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Showing 17361 – 17380 of 30345 publications

Shallow Seafloor Gas emissions Near Heard and McDonald Islands on the Kerguelen Plateau, Southern Indian Ocean

Heard and McDonald Islands — 2019 — WHE9DA6BF7C07

Researchers have uncovered evidence of submarine gas emissions near Heard and McDonald Islands on the Kerguelen Plateau, marking the first documented seafloor bubble production in this remote region. The study, utilizing hydroacoustic flares, deep-tow camera footage, water properties analysis, and isotopic data (δ³He, δ¹³C, δ³⁴S), identified potential sources of methane and CO₂ linked to both shallow diffuse hydrothermal venting near McDonald Islands and deeper-sourced thermogenic methane or sediment-hosted geothermal systems at Heard Island. The findings suggest active carbon cycling processes in the southern Indian Ocean, with implications for understanding seafloor dynamics and volcanic activity on large igneous provinces.

Shallow-water Demospongiae (Porifera) from Sodwana Bay, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National Park — 2019 — WHE55CD9A034A

A comprehensive study of shallow-water Demospongiae (Porifera) from Sodwana Bay, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa, reveals a rich biodiversity with 33 species documented, including 15 new to science. This underscores the high diversity and potential for further discoveries in this region, particularly within the orders Clionaida, Poecilosclerida, Axinellida, Haplosclerida, and Dictyoceratida. The study highlights the prominence of poecilosclerid and dictyoceratid sponges along the east coast of South Africa, suggesting a significant yet underexplored marine ecosystem with implications for conservation and taxonomy.

Shifting Price Levels Of Books Produced At The Officina Plantiniana In Antwerp, 1580–1655

Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex — 2019 — WHEC0D5DB3ED8

Book prices at the Officina Plantiniana in Antwerp exhibited significant fluctuations between 1580 and 1655, reflecting economic shifts during a pivotal period in European publishing history. This study reveals that price levels were not only influenced by production costs but also by market demand, political instability, and inflationary pressures. By analyzing archival documents, including the Museum Plantin-Moretus collection (notably M321), researchers identified patterns of price adjustment that provide new insights into 17th-century book trade dynamics. The findings underscore the economic resilience and adaptability of one of Europe’s most prominent printing houses during a time of rapid change.

Short-term to Decadal-scale Sand Flat Morphodynamics and Sediment Balance of a Megatidal Bay: Insight from Multiple LiDAR Datasets

Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay — 2019 — WHE3F30AC34D0

A 15-year LiDAR survey (2002–2017) of Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, a UNESCO-listed megatidal embayment, reveals rapid morphodynamic shifts and sediment variability driven by tides, wind, and river discharges. The study highlights short-term channel reconfigurations in the bay's inner sector, including a recent southward shift of its main channel, while also noting that ongoing engineering works—aimed at restoring the bay's maritime character around Mont-Saint-Michel—have not yet significantly altered sedimentation patterns beyond a localized zone. However, continued monitoring is essential to assess potential long-term impacts on decadal-scale sediment dynamics, particularly those influenced by the 18.6-year tidal nodal cycle.

Shortening Accommodated by Thrust and Strike‐Slip Faults in the Ili Basin, Northern Tien Shan

Western Tien-Shan — 2019 — WHE6F82E7A8DC

A study of the Ili Basin in the northern Tien Shan reveals that left-lateral strike-slip faults at its northwestern margin accommodate approximately 3 mm/year of northeast-southwest shear, while right-lateral oblique faults transfer motion and contribute to shortening. The research combines GPS data, earthquake slip vectors, remote sensing, and field observations to propose a kinematic model describing active deformation in the region. This model integrates geodetic data, seismology, historical faulting records, and prehistorical surface faulting, offering new insights into the tectonic dynamics of the northern Tien Shan.

Sigiriya Rock

Ancient City of Sigiriya — 2019 — WHE2918A65E91

A critical examination of heritage management at the Sigiriya World Heritage site in Sri Lanka reveals a significant disconnect between official conservation practices and indigenous knowledge systems. The study, through qualitative inquiries with local healers, artisans, and irrigation managers, uncovers alternative heritage values rooted in traditional practices, which are often overlooked in current management strategies. This research underscores the need to integrate community perspectives into decision-making processes, suggesting a localized framework for more inclusive and effective site governance.

Silent and Unseen: Stewardship of Water Infrastructural Heritage

Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura — 2019 — WHE7D5E42747D

Historic waterworks, such as aqueducts and sewers, represent significant civil engineering achievements but often go unnoticed due to their subgrade or inaudible nature. This study highlights the need for best practice guidelines to steward these infrastructures, emphasizing the evaluation of historic significance, rehabilitation, redundancy, and sustainability. It also advocates for adaptive reuse of decommissioned waterworks, citing global examples like Rome's Aqua Virgo and Cloaca Maxima, China's karez systems, New York City's Jerome Park Reservoir, and Peru's mamanteo canals. The research underscores the importance of balancing conservation with modern infrastructure demands to ensure long-term preservation and functionality.

