Geosciences

32 pages, 70546 KB

Open AccessArticle

Gravity-Constrained Basin Geometry and Structural Segmentation of the Lampang Basin, Northern Thailand

by Jetnipit Muenjaem, Niti Mankhemthong, Rattanaporn Fongngern, Kritsada Moonpa, Weerapan Srichan, Wachirachai Sakapa, Sarawute Chantraprasert, Takonporn Kunpitaktakun and Chanin Pattarakamolsen

Geosciences 2026, 16(9), 354; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090354 - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

The Lampang Basin is a Cenozoic rift basin in northern Thailand whose geometry remains poorly constrained because of limited subsurface data. This study applies integrated gravity analysis and 3D gravity inversion to characterize basin geometry, structural segmentation, and subsurface density distributions. Complete Bouguer [...] Read more.

The Lampang Basin is a Cenozoic rift basin in northern Thailand whose geometry remains poorly constrained because of limited subsurface data. This study applies integrated gravity analysis and 3D gravity inversion to characterize basin geometry, structural segmentation, and subsurface density distributions. Complete Bouguer anomaly data from 1488 gravity stations were analyzed using regional–residual separation, edge-detection filtering, spectral depth estimation, and 2D forward gravity modeling, constrained by geological mapping and available borehole and seismic data. The resulting geological and geophysical constraints were incorporated into 3D geometry and density inversions to construct the first basin-scale 3D gravity inversion model of the Lampang Basin. The results identify four structurally distinct, fault-controlled sub-basins, refining previous gravity-based interpretations of three principal sub-basins. The Western and Central Sub-basins trend predominantly NE–SW, whereas the Eastern Sub-basin is predominantly N–S oriented; the Northeastern Sub-basin has a less well-defined geometry but is bounded by structures supporting a broadly N–S alignment. The 3D inversion indicates a maximum preserved sediment thickness of ~2050 m, with the deepest depocenter within the Central Sub-basin, whereas the broadest depocenter occurs within the Eastern Sub-basin. Gravity anomalies and inversion-derived density distributions further indicate an association between contrasting pre-Cenozoic basement domains on basin segmentation and geometry, including accretionary complexes, volcanic arcs, and forearc basin successions of the Paleo-Tethys subduction margin. Integrated gravity modeling therefore provides regional constraints on the preserved geometry and structural segmentation of Cenozoic intermontane basins where direct subsurface information is spatially limited. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Geophysics)

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29 pages, 26100 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Remote Sensing and Geotechnical Modelling for the Stability Assessment of Structurally Complex Rock Masses with Natural Cavities

by Emmanouil Chatziangelis, Nikolaos Depountis, Konstantinos Nikolakopoulos and Nikolaos Sabatakakis

Geosciences 2026, 16(9), 353; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090353 - 2 Sep 2026

Abstract

Reliable stability assessment of structurally complex rock masses increasingly relies on advanced remote sensing techniques integrated with detailed geotechnical analysis. This study presents a combined remote geotechnical workflow applied to rock masses surrounding natural cavities, with the study area located in Greece, aiming [...] Read more.

Reliable stability assessment of structurally complex rock masses increasingly relies on advanced remote sensing techniques integrated with detailed geotechnical analysis. This study presents a combined remote geotechnical workflow applied to rock masses surrounding natural cavities, with the study area located in Greece, aiming to evaluate the stability of coupled cavity–slope systems under varying conditions. The methodology combines Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry and SLAM-based LiDAR surveying to acquire centimetre-scale surface and underground opening data. These datasets are fused into a geometrically consistent three-dimensional representation of the slope–portal–cavity system, enabling improved documentation of slope morphology, internal cave geometry and externally exposed discontinuity patterns. The fused spatial dataset was then used to extract a representative two-dimensional cavity–slope section for plane-strain finite element analysis. The numerical model was formulated as an equivalent-continuum model using the Hoek–Brown failure criterion, with stability assessed through the Shear Strength Reduction technique across multiple scenarios. Overall, the study demonstrates that integrated geotechnical and remote-sensing approaches improve geometric completeness and consistency, enhance reproducibility, and reduce geometry-related uncertainty in scenario-based stability assessments of complex rock masses with natural cavities and underground openings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Risk Assessment in Geotechnical Engineering)

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24 pages, 30039 KB

Open AccessArticle

Rainfall-Induced Landslide Hazard Assessment Considering Multi-Temporal-Scale Rainfall Factors in Jiangwan Town, Shaoguan, Guangdong Province, China

by Jing Yang, Dehe Yang, Zhima Zeren, Chong Xu, Yuandong Huang, Jianping Huang and Hengxin Lu

Geosciences 2026, 16(9), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090352 - 2 Sep 2026

Abstract

Shallow landslides triggered by extreme rainfall often occur abruptly and show pronounced spatial clustering. Accurate representation of rainfall conditions is therefore important for event-based landslide hazard assessment. This study investigated shallow landslides triggered by the April 2024 extreme rainfall event in Jiangwan Town, [...] Read more.

