Search Results (703)

Mining-induced ground fissures in the Ordos Basin pose critical threats to coal mine safety and ecological stability. This study integrated multi-source monitoring data (improves data acquisition efficiency by 60%) with theoretical models to elucidate the dynamic response mechanism between overlying strata failure and ground fissure development. The results demonstrate that: (1) Two rock beam structural models for initial and periodic fracturing of thick, hard rock strata are established, demonstrating that both failure modes are dominated by tensile–shear mechanisms. (2) Ground fissures exhibit distinct zonal characteristics, displaying a gradient pattern of “strong disturbance in the near field and weak response in the far field.” Quantitative data support this pattern: average fissure density is 36/hm², with a maximum of 45/hm² recorded in the immediate vicinity of the working face, declining steadily outward. (3) Overlying strata failure forms three distinct zones—caving zone (42 m), fissure zone (158 m), and longitudinal penetrating zone—reflecting the heterogeneous fracture characteristics of medium-hard rock strata under mining influence. (3) The proposed “virtual main arch—virtual auxiliary arch” equivalent support system theory elucidates the mechanistic differences between step fissures (attributed to local support system instability) and collapse fissures (driven by global support system instability) from a mechanical perspective. The developed chain response theory fills a critical theoretical gap and provides a novel method for predicting and preventing geological disasters in mining areas. Full article

During coal mining, the development of joint fractures in overlying rock strata is one of the key factors that degrade the mechanical properties of rock masses, form water-conducting fracture zones, and induce safety hazards. To investigate the fracture evolution characteristics of overlying strata during coal extraction under thick and hard roof conditions, this study established a mining physical model based on similarity simulation technology, tracked the fracture evolution process, and performed quantitative analysis using fractal theory. The results show that fracture development is significantly correlated with the mining advance distance: the fractal dimension of fractures is small in the initial mining stage and gradually increases as the working face advances. When the mining width exceeds the ultimate span of the roof, local fractures expand rapidly with a sharp rise in the fractal dimension to 1.436; further increasing the mining width triggers large-scale sudden fracture expansion, resulting in severe degradation of rock mass integrity, with the maximum fractal dimension reaching 1.445. The research findings provide theoretical references for safety management and disaster prevention in coal mining under thick and hard roof conditions. Full article

Post-disaster reconstruction requires instruments capable of ensuring procedural consistency, administrative transparency, and the systematic integration of geohazards, all of which are essential for safeguarding communities. This study presents the digital platform established under Italian Law 55/2019 for the reconstruction of the areas on Mt. Etna affected by the Mw 4.9 earthquake of 26 December 2018, emphasizing its innovative contribution to current international approaches to reconstruction governance. The platform standardizes the entire administrative workflow and is centered on the Parametric Form, which enables an objective calculation of eligible reconstruction grants based on damage indicators, vulnerability metrics, and parametric cost functions. A defining feature of the Etna model is the structural integration between administrative procedures and geohazard mitigation, achieved through updated hazard maps and protocols that incorporate geological, hydrogeological, and geomorphological conditions. This approach reframes reconstruction as an opportunity to reduce overall territorial vulnerability. The system also includes public monitoring tools (WebGIS and dashboards) that enhance traceability, compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Expected outcomes include shorter administrative timelines, improved interinstitutional coordination, and the potential transferability of the model to other emergency contexts. In comparison with international cases, the Etna experience represents an original integration of digitalization, parametric assessment, and site-specific hazard mitigation. Full article

