Southern Star Valley is a structural and physiographic basin bounded on the east by the southern Star Valley fault, an active normal fault associated with Basin and Range extension. The southern Star Valley fault separates southern Star Valley from the Salt River Range and forms a dramatic north-south trending topographic escarpment. Statistical analysis of relative-age dating (RD) parameters taken from glacial deposits in the Salt River Range defined distinctive age groups for the deposits, and comparison of RD data allowed correlations with late Pleistocene and Holocene glacial deposits elsewhere in the Rocky Mountains. However, the sedimentary lithologies in the glacial deposits in the study area and inherent variability of RD data limited definitive regional correlations. The southern Star Valley fault (SSVF) lies in a parabola-shaped zone of large, seismogenic normal faults. The zone trails to the west of the eastward-migrating Yellowstone hot spot. Basin-facing fault scarps up to 11 meters high created by recurrent late Quaternary faulting along the southern Star Valley fault are preserved in late-Pleistocene and Holocene alluvial fans along the Salt River Range front. Radiocarbon ages from faulted deposits exposed in a trench provide age estimates of ca. 8,090 ± 80 and 5,540 ± 70 yrs. B. P. for the two most recent paleoearthquakes. The magnitudes of the paleoearthquakes, based on surface rupture height and length and estimates, were between Ms6.9 and Ms7.1. The tectonic geomorphology of river alluvium and alluvial fans near the SSVF suggests that recurrent faulting has downdropped the northern end of southern Star Valley more in relationship to the southern part of the valley and created a deep depocenter in the northern part.

The Niagara Escarpment is one of Southern Ontario’s most important landscapes. Due to the nature of the landform and its location, the Escarpment is subject to various development pressures including urban expansion, mineral resource extraction, agricultural practices and recreation. In 1985, Canada’s first large scale environmentally based land use plan was put in place to ensure that only development that is compatible with the Escarpment occurred within the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP). The southern extent of the NEP is of particular interest in this study, since a portion of the Plan is located within the rapidly expanding Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The Plan area located in the Regional Municipalities of Hamilton and Halton represent both urban and rural geographical areas respectively, and are both experiencing development pressures and subsequent changes in land cover. Monitoring initiatives on the NEP have been established, but have done little to identify consistent techniques for monitoring land cover on the Niagara Escarpment. Land cover information is an important part of planning and environmental monitoring initiatives. Remote sensing has the potential to provide frequent and accurate land cover information over various spatial scales. The goal of this research was to examine land cover change in the Regional Municipalities of Hamilton and Halton portions of the NEP. This was achieved through the creation of land cover maps for each region using Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) remotely sensed data. These maps aided in determining the qualitative and quantitative changes that had occurred in the Plan area over a 20 year time period from 1986 to 2006. Change was also examined based on the NEP’s land use designations, to determine if the Plan policy has been effective in protecting the Escarpment. To obtain land cover maps, five different supervised classification methods were explored: Minimum Distance, Mahalanobis Distance, Maximum Likelihood, Object-oriented and Support Vector Machine. Seven land cover classes were mapped (forest, water, recreation, bare agricultural fields, vegetated agricultural fields, urban and mineral resource extraction areas) at a regional scale. SVM proved most successful at mapping land cover on the Escarpment, providing classification maps with an average accuracy of 86.7%. Land cover change analysis showed promising results with an increase in the forested class and only slight increases to the urban and mineral resource extraction classes. Negatively, there was a decrease in agricultural land overall. An examination of land cover change based on the NEP land use designations showed little change, other than change that is regulated under Plan policies, proving the success of the NEP for protecting vital Escarpment lands insofar as this can be revealed through remote sensing. Land cover should be monitored in the NEP consistently over time to ensure changes in the Plan area are compatible with the Niagara Escarpment. Remote sensing is a tool that can provide this information to the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) in a timely, comprehensive and cost-effective way. The information gained from remotely sensed data can aid in environmental monitoring and policy planning into the future.

