xvi, 136 p. : ill. (some col.) A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / This dissertation discusses the contribution of deep-seated landslides and earthflows to the morphology, erosion, and evolution of mountainous landscapes, focusing on the northern California Coast Ranges. In active landscapes, channel incision is necessary to create relief but also increases stresses in adjacent hillslopes, ultimately leading to slope failure. While conceptually simple, the spatial relationships between channel incision and landsliding have not been well quantified. Along the South Fork Eel River, I mapped the distribution of deep-seated landslides using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) derived maps. Landslide density increases in regions subject to late Pleistocene-Holocene channel incision and particularly in response to lateral incision at the apex of meander bends. Wavelet analysis of channel sinuosity reveals hillslopes are most sensitive to meander wavelengths of 1.5 km. Argillaceous lithology generates abundant earthflow activity along the main stem Eel River, yet spatial and temporal patterns of earthflow movement are poorly understood. I undertook a detailed study of the Kekawaka Earthflow using LiDAR, meteoric 10 Be in soil, orthorectified historical aerial photographs, and field surveys. Inventories of 10 Be in soil pits increase systematically downslope, indicate an average movement rate of 2.1 ± 1.3 m/a over the past 150 years, and establish a minimum earthflow age of 1700 years. The Kekawaka earthflow has a systematic history of movement, both spatially, with greatest movement in the narrow transport zone, and temporally, as velocities peaked in the 1960's and have slowed since 1981. I used LiDAR and aerial photographs to map earthflow movement and calculate sediment flux across 226 km 2 of the main stem Eel River. From 1944-2006, 7.3% of the study area was active, and earthflows account for an erosion rate of 0.53 ± 0.04 mm/a, over half the regional average sediment yield. Velocity time series on 17 earthflows suggest temporal earthflow behavior is influenced by decadal-scale changes in precipitation, temperature, and river discharge, although local topographic factors can overwhelm this climatic signal. When active, earthflows erode an order of magnitude faster than surrounding terrain; however, source supply limitations appear to govern long- term earthflow evolution. This dissertation includes previously published coauthored material. / Committee in charge: Joshua Roering, Chairperson, Geological Sciences; Ilya Bindeman, Member, Geological Sciences; Dean Livelybrooks, Member, Physics; Ray Weldon, Member, Geological Sciences; W. Andrew Marcus, Outside Member, Geography

The changes in the occurrence of amphibian were monitored in the region of Novohradske mountains and in its foothills in seasons 2009-2010. Observation was focused on the presence of 11 species of amphibian in 31 selected locations. The results confirmed a significant decrease in the frequency of the species: Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), Alpine Newt (Mesotriton alpestris), Warty Newt (Triturus cristatus) and synklepton Pelophylax synklepton esculentus. A mild decrease by European Tree Frog (Hyla arborea) and Common Spadefood (Pelobates fuscus). The balanced condition was found out by Fired Bellied Toad (Bombina bombina) and Yellow Bellied Toad (Bombina variegata), Common Toad (Bufo bufo), Grass Frog (Rana temporaria), Moor Frog (Rana arvalis) and Agile Frog (Rana dalmatina). Species were determined according to morphological characters. Observed data were compared with results of surveys of monitored sites from years 1999-2004.

Submitted thesis titled "Teaching of the Local Region at the Second Grade of Elementary School on the Example of Trhosvinensko Region" is composed of a theoretical and a practical part. The theoretical part is interested in the characteristic of the local region and its position in educational areas. The practical part summarizes the findings gained on the basis of empirical research of ways of teaching at elementary schools and at the lower grades of grammar schools. In accordance with the research I try to suggest my own conception of teaching Trhosvinensko region (the methods of teaching, the excursion, the educational project and workbooks) that is based on the Framework Education Programme for Basic Education.

