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A coordinated multi-year ocean exploration campaign on the Blake Plateau offshore of the southeastern U.S. has mapped what appears to be the most expansive cold-water coral (CWC) mound province thus far discovered. Nearly continuous CWC mound features span an area up to 500 km long and 110 km wide, with a core area of high-density mounds up to 254 km long by 42 km wide. This study synthesized bathymetric data from 31 multibeam sonar mapping surveys and generated a standardized geomorphic classification of the region in order to delineate and quantify CWC mound habitats and compare mound morphologies among subregions of the coral province. Based on the multibeam bathymetry, a total of 83,908 individual peak features were delineated, providing the first estimate of the overall number of potential CWC mounds mapped in the region to date. Five geomorphic landform classes were mapped and quantified: peaks (411 km2), valleys (3598 km2), ridges (3642 km2), slopes (23,082 km2), and flats (102,848 km2). The complex geomorphology of eight subregions was described qualitatively with geomorphic “fingerprints” (spatial patterns) and quantitatively by measurements of mound density and vertical relief. This study demonstrated the value of applying an objective automated terrain segmentation and classification approach to geomorphic characterization of a highly complex CWC mound province. Manual delineation of these features in a consistent repeatable way with a comparable level of detail would not have been possible.

Diatomite deposits of the lacustrine Truckee Formation near Hazen, Northern Nevada, are of Miocene age (ca. 10.3 million years old) and consist of varved deposits within commercial mines. These exposed deposits have been primary source of paleontological samples of stickleback fish fossils (Gasterosteous doryssus) spanning 100,000 years. These samples have revealed stasis, rapid morphological and genetic evolution, and local extinction of G. doryssus against a background of changing diatom communities. Here, we draw on geological, limnological, anthropogenic, and bibliographical data to illustrate the geographic and paleontological context of the Hazen diatomite deposits. We include a stratigraphic section describing lithology and stickleback specimen frequency at a 1 mm resolution. This paper should help researchers identify patterns in fossil site distribution and better understand the geological processes that have shaped the area, spurring new sampling and future research.

The Shyok Valley, within the Upper Indus Basin in Trans-Himalayas, lies in the cold and arid region. It is fed by the Siachen glacier; the largest glacier in the third pole. The fluctuations in this glacier are attributed to varying intensities of the two weather regimes namely mid-latitude westerlies and Southwest Monsoon. The reconstruction of the magnitude, timing, and landscape impact of glaciers in Nubra-Shyok valley have been explored in past decade yet they are contentious and uncertain. Therefore, the present study investigates the sediments from the key sites (Agham, Khardung, Changmar, Chalunka) in the Shyok valley using Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating technique. The diverse geomorphology, including moraines, sand dunes, mass movement zone, alluvial fans are mapped to represent the geomorphic setting of the region. The chronological ages from the lower Shyok Valley (Agham section: 18.4 ± 2.2 ka) suggest extensive glacier expansion beyond the present terminus of the Siachen Glacier during the Marine Isotopic Stage (MIS)-2. The Khardung section has glaciofluvial deposits: 24.0 ± 2.4 ka (KHG-1), younger moraine: 8.2 ± 1.0 ka (KHG-9) and lacustrine deposits (KHGL-5, KHGL-6, KHGL-7): 14.1 ± 2.0 ka, 12.1 ± 1.1 ka, 10.7 ± 1.3 ka. The glacial events that occurred around 8.2 ka and 12.0 ka suggest glacial advancement which are likely due to a period of lower temperature. The Changmar section displays lacustrine deposits and debris flow events dated to the late glacial (14.5 ± 1.7 ka, CHG-1; 13.2 ± 1.6 ka, CHG-2) and deglaciation period (6.5 ± 1.2 ka, CHG-3; 5.5 ± 1.0 ka, CHG-4). The presence of the Holocene-aged lateral moraines (20 km away from Chalunka village: 14.3 ± 1.3 ka, CLM-2; 5.7 ± 0.9 ka, CLM-3; 0.4 ± 0.04 ka, CLM-4) and CHG-8: 2.1 ± 0.3 ka; outwash plain deposits: COP-7: 2.4 ± 0.4 ka aligns with the previous findings in the Nubra Valley, suggesting glacial advance in Little Ice Age in the whole valley. The glacial event occurring between 2.4 and 2.1 ka corresponds to the Neoglacial epoch, characterized by a glacial advance likely caused by a decrease in temperature during the late Holocene period. The intensified mid-latitude westerlies during MIS-2 are inferred to be the key factor in increased moisture to the Shyok Valley which led to the glacier expansion. These findings enhance our understanding of past climate changes in this high-altitude region and serve as a valuable baseline for future studies on glacial response to climate variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although erosion has naturally been driven by rainfall patterns, human activities have increasingly influenced erosion rates in recent times. However, as climate change alters precipitation, future erosion control may once again depend primarily on climate. The primary goal of this investigation was to ascertain whether the issue of escalated erosion, typically linked to downstream dam effects, could diminish in significance due to projected climatic shifts later in this century. An erosion potential index (Ep), formulated as the ratio of the mass of sediment influx from upstream to the frequency of the sediment-carrying flow events, was computed on a tributary of the Godavari River, located downstream of a dam. Using the Soil & Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), virtual experiments were conducted to distinguish the impacts of the dam from projected climate changes on river geomorphology. Two control scenarios were created using the current climate data and simulated regulated and unregulated states of the basin. Employing climate projections and various mitigation scenarios (SSPs) for the 2060s and 2090s, this study estimated Ep values exclusively under future climatic conditions in an unregulated state of the basin. Results indicate that, in the unregulated state without the existence of the upstream dam, future climate impacts on erosion outweigh the current effects of the dam, underscoring the growing influence of climate on geomorphology. It suggests that existing structural interventions may lose their geomorphic significance in the face of future climate conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting the nearshore sediment transport and shifts in coastlines in view of climate change is important for planning and management of coastal infrastructure and requires an accurate prediction of the regional wave climate as well as an in-depth understanding of the complex morphology surrounding the area of interest. Recently, hybrid shoreline evolution models are being used to inform coastal management. These models typically apply the one-line theory to estimate changes in shoreline morphology based on littoral drift gradients calculated from a 2DH coupled wave, flow, and sediment transport model. As per the one-line theory, the calculated littoral drift is uniformly distributed over the active coastal profile. A key challenge facing the application of hybrid models is that they fail to consider complex morphologies when updating the shorelines for several scenarios. This is mainly due to the scarcity of field datasets on beach behavior and nearshore morphological change that extends up to the local depth of closure, leading to assumptions in this value in overall shoreline shift predictions. In this study, we propose an improved hybrid model for shoreline shift predictions in an open sandy beach system impacted by human interventions and changes in wave climate. Three main conclusions are derived from this study. First, the optimal boundary conditions for modeling shoreline evolution need to vary according to local coastal geomorphology and processes. Second, specifying boundary conditions within physically realistic ranges does not guarantee reliable shoreline evolution predictions. Third, hybrid 2D/one-line models have limited applicability in simple planform morphologies where the active beach profile is subject to direct impacts due to wave action and/or human interventions, plausibly due to the one-line theory assumption of a constant time-averaged coastal profile. These findings provide insightful information into the drivers of shoreline evolution around sandy beaches, which have practical implications for advancing the shoreline evolution models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article attempts to interpret folk narratives featuring the motif of producing millstones from erratic boulders and their subsequent reuse in new functional contexts. According to our assumptions, in folk narratives originating from the northern regions of Germany and Poland, where these motifs are present, one can find references to the methods of obtaining stone materials characteristic of these areas. These narratives also include information about the occurrence of erratic boulders – consistent with the geomorphology of regions affected by the last glaciation, and residual information regarding the distribution of millstones as well as semi-finished products. Thus, folk narratives can often serve as an interesting point of reference not only for ethnologists and folklorists but also for geologists and geographers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multibeam echosounders provide ideal data for the semi-automated seabed feature extraction and accurate morphometric measurements. In this study, bathymetric and raw backscatter data were initially used to manually delimit the reef morphologies found in an insular semi-enclosed gulf in the northern Aegean Sea (Gera Gulf, Lesvos