Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Zuze Dulanya, Sean F. Gallen, Folarin Kolawole, Jack N. Williams, Luke N. J. Wedmore, Juliet Biggs, Ake Fagereng
Summary: This study investigates the geomorphology and different forcing mechanisms in the humid Middle Shire River basin, located within the interaction and linkage zone between the southern Malawi Rift and Shire Rift Zone in East Africa. The research findings suggest that after the integration of the axial stream across the Middle Shire Basin, the knickpoints migrate upstream in response to fault-related subsidence in the Shire Rift Zone. Conversely, the fixed knickpoints are interpreted to reflect local differential bedrock erodibility.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Claudio Pasqua, Paolo Chiozzi, Massimo Verdoya
Summary: Based on recent investigations, this study reviewed three major geothermal plays in the East African Rift System (EARS), representing different geological and hydrogeological realms. Alalobeda and Menengai are examples of the Eastern Branch of EARS, while Kilambo-Ilwalilo is an example of the Western Branch. They differ in their structural and volcanic characteristics, as well as their heat sources and reservoir temperatures. The results provide helpful guidelines for future studies on geothermal resources in the rift.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Muchen Sun, Stephen S. Gao, Kelly H. Liu, Kevin Mickus, Xiaofei Fu, Youqiang Yu
Summary: The study of the Malawi and Luangwa rift zones reveals significant variations in crustal thickness, stretching factor, and crustal properties, which may be related to lithospheric stretching, partial crustal melting, and magma infiltration. The differences observed in different regions provide insights into the geological processes occurring in these rift zones.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Alessandro La Rosa, Carolina Pagli, Gareth L. Hurman, Derek Keir
Summary: At mature magma-rich continental rifts, both magmatism and faulting play important roles in accommodating plate divergence. This study provides new insights into the role of magma and faulting in the Afrera Plain linkage zone between the Erta Ale and Tat Ali magmatic segments in Northern Afar. The results show that while magmatic features accommodate only extension, conjugate oblique faults accommodate both extension and shear strain.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Kevin Wong, David Ferguson, Penny Wieser, Daniel Morgan, Marie Edmonds, Amdemichael Zafu Tadesse, Gezahegn Yirgu, Jason Harvey, Samantha Hammond
Summary: Significant volumes of magma intrude into the crust during continental break-up, altering the crust's thermo-mechanical structure and its response to extensional stresses, thus influencing rift evolution. This magmatism also fuels surface volcanic activity and contributes to global tectonic CO2 emissions. By analyzing olivine-hosted melt inclusions, we find evidence of a focused magma intrusion zone at the upper-lower crustal boundary in the Main Ethiopian Rift, suggesting the formation of a mechanically weak mid-crustal layer. These findings have important implications for understanding how magma addition can impact crustal rheology in a maturing continental rift.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
G. Duan, K. Nakamae, T. Takemi
Summary: Using large-eddy simulation, the dispersion of a pollutant scalar is investigated for turbulent boundary-layer flows developed over real urban regions. The study reveals a quantitative connection between ventilation and urban morphometric indices, such as packing densities and building-height variability. However, the relationship between ventilation and other morphometric indices remains unclear.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ashenafi Burka, Birhanu Biazin, Woldeamlak Bewket
Summary: Droughts have become more severe and frequent due to unprecedented climate change, particularly in eastern Africa. This study evaluated different drought indices to characterize drought events in the Bilate river watershed in Ethiopia. The Standardized Precipitation Index, Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index, Reconnaissance Drought Index, and enhanced Reconnaissance Drought Index were found to be the most correlated indices for drought characterization. The results showed spatial variation in drought severity, with extreme droughts occurring in the southern part of the watershed. The study also revealed an increasing trend of drought conditions in the watershed based on Mann-Kendal trend test statistics.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geology
D. M. Deocampo, R. B. Owen, T. K. Lowenstein, R. W. Renaut, N. M. Rabideaux, A. Billingsley, A. Cohen, A. L. Deino, M. J. Sier, S. Luo, C-C Shen, D. Gebregiorgis, C. Campisano, A. Mbuthia
Summary: Lake Magadi is an internally drained, saline and alkaline terminal sump in the southern Kenya Rift. The lake's sediment contains some of the highest concentrations of transition metals and metalloids ever reported, including redox-sensitive elements molybdenum, arsenic, and vanadium. The occurrences of euxinia and sulfide precipitation in the lake were common after ca. 700 ka and tended to happen during periods of high orbital eccentricity, which could have influenced water balance in terrestrial habitats and resource availability for early hominins.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Maximilian J. E. A. Richter, Sascha Brune, Simon Riedl, Anne Glerum, Derek Neuharth, Manfred R. Strecker
Summary: The study conducted 2D geodynamic models to unravel asymmetric rifting processes in the East African Rift System, revealing a three-stage early rift evolution. The models provide insights into the controls of along-strike rift variability in active asymmetric rifts and proximal rifted margins.
