Geology for Global Development

Bárbara Zambelli Azevedo

Rainfall related geohazards: floods, landslides and mudslides in Rio – A dangerous combination of nature and human-related factors

March 18, 2019
Rainfall related geohazards: floods, landslides and mudslides in Rio – A dangerous combination of nature and human-related factors
Mudslides in Angra dos Reis, southwest in the Rio de Janeiro state. Credit: Agência Brasil (CC BY 3.0 BR)

Rainfall-related geohazards in Brazil’s poorer, mountainous city margins could be mitigated using better urban planning and communication. Our own Brazilian blogger Bárbara Zambelli Azevedo explores the problem and possible solutions. I come from Brazil, a country well-known for its beautiful landscapes, football and carnival. Ok, some stereotypes are true, indeed. Situated in the middle of the So ...[Read More]

Speleology and local development

March 21, 2018
Križna jama cave, in Slovenia
Križna jama cave, in Slovenia . Credit: Peter Huber (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu).

Many of us seek adventures, new experiences and sights in far flung places, but very often there are beautiful wonders right on our doorstep. In today’s post, Barbara Zambelli Azevedo highlights how the promotion of local geological regions can be a valuable and effective way to encourage development and instil a sense of pride in local communities.  Plato said in the Allegory of the Cave th ...[Read More]

Saltwater intrusion: causes, impacts and mitigation

February 12, 2018

In many countries, access to clean and safe to drink water is often taken for granted: the simple act of turning a tap gives us access to a precious resource. In today’s post,Bárbara Zambelli Azevedo, discusses how over population of coastal areas and a changing climate is putting ready access to freshwater supplies under threat.  Water is always moving downwards, finding its way until it ge ...[Read More]

Bárbara Zambelli Azevedo: Phosphorus Crisis – A Food Crisis?

January 7, 2018

Take a look and try to identify anything around you that has phosphorus as a component. Phosphorus – the P element – is critical for life, like oxygen, nitrogen and carbon, being present in every plant, animal and bacteria. It constitutes cell walls, DNA, RNA and ATP, which transports energy to the brain. Our bones and teeth include phosphorus. Now look again and you might see that pho ...[Read More]