Abstract: In this field, several erroneous theories had long been accepted as fundamental laws and formulas. Recent corrections to these misconceptions were made possible through the application of Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA). This article outlines how EDA contributed to these breakthroughs and offers a brief guide for those wishing to begin using it themselves.

Abstract: Accurate numerical simulation of debris flows is essential for hazard assessment and early-warning design, yet high-fidelity solvers remain computationally expensive, especially when large ensembles of scenarios must be explored under epistemic uncertainty in rheology, initial conditions, and topography. At the same time, field observations are typically sparse and heterogeneous, limiting the direct use of purely data-driven approaches. In this work, we develop a Deep-Learning Fourier Neural Operator (FNO) as a fast and accurate surrogate for one-dimensional shallow-water debris-flow simulations, and we demonstrate its application to characterizing the Rendinara–Morino debris-flow system in central Italy. A validated finite-volume solver with HLLC and Rusanov fluxes, Voellmy-type basal friction, hydrostatic reconstruction, and robust wet–dry treatment is used to generate a large ensemble of synthetic simulations over longitudinal profiles representative of the study area. The parameter space of bulk density, initial flow thickness, and Voellmy friction coefficients is systematically sampled, and the resulting space–time fields of flow depth and velocity form the training dataset. A two-dimensional FNO in the (x,t) plane is trained to map coordinates, rheological parameters, bed elevation, and initial conditions to the full evolution of depth and velocity. On a held-out validation set, the surrogate attains mean relative L2 errors below about 6% for flow depth and 10–15% for velocity, including prediction on an unseen topographic profile, while providing speed-ups of up to 36× (several orders of magnitude) compared to the numerical solver. These results show that combining physics-based synthetic data with operator-learning architectures enables the construction of site-specific, computationally efficient surrogates for debris-flow hazard analysis in data-scarce environments.

Abstract: By visualising seismic data in three dimensions, it becomes evident that epicentres cluster along interfaces formed by colliding plates. These interfaces appear to be solid structures, established years before the mainshock, and remain largely stationary even after the event concludes. Major earthquakes tend to occur along such surfaces, and because seismic ac-tivity increases in these regions prior to a mainshock, their observation may provide a ba-sis for earthquake prediction. With plate positions near Japan now more clearly defined, existing models require revision. Furthermore, analysis reveals that both the number of aftershocks and the seismic energy released during a mainshock decay with distinct half-lives. This represents a fundamentally different decay pattern from the formula long regarded as correct. Employing modern statistical methods therefore yields more accurate insights, essential both for advancing our understanding of earthquake mechanisms and for improving predictive capability.

Abstract: Airborne natural-source electromagnetic methods are increasingly applied in mineral exploration, yet direct comparisons between different passive systems remain limited. This study evaluates the performance of the broadband, total-field MobileMT system relative to the ZTEM tipper method using coincident survey data acquired over the El Teniente and La Huifa porphyry deposits in central Chile. MobileMT applies classical magnetotelluric principles to airborne three-component magnetic measurements and a stationary electric-field reference, producing broadband admittance tensors and rotationally invariant responses across 30 narrow frequency windows. The results show that MobileMT achieves superior geological resolution even in the presence of a strong cultural noise (El-Teniente), and in low-noise conditions (La Huifa) due to greater usable bandwidth, and improved sensitivity to both shallow and deep conductivity structures. At El Teniente, ZTEM data are strongly affected by powerline interference, limiting usable bandwidth and obscuring conductive alteration zones, whereas MobileMT retains coherent responses and resolves potassic cores, alteration shells, and subvertical feeder structures. At La Huifa, where cultural noise is minimal, ZTEM still produces comparatively weak, laterally incoherent anomalies, while MobileMT defines a continuous structural corridor and the vertical extent of the porphyry system. These findings demonstrate that broadband total-field airborne MT provides enhanced geological resolution and depth penetration in rugged terrain and culturally noisy environments, offering clear advantages for porphyry exploration.

