Palaeoseismological research uses historical earthquakes to verify seismic hazard assessment. Earthquakes of magnitude M > 5.5 likely produce surface ruptures that can be preserved in the subsurface. Buried soils or progressive displacements are the main targets of trenching studies. However, the recognition of these features is challenging for inexperienced researchers. Here a workflow is presented which applies remote sensing and geophysical techniques to verify layer distinction.

The paper systematically illustrates and identifies the causative factors of desertification processes through use of a geostatistical model. This paper also concentrates on studying and identifying the possible soil degradation processes which have been caused by prime factors. As such, this paper should be of interest to a broad readership including those interested in land degradation, environmental deterioration, desertification, remote sensing and geostatistical modeling.

This paper discusses the processes resulting in extreme strain localization (gamma up to 1000) in an almost pure calcite marble located in Syros, Greece. We observed grain size reduction by bulging recrystallization, followed by the simultaneous activation of grain boundary sliding and a dislocation motion in conditions (high differential stress, high strain rate, low temperature) in which brittle deformation rather than ductile flow might be suspected.

The main problem of acid sulfate soil is that it has a low soil pH and contains a high amount of aluminum (Al). There have been several approaches to improve this soil. In this study, the application of calcium silicate was found to be a suitable soil ameliorant as it alleviated Al toxicity below the critical level for rice production, as well as also providing a sufficient amount of silicon (Si) and calcium (Ca), which are also needed for rice growth.

This paper presents microstructural and chemical data of mylonitic granitoids deformed at the brittle-ductile transition in the continental crust. Through a combination of microstructures, chemical analyses and modelling of the strength of constituent phases, we were able to show that strain localisation in shear zones may be triggered primarily by brittle failure, without the need for reaction-softening mechanisms promoted by metamorphic fluids.

The success of restoration projects relies on a proper understanding of the relationships between soil, plants, hydrology, climate, and land management at different scales, which are particularly complex in drylands. Several soil indicators, which can be used to assess the effectiveness of restoration strategies in dryland ecosystems at different spatial and temporal scales, are discussed from different viewpoints of pedology, ecology, hydrology, and land management.

Calcium carbonate equilibrium in a solution of soil and vadose zone is a factor of geochemical cycle of the terrestrial system. The analytical concentration of ions was determined. The algorithm of computer program was developed to calculate the real equilibrium forms of ions. The concentration and mobility of ions in solution of soil and vadose zone is much higher compared to solubility product, and it promotes flux of carbon from soil.

POLENET/LAPNET broadband seismic network was deployed in northern Fennoscandia 2007–2009. In our study we estimate the 3D architecture of the upper mantle beneath the network using high-resolution teleseismic P-wave tomography. Our study reveals a highly heterogeneous lithospheric mantle. The most significant feature seen in the obtained velocity model is a large elongated low-velocity anomaly beneath the crust, separating the three cratonic units that formed the region in the early Proterozoic.

To evaluate oil and gas production, accurate characterization (usually based on laboratory experiments) of reservoir rock properties needs to be performed. X-ray scanning samples enable obtaining 3-D images of the rock inner structure from which those properties can be obtained using images processing. This article shows that these two approaches are complementary and yield consistent results. Moreover, image-based calculations allow to save a huge amount of time compared to lab-based measures.

For accurately reflecting the eco-hydrological process of the dual structure of the surface and subsurface, we propose a new method for the extraction of small watersheds in karst regions. In this study, we think that the minimum karst watershed has an exit at the corrosion–erosion datum, and the further karst sub-watershed division may cause an eco-hydrological fault. The watersheds delineated by our method accurately reflect the hydrological process in the Sancha River.

Jute and coir geotextiles (GTXs) significantly reduced the volume of surface run-off induced by simulated rainfall. “No-soil” conditions used during the laboratory experiment guarantee data based on GTX properties only. Contrary to our expectations, the performance ranking of GTXs in the laboratory did not match the field records. Soil did not influence all GTX samples equally. Further research may shed light on the variability of GTX effectiveness reported in available studies.

X-ray microtomography image processing involves artefact reduction and image segmentation. The beam-hardening artefact is removed, applying a new algorithm, which minimizes the offsets of the attenuation data points. For the segmentation, we propose using a non-linear classifier algorithm. Statistical analysis was performed to quantify the improvement in multi-phase classification of rock cores using and without using our advanced beam-hardening correction algorithm.

This was an experimental study of the strength of two rock types, over a range of pressure conditions that correspond to depths in the Earth’s crust ranging up to 12 km. Tests were carried out under different stress regimes to simulate extremes of the range of loading geometries encountered in the Earth and hence how these affect failure strength and resistance to frictional slip on faults. These experiments will promote understanding of rock behaviour in oil, gas and water reservoirs.

Glacially induced intraplate faults are conspicuous and confined to northern parts of Fennoscandia. Here we report a multidisciplinary geophysical investigation delineating the newly inferred lidar imagery data from the Bollnäs post-glacial fault in central Sweden. The geophysical data consistently support the presence of a fault in the crystalline basement associated with an earlier structure, possibly a deformation zone that reactive after the Weichselian deglaciation.

