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Aeolian sedimentary processes and corresponding facies shape the Earth’s surface and control the evolution of dune fields. The Namib Sand Sea with its Sossusvlei playa-lake is a perfect example to investigate the spatial distribution of fluvially influenced aeolian deposits. Remote sensing in combination with ground observations allowed for mapping of the facies distribution pattern of associated fluvial and aeolian sediments. Laboratory spectral signature measurements were used to further improve the separation between six groups of facies: modern aeolian sand, deflation surface, mud pool/mud drapes, heavy mineral lag, reworked fluvial–aeolian sediments, and fossil dune remnant. The best results were achieved through a supervised classification algorithm trained by field observations, a combination of Principal Component Analysis, band ratios, texture and geomorphologic indices. Consequently, a map outlining the facies distribution pattern of the Sossusvlei area at a scale of 1:10,000 was created. We propose this as a possible workflow to efficiently map and monitor desert environments and to investigate the interplay of aeolian and fluvial sediments.

We present a comprehensive regional bathymetric data compilation for the southwest Indian Ocean (swIOBC) covering the area from 4°S to 40°S and 20°E to 45°E with a spatial resolution of 250 m. For this, we used multibeam and singlebeam data as well as data from global bathymetric data compilations. We generated the swIOBC using an iterative approach of manual data cleaning and gridding, accounting for different data qualities and seamless integration of all different kinds of data. In comparison to existing bathymetric charts of this region, the new swIOBC benefits from nearly four times as many data-constrained grid cells and a higher resolution, and thus reveals formerly unseen seabed features. In the central Mozambique Basin a surprising variety of landscapes were discovered. They document a deep reaching influence of the Mozambique Current eddies. Details of the N-S trending Zambezi Channel could be imaged in the central Mozambique Basin. Maps are crucial not only for orientation but also to set scientific processes and local information in a spatial context. For most parts of the ocean seafloor, maps are derived from satellite data with only kilometer resolution. Acoustic depth measurements from ships provide more detailed seafloor information in tens to hundreds of meters resolution. For the southwest Indian Ocean, all available depth soundings from a variety of sources and institutes are combined in one coherent map. Thus, in areas where depth soundings exist, this map shows the seafloor in so-far unknown detail. This detailed map forms the base for subsequent studies of e.g. the direction of ocean currents, geological and biological processes in the southwest Indian Ocean

We present a comprehensive regional bathymetric data compilation for the southwest Indian Ocean (swIOBC) covering the area from 4°S to 40°S and 20°E to 45°E with a spatial resolution of 250 m. For this, we used multibeam and singlebeam data as well as data from global bathymetric data compilations. We generated the swIOBC using an iterative approach of manual data cleaning and gridding, accounting for different data qualities and seamless integration of all different kinds of data. In comparison to existing bathymetric charts of this region, the new swIOBC benefits from nearly four times as many data-constrained grid cells and a higher resolution, and thus reveals formerly unseen seabed features. In the central Mozambique Basin a surprising variety of landscapes were discovered. They document a deep reaching influence of the Mozambique Current eddies. Details of the N-S trending Zambezi Channel could be imaged in the central Mozambique Basin. Maps are crucial not only for orientation but also to set scientific processes and local information in a spatial context. For most parts of the ocean seafloor, maps are derived from satellite data with only kilometer resolution. Acoustic depth measurements from ships provide more detailed seafloor information in tens to hundreds of meters resolution. For the southwest Indian Ocean, all available depth soundings from a variety of sources and institutes are combined in one coherent map. Thus, in areas where depth soundings exist, this map shows the seafloor in so-far unknown detail. This detailed map forms the base for subsequent studies of e.g. the direction of ocean currents, geological and biological processes in the southwest Indian Ocean.

Numerous studies have addressed various aspects of the East African Rift system (EARS) but surprisingly few the offshore continuation of the south-eastern branch of the rift into the Mozambique Channel. Here, we present new evidence for neotectonic deformation derived from modern seismic reflection data and sup- ported by additional geophysical data. The Kerimbas Graben offshore northern Mozambique is the most prominent manifestation of sub-recent extensional deformation. The seismic reflection data reveals that recent normal faulting often utilizes preexisting, deeply buried half-graben structures which likely are related to the formation of the Somali Basin. The ca. 30 km wide and ca. 150 km long symmetric graben is in a stage where the linkage of scattered normal faults already did happen, resulting in increased displacement and accommodation of most of the extension across the basin. However, deep earthquakes below the rift indicate a strong and still preserved lithospheric mantle. Extension is becoming diffuse where an onshore suture, subdividing the northern from the southern metamorphic basement onshore Mozambique, is closest to the offshore rift. It appears likely that this suture is the origin for the variation in rifting style, indicating that mantle fabric resulting from a Cambrian collision has been preserved as mechanical anisotropy of the lithospheric mantle. Further south the rift focuses in an about 30 km wide half- graben. An important finding is that the entire offshore branch of the EARS lacks significant volcanism. Along the off- shore EARS there are only negligible indications for recent volcanism in the reflection seismic data such as sills and dikes. Apparently the "Comoros mantle plume" (French and Romanowicz, 2015) has a very minor influence on the progressive extensional deformation along the northern Mozambique continental margin, leading eventually to breakup sometimes in the future. Combining structural with earthquake data reveals that

