Perspective view of the Hérémence Valley (south of Sion, VS). Hillslopes responding to long-term fluvial incision are highlighted, with increasingly cooler colours reflecting progressively older waves of incision.

Perspective view of the Hérémence Valley (south of Sion, VS). Hillslopes responding to long-term fluvial incision are highlighted, with increasingly cooler colours reflecting progressively older waves of incision.

Candidate: Patricia Hug
Supervisors: Kerry Leith, Andrea Manconi
Institution: ETH Zurich
Activity: Beginning Spring 2018

Gaining a better understanding of processes that contribute to the formation of large rock slope failures can provide important insight into their mechanics and future development throughout the Alps. Such instabilities are commonly assumed to be initiated as a result of erosion, seismic activity, or a change in rainfall patterns. They are not have not yet been tied to the migration of waterfalls or erosion by rivers, although many intersect river networks throughout the region. We will map large landslides in Cantons Valais, and compare their distribution to lithological boundaries, tectonic faults, former glacier extents, and patterns of drainage and waterfalls across the regions. We will use a combination of engineering geological and geomorphological mapping, as well as GIS. Knowledge of GIS, Excel, and/or Matlab would be useful though is not necessary.