Geohazard Assessment & Risk Management

Geohazards are naturally occurring events that pose significant risks to human life, infrastructure, and the environment. These events, which include landslides, earthquakes, and erosion, can have devastating consequences if not properly assessed and mitigated. Geohazards can be triggered by various factors, including seismic activity, heavy rainfall, and human intervention.

​

Understanding geohazards is crucial for sustainable development, as it enables communities to take proactive measures to protect themselves and their infrastructure. Geohazard assessments are a critical component of risk management, as they help identify potential hazards and determine the likelihood of their occurrence. By conducting thorough geohazard assessments, engineers and planners can make informed decisions about site selection, construction, and development.

​

Geohazard assessments involve the analysis of seismic data, mapping, and other techniques to identify potential hazards and assess their potential impact. The goal of geohazard assessment is to provide early warning systems and mitigation strategies to protect communities and infrastructure from the risks associated with geohazards.

 

 

 

Geohazard assessment is essential for identifying potential hazards and determining the likelihood of their occurrence. By conducting geohazard assessments, communities can take proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with natural events. These assessments help identify areas at risk of landslides, earthquakes, and other geohazards, enabling engineers and planners to make informed decisions about site selection and construction.

 

The importance of geohazard assessment cannot be overstated, as it helps protect human life, infrastructure, and the environment from the devastating consequences of geohazards. Geohazard assessments are a critical component of risk management, as they provide a thorough understanding of the potential hazards and risks associated with a particular location. By conducting geohazard assessments, communities can reduce the likelihood of disasters and minimise the impact of natural events.

 

Geohazard assessments are essential for sustainable development, as they enable communities to make informed decisions about construction, development, and land use. The World Bank and other international organisations recognise the importance of geohazard assessment in reducing the risks associated with natural events.

​

 

 

As well as man-made hazards such as mine shafts, shallow mine workings, and poorly constructed slopes, other geohazards can potentially pose a risk to both people and property. Some of these are naturally occurring, while some are man-made, or at least made worse by human activity.

 

A geohazard survey is crucial in identifying potential geological risks, helping stakeholders make informed decisions and comply with safety standards during the planning phases of development.

 

These geohazards include:

• Sinkholes are caused by the collapse of soils or weak rock covering or filling dissolution features in rocks like chalk, limestone, salt and gypsum. These features can occur in may areas of the UK but a particularly notable in the Chiltern Hills area and parts of Dorset and Hampshire (all underlain by chalk), the Peak District, North and South Wales, the Mendip Hills and the Yorkshire Dales (all underlain by limestone), areas of north-east England (underlain by Gypsum), and Cheshire (underlain by salt deposits).

• Natural slopes and fault lines that become unstable (e.g. landslides and debris flows) due to factors such as unusually heavy or prolonged rainfall increasing porewater pressure and/or erosion, removal of the slopes toe by for example river erosion or human activity, and increased loading at the crest such as new landscaping or development works.

• Shrinking or swelling clays can cause significant damage to foundations and floor slabs, especially where trees are (or were!) present nearby.

• Soft or compressible natural deposits such as peat, soft clays and silts, and very loose sands that can lead to excessive settlement of structures or earthworks, or even their complete failure/collapse..

• Collapsible soils such as non-engineered fill and loess.

• Collapse of man-made substructures (often unrecorded) such as drains, wells and other features, often associated with the ‘washout’ of surrounding soils. These are often initially reported as ‘sinkholes’.

• Soils rich in water-soluble sulphates can attack buried concrete. This risk is best assessed by carrying out appropriate soil or groundwater testing, but the potential for such a risk existing in a site is often apparent at the desk study stage.

• Variable geology within relatively small areas, such as localised sand and gravel deposits within a predominantly cohesive glacial or periglacial deposit, or a highly variable depth to rockhead in areas of karst (e.g. limestone dissolution), resulting in variable soil thicknesses, possibly leading to a risk of differential settlement or variable foundation requirements.

• Ground gases such as methane, carbon dioxide and radon.

G&J are experienced in dealing with these hazards and others in a cost-effective and practical manner. A preliminary assessment of the risk of these geohazards affecting a site, even if not currently apparent, is typically included in our Phase I Desk Studies, where there is a geotechnical component. These assessments help mitigate associated risks, such as cost overruns, project delays, reputational damage, and potential hazards to personnel safety.

​

​

​

Geohazard mitigation strategies are critical for reducing the risks associated with natural events. These strategies include the implementation of early warning systems, evacuation plans, and structural measures to protect infrastructure and human life. Geohazard mitigation strategies can be tailored to specific locations and hazards, taking into account the unique characteristics of the area and the potential risks.

 

By implementing geohazard mitigation strategies, communities can reduce the likelihood of disasters and minimise the impact of natural events. These strategies can include the use of seismic hazard maps, landslide susceptibility maps, and other tools to identify areas at risk. Engineers and planners can use these tools to design and construct infrastructure that is resilient to geohazards, reducing the risks associated with natural events.

​

Geohazard mitigation strategies can also include the implementation of non-structural measures, such as land-use planning and emergency preparedness plans. By taking a proactive approach to geohazard mitigation, communities can protect themselves and their infrastructure from the devastating consequences of natural events.

 

 

 

Technology plays a critical role in geohazard assessment, enabling engineers and planners to identify potential hazards and determine the likelihood of their occurrence. Seismic data, remote sensing, and other technologies can be used to analyse and map potential hazards, providing a thorough understanding of the risks associated with a particular location.

 

Geohazard assessment software and other tools can be used to model and simulate the potential impact of natural events, enabling engineers and planners to make informed decisions about site selection and construction. Technology can also be used to implement early warning systems, enabling communities to take proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with geohazards.

 

The use of technology in geohazard assessment can help reduce the costs and risks associated with natural events, enabling communities to develop and construct infrastructure that is resilient to geohazards. By leveraging technology, engineers and planners can conduct geohazard assessments more efficiently and effectively, providing a thorough understanding of the potential hazards and risks associated with a particular location.

 

Technology can also be used to communicate geohazard risks to stakeholders, enabling communities to make informed decisions about construction, development, and land use. The role of technology in geohazard assessment is continually evolving, with new tools and techniques being developed to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of geohazard assessments.

 

 

 

The future of geohazard assessment and risk management will be shaped by advances in technology and our increasing understanding of the risks associated with natural events. As technology continues to evolve, geohazard assessments will become more accurate and effective, enabling communities to make informed decisions about site selection, construction, and development.

 

The use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other emerging technologies will play a critical role in geohazard assessment, enabling engineers and planners to analyse and model complex data sets. The future of geohazard assessment and risk management will also be shaped by our increasing recognition of the importance of sustainable development and the need to protect human life, infrastructure, and the environment from the devastating consequences of geohazards.

 

By taking a proactive approach to geohazard assessment and risk management, communities can reduce the likelihood of disasters and minimise the impact of natural events. The future of geohazard assessment and risk management will require a collaborative approach, with engineers, planners, policymakers, and other stakeholders working together to identify and mitigate the risks associated with geohazards.

​

By leveraging technology and our increasing understanding of the risks associated with natural events, we can create a safer and more resilient future for communities around the world. The future of geohazard assessment and risk management is critical to reducing the risks associated with natural events and promoting sustainable development, and it will require a continued commitment to innovation, collaboration, and proactive risk management.