain, Maryland and Waggoner’s Gap, Pennsylvania. The importance of geomorphic processes on formation of block fields compared to talus slopes was examined as part of this pilot study
Asymmetric continental deformation during South Atlantic rifting along southern Brazil and Namibia
Plate restoration of South America and Africa to their pre-breakup position faces the problem of gaps and overlaps between the continents, an issue commonly solved with implementing intra-plate deformation zones within South America. One of these zones is often positioned at the latitude of SE/S Brazil. However, geological evidence for the existence of a distinct zone in this region is lacking, which is why it remains controversial and is not included in all modeling studies. In order to solve this problem we present a study of multiple geological aspects of both parts of the margin, SE/S Brazil and its conjugate part NW Namibia at the time of continental breakup. Our study highlights pronounced differences between these regions with respect to Paraná-Etendeka lava distribution, magmatic dyke emplacement, basement reactivation, and fault patterns. In Namibia, faults and dykes reactivated the rift-parallel Neoproterozoic basement structure, whereas such reactivation was scarce in SE/S Brazil. Instead, most dykes, accompanied by small-scale grabens, are oriented margin-perpendicular along the margin from northern Uruguay to São Paulo. We propose that these differences are rooted in large-scale plate movement and suggest a clockwise rotation of southern South America away from a stable northern South America and Africa, in a similar way as proposed by others for a Patagonian continental section just prior to South Atlantic rifting. This rotation would produce margin-parallel extension in SE/S Brazil forming margin-perpendicular pathways for lava extrusion and leading to the asymmetric distribution of the Paraná-Etendeka lavas. NW Namibia instead remained relatively stable and was only influenced by extension due to rifting, hot spot activity, and mantle upwelling. Our study argues for significant margin-parallel extension in SE/S Brazil, however not confined to a single distinct deformation zone, but distributed across ~ 1000 km along the margin
UTILIZZO DEL SISTEMA GOOGLE EARTH PER LA DEFINIZIONE DI UN MODELLO DI SUSCETTIBILITÀ DA FRANA: UN TEST IN SICILIA CENTRALE
Exploiting Google EarthTM to assess a landslide susceptibility model: a test in central Sicily. A landslide susceptibility multivariate model, based on the conditional analysis approach, has been derived in the Tumarrano river basin (about 78 km2), by intersecting a GIS grid layer, expressing some selected geo-environmental conditions (outcropping lithology, steepness, plan curvature and topographic wetness index), and a landslide vector archive, produced by a Google EarthTM aided remote survey. The analysis of the Google EarthTM images dated at 2006, allowed to recognize 733 landslides (30 rotational slides and 703 flows), almost exclusively affecting clay and sandy clay rocks. Validation procedures produced largely satisfactory results, which were analyzed in the domain of the success and prediction rate curves. The research confirms the goodness of the susceptibility assessment method, as well as the powerful of Google EarthTM as a tool to manage the need of new, detailed and multi-temporal landslide archives
Evidence of Quaternary tectonics along Río Grande valley, southern Malargüe fold and thrust belt, Mendoza, Argentina
The Malargüe fold and thrust belt is developed in the Argentinian Andes between 34° and 37° S, through the tectonic inversion of Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic depocenters of the Neuquén Basin, with an uplift history since the Cretaceous. Evidence of Quaternary deformation has been described in the northern part of it (34–34.5°S), potentially coeval to neotectonic activity along the eastern edge of San Rafael block. To the south, compressional and extensional structures active during the Quaternary were found in the Dorso de los Chihuidos along the Agrio fold and thrust belt front (37.5–38°S). Contrastingly, the southern segment of the Malargüe fold and thrust belt between these two areas with described neotectonic activity is partially covered by Quaternary products of the Payún Matrú volcanic field, that may hide evidence of recent deformation. In this 300 km gap of neotectonic information, the landscape imprint of two individual structures aligned in the mountain front through the Río Grande valley was analyzed. New evidence of neotectonic deformation were recognized, in particular over the western slope of the Cara Cura range, expressed by faulting and folding of Quaternary deposits and lava flows. An 40Ar/39Ar age from a deformed lava flow at the flanks of an anticline in the foothills of the Cara Cura range may suggest at least an upper Pleistocene compressional tectonic activity. Longitudinal river profile analysis revealed anomalies that show some correlation with the neotectonic structures described, especially knickpoints and concavity index changes. Meanwhile normalized steepness index values showed a moderate response to recent deformation. A proposed schematic geomorphic evolution for this segment of Río Grande river is discussed to put the neotectonic activity into the context of landscape formation. All together this evidence supports the idea of an active front through the Río Grande valley during the Quaternary, coetaneous to an active broken foreland to the east in the southern Central Andes.Fil: Colavitto, Bruno. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber"; ArgentinaFil: Sagripanti, Lucía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber"; ArgentinaFil: Fennell, Lucas Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber"; ArgentinaFil: Folguera Telichevsky, Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber"; ArgentinaFil: Costa, Carlos. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Departamento de Geología; Argentin
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Role of Virtual Reality in Geography and Science Fieldwork Education
Fieldwork has a long tradition in geography, and in certain sciences, notably geology, biology and environmental sciences. Fieldwork involves leaving the classroom and engaging in learning and teaching through first-hand experience of phenomena in outdoor settings. Exploration in natural habitats introduces students to the complexity and unpredictability of the real world, stimulates their curiosity, and increases their interest in scientific inquiry. However, over the last decade, there has been a decline in field-study opportunities in schools.
