Earth and Environmental Sciences (SEES)
Disaster Risk Reduction – Theme Leader Dr Richard Teeuw
Staff. Baily, Brown, Gibson, Inkpen, Koor, Rust, Solana, Whitworth
Economic and Social Impacts of Natural Hazards
Globally and locally, we are increasingly aware of the true costs of natural hazards. A little researched aspect is the cost in financial terms and their effects upon business and planning decisions. Our multidisciplinary programme examines how natural hazards impact on economic and social environments. Specific projects include the ‘Economic Impact of Landslides in the UK’, and ‘The impact of geotourism on landslide risks in a World Heritage Site’. Work is funded by Royal Thai Government and the University of Portsmouth. Research partners include the British Geological Survey and the Transport Research Laboratory
PhD Student Mr William Disberry
PhD Student Miss Mallika Nillorm
Geo-Environmental and Energy Security
CAGs Derek Rust is responsible for the delivery of the University of Portsmouth’s package within the NATO funded ‘Science for Peace’ programme; investigating the risks to people and property in a seismically active region of Kyrgyzstan. We are using remote sensing and GIS technologies to identify risks posed to energy sources and lifelines in this sensitive region; working with local communities and scientists to ensure knowledge and training is transferred to people who can make a real difference.
PhD Student Miss Namphon Khampilang
Low Cost Tools for Disaster Risk Reduction
Our research in this field seeks to develop cost-effective but robust vulnerability assessment procedures for those states that lack the funding or technological infrastructure to use what can be expensive and inaccessible proprietary data and software. We are examining the use of free or low cost satellite data and free software to develop models of flood, tsunami and landslide risk, particularly for small island states. Work is supported by the Leverhulme Trust, Ministry of Defence
PhD Student Miss Naomi Morris
PhD Student Mr Mathias Leidig
PhD Student Mrs Charlotte Saunders.
Hazard Communication and Policy
Just as important as understanding the hazards and risks associated with geological hazards is communicating them to those communities most affected. Our work in this field has two strands. One element is to understand the role of landscape in our decision making, whether fundamental properties of topography influence decisions made by different groups of people. Our second area is the production of easy to understand, informative guides to understanding and managing geological hazards, whether the audience is a geo-tourist, landowner or pipeline engineer.