Geomorphological constraining of tsunami (?) run-up in the Alcantarilha coastal lowland (Central Algarve, Portugal)

The Alcantarilha lowland, partly barred by a well developed barrier, including foredunes covering Pleistocene-Holocene beachrock and aeolianite, develops across the Alcantarilha infilled estuary, the beach-dune extending further SE until the Salgados lagoon. A topographic and coring survey revealed a peculiar feature at the leeward toe of the dune ridge close to the inlet area: a sandy fan with location, shape and morphology suggesting emplacement by single or multiple overwash of the barrier tip rather than tidal forcing. Its storm or tsunami origin and age are under investigation, and the only time-constrain available at present is that it should post-date ca. 6600 cal BP, the most recent in situ aeolianite (Moura et al., 2007) dated so far. METHODS, DATA SET AND RESULTS The fan boundaries are distinctive in aerial photos and satellite images: it is roughly ellipsoidal, ~200 m wide and ~300 m elongated paralleling the shoreline, rising ~ 0.9-1.2 m above the surrounding floodplain surface. Detailed topography shows that its short axis aligns with SW-NE elongated (though irregular) depressions in the dune crest, which link the beach with the fan. This could have favoured funnelling of, or erosion by, water overtopping the barrier but, in either case, the fan should correspond to extreme and abrupt event(s) of coastal flooding. 18 trenches and cores were performed in the exposed area of the fan and nearby flood plain to obtain samples and data on its sedimentology, lithostratigraphy and geometry. The fan consists of well sorted and rounded sand (Fig. 2). It thins away and wedges out landwards of the apex (located near Alc29T) where it is partly covered by dune sand. Its lower boundary is undulating and marked by textural contrast between sand (fan) and underlying mud (alluvial/lagoonal); an accumulation of marine-sourced perforated pebbles showing limited lateral continuity may pinpoint this boundary near the foredune (core Alc 25, ca. 80 m westward of profile in Fig.1); mud-balls were also observed immediately above this surface in cores and trenches. As the washover was probably emplaced in a barred lagoonal/estuarine floodplain setting, the fan’s northern outer belt is enclosed by low-energy sediments (not shown in Fig. 2).

The ways behind the railways: Algarve's railway line. Technique transfers and transport development in Southern Portugal

Esta dissertação pretende contribuir para um melhor conhecimento da complexidade das redes de transferência de conhecimentos e técnicas, no domínio da engenharia civil e mais concretamente através dos caminhos-de-ferro, nos séculos XIX e XX. Em Portugal, os caminhos-de-ferro estiveram no cerne de um vasto debate, sobretudo político, concomitante com uma instabilidade crescente no cenário político e uma fase de fragilidade económica. É neste contexto que a Linha do Sul e Sueste vai ser construída (seguida pela sua extensão até Vila Real de Santo António e pela construção do ramal de Portimão, que chegará a Lagos). Este empreendimento é uma clara ilustração da realidade portuguesa de então, no que concerne ao desenvolvimento desta rede de transportes, que nos permite, igualmente, conhecer e compreender quem interveio no processo de construção da linha (os engenheiros, as empresas, entre outros aspectos) e assim determinar quais as influências e transferências técnicas que tiveram lugar; RESUMEE: Cette mémoire attire à la contribution pour une meilleure connaissance de la complexité des réseaux de transfert de techniques et connaissances qui ont eu lieu dans le domaine de l’ingénierie civile, surtout dans les chemins de fer, au XIXème et XXème siècles. Au Portugal, les chemins de fer sont été le cerne d’un très vaste débat, coïncidant avec une croissante instabilité dans le scenario politique et aussi une phase économique fragile. C’est dans ce contexte que la Ligne du Sud et Sud-est va être bâti (suivi par l’extension jusqu’à Vila Real de Santo António et la construction de l’embranchement ferroviaire Portimão). Cette entreprise c’est une illustration claire de la réalité portugaise, en concernant l’implémentation de cette réseau de transport, que nous permettre de comprendre et également bien connaitre qui a intervenu dans le processus de construction de la ligne (les ingénieurs, entreprises, etcetera), ainsi que déterminer les influences et les transferts techniques qui ont eu lieu; ABSTRACT: With this master’s thesis, the aim is to be able to contribute to a better understanding of the complex network of technique’s and knowledge transfers, that took place within the field of civil engineering, in the 19th and 20th centuries, namely on the railways. In Portugal, railways take-up was a wide and ample debate, coinciding with an uprising turmoil on the Portuguese political outskirt and a phase of economic frailty. It’s in this context that the construction of the South and Southeast Line took place (followed, later on, by its extension until Vila Real de Santo António and by the construction of the Portimão’s branch). This enterprise is, as we pretend to prove in this master’s thesis, a clear example of the Portuguese reality, enabling us to understand and to get to know those who intervened in the construction’s process (the engineers and the companies) as well as determining influences and technique transfers that have taken place.

