Background. The tectonic evolution of the Middle Dnipro region in modern times is particularly complex. The presented studies were conducted within the right-bank part of the Middle Dnipro, since the maximum activation of neotectonic activity zones is observed in this region, with significant gradients of the latest tectonic movements and their impact on the formation of the modern relief, that require a comprehensive assessment of the impact of geological and geomorphological factors on their formation. Methods. Structural and morphometric studies within the Middle Dnipro region, using remote sensing methods and spatial-analytical modeling, allowed us to determine morphometric parameters related to the terraced levels of the Dnipro River, the processes of deep erosion, denudation and accumulation, as well as the nature of recent and modern tectonic movements. Results. Detailed interpretation of multi-genetic and multi-order structural and morphometric maps, as well as in-depth geological analysis, allowed us to identify morphostructures and block structures of the crystalline basement (regional blocks and local microblocks), which are distinguished by differentiated tectonic movements and peculiarities of tectonic development. Сonclusions. The neotectonic conditions of formation and development of the paleorelief of the Right Bank of the Middle Dnieper are reconstructed. The peculiarities of the development of terraced levels in the Neogene and Quaternary periods are established. The obtained data can serve as a basis for analyzing the influence of tectonic movements on the activation of hazardous geological processes within the Middle Dnieper region and forecasting their development in the future.

Background. Suburban beaches within the Ukrainian coast of the northwestern shelf of the Black Sea, taking into account the density of industrial and social infrastructure, the proximity to the confluence of large rivers with significant catchment areas into the sea, are indicative of objects for carrying out regulatory studies of the distribution of plastic waste and microplastics in the components of the environment . Methods. The regularities of the distribution of plastic waste and microplastics within the coastal zone of the north-western part of the Black Sea were determined using the example of test sites in the city of Yuzhne (Odesa region, Ukraine). To analyze the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the synthetic material and to determine the features of its formation, distribution and accumulation in the coastal zone, the method of filtering water flows of the surface runoff was used. Visual analysis of plastic polymers was performed and their types were determined using spectroscopy and OPUS 7.5 software. Results. The results of Raman spectroscopy studies proved that the majority of selected samples of macro- and microplastics are represented by polypropylene, polyethylene and polystyrene. It has been confirmed that the main part of the plastic has a high migration capacity within the coastal areas, which is determined by the transport of runoff during periods of wave activity and the absence of a permanent component in the sand layer within the beach. It was determined that for different dimensional categories of plastic fragments, their species composition changes radically. Polymeric synthetic objects larger than 1 cm are represented mainly by polypropylene, polystyrene, and high-density polyethylene products. In the category of finer dimensions of plastic fragments, both the species spectrum of polymers and their belonging to different economic segments of use is expanding. Synthetic fibers, which make up the majority of objects of the smallest particle size fraction - less than 0.1 mm - are present everywhere and in significant quantitative composition. Conclusions. Research shows that the parameters of the coastline (width, length, slope, shape, presence of vegetation, anthropogenic variability), hydrogen processes and the geological structure of the coastal zone have a significant impact on the formation of the conditions for the accumulation of plastics and microplastics. In order to further study the factors influencing the pollution of the beach area by plastic products and microplastics, monitoring studies are needed within the presented test areas.

Debris flows are water-gravitational processes which are characterized by specific geological, geomorphological and climatic conditions. Formation of the debris flow is characterized by non-stationary and avalanche movements, as well as a multi-phase formation process. The general technique and modelling of debris flow impact on infrastructure in the Carpathians have been proposed. They are based on the algorithms of debris flow loadings calculations. These algorithms are applying the fundamental hydrodynamic laws and empirical data. A calculating module for the simulating debris flow impact on infrastructure in the Carpathians has been developed. In order to show the capabilities of the developed model, the results of its application to the model site test are analyzed, and finally, the application to a plausible debris-flow scenario, taken from a case study, is discussed. The module is the instrument of debris flow hazard assessment and aims towards the identification of potential debris flow risks. The developed process-based model predicts the motion of a mass movement and could be applied for a better understanding of the vulnerability of mountainous areas and design appropriate protective measures to withstand the impact of potential debris flows in the Carpathians.

The problem of predicting the landslide hazard is a priority area of research in the field of assessment of risks and natural disasters, which requires a comprehensive in-depth analysis of the factors of landslide formation, as well as the synthesis of existed theorethical and empiric data for a full understanding of the problem of landslide hazard and comprehensive assessment of its impact on community. The presented research is aimed at the development, implementation, and application of a comprehensive methodology for predicting landslide hazards and assessing their impact on the infrustructure. The research was carried out within the framework of national and international projects with the partiсipation of international partners from universities in France, Austria and Great Britain. The methodology of regional landslide hazard prediction for different structural regions of Ukraine is based on the methods of spatial modelling and aims at the landslide susseptibility mapping, creating multifactorial spatial models. As a result of a comprehensive analysis of landslide factors and spatial modelling integrated landslide hazard maps were created. These maps provide an opportunity to comprehensively assess the landslide hazard for different regions. Methods of local prediction of landslide hazard based on the application of a rational complex of geological, physical, remote, thermographic studies, and deterministic modelling enable to identify the main features and potential activity of landslide processes within landslide-prone areas and suggest preventive measures for risk mitigation. Examples of the integrated methodology applications for landslide hazard prediction within model sites in Kaniv and Kyiv regions are given. The concept of informing people about the potential geohazards was given.

This contribution presents part of an original study that combines field observations, petrography and geochronological constraints of the extremely high-grade REE-Th-U mineralization associated with the pegmatitic bodies of the Alces Lake deposit/prospect (SK, Canada). These pegmatites intrude the metasedimentary and metaigneous rocks of the Murmac Bay Group with the mineralization hosted in monazite-(Ce) (within the studied Ivan and Wilson zones). The investigated samples display mostly peraluminous signatures and are dominated by the assemblage of quartz + K-feldspar + plagioclase + biotite +/- rutile at the Wilson zone +/- muscovite at the Ivan zone + monazite + zircon. Chemical U-Pb dating of monazite grains of 1.8-2.0 Ga for both studied zones confirm the relation to the Trans-Hudson Orogen metamorphism.

Summary One of the important geohazards processes, which take place now days is Ukraine, is the soil loses. Water erosion is one of the major threats to soils in the European Union, with a negative impact on ecosystem services, crop production, drinking water and carbon stocks. Magnetic method is low cost and rapid instrument for the soil erosion identification. The crucial idea of the present study is to find effective and low-cost method to assess soil processes and to minimize the risks related to the improper agriculture. The soil collected from the field under the concept of high-precision agriculture at the different areas was analysed to find relation between magnetic and agricultural parameters. The study site is located at the Forest-Steppe Ukraine agroclimatic zone. Magnetic parameters were measured for 80 samples. The magnetic susceptibility is in close relation with organic carbon and pH of soil. All these parameters are the components of the equations (RUSLE, WEPP) for the calculation the coefficient of the soil water erosion. The erosion processes within the slope are the initial basement of the formation more dangerous geohazards like local landslides

Summary The city of Kyiv refers to historical and cultural heritage owing to a significant number of world-famous landmarks that are affected from time to time by hazardous geological processes, including landslides, flooding, erosion, etc. More than 110 landslides with a total area of 5.45 km2 were recorded in Kyiv. Aiming to prevent the emergency situations and avoid economic and social problems, landslide monitoring studies were carried out on the sites of historical and cultural heritage in Kyiv (the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, Lysa Hora and Fomin Botanical Garden) involving a rational complex of instrumental observations based on Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) technique, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and thermography data. Following the conducted study, the high informative value of the complex of ERT, GPR and IRT methods for the local forecasting of landslide hazard was confirmed, as they contribute to the detailed study of the geometry of the landslide body, determine the level of water content in sediments of landslide-prone slopes, and also assess the potential formation of the landslide processes. Recommendations were developed to prevent the negative impact of landslide processes and minimize their consequences.

Summary The research deals with landslide hazard assessment at the local scale in Transcarpathian rural area. Landslides within these model sites are examples of the structural landslides forming in intensive fragmentation of rock complexes with a numerous fracture. The geophysical data collected provided a more detailed characterization of the weak zones the geometry of landslide body, location of fracture zones and individuating high water content zones. Thus, according to the results of geological, geomorphological and geophysical investigation, potential landslide hazard for rural area and the possibility of the formation of different erosion forms were revealed.

Summary Landslides forecasting is based on various approaches and methodology. Forecasting at the regional scale can be both qualitative and quantitative and can be carried out using both stochastic and deterministic methods. Regional forecasts imply special zoning of the territory, which characterizes the distribution of landslides, the conditions for their occurrence and activation, and determines the probability of occurrence. The integrated landslide hazard map of Kyiv region was developed by the method of overlay transformations. Various data can be involved in the overlay analysis, which determine the priority factors of mass movements and their possible combinations. One of the examples of the involvement of geological data in the prediction of landslides at the regional scale can be lineament analysis. The results of the lineament analysis for seismically induced landslides in central Nepal has been proposed. The methodology of landslide forecasting at the local scale for assessing the condition of landslide slopes based on a complex of instrumental non-invasive geophysical methods was developed using the example of tested areas within the Middle Dnieper region in Ukraine. It was confirmed that one of the important criteria for assessing the slope stability is the stress-strain state of the rock mass.

This paper investigates the monazite grains from the Dibrova rare-earth-thorium-uranium (U-Th-REE) mineral deposit within the Azov Megablock of Ukrainian Shield. U-Th-REE mineralization is associated with K-feldspar-quartz metasandstones and metagritstones (hereafter quartzites) and pegmatoids. The latter possibly represent products of ultrametamorphism/granitization of initially sedimentary clastic rocks during tectono-magmatic activation during the Paleoproterozoic. Ores are composed of quartz as a principal mineral, feldspar, sillimanite, muscovite, monazite, brannerite, uraninite, zircon, rutile, and sulfides. The purpose of this work was to obtain insights into the genesis of the mineral deposit by studying the monazite grains, their chemistry, and ages. Petrographic research work was carried out that included studying/analyzing the monazites from various monazite-bearing rocks (quartzites, pegmatoid, and biotite schist samples). A variety of methods and tools were used, including optical microscopy study, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mapping of selected samples, as well as scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron microprobe (EPMA) characterization of monazites, including U-Th-Pb monazite chemical dating. U-Pb-Th chemical electron microprobe dating of the monazites yielded two major distinct monazite age groups at 3.0–2.8 Ga and 2.2–2.0 Ga. The first age group corresponds to the time of formation of the Archean granitoids, which served as a source of monazite for its clastic sedimentation during the Paleoproterozoic in the Dibrova suite sediments. The second age group corresponds to the reprecipitation (i.e., remobilization) of monazite during the Paleoproterozoic tectono-magmatic activation. The location of the mineral deposit within the deep mantle-crustal Devladivska shear zone is another favorable factor for the remobilization and transport of metals. New data on the age of mineralization yield a more complete understanding of the geological history and formation of the complex polyphase rare-earth-uranium-thorium Dibrova mineral deposit.

Summary The research presents the results of landslide hazard assessment at the regional scale within Middle Dnieper Area that represent the landslide susceptibility mapping using GIS analysis. The factors of geo-environmental media related to the localization of landslides within this study area including slope, aspect, curvature was extracted from SRTM data; geology, distance to stream, hydrogeological conditions were extracted from maps (scale 1: 200 000 - sheet M-36-XX). Thus, according to the results of GIS analysis, potential high probability zones of landslide occurrence were revealed. The results were show that 75 landslides are occurred in the Eocene marl deposits (Kyiv suite) and Pliocene deposits of red-brown clays, 65 landslides are confined to the aquifers of the alluvial sediments. Also, was recorded relation of landslides to slopes of southwest and northeast exposure, from 7° to 23°.

Summary Landslide processes in the Himalayas represent a major hazard threatening both human lives and the socio-economic development of the region. The purpose of the present studies is to demonstrate the potential of the integrated technique for the assessment of the landslide hazards at the regional scale within the mountain areas (Central Nepal). An analysis of the factors favoring the occurrence of landslides is performed on the base of existing geological and remote sensing data. The Landslide susceptibility map of Central Nepal was created using the Weighted Overlay method. This method allows to take into account simultaneously the different factors to be considered (slope, distance to lineaments, geology, lithology, elevation) in order to obtain spatial information and to implement a multi-factor model for a comprehensive landslide hazard assessment. The developed prognosis models could be applied for better understanding of vulnerability of areas, and to apply the methods of local predictions of landslides within areas with the highest hazards. It enables to develop the appropriate protective measures to withstand the impact of potential landslides in Central Nepal.

This paper reports on using low-cost, energy-efficient magnetic measurements to study pollution in the Lviv agglomeration, a major industrial and cultural centre of Western Ukraine. Soil magnetic properties were measured in two areas and along one transect. 66 surface topsoil samples were collected in the grid surveyed (a depth of 0–5 cm) at Jewish Park, 33 samples—along the transect. 15 soil samples were taken randomly from an area of Lychakiv Park to identify the magnetic properties of natural soil in the study area. The highest values of magnetic susceptibility ( χ ) were recorded in soil samples collected near roads with heavy traffic and the railway embankment area (150–237 × 10 –8 m 3 /kg); At a distance of about 20–25 m from the road the χ values were 45–80 × 10 –8 m 3 /kg. In the green space zones of Jewish Park, the Vysokyi Zamok castle, and the Lychakiv Cemetery, χ values displayed a significant decrease (12–24 × 10 –8 m 3 /kg). The thermomagnetic analyses demonstrated a global maximum at 128 K, close to the Verwey transition and the isotropic point of magnetite. The hysteresis parameters suggest the presence of coarse-grained pseudo-single domain (PSD) and multidomain grains (MD) in the samples. The obtained results could be valuable in determining hotspots and pollution levels in the Lviv area using magnetic measurements of soil, as well as further precision geochemical studies.

Summary Landslide hazards pose the greatest risk at the different levels. Landslide hazards and risk identifying, evaluating and management needs to be considered as part of deep analysis when different projects related the infrastructure management or land using. The comprehensive analysis of landslide risks will increase the accuracy of landslide resilience identification. There are domains associated with the Disaster Risk Reduction stages which could be applied for the landslide risk evaluating and management. They include forecasting, landslide hazards and risk assessment for civil protection early response, infrastructure risk management, and landslide risk mitigation and capacity building. The concept of landslide vulnerability and risk reduction strategy to Ukraine have been proposed. This is important in order to reduce landslide risk and increase the resilience.

Summary Structural and morphometric constructions were carriedout within the Middle Dnipro region with the use of spatial GIS analysis and methods of remote sensing of the Earth. A wide range of structural and morphometric studies was applied, the results of which made it possible to trace the magnitude of the latest movements of the earth's crust, as well as the presence of local structures that were discovered during the research. The neotectonic conditions of the formation and development of the Right Bank paleo-relief reflected in the terrace level have been reconstructed. Features of the development of floodplain terraces in the Neogene and Quaternary periods have been established. The conducted research made it possible to reveal the natural connection of the relief with tectonics, to demarcate multi-block tectonic structures and to analyze the peculiarities of their structure manifested in the features of the modern relief. The mechanism of tectonic movements associated with the genesis of ancient structural forms and the connection of surface deformations with deep processes have been clarified. The obtained data can serve as a basis for analyzing the impact of tectonic movements on the activation of dangerous geological processes within the Middle Dnieper region and forecasting their development in the future.