Simboluri și sculptură. Porțile maramureșene vechi

Wooden Churches of Maramureş — 2019 — WHEE092915521

The carved wooden portals of Maramureș, Romania, serve as a visual record of local beliefs and traditions spanning from pre-Christian times to the present. These ornate gates, crafted by local artisans, convey complex symbolism that reflects both historical continuity and cultural evolution. While their aesthetic appeal is evident, their deeper significance reveals a layered narrative of Maramureș’s cultural heritage. The study examines how Christianity has influenced the symbolism of these portals, drawing parallels with the painted churches of Bukovina, where biblical stories are depicted in a specific order. This research highlights the enduring craftsmanship and symbolic richness of Maramureș’s wooden architecture, offering insights into its historical and cultural significance.

Simulating and Quantifying Multiple Natural Subsea CO2 Seeps at Panarea Island (Aeolian Islands, Italy) as a Proxy for Potential Leakage from Subseabed Carbon Storage Sites

Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) — 2019 — WHE8C76FF887F

Natural CO2 seeps around Panarea Island, Italy, release approximately 6900 tons of CO2 annually, with deeper seeps (>20 m) playing a significant role in the island's carbon budget. This finding comes from a new model that simulates bubble dynamics, dissolved CO2 advection-dispersion, and carbonate chemistry, providing insights into potential leakage from subseabed carbon storage sites. The study uses field measurements of pH to estimate overall CO2 flow rates, offering a framework for understanding future leaks from such storage sites.

Simulation aéro-thermo-mécanique des effets du feu sur les parois d'un milieu confiné : application à l'étude des thermo-altérations de la grotte Chauvet-Pont d'Arc

Decorated Cave of Pont d’Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, Ardèche — 2019 — WHE877E5FB46D

A groundbreaking simulation reveals that prehistoric fires in the Grotte Chauvet-Pont d'Arc, dating back 37,000 to 33,500 years, caused unique thermo-alterations on its walls. These alterations—color changes and flaking—are linked to specific temperatures: red hues at 250°C for 10 minutes and gray tones requiring at least 350°C, while mechanical stress from thermal expansion and hydration processes led to flaking. The study used a coupled fluid-structure model (OpenFOAM and Cast3M) to simulate confined fires, validated against experimental burns in a limestone quarry using pine wood, mimicking the conditions of Chauvet's Gallery of Megaceros. This approach allowed researchers to map fire intensity and location without disturbing the site, providing insights into the functions of these ancient fires.

Simulation of suspended sediment and black carbon transport in surface water layer of Ha Long bay

Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago — 2019 — WHE993BFFD03F

A simulation using the Delft3D model reveals significant seasonal variations in suspended sediment and black carbon concentrations in Ha Long Bay's surface waters. During the rainy season, higher concentrations of 50–130 g/m³ are observed near western Cat Ba Island and Cua Luc, while offshore areas show lower levels (2–20 g/m³). In contrast, dry season averages range from 110–150 g/m³. Particulate carbon exhibits a similar trend, with rainy season values of 0.0016–0.0028 kg/m³ and dry season values as low as 0.0001–0.005 kg/m³. These findings align with prior experimental studies, providing critical insights into sediment dynamics in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sincretismo religioso judaico-cristão e greco-romano no Bom Jesus do SacroMonte bracarense (Braga – Portugal)

Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga — 2019 — WHEA018496EDE

Research reveals a significant religious syncretism at the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga, Portugal, where Jewish-Christian and Greco-Roman symbols were artistically integrated into Baroque art during the 18th century. Initially rooted in 14th-century devotion, the site transitioned under Portuguese rule, particularly during King João V's reign (1707–1750). The study demonstrates how inscriptions originally linking figures like Solomon and Isaías to Jewish or Greco-Roman contexts were reinterpreted to align with Christian narratives of Christ's crucifixion. This transformation reflects a dynamic process of cultural and religious assimilation over centuries, analyzed through the lens of Baroque substitution in the Sacro-Monte's Via Crucis.

Singing with Durham Cathedral: exploring the relationship between architecture and singing

Durham Castle and Cathedral — 2019 — WHEE1327C2561

Singing in Durham Cathedral requires a deep, embodied understanding of its unique acoustic properties. Unlike other cathedrals, the long reverberation times make singing without prior knowledge nearly impossible, necessitating a symbiotic relationship between singers and the building. This study reveals that the music performed in Durham Cathedral has evolved through material engagement, where singers develop an intuitive awareness of the architecture's traits to achieve desired sounds during services. The research argues that worship in such spaces is not merely a performance but a collaborative act with the cathedral itself, shaped by its physical characteristics and the singers' embodied knowledge.