Island, Greece). The complexity of this environment makes it an ideal area to "crash test" (test to the limit) and compare the results of the delineation methods. A large number of (more than 7000) small but prominent reefs were detected, which made manual mapping extremely time-consuming. Three semi-automated tools were also employed to map the reefs: the Benthic Terrain Modeler (BTM), Confined Morphologies Mapping (CoMMa), and eCognition Multiresolution Segmentation. BTM did not function properly with irregular reef footprints, but by modifying both the bathymetry and slope, the outcome was improved, producing accurate results that appeared to exceed the accuracy of manual mapping. CoMMa, a new GIS morphometric toolbox, was a "one-stop shop" that, besides generating satisfactory reef delineation results (i.e., detecting the same total reef area as the manual method), was also used to extract the morphometric characteristics of the polygons resulting from all the methods. Lastly, the Multiresolution Segmentation also gave satisfactory results with the highest precision. To compare the final maps with the distribution of the reefs, mapcurves were created to estimate the goodness-of-fit (GOF) with the Precision, Recall, and F1 Scores producing values higher than 0.78, suggesting a good detection accuracy for the semi-automated methods. The analysis reveals that the semi-automated methods provided more efficient results in comparison with the time-consuming manual mapping. Overall, for this case study, the modification of the bathymetry and slope enabled the results' accuracy to be further enhanced. This study asserts that the use of semi-automated mapping is an effective method for delineating the geomorphometry of intricate relief and serves as a powerful tool for habitat mapping and decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is an article from the Journal of Coastal Research, focusing on Fowlers Bay in South Australia. It provides information about the bay's history, including its use by whalers in the 18th and 19th centuries, the establishment of a landing and port in the 1860s, and its subsequent decline and revitalization through tourism. The article also describes the bay's current features, such as seagrass meadows, dunes, and ongoing efforts to stabilize the dunes. [Extracted from the article]

Clarifying the response relationship between soil radon gas anomalies and active fault tectonic geomorphology, and to explore a rapid prediction method for concealed fractures, soil radon gas measurements and unmanned aerial vehicle micro-geomorphic scanning were carried out in the basin section of the Aba South Fault in western Sichuan. The areas of radon gas anomalies and tectonic features formed by fracture activities are highly consistent with the distribution areas of hidden fractures. It is concluded that the combination of soil radon gas measurements and tectonic geomorphologic analysis can rapidly and accurately predict hidden fractures covered by Quaternary sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass movements can be caused by factors from different categories, such as geological factors and climate change. From a geological point of view, the soil profile and the geotechnical properties of the materials are crucial in influencing slope instability. From a climate change perspective, rainfall intensity is one of the main triggers of mass movements. Studies related to rainfall infiltration focus on saturated slope zones; therefore, areas of slope stability with infiltration in the unsaturated zone present large gaps. The Brazilian government environmental diagnostics company, the Mineral Resources Research Company (CPRM), identified the municipality of Areia/PB as a danger zone. The region has landslides that occur mostly during the rainy season. Such events lead to the presumption that rainwater infiltration is responsible for the failure of the municipality's slopes. Thus, the studies proposed in this research aim to determine the influence of precipitation on the stability of the slopes present in the region. The results show that antecedent precipitation has a greater influence on stability, indicating that daily precipitation alone cannot be used as a determinant for landslides. It was concluded that the role of precipitation in slope stability will vary for different locations, with varying surface conditions, variable tropical rainfall, or different microclimatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct and indirect human disturbances present major challenges to sustainable management of dryland rivers, impacting upon their role as critical lifelines in arid and semiarid regions. This paper presents an overview of changing human–river relations, knowledges and practices in the management of dryland rivers in western India over the last 4500 years. In ancient times, traditional knowledges underpinned local water harvesting techniques that worked with nature. Subsequent imposition of external values and knowledge frameworks in colonial times applied a command‐and‐control ethos that asserted human authority over rivers. Postindependence, development programmes in the second half of the 21st century further accentuated this legacy, with profound implications for river health. Discipline‐bound approaches to river restoration in recent decades have failed to address these concerns. Using the Sabarmati catchment (~20,000 km2) as a case study, we develop a holistic, transdisciplinary approach that integrates traditional place‐based knowledges and practices alongside scientific understandings and the generative potential of Big Data to show how a plural knowledges model can support proactive and precautionary approaches to sustainable river management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Clarence River (New South Wales, Australia) was the main transport corridor for the timber and sugar cane industries operating in the catchment from the 1860s to the 1970s. Using archaeological, documentary, and oral historical resources we explore some of the anthropogenic impacts of these industries upon the fluvial geomorphology of the lower Clarence River. In particular, the deliberate abandonment of obsolete vessels on the river system is a focus. These discarded former cane and timber barges have been used as erosion control devices in several areas around the Harwood Island sugar mill, resulting in the accumulation of sediments and the establishment of mangrove environments in what were degraded areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface elevation tables (SETs) estimate the vertical resilience of coastal wetlands to sea-level rise (SLR) and other stressors but are limited in their spatial coverage. Conversely, spatially integrative metrics based on remote sensing provide comprehensive spatial coverage of horizontal processes but cannot track elevation trajectory at high resolution. Here, we present a critical advance in reconciling vertical and horizontal dynamics by assessing the relationship between elevation change, relative tidal elevation (Z*), and the unvegetated-vegetated marsh ratio (UVVR) across coastal wetland complexes in the southeastern USA. We first used the UVVR to determine the representativeness of the SET site relative to varying spatial footprints across the complex and found that SET sites generally represent the tidal wetland areas in terms of vegetated cover. There is also overall coherence between positive vertical change and high vegetative cover, but we also identified sites with high vegetative cover and negative vertical change (relative to SLR). The only sites exceeding the pace of SLR have UVVR values below the previously established 0.15 threshold. Some sites are not keeping up with SLR despite having intact marsh plains; this may indicate a risk of submergence with undetectable marsh plain loss, or an imminent transition to future open-water conversion. Aggregation of Z* across the same footprint as the UVVR demonstrates consistent coherence between elevation and vegetative cover, with lower elevation sites having larger UVVR. These results indicate that the UVVR is a suitable initial screening tool: areas above the 0.15 threshold are both horizontally and vertically vulnerable. Furthermore, this comparison suggests that horizontal integrity is a prerequisite for vertical stability: a marsh can only maintain elevation if the plain is intact with minimal unvegetated area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Precipitation is the fundamental source for various research areas, including hydrology, climatology, geomorphology, and ecology, serving essential roles in modelling, distribution, and process analysis. However, the accuracy and precision of spatially distributed precipitation estimates is a critical issue, particularly for daily scale and topographically complex areas. Although many datasets have been developed based on different algorithms and sources are developed for this purpose, determining which of these datasets best reflects actual conditions is quite challenging. This study, hence, aims to compare the 25 global distributed precipitation estimates (gridded, satellite, model, and fused) concerning 221 ground‐based observations based on the ranking of 18 continuous (evaluation statistics), eight categorical (precipitation indices), and two seasonality metric (high and low precipitation). Upon examining the results, gridded and model precipitation data including APHRODITE (Asian Precipitation—Highly‐Resolved Observational Data Integration Towards Evaluation), CPC (Global Unified Gauge‐Based Analysis of Daily Precipitation), ERA5‐Land (ECMWF Reanalysis 5th Generation for Lands), and CFSR (Climate Forecast System Reanalysis) occupy the top four positions in continuous metrics. In contrast, satellite data such as PERSIANN‐PDIR (Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks), CMORPH (Climate Prediction Center morphing method), IMERG (The Integrated Multi‐Satellite Retrievals for GPM), and TRMM‐TMPA (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission/Multi‐satellite Precipitation Analysis) dominate in the top four positions in categorical metrics. For seasonality of high and low precipitation, fused, gridded, and reanalyses products such as CPC, MSWEP (Multi‐Source Weighted‐Ensemble Precipitation, version 2), HydroGFD (Hydrological Global Forcing Data), CFSR rank among top four. Based on the first five rankings of all metrics, fused (multiple sourced) and gridded datasets accurately reflect the actual situations compared to other precipitation products. Reanalysis (model) and satellite‐based follow this rank, respectively. The results clearly indicate that fused precipitation derived products from multiple sources offer better accuracy and precision in representing the spatial distribution of precipitation on a daily scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article in Scientific Reports discusses a tectonic study of the Magallanes Fault System in Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia, focusing on fault slip rates. The study challenges the robustness of the dating and suitability of geomorphic markers used by previous researchers. The authors caution against drawing conclusions based on unsuitable markers and cropped images, emphasizing the need for rigorous investigation in tectonic geomorphology. The article highlights discrepancies in dating and offset measurements, urging for a more comprehensive and accurate approach to understanding fault slip rates in the region. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the luminous exchanges that animate contemporary Western geoscience ways of imagining the Earth. Inquiring into fluvial geomorphology, it employs creative research practice and feminist materialist ideas to interrogate the multiple roles of light in the ways in which rivers become configured, envisioned, and known. Focusing on the River Torne in northern Finland and Sweden, the article contemplates creative gestures of sensing the Torne via various “technologies of light,” which draw the researcher into a haunted, intra-active, and ecological exchange with the riverscape. This immersive engagement with the Torne prompts reflection on the particular riverine knowledges, ecologies, and archives that become presenced in luminous research encounters—prompting a recognition of a distributed cognition in our practices of knowing riverscapes. In the process, the geomorphological notion of a riverscape archive becomes situated amid complex ecologies of light, which invites a radical commitment to the memory and lively potentiality of place and encourages care-full research entanglements within our luminous research archives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAs the domain of artificial intelligence has advanced, the integration of deep learning techniques into terrain and landform analysis has become more prevalent. Nevertheless, many existing methods are fully supervised and designed for specific tasks; thus, their transferability is limited and massive annotated samples are required. This study introduces a geomorphic pretrained model (GeomorPM) capable of performing multiple tasks. First, an architecture was designed that combined a convolution-based Vector Quantised-Variational Autoencoder (VQVAE) with a Transformer-based masked autoencoder (MAE) framework, allowing it to autonomously learn local details and global patterns from large-scale digital elevation model (DEM) data. Subsequently, GeomorPM, based on the VQMAE architecture, was pretrained on massive DEM data and fine-tuned for three specific tasks: DEM void filling, DEM superresolution, and landform classification. GeomorPM outperformed the traditional and other deep learning methods in all three tasks, demonstrating the superior learning ability and transferability of the model. This study provides a practical framework for developing pretrained models based on DEMs that can be expanded to other continuous geoscientific data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A synthesis of field geological and archaeological surveying, as well as near-surface stratigraphy, provides new insights into the late Quaternary history of this region. We find a long series of alluvial, colluvial, playa, and aeolian deposits that show a complicated history of changes in the late Quaternary climate and environment. In the current study, we summarize the results of a geoarchaeological study that focused on the entire range of landscapes and associated landforms along the fringe of the Libyan Plateau at Umm Dabadib, Kharga Oasis, in the Western Desert of Egypt. We also determined the distribution of the cultural materials of prehistoric sites in different geomorphic settings, including playas, wadis, and dune fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphometric analysis of previously unresearched tributary junction fans (TJFs) of the Spiti valley cold desert, India, was conducted to understand the factors influencing their development. An integrated remote sensing and field approach was employed, including the development of multi-method morphometric indices viz. fan conicality (FCI), sweep angle (SA), fan width-to-length ratio (W/L), feeder stream-order and valley floor width-to-height ratio (Vf). Such TJFs, which are the most suitable cultivation and settlement sites in this region, were found to be largely polygenic and planimetrically confined, with many being multi-staged in terms of their development. The results of morphometric analyses reveal that the TJFs are relatively smaller but steeper than their counterparts in other settings, with high relative topographic confinement causing the construction of smaller and steeper fans. The competence of the feeder stream, along with associated processes, notably influences fan morphology using differential sediment transporting capacity. TJFs created by more competent streams are less steep, more influenced by topographic confinement and more vulnerable to truncation by the trunk stream. Furthermore, tectonically induced base-level fall and resultant downcutting in confined environments have caused the formation of truncated, multi-staged and entrenched fans and are primarily responsible for coupling between TJF catchments and trunk stream in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal hazards threaten properties, infrastructure, and cultural sites around Aotearoa New Zealand's (hereafter Aotearoa) coastline and sea-level rise (SLR) will escalate this problem. At present it is unclear how archaeological sites will be affected by future coastal erosion and inundation. In this paper we combine national-scale archaeological and environmental datasets to provide a first-pass overview of archaeological heritage at risk in Aotearoa. Two key national-scale datasets are utilized: (1) coastal sensitivity index (CSI) developed by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research; and (2) ArchSite, Aotearoa's archaeological site database. The integrated datasets produce insights into the sensitivity of coastal archaeology to SLR and associated hazards, which are vital to planning for the loss of coastal archaeological sites. More than half (∼55%) of recorded coastal archaeological sites around Aotearoa are midden (n = 4938) and about 25% (n = 2271) are earthworks. In total, ca. 12% (9054) of all known archaeological sites are within 1000 m of soft shore shorelines. Of this total, only about 3% (302) of sites are burials, but the loss of these 302 burial sites would have very high cultural impact. Coastal erosion is a particularly important threat to archaeology as it would permanently remove sites, whereas the risk of site removal by coastal flooding inundation is lower. Our results show that about 22% (1954) of coastal archaeological sites are located on landforms that are sensitive to SLR-driven erosion: 29% (2660) of archaeological sites are located on foredune barrier beaches, 23% (2059) on foredune barrier plains, 14% (1283) on beaches, and 9% (808) on beach ridge barriers. This work draws attention to the scale of coastal archaeology in Aotearoa that needs adequate documentation, preservation, and potentially protection in the face of SLR. Robust coastal erosion and inundation datasets are needed to more deeply understand potential SLR-driven impacts on coastal archaeology and provide a scientific foundation for considering future adaptation options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic interdisciplinary approach based on the socio-ecological model of the Vienna school has been adopted to achieve a more nuanced and multifaceted understanding of the ancient metropolis of Pergamon (western Anatolia) and its micro-region. The city of Pergamon ranks among the 'guiding fossils' of urban culture in antiquity. We describe how the socio-ecological model is subject to adaptation and discussion to fit the needs and circumstances of archaeology. In focussing on geomorphodynamics, we use several approaches to conceptualise and model selected aspects of human-environment interactions, integrating data from physical geography, archaeology, building archaeology (Bauforschung) and ancient history. The model includes several dimensions of the social metabolism of Pergamon, first and foremost the carrying capacity of the environment and demographics, comprising population increase and labour as an active investment in nature. Geomorphodynamics are regarded as major 'events' in the model, related to the social metabolism (e.g. increased erosion/deposition in the micro-region in relation to urban sprawl). With the social-ecological model, it is possible – and becomes imperative – to include the perception and representation of human-environment interactions manifested in, for example, administrative patterns and religious practices or architecture and built infrastructure (such as terraces, riverbank stabilisation, substraction terraces and substraction bridges). Geomorphodynamics also involve various aspects of the perception of the environment, though these are not recorded in ancient texts on Pergamon known to