Introduction to this special section: Near-surface geophysics

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 434-434
Author(s):  
Adam Mangel ◽  
Steve Sloan
Keyword(s):  
Special Section ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Near Surface Geophysics

The near surface of the earth, a.k.a. the critical zone (National Research Council, 2001), is defined as the outer 50–100 m of the planet, which contains biota, bedrock, soil, water, and gasses. As humans, we rely on this layer for many functions including storage of water resources, housing of our infrastructure, storage of our wastes, and cultivation of our food sources. Several natural ecosystems are also dependent on this layer of our planet, which in turn provide us with ecosystem services. The historic and lasting importance of this layer to our environment emphasizes the value in understanding major environmental fluxes, impact of human activities, and the interface between the natural world and our infrastructure. Application of geophysical methods in this field has increased steadily over the past 15 years and continues to grow, especially as the human impact on the globe continues to increase.

Tending this Fragile Earth, Our Island Home: The Pope's Encyclical in Dialogue with Ecomimesis, a Design Model for Conservation Stewardship

2018 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 745-766
Author(s):  
Lillian C. Woo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Pollution ◽  
Anthropogenic Impact ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Design Solution ◽  
World Population ◽  
Natural Ecosystem ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The World

In the last fifty years, empirical evidence has shown that climate change and environmental degradation are largely the results of increased world population, economic development, and changes in cultural and social norms. Thus far we have been unable to slow or reverse the practices that continue to produce more air and water pollution, soil and ocean degradation, and ecosystem decline. This paper analyzes the negative anthropogenic impact on the ecosystem and proposes a new design solution: ecomimesis, which uses the natural ecosystem as its template to conserve, restore, and improve existing ecosystems. Through its nonintrusive strategies and designs, and its goal of preserving natural ecosystems and the earth, ecomimesis can become an integral part of stabilizing and rehabilitating our natural world at the same time that it addresses the needs of growing economies and populations around the world.

scholarly journals Subsurface characterization of a quick-clay vulnerable area using near-surface geophysics and hydrological modelling

Solid Earth ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1685-1705
Author(s):  
Silvia Salas-Romero ◽  
Alireza Malehmir ◽  
Ian Snowball ◽  
Benoît Dessirier
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Hydrological Modelling ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Geotechnical Investigations ◽  
Quick Clay ◽  
Near Surface Geophysics

Abstract. Quick-clay landslides are common geohazards in Nordic countries and Canada. The presence of potential quick clays is confirmed using geotechnical investigations, but near-surface geophysical methods, such as seismic and resistivity surveys, can also help identify coarse-grained materials associated with the development of quick clays. We present the results of reflection seismic investigations on land and in part of the Göta River in Sweden, along which many quick-clay landslide scars exist. This is the first time that such a large-scale reflection seismic investigation has been carried out to study the subsurface structures associated with quick-clay landslides. The results also show a reasonable correlation with radio magnetotelluric and travel-time tomography models of the subsurface. Other ground geophysical data, such as high magnetic values, suggest a positive correlation with an increased thickness of the coarse-grained layer and shallower depths to the top of the bedrock and the top of the coarse-grained layer. The morphology of the river bottom and riverbanks, e.g. subaquatic landslide deposits, is shown by side-scan sonar and bathymetric data. Undulating bedrock, covered by subhorizontal sedimentary glacial and postglacial deposits, is clearly revealed. An extensive coarse-grained layer (P-wave velocity mostly between 1500 and 2500 m s−1 and resistivity from approximately 80 to 100 Ωm) exists within the sediments and is interpreted and modelled in a regional context. Several fracture zones are identified within the bedrock. Hydrological modelling of the coarse-grained layer confirms its potential for transporting fresh water infiltrated in fractures and nearby outcrops located in the central part of the study area. The modelled groundwater flow in this layer promotes the leaching of marine salts from the overlying clays by seasonal inflow–outflow cycles and/or diffusion, which contributes to the formation of potential quick clays.

Chemical composition of the Moon's 'primary' crust – a clue at a terrestrial origin

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Vorburger ◽  
Peter Wurz ◽  
Manuel Scherf ◽  
Helmut Lammer ◽  
André Galli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lunar Surface ◽  
Major Elements ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Lunar Crust ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Origin And Evolution ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Terrestrial Origin ◽  
In The Beginning

