Richard Harvey

Profile

I am a PhD student in the School of Earth and Environment, my project is part of the Landslide Watch Aotearoa programme in New Zealand which is led by GNS Science.

My research aims to use Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) to resolve complex landslide kinematics in New Zealand. Through my research I hope to improve the scientific knowledge surrounding the application of SAR and InSAR for landslide monitoring. I am particularly interested in slow moving landslides as they can often go undiscovered for decades and the increase in high rainfall events in New Zealand (such as Cyclone Gabrielle) is making landslide reactivation, acceleration, and slope failure ever more likely.

During my integrated masters degree I was awarded ‘The British Geophysical Association Prize for the Best Independent Research Project in Geophysical Sciences (MGeoPhys)’ in relation to my final year dissertation. The topic of this research was to use satellite radar and optical data to monitor the effect of persistent volcanic degassing on vegetation health at Ambrym. I also used InSAR data to monitor the volcanic deformation and linked this to periods of persistent degassing and quiesence.

Research interests

• Satellite remote sensing
• InSAR
• Slope instability
• Deep seated landslides

Qualifications

• MGeophys Geophysics (International) BSc, First Class, University of Leeds

Research groups and institutes

• Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics