The frequency of hurricanes and tropical storms is increasing; for example, there were a record-breaking 31 named storms during the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. Texas has historically been susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms; however, Hurricane Harvey in 2017 was the highest category storm event to cross Texas since 2000. Our regional change analysis used 2016 and 2018 lidar-derived elevation models with 1 m spatial resolution to determine above-sea level changes due to Hurricane Harvey. The upper Texas coast experienced shoreline erosion, with local depositional events occurring on the southeastern sides of jetties and groins. Incidents of dune washout and overwash fans were present along the barrier islands of the upper Texas coast, as well as erosion to foredune complexes and a decrease in dune heights. As of March 2018, recovery is visible through berm buildup and backbeach aggradation. Our multiyear analysis (above sea level) of four sites within Galveston and Follett’s Islands determined the immediate impact of Harvey (2016–2017) and followed recovery until March 2019. The multiyear analysis determined that all four sites experienced varying levels of recovery by 2018. UAV surveys conducted in 2022 showed potential in acquiring topographic data for comparison with 2019 beach-dune conditions.

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Ground-based hyperspectral imaging is useful for geologic mapping because of its high spectral and spatial resolutions at a millimeter to centimeter scale. We have used hyperspectral and terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) data collected in close range to a roadcut near Jane, Missouri, that contains a subvertical outcrop of Lower Mississippian limestone. The outcrop consists of the Compton, Northview, and Pierson Formations, which we evaluated for facies heterogeneity. The sequence near Jane, Missouri, was deposited in shelf margin with high-frequency sea-level fluctuations. These fluctuations introduced lithologic and geometric heterogeneity to the facies, and debris flows brought in carbonate mounds referred to as outrunner blocks. These are important to interpret accurately because of their equivocal depositional origin, which is highly debated by previous workers. We combined hyperspectral data with TLS for an integrated spatial analysis of geometric and compositional variations in facies by accurate, point cloud-registered mineralogical mapping. We mapped several carbonate facies based on spectral signatures of calcite, silt, and clay particles and distinguished pure limestone outrunner blocks from surrounding mud-prone limestone facies with various proportions of silt and clay (a total of approximately 60%). By tracing the classified facies from combined hyperspectral and TLS imagery, we produced a lithostratigraphic framework, which indicates rapid changes in lithology and the presence of shale baffles that vary the character of the Compton through Pierson interval and contribute to heterogeneity in this outcrop. The data suggest a lower energy depositional environment and support the hypothesis of transported outrunner blocks in a distally steepened ramp system. The information that we have evaluated in our study could help to explain reservoir heterogeneity in equivalent carbonate fields.

South Caspian basin (Azerbaijan) is the principal place of hydrocarbon accumulation in Productive Series sandstone reservoirs. The basin was complicated by total sub-meridional contraction as a result of north-east compressional deformation which caused generation of deformation bands in various rock types of plunging anticlines with significant influence regarding rock properties. The objective of the study is quantitative estimation of deformation bands impact on rock properties based on field measurements held in Yasamal Valley outcrops in northern-west part of the South Caspian basin and integration of acquired data to analogue steeply dipping reservoir rocks of South Caspian basin. Geological factors as lithological, structural and petrophysical elements are controlling deterioration or potential enhancement of the rock properties in the South Caspian basin with high concentration of deformation bands. Natural gamma radioactivity, permeability, dips and strikes measurements across wide range of facies were integrated for understanding the impact of these factors. Outcrop plugs with and without deformation bands were tested for Routine and Special Core Analyses, petrographical description, SEM, XRD and CT scan tests to estimate the rock properties at the pore scale. Field gamma ray measurements analysis reveal that no deformation bands are expected in the rocks with shale volume higher than 32%. Furthermore, probability function of deformation bands occurrence has exponentially declining nature. Higher concentration of deformation bands was observed in the northern part of the Yasamal Valley, where larger volume of iron- bearing calcite-cement precipitation during burial diagenesis has taken place and caused reduction in porosity and permeability. These calcite cements were precipitated in channelized sandstone deposition system and most of them are localized in tabular concretions which generally follow the bedding but, in some cases, terminate within a bed across facies. High amount of calcite cement caused greater impact of deformation bands. The intensity of rock degradation is dictated by mineralogical composition and texture properties. In comparison to the host rock plugs taken from the outcrop, adjacent samples with a single deformation band show 33% and 3% decrease in permeability and porosity, respectively. Dip and dip gradient in sandstone beds do not reveal an obvious impact on deformation bands distribution. Large volume of calcite cement precipitation was observed in Balakhany reservoirs in north-east limb of the Yasamal Valley which caused greater impact deformation bands and reduction in permeability. Isotopic analysis is recommended to be performed for interpretation of the calcite cement origin and the timing of its precipitation. Impact of deformation bands on permeability can be measured at a plug scale, macro scale estimates would require either whole core flooding or numerical modeling.

Deformation bands (DB) are known to influence porosity and permeability in sandstones. This study aims to predict the occurrence of DB and to quantify their impact on reservoir properties based on field measurements in the steeply dipping limb of a kilometer-scale fold in Yasamal Valley, western South Caspian Basin. An integrated approach of characterizing bands and their effect on reservoir properties included measurements of natural gamma radioactivity and permeability using portable tools, along with bed dip and the count of DB across distinct facies. A set of core analyses was performed on outcrop plugs with and without bands to estimate the alteration of rock properties at the pore scale. Interpretation of outcrop gamma-ray data indicates the absence of bands in Balakhany sandstones containing shale volume greater than 18% for unconsolidated and 32% for calcite-rich facies. A high amount of calcite cement appears to increase the number of DB. A poor, positive trend between bed dip and DB concentration was identified. We show that net to gross, defined as the thickness fraction of sandstone bound by mudstones, is among the parameters controlling the occurrence of bands. Samples containing a single DB show a 33% and 3% decrease in permeability and porosity, respectively, relative to the host rock. We reveal a new set of lithological and petrophysical factors influencing DB occurrence. This study offers a direct tool that can be applied in subsurface reservoir analogs to predict the occurrence and concentration of DB and estimate their influence on rock properties.