Shallow landslides triggered by extreme rainfall often occur abruptly and show pronounced spatial clustering. Accurate representation of rainfall conditions is therefore important for event-based landslide hazard assessment. This study investigated shallow landslides triggered by the April 2024 extreme rainfall event in Jiangwan Town, Guangdong Province, China. An event-based landslide inventory, half-hourly GPM IMERG precipitation data, and multiple environmental factors were used for hazard modelling. Three rainfall descriptors were considered: event cumulative rainfall, 21-day cumulative rainfall, and maximum 1 h rainfall. Controlled incremental experiments using Random Forest (RF) were conducted to evaluate the additional predictive information provided by these rainfall descriptors. RF, XGBoost, and an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) were then compared in terms of predictive performance. Incorporating all three rainfall descriptors increased the RF test-set AUC from 0.907 to 0.945. Among the three predefined rainfall descriptors, 21-day cumulative rainfall produced the largest incremental improvement. XGBoost achieved the highest overall predictive performance, with a test-set AUC of 0.971, and was selected for final hazard mapping. The high- and very-high-hazard zones predicted by XGBoost covered 33.2% of the study area and contained 89.7% of the observed landslide samples. These zones were concentrated mainly in the central and northeastern parts of Jiangwan Town. SHAP analysis identified elevation as the most influential predictor, while all three rainfall descriptors ranked among the important predictors. Overall, the results indicate that rainfall information at multiple temporal scales provides complementary predictive information and can improve event-conditioned shallow-landslide hazard assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Rainfall-Induced Soil Degradation, Failure and Landslide Hazards)

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25 pages, 5706 KB

Open AccessArticle

Geochemical Characteristics and Hydrocarbon Generation Potential of Paleozoic Petroleum Source Rocks Under the Influence of Orogeny: A Comparative Study of the Eastern Caspian Depression and the Northern Margin of the Tarim Basin

by Mingxiao Sun and Mahabbat Tursyngazy

Geosciences 2026, 16(9), 351; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090351 - 1 Sep 2026

Abstract

The eastern Pre-Caspian Depression and northern margin of the Tarim Basin are two Paleozoic craton-based basins that were impacted by different late Paleozoic collisional systems—the Uralides and the South Tian Shan. A comparative analysis was performed on their Paleozoic petroleum source rocks as [...] Read more.

The eastern Pre-Caspian Depression and northern margin of the Tarim Basin are two Paleozoic craton-based basins that were impacted by different late Paleozoic collisional systems—the Uralides and the South Tian Shan. A comparative analysis was performed on their Paleozoic petroleum source rocks as part of this research project. This comparison utilized an identical methodological process across both basins. Data on total organic carbon content (TOC), Rock-Eval pyrolysis and vitrinite reflectance (Ro) were obtained from 15 wells (eight in the eastern Pre-Caspian Depression and seven in the Tarim Basin). In addition to these new datasets, published regional databases and sediment accumulation rates calculated at 40 locations were used. The Pre-Caspian source rocks contained TOC values ranging from 1.9 wt% to 6.0 wt% (average = 3.5 wt%) and had hydrogen indices (HI) ranging from 279 to 500 mg hydrocarbons per gram TOC; they were characterized as oil-prone Type II kerogens and were mature to late-mature (Ro = 0.85–1.40%). The Tarim source rocks contained less TOC (range = 1.2–4.8 wt%; average = 2.6 wt%) and had HI values that were generally lower and highly variable (range = 80–350 mg hydrocarbons per gram TOC); they were composed of Type I–II to III kerogens and were significantly more mature than those found in the Pre-Caspian Basin (range = Ro = 0.80–2.00%), with some areas reaching the dry-gas window. Sediment Accumulation Rates (SARs) were approximately equal in magnitude (maximum SARs ranged from 60 to 64 m per million years) but differed in terms of spatial distribution. While SARs were primarily focused along the southern margin of the Tian Shan mountain range in the Tarim Basin, SARs were relatively evenly distributed throughout the intracratonic eastern Pre-Caspian Depression. Therefore, it can be concluded that the type of orogenic system is responsible for determining when source rocks enter the oil and gas windows, providing a transferable methodology for distinguishing oil- from gas-prone fairways within orogen-flanked cratonic basins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedimentary Basins and Energy Resources)

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14 pages, 1286 KB

Open AccessArticle

Nature-Based Learning and Inclusive Education for Deaf Students: Theoretical Foundations and an Illustrative Geology Activity in Portuguese Sign Language

by Natalia Fernandes and Clara Vasconcelos

Geosciences 2026, 16(9), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090350 - 1 Sep 2026

Abstract

Inclusive education aims to eliminate barriers to the access, participation, and success of all students. For Deaf students, challenges related to accessibility, communication, and the adaptation of teaching practices to diverse linguistic, cultural, and sensory needs persist. This theoretical article discusses the potential [...] Read more.

