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Session 7

Geomorphological Processes and Landscape Dynamics

Organisers: Konstantinos Tsanakas (Harokopio University of Athens), Christos Pennos (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), Efthimios Karymbalis (Harokopio University of Athens)

  • Friday, 27 November 2026 · 09:30–11:00, 11:30–13:00, 16:30–18:00, 18:30–20:00

    Ceremony Hall, Harokopio University of Athens (HUA)

About this session
Geomorphology is the scientific study of landforms and the processes that shape the Earth's surface over time. Positioned at the intersection of geology, geography, and environmental science, it examines how landscapes evolve under the influence of tectonic forces, climate dynamics, biological activity, and human intervention. From mountain environments to coastal zones, geomorphology investigates the processes shaping the physical framework of our planet. Recent advances in geospatial technologies, such as remote sensing, GIS-based terrain analysis, and high-resolution topographic modeling, have contributed significantly to improving the accuracy and scope of geomorphological research. These tools enable researchers to quantify landform changes with precision and to reconstruct past environmental conditions. By integrating field observations, laboratory analysis, computational modeling, and geomorphological mapping, geomorphologists are better equipped to understand hazard dynamics such as landslides, flooding, and coastal retreat. In this session, we invite submissions that explore endogenic processes such as crustal deformation, tectonic movements, and volcanism, alongside Earth surface processes including weathering, erosion, sediment transport, and deposition. In addition, contributions focusing on fluvial systems, karst landforms, glacial landscapes, coastal morphology, and arid-region geomorphology, highlighting how these environments respond to both natural variability and anthropogenic pressures, are particularly welcome. The session encourages contributions that apply innovative methodological approaches, present novel datasets, or demonstrate the integration of emerging technologies in the analysis of landscape evolution, geomorphological mapping, and geomorphic hazards, as well as studies addressing interdisciplinary applications and practical implications for risk assessment and environmental management. This session will also address the growing concept of the Anthropocene, emphasizing how human activities now function as a dominant geomorphic agent. Bringing together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, this session aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and promote innovative approaches to landscape analysis. Participants will gain a comprehensive perspective on how geomorphic knowledge supports environmental management, infrastructure development, and long-term ecological sustainability.

Presentations are currently listed in alphabetical order (by first author). The final order of presentations has not yet been confirmed and will be announced soon.

Presentations17

  1. LAND EVOLUTION MODELS: EXAMINING THE MIDTERM LANDSCAPE EVOLUTION OF VOURAIKOS RIVER BASIN, PELOPONNESE, GREECE.

    Georgios Logothetis Bakas, Christos Kasotakis

    • University of West Attica
    Abstract
    While the time horizon of the engineering works is about 100 years, the geomorphologist is interested in the long-term evolution of the landscape and the interplay between processes and forms along the course of centuries and even millennia. Assuming that the governing equations are known, the need to run prolonged periods of simulations (centuries and millennia) based on these differential equations of computational fluid dynamics is limited, at least so far, by the computational cost they require. To this end, the development of a family of LEMs based on the concept of cellular automata has been an interesting and promising endeavor. LEMs utilize a sort of simplified Navier-Stokes equations that control material flow between cells, where each cell is affected only by its neighboring cells. This gives the computational advantage needed to simulate thousands of years within reasonable computing times. One such LEM is CAESAR (Cellular Automaton Evolutionary Slope and River) model which we utilized to perform simulations in the Vouraikos River basin based on synthetic time series of precipitation. The aim of the work was to forecast the dynamic evolution of the middle part of the river (Kalavryta plain) over a 100 years’ period, and to estimate the average yearly sediment transport across selected cross sections. The results showed that CAESAR can be useful in such studies despite its great sensitivity in the composition of the sediment, a parameter not easily tractable and largely variable within the domain. The average sediment transport rates proved comparable to existing estimates while it was found that some parts undergo erosion while other parts undergo deposition. CAESAR is indeed capable of providing localized results, but it seems that the model is more trustable for milder slopes than for steeper slopes.

