International Centre for Geohazards - NGI

Partners in ICG 

Centre of Excellence – 

International Centre for 

Geohazards (ICG) 

Annual Report - 2003 

20031103-1 1 April 2004 

Client: The Research Council of Norway 

Contact person: Are Birger Carlson 

Contract reference: SFF – ICG 146035/420 

For the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute 

Report prepared by: 

Postal address: P.O. Box 3930 Ullevaal Stadion, N-0806 OSLO, NORWAY Telephone: (+47) 22 02 30 00 Postal account: 0814 51 60643 

Street address: Sognsveien 72, OSLO Telefax: (+47) 22 23 04 48 Bank account: 5096 05 01281 

Internet: http://www.ngi.no e -mail: ngi@ngi.no Business No. 958 254 318 MVA 

BS EN ISO 9001, Certified by BSI, Registration No. FS 32989 

Suzanne Lacasse 

Managing Director 

Farrokh Nadim 

Director, ICG 

Reviewed by: Suzanne Lacasse

International Centre for Geohazards Report No.: 20031103-1 

Date: 2004-03-31 

Rev.: 

Annual Report - 2003 Rev. date: 

Page: 2 

Summary 

The "International Centre for Geohazards" (ICG) is one the 13 Centres of 

Excellence (Senter for Fremragende Forskning, SFF) established by the 

Research Council of Norway in 2003. Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) 

is the host organisation for ICG. Other partners in the centre are University of 

Oslo (UiO), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 

NORSAR, and Geological Survey of Norway (NGU). 

Results and activities in 2003 

• The research plan was followed and most of the goals set for the year 

were achieved. With respect to a) in-kind contribution from the 

partners, b) projects from the industry, c) number of PhD candidates, 

d) contribution from guest researchers, and e) international networking, 

the results far exceeded the goals and expectations. 

• The main office of ICG was established at a large renovated area at 

NGI, providing office space for 14 researchers and 3 students. Most 

ICG researchers affiliated with NGI, UiO and NORSAR have a desk at 

ICG’s main office, but also work in their own offices. NGU and NTNU 

have established satellite offices for ICG. 

• Joint workshops, seminars, and project meetings have created a good 

collaboration spirit among the five partners. 

• There is considerable interest and enthusiasm about the activities of 

ICG in Norway and abroad. 

• The focus of ICG’s research in 2003 has been on 

- Improving the understanding of geohazards characteristics. 

- Assessment of the risks posed by geohazards to individuals and 

the society. 

- Development and improvement of methods for modelling the 

mechanical processes underlying the natural phenomena and 

evaluating the consequences of geohazards. 

Furthermore, development of university programmes for education and 

training of specialists and research personnel has been a key activity. 

Challenges for 2004 

The overall research plan remains essentially unchanged. Main challenges are: 

• Continue activities on international networking and on development of 

graduate university programmes in geohazards. 

• Consolidation of research experience, summarising the lessons learned, 

and definition of the research axes for the coming years. 

• Better integration of researchers from the 5 partners into project teams. 

• Involvement in European research projects through EU’s 6 th Frame 

Programme. 

• Continue attracting PhD candidates, post-docs and guest researchers. 

• Arrange international conferences, seminars and workshops. 

f:\p\2003\11\20031103\rap\2003-annual-report\icg-annual_report1_2003.doc FNa/tha


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Contents 

1 BACKGROUND.........................................................................................................................4 

2 ORGANISATION OF ICG.........................................................................................................5 

3 ACTIVITIES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS.............................................................................8 

4 START-UP OF ICG....................................................................................................................8 

5 ICG RESEARCH PROJECTS IN 2003 - 2004...........................................................................9 

5.1 ICG Project 1: Unsaturated soils and rain-induced landslides........................................10 

5.2 ICG Project 2: Risk and vulnerability analysis for geohazards.......................................11 

5.3 ICG Project 3: Earthquake hazard, vulnerability and risk...............................................12 

5.4 ICG Project 4: Rockslides and engineering geology: stability, failure, sliding and 

consequences...................................................................................................................13 

5.5 ICG Project 5: Landslides in soft sediments ...................................................................14 

5.6 ICG Project 6: Offshore geohazards ...............................................................................15 

5.7 ICG Project 7: GIS applications in geohazards...............................................................16 

5.8 ICG Project 8: Applications of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) in Geohazards...........17 

5.9 ICG Project 9: Slide dynamics and mechanics of disintegration ....................................18 

5.10 ICG Project 10: Tsunami modelling and prediction .......................................................19 

5.11 ICG Project 11: Development of graduate studies in geohazards...................................20 

6 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND OTHER ICG ACTIVITIES IN 2003.................21 

6.1 ICG Publications.............................................................................................................21 

6.2 International contacts made on geohazards in 2003........................................................21 

6.3 Web site...........................................................................................................................21 

6.4 Proposals to EU’s 6 th Frame Programme ........................................................................21 

6.5 Proposals to programmes for young researchers.............................................................21 

7 GRADUATE STUDENTS AND GUEST RESEARCHERS IN 2003.....................................22 

8 ACCOUNTING 2003................................................................................................................23 

8.1 Cash funding (kNOK).....................................................................................................23 

8.2 In kind (kNOK, approximate, these numbers are a minimum).......................................23 

8.3 Breakdown of the funds from The Research Council in 2003........................................24 

9 COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONS WITH THE MEDIA .............................................24 

9.1 Presentations about ICG..................................................................................................24 

9.2 Interviews with journalists ..............................................................................................25 

10 PLANNED ACTIVITIES AND BUDGET FOR 2004.............................................................25 

10.1 Research Projects ............................................................................................................25 

10.2 International networking .................................................................................................25 

10.3 EU proposals and projects with financing from other sources........................................25 

10.4 Organisation of conferences and workshops in 2005......................................................25 

10.5 Other major activities in 2004.........................................................................................25 

10.6 ICG budget for 2004 .......................................................................................................25 

Appendix A – ICG Publications 

Appendix B – Progress report of ICG research projects in 2003 

Review and reference document 



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1 BACKGROUND 

The "International Centre for Geohazards" (ICG) is one the 13 Centres of 

Excellence (Senter for Fremragende Forskning, SFF) established by the 

Research Council of Norway in 2003. 

ICG is a consortium of five partners. Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) 

is the host organisation for ICG. Other partners in the centre are University of 

Oslo (UiO), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 

NORSAR, and Geological Survey of Norway (NGU). The consortium may be 

expanded with "associated partners" subject to agreement by all five main 

partners. 

The Centre’s objective is to be an international centre of expertise on basic and 

applied research on geo-related natural hazards (geohazards), such as landslides 

and earthquakes. The aim is to develop knowledge that can help save 

lives and reduce damage to infrastructure and the environment. Another aim is 

to train students and highly-qualified researchers from Norway and abroad. 

Each year, natural disasters due to geological characteristics and processes 

cause countless deaths and formidable damage to infrastructure and the environment 

the world over. In 2003, more than 60 000 people lost their lives in 

different types of natural disasters worldwide, almost 6 times as many as in the 

previous year (Munich Re, 29 Dec. 2003). Such a high number of victims has 

only been recorded four times since 1980. Many of these lives could have been 

saved and enormous destruction could have been avoided if people had known 

more about forecasting and mitigation. 

The Centre will do basic research to improve the understanding of geohazards 

such as landslides, clay slides, slides in marine sediments, rockslides, earthquakes 

and tsunamis (tidal waves caused by slides or other geological phenomena). 

The most common geo-related natural disasters on land are landslides 

caused by heavy precipitation, floods, earthquakes, erosion and human activity. 

Along the coast and on the seafloor, earthquakes, large mass flows and other 

geological processes present a serious threat to oil exploration and production. 

The Norwegian geoscience community already enjoys a prestigious international 

reputation because of the pioneering work on soft and quick clays, 

geological investigations, landslides, and oil and gas exploitation on the Continental 

Shelf. A Centre of Excellence devoted to geohazards will help maintain 

and augment the research community’s international influence in these fields. 

ICG and PRIO are the only Centres of Excellence hosted by a non-university. 

NGI, NORSAR and partly NGU need to operate on an earning basis (each 

man-hour is charged at standard hourly rates) rather than supported by the state 

national budget as for university staff. Therefore, the personnel costs for 

research carried out by engineers and scientists from those three organisations 



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are high. For a given financing from The Research Council of Norway, there 

are considerably more possibilities of assigning research staff at the centres 

hosted mainly by universities than at ICG. This is one reason why many tasks 

are carried out by post-docs and guest researchers brought in at ICG, as the 

research hours are much less costly for visiting scientists and engineers than for 

regular staff at NGI, NORSAR and NGU. 

2 ORGANISATION OF ICG 

ICG has its own board of directors (Steering Committee). Each of the ICG consortium 

partners, NGI, NTNU, UiO, NORSAR and NGU, has a representative 

in the Steering Committee. In addition, the Steering Committee has at least one 

external representative from Norway and one international representative. The 

Research Council of Norway may also appoint a member to the Steering Committee. 

The associated partners in the centre shall not have a representative in 

the Steering Committee. 

As the host organisation, NGI appointed the director of ICG, and NGI’s representative 

is the chairman of the Steering Committee. 

Activities of the ICG are grouped into three categories: 

1. Research projects 

2. Training and education 

3. International networking and dissemination of information 

The organisation chart and the project chart of ICG are shown on the following 

pages. The ICG projects and other ICG activities are elaborated further later in 

the report. 

ICG was officially started on April 1 st 2003, when the agreement with The 

Research Council of Norway was signed. However, members from the five 

partners carried out a number of tasks starting January 1 st 2003 to plan the 

research work. 



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Organisation chart of ICG as of 1 January 2004 

Suzanne Lacasse 

Managing Director (NGI) 

Board of Directors 

Kaare Høeg (UiO/NGI), Chairman Philippe Jeanjean (BP) 

Arne Bjørlykke (NGU) Steinar Nordal (NTNU) 

Anders Elverhøi (UiO) Steinar Schanche (NVE) 

Haavar Gjøystdal (NORSAR) Tor-Inge Tjelta (Statoil) 

Farrokh Nadim, Director 

Anders Solheim, Deputy Director 

Tini van der Harst, Administrative Assistant 

ICG Research Projects 

International Scientific Advisors 

Gholamreza Mesri (U.of Illinois) 

Steven Kramer (U. of Washington) 

Technical Adviser 

Kaare Høeg 

ICG Project 11 

ICG Project 5 

ICG Project 4 

ICG Project 3 

ICG Project 2 

ICG Project 1 

Project Manager 






Researchers 

Researchers 

Researchers 

Researchers 

Researchers 

Researchers 

Students 

Students 

Students 

Students 

Students 

Students 



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Project chart of ICG as of 1 January 2004 

Farrokh Nadim, Director 

Anders Solheim, Deputy Director 

Tini van der Harst, Administrative Assistant 

International Scientific Advisors 

Gholamreza Mesri (U.of Illinois) 

Steven Kramer (U. of Washington) 

Technical Adviser 

Kaare Høeg 

ICG Project Project Managers Guest Researchers 

Unsaturated soils and rain-induced landslides Håkon Heyerdahl (NGI) Lewis Edgers (Jan-June 2003) 

Steven Kramer (June-Oct. 2003) 

Risk and vulnerability analysis for geohazards Farrokh Nadim (NGI) 

Carlos Rodriguez (July-Sept. 2003) 

Earthquake hazard: Risk and vulnerability Conrad Lindholm (NORSAR) Sergio Molina 

Rockslides and engineering geology – Stability, failure, sliding 

Steve Evans 

Lars H. Blikra (NGU) 

and consequences 

Reginald Hermans 

Courses by guest professors, organised by ICG: 

Landslides in soil slopes Kjell Karlsrud (NGI) 

Prof. Delwyn Fredlund (U. of Saskatchewan/ 

U. of Hong Kong) 

Offshore geohazards Anders Solheim (NGI) 

