A snapshot of techniques and approaches applied in geological sciences

The 79th volume of the Bulletin of the Geological Society of Malaysia comprises eight original research articles that touch on techniques and approaches in geological sciences, some with potential for wider application. The lead paper by Misman et al. (2025) introduces drone technology for investigating coral reefs in Pangkor Island, Perak. The use of images from drone technology has immense potential to be advanced, for example in the study of fast and slow onset hazards. Zulkipli et al. (2025) deployed the portable Raman Spectrometry for the first time to analyse mineralogical properties of ancient pottery in Kuantan, Pahang. In combination with the conventional X-Ray Diffraction, the technique provided new insights on the manufacturing process, firing conditions and provenance of the artifacts. A novel approach for assessing flood risks associated with post-earthquake settings has been proposed for Kota Belud, Sabah by Sharir & Roslee (2025). The method draws on hydrodynamic modelling to identify areas at risk of floods and levels of vulnerability, to delineate communities that require enhanced resilience building. A combination of approaches was used to characterise subsurface karstic conditions by Nguyen et al. (2025) in Hanoi, Vietnam. The approach is useful to develop long-term strategies for mitigation and early warning of land subsidence in the densely populated areas. Ostadi et al. (2025) used the TRUST Index to determine the vulnerability status of coastal groundwater wells in Terengganu. Further investigation is required to establish the hydraulic characteristics of this coastal aquifer system and assess risks due to saltwater intrusion. The next batch of papers are on structural geology and sedimentology. Choong et al. (2025) draw on the K-Ar Age dating method to investigate deformation events in the Bentong-Raub Suture Zone in Peninsular Malaysia. Sedimentological analysis of outcrops in Miri, Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam was used to establish the relationship between lithofacies and depositional settings by Rahman et al. (2025). In the last paper of this volume, Pirot et al. (2025) uses microscopic analysis to characterise reservoir properties from surface outcrop samples in Iraq, which are comparable to results from scanning electron microscopy and core plug analysis. The following sections provide highlights from the deployment of these techniques and approaches.