Geology & Geophysics Group
Geohazards
Contact: Dr Russell Wynn
G&G Group research into geohazards aims to improve understanding of geological phenomena, in both the terrestrial and deep marine environment, that pose a proven or potential threat to Man, in terms of loss of human life and damage to coastal and seafloor infrastructure. Current research has major applications in the fields of earthquake hazard assessment, tsunami modelling and seafloor infrastructure placement, e.g. pipelines and rigs.
Key areas of research include:
Submarine slope failure:
- Characterisation of submarine landslides, including timing, process and tsunamigenic potential (Canary Islands case study)
- Understanding and quantifying erosive power of giant gravity flows in modern canyon and channel environments, including insights gained through laboratory modelling
- Analysis of landslide and gravity flow frequency in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, and implications for protection of seafloor infrastructure and coastal communities
Earthquakes and tsunamis:
- Understanding the relationship between subduction zone structure and earthquake potential and rupture location
- Application of tectonic geomorphology, paleoseismology and marine geophysical and geological data to quantify fault slip and assess recent earthquake history
Current 'hot' research topics include:
- Frequency and tsunamigenic potential of giant landslides around the Canary Islands, and large-scale landsliding in the Cape Verde Islands
- Tracing the 1755 Lisbon earthquake event in deep-sea canyons off west Iberia
- The structure and properties of barriers to earthquake rupture (segmentation) on the Sumatran subduction zone, location of the devastating 2004 and 2005 earthquakes and tsunamis.
- Understanding variability of coseismic fault behaviour through time and its impact on assessing earthquake hazard potential.
