Search Results (30)

Volcanic islands host exceptional geological features that illustrate complex endogenic processes and interactions with climatic and marine forces, while also being particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Despite their scientific, educational, touristic, and aesthetic values, such islands remain underrepresented within the UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp). This study reviews current volcanic island geoparks and evaluates territories with potential for future designation, based on documented geoheritage, geosite inventories, and geoconservation frameworks. Geoparks are categorized according to their dominant narratives—ranging from recent Quaternary volcanism to broader tectonic, sedimentary, and metamorphic histories. Through an analysis of their distribution, management strategies, and integration into territorial planning, this work highlights the challenges that insular territories face, including vulnerability to global environmental change, limited legal protection, and structural inequalities in access to international resources recognition. It concludes that volcanic island geoparks represent strategic platforms for implementing sustainable development models, especially in ecologically and socially fragile contexts. Enhancing their global representation will require targeted efforts in ecologically and socially fragile contexts. Enhancing their global representation will require targeted efforts in capacity building, funding access, and regional cooperation—particularly across the Global South. Full article

Geological hazards pose significant threats to ecological stability, human lives, and infrastructure, necessitating precise and robust risk assessment methodologies. This study evaluates geological hazard risks in Dawukou District, Shizuishan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, using the information value (IV) model. The study systematically identifies susceptibility, hazard, and vulnerability factors influencing geological disaster risks by integrating diverse datasets encompassing geological conditions, meteorological parameters, and anthropogenic activities. The key findings reveal that hilly landforms, slope gradients, and vegetation indices are the dominant contributors to hazard development. Additional factors, including lithology, fault proximity, and precipitation, were also found to play critical roles. The results categorize the district into four risk zones: high-risk areas (1.55% of the total area), moderate-risk areas (10.16%), Low-risk areas (23.32%), and very-low-risk areas (64.97%). These zones exhibit a strong spatial correlation with geomorphic features, tectonic activity, and human engineering interventions, such as mining and infrastructure development. High-risk zones are concentrated near mining regions and fault lines with steep slopes, while low-risk zones are predominantly in flat plains and urban centers. The reliability of the risk assessment was validated through cross-referenced geological hazard occurrence data and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, achieving a high predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.88). The study provides actionable insights for disaster prevention, mitigation strategies, and urban planning, offering a scientific basis for resource allocation and sustainable development. The methodology and findings serve as a replicable framework for geological hazard risk assessments in similar regions facing diverse environmental and anthropogenic challenges. Full article

In this study, we selected a series of pothole wetlands to investigate their nucleation, evolution, and recent anthropogenic degradation in the Alcores Depression (AD), southern Iberian Peninsula, where over 100 closed watersheds containing shallow, ephemeral water bodies up to 2 hm² have been identified. We surveyed the regional geological framework, utilized digital elevation models (DEMs), orthophotos, and aerial images since 1956. Moreover, we analyzed precipitation and temperature data in Seville from 1900 to 2024, collected hydrometeorological data since 1990 and modelled the water level evolution from 2002 to 2025 in a representative pothole in the area. Our observations indicate a flooded surface reduction by more than 90% from the 1950s to 2025. Climatic data reveal an increase in annual mean temperatures since 1960 and a sharp decline in annual precipitation since 2000. The AD’s inception due to tectonic isolation during the Quaternary favoured the formation of pothole wetlands in the floodplain. The reduction in the hydroperiod and wetland degradation was primarily due to agricultural expansion since 1950, which followed an increase in groundwater extraction and altered the original topography. Recently, decreased precipitation has exponentially accelerated the degradation and even the complete disappearance of many potholes. This study underscores the fragility of small wetlands in the Mediterranean basin and the critical role of human management in their preservation. Restoring these ecosystems could be a highly effective nature-based solution, especially in semi-arid climates like southern Spain. These prairie potholes are crucial for enhancing groundwater recharge, which is vital for maintaining water availability in regions with limited precipitation. By facilitating rainwater infiltration into the aquifer, recharge potholes increase groundwater levels. Additionally, they capture and store run-off during heavy rainfall, reducing the risk of flooding and soil erosion. Beyond their hydrological functions, these wetlands provide habitats that support biodiversity and promote ecological resilience, reinforcing the need for their protection and recovery. Full article

