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The reactivation mechanism of multi-slide landslides entails high complexity, and the shear mechanical properties of high groundwater-level landslides are crucial for analyzing the formation mechanism of reactivated landslides. Taking the K39 landslide of Wenma Expressway in Yunnan Province as the research object, we identified the geological and hydrogeological conditions of the landslide, the physical and mechanical properties of the slip zone soil, and the landslide deformation law using geological mapping, geotechnical engineering, indoor testing, and in situ monitoring. The results show the landslide exhibited alternating acceleration and deceleration movements under seasonal heavy rainfall and high groundwater levels. The shear strength of the soil in the deep sliding zone was greater than that of the soil in the shallow sliding zone. The deep and shallow sliding zone soils showed a decrease in shear strength with increased water content. Moreover, the residual strength of the deep sliding zone soil displayed a negative rate with an increased shear rate. In contrast, the residual strength of the shallow sliding zone soil exhibited a positive rate. Furthermore, under different shear rates, the residual internal friction angle and cohesion of the deep sliding zone soil decreased with increased water content, whereas only the residual internal friction angle of the shallow sliding zone soil followed this pattern. Finally, we performed a sensitivity analysis using the GA-BP neural network for the ring shear test parameters of the deep and shallow sliding zone soils, which included consolidation pressure, water content, and shear rate. Our analysis revealed that the residual strength of deep sliding zone soils is most affected by water content, whereas the residual strength of shallow sliding zone soils is most affected by consolidation pressure. Furthermore, it was found that the effect of water content on residual strength is much greater than the effect of shear rate on residual strength for both deep and shallow sliding zone soils. The study results contribute to a unified understanding of how shear rate affects residual strength mechanisms, support research on shear mechanical properties for multiple landslide revivals, and inform engineering practices and policies in landslide-prone areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2D geological map serves as a synthesis of geological investigations and expert knowledge, making it a crucial data source for bedrock 3D modeling. Nevertheless, insufficient geological information mining has been a problem in previous research utilizing 2D geological maps for bedrock modeling. To address this issue, this paper proposes a 3D bedrock modeling method that incorporates multiple information mining based on 2D geological maps. The method involves extracting surface undulation, occurrence, stratigraphic age, and other information from the 2D geological map multiple times using map-cut cross sections and virtual drills. This information is then stored using the generalized trigonal prismatic (GTP) element. Additionally, the paper introduces connection rules to handle different geological phenomena, such as stratigraphic pinch-out, stratigraphic inversion, stratigraphic duplication, and unconformity contact, and their corresponding GTP types. Finally, the GTPs are connected according to these rules, resulting in the construction of a 3D bedrock model. To validate the method's consistency with expert speculation regarding the expression of geological body structures and occurrence, the paper compares a slice section of the example modeling results with expert hand-drawn section from the same location. The results demonstrate that the proposed modeling method effectively explores the geological information present in the planar geological map and clearly expresses a variety of complex geological formations, enabling the construction of a high-quality 3D bedrock model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive study, including geological mapping, structural and thermochronological analysis, has been carried out on Ivanščica Mountain (NW Croatia), with the aim to reconstruct the tectonic history of the Dinarides, Southern/Eastern Alps and Pannonian Basin transitional zone. Implementation of structural and thermochronological methods enabled a subdivision of Ivanščica Mt. into two structural domains (from bottom to top): Ivanščica Parautochthon and Ivanščica Imbricate Fan and Cenozoic sedimentary cover. In addition, a sequence of deformational events in tectonic history of this transitional zone is proposed, comprising three extensional and four contractional events starting from Middle Triassic until present times. The two oldest deformational events indicate Middle Triassic (D1) and Early Jurassic (D2) extensional pulses and only occur in volcano-sedimentary successions of the Ivanščica Mt. The oldest contractional event (D3) is related to the obduction of a Neotethyan ophiolitic mélange over an Upper Triassic to Lower Cretaceous succession of the eastern margin of the Adriatic microplate, which resulted in thermal overprint of the Ivanščica Imbricate Fan structural domain in Berriasian—Valanginian times (~ 140 Ma). This event was soon followed by a second contractional event (D4), which resulted in thrusting and imbrication of the Adriatic passive margin successions together with previously emplaced ophiolitic mélange, thermal overprint of the footwall successions, fast exhumation and erosion. Apatite fission track data together with syn-tectonic deposits indicate an Hauterivian to Albian age of this D4 event (~ 133–100 Ma). These Mesozoic structures were dextrally rotated in post-Oligocene times and brought from the initially typically Dinaridic SE striking and SW verging structures to the recent SW striking and NW verging structures. The following extensional event (D5) is associated with the formation of SE striking and mostly NE dipping normal listric faults, and ENE striking dextral faults accommodating top-NE extension in the Pannonian Basin. Deformations were coupled with hanging wall sedimentation of Ottnangian to middle Badenian (middle Burdigalian to upper Langhian; ~ 18–14 Ma) syn-rift deposit as observed from the reflection seismic and well data. A short-lasting contraction (D6) was registered in the late Sarmatian (late Serravallian; ~ 12 Ma). The youngest documented deformational event (D7) resulted in reactivation of ENE striking dextral faults, formation of SE striking dextral faults as well as the formation of E to ENE trending folds and reverse faults. This event corresponds to late Pannonian (late Messinian; ~ 6 Ma) to Present NNW-SSE contraction driven by the indentation and counterclockwise rotation of Adriatic microplate. Recognized tectonic events and their timings indicate that Ivanščica was mainly affected by deformational phases related to the Mesozoic evolution of the Neotethys Ocean as well as Cenozoic opening and inversion of the Pannonian Basin. Therefore, the Mesozoic tectono-sedimentary evolution of Ivanščica Mountain proves the paleogeographic affiliation of its non-ophiolitic Mesozoic structural-stratigraphic entities to the Pre-Karst unit of the Dinarides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing trend towards utilizing nickel as a raw material for non-steel products due to the increasing demand for nickel up to 2040. Data shows that global nickel production and reserves will increase until 2021. As one of the countries with the largest reserves in the world, this country contributes significantly to global nickel production. This paper will discuss Indonesia's nickel resources, reserves and production related to the distribution of locations, number of resources, number of reserves, grade, sustainability of reserves and their impact on the economy as well as efforts to maintain this sustainability. Previous articles only presented data on Indonesia's nickel reserves and production and an overview of global nickel. The data on nickel resources and reserves come from the 2021 inventory by the Geological Agency, which covers ore resources and reserves and their grades across several classifications. If there is no new data on reserve deposits or planned production rates, it is estimated that the ore reserves with nickel grades ≥ 1.7% will be depleted by 2036, while the ore reserves with Ni grades < 1.7% will be exhausted by 2056. Efforts to increase reserves include increasing exploration activities in brownfield areas, exploring remaining ultrabasic regions, and conducting detailed geological mapping of areas where ultrabasic rock is expected. Apart from raising the issue of the magnitude of nickel potential and mining value, this paper also discusses economic indicators in each nickel producing community using Gross Regional Domestic Product per capita. Based on the results of this analysis, it shows that there are differences in GDP per capita and the value of the mines owned by each region as a nickel producer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chandarpur–Raipur sequence in Chattisgarh basin is represented as siliciclastic-dominated Chandarpur Group and carbonate-dominated Raipur Group. Here, we introduce 'Devsagar Sandstone Member', the only sandstone-dominated member in the carbonate-dominated Charmuria Formation of Raipur Group, that marks a period of rapid siliciclastic deposition identifying a phase of forced regression between two carbonate platforms of Charmuria–Chandi formations, thereby indicating a drastic change in palaeogeography of Raipur Group. In addition, this study revised the litho-stratigraphy of Mesoproterozoic Chattisgarh basin to clarify the confusion raised due to the existence of different stratigraphy in different basinal parts and different nomenclature for the same lithologic units. Detailed geological mapping with facies analysis in the eastern part of the