Freeze-thaw cycles and associated geomorphology in a post-glacial environment:current glacial,paraglacial,periglacial and proglacial scenarios at Pico de Orizaba volcano,Mexico

The glacial history of Pico de Orizaba indicates that during the Last Glacial Maximum,its icecap covered up to~3000 m asl;due to the air temperature increasing,its main glacier has retreated to 5050 m asl.The retraction of the glacier has left behind an intense climatic instability that causes a high frequency of freeze-thaw cycles of great intensity;the resulting geomorphological processes are represented by the fragmentation of the bedrock that occupies the upper parts of the mountain.There is a notable lack of studies regarding the fragmentation and erosion occurring in tropical high mountains,and the associated geomorphological risks;for this reason,as a first stage of future continuous research,this study analyzes the freezing and thawing cycles that occur above 4000 m asl,through continuous monitoring of surface ground temperature.The results allow us to identify and characterize four zones:glacial,paraglacial,periglacial and proglacial.It was found that the paraglacial zone presents an intense drop of temperature,of up to~9℃ in only sixty minutes.The rock fatigue and intense freeze-thaw cycles that occur in this area are responsible for the high rate of rock disintegration and represent the main factor of the constant slope dynamics that occur at the site.This activity decreases,both in frequency and intensity,according to the distance to the glacier,which is where the temperature presents a certain degree of stability,until reaching the proglacial zone,where cycles are almost non-existent,and therefore there is no gelifraction activity.The geomorphological processes have resulted in significant alterations to the mountain slopes,which can have severe consequences in terms of risk and water.

Dynamic geomorphology and storm response characteristics of the promontory-straight beach-a case of Gulei Beach, Fujian

As one of the main areas of tropical storm action in the northwestern Pacific Ocean,South China experiences several typhoons each year,and coastal erosion is a problem,making the area a natural testing ground for studying the dynamic geomorphological processes and storm response of promontory-straight coasts.This study is based on three years of topographic data and remote sensing imagery of Gulei Beach and uses topographic profile morphology,single width erosion-accretion and mean change,combined with the Coastsat model to quantify the seasonal and interannual variability and storm response of the beach and to explain the evolution of shoreline change and beach dynamics geomorphology in the last decade.Gulei Beach has been in a state of overall erosion and local accretion for a long time,with relatively obvious cyclical changes;seasonal changes are also obvious,which are mainly characterized by summer accretion and winter erosion,with accretion at the top of the bay and accretion and erosion on the north and south sides of the bay corner,respectively;the seasonal erosion-accretion volume of the beach profile ranges from-80 m3/m to 95.52 m3/m,and the interannual erosion-accretion volume ranges from-69.09 m3/m to 87.31 m3/m.The response of beaches to typhoons with different paths varies greatly depending on the length,slope,orientation and scale of beach development.The large and gently developing Futou beach is less responsive to storms,while the less developed headlands in the southern Gulei Peninsula are more susceptible to disturbance by external factors and respond more strongly to typhoons.Storm distance is more influential than storm intensity.Under the influence of human activities,obvious erosion hotspots develop during normal weather,but storm processes produce redistribution of beach material patterns,and erosion hotspots disappear after storms.The results of this study enrich the theory of beach dynamics geomorphology and provide technical support for disaster prevention and mitigation,as well as ecological restoration of coastal zones.

Late Cenozoic Geomorphology, Geochronology and Physiography of Yuntaishan in Southern Taihang Mountain, North China

The late Cenozoic geomorphic features and geochronologic data of the Zhingfang River catchment in the Yuntaishan World Geopark are studied. Several quarternary geochronologic methods, including electron spin resonance （ESR）, optically stimulated luminescence （OSL）, thermo-luminescence （TL） and U-series are presented in this paper. The results suggest that there are two planation surfaces, named as the Taihang surface which is a peneplain of Taihang stage formed during Oligocene or Oligocene to early-middle Miocene period, and Tang-hien surface which is a mature wide valley of Tang-hien stage formed during late Miocene-Pliocene or Piiocene-early Pleistocene period and probably ended prior to 2.2-2.6 Ma based on ESR dating. After the Tang-hien stage, the incision and aggradation of the river formed six stream terraces with heights of 3-5 m, 8-12 m, 22-24 m, 28-38 m, 50-62 m and 80-85 m above the river bottom, respectively. The dating results of the alluvium sediments suggest that these terraces were formed during Holocene, 20-23 ka B.P., 110-120 ka B.P., 200-240 ka B.P., 840-1200 ka B.P. or ~450 ka B.P. and 1600-1800 ka B.P. or -1100 ka B.P., respectively. These results indicate that episodic incision of the river, which controls the formation of the scenery in the Yuntaishan World Geopark, was mainly influenced by the periodic dry-wet climate change during late Cenozoic mountain uplift.

