The Engineering Geology and Natural Hazards
Earth is constantly affected by extreme events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, sinkholes, and the gradual sinking of the ground. Responding to the risks that these events create requires us to rethink how we define safe conditions, design infrastructure to withstand them, and use the underground space for storage and transport. The field of Engineering Geology focuses on the development of the scientific understanding and engineering solutions needed to increase safety in these changing environments, where natural hazards meet the built environment.
At BGU, we study the mechanisms that underlie the dynamics of soil liquefaction, the spread of earthquake ruptures through Earth's crust, earthquakes triggered by human activity, the stability of slopes and fault-plane sliding, the resilience of underground openings, and the response of buildings and terrain to strong ground shaking. To address these challenges, we use advanced experimental facilities, numerical and theoretical models, and field monitoring equipment. These approaches enable us to identify the processes and conditions that control natural hazards, quantify their risks, and develop more resilient infrastructure and engineering solutions.