  2. Low relief, High Impact: Coastal Flood Dynamics in Paralia Katerinis

    Dimokratis Bertis1, Olympia Batsiami1, Sophia Schwarzbäcker2, Franziska Gonschorek3, Kira Biedermann3, Yannik Müller3, Kalliopi Koliadimou1, Sofia Pechlivanidou1, Konstantinos Vouvalidis1, Konstantinos Albanakis1, Michail Foumelis1, Christos Pennos1

    • 1Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
    • 2University of Vienna
    • 3Ruhr Universität Bochum
    Abstract
    Here we study the geomorphological impact of the February 2026 flood event in Paralia Katerinis, a coastal area in Northen Greece. Paralia Katerinis is a low-gradient wave dominated coastal setting. The extent of the flooding is primarily attributed to the region’s low topographic relief and chronic sediment starvation caused by anthropogenic structures. Field surveys were conducted five weeks post-event to observe the area and collect sediment samples for grain size analysis. We generated a high-resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) using UAV-based photogrammetry to detect micro-topographic terrain changes and identify potential erosion and deposition patterns. Additionally, satellite remote sensing was utilized to map the maximum spatial extent of the flood, while Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are applied for spatial data processing. Our results suggest that the synergistic interaction of intense precipitation and an extreme storm surge, driven by a deep barometric low, astronomical tides, and severe wave run-up led to the flood event. We demonstrate how the combination of these factors can increase flood hazard in coastal settings, offering useful insights for future risk assessments and management in similar environments.

  3. Assessing the Dispersal of Submarine Mine Tailings and their Ecological Impact on Benthic Foraminifera in Førdefjorden, Norway

    Panagiotis Bountouroglou

    • Aristotle University of Thessaloniki/ Universitetet i Bergen
    Abstract
    Submarine tailing disposal from the mining operations at Engebøfjellet into Førdefjorden (Norway) commenced in 2025, resulting in the deposition of approximately 241,000 tons of mine waste in its first year alone. This active disposal of mine tailings posed significant environmental concerns, as the dispersal of fine sediments and associated pollutants can alter seabed conditions and impact benthic ecosystems. To evaluate these environmental consequences, a research cruise was conducted in Førdefjorden in collaboration with the University of Bergen (UiB). During the cruise, benthic foraminifera were utilized as sensitive bioindicators due to their rapid response to anthropogenic pressure and changing pollution levels. By analyzing both living and dead (fossil) assemblages from the collected sediment samples, both present and past environmental conditions were evaluated. The primary objectives of this cruise were to map the spatial distribution of the active submarine mine tailings in the fjord and to assess their specific ecological impacts on the benthic foraminifera populations. The findings from this investigation crucialy improve our understanding of the environmental footprint of submarine mining activities and provide key data for future environmental impact assessments.

  4. A Semi‑Automated Framework for Morphosedimentary Connectivity and Sediment Cascade Susceptibility in the Northern French Alps.

    Anais Fichot1, Laurent Astrade2, Jean-Luc Peiry3

    • 1EDYTEM, Université Savoie Mont-Blanc, CNRS (UMR 5204), 73370 Le Bourget du Lac, France
    • 2EDYTEM, Université Savoie Mont-Blanc, CNRS (UMR 5204), 73370 Le Bourget du Lac, France.
    • 3EDYTEM, Université Savoie Mont-Blanc, CNRS (UMR 5204), 73370 Le Bourget du Lac, France. & Université Clermont Auvergne, LLSH, F-63000 Clermont–Ferrand, France.
    Abstract
    The degradation of the cryosphere in the headwaters of Alpine catchments is feared to be a source of sediment that fuels extreme torrential events : proglacial margin, rock slope instability and rocky glacier destabilisation. Sediment supply alone is not sufficient to predict a catchment’s response. We therefore propose an analysis based on the morphosedimentary cascade and connectivity to better understand the susceptibility of Alpine torrential basins to generating a major torrential event. Measurements of sedimentary connectivity are often based on topographic parameters, sometimes leaving out geomorphological components. They are predominantly case studies at the scale of a few catchments. We propose an approach at the regional scale in the northern French Alps. We have established a semi-automated measure of sediment connectivity at the torrential network scale and a synthesis of the sediment cascade at the catchment scale. To this end, we rely on measurements of Stream Power every 50 m across the catchment network, as well as on a geomorphological map of the active zone. Each 50-metre cell thus provides information on its susceptibility to supplying material to the event and on its susceptibility to mobilising this material. We also include vegetation as a parameter that relativeises the sediment availability of the cell, as well as upstream-downstream variations in Stream Power, to identify sections where there is a trend towards an increase or decrease in mobilisation ability. This semi-automated method allows us to prioritise susceptibility to sediment cascades, which we propose to rename ‘morphosedimentary’ as we give central importance to the geomorphology of the catchment. Finally, nearly 250 catchments affected by cryosphere degradation in the Alps are studied and ranked to support the management of associated glacial, periglacial and torrential hazards.