Seismic geomorphology of buried channel systems in the western South Huanghai Sea:retrodiction for paleo-environments

Quantitative morphologic analysis of shallowly buried, dendritic channel systems in the continental shelf off the abandoned Huanghe River （Yellow River） mouth has been made based on interpretation of high resolution seismic profiles, with the attempt to estimate the paleo-hydrologic parameters when the incised-channels formed, then assess the paleoenvironment. The results indicate that the buried channel systems were formed about 44 cal ka BP when the shelf was subaerially exposed and subsequently drowned and filled during the Holocene transgression with the sea level rise continuously. The study area has experienced the processes from fluvial and estuarine to fully marine.

A STUDY ON FLUVIAL DYNAMIC GEOMORPHOLOGY AND ITS EXPERIMENT AND SIMULATION

Fluvial dynamic landform is produced by reaction between fluvial bchaviour and suffoce matenal. It possesses apparent environmental effects. As a branch of gcomorphology, the fiuvial dynandc gcomorphology is a marginal science among fiuid dynalnics, sediment mechaltics and fluvial goomorphology. With physical modelling by sindlarity based on Newtonian mechanics, and pnnciple of the same effect bot diffend struCture based on systelnahc theory, it is possible to study propenies, formation and processes in fluvial dynamic gcomorphology. A new research method, which is a combination of mathematical simulation by computer with physical modelling will be deveoped.

Tectonic Geomorphology of Atrak River, NE Iran

Atrak River region, northeast Iran is a quaternary tectonically active region. There are many geologic structures that they are formed by the collision of the Arabian and Eurasian plates. This area has extended from north east Iran to the of kope dagh zone. The study area is Atrak river basin and it has been divided to 56 Sub-basin for calculation of 6 geomorphic indices. Finally, this region was classified in 4 relative tectonic activity classes.

Analysis of the Geomorphology and Environmental Geological Problems of Huzhou on the Yangtze River Delta

Geomorphically, Huzhou, which is on the Yangtze River delta is characterized mainly by plains, with small hills. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the environmental geological hazards both natural and those incurred by human activities in different morphologic units. The authors point out that most of the regional environmental geological problems in the natural geologic-morphologic conditions, such as crustal stability, foundation of soft soil, soil waterlogging and soil erosion, have insignificant effects to the society, or related countermeasures of prevention and control have been adopted. But environmental geological problems incurred by human being's economic activities become more and more severe, for example, water and soil pollution and land subsidence in plain areas resulting from overexploitation of groundwater, and landslides, karst collapses and water and soil loss etc. caused by quarrying in hilly areas.

The application of geographic information technology to coastal geomorphology

With the development of modern oceanic observation technologies, coastal survey data have been experiencing a substantial growth. The integration management of the data from different disciplines, different sources and different formats has become a major research field in coastal geomorphology by using Geographic Information System （GIS）. This paper puts forward a new methodology framework of GIS techniques in coastal ocean geomorphology, including data acquisition, process, analysis, and representation. It focuses on some major GIS techniques to study the land-ocean interaction mechanism, such as spatial analysis, submarine topography model and three-dimension （3D） visualization, and apply its result to coastal urban planning, harbor site selection and geomorphology environment about coral reef and islands on the continental shelf. The case studies cover the whole coastal ocean to serve the social community, economical development and diplomatic rights for decision-making all round in the coastal zone. The research shows clearly that the application of coastal multi-source geospatial platform has changed the traditional coastal geomorphology science dramatically from its research scope, fields and methods, however, as made clear in this paper, extracting accurate information from remote sensing data and GIS databases for coastal geomorphological applications is a nontrivial challenge that requires the combined knowledge and skills of information scientists and geomorphologists.

Geomorphology Processes of Channel Planform Migration on Meandering Rivers

1 Introduction Morphological analysis on the planform migration structure of meandering river is an important basis for the reconstruction of evolution of paleochannel.Besides,it is a significant method for restoration of rivers through the

Reconstruction and petroleum geological significance of lithofacies paleogeography and paleokarst geomorphology of the Middle Permian Maokou Formation in northwestern Sichuan Basin,SW China