<p>The Moon is one of the best characterized objects in space science, yet its origin still actively researched. Available orbital, geophysical, and geochemical information imposes clear restrictions on the origin and evolution of the Earth-Moon system (e.g., Canup 2008, 2012; Ćuk and Stewart 2012; Young et al. 2016). In regard to geochemical constraints, one of the most puzzling conundrums is posed by the similar isotopic fingerprints of the Earth and the Moon (e.g., Wiechert et al. 2001; Armytage et al. 2012; Zhang et al. 2012; Young et al. 2016; Schiller et al. 2018), together with the apparent lunar depletion in volatile elements (e.g., Ringwood and Kesson 1977; Wanke et al. 1977; Albarède et al. 2015; Taylor 2014). This apparent lunar volatile depletion is most notable in the low K content in comparison to U, a finding based on chemical analyses of samples collected from the lunar surface and lunar meteorites, and on spectroscopic observations of the lunar near-surface, despite both having been heavily processed in the past ~ 4.4 billion years.</p><p>In the past 4.4 billion years, space has been a harsh environment for our Moon, especially in the beginning, when the young Sun was still very active and the young Moon was continuously bombarded by meteorites of varying sizes. Solar wind and micro-meteoritic interactions with the lunar surface led to rapid and intensive processing of the lunar crust. Hence, the K/U depletion trend observable on today's lunar surface does not necessarily reflect a K/U ratio valid for the Moon in its entirety. We model the evolution of the abundances of the major elements over the past 4.3 to 4.4 billion years to derive the composition of the original lunar crust. Accounting for this processing, our model results show that the original crust is much less depleted in volatiles than the surface observable today, exhibiting a K/U ratio compatible with Earth and the other terrestrial planets, which strengthens the theory of a terrestrial origin for the Moon.</p>

scholarly journals ZONES OF RECENT ACTIVATION AND SCHEME OF THE EARTH CRUST PERMEABILITY OF UKRAINE

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-84
Author(s):  
V.V. Gordienko ◽  
L.Ya. Gordienko ◽  
J.A. Goncharova ◽  
V.M. Tarasov
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
Previous Analysis ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Earth’S Crust ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Continue Research ◽  
Earth's Crust ◽  
Background Gas

An attempt is considered to supplement the criteria for identifying zones of recent activation in the territory of Ukraine with another one — data on the results of studies of helium concentration in ground-water. The previous analysis of information showed that as regional criteria, information can be applied on anomalies in heat flow, increased electrical conductivity of Earth’s crustal and the upper mantle rocks, distribution of mantle gravitational anomalies, and surface uplifts over the past millions of years. They were chosen among others precisely because of the dissemination of relevant information throughout the country. This requirement is also met by the permeability Scheme of the earth’s crust of Ukraine, which is a fragment of the permeability Scheme of the earth’s crust of the European part of the USSR based on the results of helium studies. The principal applicability of such information for solving the problem is shown. Areas of maximum helium concentrations in near-surface waters are indicated, primarily those associated with disjunctive dislocation. Theу are concentrated in the south-west of Ukraine and in Moldova. The disadvantages of the Scheme are noted, due to poor study and significant variations in background gas concentrations, directly caused not by recent activation, but by the peculiarities of helium generation by rocks of the upper part of the earth’s crust. There are inconsistencies between the previously obtained ideas about the activated zones and the data of the Scheme. They are especially large in the Carpathian, Crimean and Donetsk regions, and are noticeable in others. Therefore, it seems necessary, first, to continue research, thicken the network of observations and develop a methodology for analyzing their results.

scholarly journals Archaeological geophysics in Israel: past, present and future

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 45-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. V. Eppelbaum
Keyword(s):  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Magnetic Survey ◽  
Main Attention ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
The Past ◽  
Geophysical Investigations ◽  
Limited Application ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Archaeological Objects

Abstract. In Israel occur a giant number of archaeological objects of various age, origin and size. Different kinds of noise complicate geophysical methods employment at archaeological sites. Geodynamical active, multi-layered, and geologically variable surrounding media in many cases damages ancient objects and disturbs their physical properties. This calls to application of different geophysical methods armed by the modern interpretation technology. The main attention is focused on the geophysical methods most frequently applying in Israeli archaeological sites: GPR and high-precise magnetic survey. Other methods (paleomagnetic, resistivity, near-surface seismics, piezoelectric, etc.) are briefly described and reviewed. The number of employed geophysical methodologies is constantly increasing, and now Israeli territory may be considered as a peculiar polygon for various geophysical methods testing. Several examples illustrate effective application of geophysical methods over some typical archaeological remains. The geophysical investigations at archaeological sites in Israel could be tentatively divided on three stages: (1) past (1990), (2) present (1990–2009), and (3) future (2010). The past stage with several archaeoseismic reviews and very limited application of geophysical methods was replaced by the present stage with the violent employment of numerous geophysical techniques. It is supposed that the future stage will be characterized by extensive development of multidiscipline physical-archaeological databases, employment of all possible indicators for 4-D monitoring and ancient sites reconstruction, as well as application of combined geophysical multilevel surveys using remote operated vehicles at low altitudes.