In recent years, flying ad hoc networks (FANETs) have attracted attention as aerial communication platforms for large-scale disasters. In wide, city-scale disaster zones, survivors’ devices often form multiple isolated clusters, while battery-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) must periodically return to a ground station (GS). Under such conditions, conventional delay/disruption-tolerant networking (DTN) routing (e.g., PRoPHET) often traps bundles in clusters or UAVs, degrading the bundle delivery ratio (BDR) to the GS. This study proposes a DTN-based FANET architecture that integrates (i) a mobility model assigning UAVs to information–exploration UAVs that randomly patrol the disaster area and GS–relay UAVs that follow spoke-like routes to periodically visit the GS, and (ii) an extended PRoPHET-based routing protocol that exploits exogenous information on GS visits to bias delivery predictabilities toward GS–relay UAVs and UAVs returning for recharging. Simulations with The ONE in a 10 km × 10 km scenario with multiple clusters show that the proposed method suppresses BDR degradation by up to 41% relative to PRoPHET, raising the BDR from 0.27 to 0.39 in the five-cluster case and increasing the proportion of bundles delivered with lower delay. These results indicate that the proposed method is well-suited for relaying critical disaster-related information. Full article

Clarifying the pathways through which public emergency response capability influences community responsibility holds positive implications for promoting public participation in community disaster prevention and mitigation efforts. Based on a large-scale community survey covering over 70 cities in China, this study obtained a sample of 1753 individuals through random sampling and employed Bootstrap methods for effect testing. Findings reveal the following: ① Public emergency response capability significantly correlates positively with sense of community responsibility, with both intrinsic cognitive emergency response capability and extrinsic skill-based emergency response capability demonstrating strong positive associations with community responsibility. ② Risk perception mediates the relationship between public emergency response capability and community responsibility, forming the associative pathway: “Enhanced public emergency response capability → Reduced risk perception → Strengthened sense of community responsibility”. ③ Community resilience moderates the “public emergency response capability → risk perception” pathway, with high-resilience communities significantly reducing public risk perception levels. Therefore, to fully leverage the role of public emergency response capability in enhancing community responsibility, efforts should focus on cultivating public risk prevention awareness, comprehensively disseminating safety and emergency knowledge, strengthening public emergency skills training, fostering a culture of neighborhood watch within communities, and optimizing public participation mechanisms for community disaster reduction. Full article

The frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones (TCs) in the Arabian Sea have increased in recent decades, heightening concerns regarding regional vulnerability and forecasting difficulties. This study examines the impact of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) on TCs activity—formation, frequency, and severity—over the Arabian Sea from 1982 to 2021. This study analyzes variations in convection, vertical wind shear (VWS), sea level pressure (SLP), and relative humidity (RH) across different MJO phases utilizing the best-track data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Real-Time Multivariate MJO (RMM) index, and reanalysis datasets from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR). Results show that more than 80% of TCs form during the convectively active phases of the MJO (P1–P4). These phases have the most noticeable negative outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) anomalies, as well as higher mid-level moisture and low-pressure anomalies, which are good for cyclogenesis. On the other hand, suppressed phases (P6–P8) have positive outgoing longwave radiation, dry air in the middle troposphere, and high-pressure anomalies, which make it harder for TCs to form. While VWS is predominantly favorable during both active and inactive phases, thermodynamic and convective factors principally regulate the modulation of TC activity. The simultaneous presence of active MJO phases with positive Indian Ocean Dipole (pIOD) and neutral or El Niño conditions markedly increases TC frequency, highlighting a combined influence link between interannual–El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and IOD– and intraseasonal (MJO) variability. Additionally, the association between MJO and the Indo-Pacific Warm Pool (IPWP) reveals that TC activity peaks during convectively active MJO phases under the second twenty years of this study, emphasizing the influence of large-scale oceanic warming on TC variability. These findings underscore the critical function of the MJO in regulating TC activity variability in the Arabian Sea and stress its significance for enhancing intraseasonal forecasting and disaster preparedness in the area. Full article