Inclusive education aims to eliminate barriers to the access, participation, and success of all students. For Deaf students, challenges related to accessibility, communication, and the adaptation of teaching practices to diverse linguistic, cultural, and sensory needs persist. This theoretical article discusses the potential of Nature-Based Learning (NBL) for promoting inclusive educational practices for Deaf students. Drawing on the literature, it examines the foundations of NBL, considers Deaf students’ learning while acknowledging the heterogeneity of this population, and analyses opportunities and challenges associated with nature-based educational experiences. The literature suggests that NBL may support participation, engagement, social interaction, and content understanding through visual, tactile, spatial, embodied, and experiential learning opportunities. However, its inclusive potential depends on linguistic accessibility, adapted resources, teacher preparation, and consideration of individual communication and learning needs. To illustrate how these principles may be translated into practice, the article presents an inclusive geology activity in an outdoor context supported by Portuguese Sign Language. The activity is presented as an illustrative pedagogical proposal rather than an empirically validated intervention. Overall, NBL represents a promising framework for developing more accessible, participatory, and meaningful educational experiences for Deaf and hearing students. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Education in Geosciences)

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19 pages, 2524 KB

Open AccessReview

Global Trends and Research Gaps in Surface Biomass, Water Retention and Soil Erosion in European Temperate Forest: A Bibliometric Analysis (2005–2025)

by Muhammad Haseeb Shoukat, Lizardo Reyna-Bowen and Anna Klamerus-Iwan

Geosciences 2026, 16(9), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090349 - 1 Sep 2026

Abstract

Surface biomass, including litter, organic matter and ground vegetation, plays a very important role in forest ecosystems for regulating water retention and soil erosion. At the global and European temperate forest scale, no bibliometric analysis has previously been conducted, even though the scientific [...] Read more.

Surface biomass, including litter, organic matter and ground vegetation, plays a very important role in forest ecosystems for regulating water retention and soil erosion. At the global and European temperate forest scale, no bibliometric analysis has previously been conducted, even though the scientific interest has been growing. This bibliometric analysis studied 1189 global and 178 European temperate forest articles retrieved from Scopus from 2005 to 2025 using RStudio (bibliometrix) and VOSviewer. The global output grew at an annual growth rate of almost 20.83%, coinciding with the Paris Agreement 2015 and the European Green Deal 2019 that may have brought scientific attention to climate change, hydrological process, forest ecosystem services and sustainable forest management, leading to the increases, while European research accounted for only 14.9% of global output and was mainly influenced by Mediterranean fire-related research, which limits its direct applicability to central European forest conditions. China and the USA dominated the global research output. Despite being the country with 30% of its area covered with forests, no Polish institution appeared in the top 10 contributors in both the global and European datasets. Thematic analysis showed that infiltration and surface runoff are poorly integrated with forest management and climate change research. Litter and soil organic carbon appeared as an emerging topic in the European Temperate Forest dataset. Three dominant tree species of the central European temperate forest, Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway Spruce (Picea abies), and European aspen (Populus tremula L.), were each mentioned just once in 178 European publications, indicating the need for species-specific research about water retention and erosion susceptibility and surface runoff. This bibliometric analysis identified the significant species-specific, institutional, and regional knowledge gaps in European temperate forest research, most importantly, for the central European ecosystem and the dominant Polish forest. The study highlighted the limited incorporation of hydrological processes with forest management and climate adaptation strategies. Future research direction should focus on long-term field research analysing biomass changes, water retention and erosion susceptibility in the European temperate forest ecosystem, while promoting stronger international research collaborations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Climate and Environment)

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28 pages, 41906 KB

Open AccessArticle

Formation-Scale Lithostratigraphic Subdivision of the Nubian Sandstone Succession Along the Quseir–Qift Road, Eastern Desert, Egypt

by Mohamed A. Khalifa, Mohamed M. Ghoneim, Mohamed Mahmoud Abu El Hassan, Ahmed Anwar El Feky and Amr S. Zaky

Geosciences 2026, 16(9), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090348 - 1 Sep 2026

Abstract

The Nubian Sandstone succession exposed along the Quseir–Qift Road, Eastern Desert, Egypt, has commonly been treated as a broad sandstone-dominated interval, limiting local stratigraphic resolution. This study establishes a formation-scale lithostratigraphic subdivision of that succession. Field control comprises 18 Global Positioning System (GPS)-referenced [...] Read more.

