Remote Sensing (RS)
Mohamad Fathollahzadeh; Mojtaba Yamani; Abolghasem Goorabi; Mehran Maghsoudi; Mernoosh Ghadimi
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction:
The landforms created by tectonic processes are studied by morphotectonics, in other words, morphotectonics is the science of applying geomorphic principles in solving tectonic problems. Quantitative landscape measurements are usually based on the calculation of geomorphic ...
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Extended Abstract
Introduction:
The landforms created by tectonic processes are studied by morphotectonics, in other words, morphotectonics is the science of applying geomorphic principles in solving tectonic problems. Quantitative landscape measurements are usually based on the calculation of geomorphic indices, using topographic maps, satellite images aerial photographs, and field visits. Coastal deltas are part of landforms and landscapes that, due to the proximity of two environments, land, and water, leave visible effects against tectonic activities, such as changing the pattern and location of deltas due to the change in the course of coastal rivers, the formation of unbalanced coastal terraces in parts of the coast, and the emergence of cut beaches in the form of seawalls.
One of the methods of identifying and measuring land changes is using radar remote sensing. The principles of this technique were first described by Graham in 1974 (Pacheco et al., 2006). Interferometry using radar images with an artificial window or SAR is a precise method based on the use of at least two radar images of the same area, which measures the height displacement changes in wide areas and during different time intervals with a significant accuracy of millimeters (Dong et al., 2018).
The coastal areas of northern Iran are of great importance due to the high population density and the ability to grow and develop economically and agriculturally, so monitoring geomorphic changes in the direction of sustainable development of these areas is particularly important.
In this research, the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea from Gomishan to Joibar is investigated in terms of subsidence and uplift using radar remote sensing techniques to determine the active tectonic zones of the coast in terms of temporal and spatial changes.
Materials and Methods:
The Eastern Caspian Plain is the border between the Caspian Sea and West Gorgan and includes the cities of Gomishan, Bandare Turkman, Bandare Gaz, Gulugah, Khazarabad, and Joybar. The absolute height of the Caspian Plain along the coastline is determined according to the sea level, based on the hydrographic data of the Baku station, since 1850, the Caspian sea level has varied between -25.4 and -29.4 (Abdolhi Kakrodi, 2012).
The history of seismic activity in North Alborz shows that cities like Rasht, Lahijan, Amol, and Gorgan, have been destroyed many times due to destructive earthquakes (Aqhanbati, 2013). The Alborz fault is an active fault that is stretched in a clockwise direction in the southern Caspian basin.
In this research, according to the desired goals and radar remote sensing techniques, a series of Sentinel-1 radar images with a suitable time and space difference (maximum 30 days and maximum 150 meters respectively) including 61 images in time from 2014 to 2021 were prepared and processed.
Results:
The results obtained from the SBAS model indicate that the eastern part of the Caspian coast is more affected by the uplift and this trend continues up to Gorgan Bay. The Gorgan city has an uplift between 20 and 40 mm/year, which is reversed towards the coastal area, and subsidence of 10 to 52 mm/year occurs, which decreases as it approaches the coast and reaches 10 mm /year.
Discussion, Conclusion:
According to the results obtained from radar interferometry, the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea is more affected by uplifting. The Gorgan city has an uplift between 20 and 40 mm/year, which is reversed towards the coastal area, and subsidence of 10 to 52 mm/year occurs, which decreases as it approaches the coast and reaches 10 mm/year.
To verify the results obtained, the data of the Gorgan geodynamic station was used, which shows subsidence of about 90 to 100 mm in a 6-year period, which is consistent with the values obtained from radar interferometry Based on comments Shahpasandzadeh (2013) and the reports of Nazari et al (2021), active tectonics caused by the Caspian fault that indicates the horizontal geodynamic displacement diagram of Gorgan, the small area towards the north and east during this time, which is observed in the form of numerous branches with a thrust (reverse) mechanism and a right-slip component with a slope to the south in Golestan province.
Considering that the main feature of the coast of the Caspian Sea is the Surface rivers and the use of groundwater is very little and also the extraction of gas, oil, and mining resources, which is another factor in the occurrence of land subsidence, does not exist in this area, and there isn’t also huge and heavy structure in the study area that affects the subsidence of the surface; so displacement in the study area is the result of active tectonics.
