Effect of the wind acceleration magnitude during the first stages of the wind-wave generation process

Ocean Dynamics - A comprehensive analysis of the wavefield evolution under accelerated wind conditions provides an essential contribution to understanding the wind-wave generation process. A set of...     

Polygonal terrains on Mars: A contribution to their geometric and topological characterization

Detailed examination of large extensions of polygonal terrains on the surface of Mars and extraction of some characteristic geometric and topological parameters is made possible by the application of image analysis methods to scenes of the Martian surface acquired from orbit. This is illustrated by the analysis of a set of diverse Martian networks, clearly visible in MOC/MGS images with high spatial resolution. It is shown that these networks present, in average, a hexagonal habit, and that they verify two classic laws relative to 2D random networks (those of Lewis and Aboav-Weaire). This research can, through the quantified analysis of the differences and similarities between networks, lead into a much better understanding of the origin and dynamics of this type of features.     

Chemistry of chromium spinel in high-Mg rocks from the Morungava Intrusion,Cretaceous Paraná Igneous Province,southernmost Brazil

Mineralogy and Petrology - Mafic-ultramafic intrusions within continental flood basalt terrains are frequently associated with Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization. This study aims to constrain the...     

High-Order Block Support Spatial Simulation Method and Its Application at a Gold Deposit

Mathematical Geosciences - High-order sequential simulation methods have been developed as an alternative to existing frameworks to facilitate the modeling of the spatial complexity of non-Gaussian...     

Integration schemes with substepping algorithms for creep analysis in geomaterials

This paper describes a robust and efficient methodology for predicting displacements, deformations, and stresses in geomaterials that are susceptible to creep. The methodology is based on two integration schemes, which consider substepping algorithms. The first scheme is used for integrating space-time relations in a global sense, whereas the second scheme is used for integrating stress-stain relations in a local sense. Different from previous studies, both integration schemes are easy to implement and general in the sense that they can be applied to any type of creep law. Through an in-house finite element simulator, several numerical tests are performed. They include triaxial and wellbore closure analyses considering soft soils and salt rocks. The results show that the combination of both schemes leads to stable and accurate solutions with reduced computational time.     

Monitoring and modelling of hydrological processes in the semiarid region of Brazil: The Cariri experimental basins

Catchments have highly variable yields of runoff and soil erosion. The size, land use and the surface cover play a significant role and influence the catchment response and parameter values of simulation models. Two experimental basins—the Cariri basins—were equipped in a semi-arid region of Brazil, for obtaining runoff and sediment yield at different catchment scales, as well as, to evaluate the influence of the land use and surface cover. In the first basin, located in the municipality of Sumé, the field studies were carried out at two different scales: four micro-catchments with an area of around 0.5 ha and nine standard Wischmeier-type erosion plots of 100 m². The experimental units had varied vegetation and management. They were subjected only to natural rainfall events, and were monitored from 1982 to 1991. The total runoff and total sediment yield were determined for each of the events. The installations in the second basin, in the municipality of São João do Cariri, from 1999, include two erosion plots, three micro-catchments, and two sub-catchments of a small basin. These basins are still being monitored for runoff and sediment production. Among the micro-catchments two are nested to detect any scale effect at the micro-catchment level. Nearly 600 events of precipitation, that produced runoff in at least one of the experimental units, have been registered. These data have been used to evaluate the influence of various factors, including cultivation practices and to calibrate hydrological models for plots and micro-catchments. Parameters have been tested by means of cross validations among micro-catchments and sub-catchments. The data sets are made available to all the catchment hydrology researchers and others at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4690886 .     

Correction to: Spatial distribution and estimation of rainfall trends and erosivity in the Epitácio Pessoa reservoir catchment,Paraíba,Brazil

Natural Hazards - The article “Spatial distribution and estimation of rainfall trends and erosivity in the Epitácio Pessoa reservoir catchment, Paraíba, Brazil”, written by da...     

Comparing access for all: disability-induced accessibility disparity in Lisbon

It is well known that individual impairments create disparities in the accessibility of individuals to opportunities, lengthening the distances or time needed to reach them or even completely impeding access. However, the accurate calculation and representation of these disparities remain a major challenge for urban and transportation planners. In this paper, we adopt the concept of accessibility disparity, originally applied to measure place accessibility by different modes of transport, to measure and represent the accessibility of individuals with physical disabilities compared to those without disabilities. We use spatial network analysis to calculate spatial connectivity and the accessibility of Lisbon’s city center, revealing what we define as ‘disability-induced accessibility disparity’. Our results reveal not only the locations responsible for reduced accessibility, i.e., barriers and/or deterrents to movement, but also how much any given disparity reduces the accessibility of an individual, allowing the use of this methodology by planners to identify critical areas and to design inclusive public spaces.