Muscat: A geological research project, studying short and long-term changes and potential geo-hazards such as storms and tsunamis along Oman’s coastline was recently launched by the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech).
The research project, led by Associate Prof Dr Gösta Hoffmann of the Department of Applied Geosciences, is carried out in close cooperation with Prof Dr Klaus Reicherter, Department of Geosciences at RWTH Aachen University in Germany, accoridng to a press release from the GUTech today (Wednesday).
“Our research project will study extreme natural events in the long-term coastal evolution,” said Dr Gösta. The impact of natural hazards on sustainable development will be analysed to better predict natural hazards such as storms, tsunamis and earthquakes, and recommend measures to be better prepared.
“This groundbreaking research is set to improve our knowledge about the past and future of Oman’s environment. Our first results suggest a huge potential of this study,” he added.
In the past years, Oman has seen rapid development, particularly in the Al Batinah and Dhofar regions. “Coastal areas are fascinating, dynamic and rapidly changing natural environments. Their evolution is controlled by several factors in different time frames,” said Dr Gösta. With the given natural boundary conditions, interests of different groups of inhabitants and other users are in conflict. “Ongoing global climate change is also predicted to intensify the situation further,” he noted.
In the first phase, several key areas along the coastline between Muscat and Sur were investigated. Fieldwork was carried out with the help of three bachelor students from RWTH Aachen University along the beaches in Al Athaiba (capital area), Fins Beach, and in Sur. The samples that were taken will be examined and interpreted in the next few months at GUtech and at RWTH Aachen University, as well as during the next field excursions which are projected to take place in September and October.