date. Concurrently, the importance of the model in organising, structuring, and communicating interdisciplinary collaboration and discourse is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring of compensatory stream mitigation projects conventionally relies on spatially discrete geometric data and habitat assessments collected from representative reaches. Project success is evaluated by extrapolating site‐scale metrics such as rapid bioassessment protocol (RBP) scores and time‐series changes in width‐to‐depth ratios to adjacent reaches. For example, an excellent RBP score at one location is used to infer excellent habitat in nearby reaches. This paper compares spatially discrete and continuous monitoring data from 38 km of restored stream length on a stream mitigation project in central Kentucky to document how conventional site‐level metrics may not represent conditions in adjacent reaches, particularly on projects plagued by post‐construction geomorphic instability (e.g., headcut migration, propagation of bank erosion, and chute cutoff formation). Over a 5‐year monitoring period, rapid visual assessment walkabouts documented project‐scale geomorphic process trajectories that were not captured by conventional site‐specific monitoring. Early detection of geomorphic instability from this rapid monitoring approach facilitated cost‐effective and tailored adaptive management (e.g., planting of live stakes to arrest bank erosion). Full‐census walkabouts can thereby help to improve mitigation credit valuation, enhance long‐term habitat protection, and facilitate successful steam restoration outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluvial networks are characterised by spatial and temporal transitions as geomorphic and ecological processes within these systems are mediated longitudinally by sediment and water fluxes which vary spatially in magnitude and variability. The aim of this special issue was to shed light on the nature of source-to-sink fluvial transitions associated with spatial and temporal variability in geomorphic and hydrological processes. We encouraged contributions that considered fluvial transitions at any spatial or temporal scale, and invited research that addressed the implications of such transitions. The number of submissions was limited, which was potentially indicative of the lack of field-based studies being conducted at a catchment- or source-to-sink scale. Two of the published submissions considered longitudinal transitions in sediment sources using a sediment finger-printing approach, while the remaining two articles combined traditional fluvial sedimentology techniques with optically stimulated luminescence chronology to deduce controls on river reach flood dynamics. As we enter a time of unprecedented human impact on the environment, there is a clear need for future research to focus on the catchment as a holistic unit as the interconnectedness of landscape pattern and process has implications for biodiversity, water quality, ecosystem service provision and thus catchment management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Letaba River is one of several east-flowing rivers in the semiarid region of northeast South Africa. There is strong seasonality of river discharge and patterns of geomorphic behaviour along bedrock- and sediment-dominated reaches in these rivers, and in response to extreme seasonal flood events. This paper presents new luminescence ages on sediment samples from five sites in upper (headwater) reaches of the Letaba River catchment outside of Kruger National Park, South Africa, combined with evidence from reach-scale geomorphology and sediment sample analysis. River reaches are mainly mixed bedrock-alluvial with a patchwork of poorly sorted coarse sand bars overlying an abraded extended bedrock channel system. Luminescence ages from river sediment deposits (n = 13) cluster around three time periods of the last 400 years, 500–1100 BP, and 1400 BP. This suggests different reworked populations are present, which are a result of the partial bleaching of quartz grains and, thus, a mixed luminescence signal as flood-transported sediments are progressively moved from one depositional sink to another. This pattern of luminescence ages is quite different to lowland river systems in the same region where ages on the whole are significantly younger. Flood processes and dynamics in headwater reaches of semiarid rivers are often not considered but can yield a better understanding of system sensitivity to climate and event forcing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jimibong is a north-facing horseshoe-shaped scoria cone in the northeast of Jeju Island that released lava flows to form a semicircular lava plateau. Sixty volcanic hummocks comprising scoria, spatter, and volcanic bombs are found on the lava plateau. The hummocks can be classified into Type 1 and Type 2 according to clast components, distance from the vent, and internal structure. Type 1 hummocks, distributed within approximately 1,000 m of the vent, comprise scoria deposits mixed with volcanic bombs and relatively few dykes that rise from the underlying lava. In contrast, Type 2 hummocks, distributed 1,000–1,300 m from the vent along the coast, comprise spatter/scoria and volcanic bomb deposits. The spatter/scoria of the Type 2 hummocks is highly agglutinated with abundant squeezing dykes that originated from the underlying lava and locally extruded over the hummocks. Although both the Type 1 and Type 2 hummocks comprise parts of the collapsed and rafted spatter/scoria blocks, their differences in shape, clast components, and structures are explained by changes in the eruption style (from spatter to scoria) and rheological changes in the lava with distance from the vent. Lava flows breached the cone following spatter-dominated eruptions in the early stages of Hawaiian eruption. Through this partial cone collapse, spatter blocks were transported with the lava flow away from the cone. The lava surface then cooled and hardened as the lava temperature decreased and viscosity increased. The contraction of the lava due to cooling caused the rafted cones to fragment into various sizes as they cracked, fractured, and rotated. Hot liquid lava from within the flow was squeezed-up because of the volcanic load of the rafted blocks, intruding into the fractures in the rafted blocks before locally flowing over them, creating the characteristic Type 2 hummocks. In contrast, Type 1 hummocks formed in the later stages of Strombolian activity, when scoria-dominant eruptions caused collapsed scoria blocks to be rafted with the lava flow. These scoria blocks were deposited in areas proximal to the cone and show few dyke intrusions due to the limiting effects of edifice load on dyke development. The Jimibong volcano provides an example of changing hummock structures in relation to changing eruption styles of scoria cones, deepening our understanding of the geomorphic development in volcanic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alluvial rivers are dynamic landscapes on the earth's surface that evolve with time. While many studies have examined the immediate effects of floods on river channels, there is a lack of research that investigates the longer-term evolution of river morphology following such events. The present study was carried out on the Upper Krishna River which flows between the southern part of Maharashtra and the northern part of Karnataka states in India for 375 Km. The morphological parameters were analyzed for three decades (1991–2021) and the year 2019 with the highest flood level was also considered for change analysis. The assessment was done for change in active channel area, mean width, bank line migration, sinuosity index, and erosion-accretion. The land use classification was also analyzed for the study period to understand the exposure to future floods. The spatial data was retrieved from different satellite missions and analyzed with the help of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS). The river was divided into seven segments (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7) and bank lines were digitised manually to minimise possible errors. The results show that during the study period, the river channel has been modified in terms of active channel area expansion in the R1, R5, R6, and R7, and erosion was found the dominating process while the left bank was more erosive than the right bank of the river. The built-up area was seen going through a major expansion than any other land use class. The discharge and sediment data confirm the flood years (1994, 2005, 2006, and 2019) which accelerated the morphological activity in the river segment. The results of the study provide new insights related to short-term morphological changes in the Upper Krishna River and can be used by policymakers and managers to carry out future development plans and river training work at affected sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing use of drone technology to produce high-resolution digital imagery and elevation models has been associated with a growing interest in developing quantitative morphometric analysis (QMA). QMA analysis is an invaluable part of creating detailed topographic models in landslide scars that are still highly unstable and prone to erosion. This paper presents the results of a research that aims to create a topographic model in a landslide scarred area where the slope configuration is still varied. The study area was located in the landscape of the Cretaceous-Tertiary volcanic transition where many landslides have occurred. Three landslides were selected on the basis of different soil material characteristics that affect the topographic condition of the landslide scar. Aerial photography was recorded using a UAV with a flying height of 80 m, with an orthomosaic resolution of 1 cm. In detail, three morphometric variables (slope, plan curvature, topographic position index) were selected and calculated with the output evaluated based on visual-spatial interpretation. The results showed