Abstract
Results of self-potential, seismic reflection and refraction, Infrared spectroscopy, ion chromatography and IR thermography survey performed over a Portuguese artistic tomb made of a porous limestone are presented. The tomb presents nowadays severe decay phenomena. The decay products associated to the decay patterns observed are mainly related with the presence of salts, namely nitrates and secondarily of chlorides. The self-potential and the thermography survey allowed verifying that moisture degrees change in different side walls of the tomb. The seismic methods showed there is no clear interface between undamaged and damaged stone material where the limestone is soft and the strength is slightly lower in the most humid zones.

Abstract
Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto annually organizes the Open Days to Schools, which allow the contact of high school students with researchers from different scientific areas. By recognizing a high potential to modelling, which promotes the construction of students’ knowledge through models that recreate geological phenomena, participants contacted with some models that simulated the effect of earthquakes on soils and buildings. We tried to understand if the use of models in the dissemination of Geology helps students to build their scientific knowledge, concerning seismology contents. A seismology model evaluation scale was applied to 126 high school students from schools of northern Portugal, which participated in the activities at Open Days to Schools. The results shown that students consider that models help to clarify and to restructure their knowledge about geological phenomena, highlighting the importance of modeling in the promotion of a meaningful learning. © 2014 LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Geologia e Energia IP.

Abstract
O recurso à modelação como metodologia de ensino é relevante no processo de recriação e simulação de fenómenos naturais, nomeadamente fenómenos geológicos e ambientais. Pretendendo-se verificar se o recurso à modelação é uma metodologia significativa no sucesso da aprendizagem dos estudantes de riscos naturais do ensino superior português, foram analisadas as fichas das unidades curriculares que abordam temáticas de riscos naturais nas universidades públicas portuguesas, tendo-se optado por selecionar apenas unidades curriculares do primeiro ciclo de estudos – licenciatura. No total foram analisadas, com recurso a uma grade de análise, oito fichas de unidades curriculares, ministradas em sete universidades públicas portuguesas. Asevidências encontradas indicam que nenhum dos documentos em análise contempla a utilização da modelação como metodologia de ensino de temáticas de riscos naturais, predominando um ensino essencialmente tradicional, sobressaindo a necessidade de intervenção ao nível das metodologias de ensino valorizando-se a manipulação e a exploração de modelos no ensino superior.

Abstract
Modern and historical buildings may show some degree of subsidence resulting from foundation deterioration and local geological conditions. Hence, buildings stability can be affected and restoration plans must be envisaged. Resistivity methods have been used to investigate local conditions, providing 3D images of the soil under man made structures and hence contributing to the delimitation of hazardous areas and pathologies. However these techniques require the deployment of a grid of electrodes, which can be difficult to accomplish because of physical limitations and of the buildings nature that cannot be damaged. To overcome these problems special arrays have been used (L, Corner, Square arrays, etc). Here in it is proposed to use the "Odd-Even Pole-Pole Array" to study the ground under a contemporary building and under a high historical value XIV century Abbey, both showing evidence of subsidence. Field data quality is also addressed and it is proposed to identify low quality data to be expunged so that modelling is improved. It is also shown how to estimate resistivity values from data quality tests, to carry out further zonation, locate hazardous areas and to enhance modelling.

Abstract
Model-based learning is a teaching methodology that facilitates the learning process through the construction of models, which represent the conceptual models taught in geosciences lessons, promoting the construction of students’ scientific knowledge and the development of a meaningful learning. It is crucial that teachers know how to apply it in schools in order to support students’ learning process, but also because models are important tools for dissemination of science concepts. Having this in mind, it becomes relevant, beyond the analysis of its importance for both teaching and disseminating geosciences in Portuguese high schools, to provide some guidelines and recommendations about the use of models in geosciences teaching, based on the literature, seeking to prepare teachers to apply the methodology in science lessons and for making them more informed about the importance of dissemination of science. To achieve this purpose, the attitudes of Portuguese high school students towards the importance of model-based learning in teaching and disseminating the dependence of earthquakes effects on soils and buildings were analysed. The data were collected through a scale for model evaluation named Seismological Models’ Evaluation Scale (SMES), applied to 126 students who participated in Faculty of Sciences’ Open Days to Schools. This instrument was validated by two experts in geosciences teaching, and its fidelity was also determined. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016.

Abstract
This paper focuses on the susceptibility evaluation to bank gullies on earthen embankments through the application of SIMWE (SIMulated Water Erosion) model, using a high resolution digital elevation model (1 meter spatial resolution). The results provided by the model are compared with the hydrologic characteristics, soil texture and soil structure of the agricultural terraces. This approach demonstrates an association between the spatial distribution of erosive forms with high values of water depth and reduced water discharge that are consistent with the lower values of electrical resistivity. The areas with the highest percentage of erosive forms, related to sediment flux, transport capacity and sediment concentration susceptibility, assume medium values. These figures, combined with a low hydraulic conductivity and soil infiltration capacity, are consistent with the fine texture of soils, allowing increased runoff and the development of linear erosion.