Mapping the spatial distribution of geomorphological processes in the Okstindan area of northern Norway, using Geomorphic Process Units as derived from remote sensing and ground survey

The delineation of Geomorphic Process Units (GPUs) aims to quantify past, current and future geomorphological processes and the sediment flux associated with them. Five GPUs have been identified for the Okstindan area of northern Norway and these were derived from the combination of Landsat satellite imagery (TM and ETM+) with stereo aerial photographs (used to construct a Digital Elevation Model) and ground survey. The Okstindan study area is sub-arctic and mountainous and is dominated by glacial and periglacial processes. The GPUs exclude the glacial system (some 37% of the study area) and hence they are focussed upon periglacial and colluvial processes. The identified GPUs are: 1. solifluction and rill erosion; 2. talus creep, slope wash and rill erosion; 3. accumulation of debris by rock and boulder fall; 4. rockwalls; and 5. stable ground with dissolved transport. The GPUs have been applied to a ���test site��� within the study area in order to illustrate their potential for mapping the spatial distribution of geomorphological processes. The test site within the study area is a catchment which is representative of the range of geomorphological processes identified.

A glacier inventory for the Buordakh Massif, Cherskiy Range, northeast Siberia, and evidence for recent glacier recession

The Buordakh Massif, in the Cherskiy Range of northeast Siberia, contains mountains over 3000 in and, despite its and climate, numerous glaciers. This paper presents a glacier inventory for the region and documents some 80 glaciers, which range in size from 0.1 to 10.4 km(2) (total glacierized area is ca. 70 km(2)). The inventory is based on mapping derived from Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite imagery from August 2001, augmented with data from field investigations obtained at that time. The glaciers in this region are of the 'firn-less,' cold, continental type, and their mass balance relies heavily on the formation of superimposed ice. The most recent glacier maximum extents have also been delineated, and these are believed to date from the Little Ice Age (ca. A.D. 1550-1850). Glacier areal extent has reduced by some 14.8 km(2) (ca. 17%) since this most. recent maximum. Of the 80 glaciers catalogued, 49 have undergone a measurable retreat from their most recent maximum extent.

Causes of the apparent scale independence of fractal indices associated with forest fragmentation in Bolivia

In a recent investigation, Landsat TM and ETM+ data were used to simulate different resolutions of remotely-sensed images (from 30 to 1100 m) and to analyze the effect of resolution on a range of landscape metrics associated with spatial patterns of forest fragmentation in Chapare, Bolivia since the mid-1980s. Whereas most metrics were found to be highly dependent on pixel size, several fractal metrics (DLFD, MPFD, and AWMPFD) were apparently independent of image resolution, in contradiction with a sizeable body of literature indicating that fractal dimensions of natural objects depend strongly on image characteristics. The present re-analysis of the Chapare images, using two alternative algorithms routinely used for the evaluation of fractal dimensions, shows that the values of the box-counting and information fractal dimensions are systematically larger, sometimes by as much as 85%, than the "fractal" indices DLFD, MPFD, and AWMFD for the same images. In addition, the geometrical fractal features of the forest and non-forest patches in the Chapare region strongly depend on the resolution of images used in the analysis. The largest dependency on resolution occurs for the box-counting fractal dimension in the case of the non-forest patches in 1993, where the difference between the 30 and I 100 m-resolution images corresponds to 24% of the full theoretical range (1.0 to 2.0) of the mass fractal dimension. The observation that the indices DLFD, MPFD, and AWMPFD, unlike the classical fractal dimensions, appear relatively unaffected by resolution in the case of the Chapare images seems due essentially to the fact that these indices are based on a heuristic, "non-geometric" approach to fractals. Because of their lack of a foundation in fractal geometry, nothing guarantees that these indices will be resolution-independent in general. (C) 2006 International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Inc. (ISPRS). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Recent glacier retreat in the Caucasus Mountains, Russia, and associated increase in supraglacial debris cover and supra-/proglacial lake development