The aim of this thesis was to find out and map the occurrence of elm trees in Novohradske Mountains and in parts of the surrounding foothills. There is a natural occurrence of Wych elm (Ulmus glabra) on the respective territory which was confirmed by my research. I also managed to find six Field elm trees (Ulmus minor) that are not to be found on this territory naturally. A natural occurrence and purposeful growing of Wych elm tree (Ulmus glabra) is also proved in historical records dating as far back as 17th century when the respective territory was part of the Buquoy manor. During my field research I was able to find 40 localities with altogether 783 registered elm trees with the height of over 3 m. Researching the records of Forests of the Czech Republic, State Enterprise I also managed to find 10 more locations where I could register only 12 grown elm trees, since the remaining approximately 580 elm trees up to 5 m of height have been planted in the last decade and their numbers will be changing in the following decades as a result of 4 silvicultural measures. It mostly concerns elm trees that can be found in plastic protection or surrounded by forest fences against animal gnawing. It is interesting that there are several over aged specimen mostly in old alleys on the respective territory and all other elm trees do not exceed the estimated age of 50 years.

abstract: Quantifying the temporal and spatial evolution of active continental rifts contributes to our understanding of fault system evolution and seismic hazards. Rift systems also preserve robust paleoenvironmental records and are often characterized by strong climatic gradients that can be used to examine feedbacks between climate and tectonics. In this thesis, I quantify the spatial and temporal history of rift flank uplift by analyzing bedrock river channel profiles along footwall escarpments in the Malawi segment of the East Africa Rift. This work addresses questions that are widely applicable to continental rift settings: (1) Is rift-flank uplift sufficiently described by theoretical elliptical along-fault displacement patterns? (2) Do orographic climate patterns induced by rift topography affect rift-flank uplift or morphology? (3) How do uplift patterns along rift flanks vary over geologic timescales? In Malawi, 100-km-long border faults of alternating polarity bound half-graben sedimentary basins containing up to 4km of basin fill and water depths up to 700m. Orographically driven precipitation produces climatic gradients along footwall escarpments resulting in mean annual rainfall that varies spatially from 800 to 2500 mm. Temporal oscillations in climate have also resulted in lake lowstands 500 m below the modern shoreline. I examine bedrock river profiles crossing the Livingstone and Usisya Border Faults in northern Malawi using the channel steepness index (Ksn) to assess importance of these conditions on rift flank evolution. River profiles reveal a consistent transient pattern that likely preserves a temporal record of slip and erosion along the entire border fault system. These profiles and other topographic observations, along with known modern and paleoenvironmental conditions, can be used to interpret a complete history of rift flank development from the onset of rifting to present. I interpret the morphology of the upland landscape to preserve the onset of extensional faulting across a relict erosion surface. The linkages of individual faults and acceleration of slip during the development of a continuous border fault is suggested by an analysis of knickpoint elevations and Ksn. Finally, these results suggest that the modern observed climate gradient only began to significantly affect denudation patterns once a high relief rift flank was established. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Geological Sciences 2014