The Western Sichuan Plateau, an ecologically critical transition zone between the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and the Sichuan Basin, is also a typical fragile and sensitive area in China’s ecological security. This study established a multi-process evaluation model using the Spatial Distance Index Method, integrating cluster analysis, Sen–Mann–Kendall trend detection, and OWA-based scenario simulations to assess composite ecological sensitivity dynamics. The optimal geodetector was further applied to quantitatively determine the driving mechanisms underlying these sensitivity dynamics. The research showed the following findings: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the ecological environment of the Western Sichuan Plateau exhibited a phased pattern characterized by significant improvement, partial rebound, and overall stabilization. The composite ecological sensitivity grading index showed a declining trend, indicating a gradual reduction in ecological vulnerability. The effectiveness of ecological restoration projects became evident after 2010, with the area of medium- to high-sensitivity zones decreasing by 24.29% at the regional scale compared to the 2010 baseline. (2) The spatial pattern exhibited a gradient-decreasing characteristic from west to east. Scenario simulations under varying decision-making behaviors prioritized Jiuzhaigou, Xiaojin, Jinchuan, Danba, and Yajiang counties as ecologically critical. (3) Driving force analysis revealed a marked increase in the explanatory power of freeze-thaw erosion, with its q-value rising from 0.49 to 0.80. Moreover, its synergistic effect with landslide disasters spans 74.19% of county-level units. Dominant drivers ranked: annual temperature range (q = 0.32) > distance to faults (q = 0.17) > slope gradient (q = 0.16), revealing a geomorphic-climatic-tectonic interactive mechanism. This study provided methodological innovations and decision-making support for sustainable environmental development in plateau transitional zones. Full article

As an important ecological barrier in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, the Jialing River Basin has complex and sensitive hydrochemical evolutionary mechanisms due to its geological structures and human activities. This study focuses on the groundwater in the Wusheng section of the Jialing River Basin, combining field investigations and Entropy-Weighted Water Quality Index (EWQI) calculations to analyze its hydrochemical characteristics and influencing factors and conduct a water quality assessment. The results show that this regional water body has a pH of 7.05–8.36, presenting weakly alkaline and low-mineralization characteristics, with differences in hydrochemical components between groundwater and surface water. The ions are predominantly controlled by rock weathering, with reactions such as halite and gypsum dissolution occurring during groundwater runoff. Groundwater in the tectonic influence zone exhibits abnormal chemical compositions due to lateral recharge from different strata along fracture channels and long-distance runoff reactions with the surrounding rocks. EWQI values for groundwater range from 6.07 to 104.02, with an average value of 37.46, generally exhibiting a trend of increasing EWQI values near the Jialing Riverbank. In this area, 96.15% of groundwater meets excellent or good quality standards and is suitable for direct drinking. The influence of the intensity of different indicators on groundwater quality decreases in the order of Ca²⁺ > Cl⁻ > Mg²⁺ > SO₄²⁻ > HCO₃⁻ > NO₃⁻. Water quality is primarily influenced by the primary geological background, while agricultural practices may also lead to its deterioration. Full article

Unique, small-scale tectonic and geological systems are occasionally vulnerable to natural hazards. Although the combination of such systems with rapid socio-ecological change can enhance the risk of disasters, such synergistic impacts have not been well studied. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the potential synergistic impact of land deformation and rapid socio-ecological changes on disaster risk in lowland alluvial regions of a collision zone in the Gorontalo Regency of Gorontalo Province, Indonesia. In this region, socio-ecological changes such as urbanization and rapid lake shrinkage are significant. Frequent occurrence of flood hazards threatens local livelihood. Differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar analysis of Sentinel-1 C-band data from April 2020 to April 2023 was applied to assess land deformation. Thereafter, supervised classification of moderate and high spatiotemporal resolution optical satellite time series was used to assess the relationship between land deformation and built-up area. The findings revealed both significant land deformation and rapid socio-ecological changes. Vertical deformation rates were as high as ~6 cm/year and were primarily attributable to tectonic activity; they were particularly apparent in rapidly developing and highly populated residential areas. Rapid shrinkage of a lake resulted from the local geological system and socioeconomic changes in the region, which together possibly exacerbated the hazard risk because of their effects on land deformation. These results indicate the potential danger to both infrastructure and human inhabitants at a regional level due to the synergistic effects of natural processes and socio-ecological changes. The study design and data that were used facilitated a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts on disaster risk. These findings are expected to be integrated into locally specific hazard (e.g., flood inundation and ground fissuring) risk mitigation and management strategies. Full article