  5. Geomorphological Mapping of Lefkada Island (Ionian Islands, Greece)

    Ariadni-Konstantina Gazi-Stai, Dimitrios-Vasileios Batzakis, Efthimios Karymbalis

    • Department of Geography, Harokopio University of Athens
    Abstract
    This study examines the geomorphology of Lefkada Island, located in western Greece, with a focus on the geological factors and geomorphic processes that shape its landscape through detailed geomorphological mapping. A geomorphological map at a scale of 1:10,000 was produced based on a review of previous studies at various scales and the application of semi-automated GIS techniques. High-resolution topo-graphic data, including a 5 m resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) provided by the Greek Cadastre and 1:50,000 geological maps from the Institute of Geology and Mineral Expolation of Greece, were integrated into a spatial geodatabase. Second-ary datasets, such as hillshade, slope-aspect, and Red Relief Image map (RRIM) lay-ers, were generated and combined with Google Earth imagery to support the initial identification and delineation of landforms across the island. Among these deriva-tives, RRIM proved particularly effective, as it clearly represents terrain features and facilitates the identification of both large- and small-scale landforms. A targeted field survey was conducted to validate the preliminary geomorphological interpreta-tion and to identify features that may have been overlooked during the GIS-based analysis. The final geomorphological map presents the identified landforms, classi-fied according to their dominant formative processes into structural, gravity-induced, fluvial, coastal, karst, and erosional categories. The results reveal a diverse range of landforms formed by the combined influence of tectonic activity, lithology, and exogenous processes, with notable contrasts between the western and the eastern parts of the island. The resulting map contributes to recent advances in ge-omorphological research and serves as a valuable tool for land management, plan-ning, and interdisciplinary studies.

  6. Cartographic considerations on mapping the geomorphology and labeling of a mountainous village in the Greek island of Naxos

    John Hatzopoulos

    • Professor Emeritus, University of the Aegean
    Abstract
    This work concerns the village of Koronis on the Greek island of Naxos. Such a mountainous village spans a relatively large area, with steep slopes rising from sea level to 1,000 meters. The interesting thing about such a landscape is the diversity of the geomorphological characteristics, which must be identified and cartographically rendered. Another interesting feature is the great variety of local names. Identifying local names at this time is quite difficult because, since 1950, most people from the village have moved to Athens for a better life, most mountainous areas have remained uncultivated, and present-day residents do not know the names of many places. Therefore, several methods were used to collect them for labeling the map and preserving them. Such a map is useful for municipalities to better understand their region, locate highly interesting hiking trails, and support other tourism applications.

  7. Long-Term Spatial and Landscape Changes Following Peat Extraction in Greater Poland (Poland) Based on Archival Maps and Geospatial Data

    Tymoteusz Horbiński1, Maciej Smaczyński2, Dariusz Lorek2, Witold Piniarski2, Marcin Kamieniczny2, Iwona Hildebrandt-Radke2, Andrzej Macias2

    • 1Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań / Department of Landscape Ecology
    • 2Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań
    Abstract
    Peat extraction carried out in the late nineteenth century under Prussian administration left enduring material traces in the landscape of present-day Greater Poland. This article analyses how these historical interventions transformed peatland environments and how their spatial legacy remains legible in the contemporary landscape. The study focuses on three adjacent research areas near Sokołowo in the municipality of Witkowo. The main objective is to identify, visualise, and interpret long-term spatial and landscape changes associated with peat extraction, and to assess whether these transformations can be regarded as a persistent element of the region’s landscape heritage. The research combines archival maps with geospatial data, including terrain models derived from LiDAR technology, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery, and satellite data. This integrated approach enables the reconstruction of former extraction zones and drainage patterns, as well as the detection of preserved traces in contemporary landforms, land cover, and spatial structure. Particular attention is given to morphological changes, hydrological transformations, changes in land cover and land use, and broader functional shifts in the landscape resulting from peat exploitation. Rather than treating peat extraction as a closed episode in economic history, the article interprets it as a process that produced a lasting landscape palimpsest. The results demonstrate that the legacy of nineteenth-century peat extraction remains visible in the contemporary relief, drainage organisation, and landscape structure, while also shaping the cultural interpretation of these areas. More broadly, the study highlights the value of combining historical evidence with multi-source geospatial analysis in research on historical human-environment interactions and landscape heritage.

