Events & Courses

A geological hazard (geohazard) is the consequence of an adverse combination of geological processes and ground conditions, sometimes precipitated by anthropogenic activity. The term implies that the event is unexpected and likely to cause significant loss or harm. To understand geohazards and mitigate their effects, expertise is required in the key areas of engineering geology, hydrogeology, geotechnical engineering, risk management, communication and planning, supported by appropriate specialist knowledge of subjects such as seismology and volcanology. There is a temptation for geoscientists involved in geohazards to get too focused on the ‘science’ and lose sight of the purpose of the work, which is to facilitate the effective management and mitigation of the consequences of geohazards within society.

The study and assessment of geohazards into the wider social context, helping the engineering geologist to better communicate the issues concerning geohazards in the UK to the client and the wider public.

Course overview

This course is ideal for geoscientists who are geoengineers, geotechnical experts or those who work in contaminated land. It is also useful for those who are in parallel sectors.

Each module is structured to give a presentation which sets the scene for the specific hazard, followed by discussion to develop understanding of the monitoring and the various elements which contribute to possible mitigation.

Each module is focused on a particular Geohazard.

Course module

Module 7. Evaporite hazard – mining and dissolution

Gypsum, anhydrite, salt and sinkholes - investigating and understanding evaporite geology and geohazards. By Dr Anthony Cooper, Honorary Research Associate, British Geological Survey. 

Gypsum is all around us, it is the raw material for wall plaster and plasterboard, salt is used on our tables and roads, but in their original geological settings they are both soluble (karstic) rocks that can cause catastrophic geological hazards. Gypsum dissolution is very rapid and a block about 3m cubed in a river dissolved in about 18 months. Underground it dissolves to form buried karstic cave systems that undergo partial collapse resulting in sinkholes. Salt dissolves incredibly rapidly, about 1000 times faster than gypsum. Natural groundwater flows dissolving these rocks result in sulphate-rich and salt rich springs respectively. Salt spring areas have traditionally been exploited for brine supplying the salt industry, a process that has mimicked the natural dissolution, but at a much faster rate. The results of both natural and induced gypsum and salt dissolution can result in subsidence and sinkholes that can collapse properties, destroy dams and disrupt infrastructure.  Gypsum is CaSO4.2H2O, while anhydrite is the anhydrous form CaSO4. The natural or induced hydration of anhydrite to gypsum is accompanied by considerable expansion that can cause engineering problems for schemes such as tunnels and ground source heat pumps. To understand the geology, sinkhole and subsidence features can be physically mapped, investigated by remote sensing, boreholes and near surface geophysics. Borehole investigations show not only the soluble ro

Speaker

Dr Anthony H Cooper FGS, CGeol, EuroGeol 

Dr Cooper has a BSc and PhD from Sheffield University followed by 38 years at the British Geological Survey, as a geological surveyor,  team leader for shallow geohazards and risks, and regional geologist for Yorkshire. Since 2014 he has been Honorary Research Associate at the BGS and an independent consultant. 

He has published widely on evaporite karst (gypsum, anhydrite and salt) sinkholes and geological hazards in the UK and abroad, including research and collaborative projects in the UK, Spain, Germany, Lithuania, Ukraine and China. His publications include the investigation of sinkholes and associated strata using techniques embracing geological mapping, remote sensing, geomorphology, Lidar, geophysics, hydrogeology, GIS, damage surveys, borehole analysis and 3D modeling. He has wide experience of the UK Permian and Triassic evaporitic sequences and has worked with planners, developers and engineers to help them avoid or mitigate geological hazards related to soluble rocks in the UK and offshore. 

Registration

Registration will close 24 hours before the session takes place.

Concessionary Rates & Student Registration

We offer students a generous discount, please verify your student status by either registering with your student email address, or upload a photograph of your student identification/ acceptance letter.

The society offers a limited number of concessionary rates for those in financial hardship. Please contact [email protected] (please note you may be required to provide details/evidence to support your application for this rate).

Book the full course series

Book all 15 modules as a package with the Full Course option and enjoy a discount.

Book the full course series plus Special Publication

Book all 15 modules as a package plus Special Publication Geological Hazards in the UK: Their Occurrence, Monitoring and Mitigation by registering for the Full Course option and selecting the book package on the registration form.

We can offer bespoke discounts on group registrations of 5 or more. Please email [email protected] to enquire.

Alternatively, if you book all 15 modules it includes a discount.

Venue

These courses will be held virtually over Zoom between 16.00 GMT and will run until approximately 17.30 GMT depending on audience participation.

Delegates will receive joining instructions the day before they take place.