Based on analysis of outcrop,drilling,logging and seismic data,and geotectonic background,the lithofacies paleogeography and paleokarst geomorphology of the Middle Permian Maokou Formation in the northwestern Sichuan Basin were reconstructed,and the petroleum geological significance of the lithofacies paleogeography and paleokarst geomorphology were discussed.The Maokou Formation is divided into 3 long-term cycles,namely LSCl,LSC2 and LSC3,which correspond to the Member 1,Member 2 and Member 3 of the Maokou Formation,respectively.Controlled by the extensional structure caused by opening of the Mianlue Ocean in the north margin of the upper Yangtze blocks and basement faults produced by mantle plume uplifting,the area had tectonic differentiation in NWW and NE,and sedimentary basement took on episodic settlement from north to south,as a result,the sedimentary systems of Member 1 to Member 3 gradually evolved from carbonate platform to platform-slope-continental shelf.According to the residual thickness,paleokarst geomorphologic units such as karst highland,karst slope and karst depression at different stages were reconstructed.The karst geomorphological units were developed successively on the basis of sedimentary geomorphology.Sedimentary facies and paleokarst geomorphology are of great significance for oil and gas accumulation.The Maokou Formation in northwestern Sichuan has two kinds of most favorable reservoir zone combinations:high energy grain shoal and karst monadnock,platform margin slope and karst slope.Based on this understanding,the planar distribution of the two kinds of reservoir zones were predicted by overlapping the favorable reservoir facies belt with paleokarst geomorphology.The study results provide a new idea and reference for the exploration deployment of the Middle Permian Maokou Formation in the Sichuan Basin.

Holocene Biostratigraphic Zones Corresponding Litho-Chronostratigraphy, Environment of Deposition and Successive Changes in the Geomorphology of Bengal Basin, India during Last 10,000 Years

Biostratigraphic Zones Bb. Bz. H. I-V distinguished in C14 dated Peat, peaty clay sediments above arid, Barren zone have identified distinct environment of deposition as fresh water mixed brackish water to shallow marine to brackish water mangrove swamp, brackish water mixed fresh water swamp followed by colonization of non-littoral species to fresh water swamp during Holocene in the Bengal basin, India in chronological succession. The successive phases of depositional environment have identified the events of sea level rise, marine transgression and sea ward movement of the sea. The unique database has explored successive changes in the geomorphology of South Bengal from upland dry to marine deltaic environment to fresh water upland condition.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PERIGLACIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY IN THE SOURCE AREA OF THE HUANGHE RIVER

There widely occur stretches of permafrost at more than 3,800-4,200 meters above sea level in the source area of the Huanghe (Yellow) River. The periglacial geomorphology develops quite well, including frozen disintegration geomorphology, freezing and thawing geomorphology in cold environments, periglacial dune, buried ices and fossil periglacial phenomena. In light of the relation between stratigraphy and periglacial phenomena, three periglacial periods can be divided, which are the Middle Pleistocene periglacial period, the Late Pleistocene periglacial period and modern periglacial period.

DISTRIBUTION OF PERIGLACIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERIGLACIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY AND GLACIATED HISTORY ON FILDES PENINSULA, KING GEORGE ISLAND,ANTARCTICA

As for the formation of the submerged trough of Maxwell Bay and the external agent geomorphic-phenomena of Fildes Peninsula, we can use glaciated theory to explain them. Moreover, based on a large number of field investigation by foreign colleagues and the authors, we can consider that the last glaciated ice-stream which had a great effect on current periglacio-landform distribution, mainly flowed along the direction from northwest to southeast. The periglacio-geomorphic distribution of the peninsula has a deep brand of glaciated history. Three kinds of different profile assemblage features show that the periglacial landform have an internal relationship in genesis. They also show a difference between stoss and leeward slopes by glaciated effect.

AN APPROACH TO THEORY AND METHODS OF URBAN GEOMORPHOLOGY

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Detailed seafloor geomorphology of the western region of the North Yellow Sea,China:The result of Holocene erosional and depositional processes sculpting the offshore continental shelf

High-resolution multi-beam/single-beam bathymetric data and seismic profiling data from the latest surveys are used to map and interpret the detailed seafloor geomorphology of the western region of the North Yellow Sea(NYS),China.The mapping area covers 156410 km^(2),and incorporates a flat shelf plain,subaqueous accumulation shoals,tidal scouring troughs,and tidal sand ridge groups.Offshore areas with water depths less than 50 m in the western region of the NYS are mainly covered by thick,loose sediments,forming wide spread accumulation geomorphological features;these include the Liaodong Peninsula subaqueous accumulation system containing shoals and rugged scouring troughs,and the large mud wedge of the Shandong Peninsula.In the central part of the NYS,there is a relatively flat residual shelf plain with coarser sediment deposits.This flat shelf plain has a water depth larger than 50 m and a thin layer of sediment,on which there is a large pockmark field caused by seafloor seepage.These geomorphological structures indicate that modern sedimentary processes are the main driving force controlling the sculpture of the current seafloor surface landform.Extensive strong tidal current systems and abundant sediment sources provide the critical external forces and essential conditions for the formation of seafloor geomorphology.The tectonic basement controls the macroscopic morphological shape of the NYS,but is reflected very little in the seafloor geomorphic elements.Our results provide a detailed seafloor geomorphological map of the western region of the NYS,an area that has not previously mapped and also provide a scientific framework for further research into offshore seafloor geomorphology,shelf sedimentary processes,and submarine engineering construction in this region.