Prof. Gholamreza Mesri (U.of Illinois) 

GIS applications in geohazards Bernd Etzelmüller (UiO) 

Prof. Mike Long (U. of Dubiln) 

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) applications in geohazards John Dehls (NGU) 

Prof. Steven Kramer (U. of Washington) 

Slide Dynamics and mechanics of disintegration Anders Elverhøi (UiO) 

Tsunami modelling and prediction Carl Harbitz (NGI) 

Development of graduate studies in geohazards Steinar Nordal (NTNU) 

Professors active in ICG: 

Kaare Høeg (UiO) 

Anders Elverhøi (UiO) 

Bernd Etzelmüller (UiO) 

Lars Grande (NTNU) 

Steinar Nordal (NTNU) 

Geir Kleivstul Pedersen (UiO) 

Jan Ketil Rød (NTNU) 

Rolf Sandven (NTNU) 

Leiv-Jacob Gelius (UiO) 

PhD-candidates: 

Graziella Devoli (UiO) Arne Moe (NTNU) 

Sylfest Glimsdal (UiO) Vidar Kveldsvik (NTNU) 

Harald Iwe (UiO) Inger Lise Solberg (NTNU) 

Finn Løvholt (UiO) Mehrdad Emami Tabrizi (NTNU) 

Bård Romsdal (UiO) Vikas Thakur (NTNU) 

Graduate students: 

Tore Bersås (UiO) 

Anne Sophie Gregoire (U. of Geneva) 

Hirad Nadim (UiO) 

Kenneth Risøen (UiO) 

Hassan Shahrivar (UiO) 



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3 ACTIVITIES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

The main responsibility of ICG’s Steering Committee is to set the priorities in 

the yearly research plans. The Steering Committee also acts as a technical 

advisor to the ICG Director. 

The Steering Committee shall discuss and deal with 

• annual budget 

• annual technical report(s) 

• annual financial report 

The annual technical and financial report (this document) is prepared by the 

director of the centre and delivered to the Managing Director of NGI, who is 

responsible for reporting the activities of ICG to The Research Council of 

Norway. 

The ICG Steering Committee is composed of: 

Prof. Kaare Høeg (UiO/NGI), Chairman 

Dr. Arne Bjørlykke (NGU) 

Prof. Anders Elverhøi (UiO) 

Dr. Haavar Gjøystdal (NORSAR) 

Prof. Steinar Nordal (NTNU) 

Steinar Schanche (NVE) 

Tor-Inge Tjelta (Statoil) 

Dr. Philippe Jeanjean (BP, USA) 

The Steering Committee held 2 meetings in 2003: 

Meeting No. 1/03: 27 January 2003 

Meeting No. 2/03: 24 June 2003. 

The following meetings in 2004 are planned: 

4 START-UP OF ICG 

Meeting No. 1/04: 14 January 2004 (held already) 

Meeting No. 2/04: 12 May 2004 

Meeting No. 3/04: December 2004 

A two-day workshop was held at NGI on 15 and 16 January 2003 to mark the 

start-up of ICG. The purpose of the workshop was to propose the research axes 

and research projects for Years 1 and 2. A technical note presenting the results 

and conclusions of the workshop and kick-off meeting was sent to the Steering 

Committee members prior to the first Steering Committee meeting. 



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The main office of ICG is on the ground floor of NGI in Oslo, where the 

director and deputy director of ICG have their offices. Other researchers from 

the partners in the Oslo region (NGI, NORSAR and UiO) and ICG's guest 

researchers use the office facilities of ICG during the periods that they work on 

ICG projects. For practical reasons, NGU and NTNU have established satellite 

offices for ICG at their offices in Trondheim. However, the researchers 

affiliated with NGU and NTNU also spend extended periods of time at the 

main office in Oslo when required by the project(s). Likewise, the researchers 

from the Oslo region spend extended periods at the satellite office(s) in 

Trondheim when required by the projects. The ICG director travels to 

Trondheim about once a month to follow up the progress of the ICG activities 

at NGU and NTNU. 

The experience with this model of a main office at NGI and satellite offices at 

the partners’ localities has so far been positive. 

Main office 

5 ICG RESEARCH PROJECTS IN 2003 - 2004 

Following the discussions held during the workshop and the first meeting of 

the ICG Steering Committee on 27 January 2003, 11 technical projects were 

initiated for the first two years. 

Appendix B presents a summary of the activities in 2003, the milestones 

achieved, the progress and reports produced, goals for 2004, as well as 

comments, ideas and lessons learned. These will be used actively in 2004 to 

improve the work and results for ICG. 

A brief description of the projects follows. 



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5.1 ICG Project 1: Unsaturated soils and rain-induced landslides 

Project Manager: Håkon Heyerdahl (NGI) 

Themes: 

• Constitutive modelling of behaviour of unsaturated soils 

• Rain-induced landslides 

Priority areas for 2003-2004: 

• State-of-the-art in triggering mechanisms in connection with rainfall statistics, 

measured pore pressures (if available), etc. 

• Behaviour of unsaturated soils 

• Prediction of pore pressure response to rainfall in complex geological settings 



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5.2 ICG Project 2: Risk and vulnerability analysis for geohazards 

Project Manager: Dr. Farrokh Nadim (NGI) 

Themes: 

• Evaluation of risk and vulnerability for landslides 

• Risk associated with earthquake-induced landslides 

• Theoretical developments forming the basis for probability-based hazard 

and risk zonation 


• State-of-the-art in evaluation of risk and vulnerability for landslides 

• Theoretical developments forming the basis for probability-based hazard 

and risk zonation 

• Further development of numerical models for earthquake-induced landslides 



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5.3 ICG Project 3: Earthquake hazard, vulnerability and risk 

Project Manager: Dr. Conrad Lindholm (NORSAR) 

Themes: 

• Methods for evaluation of seismic hazard 

• Methods for evaluation of seismic vulnerability and risk 

• Ground amplification effects 


• State-of-the-art report on evaluation of seismic hazard, risk, vulnerability 

and ground amplification effects 

• Developments and implementation of state-of-the art software for seismic 

hazard and risk evaluation 

• Earthquake catalogue compilation 

Bam Earthquake, Iran, 26 Dec. 2003 



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5.4 ICG Project 4: Rockslides and engineering geology: stability, failure, sliding 

and consequences 

Project Manager: Dr. Lars Harald Blikra (NGU) 

Themes: 

• Stability (mapping, geological interpretation, rock qualities, degree of fracturing) 

• Failures (due to seismic activity or water pressure, modelling of failure) 

• Modelling of rapid sliding 

• Impact processes at sea, input for Tsunami modelling 


• State-of-the-art reports on rock slope stability and instrumentation and 

monitoring of rock slopes 

• Case study – Risk assessment in Møre & Romsdal 

• Developments of geological models for rock slopes 

• Development of models for jointed rock masses 



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5.5 ICG Project 5: Landslides in soft sediments 

Project Manager: Kjell Karlsrud (NGI) 

Themes: 

• Evaluation of landslide frequency and consequences 

• Slides in sensitive clay - causes and triggers 

• Material behaviour and stability analyses 

• Fjord margins and coastal zones 

• Slides on steep slopes 

• Risk assessment and mitigation 


• State-of-the-art in evaluation of risk and vulnerability for landslides 

• State-of-the-art survey on frequency of landslide types and consequence on 

national and international level 

• Instrumentation and study of selected slopes w.r.t. pore pressures and 

deformations 

• Summary of experience from the slides in southern Norway during the very 

wet fall of Year 2000 – Special focus: precipitation history vs. slide frequency 

• Determination of energy required to reach remoulded strength and new 

testing procedures 

• Modelling of progressive / retrogressive failure in sensitive clays 

• Interferometric sonar for shallow water 

• Study relationship between slides greater than 10,000 m 3 and rainfall statistics 

in the database of slides in Norway 

Rissa quick-clay slide 



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5.6 ICG Project 6: Offshore geohazards 

Project Manager: Dr. Anders Solheim (NGI) 

Themes: 

• Assessment of offshore geohazards (site survey related studies) 

• Geophysical methods for offshore geohazard studies 

• Pore pressures in offshore sediments; prediction and measurements 


• Definition of State of the art (SOA) for all the three topics 

• Identify areas and/or data sets for detailed studies of the links between geological 

development and the geohazard situation 

• Start an M.Sc. thesis in geophysical modelling related to improvement of 

methods for detailed geohazard studies 

• Carry out field work for a geotechnical and geological case study, as well 

as deployment of monitoring equipment for geohazards studies in Finneidfjord, 

Norway 

• Establish a database of important geotechnical, geological and geophysical 

parameters, with particular emphasis on the deep-water areas of the continental 

margin off mid-Norway, and report on important, diagnostic correlations 

between parameters 

• Verify and produce a short report on links between the geological development 

and geohazards in an area chosen for detailed studies 

• Report and/or publish results of the use of NGI’s S-wave source and the 

use of S-waves in geohazard investigations 



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5.7 ICG Project 7: GIS applications in geohazards 

Project Manager: Prof. Bernd Etzelmüller (UiO) 

Themes: 

• Geographical database of geo-hazards, Web-based visualization and data 

exchange 

• Digital terrain analyses and classification for geohazards 

• GIS-based prediction of geohazard and vulnerability 


• Common web-based data exchange platform among partners in ICG 

• Common meta-data standard for partners in ICG 

• GIS service to other ICG projects 

• Digital terrain analysis and classification for geohazards 

• GIS-based prediction of geohazards and vulnerability 

San Vicente Volcano in 

El Salvador 



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5.8 ICG Project 8: Applications of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) in Geohazards 

Project Manager: Dr. John Dehls (NGU) 

Themes: 

• Permanent Scatterers Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PSInSAR, 

satellite techniques) 

• Ground-based Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (GInSAR) 

• National Seminar on SAR Applications 


• National workshop on SAR (Workshop held in Oslo on 14 February 2003) 

• PSInSAR – Literature survey, field work, interpretation of data 

• GInSAR – Modelling, hardware design, software development 



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5.9 ICG Project 9: Slide dynamics and mechanics of disintegration 

Project Manager: Prof. Anders Elverhøi (UiO) 

Themes: 

• Flow modelling for submarine slides 

• Mudslides, mudflows and debris flow 

• Mechanics of disintegration, break-up and segregation in subaqueous slides 

• Link to rockslides and tsunami generation 


• Flow modelling for submarine slides – Analysis of experimental data, 

numerical modelling, e.g. CFX, BING, etc. 

• Mud flows and debris flows 

• Mechanics of disintegration 

• Links to tsunami generation 

• Disintegration process during rock avalanche 



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5.10 ICG Project 10: Tsunami modelling and prediction 

Project Manager: Dr. Carl Harbitz (NGI) 

Themes: 

• State-of-the-art on key issues 

• Development of models for tsunami analyses 

• Case studies 


• Development of models for tsunami analyses 

• Tsunami caused by submarine slide offshore 

• Tsunami caused by submarine (or near-shore) slide in a fjord 

• Tsunami caused by rockslide into a fjord or a lake (preliminary study) 

• Support of PhD students 



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5.11 ICG Project 11: Development of graduate studies in geohazards 

Degree from NTNU 

Project Manager: Prof. Steinar Nordal (NTNU) 

Themes: 

• Development of M.Sc. Courses in geohazards at NTNU and UiO 

• Development of a PhD in Geohazards 

• Develop and run short courses 


• Prepare at least 2 new MSc courses related to geohazards at each university 

(NTNU and UiO) by fall 2004 

• International Master’s Programme on "Environmental geology and geohazards" 

at UiO (started in August 2003) 

• BEST course on slope stability at NTNU in August 2003: "Geohazards - 

why do landslides occur and how can we prevent them?" 

