I am a structural geologist and seismic hazard modeller. My research utilises this unusual combination of disciplines to delve into the world of active faults in Malawi. For example, where are these faults? What are the mechanics of its 100 km long rift-bounding faults that allows them to localise strain over geological time? I then use these results to investigate Malawi’s seismic hazard, where population growth and seismically vulnerable building stock is driving an increased exposure to earthquakes.

This multidisciplinary study combines the results of field work, microstructural analysis, numerical modelling, geodesy, seismology, seismic reflection surveys, and geomorphology. It is supported by the EPSRC-GCRF funded Enhancing PREParedness for East African Countries through Seismic Resilience Engineering (PREPARE) and SAFER-PREPARED projects, and through which I collaborate with partners at Cardiff University and in Malawi. The outcomes of this research has implications for how faults are influenced by pre-existing crustal structures, and how we assess earthquake hazards in regions with low strain rates.

For more on PREPARE, see: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/engineering/research/international-development/natural-disasters/prepare-africa/

For more on SAFER-PREPARED, see: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/engineering/research/safer-prepared/