Central Algarve karst system tufa-related dynamics, Portugal.

Geomorphological mapping is a powerful instrument improving the geomorphological interpretation and understanding of the processes and forms used in landscape studies, with the ability of organizing different thematic layers in the same map. The presented map provide relevant information about the different geomorphological units of the central Algarve (i.e. the Carboniferous flysch mountains; the Barrocal, with marly and karstified subunits), where a karst system is prominent. Solution karst morphologies and large dry areas are common in the elevated areas of the Barrocal, suggesting deep circulation of groundwater. These recharge areas feed the perched aquifers of the area, where discharge is controlled by the impervious lithologies (clay-rich strata of the turbidites, marls and argilites) in the valley bottoms or other leaks in dammed aquifers. In springs related to the main aquifers tufa are actively being formed and, close coupled to spring location, different tufa depositional systems develop.

Provenance of upper Triassic sandstone, southwest Iberia (Alentejo and Algarve basins): tracing variability in the sources

Laser ablation ICP-MS U–Pb analyses have been conducted on detrital zircon of Upper Triassic sandstone from the Alentejo and Algarve basins in southwest Iberia. The predominance of Neoproterozoic, Devonian, Paleoproterozoic and Carboniferous detrital zircon ages confirms previous studies that indicate the locus of the sediment source of the late Triassic Alentejo Basin in the pre-Mesozoic basement of the South Portuguese and Ossa-Morena zones. Suitable sources for the Upper Triassic Algarve sandstone are the Upper Devonian–Lower Carboniferous of the South Portuguese Zone (Phyllite–Quartzite and Tercenas formations) and the Meguma Terrane (present-day in Nova Scotia). Spatial variations of the sediment sources of both Upper Triassic basins suggest a more complex history of drainage than previously documented involving other source rocks located outside present-day Iberia. The two Triassic basins were isolated from each other with the detrital transport being controlled by two independent drainage systems. This study is important for the reconstruction of the late Triassic paleogeography in a place where, later, the opening of the Central Atlantic Ocean took place separating Europe from North America.

Adaptação às alterações climáticas do plano de contingência do sistema multimunicipal de abastecimento de água do Algarve

Face ao aumento que se tem vindo a observar da população, especialmente a população flutuante, e a alteração nos hábitos de consumo de água, com destaque para os últimos 20 anos, a região do Algarve poderá enfrentar em anos secos um cenário onde a disponibilidade de recursos hídricos naturais seja reduzida face à procura. Em 2005 foi desenvolvido um plano de contingência para o Sistema Multimunicipal de Abastecimento de Água do Algarve (SMAAA). O plano prevê a possibilidade de reactivação de antigas captações subterrâneas municipais para reforço do abastecimento público em situações de contingência nesta região. A presente dissertação apresenta a avaliação dos principais impactos das projecções dos modelos de clima para o fim do século no SMAAA, nomeadamente ao nível da disponibilidade de água na origem e da procura de água para consumo humano, e a adaptação do plano de contingência face a esses impactos. /RESUME: Faced with a population increase, special one related with tourism, and also with changes in water consumption habits that has been occurring mostly in the last 20 years, the Algarve region in hydrologic dry years may face serious water shortage in a scenario where water resources are scarce. Being so, in 2005 a contingency plan was developed for the Algarve's Multimunicipal Bulk System (AMBS). The plan includes the possibility of reactivating old water capitations, to reinforce the water public distribution upon contingency situation in the region. The present dissertation evaluates the main impacts of the climatic change forecasted by model projections throughout the end of the century on the AMBS, Iooking more specifically at the water availability and the water demand for public consumption, and the adaptation of the contingency plan to those impacts.