Geographic Data
Mehran Maghsoudi; Mohamad Fathollahzadeh; Hamid Ganjaeian
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Surface winds move and transport soil particles on the ground and thus, affect the intensity of erosion to a great degree (Tage Din et al, 1986: 118). Various studies have found a decreasing trend for surface wind speed in different parts of the world in recent years. ...
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Extended Abstract
Introduction
Surface winds move and transport soil particles on the ground and thus, affect the intensity of erosion to a great degree (Tage Din et al, 1986: 118). Various studies have found a decreasing trend for surface wind speed in different parts of the world in recent years. This decrease has been more widely reported in mid-latitudes (McVicar et al, 2008). Continuous drought in consecutive years is one of the factors that can reduce soil moisture and stop the growth of vegetation cover. (Hereher at el, 2009). Iran is located in the arid belt of the world and two thirds of its total area is located in these arid regions (Maghsoudi, 2006). Previous studies have shown that 17 provinces of the country are affected by wind erosion, among which Kerman faces a more severe conditions. Iran has more than 20 relatively large ergs and several small ergs covering an area of approximately 36,000 square kilometers (Mahmoudi, 1991). The present study investigates different characteristics of winds and its effects on morphology and displacement of sand dunes using Sentinel-2 optical and Sentinel_1 radar images.
Materials and Methods
Due to the lack of any synoptic station in the Lut Desert, related data including wind direction and speed were collected from 6 neighboring stations (Bam, Dehsalm, Zabol, Shahdad, Nusratabad and Nehbandan). Then, a wind rose and a sand rose graph were prepared for each station using WR Plot and Sand Rose Graph software. Resultant force vector acting in the displacement of sands and formation of sand dunes was determined. Following an examination of wind characteristics in the study area using Sentinel-2 optical images collected in the 2016 - 2019 reference period, changes of sand dunes and direction of their movements were also analyzed. In order to investigate vertical displacement in the region, radar interference method and SBAS time series have been used. This method only uses pairs of images in which vertical component of the baseline is less than its critical value, and also have a minimum baseline time. 45 Sentinel_1 radar images were used in the present study to measure radar interference.
Results
Recorded data in Dehsalm, Nehbandan, and Nosrat Abad stations indicate that winds blowing in these stations affect the Lut Desert. The prevailing wind recorded in Dehsalm station blows in northwest to southeast direction of the Lut Erg, while in Nehbandan station, the prevailing wind blows in north to south direction of this Erg. The prevailing wind in Nosrat Abad station blows in southeast to northwest direction of this erg. Sand rose graphs show that DPt in Dehsalam station equals 422.6 and in Nehbandan station equals 484.2. Since both DPts are more than 400, wind in this region has a high energy level and is potentially capable of sand displacement. Changes of sand dunes and direction of their movements were analyzed using Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 images in 2016-2019 reference period.
Discussion and Conclusion
Hourly wind speed and direction data in Nehbandan, Dehsalam, and Nosratabad stations were investigated in the present study to evaluate their impact on geomorphological changes in the Lut Erg and its sand dunes. Results indicate that the prevailing wind in these stations blows in north, northwest and southeast direction towards the Lut Erg, respectively. Investigating wind speed changes in Nehbandan station shows that during the last 34 years, average monthly wind speed in this station has decreased from 3.7 meters per second in 1986 to about 2.2 meters per second in 2020, which means a 1.5 meters per second decrease has occurred during this period. Apart from wind speed and direction data, Sentinel-2 optical images were also used to monitor changes in sand dunes of the Lut Erg. Results indicate that during the 2017 - 2018 reference period, most changes have occurred in the sand dunes of the northwest and northeast regions and the margins of this erg, while in the 2018 - 2019 reference period, most changes have occurred in the northwest and southeast regions of the Lut Erg. Analysis of satellite images indicates that the direction of wind force vectors is consistent with the direction of sand transport vector. In other words, sand dune changes in the Lut Erg have occurred under the influence of winds blowing in northwest and southeast directions, which is consistent with the direction of the sand transport vector in plots prepared for the three stations (Nehbandan, Dehsalam, and Nusrataba).
In order to validate the results of wind direction and speed analysis and remote sensing of optical images, vertical displacement of the erg surface was measured in 4-year periods using Sentinel_1 radar images and SBAS time series. In general, southern parts of the Lut Erg and especially sand dunes in these parts have experienced an increase in elevation, while the northern parts of Erg have experienced a decrease in elevation. This can be due to erosion and deposition of sediments in the southern regions of the Lut Erg, which is consistent with the sand rose and wind rose graphs prepared for the region .