GEO-3135 From Onshore Rock-Slope Failures to Marine Geohazards: Processes and Products - 10 stp

The course focuses on selected terrestrial and marine geohazards. As part of the terrestrial component, the students will get theoretical and applied training in hazard assessment and monitoring of unstable rock slopes on land. The course gives a wide-ranging understanding of onshore rock-slope failure theory, from rock mechanics, structure and kinematics to landslide types, and hazard characterisation. The students will apply theory of rock mechanics to marine geohazard examples.

Students will learn about and apply methods for characterisation of unstable rock slopes including field mapping, desktop mapping, drone technology and photogrammetry, monitoring and instrumentation, and remote sensing methods. Furthermore, students will learn how to characterize and assess the slope hazard (and secondary effects) using numerical modelling techniques and the Norwegian risk assessment system.

The field course component will introduce the student to multiple types of rock-slope hazards in north Norwegian mountain environments. Practical exercises and field investigations will give the students a systematic approach to the topic.

The marine component deals with geological processes at glaciated continental margins that can pose a threat to human life and/or installations at sea and onshore. These processes can include topics such as slope stability, submarine slides, fluid migration in the shallow subsurface (e.g., pockmarks, vertical fluid pathways, shallow gas, gas hydrates) and tsunamis generated from earthquakes and submarine slides.

Bachelor's degree in geology, or a similar degree following a programme of study of at least three years, or similar education approved in accordance with the Norwegian Universities Act section 3-4. In addition, specialization in geology worth the equivalent of at least 80 ECTS credits is required. Normally, an average mark of C or better is required at the bachelor's degree level or other program for basis of admission.

Application code: 9371.

Knowledge

The student has:

• a comprehensive understanding of rock/sediment slope failure theory, including rock mechanics, structure and kinematics, slow rock-slope deformation, and types of rapid rock-slope failure.
• understanding of landslides, hazard and risk terminology.
• knowledge of all types of geohazards that result from slope failure, including secondary effects.
• knowledge of monitoring techniques, including knowledge of types of monitoring instrumentation, types of remote sensing, and methods of interpreting results for meaningful data.
• knowledge of how to use field- and desktop-derived information to calibrate numerical models and to simulate hazard events for risk assessment purposes.
• knowledge about different types of marine geohazards, their morphology, the sedimentary processes involved, and how the frequency of events is estimated.
• Understanding of the integrated geophysical, geotechnical and geomechanical analyses for the study of slope stability and risk assessments.
• understanding of subsurface fluid migration and the effect on slope stability.

Skills

The student can:

• use rock-slope failure theory to assess, classify, and characterize an unstable slope by desktop methods and in the field.
• work in groups to collect structural data in the field using correct engineering geology mapping techniques.
• identify situations where drone technology is required for assessment, and use collected drone data to produce a point cloud and 3D site model. This includes processing structural data collected in the field, or from drone/LiDAR photogrammetry.
• process on- and offshore field mapping data and satellite/aerial images using GIS methods to produce meaningful information.
• Use sea-floor and/or sub-sea floor acoustic data to identify areas affected by sediment failure and the processes involved.
• use maps, and geological data from borings to evaluate the stability of a submarine slope.
• interpret results from unstable slope monitoring campaigns to determine triggers/driving mechanisms for rock slope failure and submarine slope failure and make hazard predictions.
• use three-dimensional rockfall modelling software for rockfall hazard characterization and risk assessment.
• determine the best solution for monitoring and managing the risk posed to society by unstable rock slopes or marine geohazards.
• calculate the factor of safety for a translational slide on the sea floor.
• calculate the arrival time for a propagating tsunami and the amount of amplification of the run-up in a fjord/inlet and understand how the source area of a tsunami can influence the wave characteristics of the propagating tsunami.
• evaluate pore pressure measurements.

General competences

The student can:

• carry out the most important elements of geological research projects related to rock-slope failures and marine geohazards: understanding literature, carrying out basic field research, making observations, analyzing data, and communicating results to fellow students/scientists.
• use data and geological knowledge to understand processes.
• work with landslide problems in the public and private sector using reflections, critical thinking and responsibility.
• solve problems related to rock-slope failures and marine geohazards analytically and prompt in written English, and present research results orally.
• work independently and in a team.