Bullyin: espectáculo/intervenção : Relatóriode estágio sobre o espectáculo teatral / intervenção educativa ACTA - A companhia de teatro do Algarve

BULLYING- espectáculo/intervenção, é um relatório de estágio elaborado no contexto do curso de Mestrado de Teatro em Arte do Actor da Universidade de Évora pelo aluno 20584 Pedro Mendes. Dá conta da experiência curricular do mestrando enquanto actor numa companhia de teatro profissional, bem como de urna análise e pesquisa temática, processual e académica, por ele desenvolvidas e redigidas. O estágio de três meses foi realizado na ACTA- A Companhia de Teatro do Algarve, sedeada na cidade de Faro, e teve como objectivo a construção e consequente apresentação do espectáculo BULLYING, terceira produção artística da companhia de carácter pedagógico, nas diversas escolas básicas da região. Segundo a orientação da docente Ana Tamen, o discente abordou todo o objecto de estágio através de urna aproximação estética ao Teatro do Oprimido de Augusto Boal. _Summary: BULLYING- Show/lntervention, is an internship report, elaborated within the context of a Master's Degree in Theatre, «The Actor’s Art» - at the University of Évora by the student, number 20584, Pedro Mendes. This report contains the curricular experience of the student while acting for a professional theatre company, as well as an analysis and a thematic, procedure and academic research, developed and written by the student. The three-month internship was made at ACTA - A Companhia de Teatro do Algarve (Algarve's Theatre Company), established in the town of Faro. The development and presentation of the show BULLYING, is the third artistic educational production of the company, in several schools of the region. Under the guidance of the teacher Ana Tamen, the student meant to establish, through this report, an aesthetic connection between the work developed in this context and Augusto Boal’s ‘Teatro do Oprimido'. NOTA: Contém DVD com ficheiros de vídeo que só podem ser consultados na biblioteca.

Salted-Fish industry in Roman Lusitania: Trade Memories between Oceanus and Mare Nostrum

Initiated by Augustus, Rome’s Atlantic policy seems to have been consolidated in the age of Claudius, with the acknowledgement of the economic potential offered by the Atlantic region. It is in this context that we must understand the development of the salted-fish industry in Lusitania. In the same geographical contexts, and in close relationship with fish-processing factories, are known about 20 pottery centres producing amphorae, located in the regions of Peniche, Sado and Tejo valleys, and the coasts of Alentejo and Algarve. This production extended in time beyond the end of the Western Roman Empire and up to the end of the 5th and 6th centuries, according to the archaeological data of some amphora kilns and fish-processing sites. The identification of Lusitanian amphorae in distant consuming centres and several shipwrecks in the Mediterranean basin confirm the long-distance commerce and the total integration of this “peripheral” region into the trade routes of the Roman Empire.

Relatos biográficos de professores/educadores de adultos: a ação das coordenações concelhias no âmbito do plano integrado de desenvolvimento regional (PIDR) do nordeste algarvio