Covered karst collapse is a key geotechnical hazard in infrastructure construction in karst regions of China. In particular, strata consisting of an overlying clay layer and an underlying sand layer are prone to abrupt collapse induced by sand leakage under construction disturbances, which poses serious risks to pile foundation safety. To clarify the disaster-forming mechanism and develop a quantitative analysis method, this study investigates the mechanical behaviour of the entire collapse process by combining theoretical analysis with numerical simulation. A continuous mechanical analysis framework is established that follows the sequence from sand layer leakage to cavity expansion and then clay layer instability. Within this framework, a calculation model for the angle of repose of the sand layer is proposed that considers seepage and confined pressure effects. Simultaneously accounting for the influence of the casing, stability models for overall and localised collapses are developed using limit equilibrium theory. A comprehensive safety factor criterion K_c based on the critical span (or radius) is then proposed, leading to a linked evaluation method that couples the potential span of the sand layer with the ultimate span of the clay layer. The results show that an increase in Δh/h significantly reduces the angle of repose of the sand layer; the mechanical mechanism is confirmed whereby an increase in the roof span leads to shear stress exceeding the soil’s shear strength, thus triggering instability; the proposed safety factor K_c can effectively predict both overall and localised collapse, and case verification demonstrates that the predicted spans match well with actual collapse dimensions. The results provide a theoretical and technical basis for risk prediction, as well as for the prevention and control of pile foundation construction in karst areas. Full article

Because of its strong bearing capacity and large size, a thick and hard roof is the main source of strong ground pressure in a stope, and its breaking and migration mechanism and effective control are very important for realizing safe and efficient mining in coal mines. In this paper, by constructing a numerical model that fully considers the actual occurrence conditions of such a roof, the control law of the occurrence conditions of a thick and hard roof on its fracture law and strata behavior is systematically studied, and the control mechanism of the movement and hydraulic fracturing of this kind of roof is revealed. The results show that (1) the fracture process of a thick hard roof is characterized by three stages—crack initiation, extension, and overall instability—and the “pressure arch” structure formed by the overlying huge hard rock stratum is the fundamental force source leading to strong ground pressure; (2) the roof thickness and horizon significantly control the stress distribution and fracture behavior of coal and rock mass, and the peak stress of coal and rock mass is positively correlated with the roof thickness, but negatively correlated with its horizon; (3) with the increase in roof thickness, the dominant fracture mechanism changes from tension type to tension–shear composite type, which leads to a significant increase in fracture step. Hydraulic fracturing technology can effectively cut off the “pressure arch” structure and optimize the stress field of surrounding rock. After fracturing, the first weighting step and weighting strength are reduced by 36% and 38.1%, respectively. An industrial test shows that a fracturing treatment realizes timely and orderly roof caving and achieves the controllable weakening and safe promotion of the thick and hard roof. This study provides a solid theoretical basis and a successful engineering practice model for roof disaster prevention and control under similar geological conditions. Full article

Wildfires, which encompass all fires that occur outside urban areas, represent one of the most frequent forms of natural disaster worldwide. This study presents the wildfire occurrence across the territory of Southeastern Europe, covering an area of 800,000 km² (Greece, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Moldova). The research applies geospatial artificial intelligence techniques, based on the integration of machine learning (Random Forest (RF), XGBoost), deep learning (Deep Neural Network (DNN), Kolmogorov–Arnold Networks (KAN)), remote sensing (Sentinel-2, VIIRS), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). From the geospatial database, 11 natural and anthropogenic criteria were analyzed, along with a wildfire inventory comprising 28,952 historical fire events. The results revealed that areas of very high susceptibility were most prevalent in Greece (10.5%), while the smallest susceptibility percentage was recorded in Slovenia (0.2%). Among the applied models, RF demonstrated the highest predictive performance (AUC = 90.7%), whereas XGBoost, DNN, and KAN achieved AUC values ranging from 86.7% to 90.5%. Through a SHAP analysis, it was determined that the most influential factors were global horizontal irradiation, elevation, and distance from settlements. The obtained results hold international significance for the implementation of preventive wildfire protection measures. Full article

