Elements of Carpathians Geography in the old historic and cartographic documents. The article sho... more Elements of Carpathians Geography in the old historic and cartographic documents. The article shows several aspects of how the network of mountain toponyms was formed in our mountain area and how this process is illustrated in Middle Age documents and cartographic sources. The way in which mediaeval documents reflect a certain way of perceiving the different characteristics of our mountains, (mountains with alpine aspect vs. other mountains) is also illustrated. The apparition and perpetuation of certain oronyms on various maps, especially on the maps of Transylvania is also illustrated, the other Romanian provinces being poorer in cartographic productions. After analyzing the above mentioned cartographic material we may conclude that the oronym Carpatus, Carpates, Carpathes, Carpazzi, never appears in the area of the Meridional Carpathians, but only in the area of the Oriental Carpathians. It most frequently appears in two areas of the Eastern Carpathians i.e. at the sources of Tis...
The Deliblato Sands is among the largest uniform dune fields of Europe, with a very pronounced to... more The Deliblato Sands is among the largest uniform dune fields of Europe, with a very pronounced topography reflecting extensive past aeolian events. Although lacking numerical age data, previous researchers have hypothesized various periods of dune formation. Our research goals were to map the main morphological units of the Deliblato Sands, and to provide the first optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages for the major dune types. Mapping was carried out using digital elevation models, satellite images, and GPS profiles. Dune development was investigated using OSL. Several tests were performed concerning thermal treatment, signal characteristics, dose recovery, and dose distributions to assess the suitability of sediments for luminescence dating. Based on our results, two dune generations could be identified that differed in morphology and age. Older dune forms are primarily low sand-supply, hairpin-like parabolic dunes that developed from the last glacial maximum until the end ...
This study aims to analyze one of the most dynamic sections in the lower part of the Mureș River,... more This study aims to analyze one of the most dynamic sections in the lower part of the Mureș River, Lipova-Arad sector. The geological and tectonic context influenced the shifts of the watercourse at both a regional scale and a local one. The channelization works have shortened the length of the channel by 1/3 of it. The flood events in the 70s and the mining activity have also influenced the evolution of the river in last decades. Accelerating the geomorphological processes, mostly after the great floods, have narrowed the channel by 35%, and have reduced the total islands surface by almost 80%. In this context, the Mureș River try to reach the dynamic equilibrium state had before the human interventions. Under the anthropic pressure the geomorphological processes have been accelerated and the landscape left behind in Lipova-Arad section, along the Mureș River suffered important changes.
Mărghitaş Plateau is the name of a karstic plateau situated in the karstic area called Anina Mini... more Mărghitaş Plateau is the name of a karstic plateau situated in the karstic area called Anina Mining Area, in Anina Mountains (Banat Mountains). This plateau is located in the North part of Anina Mining Area and it is characterized by sinkholes doline valleys and independent sinkholes, but also by the missing of surface water and springs. Anina Mining Area is defined by Vasile Sencu (1977) as the area that is surrounded Anina town and it may be exploited by mining activities. The studied area presents many landforms specific for karst terrains. These features belong to the exokarst forms (sinkholes, poljies, karrens, gorges, karstic springs), but also to the endokarst forms (caves, shafts). Because of the geomorphology and the absence of surface rivers, this plateau is very interesting to study, both surface and underground. Geophysical methods are an option to study the subsurface in connection with the surface landforms. One of these methods, which is also used in the analysis of t...
GEOREVIEW: Scientific Annals of Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava. Geography Series, 2014
Application of cosmogenic nuclides in the study of Quaternary glaciations has increased rapidly d... more Application of cosmogenic nuclides in the study of Quaternary glaciations has increased rapidly during the last decade owing to the previous absence of direct dating methods of glacial landforms and sediments. Although several hundred publications have already been released on exposure age dating of glacial landforms worldwide, very few studies targeted the Carpathians so far (Kuhlemann et al, 2013a; Makos et al., 2014; Reuther et al, 2004, 2007; Rinterknecht et al. 2012). There are many unresolved or contradictory issues regarding the glacial chronology of the Romanian Carpathians. Recently, some attempts have been made to develop an improved temporal framework for the glaciations of the region using cosmogenic 10 Be dating (Reuther et al. 2004, 2007, Kuhlemann et al. 2013a). However, these studies made the picture even more confusing because the local last glacial maximum, for instance, apparently occurred in asynchronous timing compared to each other and also to other dated glaci...