The Niagara Escarpment is one of Southern Ontario’s most important landscapes. Due to the nature of the landform and its location, the Escarpment is subject to various development pressures including urban expansion, mineral resource extraction, agricultural practices and recreation. In 1985, Canada’s first large scale environmentally based land use plan was put in place to ensure that only development that is compatible with the Escarpment occurred within the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP). The southern extent of the NEP is of particular interest in this study, since a portion of the Plan is located within the rapidly expanding Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The Plan area located in the Regional Municipalities of Hamilton and Halton represent both urban and rural geographical areas respectively, and are both experiencing development pressures and subsequent changes in land cover. Monitoring initiatives on the NEP have been established, but have done little to identify consistent techniques for monitoring land cover on the Niagara Escarpment. Land cover information is an important part of planning and environmental monitoring initiatives. Remote sensing has the potential to provide frequent and accurate land cover information over various spatial scales. The goal of this research was to examine land cover change in the Regional Municipalities of Hamilton and Halton portions of the NEP. This was achieved through the creation of land cover maps for each region using Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) remotely sensed data. These maps aided in determining the qualitative and quantitative changes that had occurred in the Plan area over a 20 year time period from 1986 to 2006. Change was also examined based on the NEP’s land use designations, to determine if the Plan policy has been effective in protecting the Escarpment. To obtain land cover maps, five different supervised classification methods were explored: Minimum Distance, Mahalanobis Distance, Maximum Likelihood, Object-oriented and Support Vector Machine. Seven land cover classes were mapped (forest, water, recreation, bare agricultural fields, vegetated agricultural fields, urban and mineral resource extraction areas) at a regional scale. SVM proved most successful at mapping land cover on the Escarpment, providing classification maps with an average accuracy of 86.7%. Land cover change analysis showed promising results with an increase in the forested class and only slight increases to the urban and mineral resource extraction classes. Negatively, there was a decrease in agricultural land overall. An examination of land cover change based on the NEP land use designations showed little change, other than change that is regulated under Plan policies, proving the success of the NEP for protecting vital Escarpment lands insofar as this can be revealed through remote sensing. Land cover should be monitored in the NEP consistently over time to ensure changes in the Plan area are compatible with the Niagara Escarpment. Remote sensing is a tool that can provide this information to the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) in a timely, comprehensive and cost-effective way. The information gained from remotely sensed data can aid in environmental monitoring and policy planning into the future.

Ooid grainstone reservoir architecture remains poorly understood, particularly because of sedimentologic and stratigraphic heterogeneities that are innate to grainstone body development. Understanding of Geospatial relationships and recovery of hydrocarbons from these significant reservoir facies can be improved with access to outcrop analog information from well exposed examples. Object-based models and other modern subsurface reservoir models are considered superior methods for portraying realistic sediment distributions. These models, however, are highly dependent on input data describing sediment-body geometry for faithful template generation. Such input data are notably rare in carbonate systems. Maps generated from modern depositional patterns give a first approximation of areal distribution, but they are not as useful for understanding final preserved stratigraphic thickness and internal facies, sedimentary structure, and grain-type patterns. For this purpose, studies of exceptional outcrops are required. The 18 km long oblique-dip-oriented wall of the Shattuck Escarpment provides such a unique exposure of Permian-age grainstones. The Shattuck Escarpment in the Guadalupe Mountains provides an oblique-dip profile that exposes a near-complete middle Permian