Modelling slope stability

Climate change predictions for the British Isles generally indicate that there will be higher winter rainfall in future, but with more frequent high intensity rainfall events at any time of year. Seasonally higher rainfall might be expected to elevate water tables sufficiently to trigger – or reactivate – deep-seated landslides, and high intensity rainfall events have triggered numerous shallow landslides, some with highly damaging impacts, in recent years. This project will address two issues: (i) is there any evidence of increased landsliding during the colder, wetter climate of the ‘Little Ice Age’, and (ii) can a similar climatically-driven increase in landslide events be expected from future changing weather patterns, and to what extent? The second part will require the development of a modelling framework with which to explore the possible implications of climate change on slope stability, and associated hazards, over the next few decades.

A good first degree in Earth Sciences, Geography, Civil Engineering or related subjects, ideally with some previous experience of computer modelling, is required for this project.