Mapping scoria cones: planetary analogue studies using Drone photogrammetry and Lidar data from Lanzarote

Scoria or cinder cones are relevant analogies for both the Moon and Mars and beyond. Examples include the Marius Hills complex with its C-shaped irregular cones or the pitted cones in the Nephentesu / Amenthes region of Mars. The geological complexity and possible young age of some of the planetary cones on the Moon and Mars make them suitable candidates for future robotic and manned missions. The AGPA (Augmented field Geology and Geophysics for Planetary Analogues) field campaign in November 2017 focused on one such scoria cone in the Timanfaya region of Lanzarote. One of the objectives was the measurement of surface geometries and morphologies to better classify and understand geological processes such as hydrovolcanism and phreatomagmatic activity on other planets such as Mars. In addition, detailed and accurate surface (base) maps are required for operations such as site selection, preparation, and base construction, especially when long-term robotic or human presence on the lunar or Martian surface is envisaged. Drone-based photogrammetry and ground-based Lidar data were acquired during the AGPA field campaign. While photogrammetry requires sufficient lighting conditions and is prone to fail in areas with few distinctive features, requires several viewpoints with a large baseline to compute the 3D geometry and provides generally no scale information Lidar produces dense point clouds from single viewing positions is independent of external light sources but is currently limited to large and heavy devices. The combination of the two methods allows to identify the advantages and disadvantages with respect to their application in Planetary Analogues. Preliminary photogrammetry and LIDAR results included very dense point clouds and orthomosaics with a varying resolution of 16mm to 120 mm. The database is of sufficiently high resolution to quantify grain size and surface texture variability. It is also used to identify and map cm scale lichen growth. The broad-scale characteristics (height/width/length/slope) are similar to some of the above mentioned pitted cones on Mars

HVSR passive seismic stratigraphy for the investigation of planetary volcanic analogues

This paper presents new results of the application of passive seismic surveys for the stratigraphic investigation of planetary volcanic analogues. We tested HVSR (Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio) surveys that seem particularly suitable for planetary subsurface exploration. In order to exploit the potential of these surveys in stratigraphic applications, HVSR surveys were undertaken at the Tinguatón volcanic region (Lanzarote, Canary Islands). Seismic noise measurements were collected during the PANGAEA-X 2018 testing campaign which formed part of the European Space Agency's (ESA) astronaut training program. Single-station, free-field seismic noise data were collected along two orthogonal profiles, one crossing the Tinguatón volcano, the other passing alongside the Tinguatón caldera. Seismic stratigraphic sections obtained from the shear wave velocity constrained inversion of the main H/V peaks provided the main impedance contrasts between layers and a bulk estimate of the shear wave velocity in the layers. Contour maps of the HVSR patterns were used to recognize and identify the main volcanic units, such as scoria deposits and different basaltic lava flows, geological structures, such as a regional fault related to the volcanic vent source, and morphological characteristics, such as the Tinguatón caldera. This study also identified several pitfalls that may limit the accuracy of such investigations. These include the multilayer setting of scoria deposits and, partly, of underlying basalts, as well as the presence of very thin horizons or a very gradual increase in shear wave velocity. Our study also shows the topographic effect due to the volcano's sharp topography along crater rim is significant and results in severe artifacts in the data. From our work, it is clear that HVSR method is an effective method to support the investigation of planetary volcanic terrains on the Moon and Mars with similarly volcanic complex geological settings, even where horizontal layering and the isotropic site response are not fully verified

Italian accelerometric archive: geological, geophysical and geotechnical investigations at strong-motion stations

Geological, geophysical and geotechnical investigations, for the characterization of the strong-motion recording sitesmanaged by the ItalianCivil Protection, have been carried out in the framework of the project “Italian strong-motion database in the period 1972–2004”. The project aimed at creating an updated database of strong-motion data acquired in Italy by different institutions in the time span 1972–2004, and at improving the quality of disseminated data. This article illustrates the state of the recording site characterization before the beginning of the project, explains the criteria adopted to select the sites where geophysical/ geotechnical investigation have been performed and describes the results of the promoted field surveys

Italian accelerometric archive: geological, geophysical and geotechnical investigations at strong-motion stations

Geological, geophysical and geotechnical investigations, for the characterization of the strong-motion recording sites managed by the Italian Civil Protection, have been carried out in the framework of the project "Italian strong-motion database in the period 1972-2004". The project aimed at creating an updated database of strong-motion data acquired in Italy by different institutions in the time span 1972-2004, and at improving the quality of disseminated data. This article illustrates the state of the recording site characterization before the beginning of the project, explains the criteria adopted to select the sites where geophysical/geotechnical investigation have been performed and describes the results of the promoted field surveys