Structural data extraction from stereographic or equal area projections using image processing

Structural orientation data from the field are commonly represented on stereographic or equal area projections, and the raw data are usually not accessible to other workers for integration into larger datasets or comparative study. We have developed a technique for retrieving raw planar structural data from the above projection types using image analysis techniques. The principle involves two steps: (i) conversion of the foliation pole plots in the image into Cartesian coordinates, and (ii) inversion of the data soobtained into a geographic reference frame. The process involves either scanning of the target projection, or cropping of the projection figure from a pdf file using image processing software, followed by tracing of the data points and generation of an image file that can be subsequently input into a MATLAB supported program, “StrucExtract”. The results from the program are displayed in the form of dips and dip directions. The program has been tested with synthetic and natural examples, and may be invaluable for retrieval of structural data from older structural literature.     

Crustal Thickness and Composition Variation along the Western Ghats of India through Teleseismic Receiver Function Analysis

Seismic-potential for the Andaman Arc System (AAS) is evaluated using a three-tier approach: (i) the seismic b-values derived using a revised and homogenized earthquake catalog for Mw ≥ 4.7, with uniform Mw, for the period 1964–2013 created from ISC Data, (ii) Free-air gravity-anomalies for AAS and their geologic interpretation and (iii) deep crustal structure from seismic reflection surveys and 3D seismic tomography results. Both long-term spatial b-value anomalies for the period 1964-2013 and temporal b-value anomalies for a shorter period (2002–2013) have been estimated. The b-value maps are interpreted in terms of the stress regime acting across AAS and stressed asperities inferred along the strike of AAS. Eight distinguishable seismic-zones are identified and their seismic potential is examined by temporal bvalue anomalies in producing moderate to large earthquakes. The latter demonstrates ‘low-high’ or ‘high-low’ couplet over years, and that a variation in b-value more than 20% compared to the previous year value is likely to produce an earthquake event with Mw ≥ 6.0. Some support to this interpretation comes from the regional Free-air gravity-anomalies and deep crustal structure interpreted from hypocentral distribution of earthquakes. The high b-values are seemingly associated with magma chambers or low velocity crust; creating asperity zones due to multiple batholithic intrusions at plate boundary. This geologic interpretation is evidenced by 3D P-wave seismic tomography and velocity heterogeneity study for AAS reported by us elsewhere.     

Dust particles characterization and innate resistance for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thevetia peruviana</Emphasis> in different land-use pattern of urban area

The present work is an attempt to investigate pollution effect on an ornamental tree species Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum. The study was conducted in various green spaces of institutional, industrial, residential and near traffic site representing as different status of air pollution concentration depending on land-use type. The resistance index calculated for selected species had mean value of 14.57 ± 0.41 observed at study sites. The dust deposition was found in range of 5.14–7.74 mg cm^?2 on foliar surface of 12 cm². The examination of leaf structure with scanning electron microscope showed presence of airborne dust particles in coarse and fine sizes with higher deposition found in industrial and residential sites. The epicuticular wax layer on upper surface of foliar was found eroded at industrial and traffic regions. The equivalent diameter of particles was observed to range from 0.45 to 12.71 µm in Poisson distributional pattern. The density of number concentration of dust particles was observed 1411 and 3703 in institutional and industrial area deposited on 0.22 mm² of foliar surface. The elemental distribution on leaves of Thevetia peruviana has revealed a mixture of carbonaceous and soil matrix elements such as C, O, Al, Na, Si, K and Mg observed in proportion of X-rays counts per second. The whole experiment gave a positive indication for plant species as a tolerant bio-indicator of air pollutants in Delhi. The diverse flora present in city provides an opportunity for reducing harmful concentration of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 and improving quality of air for human health.     

Estimation of winter wheat crop growth parameters using time series Sentinel-1A SAR data

In the present study, Sentinel-1A Synthetic Aperture Radar analysis of time series data at C-band was carried out to estimate the winter wheat crop growth parameters. Five different date images were acquired during January 2015–April 2015 at different growth stages from tillering to ripening in Varanasi district, India. The winter wheat crop parameters, i.e. leaf area index, vegetation water content (VWC), fresh biomass (FB), dry biomass (DB) and plant height (PH) were estimated using random forest regression (RFR), support vector regression (SVR), artificial neural network regression (ANNR) and linear regression (LR) algorithms. The Ground Range Detected products of Interferometric Wide (IW) Swath were used at VV polarization. The three different subplots of 1 m² area were taken for the measurement of crop parameters at every growth stage. In total, 73 samples were taken as the training data-sets and 39 samples were taken as testing data-sets. The highest sensitivity (adj. R^2?=?0.95579) of backscattering with VWC was found using RFR algorithm, whereas the lowest sensitivity (adj. R^2?=?0.66201) was found for the PH using LR algorithm. Overall results indicate more accurate estimation of winter wheat parameters by the RFR algorithm followed by SVR, ANNR and LR algorithms.     