On the basis of a complex structural-morphometric analysis, methods of remote sensing of the Earth and spatial modeling, the evolution of different-scale morphostructures of the right bank of the Middle Dnieper region is analyzed. Based on the created structural-morphometric models, the features of tectogenesis and morphogenesis during the Neogene-Quaternary time were revealed. The regional and local structures are characterized and the amplitudes of the latest and modern crustal movements within them are determined. The complex relationship between endogenous and exogenous relief formation has been confirmed, and the role of glacial influence on relief formation has been characterized. The nature of the relationship between structural-tectonic processes and the development of dangerous geological processes has been determined. Geological and geomorphological field studies revealed the characteristic structural and tectonic features of block structures and their influence on individual factors of geomorphogenesis. Tectonic-geomorphological modeling, taking into account morphostructural analysis, illustrated the formation of relief of various types under conditions of variable rhythms of endogenous and exogenous processes.

Ukraine is characterised by active natural hazards processes within different structural, tectonic and landscape zones.In Middle Dnieper basin region mass movement processes have great impact on people's livelihoods and infrastructure.These processes occur on the slopes with different geological structure.The determining causes include lithologic and stratigraphic conditions, hydrogeological regime, structural and textural peculiarities of rocks and the geomorphology of the slopes.Landslide inventory database has been developed based on long-term observations of more than 400 landslides and landslide-prone areas.This paper takes efforts forward by combining different geological and geophysical methods to advance the current understanding of landslide phenomena and contributing towards a better informed assessment of landslide hazard and risk.The developed methodology is implemented in a test sites of Kyiv region, covering an area of 18.3 km 2 situated in the Middle Dnieper basin.Electrical Resistivity Tomography, Self-Potential and Infrared Thermography techniques were employed to investigate the lithostratigraphic sequences, the geometry of landslide body and potential mass movement.The results presented here confirm the potential of using an integrated approach that combines different field data to better plan mitigation activities and measures for the effective land management.This study will be useful in increasing the safety aspects of the infrastructures and lives and also for planning of research and developmental activities.

The Alces Lake REE-Th-U mineralization area is located approximately 28 km north of the Athabasca basin margin and is ranked as the highest-grade REE occurrence in Canada. The mineralized pegmatites are emplaced within/near the Archean/Paleoproterozoic transition zone under middle crustal P-T conditions and form polyphase anatectic pods/boudins/zones along/near this transition. They are composed mainly of monazite, feldspar, quartz, biotite, muscovite, garnet, zircon and iron oxide minerals in various concentrations with the monazite as the main REE hosted mineral. This research aims at understanding the petrogenesis of the Alces Lake mineralization and its host rocks using various software programs (e.g. IGPET, Petrogram, Geoscience ANALYST Pro). Different petrogenetic hypotheses were tested by creating bivariate plots, trivariate plots and spider discrimination diagrams. It was observed that the mineralized granitic to residual melt/cumulate pegmatites are very strongly enriched (>> 10,000x chondrites) in LREE and relatively depleted in HREE with significant negative Eu anomalies. The investigated samples are peraluminous with a smaller number being metaluminous and represent A-type, S-type and marginal I-type granitoids. These granitic pegmatites could have also provided additional uranium (U) for the unconformity-related (U/C-type) deposits.

Summary Landslides are mass movement consisting of different material and extremely challenging to predict the formation, dynamic and impact on infrastructure which will facilitate mitigation as well as evaluation of risks. Landslides are some of the main geological hazards in the Middle Dnieper area of Ukraine. One of the most important factors is the presence of the weak zones, joints, fracturing in the rocks of a landslide-prone areas. An indication of this factor in the study area has been obtained by real field observation and remote sensing data. Based on the results of the research of fracture zones in the Paleogene (Kyiv suite) marls and their further analysis, two types of tectonic fracture zones have been distinguished. They are suborthogonal and lenticular ones. Origin of suborthogonal fracturing could be associated with neotectonic movements and fault system; the formation of lenticular fracturing is associated with the slow subsidence of the marls. The reconstruction of paleostresses and developed models could be applied for better understanding of main causes of mass movement, its prediction and vulnerability of a landslide-prone area.