Grayburg mixed clastic-carbonate shelf succession of three high-frequency sequences which contain 30 high-frequency cycles. Particularly important for this study are the four cycles that display full updip to downdip extents of ooid grainstone tidal bar and tidal delta objects. The data from the Shattuck wall presented in this paper focusses on the transgressive portion of the upper Grayburg, or G12 high-frequency sequence (HFS), located 5 km landward of the time-equivalent shelf margin. This interval is an analog for productive fields along the northwest shelf of the Delaware Basin and on the eastern flank of the Central Basin Platform. The goal of this project is to understand the sedimentology and facies/cycle architectural variability of tidally influenced shelf crest ooid grainstones of the Grayburg Formation. Comparing this outcrop data to modern grainstone deposits allows the reader to understand the small-scale and large-scale sedimentologic and architectural patterns in analogous subsurface ooid grainstone reservoirs. Spatial analysis of these cycles was carried out using measured sections and GigaPan (high resolution photomosaic) data. Petrophysical (Porosity and Permeability) data was collected from three separate vertical core plug transects approximately 1 km apart with a vertical resolution of 30 cm. Cycle-set-scale grainstone complexes up to 6m thick extend at least 4.25 km along depositional dip and show variations in permeability between 6-400 mD and porosities between 8-20% within the lower portions of the grainstone complex. / text

As urban areas continue to expand into rural areas the world is experiencing a loss of productive agricultural land and diminishing natural habitats and associated ecosystems. The space where urban meets rural is known as the rural-urban fringe and what happens in these areas ultimately determines urban development patterns. Despite being such an important area, the rural-urban fringe is poorly understood and is often described as a “blurry” space – blurry in land patterns because it is where multiple uses collide and in how individuals interact in this space (since actors with often diverse opinions on how land should be used coexist there). Furthermore, there is no single body of scholarly literature that explains why and how decisions get made in rural-urban fringe areas. This thesis contributes to filling this gap in literature by helping to (i) understand and explain decision-making processes at the rural-urban fringe; (ii) create an analytical framework for understanding decision-making dynamics at the rural-urban fringe within two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves: the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve, South Africa and the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve, Canada; and (iii) construct a theory of decision-making for better outcomes at the rural-urban fringe. The analytical framework is divided into two parts with components drawn from problem-solving (including governance and management) and critical (critical political economy and resilience) theories. The premise is that each part contributes to a holistic understanding that they cannot accomplish on their own. The analytical framework is used as the analytical platform for consideration of the research data and is the basis on which the thesis’ theoretical contribution is built. Specifically, each case study is first examined within the context of existing governance and management processes. This reveals the character of key issues and dynamics and the resulting policy responses. The cases are then located within the broader analytical contexts of critical political economy and resilience. This reveals the historical and structural dynamics often overlooked or neglected in problem-solving approaches. The thesis reveals that in both case studies, government policy notwithstanding, decision-making within the rural-urban fringe is primarily determined by neoliberal ideologies of economic development and ‘return on investment’. What emerges from the application of the analytical framework to the two case studies is a theory of decision-making for better outcomes at the rural-urban fringe wherein "better" means a process for achieving outcomes in line with the stated goals of policies and plans, generally framed by the idea of sustainable development. The theory asserts that effective decision-making for environmentally sustainable and socially equitable outcomes at the rural-urban fringe requires six conditions to be in place: (1) sufficient economic resources; (2) adequate knowledge; (3) forgiving time scale; (4) capable state; (5) robust legal structure; (6) favorable global context. All six are important though at this stage it cannot be said with absolute certainty whether better-for-all decisions may emerge in the absence of one or more of these conditions. This theory makes a meaningful contribution to the scholarship on the rural-urban fringe and advances knowledge by articulating a new integrated approach to better decision-making that addresses the explanatory weaknesses identified by this thesis for each of the five bodies of literature considered.