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Full-Text Articles in Geomorphology

A 70 Year History Of Coastal Dune Migration And Beach Erosion Along The Southern Shore Of Lake Michigan, Zoran Kilibarda, Craig Shillinglaw Oct 2014

A 70 Year History Of Coastal Dune Migration And Beach Erosion Along The Southern Shore Of Lake Michigan, Zoran Kilibarda, Craig Shillinglaw

Zoran Kilibarda

A study of aerial photographs from the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (adjacent to Michigan City, Indiana, United States of America) revealed that from 1938 to 2008 the Lakeshore’s Mount Baldy dune advanced inland 135 m, at an average rate of 1.9 m/year, while the beach north of the dune receded 98 m, at an average rate of 1.4 m/year. The highest rates of Mount Baldy dune movement (3.3 m/year) occurred concurrently (1965–1973) with highest rates of beach erosion (7.2 m/year). The lowest rates of Mount Baldy dune movement (0.3 m/year) occurred in 1958–1965 period. The highest rates of beach accretion …


The Role Of Extratropical Cyclones In Shaping Dunes Along Southern And Southeastern Lake Michigan, Brian Yurk, Edward Hansen, Suzzanne Devries-Zimmerman, Zoran Kilibarda, Deanna Van Dijk, Brian Bodenbender, A. Krehel, T. Pennings Jan 2014

The Role Of Extratropical Cyclones In Shaping Dunes Along Southern And Southeastern Lake Michigan, Brian Yurk, Edward Hansen, Suzzanne Devries-Zimmerman, Zoran Kilibarda, Deanna Van Dijk, Brian Bodenbender, A. Krehel, T. Pennings

Zoran Kilibarda

This study investigates the impacts of extratropical cyclones on Lake Michigan dune complexes by integrating fi eld measurements and meteorological data from sites along the southeastern shore. Surface changes and wind velocities were monitored at Hoffmaster State Park, Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area, and Mount Baldy at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore from October to April in 2010–2011 and 2011–2012. Over 70% of the events with wind speeds at least two standard deviations above the mean were associated with extratropical cyclones. The wind directions depended on the cyclone path, with westerly or southerly components most common. Local conditions moderated the effects of …


Classification Of The Alterations Of Beaver Dams To Headwater Streams In Northeastern Connecticut, U.S.A., Denise Burchsted, Melinda D. Daniels Jan 2013

Classification Of The Alterations Of Beaver Dams To Headwater Streams In Northeastern Connecticut, U.S.A., Denise Burchsted, Melinda D. Daniels

Denise Burchsted

Of the many types of barriers to water flow, beaver dams are among the smallest, typically lasting less than a decade and rarely exceeding 1.5 m in height. They are also among the most frequent and common obstructions in rivers, with a density often exceeding ten dams per km, a frequency of construction within a given network on a time scale of years, and a historic extent covering most of North America. Past quantification of the geomorphologic impact of beaver dams has primarily been limited to local impacts within individual impoundments and is of limited geographic scope. To assess the …


Sea-Cliff Erosion With Rising Sea-Level Along Shores Exposing Glacial Material In Atlantic Canada, Eric R. Force Jan 2013

Sea-Cliff Erosion With Rising Sea-Level Along Shores Exposing Glacial Material In Atlantic Canada, Eric R. Force

Eric R Force

Rapid retreat rates of sea cliffs exposing glacial material are a widespread problem, especially in Atlantic Canada, and one that will continue. Prediction of retreat rates at specific sites involves many variables, but a factor that has commonly been overlooked in such prediction is the slope of the bedrock surface under the glacial material. A glaciated bedrock platform is generally necessary to establish a stable situation of temporary equilibrium, and as sea- level rises, the bedrock slope determines the location of the new equilib- rium position. An example from Nova Scotia shows that bedrock slope is so low on some …


Mapping The Surface Characteristics Of The Mojave With Remote Sensing For Terrestrial Habitat Modeling, Scott A. Nowicki Dec 2012

Mapping The Surface Characteristics Of The Mojave With Remote Sensing For Terrestrial Habitat Modeling, Scott A. Nowicki

Scott A Nowicki

High-resolution ecological and climate modeling requires quantification of surface characteristics such as rock abundance, soil induration and surface roughness at fine-scale, since these features can affect the micro and macro habitat of a given area and ultimately determine the assemblage of plant and animal species that may occur there. Our objective is to develop quantitative data layers of thermophysical properties of the entire Mojave Desert Ecoregion for applications to habitat modeling being conducted by the USGS Western Ecological Research Center. These research efforts are focused on developing habitat models and a better physical understanding of the Mojave Desert, which have …