basin manifests the entire basin-fill succession as part of the Chattisgarh basin itself, rather than sub-dividing some parts as Baradwar sub-basin and Singhora proto-basin. Singhora Group deposited in Singhora proto-basin has already been presented as equivalent of Chandarpur Group. Here we propose, Bamandihi–Saradih–Raigarh formations of Raipur Group in Baradwar sub-basin, as lateral equivalent of Gunderdehi–Chandi–Tarenga formations of Raipur Group and Sarnadih–Nandeli formations of Kharsiya Group in Chattisgarh basin. Inferred depositional environment and tectonic setting of Chattisgarh basin support the lithostratigraphic revision, which will help in basin analysis as well as intrabasinal–interbasinal correlation in regional and global contexts. Research highlights: Devsagar Sandstone Member introduced as the only sandstone-dominated member in carbonate-dominated Charmuria Formation of Raipur Group. Devsagar Sandstone Member represents a tidal shelf in between two carbonate ramp platforms (Charmuria and Chandi), marking a period of rapid siliciclastic deposition and the only phase of forced regression in overall sea-level rising scenario of the carbonate-dominated Raipur Group. Stratigraphy of Chattisgarh basin revised. The entire Chattisgarh succession is represented as deposits of Chattisgarh basin only, without further subdivision into sub-basin and/or proto-basin, thus resolving the stratigraphic and basinal correlation problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shear zones are strain localization structures whose geometry and kinematics control the way how large crustal blocks are disposed and also provide important insights into the nature of pathways and deposition of ore forming fluids. Detailed geological field mapping, consolidated with meso- and micro-structural investigations, flow kinematics and finite strain analyses are fundamental tools to obtain information about the same. Formation, transport and precipitation of gold in major shear zone type gold deposits of the world, are also controlled by shearing activities. The Ramagiri-Penakacherla transcratonic shear zone system is characterized by NW-SE trending, 0.5 to 1 km wide shear zone, affecting both the Ramagiri-Penakacherla schist belt (RPSB) and surrounding granitoids. Sense of shearing is dominantly dextral and the main shear sense indicators include S-C fabric, down-dip stretching lineation, rotated quartz and feldspar porphyroclasts, drag folds, delta and sigma quartz porphyroclasts, bilaterally stretched quartz and feldspar porphyroclasts, and pinch-and-swell structures. Detailed kinematic and strain analyses were combined with vorticity estimates on rocks from these zone to document the patterns and geometry of deformation. The strain parameter measurements including strain ratio in the XZ principal plane of strain ellipsoid (RXZ), strain ellipsoid shape (K) and strain intensity (D) highlight a flattening strain shape of the strain ellipsoid. The shear zone is divided into three zones from its boundary to the center, depending on the amount of matrix and clast size viz. protomylonite, mesomylonite and ultramylonite. The quantitative kinematic analyses highlight that Wm varies between 0.774 to 0.89 for the protomylonite, 0.756 to 0.85 for the mesomylonite and 0.635 to 0.83 for the ultramylonite. This, in turn, indicate considerable proportion of pure shear, varying from 30% to 43% for the protomylonite, 35% to 45% for the mesomylonite and 38% to 56% for the ultramylonite (shear boundary to the center). Identification of pure shear component helped in explaining the varying width of the schist belt, along with its disappearance at punctuated intervals. Heterogeneous distribution of gold deposits in the RPSB is explained by better connectivity of the shear fractures in the mesomylonite and protomylonite zone (near the shear zone boundary) with lower strain than the ultramylonite zone (center of the shear zone), which facilitated better permeability for gold-bearing fluid pathways to flow and ultimate deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The latest geological and geophysical information on the Zeya-Bureya sedimentary basin (Russia, Far East) is summarized. Based on drilling data from corehole and deep wells and 2D and 3D CDPM seismic data, taking into account the integrated interpretation of gravity and magnetic survey data and geological survey materials, a map was compiled for the surface of the pre-Mesozoic basement of the sedimentary basin, as well as structural maps for the top of the Cretaceous formations. The maps reflect a series of rift grabens and uplifts identified by the authors on seismic time sections during their reinterpretation. The method of compiling maps is given. A geological map of sediments overlying the pre-Mesozoic basement of the Zeya-Bureya sedimentary basin and a tectonic map of the sedimentary cover were compiled. During tectonic zoning of the sedimentary cover, the classification of tectonic elements was adopted that is widely used in the tectonic zoning of oil and gas regions, proposed by V.D. Nalivkin and updated at the Trofimuk Institute of Oil and Gas Geology and Geophysics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (INGG SB RAS). As a result of tectonic zoning in the basin, the Inner Region and the Outer Belt were identified, and the tectonic elements complicating them were characterized. A characteristic feature of the Outer Belt is the presence of large intermediate structures: monoclines and mega- and mesomonoclines. Conversely, the Inner region of the basin is characterized by the presence of a large negative structure, complicated by smaller positive and negative elements. The main stages of the formation and development of the sedimentary cover of the Zeya-Bureya sedimentary basin are identified and described: rifting, early syneclise, late syneclise, and neotectonic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of the study is to perform a high-precision mapping of geological features (lineaments and faults) using advanced gravity processing methods. The main techniques used for gravity data processing are the tilt angle of horizontal gradient (TAHG), the improved logistic filter (ILF), the fast sigmoid edge detector filter (FSF), and an edge detection filter based on the arcsine function (ASF). Before applying these edge detection filters to major geological units of North Cameroon, their effectiveness and performance have been assessed on synthetic gravity data and on random noise incorporated synthetic data. In addition, the Euler deconvolution has been used to estimate the position and depth of anomalous gravity sources in the study region. Using these edge detection techniques, a precise mapping of structural lineaments in the region has been established. It appears that the main structural features are trending along the N-S, NNE-SSW and NE-SW directions. The deepest density anomalies in the region are identified in the NW–SE direction, which coincides well with the extension of the Central and West African rift system in the study area. The advanced edge detection techniques and the Euler deconvolution method have both identified a network of superficial lineaments around longitude 13oN and latitude 8oN, and located between 0 and 4 km depth. The NW–SE trending crustal features outlined in the northeast of the region indicate that the area would have been the target of a uniform tectonic activity. This study is crucial to improve the knowledge of the configuration of fractures network, and to a better exploitation of groundwater resources available in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine learning and remote sensing techniques are widely accepted as valuable, cost-effective tools in lithological discrimination and mineralogical investigations. The current study represents an attempt to use machine learning classification along with several remote sensing techniques being applied to Landsat-8/9 satellite data to discriminate the various outcropping lithological rock units at the Duwi Shear Belt (DSB) area in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. Multi-class machine learning classification, multiple conventional remote sensing mapping techniques, spectral separability analysis based on the Jeffries-Matusita (J-M) distance measure, fieldwork, and petrographic investigations were integrated to enhance the lithological discrimination of the exposed rock units at DSB area. The well-recognized machine learning classifier (Support Vector Machine—SVM) was adopted in this study, with training data determined carefully based on enhancing the lithological discrimination attained from various remote sensing techniques of False Color Composites (FCC), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF), along with the fieldwork data and the previously published geologic maps. High overall accuracy of the SVM classification was obtained, however, inspection of the individual rock unit classes' accuracies revealed lower accuracy for certain types of rock units which were also found associated with lower separability scores as well. Among the least separable rock units were; metagabbro rocks that showed high spectral similarity with the volcaniclastic metasediments rocks, and the metaultramafics of the ophiolitic mélange showed spectral attitude of high correlation to that of the Hammamat volcanosedimentary rocks. Target-oriented Color Ratio Composites (CRC) technique was implemented to better discriminate these hardly separable rock units. A final integrated geological map was obtained comprising the various discriminated Neoproterozoic basement rock units of the DSB area. The successfully mapped litho-units include; Meatiq Group (amphibolites, gneissic granitoids, and mylonitized granitoids), ophiolitic mélange (metaultramafics, metagabbro-amphibolites, and volcaniclastic metasediments), Dokhan volcanics, Hammamat sediments, and granites. An adequate description of these rock