A First Approach to a Quaternary Geomorphological Map of the German Seas

Our publication presents the first draft of a geomorphological map of the German North Sea and Baltic Sea. The inspiration for this map comes from the international collaboration of marine researchers within the European EMODnet Geology Project (https://www.emodnet-geology.eu/).The current climate change intensifies the natural processes of change in nature. Within the framework of various nature conservation projects, the importance of marine sediment structures on marine fauna and their reproductive cycles, sedimentation conditions, currents, etc. has been investigated. In order to be able to make statements for the German seas and document changes, the current state must first be recorded.

Linking lava morphologies to effusion rates for the 2014–2015 Holuhraun lava flow field, Iceland

Determining the parameters that control fissure-fed lava morphologies is critical for reconstructing the complex emplacement histories of eruptions on Earth and other planetary bodies. We used a geomorphological map of the 2014–2015 Holuhraun lava flow field, in combination with new constraints on lava emplacement chronology and two independently derived time-averaged discharge rate (TADR) data sets, to analyze correlations between lava morphology and effusion rate. Results show that lava morphologies are dominantly controlled by effusion rate at the vent during the early phases of the eruption and by lava transport processes as the system evolves. Initially, TADR and its variance, which reflect pulsation in the lava supply rate from the vent, directly affect lava emplacement styles. However, as the eruption progresses, the lava transport system exerts a stronger control with channels and ponds that can either dampen variation in local effusion rate or create surges during sudden drainage events. The Holuhraun eruption predominantly produced rubbly lava in its earlier eruption phases and transitioned into the production of spiny lava toward the end of the eruption. However, a drop of TADR during the first phase of the eruption correlates with a decrease in rubbly lava formation and an increase in spiny lava production. This suggests that a change in effusion rate caused the observed transition in lava type. Our findings show that rubbly lava is formed under relatively high local effusion rates with pulsating supply conditions, whereas spiny lava is formed under lower local effusion rates and steadier supply.

Using data-driven algorithms for semi-automated geomorphological mapping

In this paper, we compare the performance of two data-driven algorithms to deal with an automatic classification problem in geomorphology: Direct Sampling (DS) and Random Forest (RF). The main goal is to provide a semi-automated procedure for the geomorphological mapping of alpine environments, using a manually mapped zone as training dataset and predictor variables to infer the classification of a target zone. The applicability of DS to geomorphological classification was never investigated before. Instead, RF based classification has already been applied in few studies, but only with a limited number of geomorphological classes. The outcomes of both approaches are validated by comparing the eight detected classes with a geomorphological map elaborated on the field and considered as ground truth. Both DS and RF give satisfactory results and provide similar performances in term of accuracy and Cohen’s Kappa values. The map obtained with RF presents a noisier spatial distribution of classes than when using DS, because DS takes into account the spatial dependence of the different classes. Results suggest that DS and RF are both suitable techniques for the semi-automated geomorphological mapping in alpine environments at regional scale, opening the way for further improvements.

Diagnóstico antropogeomorfológico das vertentes do baixo curso da bacia hidrográfica do córrego do Facão – município de Araras (SP).

As alterações provocadas pelo homem nas formas de relevo têm sido dinamizadas durante o processo de expansão da mancha urbana de vários municípios, acarretando distintos prejuízos ambientais, com destaque a intensificação dos processos erosivos, ao assoreamento dos cursos fluviais e consequentemente a ocorrência de enchentes. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho é analisar as alterações do relevo provocadas pela expansão da mancha urbana do município de Araras (SP) nas vertentes do baixo curso da bacia hidrográfica do Córrego do Facão entre 1997 a 2016. Para compreender as implicações geomorfológicas oriundas da atividade antropogênica no cenário de estudo, utilizaram-se os princípios da Teoria Geral dos Sistemas, os quais proporcionaram a compreensão da área de estudo como um sistema controlado. A confecção das cartas geomorfológicas, de uso e ocupação da terra e de declividade assim como o trabalho de campo possibilitaram coletar dados cuja análise permitiu identificar as feições geomorfológicas ocasionadas pela expansão da mancha urbana na área de estudo. Assim, as principais mudanças constatadas referem-se à alteração na forma do canal em virtude do processo de canalização, a diminuição das rupturas topográficas naturais e o surgimento das feições erosivas lineares. Slopes anthropogeomorphological diagnosis of low course of Facão’s stream watershed – Araras city, São Paulo (SP) A B S T R A C TThe alterations caused by the man in the landforms have been dynamized during the process of urban growth, resulting different environmental damages mainly intensification of erosive process, silting of rivers and consequently the occurrence flooding. Thereby, the aim of this work is to analyze the alterations caused by the urban growth of Araras city (SP) in the slopes of low course of Facão’s stream watershed from 1997 to 2016. To understand the geomorphological implications coming from anthropogenic activities in the study area in this time, the principles of Systems General Theory which allowed the comprehension of area as controlled system due to anthropic interference. The confection of geomorphological map, land cover map and declivity map as well as fieldwork allowed to collect data whose analyses made it possible to identify the geomorphological features brought by the urban growth. Therefore, the main changes observed refer to alteration in the feature of waterway due to process of channeling, decrease natural topographic breaks and advent erosive features.Keywords: anthropogeomorphology; geomorphological cartographic; land cover dynamics; slope.

