Volcan de Fuego, Guatemala. Taken from the adjacent peak of Acatenango, this photograph captures ones of the many small eruptions of the volcano named Fuego (the Spanish word for fire!). Fuego, formed by the subduction of the Cocos plate beneath the Caribbean plate, is an active basaltic stratovolcano. You can read more about Fuego and …[Read More]
Geohazards
Guest Blog: Reflections on the Students’ Education Program, Ladakh, June 2014
Celia Willoughby is an undergraduate geography student at University College London. In June 2014 she joined the GfGD team in Ladakh (India) to support the ‘Sustainable Resource Development in the Himalayas’ work – focusing on the hazards education course. Here she shares her reflections on the experience… Ladakh is a beautiful and remote region in …[Read More]
Guest Blog: Volcanology in Vanuatu!
Ben Clarke and Eleri Simpson are about to start their 4th year at the University of Leicester. Having shown a strong interest in applying geoscience to development through the conversations we’ve had with them over the past two years – we were really pleased to hear they has successfully arranged some work experience in Vanuatu. We’re also …[Read More]
Summer Opportunity – Write a Hazard Factsheet
We’re currently looking for some students on their summer break (or PhD students/recent graduates) to help us write factsheets on hazards in specific countries. Countries we are interested in include the Philippines, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Columbia and Peru. As these factsheets will be reviewed, formatted, printed and sent to NGOs – this is a great opportunity to …[Read More]
GfGD in the Himalaya (2) – Hazards Booklet
Many of you may remember that earlier this year we advertised an opportunity to help put together a small booklet on natural hazards relevant to the Himalaya. The book was to have a focus on disaster risk reduction and landslides (the earthquake section being written by the BGS School Seismology Programme). Here is the finished …[Read More]
#EGU2014: Bright Sparks in Dirty Thunderclouds
Lightning bolts formed in dirty thunderclouds could help geologists to detect explosive volcanic eruptions. Volcanic lightning is very poorly understood, but Corrado Cimarelli, from the University of München, has been able to reproduce the phenomena in his laboratory. Volcanic lightning is broadly similar to lightning in thunderclouds, but the addition of ash makes the process …[Read More]
Friday Photo (124) – Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala
Pacaya Lava Flow Tourists and guides ignore the official closing of the National Park around Pacaya Volcano to visit the lava flow that originated that afternoon. Credit: Joel Gill, 2014
External Conference Opportunities
A number of interesting and relevant external conferences have come to our attention this week. If you’re interested in water and sanitation/hydrogeology or disaster risk reduction then these may be of interest to you! — **Hydrogeology and WASH Conference – What can hydrogeologists contribute to safe water supply and poverty reduction?** When: Thursday 5th June …[Read More]
Friday Photo (123) – St. Joseph Cathedral (Antigua, Guatemala)
Ruins of St. Joseph Cathedral (Antigua, Guatemala) This Cathedral was destroyed in the significant 1773 earthquake. Part of the Cathedral has been rebuilt, and the ruins are now opened for tourists to visit. Credit: Joel Gill, 2014
Friday Photo (122) – Landslide Prone Slopes in Guatemala City
Development of Housing on Landslide Prone Slopes in Guatemala City. These slopes are regularly impacted by mass movement events, during the rainy season. Planning enforcement and monitoring is also reported to be impacted by ‘no-go’ zones for police in this part of the city. Credit: Joel Gill, 2014