Earth Sciences Pakistan (ESP)

Twenty five benthic foraminiferal Late Cretaceous taxa belonging to 20 genera have been recorded from southern California (USA) and northwestern Baja California (Mexico) in the Northern Tethys. Seventeen of these species are believed to be new: Trochammina sliteri, Gaudryina californica, Haplophragmoides mexiconica, Cornuspira americanica, Quinqueloculina mexiconica, Laevidentalina californica, Nodosaria americanica, Lingulina mexiconica, Frondicularia californica, Frondicularia americanica, Lenticulina californica, Ellipsocristtellaria californica, Lagena frankei, Lagena sliteri, Oolina mexiconica, Bolivinoides californica and Pullenia americanica. This assemblage is mostly representing a warm stratigraphic interval water environment which reflect an open marine inner neritic to bathyal environments (~200-2000 m). A comparative correlation of the Late Cretaceous benthic foraminiferal fauna between American and Iran localities is presented.

A detailed alpha track survey, coupled with structural analysis and ground radiometric prospecting, was conducted over the post-kinematic pink granite of the G-VII uranium occurrence, Gabal Gattar area, Northern Eastern Desert, Egypt. The study aims to identify the tectonic structures controlling uranium mineralization, with the objective of characterizing the major ore body in this locality. Small-scale mineralized zones were reported in the G-VII, hosted in highly fractured and altered zones within the pink granite, and are primarily controlled by high-angles NNW-trending faults. These mineralized zones are characterized by intense silicification, hematitization, and kaolinitization, and are associated with networks of quartz veins, jasper, and basic dikes striking NNE and NE. A grid pattern, with 20 m spacing, was constructed across the study area. At each point, y-ray intensity, ell and eTh values were determined by portable scintillometer, and the alpha track detector was buried for about 20 days in a 30-50 cm hole. The track detector is composed of alpha-sensitive plastic strips cut from a processed cinema film. The alpha tracks caused by the decaying radon on the used detector were counted, and their densities were evaluated relative to background values. Prediction maps for y-ray counts, el and eTh, as well as alpha track densities, were constructed and interpreted in relation to geological and structural features. The results reveal a strong positive correlation between track densities and radiometric measurements, confirming the reliability of the alpha track technique. Track density mapping successfully identified new anomalous halos, without any surface radiometric expressions, extending in the E-W direction along both sides of the documented mineralized zones. Combined with the field geological observations, structural, and radiometric results, it is suggested that the uranium ore forms an irregular dike-like body of 10-25 m wide, and extends over a distance of approximately 300 m in the E-W direction. These findings improve the geological understanding of the G-VII, and provide valuable insight into the true extent of the uranium ore body.

The placer gold deposits are regarded as highly appealing yet unexploited opportunities that have ready accessibility near the surface and are also capital-intensive favoring the junior companies and the accelerated exploration programs. The conventional processes, however, are hampered by the differences between local observation and the district-wide targeting, subjective combining the inhomogeneous data, and the redistribution of the gold deposits post-flood or post-channel avusion.
This review is an update of the knowledge in past since 2018 on the fluvial and paleochannel systems of using machine-learning techniques to show how artificial intelligence is reshaping the qualitative heuristic of placer prospectivity mapping in to probabilistic uncertainty-sensitive modelling. Research has become a common practice in recent years, based upon a sourcepathwaytraptrap construct, to use high-resolution digital elevation models, hydrological proxies, radar-delimited paleochannel, and geospatial fusion of sources. The nonlinear and multi factor control effects on gold deposition, including the gradients of the sediment supply, the depositional energy, lithological control of sorting of the sediments and proximity to the primary sources, which is not an emphasis of the traditional parametric models, can be obtained using machine-learning models. In reported case studies, predictive improvements of 15 40 per cent over conventional techniques have been reported, which have been supported using 3D subsurface models that can offer links between borehole lithologies and paleochannel structures, as well as predict expansions in artisanal mining.
Ongoing problems, such as sparse and accessibility-biased training data, demand close attention by mitigation using spatial cross-validation and bias correction and uncertain quantification. Strictly speaking Al/ML can also overcome the difference between surface targeting and subsurface characterization, and hasten the discovery in complex alluvial systems, and responsible sourcing may be required to meet the demands of the growing world. The overcoming of label bias and the creation of a fully 3D predictive modeling are the most urgent research frontiers in order to get scalable and industry-ready placer exploration.
The present review presents an intuitive, criteria-driven roadmap to both researchers and practitioners aiming to integrate Al/ML in placer gold exploration in the future through the connection of the sophisticated modeling with the practical decision-making process.

