UoP Earth Science MSc

Some of our MSc Engineering Geology students visited a local site investigation today to see window sampling and standard pe*******on tests (SPT) in operation.

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Who wants to try finding some landslides? 🙋 - Starting at Broadway tower - from both the photographs and the google satellite image can you identify any types of ground movement? Identifying features such as cambering can be tricky - but with the help of hillshaded DEM models and stereo anaglyphs - (as well as an extensive walkover survey!) - our students learn how to recognise and map these features in the field.

Throwback Thursday! This week we are going to have a look back at our trips to Broadway in the Cotswolds - Here the students undertake terrain evaluation, mapping geohazards, faults, landslides, karstic areas and cambering. This trip runs on both our MSc Geological and Environmental Hazards and Engineering Geology courses and students are tasked finding an ideal route for a proposed new gas pipeline through this difficult terrain, using both a desk study and their mapping results in the field.

Last chance this morning to sign up for our Postgraduate open day this evening on campus in Portsmouth (4.30pm - 7.30pm), look forward to seeing you all tonight! If you cannot attend you can also book one to one sessions with course leaders to discuss studying Earth Sciences. at Postgraduate level here at the University of Portsmouth.

https://www.port.ac.uk/postgraduate-open-events-book-your-place

View over the Valle de Bove from one of our favourite viewpoints on the flanks of Mt Etna 🌋. Students on our MSc Geological and Environmental hazards course not only visit this stunning location - but learn key GIS skills mapping volcanic vents and lava flows before heading out on our annual fieldwork.

Introducing Dr Derek Rust, leader of our Volcanology and Seismology module 🌋;

'I am fortunate to work in many geologically exciting parts of the world, collaborating with a wide range of talented researchers. This typically involves detailed field-based studies within a multidisciplinary approach. My research aims to contribute by gaining a better understanding of such problems as geological hazards.

After graduating from the University of London I was fortunate in gaining a research post at the University of California, where I obtained my PhD working on the San Andreas fault, a long-standing fascination of mine. I then taught at Humboldt State University in northern California before returning home to take up research and teaching posts at the University of Edinburgh and Brunel University before coming to Portsmouth in 2007.'

Meet some of our staff this week at our on-campus open day (5th June 4.30pm-7.30pm). Dr Malcolm Whitworth is the course lead on our MSc Geological and Environmental Hazards postgraduate programme;

He is a Reader in Engineering Geomorphology and Natural Hazards at the University of Portsmouth, with extensive commercial experience in natural hazard assessment and terrain evaluation, working with re-insurance, engineering geology and infrastructure clients, applying his field gemorphological mapping, hazard assessment, GIS and remote sensing skills on a range of geohazard and terrain evaluation projects. He also provides technical advice on natural hazards to a range of re-insurance and geoscience clients.

His research interests span global modelling of natural hazard distributions to landslide susceptibility assessment in mountainous regions of the world. I have a particular interest in spatial modelling using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing; and in particular the application of numerical simulation and probabilistic modelling to study and forecast natural hazards.

He has extensive expertise in terrain evaluation and geomorphological mapping; specialising in application of remote sensing and field mapping to hazard and risk assessment for linear infrastructure and civil engineering projects. He also dabbles in the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV or drones) and use of Virtual Reality (VR) for mapping and visualising natural hazard landscapes. All of these activities feed directly into his teaching, where he uses case studies and examples in lectures and practical sessions to make his teaching as exciting and real world as possible.

We spoke recently to one of our recent graduates, Ardra Ramesh Kumar for her thoughts on the course and her career since - "I completed my degree in MSc Engineering Geology from University of Portsmouth (2022-2023). Fast forward to today, and I'm living my dream ,as a graduate geotechnical engineer at Mott MacDonald, built upon the solid framework provided by this course. I owe a debt of gratitude to mentors personally, exposing me to diverse cultures and perspectives. From India to Portsmouth, this course has not just shaped my career but has also moulded me into a more resilient, adaptable individual. These memories and lessons will forever be cherished, a testament to the transformative power of education."

Reminder - our next on campus open day is on the 5th June - you can book a place now and find out more about our MSc courses in Earth Sciences. Take the opportunity to meet staff and course leaders in person and find out more about postgraduate study here at the University of Portsmouth.

https://www.port.ac.uk/postgraduate-open-events-book-your-place

Some beautiful views from our France fieldwork site near Castellane in the South of France. As well as enjoying the amazing scenery, students here are tasked with collecting relevant engineering geological data, including rock mass assessment and other data collection, along a section of the Lac de Castillon surrounding road for a proposed tunnel route.

A look back at this years and previous field trips to Broadway in the Cotswolds. We take students to the Cotswolds for a three day residential field trip to undertake landslide identification and practise geomorphological mapping - to replicate the workflow of terrain evaluation and site investigation, prior to groundworks or construction work.