We combine new seismic data and well logs with airborne gravity and magnetic data to reveal the internal architecture of the Parnaíba basin. This Phanerozoic sedimentary basin overlies a large region of Precambrian crustal blocks in the South American platform before the break-up of the West Gondwana in Early Cretaceous. The tectonic evolution of this important cratonic basin involved a complex rifting phase followed by a long period of sag subsidence, with multiple fault reactivation.

Soil coarseness is the main process decreasing soil organic matter and threatening the productivity of sandy grasslands. Previous studies demonstrated negative effect of soil coarseness on soil carbon storage, but less is known about how soil base cations (exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na) and available micronutrients (available Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) response to soil coarseness. In a semi-arid grassland of northern China, a field experiment was initiated in 2011 to solve this problem.

We present a numerical model to evaluate ground deformation and gravity changes as a response of the hydrothermal system perturbation (unrest) in a volcanic area. Temporal evolution of the ground deformation indicates that the contribution of thermal effects to the total uplift is almost negligible with respect to the pore pressure contribution during the first years, of the unrest, but increases in time and becomes dominant after a long period of the simulation.

High-grade gneisses record two partial melting events: early Ordovician and early Variscan. Primary sedimentary layering is well preserved locally at the top of the sequence. First stage of the exhumation process occurred in ∼ 10 Ma. Strain was progressively localized along the boundaries of the migmatitic qz-fsp gneisses. Deformation reduced substantially the thickness of the gneissic rock sequence. "Internal" extrusion of the migmatites is documented.

This paper presents the results of two experiments of revegetation techniques in context of water erosion and mountainous Mediterranean climate. We studied the interest of a wood chip amendment, applied on soil surface (mulch), and its interaction with plant development. The use of different plant species and the monitoring on three growing seasons (with climatic variations) allow us to specify the interest of wood chip mulch to improve revegetation especially in erosion and drought conditions.

The study deals with incorporating indigenous ecological knowledge alongside scientific knowledge to identify and test rangeland degradation indicators for two sites in Golestan National Park, NE Iran. The area pastoralists are asked to introduce and test rangeland degradation indicators and to assess degradation on their own rangelands. The final analysis identified 17 indicators that are usable by the pastoralists themselves and could be integrated into land degradation assessment plans.

The aim was to explore the effects of grazing on the formation of the spatial pattern of elm growth in a sparse woodland steppe. A point pattern method was used to analyze elm trees within different diameter classes in both grazed and fenced plots, located in Horqin Sandy Land, China. Effects of grazing on the formation of the spatial pattern of elm were not reported. This study is helpful for understanding the formation of the spatial pattern of the elm population in sparse woodland steppes.

The Modjo watershed is facing land degradation challenges, which in turn have had adverse effects on its agricultural productivity. Data were modelled using a binary logistic regression model. The findings revealed that local land users’ willingness to adopt tree growing is a function of many factors, however, labour force availability, the disparity of schooling age and land tenure systems have significant influence on tree-planting investment decisions.

A new flow-through reaction cell consisting of an X-ray transparent semicrystalline thermoplastic has been developed for percolation experiments. Core holder, tubing and all confining parts are designed of PEEK (polyetheretherketone) to allow concomitant surveillance of the reaction progress by X-ray microtomography. The reaction progress of the flow-through experiment can be monitored without dismantling the sample from the core holder.

Detailed field investigations, a crustal-scale cross section and stratigraphic data are used to document oblique convergence in Kurdistan, NW Zagros. Two stages of deformation partitioning are recognized in the external part of Zagros, one in the Late Cretaceous by obduction and the other in the Cenozoic by collision. Thus, it is proposed that oblique convergence of Arabian and Eurasian plates in Zagros initiated in the Late Cretaceous, consistent with global plate reconstructions.

Select appropriate strategies according to all effective criteria in combating desertification process can be so useful in controlling and rehabilitation of degraded lands, and avoid degradation in vulnerable fields. This study provides systematic and optimal strategies of combating desertification by group decision-making model. To this end, in the framework of Multi Attribute Decision Making (MADM) and by using Delphi model (Delphi), the preferences of indexes were obtained.

We study the near surface of a complex study area located in Burgos (Spain) characterized by significant changes in shallow geology. The geophysical techniques include measurements of seismic noise (passive seismic) at different points that provide sediment thickness and seismic velocity of the subsoil. On the other hand, geophysical well data help to interpret the passive seismic results. The product of this methodology can be helpful for planning geophysical field surveys in complex areas.

Delta drains receive high concentrations of organic and inorganic pollutants from industrial, domestic as well as diffuse agricultural waste water. High priority should be given to Zefta and drain no.5 sites which receive high loads of pollutants. This was confirmed by the lower water quality and polluted soils, especially by heavy metals in the El-Mahla El-Kobra area.

The use of a holistic ecosystem approach for sustainable development of fragile ecosystem of Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, was found valuable. A comprehensive analysis of the ecosystem was carried out to determine the complex relationships between agronomic and social dimensions. The major ecosystem change detected by RS was the increase of vegetation cover area between years 1987 and 2000 by 107.4 %; however, it decreased by 27.5 % between 2000 and 2013.