Giant fossil landslides: hidden hazards in dryland mountains

MATHER_P25ARIES

Giant fossil landslides: hidden hazards in dryland mountains

MATHER_P25ARIES

Project Description

Supervisors

Professor Anne Mather, Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (SoGEES), University of Plymouth – contact me

Dr Martin Stokes, SoGEES, University of Plymouth

Professor Sarah Boulton, SoGEES, University of Plymouth

 

Scientific Background

Giant fossil (large, pre-historic-ancient) bedrock landslides (GFL) are common but understudied features in mountainous continental drylands. They are a potentially significant hazard as a result of reactivation from changing environmental conditions and their landscape location provides an untapped archive of what actually causes and triggers them. Current developments in technology (eg aerial drones; data processing) and expansion of human activity (eg mining) into regions containing GFL create a timely opportunity and need to develop our scientific knowledge of these features.

Methodology

The project will examine 2 contrasting arid settings – the tectonically active Western Central Andes and tectonically quiescent southern High Atlas (Morocco). Here the student will

  • Map GFL distribution, integrating existing databases, published sources, supervisor knowledge and new observations (using satellite imagery, high-resolution DEMs)
  • utilise Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to collate and interrogate the emerging dataset
  • undertake fieldwork to ground-truth findings, investigate geomorphology, geology and extract site detail from representative GFL

This will enable the following outcomes

  • development of new approaches for remote automated recognition of GFL from landscape features
  • improved understanding of the causes and triggers that lead to the development of GFL
  • better understanding of the specific hazard associated with GFL in the context of changing environmental conditions

 

Training and Development

The postgraduate researcher will become a landslide hazard scientist, with a remote sensing, geomaterial, geomorphology, landscape modelling and terrain evaluation skillset. This skillset is highly sought after within environmental government agencies and industry consultancy employment. Specialist training in remote sensing, fieldwork, geochronology, and modelling will capitalise on in house and partner expertise. Generic research training skills will be undertaken via the ARIES/Plymouth doctoral training colleges (project management, health and safety, data management, research communication / publishing). You will become a member of international landslide science networks  which provide research conference engagement and advanced training workshop opportunities.

Person Specification

Candidates with degrees in Geology / Earth Science / Physical Geography / Environmental Science preferred. Fieldwork and GIS experience with a landslide context are desirable. Willingness to travel and undertake fieldwork in hot / remote desert locations is advantageous.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Geology, Physical Geography, Earth Science or similar.

References

  • Mather AE, Hartley AJ & Griffiths JS 2014 'The giant coastal landslides of Northern Chile: tectonic and climate interactions on a classic convergent plate margin' Earth and Planetary Science Letters 388, 249-256
  • Mather, AE., Griffiths, JS., Stokes, M. 2003. Anatomy of a ‘fossil’ landslide from the Pleistocene of SE Spain. Geomorphology 50, 135-149
  • Stokes MR, Mather A, Geach M & Boulton S. 2017 'Controls on dryland mountain landscape development along the NW Saharan desert margin: Insights from Quaternary river terrace sequences (Dadès River, south-central High Atlas, Morocco)' Quaternary Science Reviews 166, 363-379
  • Zondervan JR, Stokes M, Boulton SJ, Telfer MW & Mather AE 2020 'Rock strength and structural controls on fluvial erodibility: implications for drainage divide mobility in a collisional mountain belt' Earth and Planetary Science Letters b 538, 116221
  • Mather, A.E; Stokes, M. 2017.Bedrock structural control on catchment-scale connectivity and alluvial fan processes, High Atlas Mountains, Morocco. Geological Society London Special Publications 440(1):SP440.15

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2025. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 8th January 2025.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£19,237 p.a. for 2024/25) and research funding. A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note however that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgradute researcher (PGRs) benefit from bespoke graduate training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or imigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive, and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential, and will be stored on the UEA sharepoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships, and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be ask to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • If funded under the BBSRC-NERC DLA scheme, ARIES studentships will be subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. See https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information

Apply Now

Apply now via the  University of Plymouth Application Portal