Numerous studies have addressed various aspects of the East African Rift system but surprisingly few on the offshore continuation of the south-eastern branch of the rift into the Mozambique Channel. The most prominent article has been published almost 30 years ago by Mougenot et al. (1986) and is based on vintage seismic data. Several studies investigating earthquakes and plate motions from GPS measurements reveal recent deformation along the offshore branch of the East African Rift system. Slip vectors from earthquakes data in Mozambique’s offshore basins show a consistent NE direction. Fault plane solutions reveal ~ E-W extensional failure with focal depth clustering around 19 km and 40 km, respectively. Here, we present new evidence for neotectonic deformation derived from modern seismic reflection data and supported by additional geophysical data. The modern rift system obviously reactivates structures from the disintegration of eastern Gondwana. During the Jurassic/Cretaceous opening of the Somali and Mozambique Basins, Madagascar moved southwards along a major shear zone, to its present position. Since the Miocene, parts of the shear zone became reactivated and structurally overprinted by the East African rift system. The Kerimbas Graben offshore northern Mozambique is the most prominent manifestation of recent extensional deformation. Bathymetry data shows that it deepens northwards, with approximately 700 m downthrown on the eastern shoulder. The graben can be subdivided into four subbasins by crosscutting structural lineaments with a NW-SE trend. Together with the N-S striking graben-bounding faults, this resembles a conjugate fault system. In seismic reflection data normal faulting is distinct not only at the earthquake epicenters. The faults cut through the sedimentary successions and typically reach the seafloor, indicating ongoing recent deformation.

Erarbeitung eines Referenzprofils und der ersten kompletten Klimakurve für das kontinentale Perm Europas mit Hilfe sedimentologischer, petrologischer, geochemischer und mathematischer Analysen. Obwohl das Lodève Becken im gesamten Perm im Bereich der heutigen innertropischen Konvergenzzone lag, kam es zu häufigem Wechsel zwischen feuchteren und trockeneren Klimabedingungen.

A homogenised data set of uniformly corrected temperature readings from 18 deep wells and new conductivity data of key strate in the basin is used to constrain the anomaly's geometry within an area of c.100 x 65 km2 and to calculate reliable conductive surface heat flow densities. High temperatures in the centre of the anomaly presumably originate in the basement but decrease rapidly away from the centre; geothermal potential is locally high, with surface heat flows exceeding 100 mW/m2 and reaching a maximum of 134 mW/m2 in the central area. The NW-SE elongated shape of the anomaly implies that the strike of the major regional fault system has a significant control on the present-day temperature field. A Peclet number analysis and the correlation of breaks in the temperature log with new thermal conductivity data prove a predominantly conductive heat transfer regime, although signatures of convective heat transfer have been proven for the aqyufers of the Buntsandstein, Muschelkalk and Keuper groups. Significant data gaps that strongly limit reliable three-dimensional representation of the field and understanding of its possible causes are the missing basement temperature data and the partial lack of data from greater depths., 116 refs., A homogenised data set of uniformly corrected temperature readings from 18 deep wells and new conductivity data of key strate in the basin is used to constrain the anomaly's geometry within an area of c.100 x 65 km2 and to calculate reliable conductive surface heat flow densities. High temperatures in the centre of the anomaly presumably originate in the basement but decrease rapidly away from the centre; geothermal potential is locally high, with surface heat flows exceeding 100 mW/m2 and reaching a maximum of 134 mW/m2 in the central area. The NW-SE elongated shape of the anomaly implies that the strike of the major regional fault system has a significant control on the present-day temperature field. A Peclet number analysis and the correlation of breaks in the temperature log with new thermal conductivity data prove a predominantly conductive heat transfer regime, although signatures of convective heat transfer have been proven for the aqyufers of the Buntsandstein, Muschelkalk and Keuper groups. Significant data gaps that strongly limit reliable three-dimensional representation of the field and understanding of its possible causes are the missing basement temperature data and the partial lack of data from greater depths.