units was also given in light of the conducted intense fieldwork and petrographic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we use a multidisciplinary approach including field observations, geological mapping and stress analysis to investigate the structural evolution of the NE-trending Sfina Basin, which located in the foreland basin of the Alpine chain (Maghrebides) in Tunisia. The Sfina Basin structure is the Neogene pull-apart basin, forming along the NE-trending Zaghouan fault, it located in Tunisian Atlas domain and formed in a NE‒SW-trending dextral strike-slip fault systems. Our result has shown that this NE-trending basin is limited in both northern and southern edges by two NE-trending dextral fault segments. During the Late Cretaceous‒Middle Miocene, under NE‒SW extensional regime, the NE-trending transtensional fault segments constituted the boundaries of the Sfina Basin that developed as a dextral releasing stepover. During the Late Miocene‒Early Quaternary, Sfina Basin was inverted under a regional NW‒SE-to-NNW‒SSE compressional event in response to the Africa‒Eurasia convergence with continental collision process. The inversion occurred mainly along Sfina Basin sidewalls by reactivation of the pre-existing NE‒SW-trending weaknesses as right-lateral transpressional shears and led to formation of the NE‒SW-trending major folds structures in the Sfina area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Van Lake region is situated within the boundary of the collision zone between the Arabian and Eurasian plates, which has resulted in the formation of a variety of geological structures, including faults, volcanoes, and uplifted mountain ranges. A comprehensive understanding of these structures can yield significant information pertaining to the region's tectonic history, as well as potential tectonic hazards. In the present study, several structural mapping techniques, including lineament detection techniques [Horizontal Gradient Magnitude (HGM), Analytic Signal (AS), and Tilt Angle] and curvature analysis attributes (Differential, Gaussian, Mean, and Shape Index), were analyzed and compared the results obtained using both Earth Gravity Model 2008 (EGM2008) Bouguer gravity and seismological data, with the goal of determining the most effective (suitable) edge detection method in order to gain a better understanding of high-stress regions and areas of potential seismic hazard in the vicinity of Van Lake. It is of great importance to investigate the behavior of faults and the curvatures of structural features within the crust, as they play a significant role in determining the distribution of stress, and subsequently, its impact on surface structures. The results show that HGM and AS are effective in defining fault strikes and trends, while Gaussian curvature attributes can detect lineaments and structural edges. Differential curvature attributes were found to be best suited for complex tectonic regions. The study also reveals a coherent relationship between fold orientation and fault strikes with the regional principal stress direction. The current study has focused on a region characterized by a significant negative anomaly, which appears to be a valley-like fold structure with a highly inclined interlimb angle. This area, referred to as the "silent" zone, is seismically quiet with regard to earthquakes and faults. However, focal mechanism results support the orientation of the interlimb angle fold in the vicinity of this region. The existence of a strong negative anomaly in the eastern part of the study area highlights the requirement for additional geological field observations and seismic surveys to evaluate the potential earthquake hazards. In the course of comparing various structural mapping techniques, it was concluded that the application of second-order vertical derivative of gravity potential is a suggested approach for identifying the edges of causative structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gabal Ras Abda area as a part of the Red Sea Mountain range, is characterized by inaccessible and rugged terrains. The exposed rock units are hardly followed in the field because of the rigid topography. Thus, the present work proposes and develops an integrated approach to map the exposed rock units and extract the geologic structures using satellite imagery data followed by both field and petrographic verification, saving time, efforts and cost. Results: To achieve the target, both the measured spectral signature curves with Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2A data were used to develop and create the most enhanced Band Ratios and Principal Components for lithological discrimination and mapping which were (((Band7 + Band 4)/(Band 7), (Band 2)/(Band 2 + Band 5) and (Band 5) in RGB) and ((Band 9 + Band 11 + Band 12)/(Band 1), (Band 4 − Band 2) and (Band 11/Band 6) + (Band 6) in RGB)) with Principal Component Bands ((PC1, PC2 and PC3 in RGB) and (PC3, PC2 and PC1 in RGB)), respectively. Also, georeferenced Google Earth Pro, panchromatic band of Landsat-8 and ALOS PALSAR Digital Elevation Model images were used to extract the structural lineaments. Geologic, petrographic and field structural studies were emphasized the remote sensing results, indicating that the main rock types cropped out in Ras Abda area from the oldest to the youngest are older granitoids (quartz-diorites, tonalites and granodiorites), Dokhan volcanics (andesites, rhyodacites, rhyolites and their related tuffs), younger gabbros, younger granites (monzogranites, syenogranites and alkali-feldspar granites), post-granite dykes and offshoots (acidic, microgranitic and basic types) and Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks. Also, the study emphasized that the E-W trend is the main structural trend controlling the investigated area followed by WNW-ESE and NE-SW directions. Conclusions: The results of remote sensing achieved compliance with the geologic, petrographic and structural investigation through distinctly differentiating the different rocks and extracting the lineaments, indicating the accuracy of the remote sensing results and emphasizing their importance and effective role in producing a precise and highly accurate geologic map. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Аbstract: The basement of Arctic Alaska–Chukotka microcontinent (AAChM) is exposed in the Velitkenai granite–metamorphic dome of Chukotka. U–Th–Pb (SIMS) geochronological study of the orthogneisses of the basement, paragneisses after Paleozoic rocks, and leucogranites of the Velitkenai massif in the central and southwestern parts of this structure was carried out. The Neoproterozoic age of basement orthogneisses (Velitkenai complex) and the Albian age of granitoids of the last stage of the Velitkenai massif were confirmed. The latter coincides with the age of migmatization of orthogneisses. The youngest zircon populations from paragneisses within the Velitkenai complex are from the Cambrian and the Silurian; single zircon crystals contain inherited cores with ages of 1.7 and 1.9 Ga. The correlation of the Neoproterozoic orthogneisses of the Velitkenai granite–metamorphic dome with similar complexes of the other AAChM regions indicates the unity of its basement. It is suggested to enter the Velitkenai metamorphic complex into the legend of the Chukotka series of the third-generation geological map sheets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geological mapping of over 50 km2 area has been carried out in and around Obulapuram area, SE of Sandur Schist Belt. The Sandur Schist Belt (SSB), a part of Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC) is a NW–SE trending lens-shaped late Archaean volcano-sedimentary belt. The litho-types exposed include peninsular gneiss of PGC, fuchsite quartzite, meta-basalt with intercalation of amphibolite, phyllite, metagabbro and quartzite, banded magnetite quartzite (BMQ), banded hematite quartzite (BHQ) belonging to the Donimalai Formation of Sandur Group. Granites, dolerite dykes, gabbro dykes and quartz veins are younger intrusives. Basement Peninsular Gneiss and intrusive granite are exposed towards the southern and eastern side of the study area. The area has undergone two phases of deformation, of which the earlier D1 deformation is quite pronounced producing the NW–SE trending S0∥S1 regional structures of the area. D1 deformation is responsible for the development of tight isoclinal and macroscopic (F1) folds. D2 deformation resulted in the development of open to close mesoscopic (F2) folds and broad warps with axial traces along ENE-WSW direction and crenulation cleavage (S2). The area is predominantly characterised by regional green schist facies of metamorphism, which increases to amphibolite facies near the contact of the schist belt with gneisses and intrusive granites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field data from recent geological mapping over a major part of the north-central Scandinavian Caledonides combined with published information give a detailed view of early Cambrian basin successions, comprising the Gärdsjön formation (Gf; Jämtland supergroup) in the Lower Allochthon and autochthonous equivalents (Dividal Group). The Gf comprises ten units of sandstone and siltstone or mudstone (Gf I—X, > 300 m thick). Green siltstones with red layers (Gf VI, c. 521 to 519 Ma) and green–grey siltstones at the top (Gf X, c. 516.5 to 513.5 Ma) are regional key horizons. Gf V, VI, VII, IX, and X deposition may be related to eustatic events. Restoration of Caledonian shortening reveals a major "Hornavan-Vattudal basin" (HVB; > 330 km NW–SE, > 400 km NE-SW) between the Grong–Olden culmination in the S and the Akkajaure–Tysfjord culmination in the N. Published zircon ages imply the latter separated the HVB from those shed from the Timan orogen in the N. The eastern basin margin straddles the present Caledonian erosional margin. Basement highs identified here within the