  8. Application of the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) to the Gulf of Kechries in the context of climate change.

    Kyriaki Iordanidou

    • Harokopio University of Athens
    Abstract
    In this study, coastal vulnerability along the Kechries Gulf and the western Saronic Gulf was assessed using the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI). The study area extends over 71 km of coastline, from Pachi (Attica) to Pefkali (Corinthia), and is characterized by low-relief coastal zones, carbonate and clastic formations, active faulting, and a typical Mediterranean climate. The CVI methodology, adapted for Greek coastal environments, was applied through GIS-based analysis using datasets from national and international sources, including a digital elevation model, geological maps, satellite-derived shoreline data, and oceanographic records, complemented by targeted field surveys for validation of geomorphological classifications, shoreline conditions, and sediment characteristics. Seven parameters were taken into consideration: coastal slope, lithology, geomorphology, relative vertical sea-level change, shoreline retreat/accretion, mean tidal range, and mean wave height. CVI values (1–16) were classified into vulnerability categories using the Natural Breaks method. Results indicate that approximately 52.5% of the coastal zone falls within moderate to very high vulnerability classes. These areas are typically associated with gentle slopes, erosion-prone lithologies, and unconsolidated sediments, and they coincide spatially with the majority of settlements, as well as tourism, industrial, and agricultural activities. In contrast, lower vulnerability zones (47.5%) are characterized by steeper slopes, more resistant lithologies, and reduced human presence. Overall, coastal vulnerability is strongly controlled by geomorphological and geological factors, with significant implications for land use. The concentration of human activities in highly vulnerable areas underscores the need for targeted coastal management and the integration of climate change projections into risk assessment and planning frameworks.

  9. A GEOGRAPHICAL EXPEDITION TO ACHELΟOS RIVER, WEST GREECE

    Sotiris Karalis, Liana Tsioli, Valentina Konstantopoulou

    • University of West Attica
    Abstract
    This participation intends to be a short narrative of the experiences and findings of an expedition undertaken by the authors in the Acheloos river during the summer of 2008, as part of a study commissioned to the NTUA by DEH. The aim of the study was to estimate the floodplain encroachments under specific flow releases from the -last downstream- Stratos dam. During three days in July 2008 the authors, members of the aforementioned study team, sailed for almost half the length (~30 km) of the river’s low course, with a small boat with a ferryman, measuring depths with a sonar in order to better depict the topography of the riverbed. The depths were measured along (fictional) cross sections in consecutive distances of about one kilometer. It is worth mentioning that the first day the boat entered the river from the rivermouth and, sailing upstream, the team not only had the opportunity of making interesting observations as to the conditions that prevailed, but also to admire the grandiose, paradisial natural riverscape of the delta. Acheloos is the larger river with its basin entirely within Greek territory and its power producing capabilities are sufficiently exploited by three large hydroelectrical dams. In this report we limit ourselves to general geomorphological and hydrological observations and we present the bathymetry of the lowest reach of the river that, to our knowledge, have never before been presented to the interested audience. It wants to be a romantic -so to speak- return back in the days where geographical expeditions were adventurous and sometimes dangerous undertakings, the findings of which were presented before a knowledge seeking audience. Also, for the purpose of this presentation newer 2D flow simulations were conducted and will be displayed.

