GEOG3807: LANDSLIDES: MECHANISMS, HAZARD AND RISK

• Scientific Research (GEOG2462) and Mountain Landscapes (GEOG2611)

• None

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• To provide students with a conceptual understanding of the nature of slope instability on a global and local scale; the physics of processes governing the triggering, movement and deposition of landslides; innovative methods used to monitor these processes; and the techniques used to mitigate, manage and predict slope failures. The course will reflect throughout on the significance of landslides to both societies and landscapes.

• Part 1: Landslide mechanisms
• Global impacts, patterns and research
• Landslide mechanisms rock
• Landslide mechanisms soil
• Earthquakes and landslides
• Part 2: Landslides and society
• Landslide hazard and risk
• Can we predict when a landslide will fail?
• Part 3: Landslide management and mitigation in practice
• One-day fieldtrip (N Yorks coast) Landslide monitoring, management and mitigation
• Laboratory practical: Stress, strain and rheology of Earth materials
• Computer investigation: 3D remote-sensing monitoring of slopes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• On successful completion of the module students are expected to be able to:
• Demonstrate advanced levels of knowledge and understanding of: (1) the nature of mechanisms which control landslide movement; (2) the significance of landslides in shaping landforms and landscapes and in generating hazard and risk; and (3) methods for landslide monitoring, management and mitigation
• Understand the key characteristics of landslides processes and mechanisms
• Appreciate the importance of landslides in landscape evolution
• Recognize current issues and recent developments for landslide management in different country settings

Subject-specific Skills:

• On successful completion of the module students are expected to be able to:
• Appreciate the range of approaches and challenges in current landslide research
• Critically assess scientific approaches to the management of landslides

Key Skills:

• On successful completion of the module students are expected to be able to:
• Demonstrate the ability to understand a range of current literature by reading and making links between lecture-based knowledge and wider published material.
• Synthesize results from investigation techniques to aid the understanding of landslide processes and effects.

• The 3 module blocks aim to provide students with an outline of key concepts in the subject area, to introduce and contextualize the literature that they will explore in detail, and to situate this knowledge within relevant examples and case studies.
• The fieldtrip will provide insight into landslide investigation in the field, in addition to enabling appraisal of landslide management and mitigation practices. The two practical sessions will provide examples of current approaches to geotechnical testing, remote sensing and numerical modelling of landslides.
• The student-presentation components involve concise and accurate description of landslide data, which is also a key part of the summative work, and the students key findings and observations during the fieldtrip. This formative assessment exercise provides students with an opportunity to practice, develop and obtain feedback on these skills. In addition, the presentations allow students the chance to develop oral presentation skills.
• Both summative assessment exercises will test how well students can apply key concepts in landslide science to real-world situations, as well demonstrating their competence in using laboratory and field skills to quantify landslide stability and failure patterns through time. In addition, students will gain experience in critical evaluation of results and how they can be placed in context using the wider literature.

Formative assessment is provided through student group presentation in lectures, followed by peer discussion and written feedback.

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