Throughout history, societies have encountered numerous crises—including economic, ecological, political, warfare, and pandemics—that frequently intersect with architecture. These crises impose challenges and present new opportunities, necessitating a reexamination of architectural theory and practice. Architecture is compelled to navigate both external pressures of societal crises and internal epistemological dilemmas within its disciplinary framework, fostering innovative interpretative models. This study reconceptualizes crises as alternative analytical tools that advance architectural epistemology by adopting the metaphor of kriserion, a noun derived from the Greek language that meets the meaning of the word sieve in modern English language, drawn from the etymological origins of the term crisis, to investigate the production of architectural episteme. Focusing on tectonic theory, the research employs content and discourse analyses to scrutinize a corpus of texts, thereby identifying a selection representative of each sieve (kriserion) within this domain. The investigation engages with seminal works by figures such as C. Bötticher, G. Semper, E. Sekler, K. Frampton, M. Frascari, V. Gregotti, P. H. Kirkegaard, and I. K. Andersson, whose contributions have shaped the discourse on architectural tectonics. By offering a perspective on crisis as a tool in architectural epistemic production and introducing the crisis–tectonic intersection, this study demonstrates how architectural epistemology evolves from dichotomies to relationships and opens possibilities for interpretations. Full article

Lake Issyk-Kul, situated in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, is one of the largest lakes in Central Asia. Though this brackish-water basin holds only a species-poor fauna of molluscs, the number of species inhabiting Issyk-Kul and their true taxonomic position remain unsatisfactorily studied. Most nominal species of Mollusca reported from Issyk-Kul are known from empty shells only and have never been studied molecularly. This study reports the results of a revision of the genus Radix (Gastropoda:Hygrophila:Lymnaeidae) based on the integrated approach. We revealed that only two species of this genus inhabit Issyk-Kul Lake: Radix auricularia (Linnaeus, 1758) and R. obliquata (von Martens, 1864). The former species is widespread in the Palearctic and has an enormous range, whereas the latter is considered here to be endemic to Issyk-Kul Lake. All records of R. obliquata from waterbodies other than Issyk-Kul Lake are, most probably, based on misidentification. To date, no molecular evidence of the presence of R. obliquata outside Issyk-Kyl is available. The third species of Radix discussed in this paper, R. subdisjuncta (Nevill, 1878) sensu Kruglov and Starobogatov, 1993, is identical to R. obliquata and represents, most probably, an ecological morph (“race”) of the latter. The paper provides a review of Radix species recorded in other ancient tectonic lakes of the world (Baikal, Victoria, Ohrid, etc.). Though the lymnaeid snails are generally scarce in such lakes, the genus Radix represents an exception, with several species being endemics of various tectonic lakes (Issyk-Kul, Lugu, Skadar, Trichonis, and Biwa). Full article

The Lake Faro brackish basin (Sicily, Italy) was established as a Global Geosite as a key locality of tectonic coastal lakes, but little research has been devoted to this rare geological and ecological framework. To fill this gap, the main stratigraphical, sedimentological, ecological, morpho-bathymetric, and structural features were reported, linking geodiversity with biodiversity. In Lake Faro, a shallow platform develops alongside a deep funnel-shaped basin, reaching a maximum depth of 29 m. A NNW-SSE trending steep cliff, representing the abrupt transition from the platform to the basin, was interpreted as a dextral transtensional fault (Lake Faro Fault), presumably active since the middle-late(?) Pleistocene. The switches of the steep cliff NW-wards, acquiring an E-W trend, was interpreted as being due to the occurrence of the normal Mortelle Fault, cut by the Faro Lake Fault. Bottom terrigenous deposits consisted of coarse- to fine-grained quartzo-lithic rich sediments deriving from high-grade metamorphic and igneous rocks, whereas bioclasts mainly derived from clam farming actives for several centuries up until today. The Quaternary shallow platform, from top to base, includes the following: (i) soft cover composed of coarse terrigenous and prevalent bioclastic deposits; (ii) hard conglomerates cemented by carbonates; and (iii) siliciclastic coarse deposits of the Messina Fm. In the deep basin, siliciclastic silty loams with minor amounts of bioclastic deposits prevailed in the soft cover. Substrate heterogeneity coupled with brackish-marine gradients are the main factors responsible for an articulate patchiness of different lagoon habitats and related benthic associations, which, according to the Barcelona Convention classification, can be summarized as follows: (i) MB1.541 (marine angiosperms or other halophytes), (ii) MB1.542 (Fucales), (iii) MB5.543 (photophilic algae, except Fucales), (iv) MB5.544 (Facies with Polychaeta), and (v) MB5.545 (Facies with Bivalvia). Typical marine associations, such as rhodolite beds, also occur. Finally, the lake, which has been exploited since the prehistoric age because of its high biodiversity and productivity, maintains some evidence of millennial relationships with the resident human cultures, attracted there by the favorable geomorphological and ecological peculiarities. Full article