Article
Geography, Physical
Karlyn S. Westover, Jeffery R. Stone, Chad L. Yost, Jennifer J. Scott, Andrew S. Cohen, Nathan M. Rabideaux, Mona Stockhecke, John D. Kingston
Summary: The sediment cores obtained from the Baringo Basin in Kenya show significant changes in lake hydrology during the late Pliocene, resulting in the deposition of various sediments, which can be identified by diatom assemblages.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mezgebu Getaneh, Mengistie Taye, Damitie Kebede, Dereje Andualem
Summary: This study provides information on the structural indices of indigenous goats in Ethiopia, revealing their body proportions and functional traits suitable for dairy production purposes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
D. C. Roman, A. Soldati, D. B. Dingwell, B. F. Houghton, B. R. Shiro
Summary: The viscosity of magma strongly influences the style and hazard potential of a volcanic eruption. The unexpected 2018 eruption of Kilauea Volcano in Hawai'i demonstrated significant variability in erupted lavas, leading to unpredictable effusion rates and explosivity. Seismic and magma rheology analysis revealed a 90-degree local stress-field rotation prior to the eruption, indicating the involvement of magma with heightened viscosity.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Irina Medved, Viktoria Komzeleva, Ivan Koulakov, Mikhail Buslov, Alena Filippova
Summary: Seismic tomography models of the Baikal Rift Zone were obtained using regional seismological data. The models revealed various velocity anomalies, some of which were previously unknown. Based on these results and a review of existing geological and geophysical studies, the authors argue in favor of a passive model for the formation of the Baikal Rift.
JOURNAL OF ASIAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Veronica Muiruri, R. Bernhart Owen, Richard Potts, Alan L. Deino, Anna K. Behrensmeyer, Simon Riedl, Nathan Rabideaux, Emily J. Beverly, Robin W. Renaut, Jessica W. Moerman, Daniel Deocampo, J. Tyler Faith, Anders Noren, Andrew S. Cohen, Kristina Brady Shannon, Rene Dommain
Summary: The Koora Basin in south Kenya has preserved a million-year record of environmental change, driven by global climate, regional tectonism, and volcanism. Diatom-based reconstructions from ODP cores indicate lakes that expanded and contracted with a range of conductivity and pH values. High lake level periods often correlate with low values in ocean benthic delta O-18 stack data, suggesting a close relationship between lake level changes and global climate.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Natalie Barbosa, Louis Andreani, Richard Gloaguen, Lothar Ratschbacher
Summary: The importance of identifying areas prone to landslides and using landslide susceptibility models, although hindered by the lack of thematic data from developing countries, highlights the reliance on simple morphometric parameters for estimating landslide likelihood.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Saptarshi Dey, Bodo Bookhagen, Rasmus C. Thiede, Hella Wittmann, Naveen Chauhan, Vikrant Jain, Manfred R. Strecker
Summary: The study reveals significant variations in erosion rates on the southern flanks of the Dhauladhar Range in the western Himalaya under different climatic forcings. During periods of strong monsoon intensity, both moderately steep and high slope areas experience higher erosion rates, while during weak monsoon periods, the erosion rates are lower. Additionally, lithology also influences erosion.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Francisco Acuna, Gonzalo A. Montalva, Daniel Melnick
Summary: This study examines the impact of dating uncertainty and completeness of paleoseismic catalogs on probabilistic estimates of forthcoming earthquakes, finding that the Weibull model predicts the highest forecasting probabilities of 44% and 72% in the next 50 and 100 years. Uncertainties in earthquake chronologies may produce changes in forecast probabilities of up to 50%.
SEISMOLOGICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Pedro Matos-Llavona, Lisa L. Ely, Breanyn MacInnes, Tina Dura, Marco A. Cisternas, Joanne Bourgeois, David Bruce, Jessica DePaolis, Alexander Dolcimascolo, Benjamin P. Horton, Daniel Melnick, Alan R. Nelson, Walter Szeliga, Robert L. Wesson
Summary: This study examines the inconsistency between the tsunami deposits at a location in south-central Chile and the historical and geological records of tsunamis. The research suggests that the discrepancy may be attributed to factors such as falling sea levels, coastal geomorphological changes, and a potentially larger tsunami in 1960.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
S. Riedl, D. Melnick, L. Njue, M. Sudo, M. R. Strecker
Summary: This study investigates the extension rates in the inner graben of the Northern Kenya Rift using digital elevation models and radiometric dating. The results indicate that extension primarily occurs in the region of the active volcano-tectonic axis, highlighting the maturing of continental rifting in the area.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
J. Jara-Munoz, D. Melnick, S. Li, A. Socquet, J. Cortes-Aranda, D. Brill, M. R. Strecker
Summary: The first step in assessing hazards in seismically active areas is to map possible faults and estimate their recurrence times. This study focuses on the Pichilemu Fault in coastal Chile, which was unknown until it caused a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in 2010. By analyzing off-fault deformed marine terraces, researchers estimated the fault-slip rate and recurrence time, providing valuable insights for assessing the seismic potential of hidden faults.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Sofia Viotto, Guillermo Toyos, Bodo Bookhagen
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the sensitivity of the GIS-assisted model LAHARZ to the spatial resolution and quality of the digital elevation models (DEMs) for mapping lahar inundation areas at Volc'an Copahue. The results show that the spatial resolution and quality of DEMs significantly affect the LAHARZ simulations. More research is needed to improve the understanding of lahar deposits and enhance hazard assessment.
JOURNAL OF SOUTH AMERICAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Luis Astudillo-Sotomayor, Joaquin Cortes-Aranda, Daniel Melnick, Julius Jara-Munoz, Catalina Cabello, Laura Perucca, Andres Tassara, Jose Vicente Perez-Pena, Pablo Leon-Ibanez
Summary: The seismic threat of intra-arc faults in the Southern Chile Subduction Zone should be considered due to their potential to produce moderate-to-large shallow earthquakes, causing severe damage to surrounding areas.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
G. Burch Fisher, Lisa V. Luna, William H. Amidon, Douglas W. Burbank, Bas de Boer, Lennert B. Stap, Bodo Bookhagen, Vincent Godard, Michael E. Oskin, Ricardo N. Alonso, Erik Tuenter, Lucas J. Lourens
Summary: Fisher et al. use sediment geochemistry and climate modelling to show the long-term synchrony between erosion rates and orbitally-driven climate oscillations in the tectonically-active southern Central Andes. They provide direct terrestrial field evidence for this synchrony, which is consistent with the hypothesis that modest fluctuations in precipitation can cause synchronous and nonlinear responses in erosion rates. This study highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between climate and erosion in mountainous landscapes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Benjamin Purinton, Ariane Mueting, Bodo Bookhagen
Summary: The generation of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) through stereogrammetry of optical satellite images is popular. The study explores the effects of image texture and different matching algorithms on optical DEMs and proposes image texture as an important indicator for DEM quality. MGM is recommended for geomorphic applications, while the correlation kernel choice depends on local image texture.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Roland Freisleben, Julius Jara-Munoz, Daniel Melnick, Diego Molina, Andres Tassara, Peter van der Beek, Manfred R. Strecker
Summary: This study investigates the mechanisms driving permanent coastal uplift in the tectonically active South American margin. By analyzing uplifted marine terraces and tectonic parameters, the researchers identify a constant background-uplift rate along the margin, perturbed by changes at variable wavelengths. The study suggests that major, deep earthquakes near the Moho are responsible for the moderate, long-term background uplift, while accumulation of permanent deformation over millennial time scales occurs through multiple, distinct uplift phases. The findings highlight the utility of a signal-analysis approach in understanding surface deformation in subduction zones at a continental scale.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dipro Sarkar, Rajiv Sinha, Bodo Bookhagen
Summary: This study provides guidelines for UAV data acquisition and processing based on several years of field experience. The placement of ground control points is crucial for reducing errors in the generated point clouds. Camera calibration errors significantly impact the accuracy of the point cloud. The study also identifies and analyzes various errors during point cloud processing and suggests mitigation strategies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexander R. Cobb, Rene Dommain, Rahayu S. Sukri, Faizah Metali, Bodo Bookhagen, Charles F. Harvey, Hao Tang
Summary: Tropical peatlands hold significant carbon stocks in the form of peat, with peat domes being the main carbon storage structure. Measuring the subtle topographic relief of these peat domes is challenging, but spaceborne laser altimetry data from satellites like GEDI and ATLAS could provide valuable insights. The study evaluated the accuracy of these data in comparison to airborne lidar data, and found that with spatial filtering, the spaceborne platforms can provide useful altimetry data for tropical peatlands.