This policy paper describes the first extensive user-centered research programme into the role of technology-enabled virtual field trips as a means for improving the effectiveness of the outdoor fieldwork experience. It draws on a year-long research project that investigated how Google Expeditions, a smartphone-driven mobile virtual reality application, bridges virtual fieldwork with physical field trips and facilitates inquiry-based fieldwork and experiential learning. It examines the role of Google Expeditions in primary and secondary school science and geography, outlining the opportunities and challenges of integrating mobile virtual reality in schools and the practical implications of our research for fieldwork education in further and higher education
Geomorphology of the Durmitor Mountains and surrounding plateau Jezerska Površ (Montenegro)
The geomorphological map of the northeastern Durmitor Mountains and the plateau Jezerska Povrs. (1: 10,000, 47 km(2), Montenegro, Dinaric Alps) was prepared from an intensive fieldwork campaign and remote sensing analysis, and was compiled within a GIS. The basic components of the legend are (i) processes/genesis, (ii) materials, (iii) morphometry/morphography, (iv) hydrography, (v) vegetation and (vi) anthropogenic features. The geomorphological setting of the area consists of Mesozoic limestones which are physically deformed by Quaternary glacial and periglacial activity and chemically affected during interglacials. Glacial deposits on the plateau of three middle-to-late Pleistocene glacial phases are intersected by a well-developed network of palaeo meltwater channels. In the mountains, Holocene glacier retreat left behind a series of well-preserved recessional moraines. The map serves as a valuable tool for Quaternary research in the Durmitor Mountains, and also in other mountains of the Western Balkans
Determining the relationship between rock colour and the type of physical weathering on desert pavements in arid landscapes, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
Despite opposition to the theory that diurnal heat fluxes within desert rocks cause enough internal stress to form cracks on clasts leading to the break down of the desert material, this study provides further evidence that this is a credible process in physical weathering. The investigation set out to discover if the colour of a clast determines the likelihood that a clast will experience meridional cracking, as opposed to longitudinal, surface parallel and fabric related cracks near Ras-Al-Khaimah, in the United Arab Emirates. The results did not reveal a relationship that was significant in a Chi-squared Test. The results yielded significant evidence that no specific weathering process would occur on a clast due to its colour. However, the results indicated tensile stresses in the clasts’ interior, which contributes to rapid breakdown and to the formation of desert pavement. The majority of the cracks’ orientations lie closer to the east-west bearing than north-south. This information suggests a new theory for meridiornal cracking although local conditions, such as the geographic location of the Musandam Mountains could explain the results in this instance. Rose diagrams present the evidence found in these proximities. This method enables easy visual analysis for both comparison with McFadden et al’s (2005) data and other such sources and also for the different classes in this study
Review of man-made mineral formations accumulation and prospects of their developing in mining industrial regions in Ukraine
Purpose. Analysis of the man-made mineral formations of ore mining and smelting, fuel and energy complexes development accumulation, location and prospects amount in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Methods. Comprehensive approach, including analysis of state statistics, waste handling sites (WHSs), regional environmental report, environmental passport of the region, as well as data from other information sources is used in the work. Aerial photographs of man-made formations were obtained using the Google Earth 7.1.8 satellite program.
Findings. The analysis of the main man-made mineral formations of ore mining and smelting, fuel and energy complexes accumulation in Ukraine (coal and mining industry waste heaps, tailing dumps, ash dumps, smelter slag dumps) was conducted, their amount and occupied areas were estimated. According to the densest location of man-made formations, they are divided into 4 regions: the Prydniprovsk region, the Kryvyi Rih region, the Nikopol region, the Pavlohrad region. According to information sources, the content of some valuable components in man-made formations has been established. Based on the world market prices of technogenic deposits components research, it was proposed to grade them according to the cost of valuable components. The promising directions have been proposed for the use of mineral resources in various economic sectors. It is noted that from the perspective of development of mineral and raw materials potential, the bulk formations are of interest because of their large reserves in the minimum area. But from the perspective of environmental protection and the interests of the Ukrainian people, the bulk technogenic formations occupying significant areas of agricultural land and having smaller mineral reserves are of great interest.
Originality. The conception of man-made raw material mineral fund for further industrial development as an alternative to natural deposits is extended and systematized. For the first time, an integrated and detailed analysis has been performed of technogenic waste of the largest waste storage region in Ukraine, as well as the grouping has been proposed of mining and energy sector waste by density of location and by the contained components value.