Correlation between seismicity and geomorphology in Dingxi Basin,Gansu Province,China

A M6.6 earthquake occurred on July 22, 2013 at Dingxi Basin in Gansu Province within the tectonially expanding northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We analyzed the geomorphological features of the Dingxi Basin by using remote sensing technology and compared them with local seismic activity. We found that most of the river basins are at the robust stage of development and that the major local rivers and the development of some basins boundaries are controlled by the seismic faults. Among four zones identified to have significant tectonic activities, the northwestly-oriented one located in the south has the highest seismic activity, and it is where the M6.6 earthquake occurrred.

The Impact of Urbanization Expansion on the Geomorphology of the Southern Coastal Sabkhas from Ras Al-Jailiaha to Al-Khiran, South Kuwait

Kuwait is considered one of the desert regions of the Arabian Peninsula, that subjected to geomorphological processes forming the earth’s surface features. The anthropogenic activities through urbanization affected the earth geomorphology in the southern coastal sabkhas of Kuwait such as (Al-Jailiaha, Az-Zor and Al-Khiran). This study aims to monitor the geomorphological changes on the southern coastal sabkhas due to the urbanization expansion. Geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) techniques were used to study these changes, determine the areas of the coastal sabkhas in the southern part of Kuwait, following the developments, and identifying land cover in the area and its coastal strip including tourist resorts, sand dunes, and smooth sand sheets. The satellite images used in this study based on the data of Landsat-5 (TM) 1985, and Landsat-5 (TM) 1990, Landsat-7 (ETM+) 2001, visuals Landsat-8 (OLI) 2016 covering the years of (1985, 1990, 2001, 2016), in order to detect changes in the sabkhas and the extension of urbanization in the region. Digital Maps were made to show how extent the study area was affected by urbanization. Urbanization mostly expanded to the south in the study area on the account of the coastal sabkhas, where the area of the coastal sabkhas in 1985 was about 103.1 km2 and in 1990 it was about 84.1 km2. This led to the shrinking of the sabkhas area and extension of the resort area within the areas of sabkhas and sand dunes, particularly in Al-Khiran coastal area exposing it to the problem of sand drift and sand encroachment, which resulted in changes of the characteristics of the sabkhas, shrinkage of their area, and adverse impacts on their geomorphology.

REVIEW AND PROSPECT OF EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY IN CHINA

Brief introduction of experiments,laboratories and stations in geomorphology.The achievements in experimental fluvial geomorphology gained in the last 30 years in China include channel pattern modelling,studies on influence of boundary conditions,applications of fluvial geomorphology,its experimental theories and techniques,etc.Problems in fluvial geomorphic experiments are indicated,tendencies in the development of this branch of geomorphology are predicted,and suggestions are made.

Soil Geomorphology of Garpanchkot Hill Area and Its Influence on Land Use and Land Cover

The present study is about to find out different attributes of soil as well as geomorphology. It is very much relevant to the study of land use land cover (LULC). Garpanchkot hill is situated in Purulia district of West Bengal. There are two geomorphological and seven pedological parameters that have been selected for the study. Shuttle radar topographic mission (SRTM) and advanced land observing satellite (ALOS) data are analyzed by remote sensing software to find out the geomorphological character of the area. There are twenty soil samples that have been taken from top of the hill to foothill pediment area with the change of elevation and slope for laboratory analysis. Different statistical techniques are used for representation. Foot hill area of the Garpanchkot hill can be determined by less than 150 m elevation and 5o slope. Elevation and slope of rest of the hill area (greater than 150 m and 5o) are fully dominated by forest and scattered vegetation. Elevated area (greater than 205 m) with less slope (10o - 15o) is associated with dense forest. Escarpment area is associated with grass land and scattered vegetation. Foothill area is bearing the signature of scattered vegetation, bare soil ground and agriculture. The richness of clay minerals plays an important role in the foothill pediment area for development of agriculture. Sandy loam is dominating soil texture in the rest of the hill area. Percentage of organic matter (1.8%), status of salinity (6.65 - 7.72) and alkalinity (up to 138.6 μs/cm) remain high in the high elevated area due to forest cover. The area is very dry, only fed by the rainfall during monsoon season. Artificial reservoir feeds the foothill agriculture system. Rice, wheat, maize, sugarcane, pulses chili and vegetables are the main crops of this area.