Large-scale geomorphological mapping of the Malaya Sosva state nature reserve

The Malaya Sosva State Nature Reserve is situated in the west of the Khanty-Mansiysk Au-tonomous Region — Ugra. Lake-alluvial, lake-glacial and moraine plains are the prevalent relief’s types on that territory. The main specificity of the reserve’s relief in the central and southern parts is a chain of hilly watersheds — the Malososvinsky Amphitheater. The central, western, and southern parts of the reserve are distinguished by the greatest depth of dissection, while in the northern and south-western regions, a finely divided relief prevails. To study natural conditions and resources of the reserve, a complex mapping was carried out. Based on the results of field researches organized in the summer of 2017, as well as on the data obtained during the processing of topographic maps of scale 1 : 100 000, a Sentinel-2A satellite image, digital terrain models ASTER GDEM, ALOS World 3D and ArcticDEM, the following large-scale maps were constructed for the area under study: hypsometric, the range of dissection and horizontal dissection of the relief, steepness of slopes, as well as a map of «red relief» (Red Relief Image Map). According to those local maps and taking into consideration all the previously issued maps of a smaller scale, a general geomorphological map of the territory of a scale of 1 : 100 000 has been created.

REMOTE SENSING OF TAPE BORES IN THE ALTAI KRAI UNDER ANTHROPOGENIC-TECHNOGENIC IMPACT

The relief and its geological formations are the primary prerequisite for the study of the biological component of the natural environment and rational use of natural resources. The geological and geomorphological conditions of the territory have a very deep and diverse influence on the structure of other components of the landscape. In the south-east of Western Siberia, in the Ob-Irtysh interfluve, there are ribbon forests-narrow, strongly elongated strips of light coniferous forest with a width of 5 to 10 km. The forest-forming breed of hog is scots pine. In the conditions of increasing anthropogenic pressure in the region, the natural environment is deteriorating. The main provisions that are justified in the article are based on the author's long-term research and materials of remote sensing of ribbon bores of the Altai Territory. Real estimates of the state and forecast of changes in the natural environment, including anthropogenic influence, can be obtained only on the basis of strictly scientific data and conclusions about the formation of the landscape of the studied region and the components of the environment. The digital model of the Ecological and Geomorphological map of the belt forests and the annual use of the latest satellite images will allow monitoring the changes in the main contours of the terrain.

Terrestrial Signature of a Recently-Tidewater Glacier and Adjacent Periglaciation, Windy Glacier (South Shetland Islands, Antarctic)

Contemporary retreat of glaciers is well visible in the West Antarctic region. The aim of this study is to identify, map and quantify terrestrial glacial and periglacial landforms developed in front of Windy Glacier (Warszawa Icefield, King George Island, South Shetlands), which recently turned from being tidewater to land-terminating, and on near-by Red Hill. The study is based on an orthophoto map and a DEM elaborated with a use of images obtained during a UAV BVLOS photogrammetric survey in 2016, Google Earth Pro images from 2006 and an orthophoto map from 1978/1979. The geomorphological map obtained includes 31 types of landforms and water bodies, grouped into: (1) glacial depositional landforms, (2) fluvial and fluvioglacial landforms, (3) littoral and lacustrine landforms, (4) solifluction landforms, (5) other mass movement landforms, (6) patterned ground, (7) debris flows, landslides and mudflows, (8) water bodies, (9) other (bedrock, boulders, glacial ice, snow patches, and not recognized surface). Most area is occupied by glacial lagoon, fluvial and fluvioglacial landforms, not recognized surfaces and littoral landforms. Between 2006 and 2016 the glacier deposited a well-developed patch of fluted moraine with small drumlins. We recognize the glacial-periglacial transition zone between 41 and 47 m GPS height above which solifluction landforms and sorted patterned ground dominate. Advantages of UAV and BVLOS missions are highlighted and problems with vectorization of landforms are discussed. Distinction between flutes and small drumlins is shown on length-to-elongation and length-to-width diagrams and critical reference to previous geomorphological mappings on King George Island is presented.

A Detailed Record of Deglacial and Early Post-Glacial Fluvial Evolution: The River Ure in North Yorkshire, UK

The lower reaches of the River Ure, on the flanks of the Pennine Hills in northern England, contain sedimentary and erosional landforms that are a record of fluvial activity during deglaciation and valley-glacier retreat at the end of the last (Devensian) glacial period, and in the subsequent post-glacial Holocene. Terraces and channels, most of which are now relict features well above the altitude of the present river, attest to the impacts of massive meltwater discharge and deposition of sand and gravel outwash, and dynamic river regimes with rapid incision. Through field survey, we have created a detailed geomorphological map of these landforms and glacial and fluvioglacial surface deposits, as well as the terraces and palaeochannels that were abandoned by the river due to avulsion and incision-driven course changes. We have recorded the nature of the outwash gravels, now effectively terrace features, from exposed sections in working quarries, one of which we discuss here. The palaeochannels have accumulated sediment fills and we have examined several which lie within the range of 100 and 16 m above present sea level. The results of lithostratigraphic, palynological, and radiocarbon analyses at two main and three subsidiary sites indicate that palaeochannel ages range from almost 14,000 to approximately 4000 calibrated years ago in a clear altitudinal sequence. The oldest are probably caused by rapid incision due to deglaciation-driven isostatic uplift. The similarity in date of the three downstream sites suggests that a late Holocene combination of climatic deterioration and increased human activity in the catchment caused instability and entrenchment. Pollen data from the channel fills provide relative dating, and agree well with pollen records from other regional Lateglacial and Holocene sites. Non-pollen palynomorph (NPP) analysis at one of the sites allows reconstruction of the hydrological history of channel infill. This research shows that the application of an integrated suite of research techniques can yield a highly detailed understanding of fluvial evolution and landscape history.