The Nubian Sandstone succession exposed along the Quseir–Qift Road, Eastern Desert, Egypt, has commonly been treated as a broad sandstone-dominated interval, limiting local stratigraphic resolution. This study establishes a formation-scale lithostratigraphic subdivision of that succession. Field control comprises 18 Global Positioning System (GPS)-referenced localities—15 within the Quseir–Qift corridor and three comparison localities at Wadi Hammamat. Principal measured-section controls, contact localities, and lateral checks were organized into eight composite logs within a 1:25,000 mapping framework. From base to top, the succession comprises the Araba, Abu Thora, Abu Durba, Malha, Bahariya, and Taref formations, with recorded thicknesses of 77.5–84.5 m, 68–72 m, approximately 24 m, approximately 78 m, 37–60 m, and 7–37 m, respectively. Formation boundaries were distinguished from ordinary facies changes by persistent package-scale shifts in lithological association and vertical organization, reproducible stratigraphic position, and traceable contact or marker relationships where exposure allowed. Regional correlation was evaluated only after local differentiation. The observed facies associations are consistent mainly with fluvial systems, with local tidal or shallow-water influence in Araba and Abu Thora and a restricted evaporitic setting in Abu Durba. Because no independent local biostratigraphic or geochronologic ages were obtained, formation ages remain regional, correlation-based assignments and may be diachronous. The framework improves local stratigraphic resolution without proposing new formal units or a definitive regional solution for the Nubian Sandstone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Quaternary Stratigraphy and Paleogeography)

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19 pages, 32781 KB

Open AccessArticle

Rock Mass Characterization of Discontinuities by Unsupervised Machine Learning

by Brittany M. Russo and Robert E. Kayen

Geosciences 2026, 16(9), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090347 - 31 Aug 2026

Abstract

Rock slope landslide potential, tunnel design, and the engineering of underground spaces critically require an analysis of rock joint orientation and spacing. Joint set measurements are typically determined by hand in the field using a compass–clinometer to measure the orientation of the geologic [...] Read more.

Rock slope landslide potential, tunnel design, and the engineering of underground spaces critically require an analysis of rock joint orientation and spacing. Joint set measurements are typically determined by hand in the field using a compass–clinometer to measure the orientation of the geologic planes with respect to north and the dip of the plane with respect to the horizontal. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be utilized to capture hundreds of photos to create high-resolution 3D models of a rock outcrop, capturing visible joint set discontinuities on a faceted surface of a triangular irregular network (TIN). Computing methods of facets and facet normals from a point cloud allow for the characterization of discontinuity orientations without the need for manual measurements in the field. However, these methods used to calculate facets and facet normals result in the addition of noise in the dataset, which increases the difficulty of analysis. A two-stage filtering process employing density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN), and the second derivative of the remaining clusters, removes data that are not representative of a discontinuity within the intact rock mass. Finally, an unsupervised clustering algorithm, K-Means Clustering, is applied to the dataset to extract the dip and dip direction of discontinuities. The methodology used to identify the orthogonal joint sets on a dam spillway demonstrated good performance across all identified joint sets, with the estimated variability in dip and dip direction broadly comparable to that observed in the manual field dataset. This indicates that this newly developed proof-of-concept approach can reliably capture the orientation and variability of orthogonal joint sets from large datasets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Numerical Methods in Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering)

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10 pages, 229 KB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Natural Hazards—Editorial

by Dimitrios Nikolopoulos

Geosciences 2026, 16(9), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090346 - 25 Aug 2026

Abstract

This editorial is a part of the Special Issue (SI) “Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Natural Hazards” [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members' Collection Series: Natural Hazards)

21 pages, 8026 KB

Open AccessArticle

How to Select Areas for Natural H₂ Exploration? A Case Study in Western Colombia

by Isabelle Moretti, Mathis Diroff, Fabien Cubizolle, Alejandra Carrillo-Ramirez and Sebastien Lacaze

Geosciences 2026, 16(9), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090345 - 24 Aug 2026

Abstract

Although uncertainties regarding natural hydrogen (H₂) reserves remain high, exploration activity is expanding across several countries. To date, the only active production site uses this resource locally for electricity generation; however, operating companies could target industrial markets where H₂ can [...] Read more.

