Marek Kasprzak

Cryo-conditioned rocky coast systems: A case study from Wilczekodden, Svalbard

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the processes controlling development of a cryo-conditioned rock coast system in Hornsund, Svalbard. A suite of nested geomorphological and geophysical methods have been applied to characterise the functioning of rock cliffs and shore platforms influenced by lithological control and geomorphic processes driven by polar coast environments. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys have been used to investigate permafrost control on rock coast dynamics and reveal the strong interaction with marine processes in High Arctic coastal settings. Schmidt hammer rock tests, demonstrated strong spatial control on the degree of rock weathering (rock strength) along High Arctic rock coasts. Elevation controlled geomorphic zones are identified and linked to distinct processes and mechanisms, transitioning from peak hardness values at the ice foot through the wave and storm dominated scour zones to the lowest values on the cliff tops, where the effects of periglacial weathering dominate. Observations of rock surface change using a traversing micro-erosion meter (TMEM) indicate that significant changes in erosion rates occur at the junction between the shore platform and the cliff toe, where rock erosion is facilitated by frequent wetting and drying and operation of nivation and sea ice processes (formation and melting of snow patches and icefoot complexes). The results are synthesised to propose a new conceptual model of High Arctic rock coast systems, with the aim of contributing towards a unifying concept of cold region landscape evolution and providing direction for future research regarding the state of polar rock coasts.

LiDAR and 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography as a Supplement of Geomorphological Investigations in Urban Areas: a Case Study from the City of Wrocław (SW Poland)

In urbanized areas, particularly in lowland terrains and floors of large river valleys, the natural land configuration is often hard to recognize due to a long history of human activity. Accordingly, archaeological works in cities, which supply knowledge on settlement conditions, are usually accompanied by geological and geomophological research. Lately, data from light detection and ranging (LiDAR) have become a valuable source of information on urban land configuration. Geophysical methods are also becoming increasingly popular in background studies. The paper presents a method of using and linking these sources of spatial information about landforms in such areas. The main aim is to identify to what extent these complementary sources of data and the proposed method can be used in such a specific environment to reconstruct natural, buried terrain morphology. The city of Wrocław in Central Europe serves as an example. To this end geomorphometric studies were conducted with the use of digital elevation models (DEMs) based on LiDAR scanning and derivated land-surface parameters—SAGA Wetness Index, Channel Network Base Level and Altitude above Channel Network. The study also involved determining morphological edges and measurements of the meanders of the Odra, as well as expanding information on the spatial distribution of alluvia and the structure of slope breaks. To this end, geophysical measurements were conducted using the Two-Dimensional Electrical Resistivity Tomography method. Additionally, five typical sequences of man-made ground present within the perimeter of the city were distinguished. As a result, a map of the main landforms of Wrocław is presented. Finally, we argue that although high resolution DEM and derivate land-surface parameters are very useful in terrain analysis, places with thick man-made ground or strongly levelled areas must be recognized by geoarchaeological excavations or geological bore holes. The geophysical survey is useful to identify buried morphological edges and older relief elements in open areas.

UAV and SfM in Detailed Geomorphological Mapping of Granite Tors: An Example of Starościńskie Skały (Sudetes, SW Poland)

The paper presents an example of using photographs taken by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and processed using the structure from motion (SfM) procedure in a geomorphological study of rock relief. Subject to analysis is a small rock city in the West Sudetes (SW Poland), known as Starościńskie Skały and developed in coarse granite bedrock. The aims of this paper were, first, to compare UAV/SfM-derived data with the cartographical image based on the traditional geomorphological field-mapping methods and the digital elevation model derived from airborne laser scanning (ALS). Second, to test if the proposed combination of UAV and SfM methods may be helpful in recognizing the detailed structure of granite tors. As a result of conducted UAV flights and digital image post-processing in AgiSoft software, it was possible to obtain datasets (dense point cloud, texture model, orthophotomap, bare-ground-type digital terrain model—DTM) which allowed to visualize in detail the surface of the study area. In consequence, it was possible to distinguish even the very small forms of rock surface microrelief: joints, aplite veins, rills and karren, weathering pits, etc., otherwise difficult to map and measure. The study includes also valorization of particular datasets concerning microtopography and allows to discuss indisputable advantages of using the UAV/SfM-based DTM in geomorphic studies of tors and rock cities, even those located within forest as in the presented case study.

Statistical and Spectral Features of Corrugated Seafloor Shaped by the Hans Glacier in Svalbard

High-resolution images of the seabed obtained with the use of hydroacoustic measurements allow a detailed identification of inaccessible seabed areas such as the Hans Glacier foreland in the Hornsund Fjord on Spitsbergen. Analyses presented in the paper were carried out on a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the bay’s seafloor exposed in the process of deglaciation, obtained from bathymetric data recorded by a multibeam echosounder. The main objective of this study was to show the relevance of the autocorrelation length parameter used to describe the roughness of the bottom surface based on the example of seafloor postglacial forms in the Hans Glacier foreland. The resulting parameter reflects the scale of the terrain roughness, which varies between geomorphologic forms. Maps of the autocorrelation length were derived from successive tiles of the data, overlapping by 90%. Based on this, the two-dimensional Fourier transform (2D FFT) was successively conducted, and the power spectral density and autocorrelation were calculated following the Wiener–Khinchin theorem. The thus obtained parameter describes the scale of the glacial bay seafloor roughness, which was assigned to the geomorphological features observed.

Landform recognition in granite mountains in East Asia (Seoraksan, Republic of Korea, and Huangshan and Sanqingshan, China) – a contribution of geomorphology to the UNESCO World Heritage

Abstract Applied research in geomorphology includes landform analysis and evaluation from a specific perspective of scientific significance and global relevance. In this paper, landform diversity of Seoraksan, Republic of Korea, a UNESCO World Heritage candidate, is compared with geomorphic characteristics of two World Heritage properties in China, Huangshan and Sanqingshan. Seoraksan represents an almost complete mountain geomorphic system of considerable contemporary dynamics, with outstanding scenery and spectacular landforms such as domes, fins, bedrock channels, waterfalls, and inherited block fields. It is argued that Seoraksan contains outstanding scientific and aesthetic values, not present at the Chinese properties, offering scope for successful nomination.

Granite Landform Diversity and Dynamics Underpin Geoheritage Values of Seoraksan Mountains, Republic of Korea

Seoraksan Mountains in the Republic of Korea are presented as an area of outstanding geodiversity combining rock-controlled granite landforms, inherited cold-climate landforms and highly active contemporary geomorphological processes. Three generations of granites, ranging in age from Proterozoic to Cretaceous, are present and each of these supports distinctive morphology. Cretaceous granites are associated with most spectacular features such as domes and towers, fins, long rock slopes, and fluvial gorges. The latter host abundant waterfalls of different types, potholes, and bedrock channels. While no clear glacial landforms exist in Seoraksan, widespread blockfields, blockslopes, and blockstreams constitute the cold-climate legacy of potentially important palaeoclimatic significance. Slope steepness and extreme rainfall events are the decisive factors to explain frequent mass movements which leave visible erosional and depositional evidence on slopes and in valley floors. The geodiversity of Seoraksan makes the area highly suitable for outdoor geo-education and it is also argued that the area represents a highly diverse, non-glaciated mountainous geomorphological system that integrates source and sink areas and is of exceptional value and extraordinary scenic beauty.