SCIENCE OF REMOTE SENSING
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juan Martin de Blas, Giampiero Iaffaldano, Andres Tassara, Daniel Melnick
Summary: The convergence between the Nazca and South America tectonic plates has resulted in the formation of the Andean orogeny and drives the earthquake cycle of the Andean megathrust. While the long-term feedback mechanism of Andean orogeny on plate convergence rates is well recognized, the short-term feedback mechanism of the earthquake cycle has not been considered. This study investigates whether the contemporary motion of the Nazca/South America plate varies over year-/decade-long periods in response to stress variations associated with the earthquake cycle. The findings show significant slowdowns in plate motions preceding the three largest recent earthquakes, suggesting a possible link between these slowdowns and the buildup of interseismic stress.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Erin A. Wirth, Valerie J. Sahakian, Laura M. Wallace, Daniel Melnick
Summary: Subduction zone earthquakes are one of the most devastating natural hazards on Earth. Understanding their occurrence and rupture mechanisms is crucial for mitigating seismic and tsunami hazards. This Review emphasizes the influence of subduction zone properties on the location and characteristics of large earthquakes, and highlights the impact of rupture characteristics on earthquake and tsunami hazards.
NATURE REVIEWS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
A. Securo, C. Del Gobbo, L. Rettig, S. Pillon, A. De Luca, D. Fontana, E. Benedetti Fasil, R. R. Colucci
Summary: Small glaciers in temperate mountain regions have experienced significant reduction and unprecedented melt rates in recent years. Some glaciers have transitioned from clean ice to debris-covered or even rock glaciers. This study examines the surface elevation change of the Popera Alto glacier in the Sesto Dolomites using LiDAR and Structure from Motion surveys, and analyzes its evolution in terms of surface cover and geomorphic processes. The glacier has lost an average of 0.35 m water equivalent per year over the past 16 years, with active modification of its surface cover by geomorphic processes. The role of debris and local topography feedback has allowed the resilience of the glacier, leading to a marked difference between the current environmental equilibrium line altitude (envELA) and the effective ELA (effELA) of the glacier.
Article
Geography, Physical
Zhenzhen Yan, Yaolin Shi, Lili Kang, Xiangtao Fan
Summary: This study proposes a quantitative regional deformation model based on global positioning system (GPS) data to quantitatively analyze the morphological evolution of rivers in the Three Rivers Region. It finds that tectonic deformation phases significantly control regional landscape development and drainage features.
Article
Geography, Physical
Said Mukhtar Ahmad, Nitheshnirmal Sadhasivam, Mona Lisa, Luigi Lombardo, Mustafa Kemal Emil, Amira Zaki, Cees J. Van Westen, Islam Fadel, Hakan Tanyas
Summary: In this study, we investigated a large slow-moving landslide in Northern Pakistan, using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) analysis. Our results showed that the crown of the landslide is moving faster than the surrounding regions, while the footslope experienced high deformations. We discussed the possible roles of meteorologic and anthropogenic factors in causing these deformations.
Article
Geography, Physical
Shuang Bian, Xibin Tan, Yiduo Liu, Suoya Fan, Junfeng Gong, Chao Zhou, Feng Shi, Michael A. Murphy
Summary: The Yarlung River's drainage divide is primarily moving north due to variations in precipitation across the Himalayas. The Gangdese drainage divide shows predominantly northward and southward migration, controlled by base-level rise and downstream influences. The presence of north-trending rifts separates the drainage divides into five zones, each with a distinct migration pattern.