Although uncertainties regarding natural hydrogen (H₂) reserves remain high, exploration activity is expanding across several countries. To date, the only active production site uses this resource locally for electricity generation; however, operating companies could target industrial markets where H₂ can serve as both an energy source and a chemical feedstock. Surface constraints and proximity to commercial markets will dictate distribution and utilization strategies when alternative options are available. This study introduces a novel tool that integrates surface and subsurface constraints to rank prospective exploration areas, enabling companies to identify opportunities aligned with their specific corporate profiles or business plans. The methodology is applied to western Colombia, a region characterized by many surface constraints and known H₂-generating source rocks; H₂ surface emanations have also been documented. Western Colombia is structurally divided by north–south mountain ranges (Cordilleras) that severely hinder east–west transportation and contribute to regional energy insecurity. Using a comprehensive data compilation, this study demonstrates how applying different weighting schemes to diverse geographical and geological parameters can optimize site selection. The Medellín area ranks highest if the target is the industrial market. Full article

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39 pages, 9549 KB

Open AccessArticle

Landslide Risk Assessment and Susceptibility Analysis in the Loess Plateau Region: A Case Study of Yuzhong County, Lanzhou City, Western China

by Zhen Wu, Manzhong Qin and Yuansheng Zhang

Geosciences 2026, 16(9), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090344 - 23 Aug 2026

Abstract

The Loess Plateau in China is highly susceptible to frequent landslides and other geological disasters, which have led to substantial losses of natural and human resources and are frequently reported in the news media. Yuzhong County, located east of Lanzhou City, is a [...] Read more.

The Loess Plateau in China is highly susceptible to frequent landslides and other geological disasters, which have led to substantial losses of natural and human resources and are frequently reported in the news media. Yuzhong County, located east of Lanzhou City, is a mountainous region with considerable development potential. On 7 August 2025, this area experienced a large-scale geological disaster characterized by a compound event involving both landslides and debris flows, resulting in nearly several hundred casualties. With the ongoing urban expansion of Yuzhong County in recent years, the prediction and prevention of geological disasters have become increasingly critical. This study employed three machine learning algorithms—Multiple Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), and XGBoost (XG)—to assess landslide susceptibility in Yuzhong County. A total of 169 historical landslide points, supplemented by additional sites identified through field investigations, were compiled, along with 200 non-landslide locations. Multiple environmental factors were incorporated into the models to analyze landslide susceptibility across different areas. Because LR can effectively capture the generalized influence of precipitation variability, it was selected as the primary model for the final susceptibility mapping. To more accurately evaluate the impact of precipitation on landslide occurrence, average seasonal precipitation across the four seasons was used as a predictive factor. To refine the risk assessment at the township level, both raster-based and landslide-unit-based evaluation approaches were adopted. Overlay analyses were then performed by integrating urban infrastructure, population distribution, and predicted landslide hazard zones, while also accounting for the potential influence of extreme precipitation events. The results reveal that the mountainous areas in eastern Mapo Township, southern Xiaokangying Township, southern Xiaguanying Town, and the south-central part of Qingshuiyi Township are high-risk zones prone to group-occurrence landslide disasters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landslide Susceptibility Mapping, Hazard Assessment and Risk Evaluation)

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16 pages, 16593 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Source Data and Integrated Gravity for Crustal Stability Analysis in the Eastern Tibetan Plateau

by Sen Kong, Jie Liu, Zhiru Geng, Shouchun Wei, Chunyi Li and Jiehai Cheng

Geosciences 2026, 16(8), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16080343 - 21 Aug 2026

Abstract

As a key tectonic zone formed by the India–Eurasia collision, the eastern Tibetan Plateau has complex crustal structures and intense tectonic activity. Its crustal stability is closely linked to regional geohazards and the safety of major engineering projects. This study assessed crustal stability [...] Read more.

As a key tectonic zone formed by the India–Eurasia collision, the eastern Tibetan Plateau has complex crustal structures and intense tectonic activity. Its crustal stability is closely linked to regional geohazards and the safety of major engineering projects. This study assessed crustal stability using nine multi-source datasets, including terrestrial gravity, Bouguer gravity anomalies, seismic data, active faults, terrain indicators, and annual precipitation. A hybrid weighting framework coupling the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and CRITIC method was established, and factor analysis was further adopted to cross-verify the rationality of index weights. Moderately unstable and unstable zones appear as alternating bands with distinct linear extensions. These unstable areas are mainly distributed around Jiuquan–Zhangye–Wuwei, Xining–Haidong, Yushu–Garzê, Mianyang, and Chengdu. Statistically, stable, moderately stable, moderately unstable, and unstable zones account for 20.74%, 35.47%, 28.78%, and 15.01%, respectively. The results provide a scientific reference for regional planning and infrastructure site selection in tectonically active regions. Full article

