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An Integrated Geophysical Approach to Track Magma Intrusion: The 2018 Christmas Eve Eruption at Mount Etna

Mount Etna — 2019 — WHE8FDBAB3121

A groundbreaking study reveals that the explosive summit activity of Mount Etna during its 2018 Christmas Eve eruption was driven by lateral dike intrusions, challenging conventional understanding. By integrating high-rate GPS data with volcano-tectonic earthquakes, volcanic tremor, infrasound tremor, and events, researchers tracked magma intrusion with unprecedented precision, showing how the central magma column lowered in response to flank eruption. This interaction zone, identified at 2–4 km below sea level, sheds light on the complex dynamics between summit and flank eruptions, offering critical insights for volcanic hazard assessment.

An occasional record of the amplexus in epigean Niphargus (Amphipoda: Niphargidae) from the Russian Western Caucasus

Western Caucasus — 2019 — WHE022DC270B7

Researchers have documented the first instance of amplexus, or precopulatory mate guarding, in the epigean amphipod Niphargus cf. magnus from the Western Caucasus, a rare behavior not previously observed in this subterranean genus. The study reveals that this chemically stimulated behavior occurs briefly after the female molts, mirroring patterns seen in related epigean and subterranean gammaridean amphipods. The brevity of the amplexus may be an adaptation to the narrow underground habitats these creatures inhabit, where space constraints could necessitate shorter mating periods. The discovery contributes to our understanding of reproductive strategies in subterranean crustaceans, filling a significant gap in the literature.

An Uncultivated Virus Infecting a Nanoarchaeal Parasite in the Hot Springs of Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park — 2019 — WHEBEE87A533E

Researchers have identified the first virus, NAV1, to infect Nanoarchaeota—a symbiotic archaeal species found in acidic hot springs of Yellowstone National Park. This discovery is significant as it represents a virus infecting an obligate symbiont, which itself relies on another host for growth and replication. Using culture-independent techniques, the team sequenced the NAV1 genome and proposed its classification as the founding member of a new viral family, highlighting the genetic diversity of archaeal viruses. The study sheds light on complex microbial ecosystems in extreme environments like Yellowstone's hot springs.

Anagarika Dharmapāla: A Modern Political Activist and Defender of the Dharma

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya — 2019 — WHEFB1F3C4282

Anagarika Dharmapāla's establishment of the Maha-Bodhi Society in 1891 to secure control of the Mahabodhi Temple, a site of profound Buddhist significance, marked a pivotal shift in his advocacy. His initial stance as an advocate for spiritual pluralism and occult science evolved into a more confrontational anti-Hindu position, influenced significantly by Edwin Arnold's 'The Light of Asia.' This work inspired Dharmapāla to champion the restoration of Bodhgaya to Buddhist hands, reflecting a broader trend in his political activism. The study traces this transformation through Dharmapāla's writings and interactions with key figures, highlighting the intersection of religious identity, colonial politics, and cultural revivalism during the late 19th century.

Análisis iconográfico de las obras pictóricas de la época colonial en Guatemala (Siglos del XVI al XVIII), expuestas en el museo de arte colonial de Antigua Guatemala.

Antigua Guatemala — 2019 — WHE64DDF9F8A0

Guatemalan colonial art, spanning the 16th to 18th centuries, reflects a unique fusion of European and indigenous artistic traditions. This study presents an iconographic analysis of representative paintings from Antigua Guatemala's Museum of Colonial Art, revealing how cultural exchanges shaped visual narratives during this period. The research employs a structured approach—pre-iconography, iconography, and iconology—to dissect works by author and thematic cycles, while also addressing legal frameworks for heritage protection. A key finding is the identification of recurring symbolic motifs tied to religious and historical contexts, encapsulated in an iconographic glossary. This method not only contextualizes artworks for both experts and general audiences but also underscores the vulnerability of these irreplaceable cultural assets.

Análisis relacional en iniciativas socialmente innovadoras. El caso de estudio de Alianza Mar Blava (Ibiza-Formentera)

Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture — 2019 — WHE0ED8D7B247

A study of the social network within the innovative initiative Alianza Mar Blava (Ibiza-Formentera) reveals that power is distributed among diverse socioprofessional profiles, with women and young individuals holding higher control over the network. This research employs Social Network Analysis, combining structural and attributive approaches through 35 in-depth interviews to map key actors' relationships and attributes. The findings highlight how such networks can foster innovation and local development, offering insights into the intangible dimensions of social capital in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Ibiza.

Análisis social y ambiental de los programas de rescate en Xochimilco

Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco — 2019 — WHE8663782551

Despite efforts to preserve Xochimilco human activity continues to degrade the area. A study by Azamar Alonso et al. (2019) evaluates the effectiveness of rescue policies and development programs aimed at mitigating this degradation. The research combines social and environmental analysis, including resident experiences, to assess social welfare and identify root causes of ongoing issues. Findings highlight the need for more targeted interventions to address both environmental and social dimensions of heritage conservation in Xochimilco.

