How can geohazard risks be assessed?

Riscos geológicos podem ser abordados em alguns formatos: os que podem ser avaliados a "olho nú" (como encostas, taludes e rochedos), onde aspectos visuais podem colaborar com o diagnóstico por parte do geólogo; ou aqueles localizados em áreas subterraneas, os quais necessitam de metodologias específicas para identifica??o dos riscos (sondagens à percuss?o, rotativas, mapeamento via georadar). Em ambos os casos, instrumenta??es de monitoramento de maci?os s?o indicadas para o acompanhamento, quando riscos preliminares s?o observados.

In the examples, the article only considers the hazard in a simplistic, single-hazard scenario. Often, this is not enough to describe the entire risk of the disaster because most damage is caused by situations when the hazards trigger secondary effects; for example, earthquakes both trigger and increase the probability of secondary hazards (f.e. volcanic eruptions, landslides, and floods), see figure 2 in Gill and Malamud (2014) Reviewing and visualizing the interactions of natural hazards. The phenomenon of hazards triggering new events is known as cascading effects. Another type of relationship is the compounding of hazards (f.e, heatwaves and droughts), and compound and cascading hazards are expected to increase due to climate change.

Identifying geohazards involves recognizing potential threats such as earthquakes, landslides, floods, and volcanic activity. Geological surveys, remote sensing, and seismic studies play crucial roles in pinpointing these hazards, aiding in the assessment of associated risks and the development of mitigation strategies.

A vulnerabilidade do projeto relacionada à geologia, n?o está associada apenas a eventuais danos que podem ser causados a saúde das pessoas - óbvio que a preserva??o da vida humana sempre deve ser considerada em um primeiro plano. A falta de performance de tuneladoras, ou gastos excessivos para conten??o de maci?os, em fun??o de mapeamentos frágeis na etapa de planejamento, também podem trazer uma alta taxa de vulnerabilidade ao negócio.

We will now proceed to evaluate the project's resilience against the highlighted risks. Analogously to anticipating possible harm, we employ models, experiments, and simulations to determine susceptibility. We are examining the behaviour of a structure such as a bridge with respect to bending or breaking under various seismic conditions. In essence, it's recognising how resilient the project is against possible setbacks.

Assessing vulnerability entails analyzing the susceptibility of a region or infrastructure to geohazards. Factors like building construction, population density, and emergency response capabilities are considered to gauge how vulnerable a area is to earthquakes, landslides, floods, or volcanic events. This assessment aids in developing targeted strategies to enhance resilience and minimize potential impact.

This stage focuses on estimating the possible damage that might result from the threats that we have identified. We're discussing the project's and its participants' effects on the economy, society, and environment. We utilise several methodologies such as life-cycle evaluations, cost-benefit analyses, and stakeholder discussions to quantify the outcomes. We're figuring out the consequences in terms of money, life, or environmental damage. When considering a dam project, one may consider the expense of repairs, blackouts, downstream flooding, or the loss of animal habitat. It essentially assigns a value to potential negative outcomes, guiding our future decisions.

Estimating consequences involves evaluating the potential impacts of geohazard events. This includes assessing potential casualties, property damage, economic losses, and disruptions to critical infrastructure. By quantifying the potential consequences, authorities can prioritize preparedness measures and response strategies to minimize the overall impact on communities and the environment.