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24 pages, 39134 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sedimentary Fabric and Diagenetic-Fluid Controls on Pore-Structure Heterogeneity in the Deep Cretaceous Yageliemu Formation, Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin, NW China

by Lu Zhou, Xinyu Sun, Minggang Tang, Hong Lou, Jian Wang, Zhenhan Zhang, Jinfeng Feng and Haihua Qiu

Geosciences 2026, 16(8), 342; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16080342 - 20 Aug 2026

Abstract

Deep Cretaceous clastic reservoirs in the Kuqa Depression are major targets for natural gas exploration in the Tarim Basin. Recent exploration of the Yageliemu Formation in the Ketan area has revealed considerable resource potential, although reservoir performance is strongly affected by deep burial, [...] Read more.

Deep Cretaceous clastic reservoirs in the Kuqa Depression are major targets for natural gas exploration in the Tarim Basin. Recent exploration of the Yageliemu Formation in the Ketan area has revealed considerable resource potential, although reservoir performance is strongly affected by deep burial, compaction, repeated fluid–rock interaction, and pronounced pore-system heterogeneity. Core descriptions, epoxy-impregnated thin sections, cathodoluminescence, scanning electron microscopy, conventional petrophysical measurements, mercury intrusion capillary pressure, and nuclear magnetic resonance data were integrated to evaluate sedimentary fabric, reservoir-space types, pore-throat characteristics, and diagenetic modification. The succession was deposited mainly in a braided river delta plain setting and is dominated by medium sandstone, pebbly sandstone, and fine conglomerate. Overall reservoir quality is poor, with an average porosity of 3.4% and permeability commonly between 0.01 and 0.5 mD. MICP and NMR data distinguish four pore-structure types. From Type I to Type IV, average displacement pressure rises from 0.89 to 11.02 MPa, whereas median throat radius and movable-fluid porosity decline from 0.17 to 0.01 μm and from 2.00% to 0.72%, respectively. Residual intergranular pores constitute the main storage space, while feldspar- and lithic-fragment-dissolution pores provide additional local storage. Fractures contribute little pore volume but can markedly improve connectivity where they remain open or only weakly cemented. The present reservoir heterogeneity reflects the combined effects of sand-body stacking, sandstone–mudstone arrangement, fault-related fracturing, and multistage diagenesis. The most favorable intervals occur in thick, relatively clean stacked sand bodies where residual pores are preserved, dissolution pores remain connected to the throat network, and fractures have undergone limited late-stage filling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fault Characteristics, Fault Zone Architecture and Fluid Behavior)

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16 pages, 2654 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Physics-Based Approach to Rock Bolt Detection and Spatial Monitoring

by Munkhtsolmon Munkhchuluun and Davide Elmo

Geosciences 2026, 16(8), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16080341 - 20 Aug 2026

Abstract

Rock bolts are the primary ground support mechanism in underground mining. Yet verification of their installation is rarely captured in a spatially precise, retrievable form, leaving operators without an auditable as-built record for regulatory review or post-incident reconstruction. This paper presents an automated [...] Read more.

Rock bolts are the primary ground support mechanism in underground mining. Yet verification of their installation is rarely captured in a spatially precise, retrievable form, leaving operators without an auditable as-built record for regulatory review or post-incident reconstruction. This paper presents an automated rock bolt detection process that closes this documentation gap using dense point clouds from an underground hard rock mine acquired by terrestrial laser scan. The method computes per-point ambient occlusion (AO) on closure plane-sealed chambers using a PCV implementation of the ShadeVIS principle, forms candidates from a multi-scale protrusion field, and segments them by prominence watershed before classifying each candidate with PCA-based geometric descriptors, without machine learning or training data. Installation perpendicularity is applied as a per-detection confidence cue, and detections are reported in confidence tiers that concentrate human review on the ambiguous minority. Validated against a database of 1447 bolts across 20 walls in two areas of an underground mine, the system achieved an overall recall of 83.7%, with human review completing the inventory to 100%. The physics-based design transfers across bolt types and mine geometries through parameter re-tuning rather than retraining, addressing the core limitation of deep learning methods, which require site-specific labelled datasets. Full article

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15 pages, 11310 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Cyclic Confining Pressure and Temperature on Static and Dynamic Bulk Compressibility of Reservoir Sandstones

by Yuxiang Wang, Yang Wang, Junxing Ren, Xuguang Dong and Xiaoyang Wang

Geosciences 2026, 16(8), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16080340 - 19 Aug 2026

Abstract

Bulk compressibility of reservoir rocks can be characterized dynamically or statically, and both vary with burial depth due to increasing temperature and pressure. To quantify these effects, cyclic hydrostatic compression tests are conducted on two reservoir sandstones under confining pressure up to 50 [...] Read more.

Bulk compressibility of reservoir rocks can be characterized dynamically or statically, and both vary with burial depth due to increasing temperature and pressure. To quantify these effects, cyclic hydrostatic compression tests are conducted on two reservoir sandstones under confining pressure up to 50 MPa at three temperatures (30 °C, 70 °C, and 110 °C). Experimental results show that static bulk compressibility is consistently larger than dynamic values across all tested conditions. As confining pressure increases, static compressibility decreases more sharply than dynamic compressibility, leading to a gradual reduction in their discrepancy. In contrast, temperature exerts a weaker yet more complex influence. Elevated temperature increases dynamic bulk compressibility, but has opposite effects on static compressibility upon loading versus unloading: it reduces static compressibility upon hydrostatic loading but enhances it upon unloading. This complex temperature dependence is attributed to thermally induced stress, which resists hydrostatic compression during loading but assists decompression during unloading. The influence of thermal stress is more pronounced at low confining pressures. These findings highlight that temperature not only alters the magnitude of static compressibility but also introduces path-dependent asymmetry between loading and unloading, which has important implications for reservoir geomechanics, subsidence prediction, and production-induced compaction in high-temperature environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Experimental Methods, Advanced Field/in-Situ Testing, and Their Engineering Applications in Geomechanics)

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27 pages, 7942 KB

Open AccessReview

A Reproducible Review of Selected Analytical Methods in the Geosciences with R Implementations Using Simulated Data

by Khaled Haddad and Surendra Shrestha

Geosciences 2026, 16(8), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16080339 - 18 Aug 2026

Abstract

The geosciences have witnessed a rapid expansion of analytical methods, from classical linear models to geostatistics and modern machine learning. However, no single resource compares a curated selection of these methods systematically while also providing reproducible code. This reproducibility-driven review evaluates seven analytical [...] Read more.

The geosciences have witnessed a rapid expansion of analytical methods, from classical linear models to geostatistics and modern machine learning. However, no single resource compares a curated selection of these methods systematically while also providing reproducible code. This reproducibility-driven review evaluates seven analytical techniques applied to three simulated geoscience datasets: spatial points, time series, and a spatio-temporal grid. Methods were selected based on their availability in R to ensure transparency and accessibility. This paper serves as a historical review, a comparative benchmarking study, and a practical teaching resource with fully reproducible R code. The methods include linear regression, ARIMAX, ordinary kriging, regression-kriging, random forest, feed-forward neural networks, and BART. For spatial prediction, when evaluated against the true field, linear regression achieved the lowest mean RMSE (1.94 ± 0.23), followed by random forest (2.13 ± 0.23) and ordinary kriging (2.20 ± 0.26)—highlighting the importance of consistent out-of-sample validation. Regression-kriging performed similarly to ordinary kriging (2.22 ± 0.26). For time series, a feed-forward neural network (0.37 ± 0.09) substantially outperformed seasonal ARIMAX (1.90 ± 1.30). For spatio-temporal prediction, random forest and BART performed indistinguishably (0.534 ± 0.004 vs. 0.543 ± 0.004). A practical decision guide, grounded in these empirical results, summarises method selection based on sample size, data type, and research goal—whether inference, prediction, or uncertainty quantification. All code is open and reproducible, providing a template for future method comparisons. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Instrumentation and Experimental Methods for Geosciences)

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18 pages, 17586 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Parameter Coupling of Seismic, Drilling and Logging Data for Fine Prediction of Cambrian Gypsum-Salt Sequences

by Yuanyin Zhang, Zhongkai Bai, Dayong Li and Xintao Wang

Geosciences 2026, 16(8), 338; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16080338 - 18 Aug 2026

Abstract

An accurate prediction of gypsum-salt cap rocks is crucial for safe drilling and efficient development of subsalt hydrocarbons in the Tarim Basin. However, due to the complex lithological assemblages within the Middle Cambrian sequences, the P-impedance of gypsum severely overlaps with that of [...] Read more.

