Sensing the landslides
PhD-candidate Nina Hećej wants to know more about where, when, how and why landslides in Norway occur. With the consequences of climate change, more knowledge on future landslides can potentially save both infrastructure and lives.
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Nina Hećej is a PhD-candidate at the Department of Earth Science, UiB. Originally from Croatia, Hećej came to Norway and Bergen two years ago. She is one of eight candidates from UiB taking part in “Forsker Grand Prix Bergen” on the 17th of September.
– I have always been fascinated by landslides, which are quite common in Croatia as well. I saw an open PhD position at UiB, and was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to do my research here. At the same time, it’s challenging because landslides are quite complex and are influenced by many factors. But beyond science and research, there are real communities, real infrastructure, real people at risk, she points out.
With background from the field of geology, she has already been studying landslides before she came to Norway. In her PhD-project, she will explore new methods for landslide identification in Norway to get a better understanding of when, where, how and why the landslides in Norway occur. Her findings are intended to complement the existing national landslide inventory and contribute to improve the landslide early warning system.
She has a four-year position, with 25 % of her time allocated to teaching duties in UiB’s Geohazards course.
Seismic, satellite and aerial images
– In my research, I combine landslide seismological data with satellite and aerial images to define the exact time and place of a landslide. I am interested in whole Norway but am at this moment focused on the counties of Vestland and Møre og Romsdal. By comparing the previous landslides with different factors that drive landsliding, we identify locations and conditions that may be prone to future landslides as well, she explains.
More precisely, to identify landslides, she will combine satellite and drone images that were taken before and after each landslide. In addition, to define the exact time and location of these landslides, she will include ground shaking data from the Norwegian National Seismic Network (NNSN).
– It is likely that new landslides will occur, perhaps not at the same location, but within the same regions. Norway is a special case because the deglaciation carved out deep valleys and left behind steep, fractured slopes. With addition to that, the ongoing glacial melting increases the risk of meltwater floods and further landslides, Hećej explains.
– Why would you say that it’s important to do more research on this?
– Norway is heavily affected by natural events, such as floods and storms. With climate change, temperature and precipitation are expected to rise. This makes it crucial to develop and improve existing technology, not only to detect landslides as they happen, but also to improve their prediction and early warning systems. A better understanding of which locations are most at risk, under certain conditions, protects infrastructure and saves lives.
Hoping for the results to be implemented
The UiB candidate adds that she hopes the findings from her research will be included in the national database and early warning systems for improvement of landslide prevention measures and alarm systems (like VARSOM).
Being halfway through her PhD, Nina is looking forward to verifying her results by doing some more field work on the Norwegian west coast.
– Science is all around us. I always spent a lot of time outside walking, hiking or picking mushrooms. Observing your surroundings and questioning how it works is important. This leads to expanding the understanding of such naturally occurring processes, why they pose a certain risk, and how this risk can be minimised, she adds.