• Recruiting good students, both nationally and internationally 

Courses from NTNU and UiO 

Guided self-studies at ICG 

COORDINATED GRADUATE STUDY PROGRAMME IN GEOHAZARDS 

Requirements MSc 

AT UiO AND NTNU 

Course work + thesis (total time = 24 months) 

PhD Couse work + thesis (total time = 

Graduate Degree in 

"GEOHAZARDS" 

Research, including thesis, at 

International Centre for Geohazards 

Lecturers and Advisers 

from 

NTNU, UiO, ICG 

36-48 months) 

Degree from UiO 

Courses from studies UiO and at ICG NTNU 

Guided self-studies at ICG 



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6 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND OTHER ICG ACTIVITIES 

IN 2003 

6.1 ICG Publications 

See ICG Publication List in Appendix A and the list of planned publications 

for each project in Appendix B. 

6.2 International contacts made on geohazards in 2003 

Geological Survey of Canada (Memorandum of Understanding) 

Geological Survey of Iran (MoU with UiO / ICG) 

Columbia University Center for Hazards and Risk Research, CHRR (MoU 

signed) 

Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) 

India, The Department of Science and Technology, DST (MoU signed) 

Bhutan 

Asia Disaster Preparedness Center in Thailand (MoU signed) 

International Consortium for Landslides (ICL) 

CICERO 

CEPREDENAC in Central America 

The World Bank 

United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) 

UNEP/Grid-Geneva 

Univ. of Laval (MoU signed) 

Department of Transportation, Québec, Canada 

6.3 Web site 

The web site of ICG is www.geohazards.no. Dr. James M. Strout (NGI) is the 

web master. 

6.4 Proposals to EU’s 6 th Frame Programme 

2 IP proposals and 2 STREP submitted in 2003. Both IP proposals accepted, 

but only 1 financed so far. 

6.5 Proposals to programmes for young researchers 

Two proposals, one from Norway to the YFF Programme and one from Turkey 

to the EURYI Programme, were submitted for young researchers who wish to 

initiate long-term activities in ICG. 



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7 GRADUATE STUDENTS AND GUEST RESEARCHERS IN 2003 

PhD candidates and guest professors at ICG in 2003 

Position Name Academic Appointment period Per cent 

degree (from – to dates) engagement 

PhD candidate Finn Løvholt M.Sc. 01.04.03 – 30.06.06 75 

PhD candidate Harald Iwe M.Sc. 01.01.03 – 31.12.03 25 

01.01.04 – 31.12.06 75 

PhD candidate Inger Lise Solberg M.Sc. 01.08.03 – 30.06.06 33 

PhD candidate Graziella Devoli M.Sc. 01.09.03 – 30.06.06 100 

Visiting Professor Prof. Lewis Edgers, Tufts 

Univ., USA 

Ph.D. 10.01.03 – 18.06.03 100 

Visiting Professor Prof. Steven Kramer, Univ. 

of Washington, USA 

Ph.D. 01.06.03 – 31.08.03 100 

Visiting Professor Prof. Michael Long, Univ. 

College Dublin, Ireland 

Ph.D. 01.07.03 – 16.08.03 50 

PhD candidates financed by other sources and guest researchers at ICG in 2003 

Position Name Organisation Academic Appointment Financial source 

degree period 

(from–to dates) 

PhD Trygve Ilstad UiO M.Sc. 01.01.03 – Petroforsk Project 

candidate 

30.09.03 133975/431 

PhD Bård Romstad UiO M.Sc. 01.01.03 – UiO 

candidate 

30.06.06 

PhD Krishna Aryal NTNU M.Sc. 01.01.03 – NTNU 

candidate 

31.12.05 

Post doc. Dr. Fabio De UiO Ph.D. 01.01.03 – Norsk Hydro 

Blasio 

31.12.03 

Senior Dr. Dieter Issler Consultant Ph.D. 01.01.03 – 20% position, Norsk 

reseacher 

31.12.03 Hydro 

Guest Prof. Sergio Universidad de Ph.D. 04.04.03 – EU project "Access to 

researcher Molina 

Alicante, Spain 

30.06.03 Research Infrastructure" 

Guest Prof. Carlos Universidad Ph.D. 01.07.03 – World Bank project 

researcher Rodriguez Nacional de 

30.09.03 "Global Hotspots in 

Colombia, Bogota, 

Colombia 

Landslides" 

Guest Pirmin Betschart ETH, Zurich, MSc 01.04.03 – World Bank project 

researcher 

Switzerland 

30.09.03 "Global Hotspots in 

Landslides" 

Guest Reginald Geoscience Centre, Ph.D. 2 weeks in NGU 

researcher Hermans Potsdam, Germany 

Aug. 03 

Visiting Prof. Manoochehr Univ. of Dayton, Ph.D. 01.08.03 – Univ. of Dayton 

Professor Zoghi 

USA 

15.08.03 

Visiting Prof. Alan Univ. of Dayton, Ph.D. 01.08.03 – Univ. of Dayton 

Professor McGrew USA 

15.08.03 

Post doc. Dr. Joonsang Park MIT, USA Ph.D 04.08.03 – NGI 

stipendiat 

31.08.04 

Visiting Prof. G. Mesri Univ.of Illinois, Ph.D. 03.08.03 – NGI 

Lecturer 

USA 

24.08.03 



Date: 2004-01-07 

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Page: 23 

8 ACCOUNTING 2003 

8.1 Cash funding (kNOK) 

Activity 

Res. Council NGI 

Funding 

NGU/NORSAR/ 

UiO/NTNU 

Other/ 

Industrial 

SUM 

ICG Proj. 1 279 200 1 479 

ICG Proj. 2 78 1,500 1, 2 1,578 

ICG Proj. 3 360 40 1 400 

ICG Proj. 4 964 268 3 1,232 

ICG Proj. 5 668 272 3 940 

ICG Proj. 6 1,226 3,500 4 186 3 4,912 

ICG Proj. 7 142 30 3 1,500 5 1,672 

ICG Proj. 8 490 300 6 166 3 + 600 7 1,556 

ICG Proj. 9 113 1,000 8 250 9 500 9 1,863 

ICG Proj. 10 359 359 

ICG Proj. 11 219 219 

Non-technical activities 10 1,400 1,500 2,900 

Start-up and administration 1,040 400 1,440 

Total 7,338 6,900 1,772 11 3,540 19,550 

1. Fellowship for post-doc and guest researchers. 

2. Global Hotspots in Landslides project financed by The World Bank and ISDR, several 

projects financed by oil companies. 

3. 50% of man-hours of NGU staff, covered by NGU. 

4. NGI SIP on Offshore Geohazards. 

5. Free GIS software provided by ESRI and Intergraph to be used in research projects by ICG. 

6. Development of radar for snow avalanche in SATSIE project 

7. Satellite SAR data purchased by NGU. 

8. CFX developments and NGI’s partial financing of Arne Moe’s PhD. 

9. Study financed by the Seabed Project. 

10. IT solutions for ICG, preparation of proposals to EU’s 6th Frame Programme, information 

material, development of web site, international marketing, Steering Committee meetings, 

direct costs of guest researchers, post-docs and PhD candidates, contingency, conference 

participation, arranging workshops and the international conference FMGM 2003. 

11. Many of the PhD candidates in ICG are partially or fully financed by UiO and NTNU. This 

contribution is not reflected in the numbers above. 

8.2 In kind (kNOK, approximate, these numbers are a minimum) 

Contribution NGI NGU NTNU UiO NORSAR 

Personnel 400 200 0 0 200 

IT 500 500 100 100 300 

Office spaces* 2,000 600 800 500 200 

Laboratory/Equipment 500 50 0 100 50 

Project work / proposals/ etc. 1,000 200 300 300 600 

TOTAL 4,400 1,550 1,200 1,000 1,350 

* In addition, NGI and NTNU had large investments associated with rebuilding of ICG’s 

main office and satellite office that are not included here. 



Date: 2004-01-07 

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Page: 24 

8.3 Breakdown of the funds from The Research Council in 2003 

Activity Cost breakdown 

in 2003 

Goal in partner 

agreement, annual 

average over 5 years 

Research, NGI 29% 25% 

Research, NGU 17% 10% 

Research, NORSAR 14% 15% 

Research, UiO 4% 5% 

Research, NTNU 4% 5% 

Guest researchers* 1% 20% 

Direct costs, travels, Steering 17% 10% 

Committee meetings, etc. 

Administration 14% 10% 

* Most of the guest researchers who worked at ICG in 2003 were supported 

through external projects or the partner organisations. 

9 COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONS WITH THE MEDIA 

The award of ICG to NGI and its partners created a lot of interest, both 

nationally and internationally. Below are only a few of these communications. 

9.1 Presentations about ICG 

UiO, October 2002 

NTNU, October 2002 

NGU, Skreddagen (Landslide Day) 6 February 2003 

Vinterkonferansen (Annual winter conference of Norwegian Geological 

Society), 8 January 2003 

NIF (Norwegian Society of Chartered Engineers), 12 March 2003 

International Consortium for Landslides (ICL), November 2003 

Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, 5 May 2003 

EAGE Conference in Stavanger, 5 June 2003 

Quebec Ministry of Transport and Université Laval, 12 June 2003 

Various organisations and universities in Central America, Sept. 2003 

Conference on offshore geohazards in Paris, France, Sept. 2003 

AGU conference in San Francisco, December 2003 

Field Measurements in GeoMechanics (FMGM) Conference, Oslo, Sept. 2003 

Ministry of Science and Technology, New Dehli, India, Oct. 2003 

Department of Geology and Mines, Thimpu, Bhutan, Nov. 2003 



Date: 2004-01-07 

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Page: 25 

9.2 Interviews with journalists 

Interviews included: 

• Forskning (Newsletter of The Research Council of Norway) 

• Radio reporters from Germany 

• Teknisk Ukeblad 

• GEO 

• Several newspapers in connection with the Bam Earthquake in Iran 

10 PLANNED ACTIVITIES AND BUDGET FOR 2004 

10.1 Research Projects 

Continue with the projects already underway and start new projects. 

10.2 International networking 

Travels to USA, Spain, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Iran, India, South Korea, 

Thailand, and Latin America are planned. 

10.3 EU proposals and projects with financing from other sources 

This will be a continuous activity throughout the existence of ICG. 

10.4 Organisation of conferences and workshops in 2005 

ICG is responsible for the following two conferences: 

• Second Conference on Submarine Slides and Mass Movements (Oslo) 

• Workshop on Granular Flow (UiO, joint ICG / PGP activity) (Oslo) 

ICG is on Organizing Committee for the following conference in Canada in 

May 2005: 

• International Conference on Landslide Risk Management (Vancouver) 

10.5 Other major activities in 2004 

• Workshop and meeting of all ICG PhD candidates in Trondheim, 2-3 March 

• Reconnaissance mission to Iran by ICG experts in the aftermath of the Bam 

Earthquake of December 26 th , 2003 (Jan. 2004). 

10.6 ICG budget for 2004 

The table below reflects funding from The Research Council of Norway only. 

In-kind contributions and other sources of funding come in addition. 



Date: 2004-01-07 

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Page: 26 

ICG budget in 2004 based on funding from The Research Council of Norway 

Activity 

Funding from Research 

Council (kNOK) 

Comments SUM 

ICG Proj. 1 

100 This project is merged 

with Project 5 in 2004 

ICG Proj. 2 450 New Project Manager 

ICG Proj. 3 950 

ICG Proj. 4 1,600 

ICG Proj. 5 2,000 Absorbs Project 1 

1,500 Much higher cash con- 

ICG Proj. 6 

tribution from others in 

2004 than in 2003 






New pilot projects 600 

IT solutions 200 

EU Proposals 200 

Info. material 100 

Web site 

development 

200 

International 

networking 

250 

Conferences 300 

SC meetings 100 

Guests researchers 

and students 

1,500 

Contingency 300 

Administration 1,200 

Outreach 50 

Organisation of 

conferences in 2005 

150 

100 th anniversary of 

Oslo Earthquake 

50 

Get-togethers and 

arrangements 

400 

Total 15,700 

Total for technical projects = kNOK 

10,700 

The total expenditure from for funds provided by The Research Council of 

Norway is budgeted to be kNOK 15,700. This is kNOK 3,700 more the annual 

funding provided to ICG. However, in 2003, the ICG consortium used only 

NOK 7.3 mill. of the NOK 12 mill. funding for 2003. The sum of the funds 

used in 2003 and the budgeted expenditure above is NOK 23 million, close to 

the NOK 24 million allocated for 2003 and 2004. 