To understand the functioning of fluvial systems it is important to investigate dynamics of sedim... more To understand the functioning of fluvial systems it is important to investigate dynamics of sediment transport and the source of sediments. In case of reconstructing past processes these studies must be accompanied by the numerical dating of sediment samples. In this respect optically stimulated luminescence is a widely used technique, by which the time of sediment deposition can be directly dated. Recently, in various fluvial environments it has been shown that certain luminescence properties of minerals, and especially that of quartz, can be applied as indicators of fluvial erosion and/or sediment provenance. These properties are residual luminescence (or residual dose) and luminescence sensitivity of quartz grains. However, the values of the parameters above are affected by various factors, the importance of which is under debate. The present study therefore aims to assess these factors along a ~560 km long reach of River Mureş (Maros) a relatively large river with a compound sur...
Nowadays DEMs are indispensable tools in studies and analysis regarding Earth’s surface. Generati... more Nowadays DEMs are indispensable tools in studies and analysis regarding Earth’s surface. Generating DEMs closely to the true surfaces and with high accuracy represent a main issue. The aim of the study is to improve the geomorphometric analysis based on DEMs. In this study a statistical approach was used to assess various DEMs generated with different methods to compare their accuracy. DEMs were created on the base of a topographic map using classical interpolation methods (Spline, IDW, Kriging, Simple linear interpolation) and simulated surfaces. The results suggest that data source is more important in error propagation, followed by interpolation methods.
This chapter reviews the existing knowledge concerning the current state of the main frost-driven... more This chapter reviews the existing knowledge concerning the current state of the main frost-driven processes in the Romanian Carpathians. Since permafrost has a patchy distribution and occurs in marginal conditions only in few massifs from the Romanian Carpathians, the key periglacial processes are those associated with seasonal frost, which are widespread above the tree line. The present-day amplitude of solifluction, frost heaving or frost creep is generally lower than in other periglacial environments ranging from few mm to tens of centimetres/year. The results revealed that mass wasting and frost weathering in the alpine environment of the Romanian Carpathians are strongly controlled by ground freezing, which depends on several factors, such as ground materials, topography, vegetation cover, snow cover, water content and incoming solar radiation. Major progress has been achieved in the last few years, when comprehensive monitoring of several periglacial processes (e.g. solifluction, frost heaving, frost creep) has started. The outcomes improved the understanding of current periglaciation in the Romanian Carpathians, but many uncertainties still exist regarding several periglacial processes (e.g. frost weathering) and the role of the environmental controlling factors. The periglacial deposits have a central, but not a defining position within the alpine landscape, occupying a greater extent than glacial or fluvial deposits. Based on the estimated volume of sediments within the alpine sector of a small alpine catchment in the Southern Carpathians, a post-glacial mean denudation rate of 0.26 mm/year was calculated.
The sporadic permafrost specific to the Southern Carpathians is accommodated in three main featur... more The sporadic permafrost specific to the Southern Carpathians is accommodated in three main features at sites with commonly low solar radiation—(i) rock glaciers (>1950 m altitude), (ii) talus slopes, and (iii) shaded rock walls (>2400 m)—with a net prevalence of the former category. Due to its marginal character, the alpine permafrost in Southern Carpathians develops only in the most favorable conditions which consist in cold microclimates imposed by topography (low solar radiation, high altitude), but also in specific ground surface characteristics which promote ground overcooling. Among all, coarse openwork debris is the most favorable land cover type for permafrost development because of the cooling effect it exerts on the underground, especially via air ventilation during cold snow free interval (fall and early winter) and air stratification (low conductivity) under thick snow cover. Because of the large surfaces covered by coarse debris at high altitudes, the granitic massifs of Retezat and Parâng present the most extensive areas with probable permafrost from the Southern Carpathians. Instead, the fine debris specific to crystalline ranges of Făgăras and Iezer—Păpușa or the small and thin conglomeratic debris of Bucegi massif inhibit nowadays the permafrost formation with very few exceptions. Although most rock glaciers prove to be relict, the present-day climate supports the existence of permafrost into thick and coarse debris (intact rock glaciers and lower sectors of the talus slopes) especially at altitudes higher than 2000 m. The geophysical surveys from granitic rock glaciers situated at 1950–2100 m indicate a thin ( 10–20 m) and sometime supersaturated in ice.
