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Continents in Collision: Kashmir, Ladakh, Zanskar

Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa — 2013 — WHE48A21179ED

The formation of the Himalaya is intricately linked to the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates, particularly evident along the Indus suture zone. This study sheds light on the geological processes shaping the western Himalaya, focusing on regions like Ladakh, Zanskar, and Zangla—ancient Buddhist kingdoms with unique geological exposures due to their arid climate and rain shadow effects. The research leverages historical context, including the political landscape of the region post-1950, to explore these remote areas, which remained largely inaccessible until recent decades. By examining the geology of Ladakh, a former part of southwestern Tibet annexed during British rule, the study provides insights into the tectonic and climatic forces that have sculpted this critical zone of continental collision.

Contrast and comparison of aerial algal communities from two distinct regions in the U.S.A., the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (TN) and the Lake Superior region.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park — 2013 — WHE496156B1D7

A comparative analysis of aerial algal communities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) and the Lake Superior region (LSR) reveals no significant regional distinction, despite their geographic separation. Both regions exhibit dominance by cyanobacteria, accounting for over 50% of relative abundance in each. While unique taxa exist in low abundances, many prevalent species overlap between the two areas. Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination highlights that moisture availability within GSMNP influences community structure, with drier habitats favoring cyanobacteria and wetter ones supporting higher abundances of chlorophytes and diatoms. The study employs a comprehensive approach, measuring physical and chemical factors such as aspect, moisture levels, light, and pH to assess ecological patterns.

Contribution of dust storms to PM10 levels in an urban arid environment

Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev — 2013 — WHE0BDA4F4238

Dust storms significantly elevate PM10 levels in urban arid environments, contributing an average net increase of 122 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) daily in Beer-Sheva, Israel, between 2001 and 2012. The study identified dust days using a 'dust-free' season baseline threshold of 71 µg/m³, revealing that over 10% of daily PM10 concentrations exceeded this value annually. Analysis of intense storms (hourly averages of 1000–5197 µg/m³) showed the strongest events occurred predominantly in the last three years of the study period. These findings highlight the dual impact of local and regional dust sources on air quality, suggesting potential links to environmental changes like global warming and desertification that may exacerbate pollution risks to human health.

Control of paleoshorelines by trench forebulge uplift, Loyalty Islands

Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems — 2013 — WHE60CE48D334

The Loyalty Islands, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lagoons of New Caledonia, exhibit unique paleoshoreline features shaped by neotectonic uplift. Unlike most tropical Pacific islands, these islands formed due to the uplift of pre-existing atolls on the flexural forebulge of the New Hebrides Trench. The study reveals that island morphology and topography vary with distance from the trench crest, influencing emergent paleoatolls like Maré and Lifou, which display ancient barrier reefs forming high-standing annular ridges around interior plateaus representing paleolagoon floors. Ouvea's partially emergent rim flanks a drowned lagoon, showcasing diverse paleoshoreline features such as paleoreef flats and tidal notches. These features record uplift rates since the last interglacial and mid-Holocene sea-level highstands, aligning with theoretical predictions based on trench subduction rates. The research highlights the Loyalty Islands as a case study for neotectonically controlled island environments.

Controls on microbial activity and tidal flat evolution in Shark Bay, Western Australia

Shark Bay, Western Australia — 2013 — WHE1BBBC9584B

Shark Bay, Western Australia, hosts a unique microbial carbonate system shaped by extreme environmental conditions. The study reveals that microbial deposits, including stromatolites and thrombolitic forms, have evolved over the Holocene in response to sea-level variations and salinity changes. Nilemah tidal flat exhibits the thickest (1.3 m) and most developed microbial sedimentary system, with its deposition predating other flats like Rocky Point and Garden Point. The research identifies filamentous bacteria as dominant in tufted and smooth mats, while coccus bacteria dominate pustular and pavement structures. These microbial communities coexist with diverse organisms, contributing to extensive bioturbation and carbonate precipitation. The findings highlight the evolutionary series preserved within tidal flats, reflecting relative ages and salinity elevation.

Copán

Maya Site of Copan — 2013 — WHE9085B79815

Archaeological evidence from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Copán reveals that human settlement in the fertile Copan Valley began between 1100 and 900 B.C., with early inhabitants transitioning from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to agriculture due to cultural exchanges. By 400 B.C., these communities coalesced into the Mayan Empire, marking a significant political and cultural unification that endured for over 1,400 years. The study highlights the long-term impact of inter-civilizational contact on societal development in Mesoamerica.

Corpus der Stempelsiegel-Amulette aus Palästina/Israel: Von den Anfängen bis zur Perserzeit: Katalog Band IV: Von Tel Gamma bis Chirbet Husche

Biblical Tels - Megiddo, Hazor, Beer Sheba — 2013 — WHE15A705B953

A groundbreaking catalog of stamp seals and amulets from Palestine/Israel, spanning the Chalcolithic to Persian periods, has been expanded with Band IV, adding 1225 new objects to a total of 6313. This comprehensive work, the first of its kind in sigillography, sets a new standard for archaeological documentation by systematically presenting artifacts from legal excavations, enriched with detailed descriptions, photographs, and drawings. The catalog provides invaluable material for biblical studies, Levantine historiography, and Egyptology, offering chronological and cultural context through extensive parallels. Originating from 30 additional sites, including Tel Gamma/Tell Jemmeh (213 objects) and Geser (691), the collection bridges gaps in historical research and redefines foundational scholarship in these fields.

