Evaluation of coal bed methane potential of coal seams of Sawang Colliery,Jharkhand, India

The coal seams of Sawang Colliery, East Bokaro Coalfields are bituminous to sub-bituminous in nature and categorized as high gaseous seams (degree II to degree III level). These seams have the potential for coal bed methane (CBM) and their maturity increases with increasing depth, as a result of enhanced pressure-temperature conditions in the underground. The vitrinite maceral group composition of the investigated coal seams ranges from 62.50–83.15%, whereas the inertinite content varies from 14.93–36.81%. The liptinite content varies from 0.66% to 3.09%. The maximum micro-pores are confined within the vitrinite group of macerals. The coal seams exhibit vitrinite reflectance values (Ro% calculated) from 0.94% (sample CG-97) to 1.21% (sample CG-119). Proximate analyses of the investigated coal samples reveal that the moisture content (M%) ranges from 1.28% to 2.98%, whereas, volatile matter (VM%) content is placed in the range of 27.01% to 33.86%. The ash content (A%) ranges from 10.92% to 30.01%. Fixed carbon (FC%) content varies from 41.53% to 55.93%. Fuel ratio variation shows a restricted range from 1.53 to 1.97. All the coal samples were found to be strongly caking and forming coke buttons. The present study is based on the adsorption isotherm experiments carried out under controlled P-T conditions for determination of actual gas adsorption capacity of the coal seams. This analysis shows that the maximum methane gas adsorbed in the coal sample CG-81 is 17 m³/t (Std. daf), at maximum pressure of 5.92 MPa and experimental temperature of 30°C. The calculated Langmuir regression parameters P_L and V_L range from 2.49 to 3.75 MPa and 22.94 to 26.88 m³/t (Std. daf), respectively.     

Analysis of the 2003 Varunawat Landslide,Uttarkashi, India using Earth Observation data

Mass movements such as landslides in mountainous terrains are natural degradation processes and one of the most important landscape-building factors. Varunawat Parbat overlooking Uttarkashi town witnessed a series of landslides on 23 September 2003 and the debris slides and rock falls continued for 2 weeks. This landslide complex was triggered due to the incessant rainfall prior to the event, and its occurrence led to the blockage of the pilgrim route to Gangotri (source of the Ganges river) and evacuation of thousands of people to safer places. Though there was no loss of lives due to timely evacuation, heavy losses to the property were reported. High-resolution stereoscopic earth observation data were acquired after the incidence to study the landslide in detail with emphasis on the cause of the landslide and mode of failure. Areas along the road and below the Varunawat foothill region are mapped for landslide risk. It was found that the foothill region of the Varunawat Parbat was highly disturbed by man-made activities and houses are dangerously located below steep slopes. The potential zones for landslides along with the existing active and old landslides are mapped. These areas are critical and their treatment with priority is required in order to minimise further landslide occurrences.     

Optical interferometric observations of a transient event of 1986 March 13 in the coma of Comet Halley

During the recent apparition of Comet Halley in 1985-86 a transient ionic event in the form of a blob of H₂ O⁺ emission was recorded in thecoma at ～ 0^h UT on 1986 March 13. Observations were carried out using a special IHW filter for H₂ O⁺ emission at 7000 å/175 å, a 35 cm telescope, a Fabry-Perot interferometer and an image intensifier camera from Gurushikhar, Mt Abu. (24?39’N,72? 47’E). A Fabry-Perot inter-ferogram in Ha taken a few minutes later at the same location reveals strong hydrogen emission (Hα) associated with the blob. The velocity field in the blob is structured with relative velocities upto ～ 35km s^?1. The event is interpreted as arising due to the sector boundary crossing of the interplanetary magnetic field by the comet     

Degradation model for one-way cyclic lateral load on piles in soft clay

The analysis of laterally loaded piles in soft clay is carried out idealising the pile as beam elements and the soil by nonlinear inelastic spring elements modeled with elasto-plastic sub-elements. The nonlinear hyperbolic model for static load condition is developed based on the undrained shear strength and modulus of subgrade reaction. An iterative procedure is adopted to perform a nonlinear finite element analysis and the effect of static lateral load on deflection is studied. Based on the lateral deflection at the end of first cycle (static load), the degradation factor is assumed and the p-y curve is modified. The cyclic load analysis is carried out using the static analysis program idealising the soil by modified p-y curve, which considers the effect of number of cycles and magnitude of cyclic lateral load. The results of the proposed analytical model compare well with the published experimental results, on piles subjected to one-way cyclic loading for different magnitude of cyclic lateral load and number of cycles.     

Integrated approach of using ASTER-derived emissivity and pixel temperature for delineating different granitoids – a case study in parts of Dharwar Craton,India

We have delineated different granitoids based on variation in emissivity and relative surface temperature recorded in thermal bands of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor of EO-1 satellite. In this regard, we have used emissivity normalization algorithm to derive broadband emissivity from thermal bands of ASTER sensor to delineate different lithounits of the granitoid family. We have compared emissivity and radiance image composites in terms of delineation of different granitoids. We have also used false colour composite (FCC) image derived using two emissivity bands and temperature (derived using emissivity normalisation method) bands to delineate different granitoids. We could differentiate different granitoids in the three-dimensional (3D) data space of ASTER-derived emissivity bands (second and third bands) and temperature bands. Based on the analysis of 3D scatter plot, we also proposed a ternary diagram of emissivity and temperature, which can be used to delineate different granitoids.     

Correction to: Effect of time and space partitioning strategies of samples on regional landslide susceptibility modelling

Landslides - A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-021-01646-0.     

Effect of time and space partitioning strategies of samples on regional landslide susceptibility modelling

Landslides - Assessment of the spatial probability of future landslide occurrences for disaster risk reduction is done through landslide susceptibility modelling. In this study, we investigated the...     

Geospatial landslide inventory of India—an insight into occurrence and exposure on a national scale

Landslides - India ranks first in the world in terms of fatal landslides. Large vulnerable area (0.42 million km2), high population density and monsoon rainfall make India’s landslide...