This paper reports changes in supraglacial debris cover and supra-/proglacial lake development associated with recent glacier retreat (1985-2000) in the central Caucasus Mountains, Russia. Satellite imagery (Landsat TM and ETM+) was used to map the surface area and supraglacial debris cover on six neighbouring glaciers in the Adylsu valley through a process of manual digitizing on a false-colour composite of bands 5, 4, 3 (red, green, blue). The distribution and surface area of supraglacial and proglacial lakes was digitized for a larger area, which extended to the whole Landsat scene. We also compare our satellite interpretations to field observations in the Adylsu valley. Supraglacial debris cover ranges from < 5% to > 25% on individual glaciers, but glacier retreat between 1985 and 2000 resulted in a 3-6% increase in the proportion of each glacier covered by debris. The only exception to this trend was a very small glacier where debris cover did not change significantly and remote mapping proved more difficult. The increase in debris cover is characterized by a progressive upglacier migration, which we suggest is being driven by focused ablation (and therefore glacier thinning) at the up-glacier limit of the debris cover, resulting in the progressive exposure of englacial debris. Glacier retreat has also been accompanied by an increase in the number of proglacial and supraglacial lakes in our study area, from 16 in 1985 to 24 in 2000, representing a 57% increase in their cumulative surface area. These lakes appear to be impounded by relatively recently lateral and terminal moraines and by debris deposits on the surface of the glacier. The changes in glacier surface characteristics reported here are likely to exert a profound influence on glacier mass balance and their future response to climate change. They may also increase the likelihood of glacier-related hazards (lake outbursts, debris slides), and future monitoring is recommended.

A Glacial Geomorphological Map of Victoria Island, Canadian Arctic

Victoria Island lies at the north-western extremity of the region covered by the vast North American Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. This area is significant because it linked the interior of the LIS to the Arctic Ocean, probably via a number of ice streams. Victoria Island, however, exhibits a remarkably complex glacial landscape, with several successive generations of ice flow indicators superimposed on top of each other and often at abrupt (90 degrees) angles. This complexity represents a major challenge to those attempting to produce a detailed reconstruction of the glacial history of the region. This paper presents a map of the glacial geomorphology of Victoria Island. The map is based on analysis of Landsat Enhanced Thematic Plus (ETM+) satellite imagery and contains over 58,000 individual glacial features which include: glacial lineations, moraines (terminal, lateral, subglacial shear margin), hummocky moraine, ribbed moraine, eskers, glaciofluvial deposits, large meltwater channels, and raised shorelines. The glacial features reveal marked changes in ice flow direction and vigour over time. Moreover, the glacial geomorphology indicates a non-steady withdrawal of ice during deglaciation, with rapidly flowing ice streams focussed into the inter-island troughs and several successively younger flow patterns superimposed on older ones. It is hoped that detailed analysis of this map will lead to an improved reconstruction of the glacial history of this area which will provide other important insights, for example, with respect to the interactions between ice streaming, deglaciation and Arctic Ocean meltwater events.

Estimating surface net solar radiation by use of Landsat-5 TM and digital elevation models

The ground surface net solar radiation is the energy that drives physical and chemical processes at the ground surface. In this paper, multi-spectral data from the Landsat-5 TM, topographic data from a gridded digital elevation model, field measurements, and the atmosphere model LOWTRAN 7 are used to estimate surface net solar radiation over the FIFE site. Firstly an improved method is presented and used for calculating total surface incoming radiation. Then, surface albedo is integrated from surface reflectance factors derived from remotely sensed data from Landsat-5 TM. Finally, surface net solar radiation is calculated by subtracting surface upwelling radiation from the total surface incoming radiation.