Cost Benefit Analysis of UNESCO World Heritage Site Designation in Nova Scotia

Old Town Lunenburg — 2013 — WHE81BE6AC689

UNESCO World Heritage (WH) designation can significantly boost visitor spending, but its economic viability depends on visitation levels and rising costs. A cost-benefit analysis of Old Town Lunenburg, a WH site since 1995, revealed a 6.2% increase in Nova Scotia's tourism revenue post-designation. The study projected similar proportional benefits for Grand Pré National Historic Site, which is seeking WH status. However, the escalating costs of designation pose challenges, particularly for smaller-scale attractions. The research highlights that while WH recognition can drive economic growth, its long-term sustainability requires careful consideration of visitation impacts and financial burdens.

Cranial anatomy and variation inProsaurolophus maximus(Dinosauria: Hadrosauridae)

Dinosaur Provincial Park — 2013 — WHE879F61912A

A new analysis challenges the distinction between two species of hadrosaurid dinosaurs, Prosaurolophus maximus and P. blackfeetensis, suggesting that the latter is a junior synonym of the former. This conclusion, supported by cranial morphometric data and phylogenetic analysis, extends the temporal range of P. maximus to 1.6 million years with no significant morphological change, indicating prolonged stasis in this taxon. The study examines ten articulated skulls from Dinosaur Provincial Park (Canada) and compares them with material from Montana (USA), revealing substantial variation in nasal crest morphology that precludes species-level differentiation.

Creating a Muscovite army, 1462–1533

Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow — 2013 — WHEF9918606B2

The construction of the Moscow Kremlin between 1485 and 1533 marked a significant shift from dilapidated limestone fortifications to a formidable red-brick fortress, symbolizing Moscow's consolidation and expansion during the early sixteenth century. This architectural transformation, led by Italian engineers and Russian artisans under Ivan III and Vasilii III, featured imposing walls with 18 lookout towers, measuring over 2 kilometers in length and up to 6.5 meters in thickness. The Kremlin's design, rooted in Italian quattrocento aesthetics, included a complex of ecclesiastical and royal buildings that underscored its dual role as a military stronghold and a symbol of political power. While the fortress's military capabilities were initially less emphasized than its political significance, its completion represented a pivotal moment in Muscovite state formation.

Crematoria, Barracks, Gateway: Survivors' Return Visits to the Memory Landscapes of Auschwitz

Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945) — 2013 — WHEB808E8334C

Survivors of Auschwitz-Birkenau revisit the site not as a uniform memorial landscape but as interconnected micro-sites, engaging with it through a dynamic interplay of memory and materiality that extends beyond symbolic representation. This study reveals how survivors' return visits to crematoria, barracks, and gateways involve a multisensory experience, incorporating physical movement and embodied memory ('muscular consciousness'). The research draws on oral histories, documentary films, and memoirs to challenge the passive view of memorial landscapes, demonstrating instead their active role in shaping survivors' recollections. By analyzing these return visits, the study highlights the complexity of memory work at Auschwitz, where past trauma and present commemorative practices intersect.

Cross-Dating (Th/U-14C) of Calcite Covering Prehistoric Paintings at Serra da Capivara National Park, Piaui, Brazil

Serra da Capivara National Park — 2013 — WHE1AF0D23247

New cross-dating analysis of calcite deposits covering prehistoric paintings at Serra da Capivara National Park suggests the artworks may be younger than previously thought. Using coupled accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C and multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) 230Th/U dating, researchers found ages younger than 12,000 years for calcite samples from Toca da Gameleirinha. This challenges earlier estimates exceeding 35,000 years derived from thermoluminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance methods, reigniting debates on the antiquity of human settlement in South America and the chronology of rock art.

Cross-Dating (Th/U-14C) of Calcite Covering Prehistoric Paintings at Serra da Capivara National Park, Piaui, Brazil

Serra da Capivara National Park — 2013 — WHE099DA1F2D2

A study using cross-dating techniques (Th/U and AMS 14C) on calcite deposits covering prehistoric paintings at Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, suggests that these paintings may be younger than previously proposed. The research, published in Radiocarbon, analyzed samples from three rockshelters, including Toca da Gameleirinha (Pedra Pintada), and found ages younger than 12,000 years for the calcite formations. This challenges earlier estimates that suggested much older dates (>35 kyr BP) based on thermoluminescence (TL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) dating methods. The findings contribute to the ongoing debate about the age of rock art in the region and its implications for understanding human settlement in the Americas.