Considerable cash and in-kind contribution from the ICG partners will come in 

addition to the amounts above. 

f:\p\2003\11\20031103\rap\2003-annual-report\icg-annual_report1_2003.doc FNa/tha 

Total for non-technical activities = kNOK 5,000


Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 


Appendix A Page: A1 

Appendix A - ICG Publications as of 

1 January 2004 

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Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



ICG PUBLICATIONS AS OF 1 JANUARY 2004 

1. Anda, E., L.H. Blikra and A. Braathen (2002) 

The Berill fault - first evidence of neotectonic faulting in southern Norway. 

Norwegian Journal of Geology (NGT) 82, 175-182. 

2. Lacasse, S. and F. Nadim (2002) 

Safety and hazards. 

Keynote Lecture. International Conference on Innovation and Sustainable 

Development of Civil Engineering in the 21 st Century. Beijing, China. 1-3 August 

2002. Proceedings, pp. K11-K16. 

3. Nadim, F. (2002) 

Probabilistic methods for geohazard problems: State-of-the-Art. 

Probabilistics in GeoTechnics: Technical and Economic Risk Estimation, Graz, 

Austria, September 15-19. 

4. Kvalstad, T.J., F. Nadim, A.M. Kaynia and P. Bryn (2002) 

Slope stability at Ormen Lange. 

International Conference on Offshore Site Investigation and Geotechnics – 

‘Diversity and Sustainability’, London, UK, 26-28 November. 

5. Lacasse, S. (2002) 

Geotechnical Solutions for the Offshore: Synergy of research and practice. 

Keynote Lecture. Proc, Intern. Conf. Offshore Site Investigation and Geotechnics 

“Diversity and Sustainability”, SUT, London, UK, 26-28 November, pp. 13-20. 

6. Lacasse, S. (2002) 

Reliability Analysis – Reliability and Risk in Geo-Engineering 

Keynote Lecture, Proc. Intern. Workshop on Dam Foundation and Tunnelling in 

Weak Rocks. Paper 1. Delhi, India, December 2002. 

7. Lindholm, C. D. and H. Bungum (2002) 

Microzonation studies in Central America. 

12'th Symposium on Earthquake Engineering, Eds. D. Paul, A. Kumar and M. 

Sharma, Roorkee, India, 16-18 Dec., pp 351-358 

8. Best, A.I., C.R.I. Clayton, O. Longva and M. Szuman (2003) 

The Role of Free Gas in the activation of Submarine Slides in Finneidfjord. 

Submarine Mass Movements and Their Consequences, 1 st International 

Symposium, Editors: Locat, Meinert and Boisvert, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 

pp 491-498. 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



9. De Blasio, F.V., D.D. Issler, A. Elverhøi, C. B. Harbitz, T. Ilstad, P. Bryn, R. Lien 

and F. Løvholt (2003) 

Dynamics, Velocity and Run-out of the Giant Storegga Slide. 



pp 223-230. 

10. Issler, D.D., F.V. De Blasio, A. Elverhøi, T. Ilstad, P. Bryn and R. Lien (2003) 

Issues in the Assessment of Gravity Mass Flow Hazard in the Storegga Area off the 

Western Norwegian Coast. 



pp 231-238. 

11. Longva, O., N. Janbu, L. H. Blikra and R. Bøe (2003) 

The 1996 Finneidfjord Slide; Seafloor Failure and Slide Dynamics. 



pp 531-538. 

12. Nadim, F., Krunic, D. and Jeanjean, P. (2003) 

Probabilistic slope stability analyses of the Sigsbee Escarpment 

Proceedings, OTC 15203, Offshore Technology Conference ’03, Houston, Texas, 

May 2003. 

13. Nowacki, F., Solhjell, E., Nadim F., Liedke E., Andersen, K.H. and Andresen, L. 

(2003) 

Deterministic Slope Stability Analyses of the Sigsbee Escarpment. 

Proceedings, OTC 15160, Offshore Technology Conference ’03, Houston, Texas, 

May 2003. 

14. Heyerdahl, H., C.B. Harbitz, U. Domaas, F. Sandersen, K. Tronstad, F. Nowacki, 

A. Engen, O. Kjekstad, G. Dévoli, S. G. Buezo, M. R. Diaz and W. Hernandez 

(2003) 

Rainfall Induced Lahars in Volcanic Debris in Nicaragua and El Salvador: Practical 

Mitigation. 

Proc., International Conference on Fast Slope Movements – Prediction and 

Prevention for risk Mitigation, IC-FSM2003, Naples, Italy, 11-13 May. 

15. Grozic, J.L.H., F. Nadim and T.J. Kvalstad (2002) 

Constitutive modeling of the undrained shear strength of fine grained soils 

containing gas. 

55 th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, 3 rd Joint IAH-CNC/CGS Conference, 

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, 20-23 October. 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



16. Grozic, J. (2003) 

Gas hydrates and submarine slope instability. 

Geohazards 2003, Edmonton, Canada, June 2003, pp 143-150. 

17. Nadim, F. and S. Lacasse (2003) 

Review of probabilistic methods for quantification and mapping of geohazards 

Geohazards 2003, Edmonton, Canada, June 2003, pp 279-285. 

18. Lacasse, S., F. Nadim and K. Høeg (2003) 

Risk Assessment in Soil and Rock Engineering 

PanAm Conference, SARA, MIT, Cambridge, Mass., USA, June 2003 

19. Blikra, L.H., O. Longva, A. Braathen and E. Anda (in press) 

Rock-slope failures in Norwegian fjord areas: Examples, spatial distribution and 

temporal pattern. 

NATO Advanced Research Workshop Italy June 2002. 

20. Braathen, A., Blikra, L.H., Berg, S.S. & Karlsen, F. (in press) 

Rock-slope failures of Norway; type, geometry, deformation mechanisms and 

stability. Norwegian Journal of Geology (NGT) 

21. Bhasin, R. and A.M. Kaynia (in press) 

Static and Dynamic Simulation of a 700 m High Rock Slope in Western Norway. 

Accepted for publication in International Journal of Engineering Geology 

22. Biscontin, G., J.M. Pestana and F. Nadim (in press) 

Seismic Triggering of Submarine Slides in Soft Cohesive Soil Deposits. 

Accepted for publication in Marine Geology, special issue on landslide generated 

tsunamis. 

23. Jensen, A., G.K. Pedersen and D.J. Wood (2003) 

An experimental study of wave run-up at a steep beach. 

Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 486, pp 161-188. 

24. Harbitz, C. B., G. Parker, A. Elverhøi, J. G. Marr, D. Mohrig and P.A. Harff (2003) 

Hydroplaning of subaqueous debris flows and glideblocks: Analytical solutions and 

discussion. J. Geophys. Res., 108(B7), 2349, doi:10.1029/2001JB001454. 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 


Appendix B Page: B1 

Appendix B - Progress report of ICG 

projects in 2003 

CONTENTS 

B1 ICG PROJECT 1: UNSATURATED SOILS AND RAIN-INDUCED 

LANDSLIDES ............................................................................................. 3 

B1.1 Summary of activities in 2003 and milestones achieved................. 3 

B1.2 Papers/reports published or in pipeline............................................ 3 

B1.3 Prospects and goals for 2004 ........................................................... 3 

B1.4 Comments and ideas, lessons learned.............................................. 3 

B2 ICG PROJECT 2: RISK AND VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS FOR 

GEOHAZARDS ........................................................................................... 4 




B2.4 Comments and ideas, lesson learned ............................................... 5 

B3 ICG PROJECT 3: EARTHQUAKE HAZARD, VULNERABILITY 

AND RISK ................................................................................................... 5 





B4 ICG PROJECT 4: ROCKSLOPE FAILURES - MODELS AND RISK ..... 7 





B5 ICG PROJECT 5: LANDSLIDES IN SOFT SEDIMENTS ........................ 9 


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B5.2 Papers/reports published or in pipeline.......................................... 10 

B5.3 Prospects and goals for 2004 ......................................................... 10 

B5.4 Comments and ideas, lessons learned............................................ 11 

B6 ICG PROJECT 6: OFFSHORE GEOHAZARDS...................................... 11 

B6.1 Summary of activities in 2003 and milestones achieved............... 11 




B7 ICG PROJECT 7: GIS APPLICATIONS IN GEOHAZARDS................. 15 





B8 ICG PROJECT 8: SAR APPLICATIONS IN GEOHAZARDS................ 17 





B9 ICG PROJECT 9: SLIDE DYNAMICS AND MECHANICS OF 

DISINTEGRATION................................................................................... 18 





B10 ICG PROJECT 10: TSUNAMI MODELLING ................................... 21 

B10.1 Summary of activities in 2003 and milestones achieved.......... 22 

B10.2 Papers/reports published or in pipeline .................................... 22 

B10.3 Prospects and goals for 2004 .................................................... 23 

B10.4 Comments and ideas, lessons learned....................................... 23 

B11 ICG PROJECT 11: DEVELOPMENT OF GRADUATE STUDIES 

IN GEOHAZARDS.................................................................................... 23 

B11.1 Summary of activities in 2003 and milestones achieved.......... 23 

B11.2 Papers/reports published or in pipeline .................................... 25 

B11.3 Prospects and goals for 2004 .................................................... 25 

B11.4 Comments and ideas, lessons learned....................................... 26 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



B1 ICG PROJECT 1: UNSATURATED SOILS AND RAIN-INDUCED 

LANDSLIDES 

Project Manager: Håkon Heyerdahl 

B1.1 Summary of activities in 2003 and milestones achieved 

• Parametric studies, 1-dimensional unsaturated flow calculations 

• Parametric studies, 2-dimensional unsaturated flow calculations 

• Methodology for shallow slides, study of slope stability during extreme 

rainfall in Norway during autumn of 2000 (started) 

B1.2 Papers/reports published or in pipeline 

• NGI-report 20031087-1. Effects of infiltration on pore pressures and stability 

• NGI-report 20031087-2. 2D–Analyses of the Effects of Infiltration on Pore 

Pressures in Slopes 

• NGI-report 20031087-3. Methodology for calculation of rain-induced 

slides 

• In press (ISRL): Rainfall-induced slides of unsaturated slopes (Edgers, Lew 

and Farrokh Nadim) 

• 2004: Planned, working title "Rain-induced slides in South-Eastern Norway 

during the autumn of year 2000" (Høydal, Øyvind et al.) 

• 2004: Planned, working title "Shallow rain-induced slides in Norway" 

B1.3 Prospects and goals for 2004 

• Continue build-up on basic knowledge to reach "state-of the art"-level. 

• Numerical calculations: Focus on shallow slides, effects of increased permeability 

in top layers (frost zone, roots), cohesion in top layer. Case 

records from Norway (2000) – cooperation with on-going R&D project at 

NGI? 

• Slope monitoring in cooperation with other ICG/NGI projects? 

• Hands-on experience with unsaturated material properties? Measurements 

in field and/or lab.? 

• Increase Cooperation with relevant personnel from UiO and NVE. 

• Prof. Lew Edgers will probably return as ICG's guest researcher during 

summer 2004. 

B1.4 Comments and ideas, lessons learned 

• Need greater time overlap between guest researchers and NGI/ICG 

personnel involved. 