Esta investigação é centrada nos discursos produzidos por oito professoras que atribuíram sentidos à sua vida e contribuíram para construção de conhecimento sobre a educação de adultos, no contexto do projeto integrado de desenvolvimento regional do nordeste algarvio, na década de 80. Os relatos biográficos revelaram formas e sentidos múltiplos sobre as várias transições biográficas em que as professoras construíram novas identidades de aprendizagem, integraram novos saberes e viveram diferentes contextos de interação humana. A investigação também permitiu caracterizar as diferentes experiências e práticas educativas no campo da educação de adultos. Decorrente das conclusões, damos o nosso contributo através de uma proposta que consideramos estratégica para a reconfiguração e revalorização de uma educação de adultos de raiz humanista e democrática, para todas as pessoas, por forma a provocar a mudança na sociedade em que todos devem ser sujeitos ativos e comprometidos com a transformação social; ABSTRACT: Biographical Accounts of Teachers I Adult Educators This investigation is focused on the discourses produced by eight teachers who gave meanings to their lives and contributed to the building of knowledge on adult education, within the project of regional development of the northeast Algarve, during the 80s of the XX century. Their biographical accounts revealed the multiple senses on the various biographical transitions in which teachers built new learning identities, integrated new knowledge and lived different contexts of human interaction. This research also allowed to characterize the different experiences and educational practices in the field of adult education. As a consequence of the conclusions, we built a strategic proposal towards the reshaping and revaluing of adult education. This is a proposal to achieve a concept of democratic adult education inspired in the humanist paradigm, which tries to foster societal change, in which all should be active citizens engaged with social transformation processes.

A avaliação de desempenho docente vista por professores: realidades, expetativas, desafios e oportunidades

A avaliação de desempenho docente tem sido considerada o alfa e o ômega dos sistemas educativos, nas últimas décadas. Em Portugal, desde 2007, esta questão tornou-se mais acutilante devido às alterações introduzidas no Estatuto da Carreira Docente que originaram uma alteração profunda nas práticas de avaliação do desempenho docente. A implementação do novo modelo despoletou forte resistência por parte destes profissionais, alimentada por uma base concetual distante da realidade das escolas portuguesas e por tibiezas na execução do processo de avaliação. O principal objetivo deste estudo consistiu em apresentar os contributos de professores para um modelo de avaliação do desempenho docente, assumindo as expetativas e as perceções destes profissionais como referente imprescindível para a sustentabilidade avaliativa do modelo. Para além disso, procedeu-se a uma breve descrição e avaliação do modelo de avaliação docente, implementado entre 2007 e 2011, recuperando perceções depuradas pelo tempo. O estudo, descritivo e inferencial, conciliou abordagens de natureza quantitativa e qualitativa, tendo recorrido a um questionário, aplicado a 585 docentes em funções no Algarve, e à entrevista, realizada a quatro informadores privilegiados do processo avaliativo. Os resultados alcançados apontaram para i) de um conjunto de pareceres favoráveis face a alguns aspetos do modelo de avaliação vigente entre 2007 e 2011; ii) uma avaliação globalmente negativa do mesmo modelo, iii) a definição de componentes das diferentes dimensões de modelo avaliativo, onde se identificou a preponderância da vertente formativa; a articulação da avaliação dos docentes com a avaliação de escola e com outros documentos de gestão escolar; a coincidência dos ciclos avaliativos com a progressão na carreira; a autoavaliação como principal instrumento de recolha de dados; a observação facultativa de aulas; a existência de avaliadores com formação em supervisão ou avaliação e capacitados com um perfil adequado; e o uso dos resultados da avaliação para a melhoria das práticas letivas e para a progressão na carreira, sendo ainda de considerar a possibilidade de acionar mecanismos de recuperação, caso existissem indicadores de insucesso na prática profissional do docente. O estudo termina com o enunciado de recomendações para a reconceptualização do modelo de avaliação dos docentes, permitindo reconhecer e eliminar os fatores conflituantes, tendo em vista a concretização da avaliação docente como estratégia impulsionadora da melhoria do desempenho dos professores, da escola e do sistema educativo. Palavras-chave: avaliação educacional; avaliação de desempenho docente; modelos de avaliação de desempenho docente; desenvolvimento profissional do professor, educadores e professores dos ensinos básico e secundário; ABSTRACT:Teacher performance appraisal has been considered the alpha and omega of educational systems in recent decades. In Portugal, since 2007, this issue has become more incisive due to amendments to the Teaching Career Statute that brought deep changes in assessment practices of teacher performance. The application of the new system has triggered strong resistance by these professionals, powered by a distant conceptual basis of the reality of Portuguese schools and weaknesses in the implementation of the appraisal process. The aim of this study is to present the teachers contributions to this teacher performance appraisal model, taking the expectations and perceptions of these professionals as an essential reference for the sustainability of the appraisal process. In addition, a brief description and evaluation of the teacher performance appraisal model, implemented between 2007 and 2011, was given, recovering perceptions filtered by time. The study, descriptive and inferential, reconciled quantitative and qualitative approaches, has used a questionnaire applied to 585 teachers serving on the Algarve, and an interview to four held key informants of the teacher appraisal process. The achieved results showed i) a set of favorable opinions about some aspects of the current evaluation model between 2007 and 2011; ii) a generally negative evaluation of the same model, iii) the definition of components of different dimensions of the appraisal system, which showed preponderance of formative purposes; the joint assessment of teachers with school evaluation and other school management documents; the coincidence of the evaluation cycles with career advancement; self-evaluation as the main data collection instrument; the optional classroom observation; the existence of evaluators under supervision in training or evaluation and empowered with the right profile; and the use of evaluation results to improve teaching practices and to career advancement, still considering the possibility of using recovery mechanisms if there were failure indicators in professional teaching practice. The study ends with the statement of recommendations for the reconceptualization of teacher performance appraisal, which allowed to recognize and eliminate conflicting factors, with a view to implementing the teaching appraisal as a compelling strategy for improving teacher performance, school and educational system. Keywords: educational evaluation; teacher performance appraisal; teacher performance appraisal systems; teacher professional development; early years teachers, primary and secondary school teachers.