Abstract: Oil and gas exploration conducted in the main fault zone of the Fuman Oilfield has yielded large-scale and high-production results. Against this background, the non-fault zone has emerged as a new domain for oil exploration endeavors. Nevertheless, the establishment of a unified sequence division scheme for the study area remains unachieved, primarily constrained by two key factors: first, the high costs associated with ultra-deep high-density coring operations; and second, the inconspicuous response characteristics exhibited by logging curves. This absence of a standardized scheme has further impeded the progress of oil and gas exploration in the non-main fault inter-region within the study area. Consequently, the present study is based on multi-source data, including seismic data, logging data, and field outcrop data. The magnetic susceptibility of the cement plant section and the natural gamma data sequence of the Yangjikan section were measured for cyclostratigraphy analysis. The sedimentary noise model was introduced to reconstruct the sea level, and the sequence division scheme of the Fuman area was discussed. The results show that the Middle-Lower Ordovician Yijianfang Formation-Penglaiba Formation preserves relatively intact astronomical signals. The DYNOT model reconstructs a good correspondence between sea level rise and fall and field characteristics, which can be used as a new method for sequence division in this area. Finally, the third-order and fourth-order sequence division schemes in Fuman area are proposed. The Yijianfang Formation-Penglaiba Formation is divided into 4 third-order sequences and 11 fourth-order sequences, which provides a basis for the characterization of dominant facies belts in Fuman area and regional exploration between non-faults.

Abstract: In 2023-2025, a research named “Application of nuclear, seismic and infrasound methods for assessing climate change and mitigating the effects of climate change” was conducted in Kazakhstan under the Targeted Funding Program. The main task of the research was to create an observation network for processes occurring in the glaciers of the high Tien Shan. Seismic and infrasound methods were used for signal recording, and meteorological data was additionally used for the analysis. A network of seismic, infrasound and meteorological stations has been installed near the large glaciers of Tien Shan in Kazakhstan. The paper presents the results of the recorded data in terms of seismic and infrasound noise levels, its daily variations, and the relationship between noise and changes in temperature and wind speed. The threshold of the expected minimal magnitude and energy classes of glacial earthquakes for day and night was assessed. Seismic and infrasound monitoring has proven to be a reliable, all-season and all-weather tool for monitoring the dynamics of glacial processes. Among huge number of recorded glacial events, more than 4,000 have been located, and a seismic bulletin that includes information on location, magnitude and energy class of each even has been compiled.

Abstract: New Zealand, located along the boundary between the Pacific and Australian plates, is among the most seismically active regions in the world. In such an area, reliable short-term forecasting of strong aftershocks is essential for seismic risk mitigation. In this study, we apply NESTORE (NExt STRong Related Earthquake), a machine learning probabilistic forecasting algorithm, to the New Zealand earthquake catalogue to evaluate the probability that a mainshock of magnitude Mm will be followed by an event of magnitude ≥ Mm –1 within a defined space–time window. NESTORE uses nine features describing early post-mainshock seismicity and outputs the probability that a cluster is Type A (i.e., containing a strong aftershock) or not (Type B). We assess performance using two testing strategies: chronological training–testing splits and k-fold cross-validation, and refine the training set using the REPENESE outlier-detection procedure. The k-fold approach proves more robust than the chronological one, despite changes in catalogue characteristics over time. Eighteen hours after the mainshock, NESTORE correctly classified 88% of clusters (77% for Type A and 92% for Type B). Notably, the highly destructive 2010–2011 Canterbury–Christchurch sequence was correctly identified as Type A. These findings support the applicability of NESTORE for short-term aftershock forecasting in New Zealand.

Abstract: Analysing seismic data with modern statistical methods has opened up the possibility of predicting major earthquakes and those of specific magnitudes. However, comprehensive analysis for each location is particularly labour-intensive, while such data necessitates continuous observation. It is therefore desirable to detect anomalies with ease. We demonstrate that this objective can be achieved not by examining complex regional ge-ometries, but simply by dividing the study area into a mesh. Moreover, unexpected properties emerged from the data collected in this manner, which we also present.