Contemporary (2001) and ���Little Ice Age��� glacier extents in the Buordakh Massif, Cherskiy Range, north east Siberia

The Buordakh Massif of the Cherskiy Range of sub-arctic north east Siberia, Russia has a cold continental climate and supports over 80 glaciers. Despite previous research in the region, a georeferenced map of the glaciers has only recently been completed and an enhanced version of it is reproduced in colour here. The mountains of this region reach heights in excess of 3,000 m and the glaciers on their slopes range in size from 0.1 to 10.4 km2. The mapping has been compiled through the interpretation of Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite imagery from August 2001 which has been augmented by data from a field campaign undertaken at the same time. The glaciers of the region are of the cold, ���firn-less��� continental type and their mass balance relies heavily on the formation of superimposed ice. Moraines which lie in front of the glaciers by up to a few kilometres are believed to date from the Little Ice Age (ca. 1550-1850 AD). Over half of the glaciers mapped have shown marked retreat from these moraines.

Expans��o da ocupa����o urbana de Gramado : estudo de caso da aplica����o de fotografias a��reas de pequeno formato e SIG

Fotografias a��reas verticais de pequeno formato foram obtidas atrav��s de c��mera fotogr��fica n��o-m��trica a bordo de aeronave de pequeno porte, no ano de 1999, com o objetivo de se atualizar um conjunto de seis plantas cadastrais digitais de 1984, na escala 1:5.000, cobrindo a ��rea urbana do munic��pio de Gramado, situado na regi��o nordeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. As fotografias foram digitalizadas, armazenadas e georreferenciadas em um Sistema de Informa����es Geogr��ficas. Posteriormente, foram digitalizados os per��metros das edifica����es e os limites dos bairros da ��rea urbana nas plantas cadastrais digitais. Os dados atualizados das plantas cadastrais foram elaborados para a gera����o de an��lises tem��ticas e, portanto, n��o podem ser utilizados para a medi����o precisa das edifica����es mapeadas. Ap��s sua digitaliza����o, os pol��gonos das edifica����es foram estruturados topologicamente por meio do SIG utilizado, permitindo a gera����o autom��tica de um centr��ide para cada edifica����o mapeada. A consulta ao banco de dados tornou poss��vel o c��lculo do n��mero total e a localiza����o dos centr��ides das edifica����es, para as duas datas estudadas. Os dados tabulados foram representados por um mapa tem��tico da expans��o da ocupa����o urbana, na escala de 1:25.000. Outros produtos obtidos no presente estudo foram cartas-imagem da ��rea urbana (1:50.000), elaboradas a partir de imagens do sat��lite LANDSAT 7 ETM+, bem como mapas tem��ticos dos aspectos f��sicos e antr��picos dos bairros da ��rea urbana (escalas 1:15.000 a 1:25.000). Com base nos dados obtidos, verificou-se um crescimento de 164, 6 % do n��mero total de edifica����es e uma expans��o da ocupa����o orientada para a regi��o SE da ��rea urbana, em fun����o do maior crescimento do setor secund��rio e do n��mero de loteamentos na regi��o meridional da ��rea urbana durante o per��odo de 15 anos. Atrav��s da interpreta����o dos dados geogr��ficos, foram elaboradas recomenda����es para o planejamento urbano de Gramado.

Estimativa da ��rea imperme��vel dentro da bacia hidrogr��fica do Arroio Diluvio (porto Alegre/RS) atrav��s de t��cnicas de sensoriamento remoto e geoprocessamento