Nasafjället, Bångonåive, and Børgefjellet "basement" windows define the western margin. They separate the HVB from the outer shelf towards the Iapetus Ocean in the W. The onset of sedimentation is time-related with E–W extension at c. 544–534 Ma. NNE–SSW-directed extension occurs after c. 518 Ma, perhaps related with Timan late-orogenic extension. The HVB is distinctly younger (c. 535–513.5 Ma) than Rodinia break-up and Iapetus ocean formation (> 550 Ma), comparable with post-rift basins in inner parts of modern passive margins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zagros, on the Alpine-Himalayan belt, has undergone significant tectonic tension due to the convergence of the Arabian and Eurasian plates, resulting in numerous faults, folds, and thrusts. Despite extensive research, uncertainties persist regarding its seismotectonic features and active faults. This study aims to identify causative faults for earthquakes within this region by calculating focal mechanisms of 47 earthquakes that occurred in northwest Zagros and examining seismicity at depth. In this pursuit, 12 cross-sections have been delineated within the region. The spatial distribution of earthquakes within these sections, coupled with the computed focal mechanisms, serves as indicators of the causative fault. The study attributes a significant proportion of the recorded earthquakes to different segments of the Mountain Front Fault and estimates the length of some segments to exceed what is depicted in geological maps. Clear trends in the depth distribution of earthquakes and alignment of some features with previous studies suggest the activity of hidden faults and the influence of an arc in the study area. The collective results provide a comprehensive understanding of the proposed arc, further reinforced by the identification of a strike-slip fault intersecting the High Zagros Fault, serving as tangible evidence of the arc's existence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating a 3D geological model into the virtual Earth environment enables the display of the geological model on a larger scale, making the surrounding terrain and landform more intuitive, and improving the accuracy of geological research. Because the section analysis of 3D geological model can clearly show the geological structure and attribute information on a section, it is a popular analysis method for geologists. However, the existing methods based on Boolean operations have high requirements on the topological relationship of the model, and their efficiency and accuracy are not ideal when faced with complex 3D geological models. Meanwhile, traditional rendering-based methods can only obtain pixel-level sectional results, making measurement difficult. This paper proposes a cutting analysis algorithm for 3D geological model in virtual earth environment. This method utilizes hierarchical bounding volume (BVH) and ray intersection algorithm to extract formation boundary data, avoiding complex Boolean operations and improving the efficiency of section analysis. Furthermore, using these data to draw measurable geological section maps effectively solves the problem that the section results cannot be measured. This method can be used to quickly and effectively obtain a section diagram the conforms to the standard diagram legend, which can be directly used in the preparation of geological analysis reports. The feasibility of this method is verified by taking the section analysis of a complex 3D geological model in a certain area as an example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El Negrillar volcanic field has the largest extent and erupted volume (~ 6.8 km3 DRE) of all the monogenetic centers of the Andean Central Volcanic Zone (CVZ). The volcanic field comprises 51 eruptive centers and 98 lava flows distributed in three clusters: Northern El Negrillar (NEN), Central El Negrillar (CEN), and Southern El Negrillar (SEN). Here, we present a geological map of El Negrillar, with detail of effusive and explosive volcanic deposits not previously mapped in the southern sector of the CEN and SEN clusters. Ten samples of El Negrillar's deposits associated with effusive and phreatomagmatic activity were dated using 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, establishing, along with previously published dates, a geochronological characterization of the development of El Negrillar's monogenetic field. The collected age data yields a range of 0.982 ± 0.008 to 0.141 ± 0.072 Ma, compared to previously published K–Ar ages for the same deposits range from < 1.5 Ma to 0.6 ± 0.4 Ma. The new ages presented here indicate that the effusive activity at El Negrillar (NEN, CEN, and SEN), and the phreatomagmatic activity in the CEN (dated for first time) occurred quasi-simultaneously (within error). The end of the volcanic activity within the monogenetic field occurred in the eastern sector of the CEN at 0.141 ± 0.072 Ma, which represents the youngest eruption ages of El Negrillar. If these new ages are revisited within the regional context of the SW sector of the Altiplano-Puna Volcanic Complex (APVC), the monogenetic volcanoes appear to be the result of a migration of mafic vents along a southwest-northeast trend, as shown by their age variation from the oldest to the youngest volcanic center: Morro Punta Negra, La Negrillar, El Negrillar, Tilocálar Sur, Tilocálar Norte, Cerro Tujle, El País, Puntas Negras, La Albóndiga Grande, and Cerro Overo. These results highlight the structural control on the emplacement of monogenetic mafic volcanism in the APVC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nlonako anorogenic ring complex (NARC) is located on the south-western part of the Cameroon Line (CL). The dense vegetation and strong morphotectonic accidents in the NARC may have led to misinterpretation of its shape and poor geological mapping. Google Earth, Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS, and SRTM images were combined to draw a more precise lithostructural map of the NARC and tectonic reconstruction in the study area. Data from field studies and correlations to Google Earth, SRTM, and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS images of the Nlonako pluton show its slightly NNE-SSW elongated sub-circular shape with two ring structures consisting of syenites (about 90%), diorite, gabbro, and basalt and rhyolite veins. Gabbro occurs mostly on the borders of the pluton because it was dismembered and scattered toward the edges of the intrusion during the emplacement of syenites. Data from SRTM image and lineament synthesis' map of the NARC and surrounding indicate three direction trends. (1) The dominant NE-SW trend displayed by the NARC and its host rocks corresponds to that of the N30E–N50E branch of the CCSZ. (2) The N-S secondary trend has structures which correspond to the sinistral phase-related structures according to previous research works and may also correspond to the late deformation phase in the area. (3) The NW–SE third trend feature network corresponding to NW–SE trending fault direction that crosscuts the NARC also represents the conjugated branch of the NE-SW shear planes and the early deformation features (e.g., foliation) described along the Central Cameroon Shear Zone (CCSZ). Based on structural data and correlations to previous research works, SRTM and lineaments from Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS images, four deformation phases, corresponding to those identified in CCSZ and the Central African fold belt (CAFB) can be described in the NARC' host rocks including the following: (1) a compressive phase (D1) marked by remnant NNW-SSE to NW–SE S1 foliation; (2) a NE-SW sinistral shear phase (D2); (3) a dextral shear phase (D3); and (4) a N-S sinistral ductile strike-slip deformation (D4) which is poorly represented in the CCSZ and PAFB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a study of the anisotropic properties of the karst surface through the use of semivariograms. Karst is formed by hydrogeological and tectonic deformations that determine the surface and subsurface characteristics of the area. Among the most prominent surface features are dolines, which generally form in a linear direction. Semivariograms can be used to determine both the preferred direction of anisotropy and the degree of anisotropy. The surface exhibits the greatest elevation variability in the direction of the most diverse terrain, corresponding to dolines. The results, based on the eight karst areas studied, show that it is possible to detect and, more importantly, quantify anisotropy in all karst areas, although in some cases it is impossible or difficult to detect visually. The directions of the semivariograms agree very well with those obtained from the visual inspection of the maps, as well as with the orientations of the main faults. The method is therefore very useful for quantitative determination of anisotropy and its interpretation could be greatly improved by using the detailed structural geological maps of the karst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of a computer interpretation of the LANDSAT satellite image of a natural–technogenic geosystem (the Degelen area of the Semipalatinsk test site (STS)) are presented in this article. The data are analyzed together with the materials of geological mapping of the study area and information of the underground large-scale explosions. The block–hierarchical divisibility of the rock mass is reflected in the lineament pattern. The extended lineaments identified at the highest threshold of expression are fragmentarily confirmed by faults and are considered boundaries that determinate of the block configuration. High values of the density fields of small lineaments of the sublatitudinal and SW–NE directions relative to the density field of the SE–NW direction correspond to the activation of the region at the neotectonic stage. A lineament zone of SW–NE strike traces the main deep Degelen–Irtysh