Application of drone for landslide mapping,dimension estimation and its 3D reconstruction

Dimension estimation of landslides is a major challenge while preparing the landslide inventory map, for which very high-resolution satellite data/aerial photography is required, which is very expensive. An alternative is the application of drones for such mapping. This study presents the utility of drone/unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for mapping and 3D reconstruction of two landslides near IIT Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. In this study, we used DJI Phantom 3 Advanced drone to collect high-resolution images of landslides. Features in the images were automatically detected, described, and matched among photographs using scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) technique. The 3D position and orientation of the cameras and the XYZ location of each feature in the photographs was estimated using bundle block adjustment. This resulted in sparse 3D point cloud, which was densified using Clustering View for Multi-View Stereo (CMVS) algorithm. Finally, surface reconstruction was done using Poisson Surface Reconstruction method, which was visualised in open source software CloudCompare. The 3D model, generated from drone images, was validated using field measurements of some objects, and 3D surface created from total station. Various quantities i.e. width (length), height and perimeter were measured in the 3D drone model and verified with total station data. The differences among all the measured quantities for both the landslides are less than 5% keeping the measurements of total station as reference. The 3D reconstructed from the sets of photographs is very accurate giving the measurements up to cm level and even small objects could be easily identified. In addition, digital elevation model (DEM) of sub meter resolution could be easily generated and used for various applications. Hence drone-based imagery in combination with 3D scene reconstruction algorithms provide flexible and effective tools to map and monitor landslide apart from accurately assessing the dimensions of the landslides.     

Hydrodynamic modelling and vulnerability analysis to assess flood risk in a dense Indian city using geospatial techniques

Natural Hazards - Urban flooding and waterlogging are causing menace in many cities around the world from the perspective of day-to-day functioning, health and hygiene, communication, and the...     

Laboratory investigation of pullout behavior of hollow and solid shaft helical nail in frictional soil

Acta Geotechnica - Helical soil nails are passive elements installed in the soil which attains its bond strength through skin friction and bearing from helices. The present study examines the...     

Propagation of Love wave in fiber‐reinforced medium lying over an initially stressed orthotropic half‐space

In this paper, the propagation of Love waves in a fiber‐reinforced layered medium lying over an elastic orthotropic half‐space under initial stress has been investigated. We have obtained the velocity equations for Love wave in this media. It is observed that propagation of Love wave is influenced by reinforced parameters and initial stressed parameter. The velocity of Love wave has been computed for three different cases. Our computed equation of Love wave coincides with the standard equation of Love wave for the case of homogeneous layer and homogeneous half‐space (AEH Love, 1911). To study the effect of reinforced and initial stressed parameters, we have computed the numerical values for phase velocity and plotted in several figures. It is observed that the phase velocity decreases with the increases of reinforced parameters and initial stressed parameter. Using MATLAB software, GUI has been developed to generalize the effect of various parameters. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Record of carbonate preservation and the Mid‐Brunhes climatic shift from a seamount top with low sedimentation rates in the Central Indian Basin

In the present investigation, an age model of carbonate‐rich cores from a seamount top in the Central Indian Basin (CIB) was constructed using both isotopic (²³⁰Th_excess, AMS ¹⁴C, oxygen isotopes) and biostratigraphic methods. The chronologies using the two methods are in good agreement, yielding a record of the late Middle Pleistocene to the Pleistocene–Holocene transition (550 to 11.5 ka). The first appearance datum (FAD) of the radiolarian Buccinosphaera invaginata (180 ka) and coccolith Emiliania huxleyi (268 ka) and the last appearance datum (LAD) of the radiolarian Stylatractus universus (425 ka) were used. A monsoon‐induced productivity increase was inferred from carbonate, organic carbon and δ¹³C records in response to the Mid‐Brunhes Climatic Shift (MBCS), consistent with an increased global productivity. While the coccolith diversity increased, a decrease in coccolith productivity was found during the MBCS. At nearly the same time period, earlier records from the equatorial Indian Ocean, western Indian Ocean and eastern Africa have shown an increased productivity in response to the influence of westerlies and increased monsoon. The influence of easterlies from Australia and the intensification of aridity are evidenced by increased kaolinite content and clay‐sized sediments in response to the MBCS. An increased abundance of Globorotalia menardii and other resistant species beginning from marine isotope stage (MIS) 11 and the proliferation of coccolith Gephyrocapsa spp. indicate increased dissolution, which is consistent with the widespread global carbonate dissolution during this period. The relatively high carbonate dissolution during the transition period of MIS 3/2 and glacial to interglacial periods (MIS 6, 7 and 8) may be due to the enhanced flow of corrosive Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) into the CIB.