LANDSLIDE RESEARCH PROGRAMME

 

GRADUATE STUDENTS

 

This webpage gives a brief outline of the Graduate Students in the Landslide Research Programme in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences: Geo-Hazards Research Group. To see what the group has been working on recently, check out our Research Highlights Page. The group is headed by University of Waterloo Professor Stephen G. Evans and includes the following Ph.D. and M.Sc. students:

 

Ph.D. Students:

Alumni:

 



CURRENT STUDENTS:

Keith B. Delaney, M.E.S. (Ph.D. Candidate)

Email: Keith Delaney

Keith Pic

 

Thesis: Analysis of catastrophic rock avalanches and related mass movements using digital cartographic techniques

Geo-hazards in alpine regions can include rock slides/avalanches (Evans and Clague, 1988; 1990; 1998, 1999), debris slides/flows (Huggel et al., 2005) and outbursts from moraine-dammed or ice-dammed lakes (Clague and Evans, 2000; Evans, 1987; Evans and Clague, 1992, 1994, Kershaw et al., 2005). My PhD research combines the fields of geomorphology, geomatics, and computer science, in the analysis of catastrophic rock avalanches.  Quantification and analysis of catastrophic rock avalanches is extremely challenging due to their inherent complexity, diversity of controlling parameters, scale, geology, and their often remote location.  This interdisciplinary study will examine the western part of the Canadian and American Cordillera as well as the Pamir/Himalayan regions of India and Pakistan.  A back-analysis will be performed on selected events to define the geomorphic and geomechanical characteristics of the emplacement of rock avalanches in the western Cordillera and Pamir/Himalayas, and to analyse the role of such factors as topography, geology, and climate change related glacier ice loss in their initiation. The back analysis of post-failure behaviour will be performed using the computer modeling software DAN-W (Ayotte and Hungr, 2000), which will simulate the geomechanical behaviour of each event (i.e. runout, velocity, friction, turbulence). I will also focus part of my research on the creation of a new Topographic Mobility Index (TMI) relating the regional topography to the landslide debris dimensions, quantifying the relationship between debris volume, runout, debris spreading (area), and the local topography.  Finally, I will model the creation and destruction of landslide dammed lakes in the Pamir Mountains of Central Asia using FLO-2D modelling.  This secondary hazard can flood upstream and downstream regions around the dam causing major destruction outside the landslide proper. Overall, my research will result in an increased understanding of the processes involved in mass movements involving large quantities of rock, their initiation and propagation in combination with topographic effects, and their ability to be analysed utilising both geomorphic and geomatic methodologies.

References:



Moraine-dammed Nostetuko Lake, British Columbia, which breached catastrophically in 1983 releasing a flood wave into the Nostetuko River which traveled 115 km to the Pacific Ocean.
The breach was initiated by a glacier avalanche into the lake from Cumberland Glacier (at right).

Research Objectives:

  1. Analyze and Quantify catastrophic rock avalanches of the twentieth century in the Western Cordillera of North America.
  2. Model and Classify rock avalanches according to unique, in situ factors.
  3. Mapping Risk and Vulnerability of rock avalanches throughout the study region.


SPOT image of Mount Munday rock avalanche, which occurred in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia in 1997.

Research Interests:



Catastrophic landslide on Mars.

Publications:

Additional Information:

Current Location: On Campus, University of Waterloo.

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Mona Khaleghy Rad M.Sc. (Ph.D. Candidate)

Email: Mona Khaleghy Rad

 

Thesis: Natural Catastrophes: Physics and Risk

The objective of my research is to develop a quantitative framework for the physics of natural catastrophes. These include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, tsunamis, hurricanes, etc. These events will be characterized by examining the application of the laws of physics, the concise expression of mathematical language, and broad experiences of practical sciences in geology, planetary science, and engineering. The framework developed will provide a new basis for hazard assessment and risk analysis with the objective of reducing the danger of natural hazards to human beings and societies around the world. The huge energy released in a short time is one of the most important aspects of catastrophe. Measuring this energy and investigating the possible ways of predicting energy release may help us in reducing their hazardous effects.

References:

Research Objectives:


Research Interests:

Publications:

Additional Information:

Current Location: On Campus, University of Waterloo.

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Masoumeh (Negar) Ghahramani M.Sc. (Ph.D. Candidate)

Email: Masoumeh Ghahramani

 

Thesis: Earthquake-Triggered Landslides

I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. under the supervision of Prof. Evans on earthquake-triggered landslides. The focus of my research is the analyzing of the relationships between the characteristics of large scale earthquake-triggered landslide and earthquake parameters by considering the geological, geotechnical, and seismological properties of each event. Our aim is to develop a geotechnical model for predicting the earthquake response of the landscape, at site and regional scales. My regional focus is on western Canada and USA, Taiwan and northeastern India. I am analyzing several cases of large-scale earthquake-triggered landslides including the 1985 North Nahanni rockslide (Canada) and the 1959 Madison canyon rockslide (USA). I also have an interest in seismic hazard assessment and have contributed to our analysis of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Research Interests:



1985 North Nahanni rockslide, North West Territories, Canada.

Publications:

Additional Information:

Current Location: On Campus, University of Waterloo.

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LANDSLIDE RESEARCH PROGRAM ALUMNI:

Rick H. Guthrie, Ph.D., P.Geo.

Thesis: Behaviour and characteristics of rainfall and earthquake triggered landslides; analysis of regional landslide events

Attended University of Waterloo: Sept. 2005 - Jun. 2009
Supervisor: Stephen G. Evans

Publications while attending UW:

Current Location: Rick is currently a Senior Scientist in Geohazards and Geomorphology for Hemmera Envirochem Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia.

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Nicholas J. Roberts, M.Sc.

Thesis: Structural and geological controls on gigantic (> 1 Gm3) landslides in carbonate sequences: From the Zagros Mountains, Iran and Rocky Mountains Canada

Attended University of Waterloo: Sept. 2005 - Dec. 2007
Supervisor: Stephen G. Evans


Fieldwork in the Zagros Mountains, Iran during 2006. Background is the central portion of the Seymareh rock avalanche source area on the northeast flank of Kabir Kuh. From left to right: Nick Roberts, Mr. Zorobi, Mr. Bagheri, and Mr. Kareem.

Publications while attending UW:

Current Location: Nick is currently a Ph.D. student working with Prof. John J. Clague at Simon Fraser University.

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Nicholas F. Bishop, M.Sc.

Thesis: Geotechnics and hydrogeology of landslides in the Thompson Valley, near Ashcroft, British Columbia

Attended University of Waterloo: Sept. 2006 - Aug. 2008
Supervisors: Stephen G. Evans / André J.A. Unger

Publications while attending UW:

Current Location: Nick is currently a Geotechnical Engineer/Modeler with Golder Associates.

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Tanya S. Kampherm Martin, M.Sc.

Thesis: Landslides triggered by the 1946 Ancash Earthquake (Peru) and geologic controls
on the mechanisms of initial rock slope failure

Attended University of Waterloo: Sept. 2006 - Jan. 2009
Supervisor: Stephen G. Evans

Publications while attending UW:

Current Location: Tanya is currently the Water Resources Program Coordinator in the Environmental Services Department with the Regional Municipality of York.

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Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Landslide Research Programme
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3G1
Phone: (519) 888-4567

Last Updated on: December 21, 2010
Created by: Keith B. Delaney