Abstract: During the magmatic stage, base and rarer metals segregate from silicate melts to form ore deposits. The usual case is the porphyry (PD) type (Cu, Mo, W) above subduction zones. The metal grade increases from some ppb or ppm up to percent levels. A new type of trans-porphyry (TPD) deposits (Sn, Ta, Nb, gems) results from large-scale shear between cratons within continental plates, internal decoupling and vertical motion. The bulk ore generation process develops along three stages, from magma generation; emplacement; and formation of an immiscible magmatic phase (MIP), fluids and melt. However, in TPD, metals segregate from the crust during melting below 800 °C, breakdown of biotites, and the melt remains below the critical point (731 °C). Fluids advection competes with chemical diffusion yielding the required enrichment. The subcritical MIP splits into a silicate-rich and an aqueous rich phase, both incompatible with each other. Granite, pegmatites and greisen coexist in the magma chamber. Their respective extraction from a composite mush involves electrons exchanges between charges, or orbitals, yielding metal oxides through chemical diffusion. In contrast, metals (Nb, Ta) observed in pegmatites, and also in gems, electrons rearrange their electronic cloud through its polarizability. At last, gems independently grow under the influence of the extremely hard fluids (Li, Be, B). Magma generation, involving the lower crust (garnet, pyroxene) result in melts that form the two observed pegmatites groups (NYF, LCT)., each being associated with alkaline (A-type) or continental (S-type) granitic melts.

Abstract: The TCGS-SEQUENTION framework, a timeless ontology constructed upon a 4D "timeless counterspace" (C) from which the observable 3D world (Σ) is projected, has historically faced the central empirical challenge of distinguishing true 4D "slice-invariants" from 3D "foliation-dependent artifacts." This report, an augmented version of our foundational synthesis, demonstrates that this challenge is now met by a robust, two-pillar empirical foundation from the geological sciences. Pillar I (The Slice) utilizes the geochemical analysis of Chicxulub impact spherules. This work provides a non-trivial anchor for the framework’s core *ontology*, by chemically separating, within a single co-genetic set of samples, a static, mass-independent *source invariant* (the 17-25% impactor contribution) from a dynamic, mass-dependent *process artifact* (the δ25Mg fractionation signature). Pillar II (The Foliation) utilizes the geophysical analysis of the Geological Time Scale. This work provides an anchor for the framework’s core *geometry*, demonstrating that the "timeline" of geological events is not a human convention but a "scaling (hence hierarchical) ’megaclimate’ regime" with a quantifiable "multifractal" structure. We demonstrate that the "Compound Multifractal-Poisson Process" (CMPP) proposed by Lovejoy et al. is a direct, testable empirical model of the TCGS projection mechanism (X : C → Σ). Together, these findings provide a powerful, multi-domain validation of the framework’s core axioms (A2, A3, A4) and its associated "Gravito-Capillary Foam" model.

Abstract: The article presents the results of research conducted on several rare metal deposits and ore occurrences within the North-Western Kalba region (Eastern Kazakhstan). The high demand for rare metals such as Li, Ta, Cs, Be, Sn, and the limited study of this region, are the driving factors behind the interest in this area. The article provides data on the geological structure of several ore occurrences, as well as the results of mineralogical and geochemical studies of granites, pegmatites, and greisen. Based on the analysis of the obtained results, it is concluded that all the rare metal deposits in North-Western Kalba formed through a unified process of differentiation of the parental magmas of the Kalba granite complex. It is suggested that the North-Western Kalba region could be considered promising for the discovery of new rare metal deposits.

Abstract: Modern statistical techniques allow quantitative characterization of seismic activity. Analysis of the 2011 Tohoku megathrust earthquake revealed clear precursory signals: shortened inter-event intervals, increased magnitude scale (σ), and a pronounced precur-sory swarm immediately before the mainshock. While unique to this magnitude 9 event, here I present subtler anomalies may precede magnitude 7-class events, especially when swarms occur. In such cases, magnitude distributions often differ from background seis-micity, frequently showing elevated location (μ) and scale (σ). Conversely, σ was some-times reduced, particularly in volcanic regions, where large earthquakes may occur with-out discernible swarms. Detection of swarm activity and analysis of magnitude parame-ters thus remain central to seismic risk assessment. If swarm characteristics resemble background levels, the likelihood of a major event is presumably low. However, the dis-tinct, immediate precursory swarm observed before the Tohoku earthquake was not repli-cated elsewhere. These findings indicate that statistical anomalies may signal elevated risk but are unlikely to enable precise temporal prediction of seismic events.

