Scientific research for landslide risk analysis and international education for mitigation and preparedness

Abstract

Scientific activities of the World Centre of Excellence on Landslide Disaster Reduction at Charles University in Prague (2011–2014) combine field research using several techniques, capacity building, and international collaboration. Through our landslide research in Peru, Ethiopia, and at several localities inside the Czech Republic, we consider the landslide phenomena as being a part of the physical-geographical sphere where all of the interactions between the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere must be evaluated with respect to specific on-site conditions. Slope deformations are also considered as ongoing landscape changes in time and space. In some regions (e.g., in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru), landslides were studied as they occurred. In addition to progress in research methodologies, we have created a new glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) database. Doctoral candidates were involved in field research and student exchanges. Field studies also involve foreign students. Aspects of our landslide research are a matter of international collaboration in the framework of the International Programme on Landslides (IPL).