  10. A GEOGRAPHICAL EXPEDITION TO ACHELΟOS RIVER, WEST GREECE

    Sotiris Karalis, Liana Tsioli

    • University of West Attica
    Abstract
    This participation intends to be a short narrative of the experiences and findings of an expedition undertaken by the authors in the Acheloos river during the summer of 2008, as part of a study commissioned to the NTUA by DEH. The aim of the study was to estimate the floodplain encroachments under specific flow releases from the -last downstream- Stratos dam. During three days in July 2008 the authors, members of the aforementioned study team, sailed for almost half the length (~30 km) of the river’s low course, with a small boat with a ferryman, measuring depths with a sonar in order to better depict the topography of the riverbed. The depths were measured along (fictional) cross sections in consecutive distances of about one kilometer. It is worth mentioning that the first day the boat entered the river from the rivermouth and, sailing upstream, the team not only had the opportunity of making interesting observations as to the conditions that prevailed, but also to admire the grandiose, paradisial natural riverscape of the delta. Acheloos is the larger river with its basin entirely within Greek territory and its power producing capabilities are sufficiently exploited by three large hydroelectrical dams. In this report we limit ourselves to general geomorphological and hydrological observations and we present the bathymetry of the lowest reach of the river that, to our knowledge, have never before been presented to the interested audience. It wants to be a romantic -so to speak- return back in the days where geographical expeditions were adventurous and sometimes dangerous undertakings, the findings of which were presented before a knowledge seeking audience. Also, for the purpose of this presentation newer 2D flow simulations were conducted and will be displayed.

  11. Multi-Temporal VHR Satellite Assessment and evaluation of their limitations though statistical analysis on Lateral Channel Migration

    Emmanouil Salas, Michail-Christos Tsoutsos, Nikolaos Stasinos, Charalampos Kontoes

    • Operational Unit “BEYOND Centre for Earth Observation Research and Satellite Remote Sensing”, Institute for Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications and Remote Sensing, National Observatory of Athens, GR-152 36 Athens, Greece
    Abstract
    Assessing channel alterations is of utmost importance regarding their significant implications on fluvial management and river rehabilitation measures. River course changes can be associated with a variety of natural and anthropogenic factors, including hydraulic interventions, gravel extraction, and intense rainfall events triggering floods. Romania is prone to flooding events, with case studies underscoring flood-affected settlements located in close proximity to river corridors. Evaluation of fluvial morphological changes is essential for understanding river dynamics and evaluating hazards associated with channel instability and bank erosion. The aim of this study is to enable robust detection and detailed delineation of geomorphological changes for the identification and assessment of potential spatiotemporal alterations along the course of the Mureș river and their adjacent floodplain areas, near the Romanian-Hungarian border. Intense rainfall events occurred between 26 May and 6 July 2025; therefore, multi-temporal Very High-Resolution (VHR) satellite imagery acquired before, during, and after the flood event were utilized to assess lateral channel migration through pre- and post-event comparisons, while erosional and depositional zones were identified through pre-during and during-post-event analyses. The methodology includes: (i) river boundary delineation for each observation period; (ii) identification and mapping of relevant fluvial landform features; (iii) detection of depositional and erosional changes through multi-temporal analysis; (iv) medial-axis centerline extraction across temporal river states. The highlight in this study, is the implementation of a Minimum Mappable Change (MMC) threshold to conduct a proper analysis of the calculated lateral movement; (vi) establishment of reference stationing along the river corridor so as to calculate lateral displacement through the orthogonal offsets. This research highlights how geospatial analysis can be integrated within the context of lateral channel shift analysis, and how the derived results can be associated and validated with the imagery limitations through statistical analysis.

  12. Mapping pyroclastic formations at the Lesvos Petrified Forest, the pyroclastic sequence of Kotsini, West Lesvos, Greece

    Loukas Savvelos, Nikolaos Zouros

    • Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest, University of the Aegean- Geography department
    Abstract
    The Lesvos Petrified Forest includes massive assemblages of silicified tree trunks located in situ within the Sigri pyroclastic formation. It consists a unique natural monument located in western Lesvos as well as the geological heritage treasure with international significance of the Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geopark. The Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest is conducting scientific research, excavation and conservation works in the Lesvos Petrified Forest during the last 30 years. Excavations in the Lesvos Petrified Forest revealed a large number of standing and lying silicified tree trunks, root systems, brunches, leaves and cones that belong to conifer and angiosperm tree species. Since 2014 extensive rescue excavation works were carried out by the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest due to the construction of the Kalloni - Sigri, road crossing the protected area of the Lesvos Petrified Forest. As a result, large amounts of new data in a number of significant fossil sites were collected. As several significant fossil sites are located along the road, a detailed mapping project in Kotsini, west Lesvos was carried out, in order to accurately capture fossiliferous locations. The objective of this study is the identification and mapping of standing and fallen tree trunks, root systems as well as vitric and lithic tuffs. Knowing the exact position of all these fossils and volcanic formations, we can protect and study the Petrified Forest effectively. Kotsini is located at the heart of the protected area, the mapping revealed a substantial amount of fossiliferous locations with standing and fallen petrified trunks. Additionally contributed to a better understanding of the stratigraphy of the pyroclastic formations as soon as the succession of the various fossiliferous horizons, giving us a better understanding of the landscapes geomorphological evolution and the results of the natural processes that taking place.