The boundary between land and sea is among the most extensive and extreme ecological barriers on planet Earth. Intertidal organisms living at this junction are subject to potentially lethal conditions related to desiccation, temperature fluctuations, and wave shock. Although difficult to quantify at a global level, rocky coasts account for between a third and three-quarters of all shorelines today. Resistant to coastal erosion, rocky coasts also exhibit adaptations by marine invertebrates and marine algae within intertidal zones that are geographically widespread. Biotic composition is variable depending on the tidal range at any given place and on climatic differences between tropical and more temperate latitudes. Contemporary granite shores having low recession rates with well-established biotic zones are reviewed in three regions: Mount Desert Island in Maine, USA (44° N latitude), Mahé and Praslin islands in Seychelles (4°30′ S Latitude), and Lizard Island off the coast of Queensland, Australia (14°40′ S Latitude). The zonal composition and overall biotic diversity at these locations are compared, as well as the fossilization potential of key biota. Over the Phanerozoic time period during the last 538 million years, the ratio between land and ocean varied as a function of plate tectonics depending on the maximum dispersal or coalescence of continents and on relative changes in global sea level. Fossil biotas from a dozen paleoislands with dominant rocky shores that range from 485 million to 125,000 years in age are reviewed to show diversification through time, taking into account episodic mass extinctions. Relationships between storm tracks and volcanic eruptions that factor into physical disruptions are also considered as means of rapid burial and preservation. Themes related to rocky-shore ecology and paleoecology benefit from the cross-fertilization of ideas by marine biologists and marine paleontologists. It is hoped this review may attract a cohort of new students to these allied fields of study, especially in Asia, Africa, and South America. Full article

Cultures in Mediterranean climate zones (MCZs) around the world have long been reliant on groundwater and springs as freshwater sources. While their ecology and cultural sustainability are recognized as critically important, inter-relationships between springs and culture in MCZs have received less attention. Here we augmented a global literature review with case studies in MCZ cultural landscapes to examine the diversity and intensity of cultural and socio-economic relationships on spring ecohydrogeology. MCZs are often oriented on western and southern coasts in tectonically active landscapes which control aquifer structure, the prevalence of westerly winds, and aridity, and generally expose associated habitats and cultures to harsh afternoon sunlight. Cultural appreciation and appropriation of springs ranges widely, from their use as subsistence water supplies to their roles in profound traditions such as Greco-Roman nymphalea as well as Asian and Abrahamic spiritual cleansing and baptism. The abandonment of traditional ways of life, such as rural livestock production, for urban ones has shifted impacts on aquifers from local to regional groundwater exploitation. The commoditization of water resources for regional agricultural, industrial (e.g., mining, water bottling, geothermal resorts), and urban uses is placing ever-increasing unsustainable demands on aquifers and spring ecosystems. When the regional economic value of springs approaches or exceeds local cultural values, these irreplaceable aquatic ecosystems are often degraded, over-looked, and lost. Sustainable stewardship of springs and the aquifers that support them is a poorly recognized but central conservation challenge for modern Mediterranean societies as they face impending impacts of global climate change. Solutions to this crisis require education, societal dialogue, and improved policy and implementation. Full article

Due to their potential toxicity and non-degradability, heavy metals pose water and soil quality and safety challenges, impacting crop growth and the ecological environment. The contamination of heavy metals (HMs) and non-point source pollution from agriculture and pastoral presents significant ecological and environmental challenges, necessitating prioritized prevention and mitigation. In this study, 44 water samples and 55 soil samples from Gangba County, a typical agricultural and pastoral area in the Tethys Himalaya tectonic domain, served as research objects. We employed various methods, including the inverse distance weighting, ecological risk assessment model, redundancy analysis, and geographical detector modeling, to investigate the spatial distribution and pollution attributes of arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Our analysis considered the impact of soil physicochemical properties on heavy metals (HMs), elucidating factors influencing their spatial distribution. Results indicated that 65.46% of soil As in the study area exceeded the screening value, while the concentrations of the eight selected elements in water remained below the standard limit. Simultaneously, the study area exhibited low overall ecological risk and minimal HM pollution. Furthermore, As and Pb were primarily linked to human activities and the environment, while Cd, Cr, and Ni were predominantly associated with natural processes. Additionally, factors, such as per capita net income, mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, geomorphic type, organic matter, geology type, and soil texture (sand, silt, and clay) constituted primary controlling factors influencing the spatial distribution of HMs in soil. Therefore, for effective prevention and control of HMs and non-point source pollution in agriculture and pastoral, arsenic should be the primary monitoring target, with careful consideration given to the application rates of fertilizers containing N, P, and K to facilitate sustainable development of the ecological environment. Full article