Introduction to this special section: Near-surface geophysics

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-152
Author(s):  
Dale Werkema ◽  
John Lane
Keyword(s):  
Special Section ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Near Surface Geophysics

Non-invasive investigations for enhancing the knowledge and the valorisation of the cultural heritage: first results of the Malta-Italy bilateral project

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Persico ◽  
Giovanni Leucci ◽  
Lara De Giorgi ◽  
Maurizio Lazzari ◽  
Sebastiano D'Amico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Geophysical Investigation ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
First Results ◽  
Passive Seismic ◽  
Near Surface Geophysics ◽  
The Times

<p>“Non-invasive investigations for enhancing the knowledge and the valorisation of the cultural heritage” is a biennial project financed by the Italian National Research Council (CNR) and by the University of Malta, started in 2018 until to April 2020. It has been  aimed to perform geophysical investigation both in Italy and in Malta in order to enhance the knowledge, and therefore also the preservation and the valorisation of some relevant monuments and archaeological sites in both countries. In particular, we have performed ground penetrating radar [1-2], resistive [3] and passive seismic investigations [4] within or close to archaeological sites, churches, roman monuments and watchtowers and have identified [5], depending on the case, anomalies due to buried rooms, tombs, roads or just geological differences in the subsoil.</p><p>Geophysical investigations were also integrated by regional and local geomorphological survey applied to the natural heritage of Gozo Island, such as in the case of the natural arch of Wied il-Mielah and the  terraced high paleosurfaces, on which ancient watchtowers are often present..</p><p>In some cases, excavations were possible too, in other cases we hope they will be done in a future. Not all the times the excavations enlightened the hypothesized anomalies, but all the times the anomalies corresponded to some physical target or some physical buried discontinuity of the soil. At the conference, we will provide some insight on the achieved results, with special emphasis on the results achieved during the second year of the project.</p><p><strong>References</strong></p><p>[1] R. Pierri, G. Leone, F. Soldovieri, R. Persico, "Electromagnetic inversion for subsurface applications under the distorted Born approximation" Nuovo Cimento, vol. 24C, N. 2, pp 245-261, March-April 2001.</p><p>[2] R. Persico, M. Ciminale, L. Matera, A new reconfigurable stepped frequency GPR system, possibilities and issues; applications to two different Cultural Heritage Resources, Near Surface Geophysics, vol. 12, n. 6, pp. 793-801 (doi: 10.3997/1873-0604.2014035), December 2014.</p><p>[3] G. Leucci, Nondestructive Testing for Archaeological and Cultural Heritage. A Practical Guide and New Perspectives, Springer, 2019.</p><p>[4] Villani F., D'Amico S., Panzera F., Vassallo M., Bozionelos G., Farrugia D., Galea P., 2018. Shallow high-resolution geophysical investigation along the western segment of the Victoria Lines Fault (island of Malta). Tectonophysics, 724–725, 220-233 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2018.01.010</p><p>[5] Persico R., Leucci G., D’Amico S., De Giorgi L., Colica E., Lazzari M., The watch towers in Malta: a patrimony to preserve for the future. Proceedings of 2019 IMEKO TC-4 International Conference on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Florence, Italy, December 4-6, 2019,pp. 100-102.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals First geophysical results in the Archeological sites of Θούρια (Péloponnèse, Hellas) and Sibari-Thurii (southern Italy)

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 1080
Author(s):  
B. Di Fiore ◽  
D. Chianese ◽  
A. Loperte ◽  
G. Conte ◽  
A. Dibenedetto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Magnetic Measurements ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Magnetic Data ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Data Inversion ◽  
Near Surface Geophysics

High resolution techniques for data acquisition and processing procedures are increasingly applied in near-surface geophysics for archaeology. In this paper we present the preliminary results of two geophysical measurements campaigns aimed to the investigation of buried remains in the archaeological sites of Θουρία (Péloponnèse, Hellas) and Sibari (Southern Italy). In the first field survey the geophysical approach involved the integrated application of the geoelectrical and magnetic methods and an innovative tomographic analysis for the inversion of both resistivity and magnetic data. In the second case, we carried out high resolution magnetic measurements, interpreted by means of the use of an appropriate filtering procedure. The applied data inversion allows us to provide reliable space patterns of the most probable specific target boundaries, improving the information quality of geophysical methods. The results obtained at this early stage of data processing confirm some archaeological hypothesis about the investigated areas and confirm that the use of integrated geophysical methods allows the archaeologists to reduce the time and the costs of their surveys.

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