that morphometric variables performed well in modeling land surface topography. Steep slopes and surfaces with convex curvature are abundant at the ledges and landslide heads that allow water runoff to disperse as the initiation of gully erosion. The multidimensional gully erosion network is concentrated at relatively low elevations and surfaces with concave curvature. The undulating micro-relief of the land surface as a result of the process of material disposition builds up on each other to a gentle slope. Finally, the topographic model of the landslide surface can be used as a base material in implementation of both physical and vegetative land conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Downstream pebble variability in river systems is assessed through various methods, with recent emphasis on efficient, time-saving semi-automatic processes involving photography and digital analysis. The Inaouène valley, however, lacked a comprehensive survey of its main channel using either manual or image-based methods. This study bridges this gap by combining both approaches to analyze the downstream evolution of surface pebbles' morphometric parameters along approximately 60 km of the Inaouène's middle reach. Our research focuses on two key aspects: grain size and particle shape. Results reveal a general downstream trend of size fining, increasing circularity and decreasing elongation, primarily attributed to abrasion and travel distance. Notably, this pattern is interrupted by localized variations associated with tributary inputs and sediment recycling processes. This study significantly contributes to the understanding of fluvial sediment dynamics in the Inaouène Valley. Its findings have broad implications, supporting ecological assessment and restoration efforts, while also informing decision-making in river engineering and management. By providing a comprehensive analysis of pebble characteristics and their downstream evolution, this research establishes a foundation for future geomorphological studies and practical applications in river system management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

River deltas are ecologically critical landscape components and are responsible as habitats for millions of people, wildlife, and plant communities. Deltas store vast quantities of eroded nutrient‐rich sediment and play a significant role in water quality management through nutrient cycling and storage. Many studies have been conducted in marine and tidal delta environments that characterize the sedimentology and geomorphic characteristics of these relatively young landscapes. However, little work has been completed in even younger inland reservoir deltas. This study characterized the sediments and geomorphology of the growing delta forming at the outlet of the Des Moines River into Red Rock Reservoir in south‐central Iowa and discussed the implications of the lower delta sediment and topographic characteristics in terms of sediment and nutrient storage, and the potential impact of the delta on other hydroecological factors. We found that the ca. 30‐year‐old lower delta is storing up to 60% of the contributing watershed's eroded sediment and total carbon, with total sediment depths of ca. 9 m across the 755‐ha area. Further, we identified two major geomorphic landscape positions within the lower delta that were categorized as distributary channels and delta plains. Sedimentological differences in these microscale landscape positions were identified. Sand content was greater at lowest distributary channel elevations and at the highest plain elevations whereas silt dominated the elevation range between these two extremes. The zone of silt accumulation corresponds to the range in elevation associated with normal lake level management. The silt‐dominated area is regularly inundated and covered with a variety of emergent vegetation and is the zone of critical importance for waterbird habitat and nutrient‐processing capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the history of the International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG), an organization formally established in 1989, but with the foundations laid at the First International Conference on Geomorphology in Manchester in 1985. It recreates the spirit of the 1980s, when the need for more efficient international cooperation on an equal basis was argued for, and outlines steps which led to its setting up. The model of operation of the IAG is presented, emphasizing membership by countries, followed by milestone institutional developments, listing of IAG officers and its Honorary Fellows. Key IAG activities are conferences, projects run by working groups, training and support programmes for early career geomorphologists, and publications. A summary of major achievements and challenges for the future concludes the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geomorphological evolution is one of the main factors that increases flood damage in small or medium rivers located in upstream river reaches. These types of flood damage have been increasing at knickpoints where the riverbed slope and river width change abruptly and are likely to cause non‐equilibrium conditions for sediment transport during floods. Therefore, it is important to understand the non‐equilibrium morphological response at the knickpoint and the resulting new dynamic equilibrium state under given external forces. The effects of two‐dimensional (2D) morphological features on the dynamic equilibrium riverbed profile, however, have not been specifically studied because the methods currently in use for calculating equilibrium profiles are based on zero‐ or one‐dimensional (0D or 1D) modeling. Here, we perform numerical calculations using the 2D morphodynamic model iRIC‐Nays2DH to clarify the dynamic equilibrium profile and the process of reaching a dynamic equilibrium state. We also use an existing 1D model to show the 2D effect in the dynamic equilibrium state. To understand this, we set up three channels: slope transition point, width transition point, and both the slope and width transition point. 1D results show a constant slope profile in channels with constant width and upward‐convex profiles in channels with width expansion at the equilibrium state, owing to the adjustment of the difference in sediment transport volume in the two reaches with different widths by changing the slopes. In contrast, the 2D results show that the alternate bars create a small autogenic knickpoint even in the straight channel and significantly dampen sediment deposition at the width expansion point, as seen in the 1D model result. This was because the bars' shape increased the volume of sediment transport because the shape of the bars concentrated flow. These results suggest that 2D morphological features, such as fluvial bars, play a significant role in the equilibrium riverbed profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Text‐to‐image (TTI) generative models can be used to generate photorealistic images from a given text‐string input. However, the rapid increase in their use has raised questions about fairness and biases, with most research to date focusing on social and cultural areas rather than domain‐specific considerations. We conducted a case study for the Earth sciences, focusing on the field of fluvial geomorphology, where we evaluated subject‐area‐specific biases in the training data and downstream model performance of Stable Diffusion (v1.5). In addition to perpetuating Western biases, we found that the training data overrepresented scenic locations, such as famous rivers and waterfalls, and showed serious underrepresentation and overrepresentation of many morphological and environmental terms. Despite biassed training data, we found that with careful prompting, the Stable Diffusion model was able to generate photorealistic synthetic river images reproducing many important environmental and morphological characteristics. Furthermore, conditional control techniques, such as the use of condition maps with ControlNet, were effective for providing additional constraints on output images. Despite great potential for the use of TTI models in the Earth sciences field, we advocate for caution in sensitive applications and advocate for domain‐specific reviews of training data and image generation biases to mitigate perpetuation of existing biases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides a new perspective on understanding the intricacies of water‐mediated connectivity in ecosystems, bridging landscape ecology and geomorphology through network science. We highlight dryland and river‐floodplain ecosystems as distinct examples of contrasting water‐controlled systems. We (1) discuss central considerations in developing structural connectivity and functional connectivity networks of water‐mediated connectivity; (2) quantify the emergent patterns in these networks; and (3) evaluate the capacity of network science tools for investigating connectivity characteristics. With a focus on strength (weights) and direction, connectivity is quantified using seven parameters at both network and node levels. We find that link density, betweenness centrality and page rank centrality are highly sensitive to directionality; global efficiency and degree centrality are particularly sensitive to weights; and relative node efficiency remains unaffected by weights and directions. Our study underscores how network science approaches can transform how we quantify and understand water‐mediated connectivity, especially in consideration of the role(s) of weights and directionality. This interdisciplinary perspective, linking ecology, hydrology and geomorphology, has implications for both theoretical insights and practical applications in environmental management and conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation age of the middle Yellow River and the existence of a northward‐flowing river have been fiercely debated. The age distribution of detrital zircon varied spatiotemporally and produced contradictory provenance