Ground fissures are widespread around the world and are particularly severe in the North China Plain. In order to investigate the crack propagation path and propagation mode of buried ground fissures from deep strata to the surface, physical simulation experiments and numerical simulation experiments were conducted based on the sand–clay interlayer strata in the Longyao area. The results show that during the settlement of the hanging wall strata, the propagation path of the cracks changes due to differences in soil properties. The crack propagation is interrupted in the sand layer and slowed down in the clay layer. The surface displacement is characterized by an alternating sequence of gradual and rapid growth phases. The process of crack propagation from depth to surface is divided into five stages, forming tensile cracks and causing the differential settlement of the surface. The strata are mainly under tensile stress, with the stress range of the hanging wall being 2.1 to 3.0 times that of the footwall. Under identical experimental conditions, buried ground fissures in the strata of sand–clay interlayers exhibit anti-dip crack propagation angles and surface deformation zone widths that are between those of homogeneous silty clay and sand. Based on the experimental results, an analytical formula for the hanging wall deformation zone was further proposed. The research results can provide an important reference and theoretical basis for the investigation and disaster prevention of buried ground fissures in the Longyao area of Hebei Province. Full article

In the Chinese Buddhist tradition, copying and printing sacred texts is considered a form of merit-making, or virtuous activity. One reason for the printing and circulation of books in the Buddhist tradition is the belief that one can gain merits. From the introduction of Buddhism into China, devotees copied, printed and disseminated sūtras to generate merit, a kind of spiritual goodness, which accumulates with each positive act. The author has gathered a large amount of data from libraries, museums and temples around the world that demonstrates how the imperial family members, concubines, court ladies, eunuchs, Buddhist monks and lay devotees supported the construction of the Buddhist canon. They believed that the printing of the Buddhist scriptures would grant them all kinds of merit, such as those who seek happiness in life now and happiness in the next life, or those who encounter disasters and difficulties in the present world. As this paper deeply delves into the sources of the editions of the Chinese Buddhist canon, we may further analyze the practice of merit-making hierarchically and horizontally. Full article

How does digital technology mediate decision-making and shape our understanding of disaster recovery? I address this question by examining both the administrative and cinematic uses of digital images in the reconstruction process following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Post-disaster digital mediation is characterized by the administrative use of what has been termed “operational images,” designed not for interpretation but for action, particularly in disaster response and prevention. I connect the social and ethical dimensions of post-disaster recovery with the ontological dimensions of the technological characteristics of digital photography. By comparing Japanese independent filmmaker Haruka Komori’s digital filmmaking practice with the operational images utilized by administrative and research bodies, I aim to demonstrate how her particular digital aesthetics elicit the latent capacity of the “digital unconscious” and offer new modes of perceiving post-disaster recovery, in contrast to both other forms of post-disaster digital mediation and to analog photography. Through close analyses, I argue that her work articulates an alternative vision of recovery—one rooted not in spatial management or predictive planning, but in physical attachment to place, trust in the future, and imaginative engagement with survivors and the dead. Full article

Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden., or H. sosnowskyi, of the Apiaceae was first cultivated in the USSR in 1947 as a potential fodder plant. Due to the development of cold-resistant cultivars and the characteristics of H. sosnowskyi, it quickly became feral. As a result, H. sosnowskyi began to spread as an aggressive invasive species in the 1970s and 1980s. By the 90s it had become an ecological disaster. As well as forming monocultures and displacing native species, H. sosnowskyi contains furanocoumarins, photosensitizing compounds that increase skin sensitivity to ultraviolet rays and cause severe burns. In addition, furanocoumarins have cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic and estrogenic effects. H. sosnowskyi also contains essential oils, which are particularly active during flowering and can irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract, as well as cause allergic reactions in the form of bronchospasm in people with asthma and hypersensitivity. When released in high concentrations, these biologically active compounds have an allelopathic effect on native plant species, displacing them and reducing biodiversity. As H. sosnowskyi is not native; the biologically active compounds it secretes have a xenobiotic effect, causing serious damage to the ecosystems it occupies. However, in parallel with these negative properties, furanocoumarins have been found to be effective in the treatment of cancer and skin diseases. Furanocoumarins possess antimicrobial antioxidant osteo- and neuroprotective properties. Essential oils containing octyl acetate, carboxylic acid esters, and terpenes can be used in the pharmaceutical industry as antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agents. Additionally, essential oils can be used as biofumigants and natural herbicides. A comprehensive approach allows H. sosnowskyi to be viewed in two ways. On the one hand, it is an aggressive alien species that causes significant damage to ecosystems and poses a threat to human health. On the other hand, it is a potentially valuable natural resource whose biomass can be used within the principles of the circular economy. It is hoped that the use of H. sosnowskyi for economic interests can be a partial compensation for the problem of its aggressive invasion, which is of anthropogenic origin. Full article