  13. The role of aeolian transport in shaping microplastic deposition patterns across the urban landscape: Thessaloniki case study.

    Nikoletta Soulioti, Sofia Pechlivanidou, Kalliopi Koliadimou

    • Department of Physical and Environmental Geography, School of Geology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
    Abstract
    Microplastics are increasingly recognized not only as pollutants, but also as a novel sedimentary component of the Anthropocene. The massive production of plastics combined with their fragmentation under weathering conditions, has generated vast quantities of particles that can be transported and deposited similarly to natural sediments. Airborne microplastics particularly, are of significant concern due to their potential inhalation by urban populations and associated health risks. In this context, passive atmospheric deposition collectors are placed at five locations across Thessaloniki, Greece, for a six-month period, to investigate the connection between aeolian transport and deposition patterns of microplastics within an urban setting. The collectors are retrieved and replaced monthly, enabling direct comparison between microplastic distribution and meteorological conditions. The collected microplastics are identified and compared through microscopic analysis, focusing on their abundance, type, colour, and size distribution. Preliminary results highlight the spatial differences in deposition patterns of microplastics with thousands of particles being present across all sampling sites within a range of 53.11 items/gr to 235.2 items/gr and fibers dominating 89% of them. The aeolian transport of microplastics is potentially connected to climatic conditions, geomorphology variables and human activity within the complex urban setting of Thessaloniki. Overall, the early findings demonstrate the abundance of airborne microplastics in Thessaloniki that is dynamically shaped by climatic and geomorphological conditions.

  14. Anthropogenic stream capture: Human-induced geomorphic paradox in the 21st-January flash flood of Glyfada, Athens, Greece

    Evangelos Spyrou, Niki Evelpidou

    • National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
    Abstract
    On the evening of January 21st, 2026, a high-intensity storm struck Attica, triggering severe flooding. The suburb of Glyfada, situated at the foothills of Mt. Hymettus, was among the most heavily impacted areas, with massive amounts of debris and fluvial sediments transported within the town. In this study, two adjacent basins have been examined, with roughly equal drainage area (0.30 and 0.39 km²), similar slope, drainage density and geological coverage. This study indicated a geomorphic paradox: Despite their similarities, incision, normally comparable, varied significantly, with minimal eroded material in the former and incision reaching – and in parts exceeding – 8 m² per cross-section in the latter. Detailed mapping of flow paths, pre- and post-flood cross-sections and photographic material collected in this study indicated this geomorphic paradox was owed to human activities and, in particular, the construction of mountainous dirt roads, which diverted the flow of lesser streams, normally contributing to the former basin, towards the latter basin. This resulted in an anthropogenic “stream capture”, changing the drainage area of the two basins into 0.61 and 0.08 km², respectively. This capture effectively doubled the peak discharge in the receiving basin, exceeding the critical shear stress required for the entrainment of large cobbles, while simultaneously starving the donor basin of the hydraulic energy necessary for sediment transport. As a characteristic example, a boulder of approximately 1.4 m x 1.2 m x 0.5 m was found transported around 9 m downstream. Overall, this study indicates that human interventions can significantly alter natural stream courses, as well as patterns of erosion and deposition, highlighting the need for effective management strategies to minimize environmental impacts and promote sustainable watershed development.