Abstract: Based on the author's self-developed Seismo-Geothermal Theory (SGT) system, this paper uses the M 4.0+ earthquake catalog of China and surrounding areas from the California Earthquake Center, USA, to determine the geographical and three-dimensional spatial distribution characteristics of earthquakes and volcanoes in the study area, the temporal progression of sub-crustal earthquakes, and the relationship between the stratified activity of Seismic Cone Tectonics (SCT) and strong intra-crustal earthquakes. It conducts detailed yet concise studies on 6 SCTs closely related to the study area, preliminarily depicting the surrounding environment of seismic activity in China, and introduces the concept of the upper mantle T-type tectonic belt, which spans the junction of the Pacific Ocean and the Eurasian continent. Operating in the mode of "T-type tectonic belt providing energy for the SCT driving layer → active layer conversion → energy storage layer accumulation → dissipation layer rupture leading to intra-crustal strong earthquakes and/or volcanic eruptions", it may become a powerful driver and source of power for seismic activity in China and surrounding areas. Sub-crustal earthquakes are an important geophysical parameter of the upper mantle that can currently be detected by human seismic instruments, and the stratified activity ε₀ values of sub-crustal earthquakes may also become a predictive indicator for strong intra-crustal earthquakes. On this basis, it may be possible to use multiple precursor indicators to explore the possibility of future moderate to strong seismic activity in the study area, contributing to mitigating disasters caused by intra-crustal strong earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Abstract: Long-term monitoring of radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) radioactive gases has been used in earthquake forecasting. Seismic activity before earthquakes raise the levels of these gases, causing abnormalities in the baseline values of Radon and Thoron Time Series (RTTS) data. This study reports applications of Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and Wavelet-Based Density Estimation (WBDE) to detect anomalies in radon, thoron, and meteorological time-series data. Anomalies appearing in the RTTS data have been assessed for their potential correlation with seismic events. Using KDE and WBDE, radon anomalies were observed on March 12, August 15, September 17, in the year 2017, and January 19, 2018. Thoron anomalies were recorded on March 12, August 15, September 17, 2017, and February 28, 2018. Irregularities in RTTS were observed several days before seismic events. Anomalies in RTTS, detected using KDE, successfully correlated five out of nine seismic events while WBDE identified four anomalies in RTTS which were successfully correlated with the corresponding seismic events. The wavelet transform has been used to reduce noise at higher decomposition levels in radon and thoron time series. Findings of the study reveal the potential of radon and thoron time series that can be used as precursors for earthquake forecasting.

Abstract: Saudi Arabia is experiencing interactions between ongoing urbanization, tourism growth, infrastructure projects in western regions along the Red Sea, and volcanic hazards. The area contains extensive monogenetic volcanic fields with hundreds of volcanoes formed during the Quaternary period. The large scale of the region contributes to volcanological research often being limited and fragmented, resulting in insufficient age and chemical data for understanding the spatial and temporal development of many volcanic fields. Increased tourism has created a need for volcanic hazard as-sessments, particularly since some volcanic fields are considered as possible tourist destinations. Harrat Lunayyir, in northwestern Saudi Arabia, is an example where such assessments have been conducted. Hazard assessments seek to provide infor-mation about potential future eruption types, locations, and impacts over timeframes relevant to urban planning and risk management. Due to rapid local development, these assessments may be required on short notice for specific small areas within larg-er volcanic fields, even when geological data are limited. This report presents a deter-ministic, scenario-based method for addressing such requests in the Lunayyir Volcanic Field. Results indicate a young Holocene eruption site characterized by a complex sco-ria cone associated with lava spattering, Strombolian, violent Strombolian activity and extensive transitional type lava effusion.

Abstract:

The Itombwe belt is a North-South oriented structure which belongs to the Neoproterozoic rift system of central Africa including at least four troughs folded during the Pan-African orogeny. This Neoproterozoic rift located inside the Congo craton is tectonically dependent of the far away (400 to 800 km) Pan-African belts surrounding the Congo Craton. The N-S opening of this Itombwe structure around 662 Ma and its folding by 550 Ma is linked to the eastern Pan-African Mozambique belt and to the Southern Lufilian belt (Katanga). This study includes geological observations from the thin section to the regional scale deformations. The model is compared to similar regional rift systems such as the Tertiary Mid-European and the East African rifts. An overall geodynamic explanation based on field studies and radiometric data is proposed.