Practical implications. A sketch-map of the man-made objects location was drawn up and their gradation was carried out according to the preliminary prospects of their development. This will provide a more objective approach to the concept of industrial waste development and planning the strategy for the development of mineral and raw materials potential both at the state and regional levels.утворень гірничо-металургійного й паливно-енергетичного комплексів Дніпропетровської області.
Методика. У роботі використано комплексний підхід, що включає аналіз даних державної статистики, місць видалення відходів (МВВ), регіональної доповіді про стан навколишнього середовища, екологічного паспорта регіону, а також даних інших інформаційних джерел. Аерофотознімки техногенних утворень отримані за допомогою супутникової програми Google Earth 7.1.8.
Результати. Проведено аналіз накопичення основних техногенних утворень гірничо-металургійного та паливно-енергетичного комплексів України (породні відвали вугільної й гірничорудної галузей, хвостосховища, золошлаковідвали, відвали металургійних шлаків), оцінені їх об’єми та займані площі. За найбільш щільним розташуванням техногенних утворень їх запропоновано розділити на 4 райони: Придніпровський, Криворізький, Нікопольський і Павлоградський. За даними інформаційних джерел встановлено вміст деяких цінних компонентів у різних техногенних відходах. На підставі вивчення світових ринкових цін компонентів техногенних родовищ запропоновано районувати їх за вартістю цінних компонентів у 1 т відходів. Запропоновано перспективні напрями використання мінерально-сировинних ресурсів у різних галузях економіки. Відзначено, що з позиції освоєння мінерально-сировинного потенціалу інтерес представляють насипні відходи в силу їх значних запасів на мінімальній площі, а з позиції охорони навколишнього середовища та інтересів українського народу – наливні техногенні відходи, що займають значні площі сільськогосподарських угідь і мають менші запаси мінеральної сировини.
Наукова новизна. Розширено та систематизовано уявлення щодо мінерально-сировинного фонду техногенної сировини Дніпропетровської області для подальшого освоєння як альтернатива природним родовищам. Вперше здійснено комплексний та детальний аналіз техногенних відходів найбільшого регіону-накопичувача України і запропоновано групування відходів гірничодобувного та енергетичного сектору за щільністю розташування й вмістом цінних компонентів.
Практична значимість. Складена схематична карта розташування техногенних відходів та проведена градація за попередньою перспективністю їх освоєння. Це дозволить більш об’єктивно підходити до концепції промислового освоєння техногенних відходів і планування стратегії розвитку мінерально-сировинного фонду на державному та регіональному рівнях.Цель. Анализ объемов накопления, мест расположения и перспектив промышленной разработки техногенных образований горно-металлургического и топливно-энергетического комплексов Днепропетровской области.
Методика. В работе использован комплексный подход, включающий анализ данных государственной статистики, мест удаления отходов (МУО), регионального доклада о состоянии окружающей среды, экологического паспорта региона, а также данных других информационных источников. Аэрофотоснимки техногенных образований получены с помощью спутниковой программы Google Earth 7.1.8.
Результаты. Проведен анализ накопления основный техногенных образований горно-металлургического и топливно-энергетического комплексов Украины (породные отвалы угольной и горнорудной отраслей, хвостохранилища, золошлакоотвалы, отвалы металлургических шлаков), оценены их объемы и занимаемые площади. По наиболее плотному расположению техногенных образований их предложено разделить на 4 района: Приднепровский, Криворожский, Никопольский и Павлоградский районы. По данным информационных источников установлено содержание некоторых ценных компонентов в разных техногенных отходах. На основании изучения мировых рыночных цен компонентов техногенных месторождений предложено районировать их по стоимости ценных компонентов в 1 т отходов. Предложены перспективные направления использования минерально-сырьевых ресурсов в различных отраслях экономики. Отмечено, что с позиции освоения минеральное-сырьевого потенциала интерес представляют насыпные отход по причине их больших запасов на минимальной площади, а с позиции охраны окружающей среды и интересов украинского народа – наливные техногенные образования, занимающие значительные площади сельскохозяйственных угодий и имеющие меньшие запасы минерального сырья.
Научная новизна. Расширено и систематизировано представление о минерально-сырьевом фонде техногенного сырья Днепропетровской области для дальнейшего промышленного освоения как альтернатива природным месторождениям. Впервые осуществлен комплексный и детальный анализ техногенных отходов наиболее крупного региона-накопителя Украины и предложено группирование отходов горнодобывающего и энергетического сектора по плотности расположения и ценности содержащихся компонентов.
Практическая значимость. Составлена схематическая карта размещения техногенных отходов и проведена градация по предварительной перспективности их освоения. Это позволит более объективно подходить к концепции промышленного освоения техногенных отходов и планирования стратегии развития минерально-сырьевого фонда на государственном и региональном уровнях.This work has been performed in the framework of tasks of a research project funded by the state budget by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (GP-500), and is also consistent with the “Dnipropetrovsk Regional Complex Program (Strategy) on Environmental Safety and Prevention of Climate Change for 2016 – 2025”
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