fault. The SW–NE direction of the elongation lines of the rose diagrams of small lineaments is determined by the modern stress field. A comprehensive analysis of the geological and geomorphological structure, statistical characteristics of the fields of small lineaments, and the technogenic impact on the massif was used to rank the blocks into natural and natural–technogenic. The technogenically disturbed areas are identified according to the anomalies in the density of small lineaments, which can be considered the main ways radionuclides migrate with underground water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the suitability of using multispectral remote sensing data from the Landsat-8 satellite for conducting regional geological and mineralogical mapping of the territory of southeastern Zabaykalsky krai (Russia) under conditions of medium–low mountain relief and continental climate. To increase the spectral information content of Landsat-8 satellite data, statistical processing algorithms are used, including principal component analysis (PCA), minimum noise fraction (MNF), and independent component analysis (ICA). Statistical processing results are compared with the classes of geological materials: minerals of the oxide/hydroxide group containing transitional iron ions (Fe3+ and Fe3+/Fe2+); a group of clay minerals containing Al-OH and Fe, Mg-OH; and minerals containing divalent iron ion (Fe2+) and vegetation cover. Pseudocolor RGB composites are generated and interpreted, reflecting the distribution and multiplication of classes of geological materials. To build a prospectivity scheme for the discovery of the minerals, the integration of informative thematic layers is carried out using a fuzzy logic model. The resulting scheme is compared with geological information, and positive conclusions are made about the suitability of territory for further remote studies on mapping hydrothermally altered zones and hypergenesis products in order to localize areas that are promising for revealing hydrothermal–metasomatic mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the course of this study, an approach is developed focused on identifying probabilistic zones of increased fracturing (areas with a high density of lineaments), considered a predictive sign for the localization of ore mineralization in the central part of the Maloural'skaya zone (the Polar Urals). This area is promising for the detection of polymetallic-type ore occurrences (Fe, Cu, Cu-Zn, and Au-Cu). Predictive schemes for the distribution of highly permeable rock zones are constructed and promising areas for polymetallic mineralization are identified based on this approach, accounting for the geological information, the distribution of mineral resources, remote sensing data and the results of their processing, and the lineament density schemes. The remote sensing data processing is based on the identification of structures by manual and automatic methods and their integration based on fuzzy logic. Morphostructural maps obtained from the Landsat-8 spacecraft data show that ore occurrences of polymetallic specialization known in the area are located along the perimeter of a large morphostructure of the first order, as well as near radial structures up to 20 km in length in the NE and (less often) in the NW direction. As a result of a comparison of remote sensing data with the geological map of the study area and known ore occurrences, six promising zones are identified. The contoured areas show spatial consistency with several known polymetallic ore occurrences localized in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 1970s, the geological mapping in Northeast Asia, in the Ul'ya–Urak interfluve was undertaken by the Aerogeologiya research and production enterprise, while E.L. Lebedev, an employee of the Geological Institute, USSR Academy of Sciences, collected plant fossils. Together with geologists of that enterprise, he developed a new stratigraphic chart of the region, which turned out to be incorrect, as appeared later, being based on ideas on the floral development in the mid-Cretaceous time. Lebedev made vast collections that include several thousand remains of ancient plants. However, this material turned out to be attributed to nonexistent stratigraphic units. This made it of little use for further study. Our investigation has demonstrated that the most representative collections made by Lebedev in the Ul'ya–Urak interfluve (taphofloras of the sites 101 and 107–110, 28, 20, 25, 27, 70–78, 153, 154) come from the first sequence of felsic volcanics of the homodromous succession of volcanism in the Okhotsk–Chukotka Volcanogenic Belt. In the Ul'ya Trough, this sequence was initially called the Amka Formation. It is shown that the previously collected palaeofloristic material is quite representative and in general is of a good preservation. In the future, it could be monographically studied and described as a large regional palaeofloristic and phytostratigraphic object—the Ul'ya flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gramberg All-Russia Research Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources of the World Ocean (FSBI VNIIOkeangeologia) carries out a wide range of research in the fields of geology, engineering geology, geophysics, and geochemistry. The specialists of the institute perform studies using most-up-to-date equipment in several directions, including the study of the geology and mineral resources of the Arctic, Antarctic and the World Ocean. The geological and tectonic maps and atlases of the Eurasian sector of the Arctic shelf and adjacent deepwater zones of the Arctic Ocean have been compiled. This allow one to recognize the rift-related basins on the East Arctic shelf of Russia, and the conjunction areas of the Lomonosov, Gakkel, and Mendeleev oceanic ridges with the Eurasian continental margin. A comprehensive interpretation of geological and geophysical data has revealed features of the tectonics of the Amerasian Basin, which indicate that the evolution of the basin structures took place under conditions of continental rifting. One of the main scientific conclusions drawn at the preparation of the Submission of the Russian Federation in respect of the continental shelf boundary in the Arctic Ocean is the proof of the continental nature of the structures of the Central Arctic Rise Complex: the Lomonosov Ridge, Podvodnikov Basin, Alpha–Mendeleev Rise, Chukchi Basin, and Chukchi Borderland. This conclusion is confirmed by the characteristics of the main layers of the Earth's crust in the above structures. A geodynamic model of the evolution of the Precambrian complexes of East Antarctica has been developed and the main tectonic provinces of Antarctica have been distinguished. A universal seismostratigraphic model of sedimentary basins has been developed for the marginal seas of East Antarctica. An important area of research in Antarctica was the study of the subglacial Lake Vostok. When studying the history of the formation of sulfide mineralization, it was found that the discharge of hydrothermal ore-bearing solutions most often occurs continuously, and only the intensity of the ore formation process changes with time. The possibility of formation of massive sulfide ore volumes additional to the main surface deposit due to metasomatic replacement of host igneous rocks has also been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detailed three-dimensional density modeling results obtained for the upper part of the earth's crust in the area located in the northeastern part of the Voronezh crystalline massif at the junction of Losevo and Vorontsovka terranes are considered. The model obtained by solving the inverse gravimetry problem characterizes the rock density distribution in the crystalline basement to a depth of 16 km. An important role in such constructions is given to the starting model of the studied environment taking into account the available a priori geological and geophysical information: the regional density model of the East European Platform lithosphere and gravity field, data on rock density in the sedimentary cover and crystalline basement, estimated "gravity" layer thickness, the geological map of the crystalline basement, and digital elevation models of the region. The three-dimensional density model made it possible to specify the geological structure of the upper crust in the study area and to trace a deep continuation of surface structures of the basement. The obtained results are reliable due to the consistency of the accepted a priori data on the environment and agreement of model and observed gravity fields in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technical and intellectual capabilities of past societies are reflected in the monuments they were able to build. Tracking the provenance of the stones utilised to build prehistoric megalithic monuments, through geological studies, is of utmost interest for interpreting ancient architectures as well as to contribute to their protection. According to the scarce information available, most stones used in European prehistoric megaliths originate from locations near the construction sites, which would have made transport easier. The Menga dolmen (Antequera, Malaga, Spain), listed in UNESCO World Heritage since July 2016, was designed and built with stones weighting up to nearly 150 tons, thus becoming the most colossal stone monument built in its time in Europe (c. 3800–3600 BC). Our study (based on high-resolution geological mapping as well as petrographic and stratigraphic analyses) reveals key geological and archaeological evidence to establish the precise provenance of the massive stones used in the construction of this monument. These stones are mostly calcarenites, a poorly cemented detrital sedimentary rock comparable to those known as 'soft stones' in modern civil engineering. They were quarried from a rocky outcrop located at a distance of approximately 