Crossing Surfaces in Search of the Holy: Landscape and Liminality in Contemporary Christian Pilgrimage

Meteora — 2013 — WHE58D03E1AF2

Surfaces play a pivotal role in Christian pilgrimage, serving as dynamic platforms for journeying, ritual performance, and multisensory experiences. A study comparing ecumenical pilgrimages on the Isle of Man with Orthodox pilgrimages to Meteora’s monasteries revealed that surfaces act as hermeneutical texts, liminal thresholds for divine encounters, and tangible fragments encapsulating pilgrimage memories. These functions vary across theological and cultural contexts but share universal significance, offering a spiritually informed perspective on perceptions and 'more-than-representational' practices. The research employed ethnographic methods to analyze faith adherents’ experiences, highlighting the materiality of surfaces in shaping pilgrimage mobilities.

Crossing the boundary: an elasmobranch fauna from S tevns K lint, D enmark

Stevns Klint — 2013 — WHE4DE8035B68

A study of elasmobranch (shark and ray) fossils from Stevns Klint, Denmark, reveals that the fauna experienced only a 33% extinction rate during the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K/T) mass extinction event, contrasting sharply with the 96% extinction observed in Morocco. The research documents rapid recovery of diversity within millennia post-impact, attributing pre-boundary declines to sudden sea-level changes rather than the bolide impact itself. Precision sampling identified rare species like Parasquatina and Echinorhinus, including Europe's first Nebrius fossil, offering new insights into elasmobranch resilience during global crises.

CRSP-3D Application for Remediating a Rockfall at Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park — 2013 — WHE2ADFDEDB12

A novel rockfall simulation program, CRSP-3D, successfully replicated a 2012 rockfall event at Yosemite National Park involving a 500-ton granite boulder, demonstrating its potential for accurate hazard mitigation. By leveraging discrete element modeling and field data, the program calibrated critical parameters such as slope material properties, rock size, and geological conditions to simulate complex rockfall dynamics—including bouncing, sliding, rolling, and launching. This case study highlights CRSP-3D's ability to provide reliable data for designing remediation strategies, including barriers and catchment areas, addressing a longstanding challenge in numerical modeling validation.

Cryptic species within cryptic moths: new species of Dunama Schaus (Notodontidae, Nystaleinae) in Costa Rica

Area de Conservación Guanacaste — 2013 — WHE2D23DAE5C1

A comprehensive review of the genus Dunama (Notodontidae, Nystaleinae) in Costa Rica reveals seven new cryptic species, bringing the total to eight. These were identified using distinctive CO1 barcodes, genitalia morphology, and life history traits, with one previously recorded species (Dunama tuna) corrected to Colombia. The study, based on nearly 1,700 specimens from Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), also describes adult moths, caterpillars, their host plants, and parasites, contributing critical insights into biodiversity and taxonomy in this UNESCO-listed region.

Cultural Heritage and Historical Memory in Danger:

Archaeological Site of Delphi — 2013 — WHEF874855084

Greece's economic crisis, exacerbated by austerity measures and foreign bailouts, has severely impacted its cultural heritage, particularly archaeological sites like Delphi. The study reveals how fiscal constraints have led to the undermining of public services, social cohesion, and democratic values, while also prioritizing development over heritage preservation. Archaeological research faces systemic challenges, including reduced funding, personnel shortages, and legislative shifts that treat archaeology as an obstacle to growth. This shift has forced archaeologists to engage more with local communities, adapting through educational programs and exhibitions that address contemporary issues like racism and economic crisis. The study underscores the urgent need for global solidarity to protect cultural heritage and historical memory, warning against the dangers of ahistorical development and democratic suppression.

Cultural Heritage Documentation and Integrated Geomatics Techniques in an Educational Context: Case Bois-Du-Luc (Belgium)

Major Mining Sites of Wallonia — 2013 — WHE12339FE6E7

A collaborative project between the Walloon government and Ghent University has successfully integrated geomatics techniques into educational contexts, focusing on the UNESCO World Heritage site Bois-du-Luc in Belgium. This initiative leveraged high-resolution aerial imagery and topographical surveys to create detailed 3D models and maps of the historic mining site, dating back to 1838–1923. The project not only preserved cultural heritage but also provided students with hands-on training in photogrammetry and land surveying, bridging academic learning with real-world applications. The results demonstrate the potential for such collaborations to enhance both educational outcomes and the preservation of significant industrial landscapes.

Cultural Heritage Experiential Learning Smart-Phone APP Using LBS

Jongmyo Shrine — 2013 — WHE9E324051F8

A novel smartphone application, CHELS-App, enhances cultural heritage experiential learning by integrating location-based services (LBS) with interactive elements like quizzes, games, and cartoons. This approach allows users to engage with UNESCO World Heritage Site Jongmyo Shrine through immersive quests, combining education and tourism seamlessly. The app provides real-time commentary, photo galleries, and event push notifications, fostering deeper learning while offering entertainment. Key features include a 'foot stamp' certificate for completed missions and an experience diary for tracking progress. This study demonstrates how LBS and gamification can revolutionize heritage site visits, making them both educational and enjoyable.