Abstract: The seismicity of the Salton Trough area over the past 2,000 years has been linked to the repeated flooding of Lake Cahuilla, whose modern successor is the Salton Sea, suggesting that the lake's water content may have triggered seismicity through the propagation of pore pressure. In this paper, earthquake data since 1900 are analyzed to compare this hypothesis with the alternative that seismicity is triggered by groundwater recharge. Statistical methods were used to assess the degree of time correlation between the occurrence of Mw≥5.7 earthquakes, Salton Sea level fluctuations, and subsurface water recharge, using the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) as a proxy. The results show that only PDSI correlates well with seismicity, indicating that groundwater recharge should be preferred over Salton Sea level rise as a possible triggering factor. In particular, the drastic drop in seismicity over the past 38 years (just one earthquake compared to 14 in the previous 88 years, averaging one every 6.3 years) may be related to the series of extreme drought phases of the last few decades, particularly to the megadrought of 2000-2021. A similar correlation applies to the rest of Southern California, leading to the postulation of large-scale processes that act beyond strictly local climate and geological conditions. The statistical result is not sufficient to prove a causal relationship, but it may help guide further investigations. It suggests focusing on mechanisms related to the infiltration of meteoric water at depth rather than on water accumulation in the lake.

Abstract: The Nezamabad Fault System (NFS) in the Fars area of the Zagros Fold–Thrust Belt represents a persistent, basement-rooted transverse shear zone that fundamentally controls the regional hydrocarbon system. This study integrates seismicity distribution, isopach analysis, and tectono-stratigraphic modeling from the Triassic to the Cenozoic to unravel how recurrent basement reactivation governs trap evolution. Isopach maps reveal a pronounced southwest-thickening asymmetry, with Triassic successions exceeding 1,400 meters, indicating long-term differential subsidence during four key phases: (1) Triassic syn-rift salt accumulation (Dashtak Formation) forming the primary detachment; (2) Jurassic–Early Cretaceous passive subsidence promoting source rock deposition; (3) Mid-Cretaceous transpression enhancing reservoir dolomitization; and (4) Late Cretaceous–Cenozoic inversion generating hybrid traps. Seismicity analysis of over 240 events confirms the 256-km-long NFS is a crustal-scale structure, with most foci at 10–33 km depth and others extending to 150 km, implying lithospheric stress transfer. This deep-crustal activity has periodically reorganized stress, enhanced fracture permeability, and rejuvenated traps through seismic pumping and cross-scale mechanical coupling. The results demonstrate that hydrocarbons in the Fars area are not a passive outcome of folding but a dynamic expression of lithospheric coupling. The findings establish a predictive framework for identifying analogous basement-influenced petroleum systems in other foreland fold–thrust belts worldwide.

Abstract: This paper presents the development of OpenCHIRP, an innovative subbottom profiler (SBP) designed for high-resolution seismic reflection surveys in shallow-water marine and lacustrine environments. The instrument employs chirped (frequency- modulated) im-pulses to penetrate the first few meters of sediments below the seafloor. Key characteristics include low cost, lightweight, and low energy consumption, making it particularly suita-ble for deployment onboard Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs). We discuss design, functionality, and potential applications of this innovative instrument, as well as results of the preliminary tests. All information necessary to reproduce the OpenCHIRP isare in-cluded in this paper.

Abstract: The estimation of subsurface seismic velocities is fundamental in seismic data processing, as it enables the accurate positioning of reflections and diffractions within the subsurface. However, traditional methods often face challenges in scenarios characterized by strong velocity contrasts, blind zones, and complex geological structures, which limit the reliability of the resulting models. This study presents a seismic tomography approach based on neural networks. A total of 100,000 synthetic one-dimensional (1D) lithological models were randomly generated with increasing velocities and sharp contrasts. These models were spatially discretized into blocks, each assigned a specific velocity and density. Acoustic impedance and reflectivity profiles were derived from each model, and the reflectivity profiles were labeled according to their corresponding velocity models. The dataset was divided into training, validation, and testing subsets to develop and evaluate the model. The trained neural network accurately predicted velocity profiles from reflectivity data, even in cases involving strong velocity contrasts. The model exhibited strong generalization performance on unseen data, validating its robustness. This approach provides a fast and accurate alternative for estimating seismic velocity profiles, significantly reducing manual intervention and offering a reliable solution for subsurface characterization in complex geological environments.