Managing Geological Hazards and Anthropogenic Impacts

Description

Aim: To examine the nature and processes controlling geological hazards and anthropogenic impacts primarily from a geo-environmental perspective, and to evaluate options available for their mitigation and strategic management.

Planet Earth is under stress, both from geological hazards and the impacts of past and present anthropogenic activity.

Mankind has an impact on the environment, likewise, the environment has an impact upon mankind.

Our understanding of the potentially complex interplay of natural geological phenomena and anthropogenic activity is emergent rather than complete.

This module seeks to understand the nature and processes controlling geological hazards and anthropogenic impacts primarily from a geo-environmental perspective. Also, to evaluate risks posed by and to identify options available for their mitigation and strategic management.

Geological hazards explored may include volcanic and magmatic systems, earthquakes, tsunami, slope stability and landslides.

Anthropogenic impacts are evaluated, within the context of environmental impact assessment (EIA), and may include groundwater-contaminated land pollution and remediation, waste management in the geosphere (e.g. landfill, radioactive waste) and the development of geosphere-related more sustainable energy options (e.g. carbon capture and storage, shale gas).

Delivery

  • Lectures (42 hrs)
  • Open tutorials for coursework steering (2 hrs)
  • Student oral presentations (6 hrs)

These are equally spread across Semesters 1 and 2.

Assessment

Two hour written examination (60%) comprising sections of both short answer and long answer questions.

Coursework comprising:

  • Anthropogenic impact individual student poster in Semester 1 (20%)
  • Geological hazards group project with group poster presentation and individual oral presentation contributions in Semester 2 (20%)

Key skills

  • Group work
  • Oral presentations
  • Poster presentation (as groups and individually)
  • Techniques in environmental impact/natural hazards assessment and management