• Project could be merged with Project 5. 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



B2 ICG PROJECT 2: RISK AND VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS FOR 

GEOHAZARDS 

Project Manager: Dr. Farrokh Nadim 


• Note on framework and methodology for hazard, vulnerability and risk 

evaluation (by Steve Kramer, visiting professor from University of Washington) 

• Development of model for mapping of hazard due to earthquake- and 

rainfall-induced landslides (by Carlos Rodriguez, visiting professor from 

National University of Colombia) 

• Proposal(s) submitted to EU's 6th Frame Programme 

• No activity on numerical modelling of earthquake-induced landslide was 

initiated in 2003. 

• Most of the work related to this project was performed in the Global Hotspots 

on Landslides Project financed by The World Bank and ISDR, and in 

the Ormen Lange project financed by Norsk Hydro. 


• 3 refereed papers on risk analysis for Ormen Lange project are in the pipeline: 

– Paper in Marine and Petroleum Geology by Nadim et al. 

– Paper in SPE conference, Alberta, March 2004 by Lund, …, Kvalstad, 

Nadim, et al. 

– Paper in OTC'04 in Houston, May 2004 by Bryn, …, Kvalstad, Nadim, 

et al. 

• Paper by Lacasse, Nadim, Høeg and Gregersen (2004): "Risk assessment in 

geotechnical engineering" to be presented in Skempton Memorial Conference 

in London in March 2004. 


• Visiting professor from National University of Singapore (Prof. Kok-Kwan 

Phoon) will spend 5 months at ICG working on this project. 

• We are committed to do further work on this topic because of our engagement 

in the EU Integrated Project LESSLOSS. 

• Integrate more closely with work done in other ICG projects. 

• Project Manager, who is also Centre Director, has too many activities. He 

will recommend new Project Manager. 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



B2.4 Comments and ideas, lesson learned 

• Project needs to establish contact with experts on social economics and 

social vulnerability to geohazards if not in 2004, at least fairly soon. EU 

projects provide an excellent opportunity for this purpose. We have also 

had informal contact with CICERO (Center for International Climate and 

Environmental Research – Oslo), which could be fruitful in the long run. 

• A lot of the work was done by guest researchers: cost-effective, and concentrated 

research, may cause a continuity problem. 

B3 ICG PROJECT 3: EARTHQUAKE HAZARD, VULNERABILITY AND 

RISK 

Project Manager: Prof. Conrad Lindholm 


• State-of-the-art in seismic hazard: The paper is underway and a draft 

version will be finished before the end of the year. 

• State-of-the-art in seismic vulnerability: The paper is underway and a 

draft is expected finished before the end of the year. 

• State-of-the-art in seismic risk: It is not expected that this task will be 

completed before the end of the year. 

• State-of-the-art in site-specific ground amplification: It is not expected 

that this task will be completed before the end of the year. 

• GIS implementation: The work is well underway and has included training. 

The GIS implementation and to learn the system has been more challenging 

than expected. 

• HAZUS implementation: The work is progressing very well, and a full 

implementation of seismic hazard for the city of Oslo in the HAZUS 

scheme is expected finished before the end of the year. 

• Earthquake catalogue compilation: Completed. 


Title and Authors ICG number Publication Type 

Hazus Report; Developments of seismic risk 

methodologies and tools, by Sergio Molina 

and Conrad Lindholm. 65 pages 

ICG 3-2003-1 Project report 

Quarterly report on ICG project No. 3 ICG 3-2003-2 Project report 

Scandinavian Earthquake Archive; CD with 

scanned reports for ICG project No. 3 

ICG 3-2003-3 Data delivery 

Several State-of-the-art reports/papers are in the pipeline (see above) 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



Related Papers 

Lindholm, C., M. Roth, H. Bungum and J.I. Faleide (2003). Probabilistic and 

deterministic seismic hazard results and influence of the sedimentary Møre 

Basin, NE Atlantic. Submitted to Marine and Petroleum Geology. 

Bungum, H., C. Lindholm and J.I. Faleide (2003). Postglacial seismicity offshore 

mid-Norway with emphasis on spatio-temporal-magnitudal variations. 

Submitted to Marine and Petroleum Geology. 

Bommer, J.J., N.A. Abrahamson, F.O. Strasser, A. Pecker, P.-Y. Bard, H. Bungum, 

F. Cotton, D. Fäh, F. Sabetta, F, Scherbaum and J. Studer (2004a). The challenge 

of defining upper bounds on earthquake ground motions. Seismological 

Research Letters, 75(1), January/February 2004, in press. 

Douglas, J., H. Bungum and F. Scherbaum (2004). Composite hybrid groundmotion 

prediction relations based on host-to-target conversions: case studies 

for Europe. Manuscript in preparation (to be finished early in 2004). 

Bommer, J.J., F. Sabetta, F. Scherbaum, H. Bungum, F. Cotton and N. Abrahamson 

(2004b). Notes on the use of logic trees for ground-motion prediction 

equations. Manuscript in preparation (to be finished early in 2004). 


• The project is expected to continue as foreseen in the basis document. A 

travel aimed to establish contact with a group widely recognized for its 

expertise in geohazards evaluations and in particular earthquake risk may 

be sought in 2004. 

• The work has been extensive on implementation and mastering of GIS and 

HAZUS, and this is now beginning to show signs of the first fruits. The 

present version of HAZUS only runs under ArcView 3.2 and Windows 98. 

A new version running under ArcGIS and Windows XP has been 

announced, and will be installed as soon as we can obtain a copy. 

• At large, the project will continue as outlined in the 2003 project proposal. 

• An extensive cooperation between the members of the ‘Ground Motion 

Evaluation Expert Team' (J. Bommer, H. Bungum, F. Cotton F. Sabetta and 

F. Scherbaum) of the Pegasos SSHAC Level 4 seismic hazard project in 

Switzerland has already produced several papers, and more will be completed 

next year. 


• An improved interaction with ICG Project 2 (Risk methods) and ICG 

Project 7 (GIS) is hoped for in 2004. Much time has been used in the 

implementation and mastering of HAZUS and GIS, and the first results are 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



beginning to emerge. Our experience in this field should be beneficial also 

to the other project groups. 

• There have been some delays in the progress and reporting. The delays do 

not threaten the successful completion of the project. 

B4 ICG PROJECT 4: ROCKSLOPE FAILURES - MODELS AND RISK 

Project Manager: Dr. Lars Harald Blikra 


• Module A. State of the art 

1. Field workshop was organized in Molde, Møre & Romsdal 13-15 

August 2003. 18 participants from different ICG projects. The workshop 

contributed to improving the cooperation and interaction amount 

the partners involved in the project and between different ICG projects. 

Important localities, which will be used in the project, were visited. A 

general report on rock-slope failures as a risk potential was started. It is 

planned to complete it in 2004 when the other reports in the project are 

completed. 

• Module B. Case study – Risk assessment in Møre and Romsdal 

Compilation of available data in Møre & Romsdal County includes: 

1. Potential unstable rock slopes in GIS system (completed). 

2. Rock-slide deposits (underway). 

3. Cooperation with ICG project 7 (PhD Bård Romstad) (underway). 

4. Earthquake data on probability and magnitude (underway)Module C. 

Geological models 

The module is progressing according to plan, and included: 

1. Detailed structural mapping at Åkernesrenna, Tafjord and Oterøya (includes 

an MSc at NTNU). 

2. Sampling of fault rocks along basal shear surface. 

3. 2D resistivity profiling to detect geometry of unstable rock slopes. 

Laboratory experiments in ring-shear cell have not started due to the 

economy in the project. 

• Module D. Stability models 

The module is progressing according to plan with publication of existing 

data from Oppstadhornet. The state of the art report on numerical analysis 

is postponed some few months. 

• Module F. Rock-avalanche processes: Distribution, frequency, tsunamis 

and slide dynamics 

The module is processing according to plan and included: 

1. Exposure dating of individual rock-slope failures (cooperation with 

Reginald Hermanns, GFZ, Potsdam). 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



2. Study of historical and prehistorical events for input to slide dynamic 

and tsunami modelling. Four individual sites have been studied. 

• Module G. Instrumentation and monitoring 

This module concentrated on state of the art reports: 

1. SOA on use of microseismic network on unstable rock-slope areas 

(completed). 

2. SOA on monitoring and warning systems (underway). 


Blikra, L.H., Longva, O., Braathen, A. and Anda, E. (2003, in press): Rockslope 

failures in Norwegian fjord areas: Examples, spatial distribution and 

temporal pattern. NATO Advanced Research Workshop Italy June 2002. 

Braathen, A., Blikra, L.H., Berg, S.S. and Karlsen, F. (2004, in press): Rockslope 

failures of Norway; type, geometry, deformation mechanisms and stability. 

Norwegian Journal of Geology (NGT) 

Bhasin, R. and Kaynia, A.M. (2004, in press): Static and Dynamic Simulation 

of a 700 m High Rock Slope in Western Norway. To be published in International 

Journal of Engineering Geology 

Bhasin, R., Kaynia, A., Blikra, L.H., Braathen, A. and Anda, E. (2004, accepted): 

Insights into the deformation mechanisms of a jointed rock slope subjected 

to dynamic loading. International Journal of Rock Mechanics 

Dahle, H. (2003): Ingeniørgeologiske parameter og mulige skredmodeller for 

Opstadhornet. Prosjektoppgave, Teknisk geologi, IGB, NTNU (student thesis). 

Roth, M. (2003): Report on seismic monitoring of rock slopes (preliminary 

ICG report). 

Domaas, U. (2003): Monitoring methods, rock slopes (preliminary ICG report). 

The project has been presented at several conferences, including 2 presentations 

and 1 poster will be presented at he Nordic Geological winter meeting in 

Uppsala in January 2004. 


• The goals for 2004 will be mainly according to earlier plans, with the focus 

on modules presented under point 1. 

• Two new PhD students on geological models and stability analysis will 

increase the activity in the project. Effort will be made to integrate these 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



two persons in the research team. As soon as possible, a two-day project 

meeting will be organized. 

• Exact plans for the instrumentation and monitoring will be discussed 

further in 2004. 


• The project involves persons from all five partners, with the usual challenges 

related to communication and collaboration. The three-day workshop 

and one project meeting were important for the cooperation within the 

project and with the other ICG projects. 

• It has been difficult to perform the laboratory testing due to lack of financial 

resources. 

• An ICG project meeting involving all project members should be organized 

during 2004. 

• Planning of international workshops should be given priority. It is probably 

possible to get an NATO advanced workshop to Norway, focusing on rockslides 

and tsunamis. 

• A workshop focusing on stability and slides in fjords, involving all ICG 

projects, would be interesting. 

B5 ICG PROJECT 5: LANDSLIDES IN SOFT SEDIMENTS 

Project Manager: Kjell Karlsrud 


• SOA on landslide frequency and consequences (all types of slides): The 

CRED database was used to identify casualties related to landsliding and 

probability distribution. The national database from NGU will be used for 

further evaluations. 

• Triggering causes, soft clay slides in Norway: Data from NGI and NGU 

are compiled into one database. The base consists of more than 400 records 

with geographical reference. This base will be completed and quality 

updated within 2004. Scripts to analyse meteorological data from database 

is written. A few events are analysed. NGI reports are collected. 

• Instrumentation of slopes: Different sites were suggested, evaluated and 

visited. Two sites were chosen, one in Trøndelag and one in the Romerike 

area. The site in Trøndelag lies in the county of Skaun. The area is geotechnically 

well documented through studies for the E39 highway project. 

The site in Romerike area lies in the county of Fet and consists of largely 

quick clay. Supplementary soil investigations and stability calculations will 

have to be carried out prior to instrumentation. A detailed instrumentation 

program is expected to be ready by end of January 2004. 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



• Modelling of progressive failure: New formulation of soil models was 

developed. Two abstracts for papers were sent in. 

