Lab Research Projects

This two-year project is funded through the USGS Cooperative Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Program. The purpose of this study is to reduce the risk of loss due to landsliding in the Cincinnati and northern Kentucky region by producing a landslide inventory using change detection on repeat regional lidar surveys, and to utilize the new inventory to produce landslide susceptibility maps. This will be the first time a comprehensive inventory will be created for this urban, landslide-prone region. The maps will be published on the Kentucky Geologic Map Information Service and delivered to stakeholders including the City of Cincinnati, county Emergency Managers, the USGS, FEMA, and other entities involved in engineering, transportation, and hazard mitigation planning.

Image caption: Figure 1. A landslide susceptibility map of the United States (USGS, 2024); B. Landslide susceptibility map of the Cincinnati, Ohio and northern Kentucky region, with proposed area delineated. C. City boundaries in Cincinnati, Ohio and northern Kentucky region, with 1:24,000 quadrangle boundaries and proposed study area. Study area is approximately 1100 square km.

This study highlights patterns of surface deformation derived from multi-temporal UAV-lidar and structure from motion (SfM) surveys of a translational and a rotational landslide. This approach quantifies volume changes, translational strain, and rotational components of landslides, revealing unique kinematic signatures for each landslide type. This detailed characterization of strain localization provides direct evidence of the mechanisms governing landslide behavior, and advances the interpretation of slope instability, hazard assessment and risk management.

Picture caption: Johnson, S.E., Zhu, Y., Dortch, J., Haneberg, W. C, 2025, Quantifying Landslide Strain Localization Phenomena using Tensor Analysis of Multi-Temporal LiDAR Data. Submitted to Landslides.

Slow-moving, chronically destructive landslides are projected to grow in number globally in response to precipitation increases from climate change, and land disturbances from wildfire, mining and construction. In the Cincinnati and northern Kentucky metropolitan area, landslides develop in colluvium that covers the steep slopes along the Ohio River and its tributaries. This study presents a technique to utilize older datasets in combination with modern surveys to monitor slow-moving landslides over many years. In this study we quantified elevation changes in a slow-moving colluvial landslide over 14 years using a combination of countywide lidar, uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) structure-from-motion (SfM) surveys and a UAV lidar survey. Because the technology and quality differ between surveys, the threshold of detectable change varied for each survey combination, ranging from 5 to 20 cm (~2 to 8 inches). Record rainfall in 2011 produced the largest changes to the landslide. Since then, the landslide toe has continued to deform, and the landslide has doubled its width by extending into a previously undisturbed slope.

Image caption: Johnson, S.E., Haneberg, W. C, Crawford, M., Bryson, S., 2023, Measuring ground surface elevation changes in a slow-moving colluvial landslide using combinations of regional airborne lidar, UAV lidar, and UAV photogrammetric surveys. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology. https://doi.org/10.1144/qjegh2022-078.

This project is one of the seven Kentucky NSF EPSCoR Climbs Projects. This network consists of 24 stations in southeastern Kentucky, primarily in the upper Kentucky River watershed. These stations are installed in slopes that are susceptible to landslides and consist of soil sensor that measure the moisture content and matric potential at two depths in the soil, and a full weather station. These stations were installed in 2025 and will be operational for 5 years, with data telemetered every 15 minutes for real-time access. The data provided by these stations will be used to produce weather-based landslide models and forecasting during and after weather events.

Kentucky hosts significant occurrences of fluorite, sphalerite, galena, and barite, concentrated in three key areas with historical production. In western Kentucky, part of the Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District, mineralization is linked to ultramafic intrusions, with notable germanium content in sphalerite. Southcentral Kentucky features sphalerite-dominated deposits similar to the Middle Tennessee Mines, with ongoing studies to assess germanium content. Central Kentucky, historically known for barite production, is the focus of a new Earth MRI project targeting critical mineral potential. The GEMS Lab will play a vital role in this research by utilizing advanced fluid inclusion analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and geochemical tracers to investigate the structural controls and fluid evolution responsible for these mineral occurrences. These tools, combined with high-resolution USGS geophysics, will provide critical insights into the genesis and exploration potential of Kentucky's mineral systems.

Comprehensive assessment of machine learning approaches for landslide susceptibility modeling in Kentucky's diverse geological settings. This research focuses on developing robust, statistically validated models for landslide hazard prediction.

Research Focus:

• Detailed analysis of relationship between inventory and susceptibility results
• Thousands of models generated within sensitivity assessment framework
• Comprehensive evaluation of different machine learning algorithms (SVM, LR, NB, BT)
• Statistical validation using AUC and model performance metrics
• Regional adaptation for Appalachian terrain characteristics

The project employs multiple machine learning algorithms including Support Vector Machine (SVM), Logistic Regression (LR), Naive Bayes (NB), and Boosted Trees (BT) to create the most accurate susceptibility models for Kentucky's unique geological conditions.

Sedimentary phosphate deposits are potential sources of rare earth elements (REEs) with the capacity to meet global demand. However, the processes influencing REE incorporation and distribution in these rocks—such as depositional environment, ocean chemistry, and post-depositional alteration—are not fully understood. The Ordovician Lexington Limestone in Kentucky, known for contributing to phosphate-rich soils supporting the state’s equine industry, also contains REEs and uranium, posing radon-related health risks. Dr. Lukoczki’s recently funded project applies crystallographic and geochemical tools to trace phosphate crystallization and recrystallization, uncovering the mechanisms controlling incorporation of trace elements like REEs and uranium in sedimentary phosphates.

The ultramafic lamprophyres of the Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District (IKFD) are potential domestic sources of rare earth elements (REEs), but the role of mantle metasomatism and carbonate alteration in REE distribution is not well understood. Dr. Lukoczki’s team has employed petrographic and geochemical analyses to determine the nature of the mantle source region and timing of the carbonate mineralization. Carbonate alteration, including listwanitization and ophicalcitization, appear to play a secondary role in REE distribution. For details, find Zach Walton’s thesis here. The GEMS Lab will continue to support this research with advanced microscopic analyses, including fluid and melt inclusion studies, and Raman spectroscopy, providing insights into the processes controlling REE mineralization in the IKFD.

Advanced flood modeling using sub-grid sampling techniques for computational efficiency while preserving critical channel detail. Our approach enables rapid analysis of flood scenarios across large geographic areas.