1 km. In this study, it can be inferred the use of soft stone in Menga reveals the human application of new wood and stone technologies enabling the construction of a monument of unprecedented magnitude and complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fort Roberdeau was a lead mine in central Pennsylvania during the period of the American Revolution. Scant information exists on the original position of the fort, the location of mining activity in the area during the period of the Revolution, or artifacts from this period. Subsequent farming, mining exploration, and the placement of the current replica fort (erected 1976) obscure the landform and hinder identification of Revolutionary-period mining activities. As a means of locating where the mining activities occurred and the original position of the fort, this study integrates historical, geological, geophysical, geochemical, geomorphological, and archaeological data. Geological mapping identified potential areas of past mining, and geophysical resistivity surveys verified at least one Revolutionary-period mine, since the location and dimensions of the subsurface anomaly match historical records. The positions of period metallic artifacts in conjunction with a road and corner of the original fort (identified with LiDAR and thermal imagery) place the original fort near the current replica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) is becoming increasingly common in geological mapping. The acquired UAV images help in building a 3D virtual outcrop model after processing. In particular, the use of UAV provides a rapid and low-cost method for estimating planar discontinuity orientation in inaccessible outcrops. Several open-access software packages are now available for automatic extraction of the orientation of planar structures using point cloud data generated from UAV images. This study demonstrates software applications for extracting geological discontinuities and compares the results with direct field observations in the outer part of the Garhwal Lesser Himalaya. Two types of geological surfaces, namely, the bedding surface and the fracture surface, are tested by processing point clouds in the discontinuity set extractor (DSE) and the FACETS (cloudcompare) software. Both the DSE and the FACETS require the availability of distinct 3-D exposures and clean point clouds on virtual Outcrop models. Results from both the software deviate from the field observations by a few degrees. Between the two software, FACETS gives relatively more accurate results than the DSE. The compass tool is an additional advantage in the cloudcompare (FACETS). These techniques have been successfully demonstrated in rock mass characterization and slope stability studies. In general, the semi-automatic methods are useful in studies requiring the orientation of a well-exposed single surface or several surfaces in a small area that is inaccessible. These techniques, however, become time-intensive due to noisy data in geologically complex areas where the rocks are cut by multiple sets of discontinuities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analytic signal (AS1) has been widely used for mapping geological features from magnetic data. Some enhanced versions of the AS1 have been introduced to improve its effectiveness. Here, we compare the performance of these filters and introduce a filter obtained from the tilt angle and the directional analytic signals. For better performance on low latitudes, the directional analytic signals are obtained from the vertical integral of the magnetic anomaly rather than its magnetic potential. The proposed filter shows an apparent performance improvement in mapping the edges of magnetic sources, as shown with synthetic models and real example from the Olympic Peninsula, USA. The great advantage of the proposed technique is that the obtained result has lower influence from the magnetization vector direction than the AS1 and other related techniques. The findings demonstrate that the present method not only outlines the boundaries more precisely and clearly, but also reveals the presence of several structures obscured by nonmagnetic sediment in the study area, which are not determined by other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with results of geological and geophysical study of the East Siberian Sea coastal areas are reported. Research activities started in 2018 in the frame of the State Geological Mapping Project (GK-1000/3) and continued in 2022 under support of the Russian Science Foundation. A seismo-stratigraphic scheme of the Quaternary sediment sequence has been compiled, and a conception of the paleogeographical evolution in the Late Pleistocene–Holocene has been proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seismic activity and earthquake frequency in a region are related to some particular factors like the region's geomorphic composition, terrain characteristics, geological features, and population distribution. This study analyzes these relationships comprehensively through a zone-based overlay analysis by focusing on six key physical parameters. This includes frequency of all seismic shocks, interpolation of major earthquake shocks, digital modeling, geological mapping, structural mapping, and population density mapping. This study adopted a distinctive concept by dividing the whole country into 143 gridded zones. Each parameter for each zone was assigned a vulnerability value, and the cumulative values across all parameters in each zone determined its specific vulnerability status. The result was a vulnerability map that effectively demonstrated the earthquake-induced susceptibility of each zone. The resultant vulnerability map was categorized into most vulnerable, moderately vulnerable and least vulnerable zones. The generated map illustrates that the northern part of the country including Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir is among the most vulnerable parts. Western Baluchistan province areas extending toward the north covering the surrounding area of Quetta and some western parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are among the most vulnerable category. Baluchistan coastal areas around the border of Sindh Baluchistan are moderately vulnerable parts of the country. Eastern and southeastern parts (Sindh and Punjab) are the least vulnerable parts of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iraq is located in the extreme northeastern part of the Arabian Plate, which is in collision with the Iranian (Eurasian) Plate. The collision, which is still ongoing has created tens of folds some of which exhibit different types of faults. The exerted compressional forces are believed to be decreasing southwestwards as being far from the collision area (Suture Zone). Accordingly, all the existing tectonic and geological maps compiled by different authors and all the existing published articles, reports and books have considered two main tectonic domains in Iraq. The Stable Shelf and Unstable Shelf or Inner Platform and Outer Platform. The contact between these two main divisions follows almost the Euphrates River; towards the west of the river is the tectonically Stable area and towards the east and north is the tectonically Unstable area, which means the presence of different structural forms. In the current study, we have recognized tens of different Neotectonic evidence in the Stable part indicating that the area is tectonically not stable. Among those indications are abandoned valleys, development of sinkholes along certain lineaments, bending of valleys in right angles, and development of nick-points in valleys along certain lineaments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geochemical mapping based on machine learning algorithms has been proven to significantly improve the efficiency of geological mapping related to mineral exploration. This process is generally implemented by interpolating discrete geochemical data into spatially continuous fields and comparing chemical composition and spatial distribution to a reference. However, the use of geochemical survey data for geological mapping is challenging because of discontinuous geochemical sampling and inferior model performance owing to the restriction of insufficient training samples and spatial feature representations. Geochemical data interpolation is subject to uncertainty that also deserves be quantified. This study addresses the above challenges by using a direct sampling (DS) multiple-point statistical technique in conjunction with a convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm. Specifically, the DS technique is designed to produce spatially continuous and sufficient samples by reconstructing unsampled locations from sparse geochemical survey data; and CNN facilitates automatic lithological feature learning and classification based on multilevel convolutional operations that considers the spatial information within neighboring samples. The proposed framework is illustrated in a case study mapping lithological units in Daqiao district, western China, and compared with the deterministic interpolation approach visually and quantitatively. Most lithological units were correctly identified with an overall accuracy of 94%, providing feasible and practical insight into geological mapping using stream sediment geochemical survey data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regional geochemical mapping was carried out in the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plain of the Western and Central India which was previously classified as Varanasi alluvium, a polycyclic sequence of large alluvial fans transported by perennial Himalayan Rivers. The results based on the geochemical dispersion pattern of major and minor oxides as well as trace elements conclude that there are four major factors determining the dispersion patterns of the variables which are: (1) the underlying lithology with a strike of