Abstract
The occurrence of landslides in northern Portugal has motivated the development of several case studies, rehearsing different methodologies that seek to defi ne and characterize the conditioning factors with the greatest infl uence over the geomorphologic instability processes. This paper presents the results obtained for Frades (Arcos de Valdevez) debris fl ow, discussing the importance of morphostructural context, surfi cial formations and their hydrological behavior, analyzed by in situ and laboratory tests, namely, grain size, mineralogy, hydraulic conductivity, penetration resistance and seismic refraction. The developed study shows the existence of preferential paths of internal water circulation, in combination with constraints linked to the characteristics of the surficial formations, revealing also that the subsurface drainage network has an obvious link with the fl ow that takes place at the surface, although it may present changes motivated by underlying structures.

Abstract
Propagation of surface waves can occur with complex energy distribution amongst the various modes. It is shown that even simple Vs (shear-wave velocity) profiles can generate velocity spectra that, because of a complex mode excitation, can be quite difficult to interpret in terms of modal dispersion curves. In some cases, Rayleigh waves show relevant differences depending on the considered component (radial or vertical) and the kind of source (vertical impact or explosive). Contrary to several simplistic assumptions often proposed, it is shown, both via synthetic and field datasets, that the fundamental mode of Rayleigh waves can be almost completely absent. This sort of evidence demonstrates the importance of a multi-component analysis capable of providing the necessary elements to properly interpret the data and adequately constrain the subsurface model. It is purposely shown, also through the sole use of horizontal geophones, how it can be possible to efficiently and quickly acquire both Love and Rayleigh (radial-component) waves. The presented field dataset reports a case where Rayleigh waves (both their vertical and radial components) appear largely dominated by higher modes with little or no evidence of the fundamental mode. The joint inversion of the radial and vertical components of Rayleigh waves jointly with Love waves is performed by adopting a multi-objective inversion scheme based on the computation of synthetic seismograms for the three considered components and the minimization of the whole velocity spectra misfits (Full Velocity Spectra - FVS - inversion). Such a FVS multi-component joint inversion can better handle complex velocity spectra thus providing a more robust subsurface model not affected by erroneous velocity spectra interpretations and non-uniqueness of the solution.

Abstract
The measurement of shear wave velocity (Vs) is an established approach in contributing to earthquake site response. In situ dispersive wave measurements are one of the ways of determining Vs to a certain depth. Rayleigh type measurements have had a significant development in the past two decades. Since Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves measurements appeared, in the late 80s and early 90s, other approaches have developed. The later Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves method (MASW), that took advantage of the engineering seismograph and the increasing number software routines that became available, greatly enhanced the confidence of this type of in situ results towards assessing the shear wave velocity profile of the near surface. Thus within this work we aim to show the results of 27 dispersive wave tests, made for 48 educational facilities located in 20 villages of the Chong-Alay district, Osh oblast, Kyrgyz Republic. The results of these seismic tests contributed towards the micro seismic wider hazard assessment study we performed.

Abstract
Geophysical experts aimed to establish a method to identify contamination by landfill leakage without chemically analyzing subsoil samples, which is time-consuming and expensive. To that end, researchers developed a software package that let the experts create 3D visualizations of geophysical data acquired around the landfill and apply statistical analysis to detect anomalous values. The data used, electrical resistivity, are typically sparse. So, the application employs kriging to interpolate the data and provide a volumetric representation of the subsoil resistivity. To avoid invalid conclusions, the visualization also represents uncertainty. The application enabled the experts to better understand the phenomenon and to develop and validate their method. Their evaluation of the application indicated that it helped them throughout the method's development and significantly eased their workload. © 2014 IEEE.

Abstract
Mountains are often considered as the world's water towers. This paper presents a critical review on the research concerning the integrated assessment of groundwater resources of the mountain hydrogeologic system of Serra da Estrela Natural Park (central Portugal). The study area is the Zzere river basin upstream of Manteigas village located at the Serra da Estrela Mountain in Central Portugal. It provides the source of strategic water resources for the Portuguese mainland, including normal groundwaters, thermomineral waters and surface waters. An integrated approach has been used to formulate a conceptual model for this complex mountain hydrogeological system by integrating the geological, morphotectonic, hydroclimatic, unsaturated soil zone, hydrogeological, hydrogeophysical, hydrogeochemical and isotopic data. This model has been useful to: i) evaluate the water resources; ii) provide the basis for a sustainable management of water resources, iii) design measures for groundwater exploitation and contamination control; and iv) set up land-use policies.