Ask people about geology and they think about dinosaurs (Jurassic Park), volcanoes (Eyjafjallajokull, Iceland or White Island New Zealand), Sheldon Cooper (‘Geology isn’t a real science’) and oil. Geology is about a lot more than hydrocarbons and museums.

Engineering geology was born out of a series of high-profile disasters in the first half of the twentieth century including dam collapses (Vaiont Dam) and landslides (Aberfan) that led to significant losses of life. Additionally, between 1994 and 2003, collapses on 11 tunnelling projects, worldwide, led to loss of life and cost $100’s millions to repair(1). Just like the earlier dam collapses, they all involved either an incomplete understanding or mis-interpretation of the ground conditions.

As a passionate engineering geologist always on the look out for new talent, I was alarmed to learn of recent changes to courses. Five universities run Engineering geology courses (Exeter, Leeds, Imperial College, Newcastle and Portsmouth) but two of these are threatened as a result of staff losses. Universities facing budget cuts, are understandably prioritising their spending.  Unfortunately, geology has become a prime target for cuts due to fewer student numbers, compared to other subjects, but higher costs (due to fieldwork). Geology student numbers have plummeted by 38% over the last five years(2).

Yet geology, and in particular, engineering geology, is under threat at the very time when it is needed the most. Spending on infrastructure continues apace with high profile projects such as Crossrail, Thames Tideway, Lower Thames Crossing, Feeder 9 and High Speed 2, reliant on dozens of geologists for development of the ground model and proper management of ground risk. The government is promising more of the same for the foreseeable future. In fact, the demand will grow as the baby boomer generation reach retirement. With half of all engineers due to retire in the next 10 years(3), Engineering geologists are well placed to make up some of the chronic shortfall in geotechnical engineers. The question is, will the shortfall of both engineers and geologists lead to a return to collapse, failure and loss of life?

Ursula Lawrence 
Associate Director of Engineering Geology

(1) https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20071021/story/100023257/series-of-tunnel-losses-prompts-risk-management-code
(2) The University Geoscience UK body reported in 2019 that applications to the 256 Geology courses taught at 42 Universities had dropped by 38% from a peak in 2014.
(3) https://www.godfrey.com/insights/thought-leadership/when-half-our-engineers-retire