Neste trabalho foram realizadas classifica����es utilizando-se as bandas 1 a 5 e 7 dos sensores Landsat 5 TM (1987) e Landsat 7 ETM+ (2000). A caracteriza����o espectral dos materiais foi realizada em laborat��rio utilizando um espectrorradi��metro, e atrav��s das bandas 1 a 5 e 7 dos sensores Landsat 5 TM (1987) e Landsat 7 ETM+ (2000). A transforma����o dos dados multiespectrais de imagens de sensoriamento remoto �� uma maneira de reduzir o volume de dados atrav��s da identifica����o de classes de interesse numa imagem digital. No intuito de verificar condi����es de melhoramento na classifica����o de alvos urbanos em imagens digitais, identificados por procedimentos j�� conhecidos, como a classifica����o pela M��xima Verossimilhan��a, escolheu-se um classificador baseado na l��gica fuzzy. O classificador utilizado foi o Fuzzy Set Membership classification - Fuzclass, que faz parte de um conjunto de classificadores n��o-r��gidos dispon��veis no programa Idrisi 32. Uma vez que informa����es sobre o desempenho de produtos deste classificador em ��reas urbanas s��o escassas, foram conduzidos ensaios de compara����o de resultados obtidos por este classificador com a verdade terrestre, representada por uma imagem de alta resolu����o espacial do sat��lite QuickBird. As ��reas teste selecionadas desta imagem atendem ao crit��rio de inalter��ncia das condi����es de ocupa����o para o intervalo temporal considerado A compara����o feita, permite concluir que o classificador apresenta limita����es na classifica����o de ��reas urbanas devido ao comportamento espectral semelhante dos materiais que fazem parte dessa cobertura. A utiliza����o de uma classe ��nica para identificar ��reas imperme��veis foi a solu����o adotada para contornar este ��bice. O emprego de ��reas teste possibilitou acertar a escolha do grau de possibilidade de presen��a da classe no pixel (PPCP). Uma compara����o entre os resultados apresentados na classifica����o de ��reas imperme��veis, com base nos classificadores M��xima Verossimilhan��a e Fuzclass, demonstrou um desempenho melhor do classificador fuzzy, em fun����o do n��vel de PPCP ajustado durante a an��lise comparativa Landsat e Quickbird nas ��reas teste. Um procedimento alternativo de estimativa de ��reas imperme��veis em bacias urbanas �� apresentado no final.

Avalia����o ambiental de manguezais adjacentes aos campos petrol��feros de Macau e Serra (RN), como subs��dio ��s medidas mitigadoras ao processo erosivo

Among the various effects caused by the climate change and human intervention, the mangrove ecosystem changes through of the years has been worth mentioning, which hasn t known which are the pros and cons for the adjacent coastal and estuarine environments yet. It happens due to the present dynamism in these areas, besides of the difficult understanding of the processes associated with evolution. This study aimed to environmentally evaluate adjacent mangroves from the Macau and Serra oil fields, located on Rio Grande do Norte northern coast, to support the mitigating actions related to the containment of the erosive process, as well as, according to the principles of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), to assess the amount of atmospheric carbon sequestered by the studied ecosystem. An inventory was conducted through mangrouve mapping which has supplied this research, especially regarding to the structural characterization of mangrove areas. To understand the local mangrove behavior in a greater level detail, techniques of remote sensing, GIS and GPS were used to make an analogy between the current and past states of the mangrove studied, allowing to make anticipated projections for the future impacts or changes in that region. This study combined data from multispectral LANDSAT 5 TM, Landsat 7 ETM+ with radar microwave data from SAR RADARSAT-1, which increased the interpretation capacity of the data from optical sensor systems. The interpretations have been supported by the data field, representing a better and innovative methodology for the environmental and taxonomic characterization of mangrove forests considered. The results reveal that mangroves of the Ponta do Tubar��o Sustainable Development Reserve are biologically representative areas and providing a variety of benefits, especially for local communities, constituting the priority sites for actions development aimed at conservation. They also have been showing the necessity to make mitigating measures in order to recover degraded areas through reforestation or creating new areas of mangrove, as currently 7.1% of the mangrove forests studied are dead or in an advanced state of decomposition. The amount of atmospheric carbon sequestered proved very significant when analyzed for the whole area, which is able to sequester atmospheric 4,294,458 Ton CO2 per year

Caracteriza����o batim��trica e fisicooceanogr��fica do canal de acesso ao porto de Cabedelo/PB: uma an��lise ambiental ao derrame de ��leo

