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Publications

Publications by Rui Moura

2023

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CAPELINHOS VOLCANO (AZORES ISLANDS, PORTUGAL) AS A NEW PLANETARY ANALOG SITE AIMED AT SPACE EXPLORATION RESEARCH

Authors
Moura, R; Pires, AC; Pinto, MC; Nunes, JC;

Publication
International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference Surveying Geology and Mining Ecology Management, SGEM

Abstract
Volcanic sites on Earth provide valuable insights into the geological processes that shape our planet and can also serve as effective analogs for studying similar volcanic activity on other celestial bodies, such as the Moon. This work aims to discuss the general characterization of the Capelinhos volcanic site, in the archipelago of Azores in Portugal, showing the potential as a planetary analog. It's barren landscape, covered with pyroclastic rocks can lend itself the purpose of becoming a lunar planetary analog site, possibly even a Martian site. This geological site was formed during an eruption that occurred in 1957-58, thus the vegetation is practically absent. By examining the physical and chemical properties of its pyroclastic rocks, as well as the associated volcanic landforms, researchers of different fields can better understand lunar volcanic activity and its implications for many aspects of future lunar exploration. Although its origin is different from most of the locations on the lunar surface, since it doesn't contemplate the impactism originated regolith characteristics and associated geomorphology, it does resemble this setting for a broad range of research objectives. © 2023 International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference. All rights reserved.

2023

AZOREAN LAVA TUBE SYSTEMS: A PROPOSAL FOR A NEW PLANETARY ANALOG SITE TOWARDS FUTURE LUNAR AND MARTIAN EXPLORATION RESEARCH

Authors
Pires, AC; Moura, R; Nunes, JC; Barcelos, P; Caetano, P; Quinteiro, P; Gonzalez Serricchio, S; Gonzalez, Y; Andrejkovicová, S; Niel, P; Chaminé, I;

Publication
International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference Surveying Geology and Mining Ecology Management, SGEM

Abstract
The significance of analog studies using lava tubes on Earth to inform on the design of future lunar and Martian missions is aimed at exploring and utilising those structures as potential habitats on those planetary bodies. Lava tubes, natural subsurface cavities formed by volcanic activity, have several characteristics that make them appealing for human habitation on the Moon and Mars. Researchers conducting analog studies on Earth can gain valuable insights into the geological, environmental, engineering, crew and robotic challenges associated with lunar or Martian lava tube exploration and housing. This work reviews some scientific characteristics of an Azorean lava tube system that can contribute towards analog studies and their potential to help plan and design lunar and Martian missions. Human and robotic planetary exploration has garnered considerable attention recently, focusing on identifying potential habitats for future human missions. Lava tubes, formed by molten lava flowing beneath the solidified crust, offer natural subsurface shelters with numerous advantages for lunar or Martian habitation. This work provides insight into one of a lava tube structures, in Terceira island in the Azores archipelago. This structure would be adequate for analog studies that can contribute to the design of missions, providing valuable protocols for geological, geophysical and engineering tasks and potentially facilitating the development of sustainable lunar or Martian habitats. © 2023 International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference. All rights reserved.

2023

The INOVMineral Project's Contribution to Mineral Exploration-A WebGIS Integration and Visualization of Spectral and Geophysical Properties of the Aldeia LCT Pegmatite Spodumene Deposit

Authors
Cardoso Fernandes, J; Santos, D; de Almeida, CR; Vasques, JT; Mendes, A; Ribeiro, R; Azzalini, A; Duarte, L; Moura, R; Lima, A; Teodoro, AC;

Publication
MINERALS

Abstract
Due to the current energetic transition, new geological exploration technologies are needed to discover mineral deposits containing critical materials such as lithium (Li). The vast majority of European Li deposits are related to Li-Cs-Ta (LCT) pegmatites. A review of the literature indicates that conventional exploration campaigns are dominated by geochemical surveys and related exploration tools. However, other exploration techniques must be evaluated, namely, remote sensing (RS) and geophysics. This work presents the results of the INOVMINERAL4.0 project obtained through alternative approaches to traditional geochemistry that were gathered and integrated into a webGIS application. The specific objectives were to: (i) assess the potential of high-resolution elevation data; (ii) evaluate geophysical methods, particularly radiometry; (iii) establish a methodology for spectral data acquisition and build a spectral library; (iv) compare obtained spectra with Landsat 9 data for pegmatite identification; and (v) implement a user-friendly webGIS platform for data integration and visualization. Radiometric data acquisition using geophysical techniques effectively discriminated pegmatites from host rocks. The developed spectral library provides valuable insights for space-based exploration. Landsat 9 data accurately identified known LCT pegmatite targets compared with Landsat 8. The user-friendly webGIS platform facilitates data integration, visualization, and sharing, supporting potential users in similar exploration approaches.

2009

Spatial distribution of weathering using seismic refraction - Further results in the vicinity of Canelas, NW Portugal

Authors
Santos, P; Lima, A; Moura, R;

Publication
Near Surface 2009 - 15th European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics

Abstract
In the recent years the ever growing concern of policy makers with respect to natural hazards has led researchers and practitioners to seek more reliable, precise and time efficient techniques map zones prone to hazards. Mass movement is a hazard common to many mountainous areas around the world which can pose a serious threat to the population living within the area as well as to the structures, property, environment and crops. Several geophysical methods assume a relevant role in monitoring and surveying unstable slopes. Our aim was to show that seismic refraction can meet the demands of a time efficient and cost effective method to map this vulnerability. We performed a series if profiles with the aim of determining distribution of rock weathering thickness and velocity distribution within the vicinity of Canelas (NW Portugal). The results of each profile were analysed to give thickness of geotechnical soil as well as average values for both near surface and deeper part of each profile. The results were georeferenced in GIS and thus the estimation of the spatial distribution of the parameters allowed a means of observing some correlation with the previously mapped features of the area, namely the geology and topography.

2012

PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF DISPERSIVE WAVE Vs MEASUREMENTS IN THE GRANITIC URBAN ENVIRONMENT OF PORTO, PORTUGAL

Authors
Moura, R; Noronha, F; dal Moro, G; Umaraliev, R;

Publication
12TH INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENTIFIC GEOCONFERENCE, SGEM 2012, VOL. II

Abstract
The measurement of shear wave velocity (Vs) is an established approach in contributing to earthquake site response. Currently, in terms of sensors, horizontal geophones have been added as an option to the more common vertical geophones and thus being able to measure Love waves. In terms of processing the most recent development has been the possibility of joint inversion of data sets of different types (Rayleigh+Love, Rayleigh+HVSR, Rayleigh+Refraction). Since some of most important earthquake site response measurements have to be performed in urban environments this can pose a problem to the in situ measurements due to the lower signal to noise ratio. Thus we aim to show a case study of results of dispersive wave tests, made in the urban environment of the city Porto in Northern Portugal, with the objective of contributing towards a microzoning GIS map that we are currently engaged in improving. Porto is set in a crystalline environment with a rock mass that is variably weathered thus our test results will be compared with the geotechnical map of Porto.

2011

Statistical method to delineate resistivity anomalies associated with contamination from a controlled dump - N Portugal

Authors
Fontoura, MJ; Lino, FJ; Ribeiro, SP; Rios, SM; Moura, RM; Dias, AG;

Publication
Near Surface 2011 - 17th European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics

Abstract
The assessment of contaminants dispersion in Controlled Dumps (CD) of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is possible through the combination of geophysical, geochemical and geostatistical methods as described in this paper. The methodology applied in this study will contribute to evaluate the environmental consequences of the Matosinhos CD (N Portugal), which is set in a granitic crystalline geological context with a permeability controlled by differential weathering associated with fracturing. The statistical methods here described (Lepeltier, 1969; Matschullat et al. 2000) are adapted to use in geophysical data obtained from the resistivity profiles performed in the CD surroundings by the electrical resistivity method. Groundwater samples were collected in piezometers; upstream and downstream of the CD, with the aim of directly confirming the presence of contaminants indirectly detected by the geophysical and geostatistical methods. The combination of these different approaches allows an approach to the detection and delineation of contaminant plumes from these deposits.

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