About the team
The etymology of the word geohazard comes from:
- Geo – from the word “geological” meaning of the earth.
- Hazard – a situation that poses a risk to property, the environment, or life.
Thus, “geohazard” means the risk of damage caused by a geological process.
Types of activities
Preocuparile echipei Geo-Haz sunt, ȋn principal, axate pe:
- evaluation of ground instability phenomena,
- landslide hazard assessment, in a broad sense, at local and regional scale,
- geophysical measurements (electrometry, GPR, etc.) in situ,
- development of maps (inventory and landslide hazard) and databases, using GIS, etc.
The activity of this group of researchers is focused on establishing optimal methodologies for the implementation of products that have different uses. The research results are based on in situ observations and measurements, topographic measurements, development of digital terrain models, etc. The team is involved in the entire process starting with data acquisition, calibration, development and validation analysis of the final products. The above-mentioned methodologies represent non-invasive investigation methods.
At the Geological Institute of Romania, the team has conducted regional studies on the role of natural and anthropogenic factors in triggering instability phenomena and their impact across Romania—utilizing methods such as geoelectrical surveys and GPR in specific landslide-prone areas within the counties of Gorj, Vâlcea, Argeş, Prahova, Buzău, Dâmboviţa, Timiș, and Neamț—as well as local studies on hazard management in areas affected by landslides. State-of-the-art field equipment is employed, and data processing is carried out using GIS-based georeferencing.
To gather primary data, systematic field trips are conducted to map deposits exposed in natural (outcrops) and artificial openings, with measurements taken using specialized equipment; topographic surveys of all observation points (outcrops, landslides, etc.) are carried out using high-precision surveying instruments (GPS, total station, etc.).
The specialists—some with extensive experience in the field—are capable of responding on an emergency basis to any activities involving the investigation of ground instability phenomena. Within this team, there operates the Laboratory of Environmental Geology and Geophysics – Laboratorul de Geologie și Geofizicǎ Ambientalǎ(LGGA) which aims to develop existing R&D infrastructure and create new R&D infrastructure within the IGR in the environmental field by enhancing theoretical, scientific, and technical capabilities regarding the multidisciplinary assessment of natural hazards (landslides) and nationwide pollution levels, as well as the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources and biodiversity—in alignment with the European Research Area and within the context of local and regional climate change.