Article
Geography, Physical
Joon-Young Park, Seok Yoon, Deuk-Hwan Lee, Seung-Rae Lee, Hwan-Hui Lim
Summary: This study developed a multiple-regression model to estimate site-specific average growth rates of debris flow events. The proposed model was validated through a case study and showed reasonable predictions of debris flow velocities and heights.
Article
Geography, Physical
Nicholas Reilly Mccarroll, Arnaud Temme
Summary: New geochronological data from hillslope boulder armor in the Flint Hills reveal the rates and timing of lateral retreat in the landscape. Surfaces of limestone boulders dating back to the Pleistocene era were found, and the ages of the hillslope armor increased with distance from the limestone bench. The estimated rate of lateral retreat in this landscape is 0.02 mm/yr.
Article
Geography, Physical
Xinbo Yao, Yuntao Tian
Summary: By studying the Longmenshan-Minshan drainage divide, we found that it has reached a dynamic steady state, indicating a balance between erosion and rock uplift. This study also reveals the process of formation and evolution of the divide and raises questions about the effectiveness of divide migration metrics.
Article
Geography, Physical
Junhui Yu, Pin Yan, Yanlin Wang, Guangjian Zhong, Changliang Chen
Summary: The seafloor mounds in the Chaoshan Depression of the South China Sea are identified as mud volcanoes, with fluids coming from underlying mud-fluid diapirs. The hydrocarbon gases feeding the mud volcanoes and diapirs are reasoned to originate from deep Mesozoic source rocks, indicating significant Mesozoic hydrocarbon potential in the Chaoshan Depression.
Article
Geography, Physical
Marius Huber, Luc Scholtes, Jerome Lave
Summary: This paper investigates the relationships between hillslope stability and fabric anisotropy of brittle rock materials and the implications for landscape shaping. It explores the different stability modes and movement characteristics of anisotropic materials, and demonstrates the significant control of material anisotropy on landscape shaping.
Article
Geography, Physical
Shubhra Sharma, Anil D. Shukla
Summary: The study investigates the relationship between glacial dynamics and lake sedimentation during the mid-Holocene climate variability in the Southern Zanskar ranges. It utilizes geomorphological disposition, elemental geochemistry, and optical chronology of relict lake sediment to reconstruct the pattern of minor glacier responses to climate variability. The results indicate six centennial to millennial-scale climatic phases, with warmer phases represented by decreased mineralogical fine grain flux and increased coarse grain flux. The study highlights the potential of relict lake sediment and para/peri-glacial landforms in understanding glacial dynamics and climate change during the Holocene.
Article
Geography, Physical
Jean-Francois Bernier, Sydney W. Meury, Patrick Lajeunesse
Summary: In this study, an approach combining various data and observation methods was proposed to improve the monitoring of landfast ice dynamics and its geomorphic impact on sedimentary systems. The results demonstrate the ability of the approach to accurately measure interannual variations in landfast ice and constrain geomorphic changes. Additionally, the study found a strong relationship between the severity of freezing seasons and the response of landfast ice to hydrometeorological events, with different geomorphic responses observed under different winter conditions.
Article
Geography, Physical
Heping Shu, Fanyu Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between susceptibility of soil-water hazards and human activities, geoheritage sites in the Loess Plateau, China. Landslide and gully erosion susceptibility were obtained using gradient boosting and support vector machines, and a hazard matrix was formed to couple landslide and gully erosion susceptibility. The study found different trends in the magnification times of soil-water hazards chain under different scenarios.
Article
Geography, Physical
Guangqiang Qian, Zhuanling Yang, Xuegang Xing, Zhibao Dong, Youyuan Guo
Summary: Granule ripples are aeolian landforms armored against erosion by coarse grains. This study investigates their seasonal morphological evolution and migration in the Sanlongsha Dune Field. The findings show that wind events, especially those exceeding the threshold velocities of coarse grains, significantly influence the morphodynamics of granule ripples. The study highlights the importance of considering the reptation and saltation of coarse grains in future research on granule ripples.