The present study deals with the modern taxonomical consideration of the sixteen Brazilian Cretaceous smaller benthic foraminiferal species belonging to thirteen genera and represent good example of the Southern Tethyan benthic foraminiferal species. Ten out of these species are treated here as new: Gaudryina brazilica, Textularia brazilica, Ammobaculoides brazilica, Hemirobulina brazilica, Marginulina brazilica, Citharina brazilica, Planularia brazilica, Guttulina brazilica, Bolivina brazilica and Valvulineria brazilensis. The other six species have new generic name according to the modern taxonomy: Laevidentalina mirandai, Lenticubella benderi, Coryphostoma incrassata, Valvulineria calumbiensis, V. garai, and V. leonardosi. The Brazilian Southern Tethyan taxa indicate an open marine environment, which represents outer neritic environmental conditions of the identified species mainly represent warm stratigraphic interval water neritic environment (~200m). These wide paleogeographic distributions proved that the ancestral Tethys was connected with the ancestral Atlantic and Indian Oceans via Mediterranean Sea.

Climate change impacts communities worldwide and is Pakistan’s top social-ecological challenge. As a predominantly agricultural country in a vulnerable region, Pakistan faces rising temperatures, sea level rise, glacier melting, and increased flooding. These changes pose a threat to social and ecological stability. A survey assessed public understanding and the impacts of climate change across different regions. Respondent reported suffering from floods, droughts, heatwaves, shifting rainfall patterns, displacement, and the need for coping strategies. Many, 33.3%, are dissatisfied with government policies and call for increased awareness to address human causes. Forecasts show these problems will worsen. Understanding these impacts and implementing effective adaptation and mitigation are crucial. The government should launch awareness programs and policies to reduce climate risks.

This study used the rainfall dataset collected for 1978-2015 in 8 rain stations located in Ha’il region. The purpose of this study is to analyze the variations and trends of rainfall events through a statistical analysis of data recorded. The analyze the rainfall variability has been processed using the coefficient of variation (CV) and Standardized Analyze Index (SAI) and plotted. While the rainfall trends have been analyzed by three statistically methods widely used: Simple Moving-Average (SMA), Homogeneity of variance (Hartley’s Fmax￾ratio) and Semi-averages. The trends analysis of annual rainfall shows that the fluctuations or variations in climatic parameters is a recurring phenomena in the studied stations. Inter-annual variability of rainfall and the cumulative frequency of rainy days are characterized by the high coefficients of variation. In addition, the values of Chi square test reveals the significant Standardized Anomaly Index (SAI) of rainfall. Accordingly, the results contain a total of 18 increasing trends (37.5%) and 30 decreasing trends (62.5%). These results indicate that the warming climate of Ha’il region is accelerating in recent decades, which may have severe socioeconomic repercussions in many sectors especially the agriculture and surface water resources.

This study combines field observations, petrographic descriptions, geochemical data, and heavy mineral analysis to better understand the provenance, tectonic setting, and depositional environment of the Gombe Formation sandstones at Wuro Biriji in the Gongola Sub-basin, Northeastern Nigeria. Lithic arkose and feldspathic litharenite make up the majority of the sandstones, dominated by quartz (54–62%), with notable amounts of feldspar (6–17%) and lithic fragments (10–19%). Accessory minerals such as zircon, rutile, and tourmaline provide important provenance clues. Geochemical results show SiO₂ contents ranging from 53.26% to 78.96%, with Al₂O₃/TiO₂ ratios between 2.05 and 7.14. The samples are also enriched in Fe₂O₃, pointing to contributions from both felsic and minor mafic sources. Weathering indices (CIA: 54.42–89.43; PIA: 70.63–96.59) reveal moderate to severe chemical weathering, indicating that the source rocks from which the sediments were formed were exposed to warm, humid paleoclimatic conditions. High concentrations of Zr (up to 8,950 ppm) and Hf (up to 32 ppm) reflect strong recycling and a predominantly felsic source, while trace amounts of Cr (90–280 ppm) and V (70–145 ppm) show some mafic input. The heavy mineral fraction is dominated by zircon, rutile, and tourmaline, with ZTR indices of 28.6–63.5% and RZi values of 15.0–85.7%. These results indicate a polycyclic, felsic-dominated provenance with a minor metamorphic contribution. Sandstones in the continental block and recycled orogen fields are regularly shown in discrimination diagrams, with a small overlap into settings of active continental margins. Deposition in a fluvial to deltaic system influenced by shallow marine conditions is shown by sedimentological evidence such as heterolithic facies, cross-bedding, and ripple marks. A tectonically dynamic basin’s heterogeneous felsic and mafic contributions, deposited under fluctuating energy conditions, are reflected in the Gombe Sandstone. These results add to a better knowledge of the Upper Benue Trough and offer important new information about the stratigraphic development of the Gongola Sub-basin.