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2005. Graduate Programme in Environmental Studies. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 242-265). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR19834

Este trabalho consiste no estudo da adaptação da rede de drenagem ao embasamento litológico e estrutural em uma área interplanáltica, mediada por uma faixa de escarpamento. A área-foco da pesquisa é a bacia do ribeirão das Laranjeiras, tributário do rio Juquiá-Guaçu e localizado no sopé da Serra de Paranapiacaba. O principal problema da pesquisa é a hipótese da ocorrência de uma captura fluvial do rio Sorocabuçu, situado em nível de base mais elevado, pelo ribeirão das Laranjeiras. A metodologia partiu do exame de Modelos Digitais de Elevação e mapeamentos topográficos e geológicos anteriores, posteriormente submetidos a cálculos morfométricos específicos. Os procedimentos consistiram da identificação de feições de relevo incidentes na bacia (por meio do traçado do Esboço Geomorfológico e do reconhecimento de lineamentos); da investigação sobre a retração da frente escarpada; e da análise das curvas hipsométricas, geometria e perfis longitudinais dos canais mais representativos da bacia. Em seguida, foram examinadas as prováveis ocorrências de rearranjos de drenagem na área, manifestas por capturas fluviais e decapitações, correlacionando-as com as evidências previamente obtidas no estudo morfométrico. Entre os resultados principais, foi demonstrado que a rede hidrográfica em questão é condicionada por diversos fatores de ordem litológica e estrutural, que terminam por orientar os canais afluentes, bem como o canal principal (o ribeirão das Laranjeiras). Estas estruturas são, em geral, sistemas de juntas e falhas do Paleozóico em direção NE-SW. Entretanto, a bacia é seccionada por uma possível falha mais recente, intitulada Falha de Itanhaém, transcorrente dextral e orientada a NW-SE, que atuou como zona de fraqueza e favoreceu a captura do rio Sorocabuçu pelo ribeirão das Laranjeiras. Por fim, discute-se o recuo erosivo da Serra de Paranapiacaba e sua relação com estas estruturas geológicas e a dinâmica da rede de drenagem local. / This research is a study of the adaptation of the drainage network to a geological and structural base in an interplateau area, which is mediated by a escarpment. The area-focus of the research is the Laranjeiras river basin, tributary of the Juquiá-Guaçu river and located at the footslope of the Paranapiacaba mountain range. The main problem of the research was the hypothesed ocurrence of river piracy of the Sorocabuçu River, located in highest base level, by the Laranjeiras river, on the lowest one. The methodology differed from the exam of Digital Elevation Models and topographic and geological maps, which was subsequently subjected to morphometric specific calculations. The procedures consisted of identifying the relief features in the basin (by tracing the Geomorphological Sketch and lineaments recognition), researching the retration of front scarp and analysing the hypsometric curves, geometry and longitudinal profiles of channels most representatives in the basin. Then, we examined the likely occurrence of rearrangements in the drainage, manifested by river piracies and beheadings, correlating them with the evidence previously obtained in the morphometric study. Among the main results, it was demonstrated that the hydrographic network in question is conditioned by several lithologic and structural factors, which ultimately guide channel tributaries and the main channel (Laranjeiras river). These structures are, in general, systems of joints and faults from Paleozoic, in the NE-SW direction. However, the basin is cut by a possible, recent fault, titled Itanhaém fault, rightlateral strike-slip, oriented to NW-SE. This acts as a zone of weakness and favors carving and capturing of the Sorocabuçu river by Laranjeiras river. Finally, we discuss the retraction of the Paranapiacaba mountain range and its relationship with these geological structures and the dynamics of the local drainage.