Thermal models, lithosphere thickness and heat flow in South Portugal. Some comments about the subject

Reinterpretation of old heat flow data or use of new data and new techniques of detection of the temperature under the surface have conducted to new heat flow density values in some regions of the globe. The problem of ice melting in Greenland and Antarctica caught the public's attention to the importance of knowledge on heat flow values and thermal structure of the globe. In the last years, several models were presented trying to obtain lithosphere and Moho thickness of the Iberia Peninsula. The work we intend to present is related with the SW part of the Iberia Peninsula ( south of the Ossa Morena zone, South Portuguese Zone and Algarve). The results obtained show a decrease in the thickness of the crust and the lithosphere in this region. Density anomalies in the crust are also referred. I intend to make the connection between the results of these models and the heat flow thermal conductivity, heat production and geological data available for the region, trying to explain the results of heat flow density data obtained.

Lithosphere Thickness, Heat Flow and Moho Depth in the South of Portugal

ABSTRACT In the last years, several models were presented trying to obtain lithosphere and Moho thickness in the Iberian Peninsula, using data related to geoid elevation and topography, gravity, seismicity and thermal analysis. The results obtained show a decrease in the thickness of the crust and the lithosphere in the SW part of the Iberian Peninsula. Density anomalies in the crust are also referred. The work I intend to present is related with the south of the Ossa Morena Zone, the South Portuguese Zone and the Algarve, in the south of Portugal. Data obtained in the region was collected and deviations from average values used were detected. Models were made taking into account the specific characteristics of the region. Heat flow, thermal conductivity, heat production, topography, gravity, seismic and geological data available for the region, are used to adapt the models. A special attention will be given to the spatial variation of heat flow values and to Moho depth in the region. The results show that this region is different from other parts of the Iberian Peninsula and a special attention must be given to it. The different values obtained using seismic, gravity, and geoid height data, and the results obtained with models using thermal data shows the importance of trying to know and understand the thermal structure of the regions. Problems related with the use of average values will be focused.

The seismicity of Portugal and its adjacent Atlantic region from 1300 to 2014: Maximum Observed Intensity map (MOI)

In this study, we considered earthquakes with a maximum observed intensity (MOI) Io≥V that occurred throughout the Portuguese mainland and its adjacent Atlantic region to produce the map of maximum intensities of Portugal. This map is based on a wide variety of historical and recent sources, including 175 earthquakes, over the period of 1300–2014. This MOI map allows the regions of high, medium, and low levels of seismic hazard to be highlighted. The entirety of Portugal has been affected by major seismic events, some of which have caused serious damage. In addition, offshore earthquakes have had significant impacts on the coastal cities located in the central and southern regions of the country. Because the southern region of mainland Portugal is more active than the northern region, the largest concentrations of events with Io≥VI are in the southern region, especially on the mainland near the city of Évora, in the Lisbon region, in the Lower Tagus Valley region, and along the Algarve coast, especially in the southwest region in Cape of São Vicente and the Gorringe Bank.