Mechanical and chemical analyses of soil samples were applied in the study of soils in the gully erosion sites to determine their susceptibility to gully erosion. Mechanical analysis includes the determination of texture and sand + silt/clay ratio, while the chemical analysis includes the determination of pH, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and organic matter (OM) content values of topsoil and subsoil. The topsoil has percentages of sand > 76.85% and clay < 15.64% and is classified as sandy soil, while subsoil was classified as heavy clay soil with percentages of sand < 29.71% and clay > 59%. The pH of soils ranged from 4.34 to 6.42, indicating acidic soils. The sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of topsoil and subsoil ranged from 2.08 to 2.25 and 2.33 to 2.53, respectively. Therefore, the soils can be described as saline and dispersive, with dispersiveness increasing from topsoil to subsoil. The total organic matter (TOM) and organic carbon (OC) ranged from 0.25 to 0.86 meq/100g and 0.16 to 0.56 meq/100g, respectively. The generally low values of OM content indicate unstable soil aggregates and poor structure that cannot resist erosion. The average monthly rainfall amount/intensity is enough to induce water saturation of soils. Slope level ranged from 4° to 6.4°. Therefore, based on high SAR, low OM, gentle slope and high rainfall amount/intensity, the topsoil and subsoil are susceptible to gully erosion when the former is exposed to the raindrops with vegetation removal and the latter is exposed to runoff with the erosion of the topsoil.

Twelve latest Maastrichtian planktic foraminiferal species of the genus Plummerita in the Late Maastrichtian P. hantkeninoides Range Zone are recorded and illustrated from the Northern and Southern Tethys (USA, Caribbean, Trinidad, Spain, Tunisia, Egypt, Iraq and India). Six planktic foraminiferal evolutionary lineages in the assemblage were produced by gradualistic evolutionary trends which observed within this assemblage. These trends are: (1) Plummerita elkefensis Anan & Orabi → P. hantkeninoides (Brönnimann), (2) P. safaae Anan, n. sp. → P. haggagae Anan, (3) P. salimi Anan, n. sp. → P. hodae Anan, (4) P. kellerae Anan & Orabi → P. caribbeanica Anan, (5) P. inflata (Brönnimann) → P. tunisica Anan, (6) P. costata (Brönnimann) → P. spainica Anan. Two of the recorded species is treated here as new: Plummerita safaae and P. salimi. These lineages help to define the major faunal changes in the Late Maastrichtian warm water Gene Pool.

The hydroclimate of the Western Himalayas is governed by a complex interplay between cryospheric dynamics, atmospheric circulation, and seasonal precipitation regimes. This short review synthesizes recent insights from observational, mechanistic, and modeling perspectives to explore how Himalayan glaciers modulate regional rainfall variability. (Salerno et al. 2023) highlighted the localized cooling and drying effects induced by glacial processes under global warming, while (Ali et al. 2018) documented conflicting wet and dry trends in monsoonal and winter rainfall over Punjab, Pakistan—suggesting a seasonally asymmetric response to large-scale forcings. Complementing these findings, (Wang et al. 2024) reviewed the modeling challenges in representing glacio-hydrological interactions across the complex terrain of the Tibetan Plateau and adjoining Himalayan ranges. Together, these studies underscore the need for integrated frameworks that account for glacier–atmosphere coupling and its feedback on precipitation patterns under future climate scenarios.