An accurate prediction of gypsum-salt cap rocks is crucial for safe drilling and efficient development of subsalt hydrocarbons in the Tarim Basin. However, due to the complex lithological assemblages within the Middle Cambrian sequences, the P-impedance of gypsum severely overlaps with that of the background carbonate rocks, making conventional seismic prediction based on a single impedance threshold inadequate. To address this issue, this paper proposes a multi-parameter coupling while-drilling prediction method that integrates seismic data, drilling parameters and geochemical logging. First, pre-stack P-impedance inversion is performed on amplitude-preserved seismic data to macroscopically delineate the depth interval of gypsum-salt development. Second, a weighted synthetic change-rate model incorporating drilling time (DT), weight on bit (WOB), and outlet conductivity is constructed to dynamically calibrate the top interface of the gypsum-salt layer while drilling. Finally, within the constrained depth interval, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental inversion of cuttings is used to quantitatively calculate the contents of clay, dolomite, gypsum and calcite, achieving fine-scale lithofacies identification at the sublayer level. An empirical application to Well XSC1 in the Keping fault-uplift, Tarim Basin, demonstrates that compared with the conventional single P-impedance threshold method, the proposed approach effectively distinguishes gypsum, salt and carbonate wall rocks, and significantly reduces the prediction errors of individual salt beds and gypsum sublayers. Specifically, the mean absolute error (MAE) of total gypsum-salt content decreases from 24.56% to 13.73% (a reduction of 44.1%), the bias drops from 2.45% to 0.31%, and the root mean square error (RMSE) decreases from 33.63% to 21.55%. At a 1% content threshold, the F1 score for gypsum-salt identification increases from 0.63 to 0.82; the absolute depth error of the top and bottom interfaces is reduced by approximately 70%, and the relative thickness error shrinks from

\pm

40% to within

\pm

10%. Transferability of this multi-parameter coupling strategy to other salt-bearing basins in central-western China remains unvalidated and requires future validation and testing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Oil and Gas Exploration, Resources, and Production in China)

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19 pages, 5371 KB

Open AccessArticle

Global Research Trends on Coastal Dunes: Implications for a Semi-Arid Coast in Northeastern Brazil

by Raquel Arcoverde Vila Nova, Rodrigo Mikosz Gonçalves, Susana Costas, Filipe Galiforni-Silva, Leandro Ponsoni and Paulo Henrique Gomes de Oliveira Sousa

Geosciences 2026, 16(8), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16080337 - 18 Aug 2026

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate and quantify the environmental impacts generated by anthropogenic actions on coastal dunes globally using bibliometric data, while concurrently identifying human impacts in a local context on the Brazilian semi-arid coast. A systematic review identified 897 relevant publications from [...] Read more.

This study aimed to evaluate and quantify the environmental impacts generated by anthropogenic actions on coastal dunes globally using bibliometric data, while concurrently identifying human impacts in a local context on the Brazilian semi-arid coast. A systematic review identified 897 relevant publications from a final sample of 1838 works, revealing an increasing trend in global research, peaking in 2018. Geographically, the United States (141), Italy (95), and Spain (79) lead the field, with Brazil contributing 46 publications. The global overview highlights urbanization (217 studies) and tourism (193 studies) as the most frequent impact factors, contrasting with common mitigation measures like dune stabilization with vegetation (112 studies) and beach nourishment (74 studies). Critically, 11 studies reported that management actions, particularly stabilization without considering native flora, led to problems with invasive plants. A significant research gap was identified due to the absence of literature on wind farms, typically located in transgressive dune systems. The local case study in Ceará state confirms dynamics consistent with global trends, where intense exploitation results in management failures; quantitative temporal analysis (2015–2023) demonstrated a dramatic 86.76% loss of dune area in Fortim and a 4.24 km² loss in Jijoca de Jericoacoara. Findings suggest that, in the Ceará case study, restricting access, promoting community participation, and relocating infrastructure to more appropriate areas may help mitigate human impacts. In addition to identifying potential research gaps, this integration of global and local analysis approaches can contribute to evidence-based coastal dune management adapted to local conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aeolian Systems: Processes, Landforms, and Impacts on Climate and Environment)

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7 pages, 1504 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Review of the Electrical Conductivity Inside Mars Calculated Beneath the InSight Landing Site

by Victor Corchete

Geosciences 2026, 16(8), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16080336 - 15 Aug 2026

Abstract

The first electrical conductivity model determined beneath the InSight landing site is revisited in this study by performing a careful selection of magnetic records from the IFG dataset. This conductivity model is recalculated for the crust and the uppermost mantle (0–182 km depth), [...] Read more.

The first electrical conductivity model determined beneath the InSight landing site is revisited in this study by performing a careful selection of magnetic records from the IFG dataset. This conductivity model is recalculated for the crust and the uppermost mantle (0–182 km depth), considering the data provided by this careful selection. In general, the present model shows a good agreement with synthetic models and other models calculated from magnetic data. In the present model, the conductivity of the crust is 0.0007 S/m, and the conductivity for the uppermost mantle coincides with that determined in the former paper. The crustal conductivity has been calculated for the first time beneath the InSight landing site. Better knowledge can be achieved when more accurate magnetic data are available. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Planetary Science and Astrobiology)

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