NE-SW, (2) transport of sediments along the general slope of the study area towards south and south-west as reflected in the Digital Elevation Model, (3) formation of Reh and (4) anthropogenic influence. The present study focusing on the effect of the underlying geology on the geochemical signature of the study area infers that the geochemical distribution pattern of certain variables clearly follows the trend of the Delhi fold belt. It can be interpreted that the subsurface lithology belonging to Delhi Supergroup is present at a depth of 500m which is considerably shallower, imprinting its geochemical signature on the sediments. The presence of minor outcrops of quartzite belonging to the Delhi Supergroup with the NE-SW strike is also documented in the study area. Based on this study we propose to reclassify the Varanasi Alluvium sediments as equivalent to Banda Alluvium. The study also demonstrates the utility of geochemical mapping as a tool to map the subsurface geology of an alluvial terrain. The results of this study are also corroborated by the regional scale gravity survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geologic cross-section is an indispensable complement to the geologic map and is the model that represents the underground extension of the materials of the structures. It still lacks an automatic way to adapt to digital transformation. A novel method is proposed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of geologic cross-section construction by spatial data projection. The method has three main steps as follows: 1) Calculation. All key components on the cross-section, including topographic profile and structural data, are automatically generated through a relational database table. 2) Spatial coordinates projection. A cross-section in a free direction comes from the projection of a three dimensional data source. The geometric parameters of the geologic cross-section are obtained through the dimensionality reduction projection of the point coordinates. 3) Data extension. The extension of geologic structures in the subsurface and denuded areas and the spatial relationship between contact lines and topographic profiles are discussed. Four case studies, including Digital Contour Map, Remote Sensing, Global Navigator Satellite System (GNSS), and Laser rangefinder, successfully demonstrate that the proposed method is a simple, flexible, fast, precise, and visual process that can generate digital cross-sections automatically and efficiently through multi-source topographic and geologic data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dairy industry is a high-water-consuming sector, making water conservation crucial, especially in countries like India that are top milk producers and have large populations. This research evaluates the performance and effluent characterization of dairy effluent treatment systems in Kerala using modern, cost-effective technology to address this issue. A hybrid electrocoagulation reactor (HECR) is designed to operate simultaneously in coagulation, and the electrocoagulation process is proposed in this study. The wastewater treatment parameters of the HECR with those of six existing dairy effluent treatment plants using geological mapping and geographic information system (GIS) were studied. According to inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation findings, HECR's effluent treatment profile is comparable to existing technologies, with a minimum required retention time of 9.58 h. The results show the HECR treatment efficiency, removing up to 75.15% of turbidity and 94.5% of COD. Moreover, the sludge generated from HECR is transformed into nutrient-rich vermicompost by adding suitable fillers in the ratio of 5:1:3:1 (industrial dairy sludge/HECR sludge: cow dung, dry leaf, and seed vermicompost). The optimal conversion times for vermicompost developed from dairy industrial sludge are 40 days, with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) values per gram vermicompost of 8.86%, 3.18%, and 3.6%, respectively. For HECR sludge, on the 60th day, the observed NPK value for the developed vermicompost is at 4.76%, 1.46%, and 5.1%. Overall, this research offers a promising solution to treat dairy wastewater and transform generated waste sludge into a valuable resource, highlighting the importance of technology adaptation in the dairy industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface geology of Jupiter's Trojan asteroids is one of the scientific investigations of the NASA Lucy mission. A dedicated Geology Working Group will implement these studies using primarily panchromatic and color imaging data and complement the interpretation of these data with theoretical models, such as collisional evolution models. The Lucy Science Team will also rely on experience and lessons learned from prior space missions, such as NASA's NEAR, Dawn, OSIRIS-REx, and New Horizons. A chief goal of the Geology Working Group is to map craters and characterize their morphology across Lucy target's surfaces over a range of spatial resolutions. These data will be used to constrain the relative and absolute ages of terrains and their impactor size-frequency distributions. More broadly, impact-related processes such as excavation and mass wasting will inform other investigations, including geological unit mapping, stratigraphy and topography, surface composition, and internal structure. Lucy's cratering data and morphology will also be used to perform comparative analyses with similar data from other small bodies across the Solar System, from Main Belt asteroids to Kuiper Belt objects. The present article provides an overview of the planned activities and methodologies of the Geology Working Group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the accuracy of comprehensive advanced geological prediction methods in tunnel construction projects, this paper takes the Daluoshan Water Diversion Tunnel Project in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province as the basis of the project, selects a typical section of the water diversion tunnel, and uses Tunnel Seismic Tomography and Ground Penetrating Radar to transmit seismic and electromagnetic waves to the surrounding rock face of the tunnel, and process and interpret the collected signal information. Advanced borehole and drilling techniques are used for verification. The results show that the geological prediction results are consistent with the actual revealed conditions, and the advantages of various technologies can be exerted and mutually verified through advanced geological prediction, which can significantly improve the accuracy of advanced geological prediction in the application of water diversion tunnels and provide reference and basis for later construction, and provide safety assurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main critical remarks to the paper by M.G. Moiseeva, A.B. Herman, and A.B. Sokolova entitled "On the Stratigraphic Setting and Composition of the Ayanka Flora from the Upper Cretaceous of Okhotsk–Chukotka Volcanogenic Belt, Northeastern Russia" (Stratigraphy and Geological Correlation, 2022, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 250–272), stated by S.V. Shczepetov in his article "On the Ayanka Flora from the Upper Cretaceous of Northeastern Russia" (Stratigraphy and Geological Correlation, 2022, vol. 30, no. 6, pp. 578–585), are considered. Additional arguments are given to confirm the conclusions we have previously made: (1) all three taphofloras from the Obryvistaya River basin came from the same stratigraphic unit, which, however, is called differently in separate sheets of the 1 : 200 000 State Geological Map of the Russian Federation: Auney Member on the northern sheet and Makkoveem Formation on the southern one; (2) according to the composition of the plants of these taphofloras, all of them are approximately coeval and can be considered as a unified Ayanka flora; (3) the most probable age of the Ayanka Flora is Santonian–Campanian, since it is undoubtedly the most similar to the Santonian–Campanian floras of Northeastern Russia and Northern Alaska. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CorelKit is developed with the built-in VBA environment of CorelDraw®, and is a new plug-in in CorelDraw for geological and geochemical drawing. CorelKit can help users quickly and easily draw geological and geochemical graphs, such as scatterplot, triangular scatterplot, line chart, histogram, bar chart, box plot, pie graph, etc. In order to adapt to the geological application, the above functions are strengthened. Scatterplot and triangular scatterplot provide nearly 150 common basemaps, covering rock classification, structural environment discrimination, mineral genesis, isotope geochemistry, etc., for the convenience of the user mapping. Meanwhile, CorelKit further provides a structural joint rose diagram and sulfur isotopic composition diagram. This software also has many practical functions such as Bézier line topology, Multiple Bézier lines close fill, Single inner fill, Correction basemap, Add a compass, Add a scale, which facilitates daily geological drawing. The software has a friendly interface, in both Chinese and English versions, and is suitable for CorelDraw X4 and later versions. We introduced the Bézier line topology to CorelKit for the first time, which is similar to the GIS® topology for geological maps. According to the "GB/T 958–2015 Geological Legends Used for Regional Geological Map", a two-color filling library of rock pattern pictures is established, which is convenient to realize the two-color filling of sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks and magmatic rocks patterns. Obviously, CorelKit makes up for many shortcomings of CorelDraw in geosciences and is a very practical tool for geoscience researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimension geological models represent the subsurface geology based on the development of 3D