Sediment Geochemistry Of River Okura: Implication To Weathering And Transport, Y B. Gideon, F B. Fatoye Aug 2012

Sediment Geochemistry Of River Okura: Implication To Weathering And Transport, Y B. Gideon, F B. Fatoye

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Rocks, soils and bed sediments of River Okura catchment area in Anambra basin have been analysed for major oxides using minipal 4 ED version of XRF machine. A total number of five (5) rocks and twenty (20) samples of soil, river bed sediments for each were collected from the study area. These results have been used to characterize and deduce the effect of weathering and transport in the study area. Chemical composition and field studies assessment of the rock(s) in the study area indicated lithic arenite type of sandstone. Results of soils analyses shows a compositional enrichment of Fe2O3 (12.54%) …


A Comparison Of Three Terrain Parameters That May Be Used To Identify Denudation Surfaces Within A Gis: A Case Study From Wales, United Kingdom., Matt D. Rowberry Jan 2012

A Comparison Of Three Terrain Parameters That May Be Used To Identify Denudation Surfaces Within A Gis: A Case Study From Wales, United Kingdom., Matt D. Rowberry

Matt D Rowberry

The study of denudation surfaces has long formed a major theme within geomorphic and tectonic research. This paper describes the computational methods used to identify these surfaces through three terrain parameters within a GIS. The investigated parameters are slope angle, relative relief, and the elevation-relief ratio. The study area under consideration is that of Wales, United Kingdom. The SRTM DEM forms the basis of this investigation, with all data interrogation undertaken in ArcMap 9.3. The computational methods are described in detail and then the results relating to each terrain parameter are compared. The denudation surface maps based on slope angle …


The Monitoring Of Slow Moving Landslides And Assessment Of Stabilisation Measures Using An Optical-Mechanical Crack Gauge, Jan Klimeš, Matt D. Rowberry, Jan Blahůt, Miloš Briestenský, Filip Hartvich, Blahoslav Košťák, Jan Rybář, Josef Stemberk, Petra Štěpančíková Jan 2012

The Monitoring Of Slow Moving Landslides And Assessment Of Stabilisation Measures Using An Optical-Mechanical Crack Gauge, Jan Klimeš, Matt D. Rowberry, Jan Blahůt, Miloš Briestenský, Filip Hartvich, Blahoslav Košťák, Jan Rybář, Josef Stemberk, Petra Štěpančíková

Matt D Rowberry

It is possible to monitor slow moving landslides and assess landslide stabilisation measures over protracted periods using an optical-mechanical crack gauge, called a TM-71. This technical note outlines the theoretical background to the gauge and illustrates its practical application through a number of case studies. These studies are drawn from a range of landslide types and stabilisation measures. In terms of monitoring slow moving landslides, three studies of deep-seated deformations are presented. The Taukliman coastal landslide on the Black Sea Coast is characterised by vertical and horizontal displacements of up to 0.2 mm.yr-1 and sudden earthquake-induced dilations of up to …


Determination Of Paleoearthquake Timing And Magnitudes On The Southern Segment Of The East Cache Fault, Utah, James P. Mccalpin Jan 2012

Determination Of Paleoearthquake Timing And Magnitudes On The Southern Segment Of The East Cache Fault, Utah, James P. Mccalpin

James P. McCalpin

We investigated the late Quaternary rupture history of the southern East Cache Fault zone [ECFZ], northern Utah with geologic mapping, paleoseismic logging of fault trenches, ground-penetrating radar, and optically stimulated luminescence dating. McCalpin (1989) indicated that the southern segment of the ECFZ consisted of three strands. We excavated four trenches across these strands, and evaluate the stratigraphy and structure of the sites. We conclude that the western fault strand of the ECFZ has had no late Quaternary displacement or does not exist; the central strand has not had any late Quaternary movement and may be a drape fold; and the …


The Use Of A Karstic Cave System In A Study Of Active Tectonics: Fault Movements Recorded At Driny Cave, Malé Karpaty Mts (Slovakia), Miloš Briestenský, Josef Stemberk, Jozef Michalík, Pavel Bella, Matt D. Rowberry Jan 2011

The Use Of A Karstic Cave System In A Study Of Active Tectonics: Fault Movements Recorded At Driny Cave, Malé Karpaty Mts (Slovakia), Miloš Briestenský, Josef Stemberk, Jozef Michalík, Pavel Bella, Matt D. Rowberry