Stream capture is a major driver of the retreat of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, but timescales of capture are not well understood. This study examines stream sediment geochemistry to establish a set of sediment source fingerprints which can be used to identify and date the capture of the Tallulah River. Statistical analyses show significant differences in U, Th, and certain REE enrichment. These differences result from variations in bedrock along the lengths of each river and a shift in relative stream powers after capture to favor mobilization or deposition of heavy elements. The observed differences should be sufficient to identify where Tallulah sediment appears in floodplains of the capturing Tugaloo River, facilitating future dating of the capture event. Understanding the timing of river capture will provide insight into the ongoing reshaping and redistribution of river systems and interactions of geomorphic processes in the continuing evolution of the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Hillslopes usually have high heterogeneity in terms of landscape processes. Interactions occur between geology, geomorphological processes, and vegetation distribution on a hillslope. This study was undertaken to assess the processes and interactions of geology, regolith production, geomorphological processes, channel formation and how these are influenced by the vegetation on a portion of Mariepskop. Mariepskop forms part of the Drakensberg Escarpment, but is a separate hillslope within the Mpumalanga Province. A north-eastern portion of the Mariepskop forms the study site, with a drainage line located within the site. Deciduous bush covers most of the study site, and grassland patches occur on the southern parts of the study site. Quartz-feldspar-biotite gneiss dominates most of the area with the cliff and higher parts consisting of feldspar-rich schist. Three site visits were undertaken where bedrock geology, weathering, soil formation, erosion, mass movement processes and the drainage channel were assessed. Maps of these processes as well as slope profiling and plan forms were compiled. According to the results, Mariepskop shows heterogeneous processes both laterally and vertically, with various degrees of interactions taking place. Underlying geology, mass movements on higher altitudes, and soil creep on lower altitudes occur on both the northern and southern parts. Processes mainly occurring on the northern part are rockfall from drainage channel incision, weathering, rill erosion and fluvial erosion within the drainage channel. Main processes on the southern part are mass movement in term form of slumping/debris flow, and erosion, in particular rainsplash and overland flow. Soil is deeper on northern part than on southern part of the study site. Geomorphological processes interact with the vegetation distribution over the study area. Grassland patches on the southern part of the study site are mainly due to slumping/debris flow, rainsplash erosion, convexity of the plan form (therefore no valleys) and oxidic soils occurrence. Similar geomorphological processes will probably influence grassland patches over the rest of Mariepskop. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / unrestricted

The East African Rift System diverges in the Lake Natron Basin of Northern Tanzania and is a major zone of continental extension and crustal thinning with resulting in active tectonics and volcanism. The discovery of Acheulean technology in Olduvai Gorge and Peninj as well as the presence of significant volcanic centers, has made in the region subject to studies in various disciplines. However, lack of precise radiometric age constraints due to the complex geology of the region is a major drawback. The basin is bordered on the western side by an escarpment that contains thick sequences of volcanic (nephelinites, basanites, hawaiites, alkali basalts), volcaniclastic and lacustrine strata that predates 1.2 Ma. This thesis is based on 41 rock samples that were collected from two geological sections, the Endukai Kete (EK) and Waterfall (WF) sections and aims to establish a preliminary geomagnetic polarity time scale (GPTS) for the Natron Escarpment, together with establishing possible flow directions of the volcanic lavas within these sections. Nephelinites of EK section have an inferred NW-SE direction of flow, based on study of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility. They record a normal polarity that most likely correspond to the Cobb Mountain Event (CMT; 1.187-1.208 Ma), although there is an 80-ka discrepancy between the CMT event and the dated lavas. The most probable source is the Mosonik that erupted nephelinitic lavas 1.28 Ma ago. The palagonitic tuff layer below the nephelinites displays reverse polarity and a NE-SW direction of flow. Due to the absence of approximately 200 m strata within the basanite series of the section, regional lithological correlation is used to constrain the GPTS pattern. Hajaro Beds of the Peninj Group to the north of the escarpment, postdates the Olduvai Event (1.71 to 1.86 Ma) and lacustrine strata of the escarpment for EK and WF sections are deposited over the same unconformity and share depositional similarities. Therefore, the lacustrine strata are correlative to Hajaro beds and the normal event observed within the basanite series of both sections is attributed to the Réunion Event (2.116 – 2.137 Ma). The establishment of a preliminary magnetostratigraphic sequence presented in this thesis demonstrate that the rift escarpment in northern Tanzania is suitable for paleomagnetic dating. Future studies should be conducted to establish a more detailed and constrained magnetostratigraphic section, which will be of great use in this part of the African Rift where radiometric dating has been challenging.