Analyse der gesellschaftlichen und wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung der Region Krems an der Donau und Mautern an der Donau im Früh- und Hochmittelalter bis zum Aufstieg Wiens

Wachau Cultural Landscape — 2019 — WHE15B92060AF

Medieval Krems emerged as the dominant economic center in its region, surpassing neighboring settlements despite their comparable potential. This dominance was shaped by strategic political ambitions of local and overregional rulers, combined with unique geographical advantages along the Danube near the eastern entrance to the Wachau. The study analyzes societal and economic development from the early Middle Ages through the rise of Vienna, revealing how Krems' growth was influenced by complex power dynamics and regional geography rather than inherent superiority.

Analysis and evaluation of risks in underground mining using the decision matrix risk-assessment (DMRA) technique, in Guanajuato, Mexico

Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines — 2019 — WHED60F68943F

A study applying the decision matrix risk-assessment (DMRA) technique to underground mining in Guanajuato, Mexico, identified critical activities with high accident severity and probability. These included blasting, machinery use, exploitation, fortification, and amacize, which pose significant occupational risks due to suboptimal working conditions. The research classified these activities into three risk categories: those requiring immediate corrective actions, those needing control measures, and those necessitating cessation until safety improvements are made. Proposed solutions align with occupational safety regulations from the Secretaría del Trabajo y Previsión Social, aiming to mitigate accidents through documented compliance with mining activity rules.

Analysis and Evaluation on the Surrounding Urban Environment of The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty for Maintenance and Local Utilization : focusing on The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty located in Gyeonggi Province

Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty — 2019 — WHEB3904E8336

A comprehensive analysis of the spatial and geographical characteristics of the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty (40 tombs) located in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, reveals critical insights for their efficient management and local utilization. The study identifies key urban environmental factors influencing these historical sites, which serve as significant regional assets reflecting past landscapes and topography. By integrating GIS technology and Space Syntax analysis, researchers quantitatively assessed the tombs' locational attributes, providing actionable recommendations for regulatory frameworks and sustainable preservation strategies. This approach offers a data-driven foundation for balancing heritage conservation with community engagement in Gyeonggi Province.

Analysis of digital images with DStretch as a support for the virtual restoration of an historical mural painting in San Cristóbal de La Laguna

San Cristóbal de La Laguna — 2019 — WHE354B107E12

Virtual restoration of lost 18th-century mural paintings in San Agustín Church, part of the UNESCO World Heritage city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain, has been achieved using DStretch image analysis. This free software, typically used for rock art research, employs decorrelation processes to enhance image readability and support objective virtual reintegration. The study demonstrates that digital documentation and advanced image processing can effectively recover historical artwork damaged by a 1964 fire, offering a rigorous methodology for preserving cultural heritage.

Analysis of Performance and Opportunity for Improvements in the Microgrid of Ilha Grande

Paraty and Ilha Grande – Culture and Biodiversity — 2019 — WHE2C12F343E8

Refurbishment of the microgrid on Ilha Grande, Brazil, led to significant improvements in efficiency and power quality. The study compared pre- and post-refurbishment performance, demonstrating enhanced system reliability and capacity to meet growing energy demands. This analysis highlights the potential of microgrids as sustainable solutions for remote islands, offering insights into optimizing existing infrastructure while addressing end-of-life equipment challenges.

Analysis of Usage Behavior and Preference in Senior-Friendly Parks for the Aging Society

Jongmyo Shrine — 2019 — WHEA06B52775E

Senior-friendly parks in Korea, particularly those near urban centers and cultural heritage sites, are increasingly preferred by the elderly for their accessibility, social connectivity, and tailored amenities. A study analyzing usage behavior and preferences found that older adults favor parks with senior-specific designations, such as 'seniors only' or 'senior-friendly,' which provide a comfortable environment away from younger users. These parks, located close to public transportation and traditional markets, often feature fitness equipment, walking trails, and social spaces like gateball fields. The research highlights the importance of locational convenience and age-appropriate facilities—such as vegetable gardens and indoor rest areas—to encourage park usage among the elderly population. This insight is critical for urban planning in an aging society.

Analytical Results of the Stability of Some Limestone Islands in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province of Vietnam, a World Natural Heritage

Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago — 2019 — WHEC84F8345B6

Research on the stability of limestone islands in Ha Long Bay reveals that three specific islands exhibit high potential for failure, with safety factors ranging between 0.9 and 2. The study utilized analytical methods to simulate these islands in three-dimensional space, assessing their vulnerability along fracture surfaces. These findings are crucial for the sustainable planning and development of Ha Long Bay, ensuring the preservation of its natural heritage status in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam.