Matt D Rowberry

This paper reports on a study of active tectonics undertaken in the intracratonic setting of central Europe in the junction zone between Eastern Alps and Western Carpathians. The study site is focused on the karstic system of Driny Cave in the Malé Karpaty Mts, Slovakia. A range of geological, geomorphological, and in situ displacement data are presented. From previous geological mapping and our slickenside analyses, it is clear that the cave system has developed along significant fault structures. Further geomorphological investigations pointed towards ongoing faulting and block movements. For example, a number of slope failures can be seen on the …


Morphology And Origin Of The Fair Oaks Dunes In Nw Indiana, Usa, Zoran Kilibarda, Joseph Blockland Jan 2011

Morphology And Origin Of The Fair Oaks Dunes In Nw Indiana, Usa, Zoran Kilibarda, Joseph Blockland

Zoran Kilibarda

The Fair Oaks Dunes (FOD) of NW Indiana, USA is a large (~4500 km2) inland dune field associated with the late Wisconsin deglaciation of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Meltwaters released by the Michigan, Saginaw, and Huron–Erie lobes transported fluvioglacial sediment through the Kankakee and Tippecanoe Valleys and their tributaries. The texture and composition of the sand in the FOD suggest a Saginaw Lobe origin of sediment with some Huron–Erie Lobe sediment. Sub-mature sand with sub-angular grains and a large feldspar content suggests relatively short distance of transport during two or possibly three dune-building and dune reworking events. We propose a …


Diurnal Patterns Of Blowing Sand, John E. Stout Jan 2010

Diurnal Patterns Of Blowing Sand, John E. Stout

John E. Stout

The diurnal pattern of blowing sand results from a complex process that involves an interaction between solar heating, thermal instability, atmospheric turbulence, wind strength, and surface threshold conditions. During the day, solar heating produces thermal instability, which enhances the convective mixing of high momentum winds from the upper levels of the atmosphere to the surface layer. The sun also dries the sand surface so that the critical threshold is as low as possible. Thus, in the afternoon, the combination of strong turbulent winds and a low surface threshold increases the likelihood that winds may intermittently exceed the critical threshold of …


Quaternary Geology And Geochronology Of The Uppermost Arkansas Valley, Colorado- Glaciers, Ice Dams, Landslides, And Floods, James P. Mccalpin Jan 2010

Quaternary Geology And Geochronology Of The Uppermost Arkansas Valley, Colorado- Glaciers, Ice Dams, Landslides, And Floods, James P. Mccalpin

James P. McCalpin

This field trip to the uppermost Arkansas Valley of central Colorado is based mainly on work performed since 2008, in an area with a long history of bedrock mapping by renowned geologists of the U.S. Geological Survey beginning in the 1880s (e.g. Emmons, 1886). The Quaternary features of the region were first described by Capps in 1909. Despite over 100 years of intermittent geologic studies here, there were still new discoveries to be made in the past few years. Day 1 of the trip emphasizes landslides (in the morning) and glacial deposits (in the afternoon). The “take-home messages” of the …


Wind Deposition Of Mud Aggregates And Their Role In Development Of Lamellae In The Fair Oaks Dunes, Indiana, Zoran Kilibarda, Erin Argyilan, Joseph Blockland Jan 2008

Wind Deposition Of Mud Aggregates And Their Role In Development Of Lamellae In The Fair Oaks Dunes, Indiana, Zoran Kilibarda, Erin Argyilan, Joseph Blockland

Zoran Kilibarda

Three parabolic dunes from the Fair Oaks Dune field in northern Indiana were excavated, in order to study the properties and genesis of lamellae. Reddish lamellae with sharp upper boundaries and diffuse lower boundaries are intercalated with yellowish sand layers within the upper 3–5 m of each dune. The thicknesses of the lamellae decrease from N2 cm in the east (Winamac dune) to b0.3 cm in the west (Shelby dune). In deeper parts of the dunes lamellae were absent, but straight or slightly convex, clay rich depositional laminae were present. Thin sections of lamellae reveal thatmost of the clays are …


Refine Slip Rates And Segmentation Of The Northern Sangre De Cristo Fault, Colorado’S Largest Active Fault, James P. Mccalpin Jan 2006

Refine Slip Rates And Segmentation Of The Northern Sangre De Cristo Fault, Colorado’S Largest Active Fault, James P. Mccalpin

