Rockfall at the Roof of Europe: Monitoring Landscape Instability in the Deglaciating Mont Blanc Massif

Project Code: WESTOBY_PLYM_ARIES27

Rockfall at the Roof of Europe: Monitoring Landscape Instability in the Deglaciating Mont Blanc Massif

Project Code: WESTOBY_PLYM_ARIES27

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Matt Westoby, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth – contact me 

Professor Anne Mather, University of Plymouth

Professor Stuart Dunning, Newcastle University

 

Scientific Background

Climate warming is reshaping mountain landscapes [1,2]. Glacier retreat removes ice support, redistributes near-surface stress fields, and exposes slopes to changing hydrological and thermomechanical regimes, including permafrost thaw. These changes are increasing rockfall frequency and magnitude [3], creating escalating hazards for mountain communities, transport networks and visitors. Yet because rockfall is notoriously difficult to monitor, we lack detailed quantitative understanding of how rockfall dynamics are evolving concurrently with deglaciation. The Mont Blanc massif provides an exceptional natural laboratory, exemplifying processes driving change across deglaciating mountain regions worldwide. This project will provide evidence needed to understand how climate warming is reshaping rockfall dynamics and improve future hazard assessment for mountain communities.

 

Research Methodology

You will combine field-based remote sensing and numerical modelling to quantify rockfall activity in accessible deglaciating catchments in the Mont Blanc massif. Objectives: (1) deploy long-range terrestrial laser scanning [2] and low-cost time-lapse cameras to acquire repeat high-resolution topography and imagery of glacier-adjacent rock walls; (2) undertake 3D change detection [e.g. 4] to detect and characterise new rockfalls, and 2D rockfall scar spectroscopy to identify and date abundant existing scars preserved across rock walls, creating a novel inventory spanning recent events to centuries-millennia; (3) interrogate this inventory to reveal patterns in rockfall location, geometry and timing, testing the generality of existing hypotheses (e.g. larger rockfalls occur from newly deglaciated slopes), and; (4) undertake rockfall-runout modelling [e.g. 5] to reconstruct rockfall trajectories and predict future runout pathways, informing regional hazard assessment.

 

Training

You will develop expertise in high-resolution topographic surveying, advanced geospatial analysis and numerical modelling, complemented by specialist training in geomorphological practice. The project includes inclusive overseas fieldwork, opportunities to present at national and international conferences, and data management, visualization and science communication training. You will join a diverse network of researchers undertaking externally funded research into mountain hazards, including early career researchers.

 

Person Specification

We seek an enthusiastic individual with a 2:1 degree or above in physical geography, geology, physics, engineering, or related disciplines. Good quantitative skills are essential. Experience with high-resolution topographic data is desirable but not essential – training will be provided.

Acceptable first degree subject(s): Geography (Physical Geography focus), Geology / Earth Sciences, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics

References

  • Islam N, Carrivick, J, Coulthard T, Westoby M, Dunning S, Gindraux S (2025) A growing threat of multi-hazard cascades highlighted by the Birch Glacier collapse and Blatten landscape in the Swiss Alps. Geology Today. https://doi.org/10.1111/gto.12526
  • Stewart R, Westoby M, Dunning S, Rowan A, Woodward J (2025) Exploring short-term rockfall inventories in deglaciating catchments: From evidencing glacial history to modelling rockfall runout. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.70217
  • Courtial-Manent et al. (2025) A significant doubling of rockfall rates since the LIA in the Mont-Blanc massif, inferred from 10Be concentrations and rockfall inventories. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2024.119142
  • Marinos et al. (2025) VoxFall: Non-parametric volumetric change detection for rockfalls. Engineering Geology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108045
  • Noël et al. (2023) Comparing Flow-R, Rockyfor3D and RAMMS to rockfalls from the Mel de la Niva mountain: A benchmarking exercise. Geosciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences13070200

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2027. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 16 December 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). 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 postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke 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. 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 immigration 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 asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • ARIES studentships are 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. Please see https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information.

Apply Now

For further information on the application process for this studentship, please visit the  University of Plymouth's Research Degrees webpage.