Overburden layers, composed of unconsolidated sediments, are widely distributed in construction, transportation, and water conservancy projects, but their inherent defects (e.g., developed pores, low strength) easily induce engineering disasters. Grouting is a core reinforcement technology, yet traditional design relying on empirical formulas and on-site trials suffers from high costs and low prediction accuracy. Numerical simulation has become a key bridge connecting grouting theory and practice. This study systematically reviews the numerical simulation of overburden grouting based on 82 core articles screened via the PRISMA framework. First, the theoretical system is clarified: core governing equations for seepage, stress, grout diffusion, and chemical fields, as well as their coupling mechanisms (e.g., HM coupling via effective stress principle), are sorted out, and the advantages/disadvantages of different equations are quantified. The material parameter characterization focuses on grout rheological models (Newtonian, power-law, Bingham) and overburden heterogeneity modeling. Second, numerical methods and engineering applications are analyzed: discrete (DEM) and continuous (FEM/FDM) methods, as well as their coupling modes, are compared; the simulation advantages (visualization of diffusion mechanisms, parameter controllability, low-cost risk prediction) are verified by typical cases. Third, current challenges and trends are identified: bottlenecks include the poor adaptability of models in heterogeneous strata, unbalanced accuracy–efficiency, insufficient rheological models for complex grouts, and theoretical limitations of multi-field coupling. Future directions involve AI-driven parameter optimization, cross-scale simulation, HPC-enhanced computing efficiency, and targeted models for environmentally friendly grouts. The study concludes that overburden grouting simulation has formed a complete “theory–parameter–method–application” system, evolving from a “theoretical tool” to the “core of engineering decision-making”. The core contradiction lies in the conflict between refinement requirements and technical limitations, and breakthroughs rely on the interdisciplinary integration of AI, multi-scale simulation, and HPC. This review provides a clear technical context for researchers and practical reference for engineering technicians. Full article

Frequent crude oil spills during offshore oil and gas production and transportation have inflicted irreversible detrimental effects on both human activities and marine ecosystems; with particular risks of secondary disasters such as combustion and explosions. To address these challenges; advanced oil sorption technologies have been developed to overcome the inherent limitations of conventional remediation methods. In this study, a flame-retardant protective coating was fabricated on melamine sponge (MS) through precipitation polymerization of octa-aminopropyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP), endowing the MS@PPOS-PDMS-Si composite with exceptional char-forming capability. Secondary functional layer: By coupling the complementary physicochemical properties of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and SiO₂ nanofibers, we enabled them to function jointly, achieving superior performance in the material systems; this conferred enhanced hydrophobicity and structural stability to the MS matrix. Characterization results demonstrated a progressive reduction in peak heat release rate (PHRR) from 137.66 kW/m² to118.35 kW/m², 91.92 kW/m², and ultimately 46.23 kW/m², accompanied by a decrease in total smoke production (TSP) from 1.62 m² to 0.76 m², indicating significant smoke suppression. Furthermore, the water contact angle (WCA) exhibited substantial improvement from 0° (superhydrophilic) to 140.7° (highly hydrophobic). Cyclic sorption–desorption testing revealed maintained oil–water separation efficiency exceeding 95% after 10 operational cycles. These findings position the MS@PPOS-PDMS-Si composite as a promising candidate for emergency oil spill response and marine pollution remediation applications, demonstrating superior performance in fire safety, environmental durability, and operational reusability. Full article