James P. McCalpin

We excavated a 25 m-long trench on the northern part of the Crestone section of the Northern Sangre de Cristo fault zone, to see whether the Crestone section might be composed of more than one (independent) rupture segments. The Carr Gulch trench exposed evidence for 3 paleoearthquake displacements in the past 27.4 ka. The existence of 3 colluvial deposits (units 2, 3, 4) indicates that the ca. 4.5 m of surface offset was formed during 3 surface-faulting events with an average displacement of about 1.5 m each. The events occurred at about 8 ka, 20 ka, and between 22.5 and …


Long Recurrence Records From The Wasatch Fault Zone, Utah, James P. Mccalpin Jan 2001

Long Recurrence Records From The Wasatch Fault Zone, Utah, James P. Mccalpin

James P. McCalpin

The Wasatch fault "megatrench" was excavated in September 1999 across two fault scarps totaling 18 meters high on the Salt Lake City segment of the Wasatch fault zone (WFZ). The purpose of the megatrench was to date a long series of consecutive earthquakes (8-12 events?) on the WFZ and measure the variability of recurrence times between the events.This variability could then be used in calculating the future probability of large earthquakes on the WFZ. The trench was located 1 km north of the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, at an elevation of 1525 m, between the Bonneville highstand (ca. 17.5 …


Paleoseismicity Of Quaternary Faults Near Albuquerque, New Mexico: The Zia Fault, James P. Mccalpin Jan 2001

Paleoseismicity Of Quaternary Faults Near Albuquerque, New Mexico: The Zia Fault, James P. Mccalpin

James P. McCalpin

This study continues USGS-funded efforts to assess the activity and earthquake hazard potential of Quaternary faults in the Albuquerque metropolitan region. Our target in 2000 was the Zia fault, a 37 km-long normal fault that trends N-S in northern Llano de Albuquerque (LdA). The Zia fault is one of three major east-dipping normal faults that define the western margin of the Rio Grande rift in the northern Albuquerque basin, the other faults being the Calabacillas fault (to the west of the Zia fault) and the County Dump fault (to the east of the Zia fault) (Machette et al., 1998). In …


Ridgetop Splitting, Spreading, And Shattering Related To Earthquakes In Southern California, James P. Mccalpin Jan 1998

Ridgetop Splitting, Spreading, And Shattering Related To Earthquakes In Southern California, James P. Mccalpin

James P. McCalpin

Our mapping documents that anomalous ridgetop landforms are numerous in the San Gabriel and Santa Susana Mountains, and that many sites (37% of the San Gabriel sites, 16% of the Santa Susana sites) are not associated with any visible signs of landsliding. These sites may represent deep-seated gravitational spreading due to earthquake shaking. However, our factor analysis indicates that the spatial distribution of these suspected spreading landforms, with respect to ridge relief and distance to Late Quaternary faults, is essentially identical to that of landslides. Thus, it seems that if these spreading landforms represent the results of earthquake shaking, than …


The Gypsum Karsts And Caves Of The Canadian Maritimes, Max Moseley Jan 1996

The Gypsum Karsts And Caves Of The Canadian Maritimes, Max Moseley

Max Moseley

The karst which has developed on the widespread Mississippian gypsum-anhydrite deposits of the Canadian Maritime provinces is described. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have large areas displaying all stages of erosion from drift covered through to cockpit karst. Caves are common, but small. Their morphological features, including certain forms that have not been reported before, are catalogued and described, and the nature of gypsum speleogenesis in the region is discussed. Cave passages are dominated by laughohlen ("leaching caves"), defined in the classic German South Harz gypsum region. These forms are probably atypical and relatively rare elsewhere. It is emphasised that …


Surficial Geologic Map Of The East Cache Fault Zone, Cache County, Utah, James P. Mccalpin Jan 1989

Surficial Geologic Map Of The East Cache Fault Zone, Cache County, Utah, James P. Mccalpin

James P. McCalpin

The 1:50,000-scale map shows surficial geologic deposits and the faults that displace them along the East Cache fault zone in northern Utah. The East Cache fault is a north-trending normal fault that extends about 77 km along the eastern side of Cache Valley (an east-tilted graben) at the base of the Bear River Range. The map includes a description of Quaternary deposits along the fault zone, a description of the fault segments, and estimates of the age, size, and distribution of fault scarps in the fault zone.


