Web-Based GIS as a Tool for Supporting Marine Research

Collecting marine data during hydroacoustic research surveys is a complex task, which not only consists of measurements but also analysis, validation, and interpretation of information acquired by various sensors. Automatic integration, visualization, and processing of collected data allow for a more precise investigation of the researched phenomena. The paper presents a dedicated Web-based system for fusion and dissemination of data from satellite imagery, hydrological measurements using CTD probes, acoustic surveys by multibeam systems, side-scan sonars and singlebeam echosounders, as well as live radar feed and oil spill spread models. The system has been designed as a tool for supporting research using the aforementioned techniques.     

Consistency of seven different GNSS global ionospheric mapping techniques during one solar cycle

In the context of the International GNSS Service (IGS), several IGS Ionosphere Associated Analysis Centers have developed different techniques to provide global ionospheric maps (GIMs) of vertical total electron content (VTEC) since 1998. In this paper we present a comparison of the performances of all the GIMs created in the frame of IGS. Indeed we compare the classical ones (for the ionospheric analysis centers CODE, ESA/ESOC, JPL and UPC) with the new ones (NRCAN, CAS, WHU). To assess the quality of them in fair and completely independent ways, two assessment methods are used: a direct comparison to altimeter data (VTEC-altimeter) and to the difference of slant total electron content (STEC) observed in independent ground reference stations (dSTEC-GPS). The main conclusion of this study, performed during one solar cycle, is the consistency of the results between so many different GIM techniques and implementations.     

Optimal design of a regional seismological network for the Arab countries

The Arab countries cover a large portion of the African and Arabian plates, a region characterized by seismic activity along complex continental collision zones, active seafloor spreading, rifting, and intraplate earthquakes. Establishing a standardized regional seismic network in these countries, then, is of great importance. Considerable effort of some Arab countries and UNESCO under project PAMERAR is under way to achieve this goal. A design for the spatial distribution of a regional seismic network in the area, based on a D-optimal planning criterion, is proposed in this paper. The method, which involves optimizing the geographical locations of stations, is based on the probability of earthquake occurrence at a given point in the seismic region, travel times of seismic waves, and minimization of the ellipsoid volume of earthquake location errors.     

Pre-Variscan basement rocks in southern Poland: Where is the southeastern margin of eastern Avalonia (Cadomia)?

Summary Pre-Variscan basement in southern Poland is poorly exposed and thus known mostly from subsurface data. The availability of the latter is reviewed for terrains located between the Sudetes and the East European Platform. In these terrains the following relationships have been documented: Cadomian granitoids capped by Variscan flysch, Palaeozoic platform strata, Palaeozic folded and partly thermally altered successions, and low-grade metamorphic rocks overlain by Middle Cambrian strata. In view of their interrelationships the location of the Avalonia-Baltica suture in southeastern Poland is uncertain.     

Book reviews

Pure and Applied Geophysics -     

Imaging the Underground Coal Gasification Zone with Microgravity Surveys

The paper describes results of microgravity measurements made on the surface over an underground geo reactor where experimental coal gasification was performed in a shallow seam of coal. The aim of the research was to determine whether, and to what extent, the microgravity method can be used to detect and image a coal gasification zone, especially caverns where the coal was burnt out. In theory, the effects of coal gasification process create caverns and cracks, e.g., zones of altered bulk density. Before the measurements, theoretical density models of completely and partially gasified coal were analysed. Results of the calculations of gravity field response showed that in both cases on the surface over the gasification zone there should be local gravimetric anomalies. Over the geo reactor, two series of gravimetric measurements prior to and after gasification were conducted. Comparison of the results of two measurement series revealed the presence of gravimetric anomalies that could be related to the cavern formation process. Data from these measurements were used to verify theoretical models. After the experiment, a small cavern was detected at the depth of the coal seam by the test borehole drilled in one of the anomalous areas.     

Three-Dimensional Geographically Weighted Inverse Regression (3GWR) Model for Satellite Derived Bathymetry Using Sentinel-2 Observations

Current trends of development of satellite derived bathymetry (SDB) models rely on applying calibration techniques including analytical approaches, neuro-fuzzy systems, regression optimization and others. In most of the cases, the SDB models are calibrated and verified for test sites, that provide favorable conditions for the remote derivation of bathymetry such as high water clarity, homogenous bottom type, low amount of sediment in the water and other factors. In this paper, a novel 3-dimensional geographical weighted regression (3GWR) SDB technique is presented, it binds together methods already presented in other studies, the geographically weighted local regression (GWR) model, with depth dependent inverse optimization. The proposed SDB model was calibrated and verified on a relatively difficult test site of the South Baltic near-shore areas with the use of multispectral observations acquired by a recently launched Sentinel-2 satellite observation system. By conducted experiments, it was shown that the proposed SDB model is capable of obtaining satisfactory results of RMSE ranging from 0.88 to 1.23[m] depending on the observation and can derive bathymetry for depths up to 12m. It was also shown, that the proposed approach may be used operationally, for instance, in the continuous assessment of temporal bathymetry changes, for areas important in the context of ensuring local maritime safety.