Events & Courses

Assessing the hazard of low frequency, high magnitude landslide events; the role of the engineering geologist

During a severe rainstorm on 7 June 2008, over 2,400 landslides were recorded on Lantau Island, the largest island in Hong Kong. Numerous road links were severed and many landslides impinged on existing residential developments.

This was one of the most notable storms to have occurred in Hong Kong in several decades, with a 4 - hour rolling rainfall equated to a return period of 500 - 1000 years. A number of the landslides developed into major debris flows, with significant secondary entrainment and long run out distances. Such hazards were underrepresented in the existing data sets at that time.

The presentation will outline the approach to landslide assessments in Hong Kong, discuss the hazard from debris flow with reference to the 2008 storm, illustrate the uncertainty associated with assessing debris flow hazard and examine how this uncertainty can be reduced.

More information is available in the flyer.

Speaker

Steve Parry

Steve is an engineering geologist with over 30 year’s experience in the application of engineering geology to the assessment of geohazards, heavy foundations, dams, tunnels, quarries, geomaterials and contaminated land. 

He was principal technical reviewer of “Engineering Geological Practice in Hong Kong” the Hong Kong Government’s guidance document on the application of engineering geology and co-author of “Guidelines for Natural Terrain Hazard Studies” which forms the basis of landslide risk assessment in Hong Kong. Steve led the recent technical review of the guidelines for landslide assessments on behalf of the Hong Kong Government.

Steve has recently commenced a part-time PhD at Leeds University, co-sponsored by the British Geological Survey and Leeds University, examining the relationship between landscape evolution and landslide hazard in the UK. He is also assisting with the Leeds Engineering Geology MSc course.

Venue

Room CBB115 of the Best Building (location of the Geography Department) on the Parkgate Road Campus (main campus) of the University of Chester CH1 4BJ

There is parking at this venue.

Time

There will be tea and coffee from 6.30pm. Lecture starts at 7.00pm

 

CPD: These events may be considered for contributing to a recognised Continuing professional Development (CPD) scheme as part of personal development.

Delegates should check their individual scheme requirements