The State of Para��ba is one of the most dynamic states of Brazil, strategically located in the northeast, is notable for the excellent potential for integration of different transportation modes forming the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco and Alagoas. The dynamic that occurs with port activity causes changes in the space where it is installed. And the elements of this space are always more than suffering direct or indirect influences as the flow in the port is expanded. Therefore, this region became subject to the accidental spillage of oil, because it presents a heavy traffic of ships of various sizes that can run aground or collide with oil causing accidental events. The study of geomorphological and sedimentological compositions of seafloor becomes important as more is known about the relationships between these parameters and associated fauna, and can identify their preferred habitats. The database background, acoustically collected along the proposed study area, is a wealth of information, which were duly examined, cataloged and made available. Such information can serve as an important tool, providing a geomorphological survey of the sedimentary area studied, and come to subsidize, in a flexible, future decision making. With the study area Port of Cabedelo, Para��ba - Brazil, this research aimed to evaluate the influence of the tidal surface and background in modeling the seabed, including the acquisition of information about the location of submerged rocky bodies and the depth of these bodies may turn out to be natural traps for the trapping of oil in case of leaks, and obtain the relationship between types of bed and the hydrodynamic conditions present in the region. In this context, for this study were collected bathymetric data (depth) and physical oceanographic (height of water column, water temperature, intensity and direction of currents, waves and turbidity), meteorological (rainfall, air temperature, humidity, winds and barometric pressure) of the access channel to the Port of Cabedelo / PB and its basin evolution (where the cruise ships dock), and includes tools of remote sensing (Landsat 7 ETM +, 2001), so that images and the results are integrated into Geographic Information Systems and used in the elaboration of measures aimed at environmental protection areas under the influence of this scale facilities, serving as a grant to prepare a contingency plan in case of oil spills in the region. The main findings highlight the techniques of using hydroacoustic data acquisition together bathymetric surveys of high and low frequency. From there, five were prepared in bathymetric pattern of Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation - DHN, with the depth in meters, on a scale of 1:2500 (Channel and Basin Evolution of Access to Port of Cabedelo), where there is a large extent possible beachrocks that hinder the movement of vessels in the port area, which can cause collisions, running aground and leaking oil. From the scatter diagram of the vectors of currents, it can be seen as the tidal stream and undergoes a channeling effect caused by the bidirectional effect of the tide (ebb and flood) in the basin of the Port of Cabedelo evolution in NW-direction SE and the highest speed of the currents occurs at low tide. The characterization weather for the period from 28/02 to 04/07/2010 values was within the expected average for the region of study. The multidisciplinary integration of products (digital maps and remote sensing images), proved to be efficient for the characterization of underwater geomorphological study area, reaching the aim to discriminate and enhance submerged structures, previously not visible in the images

Aerofotos convencionais e imagens orbitais TM/LANDSAT no mapeamento morfopedol��gico em Santa B��rbara D'Oeste (SP)

Foram estudados, com o aux��lio de fotografias a��reas, aspectos qualitativos e quantitativos do relevo e da rede de drenagem de solos de uma ��rea de Santa B��rbara D'Oeste, SP. Esta regi��o compreende 14.625 ha, onde foram selecionadas bacias hidrogr��ficas de 3�� ordem de ramifica����o e amostras circulares de 5km��. As unidades de mapeamento simples ou associa����es de solos s��o: Latossolo Vermelho Escuro, Podz��lico, Litossolo + Podz��lico, Terra Roxa Estruturada + Latossolo Roxo distr��fico. Ap��s a caracteriza����o das fei����es fisiogr��ficas, da ��rea de ocorr��ncia desses solos, foram realizados dois mapas morfopedol��gicos. No primeiro utilizou-se fotografias a��reas verticais pancrom��ticas na escala 1: 35.000 (data de 25/6/78) e no segundo imagens orbitais do sensor Thematic Mapper do LANDSAT-5, nas bandas 3, 4 e 5 e composi����o colorida 3/4/5 na escala 1: 100.000 (data de 12/9/91). As an��lises qualitativas e quantitativas do relevo (��ndice de declividade m��dia) e rede de drenagem (densidade de drenagem, freq����ncia de rios, raz��o de textura) mostraram-se eficientes na diferencia����o das unidades de solo estudadas, tanto em bacias hidrogr��ficas como em amostras circulares. A utiliza����o de fotografias a��reas, permitiu maior riqueza de detalhes na precis��o dos limites das unidades de mapeamento e no maior n��mero de unidades de mapeamento discriminadas em rela����o as imagens orbitais. A composi����o colorida 3/4/5 permitiu diferenciar os Latossolos argilosos dos Latossolos de textura m��dia, assim como o Latossolo H��mico.