Long-term tectonic movements have shaped the geomorphological features and hydrothermal conditions of mountains, influencing their vegetation growth patterns in both positive and negative ways. However, little is known about the effect of fault development on the spatio-temporal variation in vegetation along the elevation gradient in mountainous regions. To address this issue of montane tectonic ecology, this study selected the tectonically active mid-altitude zone (1000–3500 m) of the Chinese Western Tianshan Mountains. The role of tectonics is investigated by fault length density maps calculated from zonal statistics of region-scale fault survey data (1:250,000). The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was chosen as an indicator to analyze the growth status of vegetation. The spatial distribution of fault length density, elevational, and interannual characteristics of the NDVIs from 2000 to 2020 and their relationships along the elevation gradient were investigated. The results show that the faulting zone accounts for 32.6% of the study area and the high faulting zone exhibits a unimodal distribution along the elevation gradient, with the maximum occurring at elevations of approximately 2000 m. The NDVIs of forests and high-coverage grassland show a unimodal distribution with elevation, with the maximum occurring at elevations of approximately 2000 m, coinciding with that of fault length density. In the elevation range of 1000–2500 m, the NDVI of the faulting zone is lower than that of the non-faulting zone, whereas that of the elevation range of 2500–3500 m is higher—a difference that is particularly evident in forests. This elevation-dependent contrasting effect of faults on vegetation growth could be attributed to more favorable hydrothermal conditions for vegetation in fault valleys and reduced landslide susceptibility with increasing elevation. This study highlights the need to consider fault distribution in understanding vegetation distribution and growth in tectonically active mountains. Full article

Sichuan Basin, located in southwestern China, is renowned for its abundant oil and gas resources. Among these valuable reserves, Da’anzhai seashell limestone stands out as a significant contributor to the region’s energy industry. Da’anzhai seashell limestone is a type of sedimentary rock that contains substantial amounts of organic matter. Over millions of years, the accumulation and transformation of this organic material have resulted in the formation of vast reservoirs rich in oil and natural gas. These reservoirs are found within the layers of Da’anzhai seashell limestone. The geological conditions in Sichuan Basin have played a crucial role in the development and preservation of these resources. The basin’s unique tectonic history has created favorable conditions for the generation and accumulation of hydrocarbon. Additionally, the presence of faults and fractures within the rock formations has facilitated fluid migration and trapping, further enhancing the resource potential. The exploitation of Da’anzhai seashell limestone resources has significantly contributed to China’s energy security and economic growth. Oil extracted from these reserves not only meets domestic demand, but also supports various industries such as transportation, manufacturing, and power generation. Natural gas derived from this source plays an essential role in heating homes, fueling industrial processes, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by replacing coal as a cleaner-burning alternative. Efforts to explore and exploit Da’anzhai seashell limestone continue through advanced technologies such as seismic imaging techniques, horizontal drilling methods, and hydraulic fracturing (fracking), among others. These technological advancements enable more efficient extraction while minimizing the environmental impact. It is worth noting that sustainable management practices should be implemented to ensure the responsible utilization of these resources without compromising the ecological balance or endangering local communities. Environmental protection measures must be prioritized throughout all stages—exploration, production, transportation—to mitigate any potential negative impacts on ecosystems or water sources. In conclusion, the Sichuan Basin boasts abundant oil and gas resources, with Da’anzhai seashell limestone playing a vital role in supporting China’s energy needs. Through responsible exploration, extraction, and utilization practices, these valuable reserves can contribute positively towards national development while ensuring environmental sustainability. Full article

The upper reaches of the Nu River have strong tectonic activities and broken rock mass structures, often causing landslide disasters. The Zhuangfang landslide has apparent signs of surface deformation, and there is a risk of further sliding and blocking of the river. Taking the Zhuangfang landslide as an example, this paper analyzes the development characteristics and stability through geological field surveys, a drone aerial survey, field drilling, and GEO5 geotechnical engineering software. Then through the indoor tests and RAMMS numerical simulation software, the parameters of the landslide are determined, and the risk of a landslide dam is analyzed. Our results demonstrated that the Zhuangfang landslide is a large-scale landslide with a volume of about 4.5 × 10⁶ m³. The front edge of the landslide is seriously deformed and is in an under-stable state, with risks of sliding and river blockage. The numerical simulation results showed that the total movement time of the landslide was 130 s, and the landslide entered the Nu River at 55 s. However, the landslide does not completely block the river and cannot form a landslide dam. The study proposed a parameter inversion method to determine the landslide mass parameters based on RAMMS numerical simulation software. The related results of this study can provide a reference for the sustainable development of the ecological environment in the Nu River Basin. Full article