geological structures as an extension of geological maps. This study aims to update the previous geological information of the Gallocanta Basin (NE Spain) by (1) extending the model domain to most parts of the basin and (2) developing a new 3D model. The ultimate objective is to obtain a 3D geological model which provides a more detailed conceptual understanding of the groundwater flow for a future hydrogeological model. We used MOVE 2017 software to render the geological data and develop the new model. The geological 3D model has shown the effectiveness of using three-dimensional analysis as a useful tool for the geological reconstruction of complex areas. The creation of the present three-dimensional model constitutes the basis for geological and hydrogeological works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inventory of 32 geodiversity sites and geosites has been compiled for an area characterized by high geodiversity, which also played a role in the history of geosciences. Aspects of the geology of Lumignano and Costozza (Berici Hills, northeastern Italy) have been mentioned since the 1500 s by architects that made use of building stones quarried in the area. Later on, and until the 1900s, the site was the subject of several geological studies. Nonetheless, a modern overview of local geology is still missing because of the scarcity of modern geological literature. More critically, modern geological maps are available, which makes the task of compiling a rational inventory of geodiversity sites particularly difficult. For this reason, we produced a new geological map which served as a base for compiling an inventory of 32 geodiversity sites and geosites that were ranked according to importance on a local scale. The inventory and map were then used to make popular science products that demonstrate the applicability of the work for geotouristic purposes. The critical importance of uniform and up-to-date geological knowledge of an area for the compilation of inventories of geodiversity is discussed on the basis of this case study. In the case of Italy, where the compilation of the geological map at the scale of 1:50,000 is severely incomplete, doubts could be cast that a reliable inventory of geosites could really be realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dataset to describe exposed bedrock and surficial geology of Antarctica has been constructed by the GeoMAP Action Group of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and GNS Science. Our group captured existing geological map data into a geographic information system (GIS), refined its spatial reliability, harmonised classification, and improved representation of glacial sequences and geomorphology, thereby creating a comprehensive and coherent representation of Antarctic geology. A total of 99,080 polygons were unified for depicting geology at 1:250,000 scale, but locally there are some areas with higher spatial resolution. Geological unit definition is based on a mixed chronostratigraphic- and lithostratigraphic-based classification. Description of rock and moraine polygons employs the international Geoscience Markup Language (GeoSciML) data protocols to provide attribute-rich and queryable information, including bibliographic links to 589 source maps and scientific literature. GeoMAP is the first detailed geological map dataset covering all of Antarctica. It depicts 'known geology' of rock exposures rather than 'interpreted' sub-ice features and is suitable for continent-wide perspectives and cross-discipline interrogation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the construction of mountain tunnels, there are often various intricate and mutable potential hazards, the management and control of which are crucial to ensuring the safety of such construction. With the rapid advancement of engineering information technologies, including Building Information Model (BIM), the internet, big data, and cloud computing, dynamic management of mountain tunnel construction will inevitably become a prevailing trend. This paper proposes a new digital approach to realize the informatization and visualization of risk management in mountain tunnel construction, by combining monitoring measurement with advanced geological prediction based on BIM technology. The proposed approach suggests a BIM-based digital platform architecture for mountain tunnel construction, which is comprised of five layers—basic, model, data, application, and user. The integration of these five layers can realize risk management information during the construction of mountain tunnels. In addition, a set of dynamic risk management systems, including risk monitoring, identification, and assessment, can be established based on the digital platform. The digital platform and dynamic risk management system proposed in this paper have certain advantages in the construction of mountain tunnels, providing a new and significant way for the management of safety risks in such construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslide monitoring is a mandatory step in landslide risk assessment. It requires collecting data on landslide conditions (e.g., areal extent, landslide kinematics, surface topography, hydrogeometeorological parameters, and failure surfaces) from different time periods and at different scales, from site-specific to local, regional, and national, to assess landslide activity. In this analysis, we collected information on landslide monitoring techniques from 17 members of the Earth Observation and Geohazards Expert Group (from EuroGeoSurveys) deployed between 2005 and 2021. We examined the types of the 75 recorded landslides, the landslide techniques, spatial resolution, temporal resolution, status of the technique (operational, non-operational), time of using (before the event, during the event, after the event), and the applicability of the technique in early warning systems. The research does not indicate the accuracy of each technique but, rather, the extent to which Geological Surveys conduct landslide monitoring and the predominant techniques used. Among the types of landslides, earth slides predominate and are mostly monitored by geological and engineering geological mapping. The results showed that Geological Surveys mostly utilized more traditional monitoring techniques since they have a broad mandate to collect geological data. In addition, this paper provides new insights into the role of the Geological Surveys on landslide monitoring in Europe and contributes to landslide risk reduction initiatives and commitments (e.g., the Kyoto Landslide Commitment 2020). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forecasting geological cross-section ahead of tunnel face is an essential ingredient for tunnel design and construction. Geological analysis and drilling have been the most traditional approach for predicting tunnel ahead geological conditions. However, this practice is often subjective, and geological information retrieved from previous tunnel excavation in the same project has not been used quantitatively. In this study, a data-driven framework is proposed to sequentially develop geological cross-sections along planned tunnel trajectory conditioning on site-specific data and prior geological knowledge. The proposed framework dynamically and continuously incorporates geological information revealed from tunnel excavation as additional site-specific data, which provide first-hand direct geological information from the immediate past tunnel sections and can actually serve as the most relevant prior geological knowledge for forward prediction. All the prior geological knowledge is compiled as a site-specific training image database. When the actual geological cross-sections are revealed from tunnel excavation, the training image database is also updated for the next loop of tunnel ahead geological prediction. The proposed method is illustrated using data obtained from a real tunnelling project in Australia. Results indicate that the proposed method continuously provides accurate prediction of geological cross-sections along planned tunnel trajectory with quantified stratigraphic uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims at discriminating the rock units and mapping the alteration zones from their host rocks, as promised targets for mineral exploration in Um El-Rus area using the widely considered ASTER data. Several remote sensing techniques were integrated for the lithological discrimination and alteration zone delineation. The approach methodology was able to map the various rock units and define the contacts between them precisely. Moreover, the spatial abundances of the alteration minerals (e.g., alunite, iron oxides, chlorite, kaolinite, illite, montmorillonite, and sericite) were mapped as an indication of the occurrence of alteration zones. More addition, the lineaments in the study area were extracted automatically using the PCI Geomatics software. Areas with considerable lineament density may indicate high potentiality for mineralization as these lineaments may represent faults and fractures that are the main channel ways for hydrothermal solutions to migrate through. This study yielded a modified geological map with enhanced lithological boundaries depending on the remote sensing data. Five localities were delineated and regarded as alteration zones with high potentiality for mineralization. A field visit was conducted to the study area through which the obtained results were validated. Field observations maintained the high accuracy of the obtained enhanced lithological map. During the field study, several alteration indicators were observed, including, quartz veins/veinlets, kaolinitization, chloritization, sericitization, and carbonatization types of alteration. The adopted alteration mapping methodology enabled the delineation of the already existing Um El-Rus gold mine; this validates the results as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]