  15. Quaternary landscape evolution of the Gulf of Corinth, Greece, inferred through integrated terrestrial and submarine geomorphological mapping

    Konstantinos Tsanakas1, Sofia Rossi2, Monica Giona Bucci3, Dimitris Sakellariou4, Mauro Soldati2

    • 1Department of Geography, Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece
    • 2Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
    • 3Marine Geology and Seafloor Surveying Group, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
    • 4Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Anavyssos, Greece
    Abstract
    This study presents a 1:150,000-scale geomorphological map of the Gulf of Corinth (central Greece), integrating terrestrial and submarine landforms. The Gulf, an asymmetric WNW–ESE-trending half-graben, is among the most tectonically active regions in the eastern Mediterranean, characterized by an uplifting southern flank and a subsiding, downward-flexed northern margin. A multidisciplinary approach, combining field surveys with high-resolution seafloor bathymetry, was employed to map both emerged and submerged geological and geomorphological features. The southern terrestrial sector provides clear evidence of tectonic uplift, including marine terraces, elevated Gilbert-type deltas, raised tidal notches, and locally reversed drainage patterns. In contrast, the northern sector is characterized by the absence of Quaternary marine or lacustrine deposits and by a gently sloping shelf with submerged tidal notches, indicating ongoing tectonic subsidence. The resulting map offers a comprehensive representation of the region’s complex geomorphology, shaped by Quaternary tectonic activity.

  16. Tectonic deformation and fault activity on Kythera Island as indicators of offshore subduction dynamics

    Konstantinos Tsanakas1, Julius Jara-Muñoz2, Dimitrios-Vasileios Batzakis3, Simone Racano4, Diamantina Griva3

    • 1Department of Geography, Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece
    • 2Institut Hochschule Biberach, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
    • 3Department of Geography, Harokopio University of Athens
    • 4ISPRA-Servizio Geologico D'Italia
    Abstract
    Offshore islands provide valuable insights into deformation rates, their controlling mechanisms, and the dynamics of the upper crust in offshore subduction zones, where direct observations are otherwise challenging. In this study, active deformation and faulting are investigated over glacial-cycle time scales on Kythera Island, located in the southwestern Hellenic subduction zone between Crete and the Peloponnesus. Kythera Island preserves an exceptional sequence of more than twelve marine terraces, reflecting its active uplift. These terraces are offset by multiple active faults, oriented NNW-SSE and NNE-SSW. High-resolution topography and morphometric analysis are employed to map the marine terraces and estimate the heave and throw rates of the island’s primary faults. The marine terrace sequence is classified into two groups: higher marine terraces (260–480 masl) with composite rasa surfaces and lower terraces (20–220 masl) displaying staircase morphologies. The analysis focuses on two major faults, which exhibit both right- and left-lateral as well as dip-slip displacements, disrupting terrace risers and treads. The activity of these faults is linked to intermediate-depth, high-magnitude earthquakes, such as the Mw 6.6 and 6.7 events that struck Kythera in 1903 and 2006, respectively. Further research will involve dating marine terrace surfaces and conducting structural analysis to correlate the terraces with Marine Isotope Stages and refine estimates of heave and throw rates. This study underscores the importance of island-based observations in quantifying deformation rates in offshore subduction zones.

  17. Assessing Coastal Vulnerability in Greece: A Review of Methodological Approaches

    Kanella Valkanou1, Hariklia Skilodimou2

    • 1Harokopio University of Greece, Department of Geography
    • 2University of Patras, Department of Geology
    Abstract
    Coastal areas in Greece are increasingly affected by erosion, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events, as a result of both natural processes and climate change. These pressures are particularly significant due to the country’s long and diverse coastline, which includes densely populated urban zones, tourist areas, and environmentally sensitive regions. This has led to the use of different approaches for assessing coastal vulnerability. The aim of this study is to review recent research carried out in Greece, focusing on the methods that have been applied. The studies examined include the use of Coastal Vulnerability Indices (CVI), GIS and remote sensing techniques, as well as numerical models and, more recently, machine learning approaches. These methods are often applied at different spatial scales depending on data availability and the objectives of each study. Most studies rely on index-based methods, often combined with geoinformatics tools, mainly because they are easier to apply at larger spatial scales. At the same time, more advanced methods are starting to appear, offering new possibilities for improved spatial analysis and prediction of coastal change. However, differences are observed between studies regarding the selection of parameters, weighting methods, spatial scale, and data availability. Such variations can influence the comparability of results and reflect the diversity of approaches used in the field of coastal vulnerability assessment in Greece.