SFU Research Chairs & Endowed Professors Seminar Series: "Understanding Engineering Geological Hazards: The Implications of New Developments in Remote Sensing and Simulations Techniques"

Abstract

Engineers and geoscientists are faced with increasingly challenging projects involving resource development at great depths beneath the ground surface and the expansion of populations into areas of high relief and increased risk. Surface mines are now over 1km deep and underground mines are reaching depths of around 4km. It is common for underground development to take place beneath open pits necessitating consideration of the interaction between surface and underground operations. The effects of underground mining and ground movements must be monitored and understood so that requisite planning can be put in place. Ever increasing development and tourism in mountainous areas also brings with it the need to understand the risks posed by geological hazards ranging from rock fall along highways to major landslides. The importance of considering the influence of geology is fundamental to most resource sectors. In this presentation, examples will be shown of selected geological hazards that have been the recent focus of the Engineering Geology and Resource Geotechnics Research Group at SFU. The application of state-of-the-art ground and satellite based remote sensing technologies in the characterization and monitoring of engineering projects will be presented. An overview of the sophisticated numerical simulation techniques now being applied within the resource and geoscience sectors will be given. The central theme of the presentation is that an understanding of the geology is essential to ensure the safe, economic, and sustainable development of our environment.