SXG390 Geohazards Project

February 2006

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My completed project, "An investigation into lahars at Mount Rainier, Washington State, USA - their cause, potential effects on the surrounding areas and steps being taken to mitigate the risk", was sent off to the OU on 1st September - so, I await the result in December. My coursework average was 90%.

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After a dice with environmentalism in 2005 (and hopefully, a BSc at the end of it!) - I'm hurtling gratefully back to geosciences for 2006!! If I succeed at the BSc this year (2005), then I shall be starting on the Honours bit and will need 60 more points at 3rd level. I would've preferred to do S369 first, but that course doesn't run in 2006 - so what can you do?!? I'm (more than) a little apprehensive about doing this one - considering I have no other 3rd level geosciences behind me - but Dave Rothery seems to think that U316, S269 and S260 will be ample preparation. I do hope he's right! I have a good idea on what to base my project, but I will give it more careful thought throughout the winter (while studying MST121!).

This course requires you to undertake an individual investigation within the defined topic of ‘Geohazards’, and is designed for those students studying a number of courses within the Geosciences degree programme. The course materials provide a guide to planning and conducting project work, help with searching and using the literature and with writing a report. Following a short period at the start of the course considering geohazards, you are guided by the course materials and by your tutor to select a specific aspect of that topic to investigate in depth. Unless you have access to an academic library, you may find that you have to spend up to two thirds of your time in the early part of the course online, identifying suitable material to inform your choice of project topic from the electronic journals available via the Open Library website. A range of topics in the area of geohazards is available relating to one of the following: atmospheric and hydrologic hazards, earthquakes, landslides, meteorite impacts, volcanoes and tsunami. In discussion with your tutor you will define your individual investigation which must address the cause, effect and mitigation of your chosen natural hazard.