Norwegian participation in FP6 project:
Landslide research for a safer Europe
Norway is one of many European countries with residential areas, roadways and railways that are seriously threatened by landslides. Although it is impossible to avert every potential slide, the EU project IRASMOS concludes that we must place greater priority on the most effective preventive measures.
The IRASMOS project, part of the EU Sixth Framework Programme, came to a close with a large conference in Davos in May 2008. "The project confirmed that Norwegian authorities and landslide researchers have been following the right course when it comes to risk management of rock and snow avalanches and rockslides. But we can do even better," says landslide researcher Frode Sandersen of the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI). "One major improvement we can make is to take a more strategic and long-term approach in our landslide prevention efforts here in Norway."
(Photo: NGI)
Europe is now a little safer
Dr Frode Sandersen (Photo: NGI)
Researchers involved in the IRASMOS project concentrated on three types of extremely rapid mass movements: rockslides, snow avalanches, and mudflows/landslides.
"Our main objective was to collect and consolidate all of Europe's existing landslide-related knowledge. The resulting reference handbook is to be used by landslide experts and administrative agencies alike. Europe has become a somewhat safer place," says Dr Sandersen, "because projects such as this one promote increased collaboration and knowledge development between European research communities."
The IRASMOS project assembled experts from nine leading landslide research institutions in Switzerland, Italy, France, Austria and Norway (with NGI as the Norwegian participant).
Prevention pays off
ROCKFALL: Mundheim, east of Bergen in the Kvam mountain region, Hordaland, March 2004. (Photo: NGI)
"Findings from the IRASMOS project show that implementing mitigation measures makes good overall economic sense for society. But it is impossible to stabilise every single area at risk - so we have to prioritise," stresses Dr Sandersen. "It is reasonable to begin with those areas where the risk to human life and health is greatest. The IRASMOS researchers concluded that we should develop better methods for setting strategic and long-term national priorities regarding preventive measures, and that these priorities should be determined on the basis of scientific risk assessment. Landslide hazard mapping is a necessary part of this process."
"If good hazard mapping hinders damage to just one house - by not building on a lot that is vulnerable to a landslide, for example - then a municipality has already recouped its costs for the mapping," points out Dr Sandersen. "In Norway the municipalities are often found legally liable for allowing building in a zone vulnerable to slides."
IRASMOSOne objective of the IRASMOS (Integral Risk Management of Extremely Rapid Mass Movements) project was to describe the state-of-the-art in risk management of rockslides, snow avalanches, mudflows and landslides. The project's total budget was approximately NOK 30 million. The EU Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6) contributed 50 per cent of overall project funding, while the Research Council provided 25 per cent of the funding for Norwegian participation. |
- Published:
- 10.12.2008
- Last updated:
- 10.12.2008