• Geologic aspects: Field investigation, including resistivity profiling of 

large outcrop in Buvika for sediment characterisation, dating, mineralogical 

analyses etc., is underway. The data are the starting point for outlining the 

build-up and the geological history of the Buvika valley. Geological 

fieldwork will continue in 2004. 

• Gathering of data on the sedimentological characteristics of clay slides and 

clay slide deposits has started. 

• Inger Lise Solberg finished her MSc (siv.ing.) education at NTNU in spring 

2003, and was accepted as a PhD candidate at NTNU in spring 2003 with 

Kåre Rokoengen, NTNU, as main adviser and Louise Hansen, NGU, as coadviser. 

She has taken part in some field studies of quick clay slopes this 

fall. 

• Fjord margins and coastal zones: Interferometric sonar for use in shallow 

water was tested successfully. 


• SOA report on landslides to be completed by end of January 2004. 

• Preliminary Report on rainfall and historical quick clay slides release 

mechanisms in Norway by the end of January 2004. 

• Paper on analyses of progressive failure on long slopes. 

• Paper on modelling of shear band propagation. 

• Manuscripts under way about clay slides in Northern Norway and their 

relation to valley fill stratigraphy. 

• Pore pressure build-up during pile driving on two bridge sites at E39 (in 

Norwegian). 

• Project thesis, Geotechnical Division, NTNU (to be published in December 

2003). 


• Go systematically through the database for Norwegian slides and summarise 

release mechanism in the database together with new rainfall statistics 

and NGI reports. Study in detail and write one paper on rainfall as triggering 

mechanism of larger soft (quick) clay slides. 

• Make an updated summary of undrained shear strength parameters of soft 

clays based NGI's database from block samples, and relation to OCR, Ip. 

Establish also new cone penetration correlations. Prepare a paper end of 

2004. 

• Soil investigations and instrumentation of the two slopes planned to be 

completed by the end of August 2004, reporting on instrumentation by the 

end of 2004. 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



• Build test apparatus to identify energy to reach remoulded strength. Testing 

and reporting of results on 5 selected quick clays with different plasticity 

and sensitivity. 

• Undertake a series of parametric studies of effects of strain softening and 

progressive failure. 

• Continued geological fieldwork in Buvika. The geological information will 

be compared to geotechnical data gathered during the on-going highway 

construction (E39). 

• Apply interferometric sonar in Buvika and possibly an area in the Oslo 

Region (Drammen/Skien). 

• Continue analysis of sonar data from Trondheim harbour area. 

• Continue work on clay slides, their stratigraphic relationships, and slide 

sediment characteristics. 


• CRED database covers only major events. We need to look into other 

sources to find details on smaller events and their importance on international 

level. 

• There were problems with digging out historical meteorological data for 

some of the slides in Norway we want to study. 

• Most planned activities for 2003 are expected to be finished by the end 

January 2004. 

• Consider using the same methodology as in progress for soft clay slides on 

all slides registered as "jordskred" in NGU's database. 

B6 ICG PROJECT 6: OFFSHORE GEOHAZARDS 

Project Manager: Dr. Anders Solheim 


• State of the art in offshore geohazards. In many respects, the Ormen Lange 

Project represents the SoA. Substantial time was spent on this part 

(underway). 

• One MSc thesis at UiO: Tore Bersås: "Seismic characterisation and imaging 

of weak layers" (underway). 

• Literature study of seismic wave propagation in the seafloor (started). 

• Carried out swath bathymetric mapping in Finneidfjord in preparation for 

fieldwork during winter 2004. 

• Adaptation and implementation of various software. 

• Posters presentation at two international conferences. 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



• Project proposal for the ESF initiated "Euromargins" programme accepted 

for funding. Will start in 2004, and parts of the activities are closely linked 

to the project objectives. 


Most of the publications and presentations are related to conferences and conference 

proceedings in 2003, related to submarine mass movements. In addition, 

a special issue of "Marine and Petroleum Geology" on the Ormen Lange 

Project will be printed in 2004, with 10-15 papers closely related to the project. 

Published papers 

Best, A.I., Clayton, C.R.I., Longva, O. and Szuman, M. (2003). The role of 

free gas in the activation of submarine slides in Finneidfjord. In: J. Locat and 

J. Mienert (eds.), Submarine Mass Movements and their Consequences, 491- 

498. 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands. 

Bøe, R., Rise, L., Blikra, L.H., Longva, O. and Eide, A. (2003). Holocene 

mass-movement processes in Trondheimsfjorden, Central Norway. Norwegian 

Journal of Geology, Vol. 83, pp. 3-22. 

Bøe, R., Longva, O., Lepland, A., Blikra, L.H., Sønstegaard, E., Haflidason, H., 

Bryn, P. and Lien, R. (2004). Postglacial mass movements and their causes in 

fjords and lakes in western Norway. Norwegian Journal of Geology 84 (1) (in 

press). 

Longva, O., Janbu, N., Blikra, L.H. and Bøe, R. (2003). The 1996 Finneidfjord 

Slide: seafloor failure and slide dynamics. In: J.Locat and J. Mienert (eds.), 

Submarine Mass Movements and their Consequences, 491-498. 2003 Kluwer 

Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands. 

Bøe, R., Longva, O., Lepland, A., Blikra, L.H., Sønstegaard, E., Haflidason, H., 

Bryn, P. and Lien, R. (2004). Postglacial mass movements and their causes in 

fjords and lakes in western Norway. Norwegian Journal of Geology 84 (1) (in 

press). 

Lecomte, I., Gjøystdal, H. and Drottning, Å. (2003). Simulated Prestack Local 

Imaging: a robust and efficient interpretation tool to control illumination, 

resolution, and time-lapse properties of reservoirs. RCT 7.2, 1529-1532. 

Bryn, P., Solheim, A., Berg, K., Lien, R., Forsberg, C.F., Haflidason, H., 

Ottesen, D. and Rise, L. (2003). The Storegga slide complex; repeated large 

scale sliding in response to climatic cyclicity. In Locat, J. and Mienert, J. 

(Eds.), Submarine mass movements and their consequences, 215-222. Kluwer 

Academic Publishers, The Netherlands. 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



Publications in preparation or submitted 

Bøe, R., Bugge, T., Rise, L., Eidnes, G., Eide, A. and Mauring, E. (in prep.). 

Erosional channel and large sediment waves created by hyperpychnal flows 

and turbidity currents in Trondheimsfjorden, Central Norway (Submitted to 

Geo-Marine Letters). 

Bøe, R., Prøsch-Danielsen, L., Lepland, A. and Høgestøl, M. (in prep.). A possible 

Early Holocene (ca. 9800/9700 14C BP) slide-triggered tsunami disaster 

at the Galta settlement sites, Rennesøy, SW Norway. Submitted to Norwegian 

Journal of Geology. 

Olsen, H.A., Longva, O., Piper, D.J.W. and Rise, L. (in prep.). Fans in the 

eastern Skagerrak; late glacial depositional environment interpreted from swath 

bathymetry and seismostratigraphy. 

Rise, L, Bøe, R, Lyså, A. Olsen, H.A, Sveian, H. (in prep.). Quaternary stratigraphy 

and deglaciation history of Trondheimsfjorden, central Norway 

Rise, L. et al. (in prep.). Postglacial sediments in the Norwegian Channel off 

southern Norway: Depositional environment and accumulation rates. 

Rise, L., Olesen, O., Rokoengen, K., Ottesen, D. and Riis, F. (submitted): Mid 

Pleistocene ice drainage pattern in the Norwegian Channel imaged by 3D 

seismic. Submitted to Quaternary Science Reviews 

Note! A special issue of the "Marine and Petroleum Geology" journal, to be 

printed in 2004, will have 20-25 papers related to the slide issues of Storegga. 

Some 10-15 of these will be related to ICG-6 and co-authored by ICG-6 members. 

Presentations and Posters 

Best, A.I., Clayton, C.R.I., Longva, O. and Szuman, M. (2003). The role of 

free gas in the activation of submarine slides in Finneidfjord. EGS-AGU-EUG 

Joint Assembly, Nice, France, 06-11 April. 

Bøe, R., Lyså, A., Longva, O., Mauring, E., Olsen, H.A. and Totland, O. 

(2003). Avsetningsmiljø og sedimentære prosesser i Trondheimsfjorden og 

Trondheimsleia. Norsk Geologisk Forenings 18 Landsmøte, Oslo. Geo, p. 

Forsberg, C.F.F., Solheim, A., Berg, K., Bryn, P., and Lien, R. (2003). The 

Neogene development of the mid-Norwegian continental margin: mineralogical 

and stratigraphic aspects. American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, 

Dec. 2003. 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 




Slide: seafloor failure and slide dynamics. EGS-AGU-EUG Joint Assembly, 

Nice, France, 06-11 April. 


Slide: seafloor failure and slide dynamics. Costa meeting, Bologna, February 

2003. 

Rise, L., Ottesen, D., Berg, K., Lundin, E., Bryn, P. (2003). Late Pliocene and 

Pleistocene shaping of the mid-Norwegian shelf and margin. Ocean Margin 

Conference, Paris, Oct. 2003 (poster) 

Solheim, A. and Nadim, F. (2003). International Centre for geohazards (ICG) 

established in Oslo at the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI). OMARC 

Conference, Paris, September 2003. 

Solheim, A., Nadim, F. and Blikra, L.H. (2003). International Centre for geohazards 

(ICG) established in Oslo at the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute 

(NGI). American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Dec. 2003. (Same title, 

different content as above.) 

Sjøberg, T., Gelius, L.-J. and Lecomte, I. (2003). 2-D deconvolution of seismic 

image blur, SEG 73rd Annual Meeting. 


Expect 2004 to be a more prolific year than the eight months in 2003, as ICG 

and the projects now are established. Main activities will be: 

• Field campaign in Finneidfjord, Feb. 2004. Geological sampling and geophysical 

in situ measurements and monitoring. 

• Initiate database for key geological, geotechnical and geophysical parameters, 

jointly with NGI's geohazards Strategic Institute Program and the 

Euromargins project. 

• Various geophysical studies, incl. the use of S-waves in Geohazards 

studies. 

• Complete T. Bersås' MSc thesis at UiO. 

• Hire a post-doctoral fellow, jointly with the Euromargins project. 

• Develop an MSc/PhD thesis in geophysics, to be carried out as 

"internship" at ICG (to be developed further). 

• Prepare for the "Second International Conference on Submarine Mass 

Movements", to be held in Oslo 2005. 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 




• There is relatively moderate ICG funding for such a problem requiring 

continued, long-term studies by staff. Therefore, it is very important to initiate 

thesis work and/or Post.doc. studies. 

• Low budget for the project is a problem. It is difficult for e.g. NGI 

employees to carry out research themselves, because of the high hourly 

costs. Hence, students and guest researchers are a most valuable resource. 

• Success in obtaining external funding is a big contribution to the project. 

• Very important to make ICG visible in the scientific literature. We must 

therefore improve our recording system of publications. All manuscripts 

written by ICG personnel and related to ICG objectives could have an ICG 

publication number, which must be printed on the paper ("This is publication 

number xx from the International Centre for Geohazards (ICG)"). 

B7 ICG PROJECT 7: GIS APPLICATIONS IN GEOHAZARDS 

Project Manager: Prof. Bernd Etzelmüller 


• Geographic database of geo-hazard, WEB-based visualisation and data 

exchange 

− An English version of the WEB-based landslide information system 

"Skrednett" was established and made available for the Geohazards 

project network (www.ngu.no/kart/geohazards/viewer.htm). This 

WEB-site is meant to be a basic for visualisation and exchange for data 

produced within the ICG. As the basic GIS tool, the software package 

ArcGIS by ESRI was chosen, and the ICG can use the software based 

on a site license agreement (5 simultaneous licenses). The work with 

meta-data standards will be intensified early in 2004. 