Ancestral range reconstruction of remote oceanic island species of Plantago (Plantaginaceae) reveals differing scales and modes of dispersal

Lord Howe Island Group — 2019 — WHEFCB6B92BB7

A groundbreaking study challenges long-held assumptions about the biogeographical origins of Plantago species, revealing that highly remote oceanic islands like Hawaii and Rapa Iti were colonized from North American taxa via dispersal patterns linked to large marine birds, rather than from New Zealand as previously hypothesized. The research, utilizing Bayesian phylogenetic and divergence time analyses along with historical biogeographical modeling, demonstrates that island endemics in the Lord Howe Island Group, among others, trace their origins to the nearest continental areas. This study highlights the complex interplay of stepping stone dispersal and extreme long-distance dispersal in shaping insular floras, while also suggesting specific traits may limit diversification in island archipelagos. The findings significantly enhance our understanding of floristic exchange between continents and islands, providing critical insights into the ancestral ranges and dispersal routes of widespread plant lineages.

Ancient and current resilience in the Chengdu Plain: Agropolitan development re-‘revisited’

Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System — 2019 — WHE447070C2AE

The Dujiangyan irrigation system, China’s largest and one of the world’s most sustainable agropolitan systems, has sustained 2000 years of stable urban culture, high agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and flood management in the Chengdu Plain. However, rapid urban expansion over the past decade has transformed the landscape, shifting from grain export to import, consolidating settlements, and corporatizing farming—processes that may undermine resilience. The study finds that neither market-driven nor state-driven development aligns well with key resilience factors like landscape heterogeneity, crop diversity, permaculture, or household livelihood flexibility. Instead, decentralized governance and community-based management of the irrigation system are proposed as critical to preserving social-ecological resilience in this UNESCO-listed site.

Ancient masonry structures within an integrated approach: the reinforced corbelled flat roofs of Umm el-Jimal

Umm Al-Jimāl — 2019 — WHEBFE46AEF9B

A novel approach to understanding the stability of ancient masonry structures, particularly those with reinforced corbelled flat roofs, has been proposed. This study challenges traditional theories by integrating material properties, geometric design, and construction techniques into a unified framework. Using Umm el-Jimal in Jordan as a case study—where basalt stone is the sole building material—the research demonstrates how diverse corbelling methods contribute to structural reinforcement and stability. The findings suggest that this integrated 'material-geometry-construction' approach can provide deeper insights into historical engineering practices, potentially advancing contemporary structural theories.

Ancient Mitochondrial Genomes Reveal the Absence of Maternal Kinship in the Burials of Çatalhöyük People and Their Genetic Affinities

Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük — 2019 — WHE9E1CD4BF58

A groundbreaking analysis of ancient mitochondrial genomes from Çatalhöyük, one of the world's most significant Neolithic settlements, reveals that individuals buried under neighboring houses were not biologically related on the maternal line. This finding challenges assumptions about kinship-based burial practices in early societies and suggests either a high diversity of maternal lineages within kin groups or intentional selection based on non-genetic criteria. Population genetic studies further indicate that Çatalhöyük's inhabitants shared closer affinities with populations from the Marmara Region than with Levantine groups, supporting theories that Central Anatolia played a pivotal role in the spread of Neolithic lifestyles across the peninsula and beyond. The research utilized advanced sequencing techniques to extract genomic data directly from skeletal remains, providing unprecedented insights into the social structures and genetic landscapes of one of humanity's earliest complex societies.

Ancient Roman coarse ware in the Regio X and beyond: an archaeological approach to distribution and trade

Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia — 2019 — WHE9642BAD092

A groundbreaking study reveals that ancient Roman coarse ware, long overlooked by archaeologists, serves as a powerful tool for reconstructing complex economic dynamics. Focusing on the Roman colony of Aquileia and its broader region (Regio X Italica), the research demonstrates that these vessels were primarily traded for their contents—likely perishable foodstuffs—rather than the pottery itself. By analyzing coarse ware from the underwater archaeological site Stella 1, along with comparative data from Northern Italy, the study identified preferential trade routes, including both terrestrial roads and inland waterways. This challenges the traditional view that Aquileia was the sole centralizing node for distribution, showing instead that peripheral areas played significant roles in local and long-distance trade. The findings highlight coarse ware's potential to provide insights into ancient economic systems, trade networks, and the circulation of perishable goods, which are rarely preserved in archaeological records.

Ancient trash mounds unravel urban collapse a century before the end of Byzantine hegemony in the southern Levant

Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev — 2019 — WHEEF7989A9CC

A century before the end of Byzantine hegemony in the southern Levant, urban collapse in the Negev Desert was triggered by societal response to rapid climate change. This is revealed through a multidisciplinary analysis of ancient trash mounds surrounding the Byzantine settlement of Elusa. The study, combining survey, excavation, sediment analysis, and geographic information system (GIS) assessment, demonstrates that organized trash collection—a proxy for high-level municipal functioning—ceased around the mid-sixth century, coinciding with the onset of the Late Antique Little Ice Age (LALIA) and the Justinian Plague outbreak in 541 CE. Carbon dating of charred seeds and ceramic analysis established this terminal date, linking societal decline to broader urban dysfunction across the Byzantine Levant during this period. The research underscores the sensitivity of trash mounds as indicators of social response to environmental stress, shedding light on the time-space dynamics of urban collapse in frontier regions with diminished resilience.