interpretations. The Jinshaan Gorge, the main part of the middle Yellow River and key to studying fluvial evolution and clarifying disputes, developed its topography during the late Cenozoic. In this study, we systematically review the Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the North China Craton, perform detrital zircon U–Pb dating in the Neogene−Quaternary sediments and investigate the topography along the Jinshaan Gorge, and the sedimentology and chronological framework of these sediments. We propose that the Gorge of the middle Yellow River could have developed since the Neogene, controlled by the tectono‐geomorphologic evolution of the North China Craton in a dominantly extensional environment. No evidence supports a northward‐flowing river during the Early Pleistocene or even earlier in the Jinshaan Gorge. We attribute the provenance variations of the Cenozoic sediments to detrital mixing of diverse geological units, local and distant, and especially highlight the systematic provenance shift between the Neogene and Quaternary sediments caused by bedrock downcutting and recycling aeolian sediments. The increased 1.5−0.33 Ga component of the lower Yellow River during the Early Pleistocene was likely caused by enhanced loess accumulation and should not be individually used as a proxy for the Yellow River formation. We emphasize the significance of a comprehensive study of river evolution. Plain Language Summary: Three‐quarters of the Yellow River channel is located on the North China Craton, but the formation and evolution of the Yellow River have been usually attributed to the upper reaches due to the growth of the Tibetan Plateau. Geological units, such as aeolian deposits have a significant impact on the fluvial sediments of the Yellow River, and only systematic work can help unraveling their provenance and potential recycling. We have found that the tectonic evolution of the North China Craton between the rigid Ordos Block and the Lvliang Shan controlled the initial entrenchment of the Jinshaan Gorge in the middle Yellow River since the late or maybe the early Miocene. We have also revealed the complex spatial provenance changes of the fluvial sediments along the Yellow River and the systematic provenance shift between the Neogene and Quaternary sediments. At the same time, we emphasize the significance of an integrated study combining tectono‐geomorphic features, sedimentology and quantitative analysis, such as provenance, for the reconstruction of the river geological evolution. Key Points: The middle Yellow River has developed under the extensional tectonic evolution of the North China Craton since the CenozoicSystematic provenance shift between the Neogene and Quaternary sediments was caused by bedrock downcutting and aeolian depositionDetrital signal from the Tibetan Plateau cannot be transported to and detected in the lower Yellow River [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flashiness is a hydrologic signature used to describe the responsiveness of streamflow to precipitation. In practise, flashiness has most often been correlated with rainfall intensity and the presence of urban land cover or imperviousness. However, a number of watershed characteristics can influence flashiness, necessitating further investigation of how this particular watershed behaviour and its associated drivers vary at regional scales. We investigated how ten measurable watershed characteristics are empirically related to flashiness of 195 gauged streams in the Mid‐Atlantic region using linear regression analysis. The selected gauges had drainage areas ranging in size from 15 to 250 km2. To explore multiple quantifications of flashiness, we determined both the Richards‐Baker flashiness index, calculated from the continuous hydrograph, and number of peaks‐over‐threshold, for all watersheds for a 10‐year period. As found in other studies, the percentage of watershed development was strongly correlated with stream flashiness, though significant inverse relationships also existed for forest cover, water and wetlands and carbonate geology. Differences in flashiness values between rural and suburban watersheds were not significant, with a significant increase in flashiness (p < 0.01) occurring at 80% development or ~ 25% imperviousness. In addition, we found significant differences in relationships between watershed characteristics and flashiness when differentiated by physiographic regions. For the study area and each of its five physiographic sub‐regions, we identified the four most important predictors through multiple regression. The overall mid‐Atlantic model suggested that development, wetlands and compactness ratio as the most important predictors (adj R2 = 0.57). Significant predictors of stream flashiness varied among regions; however, wetlands served as a significant buffer of flashiness in four of five sub‐regions demonstrating the importance of wetlands in modulating flash‐flooding. In all physiographic regions, empirical models of flashiness values outperformed the Mid‐Atlantic regional model, underscoring the value of local landscape characteristics in augmenting or modulating flashy watershed responses. Our findings suggest the potential for improvements to operational flash‐flood forecasting using hydrologic characteristics of the landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rates of land surface processes provide insights into climatic and tectonic influences on topography. Bedrock incision rates are estimated by dating perched landforms such as strath terraces, assuming a constant bedrock incision rate from terrace abandonment to the next terrace level or present river level. These estimates express biases from the stochastic nature of sediment and water discharge in controlling river incision as well as from using a mobile channel elevation as a reference frame, leading to different incision rates when calculated over different timeframes. We introduce a 1‐D model incorporating fluvial mechanics, tectonics, sediment, and climate variability to predict these biases and assess their sensitivity to climate and tectonics. Findings suggest biases intensify under highly variable climates and slow rock uplift, with climate periodicity being a primary control for our modeled scenarios. Our model provides a mechanism to improve river incision measurement uncertainty, impacting paleoclimate and tectonic geomorphology reconstructions. Plain Language Summary: Geomorphologists often measure how fast rivers erode bedrock over time by dating river terraces that have been uplifted to be higher than the elevation of the modern river channel. This helps us learn how landscapes evolve and about what past climates were like over long timescales. But this method is complicated by the fact that rivers do not erode rocks at a steady rate and the elevation of the channel surface above which we measure terrace height changes over time. We present a numerical model that predicts how these terraces develop under different climates and rates of rock uplift. Model results imply that measurements of long‐term river incision are most susceptible to temporal bias in regions experiencing highly variable paleo‐climate and slow rock uplift. Our model helps us make better measurements of river erosion and understand how climate and rock uplift shape landscapes. Key Points: We present a numerical model that reproduces biases in rates of river incision measured from strath terracesWe find that these measurement biases are the strongest when climates are highly variable and rock uplift is slowUnderstanding bedrock incision measurement biases allows for bias correction in field studies and improves data comparability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the effects of human disturbance on the bedload transport regime of anthropised rivers is a topic of growing importance, as such information is of interest for adequate river diagnosis, correct implementation of restoration measures and appropriate design of post‐action monitoring programs. However, such assessments are complex, especially in sites where multiple factors simultaneously influence the bedload transport regime, so that it is difficult to establish simple causal relationships between human disturbances and changes in the sediment transport regime, notably on bedload. To overcome this, there is a need for rigorous hypothesis‐driven approaches to assess the isolated effects of each driver. With this in mind, we have characterised the dynamics of bedload transport in the Upper Garonne (Central Pyrenees, Spain‐France), a river impacted by sediment retention, flow diversion and mining that influence its morphological conditions and transport regime. We assessed the effects of (1) surface grain size distribution, (2) river morphology, (3) sediment supply and (4) flow diversion on the bedload transport regime. Four sites with different degrees of river anthropisation were selected. After defining hypotheses on the most likely bedload transport conditions for each site, we proposed a set of discriminating criteria to test these hypotheses, based on temporal within‐site and spatial between‐site comparisons of coarse particle tracking measurements over four years. The results of this research showed that the hydrosedimentary regime of the Garonne is controlled by a complex combination of drivers such as valley physiography, which exerts a first‐order control on differences in reach‐scale bedforms and bedload dynamics; and human disturbances which contribute to a reduction in sediment supply through changes in land cover and hydropower dams, or to changes in hydrology (i.e., flow competence) due to water diversion and abstraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Antinaco‐Los Colorados valley (ALCV) is a tectonic depression located in the centre‐north of the province of La Rioja (Argentina), limited to both the east and west by mountain ranges, in the broken foreland region. Geomorphological research on environmental dynamics is important for both building a reference framework for further studies and for the development of the socio‐economic activities in the area. This study presents the main geomorphological features of the tectonic depression at the regional scale in order to identify the primary factors involved in its evolution and the landforms it contains. The ALCV is asymmetric, and it is filled by up to 1600 m of sediments along the western margin. Using literature, images, digital elevation models of the study area and field work, different morphologies were identified in the valley, mostly linked to Quaternary climatic and tectonic changes. These morphologies were grouped into three main morphogenetic units that characterize this landscape: the relict piedmont levels, the current piedmont and the fluvial‐aeolian plain. The identification of fluvial forms suggests that fluvial systems have been important during the evolution of the landscape. Aeolian accumulation features, currently mostly vegetated, were likely formed under drier climatic conditions than those at present and probably related to the last ice age or even more recent times. Successive reactivations of the overall system are not only tectonic, as evidenced by the structural lineaments that affect relict piedmont levels and the fluvial‐aeolian plain, but also climatic. Thus, the identified landforms suggest that climatic and tectonic variables account for the variations in the environment of the ALCV, affecting the reaccommodation of the exogenous geomorphological processes and the modelling of the relief. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glaciers and ice sheets are an integral part of Earth's system, advancing and retreating in response to changes in climate. Clues about the past, present and future behaviour of these ice masses are found throughout current and former glaciated landscapes. In this commentary, we outline recent scientific advances from a collection of articles in which geomorphological evidence is used to inform us about the behaviour of glaciers and ice sheets across a range of spatial (landform to continent) and temporal (seasons to millennia) scales. Through a diversity of approaches including field measurements, remote sensing and numerical modelling, these studies build on an extensive background literature to deepen our understanding of how ice flows, how glaciers and ice sheets respond to climate change, and of the processes of ice advance and retreat and the stability of the system. Further integration of knowledge across the fields of geomorphology and glaciology will have tangible benefits for managing the societal and environmental impacts of glacier change and for improved projections of sea‐level rise over the coming decades to centuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field data, U‐Th dating and amino acid racemisation (AAR) and epimerisation (IAE) analyses were performed in a sector of the Ionian coast of Apulia. Palaeoshoreline 1 (PS1) was identified at +40 ± 5 m with the associated terraced deposit 1 (TD1). Palaeoshoreline 2 (PS2) was identified at +30 ± 2 m with the associated terraced deposit 2 (TD2), characterised by five sub‐units. The sub‐units that mark the transgression have an age of 127.851 ± 1.47 ky BP (by U‐Th dating) and 128.4 ± 26.2 ky BP (by AAR); one of sub‐units marking the highstand falls within aminozone E (MIS 5.5) based on IAE. Palaeoshoreline 3 (PS3) was identified at +19 ± 2 m with the associated terraced deposit 3 (TD3); they mark the occurrence of a second, lower elevation MIS 5.5 highstand. TD3 dates back to aminozones E–D (MIS 5.5‐MIS 5.3) based on IAE and to 122.49 ± 1.25 ky BP by U‐Th dating. We considered two scenarios where the first highstand of MIS 5.5 occurred at 125 and 123 ky BP, with a sea level at +7.5 ± 1.5 m; we then calculated the uplift rate of PS2 for both scenarios: it resulted to be 0.18 ± 0.03 mm/year. These uplift rates were used to calculate the position of PS3 at 122.49 ± 1.25 (rounded to ⁓122 ky BP) as well as the position of the layer dated to 127.851 ± 1.47 ky BP (rounded to ⁓128 ky BP). The position of PS3 at the time of its formation (i.e., the sea level at ⁓122 ky BP, corresponding to the second highstand of MIS 5.5) was calculated to be −2.96 ± 5.42 m for Scenario 1 and −3.32 ± 5.47 m for Scenario 2. The sea level obtained by the layer dated to ~128 ky BP was found to have a value of −11.79 ± 6.29 m. Finally, we reconstructed a relative sea level (RSL) trend suggesting two main highstands during MIS 5.5, with the earlier higher than the second. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large wood (LW) plays important geomorphic and ecological roles in rivers and is widely used as a restoration tool. Changes to floodplain land use and historical removal have altered wood dynamics in fluvial systems globally. We know little about the distribution and dynamics of LW in great rivers (approximately >105 km2) like the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers despite its ecosystem importance and use in restoration projects. We assessed LW occurrence data collected by the fisheries component of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program's Long Term Resource Monitoring element. We analysed 25 years of data collected across six reaches of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers that represented contrasting physiographic settings, and across four aquatic area types comprising gradients of hydrology, connectivity and geomorphology. We tested hypotheses on drivers of LW occurrence using generalised linear mixed effects models, where occurrence was predicted by reach‐ and local‐scale environmental variables. Occurrence varied significantly across reaches and aquatic area types. In general, wood occurred more frequently upriver and in side channels compared to other aquatic areas. Large wood was most strongly predicted systemically by reach identity but not local‐scale variables, underscoring the importance of broad‐scale physiographic gradients in defining hydrogeomorphic processes. Floodplain forests and shoreline revetment were consistently important predictors across reaches. Our findings show that the spatial variability of LW occurrence reflects the physical variability of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. They also reveal the value in using geomorphic classifications as frameworks for understanding physical processes like LW dynamics because of their ability to contextualise site‐scale conditions. The baseline understanding of LW abundance across different hydrogeomorphic gradients and scales presented here can give insight into how to more effectively target restoration efforts in great rivers and contribute to a broader understanding of LW dynamics where such studies have been lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics pollution in agricultural soil is increasingly recognized, but the specific situation varies with geography, climate conditions, and farming practices. The karst landscape, a typical geomorphology in China, demands a deeper understanding of microplastics pollution in such areas. This research zeroes in on Guizhou, a province known for its karst formations, by collecting soil samples from the mulched cultivation layer in ten counties and cities. The study employed metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to analyze the presence and distribution of microplastics. Results show that polyethylene is the predominant component of microplastics in the mulched agricultural soils of Guizhou, primarily existing as irregular fragments in black, transparent, and translucent forms, with diameters of 40 ~ 120 μm and rough surfaces marked by significant erosion. The concentration of microplastics varies from 143.28 to 3,283.46 items/kg, averaging 1,150.60 ± 647.86 items/kg. The majority of particles accounting for 64.79% are sized between 10 ~ 100 μm. A highly significant positive correlation (p < 0.001) is found between mulching duration and microplastics concentration, indicating that prolonged mulching increases microplastics accumulation in farmlands. Additionally, crop type, irrigation method, and soil type also influence microplastics concentration. This study highlights the escalating issue of microplastics pollution in China's karst regions, underscoring the need for attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uludağ National Park in Türkiye is famous for its rich biodiversity. The park serves as an essential habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna and contributes significantly to the conservation of various species. This study examines biodiversity conservation strategies in Uludağ National Park. Soil samples were taken from 17 locations near the summit where endangered endemic plants grow. Analyses of the soil samples reveal the relationships between elevation and soil texture components. According to the soil analysis results, there was a weak positive correlation between elevation and silt content (r = 0.414) and a weak negative correlation between elevation and sand content (r = - 0.375). These findings indicate that silt content tends to increase and sand content tends to decrease with increasing elevation. The geomorphological features and soil structure of Uludağ National Park were also an essential part of the research. The region's metamorphic mica schists, granites and marbles affect the soil's physical properties. For example, soils are generally sandy and permeable in areas where granite parent material is present. In contrast, areas where mica-schist parent material is distributed are less resistant and more susceptible to erosion. As a result, effective soil conservation strategies must be implemented to protect biodiversity in Uludağ National Park. These strategies are essential to reduce soil erosion, increase organic matter accumulation and minimise the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, community participation and adaptive management strategies must be adopted for sustainable development and resource management. This study provides essential information for biodiversity conservation in the Uludağ region and contributes to developing conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landscapes are the integrated product of external forcings (e.g. tectonics and climate) and intrinsic characteristics (e.g. bedrock erodibility). In principle, hard bedrock with low erodibility can steepen rivers in a similar way to tectonic uplift. A key challenge in geomorphic analysis is thus separating the tectonic and lithological effects on landscapes. To address this, we focus on multiple rivers that are transiently incising through contrasting lithologies in the Gulf of Corinth, Greece, where tectonic history is broadly well constrained. We first exploit topographic metrics and river long profiles to demonstrate that landscapes are responding to both tectonics and lithology. In particular, the long profiles are divided into knickpoint‐bounded segments, and at this scale, channel steepness is shown to be more sensitive to lithology than the entire catchment, possibly due to relatively uniform erosion rate at the segment scale. We then use segment‐scale steepness variations between different lithologies to constrain their relative erodibilities (Klime:Kcong.:Ksand‐silt:Kp‐con sed. = 1:2:3:4), which are further converted into actual lithology‐dependent erodibilities by modelling a well‐constrained, ca. 700 ka knickpoint in the Vouraikos catchment. The effectiveness of lithology‐dependent erodibilities is supported by the observation that if lithology‐dependent erodibilities are used to calibrate studied river long profiles in χ distance, we obtain long profile concavities that fall within the theoretical range. Finally, we use lithology‐calibrated metrics to provide new geomorphic constraints on the timing and magnitude of tectonic perturbations in these catchments. These geomorphic results are interpreted in conjunction with previous onshore and offshore studies to shed new light on fault growth and linkage history in the Gulf of Corinth. Our study therefore provides a topographic analysis‐based approach to quantify lithological effects on transient catchments, with important implications for tectonic interpretations of topographic metrics in lithologically heterogenous landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Palaeocene North Sea, pulses in turbidite fan deposition and shelfal progradation have been correlated with episodes of regional uplift caused by a precursor of the Icelandic Plume. In the East Shetland Platform, the specific impacts of dynamic uplift on the regional palaeogeographic evolution are less understood. Using new, high‐resolution 3D seismic data from an underexplored proximal area, we investigate the palaeogeography of the East Shetland Platform in terms of the extent and timing of erosion versus deposition, focusing on how these can be used to reconstruct changes in relative sea‐level along strike. Using a combination of well data, clinoform‐based seismic stratigraphy and seismic attribute analysis of >60,000 km2 of 3D data, we have obtained palaeogeographic maps of multiple Palaeocene to Early Eocene units, with high temporal resolution for the Late Palaeocene–Early Eocene Moray Group. This includes six unconformity‐bounded units marked by prograding clinoforms of the Dornoch Formation, which are covered by backstepping sequences of the Beauly Member (Balder Formation). Temporal and spatial changes in the distribution of downdip depocentres and updip unconformities indicate strong lateral variability in patterns of shelf accommodation/erosion and local sediment supply. This results from a complex interplay among laterally uneven relative sea‐level fall, inherited topography, time‐varied sediment entry point distribution and along‐shore sediment transport regimes. Unconformities and palaeogeographic maps suggest a first‐order control on erosion and sediment distribution promoted by the transiently and differentially uplifted topography of Shetland, which is characterized by an anomalous erosive history in the Bressay High, in the centre of our study area, where the Lower Dornoch Formation has been eroded and marked fluvial incision is observed. Ultimately, results indicate shorter‐wavelength and shorter‐period variations in uplift than what is typically assumed for dynamic topography, perhaps as a result of additional modulation by lithospheric structures or influence of previous rift‐related faults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the Late Palaeozoic development of the area east of Utsira High in the North Sea, where the stratigraphic section below the late Permian Rotliegend Group is undrilled. We use regional 3D seismic data to study structuring, sediment distribution and geomorphology across the Patch Bank Ridge and Utsira High in the North Sea. The results show that the Stord Basin and the bounding Utsira East fault initially developed during the Late Palaeozoic extension, probably during the Devonian, and that the Utsira Shear Zone controlled the location of Late Palaeozoic depocentres. The Patch Bank Ridge is an uplifted part of the Stord Basin where we identify Late Palaeozoic growth strata along the southern and northern flanks, indicating a similar timing of the structural evolution in this area. Two key wells, in the Sele High and Ling Depression, are used to relate a Late Palaeozoic isopach map with regional structuring, surface tilt and basement morphology to the enigmatic parts of the Late Palaeozoic basin system. Our results supplement regional models for the Late Palaeozoic basin development, we suggest that the deeply eroded Devonian half‐grabens preserved on the Utsira High formed parts of an extensive basin system that show stratigraphic expansion towards their bounding faults. The Top Basement surface at these highs offers several distinct geomorphologies that evolved during three periods of exposure, expressed as (i) a tilted and rugose landscape, (ii) distinct drainage networks and (iii) peneplain surfaces. Cover sediments place these landscapes to the (i) Devonian, (ii) Carboniferous/Permian/Triassic and (iii) Late Triassic periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the interrelations between salt karst and landscape evolution at the Ze'elim and Hever alluvial fans, Dead Sea (DS), Israel, in an attempt to characterize the ongoing surface and subsurface processes and identify future trends. Using light detection and ranging, interferometric synthetic aperture radar, drone photography, time-lapse cameras, and direct measurements of floodwater levels, we document floodwater recharge through riverbed sinkholes, subsurface salt dissolution, groundwater flow, and brine discharge at shoreline sinkholes during the years 2011–2023. At the Ze'elim fan, most of the surface floodwater drains into streambed sinkholes and discharges at shoreline sinkholes, whereas at the Hever fan, only a small fraction of the floodwater drains into sinkholes, while the majority flows downstream to the DS. This difference is attributed to the low-gradient stream profiles in Ze'elim, which enable water accumulation and recharge in sinkholes and their surrounding depressions, in contrast with the higher-gradient Hever profiles, which yield high-energy floods capable of carrying coarse gravel that eventually fill the sinkholes. The rapid drainage of floodwater into sinkholes also involves slope failure due to pore-pressure drop and cohesion loss within hours after each drainage event. Surface subsidence lineaments detected by InSAR indicate the presence of subsurface dissolution channels between recharge and discharge sites in the two fans and in the nearby Lynch straits. Subsidence and streambed sinkholes occur in most other fans and streams that flow to the DS; however, with the exception of Ze'elim, all other streams show only minor or no recharge along their course. This is due to either the high-gradient profiles, the gravelly sediments, the limited floods, or the lack of conditions for sinkhole development in the other streambeds. Thus, understanding the factors that govern the flood-related karst formation is of great importance for predicting landscape evolution in the DS region and elsewhere and for sinkhole hazard assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbonate rocks in the eastern part of NE Turkey are situated within the Pontide paleo-magmatic arc and are frequently in contact with granitoid formations, often hosting skarn mineralization in the region. These carbonate rocks, typically found on ridges and hillsides exhibit predominant orientations along east–west, northeast-southwest, and northwest-southeast directions. A part of limestone, named as biomicrite, metamorphosed and display a saccharoidal texture. Comprised mainly of calcite, with less secondary quartz and iron oxide minerals, these carbonate rocks are classified as Fe-poor calcio-carbonate and magnesio-carbonate, having higher CaO and LOI contents. Marble and recrystallized limestone with granoblastic texture mainly comprise of calcite, less quartz, magnetite, and hematite. Marble classification diagrams suggest calcic skarn mineralization, indicated by decreasing CaO (or CO2) and increasing MgO from limestone to marble (or skarn). Strontium contents deviate slightly from the lithosphere carbonate average, while low Rb contents, attributed to skarn metamorphism, indicate the absence of K-bearing minerals. The high Al2O3/SiO2 in the carbonate rocks can points out hydrothermal activity and carbonate disengagement can indicate to actualize at temperatures that can affect Ce and Al mobilities. The low authigenic U value, low U/Th and Ni/Co ratios in carbonate rocks have been implied that protolith constituents deposited under oxic conditions. Positive Eu anomalies in limestone and marble suggest the influence of hydrothermal fluids. Carbon and oxygen isotope values in marble are similar with those of metamorphic and skarn marbles, indicating a magmatic origin. Overall, mineralogical and geochemical analyses propose a uniform source and/or geological process for all studied marbles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]