Elements of Carpathians Geography in the old historic and cartographic documents. The article sho... more Elements of Carpathians Geography in the old historic and cartographic documents. The article shows several aspects of how the network of mountain toponyms was formed in our mountain area and how this process is illustrated in Middle Age documents and cartographic sources. The way in which mediaeval documents reflect a certain way of perceiving the different characteristics of our mountains, (mountains with alpine aspect vs. other mountains) is also illustrated. The apparition and perpetuation of certain oronyms on various maps, especially on the maps of Transylvania is also illustrated, the other Romanian provinces being poorer in cartographic productions. After analyzing the above mentioned cartographic material we may conclude that the oronym Carpatus, Carpates, Carpathes, Carpazzi, never appears in the area of the Meridional Carpathians, but only in the area of the Oriental Carpathians. It most frequently appears in two areas of the Eastern Carpathians i.e. at the sources of Tis...
The Deliblato Sands is among the largest uniform dune fields of Europe, with a very pronounced to... more The Deliblato Sands is among the largest uniform dune fields of Europe, with a very pronounced topography reflecting extensive past aeolian events. Although lacking numerical age data, previous researchers have hypothesized various periods of dune formation. Our research goals were to map the main morphological units of the Deliblato Sands, and to provide the first optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages for the major dune types. Mapping was carried out using digital elevation models, satellite images, and GPS profiles. Dune development was investigated using OSL. Several tests were performed concerning thermal treatment, signal characteristics, dose recovery, and dose distributions to assess the suitability of sediments for luminescence dating. Based on our results, two dune generations could be identified that differed in morphology and age. Older dune forms are primarily low sand-supply, hairpin-like parabolic dunes that developed from the last glacial maximum until the end ...
This study aims to analyze one of the most dynamic sections in the lower part of the Mureș River,... more This study aims to analyze one of the most dynamic sections in the lower part of the Mureș River, Lipova-Arad sector. The geological and tectonic context influenced the shifts of the watercourse at both a regional scale and a local one. The channelization works have shortened the length of the channel by 1/3 of it. The flood events in the 70s and the mining activity have also influenced the evolution of the river in last decades. Accelerating the geomorphological processes, mostly after the great floods, have narrowed the channel by 35%, and have reduced the total islands surface by almost 80%. In this context, the Mureș River try to reach the dynamic equilibrium state had before the human interventions. Under the anthropic pressure the geomorphological processes have been accelerated and the landscape left behind in Lipova-Arad section, along the Mureș River suffered important changes.
Mărghitaş Plateau is the name of a karstic plateau situated in the karstic area called Anina Mini... more Mărghitaş Plateau is the name of a karstic plateau situated in the karstic area called Anina Mining Area, in Anina Mountains (Banat Mountains). This plateau is located in the North part of Anina Mining Area and it is characterized by sinkholes doline valleys and independent sinkholes, but also by the missing of surface water and springs. Anina Mining Area is defined by Vasile Sencu (1977) as the area that is surrounded Anina town and it may be exploited by mining activities. The studied area presents many landforms specific for karst terrains. These features belong to the exokarst forms (sinkholes, poljies, karrens, gorges, karstic springs), but also to the endokarst forms (caves, shafts). Because of the geomorphology and the absence of surface rivers, this plateau is very interesting to study, both surface and underground. Geophysical methods are an option to study the subsurface in connection with the surface landforms. One of these methods, which is also used in the analysis of t...
GEOREVIEW: Scientific Annals of Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava. Geography Series, 2014
Application of cosmogenic nuclides in the study of Quaternary glaciations has increased rapidly d... more Application of cosmogenic nuclides in the study of Quaternary glaciations has increased rapidly during the last decade owing to the previous absence of direct dating methods of glacial landforms and sediments. Although several hundred publications have already been released on exposure age dating of glacial landforms worldwide, very few studies targeted the Carpathians so far (Kuhlemann et al, 2013a; Makos et al., 2014; Reuther et al, 2004, 2007; Rinterknecht et al. 2012). There are many unresolved or contradictory issues regarding the glacial chronology of the Romanian Carpathians. Recently, some attempts have been made to develop an improved temporal framework for the glaciations of the region using cosmogenic 10 Be dating (Reuther et al. 2004, 2007, Kuhlemann et al. 2013a). However, these studies made the picture even more confusing because the local last glacial maximum, for instance, apparently occurred in asynchronous timing compared to each other and also to other dated glaci...