Single microtremor method for estimating site fundamental frequency at a site in the historical city of Byblos - Lebanon

Byblos — 2019 — WHE26C6FC2A4A

Researchers successfully applied the single microtremor method to estimate the site fundamental frequency at a historical site in Byblos, Lebanon. This non-destructive, low-cost technique, which analyzes ambient noise, was validated using one-dimensional site response analysis and demonstrated stability across different measurement durations. The study highlights the method's suitability for urban environments due to its deep penetration capability, speed, and minimal impact on heritage sites. Pre-processing steps were employed to mitigate industrial noise interference, ensuring accurate results.

Site of Jesus Baptism: From Discovery to World List Heritage

Baptism Site “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas) — 2019 — WHE4BF3CA79C0

The Baptism Site 'Bethany Beyond the Jordan' (Al-Maghtas) has been confirmed as the actual location where Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist, a discovery supported by extensive archaeological evidence and recognized by UNESCO in 2015. Excavations conducted between 1996 and 2002 uncovered three distinct areas: Tell al-Kharrar (Elijah's Hill), the Monastery with its Large Pool, and the Churches of St. John the Baptist. These findings include architectural remains such as churches, mosaic floors, caves, and water systems dating back to the Byzantine Period, which were built to commemorate sacred events for early Christian communities. The site holds immense religious significance, attracting pilgrims since the 1st century AD and serving as a continuous destination for baptism rituals. To preserve its sanctity, visitor numbers are controlled, and facilities like a Visitor's Centre, restaurant, parking, and new churches have been developed sensitively by the Jordan Ministry of Tourism and Department of Antiquities.

Site-seeing: reflections on visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum with teenagers

Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945) — 2019 — WHE1B96F14E45

Teenagers' emotional engagement with the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum is a complex, ongoing process that varies significantly among individuals. A study of 17-year-olds on organized visits found diverse emotional responses, highlighting the need for educators to support pupils in navigating these experiences effectively. The research used semi-structured interviews to explore how young people perceive and understand their emotional interactions with the site.

Sites of Existential Relatedness: Findings from Phenomenological Research at Stonehenge, Avebury and the Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire, UK

Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites — 2019 — WHECA95320138

Heritage landscapes, such as Stonehenge and Avebury in Wiltshire, UK, uniquely foster existential relatedness—a profound sense of connection to something greater than oneself—which is linked to personal wellbeing. This qualitative study reveals that these prehistoric sites facilitate cultural, collective, and transcendent experiences, potentially offering one of the most significant social benefits of historic environments. The research employed phenomenological methods to explore how visitors engage with these landscapes, suggesting their capacity to induce a form of communitas—a shared sense of belonging—thereby contributing to existential wellbeing.

Slave Life at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville — 2019 — WHED3C0BAA2ED

A new augmented reality exhibit at Monticello, Jefferson's plantation estate, brings to light the long-suppressed story of Sally Hemings and her children by Thomas Jefferson. Using Madison Hemings' 1873 account, projected in a dark cellar room, the exhibit narrates key moments from his mother's life and those of his siblings, challenging historical narratives that denied Jefferson's paternity. The study highlights how DNA evidence and documentary records, alongside oral histories, confirm the Jefferson-Hemings connection, revealing the complexities and contradictions of U.S. slavery during the 18th century. This approach underscores Monticello as a symbol of America's paradox—liberty coexisting with bondage—and its enduring legacy.

Slave Life in Rio de Janeiro, 1808-1850

Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea — 2019 — WHE76EE8E7F05

A comprehensive examination of slave life in Rio de Janeiro between 1808 and 1850 reveals the intricate dynamics of enslavement, resistance, and adaptation within one of Brazil's most significant urban centers. This study challenges traditional narratives by integrating archival records, demographic data, and spatial analysis to illuminate the lived experiences of enslaved individuals in a rapidly evolving colonial city. Key findings underscore the resilience and agency of enslaved populations, highlighting their roles in shaping Rio de Janeiro's social and economic landscape during this pivotal period.

Small Sacral Architecture and Its Greenery in Lower Spiš Region in Slovakia

Levoča, Spišský Hrad and the Associated Cultural Monuments — 2019 — WHEEBB4C76660

Research reveals that small roadside sacral structures, predominantly crosses, are integral to the cultural landscapes of Lower Spiš Region in Slovakia. A field mapping study identified 13 such objects along a 66-kilometre historical trade route, with wooden crosses without pedestals being the most common. The oldest and aesthetically significant elements include metal crosses on travertine stone pedestals, while the Baroque roadside chapel of St. John of Nepomuk in Smolník stands out as a registered cultural monument from 1726. Woody plants, notably small-leaved linden trees (Tilia cordata Mill.), accompany these structures, adding to their landscape value. The study employed a methodology that assessed localization, spatial context, technical condition, and greenery, contributing to the preservation of historical legacy in this mining cultural landscape.