Present Tectonic Dynamics of the Geological Structural Setting of the Eastern Part of the Adriatic Region Obtained from Geodetic and Geological Data

The Adriatic microplate has always attracted scientific attention, and various studies on the geodynamics of this area have been performed over the years. With the development of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technology in the last 30 years, most significant research in this field has used it as the primary source of data on geodynamic movements. However, apart from a few global positioning system (GPS) campaigns conducted in the 1990s, the measurements had a low spatiotemporal density. Therefore, the eastern side of the Adria region or the territory of the Republic of Croatia was usually omitted from the results presented in the various published papers. A study of this literature concluded that the territory of Croatia represents a kind of scientific gap and that denser measurement data from GPS/GNSS stations could be used to supplement the geodynamic picture of the area in question. Thus, GPS/GNSS measurements from 83 stations (geodynamic, reference, and POS’ GPS/GNSS) all over Croatia and neighboring countries for a period of almost 20 years (1994–2013) were collected and processed with Bernese software to obtain a unique database of relative velocities. From the geological perspective, the most important and latest insights on the recent geological structural setting, tectonic movements, most active faults, and relationships and movements of structures were taken into account. It was important to compare the geodetic and geological data, observe the present tectonic dynamics of the geological structural setting, and determine the causes of the obtained directions of movement. The research presented in this paper, based on a combination of geodetic and geological data, was conducted to broaden the current knowledge of the present tectonic dynamics of the geological structural setting of the eastern part of the Adriatic region.

Past Climate Change Affected Mountain Building in the Andes

Increased glaciation in the North Patagonian Andes may have influenced tectonic dynamics over the past 7 million years, suggesting a connection between climate change and mountain-building processes.

Migrations of tropical rain belt driven by tectonic dynamics over the past 250 Ma

<p><br>The tropical rainfall, which contributes on about half of global rainfall, is manifested as a quasi-global rain belt called the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). This study examines the linkage between continental configurations and the annual mean latitude of ITCZ over the tectonic timescale. Over the past 250Ma, the break of supercontinent Pangea led to dramatic changes of continental mass distribution driven by tectonic dynamics. With a series of slicewise general climate model (GCM, CESM1.0) simulations over the past 250Ma, we investigate how is the latitude of ITCZ changes over time and how do the continental configurations set the latitude of ITCZ. With an energetic framework of the ITCZ latitude, we examined the contributions of the hemispheric asymmetry of radiation budget and ocean heat transport on the ITCZ latitude, and further demonstrate that those factors are largely driven by the continental configurations.</p>

Scripting languages for geomorphological modelling and topographic visualization of Serbia

Scripting cartographic technique is a new method of geospatial data visualization - especially with thematic mapping such as geomorphological models. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of Generic Mapping Tools (GMT) and R for geomorphological and topographic mapping of Serbia using free open datasets (DEM, SRTM/ GEBCO, OpenStreetMap). Current trend in education and research of distance-based and online-based education suggests that application of free high-resolution data for modelling and mapping by open source cartographic toolsets are more likely to result in deep geospatial analysis of the geomorphology of Balkans with associated geographic phenomena: hydrology, soils, vegetation, geology. Presented fragments of scripts aim to demonstrate the technical usage of R and GMT coding in cartographic workflow with a case study on Serbia. Using qualitative descriptive cartographic approach to visualize the slope, aspect and terrain elevations over the country and the ?raster? package provided by R, it was found that the geomorphology of Serbia spatially differs in southern and northern parts of the country resulting in regional geologic evolution and tectonic dynamics of the Balkan formation. The presented maps portrayed general distribution of the landforms in Serbian region of Balkans. The research contributes to the methodological development and testing of the cartographic techniques as well as geomorphological and environmental studies of Serbia.

Neotectonic Activity of Segmented Alluvial Fans Along Hemr in South Anticline, East Iraq

A quantitative analysis of geomorphic indices was carried out to understand the impacts of tectonics on the geomorphological relief of drainage basins and alluvial fans. Based on field work, satellite images and aerial photographs interpretation, five stages of alluvial fanswere recognized within the study area. Theyare of a coalesced type, forming continuous belt of Bajada, andcovering vast areas whichextend along the southwestern limb of Hemrinanticline. The alluvial fans’ sediments lie unconformably over pre- Quaternary sediments represented by angular unconformity.The earlier stages of the fanswere developed during the Plio- Pleistocene age, whereas the later stage represents the sediments of the Holocene age. Fourdistinct segmented alluvial fans were considered under this study, located within Torsaq and Shosharin basins. They aredeveloped in the first, second and third stagesof alluvial fans. Some morphotectonic parameters were calculated in order to understand the tectonic dynamics of these fans, includingmountain front sinuosity (Smf), ratio of valley floor’s width to height (Vf), fan tilting(β), and drainage basin asymmetry (FA). The results showedless active mountain frontand low uplift,according to the acquired high values of Vf.The fansare tilted towards the west direction, indicating uplift of their eastern parts,whilethe main streams are shifted downstream to the right.

Earthquake-induced habitat migration in a riparian spawning fish: implications for conservation management

Galaxias maculatus is a riparian spawning fish that supports an important recreational fishery in New Zealand with spawning habitat requirements strongly structured by salinity gradients at rivermouths. This study reports changes to the spawning habitat following a series of large earthquakes that resulted in widespread deformation of ground surfaces in the vicinity of waterways. Assessments of habitat recovery focussed on two rivers systems, the Avon and Heathcote, with pre-disturbance data available over a 20 year period. Recovery dynamics were assessed by field survey and mapping of spawning habitat prior to and on seven occasions after the disturbance event. Riparian land-use and management patterns were mapped and analysed using overlay methods in GIS. Habitat migration of up to 2 km occurred in comparison to all previous records and several anthropogenic land uses have become threats due to changed patterns of co-occurrence. Incompatible activities now affect more than half of the spawning habitat in both rivers, particularly in areas managed for flood control purposes and recreational use. The results are an example of landscape scale responses to salinity and water level changes driven by tectonic dynamics. These dynamics are not the source of the stress per se, rather, they have increased exposure to pre-existing stressors. The case illustrates important principles for managing subtle, yet widespread, change. Adaptive conservation methods and investments in information are priorities for avoiding management failure following environmental change.