To understand the functioning of fluvial systems it is important to investigate dynamics of sedim... more To understand the functioning of fluvial systems it is important to investigate dynamics of sediment transport and the source of sediments. In case of reconstructing past processes these studies must be accompanied by the numerical dating of sediment samples. In this respect optically stimulated luminescence is a widely used technique, by which the time of sediment deposition can be directly dated. Recently, in various fluvial environments it has been shown that certain luminescence properties of minerals, and especially that of quartz, can be applied as indicators of fluvial erosion and/or sediment provenance. These properties are residual luminescence (or residual dose) and luminescence sensitivity of quartz grains. However, the values of the parameters above are affected by various factors, the importance of which is under debate. The present study therefore aims to assess these factors along a ~560 km long reach of River Mureş (Maros) a relatively large river with a compound sur...
Nowadays DEMs are indispensable tools in studies and analysis regarding Earth’s surface. Generati... more Nowadays DEMs are indispensable tools in studies and analysis regarding Earth’s surface. Generating DEMs closely to the true surfaces and with high accuracy represent a main issue. The aim of the study is to improve the geomorphometric analysis based on DEMs. In this study a statistical approach was used to assess various DEMs generated with different methods to compare their accuracy. DEMs were created on the base of a topographic map using classical interpolation methods (Spline, IDW, Kriging, Simple linear interpolation) and simulated surfaces. The results suggest that data source is more important in error propagation, followed by interpolation methods.
This chapter reviews the existing knowledge concerning the current state of the main frost-driven... more This chapter reviews the existing knowledge concerning the current state of the main frost-driven processes in the Romanian Carpathians. Since permafrost has a patchy distribution and occurs in marginal conditions only in few massifs from the Romanian Carpathians, the key periglacial processes are those associated with seasonal frost, which are widespread above the tree line. The present-day amplitude of solifluction, frost heaving or frost creep is generally lower than in other periglacial environments ranging from few mm to tens of centimetres/year. The results revealed that mass wasting and frost weathering in the alpine environment of the Romanian Carpathians are strongly controlled by ground freezing, which depends on several factors, such as ground materials, topography, vegetation cover, snow cover, water content and incoming solar radiation. Major progress has been achieved in the last few years, when comprehensive monitoring of several periglacial processes (e.g. solifluction, frost heaving, frost creep) has started. The outcomes improved the understanding of current periglaciation in the Romanian Carpathians, but many uncertainties still exist regarding several periglacial processes (e.g. frost weathering) and the role of the environmental controlling factors. The periglacial deposits have a central, but not a defining position within the alpine landscape, occupying a greater extent than glacial or fluvial deposits. Based on the estimated volume of sediments within the alpine sector of a small alpine catchment in the Southern Carpathians, a post-glacial mean denudation rate of 0.26 mm/year was calculated.
The sporadic permafrost specific to the Southern Carpathians is accommodated in three main featur... more The sporadic permafrost specific to the Southern Carpathians is accommodated in three main features at sites with commonly low solar radiation—(i) rock glaciers (>1950 m altitude), (ii) talus slopes, and (iii) shaded rock walls (>2400 m)—with a net prevalence of the former category. Due to its marginal character, the alpine permafrost in Southern Carpathians develops only in the most favorable conditions which consist in cold microclimates imposed by topography (low solar radiation, high altitude), but also in specific ground surface characteristics which promote ground overcooling. Among all, coarse openwork debris is the most favorable land cover type for permafrost development because of the cooling effect it exerts on the underground, especially via air ventilation during cold snow free interval (fall and early winter) and air stratification (low conductivity) under thick snow cover. Because of the large surfaces covered by coarse debris at high altitudes, the granitic massifs of Retezat and Parâng present the most extensive areas with probable permafrost from the Southern Carpathians. Instead, the fine debris specific to crystalline ranges of Făgăras and Iezer—Păpușa or the small and thin conglomeratic debris of Bucegi massif inhibit nowadays the permafrost formation with very few exceptions. Although most rock glaciers prove to be relict, the present-day climate supports the existence of permafrost into thick and coarse debris (intact rock glaciers and lower sectors of the talus slopes) especially at altitudes higher than 2000 m. The geophysical surveys from granitic rock glaciers situated at 1950–2100 m indicate a thin ( 10–20 m) and sometime supersaturated in ice.
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