Spatial And Temporal Analysis Of 1200 Landslides In A 900km2 Area, Middle Rocky Mountains, Wyoming, U.S.A., James P. Mccalpin Jan 1987

Spatial And Temporal Analysis Of 1200 Landslides In A 900km2 Area, Middle Rocky Mountains, Wyoming, U.S.A., James P. Mccalpin

James P. McCalpin

An inventory of approximately 1200 landslides in a 900 km2 area in the Salt River Range, western Wyoming, U.S.A., reveals regional and temporal controls on the landsliding process. Sliding is strongly controlled by eight weak formations in the 21 stratigraphic units of Cambrian through Cretaceous age. Morphologic dating of slides suggests that rockslides, slump-flows, and debris flows have occurred rather uniformly in time within the Holocene. In contrast, earthflows seem to be triggered more by cool/wet climatic epicycles in the last 5,000 years.


Field Trip Roadlog For The Bear River Landslide Complex, James P. Mccalpin Jan 1987

Field Trip Roadlog For The Bear River Landslide Complex, James P. Mccalpin

James P. McCalpin

The Bear River Landslide Complex occurs where the unconsolidated sediments of the Bear River Delta have been incised to a depth of 350 to 490 feet (106-150 m) north of Preston, Idaho. The slides are the result of the high pore pressure in confined aquifers in the deltaic sediments. High but variable volumes of groundwater flow and the laterally discontinuous nature of the deltaic sediments result in the varied types of earth movements found within the Landslide Complex. Landslide activity occurs during years of above average precipitation, and has been exacerbated by increased recharge from reservoirs and irrigation canals constructed …


Recommended Setback Distances From Active Normal Faults, James P. Mccalpin Jan 1987

Recommended Setback Distances From Active Normal Faults, James P. Mccalpin

James P. McCalpin

The geometry of near-surface ground breakage was analyzed from 40 trenches across Quaternary normal faults to help define reasonable setback distances. From each of the trench logs (28 on the Wasatch Fault, 11 on other Great Basin faults) eight parameters characteristic of surface rupture style were measured. Parameters included: 1) position of the main fault in relation to scarp morphology. 2) dip of the main fault. 3) number of faults on the upthrown block, 4) width of the upthrown block fault zone. 5) number of faults in the downthrown block. 6) width of the downthrown deformation zone, 7) ratio of …


The Bear River Landslide Complex, Preston, Idaho: Geologic Considerations And Historical Perspectives, James P. Mccalpin Jan 1987

The Bear River Landslide Complex, Preston, Idaho: Geologic Considerations And Historical Perspectives, James P. Mccalpin

James P. McCalpin

The Bear River Landslide Complex is a series of earth movements in northern Cache Valley, north of Preston, Idaho. The landslides occur in unconsolidated sediments of the Pleistocene Bear River Delta which formed where the river entered Lakes Bonneville and Provo. The Lake Bonneville delta deposits are up to 490 feet (150 m) thick and consist of a lower alluvial coarse sand and gravel unit, a middle delta front fine sand and silt unit, and an upper pro-delta clay up to 50 feet (15 m) thick. The interbedded character of the fine sands, silts, and clays, together with abrupt lateral …


Thermoluminescence (Tl) Dating In Seismic Hazard Evaluations: An Example From The Bonneville Basin, Utah, James P. Mccalpin Jan 1986

Thermoluminescence (Tl) Dating In Seismic Hazard Evaluations: An Example From The Bonneville Basin, Utah, James P. Mccalpin

James P. McCalpin

Thermoluminescence (TL) of minerals is the release of light when grains are heated to 1500 -5000 C. As sediments are buried longer they progressively acquire more TL from accumulated radiation damage from alpha, beta, and gamma rays and cosmic radiation. If the total amount of radiation dose received can be calculated, and the current dose rate measured, then dividing the total dose by the yearly dose rate will yield a TL age. Total doses are calculated by heating the sample until all TL is released, then re-irradiating the sample in the lab with known doses until the natural TL is …


Preliminary Age Classification Of Landslides For Inventory Mapping, James P. Mccalpin Jan 1984

Preliminary Age Classification Of Landslides For Inventory Mapping, James P. Mccalpin

James P. McCalpin

A preliminary age classification for landslides is proposed for inventory mapping, based on morphologic criteria visible on aerial photographs. Because landslide scars and deposits are generally disequilibrium landforms, they progress through observable morphologic stages as they age. Four age classes are distinguished: 1) active; 2) inactive-young; 3) inactive-mature; 4) inactive-old. Each age class reflects the age of latest movement only. The morphologic "freshness" of each part of the landslide must be evaluated, including: the head scarp, lateral scarps, marginal drainage, internal scarps and blocks, internal drainage pattern, vegetation type and density, and toe morphology. Morphologic parameters defined from air photos …