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O estado de Roraima é marcado por uma diversificação de paisagens diferenciadas em relação a outras porções da Amazônia brasileira. Neste cenário destaca-se a paisagem da porção norte do estado, constituída por unidades de relevo que podem atingir cerca de 2.800 metros de altitude. Dentre estas elevações destacam-se os relevos tabulares, com morfologias de grandes mesas com topo plano, conhecidos regionalmente por tepuis. Neste panorama, apresenta-se com grande importância a serra do Tepequém, localizada na porção norte do estado, classificada pela literatura atual como um relevo tabular, porém em seu interior, notam-se rugosidades que propiciam um desnível altimétrico de mais de 600 metros em seu topo. Com o avanço de pesquisas atuais e de novas tecnologias para o mapeamento, utilizando técnicas de geoprocessamento em ambiente de Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG), e imagens de sensores remotos, pode-se identificar formas de relevo diversificadas no topo da serra. Em função da complexidade morfológica da área, este estudo visa classificar as formas de relevo que compõe a paisagem da serra do Tepequém, através do mapeamento de unidades morfoestruturais, utilizando técnicas fotointerpretativas e de geoprocessamento com uso de imagens de sensores remotos, dados altimétricos e de campo. Os procedimentos aplicados seguiram metodologias desenvolvidas a partir de analises para o reconhecimento de elementos naturais da paisagem (drenagem e relevo), através da caracterização das propriedades texturais, em imagens ópticas dos sensores TM, LISS-III e PRISM e SAR/SIPAM, e interpretação de áreas delimitadas por linhas isomorfoestruturais, gerando produtos como mapas temáticos específicos e imagens integradas digitalmente. A análise morfoestrutural identificou uma estrutura elaborada em um sinclinório assimétrico com eixo preferencial NE-SW, com dobras de menor expressão em seu interflanco (sinformes e antiforme) e blocos basculados gerados a partir de falhas normais e transcorrentes, condicionando variadas formas de relevo no topo da serra. Entre estas destacam-se: a) escarpas de recuo de falha; b) encostas íngremes; c) morros residuais alinhados, orientados nas direções NE-SW e E-W; d) vales encaixados e f) planícies intermontanas. Essas diversas formas desqualificam o relevo do tipo tabular para a serra do Tepequém. A compreensão dos processos morfoestruturais atuantes na construção e sustentação dessas formas de relevo, constitui-se em um passo importante para o entendimento da evolução da paisagem. / The state of Roraima is marked by a diversity of landscapes differentiated relative to other portions of the Brazilian Amazon. In this scenario stands out the landscape of the northern portion of the state, consists of units which relief can reach about 2,800 feet. Among these elevations stand out reliefs tabular morphologies with large tables with flat top, known regionally for tepuis. In this scenario, is presented with a mountain of great importance Tepequém, located in the northern portion of the state, classified by current literature as a table relief, But inside are noticeable roughness altimeter that provide a gap of over 600 feet at its top. With the advancement of current research and new technologies for mapping using GIS techniques and remote sensing images, can identify diverse landforms diversified on top of the mountain. Due to the morphological complexity of the area, this study aims to classify the landforms that make up the landscape of the Tepequém mountain by mapping units morphostructural using geoprocessing techniques and photointerpretative and with use of remote sensing images, altimetry data and field. The following procedures apply methodologies developed from analysis for the recognition of natural elements of the landscape (drainage and relief), by characterizing textural properties in optical imaging TM, LISS-III and PRISM and SAR / SIPAM sensor and interpretation of areas bounded by lines isomorphostructural, generating specific products such as thematic maps and images digitally integrated. The analysis identified morphostructural an elaborate structure in an asymmetric synclinorium with preferential NE-SW axis, with fold lower expression in his side (sinformes and antiform) and tilted fault blocks generated from normal and transcurrent faults, conditioning varied landforms on top the mountain. Among these are: a) fault scarps retreat b) steep slopes, c) residual hills NE-SW and E-W aligned d) valleys f) intermontains plains. These various forms disqualify relief tabular type to the Tepequém mountain. Understanding the processes morphostructural active in building and sustaining these landforms, it constitutes an important step in understanding the evolution of the landscape.

Glacial runoff from the Tian Shan and Altai Mountains is an important water resource, especially for people living in the arid areas of Central Asia. Measured water volumes from glaciers have decreased, and glacier area have shrunk with 50-90% since the Little Ice Age. Lack of knowledge regarding glaciers in high mountain areas, and the impact from climate change makes this an important field to investigate. This thesis focuses on topographic features and their impact on spatial glaciation patterns; today and during the global last glacial maximum, 19-30 thousand years ago (ka). From selected marginal moraines in the Tian Shan and Altai mountains, with a deglaciation age between 19-30 ka, an analysis was created in ArcMap (GIS, Geographic Information System) with 1 arc second resolution ASTER GDEM2 (Digital Elevation Model) and in Google Earth. An elevation profile, hypsometry and mapping were created for the analysis. The interpretations made from the limited dataset resulted in topographic features affecting the glaciation extension today and percentage of decreasing glacier area since 19-30 ka, to be connected to north/south-facing direction of the drainage area and the elevation. Drainage areas experiencing the highest percentage of glacial shrinkage were southfacing and/or at elevation below 3961 m a.s.l. / Central Asia Paleoglaciology Project

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