• Digital terrain analyses and classification related to geo-hazard (UiO) 

− PhD study for Bård Romstad, Department of geosciences, UiO. The 

PhD study is a close collaboration between UiO/ICG (Project 4 and 

Project 9), and will focus on the physical and statistical relationship of 

topographic parameters with landslide processes, landforms volumes 

and run-out lengths. Field sites are debris flows in the Rjukan valley of 

Telemark (patch scale), rockslides in Møre and Romsdal and debris 

flows in tropical Nicaragua. 

− PhD study on process modelling of debris flows in tropical Nicaragua 

(G. Devoli). 

− MSc student within geomatics at UiO. 

− Preparation work, including defining test sites and developing strategies 

for the analyses. 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



− In 2004, the project continues with topographic analyses within the 

chosen sites. 

− B. Romstad will spend six months at the University of California at 

Los Angeles. 

• GIS-based prediction of geo-hazard and vulnerability 

− This task has the main objectives of developing interactive, WEBbased 

cartographic modelling procedures for hazard assessment within 

the ICG, and developing probability models for future occurrence of 

landslides. This task is a close co-operation between this project and 

Project 2. 

− No reports were planned for 2003. A PhD student is planned for 2004 

(funding by NTNU). 

− NORSAR has worked extensive on the implementation and mastering 

of GIS and HAZUS (Project 3). A full implementation of seismic 

hazard for the city of Oslo in the HAZUS scheme is expected to be 

completed. 

• Education 

− The project "GIS and geohazards" was involved in the new MSc program 

offered at UiO "Environmental geology and geohazards", with 

the course "Digital terrain analyses" (10 ETC points). 15 students followed 

the course. 


A poster introduced permafrost-induced geohazards during the joint AGU-EGS 

meeting in Nice 2003. (Harris, C. and Etzelmüller, B., 2003. Mountain permafrost 

hazard assessment in a changing global climate, EGS-AGU-EUG Joint 

Assembly, Nice. Geophysical Research Abstracts. European Geophysical 

Union, Nice, CD-rom.) 


The project now consists of a technical part (task 1), a scientific-experimental 

part (task 2) and a scientific-applied part (task 3). The three parts together 

describe an entity, providing the line of geographic data handling from data 

base management and data visualisation to experimental and applied data 

analyses. From 2004, two PhD students will work within this frame, together 

with MSc-students at both the NTNU and UiO. This guarantees an active and 

dynamic group addressing GIS within geohazards research. In 2004, the collaboration 

between the two universities should be enhanced. This will be 

achieved by meetings during the spring term, and a PhD seminar proposed by 

NTNU (project 11). 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 




One problem is the diversity of the projects and research personnel, reducing 

somewhat effectiveness. With a stricter meeting program during spring 2004, 

we wish to enhance collaboration. In addition, members of the "GIS"-team will 

be working in the ICG offices at NGI more in 2004 than in 2003. 

According to the initial budget, ICG was supposed to finance at least one PhD 

student. The two universities UiO and NTNU now finance this. However, this 

in-kind contribution conditions that consumables, travels for the PhD student 

etc. are covered by the ICG. As PhD contracts normally are over 3 to 4 years, 

the ICG should allocate an amount every year to this activity. 

B8 ICG PROJECT 8: SAR APPLICATIONS IN GEOHAZARDS 

Project Manager: Dr. John Dehls 


• A workshop on SAR applications was held in February with participation 

from NGU, NGI, NORSAR, NORUT, FFI, Norsk Regnesentral, Norsk 

Romsenter, NTNU and Kongsberg Spacetec. 

• PSInSAR work has focussed on verification of validity/accuracy of technique 

using data from Oslo 

− Comparison with levelling results of Oslo's network of permanent 

benchmarks 

− Local areas of subsidence confirmed with Vann- og avløpsetaten. 

Good correlation with depth to basement. 

− Identification of subsidence due to Romeriksporten tunnelling. 

• Trondheim was chosen as test area for application of technique to marine 

clays, first data being received in December, paid for by NGU (~600 

kNOK). 

• GInSAR software development progressing better than expected at 

NORSAR, 

− Based on synthetic data 

− Multi-platform will run on Windows, Linux, Mac etc. 

• PhD course work begun 


None. 


• Initial analysis of Trondheim dataset 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



− Identification of areas of subsidence 

− Detailed study of time series in areas of marine-clay 

− Detailed examination of areas with known movement - may entail 

reprocessing of same areas 

• Modelling of subsidence in Drammen area 

− Compilation of existing geological and geotechnical data 

− Detailed bathymetric mapping along river using interferometric sonar 

• GInSAR hardware development 

• International collaboration with team in Grenoble 

• PhD student at the ICG, Graziella Devoli, Italian geologist with experience 

in volcanoes as geohazards 

• Model behaviour of GInSAR illumination of typical Nicaraguan volcanoes 


• One PhD study and hardware development delayed due to serious illness 

topped with earlier project commitments at NGI. 

• Difficulty getting data from Jernbaneverket and Oslo kommune to compare 

with PSInSAR data 

B9 ICG PROJECT 9: SLIDE DYNAMICS AND MECHANICS OF 

DISINTEGRATION 

Project Manager: Prof. Anders Elverhøi 


• The flow behaviour and depositional geometry of sub aqueous gravity 

flows mainly composed of clay were experimentally investigated. 

Measurements of basal pressures and particle tracking obtained with highspeed 

video camera suggest a change in the flow behaviour as more sand 

is added to the experimental slurry. 

• Physical and numerical models for submarine muddy debris flows were 

implemented for studying the giant submarine Storegga slide and the small 

debris flows in Ormen Lange, both located in the same area of the Norwegian 

Sea. 

• Physical and conceptual models were applied to BIG'95, a medium-size 

debris flow in the Valencia channel off the coastline of Spain, where a 

debris flow mobilized static blocks of clayey material. 

• The ICG 9 project also includes contributions from PhD student Arne Moe 

who during the last year has made contributions on the improvement 

NIS/CEF rheology model for gravity mass flows as well as the improvement 

of NIS2 numerical model for curved flow paths as part of his PhD 

thesis. (Arne Moe's PhD studies are jointly supported by The Research 

Council of Norway and NGI.) 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 




COSTA contributions (refereed) 

De Blasio, F., Elverhøi, A., Issler, D, Bryn, P. and Lien, R (submitted). Flow 

models of small to medium debris flows originating from compacted clay 

materials. Marine Geology COSTA Special Issue. 

Ilstad, T., Elverhøi, A., Issler, D., Marr, J. and Parker, G. (submitted). Laboratory 

Study of the Compositional Dependence of Debris Flow Behaviour I. 

Particle Tracking. Marine Geology COSTA Special Issue. 

Ilstad, T, De Blasio, F.V., Engvik, L., Elverhøi, A., Longva, O. and Marr, J. 

(submitted). On the Frontal Dynamics and Morphology of Submarine Debris 

Flows. Marine Geology COSTA Special Issue. 

Ormen Lange volume (see Note in ICG Project 6, Sec. B6.2) (refereed) 

De Blasio, F., Elverhøi, A., Issler, D., Harbitz, C., Bryn, P. and Lien, R. (submitted). 

On the dynamics of subaqueous clay rich gravity mass flows in the 

main Storegga area. Marine and Petroleum Geology Ormen Lange Special 

Issue 

Issler, D., De Blasio, F., Elverhøi, A., Bryn, P. and Lien, R. (to be submitted). 

A statistical approach to clay-rich submarine debris flows. Marine and Petroleum 

Geology Ormen Lange Special Issue. 

Papers in other refereed journals 

De Blasio, F.V, Engvik, L., Harbitz, C.B. and Elverhøi, A. Hydroplaning and 

submarine debris flows. Journal of Geophysical Research, in press. 

Papers in proceedings 

Issler, D., De Blasio, F., Elverhøi, A., Ilstad, T., Bryn, P. and Lien, R. (2003). 

Issues in the assessment of gravity mass flow in the Storegga area off western 

Norwegian coast. In: Locat, J. and Mienert, J. (eds): Submarine Mass wasting 

Movements and their Consequences. 1st Int. Symp. Kluwer Acd. Publ. 231- 

238. 

De Blasio, F., Issler, D., Elverhøi, A., Harbitz, C., Ilstad, T., Bryn, P., Lien, R. 

and Løvholt, F. (2003). Dynamics, velocity and run-out of the giant Storegga 

Slide. In: Locat, J. and Mienert, J. (eds): Submarine Mass wasting Movements 

and their Consequences. 1st Int. Symp. Kluwer Acd Publ. 223-230. 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



Other papers 

Moe, A. Effects of deflecting dam curvation (in prep.) 

Reports 

Gauer, P., De Blasio, F.V., Kvalstad, T. and Elverhøi, A. (2004). Runout 

studies of debris flows in the Northern Flank of Storegga. Report commissioned 

by Norsk Hydro. 

Oral/Poster Presentations 

De Blasio, F.V., Issler, D., Elverhøi, A., Harbitz, C.B., Ilstad, T., Bryn, P. and 

Lien, R. Dynamics and material properties of the giant Storegga slide as suggested 

by numerical simulation, Norsk Geologisk Forenings Vinterkonferanse 

6.-8. januar 2003 

Ilstad, T., Elverhøi, A., Longva, O., Marr, J. and Parker, G. Outrunner blocks: 

Summary of observed behaviour in laboratory, and comparison to field deposits. 

Norsk Geologisk Forenings Vinterkonferanse 6.-8. januar 2003 

De Blasio, F.V., Issler, D., Elverhøi, A., Harbitz, C. B., Ilstad, T., Bryn, P. and 

Lien, R. Dynamics and material properties of the giant Storegga slide as suggested 

by numerical simulation. 4th COSTA Workshop, 10-13 February 2003 

Bologna 

De Blasio, F., Issler, D., Elverhøi, A. Harbitz, C., Ilstad, T., Bryn, P., Lien, R. 

and Løvholt, F. (2003). Dynamics, velocity and run-out of the giant Storegga 

Slide. EGS-AGU-EUG Joint Assembly Nice, France, 06-11 April 2003, 

Issler, D., De Blasio, F., Elverhøi, A., Ilstad, T., Bryn, P. and Lien, R. (2003). 

Issues in the assessment of gravity mass flow in the Storegga area off western 

Norwegian coast. EGS-AGU-EUG Joint Assembly Nice, France, 06-11 April 

2003 

Elverhøi, A. Run out analyses, Storegga slide Losby Seminar 24 th -25th of April 

2003. Ormen Lange – Conclusion on Slope Stability and Slide Risk 

Elverhøi, A. Experimental studies of subaqueous debris flow particle tracking 

and measurements of porefluid pressure and total stress, Granular and Particle- 

Laden Flow, Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge, 

UK October 27-31 

De Blasio, F. Role of water in the mobility of sub aqueous debris flows. 

Granular and Particle-Laden Flow, Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical 

Sciences, Cambridge, UK October 27-31 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 




The main activity in 2004 will concentrate to further improve our numerical 

models of subaqueous debris flows based on our experience from the field 

(Ormen Lange/Storegga) as well as on a set of previous experimental studies 

carried out in St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota. A unique 

constitutive model for submarine slides does not exist. Depending on the soil 

composition, different flow regimes govern the flow behaviour ranging from a 

more granular type in the case of low clay content to a more viscoplastic 

behaviour with increasing clay content. Special emphasis will be given to further 

implement existing model concepts, such as CFX, NIS and various versions 

of BING. Based on the experimental studies we will improve the models 

for clay rich materials focusing on the hydroplaning/lubricating concept. Here 

we intend to test the modelling work against a well-known small-scaled set of 

field data, Finneidfjord, in combination with well-documented laboratory 

experiments. The scale of laboratory versus field is 1:200. 

The project will also develop numerical models to include granular materials 

such as sandy and gravel materials. For this purpose, the work will use the NIS 

models. 

