. The number of scientific studies that consider possible applications of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPASs) for the management of natural hazards effects and the identification of occurred damages strongly increased in the last decade. Nowadays, in the scientific community, the use of these systems is not a novelty, but a deeper analysis of the literature shows a lack of codified complex methodologies that can be used not only for scientific experiments but also for normal codified emergency operations. RPASs can acquire on-demand ultra-high-resolution images that can be used for the identification of active processes such as landslides or volcanic activities but can also define the effects of earthquakes, wildfires and floods. In this paper, we present a review of published literature that describes experimental methodologies developed for the study and monitoring of natural hazards.

https://nhess.copernicus.org/articles/18/1079/2018/nhess-18-1079-2018.pdf

Review article: the use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPASs) for natural hazards monitoring and management

Provenance of sediments in western Foothills and Hsuehshan Range (Taiwan): A new view based on the EMP monazite versus LA-ICPMS zircon geochronology of detrital grains

The distributions and characteristics of coseismic surface ruptures are the key to understand fault behaviors. However, traditional field investigations could be time consuming while toppled buildings and damaged infrastructure may be subject to repairs due to rescue missions and transportation recovery within a few days after the earthquake, leading to urgent needs for rapid, extensive surveys before surface breakages are modified. Therefore, we take advantage of UAS photogrammetry to collect aerial images and to map surface fractures for the Mw 6.4 Hualien, eastern Taiwan, earthquake on 6 February 2018. The earthquake struck Hualien City and generated dense surface breakages over a distance of ~8 km. Together with control surveys for ground control points by using RTK-GPS, UAS photogrammetry uses the methods of the Structure from Motion and Multi-View Stereo to produce high-resolution orthoimages and digital surface models. Our mapping results show that surface ruptures follow the trace of the Milun fault and northern Linding fault. Mapped surface ruptures are usually in en échelon arrays or distributed fractures rather than a through-going fault. Estimated sinistral offset based on orthoimages is more than 60 cm in Chihsingtan and decreases toward south. The fault behavior of the 2018 Hualien earthquake shows along-strike variations and is somewhat different from the October 1951 earthquake. Article history: Received 24 July 2018 Revised 25 October 2018 Accepted 9 December 2018

/pdf/mapping-surface-breakages-of-the-2018-hualien-earthquake-by-2oe7cf2yrz.pdf

Mapping surface breakages of the 2018 Hualien earthquake by using UAS photogrammetry

Style of deformation and tectono-sedimentary evolution of fold-and-thrust belts and foreland basins: From nature to models

Relicts of mud diapirism of the emerged wedge-top as an indicator of gas hydrates destabilization in the Manila accretionary prism in southern Taiwan (Hengchun Peninsula)

. Characterizing active faults and
quantifying their activity are major concerns in Taiwan, especially following
the major Chichi earthquake on
21 September 1999. Among the targets that still remain poorly understood in
terms of active tectonics are the Hengchun and Kenting faults (Southern
Taiwan). From a geodynamic point of view, the faults
affect the outcropping top of the Manila accretionary prism of the Manila
subduction zone that runs from Luzon (northern Philippines) to Taiwan. In
order to better locate and quantify the location and
quantify the activity of the Hengchun Fault, we start from existing
geological maps, which we update thanks to the use of two products derived
from unmanned aircraft system acquisitions: (1) a very high precision
(< 50 cm) and resolution (< 10 cm) digital surface model
(DSM) and (2) a georeferenced aerial photograph mosaic of the studied area.
Moreover, the superimposition of the resulting structural sketch map with new
Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS-InSAR)
results obtained from PALSAR ALOS images, validated by Global Positioning
System (GPS) and leveling data, allows the characterization and
quantification of the surface displacements during the monitoring period
(2007–2011). We confirm herein the geometry, characterization and
quantification of the active Hengchun Fault deformation, which acts as an
active left-lateral transpressive fault. As the Hengchun ridge was the
location of one of the last major earthquakes in Taiwan (26 December 2006,
depth: 44 km, M L=  7.0), Hengchun Peninsula active tectonics
must be better constrained in order if possible to prevent major destructions
in the near future.

/pdf/active-tectonics-of-the-onshore-hengchun-fault-using-uas-dsm-1ex5au8fsq.pdf

Active tectonics of the onshore Hengchun Fault using UAS DSM combined with ALOS PS-InSAR time series (Southern Taiwan)

Neotectonics of the Southern Hengchun Peninsula (Taiwan): Inputs from high resolution UAS Digital Terrain Model, updated geological mapping and PSInSAR techniques

Neotectonics of the volcanic Kuei-Shan Tao island, and geodynamic implications (NE Taiwan - SW Okinawa Trough)

Input of UAV, DTM photo-interpretation and SAR interferometry on active tectonics applied on the Southern Coastal Range (SE Taiwan)

Detailed tectonic analyses and geological mapping in muddy fold-belt front is a hard target. Using both fieldwork and GIS software associated to new soil datations (Sauer et al. in Soil development on marine terraces near Metaponto. Gulf of Taranto, Southern Italy, pp. 1–16, 2009) of the different marine terraces of the Taranto Gulf (Southern Italy), we were able to precise the location of the Metaponto-Pisticci staircase which appear to be situated above the first thrusting unit of the southern Apennine orogen corresponding to the deformation front. Consequently we can locate, characterize and quantify from an active tectonic point of view the deformation front of southern Apenines. By combining our data with (1) the AGIP seismic profile offshore the Taranto gulf that gives the precise geometry of the overthrusting sheet, (2) the known eustatic curve of the mediterranean sea along the southern Italian shore, and (3) the soil datations of the different terracic levels, we are now able to differentiate the signal of both active tectonic and eustatic processes and their related geomorphic features on the Taranto Gulf marine terraces. Therefore the observed seismic cycle of the Southern Apennine deformation front is revealed and characterized by a return period of about 261 ka, a vertical uplift of about 113 m and a shortening rate of 2.1 km by return period. Its deformation is not uniform and appear to be coherent with both a regular interseismic linear creep period (time = 251 ka/uplift = 71 m) and a rapid inferred cosismic uplift (time: lOKa/uplift = 42 m) that we interpret as a sismogenic period with probably numerous major earthquakes. Finally thanks to the marine terraces of the Metaponto-Pisticci staircase that lead us to better understand the deformation front of Southern Apenine and its associated landscape and to separate erosion and tectonic processes.

Samuel Magalhaes

Papers

Active tectonics of the onshore Hengchun Fault using UAS DSM combined with ALOS PS-InSAR time series (Southern Taiwan)

Neotectonics of the Southern Hengchun Peninsula (Taiwan): Inputs from high resolution UAS Digital Terrain Model, updated geological mapping and PSInSAR techniques

Neotectonics of the volcanic Kuei-Shan Tao island, and geodynamic implications (NE Taiwan - SW Okinawa Trough)

Input of UAV, DTM photo-interpretation and SAR interferometry on active tectonics applied on the Southern Coastal Range (SE Taiwan)

Seismic Cycle of the Southern Apennine Deformation Front: The Taranto Gulf Marine Terraces Inputs and Implications