Condicionamento estrutural das zonasa de cisalhamento da regi��o de Forquilha, dom��nio Cear�� Central: uma abordagem integrada de sensoriamento remoto e geologia estrutural

The studied region, named Forquilha and localized in northwestern Central Cear�� domain (northern portion of Borborema Province), presents a lithostratigraphic framework constituted by paleoproterozoic metaplutonics, metasedimentary sequences and neoproterozoic granitoids. The metasedimentary rocks of Cear�� group occupy most part of the area. This group is subdivided in two distinct units: Canind�� and Independ��ncia. Canind�� unit is represented basically by biotite paragneisses and muscovite paragneisses, with minor metabasic rocks (amphibolite lens). Independ��ncia sequence is composed by garnetiferous paragneisses, sillimanite-garnet-quartz-muscovite schists and quartz-muscovite schists, pure or muscovite quartzites and rare marbles. At least three ductile deformation events were recognized in both units of Cear�� group, named D1, D2 and D3. The former one is interpreted as related to a low angle tangential tectonics which mass transport is southward. D2 event is marked by the development of close/isoclinal folds with a N-S oriented axis. Refolding patterns generated by F1 and F2 superposition are found in several places. The latest event (D3) corresponds to a transcurrent tectonics, which led to development of mega-folds and several shear zones, under a transpressional regime. The mapped shear zones are Humberto Monte (ZCHM), Po��o Cercado (ZCPC) and Forquilha (ZCF). Digital image processing of enhanced Landsat 7-ETM+ satellite images, combined with field data, demonstrate that these penetrative structures are associated with positive and negative geomorphologic patterns, distributed in linear and curvilinear arrangements with tonal banding, corresponding to the ductile fabric and to crests. Diverse color composites were tested and RGB-531 and RGB-752 provided the best results for lineament analysis of the most prominent shear zones. Spatial filtering techniques (3x3 and 5x5 filters) were also used and the application of Prewitt filters generated the best products. The integrated analysis of morphological and textural aspects from filtered images, variation of tonalities related to the distribution of geologic units in color composites and the superposition over a digital elevation model, contributed to a characterization of the structural framework of the study area. Kinematic compatibility of ZCHM, ZCPC, ZCF shear zones, as well as Sobral-Pedro II (ZCSPII) shear zone, situated to the west of the study area, was one of the goal of this work. Two of these shear zones (ZCHM, ZCPC) display sinistral movements, while the others (ZCSPII, ZCF) exhibit dextral kinematics. 40Ar/39Ar ages obtained in this thesis for ZCSPII and ZCPC, associated with other 40Ar/39Ar data of adjacent areas, indicate that all these shear zones are related to Brasiliano orogeny. The trend of the structures, the opposite shear senses and the similar metamorphic conditions are fitted in a model based on the development of conjugate shear zones in an unconfined transpression area. A WNW-ESE bulk shortening direction is infered. The geometry and kinematic of the studied structures suggest that shortening was largely accommodated by lateral extrusion, with only minor amounts of vertical stretch