In addition, we will also start to implement our models to include subaerial 

cases, based on data from Central America (Graziella Devoli) and from Iran 

(unsaturated soil). 


• A joint workshop for all ICG projects. This is important for developing 

synergies among the different projects and the different areas of expertise 

working in ICG. 

• An important aspect is the long-term funding for a project of this size and 

complexity. Because of the "low" ICG funding, there is need to obtain 

additional funding to ensure a successful project. It is necessary to know 

the annual budgets ahead of time. 

• The university does not have any support for travel and consumables such 

as renewing of computers. This also should be included in the ICG budget. 

B10 ICG PROJECT 10: TSUNAMI MODELLING 

Project Manager: Dr. Carl Harbitz 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 




Model development — Tools, parameter analysis, domain decomposition and 

parallel computing: 

• Two PhD studies (Finn Løvholt and Sylfest Glimsdal) 

– Supervision (NGI+UiO) 

– Evaluation/selection of modelling tools 

– DIFFPACK 

– Example studies of Mjølnir asteroid impact 

– Model development 

– Representation of complex fjord geometries 

– Implementation of deformable slides 

– Link to ICG project on flow mechanisms essential 

• Presentation at Norwegian Geographical Society: Tsunami Modelling in 

Ormen Lange and ICG 

Case studies — Tsunamis generated by: 

• Offshore submarine slides 

– Publication of Ormen Lange tsunami analyses 

• Submarine slides in fjords 

– Co-operation NGU/UiO established 

– Literature study initiated 

– Awaiting project assistant 

– Will be linked to PhD modelling study 

• Rockslides in fjords 

– Participation Molde workshop, presentation: Modelling of rockslide tsunamis 

– Supervision of Arne Moe (PhD student on flow dynamics, ICG Project 

9) 

• Rockslides in lakes and reservoirs 

– Presentation at NNCOLD conference 2003: Tsunami hazard in reservoirs 

– Pre-project established, proposed contents: 

• Literature survey 

• Hazard evaluation in Norway 

• kNOK 55 granted by NVE (Norw. Water Resources and Energy Dir) 

• Link to ICG Project 4 on rock slope stability is essential 


• Parameter sensitivity study (Løvholt et al., Ormen Lange Special Issue) 

• Analytical models (Haugen et al., Ormen Lange Special Issue) 

• Storegga Slide (Bondevik et al., Ormen Lange Special Issue) 

• Domain decomposition (Glimsdal et al.) 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 




• New tsunami model 

− Deformable (retrogressive) slides 

− Non-linear equations (generation and nearshore effects) 

− FEM analyses for complex fjord geometries 

• Deliverables to projects 4 and 9: 

− SoA report on tsunami run-up in Møre & Romsdal 

− Model for rockslides, input for tsunamis in fjords 

• Case studies 

− Submarine slides in fjords included in PhD study, engagement of assistant 

− Pre-project on rockslides in reservoirs (50% NVE funding) 

− Others 

• Presentations at international conferences 

− Under consideration: EGU 2004, Nice; ISOPE 2004, Toulon; 32IGC 

2004 Florence. 


• More focus on rockslide dynamics 

• Example projects in ICG (integrated ICG projects) 

• Discuss criteria for case studies (scientific value, potential for publication, 

potential as an integrated ICG project, marketing value, funding, …) 

• Seminar on policy for ICG on how to present ICG activities to the public 

(solutions/mitigation rather than scary scenarios, probability, risk…) 

• Interaction with other NGI, NTNU, NGU, NORSAR and UiO colleagues 

not working on ICG projects 

• More personnel present at ICG 

B11 ICG PROJECT 11: DEVELOPMENT OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN 

GEOHAZARDS 

Project Manager: Prof. Steinar Nordal 


• Task A: Development of MSc Curriculum in geohazards at NTNU and UiO 

MSc study in Environmental Geology and Geohazards in English at 

UiO was started fall 2003 with about 15 students. The study program is 

announced on the Internet and in a brochure. The following new MSc 

courses are under development at UiO with ICG support: 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



− Landslides and Mass Transport 

− Environmental Hazards and Risk Analysis 

− Geohazards Mitigation 

MSc study in Geotechnics and Geohazards at NTNU is currently offered 

as part of the ordinary MSc program in Civil and Environmental Engineering. 

4 MSc projects and 2 MSc theses were completed on ICG topics in 

2003. 

A targeted, internationally advertised two-year MSc study in English is 

under development and will be offered fall 2004 or 2005, depending on the 

process of approval at NTNU. The following new MSc courses are under 

development at NTNU with ICG support 

− Geotechnical Calculation Methods (first draft completed in 2003) 

− Slope Stability 

• Task B: Development of a PhD curriculum in Geohazards 

The existing PhD programs at both UiO and NTNU were used in 2003 to 

accept PhD candidates in Geohazards. A special tailored joint PhD program 

at UiO and NTNU for Geohazards will be addressed from 2005. The 

activities related to PhD candidates in 2003 have been larger than planned. 

This is a result of renewed interest in PhD studies, both externally and from 

all ICG partners. The universities also strengthened the ICG activity by 

providing additional PhD scholarships. Only at NTNU, 4 new candidates 

are about to start during winter 2003-2004 (2 in Geotechnical Engineering 

and 2 in Rock Mechanics) and funds for another 2 candidates are granted 

from summer 2004 (1 on GIS and 1 on Geotechnical Engineering). A 

similar development is expected at UiO, where Harald Iwe and Graziella 

Devoli are about to start. Considering the PhD candidates already working 

in the ICG-projects and on ICG –topics (Krishna Aryal, Arne Moe, Bård 

Romstad, Trygve Ilstad, Finn Løvholt, Sylfest Glimstad), the PhD activities 

in 2003 are considerably ahead of the original plans. 

In the fall 2003, ICG visiting professor Steve Kramer contributed 3 days 

intense lecturing on Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering in the PhD 

Course Geodynamics at NTNU. About 10 students followed the lectures. 

• Task C: Develop and run short courses 

The planned summer course "Geohazards - why do landslides occur and 

how can we prevent them?" was given in August 2003 at NTNU. The 

course was organized by NTNU Geotechnical Division and ICG in cooperation 

with BEST ("Board of European Students in Technology"): 

− Two weeks lectures, exercises and excursions 

− 20 students from 11 countries 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



− 14 lecturers, 3 from external ICG partners, 4 from industry, the rest 

from NTNU. 

− Guest professors: Mike Long, Manoochehr Zoghi, Allen McGrew, 

Steve Kramer 

− Comprehensive course material in English 

− Initiated for the years to come: Summer school from 2004 at 

NTNU/NGI/ICG: Dayton University, Prof. Zoghi, Prof. McGrew 


M.G. Sæterbø Glåmen (June 2003). New Versus Traditional Methods in Slope 

Stability Analysis. MSc Thesis at NTNU, Geotechnical Division, In English. 

T. Nyheim (June 2003). Stabilitet av flomverk (Stability of Levees – overflow 

protection dams). MSc Thesis at NTNU, Geotechnical Division, In Norwegian 

M.G. Sæterbø Glåmen, S. Nordal and A. Emdal (in pipeline, manuscript Dec. 

2003). "Slope Stability Evaluations using the Finite Element Method". Paper 

for Nordic Geotechnical Meeting - NGM 2004. 

S. Nordal, M.G. Sæterbø Glåmen (May 2003). "Elementmetoden i stabilitetsanalyser" 

NGF kurs: "Stabilitetsanalyser av skråninger, skjæringer og fyllinger". 

Hell Stjørdal. In Norwegian. 

S. Johansen, M. Saue (December 2003). "Overflatestabilitet av skråninger 

langs veinettet i Sør-Trøndelag", MSc Project at NTNU, Geotechnical Division, 

In Norwegian 

J. Gjennestad (December 2003). "Stabilisering av skjæringer langs nye E39 

med kalksement peler", MSc Project at NTNU, Geotechnical Division, In 

Norwegian 

J.L. Rongved (December 2003). "Måling av poretrykksutvikling under 

ramming av peler i en skråning med bløt leire i Buvika." MSc Project at 

NTNU, Geotechnical Division, In Norwegian 


In the project plan there is no distinct separation of activities between 2003 and 

2004. 

• The work on the MSc programs will continue and should to a large extent 

be finalized. 

• International marketing of the education programs must be given priority. 

• Work should be done in order to gain acceptance as a Marie Curie Training 

Site. 



Date: 2004-03-30 

Rev.: 



• Support to PhD students and their projects will be given high priority in 

2004 

• The first ICG-symposium for PhD students will be organised at NTNU in 

March 2004 in order to facilitate cooperation and interaction between 

different ICG - projects and activities. 


• The educational programs are developed in order to support the research 

related to ICG, disseminate results and develop competence. At the universities, 

it is fruitful that ICG is willing to contribute to teach and advise 

students, and we look forward to develop the cooperation in both teaching 

and research. 

• The MSc study at UiO fall 2003 with about 15 students is considered a 

great success. Course development is running well. 

• Due to a heavy workload at NTNU and problems with hiring competent 

assistance, the MSc program in Geohazards and Geotechnics at NTNU is 

slightly delayed. The plan is to enroll the first international students fall 

2004. This may be delayed until 2005, because start of the new MSc program 

at NTNU requires approval at faculty level. A PhD student is employed 

on a part time basis from January 2004 to assist in the work on the 

MSc program at NTNU. 

• The financial resources for this project have been sufficient for 2003. 

However, many university paid man-hours have been directed into ICG 

activities this year. A large portion is related to advising MSc and PhD 

projects, but a considerable effort has been put into development of new 

courses. Meetings and planning certainly also take time and this is so far 

has not been charged the project. 

• PhD related research is normally very cost-effective, but the university 

groups are charged an overhead for office space and do not have separate 

funding for providing computers etc. to candidates arriving with a marginal 

financing. We hope ICG may contribute to such financing. 


Kontroll- og referanseside/ 

Review and reference page 

Oppdragsgiver/Client 

The Research Council of Norway 

Kontraktsreferanse/ 

Contract reference 

SFF – ICG 146035/420 

Dokumenttittel/Document title 

International Centre for Geohazards – Annual report – 2003 

Prosjektleder/Project Manager 

Farrokh Nadim 

Utarbeidet av/Prepared by 

Farrokh Nadim 

Emneord/Keywords 

Land, fylke/Country, County 

Kommune/Municipality 

Sted/Location 

Kartblad/Map 

UTM-koordinater/UTM-coordinates 

Kvalitetssikring i henhold til/Quality assurance according to 

NS-EN ISO9001 

Kontrollert 

av/ 

Reviewed 

by 

FNa 

Kontrolltype/ 

Type of review 

Helhetsvurdering/ 

General 

Evaluation * 

Språk/Style 

Teknisk/Technical 

- Skjønn/Intelligence 

- Total/Extensive 

- Tverrfaglig/ 

Interdisciplinary 

THa Utforming/Layout 

SL Slutt/Final 2004.03.31 

Kopiering/Copy quality 

Dokument nr/Document No. 

20031103-1 

Dato/Date 

31 March 2004 

Distribusjon/Distribution 

� Fri/Unlimited 

� Begrenset/Limited 

� Ingen/None 

Havområde/Offshore area 

Feltnavn/Field name 

Sted/Location 

Felt, blokknr./Field, Block No. 

Dokument/Document Revisjon 1/Revision 1 Revisjon 2/Revision 2 

Kontrollert/Reviewed Kontrollert/Reviewed Kontrollert/Reviewed 

Dato/Date 

2004.03.31 

Sign. Dato/Date Sign. Dato/Date Sign. 

* Gjennomlesning av hele rapporten og skjønnsmessig vurdering av innhold og presentasjonsform/ 

On the basis of an overall evaluation of the report, its technical content and form of presentation 

Dokument godkjent for utsendelse/ 

Document approved for release 

Dato/Date 

31 March 2004 

Sign.

International Centre for Geohazards - NGI

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