Inventário Nacional de Mortalidade de Azinheira na Fotografia Aérea Digital de 2004/2006

O presente estudo completa o 1.º inventário de árvores mortas e de grau de coberto na fotografia aérea digital de 2004-2006 para o sobreiro (Ribeiro e Surový, 2008) e azinheira para a área abrangida pela NUTS III: Alentejo Central; Alto Alentejo, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Litoral, Algarve, Médio Tejo, Lezíria do Tejo, Beira Baixa e Área Metropolitana de Lisboa. Os resultados deste estudo sincrónico são de particular utilidade para o conhecimento não só da distribuição como da intensidade dos eventos de declínio e, se repetido para outro conjunto de fotografias aéreas de anos posteriores, poderá fornecer informações relevantes e precisas não só da dinâmica do declínio, como do grau de coberto, permitindo uma definição de políticas florestais com um grau de eficiência espacial muito elevado. As metodologias e as aplicações informáticas desenvolvidas, se sistematizadas, podem servir para construir um sistema de monitorização em tempo real de grande utilidade para a avaliação e planeamento dos recursos florestais como da eficiência das políticas florestais. Finalmente, é importante referir que este estudo não teria sido possível de realizar sem a iniciativa do Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas que através da visão estratégica do Eng.º Francisco Lopes e do Eng.º Fernando Coucelo identificaram as competências instaladas na Universidade de Évora e iniciaram os procedimentos de financiamento do inventário da mortalidade para o sobreiro e mais tarde para a azinheira.

Ligações e Percepções de Desenvolvimento Urbano-Rural em Portugal

Tradicionalmente considerado um país rural, Portugal caracteriza-se por assimetrias significativas ao nível da distribuição da população e da paisagem, da atividade económica e das dinâmicas sociais e culturais, que se traduzem em diferenças de desenvolvimento territorial, sustentabilidade e qualidade de vida entre as áreas urbanas e rurais. Porque muitas áreas rurais se têm urbanizado e perdido a sua identidade produtivo-agrícola e, também, porque algumas áreas urbanas têm incorporado conceitos e paisagens rurais, importa conhecer as perceções sobre o nível de bem-estar que os indivíduos registam no local onde residem e os factores de ligação entre o rural e urbano que fazem, nomeadamente, com que ambos sejam territórios de trabalho e mobilidade, residência ou evasão, cultura e lazer, tranquilidade ou agitação, ou seja, de bem-estar global. A sociedade atual continua a adotar padrões de comportamento baseados numa lógica que impera desde há dezenas de anos ainda que a posição das várias atividades desenvolvidas no território, apoiada por novas acessibilidades e conectividades (físicas e eletrónicas), propicie o surgimento de vários usos do território, por vezes conflituantes. Esta nova realidade física distante do padrão vigente num passado recente, pressupõe significativas alterações de natureza muito diversas. Partindo deste pressuposto e de uma abordagem multi-método, o objetivo é analisar as ligações entre as regiões urbanas e rurais, em Portugal, e a perceção de qualidade de vida que lhes é associada, a partir de informação secundária obtida do INE, PORDATA e de um estudo de caracterização da paisagem de Portugal continental e informação primária recolhida por sondagem a uma amostra da população portuguesa.

A traceless variant of the Johnson-Segalman viscoelastic model

A traceless variant of the Johnson-Segalman viscoelastic model is presented. The viscoelastic extra stress tensor is de composed into its traceless (deviatoric) and spherical parts, leading to a reformulation of the classical Johnson-Segalman model. The equivalente of the two models is established comparing model predictions for simple test cases. The new model is validated using several 2D benchmark problems.The structure and behavior of the new model are discussed.