Evolu����o geodin��mica e condicionamento estrutural dos terrenos Pianc��-Alto Br��gida e Alto Paje��, dom��nio da zona transversal, NE do Brasil

This thesis aims to advance in the geological knowledge of the region comprising the Pianc��-Alto Br��gida (TPAB) and Alto paje�� (TAP) terranes, in the Transversal Zone Domain (Borborema Province, NE Brazil), with the main objective of understanding the geodynamic evolution and the structural framework of these units. To reach this objective, and besides field work and interpretation of traditional aerial photographs, other tools were employed like of remote sensing products (Landsat 7 ETM+, aeroradiometrics, aeromagnetics and topographical images), lithogeochemical (whole rock) analyses and geochronological dating (U-Pb in zircon), besides integration with literature data. In the area, several precambrian geological units outcrop, represented in the TAP by the paleoproterozoic Serra Talhada and Afogados da Ingazeira complexes, Riacho Gravat�� Complex (metavolcano-sedimentary sequence of Stenian-Tonian age) and Cariris Velhos orthogneisses (of Tonian age). The TPAB comprises the Santana do Garrote (lower unit) and Serra do Olho d'��gua (upper unit) formations of the Cachoeirinha Group (Neoproterozoic III), besides the Pianc�� orthogneisses and Bom Jesus paragneisses; the latter correspond to an older (basement ?) block and a possible high grade equivalent of the Cachoeirinha Group (or Serid�� Group ?), respectively. Several Brasiliano-age plutons occur in both terranes.The aeromagnetic data show the continuity, at depth, of the main shear zones mapped in the region. The Patos, Pernambuco, Boqueir��o dos Cochos, Serra do Caboclo, Afogados da Ingazeira/Jabitac�� and Congo-Cruzeiro do Nordeste shear zones reach depths greater than to 6-16 km. The aeromagnetic signature of other shear zones, like the Juru one, suggests that these structures correspond to shallower crustal features. The satellite images (Landsat 7 ETM+) and aerogamaspectrometric images discriminate different geological units, contributing to the mapping of the structural framework of the region. The Serra do Caboclo Shear Zone was characterized as the boundary/suture between the TPAB and TAP. This structure is an outstanding, pervasive feature that separates contrasting geological units, such as the Neoproterozoic III Cachoeirinha Group in the TPAB and the Riacho Gravat�� Complex and the Cariris Velhos metaplutonics, of Stenian-Tonian age, in the TAP. Occupying different blocks, these units are not found in authoctonous relations, like unconformities and intrusive contacts. Concerning the Cariris Velhos (ca. 1,0 Ga old) event is recorded by radiometric ages of the Riacho Gravat�� Complex metavolcanics and intrusive augen and orthogneisses, all of them displaying geochemical affinities of arc or collisional settings. A structural signature of this event was not recorded in the region, possibly due to its low grade/low strain style, obliterated by the overprinting of younger, higher grade/high strain Brasiliano-age fabrics.The first tectonic event (D1) observed in the Cariris Velhos lithotypes presents contractional kinematics with transport to the NW. Neoproterozoic III geochronologic dates, obtained in late-D1 granitoids, imply a Brasiliano age (ca. 610-600 Ma) for this deformation event. The second tectonic event (D2) characterized in the region corresponds to the Brasiliano transcurrent kinematics of the outstanding shear zones and associated granitoid plutons. The geochronological (U-Pb in zircon) data obtained during this thesis also confirms the occurrence of the Cariris Velhos magmatic suite in the TAP, as well as the Neoproterozoic III age to the Cachoeirinha Group in the TPAB. The TAP (Riacho Gravat�� Complex, augen and orthogneisses) is interpreted as a continental arc possibly accreted to a microcontinent during the Cariris Velhos (Stenian-Tonian) event. Later on, this terrane collided with the TPAB at the beginning of the Brasiliano orogeny (D1 contractional deformation), and both domins were reworked by the transcurrent shear deformation of the D2 event