Landslide and rock fall assessment within the Canadian Cordillera

Mountains including those in the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt consist of many unstable ice-clad mountains such as Mount Meager and Mount Currie. Their proximity to population centres makes them tourist attractions and as well critical natural resources (e.g., potential geothermal resource at Mount Meager). We are taking a multi-disciplinary approach (e.g., structural geology, geotechnical numerical modelling, optical and radar remote sensing, seismic and infrasound monitoring) to assess the trigger mechanisms of landmass failure and develop reasonable mitigation strategies to reduce natural hazard exposure.

Permafrost related landslides, Kluane Range, Yukon

Permafrost related landslides, such as active layer detachment slides (ALDS), appears to be increasing in frequency, possibly associated with climate change. As part of his terrain mapping project, Crey Ackerson’s MSc thesis will try to determine if the frequency of ALDS in Kluane Range, SW Yukon is increasing.  Recent slides, including a large cluster that occurred August 17, 2020, were mapped, photographed and visited.  Older slides will be identified on historical air photo coverage, providing 10-20 year time slices starting in 1946, and satellite imagery from 2001 to present. The number, area and distribution of ALDS will be made for each time slice to determine changes in frequency and compared to regional climate data. 

How to effectively communicate information before, during and after a natural hazard emergency?

Although British Columbia is subjected to multiple natural hazards (e.g., wildfires, landslides and floods), only about 13% of British Columbians have completed their emergency response plans. To encourage emergency preparedness in BC, we are cooperating with local communities, emergency managers, scientists, and computer engineers, to figure out the most effective and appropriate ways to communicate natural hazard information.